Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
Volume - 4 (Kaivalyapāďa):
- Kaivalyapāďa is a consummating extension of all the previous pāďa-s. It concludes and crowns the entire doctrine, principles, and practices.
- Kaivalyapāďa highlights prerequisites that qualify the chiţţa for liberation.
- It speaks of subjects requiring in-depth understanding of fine-tuning and refining the chiţţa, to qualify it for the attainment of kaivalya.
- Doctrine of Reflection (Praţibimbavāďa) is a very interesting study. This is about how the buďdhi is 'awakened' by the Purusha (Absolute). Different facets of chiţţa are elaborated in this work. Phenomenon of splitting the chiţţa and reincarnations of gods are other interesting topics.
ŚIVAM
- ŚIVAM (to mean purity, welfare, auspicious, liberation), the present work (in four volumes), is an independent research work based on more than ninety classical scriptures, presented in simple English. It treats Yōgaďarśana traditionally, as all the ancient classical works have treated.
- It discusses all the doctrines, principles, and practices as intended to be implemented by the aphorisms and the ancient teachers. The current work makes the subject as practical as possible with hints and analogies.
- This work is neither a translation nor a compilation. It is an independent work, amply and exhaustively, substantiated by the available classical bhāshya-s (commentaries). Of course, in certain instances, the import of the aphorisms are given precedence over the bhāshya-s.
- Classical scriptures are used to explain each word thoroughly in four volumes.
- It has a phonetic guide, a well-made index (for both English and Sanskrit words) and a bibliography.
- This series, besides describing doctrinal aspects of Sāmkhya and Yōga, discusses, in-depth, on traditional practices of Yama s, Niyama-s, Āsana-s, Praņayana, Praţyāhāra, Samādhi, Sampraj āţasamādhi, and Asampraj āţasamādhi.
- The work describes the meanings of Purusha, prakŗiţi, inďriya-s, manas, ahamkāra, and buďdhi, which are usually loosely translated to mean soul, nature, sense organs, mind, ego, and intellect respectively. A thorough and precise knowledge of them is indispensable for attaining samādhi-s.
- ŚIVAM is a reference work for scholars, researchers, teachers, students and for committed practitioners.
Yōgaďarśana
- They liken Yōgaďarśana to an ocean which is the source of all great rivers, like Ganga. All the other Ďarśana-s, in their essence, are embedded in Yoga. Yoga establishes a firm foundation for other spiritual studies.
- Yōgaďarśana transcends religion, faith, or beliefs, freeing the mind from any bias. It speaks of the welfare of the entire humanity and living beings without discrimination on any ground.
- It is a discussion of spiritual, intellectual, and moral foundations for liberation.
- Yōgaďarśana maintains pragmatism. Progress can be measured from the individual's behavioral patterns-his psychological response to the surrounding environment fostering a clearly discernible sound sense of detachment.