A crooked man’s knowledge results in his arguments, his wealth in his ego, and his power in others’ troubles.
Sacrifice your own interest for the sake of your family, sacrifice family for village, sacrifice village for nation, and sacrifice everything for Atman.
A book says: Protect me from oil (as it leaves marks on my pages); protect me from water; also protect me from the loose binding. And after doing all this, please do not hand me over to an unintelligent person.
Fire , loan and enemy – if remain even in small quantity will grow again, so finish them completely.
A person who travels a lot and is in contact with wise people has his intelligence expanded like a drop of oil on the water surface.
When there is fire in forest, wind assists it. But the same wind destroys a small lamp. If one doesn't have power /wealth, he doesn’t have friends. One will support you if you are powerful or else the same person will destroy you. If a country is mighty and powerful, it gets all the support from other countries.
Consideration like “so and so is mine, or so and so is another’s” occur only to the narrow minded people. To the broad-minded people, the whole world is the family.
There is no letter which can’t be used in mantra; there is no root which can’t form some medicine! There is no person who is absolutely useless. But persons who can identify their utility and put them in proper usage are rare.
An intelligent person spends his time in study of poetry and scriptures (as means of his entertainment). In contrast an unintelligent person gets his entertainment by over-sleeping, quarrel or some type of addiction.
The person with whom we have no relation, but who helps us in our difficult times is our real brother. In contrast, the person who may be our brother (relative), but who always does bad things for us should not be considered as our brother. Just like a disease which is in our body, bit does so much harm to us, while the medicinal plant which grows in forest far off does so much good to us!
Our ears look good due to sattvik expressions that are heard by it, not by earrings. Our hands look good due to donations it make, rather than by bracelets. Our bodies smell good by doing good deeds to others, not by applying sandalwood cream to it.
Avoid friendship with wicked people. They are like coal; if hot, they burn your hands – if cold, they blacken your hands.
People who are punctual in their duties like the Sun never become poor.
Greatness is not by birth, it is by qualities of the person. Just sitting on the tip of palace, a cow does not become an eagle. Milk which can be converted in ghee can turn bad, and mud can be converted into a beautiful idol, and even result in becoming Ganesha.
There is no achievement like peace; there is no happiness like satisfaction; there is no disease like desire; there is no religion like mercy.
Never believe a wicked person even if he is talking in your favor. There is honey on his tongue’s tip, but there is poison in his heart.
Out of serpent and wicked person, it is the serpent who is better of the two. The serpent seldom bites, but the wicked person stings at every step. The snake can be calmed by some techniques, but the wicked person cannot be kept in control by any techniques.
Knowledge is the real wealth in a foreign land; cleverness in tough times; good conduct is the wealth everywhere and at all the times.
It cannot be stolen by thieves nor can it be taken away by kings. It cannot be divided among brothers and it does not cause a load on your shoulders. If spent, it always keeps growing. The wealth of knowledge is the most superior wealth of all.
As a person with dirty clothes (once dirtied in rain due to carelessness), does not hesitate to sit anywhere, similarly a person who once have lost his character, will not hesitate to do bad again.
A selfish person who wants to get some work done from another person, will praise him till the work is pending. Once you cross the river, you won’t look at the boat.
If you go too much close to someone, the person may not listen to you anymore. Similarly, if you visit someone very frequently, you will lose your respect. A woman living in Sandalwood jungle will use it in her daily needs, like in cooking or bathing. But for the rest of the world the same sandalwood is very costly as it is not easily available to them.
Up to the age of five, pamper your child; then up to the age of 10, discipline the child. After the child turns 16, treat the child like a friend.
A fully-filled water-container will not create as much noise as the half-filled one.
Just as a donkey which carries the sandalwood on its back doesn’t know the value of sandalwood, but only experiences some weight on its back; in the same way, learned people who have studied scriptures don’t realize the true meaning of it and simply carry the ‘weight’ of the knowledge.
The sea who constantly collects water is bitter as it is at the lowermost level of earth, and the clouds that donate water are heavenly at the high altitudes. The person who does charity achieves the higher place than the person who collects without doing charity.
Five characteristics of a fool person are: arrogance, wicked statements, anger (to no end), strong arguments (without support) and lack of respect or tolerance to others’ opinions.
If seeing or hearing somebody, or speaking with somebody touches your heart, then it is love or affection.
A big storm which uproots the strongest and biggest tress doesn’t harm the small grass on the ground.
The first sign of intelligent man is in not starting the work which is not in his capacity. The second sign is seen, when after starting such work, the man carries it to its logical conclusion.
In case of normal individuals, the words follow the meaning. But in case of the great sages, the meaning follows their words.
The non-poisonous snake should imitate as if it is a biting one, if it does not want to be stepped upon!
At times, the resourceful people have to face many troubles, while the un-resourceful people live peacefully; like a parrot lives in a cage while a free crow flies in the sky, trying to survive.
Those who have the wealth of self-esteem, live long life. For those who don’t have self-esteem, what is the use of wealth and long life?
There is no vision such as the one that knowledge gives us, there is no tapa (austerity) like hard work on the side of truth, there is no sorrow such as desire; there is no happiness like sacrifice.
There is no place for ‘praise’ in this world: good people don’t like her and she won’t prefer to go to the bad person! If ‘praise’ were a woman, she will never get married! And what about insults? You decide!
Without healing qualities, beautiful colorful flower has no meaning to its existence. Similarly, without positive actions, the good words have no meaning.
A person with enthusiasm is a powerful person. There is nothing as powerful as enthusiasm. Nothing is impossible to an enthusiastic person.
What is the use of knowledge without intelligence? What is the use of mirror to a blind person.
Nectar is acceptable even in a broken vessel. Learn good thoughts from children even, accept good qualities from enemies even, and accept gold from dirty place even.
Beauty is like an ornament to human. Good qualities are like an ornament to the beauty. Knowledge is like an ornament to good qualities, and forgiveness is like an ornament to knowledge.
Treasure of goddess Saraswati (knowledge) is indeed very amazing! If spent, it grows and if unused, it becomes less.
Sandalwood is pleasant; moonlight is even more pleasant, but the company of a good person is most pleasant.
If country goes a wrong way, the king should be held responsible. If king goes a wrong way, his advisors/ ministers should be held responsible. If a woman does a wrong thing, then her husband should be held responsible, and if a student does a wrong thing, his teacher should be held responsible.
An inferior person has desire for money. An average person has desire for money and also for the freedom from that desire. A great man has no desire left.
Only two types of people are happy in this world: (1) foolish and dull people, and (2) very intelligent and knowledgeable people. All the other people in between these two limits are the only sufferers.
Food for one whose stomach is full is of no use. Rains over the sea is of no use. There is no need of giving donation to an affluent person. Lighting a lamp during the day is also useless. Two wise people find it futile to speak in each others’ company and enjoy silence.
A person who has courage as his father, forgiveness as his mother, calm mind as his wife, truth as his son, compassion as his sister and control on mind as his brother, then for which thing will that person be scared of? (the mentioned relations are not to be taken literally)
Unwise person hesitates to donate the wealth due to the fear of becoming poor in future. But due to the same fear, a wise person donates his wealth.
One cannot change nature of a person by giving him advice or telling him good things. If water is heated, after some time it again attains its normal temperature.
People say that inspiration does not last long. Neither does bath. That’s why both are to be taken on the daily basis.
If one person’s life helps others’ lives, then only that person has really ‘lived’. Even the crow can fill its own stomach by its beak. There is nothing great in solely working for our own survival.
For a person who has a firm conviction, this earth is like a little garden, sea is like a small canal, ‘afterlife’ is like a picnic spot, and the Everest is like an ant’s house!
A foolish person comes without invitation, talks without required, and trusts untrustworthy people.
Enjoy this world offered by the existence, but don’t grab, because it belongs to nobody.
What is in mind should be reflected in one’s speech. What is in one’s speech should be reflected in one’s actions. Thus, one becomes a wise man, creating no conflict within.
Great people use discretion with wealth, humbleness with scholars and courteousness with power.
Wise men choose good over the pleasant. The fool prefers the pleasant. By doing so, the wise choose the eternal happiness and the fool the temporary one.
Unhappy people are so because of their desire (greed) for their happiness. The happy people are so because of the lack of such desire.
Body is purified by water, mind by truth, intelligence by knowledge and soul by self-study and self-improvement.
Cuckoo’s beauty is in its voice, woman’s beauty is in her intelligence, ugly person’s beauty is in knowledge and sages’ beauty is in forgiving.
When this life is full of uncertainty, there is no time like present to help our soul.
Purify your path by your vision (i.e. see before you step), purify water by cloth, purify speech by truth, purify behavior by your conscience.
Deer, fishes and noble people live on dry grass, water and satisfaction. But none the less, they are troubled by hunters, fishermen and bad people. It is true that people who don’t trouble others still have enemies!
Even if a person who has committed a crime is your respected guru, a child, an old person, a woman, an honorable person or very famous, he should be punished. There is no excuse for crime.
Being under the command of our senses and mind is nothing but invitation to many problems and winning over them is a pathway to the glory/success! Choose any path that you like!! Animals get satisfied by Taste, Touch, Smell etc. Getting too much happiness from such things is like being under their command.
All the types of wealth are painful. Once you get wealth, you’ve to constantly protect it. Wealth tends to decay like any other objects, so you constantly work to maintain it. When you work to maintain it, your own personality gets affected by its company, and then, you too need protection and maintenance. Moreover, no storable wealth can be achieved without causing harm to others. And this means harm to yourself too, as your actions will create ripple of reactions that will eventually reach you.
Sometimes he sleeps on floor and sleeps on fine bed at other times.
Sometimes he manages only with vegetables and eats delicious rice at other times.
Sometimes he wears torn clothes and wears elegant clothes at other times.
The person devoted to work does not care about sorrows and joys.
Desire never gets fulfilled even if it is temporarily satisfied. As fire consumes offered ghee and increases, desire also increases with consumption.
Inferior men do not start a work due to fear of obstacles. Medium men start their work, but leave the work whenever they get difficulty. Exceptionally good people start their work, and continue doing working even if there is series of obstacles in their way.
No one was/will be ever as generous as a stingy person.
He gives his wealth to others without even touching it.
Nobody is friend of any other person. Nobody is enemy of any other person. Need (intention or the situation) only binds (a person as your) friend or enemy. No person is your friend or enemy if you don't consider your interest.
A friend, even without many good qualities, is better than an enemy with good qualities. Though, we shall appreciate good qualities in enemies. A person is our enemy or friend depending upon his and our interests, it does not depend on his qualities.
It's very easy to convince an uneducated person. It's even more easy to convince a person who has complete knowledge. But a person who develops a false pride on basis of half-knowledge gained, cannot be convinced even by God.
In the group of thousands of cows, the calf correctly identifies it's mother and comes near it's mother - In the same way the deeds done in the past life correctly gets attached to the person (It's effect cannot be undone).
One’s education can be judged by her /his knowledge, one’s virtues can be judged by one’s originality, but anger can be sensed from one’s eyes.
Who experiences constant happiness or constant sorrows? Take any point on a wheel. It goes down and again rises up; so also the happiness and sorrows follow each other in one's life. Therefore don't get excited by happiness nor get dejected by sorrows.
Studying without learning grammar (fundamentals), crossing river on a boat with a hole and consuming medicines without following the instructions of the physician are not advisable. Do not do things in an improper manner; the loss could be major.
The cows of different colors produce milk of one color; similarly the principle taught by different religions is one.
Only swan has the capability to separate milk and water. If it becomes lazy, then who else can do its job? If talented people don’t apply themselves, they face loss in spite of their talents.
The one who runs after the luxuries will not get knowledge. And the one who wants to gain knowledge leaves the luxuries. How will any one get knowledge if he/she wants to lead a easy life? And how will one get to live a easy life who is looking for knowledge?
Do such a work through the day, so that you can sleep peacefully at night. Similarly, do such a work throughout your life so that you can 'live' peacefully after death.
A wicked person will notice the bad qualities as tiny as a mustard seed in other person, but will not notice even the bad qualities as large as any big leaf (bilva-patra) within himself /herself.
One becomes like the people around him/her, who one lives with, whom one serves and whom one wants to become like.
