My understanding of Yoga was limited to stretching of limbs and breathing exercises, thanks to the images that appear on print and broadcast media. Recently, when I dived deeper, I learnt that there was so much about it that I still needed to learn.

When I recently enrolled in a three-month Yoga programme, I discovered two new dimensions to the discipline that went beyond just physical well-being—mental and spiritual wellbeing. By definition, Yoga means to join, to add, or to connect. From connecting mind with soul and body with health, there are endless ways to define it. However, the main purpose of Yoga is liberation—meaning the freedom from Kleshas.

Klesha, a sanskrit word, refers to the intrinsic states of mind such as greed, jealousy, pride, anger, and fear among others. These are the main causes of suffering. No matter how moral, ethical, or holy we are, these Kleshas are embedded within us and it is the circumstances that bring them up. History is evident of this truth.

Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who saved over a thousand Jews during the Holocaust, once said “War brings out the worst in people.” He had rescued Jews from a Polish concentration camp by employing them in his factory. Amon Goeth, the German officer who was in charge of the camp, had been deranged by the war. He killed a Jew cook when ‘the soup was too bad’. He kept ‘hungry dogs to kill the Jew inmates’. It was the Kleshas like anger and fear that led Goeth to commit such crimes.

Never in history, has war been only the subject of armed tussle between the involving parties. From the era of British imperialism to the Maoist insurgency in Nepal, atrocities like homicide and sexual assaults have always been committed and the innocent lives that had nothing to do with the war have suffered. Kleshas came into act everywhere.

Communism is oftentimes referred to as a failed ideology. During the hundred years of communism in world history, a 100 million people lost their lives. But this failure, I believe, is caused by the Klesha called greed. “Taking just what you require” is at the heart of communism. But it is our greed that always gets the best of us. We are never content, are we?

In a sense, we humans piloted every disease present in the earth today. Our forefathers never died of cancer or AIDS. As the human civilisation took steps forward, we failed to care for our resources, nature, and ecosystem. We exploit nature, we long for power, and we kill each other. Furthermore, we take pride in our degrees and income, we fear competition, and we envy others. And as the world turns more sophisticated every other day, we are becoming more depressed, anxious, and hopeless.

These are all Kleshas in action.

It is said that our forefathers and saints were Yogis. Every aspect of their life was so different from ours. They didn’t rely on alarm clocks to wake up, for the gentle chirping of birds was enough. They ate one Sattvic meal a day, a meal that includes fresh fruits, vegetables, cereals, and dairy. From water sources to forests, natural resources were intertwined with their existence. And they treated those resources as gods, symbolising our creator and protector, and preserved them so well. They draped themselves in barely a cotton shawl, bowing down to the nature, and using just what they needed to survive. No anger, no greed, no jealousy. They lived a life of happiness and content. After all, isn’t that all we aspire for?

In a sense, our forefathers were so happy in the sanctuary of nature—without any materialistic possession at all. And they seemed to know the rule of life we humans are actually supposed to follow.

Having attended Yoga lessons, I admit that I have learnt a thing or a two. One of our greatest fears is the fear of death. But eating the kind of meal that our Sastras prescribe and delving into an array of physical exercises that have been scientifically tested and proven make us physically healthy—eliminating the ‘greatest fear’ out of the equation.

Likewise, Yoga cultivates a perpetually positive vibe within us. There is even a scientific explanation to mantras and hymns that accompany Yoga. The frequency of sounds like ‘Om’ and other mantras are said to conjure auras—a field made up of our emotional and physical health—around us. Positivity is one step towards overpowering our Kleshas.   

Similarly, Yoga brings us close to nature—the ultimate sanctuary for us. Yoga explains our relationship with Panchatatva—the five elements: earth, air, water, fire, and sky. These are the very foundations of our existence. We learn to respect the morning freshness and the beautiful dusk. We learn to love every creature and protect every resource in plain sight.

As a famous Urdu poem goes ‘You stop being a slave once you recognise what is beautiful in this world’. It refers to the fact that ignorance is slavery and once we open our senses to soak the truth that surrounds us, we lead a life of contentment. We will realise that our greed and jealousy is not worth anything in the end.

We have come a long way from the medieval age. One need not wear Suti or limit to vegan meals any more. But we can still be Yogis by focusing on the peace of mind, wellbeing of the body, and preservation of all elements of nature around us. We can still be Yogis by fighting our inner demons.

Pant is an A-levels graduate from Budhanilkantha School