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1. The Veda – The relationship between the world, soul and god.

The first is the Veda, that great body of works concerned with sacred andreligious ideals and their application within society and the life of theindividual.

In other words, the Dharma of the individual. How to live within society andfulfil certain moral codes and obligations, at the same time pursuingspiritual aspirations that take one nearer to the absolute.

2. Yoga – The relationship between the Psyche (Citta) and Awareness (Cit)

The second facet of the jewel is Yoga. Yoga is a means by which we can keepthe psyche (citta), and therefore ultimately the mind and body, free fromthose patterns which lead to dis-ease (Du " kha) and diffuse our psychicenergies.

A clear mind capable of continuous attention is required to fulfil ourDharma. Yoga provides the tool by which we can reduce the confusion in themind and attain an intensity with which we can develop insight (viveka) intothe problems surrounding us. A mind beset with confusion is unable tofocus and direct its energies towards the pursuit of deeper issues.3. ! yurvedaThe third facet to this view is that of ! yurveda. ! yurveda is a holistic systemof medicine that is indigenous to and widely practised in India. The purposeof this article is to outline the background of ! yurveda. Subsequent articleswill look in more detail at concepts that are seen as integral to both! yurveda and Yoga.! yurveda and YogaA study of the texts on Yoga practice emphasises the close link between thetwo disciplines.

Various texts talk about concepts which have evolved specifically within! yurveda, suggest that the Yoga student of the time had an understandingof how the principles of ! yurveda were applied.Certainly the great masters of the Yoga tradition understood ! yurveda andapplied its teaching when working with the needs of the individual student.

We can see from references in texts like the Ha #ha Yoga Prad $ pik % that theprinciples of ! yurveda were understood and applied in influencing theconstitutional matrix of students.

Ha#ha Yoga Prad $ pik % C2 v50kap %la&odhana ' v%tado ( aghna ' k )mido (ah )t |

In describing the benefits of the pr %*%y%ma technique S +rya Bedhana, we aretold it cleanses the sinal cavities and influences imbalances of the v %ta do (aor the principle of air in the energetic aspect of the human system.

Ha#ha Yoga Prad $ pik % C2 v58gulmaphl $ h%dik %n rog %n jvara ' pitta ' k (udh %' t )(%m |

In describing the benefits of the pr %*%y%ma technique ,$ tal $ we are told itcan help reduce swelling, overactivity of the spleen, fever and imbalances ofthe pitta do (a or the principle of fire in the energetic aspect of the humansystem.

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