Dattātreya Yogaśāstra

<p><em>Dattātreya Yogaśāstra</em> in a dialogue form between <em>Sānkriti</em> and Lord <em>Dattātreya</em> is a unique classical yogic text. It imparts the right concept and rational knowledge of yoga with a heavy focus on practice with great effort. It clearly outlines that everyone is entitled to yoga practice regardless of one's age sex faith and belief sect and cult and tradition and religion and robe and physical appearance.</p><p>Regarding the four stages of yoga the text mentions <em>ārambha</em> <em>ghaṭa</em> <em>paricaya</em> and <em>niṣpatti</em> <em>avasthās</em>. Of the <em>Haṭhayoga </em>practices it elaborates mainly eight <em>bandhas</em> and <em>mudrās</em> which are <em>mahāmudra</em> <em>mahābandha</em> <em>khecari</em> <em>mudrā</em> <em>jāladhara</em> <em>uddiyāna</em> and <em>moola</em> <em>bandhas</em> <em>viparitakarana</em> and <em>vajroli</em>.</p><p>Of <em>yamas</em> and <em>niyamas</em> the <em>Yogaśāstra</em> regards that <em>laghvāhāra</em> (eating less) and <em>ahimsā</em> are supreme respectively. Of all the asanas practice of <em>padmāsana</em> alone is highly recommended and also regarded as the destroyer of all diseases.</p><p>The <em>Yogaśāstra</em> emphasizes that one can not achieve success in yoga just by reading scriptures by wearing special garbs/dresses by repeating mantras and by worshiping Gods and deities but by constantly practicing it without sloth.</p><p><em>Dattātreya</em> <em>Yogaśāstra</em> regards <em>prāṇāyāma</em> as an important practice in yoga <em>sādhanā</em>. <em>Padmāsana</em> is highly recommended for the practice of <em>prāṇāyāma</em>. The techniques of <em>prāṇāyāma</em> are fully elaborated with the inclusion of the practice of three <em>bandhas</em> and <em>sahita</em> <em>kumbhaka</em> (with the retention of breath) for the purification of <em>nāḍis</em>. It is further described that when the <em>nāḍis</em> are purified the signs of success in the body of yogi become visible. When <em>kumbhaka</em> practice is prolonged gradually every day the yogi finally attains <em>kevala kumbhaka</em> that is the ultimate goal of <em>prāṇāyāma</em> practice.</p><p>The text also explains that when <em>kevala kumbhaka</em> is achieved the yogi experiences several signs in his body and attains some minor <em>siddhis</em>. This is called the <em>ārambha avasthā </em>(stage). When <em>kevala kumbhaka</em> is perfected through further practice he attains <em>ghaṭa avasthā</em>. This is a very important stage in which <em>prāna </em>and <em>apāna</em> <em>manas</em> and <em>prāṇa</em> and <em>ātmā</em> and <em>paramātmā</em> are united. It instructs further that the yogi in this stage should practice <em>pratyāhāra</em>. While practicing <em>pratyāhāra</em> the yogi feels unity will one and all and also he attains miraculous powers but he is advised neither to be attached to them nor to disclose them. </p><p>The text further elaborates that when perfection is attained through practice on five elements the yogi attains supernatural powers like <em>anima</em> etc. Then the yogi should continue his practice of meditation first on <em>saguṇa brahma</em> and then <em>nirguṇa brahma</em> so he can finally attain the culmination of yoga<em> niṣpatti avasthā</em> in which he realizes the union with God. After achieving his union with God at this stage the yogi as per his wish may leave his body or he may wander as a <em>jīvan mukta</em> (one who is liberated while living) in this universe.</p>