Only a person with good qualities knows (or appreciates) qualities of another, not a person without any qualities. A strong person knows (or judges) strength of another strong person, not a weak person. Cuckoo understands (or feels) the spring, not a crow (The cuckoo starts singing in this period). Elephant knows strength of Lion not a mouse.
Even a dust particle which rises above when beaten by someone's foot is better than the person who sits calmly in spite of being insulted badly.
The one who speaks in a sweet language is like a wife to any man; from whom one gets satisfaction is a real son /daughter; on whom we can put our complete faith without any hesitation is a real friend; and the land in which we can easily earn our livelihood is the real country.
The old age snatches away the beauty, false hope takes away the courage, death defeats the life, hatred will destroy one’s noble attitude, anger will lead to poverty, being in the company of bad people and helping them will take away one’s character, uncontrolled desire will take away humbleness and false pride will take away all the good things!
Whether circumstances causes King or King causes circumstances?
There is no doubt that King causes circumstances.
One should put efforts in building up good character; the wealth is not stable.
One who doesn’t have wealth is not really powerless, however characterless person is a waste.
The wealth, which is earned by troubling others, by disobeying the Dharma or even by swallowing (self) insult; does not bring happiness. (Dharma = one’s true duties)
Duryodhana says, "It's not that I didn't knew what was 'Dharma' and what was 'adharma'. But in spite of knowing what is 'Dharma', I couldn't follow it and even though I knew what was 'adharma' I couldn't desist from not doing it".
Without hurting others; without getting into association of bad; without losing the company of good people however little you progress, that is sufficient.
Donkeys are singing song in a weddings of camels. Donkeys say how beautiful camels are, camels say what a pleasant voice donkeys have. Both are praising each other. This is a typical scenario in a gathering of low caliber persons. None of them is of any excellence, but they praise each other, either because they don't know what is excellence, or because they want some mental satisfaction.
Those, who do not get carried away by honor and do not become angry because of dishonor, do not use harsh words, even when angry, are known as great saints.
For an un-intelligent person, there are hundreds of incidents/ reasons occurring daily to become happy for and thousands of others to become unhappy at. But intelligent person's mind will not get disturbed by such fluctuations.
Night looks very long to the one who is awake all through the night. Little distance appears to be stretched to the one who is already tired of walking. Similarly, life appears long to the people who do not know sat-dharma.
The words 'give me' (begging), cause five virtues (good qualities) go away from you, immediately: intelligence, elegance, prosperity, glow and fame.
One should avoid crooked person even if he /she is educated. Isn't snake adorned with gem still dangerous?
Direct Sun-light does not burn our skin as much as a hot sand dune does. Similarly a mediocre person who becomes powerful due to another person (like sand dune getting hot due to Sunlight) is often annoying or even dangerous.
Strength of a powerful person is ignored if he does not show it to others (others are unaware). As far as energy is stored in wood, no body is bothered about it. But when same wood starts burning, they are scared of that.
The good people (sajjan) are like a coconut – Harsh or rough from outside but very soft and sweet from inside. In contrast the bad people (durjan) are like berry - only soft from outside, but hard from inside!
The one who speaks truth, one who spends less, one who eats nutritional food in limited quantity and the one who has conquered the senses, gets peaceful sleep.
What can a wicked person do to someone who has the weapon of forgiveness in his hands ? Fire fallen on ground without any grass extinguishes by itself.
Above are the Translation of some Sanskrit Subhaashita that I Like. Some may appear to contradict others, nonetheless it is an enjoyable read.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Hindu Cosmology: Cycle of Creation, Maintenance and Destruction
According to Hindu mythology and cosmology, the universe is cyclically created and destroyed. The life span of Brahma, the creator, is 120 divine years (Mahakalpamu). Every day, Brahma creates 14 Manus one after the other, who in turn create and regulate the world. Thus, there are fourteen generations of Manu in one day (Kalpamu) of Brahma.
Each Manu’s life (Manvantaramu) consists of 71 quartets of eras. Each quartet is composed of four eras: Krita, Treta, Dvapara and Kali. The span of Krita era is 1,728,000 human years, Treta era is 1,296,000 human years, Dvapara era is 864,000 human years and Kali era is 432,000 human years. When Manu perishes at the end of his life, Brahma creates the next Manu and the cycle continues until all fourteen Manus and the Universe perish by the end of the day. When night falls, Brahma goes to sleep for a period of time equal to fourteen lives of Manus. The next morning, he begins the creation with first Manu again. The cycle goes on for 100 divine years at the end of which Brahma himself perishes and is regenerated.
The present period is the Kaliyuga or last era of the seventh Manu’s life. According to Aryabhata, the Kaliyuga began in 3102 BC, at the end of the Dvapara era that was marked by the disappearance of Vishnu's Krishna avatar. Aryabhata's date is widely repeated in modern Hinduism.
The Nasadiya Sukta of the Rigveda describes the origin of the universe.
The Rig Veda's view of the cosmos also sees one true divine principle self-projecting as the divine word, Vaak, 'birthing' the cosmos that we know, from the monistic Hiranyagarbha or Golden Womb. The Hiranyagarbha is alternatively viewed as Brahma, the creator who was in turn created by God (Brahman) himself. The universe maintained by Vishnu (The god of presence) and destroyed by Shiva (The god of destruction). These three constitute the holy trinity of the Hindu religion. Once the universe has been destroyed by Shiva, Brahma starts the creation once again. This creation-destruction cycle is called Yuga which is the highest measuring unit of time in the Hindu religion.
The later puranic view asserts that the universe is created, destroyed, and re-created in an eternally repetitive series of cycles. In Hindu cosmology, a universe endures for about 4,320,000 years (one day of Brahma, the creator or kalpa) and is then destroyed by fire or water elements. At this point, Brahma rests for one night, just as long as the day. This process, named pralaya (Cataclysm), repeats for 100 Brahma years (311 trillion, 40 billion human years) that represents Brahma's lifespan. It must be noted that Brahma is the creator but not necessarily regarded as God in Hinduism. He is mostly regarded as a creation of God.
Brahma's life is divided in one thousand cycles (Maha Yuga, or the Great Year). Maha Yuga, during which life, including the human race appears and then disappears, has 71 divisions, each made of 14 Manvantara (1000) years. . Manvantara is Manu's cycle, the one who gives birth and governs the human race. Each Maha Yuga lasts for 4,320,000 years. Each Maha Yuga consists of a series of four shorter yugas, or ages. The yugas get progressively worse from a moral point of view as one proceeds from one yuga to another. As a result each yuga is of shorter duration than the age that preceded it. The current Kali Yuga (Iron Age) began at midnight 17 February / 18 February in 3102 BC in the proleptic Julian calendar.
The Rigveda and Brahmanda Purana describe a universe that is cyclical or oscillating and infinite in time. The universe is described as a cosmic egg that cycles between expansion and total collapse. It expanded from a concentrated form —a point called a Bindu. The universe, as a living entity, is bound to the perpetual cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.
The cosmic egg is an ancient concept resurrected by modern science in the 1930s and explored by theoreticians during the following two decades. The idea comes from a perceived need to reconcile Edwin Hubble's observation of an expanding universe (which is also predicted by Einstein's equations of general relativity) with the notion that the universe must be eternally old. Georges Lemaitre proposed in 1927 that the cosmos originated from what he called the primeval atom.
Current cosmological models maintain that 13.7 billion years ago, the entire mass of the universe was compressed into a singularity, from which it expanded to its current state (the Big Bang), the so-called cosmic egg.
The Upanishads elaborate that Hiranyagarbha floated around in emptiness and the darkness of the non-existence for about a year, and then broke into two halves which formed the Swarga and the Prithvi.
In classical Puranic Hinduism, Hiranyagarbha is a name of Brahma, so called because he was born from a golden egg (Manusmrti 1.9)
Each Manu’s life (Manvantaramu) consists of 71 quartets of eras. Each quartet is composed of four eras: Krita, Treta, Dvapara and Kali. The span of Krita era is 1,728,000 human years, Treta era is 1,296,000 human years, Dvapara era is 864,000 human years and Kali era is 432,000 human years. When Manu perishes at the end of his life, Brahma creates the next Manu and the cycle continues until all fourteen Manus and the Universe perish by the end of the day. When night falls, Brahma goes to sleep for a period of time equal to fourteen lives of Manus. The next morning, he begins the creation with first Manu again. The cycle goes on for 100 divine years at the end of which Brahma himself perishes and is regenerated.
The present period is the Kaliyuga or last era of the seventh Manu’s life. According to Aryabhata, the Kaliyuga began in 3102 BC, at the end of the Dvapara era that was marked by the disappearance of Vishnu's Krishna avatar. Aryabhata's date is widely repeated in modern Hinduism.
The Nasadiya Sukta of the Rigveda describes the origin of the universe.
The Rig Veda's view of the cosmos also sees one true divine principle self-projecting as the divine word, Vaak, 'birthing' the cosmos that we know, from the monistic Hiranyagarbha or Golden Womb. The Hiranyagarbha is alternatively viewed as Brahma, the creator who was in turn created by God (Brahman) himself. The universe maintained by Vishnu (The god of presence) and destroyed by Shiva (The god of destruction). These three constitute the holy trinity of the Hindu religion. Once the universe has been destroyed by Shiva, Brahma starts the creation once again. This creation-destruction cycle is called Yuga which is the highest measuring unit of time in the Hindu religion.
The later puranic view asserts that the universe is created, destroyed, and re-created in an eternally repetitive series of cycles. In Hindu cosmology, a universe endures for about 4,320,000 years (one day of Brahma, the creator or kalpa) and is then destroyed by fire or water elements. At this point, Brahma rests for one night, just as long as the day. This process, named pralaya (Cataclysm), repeats for 100 Brahma years (311 trillion, 40 billion human years) that represents Brahma's lifespan. It must be noted that Brahma is the creator but not necessarily regarded as God in Hinduism. He is mostly regarded as a creation of God.
Brahma's life is divided in one thousand cycles (Maha Yuga, or the Great Year). Maha Yuga, during which life, including the human race appears and then disappears, has 71 divisions, each made of 14 Manvantara (1000) years. . Manvantara is Manu's cycle, the one who gives birth and governs the human race. Each Maha Yuga lasts for 4,320,000 years. Each Maha Yuga consists of a series of four shorter yugas, or ages. The yugas get progressively worse from a moral point of view as one proceeds from one yuga to another. As a result each yuga is of shorter duration than the age that preceded it. The current Kali Yuga (Iron Age) began at midnight 17 February / 18 February in 3102 BC in the proleptic Julian calendar.
The Rigveda and Brahmanda Purana describe a universe that is cyclical or oscillating and infinite in time. The universe is described as a cosmic egg that cycles between expansion and total collapse. It expanded from a concentrated form —a point called a Bindu. The universe, as a living entity, is bound to the perpetual cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.
The cosmic egg is an ancient concept resurrected by modern science in the 1930s and explored by theoreticians during the following two decades. The idea comes from a perceived need to reconcile Edwin Hubble's observation of an expanding universe (which is also predicted by Einstein's equations of general relativity) with the notion that the universe must be eternally old. Georges Lemaitre proposed in 1927 that the cosmos originated from what he called the primeval atom.
Current cosmological models maintain that 13.7 billion years ago, the entire mass of the universe was compressed into a singularity, from which it expanded to its current state (the Big Bang), the so-called cosmic egg.
The Upanishads elaborate that Hiranyagarbha floated around in emptiness and the darkness of the non-existence for about a year, and then broke into two halves which formed the Swarga and the Prithvi.
In classical Puranic Hinduism, Hiranyagarbha is a name of Brahma, so called because he was born from a golden egg (Manusmrti 1.9)
Friday, November 28, 2008
Extracts from Shrimad Bhagavatam
I visited the web-site of Prabhu pada and read some parts of Shrimad Bhagavatam. Presenting below some extracts from Canto 12, which describes Kali Yuga - Very fascinating:
Extracts from Śrīmad Bhāgavatam (approximate translation)
From 12th Canto (The Age of Deterioration)
Chapter 1 of Canto 12
Kali Yuga
From 12th Canto (The Age of Deterioration)
Chapter 1 of Canto 12
Kali Yuga
SB 12.1.36: At that time the brāhmaṇas of some will forget all their regulative principles, and the members of the royal order in these places will become no better than śūdras.
