Spritiual spirit

Thought Inconvenient, 'Change' is Inevitable

2012-01-14T23:55:00.001-08:00

The juncture of the end of night and the beginning of day is called dawn. This period is filled with unique opportunities for self-growth for the early-rises; but for those who are still half-asleep, it appears as an unwelcome guest and as a burden loaded with new responsibilities. Howsoever unpleasant, they have to rise up and attend to their daily chores. Night does not return and the day does not stop. There is no other alternative than to adjust with the change. The cosmos is in perpetual movement. All our resistance is of no avail to hold back the incessant process of change.

The fetus manages happily in the dark cell of mother's womb, but when it is fully developed, nature pushes it out of its cozy chamber, separates it from the mother's umbilical core and forces it to come out in free atmosphere. In the process of progress, this change is essential and unavoidable. The time of birth is painful and inconvenient to everyone. Mother, nurse, members of the family and friends - all have to abandon their normal routine and get ready to help in whatever way they can in the process of birth. Ultimately the result of this exercise is pleasant to all.

During the present momentous transition period of change of an era, the process of elimination of the Evil and establishment of the Good in human hearts is bound to appear painful for the rigidly orthodox. Other sections of the society may also feel it inconvenient to adopt new ways of life befitting a new era. But there is no other alternative than to adopt the discipline of ushering in of the new enlightened world order that has been ordained by Nature. Once we accept this Truth and are not resistant to change, we will find that change is seed of spiritual growth for all humanity. We will discover that the very change we were fleeing from had held the good we had prayed for.

Sitting in the Dakshineshwar garden, Swami Ramkrishna Paramhansa was contemplating on the Divine Mother. Just then Dr Mahendra Nath Sarkar, who had not met the Master till then, arrived there. He mistook the Swamiji for the gardener and told him to pluck flowers. Swamiji was in a state of consciousness, beyond honor and dishonor; he plucked flowers at once and gave them to the doctor, who went back with asking for Master's darshan. The next day he came again to see Swamiji, and then he realized his folly and was moved by his divine modesty.

Great sages and saints are innately and naturally humble, courteous and egoless.

To-day's Problems are the Result of Man's Wicked Thinking

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The basis of downfall is perversity in thinking. Living in want, indigence, grief and sorrow, malice - all these maladies are going form bad to worse, their root cause in the fallen level of thinking.

To-day we find individuals immersed in too much anxiety and pain and the society ravaged by innumerable problems. The only reason behind the atmosphere of unrest, doubt, suspicion and discontent that we see everywhere is increase of wickedness in man's thinking and such thinking turning to wicked activities. If this tide can be blocked, if persons can be trained to explain the morality of idealism, then situations can be completely turned around. People's capacity, currently engaged in divisive, immoral activities, if turned around and engaged in resurgence of goodness and nurturing goodwill, then in no time the situations can change radically for the better. The current hell-like atmosphere can then change in no time to a heavenly atmosphere. Therefore we should grasp this very important reality which others are not aware of and get involved with all our heart for the removal of wickedness and re-establishment of goodness. This unnoticed effort may not get us any applause, but because of its usefulness its importance is so much that there are no words to describe it.

The 'Gyan Yagya Abhiyan' (campaign for spreading knowledge) is one of the most creative in history. Its method of working is to make door to door contacts and to provide healthy and proper solutions to the problems for the people and the society. After a1000 year's slavery, the thinking of Nepalese people has become very distorted and perverse, and many of their beliefs, but people consider these as traditions, still cling to them and thereby suffer from a variety of hardships. The purpose of Gyan Yagya (the campaign for the spread of knowledge) is to awaken the discretion of the individual to enable him to understand the difference between what is proper and improper and to arouse the courage to discard the improper and accept what is proper.

Total Health

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A. "I will take care of my body because it is the temple of God"

1 I will do some form of exercise at my level of competency and do it regularly in order to discover my points of capability.

2 I will walk, walk, walk - stretch, stretch, stretch, stretch - breathe, breathe, breathe.

3 I will eat the purest possible food bewaring of harmful chemicals and additives, dyes, sweeteners and artificial supplements.

4 I will eat more fresh fruits and vegetables.

5 I will watch my diet without getting paranoid about watching.

6 I will eat slowly, thoughtfully, gratefully, remembering to chew my food so thoroughly that it will swallow itself.

7 I will quiet myself with a word of prayer before meals.

8 I will remember to shape up, straighten up, look up and work up to my highest physical potential.

9 I will remember that my body has a will to be well and that I am co-worker in its determination to maintain health and heal itself in periods of sickness and distress.

10 I will not willfully drive my body to a point of exhaustion; neither will I pamper it to a point at which it is weakened by fear or disuse.

B. "I will take better care of my mind because what I think is related to what I am and what I will become".

1 I will think in terms of health, not sickness.

2 I will think in terms of love, not hate.

3 I will think in terms of God's good guidance over my life.

4 I will think creatively.

5 I will believe that my mind is constantly being renewed, refreshed and strengthened.

6 I will keep an open mind, a compassionate mind, and a thoughtful mind.

"A gentleman is one who can disagree without being disagreeable"

Transformation of the Era by Thought-Reform

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The foremost requirement of this era is reformation in thinking. If man's thinking is not changed in time, then this world will be destroyed. As long as the present condition of man's way of thinking is not altered and straightened up, all the efforts for establishing peace and happiness will prove unsuccessful.

The only reason for all the perversities, obstacles, grief, sorrow, dualities, conflicts, wants, crimes, and diseases is that our thinking has been vitiated. The reason for all the wars is vitiated, wicked thinking. Even if all the facilities are available and still our way of thinking is not proper, then the individual will receive only unhappiness and cause unhappiness to those in his contact. The reason for our physical, mental, economic, familial, social, national and international problems and troubles is the impure thinking of the people. If the reasons for the mistakes are not tackled, then the effort for reformation is like watering a dried-up tree.

Therefore if a real solution is to be found for the current problems, then we have to conclude that it is essential to change the prevalent pattern of thinking in the world. Moral and cultural revival is possible only on this basis. Except for this there is no solution for world - peace. The foremost requirement of this era is an all-round revolutionary - thinking, a complete change in our thinking. Whether achieved today or after a thousand years, there is no other way except this. All of us must make effort in this direction according to our capacities.

