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True Yog: Uniting the Soul with God

Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat
21 June 2026
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True Yog Uniting the Soul with God

(Excerpt of a speech delivered by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj)

The 12th annual International Day of Yoga is being observed globally on 21 June 2026. This year’s official theme, “Yoga for Healthy Ageing,” focuses on promoting holistic health, mobility, and vitality across all stages of life.

While yoga is often associated with physical postures and wellness practices, Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj sheds light on its deeper spiritual significance and explains the true meaning and ultimate purpose of yog. 

The following is an excerpt from a speech by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj on the International Day of Yoga: 

“What do people generally do in yoga classes? They learn āsanas (postures). But is yoga limited to āsanas? 

Āsanas are only a very small part of yoga. The classical system of yoga consists of eight limbs: Yama, Niyama, Āsana, Pratyāhāra, Prāṇāyāma, Dhāraṇā, Dhyāna, and Samādhi.

This is called Ashtanga Yoga (the Eight Limbs of Yoga). It includes Yama (restraints or ethical disciplines), Niyama (observances), Asana (physical postures), Pranayama (control of the breath), and Pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses). These five are related to the body.

The other three are related to the mind: Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation), and Samadhi (absorption). Samadhi is the final stage of Ashtanga Yoga. Dhyana means thinking of God. Dharana means that the mind thinks of God so intensely that it becomes fully engrossed in Him.

Samadhi is the spiritual state in which the mind becomes so absorbed in the object of its contemplation that it loses the sense of its own separate identity.

Has anyone attained Samadhi simply through what is commonly practised as yoga today? What people generally call ‘yoga’ is often nothing more than physical exercise. It is bodily training that has merely been given the name ‘yoga.’

But God teaches something far deeper. He says, ‘Withdraw your mind from everything else and attach it to Me alone.’ This is true yoga.

Yoga means union. When the individual soul (jīvātmā) becomes united with the Supreme Soul (Paramātmā), that is yoga. That alone is yoga, and that alone is dharma.”

Therefore, yoga should not be understood merely as a system of physical postures. 

By Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj

A brief introduction of Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj*

(Known by His devotees as Shri Maharaj Ji)

The original title of Jagadguruttam (Greatest Spiritual Teacher of the World) was bestowed upon Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj on January 14, 1957, by Kashi Vidvat Parishad (a council of 500 greatest scholars saints of India). He composed divine texts like Prem Ras Madira, Prem Ras Siddhant, and Radha Govind Geet to lead us on the right path of devotion. He also gave priceless monuments as gifts to the world which include Bhakti Mandir located in Bhakti Dham, Mangarh, Prem Mandir located in Vrindavan Dham, and Kirti Mandir located in Barsana Dham. Shri Maharaj Ji also built hospitals for the impoverished, the Jagadguru Kripalu Chikitsalaya in Vrindavan, Jagadguru Kripalu Chikitsalaya in Barsana, and another one in Pratapgarh. All three help millions of underprivileged to gain free access to medical care. His Kindergarten, School, and College for impoverished girls Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat Education is located in Kunda and provides completely free education. To stay updated with all the news and events of Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat, visit www.jkp.org.in/jkpwhatsapp.