Yogashikha Upanishad (critical study)

by Sujatarani Giri | 2015 | 72,044 words

Hinduism Hindu Philosophy Yoga

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Summary: This study examines the Yogashikha Upanishad—a key text from the Krishna Yajurveda, focusing on the pinnacle of Yogic meditation. This essay presents Yoga as a crucial component of ancient Indian philosophy and spirituality. It underscores the historical roots of Yoga in Vedic literature, particularly in the Upanishads or Vedanta, and its extensive contributions to Indian thought. The chapters of this study are devoted to the faculties of the mind and internal body mechanisms such as Chakras as well as the awakening of Kundalini.

The study further delves into various aspects of Yoga, emphasizing its focus on controlling the mind and the significance of Ashtangayoga, which comprises eight stages culminating in Samadhi (deep meditation). Through examining ancient scriptures, primarily the Yogasikha-Upanishad, the thesis outlines the journey towards understanding reality and human destiny through meditation and mental focus.

The thesis also highlights the extraordinary powers acquired through Yoga and their role in achieving self-realization, ultimately leading to the state of Kaivalya, which represents the pinnacle of yogic success. Further topics explored are the mystical elements of Yoga, reflecting on both its ancient philosophical significance and its modern misconstrual as mere physical exercise.

Original title of the Yogashikha-Upanishad: Yogaśikhopaniṣad (योगशिखोपनिषद्), Yogaśikha-upaniṣad (योगशिख-उपनिषद्), Yogashikopanishad, Yogasikhopanisad.

Source 1: exoticindiaart.com
Source 2: shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in

Contents of this online book ( + / - )

The full text of the Yogashikha Upanishad (critical study) in English is available here and publically accesible (free to read online). Of course, I would always recommend buying the book so you get the latest edition. You can see all this book’s content by visiting the pages in the below index:

Acknowledgement

+ Chapter 1 - Introduction

. Part 1 - Definition of Philosophy

. Part 2.1 - Introduction to Indian Philosophy

. Part 2.2 - The Six Ways of Knowing (Ṣaḍdarśana)

. Part 3.1 - Place of Yoga in Indian Philosophy

. Part 3.2 - Yoga as a Link to all Systems of Thought

. Part 3.3 - Introduction to the Yogasūtra

. Part 4 - Eight Steps of Yoga—Introduction

. Part 4.1 - Yama (Abstinences)

. Part 4.2 - Niyama (Observances)

. Part 4.3 - Āsana (Posture)

. Part 4.4 - Prāṇāyāma (breath control)

. Part 4.5 - Pratyāhāra (withdrawal of senses)

. Part 4.6 - Dhāraṇā (fixed attention)

. Part 4.7 - Dhyāna (Concentration or Meditation)

. Part 4.8 - Samādhi (Contemplation)

. Part 5 - Salient Features of Yoga

. Part 6 - Various Schools of Yoga—Introduction

. Part 6.1 - Schools of Yoga (1) Bhaktiyoga

. Part 6.2 - Schools of Yoga (2) Rājayoga

. Part 6.3 - Schools of Yoga (3) Jñānayoga

. Part 6.4 - Schools of Yoga (4) Haṭhayoga

. Part 6.5 - Schools of Yoga (5) Karmayoga

. Part 6.6 - Schools of Yoga (6) Mantrayoga

. Part 6.7 - Schools of Yoga (7) Layayoga

+ Chapter 2 - Vedānta philosophy and Upaniṣadic ideas

. Part 1 - Vedānta Philosophy

. Part 2 - Concept of Māyāśakti

. Part 3 - Concept of Vidyā and Avidyā

. Part 4 - Concept of Ṣaḍripu

. Part 5.1 - Concept of Jīvanmukti—Introduction

. Part 5.2 - Means of the Attainment of Jīvanmukti

. Part 6 - Place of Upaniṣad in Vedānta Philosophy

+ Chapter 3 - Yogaśikhopaniṣad and its Nature

. Part 1 - Introduction (to the Yoga Upaniṣads)