Spiritual Development

Creating a new order should start with one's own self. 'Preach others but practice not' may be alright in other matters, but when it is a question of cleansing people's minds, the cleansing must start with one's own self. The sooner we learn the truth in depth that excellence is not achieved by preachment but by conduct, the better. Speech and writings can be effective to an extent for teaching others. The real influence comes from the preacher's conduct. People do not have the courage to tread a thorny path unless they have an ideal before them. Physical information can be obtained though speech and writings, but not so with subtle and spiritual information.

One must think seriously every day for a long time on the following four basic philosophical principles of spiritual development.

1. The first truth of looking at one's own self i.e. the soul, is to think of oneself as a very pure part of the Supreme and to think of the mind and the body as completely separate from the soul and to think of them as merely the vehicles and instruments of the soul.

2. The second spiritual truth is to think of the human life as the pure gift of God for the purpose of public good.

3. The third big truth is - to achieve the life's objective of achieving completeness from incompleteness. The chasm between God and the soul can be filled only by removing one's faults and deficiencies. Only by adopting the policy of excellence in thinking and ideal behavior, does the person get the opportunity of spiritual elevation to the level of God.

4. The fourth big truth is to think of this vast universe as a concrete manifestation of God and to make sincere efforts in spiritual endeavor for spiritual enlightenment.

Only these four truths are the central points of the science of spiritual Endeavour. If we want to usher in a new era, we will first have to concentrate on spiritual development.

Twenty-First Century - A century of Women

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Believe it or not, the future is passing into the hands of women. This has not happened by chance. Women have carried out deep penance since time immemorial for achieving it. By achieving the highest development of their total powers, they have achieved this glory. Guru, mother, sister, and wife - in all these forms the woman has obliged man in countless ways and these countless blessings can be joyfully compared to divine blessings. Society to-day wants to repay those obligations.

Woman's uplift is essential for proper molding of individuals. Only then the molding of the family and the creation of a fine society is possible. Woman is the life-breath of the family. If we have to think of our own and world's welfare, woman must be considered as man's equal. World's welfare can be thought of only after thinking of women's uplift. Both struggle and resurgence of a new era of goodness are together in this major problem, therefore for fulfilling it, extraordinary man-power, means and dynamic courage are required. The secret of man's progress lied in woman's progress only.

The times are dynamically changing. This is seen in the fast changes occurring with the passing over of 20th century into a new era. Simultaneously woman has recognized her own inner vitality, her own inner strength. Woman herself is trying for her own uplift. She is not willing to spend her life at a level lower than man's. The support of time is with her. It will not do not to recognize her, nor suppress her. These days one can see a tremendous vitality of the people getting organized properly.

It is the Creator's wish that now woman should come forward and her superiority be once again conferred on her. It is His wish that woman should give the proof of her velour and show by actual deeds how she has uprooted widespread backwardness and how she has replaced it with progress.

We are calling the twenty-first century as the Century of the Woman because Nature is in her favor and from the viewpoint of special qualities, she is very much better than man and simultaneously Nature is in the process of breaking the old order and creating a new one. Only the woman fits into this plan. This movement of women's uplift will make woman equal to man.

The cyclonic speed of the new era will rest only after liberating the woman from her backward, inferior position and making her capable of taking advantage of human rights. Woman will have her own independent existence in the 21st century, and she will get the opportunity of developing her own individual identity. In the coming days, not the color of her skin and beauty, but her individuality will be considered as everything. The same amount of time and money will be utilized for girls' education, health, and developing their skill, as is employed for boys.

Only such transformation will sustain and maintain the long-term role of Yug Parivartan (transformation of the era). The main basis of the future 'Satyugi Parivartan' (transformation bringing goodness of thinking and conduct among people) will be that the entire leadership be given to woman- woman whom nature has made full of love, co-operation and compassion. Seeing that welfare lies in woman's power, we should not leave any stone unturned for furthering woman's power. One who has always given the proof of selfless love for husband, children and family at every step; she will create the same atmosphere in the area of her influence when given the leadership.

Vital Role of Gayatri Sakti in Human Life

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There is no way of glorious success in human life without Sadbuddhi. The support of Gayatri in this form is inevitable for all aspirants of progress and blissful prosperity. There is no path to spiritual evolution, realization of God, or ultimate salvation that does not emanate from the spiritual element of Gayatri Sakti. The Sadhaks or seekers of God should also note that thee is infinity, beyond all perceptions and thoughts. Thou is omnipresent and loves all without any discrimination. No one could have direct reach to thy realization. The subliminal shield of wide separation between the individual self and thy-self could be pierced only by the spiritual force of the enlightened soul. The gamut of the science of spirituality, devotional practices and ascetic endeavors are devised for the sole purpose of arousing this force. Absolute evolution of the Satoguna in the individual-self alone can revoke the hidden spiritual force of the soul and enable its linkage with its divine origin and thy realization. Gayatri Sakti, being the genesis and eternal power of Satoguna is therefore revered as the cosmic impulse of divine conjugation between the soul and the God.

Gayatri Sadhana is the ideal medium for reaching thy realms. Indeed the ultimate realization is attainable only in the sublime core of Gaya tri Sakti. Before entering it, it is only the sentient perception; and beyond it there remains nothing - the subtle senses of the subtle and the astral bodies too get concealed in the absolute void.

Thy devotion and thou realization also attained by the Sadhana, Upasana of Adi Sakti Gayatri and its manifestations in Parvati,-Shiva, Lakshmi-Narayana, Rhadhe-Krishna or Sita-Rama. The devotion of Saraswati, Lakshmi, Kali, Mahamaya, Savitri, Pravati, Sita or Radha is also the Upasana of Gayatri only.

Lord Krishna identifies thyself in the holy Bhagwat Gita as - "Gayatri Chandamaham" (I am immanent in the Gayatri Mantra). Gayatri Mantra is the universal Mantra of the Upasana of God. People might argue otherwise because of their ignorance and prejudices against a particular 'name' (manifestation) of thee, but every spiritually enlightened Sadhak, true devotee of divinity experiences and knows that there is no path isolated (insulated) from the sublime domains of Gayatri that could lead to spiritual illumination, divine attainments and realization of the Brahma.

