Parvati practiced prenacne in order to wed Lord Shiva, who appeared before her and blessed her with His darshan. Lord Shiva agreed to marry Parvati and then disappeared. Just then, she heard the scream of child who was caught by a crocodile in a lake at some distance. As she listened to with attention, she could make out that the child was crying pathetically, “Help me… I have no one... Help…!” Parvati was deeply moved by the wailing of he child. She went there and found that a crocodile had caught hold of a child by its leg and was dragging it into the river.
The child was saying, “There is no one for me in this world. I have neither mother nor father, nor friend, nor anybody else. Help me!”
The crocodile replied, “It is preordained for me by destiny, to accept as food, whatever I get in the sixth part of the day, and Lord Brahma has sent this child to me in the sixth part of the day. So, why should I let it go?”
Parvati said, “O crocodile! Leave the child.”
The crocodile replied, “It is preordained for me by destiny, to accept as food, whatever I get in the sixth part of the day, and Lord Brahma has sent this child to me in the sixth part of the day. So, why should I let it go?”
Parvati said, “O crocodile! Free the child in exchange of anything you want.”
The crocodile said, “I will leave this child only if you give me the fruits of your penance which you have carried out to please Lord Shiva, and not otherwise.”
Parvati, said “Is that all you are asking for? I am ready to give you the fruits of penance carried out not only in this life but of those carried out in many other lives as well, but let go of this child.”
The crocodile said, “Think again, do not be so emotional.”
Parvati said, “I have thought about it.”
The crocodile made Parvati resolve to donate the fruits of her penance. No sooner was the crocodile blessed with the fruits of her penance, than its body shone with splendour. Leaving the child, the crocodile said, “Parvati! Look how beautiful my body has become by the power of your penance! I have become a mass of radiance. Why did you sacrifice the merits of your whole life for the sake of a small child?”
Parvati said, “O crocodile! I can practice penance again, but how could have such an innocent child come again, if you had devoured it?”
The child vanished even as Parvati looked on. The crocodile too disappeared. Parvati thought that she would have to practice penance again as she had donated all her merits. She had hardly sat down in meditaion when Lord Shiva appeared again and said, “Parvati! Why are you practicing penance now?” parvati said.’ “Lord! I have donated the fruits of my penance.”
Lord Shiva said, “Parvati! It was me in the form of the crocodile and the child. I played this lila to test whether you are empathetic or not. I am the one existence who appears in many forms. Even while abiding in many bodies, I am the incorporeal Atman who is distinct from all bodies. Blessed is your spirit of empathy to all living beings.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Ma Parvati’s Trial
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
May the Mother, Father and Teacher be They God
At a small age, Bayazid left home and took to a life of asceticism to attain the truth. Left alone in the house, his aged mother was spending her time in praying to the Lord for her son’s well-being.
Through strenuous efforts and severe austerities, Bayazid attained certain spiritual powers. Self-mortification, solitude, Mauna (slience), japa and Pranayama purify the mind and do endow it with some psychic powers.
One day, Bayazid wearing an ascetic appearance in worn out clothes, stood at the door of his own house. Standing at the door, he heard his mother praying to God for his well-being.
Bayzid said, “Mother! I have come” “Who is there?”
“Your poor son.”
“O my son! You have come in my old age!”
“Mother! I have realized after so much trouble that what I had regarded as petty and insignificant was a great thing. After practicing all austerities, I have realized that the blessing of parents and elders is a great thing. Service to them uplifts one instantly. Mother! Now I will serve you.”
One night his mother said, “My son! I am very thirsty; please give me water.”
The broken pot that was used in the house for storing drinking water was empty. He went to the river that was quite faraway, and brought the water.
When Bayazid came back, he found that mother was fast asleep. He stood there holding the pot in his had thinking what to do. He didn’t want to put the pot down lest mother’s sleep should be disturbed by the sound. He didn’t want to sleep lest mother should wake up after some time and hesitate to wake him from his sleep. He kept standing in the same position.
After a few hours, mother woke up and then he gave water to her.
Mother asked, ‘Why didn’t you give me water earlier?”
Byazid said, “I didn’t want to disturb your sleep. So I was standing holding the pot of water in my hand.”
To keep standing with a pot of water in hand is not a big. Not doing so is not a crime either; but to remain uninfluenced by the pairs of opposites like happiness and sorrow while rendering service is a great thing. It was a cold night; he could have caught cold. He had low grade fever; but a goal was fixed in his mind-to serve the mother. He did not care for the pairs of opposites. Blessings came from the core of his mother’s heart and he became a great saint. ‘
Pujya Bapuji too served His parents from childhood itself and they blessed Him into a Jivanmukta and a world revered saint.
Bahut rat tak pair dabate,
Bhare kanth pitu asis pate.
Purra tumhara jagat me sada raheganam.
Logo ke tumse sada, puran honge kam.
Hed Bapuji not ignored the pleas of His mother and family members, who didn’t want Him to go to the Guru’s abode and surrender Himself at the Guru’s feet for God-realization, and had He stayed at home yielding to their attachment or had He not stuck to the Guru’s feet, He would not have become so great either.
Celebrate ‘Parents’ Worship Day’ and Not Valentine’s Day
Through strenuous efforts and severe austerities, Bayazid attained certain spiritual powers. Self-mortification, solitude, Mauna (slience), japa and Pranayama purify the mind and do endow it with some psychic powers.
One day, Bayazid wearing an ascetic appearance in worn out clothes, stood at the door of his own house. Standing at the door, he heard his mother praying to God for his well-being.
Bayzid said, “Mother! I have come” “Who is there?”
“Your poor son.”
“O my son! You have come in my old age!”
