Some reasons why Hindus do Karma Yoga and Bhakti Yoga.

Karma Yoga is the first and foundational Yoga of action/work (kri). It is not enough to merely think and talk about being religious, one must actively be religious (dharmic or yogic to the Hindu). Hindu Dharma is an active lifestyle. The popular Yamas and Niyamas, found throughout Hinduism and made popular by Patanjali, are one of many relevant Hindu codes of action. The traditional Yamas and Niyamas, though worthy of study, are very severe and meant only for the dedicated Saiva Hindu male Yogi in training. Of course the whole of Hindu Dharma and a modified Yama and Niyama is applicable to the average Hindu and student of Hinduism.

Not only does the Saiva Hindu Guru Patanjali enforce a strict code of ethics but also explains the reasons why the Hindu Yogi adheres to this ethical code. Assuming that the Yogi in training adheres to a standard in basic logic (the Naya Darsana) and the Saiva scriptures: Pratyaks (perception) anumn(inference) agamah (Saiva Scripture) pramanani (standard) I.7., Patanjali lays out the general goal of all aspects of Yoga as well as the specific reason why one practices these Hindu religious disciplines. The very important but often overlooked point of claiming to adhere to the Yoga Sutras is, that by the time one gets to Yama and Niyama (the first step of Astanga Yoga found at the end of the second Pada), the celibate chela is already well-grounded in Saiva Hindu Dharma.

Of course the ultimate goal of following the Hindu/Yogic lifestyle is Kaivalya or the Samadhi of Liberation a.k.a. Self-Realization: Tada drastuhsvarupe vasthanam 1.3. One (svarupe) is to remain established (Tada vasthanam) in the Self (drasta).

According to Patanjali, students who are very worldly are encouraged to focus little on the physical body and instead focus upon the material world and nature worship. Bhavapratyayah (world conscious) videha (bodiless) prakrit layanam (devotion to nature). I.19. Contrary to a popular misunderstanding, Patanjali does not, in writing, teach various Hatha Yoga asanas. This deep area of Hinduism he, like all other genuine Hindu Yogis would reserve only for the most dedicated Hindu student. Another point sorely missed in today's so-called "yoga," Patanjali encourages one not to focus on their physical body precisely because this will make one more attached to the physical thus derailing the chela from the goal of Self/Soul-Realization. Asana come after the Yamas and Niyamas. In this way, the chela develops a proper posture/attitude.

For the serious Saiva Hindu Bramacharyi, Patanjali first demands worship of Siva: Isvara Prannidhana I.23. Who is a distinct MahaDeva Purusavisesa Isvarah I.24 Who is all-knowing Sarvajnabyam (Sarvaya a.k.a. Siva) I.25. Who is the earliest and greatest of all teachers. The Master of Time. Sa esa (He is) purvesamapiguruh (greatest and earliest guru) kalananva (Lord of Time and another name for Siva) vacchedat (teacher). I.26. Who's symbol is AUM. Tasya (His) vacakah (verbal) pranavah (pranava AUM). I. 27. This AUM and its meaning (and connection to Siva) is to be repeated so that meditation can take place. Tajjapas (the royal chant) tad (establishes) artha (wealth/meaning of) bhavanam (existence). I.28. Tatah (now) pratyakcetana (backward thinking) dhigamo (to attain) pyantaraya (inward) bhavascha (introspection). I. 29.

In the second Pada (Sadhana) of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, he explains exactly what is the practice of Yoga and why one practices Yoga (meaning the totality of the Hindu Yogas).

Condensing the practice of Yoga into its most meaningful parts, Patanjali states that the practice of Yoga is: Tapa, Svadhyaya, Isvara Prannidhana II.1.; i.e., austerity, study and devotion to Siva. The reason why one is to do tapa is to lessen the klesas or afflictions. ...klesa tanu (smaller) karan (to make) arthasca. II.2. The reason why one does svadhyaya (study) is to contact one's Ishta Devata (Hindu MahaDeva) who, to Patanjali, is Siva/Isvara. Svadhyayad istadevata samprayogah. II. 44.