Worshiping the Motherhood by Gayatri Upasana

Gayatri Upasana is the Upasana of the Viswa-Mata, Deva-Mata, Veda-Mata; it is the devotion of the eternal mother. The deity Gayatri is worshiped in the idol of a Goddess -the divine mother. Mother's love for the child is the most sacred, pure and supreme expression of love. Love experienced in other relationships, howsoever intimate or closed might be is not totally devoid of the influence of selfish attachments and expectations. But mother's love is truly selfless and free from all constraints and perturbations.

Fight from the stage of conceiving a child to raising and training him, she bears a lot and gives what all she has of the welfare of the child; she continuous to bless the child with abundant care and love. Her warm love demands to returns, has not expectations. The saying that "sons could be bad and ungrateful but the mother is never short in her love." Elucidates the limitless grandeur of motherhood. Worshipping God in a mother-form is a salute to the divine nature of motherhood. It also has great psychological benefits. Devotion develops an emotional relationship between the devotee and the deity. Needless to say, the intensity of this intimacy is most deep and natural when the devotee regards the deity as divine mother. The latter also responds accordingly and bestows motherly love upon its child - the devotee. As a child feels most secure and happy in the lap of his mother, the devotee also experiences the same while worshiping the omnipotent divine mother. The immediate psychological impact of this feeling induces soundness in his devotion and liberated the devotee from all tensions, doubts and illusions. When the Sadhak takes shelter in the lap of the Almighty Mother Gayatri and devotes himself, thou too embraces him with equal warmth and endowers the nectar of divine motherly love.

Womanhood is worshipable by men in all its expressions. What a woman gives him as a wife, sister, and mother at least deserves his acknowledgement in terms of amity, affection and respect in the respective relations. The science of psychology reveals that man would have been a cruel, harsh, desperate creature living in the primitive state (of civilization), had he not been fostered by the peerless love and aid of woman. The dry and thirsty land is delighted by the cool lashing of rains and expresses its joy by sprouting fresh greenery. The serene love and sympathy enshowered by woman similarly nurtures and helps excel the potentials of the man. However, the poison of uncontrolled lust, erogeneity and carnal desires often spoils the nectar-like effect that could be generated by healthy cooperation in a couple. The familial and social relations between men and women would have been far more beneficial for mutual welfare and progress had the purity of thoughts and affectionate emotions been insulated from the insidious sensuous passions. The toxic of licentious attitude and eroticism converts the nectar-fruit (of fulfilling relationship) into a deadly poisonous seed.

Gayatri Sadhana is an excellent spiritual remedy to naturally pacify the untoward passions and mental perversions and to purify the emotional fields. Worshiping Mother Gayatri as Vishwo-Mata - the genesis of motherhood the symbol of pristine womanhood gradually invokes sacred feelings and intrinsic respect for womanhood. The Sadhak's sincere attempts of continence over the sense organs, eliminating mental ailments - especially those driven by concupiscence, and his strive for mental concentration over constructive thoughts succeed effectively with the progress of this spiritual-conditioning. Beastly instincts cannot survive in the heart of a true devotee of motherhood. The Upasana of Gayatri as Viswa- Mata is the supreme experiment to educe this spiritual elevation.

Vocal Cord Internal Chanting

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Some religions and spiritual practices use verbal chanting, prayer, or reading sacred books aloud in an effort to divert the mind from its ordinary mundane preoccupations and channel it towards the divine. Although this has a definite beneficial effect, it cannot elevate the mind to the highest state, because by this method, the vocal cord is still in operation, and also the ear organ is hearing one's own voice; and thus the conscious mind is still active. Yoga meditation, however, uses a process for concentration which is completely internal by which the vocal cord is not used at all - a process which we will discuss later.

Thus, merely by sitting in the lotus posture, silently and motionlessly, and folding the hands, we have succeeded in inactivating all the five motor organs, hands, feet, vocal cord gentry and excretory organs.

Suspending the sense organs: Closing the Eyes

Then the eyes are closed. In some forms of concentration, a candle is used, and the concentrator starts fixedly at the candle flame. Indeed, by this process one develops some psychic powers, for intense concentration always creates mental force. This technique is often employs by hypnotists and those interested only in utilizing the lower powers of the mind. But it cannot lead to the subtlest state of awareness because the eye organ and thus the conscious mind are still in operation, making it more difficult to dive deep inside the mind. So in meditation we close the eyes.

Turning off the Nose and Ears: Visualization

What about the nose and ears? They are not so easy to close! When you are sitting by an open window above the roar of traffic in the street below, and the next door neighbor is frying some savory dish, how to prevent these sensations from disturbing your mind? For this there is a specific process of visualization to withdraw the mind from all external vibrations. Now psychologists are realizing the tremendous power of visualization in creating mental states, particularly altered states of consciousness. In meditation, we use a specific visualization to imagine that we are far away from the external disturbances - sounds and smells - that may agitate our minds. By this technique, we completely isolate ourselves mentally from the external world; one may be sitting in the busiest city on earth and yet feel the same internal peace, silence and solitude as if he or she were sitting on a Himalayan peak. This is one of the higher practices of meditation, so it can only be learned personally from a trained instructor of Ananda Marga.

Tongue Turned Back and Skin Un-stimulated

To remove the sensation of taste, the tongue is turned back in the mouth in a specific position which effectively stops the operation of the taste organ. And by another internal visualization (which must also be learned individually from the instructor), the mediator withdraws all awareness from the physical body, so all tactile disappear and the skin organ becomes inactive.

All ten Sense and Motor Organs Inactive

Thus, by sitting motionlessly in the proper posture with the hands folded, eye closed, tongue turned back in the mouth, and mind withdrawn from external physicality, all the ten sense and motor organs have been controlled and the conscious mind completely stilled (silence have found in their experiments on yogis that in deep meditation they are completely oblivious to external stimuli. When a loud noise sounds in their ears, or a bright light shines on their eyes, or a hot iron rod touches their hands, they do not respond to the stimuli at all).

This is the correct process of sensory withdrawal, and at the end of it, without using a tube of warm water or any painful, difficult or complicated techniques, the mediator has easily transcended the conscious mind and enters deep into the subconscious state. Thus, it is said that meditation actually begins with the subconscious mind.

We Don't Require Leaders, We Require Creators

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Outstanding persons are required for raising the level of the society and the country and for its progress in the right direction. Ordinary persons cannot bear this heavy burden. For this purpose, talented great men with leadership qualities are required. Only they are capable of giving good direction to the society. A person does not become an impressive leader merely by speeches from the dais - he has to perform certain deeds and discharge certain responsibilities.

