Meaning Of The Above – Pada, Loka and Yoga

Ayurveda is an Indian historical system known as the study of the science of life. It is a Sanskrit term that translates as ‘Knowledge of Life’. The majority of Ayurvedic terms and concepts are in the Sanskrit language, due to which it is tough to comprehend and apply the principles and practices. In the Puranas, Loka is a Sanskrit term used to define the parts of the universe.

The concept is similar to ‘heaven and hell’ in western cultures. The book Yoga Sutras is written in Sanskrit. In this book, the chapters are called padas. There are four padas, and each contains various sutras. Overall there are 196 sutras divided into four padas. 

Loka

Loka is the world or the universe. 

But the above definition does not help us understand its usage in the Ayurvedic system. Loka is a Sanskrit term denoting the partition or division of the entire universe. For example, in Hinduism, Tri-Loka means earth, heaven and atmosphere. ‘Tri’ in Sanskrit means three.

In Puranas, seven lokas exist above the world, and seven exist below the world, together forming the 14 worlds or lokas. In comparison, these 14 lokas or worlds are the ayurvedic divisions for describing heaven and hell. The seven lokas above the earth are called ‘Vyahrtis’. Many Gods and Goddesses, including Brahma, saints and sages, live in the Vyahrtis. The demons and humans with low levels of consciousness reside in the seven lower lokas below the earth.

The seven ‘Vyahrtis’ are listed in descending order as follows:

1. Satya or Brahma Loka – The highest state of purity. The Satya Vyahrtis is a place with the highest level of consciousness. It is a place where there is freedom from the rebirth cycle.
2. Tapar Loka – It is the sixth place of existence. In Sanskrit, the word ‘Tapar’, when combined with ‘Loka’, means ‘conscious power’.
3. Jana Loka – The four children of Brahma are present in Jana Loka. They were the first mind-born children. Although they wander around the universe, they reside in the Jana Loka.
4. Mahar Loka – Greatest sages and maharishis reside in the Mahar Loka. These are the sages and rishis who have survived world destruction and live in the Mahar or deva Loka.
5. Svar Loka – Swarga or Svarloka is between the sun and the Dhruva tara. Gods and humans with high levels of consciousness live in Svarloka.
6. Bhuvar or Pitra Loka – Pitra means ‘ancestors’ in Sanskrit. Humans with a combination of good and bad actions reside in the Pitru Loka.
7. Bhu Loka – the earth

Yoga

Yoga in Sanskrit means ‘union’. Yoga consists of mind and body healing practices and exercises. Yoga practices were unknown to the general public until Patanjali wrote the Yoga Sutras. Modern yoga practices focus on physical fitness, but traditional Yoga emphasises the importance of meditation and detachment from material attachments. The Bhagavad Gita mentions Yoga and its three types – Jnana yoga, Bhakti yoga and Karma yoga.

Patanjali has divided the yoga practices into eight parts, and he terms them the eight limbs of Yoga in his book.

The eight limbs of Yoga are as follows-

1. Yama – the five abstentions
2. Niyama consists of Sauca, Santosha, Tapas, Svadhyaya and Ishvara-pranidhana.
3. Asana – seated position in Yoga
4. Pranayama – breathing exercises
5. Pratyahara – defined as the withdrawal of the senses
6. Dharana – concentration of the mind
7. Dhyana – focusing on one point (meditation)
8. Samadhi – the highest state of consciousness

Pada

The Yoga Sutras is the first known text written on Yoga and its applications. The chapters in the book are termed padas in Sanskrit. There are four padas in the book, and each of them is composed of various sutras. Each of the padas in The Yoga Sutras is as follows:

Samadhi Pada

It is the first chapter in the book and consists of 51 sutras. This chapter is known as the chapter of enlightenment because it starts with the fundamentals of Yoga and develops through the explanations of various complex definitions and concepts. Samadhi Pada explains that concentration can be achieved by vairagya or detachment and through abhyasa (practice). Samadhi means to know oneself better. The sutras in this chapter explain the importance and contemplation of OM, types of concentration, the stabilisation of the mind, etc.

Sadhana Pada

Sadhana means spiritual learning or practice. This pada or chapter describes Kriya yoga and its importance in achieving the yogic state consisting of mantra, mudras and breathing exercises. After the Kriya yoga, the eight limbs of Sadhana Pada help to reach the Yogic state, free of material suffering.

Vibhuti Pada

It comprises 55 sutras that describe the power of the mind to manifest. The last three limbs described by Patanjali are dhyana, dharana and samadhi, resulting in the state explained in Vibhuti Pada.

Kaivalya Pada

Kaivalya means ‘detachment’ in Sanskrit. It describes the final liberation. It is for a person who has chosen the yogic path of liberation. It helps to free oneself from the gunas or elements in the body and all bondages.

Conclusion

As an overview, Loka and Pada are the Sanskrit terms used to describe Yoga and its significance. Yoga exercises prevent and treat diseases. In the book, Yoga Sutras, there are four padas – Samadhi Pada, Sadhana Pada, Vibhuti Pada and the Kaivalya Pada. Loka, however, has great importance as it forms the concept of hell and heaven in Indian Puranas. There are 14 lokas or worlds in the universe, above and below the earth. All the practices mentioned in the Puranas and the Yoga Sutras are still applicable, and even after 3000 years of its establishment, the Ayurveda is used in healing and medicinal systems.