The grammatical meanings of Karma and Kriya are different. Grammatically karma means the object in a sentence. Kriya means verb.
Lexically both Karma and Kriya mean "action". There are many other meanings. Here, we are concerned with the use of the words Karma and Kriya in the philosophical concepts of Karma Yoga and Kriya Yoga.
KARMA YOGA
This has been extensively discussed in Chapter 3 of Bhagavad Gita. According to Gita, the Karma Yoga involves a path of self-less action (Nishkama Karma). The practitioner of Karma Yoga shall not either desire fruits of his action or surrender them to the Supreme Spirit (Godhead). Thereby, he is discharged from the consequences of actions, both good and bad. The actions do not attach sin to him. Gita does not discuss Patanjali Yoga Sutras directly or in detail.
KRIYA YOGA
Based on the Patanjali Yoga Sutras (Patanjali's Yogic Principles). Eight-fold Path of Patanjali called Ashtanga Marga (pr: Asht`aanga Maarga).
Here, the stress is on meditation and Nirvikalpa samadhi (Union with the Supreme Spirit and losing consciousness of one's own existence).
HISTORY OF KRIYA YOGA
According to Yogananda, the Sun God (Vivasvata) taught it first to Vaivasvata Manu. Manu in turn taught it to Ikshvaakus, kings of Sun dynasty from whom it descended to the successive kings.
According to Shri Yogananda, Krishna taught Kriya Yoga to Arjuna. Patanjali codified the Kriya Yoga later.
Went into oblivion when kings lost interest. Sages protected it and passed on from generation to generation. Yogananda claimed that his Gurus passed on Kriya Yoga to him:
Sages ---> Babaji ---> Lahiri Mahas`aya ---> Yukteswar ---> Yogananda.
USES OF KRIYA YOGA
According to Paramahamsa Yogananda, Kriya Yoga has many uses:
1. Prevents decay of tissues.
2. Advanced yogis can transmute body cells into energy.
3. Elijah, Jesus and Kabir practised Kriya Yoga.
4. Elijah, Jesus and Kabir materialised and dematerialised their bodies.
5. Jesus passed on Kriya Yoga to St. John and St. Paul.
1 comment:
It is eternal. Lord Krishna taught it it to the Sun God and so on.When there was a gap he re-established it to Arjuna for the benefit of mankind.
Not one type but an explanation of all Yoga systems. The sole purpose of these different yoga systems (depending on your choice for adoption) being going back to one's constitutional postion as opposed to this current conditioned state.
Read 'The Science of Self Realisation'
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