“Mother! I have realized after so much trouble that what I had regarded as petty and insignificant was a great thing. After practicing all austerities, I have realized that the blessing of parents and elders is a great thing. Service to them uplifts one instantly. Mother! Now I will serve you.”
One night his mother said, “My son! I am very thirsty; please give me water.”
The broken pot that was used in the house for storing drinking water was empty. He went to the river that was quite faraway, and brought the water.
When Bayazid came back, he found that mother was fast asleep. He stood there holding the pot in his had thinking what to do. He didn’t want to put the pot down lest mother’s sleep should be disturbed by the sound. He didn’t want to sleep lest mother should wake up after some time and hesitate to wake him from his sleep. He kept standing in the same position.
After a few hours, mother woke up and then he gave water to her.
Mother asked, ‘Why didn’t you give me water earlier?”
Byazid said, “I didn’t want to disturb your sleep. So I was standing holding the pot of water in my hand.”
To keep standing with a pot of water in hand is not a big. Not doing so is not a crime either; but to remain uninfluenced by the pairs of opposites like happiness and sorrow while rendering service is a great thing. It was a cold night; he could have caught cold. He had low grade fever; but a goal was fixed in his mind-to serve the mother. He did not care for the pairs of opposites. Blessings came from the core of his mother’s heart and he became a great saint. ‘
Pujya Bapuji too served His parents from childhood itself and they blessed Him into a Jivanmukta and a world revered saint.
Bahut rat tak pair dabate,
Bhare kanth pitu asis pate.
Purra tumhara jagat me sada raheganam.
Logo ke tumse sada, puran honge kam.
Hed Bapuji not ignored the pleas of His mother and family members, who didn’t want Him to go to the Guru’s abode and surrender Himself at the Guru’s feet for God-realization, and had He stayed at home yielding to their attachment or had He not stuck to the Guru’s feet, He would not have become so great either.
Celebrate ‘Parents’ Worship Day’ and Not Valentine’s Day
The children and youth of a nation, which belongs to the farsighted rishis, should shun ‘Valentine’s Day’, which ruins their vitality and energy. Celebrate ‘Parents’ Worship Day’ instead of it. On this day, children should pay respect to their parents and worship them by placing flowers on their heads and bowing before them. Parents in turn should shower their affection and blessings on their children. Parents and children should love each other in the name of God and awaken the divinity in their heart. Let the mother and daughter apply tilak to each other. Let the father and son do he same. Along with your external eyes, let your inner eye, the auspicious eye of discrimination and knowledge be opened as well.”
‘May the Mother be thy God, May the father be thy God, May the daughter be thy God, May the son be thy God’.
‘May the Mother be thy God, May the father be thy God, May the daughter be thy God, May the son be thy God’.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Mahashivaratri : The festival of Reposing in the Self
The fourteenth day of dark fortnight in the month of Falgun (Magha in Gujarat and Mahashivaratri) is celebrated as Mahashivaratri. This is the festival of increasing asceticism, self-restraint and sadhana; of infusing simplicity and naturalness in life; of seeking contentment in the Shiva of True Self; of observing Mauna.
Mahashivaratri is the festival of reposting in the true Self beyond the body, in the Absolute, in the Ultimate Truth. It is not the day to drive oneself out of wits under the influence of opium. It is the day to make your heart pious by imbibing the nectar of Lord’s name. Exercising self-restraint and proceeding on the path of reposing in the True Self is verily the meaning of Mahashivaratri.
Mahashivaratri is the night to stay awake and get engaged in sahhana and Bhakti. ‘Shiva’ means well-being. Thus Mahashivaratri means the night of great well- being. Staying awake in this night, observing fast and doing japa and meditation contemplating the meaning of the mantra being repeated affords great religious merit. It is mentioned in the ‘Brahmotter Khand’ of Skand Purana, ‘The shivaratri fast is of race significance. Staying awake in the Mahashivaratri night is of still greater significance. Lord Brahma and other gods as also sages like Vashishthaji shower a lot of praises on this fourteenth night of the dark fortnight of Falguan. One observing fast on Mahashivaratri gets entitled to religious merit more than what is obtained by a hundred sacrifices.’
Staying awake at night brings awakening in life. Awakening in life means not being carried away by pairs of opposites like favourable and adverse circumstances; it means waking up in the Shiva of True Self, the changeless one, even while living in the body and the world both of which are constantly changing. If you stay awake in the night with a sense of discrimination intending to save your life from being wasted in meaningless sense-enjoyments and to engage it in attaining the goal of God-Realization; you are moving towards staining the awakening in life that is the goal of staying awake in the night of Mahashivaratri.
One worshipping Lord Shiva, singing His praises and meditating on Him gets entitled to repose in the real Lord Shiva, the Ultimate Truth. The pujya of Lord Shiva is performed with three joined bilva leaves indicating to us, ‘O man! O sadhada! You too are joined to this body by the three qualities of nature. Surrender the three qualities to Lord Shiva. Make an offering of Sattvik, Rajasic and Tamasic thoughts and actions to the Indweller Lord Shiva.’
The fragrance of bilva leaves cures your body of Vata and Kapha disorders. As you worship Lord Shiva, you simultaneously make your body healthy. While offering bilva leaves to lord Shiva, make an offering of the three qualities nature as well. While offering panchamrit (the mixture of five nectarine substances – milk, curd, sugar, honey and ghee) to the Lord, offer your ego to the Pure Consciousness, the power behind the five elements of nature. This will make for your oneness with the Lord. Lord Shiva, the Ultimate Truth is your True Self and your True Self is in substance same as Lord Shiva, the eternal entity fully representing transcendental Existence, Knowledge and Bliss.