SB 12.1.37: The land along the Sindhu River, as well as the districts of Candrabhāgā, Kauntī and Kāśmīra, will be ruled by śūdras, fallen brāhmaṇas and meat-eaters. Having given up the path of Vedic civilization, they will have lost all spiritual strength.
SB 12.1.38: There will be many such uncivilized kings ruling at the same time, and they will all be uncharitable, possessed of fierce tempers, and great devotees of irreligion and falsity.
SB 12.1.39-40: These barbarians in the guise of kings will devour the citizenry, murdering innocent women, children, cows and brāhmaṇas and coveting the wives and property of other men. They will be erratic in their moods, have little strength of character and be very short-lived.
Indeed, not purified by any Vedic rituals and lacking in the practice of regulative principles, they will be completely covered by the modes of passion and ignorance.
SB 12.1.37: The land along the Sindhu River, as well as the districts of Candrabhāgā, Kauntī and Kāśmīra, will be ruled by śūdras, fallen brāhmaṇas and meat-eaters. Having given up the path of Vedic civilization, they will have lost all spiritual strength.
SB 12.1.38: There will be many such uncivilized kings ruling at the same time, and they will all be uncharitable, possessed of fierce tempers, and great devotees of irreligion and falsity.
SB 12.1.39-40: These barbarians in the guise of kings will devour the citizenry, murdering innocent women, children, cows and brāhmaṇas and coveting the wives and property of other men. They will be erratic in their moods, have little strength of character and be very short-lived.
Indeed, not purified by any Vedic rituals and lacking in the practice of regulative principles, they will be completely covered by the modes of passion and ignorance.
SB 12.1.41: The citizens governed by these low-class kings will imitate the character, behavior and speech of their rulers. Harassed by their leaders and by each other, they will all suffer ruination.
Chapter 2 of Canto 12
The Symptoms of Kali-yuga
The Symptoms of Kali-yuga
SB 12.2.1: Religion, truthfulness, cleanliness, tolerance, mercy, duration of life, physical strength and memory will all diminish day by day because of the powerful influence of the age of Kali.
SB 12.2.2: In Kali-yuga, wealth alone will be considered the sign of a man's good birth, proper behavior and fine qualities. And law and justice will be applied only on the basis of one's power.
SB 12.2.3: Men and women will live together merely because of superficial attraction, and success in business will depend on deceit. Womanliness and manliness will be judged according to one's expertise in sex, and a man will be known as a brāhmaṇa just by his wearing a thread.
SB 12.2.4: A person's spiritual position will be ascertained merely according to external symbols, and on that same basis people will change from one spiritual order to the next. A person's propriety will be seriously questioned if he does not earn a good living. And one who is very clever at juggling words will be considered a learned scholar.
SB 12.2.5: A person will be judged unholy if he does not have money, and hypocrisy will be accepted as virtue. Marriage will be arranged simply by verbal agreement, and a person will think he is fit to appear in public if he has merely taken a bath.
SB 12.2.6: A sacred place will be taken to consist of no more than a reservoir of water located at a distance, and beauty will be thought to depend on one's hairstyle. Filling the belly will become the goal of life, and one who is audacious will be accepted as truthful. He who can maintain a family will be regarded as an expert man, and the principles of religion will be observed only for the sake of reputation.
SB 12.2.9: Harassed by famine and excessive taxes, people will resort to eating leaves, roots, flesh, wild honey, fruits, flowers and seeds. Struck by drought, they will become completely ruined.
SB 12.2.10: The citizens will suffer greatly due to atmosphere. They will be further tormented by quarrels, disease and severe anxiety.
SB 12.2.11: The maximum duration of life for human beings in Kali-yuga will become fifty years.
SB 12.2.12-16: By the time the age of Kali ends, the bodies of all creatures will be greatly reduced in size, and the religious principles of followers of varṇāśrama will be ruined. The path of the Vedas will be completely forgotten in human society, and so-called religion will be mostly atheistic. The kings will mostly be thieves, the occupations of men will be stealing, lying and needless violence, and all the social classes will be reduced to the lowest level of śūdras. Cows will be like goats, spiritual hermitages will be no different from mundane houses, and family ties
will extend no further than the immediate bonds of marriage. Most plants and herbs will be tiny, and all trees will appear like dwarf śamī trees. Clouds will be full of lightning, homes will be devoid of piety, and all human beings will have become like asses.
SB 12.2.24: When the moon, the sun and Bṛhaspatī are together in the constellation Karkaṭa, and all three enter simultaneously into the constellation Puṣyā — at that exact moment the age of Satya, or Kṛta, will begin. (important key for Astrologers)
SB 12.2.2: In Kali-yuga, wealth alone will be considered the sign of a man's good birth, proper behavior and fine qualities. And law and justice will be applied only on the basis of one's power.
SB 12.2.3: Men and women will live together merely because of superficial attraction, and success in business will depend on deceit. Womanliness and manliness will be judged according to one's expertise in sex, and a man will be known as a brāhmaṇa just by his wearing a thread.
SB 12.2.4: A person's spiritual position will be ascertained merely according to external symbols, and on that same basis people will change from one spiritual order to the next. A person's propriety will be seriously questioned if he does not earn a good living. And one who is very clever at juggling words will be considered a learned scholar.
SB 12.2.5: A person will be judged unholy if he does not have money, and hypocrisy will be accepted as virtue. Marriage will be arranged simply by verbal agreement, and a person will think he is fit to appear in public if he has merely taken a bath.
SB 12.2.6: A sacred place will be taken to consist of no more than a reservoir of water located at a distance, and beauty will be thought to depend on one's hairstyle. Filling the belly will become the goal of life, and one who is audacious will be accepted as truthful. He who can maintain a family will be regarded as an expert man, and the principles of religion will be observed only for the sake of reputation.
SB 12.2.9: Harassed by famine and excessive taxes, people will resort to eating leaves, roots, flesh, wild honey, fruits, flowers and seeds. Struck by drought, they will become completely ruined.
SB 12.2.10: The citizens will suffer greatly due to atmosphere. They will be further tormented by quarrels, disease and severe anxiety.
SB 12.2.11: The maximum duration of life for human beings in Kali-yuga will become fifty years.
SB 12.2.12-16: By the time the age of Kali ends, the bodies of all creatures will be greatly reduced in size, and the religious principles of followers of varṇāśrama will be ruined. The path of the Vedas will be completely forgotten in human society, and so-called religion will be mostly atheistic. The kings will mostly be thieves, the occupations of men will be stealing, lying and needless violence, and all the social classes will be reduced to the lowest level of śūdras. Cows will be like goats, spiritual hermitages will be no different from mundane houses, and family ties
will extend no further than the immediate bonds of marriage. Most plants and herbs will be tiny, and all trees will appear like dwarf śamī trees. Clouds will be full of lightning, homes will be devoid of piety, and all human beings will have become like asses.
SB 12.2.24: When the moon, the sun and Bṛhaspatī are together in the constellation Karkaṭa, and all three enter simultaneously into the constellation Puṣyā — at that exact moment the age of Satya, or Kṛta, will begin. (important key for Astrologers)
Chapter 3 of Canto 12
The Bhūmi-gītā
The Bhūmi-gītā
SB 12.3.1: Seeing the kings of this earth busy trying to conquer her, the earth herself laughed. She said: "Just see how these kings, who are actually playthings in the hands of death, are desiring to conquer me.”
SB 12.3.2: Great rulers of men, even those who are learned, meet frustration and failure because of material lust. Driven by lust, these kings place great hope and faith in the dead lump of flesh called the body.
SB 12.3.14: The real purpose here to teach transcendental knowledge and renunciation. Stories of kings lend power and opulence to these narrations but do not in themselves constitute the ultimate aspect of knowledge.
SB 12.3.18: In the beginning, during Satya-yuga, the age of truth, religion is present with all four of its legs intact and is carefully maintained by the people of that age. These four legs of powerful religion are truthfulness, mercy, austerity and charity.
SB 12.3.19: The people of Satya-yuga are for the most part self-satisfied, merciful, friendly to all, peaceful, sober and tolerant. They take their pleasure from within, see all things equally and always endeavor diligently for spiritual perfection.
SB 12.3.20: In Tretā-yuga each leg of religion is gradually reduced by one quarter by the spread of irreligion.
SB 12.3.21: In the Tretā age people are devoted to ritual performances and severe austerities. They are not excessively violent or very lusty after sensual pleasure. Their interest lies primarily in religiosity, economic development and regulated sense gratification, and they achieve prosperity by following the prescriptions of the three Vedas. Although in this age society evolves into four separate classes, O King, most people are brāhmaṇas.
(Astrologically, this means people were born in brahmana constellations like Revati, etc. Does this mean that there was a mating and breeding season in humans for children to be born in these specific constellations?)
SB 12.3.22: In Dvāpara-yuga the religious qualities of austerity, truth, mercy and charity are reduced to one half by their irreligious counterparts.
SB 12.3.23: In the Dvāpara age people are interested in glory and are very noble. They devote themselves to the study of the Vedas, possess great opulence, support large families and enjoy life with vigor. Of the four classes, the kṣatriyas and brāhmaṇas are most numerous.
SB 12.3.24: In the age of Kali only one fourth of the religious principles remains. That last remnant will continuously be decreased by the ever-increasing principles of irreligion and will finally be destroyed.
SB 12.3.25: In the Kali age people tend to be greedy, ill-behaved and merciless, and they fight one another without good reason. Unfortunate and obsessed with material desires, the people of Kali-yuga are almost all śūdras and barbarians.
SB 12.3.26: The material modes — goodness, passion and ignorance — whose permutations are observed within a person's mind, are set into motion by the power of time.
SB 12.3.27: When the mind, intelligence and senses are solidly fixed in the mode of goodness, that time should be understood as Satya-yuga, the age of truth. People then take pleasure in knowledge and austerity.
SB 12.3.28: O most intelligent one, when the conditioned souls are devoted to their duties but have ulterior motives and seek personal prestige, you should understand such a situation to be the age of Tretā, in which the functions of passion are prominent.
SB 12.3.29: When greed, dissatisfaction, false pride, hypocrisy and envy become prominent, along with attraction for selfish activities, such a time is the age of Dvāpara, dominated by the mixed modes of passion and ignorance.
SB 12.3.30: When there is a predominance of cheating, lying, sloth, sleepiness, violence, depression, lamentation, bewilderment, fear and poverty, that age is Kali, the age of the mode of ignorance.
SB 12.3.32: In Kali yuga, cities will be dominated by thieves, the Vedas will be contaminated by speculative interpretations of atheists, political leaders will virtually consume the citizens, and the so-called priests and intellectuals will be devotees of their bellies and genitals.
SB 12.3.35: Businessmen will engage in petty commerce and earn their money by cheating. Even when there is no emergency, people will consider any degraded occupation quite acceptable.
SB 12.3.36: Servants will abandon a master who has lost his wealth, even if that master is a saintly person of exemplary character. Masters will abandon an incapacitated servant, even if that servant has been in the family for generations. Cows will be abandoned or killed when they stop giving milk.
SB 12.3.37: In Kali-yuga men will be wretched and controlled by women. They will reject their fathers, brothers, other relatives and friends and will instead associate with the sisters and brothers of their wives. Thus their conception of friendship will be based exclusively on sexual ties.
SB 12.3.38: Those who know nothing about religion will mount a high seat and presume to speak on religious principles.
SB 12.3.39-40: In the age of Kali, people's minds will always be agitated. They will become emaciated by famine and taxation, and will always be disturbed by fear of drought. They will lack adequate clothing, food and drink, will be unable to properly rest, have sex or bathe themselves, and will have no ornaments to decorate their bodies. In fact, the people of Kali-yuga will gradually come to appear like ghostly, haunted creatures.
SB 12.3.41: In Kali-yuga men will develop hatred for each other even over a few coins. Giving up all friendly relations, they will be ready to lose their own lives and kill even their own relatives.
SB 12.3.42: Men will no longer protect their elderly parents, their children or their respectable wives. Thoroughly degraded, they will care only to satisfy their own bellies and genitals.
SB 12.3.51: My dear King, although Kali-yuga is an ocean of faults, there is still one good quality about this age: Simply by chanting the Hare Krsna mahā-mantra, one can become free from material bondage and be promoted to the transcendental kingdom.
