Yoga As Philosophy and Religion

Email

Whatsapp

Facebook

Pinterest

Twitter

Copy link

From the Jacket

Yoga is the steadiness of the mind, with the annihilation of the mental states, into a particular type of graduated state leading to self-realization. The earliest exponent of this system called Rajayoga, the highest of all yoga as distinguished from Hathayoga and Mantrayoga was Patanjali who wrote Aphorisms on Yoga in 150 B.C.

The present treatise relates to the system of Rajayoga as enunciated by Patanjali and explained by his commentators Vyasa, Vacaspati, Vijnanabhiksu and others. It deals with the foundation of the yoga practices-their philosophical, psychological, cosmological, ethical and religious doctrines. It compares the essential features of the yoga system with other systems of philosophical thought and establishes, in particular, its affinity to the system of Samkhya.

The work consists of fifteen chapters divided into two parts bound in one volume. Part I (Chapters I-VII) deals with Yoga Metaphysics, delineating mainly the characteristics and functions of Prakrti and Purusa, the reality of the external world and the process of Evolution. Part II (Chapters VIII-XV) expounds Yoga Ethics and Practice with emphasis on Yoga method, stages of samadhi and kindred topics.

This study is documented with a preface giving an outline of the topic, an appendix on Sphota-the relation of words with their ideas and things, and a general index.

About the Author

Surendranath Dasgupta (1885-1952) occupied a unique position in the constellation of contemporary Indian philosophers. He annexed highest academic honours from the universities of Cambridge, Rome and Calcutta. He was a lecturer in the University of Cambridge, taught at colleges in Rajshahi and Chittagong (Bangladesh), and became Professor of Philosophy in the Presidency Collage of Calcutta. He also occupied the Professorial Chair in the University of Calcutta, and became Principle of the Sanskrit College. He represented India in the International Congress of Religions in 1936.

Dr. Dasgupta was a prolific writer of books, tracts, reviews, etc. both in Bengali and English. His monumental work is A History of Indian Philosophy in five volumes, published by Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited, which has already become a classic.

Contents:

BOOK I. YOGA METAPHYSICS :

Chapter:

I. Prakrti

II. Purusha

III. The Reality of the External World

IV. The Process of Evolution

V. The Evolution of the Categories

VI. Evolution and Change of Qualities

VII. Evolution and God

BOOK II. YOGA ETHICS AND PRACTICE :

VIII. Mind and Moral States

IX. The Theory of Karma

X. The Ethical Problem

XI. Yoga Practice

XII. The Yogangas

XIII. Stages of Samadhi

XIV. God in Yoga

XV. Matter and Mind

Appendix

Index