Integrality of Yoga

It is not without reason that India has been described as the land that holds the key to harmony. Diversity of people and climates has made this land as the cultural mosaic holding people of myriad hues together. And this has not happened because people are under compulsion .It is inherent in the Indian social set up where diverse communities have enriched each other in all spheres of life. The cardinal philosophy of the Indic culture is “Vasudeva Kutumbakam” which means embracing all as a one family at all levels of global existence. Whatever has emanated from India, it has united and not divided. Be it the civilizational moorings or the spiritual legacy. India has been venerated for patience and non-violence that it has practised in the national life even in the times of adversity. Not only that India has exhibited valour when it comes to uphold the rights and security of the marginalised and downtrodden. That is why the third world nations and the vulnerable sections of the international community look upon it to provide them with leadership. We have witnessed during the times of non-alignment how India waded the troubled waters in the comity of nations and managed to steer clear of any controversy. Instead it played the pivotal role to provide succour to humanity. The roots of Indian compassion lie in the philosophy of divinity that urges the people to look upon all creatures as the manifestations of the Divine in this life. Indian scriptures prescribe unity and not disunity. The most priceless gift of India to mankind is Yoga. Most of the people, even the experts in the Indian Knowledge System (IKS) consider it as a breathing exercise meant to cleanse the system. But it is not a mere exercise but holds the secret of universal well-being and good health besides the longevity in it. Yoga as the name itself derived from Sanskrit simply means the sum that is adding up. It means adding up the virtues of good living devoid of vices. Yoga is a complete system that has its own mechanism well described in the Indian scriptures. We in Kashmir have an added reason to be proud of the Yoga and the Yogic System. Kashmir Shaiv Parampara based on the concept of non-duality explains it comprehensively. The Shaiva masters of Kashmir ranging from Vasugupta to Utpaldeva, Abhinavagupta to Swami Ram Ji Maharaj of Ram Shaiv Trika Ashram Fateh Kadal, Srinagar in the modern times have upheld and explained this secretive system for the practitioners. “The Vigyan Bhairava Tantra”, one of the cardinal Tantra’s that teaches in 112 techniques the secrets of life decodes the Divine mysteries. The same Tantra was later elucidated by another mystic and philosopher Acharya Rajneesh (Osho)  in his explanation of this Tantra known as “The Book of Secrets”. No other philosophical system has explained the essence of Yoga other than Kashmir Shaiv Darshan. The exhaustive work done by the Shiva masters of Kashmir make it abundantly clear that Tantra is the science of Yoga. Thus blowing into smithereens the deliberate ploy to segregate Yoga from its Tantric background. It is these virtues for living a meaningful life close to the Divine that have prompted the United Nations to adopt Yoga as an international phenomenon and lead humanity to celebrate the 21st June as the International Yoga Day. Thus acknowledging India’s gift and contribution for a progressive mankind. One thing is clear that Yoga unites people at the individual level and at the universal with the Divinity. That is why the greatest Raj Rishi of India Sri Aurobindo gave the concept of Integral Yoga to explain the life as Divine. This year’s theme as suggested by the United Nations is “Yoga for one Earth, One Health”. If looked into deeply it substantiates the essence of Kashmir Shaiva Darshan that teaches the universal non-duality in all forms of life and treating all existence as the Divine reality. Explaining the rationale for this year’s theme (2025) the United Nations (UN) says that this year’s theme “echoes a vital truth that personal wellness and planetary health are inseparably linked. Yoga strengthens the body, calms the mind and fosters a heightened sense of awareness and responsibility in daily life. This mindfulness allows one to choose healthier and more sustainable lifestyles. In caring for ourselves, we begin to care for the Earth, reflecting the enduring Indian ethos of Vasudeva Kutumbakam — the world is one family.” Thus the Indian gift to the mankind that is Yoga integrates the entire cosmos.