Triyoga Upanishad (ePub)

TRIYOGA UPANISHAD is a compilation of three Yoga Upanishads - Yoga Kuṇdalini, Yoga Darsana and Yogatattva. A brief introduction to them is given below.

About Yoga Kuṇdalini Upanisad

This Upanisad concerning Kuṇdalini Yoga belongs to Krisna Yajurveda. There are three chapters in it. In the first chapter, the two causes of citta vṛtti, the three methods of controlling prana - moderation in diet, asana and sakti calini mudra are described. Then sarasvati calana, types of pranayama - suryabhedi, ujjayi, shitali, bhastrika, etc., three bandhas - moola bandha, uddiyana bandha and jalandhara bandha, obstacles in yoga and protection from them, awakening of kuṇdalini through yoga practice, penetration of three granthis, kuṇdalini entering sahasrara cakra (thousand petalled lotus), dissolution of prana, etc. into Siva, realization of Self everywhere during samadhi and subjects like Samadhi Yoga, etc. are described in detail.

About Yoga Darsana Upanisad

Originally, this Upanisad is called Jabaladarsana Upanisad, but it is also known as Yoga Darsana Upanisad. It belongs to Samaveda. It primarily deals with Astaṅga Yoga philosophy. The main theme of Astaṅga Yoga is described in it in the form of dialogue between Lord Dattatreya and Sage Saṅkṛti.

There are mainly ten khaṇdas (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 nadis, 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. Praṇayama, its methods of practice, results and applications are described in the sixth part. Pratyahara, its types and results are described in the seventh part. Dharaṇa and dhyana are described in the eighth and ninth parts. The state of samadhi and its results are described in the last tenth part.

About Yogatattva Upanisad

The Yogatattva Upanisad belongs to Krisna Yajurveda. The various subject matters of yoga are elaborately described in it. In the beginning Lord Visnu 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, Hatha Yoga and Raja Yoga and their four states - arambha, ghata, paricaya and nispatti 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 Sadhana 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 (aṇima, garima and mahima, 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.