On Mahashivaratri day, Lord Shiva is worshiped with panchamrit. Others worship mentally and also by meditating and by filling the heart with His love. It is childish to insist on beholding a form in meditation. One should rather meditate on the all permeating Ultimate Sbsolute Substratum, more pervasive than even the sky. Chant OM…. Namah…. Shivay….’in protracted intonation and get engrossed in the thoughts of the Absolute.
The festival of Mahashivaratri awakens us to the idea that as Lord Shiva lives on the snow-clad mountain-top of cool equanimity, we too should, if we want to elevate our lives, establish ourselves at the pinnacle of sādhanā unmindful of the pairs of opposites like happiness and sorrow. Don't go headlong in enjoying pleasure; rather put it to appropriate use by sharing it with others. Don't be miserable in adverse circumstances. Instead, take advantage of such circumstances. Get rid of diseases through fasting and self-control. If a friend betrays you, know that the Lord want to rid you of attachment and ‘my-ness’ through this betrayal. All the troubles in the world are brought to you to you to delver you from attachment. Make good use of them.
When you go to Lord Shiva’s temple, you see Nandi, the ox. The stupid in the society are likened to an ox. They are deprecated. But the ox is given respect in Lord Shiva’s temple. The implication is that even the one as dumb as an ox is worshipped, if he renders selfless service, worships the real God, the Ultimate Truth and undertakes the lord’s work. What is Lord’s work? Whatever is done for the good of all, for the happiness of all is Lord’s work. ‘cgqtufgrk;] cgqtulq[kk;’, One who worships Lord Shiva, that is, works for the good and for the happiness of others, intending to serve the indweller Lord thereby, will be worshipped sooner or later even if he is a dumb fellow in the eyes of the society – this is the message from worship of Nandi.
Lord Shiva has serpents around His neck. The enlightened ones know the art of reforming even those evil people who are venomous like serpents, to make them useful for the society. Lord Shiva is called Bholenath. i.e. He always protects the innocent. Those who want to cross the world of transmigration, but are tormented by the arrows of lust are protected by Lord Shiva when they remember Him.
Lord Shiva adorns the moon of the second lunar fortnight on His head. The enlightened ones acknowledge even the smallest virtue in other. The Ganga flows from Lord Shiva’s head. Waves of knowledge flow from the head of those who have reached the heights of equanimity. That explains why a halo is a always shown behind the head in the pictures of Gods of Sanatan dharma.
By reducing Cupid, the God of love to ashes, by opening His third eye, Lord Shiva gives the message, ‘O Man! The Shiva Consciousness is hidden in you too. Open your third eye of discrimination to reduce your desires, passions and bondages to ashes.’
Lord Shiva remains ever immersed in the bliss of divine communion. Hence, His aura is so powerful that even animals, which are born enemies of each other, remain established on the throne of equanimity in His in His presence. A single meeting between a lion and a bull, a serpent and a rat is enough to bring about the end of the later in both cases but in the presence of Lord Shiva they forget their mutual enmity because of the equanimity in Lord Shiva’s eyes. Hence, you too tread the path of experiencing the Self so that you get rid of the feeling of hatred in you. Hatred pollutes the blood. So, Shivaratri is the festival that brings us the message that we should transform such mental mode of Brahman and realize our Brahmic Self.
Lord Shiva drank the poison Halahal, during the churning of the ocean. He neither swallowed nor vomited the poison; but held it in His throat and is hence called ‘Neelkanth’ (One with the blue throat). You too are the Lord Shiva of your family, your house. Whenever any good thing is brought to the house, give it to your children, wife/husband, family, etc. and whenever there is Halahal in the form of obstacles and troubles, hold it in the throat and you too will remain ever ecstatic in Self-Bliss like Neelkanth. The senior members of a samiti, family, neighborhood, monastery, temple, institution, village etc. should like Lord Shiva, take the initiative in any endeavour and let others take the credit for success.
If you are a wife, remember Ma Parvatim, the universal Mother Jagadamba as to how she co-operates with Lord Shiva in His Samadhi! You too should think how you can help your husband tread the path of Self–realization. And if you are a husband, think how you can help your wife to become great as Parvati.
The festival of Shivaratri brings us the message that the more we are selfless and compassionate, and the more we restrain ourselves from finding faults with others and meditate on the divine supreme Being, the more will our Shiva Consciousness be enhanced and lesser will we be influenced by pleasures and pains. We will awaken into our equanimous nature, our Divine Being and our heart will overflow with bliss, love, courage and sweetness.
Mahashivaratri is the festival of reposting in the true Self beyond the body, in the Absolute, in the Ultimate Truth. It is not the day to drive oneself out of wits under the influence of opium. It is the day to make your heart pious by imbibing the nectar of Lord’s name. Exercising self-restraint and proceeding on the path of reposing in the True Self is verily the meaning of Mahashivaratri.
Mahashivaratri is the night to stay awake and get engaged in sahhana and Bhakti. ‘Shiva’ means well-being. Thus Mahashivaratri means the night of great well- being. Staying awake in this night, observing fast and doing japa and meditation contemplating the meaning of the mantra being repeated affords great religious merit. It is mentioned in the ‘Brahmotter Khand’ of Skand Purana, ‘The shivaratri fast is of race significance. Staying awake in the Mahashivaratri night is of still greater significance. Lord Brahma and other gods as also sages like Vashishthaji shower a lot of praises on this fourteenth night of the dark fortnight of Falguan. One observing fast on Mahashivaratri gets entitled to religious merit more than what is obtained by a hundred sacrifices.’
Staying awake at night brings awakening in life. Awakening in life means not being carried away by pairs of opposites like favourable and adverse circumstances; it means waking up in the Shiva of True Self, the changeless one, even while living in the body and the world both of which are constantly changing. If you stay awake in the night with a sense of discrimination intending to save your life from being wasted in meaningless sense-enjoyments and to engage it in attaining the goal of God-Realization; you are moving towards staining the awakening in life that is the goal of staying awake in the night of Mahashivaratri.