SB 12.3.52: Whatever result was obtained in Satya-yuga by meditating on Viṣṇu, in Tretā-yuga by performing sacrifices, and in Dvāpara-yuga by serving the Lord's lotus feet can be obtained in Kali-yuga simply by chanting the Hare Krsna mahā-mantra.
SB 12.3.2: Great rulers of men, even those who are learned, meet frustration and failure because of material lust. Driven by lust, these kings place great hope and faith in the dead lump of flesh called the body.
SB 12.3.14: The real purpose here to teach transcendental knowledge and renunciation. Stories of kings lend power and opulence to these narrations but do not in themselves constitute the ultimate aspect of knowledge.
SB 12.3.18: In the beginning, during Satya-yuga, the age of truth, religion is present with all four of its legs intact and is carefully maintained by the people of that age. These four legs of powerful religion are truthfulness, mercy, austerity and charity.
SB 12.3.19: The people of Satya-yuga are for the most part self-satisfied, merciful, friendly to all, peaceful, sober and tolerant. They take their pleasure from within, see all things equally and always endeavor diligently for spiritual perfection.
SB 12.3.20: In Tretā-yuga each leg of religion is gradually reduced by one quarter by the spread of irreligion.
SB 12.3.21: In the Tretā age people are devoted to ritual performances and severe austerities. They are not excessively violent or very lusty after sensual pleasure. Their interest lies primarily in religiosity, economic development and regulated sense gratification, and they achieve prosperity by following the prescriptions of the three Vedas. Although in this age society evolves into four separate classes, O King, most people are brāhmaṇas.
(Astrologically, this means people were born in brahmana constellations like Revati, etc. Does this mean that there was a mating and breeding season in humans for children to be born in these specific constellations?)
SB 12.3.22: In Dvāpara-yuga the religious qualities of austerity, truth, mercy and charity are reduced to one half by their irreligious counterparts.
SB 12.3.23: In the Dvāpara age people are interested in glory and are very noble. They devote themselves to the study of the Vedas, possess great opulence, support large families and enjoy life with vigor. Of the four classes, the kṣatriyas and brāhmaṇas are most numerous.
SB 12.3.24: In the age of Kali only one fourth of the religious principles remains. That last remnant will continuously be decreased by the ever-increasing principles of irreligion and will finally be destroyed.
SB 12.3.25: In the Kali age people tend to be greedy, ill-behaved and merciless, and they fight one another without good reason. Unfortunate and obsessed with material desires, the people of Kali-yuga are almost all śūdras and barbarians.
SB 12.3.26: The material modes — goodness, passion and ignorance — whose permutations are observed within a person's mind, are set into motion by the power of time.
SB 12.3.27: When the mind, intelligence and senses are solidly fixed in the mode of goodness, that time should be understood as Satya-yuga, the age of truth. People then take pleasure in knowledge and austerity.
SB 12.3.28: O most intelligent one, when the conditioned souls are devoted to their duties but have ulterior motives and seek personal prestige, you should understand such a situation to be the age of Tretā, in which the functions of passion are prominent.
SB 12.3.29: When greed, dissatisfaction, false pride, hypocrisy and envy become prominent, along with attraction for selfish activities, such a time is the age of Dvāpara, dominated by the mixed modes of passion and ignorance.
SB 12.3.30: When there is a predominance of cheating, lying, sloth, sleepiness, violence, depression, lamentation, bewilderment, fear and poverty, that age is Kali, the age of the mode of ignorance.
SB 12.3.32: In Kali yuga, cities will be dominated by thieves, the Vedas will be contaminated by speculative interpretations of atheists, political leaders will virtually consume the citizens, and the so-called priests and intellectuals will be devotees of their bellies and genitals.
SB 12.3.35: Businessmen will engage in petty commerce and earn their money by cheating. Even when there is no emergency, people will consider any degraded occupation quite acceptable.
SB 12.3.36: Servants will abandon a master who has lost his wealth, even if that master is a saintly person of exemplary character. Masters will abandon an incapacitated servant, even if that servant has been in the family for generations. Cows will be abandoned or killed when they stop giving milk.
SB 12.3.37: In Kali-yuga men will be wretched and controlled by women. They will reject their fathers, brothers, other relatives and friends and will instead associate with the sisters and brothers of their wives. Thus their conception of friendship will be based exclusively on sexual ties.
SB 12.3.38: Those who know nothing about religion will mount a high seat and presume to speak on religious principles.
SB 12.3.39-40: In the age of Kali, people's minds will always be agitated. They will become emaciated by famine and taxation, and will always be disturbed by fear of drought. They will lack adequate clothing, food and drink, will be unable to properly rest, have sex or bathe themselves, and will have no ornaments to decorate their bodies. In fact, the people of Kali-yuga will gradually come to appear like ghostly, haunted creatures.
SB 12.3.41: In Kali-yuga men will develop hatred for each other even over a few coins. Giving up all friendly relations, they will be ready to lose their own lives and kill even their own relatives.
SB 12.3.42: Men will no longer protect their elderly parents, their children or their respectable wives. Thoroughly degraded, they will care only to satisfy their own bellies and genitals.
SB 12.3.51: My dear King, although Kali-yuga is an ocean of faults, there is still one good quality about this age: Simply by chanting the Hare Krsna mahā-mantra, one can become free from material bondage and be promoted to the transcendental kingdom.
SB 12.3.52: Whatever result was obtained in Satya-yuga by meditating on Viṣṇu, in Tretā-yuga by performing sacrifices, and in Dvāpara-yuga by serving the Lord's lotus feet can be obtained in Kali-yuga simply by chanting the Hare Krsna mahā-mantra.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Treating Cancer with Reiki
TREATING CANCER WITH REIKI
From a Holistic Viewpoint, What Creates Cancer?
Chronic illness is created when there is disparity between the soul (spirit) and the personality (ego) or an imbalance among the four bodies - physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. As a result, each type of cancer will evolve from its own particular origin. Reiki treatment should be applied with care and consideration to the underlying "root" cause. Generally, cancer manifests when the immune system is out of alignment.
How Can Reiki Help Treat Cancer?
1. Reiki re-balances, enhances and stabilizes the immune system, thus encouraging the body to heal itself, but Reiki does not and will not "cure" cancer
2. Reiki harmonizes and balances the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual levels/bodies allowing energy to flow freely to improve the inter-action between the four levels (physical, emotional, mental and spiritual)
3. Reiki lowers stress, inducing peacefulness and calmness
4. Reiki relieves pain, aiding in the overall comfort level
5. Reiki balances the main chakras inducing balance "within"
6. Reiki releases energy blockages, toxins and impurities from the four levels or bodies (physical, mental, emotional and spiritual)
7. Reiki lowers the heart rate
8. Reiki reduces the effects of nausea caused from chemotherapy treatment
9. Reiki helps to regenerate cellular growth
10. Reiki accelerates healing
11. Reiki strengthens the ability to heal yourself
Where Healing Starts
First heal the emotional and spiritual bodies - this requires un-conditional love and forgiveness
1. Take full responsibility for your present state of being; for your own life. Avoid "victim" mentality and resist playing the "blame" game; instead, change your attitude or thinking pattern and become accountable, informed and empowered
2. Empower yourself by applying daily self-healing Reiki techniques learned through attunement to Reiki Level 1 (self-healing level)
3. Release and forgive unconditionally, yourself and others, who have wronged you (past or present lifetimes) or who may have contributed to your present state of being. As well, release old cells, plus cellular or thought patterns that impede your healing
4. Love yourself and others unconditionally - acknowledge and accept good traits, as well as flaws and weaknesses, as well as strengths
5. Believe and trust in your abilities - you are a unique, powerful spiritual being
6. Build self-esteem and self-confidence "within" - your opinion is the only one that truly matters
7. Release judgements for yourself and others
8. Uncover and release - physical or emotional root cause for the disease such as....
1. Deep underlying grief
2. Fears that control you
3. Hidden or controlled deep-seated anger (passive/aggressive behaviour)
4. Destructive behaviour
5. Lack of nurturing
6. Trauma occurring before puberty
Considerations for Reiki Practitioner and Patient/Client
1. Both the Reiki practitioner and the patient/client should only focus energy and attention on the wellness of the patient/client, rather than on the illness. There must first be a change in consciousness before healing can begin. "Like" energy attracts "like" energy, so where you place all your attention is the type of energy that you will attract. This is based on the Law of Attraction.....what you think, you will feel - what you feel, you will energetically vibrate at - what you energetically vibrate at, you will attract that same energy to you. So for healing to commence, it is important to break the present energetic frequency cycle and raise it to a higher vibrating frequency range.
2. The patient/client must initiate their own healing by asking for it (if they are physically able to do so) and by participating in it - it is pointless to coerce any type of healing modality that is not accepted or wanted.
3. It is absolutely necessary for both the Reiki practitioner and the patient/client to utilize an attitude of non-attachment to the end result.
Implement a Daily Healing Routine - in addition to receiving Reiki treatment, conventional treatment or any other complimentary treatment, it is also important to establish positive changes in your daily life. Below are suggestions, to use as a guideline, that will aid in your healing process and well-being.
1. Lifestyle
1. Continue to follow your physician's conventional treatment plan, but educate yourself about the benefits or consequences of each medication or treatment
2. Investigate other complimentary, alternative modalities that may also help to alleviate drug or treatment side effects
3. Remove as many stressors from your life as possible
4. Eat balanced and nutritious foods
5. Eliminate or change anything that does not benefit your highest good (this may be food, alcohol, tobacco products, people, situations, or employment)
6. Watch how you think, act and speak - always react positively with love, compassion and humility for yourself and others; always take the high road - this will elevate your energy vibration, enabling you to attract more positive, higher energy
7. Make an effort to know yourself intimately and to love and accept yourself unconditionally - be truthful to whom you really are and live your life accordingly. In other words, live for who you are, instead of trying to please others or make "false" impressions
8. Enjoy and do whatever you feel a deep urge or motivation towards - it's never too late to learn something new. Resist making excuses, delaying or procrastinating, because you will be the only loser
9. Let go of "control"; learn to relax and just go with the flow. Remember, it is a waste of time and energy to manipulate or worry about situations or others in order to feed your own wants or needs
2. Daily Affirmation - use affirmations that are positive and that are in the present tense
1. Avoid using: I Think - this denotes a possibility for the future that is not fully believable yet
2. Avoid using: I Will - this denotes a thought about to be realized, but not quite ready - it's a bit like procrastinating
3. Only Use: I AM - this denotes happening NOW, in the present time
Example Affirmation:
"Everyday, in every way, I AM getting better and better and better. I AM healed on all levels. I AM well"
3. Set your Intention before the Reiki Treatment (or other healing treatments) - it is your focused intention that activates Reiki healing
Example Intention:
"I ask this healing session to release all blockages, eradicate all toxins, impurities and cancer cells from my body. I ask for regeneration of only healthy cells within my body which will restore my physical energy and health. I know and believe that this healing session heals and balances me on all levels - physical, mental, emotional and spiritual"
4. When Going for Reiki Healing Treatments - always ask for spiritual guidance and help during the healing process. Although you have the ability to access help and guidance from your own soul and higher self, your soul and higher self do not always have all the answers or absolute knowledge. By asking for spiritual guidance, if necessary, your higher self will connect to the spiritual realm or to the universal source seeking higher knowledge or guidance.
5. Talk to Your Soul Daily - it is necessary to re-connect to your spiritual self (soul) in order to establish a link to your universal source. Your soul has the necessary information, knowledge and wisdom to heal you or retrieve the knowledge from the universal source, but first you must ask for its assistance and guidance; you must let your soul know that you are ready, willing and open to receive. Also, you must communicate to the area in your body that is "sick" or out of alignment and to ask for it to heal. You must accept responsibility for your present state by communicating un-conditional forgiveness and love to your soul and to the affected area.
