What is the Spiritual significance of Asana ?

With our thoughts always rooted in the profound nature of the destination of our Yogic Path, namely the highest stage of Raja Yoga, which is Stillness and freedom from the thraldom of the senses and a realisation that the Self within is an indestructible part of the all pervading Supreme Consciousness , filled with love and joy - we now enter into the journey itself.

Let's begin with a story!

Once, King Chandakapali went to the hermitage of Sage Gheranda and, after prostrating before him with due humility and devotion, asked him a question.

" Ghaṭasthayogam yogēsha Tattvajñānasya Kāranam

Idānīm śroṇumicchāmi yōgēshvara vada prabhō "

How can Yoga which is based on the Body (Ghaṭastha yogam) help us to know the final Truth. How should this Yoga be practised ? Is it possible to attain knowledge through Yoga ?

Sage Gheranda, accepts this question and says ,

" It is very good that you have adopted this path. You have expressed your aim and knowledge of yoga is imparted to one who is eager to know himself. Only a person who performs his duties and does his Sādhana in order to know himself is called a Yogi."

When an effort at Self attainment is made, that becomes a form of Yoga Sādhana, yoga practice

Sage Gheranda says that Yoga should be practised sequentially. By adhering to consistent sequential practice one can become conversant with the physical, mental, intellectual, psychological and internal activities of the body and mind.

And with this he begins to expound the Ghaṭastha Yoga envisioned by him in 7 stages.

"Shodanam dridhatā caiva sthairyam dhairyam ca lāghavam,

Pratyaksham ca nirliptam ca ghatasya saptasādanam"

"Purification, firmness, steadiness, patience, lightness, inner perception and non-involvement are the seven sādhanas for the Ghata "

These seven stages correspond to the Ashtanga (Eight limbed) or Raja Yoga of Sage Patanjali.

Thus we see that Yoga has been practiced, perfected and codified by innumerable sages in ancient and recent times. A majority of these practices including other Haṭha Yoga systems (Structured and practiced by who are the Nath Yogis) begin first by addressing the Body and mind and move on to subtler elements later. They all merge with the attainment of Samādhi or Stillness in conciousness which is the final stage of Rāja Yoga.

Thus the practice of Yogasanas comes foremost for higher achievements in Sādhanā.

Sage Gheranda says

"Yōgānalēna sandahya ghaṭashuddhim samācarēt"

The energy produced by yoga practices is called the glow or fire of yoga. Through the medium of this fire, disorders are removed from the body, purifying and strengthening it.

We now call ourselves Yogis - who are on the path of a steadfast yogic practice or Sādhanā and we begin to find out how to make ourselves eligible for the performance of these Asanās.

Bibliography :

Light on Life by B.K.S. Iyengar

Light on Yoga by B.K.S Iyengar

Hatha Yoga Pradipika by Swatmarama

Gheranda Samhita of Sage Gheranda by Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati

Patanjali Yoga Sutras (The Heart of Yoga) by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Bhagavad Gita - by Jayadayal Goyandka (Gita Press Gorakhpur

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