One worshipping Lord Shiva, singing His praises and meditating on Him gets entitled to repose in the real Lord Shiva, the Ultimate Truth. The pujya of Lord Shiva is performed with three joined bilva leaves indicating to us, ‘O man! O sadhada! You too are joined to this body by the three qualities of nature. Surrender the three qualities to Lord Shiva. Make an offering of Sattvik, Rajasic and Tamasic thoughts and actions to the Indweller Lord Shiva.’
The fragrance of bilva leaves cures your body of Vata and Kapha disorders. As you worship Lord Shiva, you simultaneously make your body healthy. While offering bilva leaves to lord Shiva, make an offering of the three qualities nature as well. While offering panchamrit (the mixture of five nectarine substances – milk, curd, sugar, honey and ghee) to the Lord, offer your ego to the Pure Consciousness, the power behind the five elements of nature. This will make for your oneness with the Lord. Lord Shiva, the Ultimate Truth is your True Self and your True Self is in substance same as Lord Shiva, the eternal entity fully representing transcendental Existence, Knowledge and Bliss.
On Mahashivaratri day, Lord Shiva is worshiped with panchamrit. Others worship mentally and also by meditating and by filling the heart with His love. It is childish to insist on beholding a form in meditation. One should rather meditate on the all permeating Ultimate Sbsolute Substratum, more pervasive than even the sky. Chant OM…. Namah…. Shivay….’in protracted intonation and get engrossed in the thoughts of the Absolute.
The festival of Mahashivaratri awakens us to the idea that as Lord Shiva lives on the snow-clad mountain-top of cool equanimity, we too should, if we want to elevate our lives, establish ourselves at the pinnacle of sādhanā unmindful of the pairs of opposites like happiness and sorrow. Don't go headlong in enjoying pleasure; rather put it to appropriate use by sharing it with others. Don't be miserable in adverse circumstances. Instead, take advantage of such circumstances. Get rid of diseases through fasting and self-control. If a friend betrays you, know that the Lord want to rid you of attachment and ‘my-ness’ through this betrayal. All the troubles in the world are brought to you to you to delver you from attachment. Make good use of them.
When you go to Lord Shiva’s temple, you see Nandi, the ox. The stupid in the society are likened to an ox. They are deprecated. But the ox is given respect in Lord Shiva’s temple. The implication is that even the one as dumb as an ox is worshipped, if he renders selfless service, worships the real God, the Ultimate Truth and undertakes the lord’s work. What is Lord’s work? Whatever is done for the good of all, for the happiness of all is Lord’s work. ‘cgqtufgrk;] cgqtulq[kk;’, One who worships Lord Shiva, that is, works for the good and for the happiness of others, intending to serve the indweller Lord thereby, will be worshipped sooner or later even if he is a dumb fellow in the eyes of the society – this is the message from worship of Nandi.
Lord Shiva has serpents around His neck. The enlightened ones know the art of reforming even those evil people who are venomous like serpents, to make them useful for the society. Lord Shiva is called Bholenath. i.e. He always protects the innocent. Those who want to cross the world of transmigration, but are tormented by the arrows of lust are protected by Lord Shiva when they remember Him.
Lord Shiva adorns the moon of the second lunar fortnight on His head. The enlightened ones acknowledge even the smallest virtue in other. The Ganga flows from Lord Shiva’s head. Waves of knowledge flow from the head of those who have reached the heights of equanimity. That explains why a halo is a always shown behind the head in the pictures of Gods of Sanatan dharma.
By reducing Cupid, the God of love to ashes, by opening His third eye, Lord Shiva gives the message, ‘O Man! The Shiva Consciousness is hidden in you too. Open your third eye of discrimination to reduce your desires, passions and bondages to ashes.’
Lord Shiva remains ever immersed in the bliss of divine communion. Hence, His aura is so powerful that even animals, which are born enemies of each other, remain established on the throne of equanimity in His in His presence. A single meeting between a lion and a bull, a serpent and a rat is enough to bring about the end of the later in both cases but in the presence of Lord Shiva they forget their mutual enmity because of the equanimity in Lord Shiva’s eyes. Hence, you too tread the path of experiencing the Self so that you get rid of the feeling of hatred in you. Hatred pollutes the blood. So, Shivaratri is the festival that brings us the message that we should transform such mental mode of Brahman and realize our Brahmic Self.
Lord Shiva drank the poison Halahal, during the churning of the ocean. He neither swallowed nor vomited the poison; but held it in His throat and is hence called ‘Neelkanth’ (One with the blue throat). You too are the Lord Shiva of your family, your house. Whenever any good thing is brought to the house, give it to your children, wife/husband, family, etc. and whenever there is Halahal in the form of obstacles and troubles, hold it in the throat and you too will remain ever ecstatic in Self-Bliss like Neelkanth. The senior members of a samiti, family, neighborhood, monastery, temple, institution, village etc. should like Lord Shiva, take the initiative in any endeavour and let others take the credit for success.
If you are a wife, remember Ma Parvatim, the universal Mother Jagadamba as to how she co-operates with Lord Shiva in His Samadhi! You too should think how you can help your husband tread the path of Self–realization. And if you are a husband, think how you can help your wife to become great as Parvati.
