Yoga

Yoga is the system that prepares one to understand the teachings that describe the true nature of one’s Self, the world and Bhagavan. Without preparing one’s intellect to comprehend this teaching, one will fail to grasp the right meaning of the teachings, even if exposed to them. Yoga is an action-oriented system that systematically and comprehensively develops the individual through right action.

Performance of Actions for Liberation

Yoga is the performance of actions for liberation, grounded in discernment of dharma and adharma, and presupposing the Self’s distinction from the body and from the roles of agent and enjoyer (Adi Shankaracharya’s Introduction to BG 2).

Equanimity in Action

Yoga is equanimity while acting. Established in yoga, one performs action without attachment and remains the same in success and failure; this evenness is called yoga (BG 2.48).

Skill in Action through Evenness of Understanding

Yoga is skill in actions when guided by an understanding that stays even in success and failure, with the mind dedicated to Bhagavan. With such understanding one gives up both merit and demerit here, as purity of mind leads to knowledge; thus one should yoke oneself to this yoga. By this evenness, actions that would bind lose their binding nature (BG 2.50; Adi Shankaracharya’s commentary on BG 2.50).

Self-Restraint Kindled by Knowledge

Yoga is self-restraint that is lit by knowledge, so restraint is not mere inhibition but discipline informed by insight (Adi Shankaracharya’s commentary on BG 4.27).

Non-attached Work for Purification

Yoga is performing works by body, mind, intellect, and senses after abandoning attachment, with the aim of purifying oneself (Based on BG 5.11).

Renunciation of Results

Yoga is renunciation of the results of action; disowning the fruits defines the yogin’s stance toward all work (BG 6.2; Adi Shankaracharya’s commentary on 6.2).

Unbroken Dedication of Mind

Yoga is the repeated, uninterrupted occurrence of the same cognition, with Bhagavān as the object of dedication; steady, single-theme practice defines the discipline (Adi Shankaracharya’s commentary on BG 8.8).

Yoga of Renunciation by Offering

Yoga is renunciation through dedication of acts and fruits to Bhagavan, which frees one from auspicious and inauspicious results; it is called the “yoga of renunciation” because dedication itself is action and is yoga (BG 9.28; Adi Shankaracharya’s commentary on 9.28).

Action as Offering

Yoga is action done as an offering to Bhagavan; since such action serves the purpose of yoga, it is called “yoga” by its quality (Adi Shankaracharya’s commentary on BG 13.25).

Single-Pointed Devotion

Yoga is unswerving, single-pointed devotion to Bhagavān Vāsudeva; exclusive dedication is itself the defining discipline (Adi Shankaracharya’s commentary on BG 14.26).