Arjuna asked Sri Krishna a question, which we all ask. He said to Sri Krishna,
I can understand that effort and faith go hand in hand, so faith alone cannot provide the means of achieving the final goal; there has to be an effort, there has to be discipline. You mentioned that other aspects of life are governed by the three gunas. What are those aspects? Continue reading
The bondage in life is represented by the circle of the Yantra, the cyclical continuation of life and death. When one becomes free from the influences of the senses, then one can identify with one’s inner nature. One becomes like the tortoise, which has withdrawn itself into its shell. The sadhana of Pratyahara enables one to achieve this state. Continue reading
Originally, the mantra system one needed to identify with the vibration as much as possible. That is why mantras are always repeated, not chanted just once. If for half an hour, one keeps repeating Aum, Aum, Aum or Soham, Soham, Soham and nothing exists beyond this repetition. When the mantra is sustained over a period of time in this manner, for five minutes, ten minutes or fifteen minutes, then one merges one’s consciousness in the feeling, chanting and repetition of the mantra and one begins to identify with vibrations that one is creating while chanting the mantra. This is called Mantra Meditative Awareness.
What is the real mantra sadhana?
One moves from the verbal, and wakeful state to the mental and internal state in mantra. Continue reading
Prashnopanishad: Pippalda
Prajapati, the lord of creation is often described in Vedic texts as having sixteen aspects. Sukesha, disciple of Pippalda, was asked by a prince as to who was the person with sixteen parts. He did not know the answer and therefore questioned his Guru. Continue reading
Prashnopanishad. Written by Pippalda.
Satyakama, son of Sibi asked what world will a being attain, who meditates on Aum throughout his life.
Pippalda answered:
Aum is both the higher and lower Brahman. He who meditates on Aum, will surely attain one of them. He, who meditates on Aum with a shallow understanding will gain a semblance of enlightenment. The Rik verses will bear him back quickly to be reborn on this earth. If he then continues to observe austerities, celibacy and faith, he will achieve spiritual greatness. Continue reading
Pippalda answers this question in Prashnopanishad. This question was posed by Kausalya, the son of Asvala. His question focuses on the nature and function of Prana (life force, vital breath). Continue reading
Dear ones, the Prashnopanishad gives the most illuminating description of Prana. One is able to understand Prana. Prana is likened to a mother who takes care of her offspring.
Prashnopanishad literally translates to Upanishad of Questions. It is an Atharvan Upanishad. Its dialogue explores existential questions, and this question addressed to Pippalda by Bhargava relates to understanding the importance of Prana in attaining Brahman. Continue reading
The Sanskrit word Vaishardaya means an unwavering confidence in the dignity and infinite potential of one’s own life. One is held back because one lacks faith in oneself. In Buddhist philosophy, courage is synonymous with Vaisharadayas. Nichiren Buddhism teaches that courage is the starting point of all change in an individual. Continue reading
There are two descriptions of Aakash-Space. In the scriptures, space is known as Brahman, Kham Brahman is the statement of the Vedas, Kham means space and Brahman means the all-pervasive reality. Kham also means ether or the all-pervading, subtle element in which everything exists. Brahman is the highest universal principle, the ultimate reality of the universe in Hindu philosophy. Continue reading
The Brahman said:
The last message of Sri Krishna. Uddhava Gita. Chapter IV
Thus, I have learnt these things from all these teachers. Now listen O King, to what I have learnt from my own body, as I relate it to you. – 24
Swami Satyananda taught that everything in the world including us is impermanent. He emphasized that it was imperative to recognize this so that one could move past attachments. Then only one could proceed on the path and develop vairagya (dispassion). Continue reading
Tirukkural was written between 2 BCE—5 CE. It is a series of couplets which are succinct and are relevant even today. It has been translated from Tamil. I selected these couplets from,
The Peace that passeth all understanding has been the axis around which Indian culture has revolved in all its aspects.
Peace is a divine attribute. It is a quality of the soul. It fills the pure heart. Continue reading