Lord Krishna is one of the most revered and beloved deities in Hinduism. He is worshipped as the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the universe. Krishna is known for his wisdom, compassion, and playful nature. He is also a skilled warrior and diplomat. He is known as an ultimate protector who always stood by those who had faith in Him.
But more than anything else, Lord Krishna is a profoundly enlightened yogi of the highest order. His teachings on yoga are timeless and universal, and they offer guidance on all aspects of life.
One of the key teachings of Lord Krishna is that yoga is not just about physical postures. It is a holistic approach to life that encompasses the mind, body, and spirit. Krishna teaches us that yoga can help us to achieve physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.
In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna says:
Yogah Karmasu Kaushalam (Chapter 2, Verse, 50)
which translates to “Yoga is the skill in action.”
This means that yoga is about learning to live our lives in a skillful way with AWARENESS. It is about being aware of our thoughts, feelings, and actions, and choosing to act in a way that is aligned with the laws of nature.
Krishna also teaches us that yoga is a journey of self-discovery. He says:
Know thyself through yoga (Bhagavad Geeta Chapter 2, Verse 53)
This means that yoga can help us to understand our true nature and to realize our full potential.
Krishna's teachings on yoga are profound and insightful. They offer us a roadmap not only for living a fulfilling and meaningful life; but also for attaining Enlightenment and ultimate liberation!
Here are some examples of how Lord Krishna's teachings on yoga can be applied to our lives today:
When we are feeling overwhelmed by our thoughts and emotions, we can practice yoga to calm the mind and body. This can involve doing simple breathing exercises, meditation, or yoga postures.
When we are struggling to make a decision, we can practice yoga to connect with our inner wisdom. This can involve asking ourselves reflective questions or journaling about our thoughts and feelings.
When we are feeling lost or disconnected from our purpose, we can practice yoga to reconnect with our true nature. This can involve spending time in nature, practicing awareness, or chanting mantras.
Lord Krishna's teachings on yoga are a gift to humanity. They can help us to live more fulfilling and meaningful lives. If you are interested in learning more about Lord Krishna's wisdom on yoga, I encourage you to read the Bhagavad Gita and Upanishads. This should be done along with the practice of Yoga and Meditation as mere intellectual knowledge of Vedanta/Upanishads is superficial without practical inner experientce of the Self. It is advisable to learn and practice Yoga and Meditation under the guidance of a living Enlightened Guru as only a lit candle can light another candle! Bhagavad Geeta is a truly inspiring and profound scripture.
In addition to the Bhagavad Gita, there are many other scriptures and texts that discuss Lord Krishna's teachings on yoga. Besides, there are other Vedantic Scriptures as well which have documented the science of Yoga in depth. Some of these include scriptures such as Upanishads, Ashtavakra Geeta, Yoga Vasishta, Guru Geeta, Patanjali Yoga Sutras, Narada Bhakti Sutras, Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Udhava Geeta etc. Studying Yoga/Vedanta gives you a deeper understanding of your Self (atma) and the nature of the Supreme Consciousness (Brahama Gyaan – knowledge of Paramatma). Ultimately it will give you Enlightenment / Moksha (Liberation).
If you are interested in practicing yoga, there are many different resources available. You can find yoga classes at most gyms and yoga studios. You can also find many online resources, such as videos and articles, that can teach you the basics of yoga. But you should not learn advanced Yoga through books or YouTube videos. It should be learnt only under the guidance of a Guru, a Living Enlightened Master.
No matter what your level of experience, there is something for everyone in yoga. Lord Krishna's teachings on yoga are a timeless and universal path to well-being and fulfillment.