Example Soul Talk
1. Close your eyes, take 3-deep breaths and relax
2. Just concentrate on your breath, at your heart centre, as you slowly and rhythmically breathe in and out
3. Visualize your soul self sitting in your heart centre (might be in the form of a small child or it might be a younger version of you)
4. Ask your soul to give you advise and guidance as to how you can heal completely from the cancer in your physical body
5. Ask your soul how you can help to improve your physical well-being
6. Tell your soul that (past and present time) you unconditionally forgive yourself, plus all circumstances, as well as anybody who may have contributed to your current state or condition
7. Tell your soul that you wish to release and be free from all limiting behaviour or thought patterns which do not serve your highest good
8. Tell your soul that you are ready and open to receive messages and information that will benefit your healing journey conducive to your highest good
9. Now talk directly to your cancerous area and ask for forgiveness for causing its distress and ask for it to heal itself
10. Tell your cancerous area that you love it and thank it for serving you well
11. Tell your cancerous area that you will be so grateful to have your health restored 100% and that once you are completely well, that you will be sure to love and care for yourself in a most positive way
12. Listen carefully for any information or messages - a very quiet voice, a symbol, a feeling, a thought, an urge
13. Do not discount what information you receive
6. Each Night - say a prayer of gratitude....
Example Prayer:
"As I connect to my soul, my higher self, my spirit family, my spirit healing team and to my spiritual source, I give thanks and gratitude for all blessings, gifts, inspirations, information, knowledge, wisdom and healing received and shared - thank-you, thank-you, thank-you"
Shada Darshana - An Introduction
Shada-Darsana
There are six Darshanas (windows to Truth) that treat Veda as authority. They are called aastika darshanas. They are Nyaya, Vaiseshika, Sankhya, Yoga, Purva Mimamsa and Uttara Mimamsa. There are six nastika darshanas that do not accept the Veda as authority and are called nastika darsanas.
The astika darsanas can be grouped into three pairs - Nyaya-Vaiseshika, Sankhya-Yoga, Purvottara Mimamsa. Nyaya and Vaiseshika are called arambha vada. Sankhya and Yoga are called parinama vada. Purva and Uttara Mimamsa discuss philosophy of Veda. Purva Mimamsa discusses the philosophy of karma kanda and Uttara Mimamsa discusses the spiritual philosophy (esp. Upanishads). Nyaya, Yoga and Uttara Mimamsa say that there is an Isvara the Lord of All souls. The other three are Nireeswara vaadas. They talk of Atman, but not of Paramatman. Nireeswara vaada is not necessarily nastika vaada and these darsanas do lay equal amount of stress on Dharma and that is the reason they are called aastika darsanas and not because they accept a Parabrahman different from individual atman. They differ in their basic tenets like Isvara.
All these darsanas hold that atman is different from manas (mind), buddhi (intellect) and prakruti (nature) and that binding is because of the contact of these with the Purusha. Once the contact is rid, that is liberation. They differ in which of these causes binding, what causes creation and whether creation is an appearance or true in a given state. They also differ in whether atman is same as Brahman or not. Differentiating these and understanding the uniformity of these is very important both in understanding Hinduism as well as differentiating Hindu from non-Hindu ideology. Here is a brief note of each darsana.
Vaiseshika
Text: Vaiseshika darsana by Kanada; Bhashya kaara by Prasasta Pada; and Vartika kaara by Jagadidh Bhattacary.
It has 10 chapters, 20 ahnikas, 370 sutras. It accepts 2 pramanas (criteria for verifiability) and 7 padarthas. Vaiseshika is one of the earliest darsanas hypothesised. According to it, atma-manas contact causes the nine Gunas - buddhi, sukha, dukha, iccha, dvesha, prayatna, dharma, adharma, sanskara. This is the samsara for atman. Realising this and separating mind from atman so that the Gunas get dissolved and do not arise again, is Moksha. This is possible through satkarma, sravana, manana and so on. According to Vaiseshika darsana, Guna-nasha forever is moksha.
Nyaya
Text - Nyaya darsana by Gotama; Bhashya kaara by Vatsayana; Vartika kaara by Udyota kaara.
It has 5 chapters, 10 ahnikas and 528 sutras. It accepts 4 pramanas and 16 padarthas.
According to Nyaya, midhya jnana (nascience) causes sansara and tatva jnana (gnosis) brings liberation. Destroying misery (dukha) forever is Moksha. Jiva is different from Isvara. Isvara is a nominal (nimitta karana) cause for creation, the substantial cause of creation is paramaanus (upadana karana). Jivas are multiple because of multiple bodies (sareera). But Iswara is one. Iswara created the Veda.
It is called Nyaya because it is constituted of five "laws" - Pratijna, Hetu, Udaharana, Upanaya, Nigamana. Nyaya includes formal logic and modes of scientific debate. It explains the logical constructs like antecedent and laws of implying. It expounds various modes of scientific debate and methods for debate, like tarka, vitanda, chala, jalpa and so on.
Sankhya
Text - Sankhya darsana, Sankhya karikas; Author - Narayana avatara Kapila gave 25 sutras and Vaiswanara avatara Kapila gave 6 chapters. Disciple line of the latter Kapila - Asuri, Panca Sikhacarya, Iswara Krishna. Iswara Krishna wrote the Sankhya Karikas with 70 aryavrittas. Bhashya to these are given by Gauda pada. Vartika is given by Vijnana Bhikshu. It accepts 3 pramanas and 25 tatvas (principles).
Sankhya is also an old school. It says that binding is bevause of mistaking Prakruti for Purusha. Realising their difference is liberation. As such, binding and liberation are for the Prakruti and not Purusha. They appear on the Purusha because of contact with Prakruti. Nyaya recognizes Iswara. The world is true. Purusha is asanga and chidrupa, not touched by creation or action. He is Jnana rupa, but not Jnanasraya. That is, Purusha is himself knowledge and not seen as a result of knowledge. In liberated state Purusha is neither jada nor ananda rupa. Multiple Purushas exist. There is no single Iswara, and Prakruti Herself does creation. Sukha, dukha and moha are because of the three gunas (satva, rajas, tamas).
Yoga
Text - Yoga sutras; Author - Patanjali; Bhashya - Badarayana; Vartika - Vijnana Bhikshu. It has 4 padas and 194 sutras. It accepts 3 pramanas and 25 tatvas.
According to Yoga, mistaking buddhi for Purusha causes binding. Realising their difference is liberation. Purusha is asanga and chidrupa. Buddhi satva has three qualities (satva-rajas-tamo gunas) and it attracts Purusha. Atman separated from buddhi and its qualities is Moksha. Yoga of eight limbs (yama, niyama, asana, pratyahara, pranayama, dharana, dhyana, Samadhi) gets one to Samadhi state. By the grace of Iswara too one gets to Samadhi state. One can realize the buddhi-atman difference in that state. Avidya is binding and jnana is Kaivalya (liberation). Binding and liberation are for buddhi and not for atman, they only appear over the atman. Iswara is one.
Purva Mimamsa
Text - Purva Mimamsa darsana; Author - Jaimini; Bhashya - Sabara Swamy; Vartika - Kumarila Bhatt. It has 16 chapters in the adhikarana way. It accepts 6 pramanas. Purva Mimamsa is also called Karma-Mimamsa.
Dharma develops by performing Vedic rituals. By refraining from prohibited deeds and actions inspired by desires, one can be cleansed from sins. It leads to a state beyond dharma and adharma. After experiencing the result of past karma, body (sareera) dies. If the state beyond dharma and adharma is attained by then, the atman does not assume sareera any more. Thus liberation from sareera forever is Moksha. Moksha is a result of nivritti dharma. One can get to swarga (heaven) by pravritti. Atman is different from those like sareera and indriyas (sense organs). There is no Iswara separate from atman. Atman is jnanasraya but not jnanarupa. That is, atman can be known through jnana but is not jnana itself. Veda is accepted as pramana in Purva Mimamsa. Atma-manas contact causes the nine Gunas (spoken of by Vaiseshika). In liberated state when atman liberates from contact with manas, gunas get dissolved. Atman is jada rupa in that state.
Uttara Mimamsa
Text - Brahma sutras; Author - Vyasa; Bhashya - Adi Sankara; Vartika - Narayana Saraswati. It has 4 chapters, 16 padas and 555 sutras. It accepts 6 pramanas (pratyaksha, anumana, upamana, agama, ardhapatti, anupalabdi) and 25 tatvas.
According to Uttara Mimamsa, binding is lack of discrimination between atman and non-atman. From knowledge of atman and its true nature, ignorance is dissolved. Experiencing it as nirguna (without qualities), advaya (one without second), and Brahman is Moksha. Jiva-Iswara difference is because of nascience. Once that goes, the natural unity of Jiva-Para realizes. Until the unity is realized, Jagat (world/universe) is true. Jagat appears over Brahman. Once that is realized, the world is an illusion (mithya) and only Brahman remains. Brahman is the undifferentiated (abhinna), nominal (nimitta) and substantial (upadana) cause for creation. Thus, Uttara Mimamsa holds the indefinable nature of Brahman. Purushas are not multiple. There is one Iswara and Prakruti does not create by Herself - She does it for and inspired by Iswara.
Listen to GAYATRI MANTRA:
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Dhanya Ashtakam
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LISTEN TO BHOOMI MANGALAM ABOVE
Dhanya Ashtakam
That jnanam prasamakaram yadheendryanam thathjneyam yadupanishatsu nischithartham,They dhanya bhuvi paramarth nischitheha,Seshasthu bramanilaye paribramanthi., 1
That is wisdom, which maintains senses at peace,
That is knowledge, which is the understanding of Upanishads,
He who does all the work towards understanding this truth is blessed,
And all others are in the state of utter confusion in the maze called the world.
Aadhou vijithya vishayan mada moha ragadweshadhi shathru ganamahrutha yoga rajya,Jnathwamrutham samanu bhootha parathma vidhya,Kanthasukha bhatha gruhe vicharanthi dhanya., 2
He indeed is blessed, who wins over the enemies within
of the Passion, desire hatred and excess of emotions
And gets in to the kingdom of yoga and reaches,
The deathless state, and lives happily with,
The wife called knowledge in the house of reasoning .
Thyakthwa gruhe rathi madho gathi hethu bhoothamaathmachayo upanishadatha rasam pibantha,Veethaspruha vishaya bhoga pade virakthaDhanyascharanthi vijaneshu viraktha sangha., 3
He indeed is blessed who forsakes the desire created by passion,
In the home which is the reason for his downfall,
Who drinks the essence of Upanishads leading,
To the desire to know about Athma,
Who becomes detached, not getting interested,
In the passion and the material wealth,
And who wanders in solitude far away from society .
Thyakthwa mamaahamithi bhandakare pade dwemaanavamaana sadrusa samadarsanascha,Kartharamanyamavagamya thadarpithaniKurvanthi karma paripaka phalani dhanya., 4
He is indeed blessed who forsakes the two words, “me” and “mine”,
Who views insult and praise as equal and the same,
Who understands himself as different from the “doer “ within him,
And who dedicates all his actions and their results to the “doer”.
Thyakthvaishana traya mavekshitha moksha margabaikshamruthena parikalpitha deha yathra,Jyothi parathparatharam paramathma samgnamDhanya dwijaa rahasi hrudyavalokayanthi., 5
That twice born is indeed blessed who forsakes,
The three desires for wealth recognition and family,
Who practices and walks in the path of salvation,
Who manages his walk of life with the nectar of alms,
And who researches in his heart about the eternal light,
Of the eternal soul and understands it.
Nasanna sanna sadasanna mahanna chanuna sthree pumanna na napumsaka meka bheejam,Yairbrahma thath samanupasitha meka chithaDhanya virejurithare bhava pasa bhaddha., 6
He is indeed blessed, who is not good nor bad, nor great.,
Not man nor woman and nor an eunuch,
Who is the only cause of the world,
Who with concentration only searches for the eternal truth,
And who becomes person of luster without getting entangled,
In the desires for reaching the eternal..
Agnana panga parimagna mabhedha saramdukhalayam marana janma jaravasaktham,Samsara bhandana manithya maveksha dhanyaGnaasina thadavaseerya vinaschayanthi., 7
He is indeed blessed, who gets free of the mire of ignorance,
Sorrow, death, birth and disability due to aging,
Who understands that these ties of the world are transient,
And cuts the bondage with the knife of wisdom,
And who understands that this is the philosophy of life.
Santhairananya madhibhir maduhra swabhavairekathwa nischithamanobhira petha mohai,Sakam vaneshu vijithathma pada swaroopamSasthreshusamyaganisam vimrusanthi dhanya., 8
He is indeed blessed, who decides on the oneness,
Who forsakes passion, who gets the company of peaceful,
Incomparably intelligent people with sweet nature,
Who live in the forest and who forever think and analyze,
Scientifically about the significance of the soul.
