Author: Ganganath Jha
Foreword/Introduction: Dr. Avanindra Kumar
Publisher: Parimal Publications
Year: 2004
Language: Bi-Lingual
Pages: 139
ISBN/UPC (if available): 8171101089
Description
Yogasarasamgraha is an original work of Vijnanabhiksu. It is in the form of collected theories of Yogasutras or Yoga treatise. When deities and demons had churned the ocean, they used Sumeru mountain as the churning rod in the process. From that churning, nectar came out and lord Vishnu kept it in a jar.
Likewise, Vijnanabhikshu has accepted Yoga as an ocean and the commentary Yogavarttika as the churning rod. He kept the originating of nectar (subject-matter), which resulted from the process of rumination and study in the shape of a book (Yoga-sara-samgraha) as if it were in a jar.
The verse quoted indicates that in order to obtain the thorough knowledge of Yoga-sutras and the bhasya on them Vijnanabhikshu wrote a commentary named Yogavarttika. On the basis of that very commentary, the essence of Yoga has been collected, which is known by the name of Yogasarasamgraha.
The present work is a revised edition of earlier one. This contains Sanskrit Text and English translation by a learned scholar, Pt. Ganganath Jha. This study embodies the essence of Yoga-vartika by Vyasabhasya which is a commentary to the Yogasutras of Patanjali.
The Sutras that were systematically presented by Patanjali have again been elucidated by Vijnanabhikshu in this study in a language and style that is easily understandable. A number of extracts that has been quoted here from Smriti, Sruti and Puranas reveal the depth of knowledge of Vijnanabhikshu.
Contents
1. SECTION I
(Form and Aim of Yoga)
Yoga defined
Functions of the thinking principle
Suppression – defined and explained
Two kind of meditation
Abstract meditation defined
Effect of meditation
Indestructibility of Prarabdha by knowledge
Objection quoting a passage from the Smrti
Four kind of concrete meditation
Different stages of four kind of concrete meditation
Two fold character of deliberation
2. SECTION II
(The means of meditation)
Weakening of troubles
Means of meditation
Asana defined
Pranayama
Pratyahara
Dyana-Dharana
Samadhi
3. SECTION III
(Of the Occult Powers)
Sanyama defined
Eight perfections
Bodily excellence
Perception
Process of accomplishment
Meaning of Egotism
5. SECTION IV
(Of Isolation)
Superhuman powers
Vedanta theory
Vaisesika theory
Neo-Vedanti’s objections
Three kind of sound
Sphota defined
Three Akasas explained