S chools of Y oga The basic goal of yoga is thus to attain bliss and also to provide true knowledge about human beings. In order to attain the above goals, various thoughts, ideas and opinions were given by seers which are known as the schools of yoga. These are— Karma Yoga (Path of Action) Karma Yoga is one of the main streams of yoga. Karma literally means action.
The aim of Karma Yoga is attaining union with the higher-self by harmonising the actions. Fig. . : Vedas Karma Yoga inspires the person to perform the work to the best of their abilities without any attachment or expectation of the results.
The concept of Karma Yoga and its practice are mentioned in the Bhagavad Gita . This stream of yoga emphasises the following. •• Karma as duty: Karma Yoga lays emphasis on doing karma or action as duty. When an act is performed dutifully with total involvement, it leads to joy and happiness.
•• Karma Sukaushalam : Karma Yoga states that yoga means a skilled action. Actions should be done efficiently. Actions performed with full concentration and detachment brings efficiency. •• Nishkama Karma : Nishkama Karma means action which is free from personal motives and is performed as a duty.
This attribute emphasises that actions should be performed without any expectations of the results. Jnana Yoga (Path of Knowledge) •• Jnana Yoga is related to the knowledge of ‘self’, the world and realisation of ultimate reality or truth. Jnana Yoga, thus is a path of philosophy that uses intellect and helps to gain knowledge and keeps the person away from avidya . •• Avidya (ignorance) is the main cause of pain, misery and sufferings in life.
A person because of avidya (ignorance) identifies himself with various names, and forms such as body, mind, race and nationality, etc., and remains in pursuit of worldly possessions. This knowledge develops discriminating knowledge ( Viveka ) that will help to remove the veil of avidya , enables the one to discriminate between reality and unreality (appearance) and guides towards the path of real happiness