What are the Klesas? Avidyasmita raga dvesabhinivesah klesah. II.3. Ignorance (avidya), ego (asmita), like (raga), dislike (dvesa) and delusion (abhinivesa). Among these afflictions, avidya is the worse since all the others follow that one. Avidya ksetram uttaresam prasupta tanu vicchinnodaranam. II.4. When ignorance (avidya) is established (ksetram/field) their follows the others (uttaresam). Patanjali even classifies various degrees of ignorance: dormant (prasupta), small (tanu), scattered (vicchinna) and profuse (u/oddaram).

Recognizing that ignorance/avidya is the prime obstacle to Self-Realization, Patanjali has laid the foundation for a genuine understanding of why one adheres to the Karma Yoga of the Yamas and the Niyamas.He recognizes that bad karma has caused the ignorance: klesamulah karmasaya drstadrsta janma vedaniyah. II.12. The source (mulah) of afflictions (klesa) is the storehouse of karma (karmasaya) which is created (janma) consciously (vedaniyah) or unconsciously (drstadrsta). With this understanding, the stage is set for the what and the why of the Yamas and the Niyamas.

YAMAS (restraints)

AHIMSA What is Ahimsa? Non-violence. Why be non-violent? So that hostility recoils from one and especially hostile thoughts. Ahimsa pratisthayam (established) tatsannidhau (cannot stand against) vairatyagah (hostility recoils). II.35.

SATYA What is Satya? Being Truthful. Why be Satya? So that one's actions are spontaneously true or right. Satya pratisthayam kriya (actions) phala (fruitful) srayatvam (one's). II.36.

ASTEYA What is Asteya? Non-stealing. Why Asteya? So that all true wealth comes to one. Asteya pratisthayam sarva (all) ratno (treasures) pasthanam (present themselves). II.37.

BRAHMACARYA What is Brahmacarya? Male Celibacy. Why be celibate? So that one become virile. Brahmacarya pratisthayam virya (virility/manly) labhah (established). II38.

APARIGRAHA What is Aparigraha? Non-receiving. Why not receive? So that one perceives past life events. Aparigraha sthaire (stand) janma (birth) kathamta (in what way) sambodhah (with knowledge). II.39.

With a solid foundation in good Karma/Yama, the chela is now prepared to further cultivate (niyama) the purity necessary to lead one to full devotion or Bhakti Yoga.

NIYAMAS (observances)

SAUCA What is Sauc(h)a? Purity. Why be pure? So that one establishes a disgust for one's own body (thoughts and emotions) as well as the bodies of others. Saucat svangajugupsa (disgust for one's self) parairasamsargah (to avoid the bodies of others). II.40.

SANTOSA What is Santos(h)a? Contentment. Why seek contentment. So that one achieves the state of pure joy beyond any outer stimulus. Santosadanuttamah (contentment brings supreme) sukhalabhah (joy established). II. 42.

TAPA What is Tapa? Austerity. Why live an austere life? To be rid impurities and master the body and senses. Kayendriya (body/senses)siddhir (power over) asuddhi (impure) ksaya (destroy) tapasah. II. 43.

SVADHYAYA What is Svadhyaya? Self-Study. Why study? To connect and have knowledge of one's chosen Hindu Deity (MahaDeva). Svadhyayad istadevata (valued Hindu Deity) samprayogah (to connect with). II. 44.

ISVARAPRANIDHANAT What is Isvara Pranidhana? Intense devotion to Siva to attain to Samadhi (with calm wisdom or enlightenment). (Isvara can refer to either Siva or Vishnu, however to Patanjali, it was Siva.) Samadhisiddhirisvarapranidhanat. II. 45.

Anyone who honestly looks at Patanjali and the Yoga Sutras will conclude that the modern so-called "yoga" and "astanga yoga" which refers to Patanjali is a totally deluded movement that is simply using a deceased orthodox Saivite Hindu and his writings to their own advantage. As mentioned, even the average Hindu, be they Saivite or of another sect would have a very difficult time fully adhering to the Yoga Sutras and the Yamas and Niyamas, therefore a modified code is used by many. Of course, the devout Hindu tries to live the Hindu Dharma or religious lifestyle which includes much more than just the Yamas and Niyamas.

MODIFIED YAMAS AND NIYAMAS: Ahimsa, Avoid Anger, Disciplines Desire, Avoid Drunkenness, Do not Steal, Do not Lie, Avoid Lust, Be pure in body, mind and speech, Seek Contentment, Cultivate Devotion, Educate yourself, Love your fellowperson, Be steadfast in Hardship