In this sense all sectarian cults are accounted as so many kinds of Yogas by their respective votaries. 3. According to some Buddhists it is the seeking of one’s object of desire अप्राप्तस्यार्थस्य प्राप्तये पर्यानुयोगः । 4. And with others, it is a search after every desirable object. 5. In Rhetoric it means the union of lovers कामुक कामिनी सम्मेलनं ।
In Medicine it means the compounding of drugs under which head there are many works that are at first sight mistaken for Yoga philosophy. Again there are many compound words with Yoga which mean only “a treatise” on those subjects, such as, works on wisdom, on Acts, on Faith &c., are called ज्ञान योग, क्रिया योग, भक्त्ति योग इत्यादि । .
Moreover the words Yoga and Viyoga are used to express the two processes of synthesis and analysis both in the abstract and practical sciences for the combination and disjoining of ideas and things.
VI. The Different Stages of Yoga.
The constituent parts and progressive steps of Yoga, are composed of a series of bodily, mental and spiritual practices, the proper exercise of which conduces to the making of a perfect man, as a moral, intellectual and spiritual being, to be united to his Maker in the present and future worlds. These are called the eight stages of Yoga (अष्टाङ्ग योग), of which some are external (बहिरङ्ग) and others internal (अन्तरङ्गानि). The external ones are:
- 1st. Yama (यम); Forbearance or restraint of passions, feelings &c., including the best moral rules in all religions.
- 2nd. Niyama (नियम ); Particular rules and vows for the observance of the Yogi.
- 3rd. Asana (आसन); sedate position of the body to help deep meditation.
- 4th. Pránáyáma (प्राणायाम); Suppression and suspension of breath.
- 5th. Pratyáhára (प्रत्याहार), Restraint or control of senses and organs.
Among the internal practices are reckoned the following; viz.;
- 6th. Dhyána (ध्यान); Inward contemplation and meditation.
- 7th. Dháraná (धारणा); Steadiness of the mind in study.
- 8th. Samádhi (समाधि), Trance, the last stage of Yoga.
These again comprise some other acts under each of them, such as;
I. Yama (समयम) Restraint includes five acts under it;