The word 'Yog' comes from the Sanskrit root 'Yuj', meaning “to join” or “to unite.” According to Yogic philosophy, the practice of Yog leads to the union of individual consciousness with Universal Consciousness — the harmony of mind, body, and spirit.
As described in the Bhagavad Gita, “Yogah karmasu kaushalam” — Yog is skill in action. It is not merely physical postures but a disciplined approach to life that brings balance, awareness, and divine connection.
The ancient sage Patanjali described the eight limbs of Yog, which serve as a complete guide to living with awareness and self-mastery. These stages can be practiced in all aspects of life to attain inner perfection.
Yog expresses itself through four primary paths — Karma Yog, Bhakti Yog, Raja Yog, and Jyan Yog. Each path is distinct yet leads to the same ultimate realization of unity with the Divine.
“Karam hi Pooja hai” — Work is worship. Karma Yog is the path of selfless action. It teaches us to perform our duties sincerely, without attachment to the results, and to accept success and failure with equanimity.
Three Levels of Karma:
Bhakti Yog is the path of devotion — a surrender of the heart to the Divine through love and faith. It emphasizes emotional connection with God rather than intellectual understanding.
Types of Bhakti Yog:
Six Pillars of Bhakti:
Raja Yog is the royal path of mental discipline and meditation. It focuses on mastering the mind and emotions, leading to peace, self-control, and inner harmony.
Closely related to Patanjali’s Eightfold Path, it guides practitioners through ethical conduct, postures, breath control, concentration, and meditation, culminating in self-realization.
Jyan Yog, the path of knowledge, seeks truth through self-inquiry and deep contemplation. It emphasizes discernment between the real and unreal, leading to wisdom and liberation.
The Four Pillars of Knowledge:
Yog is both a science and a spiritual journey — a way of harmonizing body, mind, and soul. Whether through action, devotion, discipline, or knowledge, all paths of Yog lead toward the same ultimate goal: self-realization and union with the Divine.
By integrating these principles into daily life, one can achieve balance, peace, and a higher awareness that transcends worldly limitations.