My Hindu Page Glossary - Y

Yoga: An ancient spiritual science developed in the Indian subcontinent. The word yoga, in the sanskrit language means ‘yoking into a union’. This union is between the yogi (a practicer of yoga) and God. Yoga contains a structured step by step system of practices that lead a yogi to the attainment of God Realization. Yoga which is used in common is abbreviated from either Ashtanga Yoga or Raja Yoga, which are the actual names of this spiritual science. (see also Yoga philosophy and God Realization)

Yoga Philosophy: The yogic perspective is based on the inherent unity of soul and God. It stipulates that for the soul to gain full knowledge of its identity it has to realize its innate union with God. This unity with God is a mystical realization that can be attained through living a life of virtue and introspection by way of meditation. Yoga philosophy says that the purpose of life on Earth is for the soul to discover its Oneness with God. To achieve this the soul will reincarnate on earth countless times. Once the union with God is discovered, the soul is freed from being reborn on earth and shall enjoy life in the spiritual worlds of heaven until it is finally reunited back with God in undifferentiated Oneness. Thus yoga philosophy teaches that life is a spiritual journey of experiences that starts with God creating the soul out of His being and ends with the soul ultimately reuniting with God in His being. Yoga philosophy is the base of many religions of the East, especially those originating from the Indian subcontinent such as the religions of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. While the philosophy of yoga is usually embedded in the beliefs and cultures of different religions, yoga itself has never been organized as a religion. Instead pure yoga philosophy is codified in a very practical system of practice that is known among Hindu yoga masters as Ashtanga Yoga or Raja Yoga. (see Ashtanga Yoga)

Yoga Vashishta: A Scripture that is a treatise of yoga that is part of the epic story Ramayana. It comprises of questions and answers on the subject of yoga between Lord Rama, who is the hero of Ramayana, and Sage Vashishta, who was Lord Rama’s guru.

Yogaswami: A renowned guru of Jaffna, Sri Lanka (1872-1964). He is the guru of Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami and the author of Natchintanai.

Yogi: An accomplished practitioner of yoga.

Yuga: “Aeon.” In Hindu thought yugas are vast time cycles (calculated in millions of years) that govern the spiritual nature of the universe. There are four consecutive yugas, they are, Satya Yuga, Treta Yuga, Dvapara Yuga and Kali Yuga. Satya Yuga, the age of dharma and enlightenment, is a time when the physical universe is very much a heavenly place, peaceful and joyous. As the yugas progress the condition of the physical universe becomes more materialistic until the end of Kali Yuga (the age when virtue is overshadowed by ignorance and injustice). After Kali Yuga, the cycle repeats itself from Satya Yuga. It is said that we are coming to the end of Kali Yuga and reaching the dawn of a new Satya Yuga.