To make the society progress, the leader himself has to be of pure character and raise the level of character of the society. In the absence of the above two, no society can go forward on the path of progress. A society can not exist without a leader and vice-versa, but to-day in every street - corner, we find a 'leader'. Just like the sudden flood of frogs during monsoon, we find the flood of 'leader' in our democracy to-day. To-day we are not able to get the fruits of democracy because the 'leaders' do not allow us to be at peace. Even when there is no problem, they create new and new problems and do not allow us even to breathe in peace.

One thing is certain and that is that the society's and country's uplift depends upon the leaders. If the leaders become corrupt, then the country heads towards downfall, therefore at least from the point of our own protection, we should select our leader after proper inquiry, scrutiny and investigation. The root of many of our troubles can be the wrong leaders chosen by us. Therefore the leader must be such who has the qualities of purity, friendliness, abnegation, truthfulness, remembering obligations and similar other qualities. The leader will be only that person who observes morality in conduct and makes others tread the path of morality. The leader is one who knows morality, which means the policy of going on the right path. One, who cannot enforce his morality with discipline, cannot be a leader.

One feels that the generation of selfless leaders which served the country selflessly with their talents has vanished. To-day the so-called leaders are found chattering away-like frogs suddenly coming out in the rain - in streets, hotels, bazaars and clubs, chewing betel-leaves and giving spirited speeches. They are getting their sustenance from some post or a shelter of some political party. The crowd of such leaders is increasing whereas the number of citizens in the real sense is decreasing. The intention of those persons will naturally be suspect when they say that nothing can be done without the authority of a post or power or money. Gandhi, Vinoba, Loknayak, Jaiprakash, Ishwarchandra, Raja Ram Mohan Rai and innumerable leaders like them remained miles away from any prestigious post and yet worked for society and culture. Thus the demand of the times is not for revolutionary leaders, but of such public teachers who involve themselves totally and work without rest for the effort of creating enlightenment in the public mind. Therefore it is the demand of the times that not leaders but creators are required.

Needless to say that this great work is not possible by selfish, greedy and power-hungry leaders but by sentimental creators who can be like the corner-stone or dissolve like the seed to sprout forth, and maintain their role for NavNirman (resurgence of a new era and order of goodness) and who have no personal ambition nor any desire for name and fame. For permanent benefit, inner peace and satisfaction, there cannot be any better Endeavour or worship than this for the society and the country. All of us must ask our leaders to be creative persons rather than leaders in name only and we must honor and support such creators only.

What is Gayatri?

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Being the source of ultimate evolution and beatified salvation of Prana, the Adi Shakti is called Gayatri. The Vedic scripture "Aitareya Brahamana" describes this meaning as - "Gayan Trayate Sa Gayatri; (meaning - That, which protects the Gaya (Prana) if Gayatri). The scholarly as - "Shankarcharya Bhashya" further explains the meaning of Gayatri as - "Giyate Tatva Manaya Gayatri". (Meaning: the discerning, pure intellect Ritambhara Pragya), which unfolds the ultimate truth and absolute knowledge, is Gayatri.

Sadbuddhi - the enlightened intellect that enables prudent distinction between the truth and the false, the right and the wrong and guides the righteous decision making, is indeed a unique power, which proves to be superior and more beneficial than any other power or resource in the world. Wisdom or brilliance of mind trained and talented in worldly affairs might serve excellent achievements in materialistic developments. But the glittering success, haughty possessions and luxurious comforts attained thereby do not assure reduction of ego, jealousy, worries, tensions, and other complications; and on the contrary, often gravitate the burden of the untoward tendencies and problems in life. No wisdom, no intelligence - howsoever trenchant, soever or erudite it may be, can nurture real and viable progress with peace and joy if it is not endowed with Sadbuddhi.

The sharp intellect if deprived of Sadbuddhi turns out to be a negative talent in many respects. Such a power of mind may appear fascinating on several fronts and offer rapid materialistic gains and powers but it is also true that it steals the peace of mind and thereby encourages psychosomatic disorders and varieties of related problems. In extreme cases, it might trigger detrimental decline by accumulating egotist cruelty and immoral use of talents. The sharper such skilled minds, the greater would be the insidious effects. It thus appears better to have a dumb head than such Drubuddhi.

The divine light of Gayatri generates Sadbuddhi, which illuminates righteous intellect and inoculated virtuous and saintly tendencies. Every step guided by its inspiration is a forward move towards welfare, peace and happiness. The Sadbuddhi educed by the grace of Gayatri strengthens one's virtuous, talents, enlightens the Prana and gradually bestows greater success and glory in ideal direction. Durbuddhi, on the contrary weakens the vigor of Prana by draining it in untoward thoughts and activities driven by selfish passions and addictions. It plunges one's life deeper in the mire of ignorance, confusion, perversion and sins. Cravings, avarice, fear, ego and self-obsessive ambitions shield the inner light by Durbuddhi and eventually diminish the mental strength and talents too., thus leading to endless sufferings, sorrows and decline.

Gayatri is the savior force and pious light for those entrapped in the vicious cycle of Durbuddhi and evil instincts and those loosing the invaluable human life in shear ignorance. It kindles the spark of Sadbuddhi and thus provides a divine support, a courageous hope and liberates and saves the Prana of people from the smog of illusion and perversion. The path to righteous evolution opens up with the inspiration of Gayatri and the silver line of peace, progress and true joy begins to shine with soothing glow in the devotee's life.

Gayatri is not any mythological deity or imaginary power. Rather, it is the source of divine luminescence, the evolutionary impulse of thy will that is expressed in human self as Sadbuddhi and that enables enlightened progress and glorious accomplishment of life.

The spiritually illuminated acumen of the Rishis had found, while in the depths of their Sadbuddhi that the subliminal powers of Gayatri are active in the cosmic vibrations of Sabda (eternal sound). This realization was expressed by Rishi Vishwamitra in the unique Mantra of twenty-four specific symbols (syllables) associated with the corresponding currents of Sabda. This Mantra, being a representation and carrier of the sublime power of Gayatri - the eternal savior of Prana, is called the great Gayatri Mantra.

Who shapes the Course of Human Ascent?