The festival of Shivaratri brings us the message that the more we are selfless and compassionate, and the more we restrain ourselves from finding faults with others and meditate on the divine supreme Being, the more will our Shiva Consciousness be enhanced and lesser will we be influenced by pleasures and pains. We will awaken into our equanimous nature, our Divine Being and our heart will overflow with bliss, love, courage and sweetness.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
A World-wide Conspiracy to Tarnish the Image of Hindus and Their Religious
His Holiness Sant Sri Asaramji Bapu, who is revered throughout the world and is source of inspiration for the spiritual culture of this nation, is an amazing asset not only to this country but to the world as well. With baseless allegations beings leveled against him, even this great soul who has been constantly spreading the message of spiritualism, has become the target of a dirty conspiracy to malign his reputation.
There have been divine and demoniacal powers in every age. Aspersions were cast even upon in carnations like Lord Rama and Sri Krishna but gold remains ever pure. There are many selfish elements in the society today, who cannot bear to see others being revered and respected. Pujya Bapuji’s endeavours for protecting and nurturing the spiritual culture, are unique and unparalleled inculcating noble smaskaras in little children through the Gurukul tradition will ensure a bright future for the children. Today, Bapuji is revered and respected throughout the country and several religious and altruistic activities are being carried out on a large scale. Millions of devotees attend his discourses and are his initiated disciples. False and baseless allegations are made against this saint and his institutions, which is part of a world-wide conspiracy to tarnish the image of Hindus and their religious leaders. Therefore, Hindu unity is the need of the hour. The flag of Pujya Bapuji’s fame and glory has been constantly guiding the world and the spiritual society and will continue to be a source of spiritual energy and inspiration for India.
There have been divine and demoniacal powers in every age. Aspersions were cast even upon in carnations like Lord Rama and Sri Krishna but gold remains ever pure. There are many selfish elements in the society today, who cannot bear to see others being revered and respected. Pujya Bapuji’s endeavours for protecting and nurturing the spiritual culture, are unique and unparalleled inculcating noble smaskaras in little children through the Gurukul tradition will ensure a bright future for the children. Today, Bapuji is revered and respected throughout the country and several religious and altruistic activities are being carried out on a large scale. Millions of devotees attend his discourses and are his initiated disciples. False and baseless allegations are made against this saint and his institutions, which is part of a world-wide conspiracy to tarnish the image of Hindus and their religious leaders. Therefore, Hindu unity is the need of the hour. The flag of Pujya Bapuji’s fame and glory has been constantly guiding the world and the spiritual society and will continue to be a source of spiritual energy and inspiration for India.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Sleep – Its importance and Properties
Food, sleep and Brahmachary – these are the three pillars of the body. That is, the body survives and works on the strength of these three.
Taking them in right manner and quality makes the body stable, nourishes it and equips it withy strength and attractiveness.
(The issue of food has been dealt with exhaustively in earlier Rishi Prasad issues)
Describing the importance of sleep, the great health teacher, Charaka says:
When the mind is tried from work and the senses too, being tired, withdraw themselves from their respective objects, man sleep to give rest to the mind and the senses. Sleep gives maximum amount of rest to body. Such rest reinvigorates the body. Sleep plays an equally important part in sustaining the body as does the food taken by it.
Benefits of sleep:
A sound sleep nourishes the body and increases its healthfulness, strength and vital fluids. It enables the sense organs to function properly and effectively. One habitually enjoying a sound sleep lives a full course life.
Sleep should be taken at the right time and in the right quality. Oversleeping taking sleep at inappropriate time or completely foregoing sleep or taking too little sleep erodes health and longevity. Sleeping in the day is highly injurious to health but those who are engaged in excessive studies excessive hard work or are debilitated by semen-loss, who are tired on account of staying awake at night or of traveling as also children, old-aged, lean and weak people may sleep in the day.
In summers, the nights are smaller and there is accumulation of gases in the body; therefore it is beneficial to sleep for a short while in the day.
Those who consume ghee and milk in excess or are obese and those with Kapha constitutions or suffering from Kapha produced diseases should in no circumstances sleep in the day.
Disadvantages form sleeping in the day:
Sleeping in the day causes reduction in appetite. Food is not digested properly and the raw, undigested food gets converted into Toxins (āma) resulting in heaviness and cramps in the body, nausea, headache, heaviness in the heart and skin diseases etc. the Tāmasic tendencies generated by sleeping in the day lead to diminution of memory and intellectual faculties.
Measures to overcome the tendency to oversleep:
Fasting, Prānāyām, exercise and avoiding Tāmasic foods (garlic, onions,) radish, horse-beans, stale and fried foods) help overcome the tendency to oversleep.
Insomnia:
Causes: Aggravation of Vāta or Pitta, semen-loss, mental agitation, worry and sorrow disturb the sleep.
Symptoms: Sleeplessness causes Vātta related symptoms like itching pain, giddiness, yawning, gloominess and indigestion etc.
Remedies for insomnia:
Massaging oil into the head, massaging ghee into foot-soles, regularly putting oil into the ears, getting the body pressed, taking ghee, milk (particularly of the buffalo), curd and boiled rice, a comfortable bed and pleasing environment in the room these measures help in bringing the sleep back into the eyes.
Massaging the head with ‘Sahchar Siddha’ oil (available in ayurvedic) dispensaries produces deep and sound sleep.
Noteworthy facts:
Increase in Kapha homour and Tāmasic tendencies produces more sleep and increase in Vāta homour and Sāttvic tendencies leads to reduced sleep.
Keeping wawke at night aggravates Vāta which in turn produces dryness in the body. Sleeping in the day aggravates Kapha and increases oiliness of the body. A bit of snoozing in the sitting position however produces neither dryness nor oilness; it rather gives rest to the body.
One should sleep with the head towards east or south.
One should sleep with the head towards east or south.
One shouldn’t sleep with hands or feet contracted, with legs crossed or with hands behind or over the head. One should also not sleep on the stomach.
It is best to sleep 2-2 ½ hours after sunset and to get up 2-2 ½ hours before sunrise.
