Green Message - Evergreen Messages of Spirituality, Sanskrit and Nature
Exponents of Yoga
1. Exponents of Yoga (Historical):
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Milarepa (1052 - 1135 CE): Yogi of Tibetan Buddhism (Kaygu Tradition). Famous teachers of this tradition are Tilopa, Naropa, Marpa, Milarepa and Gampopa. Initiated into Vajrayana practice by Marpa. Spent his life as a solitary mountain yogi in remote Himalayan caves and became an accomplished Yogi. One of his central teachings was Mahamudra to understand the fundamental nature of mind. Composed many songs of realization which came to be known as Songs of Milarepa.•
Jnaneshwar (Dyaneshwar) (1275 - 1296 CE): A Yogi of Nath Tradition as well as a Devotee of Sri Panduranga of Pandharpur. Tradition of Maharashtrian Saints (Varkari Tradition). Composed Bhavartha Deepika (Dnyaneshwari) which is a commentary on Bhagavad Gita, and Amrutanubhav which is about Yogic experiences.•
Trailanga Swami (1607 - 1887 CE): Devotee of Mother Kali and Lord Shiva. Lived the life of a Yogi. Performed Kali sadhana for 20 years. Then initiated into monastic life by Bhagirathananda Saraswati. Lived most of his life of 280 years in Kashi (Varanasi). Often called as living Shiva of Kashi.•
Baba Lokenath (1730 - 1890 CE): Practised Yoga of various forms (Hatha Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga and Meditation) along with Vedanta. Left home at about 11 years of age. Wandered in many places including Kalighat, Kashi and the Himalayas, and finally attained Self-Realization (Atma-Jnana). Spent the latter part of his life in Baradi (in present Bangladesh) guiding the ordinary householders.•
Shyama Charan Lahiri (1828 – 1895 CE): Master of Kriya Yoga. Initiated into yoga by Mahavatar Babaji himself. His disciple was Yukteshwar Giri who in turn was the guru of Paramahamsha Yogananda.•
Swami Vivekananda (1863 - 1902 CE): Exponent of the philosophy of Advaita Vedanta as well as various Yogas. Emphasis on Practical Vedanta. Disciple of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. Lectures, Compositions, Letters etc. recorded in The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda. Emphasis on Character Building, Serving Man as God and Acceptance of all valid paths. Taught about four Yogas - Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga and Raja Yoga, for a balanced development of human being and God realization. Founder of Ramakrishna Maths and Missions.•
Paramahamsa Yogananda (1893 – 1952 CE): Master of Kriya Yoga. Initiated into yoga by Yukteshwar Giri. Writer of the famous book Autobiography of a Yogi. Founder of Yogoda Satsanga Society (YSS) for teaching Kriya Yoga.