Ahimiva janayogam sarvadha varjayedhya,Kunapamiva sunareem thyakthu kamo viragee,Vishamiva vishayanyo manyamano duranthagn,Jayathi parama hamso mukthi bhavam samethi., 9
Victory to that great realized soul,
Who avoids crowds of people like a snake,
Who disregards a pretty woman like a corpse,
And who leaves out bad thoughts just like poison,
With an assurance that he will surely attain salvation.
Sampoorna jagadeva nandanavanam sarvepi kalpa dhruma,Gangavari samasthavarinivaha, punyaa samastha kriya,Vacha prakrutha samskrutha sruthi siro Varanasi medhini,SArvavasthithirasya vasthu vishaya drushte parabrahmani., 10
To him who realizes para brahma, the entire world is a garden,
All trees are wish giving trees, all water is the water of Ganga,
All his actions are pure and blessed, all his talks whether,
In prakrit or in Sanskrit are summary of Vedas, the entire
World for him is the holy city of Kasi all his actions,
Are fully filled with Para Brahma, the eternal truth
Anathma Sri Vigarhanam
Anathma Sri Vigarhanam
Labdha Vidhya rajamanya, Thatha kim,Praptha sampath prabhavadayam Thatha kim,Buktha Nari sundarangi, Thatha kim,Yena swamathma naiva sakshathkrutho abhooth., 1
What if he has got education which is honored by kings?
What if he has got wealth and great honour?
What if he has enjoyed a woman with pretty form?
If he is not aware of the knowledge of his own self.
Keyuradhyair bhooshitho va, Thatha kim,Kauseyadhyai aavrutho va, Thatha kim,Thruptho mrushtanna dheena va, Thatha kim,Yena swamathma naiva sakshathkrutho abhooth., 2
What if he wears ornaments like the golden bangles?
What if he has got dressed himself in silken cloths?
What if he was satisfied by well prepared feast?
If he is not aware of the knowledge of his own self.
Drushta nana charu desasthatha kim,Pushtascheshta bandhu vargha sthatha kim,Nashtam daridryadhi dukhaam sthatha kim,Yena swamathma naiva sakshathkrutho abhooth., 3
What if he has visited several pretty countries?
What if he has many well nourished relatives?
What if he has lost the sorrow of poverty?
If he is not aware of the knowledge of his own self.
Snathastheertha jahnu jadhou sthatha kim,Dhanam datham dravya ashtashta asankhyam sthatha kim,Japtha manthraa koteeso vaasthatha kim,Yena swamathma naiva sakshathkrutho abhooth., 4
What if he has taken bath in sacred waters like Ganga?
What if he has given gifts of 16 kinds several times?
What if he has chanted billions of times the sacred chants?
If he is not aware of the knowledge of his own self.
Gothram samyakh bhooshitham va sthatha kim,Gathram basmaschaditham va strhatha kim,Rudrakshadhi sadhatho va sthatha kim,Yena swamathma naiva sakshathkrutho abhooth., 5
What if all his clan members are well ornamented?
What if his body has been fully applied with ash?
What if he wears sacred beads like Rudraksha?
If he is not aware of the knowledge of his own self.
Annair viprastharpitha va sthatha kim,Yagnair deva sthoshitho va sthatha kim,Keerthya vyaptha sarvalokaisthatha kim,Yena swamathma naiva sakshathkrutho abhooth., 6
What if he has satisfied with food learned Brahmins?
What if he has made devas happy by Yagnas?
What if his fame has spread all over the world,
If he is not aware of the knowledge of his own self.
Kaya klishta schoupavasai sthatha kim,Labdha puthra sweeyapathnyasthatha kim,Pranayama sadhitho va sthatha kim,Yena swamathma naiva sakshathkrutho abhooth., 7
What if he practiced starvation punishing his body?
What if he got a son through his own sweet wife?
What if he has mastered the technique of Pranayama?
If he is not aware of the knowledge of his own self.
Yudhe shathru nirjitho va Thatha kim,Bhooyo mithrair pooritho va Thatha kim,Yogi praptha sidhayo va Thatha kim,Yena swamathma naiva sakshathkrutho abhooth., 8
What if he won over all his enemies in battle,
What if he has added his strength through new friends?
What if he has attained occult powers through Yoga?
If he is not aware of the knowledge of his own self.
Aabdhi padhbhyam lankitho va, Thatha kim,Vayu kumbhe sthapitha va sthatha kim,Meru pana vrudhatho va sthatha kim,Yena swamathma naiva sakshathkrutho abhooth., 9
What if he has crossed the ocean by foot?
What if he has able to retain his breath ?
What if he holds the Mount Meru in his hand?
If he is not aware of the knowledge of his own self.
Kshwela peetho dugdha vadha, Thatha kim,Vahnirjagdho laja vadha, Thatha kim,Prapthaschara pakshi vathkhe, Thatha kim,Yena swamathma naiva sakshathkrutho abhooth., 10
What if he has drunk poison, just like milk?
What if he has eaten fire like popped rice?
What if he moves in the sky similar to a bird?
If he is not aware of the knowledge of his own self.
Badha samyak pavakaadhyasthatha, Thatha kim,Sakshadhidha loha varyas, Thatha kim,Labdho nikshepo anjanadhyous, Thatha kim,Yena swamathma naiva sakshathkrutho abhooth., 11
What if he ties and keeps fire under control?
What if he is able to pierce hard metals?
What if he is able to locate treasures using collyrium?
If he is not aware of the knowledge of his own self.
Bhoopendrasthwam praptha murvya, Thatha kim,Devendrathwam sambrutho vaa, Thatha kim,Mundeendrathwam chopa labdham, Thatha kim,Yena swamathma naiva sakshathkrutho abhooth., 12
What if he secures the kingship of the world?
What if he gets the lordship over all devas?
What if he becomes the chief among the sages?
If he is not aware of the knowledge of his own self.
Manthrai sarva sthambhitho va, Thatha kim,Banair lakshya bedhitho va, Thatha kim,Kala gnanam cha aapi labdham, Thatha kim,Yena swamathma naiva sakshathkrutho abhooth., 13
What if he is able to control everything through chants?
What if he is able to hit accurately his aim?
What if he is able to know, past, present and future?
If he is not aware of the knowledge of his own self.
Kamathanga ganditho va, Thatha kim,Kopavesa kunditho va, Thatha kim,Lobha slesha varjitho va, Thatha kim,Yena swamathma naiva sakshathkrutho abhooth., 14
What if he is able to cut passion and worries?
What if he is able to blunt his anger?
What if he is able to keep away the embrace of avarice?
If he is not aware of the knowledge of his own self.
Moha dwantha poshitho va, Thatha kim,Jathou bhoomou nirmadho va, Thatha kim,Mathsaryadhir meelitho va, Thatha kim,Yena swamathma naiva sakshathkrutho abhooth., 15
What if he is able to crush the gloom of delusion?
What if he is able to be completely devoid of all his pride?
What if he is not affected by jealousy?
If he is not aware of the knowledge of his own self.
Dhathur loka sadhitho va, Thatha kim,Vishnur loko veekshitho va, Thatha kim,Shambhor loka sasitho va, Thatha kim,Yena swamathma naiva sakshathkrutho abhooth., 16
What if he is acquired the world of Brahma?
What if he has seen the world of Vishnu?
What if he ruled over the world of Shiva?
If he is not aware of the knowledge of his own self.
Yasyedham hrudhaye samyaghanathma Sri vigarhanam,Sadho dhethi swatha sakshathkarasya bhajanam., 17
Any one whose heart always thinks,
About the realization of the self.
Is the only one fit for realization of the self,
Anye thu mayika jagath branthivya moha mohitha,Na thesham jayathe kwapi swathma sakshath kruthir bhuvi., 18
For others are in a stupor of desire,
And do not realize this world,
And to them the thought of,
Self realization never occurs
Importance of Tilak
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ABOVE: Listen to OM SARVE BHAVANTU SUKHINAH
Tilak
Tilak is a mark of auspiciousness. It is put on the forehead with sandal paste, sacred ashes or kumkum (red tumeric). The devotees of Siva apply sacred ashes (Bhasma) on the forehead, the devotees of Vishnu apply sandal paste (Chandan), and the worshippers of Devi or Shakti apply Kumkum, a red tumeric powder.
The scriptures say:
A forehead without a Tilak, a woman without a husband, a Mantra the meaning of which is not known while doing Japa (recitation), the head that does not bend before holy personages, a heart without mercy, a house without a well, a village without a temple, a country without a river, a society without a leader, wealth that is not given away in charity, a preceptor without a disciple, a country without justice, a king without an able minister, a woman not obedient to her husband, a well without water, a flower without smell, a soul devoid of holiness, a field without rains, an intellect without clearness, a disciple who does not consider his preceptor as a form of God, a body devoid of health, a custom (Achar) without purity, austerity devoid of fellow-feeling, speech in which truth is not the basis, a country without good people, work without wages, Sannyasa without renunciation, legs that have not performed pilgrimages, determination unaided by Viveka or discrimination, a knife which is blunt, a cow that does not give milk, a spear without a point- all these are worthy of condemnation. They exist for name's sake only.
Tilak is applied at the Ajna Chakra, the space between the two eyebrows. It has a very cooling effect. Application of sandal paste has great medicinal value, apart from the spiritual influence. Application of sandal paste will nullify the heating effect when you concentrate and meditate at the Bhrumadhya. Tilak indicates the point at which the spiritual eye opens. Lord Siva has a third eye at the Brumadhya. When he opens the third eye, the three worlds are destroyed.
There are various methods of applying Tilak. Saivas apply three horizontal lines with the sacred ashes. The Vaishnavas apply three vertical lines (Tripundra) on the forehead. When they apply Tilak, they say: "O Lord, protect me from the evil effects of the Trigunatmika (3 kinds of) Maya which has Sattwa, Rajas and Tamas as its binding cords."
Some Vaishnavas apply only one vertical line. Only the method of application differs, but the significance is the same in Vaishnavas, Saivas and others.
Dincharya as recommended by Ayurveda
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Dinacharya
[Listen to Mangalacharan above - very beautiful and uplifting]
In Sanskrit Dina means daily and Charya means following, moving. Ayurveda recommends that in order to be optimally healthy we should tune our bodies to the nature's master cycle which in turn regulates the various other rhythms.
Everyday two cycles of change pass through us, each bringing a Vata, Pitta, or Kapha predominance. The approximate times of these cycles are as follows:
First Cycle:
6 A.M. to 10 A.M. - Kapha
10 A.M. to 2 P.M. - Pitta
2 P.M. to 6 P.M. - Vata
Second Cycle:
6 P.M. to 10 P.M. - Kapha
10 P.M. to 2 A.M. - Pitta
2 A.M to 6 A.M. - Vata
Considering the above cycles the ideal schedule should be like this :
Morning
Time to wake up: A healthy person should get up two hours before sunrise. During this hours the Vata element is dominant. Waking up two hours before dawn you utilize the Vata qualities in the nature. Vata is light, subtle and clear and this helps in tuning the body to the delicate messages the nature sends. This is the time when there is the most sattva in the air and environment. It is the most fresh and pure time of the day. Some exceptions to this rule of rising are the very young, the old, parents with small children, and people with diseases.
Elimination: Drinking a glass or two of warm water helps in the elimination. As soon as possible empty your colon and bladder. Proper elimination ensures your body's proper functioning. If you wait until later in the morning or during the day you are slowly poisoning yourself (due to accumulation of toxins and wastes) and creating an opportunity for chronic conditions to arise.
Cleaning of Senses: Wash the eyes with water. Preferably use rose water and Triphala to purify the sight. Brush the teeth and scrape the tongue with a tongue cleaner to purify your mouth and the taste buds. Ayurveda considers the coating of the tongue as an indicator of 'Aama' or toxins in the colon. Gargle with warm water or herbal tea to purify your voice and strengthen your teeth. Fill your mouth with sesame oil and keep it a few minutes before spitting. This strengthens the teeth, improves the sense of taste, lubricates the palate and is good for eyes. Put a little oil in your nose to purify the sinuses and your sense of smell. The traditional Dinacharya also recommends that you inhale the smoke of medicinal herbs every morning to purify the mind, head, face, neck and lungs.