Reading of scriptures and protracted chanting of ‘Ñ’ immediately before sleeping converts sleep into worship.
Mantra for producing sleep:
Śuddhe Śuddhe Mahāyogini Mahānidre Svāhā .
Going to bed repeating this mantra produces deep and sound sleep.
Taking them in right manner and quality makes the body stable, nourishes it and equips it withy strength and attractiveness.
(The issue of food has been dealt with exhaustively in earlier Rishi Prasad issues)
Describing the importance of sleep, the great health teacher, Charaka says:
When the mind is tried from work and the senses too, being tired, withdraw themselves from their respective objects, man sleep to give rest to the mind and the senses. Sleep gives maximum amount of rest to body. Such rest reinvigorates the body. Sleep plays an equally important part in sustaining the body as does the food taken by it.
Benefits of sleep:
A sound sleep nourishes the body and increases its healthfulness, strength and vital fluids. It enables the sense organs to function properly and effectively. One habitually enjoying a sound sleep lives a full course life.
Sleep should be taken at the right time and in the right quality. Oversleeping taking sleep at inappropriate time or completely foregoing sleep or taking too little sleep erodes health and longevity. Sleeping in the day is highly injurious to health but those who are engaged in excessive studies excessive hard work or are debilitated by semen-loss, who are tired on account of staying awake at night or of traveling as also children, old-aged, lean and weak people may sleep in the day.
In summers, the nights are smaller and there is accumulation of gases in the body; therefore it is beneficial to sleep for a short while in the day.
Those who consume ghee and milk in excess or are obese and those with Kapha constitutions or suffering from Kapha produced diseases should in no circumstances sleep in the day.
Disadvantages form sleeping in the day:
Sleeping in the day causes reduction in appetite. Food is not digested properly and the raw, undigested food gets converted into Toxins (āma) resulting in heaviness and cramps in the body, nausea, headache, heaviness in the heart and skin diseases etc. the Tāmasic tendencies generated by sleeping in the day lead to diminution of memory and intellectual faculties.
Measures to overcome the tendency to oversleep:
Fasting, Prānāyām, exercise and avoiding Tāmasic foods (garlic, onions,) radish, horse-beans, stale and fried foods) help overcome the tendency to oversleep.
Insomnia:
Causes: Aggravation of Vāta or Pitta, semen-loss, mental agitation, worry and sorrow disturb the sleep.
Symptoms: Sleeplessness causes Vātta related symptoms like itching pain, giddiness, yawning, gloominess and indigestion etc.
Remedies for insomnia:
Massaging oil into the head, massaging ghee into foot-soles, regularly putting oil into the ears, getting the body pressed, taking ghee, milk (particularly of the buffalo), curd and boiled rice, a comfortable bed and pleasing environment in the room these measures help in bringing the sleep back into the eyes.
Massaging the head with ‘Sahchar Siddha’ oil (available in ayurvedic) dispensaries produces deep and sound sleep.
Noteworthy facts:
Increase in Kapha homour and Tāmasic tendencies produces more sleep and increase in Vāta homour and Sāttvic tendencies leads to reduced sleep.
Keeping wawke at night aggravates Vāta which in turn produces dryness in the body. Sleeping in the day aggravates Kapha and increases oiliness of the body. A bit of snoozing in the sitting position however produces neither dryness nor oilness; it rather gives rest to the body.
One should sleep with the head towards east or south.
One should sleep with the head towards east or south.
One shouldn’t sleep with hands or feet contracted, with legs crossed or with hands behind or over the head. One should also not sleep on the stomach.
It is best to sleep 2-2 ½ hours after sunset and to get up 2-2 ½ hours before sunrise.
Reading of scriptures and protracted chanting of ‘Ñ’ immediately before sleeping converts sleep into worship.
Mantra for producing sleep:
Śuddhe Śuddhe Mahāyogini Mahānidre Svāhā .
Going to bed repeating this mantra produces deep and sound sleep.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Yogamudrasana
In the practice of Yoga, this posture is very important. Hence, it has been named YogamudrÍsana (the Yogic mudrÍ).
Benefits: Practice of this asana gives the following benefits:
It stimulates the digestive fire. It cures problems related to the stomach like gas, indigestion, chronic constipation, etc.
Distension of the abdomen gets reduced. Body becomes shapely and strong.
Problems related to the intestines are cured. This asana strengthens the heart.
It cures blood related disorders. Leprosy and disorders of reproductive system are eliminated.
It enhances mental efficiency and intellectual prowess.
It tones up the nervous system, particularly the lumber plexus.
it stimulates the pancreas controlling diabetes. This asana is beneficial for diabetics.
All the vertebrae of the spinal column get separated from each other, cleansing the Sushumna and making it light. This invigorates the activities of the brain.
The Manipura Chakra gets activated, which is the main center of the dormant energies lying within every individual.
Note: Yogamudrāsana is highly beneficial in curing the weakness of the dhātus.
Proccdure: Sit in Padmāsana (lotus posture) and close your eyes. Take both the arms behind your back. Hold the wrist of your right hand with the left hand. Stretch the arms so that they meet at the base of the spinal cord. Exhaling slowly, touch the forehead on the floor. Stay in this position for some time, relax and breathe normally. Then gradually, while inhaling deeply, lift your head up and return to the upright position. Keep breathing normally. Repeat this procedure 4-5 times. Initially, if this posture appears difficult, then sit in Sukhāsana or siddhāsana. However, the complete benefits of this posture can be obtained by sitting in Padmasana only. Generally, this posture should be practiced for 3 minutes. If you are practicing Yogamudrāsana with spiritual objective, increase the duration depending on your interest and capacity.
