Yoga Traya

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Yoga Traya

 

The triple Yoga of service, devotion and knowledge are very

essential for Self-realization. The one does not contradict the

other. On the other hand, they help growth and harmonious

development of the heart, mind and the intellect. It is mere folly

to discard any of these in the course of one's onward march towards

the goal of life. Each Yoga supplements, helps and complements the

others. The Bhagavad Gita says, " Sankhya Yogau prithak Balah

pravadanti na pandithaah " - Children, not the wise, say Yoga and

knowledge are distinct.

 

Though Sri Sankara was a pure Advaita Vedantin he always worshipped

a personal God. He composed many verses and hymns in praise of Devi,

Lord Krishna, Hari, Siva and others. He did Lokasangraha or selfless

service unto humanity. There was no power on earth to compel him to

do work. He was free as a bird. Yet he served untiringly. He

established four Mutts. He initiated deserving students into

Sannyas. He hoisted the flag of Vedanta and established its

supremacy over other philosophers. He put down the misleading heads

of various cults and schools who led humanity astray. He put them in

the right path. His philosophy today stands unparalleled. He wrote

several inspiring and elevating books. He inspires us even to day.

His commentaries on Prasthanatrayi are simply wonderful. Is there a

greater Yogi, philosopher and a Karma Yogi than Sri Sankara?

 

Sri Sankara says, in one of his hymns to Hari, " O Lord, though I

and you are one, yet I am thine but mine, just as the waves belong

to the ocean only, and not the ocean to the waves " .

 

Swami Madhusudan Saraswati was one of the reputed saints of the 8th

century A.D. He was a Poorna Gnani and a Bhakta too. Even after he

realized the all-pervasive Self or Brahman he worshipped Lord

Krishna. He said, " Though I behold the one Atman in all beings and

see all as one yet my taste or craving for the worship of the feet

of Krishna never leaves me. To me Krishna is the highest reality. "

Krishnat-param kimapi tattavam aham nahjane- I do not know of any

superior reality than Krishna.

 

Though Sant Tukaram was a great Bhakta he had the cosmic and Supreme

Advaitic Realization. Some people hold the view that a Bhakta has no

realization of oneness of the attainment of Brahma Sayujya. This is

wrong. The Bhakta too attains the state attained by Gnanins this may

be observed also from the lives of the South Indian Saiva saints

like TirumalaNayanar, Appar, Sundaramurthi and others. Though they

adored Lord Siva with all their heart they had the highest

realization of Brahman.

 

The practice of Karma Yoga and Bhakti Yoga is as difficult as that

of Gnana Yoga. Keeping up of Atma Bhav while practicing Karma Yoga

in the world is more difficult than the practice of Jnana Yoga while

remaining in the cave.

 

Work must be done for the divine alone and in union with the divine

and with the right spirit and attitude. By doing constant selfless

service with Ishwararpan Buddhi the aspirant develops Bhakti. His

will gets merged in the Divine Will. His ego slowly perishes. Action

done with the right spirit and mental attitude is a powerful and

effective as devotion and meditation. Action, devotion and knowledge

go together. Internal development and perfection are possible only

through the practice of this triple Yoga (Yogatraya). Karma Yoga

includes meditation and devotion. Lord Krishna says to Arjuna, "

Remember me at all times and fight " i.e., do your duty. " Take

refuge in Me and surrender the fruits of all your actions unto

Me. " " Smarana " of the Lord consecrating the fruits of all actions

and self-surrender (Atma Nivedan) which are the fundamental doctrine

of Karma Yoga are really devotion in essence. Incessant untiring

selfless work leads you from devotion to knowledge and fulfills the

purpose of life.

 

May you understand the philosophy of the triple Yoga and practice it

in your daily life and attain perfection in this very birth! May you

be blessed!