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
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