(C. I. D. Denies Tantrik Practice in Ashram)
Amdavad, 8th December: the Crime Investigation Department has denied any Tantrik practice in the Ashram. D.I.G. G.S. Malik of the Crime investigation Department said that if any tantrik rituals were carried out on the children, why were their bodies found close to the ashram only? They could have thrown somewhere else as well.
The presence of water, food and moss particles in the dead bodies according to FSL reports, proves that the children had died due to drowing. Practice of this asana gives the following benefits:
It stimulates the digestive fire. It cures problems related to the stomach like gas, indigestion, chronic constipation, etc.
Distension of the abdomen gets reduced. Body becomes shapely and strong.
Problems related to the intestines are cured. This asana strengthens the heart.
It cures blood related disorders. Leprosy and disorders of reproductive system are eliminated.
It enhances mental efficiency and intellectual prowess.
It tones up the nervous system, particularly the lumber plexus.
it stimulates the pancreas controlling diabetes. This asana is beneficial for diabetics.
All the vertebrae of the spinal column get separated from each other, cleansing the Sushumna and making it light. This invigorates the activities of the brain.
The Manipura Chakra gets activated, which is the main center of the dormant energies lying within every individual.
Note: Yogamudrāsana is highly beneficial in curing the weakness of the dhātus.
Proccdure: Sit in Padmāsana (lotus posture) and close your eyes. Take both the arms behind your back. Hold the wrist of your right hand with the left hand. Stretch the arms so that they meet at the base of the spinal cord. Exhaling slowly, touch the forehead on the floor. Stay in this position for some time, relax and breathe normally. Then gradually, while inhaling deeply, lift your head up and return to the upright position. Keep breathing normally. Repeat this procedure 4-5 times. Initially, if this posture appears difficult, then sit in Sukhāsana or siddhāsana. However, the complete benefits of this posture can be obtained by sitting in Padmasana only. Generally, this posture should be practiced for 3 minutes. If you are practicing Yogamudrāsana with spiritual objective, increase the duration depending on your interest and capacity.
(C. I. D. Denies Tantrik Practice in Ashram)
Amdavad, 8th December: the Crime Investigation Department has denied any Tantrik practice in the Ashram. D.I.G. G.S. Malik of the Crime investigation Department said that if any tantrik rituals were carried out on the children, why were their bodies found close to the ashram only? They could have thrown somewhere else as well.
The presence of water, food and moss particles in the dead bodies according to FSL reports, proves that the children had died due to drowing.
Benefits: Practice of this asana gives the following benefits:
It stimulates the digestive fire. It cures problems related to the stomach like gas, indigestion, chronic constipation, etc.
Distension of the abdomen gets reduced. Body becomes shapely and strong.
Problems related to the intestines are cured. This asana strengthens the heart.
It cures blood related disorders. Leprosy and disorders of reproductive system are eliminated.
It enhances mental efficiency and intellectual prowess.
It tones up the nervous system, particularly the lumber plexus.
it stimulates the pancreas controlling diabetes. This asana is beneficial for diabetics.
All the vertebrae of the spinal column get separated from each other, cleansing the Sushumna and making it light. This invigorates the activities of the brain.
The Manipura Chakra gets activated, which is the main center of the dormant energies lying within every individual.
Note: Yogamudrāsana is highly beneficial in curing the weakness of the dhātus.
Proccdure: Sit in Padmāsana (lotus posture) and close your eyes. Take both the arms behind your back. Hold the wrist of your right hand with the left hand. Stretch the arms so that they meet at the base of the spinal cord. Exhaling slowly, touch the forehead on the floor. Stay in this position for some time, relax and breathe normally. Then gradually, while inhaling deeply, lift your head up and return to the upright position. Keep breathing normally. Repeat this procedure 4-5 times. Initially, if this posture appears difficult, then sit in Sukhāsana or siddhāsana. However, the complete benefits of this posture can be obtained by sitting in Padmasana only. Generally, this posture should be practiced for 3 minutes. If you are practicing Yogamudrāsana with spiritual objective, increase the duration depending on your interest and capacity.
(C. I. D. Denies Tantrik Practice in Ashram)
Amdavad, 8th December: the Crime Investigation Department has denied any Tantrik practice in the Ashram. D.I.G. G.S. Malik of the Crime investigation Department said that if any tantrik rituals were carried out on the children, why were their bodies found close to the ashram only? They could have thrown somewhere else as well.
The presence of water, food and moss particles in the dead bodies according to FSL reports, proves that the children had died due to drowing. Practice of this asana gives the following benefits:
It stimulates the digestive fire. It cures problems related to the stomach like gas, indigestion, chronic constipation, etc.
Distension of the abdomen gets reduced. Body becomes shapely and strong.
Problems related to the intestines are cured. This asana strengthens the heart.
It cures blood related disorders. Leprosy and disorders of reproductive system are eliminated.
It enhances mental efficiency and intellectual prowess.
It tones up the nervous system, particularly the lumber plexus.
it stimulates the pancreas controlling diabetes. This asana is beneficial for diabetics.
All the vertebrae of the spinal column get separated from each other, cleansing the Sushumna and making it light. This invigorates the activities of the brain.
The Manipura Chakra gets activated, which is the main center of the dormant energies lying within every individual.
Note: Yogamudrāsana is highly beneficial in curing the weakness of the dhātus.
Proccdure: Sit in Padmāsana (lotus posture) and close your eyes. Take both the arms behind your back. Hold the wrist of your right hand with the left hand. Stretch the arms so that they meet at the base of the spinal cord. Exhaling slowly, touch the forehead on the floor. Stay in this position for some time, relax and breathe normally. Then gradually, while inhaling deeply, lift your head up and return to the upright position. Keep breathing normally. Repeat this procedure 4-5 times. Initially, if this posture appears difficult, then sit in Sukhāsana or siddhāsana. However, the complete benefits of this posture can be obtained by sitting in Padmasana only. Generally, this posture should be practiced for 3 minutes. If you are practicing Yogamudrāsana with spiritual objective, increase the duration depending on your interest and capacity.
