In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhagawan Krishna explaining the procedure of performing the “Yogam” to Arjuna. In due course, we’ve also understood the difference between “Yogam” and “Asanam”. While “Asanam” pertains to our physical well-being, the “Yogam” refers to our mental well-being. Bhagawan Krishna is focusing more on the “Yogam” part than the “Asanam” part. Of course, while we perform it today, we perform it as “Yogasanam”, where we take care of both physical and mental well-being together. This is of course extremely necessary in today’s context, given our work commitments, the stress and strain that we undergo every passing day, etc. Starting the discussion on “Yogam” thus, Bhagawan first emphasizes upon the “place” that we’ve to select for performing the “Yogam”. The place must be silent and devoid of any noise. Moreover, “Yogam” is something that has to be performed alone and not as a group. Secondly, Bhagawan talks about the “Aasanam” (Seat) upon which we should sit and perform our “Yogam”. The “Aasanam” should enable us to sit straight with an erect back, comfortably without causing any back pain or physical discomfort. Of course, when we talk of physical comfort, we should avoid cushions and other luxuries, so that we do not fall asleep.
Moving on further thus, Bhagawan continues His accord on the “Yogam”. Bhagawan Krishna says thus, “Oh Arjuna! While performing your “Yogam”, you should make sure that you sit in the “Padmaasanam” position, wherein you keep your right leg over your left thigh and left leg over your right thigh. This enables you to automatically sit straight and also, all your nerves that are below your hips will come under the control of your brain. This will ensure that you have absolute control of your body and mind. By sitting in the “Padmasanam” position, your mind will not be able to deviate into expecting physical comforts. It will slowly start getting focused into the “Yogam” that you’re trying to perform!”
Moreover, Bhagawan Krishna now talks about the posture that we’ve to sit in detail. Bhagawan says that we should sit in an upright position with our head, neck and our back in a straight line. This indicates the upright position that we’ve to sit. Normally when we sit down on the floor (Of course, today we’ve shunned the habit of sitting on the floor completely) for a long time, we would start having pain in our lower back. Immediately we would start fearing that this back pain would start getting more intense if we continue sitting in the “Padmasanam” position, and we would immediately come out from that. However, this is a wrong practice. The more we try and sit in the “Padmasanam” position, pushing our back even straighter than before, our back pain will start diminishing gradually and our body will slowly get used to it. The problem here is that we’ve been so accustomed to sitting on cushions and luxury chairs and our backs have literally lost the habit of being upright. Hence, we should slowly cultivate this habit of sitting on the floor and that too in the “Padmaasanam” position, and this is very important for performing our “Yogam”.
Moreover, now Bhagawan is explaining how to focus our mind and sense organs. Bhagawan explains to Arjuna thus, “Oh Arjuna! You should ensure that you do not look here and there by turning your neck in all directions! You should keep your neck still. You should focus your eyes at the tip of your nose. While doing so, you should bring your mind and your thought process towards me slowly. You should focus on me and try to stay in this focus for as long as possible. Thus, this is how you start meditating!”
Now this is a very important point stressed upon by Bhagawan Krishna, and for today, let us understand this. In the next episode, we shall witness some myths that we might be having about meditation in today’s context and how Bhagawan Krishna busts these myths while talking about “Yogam”. Stay tuned for an interesting accord! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 