2025, Vol. 11, Issue 3, Part C

author(s)
Divya Rai, K Savitha R Shenoy and Sri Nagesh KA

abstract
Humans incessantly pursue personal development in all facets of life, constantly striving for improvement and seeking resources for external growth. The global pandemic shed light on the significance of good health and immunity; it also exposed individuals to concealed adversaries such as loneliness, fear, incapability, anxiety, depression, and mental exhaustion, culminating in what can be termed as 'The Silent Pandemic'. We became fixated on externalities, relegating the understanding of our cognitive and emotional realms. Diverse measures have been employed to raise awareness about mental health with various techniques. Practices of Yoga from Yoga Darshana and concepts of Ayurveda have emerged as pivotal in advocating a comprehensive approach to well-being. According to Yoga Darshana and Ayurveda, the body embodies not only the physical self (Sharira) but also the soul (Atma), wherein Ayurveda focuses on upholding the well-being of the healthy and reinstating health in the unwell; Yoga Darshana basically focuses on upholding mental health. Both systems strive for 'Moksha,' or ‘Liberation’. Among the various practices outlined in Yoga Darshana, Kriya Yoga is one among them. The word ‘Kriya’ means 'Action', and Yoga means ‘Union’, which encompasses 'Tapa, Swadhyaya, and Ishwarapranidhana'. Although these practices fall under the Niyama of Ashtanga Yoga, their significance is noted separately. Understanding these principles through Ayurveda has no bounds. For example, the concept of Tapa in Yoga Darshana can be comprehended as Indriya Nigraha, which is further expounded through the Mano Karma in Ayurveda. Swadhyaya, on the other hand, is described as Satatabhyasa, denoting constant practice. In Ayurveda, it can be taken up with the regular study of the subject, daily practices, seasonal practices, etc. Iswara Pranidhana is described as all the Karma done knowingly or unknowingly, whether good or bad, should be surrendered to Ishwara without expecting anything in return. The word Ishwara has been used in various contexts as Brahma, Vayu, Vishnu, etc. in Ayurveda, and also under Daivavyapashraya Chikitsa in the context of Vishama Jwara, Unmanda, etc., and many more such references can be found. Hence, an attempt has been made here to understand Kriya Yoga through the lens of Ayurveda and its role and relevance in the present era.