(C. I. D. Denies Tantrik Practice in Ashram)
Amdavad, 8th December: the Crime Investigation Department has denied any Tantrik practice in the Ashram. D.I.G. G.S. Malik of the Crime investigation Department said that if any tantrik rituals were carried out on the children, why were their bodies found close to the ashram only? They could have thrown somewhere else as well.
The presence of water, food and moss particles in the dead bodies according to FSL reports, proves that the children had died due to drowing.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Sins That Cannot Be Atoned
Dharmaraja (the God of death) says to king Bhagiratha: “O protector of the earth, the person who acts as an obstacle to others going to take their bath or perform worship, is called a killer of Brahmana. One who is always engaged in censuring others, who is interested in self-conceit and self-aggrandizement and who indulges in falsehood is considered a murderer of a Brahmana.
“A person who consents to adharma incurs, the sin of killing a Brahmana. A person interested in alarming and frightening others, a person who indulges in arrogant behavior is called a murderer of a Brahmana.
“O protector of the earth! I shall narrate to you those sins which cannot be expiated. They are the biggest of all sins and lead to infernal regions. There are means to atone for grave sins like a Brahmanatyā. But there is no means to atone for the sin of a person who hates a Brahmana or Knower of Brahman. So also, o Ruler of men, there is no atonement for those who are ungrateful and those who commit breach of trust. There is no expiation anywhere to those persons who indulge themselves in denouncing the Vedas. There is no expiation. Here or hereafter to those who find fault with saintly people.
“ O protector of the Earth, those who listen to criticism about great souls with interest have to bear lot of sufferings. Hot nails are hammered into their ears. Pores thus formed are filled with boiling oil. They are then thrown into Kumbhipā hell.
“Tale-bearers and back-biters have to eat red hot iron for a period of a thousand yugas. Their tongues are pressed and crushed by means of very terrible tongs and they are compelled to stay in a very terrible hell called Nirucchvāsar for a period of half a kalpa.
“Heretics, those who do not perform righteous acts, slanderers of continent men and scriptures are great sinners. Those who are engaged in slandering .others, those who speak roughly and harshly and those who create obstacles in regard to charitable gifts are said to be great sinners. Such sinners stay in each of the hells for a period of one yuga. At the end of it they come back to the earth. They are born as donkeys for seven consecutive lives. Then for ten lives, they are born as dogs suffering many would. For the period of hundred years they remain as worms in feceal matter, after which they are born as serpents for twelve lives.
“O king, thereafter, in the course of a thousand lives, they are born as deer and other animals. Then for a hundred years they are born as immobile beings (trees and the like). Thereafter, they take up the bodies of alligators. Then for seven lives they are born as chāndālas who commit sinful crimes. Then for sixteen lives they lead a depraved existence and then for two births they remain impoverished and afflicted with sick ness. They are always intent on accepting monetary gifts. Again, they go back to hell.
“O King! Listen to the fruits of sins accruing to a perjurer. He undergoes all these tortures for a period equal to fourteen times the reign of Indra, the king of gods. In this world his sons and grandsons perish. In the other world he falls into Raurava and other hells in succession too.
“A person who consents to adharma incurs, the sin of killing a Brahmana. A person interested in alarming and frightening others, a person who indulges in arrogant behavior is called a murderer of a Brahmana.
“O protector of the earth! I shall narrate to you those sins which cannot be expiated. They are the biggest of all sins and lead to infernal regions. There are means to atone for grave sins like a Brahmanatyā. But there is no means to atone for the sin of a person who hates a Brahmana or Knower of Brahman. So also, o Ruler of men, there is no atonement for those who are ungrateful and those who commit breach of trust. There is no expiation anywhere to those persons who indulge themselves in denouncing the Vedas. There is no expiation. Here or hereafter to those who find fault with saintly people.
“ O protector of the Earth, those who listen to criticism about great souls with interest have to bear lot of sufferings. Hot nails are hammered into their ears. Pores thus formed are filled with boiling oil. They are then thrown into Kumbhipā hell.
“Tale-bearers and back-biters have to eat red hot iron for a period of a thousand yugas. Their tongues are pressed and crushed by means of very terrible tongs and they are compelled to stay in a very terrible hell called Nirucchvāsar for a period of half a kalpa.
“Heretics, those who do not perform righteous acts, slanderers of continent men and scriptures are great sinners. Those who are engaged in slandering .others, those who speak roughly and harshly and those who create obstacles in regard to charitable gifts are said to be great sinners. Such sinners stay in each of the hells for a period of one yuga. At the end of it they come back to the earth. They are born as donkeys for seven consecutive lives. Then for ten lives, they are born as dogs suffering many would. For the period of hundred years they remain as worms in feceal matter, after which they are born as serpents for twelve lives.
“O king, thereafter, in the course of a thousand lives, they are born as deer and other animals. Then for a hundred years they are born as immobile beings (trees and the like). Thereafter, they take up the bodies of alligators. Then for seven lives they are born as chāndālas who commit sinful crimes. Then for sixteen lives they lead a depraved existence and then for two births they remain impoverished and afflicted with sick ness. They are always intent on accepting monetary gifts. Again, they go back to hell.
“O King! Listen to the fruits of sins accruing to a perjurer. He undergoes all these tortures for a period equal to fourteen times the reign of Indra, the king of gods. In this world his sons and grandsons perish. In the other world he falls into Raurava and other hells in succession too.
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