Why Learning the Six shstras in Sanskrit as per Hindu Tradition Is Important for Yoga According to Hindu tradition, the Vedas are the sixteen scriptures of the Hindu religion supposedly being handed down through oral tradition much before BC. These works contain a wealth of information on different aspects of life in Hinduism. The scholars and commentators who have written commentaries on the shastras have not confined their discussions to a single text but have quoted extensively from each and every shastra. The scholars and translators who have rendered commentaries on the Vedas have provided a rich detail of the philosophical and spiritual significance of the shastras. The six shastras that are referred to in the Hindu scripture are Sattva, Magna, Tamas, Rajas, Kriya, Tantra and Agni. Sattva is the name given to the seventh stage of yoga in Sanskrit. This stage is the foundation of all the other stages. It is the purest stage of yoga and is the reason for all the stages. According to the Hindu scriptures, Sattva is also the abode of detachment or self realization. The next shastra is Magna. It is the second stage of yoga and is associated with material worldliness. This shastra is known for its verses on the subject of lust, anger, and jealousy. In this shastra, the aspirant has to repeatedly remind himself of the sanctity of these emotions. The third shastra is called Tamas. It is the eleventh stage of the six shastras and is also known as the nibbana shastra. It mainly concerns itself with the renunciation of the desires of the ego. After this, which is known as Kriya, the student moves on to Chitta vritti or the seventh shastra. This is also known as Kriya Yoga. This shastra is mainly concerned with the mental, ethical, and spiritual aspects of life. Like Magna, it is very much concerned with the material worldliness and worldly aspirations. The next shastra is known as Bhakti. This is the final step of the six shastras. This shastra is said to be the finest shastra of all. In this shastra, the student tries to convert all his or her doubts and insecurities (caused by the previous six shastras) into firm and unshakable faith and reliance in the Hindu gods. All the previous six shastras are said to be defeated when one adopts and practices the Bhakti. The theory of the science of yoga is a very vast subject and there is no specific science of yoga that can be called the ultimate science. So, everyone is free to adopt any shastra that suits their needs and spiritual development. However, the six shastras are said to be the ideal shastra for each and every aspirant. The practice of yoga is known to have produced great health and wealth in the lives of those who follow the ancient discipline. Therefore, if anyone wants to develop the physical, mental, intellectual, and emotional well being of himself, he should learn these six shastras. Only through these, he will be able to fully master the Hindu religion and attain perfection in this field. One should learn and install these six shastras in his mind first as a form of blessing. Next, he should recite them slowly in the presence of other devotees and pray to the god for the blessings of his guru (goddess). Finally, he should invoke the energy for helping him in the practice of yoga. Therefore, it can be concluded that anyone who wants to learn and implement the Hindu religion should learn and install these six shastras in his mind first as a form of blessing and then recite them repeatedly in the presence of other devotees and pray to the god for the blessing of his guru .
