Hindu spiritual Pathway and Veda

 

Karma Yoga

According to the video "Hindu Spiritual Pathway", there are 4 yoga paths for the integral development of body, mind, and soul. First of all, Karma yoga is the path of action and suits people with active temperaments. Performing actions selflessly – without thinking of success or reward – purifies the heart and reduces the ego. Karma Yoga is the best way to prepare oneself for silent meditation. Second, Bhakti Yoga is the yoga of devotion and is perfect for people who are emotional by nature. Through prayer, worship, and ritual, one comes to see the Divine as the embodiment of love. Chanting mantras is an essential part of Bhakti Yoga. Jnana Yoga is the yoga of wisdom or knowledge is most suitable for intellectual people. The philosophy of Vedanta teaches analytical self-inquiry into one’s own true nature, with the goal of recognizing the Supreme Self in oneself and in all beings. Raja Yoga is the science of controlling body and mind. The asanas (body postures) and pranayamas (breathing exercises) from Hatha Yoga are an integral part of this yoga path. The main practice of Raja Yoga is silent meditation, where bodily and mental energies are gradually transformed into spiritual energy. 

Raja Yoga

According to chapter 2 of the book " Awakening: An introduction to the History of Eastern Thought." The Vedas were organized into four great collections such as the Rig Veda, the Yajur Veda, the Sama Veda, and the Atharva Veda. The author mentions Yajna- the Vedic Sacrifice. Moreover, the author also tells something about Soma, "the all-important ingredient to the Vedic priests is Soma- a major part in many of their sacred rituals. Soma was a drug, a very powerful drug that produced states of ecstasy and of wildly expanded consciousness." (23, Bresman)

Besides, the author also mentioned the Vedic Pantheon. there are some principal Gods of the Vedic Pantheon such as Agni, Indra, Varuna, Sarasvati, Surya, Ushas, Rudra, Yama,... The myth of Indra -- the favorite Vedic god -- is a further instance of that transition from the physical to spiritual meaning to which we have referred; though Indra is by no means so spiritual a being as Varuna. It is also a good instance of the fact that, as the comparative mythologists express it, the further back the myths are traced the more "atmospheric" do the gods become. First, of the merely physical Indra. His name is derived from Indu, drop-sap. He is thus the god of rain. The naParjanyanya means rain-bringer. Indra shatters the cloud with his bolt and releases the imprisoned waters. His purely physical origin is further indicated by the mythical expression that the clouds moved in Indra as the winds in Dyaus -- an expression implying that Indra was a name for the sky. VARUNA is also a sky-god: according to another account, a water-god. The name is derived from Var, to cover, or to overarch: and so far Varuna means the vault of heaven.

Works Cited

Pumpkin TV. “Hindu Spiritual Pathways.” Films On Demand, 2006.

Bresnan, Patrick. Awakening: an Introduction to the History of Eastern Thought. Fifth ed, Pearson, 2013.