Yoga journey of Swami Vivekananda and Sri Aurobindo Ghosh

Dr. Rajesh Manik

Department of Yoga Sciences, Kalinga University, Raipur, C.G, India

Corresponding Author: rajesh.manik@kalingauniversity.ac.in)

Introduction

Swami Vivekananda was a spiritual leader and one of the most influential figures in modern Hinduism. He was born into a wealthy family in Calcutta, India in 1863 [1]. He studied Vedanta philosophy and the Bhagavad Gita and was deeply influenced by his spiritual teacher, Sri Ramakrishna. He became an influential figure in the revival of Hinduism and the spread of yoga in the West. He travelled to the United States in 1893 and gave lectures on Indian philosophy and religion at the Parliament of Religions in Chicago. He established the Ramakrishna Mission in 1897 and wrote several books on yoga and Vedanta philosophy.

Sri Aurobindo Ghosh was another influential figure in modern Hinduism[5]. He was born in 1872 in Calcutta, India and studied at Cambridge University in England. He returned to India and was influenced by the teachings of Swami Vivekananda. He was a leader of the Indian independence movement and wrote several books on yoga and Vedanta philosophy. He developed his own system of Integral Yoga, which combines meditation, physical exercise, and ethical practices. He established the Sri Aurobindo Ashram in Pondicherry, India in 1926 and wrote extensively about yoga, spirituality, and philosophy. He died in 1950.

Yoga teachings

Swami Vivekananda and Sri Aurobindo Ghosh are two of the most influential yogic teachers in modern times. They have both left lasting impressions on the world of yoga and spirituality, and their teachings have been instrumental in shaping the practice of yoga today. Swami Vivekananda was a disciple of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa [2, 3], and he is credited with introducing the philosophy of Vedanta and Yoga to the West. He was a passionate advocate for the dissemination of yoga, and he spread the message of yoga throughout India by lecturing in cities and villages. He believed that yoga was the way to attain liberation from suffering and to experience oneness with the divine. He taught that it was important to practice meditation and to develop a deep inner awareness of the body and mind. He also stressed the importance of selfless service and the cultivation of moral values.

Sri Aurobindo Ghosh was a spiritual leader and yogic master who was heavily influenced by the teachings of Advaita Vedanta and the Bhagavad Gita. He developed a unique form of Integral Yoga, which focused on the integration of all aspects of the individual—body, mind and spirit. He believed that yoga was a path towards spiritual enlightenment and the realization of one’s true nature. Sri Aurobindo taught that the practice of yoga should involve a combination of physical and mental practices, including meditation, chanting, and asanas. He also emphasized the need to develop a sense of detachment and surrender to divine will. Both Swami Vivekananda and Sri Aurobindo Ghosh have contributed significantly to the development of modern yoga [4, 5, 6]. Their teachings have been instrumental in spreading the message of yoga and its importance to humanity. Their teachings have been adopted and adapted by many modern yoga practitioners, and they have helped to make yoga accessible to people from all walks of life. Their teachings have been a source of inspiration and guidance for many, and they continue to influence yoga today.

Figure1. Portrait of Swami Vivekananda