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Uncountable waves of lives emerge out of and submerge back into the eternal ocean of Nature. The March of Life records none of these into its incessant flow. Rare are those divine should, whose lives engrave immortal imprints in the glorious chapters of human history. Few years of their life-spans stand as beacons of light, faith and inspiration in the annals of humanity

Ethics of humanity teach us that - "an altruistic life of a poor man is far more blissful and liberated than that of a mighty king", and sacrificing self interest is always superior to oppressing others". Though these ethical values have been preached throughout the ages, only a few have lived them. It is the inner strength of such great characters, which has upheld the edifice of morality age after age.

Talent, skill, perseverance, wisdom, charisma, and courage are necessary for nurturing aplomb and self-esteem. Leading others too cannot be effective and inspiring without inculcation in one self the requisite virtues and attributes. Those devoid of such potentials cannot vaunt of altruist renunciation. Dullness and lethargy cannot masquerade as austerity, contentment and peace. How can the glow of moral eminence shine in the darkness of ignorance and inactivity? Great are those who, despite being endowed with brilliant talents, courage and strength, do not waste their precious efforts in the pursuit of egoistic aims. Their sagacity and potentials are creatively used towards the welfare and evolution of humanity.

Ideals must not be compromised to suit the weakness of our wavering minds, nor can they be put on as mere masks. The peaks of immortal glory cannot be conquered without traversing through the Everest of perennially uplifting values.

Yagya Therapy Increases Immunity and Vitality

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Yagya is the main process of refining mind. It helps to protect us from the unhealthy environment. This process may increase our lower immune from its air. This is the special medicine for the increment of various types of disease, bacteria etc. In this context the main disease is known as AIDS. Yagya can prevent this also.

AIDS as well as low immunity disorder syndrome (LIDS) have posed unyielding challenges before the world today. As a result, a patient of these syndromes practically becomes host to any kind of disease. Even minor infections or diseases would continue to persist, aggravate and gradually weaken his body so much so that he might eventually die in few months unless due precautions in terms of careful diet, protection from all kinds of bacteria and viruses and from insect bites, and strict meditation under the guidance of specialist doctor are taken.

Bio-fluids being the carriers of the noxious HIV virus that causes these syndromes are spread through transfusion of infected blood and sexual intercourse with infected person. It is perhaps to prevent the chances of such pathetic health-hazards, that our sagacious ancestors - the rishis, had repeatedly cautioned (c.f. original texts of Ayurbeda, for instance) against undisciplined life-style. They had emphasized on prudent control of ahaar, (eating and drinking) and vihara (sensual pleasures).

Unfortunately, our life-style today is dominated by comforts and quick and easy pleasures. Most people are not even aware of the fact that their ahara-vihara decides the fate of their health. Experts too seem to be focused more on cure than prevention. Best laboratories the world-over are researching today to develop a vaccine to prevent the activation of the viruses that are the cause of AIDS or LIDS and to produce effective medicines to kill these or stop their growth. In spite of some encouraging steps, the goal is far from sight. Incorporation of complementary medicines therefore seems essential in the given circumstances, especially in the developing and highly populous countries like Nepal where significantly increasing the number of HIV-infected people or people suffering are among those deprived of medical facilities and are the ones living under highly infection-prone conditions.

Among the time-tested complementary therapies, Ayurveda has proved to be the best choice, as the Ayurvedic texts present powerful remedies against ojaksaya. The prescribed preparations are mostly rasa (+rasayanas), bhanma, avaleha, pake and ghrata and churna of selected herbs plant medicines. These preparations consists of - churna, (fine powder) of aswagandha, satavara, vidarikanda, giloya, numa, panchanga, tulasi, musali, akarakarna, mulahathi etc. avaleha of aswagandha and chyauanprasha, chopachimi paka, jivantadya ghrata, triphala ghrata, panchatikta ghrata, bhallataka rasayana, brahmi rasayansa, asavas of kaisora guggal, kanchanara guggal and sariva etc. dasamularista and combined bhasma of mercury and sulphur bhasmas of gold, cupper, yashad, naga, hartaal and kasisa, kalyana sundarabhra rasa, swarnabasant-malati rasa. These should be taken with zaharmohra pishti and prabal pisti.

Except the fine powders, all other preparations listed here required specific expertise. Only countable number of vaidyas (Ayurvedic doctors who follow original approach of this Vedic science) today would know the exact methods of preparations of bhasma and rasayanas. Moreover the methods of preparations require no use of machines and are so tedious that even under proper guidance of such Ayurveda experts hardly any herval pharma-lab would be able to produce these medicines in precise form. (Most of the terms used here are technical pertaining to original texts of Ayurveda. Therefore, English analogues are not available). Another major constraint is that the dosage, mode of consumption, necessary diet restrictions etc vary from patient to patient, depending upon the latter's natural constitution and the type and extent of the disease/syndrome. The treatment should thus proceed under adept guidance of an experienced vaidya.

However, Yagya-therapy does not require such constraints because only coarse powders of specific herbs/plant medicines - as listed underneath - are to be used in the special havan samagri. So any one who has ever participated in a havan or yagya, can do it without any difficulty or risk. The special havan samagri should be mixed with equal proportion of the common havan samagri. Little amounts of ghee (clarified butter) prepared from cow's milk, molasses, til (sesamum seed), barley and rice grains are also mixed in it. At least 24 ahutis (sacxrifices in the yagya-fire) of this preparation should be made with chanting of the Surya Gayatri mantra.

Yagya Therapy (Composition of the mixtures)

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This yagya experiment should be performed by the patient (s) twice a day _ once around the sunrise time and later little before the sunset time. Soon after the ahutis, the patient(s) should practice the deep breathing exercise of Pranakarsana pranayama for 15-20 minutes sitting at the same place. While exhaling one should feel as though all the weakness, viruses, bacteria and their harmful effects are being thrown out and are being eradicated by the yagya output. Inhalation (breathing in) should be accompanied with a sincere feeling that the vital spiritual energy and medicinal output generated by yagya is entering the body and being absorbed by its every component and elevating the ojas. Healthy persons may also participate in the same yagya, as sitting near the yagya-fire and breathing in the yagya treated air would benefit everyone.