. Part 1.1 - Description about Yoga Śikhopaniṣad

. Part 1.2 - The Mind according to Yoga Śikhopaniṣad

. Part 1.3 - The Human Body according to Yoga Śikhopaniṣad

. Part 2 - Practice of Prāṇāyāma in Yoga Śikha Upaniṣad

. Part 3 - Varieties of Prāṇāyāma

. Part 3.1a - The four classifications of Prāṇāyāma

. Part 3.1b - The Nine classifications of Prāṇāyāma

. Part 3.2 - Size of Breath

. Part 4 - Nature of Prāṇāyāma

. Part 5 - Main Criteria of Prāṇāyāma and Modern Society

. Part 5.1 - Benefits of Prāṇāyāma

+ Chapter 4 - Concept of Kuṇḍalinī in Yogaśikhopaniṣad

. Part 1.1 - Kuṇḍalinī and its Location

. Part 1.2 - The Purpose of Awakening (Kuṇḍalinī)

. Part 2.1 - Kuṇḍalinī and its Nature of Attainment—Introduction

. Part 2.2 - Location and power of cakras

. Part 2.3 - Kuṇḍalinī and the six doors leading to Brahma randhra

. Part 3 - Prāṇāyāma Helping to Arise Kuṇḍalinī

. Part 4 - Body and Mind Relationship

+ Chapter 5 - Nature of Yoga practice in Upaniṣad

. Part 1 - Introduction (to the practice of Yoga)

. Part 1.1 - Practice of four āsanas are in according to Gheraṇḍa Saṃhitā

. Part 1.2-3 - Practice of Mūdrā and Pratyāhāra

. Part 1.4 - Practice of Prāṇāyāma (breath control) and last stages of Haṭhayoga

. Part 1.6 - Benefits of the practice of Āsana, Prāṇāyāma, Mūdrās and Bandhas

. Part 1.7 - Impediment in the Path of Yoga

. Part 1.9 - The type of food to be taken and the type to be avoided

. Part 1.10 - Choice of appropriate factors in Yoga practice

. Part 2.1 - The Six Chakras (ṣaḍcakras) in Yogaśikha-upaniṣad

. Part 2.1a - Mūlādhāra cakra (root or basic centre)

. Part 2.1b - Svādhiṣṭhāna cakra (The spleen cakra)

. Part 2.1c - Maṇipura cakra (The naval centre)

. Part 2.1d - Anāhata cakra (The heart centre)

. Part 2.1e - Viśuddha cakra (The throat centre)

. Part 2.1f - Ājñā cakra (The brow centre)

. Part 2.1g - Sahasrāra cakra (crown or casional centre)

. Part 2.2 - The concept of Brahmarandhara

. Part 2.3 - The awakening of the etheric cakras

. Part 3 - The concept of Nāda—Introduction

. Part 3.1 - The Power of Sound

. Part 3.2 - Sound (nāda) and Brahman

. Part 3.3 - The concept of Anāhata Sound

. Part 3.4 - The four stages of sound (nāda)

. Part 3.5 - The Ten Kinds of Sounds

. Part 4 - Concept of Bindu (Vindu)

. Part 5.1 - Concept of Nādānusandhāna

. Part 5.2 - The Goal of Life

. Part 5.3 - Secret Practice of Yoga

+ Chapter 6 - Yogic psychology in Yogaśikha-upaniṣad

. Part 1 - Introduction (to Yoga and psychology)

. Part 2 - Mind and its Impact

. Part 3 - Kaivalya in Yogaśikha-upaniṣad

. Part 4 - Nature of Kaivalya

. Part 5.1 - Process of Attainment in Yogaśikhopaniṣad

. Part 5.2 - Synonyms of “Samādhi”

. Part 6 - Yoga is a Medium to Attain Peace

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Last Updated: 09 January, 2025

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