"What is Yog"

In a very broad sense, the simple meaning of the word Yog is union or joining together. The Sanskrit word for adding one number to another is 'Yog'. When a man builds a relationship with another that relationship is called 'Yog'.

There is a very special kind of relationship between a Guru (teacher) and a Shishya(disciple). The Guru imparts knowledge to his Shishya with understanding and care, and the Shishya learns in all humility and gratitude with dedication. This brings about an union of two minds. Let this kind of relationship move step forward. Train your mind to look inside itself. You will come to realise the presence of God within yourself. This union or Yog is ultimate aim of all Yogic processes.

It is said that Lord Shiva himself developed the system of Yog. During different ages and different period of history, Rishis, Sages and Saints propounded and expounded it. The famous Yog Sutra written by the great sage Patanjali is the authentic book on Yog.

There are many kinds of Yog. Karma Yog, Jnana Yog, Bhakti Yog, Ashtanga Yog, Raj Yog, Hath Yog, Laya Yog, Jap Yog and many more.

Discussing Karma Yog, Jnana Yog and Bhakti Yog, Saint Vinoba Bhave has said,"Karma, Jnana and Bhakti are seldom seen to exist in one individual. Some posess Jnana, some can perform Karma and some possess Bhakti. But no one has all three of these attributes together. I have looked for such a person in many different places and walks of life but have never come across one". But after some time, Saint Vinoba Bhave suddenly said, "Now I have located a person who has all three". When people asked him about the person who possessed al three, he replied, "It is the Mother". He explained further "The mother cooks, this is her 'Karma' (duty). She sees that food is properly cooked, tasteful and nutritious, this is her 'gyan' (Knowledge). He feeds her children with unselfish love. This unselfish love is her 'Bhakti' (devotion)."