by Sharda Patasar

Created on: July 16, 2008

When one speaks of a principle, the natural thought is of a truth that transcends given boundaries. A principle is defined as a "fundamental truth or law as the basis of reasoning or action" (Oxford English Dictionary). Principles in their true essence transcend race, class, sexual orientation, gender, religion, nationality and all other man-made confines that suggest and propagate differences. And the basic premise of yoga is exactly that; understanding and transcending differences and moving towards integration and unity.

The word "yoga" is derived from the Sanskrit root meaning yuj "to bind, join, attach and yoke, to direct and concentrate one's attention on, to use and apply". It is union or communion.

When the Western world thinks of yoga, it thinks of Hatha Yoga (physical exercises and breathing exercises). But yoga is not only about the physical body. It represents the ultimate unity of body, mind and soul. It is defined as a "practical philosophy of life by which you develop your own spiritual consciousness within and you become instrumental for the happiness and welfare of the people around you" (Swami Ranganathananda, Universal Message of the Bhagvad Gita Vol.1)

The "Bhagvad Gita" is cited as one of the most important expositions on the philosophy of yoga. The discourse given by Krishna, the Godhead, to Arjuna, a warrior and his friend, takes place on a battlefield. The battlefield comes to symbolise life, while Arjuna is man faced with a challenge as we all are at some point or another. Interestingly, the warrior who just moments before appearing on the battlefield was ready to fight, charged with anger at the injustice meted out to his brothers and himself by a tyrant cousin, becomes a muddle of emotions and despair on the battlefield. He is thrown into a depression when he sees among the opposing army, his respected teachers, the grandsire of the kingdom and other friends and family whom he cannot bring himself to fight. He lays down his arms and begins to justify to Sri Krishna his charioteer, that his love and respect for such great men disallows him taking up arms against them. His mind thus filled with fear justifies its cowardice with talks of non-violence and loyalty, all of which Sri Krishna hears and allows him to vent. When he is spent and tired, it is then that Sri Krishna sternly reminds him of his duty, the fact that it is not individuals that he fights but a principle. He has to see what the opposing force represents and put duty before

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