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Do Patanjali's yoga aphorisms or any other scriptures mention anything about which yoga asanas we should practice everyday?

Dr. Vineet Aggarwal
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user5155835
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  • Well, if you're a member of the first three castes, you're supposed to do Sandhyavandanam every day, and that involves various Asanas. – Keshav Srinivasan Feb 11 '16 at 15:12
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    @KeshavSrinivasan caste or varna? – user5155835 Feb 11 '16 at 15:23
  • I don't make any distinction between caste and Varna; caste is just the English translation of Varna. In any case, Sandhyavandanam is the required daily duty of everyone who wears a sacred thread, and wearing the sacred thread is the duty of all Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, and Vaishyas; see my answer here: http://hinduism.stackexchange.com/a/2901/36 – Keshav Srinivasan Feb 11 '16 at 16:01
  • @KeshavSrinivasan, Nearest translation for Varna can be "Division", though not precise. Various "Caste" are just names given to certain group of people in various "Divisions". "Castes" can be hundreds, while Varnas are just 4. "Castes" can come and go, while Varnas would usually retain in a decent society. A "Caste" can associate with certain Varna at 1 time & another Varna at other time, or both. Analogy: "Man-Woman" is a division, while "Husband-Wife", "Father-Daughter", "Son-Mother" are castes. Some explanation on "Caste" vs "Division" http://hinduism.stackexchange.com/a/9202/1049 – iammilind Feb 12 '16 at 07:20
  • @iammilind We just translate Sanskrit words differently. I translate Varna as caste as Jati as sub-caste. Each Jati falls under only one Varna; insofar as a Jati "associates" itself with different Varnas at different times, that's an indication that they were or are during something wrong. In any case, our more fundamental disagreement is about our views on whether Varna is a birth-based system. I think Varna is based on parentage (which is based on reincarnation) and it is unchangeable except in very rare circumstances (like Vishwamitra). But we'll have to agree to disagree on that. – Keshav Srinivasan Feb 12 '16 at 13:38
  • @iammilind I agree with you. Varna literally means color. Like color says about physical appearance of something varna says about Guna or quality. in Kali Yuga, birth based caste and Guna based varnas are not in accordance. Many verses of Manusmriti and events (Ekalavya's Guru Dakshina) looks "logical or rational only", when we apply Guna based Varna. – The Destroyer Feb 12 '16 at 17:07
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    No they don't. Asanas are gymnastic exercises only. They are not taught in the Vedantic scriptures. They are recommended for beginners to help establish flexibility for sitting longer periods of time in meditation, but they are not recommended as a lifetime pursuit. You are spirit, not body. Too much emphasis on body will make you believe you are the body ... – Swami Vishwananda Feb 14 '16 at 04:52
  • @SwamiVishwananda, I feel what you wrote should be elaborated into an answer. At least it's agreeable to me. Here are my thoughts: There are many books & sessions promoted using term "Yoga" (mainly showing Asana). Actually they perform these exercises in disguise of Yoga. Even PrAnAyAmas are also breathing exercises. If a person sits with eyes closed in tapas mudra, thinking about daily matters, is still not Yoga. AFAIK, Yoga in its literal sense means addition with God, irrespective of means. Various exercises depicted as "Yoga" might be indeed Yoga for few, but not guaranteed for all. – iammilind Feb 16 '16 at 05:47

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