The Yogic Nectar: Spiritual Wisdom for Self-Awareness

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Yoga is both the science of self-awareness and the art of harmonizing the body, mind, and soul.

This book presents a detailed exploration of Patanjali's Ashtanga Yoga (also known as Raja Yoga) alongside its allied and derivative paths, including Hatha Yoga, Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Japa Yoga, and Kundalini Yoga.

It delves into various aspects such as the subtle anatomy of the human being, characterized by the Kosha-s and Chakra-s, the states of the Self; the dynamics of sound and silence; meditation techniques; the role of Mudra-s in spiritual practice; the awakening of Kundalini Shakti within the pranic body; and the significance of faith, prayer, satsanga, japa, kirtana, and virtuous deeds in aligning the self with the divine.

Additionally, the book offers insights on maintaining health by optimizing Prana Shakti (vital force), managing the fluctuations of the mind, overcoming distractions in yogic practice, cultivating divine grace, and attaining the transcendental state of Turiya-the fourth dimension of Being. Drawing primarily from original sources, The Yogic Nectar provides spiritual wisdom for self-awareness, enabling readers to dwell in higher consciousness and navigate life's journey with poise, calmness, and dignity.

DR. SATISH K. KAPOOR, a former British Council Scholar, is a distinguished educationist, historian, author, and columnist renowned for his writings on religion and spirituality. He served as the Associate Subject Editor for the Encyclopedia of Hinduism and has been practicing Yoga since childhood.

Who teaches the seed how to sprout? Who gives it the intelligence to take from the earth what it needs? The instant answer could be: inherent laws of its growth. But who made these laws and why? From where did the five basic elements emerge, which, in various combinations, brought the world of living beings into existence. Who gave the earth, the power of gravitation; water, the power of purification; air, the breath of life; fire, the magic of heat and light; and space, the vastness to contain everything? Infinity alone knows the ways of infinity.

Again, who teaches the various systems of the body to work in a specific way-the digestive system to break down food into nutrients and energy, the endocrine system to produce hormones; the heart to pump blood into the blood vessels of the circulatory system, and so on? The scientist, with the help of imaging technology, can study how the inner organs function, but cannot perceive the powerhouse that propels them. No histological technique can find the creator behind the miracle of the human body.

The spiritualist, on other hand, does not bother himself about these questions as they are peripheral and do not touch the core of reality. He wants to understand who he really is - a transient being on the planet earth or something more of eternal value? What is the purpose of life or man's final destiny? Once he realizes that he is not just the body and mind, but pure consciousness, he strives to connect with the higher self within, to arrive at the Cause of causes. He can know the Absolute because the macrocosm is the substratum of microcosm. The quest for reality results in discovery of the Self.

Yoga is, primarily, the science of spirituality. Hundreds of works on one or other aspects of Yoga have been published in recent times. But most of them lay emphasis on asana and pranayama - physical postures and breathing techniques - ignoring its finer aspects, like moral and ethical values, sense- control, concentration, and meditation. The present work provides a comprehensive view of Yoga and spirituality, taking up such subjects as the five bodies enveloping the soul, the chakra-s (whirling energy centres) of the subtle (or non-physical) body, the classical yoga of Patanjali and other yoga-s like, Karma (action), Bhakti (devotion), and Jnana ( knowledge), the use of mudra-s (gestures) in contemplation practices, and the benefits of meditation. It also explains how to link the body, breath and the mind, gain victory over senses, divinize one's actions, arouse the kundalini power, and be one's true self.

The book discusses obstacles on the yogic path, and how these can be overcome by tutoring conscience through inner discipline, right knowledge, satsanga (true association), swadhyaya (self-study), japa (repetition) of the divine name, and dhyana (meditation). Spiritual concepts like the law of divine grace, the fourth dimension of being, and the art of dying while being alive, have also been explained.

It is hoped that the book will be useful for scholars, spiritualists, yoga-teachers, and lay persons in their eternal quest for true knowledge. Any suggestions to improve it are welcome.