Panchmukhi Gayatri is depicted with five faces, each symbolizing a dimension of divine consciousness, the five elements, the five pranas, and the Gayatri mantra’s spiritual layers. The faces are in five different colors. The Gayatri Dhyana Shloka describes the colors as Pearl (white), Coral (red or orange), Gold (yellow or golden), Blue (sapphire), Dhavala (white, luminous). Continue reading
Sattwa, rajas and tamas, these gunas born of Prakriti firmly bind the imperishable soul to the body Arjuna. – 14:5
Krishna says that the qualities of Sattwa, rajas and tamas are the three gunas which come forth from Prakriti and bind the immortal spirit to this body, the realm of Prakriti. One must transcend the gunas in order to become free, to experience moksha, samadhi or nirvana and again experience the pure, natural spirit. Continue reading
Learning to listen to the trees. Hermann Hesse.
Trees are sanctuaries. Whoever knows how to speak to them, whoever knows how to listen to them, can learn the truth… So, the trees rustle in the evening, when we stand uneasy before our own childish thoughts: Trees have longer thoughts, long breathing and restful, just as they have longer lived than ours. But when we have learned how to listen to trees, then the brevity and the quickness and the childlike hastiness of our thoughts achieve an incomparable joy.
It is a very interesting question and it is difficult to answer. My Guru said that one had to do at least four hours of Karma Yoga before practicing one’s sadhana. His reason was that one had to perform some Seva. Continue reading
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 Brahman said:
According to the sages, there is a very clear concept that the world is a play of the three gunas. The three gunas are Tamas, Rajas and Sattwa. Life is a combination of three gunas. The three gunas are continuously interacting although only one is overriding the other two. When sattva prevails, then rajas and tamas are suppressed. Continue reading
The wise one even though in the body, does not attach importance to it. Neither pleasure nor pain affect him. Whereas the person, who lives by obeying his senses is in a dream like state. Such a person lives in the body which is influenced by our karmas and are influenced by them.
The three gunas which compose us, do not affect a person who does not identify with them. However, the wise one who is free from attachments like sleeping, walking, eating, bathing, smelling and other sensory perceptions becomes a witness. Therefore, living in the midst of Prakriti one becomes unattached like the sky, sun and the wind. – Uddhava Gita: The Last Message of Sri Krishna. Chapter 6: Verses 8—12
The lotus is used as a symbol to represent the chakras. The lotus bud symbolizes the spiritual energy, which is within all of us. The opening of the lotus represents the unfolding of our consciousness. Continue reading
Dear Ones, I read a very funny quote and it was at the same time true.
One is like a sandwich, the top slice is one’s birth and the bottom slice is one’s death. You make your life with the choice of filling. – Allan Rufus
Well, how do you view yourselves? Continue reading
The Gita offers a method of attaining happiness. It introduces the concept of the three gunas (qualities of nature): sattva (goodness), rajas (passion) and tamas (inertia). It suggests that happiness derived from tamas (ignorance) is fleeting and ultimately leads to suffering. Happiness derived from sattva (pure consciousness) is lasting and leads to true joy. Continue reading
Dear Ones, sometimes there are events which disable one from performing activities, which one enjoys doing. I have been affected by one such experience. I left my overnight bag in Yoga Vidya. It had my laptop, kindle and my puja purse. Continue reading
The Supreme Divine Personality said: They speak of an eternal Ashvatth tree with its roots above and branches below. Its leaves are the Vedic hymns, and one who knows the secret of this tree is the knower of the Vedas. – Bhagwad Gita, 15.1
Antahkaran is the inner instrument, through which one experiences the world. It is made up of four parts: mind, intellect, consciousness and ego.
The three wise monkeys said, see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil. This saying of the wise monkeys originated in Japan, during the Muromachi period (a time of turbulence). It is believed that they were influenced by the teachings of the Buddha. Their names were Mizaru who covered his eyes and saw no evil; Kikazaru, who covered his ears and heard no evil; Iwazaru, who covered his mouth and spoke no evil. Then there is the San Saru symbol, which says, “See the good, hear the good and speak the good.” The wise monkeys are also known as the three mystical monkeys. Continue reading