Massage: Abhyanga is the name for oil massage with sesame oil. This is typically a self massage. It is one of the main ways that Ayurveda keeps us strong and prevents us from aging. This massage need not be long and cumbersome. Massaging the Scalp, forehead, temples, hand and feet for about 5 minutes is sufficient.
Exercise: Vyayama is the name for physical exercise. This is usually some Yoga postures and breathing exercises (Pranayama) but it can be anything including a walk, a swim, sun salutes or whatever. This early morning exercise removes stagnation in the body and mind, strengthens the digestive fire, reduces fat and gives you an overall feeling of lightness and joy as it fills your body with good, fresh and pure Prana. It is not to be strenuous. In fact, exercising at one fourth to one half of your capacity is recommended.
Bath: After exercise bath to remove any excess oil and dirt. Both showers and bathtubs are recommended in the classics. Usually warm water baths are suggested. Put on clean clothing after the bath.
Prayer & Meditation: Praying and worshipping God by offering flowers and food is done to purify one's mind and to surrender ego and the results of all actions to God. Then meditate for a few minutes to an hour and see who you really are, put your attention towards Awareness. This is the most important aspect of Dinacharya. Simply be quiet, sit in Peace.
Breakfast: This should be warm, nourishing and wholesome.
Study / Work: Do what you do from now until noon.
Noon
Lunch: It should be taken early between 12 and 1 P.M. This coincides with the peak Pitta period, Pitta is responsible for digestion. Ayurveda recommends that the lunch should be the largest meal of the day consisting of wholesome food with all the six tastes. After the meal it is good to take a little walk, a couple hundred steps only, to help the food digest.
Sciesta: Anything more than a short nap should be avoided because sleeping in the day is prohibited in Ayurveda due to the fear of accumulation of vitiated kapha.
Study / Work:Do what you do from now until supper.
Sundown
Sundown is a special time of balance between day and night. In this balance it is easier for your mind to stop long enough so that you can see your Self. This is the time for evening prayers and meditations in many cultures around the world.
Dinner
It should be taken around 6 - 7 P.M. It should be lighter than the lunch. The dinner should be at least three hours before bedtime as gives the body ample time to digest the food. Sleeping just after the dinner with a heavy stomach is not conducive to a sound sleep.
Walk to aid digestion for about 10 - 15 minutes.
Ease: From dinner to bedtime just take it easy. Spend time with family, interact with friends, read, and relax.
Bedtime
Go to sleep around 9 - 10 P.M. so that you can get 6 to 7 hours of sleep before 4:30 am. A good practice is to massage the soles of your feet with oil before going to bed. This will calm your system and promote well being.
And remember to take your Triphala before sleep. This will nourish your eyes and also will ensure proper digestion and elimination.
One should try to keep the routine as close to the recommended Dincharya as possible. The body might resist the change for a first few days but if you do manage to persist then you are bound to get rewarded with a much healthier and satisfying life.
Nirvana Shatakam - Know Thyself
Nirvana shatakam
This is one of the rare stotras written by Adi Sankara Bhagawat Pada:
Mano budhya ahankara chithaa ninaham,Na cha srothra jihwe na cha graana nethrer,Na cha vyoma bhoomir na thejo na vayu,Chidananada Roopa Shivoham, Shivoham., 1
Neither am I mind, nor intelligence,
Nor ego, nor thought,
Nor am I ears or the tongue or the nose or the eyes,
Nor am I earth or sky or air or the light,
But I am Shiva the all pervading happiness,
Yes, I am definitely Shiva.
Na cha praana samgno na vai pancha vaayur,Na vaa saptha dhathur na va pancha kosa,Na vak pani padam na chopa stha payu,Chidananada Roopa Shivoham, Shivoham., 2
Neither am I the movement due to life,
Nor am I the five airs, nor am I the seven elements,
Nor am I the five internal organs,
Nor am I voice or hands or feet or other organs,
But I am Shiva the all pervading happiness,
Yes,I am definitely Shiva
Na me dwesha raghou na me lobha mohou,Madho naiva me naiva matsarya bhava,Na dharmo na cha artha na kamo na moksha,Chidananada Roopa Shivoham, Shivoham., 3
I never do have enmity or friendship,
Neither do I have vigour nor feeling of competition,
Neither do I have assets, or money or passion or salvation,
But I am Shiva the all pervading happiness,
Yes, I am definitely Shiva
Na punyam na paapam na soukhyam na dukham,Na manthro na theertham na veda na yagna,Aham bhojanam naiva bhojyam na bhoktha,Chidananada Roopa Shivoham, Shivoham., 4
Never do I have good deeds or sins or pleasure or sorrow,
Neither do I have holy chants or holy water or holy books or fire sacrifice,
I am neither food or the consumer who consumes food,
As I am Shiva the all pervading happiness,
Yes, I am definitely Shiva
Na mruthyur na sankha na me jathi bhedha,Pitha naiva me naiva matha na janma,Na bhandhur na mithram gurur naiva sishya,Chidananada Roopa Shivoham, Shivoham., 5
I do not have death or doubts or distinction of caste,
I do not have either father or mother or even birth,
And I do not have relations or friends or teacher or students,
As I am Shiva the all pervading happiness,
Yes, I am definitely Shiva
Aham nirvi kalpi nirakara roopi,Vibhuthwascha sarvathra sarvendriyanaam,Na cha sangatham naiva mukthir na meyaChidananada Roopa Shivoham, Shivoham., 6
I am one without doubts, I am without form,
Due to knowledge I do not have any relation with my organs,
And I am always redeemed,
And I am Shiva the all pervading happiness,
Yes, I am definitely Shiva
Gayatri Mantra & its meaning
Gayatri Mantra
The Gâyatrî Mantra is first recorded in the Rig Veda (iii, 62, 10).
Invocation:
The Sanskrit character that is transliterated as bh is a very earthy sound that virtually explodes from the diaphragm.
Om - Om (Brahman, the One, the Godhead, Supreme Deity)
bhûhû - earth, the physical world
bhuvaha - astral/desire/breath, the world of becoming
suvaha - mental, the world of thinking
Long Invocation:
As with the shorter version, this invocation is a recognition that there are many worlds, all empowered by the nameless, formless, birthless, deathless which is symbolized by om.... om is everything.
These seven lines of the long invocation are the seven lokas, or planes, of existence, and are used not only to recognize and honor the planes of existence, but also to call the presiding deities of those planes to aid in our transformation and realization:
om bhûhû
om bhuvaha
om suvaha
om mahaha
om janaha
om tapaha
om satyaM
mahaha - causal, silent mind, the world of emotion
janaha - world of creative generation
tapaha - world of intuition
satyaM - world of Absolute Truth
This recital of the lokas begins with the gross, physical world filled with separation and differences and then each, in sequence, becomes more refined, more transcendent, more unified, more all-encompassing.
The recitation of the lokas, done with intent and clarity, prepares one for the chanting of the Gâyatrî Mantra by harmonizing and attuning one with all the worlds.
Body of the Gâyatrî Mantra:
The body of the Gâyatrî Mantra is written as:
tat - that (referring to Savitri, Paramatma, God)
savitur - Savitri, the Spiritual Sun (that from which all is born), the One Light, the all-pervading Consciousness
vareNyaM - most excellent, adorable, fit to be worshipped, venerable, worthy of being sought
bhargo - radiance, effulgence, splendor (the light that bestows understanding)
devasya - divine, of the deity
dhîmahi - we meditate upon... or may we meditate upon, reflect upon, be devoted to
dhiyo - prayer, noble thoughts, intuition, understanding of Reality (buddhis)
yo - he who, the one who
nah - our, of us
prachodayât - may he energize, direct, inspire, guide, unfold... or he who energizes, directs, inspires, guides, unfolds
Short Closing:
bhûr bhuvas suvar om
This simple closing phrase is magnificent, and is a powerful meditation all by itself, a joyous and humbling panoramic sweep from the initial earthy, lower chakra "bh" sound gradually becoming ever finer, transcending all the worlds, and culminating in the nameless, formless essence.
Create your own unique rendering:
Armed with the definitions of the Sanskrit words and your own unique insight into what the mantra means for you (which may change over time), it may be very useful to write your own personal rendering of the meaning of the mantra.
Vipasana as described in Buddhist literature
Vipasana as described in Buddhist literature
Meditation on breathing
Mindfulness of in-&-out breathing, when developed & pursued, is of great fruit, of great benefit. It brings clear knowing & release.
There is the case where a monk, having gone to the wilderness, to the shade of a tree, or to an empty building, sits down folding his legs crosswise, holding his body erect, and setting mindfulness to the fore. Always mindful, he breathes in; mindful he breathes out.
[1] Breathing in long, he discerns that he is breathing in long; or breathing out long, he discerns that he is breathing out long.
[2] Or breathing in short, he discerns that he is breathing in short; or breathing out short, he discerns that he is breathing out short.
[3] He trains himself to breathe in sensitive to the entire body, and to breathe out sensitive to the entire body.
[4] He trains himself to breathe in calming the bodily processes, and to breathe out calming the bodily processes.
[5] He trains himself to breathe in sensitive to rapture, and to breathe out sensitive to rapture.
[6] He trains himself to breathe in sensitive to pleasure, and to breathe out sensitive to pleasure.
[7] He trains himself to breathe in sensitive to mental processes, and to breathe out sensitive to mental processes.
[8] He trains himself to breathe in calming mental processes, and to breathe out calming mental processes.
[9] He trains himself to breathe in sensitive to the mind, and to breathe out sensitive to the mind.
[10] He trains himself to breathe in satisfying the mind, and to breathe out satisfying the mind.
[11] He trains himself to breathe in steadying the mind, and to breathe out steadying the mind.
[12] He trains himself to breathe in releasing the mind, and to breathe out releasing the mind.
[13] He trains himself to breathe in focusing on inconstancy, and to breathe out focusing on inconstancy.
[14] He trains himself to breathe in focusing on dispassion [literally, fading], and to breathe out focusing on dispassion.
[15] He trains himself to breathe in focusing on cessation, and to breathe out focusing on cessation.
[16] He trains himself to breathe in focusing on relinquishment, and to breathe out focusing on relinquishment."
About Jhana - Mediatative States
Jhana is a meditative state of profound stillness and concentration in which the mind becomes fully immersed and absorbed in the chosen object of attention. It is the cornerstone in the development of Right Concentration.
[First jhana]
There is the case where a monk — quite withdrawn from sensuality, withdrawn from unskillful qualities — enters and remains in the first jhana: rapture and pleasure born from withdrawal, accompanied by directed thought and evaluation. There is nothing of his entire body unpervaded by rapture and pleasure born from withdrawal.
[Second jhana]
Furthermore, with the stilling of directed thoughts & evaluations, he enters and remains in the second jhana: rapture and pleasure born of composure, unification of awareness free from directed thought and evaluation — internal assurance. There is nothing of his entire body unpervaded by rapture and pleasure born of composure.
[Third jhana]
And furthermore, with the fading of rapture, he remains in equanimity, is mindful & alert, and senses pleasure with the body. He permeates and pervades, suffuses and fills this very body with the pleasure divested of rapture, so that there is nothing of his entire body unpervaded with pleasure divested of rapture.
[Fourth jhana]
And furthermore, with the abandoning of pleasure and stress — as with the earlier disappearance of elation and distress — he enters and remains in the fourth jhana: purity of equanimity and mindfulness, neither-pleasure-nor-pain. He sits, permeating the body with a pure, bright awareness, so that there is nothing of his entire body unpervaded by pure, bright awareness.
Listen to NavaGraha Stuti (Kshamaprarthana) below (it is a tremendous healing impact):
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Friday, August 22, 2008
About Chakras, Nadis & Aura in general
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LISTEN TO GANAPATI MANTRA ABOVE
Chakras
Chakras are the energy centers of our body. The traditional "in body" major chakras are seven:
1. Base/First or root chakra, found at the coccyx
2. Second or Sacral chakra, covers the pubic area, uo to about under the navel (more about this later)
3. Third or Solar Plexus chakra (stomach/diaphragm)
4. Fourth or Heart chakra (actually not right on the heart but amid the chest, sternum part)
5. Fifth or Throat chakra
6. Sixth or Third Eye or Brow chakra (forehead)
7. Seventh or Crown chakra (top of the head)
The First chakra is found in the coccyx, its aspect is essentially masculine. Its color is RED. Root chakra is the one that when it opens up releases the Qi, the vital energy, kundalini. And if you have a blocked first chakra it will be much more difficult to get the energy flowing up your body properly. So, unless you open it, tough luck. For me the best way consists in lying on my bed flat on my back and move around a bit with my hips and buttocks till I find a spot in the mattress that puts pressure on my talibone (coccyx). Then I lie still my arms along the body, palms down, in contact with the bed. When the chakra is activated, you'll feel the energy rise snakelike in all your body, passing through the chakras. Or it can feel like sea waves washing up your body, and it may have different intensity. No two chakra experiences are identical. It can follow the main Nadis system, rising through the Ida and the Pingala or shooting straight up through the Shushumna. Both possibilities feel equally wonderful!