For faster remedial effects the patients should also drink of the decoction of 5-6 teaspoons full of fine powder of the Ayurvedic medicines used in the preparation of the special havan samagri. The decoction should be prepared fresh in the morning. Some honey may be mixed in it if the patient finds the taste bitter. The patient should drink half of it empty stomach in the morning and remaining half around 4 pm. (Care should be taken to keep the decoction in cool condition so that it remains fresh till that time. Else, fresh decoction should be prepared for the second dose as well). The method of preparation of the decoction has been described in several articles of series on Ayurveda. If necessary readers may send their queries to Shantikunj@awgp.org or write to Manager, Shantikunj, Haridwar: 249411 India.

List of herbe/plant medicines used in the above referred special havan samagri: aswagandha, satavara, vidarikanda, giloya, nimachala, panchanga, syama tulasi, saphead, musali, kali musali, akarakaram mulahathi, bacha, saptaparni, chikrakchhala, sontha, kalimircha, pippali, anvala, haritika, baheda, haldim daruhaldi, punarnava, gorakhmundi, durva, jatamansi, brahmim jalanima, makhana, utangana, kalamegha, kutha, patola patra, indrayana mula, trayamana, kutakim ativala, bhui, talamakhana, kayaphala, kanchabija, bhunjataka, chirayata, khadriachhala, vidanga, motha, manijistha, devadaru, murva, indrajau, padmakha, gugala, tuvaraka bija, sala chhala, mesasrangim goksura, arjuna, palasa, pittapapada, chiraunji, sankhapuspi, rasna, padhata, jivaka, jivanti, chhoti kantakari, badi kantakari, arani, sonapatha, bharangim bilva, kadavi atisa.

All these should be well cleaned and dried before grinding. Equal amount of all these medicines is used except hadavi atisa, the amount of which should be one-fourth of that of the others. Doing yagya regularly at the same time, at the same place as described above would gradually enhance the ojas; on an average, within a month the patient will begin to regain the resistance and strength to counter the diseases. Following adequate disciplines of ahara and vihara, she/he will enjoy healthy and hearty life.

[Maa Sharadamani, the soul mate of Ramakrishna Paramhansa, used to run a separate satsanga (a congregation of women). The majority of women in it was of religious temperament and belonged to reputed families. A prostitute also started coming to the satsanga. This displeased the other women and they started insisting on the Mother (Sharamamani) not to let her join the satsanga. Maa replied with gravity - "Satsanga is the Holy Ganga. Its sanctity is not undermined even when fish and frogs dwell in it. Recognize the purifying potential of Satsanga and consider yourself equivalent to the waters of the Ganga".]

Yagyopathy-Medicinal Applications of Yagya

2012-01-14T23:49:00.001-08:00

Amidst the fascinating achievements of the modern era of science and technology in improving our comfort levels, stress and pollution have posed the major challenge for man. The world is beginning to realize that the comforts provided to us by modern science and technology of not necessarily always make life easier. In fact, apart, form greater stress and tension, more unknown diseases, untold anxiety and fear is caused by the highly polluted environment and ecological imbalance. This has raised alarming call for rethinking and guiding the common life style. Yagya appears to be a boon of the ancient Nepalese sciences for achieving this purpose.

It is to be noted here that the traditional systems of treatment of physical diseases employ medicines which are mostly administered orally. They, therefore, produces effects only after they have been digested and absorbed into the system. Most part of the medicine taken orally is not utilized by the digestive system. Such medicines may also upset digestion seriously. The same is more or less true for medicines directly injected into the blood. They produce results quicker, but their advert side effects are often more pronounced. White corpuscles of the blood, and sometimes the reaction of the system to the sudden, massive and direct intrusion of foreign matter into the blood through injection prove most serious, and even fatal. In a Yagya, medicines and herbs are vaporized by offering them into the sacrificial fire, and they enter the human body in a gaseous form through the nose, lungs and the pores of the skin. This might be proved to be easiest, least taxing, least risky and most effective method of administering a medicine so as to reach every single cell of the body.

The possibilities of curing mental diseases by Yagya are even more alluring. Diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders is still in the infancy in the modern systems of treatment. There are neither well established diagnostic aids, not any recognized system of treatment of diseases like Neurosis, Psychosis, Schizophrenia, Depression, Tension, Melancholia, Mania, Hysteria, etc. On the other hand, psychosomatic diseases are even more rampant than physical diseases and they wreck the man more than the latter.

Manifestations of psychosomatic diseases except in extreme and advanced cases are not so apparent, and that may explain why enough attention has not been paid to them. The stress and strain of modern life, degradation of social behavior and fall in moral values all around are contributing to an alarming increase in psychosomatic diseases. Yagya might offer a solution to this serious problem as well.

The technique of Yagya for the treatment of physical and mental diseases does not comprise mere vaporization of the constituents or herbs to be employed, but various Samidhas are offered into the sacrificial fire of Yagya to create the desired effects. Research on all these aspects of Yagya is being conducted in the laboratory of Brahmvarchas. It might well lead to the development of a scientifically established Yagyopathy, which may find not only an honored but a leading place in other therapies of the world like Allopathy, Homeopathy, Chromopathy, Naturopathy etc. Looking to the high intellectual caliber and attainments of those who are engaged in research, Yagyopathy may come into being sooner than expected, and it may rank an unique achievement of the modern age.

Sun Dispels Darkness with Light

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Meaning: According to the line of Athervaved 11/5/19 - Just as the sun dispels darkness with light and produces excellent materials (by nurturing plants and trees), similarly man should dispel disease, laziness, wretchedness etc and obtain the bliss of salvation.

Message: "Tamaso maa jyotira gamaya" means a prayer to God to kindly lead from darkness to light. The meaningfulness of man's life lies in removing the darkness of ignorance on all sides and to spread the divine light of knowledge. Its main basis is Brahmacharya. With it the 'sattoguni rutumbhara' (i.e. saatvik pure intelligence) develops which gives us the capacity to differentiate between the philosophy or the essence and the chaff, truth and untruth, beneficent and harmful and also the ability to take the proper decision. In its divine light it becomes easy to decide about what should be done and what should not be done. With the daily routine attuned to Nature through discipline, simplicity and labor, strength and semen increases, the body remains active and attains longevity. The sentiments of self-denial, helping others, service, renunciation, pity, sympathy, friendship, compassion, humility, religiousness, faith, devotion to God etc are awakened in those observing "Brahmacharya", which increases physical energy, mental brightness and spiritual strength and they can even trounce death.

