The concept of Yoga in Yoga Upanishads
by Philomina T.L | 2018 | 42,235 words
This page relates ‘Atma and Ishvara (according to the Major Upanishads)� of study dealing with the evolution and significance of Yoga as reflected in the Yoga-Upanishads, a collection of authoritative texts dedicated to the concept of Yoga (spiritual discipline). The thesis traces the origins of the practice back to pre-Vedic times and and suggests that Yoga became a philosophical system following the creation of the Yogasutras.
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3. Ātma and Īśvara (according to the Major Upaniṣads)
Major ܱ貹Ծṣa徱 concept of ٳ is as that is mentioned in the Yoga 岹śԲ. The ṻDZ貹Ծṣa describes the nature of ٳ as infinite, and immortal with no end and no beginning.
It states:
ajo nityaśāśvato'ya� purāṇo nahanyate hanyamāne śarīre |[1]
Here the ٳn is regarded as the master of charriot who sits in the chariot of body which is run by the horses of indriyas with the control of reins of mind which is driven by the of buddhi to the desired place. The ṻDZ貹Ծṣa regards ٳn as the enjoyer of karmas, who enjoys its results with the help of mind and indriyas.
It is stated as:
ātmendriyamanoyukta� bhoktetyahurmanīṣiṇa� |[2]
Again the ԻDzⲹ and the śԴDZ貹Ծṣa regards ṛdⲹ as the living place of ٳn. This ٳn lives in the body and does the karma through the indriyas like skin, ears etc.[3]
Different ܱ貹Ծṣa regard ٳ in different forms. The ѳṇḍDZ貹Ծṣa regards it in form while 첹ṻ regards it as vibhu which indicates Brahman. This ٳn cannot be attained by the study of the vedas or hearing of them or by intelligence but only by those who say that they know him. For him only he reveals his nature[4]. Again it says that those who are free from all desires and can restrain their senses from objects can perceive the self which is realized through the processes like seeing, hearing, thinking, knowing etc..
Footnotes and references:
[2]:
Ibid I.3.4
[4]:
�. U.I.2.23