Vedanta, Yogic Science, Spirituality and its Practical Applications
by Chanakya Ganguly  for International Yoga Day (on June 21th, 2025)
“Vedanta” comes from the Sanskrit words veda- and anta-, which mean “end, limit”
or “knowledge” and “the end of” or “the goal of”. Its roots lie in Yogic evolution and
Samkhya philosophy by Sage Kapila. It basically states that humans are born with
three traits: inertia, overactive by default with the schizophrenic monkey mind. Need
to practice Spiritual Self-Discipline to cut the tail EY (Ever Yelling Egoistic Mind) and
develop the third trait, be calm, balanced, Monk mind symbolized by Hanuman; the
underlying unity faiths. Vivekananda once said, “You will be nearer to heaven through
football than through the study of Bhagavad Gita” & called Sage Kapila, “the greatest
psychologist the world has ever known … there is no philosophy in the world that is not
indebted to Kapila”. There is a message inscribed in Kapil Math, Madhupur, India; it
says, “There is no knowledge parallel to Samkhya, there is no power compared to Yoga”.
https://yogawithsubhash.com/2020/04/27/samkhya-overview/
Now if we look a little deeper in Samkhya, the war within gives rise to negatives like
sloth, gluttony, envy, anger, pride, lust, greed (Ravana the demonic monkey mind Vali)
leading to misery, as shown in the Ramayana. But with regular Yogic Self-Discipline &
Ayurvedic Lifestyle, one can gradually undergo Inner Spiritual Transformation, which
is the goal (Lakshman) to become calm, balanced; leading to positives like – diligence,
patience, temperance, gratitude, humility, chastity, charity (Hanuman) or the divine
monk mind (Rama) Sun like (Higher Consciousness), for happiness and increase one’s
ability to handle discomfort, adversity and conflicts (Ayodhya) with control, purpose.
https://www.si.com/mlb/2020/07/01/bernie-holliday-mental-skills-coaching-mindfulness-techniques
Vivekananda indirectly implies that with consistent Yogic Self-Discipline using football
as a metaphor one can be nearer to heaven, than just by reading the Gita. The concept
of God, Self-Realization as per Samkhya is Self-Improvement. Spiritual Practice, Sports
Psychology, Healthy Diet, Strict Lifestyle can provide flexibility, toughness, mindfulness
to have a Sound Mind in a Sound Body for True Religiosity thus provide spiritual unity.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbZRhWlGND0
(Why We’re Sicker Than Ever Before)
The Mahabharata, shows six energy centers in the spine symbolizing five brothers,
Pandavas trying to reach Higher Consciousness with Yogic Self-Discipline, so as not
to be manipulated by 100 external forces of distraction, symbolized by their 100
cousins, the Kauravas. These six centers are Root (Restraint), Sacral (Rules), Solar
Plexus (Control), Heart (Spirit), Throat (Calm), Eyebrows (Clarity), Crown (Integrity).
This state of Calm Inner Spiritual State is called the ‘Shanti Parav’ (Peaceful Phase).
Yoga & its sister science Ayurveda gives high importance to Diet – a combination of
protein from legumes, milk and/or animals, fiber from vegetables & fruits, fat from
nuts, dry fruits, ghee, olive oil, avocado more in raw form & a Disciplined Lifestyle.
It treats most diseases as Psycho-somatic or Mind-Body medicine & suggests regular
spiritual practice, to be still, for [1] calm (vegetables, fruits, legumes, herbs), to reduce
[2] inertia (oily, fried, alcohol), [3] overactivity (salt, sugar, chili, caffeine) and align
inner nature with outer nature, intermitted fasting and reducing the eating window.
Doing aspect of sports, dance should be emphasized, rather than watching, with
regular measurements of BMI, Lipids, VO2 max, Cardiac output, Heart rate, O2
consumption; to reduce chronic diseases by improving diet, exercise & lifestyle.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8p8-Mrbnm8
(11 Ways to Boost Oxygen and Live Longer: Increase VO2 Max)
Here we now start seeing real timeless practical applications of Yogic Sciences.
“As centesimal droppings will fill a pot so also are knowledge, virtue and wealth
gradually obtained”, wrote Chanakya, political economist from ancient India. Yoga
can make us progress in Dharma (Meditative Mind), Artha (Money with Meaning),
Kama (Sensible Pleasures and not Hedonism), Moksha (Freedom of Spirit beyond
Political & Economic ones). Yogic Lifestyle can help improve ethics, mind & health.
We need to see aspects which impact ethics, mind, health, energy, focus, character,
concentration for Clarity, Agility, Flexibility, Performance, Productivity. Else, it just
creates a lot of armchair intellectuals. So, we need to learn very practical aspects
like, making time for Atomic Habits, similar to Chanakya’s quote on “centesimal
droppings”, to change our inner system gradually for continuous improvement.
https://www.beltcourse.com/blog/summary-of-atomic-habits-by-james-clear-continuous-improvement
James Clear says in Atomic Habits, that wrong habits repeat not because one does
not want to change, but because on has the wrong system for change. Hence, one
finds it difficult to raise levels. Like Yoga, he suggests, 1) Meaningful Action vs
Being in Motion of Theory & Planning, 2) Tracking aggregation of marginal gains,
3) Developing consistency vs intensity 4) Identifying results with measurable goals.
Athleticism is a Yogic mindset. It isn’t about appearance but about endurance,
skill, and efficiency, to have timing, stamina, agility, game awareness, handing or
working with a team, taking decisions with accountability at various levels in Life.
https://psychoanalysis.org.uk/articles/the-roots-of-sport-michael-brearley
Yogic Discipline, Sports can help be as William Henley says in Invictus, master of
one’s fate, captain of one’s soul. Mike Brearley, a successful English cricket captain,
who later became a psychoanalyst says to him cricket or any other sport, is a journey
within to gradually get a grip on one’s bodily capacities for mastery, rhythm, resolve,
leadership, handling pressures, playing naturally with humility, discipline, practice.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1MGwmvDbTE
(Invictus – A Life Changing Poem for Hard Times)
In the ancient Indian traditional education, which got replaced by the British system,
kids were initiated into Yogic Discipline, around the ages of 8-12, when the hormones
kicked in, leading to the seven deadly sins, to turn the senses inwards for – voluntary
celibacy, maturity, restraint to avoid – rage, incel, toxicity as shown in ‘Adolescence’.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gl_OxVP_fCw
(Disturbing Truth Behind Hit the Series ‘Adolescence’)
Education should teach Yoga, Ayurveda, Diet, Lifestyle, Sleep, Preventive Medicine,
Regular check-ups of BMI, Lipid Profile, BP, Sugar, Weekly Engagement in Sports,
Dance, Music, Measure Energy Levels, Ability to handle workplace and home stress.
thus, be able to constantly evaluate one’s real Quality of Life, than Standard of Living.