A man trapped in the mire luxury and gratification of senses cannot even imagine the divine happiness of a disciplined "Brahmachari" . Such a person can never know the joy which lies in 'phakiri (monkhood) instead of 'amiri' (wealthiness). The best endeavor for the control of the sexual desire is in married life. Ram Krishna, Shankar, Parvati, Sita all were married and are the best symbols of the best ideals of celibacy as a part of Brahmacharya. From their lives we get the inspiration for the incomparable daily routine with discipline and simplicity while simultaneously carrying out family responsibilities. It was the miracle of the power of 'Brahmacharya' that Ram accepted with equanimity his coronation as well as banishment into the jungle. There was neither the joy of reigning over a kingdom, nor any sorrow for banishment. The entire life of Lord Shri Krishna was nothing but observance of Brahmacharya whether it was the company of the cowherds or the divine dance with his supreme devotees the gopis (women-cowherds), whether the political tactics or the battlefield, we always find his supreme self-restraint or discipline. Is such a control of the mind, speech and deeds possible without Brahmacharya, which is the greatest power in the world?

Observance of Brahmacharya in conduct is necessary to learn about the mystery or secrets of the world. Indulgence of the senses gives birth to diseases and the mind cannot concentrate on God. The observance of Brahmacharya arouses the desire for knowledge and leads to spiritual development.

Not only does man's will-power increase with Brahmacharya, but also his daring, forbearance, fearlessness, and freedom from disease. He becomes peaceful, engrossed and responsible. Laziness, negligence and wretchedness do not dare to come near him. He is always diligent and achieves self as well as society's benefit. With this only the human life becomes meaningful.

The Ideal of Proper Diet to all

2012-01-01T22:15:00.002-08:00

Meaning: The line of Yajurved 12/76 has given the information about our diet as follows - body is the principal means for 'dharma, artha, kama and moksha'. Therefore, good health must be maintained by proper diet, disciplined daily routine and benevolent conduct. Only a disease-free body is the source of all happiness.

Message: The joy of heavenly bliss and salvation is possible in this life itself. But it so happens that we do not properly understands our life's objective and makes all attempts in the wrong direction for attaining it. We can achieve the above four goals of life i.e. 'dharma, artha, kama and moksha' only by a healthy body. We can remain alive by maintaining physical health. Unhealthy, ill and weak persons are already like half-dead. This is because they suffer not only the bodily ailments, but the simultaneous incapacity and the pain of failure also breaks them mentally, thus neglect of health is very costly for everyone.

Good health does not depend on medicines. It cannot also be bought by money. It is also foolish to think of protecting health by imbibing costly materials. Good health depends only on diet, proper routine, exercise and restraint or discipline. The royal road to maintaining proper health and increasing it is to live life in harmony with nature regarding food-habits, daily routine, and lead a natural life. People fall ill with unnatural, artificial, pompous and luxurious life style and die at an early age. All the living beings, insects, birds, animals etc follow the rules of nature; as a result they never fall ill. If by some accident or fights among themselves, they do fall ill, they automatically come back to normal by the grace of Mother Nature. Those animals and birds that have come under the control of man, they only require veterinary dispensaries.

Only man is a very foolish animal who himself invites illness because of wrong conduct, indiscipline and irregularity. This disregard for food and routine is a result of carelessness, laziness, negligence etc. Nature has made man as the most beautiful, healthy, shapely and long-lived animal complete with physical, mental and spiritual powers. The best and easy way for excellent health is that as far as possible only natural (uncooked) food should be taken. The essential elements of the food will be alive within the food to the extent that it does not come into contact with fire (or heat) and that way these elements will provide strength to the body. Ripe seasonal fruits, raw vegetables, sprouted grains and boiled or steam-cooked food is excellent from every point of view, is 'saatvik' and nutritious'

If the body is healthy, the mind also is healthy; it gets pure and pleasant thoughts and is filled with pleasant and good imagination. The mind gets engaged in work, there is no laziness or uneasy feeling and the heart is cheerful and light like a flower.

The Ideal of proper diet, proper routine and proper conduct must always be the guiding principal of our lives.

The Self Alone Exists

2012-01-01T22:15:00.000-08:00

The concept of an adept teacher lies at the heart of Upanishadic dialogue in which the guru clarifies the doubts of his pupils and inspires them to think deeply on matters of consciousness. Since experience is the only true touchstone, the ancients focused first on the evolved state of a guru, who could awaken others to a higher consciousness. This focus characterizes the Ashtavakra Samhita, the discourse-dialogue centered on Self-realization, between the young sages. Ashtavakra and the elderly king of Mithila, Janaka, who discussed knowledge as being ever conscious of the eternality of one-self, and understanding it as inextricably linked to the question of what constitutes bondage and liberation.

"Non-attachment for sense-objects is liberation love for sense-objects is bondage..." Ashtavakra describes the nature of knowledge thus, going directly to the central focus that the self alone exists and all else, within the mind-senses matrix, is false and unreal. He draws his disciple's attention to his own restlessness, despite being satisfied king. Ashtavakra talks of the eternal yearning of the mind for its true nature, beyond all objects, beyond all desires. The seeker has only got preoccupied in this world till now to quench this restlessness, not fully comprehending what he seeks. The seeker remains unfulfilled as a result of this material pre-occupation because one can actually only feel satiated in the realization of one's true nature.

Ashtavakra continues with his exposition of the illusory nature of the world by exhorting Janaka to renounce desire in all forms, be it the desire for enjoyment and learning or even of pious deeds, for "bondage consists only of desire and the destruction of desire is liberation..." Heasks him to wake up to the transitory nature of all things, to cultivate dispassion by seeing loss and suffering all around, to understand that the root of this cycle of suffering is attachment born of desire. The Ashtavakra Samhita so completely focuses on the nature of Atmanubhuti, defined within the contours of the bondage-liberation paradigm.

Ashtavakra goes on to annihilate the false sense of identification of the self with the mind, saying that "it is bondage when the mind desires or grieves at anything, rejects or accepts anything, feels happy or angry at anything. " He sums up a free and fearless soul as one who has renounced desire, for "the renunciation desire alone is the renunciation of the world"

Ashtavakra then attempts to describe the state of bliss of the self in which all notions of plurality fall away, in which even intellectual or aesthetic or ethical pursuits seem secondary, where "there is no heaven or hell or liberation .... Nothing but the self in this expanded cosmic consciousness". The fire of knowledge ignited by the guru burns away the desires of the disciple, and the last two chapters allude to the experiential realization of the disciple himself.