A functioning first chakra will result in this awareness: "I am" (Some information about Nadis is in this same post later)
The second chakra is located in the lower abdomen and is essentially femminine in nature. Its color is ORANGE. It is the seat of creativity and emotive expression, it ralates to conception, and is linked to the female reproductive organs, the bowels and abdominal organs. When activated you feel like having a heat belt on, all around your waist and hips.
A functioning second chakra will result in this awareness: "I am feeling"
The third chakra is the Solar plexus chakra. It covers the abdomen from the top of the navel to the diaphragm, and the stomach. It is essentially masculine and its color is YELLOW. It affects our self esteem, self-confidence and our behaviour in society (school, work, the world). It is the decision making center for men. It 's a mental/intellectual energy and is related to male identity and power issues.
A functioning third chakra will result in this awareness: "I am feeling and thinking".
The fourth chakra is the Heart chakra and is essentially femminine. Its color is GREEN. Its secondary colors ar PINK and GOLD It is to be found in the chest, between and slightly above the breasts, not exactly over the heart. It corresponds to the astral plane (more about that later...). It is the seat of love and healing, and guides us through dreams, out-of-body experiences (astral projections), receiving and sending energy. It is used for channelling guides, rays, and divine source energy. Its problems affect the heart, circulation and respiratory problems as well.
A functioning fourth chakra will result in this awareness: "I am feeling and thinking lovingly"
The fifth chakra is the Throat chakra. It is essentially masculine, and its colour is BLUE. It is the seat of truth and wisdom and governs expression and communication, speaking, singing... Apart from the throat it also covers the ears as organs of communication, so also covers clariaudience. Problems with this chakra affect the jaw, the mouth, the throat, the thyroid, the larynx
A functioning fifth chakra will enable us to say: "I am feeling, thinking and livingly expressing"
The sixth chakra is also known as Third Eye or Brow chakra. It is essentially femminine in nature and its color is INDIGO. It's the source of insight and vision, it rules on clairvoyance and visualization. Physically it is regulated by the pituary gland and is found in the center of the forehead a few centimeters above the eyebrow line. Personally I find it very easy to activate it. It happens often when I concentrate on a book, or meditate, or I am just about to fall asleep at night. I feel this spot in my forehead become really warm and often this is the chakra that opens first in my case. You can concentrate on the spot, feel the air caressing your forehead, and become aware of its existence, and you will feel how the spot gradually becomes warmer and warmer.
A functioning sixth chakra will enable us to say: "I am feeling, thinking and lovingly expressing my vision"
The seventh chakra is also known as Crown chakra. It is inherently masculine, and its traditional color is VIOLET. A secondary color is WHITE. It is connected to the pineal gland, cerebral cortex and higher chakras. It is the center for higher knowledge, and through it we come into contact with the feeling of unity with the Divine Source. It makes us feel we are all one with all creation. It is also the place from which rises the "thousand petal lotus" which opens when this chakra is properly functioning. Physical problems connected to it are immune system problems, cancer, bone disprders among others.
A functioning seventh chakra will enable us to say: "I am feeling, thinking and lovingly expressing my vision of divine purpose"
The eighth chakra is the first "out-of-body" chakra. It is essentially femminine and its colour is SILVER or ULTRAVIOLET. it is to be found about one and one-half inches above the head. It is often associated to images like the Moon, the stars, planets, other dimensions and time itself. Problems with this chakra affect time issues, metabolism, chronic illnesses among other things, as well as any problems carried over from a previous life. It contains the Akashic Records.
A functioning eighth chakra will enable us to say: "I am feeling, thinking and lovingly expressing my vision of divine purpose in a timely manner"
The Ninth chakra is often considered to be the seat of the Soul. it is essentially masculine, the colors associated to it are GOLD or INFRARED. It is generally mushroom-shaped, though its shape may very individually. It contains all the symbols, patterns and archetypes relative to that person- Life purpose, life tasks, destiny, significant realtionships are all governed by this chakra. It contains the programming of the soul and the self.
A functioning ninth chakra will enable us to say: "I am feeling, thinking and lovingly expressing my vision of divine purpose in a timely manner, while creating all that I am"
The tenth chakra is the Grounding chakra. To be "grounded" means to be attached to the earth, realistically be in touch with our life situation, and be capable to handle situations. It is essentially femminine in nature, and the colours associated to it are earth tones, citrine, brown, mauve, russet, limestone yellow, olive green ans obsidian. The four elements are enclosed in it, and it is the source of our daily life energy. Physically it affect feet, ankles and legs. It is like the "grounding" in an electical plug, it serve to dump waste from the emotional and physical bosies.
A functioning tenth chakra will enable us to say: "I am feeling, thinking and lovingly expressing my vision of divine purpose in a timely manner, while creating all that I am, in a grounded, practical way"
Eleventh charka: This set of chakras covers hands and feet. It is essentially masculine and its colour is PINK. It is a very important chakra for all people who do healing. It is related to giving, it is the entrance point for sending and receiving energy, to meet our needs or deal with situations. When this chakra is active, you will feel the enrgy bubbling up the soles of your feet and the palms of your hands. This is, as I say, extremely important for healers in general, and hands-on and Reiki healer in particular. I have a very strong 11th chakra I feel it during the whole day. It's like a spring, it keeps flowing. The feet chakra works in close collaboration, of course, with the 10th chakra and it is part of the "roots" feeling... Physical problems are with hands and feet.
A functioning eleventh chakra will enable us to say: "I am feeling, thinking and lovingly expressing my vision of divine purpose in a timely manner, while creating all that I am, in a grounded, practical way that requires an ability to cope with any situation"
The twelfth set of chakra is composed of 32 points on the body and tha aura. Some may partially overlap with some of the major chakras as they are to be found very close to them: 1) Legs 2) Buttocks 3) Coccyx 4) Sacral vertebrae 5) Lumbar vertebrae 6)Thoracic (dorsal) vertebrae 7) Cervical vertebrae 8) Cranium 9) Silver cord to the soul 10) Bubbling springs in the feet 11) Ankles 12) Knees 13) Thighs 14) Hip bones 15) Navel and sexual organs 16) Appendix 17) Kidneys and adrenals 18) Large and small intestines 19) Pancreas 20) Liver 21) Gall baldder 22) Spleen 23) Stomach 24) Diaphragm and lungs 25) Arms 26) Bubbling springs in the palms 27) Wrists 28) Elbows 29) Clavicle 30) Throat (including larynx, thyroid and tongue) 31) Upper brain (spiritually oriented functions involving cerebrum, pineal, pituitary, hypotalamus and thalamus glands) 32) Center of the earth
Other interesting bits:
7th Auric level: This is a rather "peculiar" layer, insomuch it knows when a person is going to die, years ahead. This is the layer that opens up to allow the soul to depart. Changes in this layer start 7 years before death. The thickness and whiteness/brilliance of the seventh auric layer change the closer someone is to death. In genral, as the soul prepares to leave, the seventh auric layer thins out. More spiritual energy is therefore directed to and through it, thereby lightening the tone of this layer.
Ascension Chakra: This is the Sixteenth Chakra in is the beginning stage of realizing fifth dimensional reality. The Sixteenth Chakra is given this name because this is the beginning stage of what is often known as the ascension process.
Nadis
The Nadis is a network of energy channels present in our body. According to the Tantras there are fourteen principal channels, and among these, 3 are the main ones: the Ida, the Pingala and the Sushumna.
The Ida is the left channel, it starts in the first chakra. Its color is white, it's femminine in nature, it's cold and stands for the Moon. It represents the river Ganges.
The Pingala is the right channel, also starts in the first chakra. Its colour it' s red, it's masculine in nature, it's hot, it repersents the Sun. It's associated with the river Yamuna. The Ida and the Pingala intertwine at chakra points.
The Sushumna is the central channel that starting in the first chakra connects vertically all the chakras, from the first chakra to the crown chakra & upwards to the source of our energy in the Void /sky. It represents the river Saraswati.
All three Nadis meet in the sixth chakra, Ajna, where they are called "Mukta Triveni". From there, the Ida continues to end in the left nostril and the Pingala ends in the right nostril. When Kundalini, the sleeping serpent, awakens, it rises and shoots up the chakras through the Sushumna.
Just as each Chakra is associated with a colour, Each chakra and it's colour is also associated with a particular personality trait:
Sanskrit term: Sahasrara, Position: crown, Type: primordial imagination type;
Personality-characteristics: Imagination, shame and wonder
Sanskrit term: Ajna, Position: forehead, Type: intuitive-visionary type
Personality-characteristics: Intuition, sensitivity, envy or admiration
Sanskrit term: Vishuddha, Position:throat, Type: contemplative- nostalgic,
Personality-characteristics:Mental concepts, authority, reverence Mental concepts, authority, reverence
Sanskrit term: Anahata Position: Heart Type: security or self-centred type
Personality-characteristics:Vital force; possession, jealousy, power
Sanskrit term: Manipura, Position: Solar Plexus, Type: intellectual,
Personality-characteristics: Thinking; Intellect, Change
Sanskrit term: Swadhistana, Position: "Splenic Plexus" Type: social-gregarious,
Personality-characteristics: Social; Ambition
Sanskrit term: Muladhara, Position: genitals, Type: physical-sensation,
Personality-characteristics: Sensation; Sex, fear and anger
NOTE: The flow of the universe is from energy to matter: energy flows from your auric energy bodies to create the matter of your physical body. • all your bodies are created from the living energy referred to as prana.
Results of our neglect:
NEGLECTING THE "ROOT CHAKRA"
Related Diseases: Sexual Dysfunction, Prostate/Ovarian-Breast Cancer
#2: NEGLECTING THE "SACRAL CHAKRA"
Related Diseases: Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue, Kidney & Liver Disorders
#3: NEGLECTING THE "SOLAR PLEXUS CHAKRA"
Related Diseases: Stomach Cancer, Gastric or Peptic Ulcers, Anorexia, Bulimia
#4: NEGLECTING THE "HEART CHAKRA"
Related Diseases: Heart Attack, Stroke, Congestive Heart Failure
#5: NEGLECTING THE "THROAT CHAKRA"
Related Diseases: Throat Cancer, Thyroid, TMJ, Teeth Problems
#8: NEGLECTING THE "PHYSICAL (MATTER) BODY"
Related Diseases: Skin Cancer, Bone Diseases, Arthritis, Muscle Disorders
#9: NEGLECTING OTHER AURIC BODIES
Related Diseases: Sexual Dysfunction, Prostate/Ovarian-Breast Cancer
#2: NEGLECTING THE "SACRAL CHAKRA"
Related Diseases: Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue, Kidney & Liver Disorders
#3: NEGLECTING THE "SOLAR PLEXUS CHAKRA"
Related Diseases: Stomach Cancer, Gastric or Peptic Ulcers, Anorexia, Bulimia
#4: NEGLECTING THE "HEART CHAKRA"
Related Diseases: Heart Attack, Stroke, Congestive Heart Failure
#5: NEGLECTING THE "THROAT CHAKRA"
Related Diseases: Throat Cancer, Thyroid, TMJ, Teeth Problems
#8: NEGLECTING THE "PHYSICAL (MATTER) BODY"
Related Diseases: Skin Cancer, Bone Diseases, Arthritis, Muscle Disorders
#9: NEGLECTING OTHER AURIC BODIES
Related Diseases: Self Destructive Behavior, Addiction, Drugs, Risky Sex
(More about structure of Charkras, Protection webs of Chakras, Auric Bodies, Nadis etc later. I'll try to incorporate scientific findings related to Aura in the posts as well along with some interesting kirilian photographs. )
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