Classical Indian Philosophy Theism in Yoga, the Place of God in Yoga and Important Points

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Complete Video at - Classical Indian Philosophy: Theism in Yoga & The place of God in Yoga (Philosophy)

The Place of God in Yoga

  • Yoga school of Indian philosophy by Patanjali accepts the existence of God.
  • According to Patanjali, God is a special kind of Purusha who is free from all actions, effects, modifications, pains, impressions, etc.
  • So, he is a special purusha who is also a supreme knower, eternal free and above the laws of karma.
  • Patanjali avers that God is the purest knowledge, he is the teacher of the seers or rishis, and is also the teachers of the Vedas.
  • Aum is his symbol.
  • As a result, Patanjali believes devotion to God or Ishvaraparinidhana is a surest means of obtaining concentration or samadhi.
  • In other words, it can be said that the description of God or special Purusha given by Patanjali is that of a Saguna God or God who is endowed with all positive qualities such as omniscience, omnipresence, omnipotence, etc.
  • Patanjali also gives some proofs in-order for the existence of God. Some of them are;
    • The holy literature, Vedas gives us the knowledge of God՚s existence.
    • Laws of continuity tell us that God, the highest knowledge and perfection exists.
    • God is responsible for the association and the disassociation of Prakriti and Purusha.
    • Ishvaraparanidhana or devotion towards God is the surest way to obtain samadhi and thereby, liberation.
  • Yet, it is very important to note that the special purusha or God of Patanjali is not the following;
    • He is not the creator, preserver and destroyer of the world
    • He cannot punish or rewards the souls.
    • He cannot grant liberation to the souls. He can only remove obstacles from the path of his devotee who are onto the path of progress.
    • He has nothing to do with the concept of bondage and liberation.
  • As a result, according to the Yoga school of Indian philosophy by Patanjali, the purpose of human life or the aim of human life is not the union with God.
  • Rather, it is to understand and have the knowledge of the separation of the Purusha from the Prakriti.
  • Hence, according to Patanjali, liberation is the knowledge of disassociation of Purusha from Prakriti via Ishvaraparanidhana.

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Important Points

  • Yoga-sutra is written by Patanjali
  • Yoga-vartika is written by Vijnanabhiksu
  • Yoga is a theistic school of Indian Philosophy
  • Patanjali՚s yoga is Raja-yoga

MCQ

Q-1 Patanjali՚s yoga is

A. Bhakti Yoga

B. Hat Yoga

C. Karma Yoga

D. Raja Yoga

Answer: D

2. Which of the following statements are correct in accordance with Patanjali՚s conception of God;

A. He is the creator, preserver and destroyer of the world

B. He cannot punish or rewards the souls.

C. He cannot grant liberation to the souls.

D. Both B and C

Answer: D.

3. According to Patanjali, ________ is the surest means of attaining liberation

A. Devotion to God

B. Study of Scriptures

C. Performing Yama

D. Both B and C

Answer: A

4. According to ________, God is a special kind of Purusha who is free from all actions, effects, modifications, pains, impressions, etc.

A. Kapila

B. Kanada

C. Patanjali

D. Shankara

Answer: C

#Theism

#God

#Patanjali

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