Book Description

TRIYOGA UPANISHAD is a compilation of three Yoga Upanishads - Yoga Kuṇḍalinī, Yoga Darśana and Yogatattva. A brief introduction to them is given below.About Yoga Kuṇḍalinī UpaniṣadThis Upaniṣad concerning Kuṇḍalinī Yoga belongs to Kriśna Yajurveda. There are three chapters in it. In the first chapter, the two causes of Citta Vṛtti, the three methods of controlling Prāna - moderation in diet, Āsana and Śakti Cālini Mudrā are described. Then Sarasvati Cālana, types of Prānāyāma - Sūryabhedi, Ujjāyi, Shītali, Bhastrikā, etc., three Bandhas - Moola Bandha, Uddiyāna Bandha and Jālandhara Bandha, obstacles in yoga and protection from them, awakening of Kuṇḍalinī through yoga practice, penetration of three Granthis, Kuṇḍalinī entering Sahasrāra Cakra (thousand petalled lotus), dissolution of Prāna, etc. into Śiva, realization of Self everywhere during Samādhi and subjects like Samādhi Yoga, etc. are described in detail.The second chapter begins with the lucid explanation of khecari mudrā. The features of khecari, its results, perfection of khecari by mantra japa, sequence of khecari practice, etc., are described elaborately. In the beginning of the third chapter the khecari melana mantra for khecari siddhi is described specifically.The vision of a sādhaka during his sādhanā is described in the third chapter by giving examples of new moon, first lunar date and full moon. Then attaining perfection for the union with macrocosm through prānāyāma, impossibility of Self-realization without practice, knowledge of the Brahman through the discourse of a Sadguru, manifestation of Brahma in the form of vāk, vṛtti and viśva, the nature of Parabrahma and the means to attain Brahma - dhyāna, jīvanmukti and videhamukti are fully elaborated. About Yoga Darśana UpaniśadOriginally, this Upaniśad is called Jābāladarśana Upaniśad, but it is also known as Yoga Darśana Upaniśad. It belongs to Sāmaveda. It primarily deals with Aṣṭāṅga Yoga philosophy. The main theme of Aṣṭāṅga Yoga is described in it in the form of dialogue between Lord Dattātreya and Sage Sāṅkṛti.There are mainly ten khaṇḍas (parts) in it. In the first part the philosophy of the eight limbs of yoga and the ten yamas are described. In the second part the ten niyams are explained. Nine types of asanas are described in the third part. There is a long explanation of introduction to nāḍīs, the pilgrimage to the Self and the glory of the knowledge of Self-realization in the fourth part. Methods of the purification of the nadis and the self-purification are described in the fifth part. Prāṇāyāma, its methods of practice, results and applications are described in the sixth part. Pratyāhāra, its types and results are described in the seventh part. Dhāraṇā and dhyāna are described in the eighth and ninth parts. The state of samādhi and its results are described in the last tenth part.About Yogatattva UpaniśadThe Yogatattva Upaniśad belongs to Kriśna Yajurveda. The various subject matters of yoga are elaborately described in it. In the beginning Lord Viśnu imparts the knowledge of the mysterious truth of yoga to Brahma. It is said that yoga is a means to attain the highest state or self-realization. Mantra Yoga, Laya Yoga, Haṭha Yoga and Rāja Yoga and their four states - ārambha, ghaṭa, paricaya and niśpatti are described. Further the moderation in diet and daily routine for a yogi are stated. The description of preliminary signs of yoga siddhis (perfection in yoga) and instructions for keeping oneself away from these powers are detailed.Yoga Sādhanā when followed and practiced with full devotion and a concentrated mind certainly bestows success to a yogi and he is equipped with all the siddhis (aṇimā, garimā and mahimā, etc.). He becomes the authority of the divine powers. Finally, after realizing the essence of the Self like an unwavering lamp within himself, he is liberated from the worldly cycles of death and birth.