Yoga and BODMAS

BY Arora Indu4 min read • July 15, 2018

Rishis and mathematician have more in common than you thought! Read more about how to apply BODMAS to achieve and live a more yogic life.

Rishis and mathematician have something in common.

My teacher used to say: Practice of Yoga is like solving a mathematical puzzle with the rules of BODMAS

What is BODMAS?

It is a simple acronym we use when solving mathematical problems. The letters stand for:

Brackets > Orders > Division > Multiplication > Addition > Subtraction

It is also known as PEDMAS

Parentheses > Exponential > Division > Multiplication > Addition > Subtraction

In mathematics, if we have to solve a puzzle, this principle explains what steps are to be taken sequentially.

What does it have to do with Yoga?

Let me break it down for you!

B - First deal with Brackets. In Yoga we call it the limited and conditioned mind put into brackets. This is also called upadhi or saguna in Yoga.

O - Second deal with Orders and exponentials. Remove all the orders and colorings of mind. This is also called klishta in Yoga.

D - Then deal with Division. In Yoga we talk about oneness. Become aware of the divided and isolated mind and consciousness. This is also called Vikshipta (occasionally focussed), Mudha (dull) and Kshipta (scattered and overwhelmed) states of mind.

M - Then focus on Multiplication. On the path of Yoga, we become aware of presence of multitude and not just this and that. There is more than one way to address a situation. Become aware of this multiplicity, of all possibilities. This is also understood as "Ekam Sat, Vipra Bahuda Vadanti" which means the Truth is one but the wise ones speak of it many different ways.

A - Then focus on Addition. Yogic literature brings the understanding that until and unless we learn how to see the big picture and add it all together, the picture will be incomplete. Make a sum total of all your experiences, not just scattered bits and pieces. This is the merging of the individuated mind into the collective mind called Mahad in Yogic literature.

S - Finally comes Subtraction. Learn how to let go of everything so that nothing which is the essence of everything remains. Most of the Vedic literature talks about the important practices like: neti neti - negation of cognition, Idam na mama- not mine, offering it to the lineage of realized beings and the cosmos itself with the attitude and Naham - Not this (I am)

Why all does this matter?

If we learn and start applying these simple rules from mathematics in our lives, we will be closer to live a yogic life. I would like to add that this is a completely spiritual approach to the most precise calculating principle.

Read on "What is Yoga" in light of mathematics