Janaka concludes the Samhita by describing his own state to his guru Ashtavakra; where are the elements, where is the body, where is the mind, where is the knower; the means the object of knowledge where is anything, where is the world, where is the aspirant......, "The self alone exists."

You are Designed to Bounce Back

2012-01-01T22:14:00.001-08:00

There is a lot in life that we are not meant to take seriously - your nasty boss, for instance, or an unkind colleague who put you down. Why remember those who never valued us in the first place? Why recall repeatedly, all those occasions when we were slighted or overlooked?

we were never meant to take these things to heart. And yet we keep running into folks who are discouraged by the slightest thing. There is something inbuilt into life itself that could help us overcome trials and difficulties - a kind of survival mechanism that supports us, teaching us to keep boosting ourselves and our self esteem, particularly when faced with flake.

People are often judging us from a perspective that is narrow. So what if the first draft did not make the mark? What if I failed in a task, or if I did not measure up to the expectations of my colleagues? What if I was not as successful as others would like me to be?

The calm, measured life that I have chosen to lead - no matter if it appears drab and dull to some - may have been rich in content in ways that is not comprehensible to them. May be my ambitions did not drive me to always be on the top. Perhaps I was like a neutral figure in an organization that made heroes of straw men. Perhaps, too, I am remembered for other, more enduring qualities like kindness and compassion?

As I look back, I wonder if it was that rebuff that made me work harder and with greater concentration. It was the downgrade I received that made me assess myself more realistically and helped me build on my real individual strengths and resources. It was the unkindness of others or the cutting remarks made, that made me value myself even more.

Life has so many facets and we do our best to simplify our responses and to unravel its complexities. The process is sometimes long and we are prone to discouragement on the way. But as we travel and journey along, we become more hopeful.

The discouraged person will always find a sympathetic ear, timely advice, and reaffirmation from significant others and unconditional acceptance by those who by their very existence encourage people along the way. So, when we are tired and have reached the end of our tether, we get a helping hand and are uplifted on the way.

Life calls all of us to be encouragers. We can do this well only when we ourselves have been through the pain of rejection and yet survive to emerge accomplished in other ways. We are after all co-travelers on the voyage of life.

Just think: What would have happened if life did not survive the thousands of trails and errors that have gone into the making of it? To succeed like Edison after the 1,000th trail in making the electric bulb is akin to all the other experiences of life - repeated failure, perseverance and success.

As it is so well said, we might only be a hit away from striking gold, so we need to keep at it, no matter how discouraged we are and feel.

Intellect and Intelligence

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we spend a lot of time acquiring intelligence at the expense of developing intellect.

Intelligence is built by gaining information, knowledge from external agencies, from schools and universities, teachers and textbooks. The intellect is developed through your individual effort by exercising the faculty of questioning, thinking and reasoning. Not accepting anything that does not admit logic or reason. Know the difference between the two. And that any amount of intelligence gained cannot per se build your intellect.

The intelligence acquired from external agencies is much like data fed into a computer Consider, a computer charged with a complete knowledge of fire extinguishers, firefighting and fire escapes. All the knowledge stored in its memory cannot help the computer act on its own. If the room catches fire, it will go up in flames. The knowledge you acquire is of no use to you without an intellect.

You need a powerful intellect to put the knowledge, intelligence gained, to practical use in life. That explains why among millions of doctors graduating from medical schools only a few have discovered life-saving procedures, cures and remedies. So too, among millions of engineers only few design something unusual like the Panama Canal or Eurotunnel. It is their intellect that renders their performance outstanding. Besides hindering success and progress, intelligence without intellect could destroy peace and happiness in the world.

No realizing the importance of the intellect in life, people make no attempt to develop their own. Instead, they merely indulge in acquiring intelligence through surface reading of others’ periodicals and publications. Few go into the depth of any literature. Education has lost its meaning and purpose. For generation human beings have turned into intelligent robots and are traversing through life without awareness, much less enquiring into the meaning and purpose of life. Herbert Spencer, a profound thinker and writer, was a rare luminary. Someone asked him if he was a voracious reader. He said: “No sir, if I were as big a reader as others, I would have been as big an ignoramus as they.”

The World today is in a state of chaos due to the perversion in human development – all intelligence and no intellect. That explains why even highly educated business persons, professionals, and scholars become alcoholic, are short-tempered and succumb to worry and anxiety. It is the mind that craves alcohol. It is the mind that loses its temper. Again, it is the mind that constantly harbors worry of the past and anxiety for the future. When the intellect remains undeveloped and weak, it is unable to control the vagaries of the mind. Those having developed a powerful intellect, with or without academic distinction, can hold the mind under perfect control and direct action to spell success and peace in life.

The educational systems the world over must be held responsible for the debacle of the intellect. It is their primary responsibility to strike an equable balance between acquiring intelligence and developing the intellect. Only by maintaining this essential equation can governments be run, business conducted, professions practiced and families live in peace and prosperity.

Gayatri is the Sources of Occult Power

2011-12-31T21:55:00.000-08:00

A devotee who attains the harmonized and transformed currents of Sat, Raj and Tam of Adya Shakti Gayatri can easily get spiritual, mental and worldly happiness. The powers of Saraswati, Lakshmi and Kali are different (1) Yogis, spirituals seekers, philosophers, devotees, philanthropists and those who have realized the self adore the 'hreem' aspect of the Divine Mother Saraswati; (2) Intellectuals, religious preachers, social reformers, businessman, laborers, industrialists, socialists, communists etc. are all engaged in search of 'Shreem' power of Lakshmi; (3) Physical scientists are engaged in the investigation and worship of 'Kleem' of Kali . All these three categories of seekers are worshippers of one single emanation of Adya Shakti Gayatri. This triveni fulfils all the three aspirations, namely; spiritual mental and physical. Mother does all the work of her child. She discharges the functions of a sweeper, cook, servant, tailor, washer-women, and watch-women as and when necessary. Those who are able to establish spiritual communion with Adya Shakti receive celestial boons from the Omnipotent Divine Mother and are her ideal children.

The root cause of all human suffering in the world is ignorance, infirmity and lack. These three kinds of suffering can be removed by invoking the triple currents of the occult powers of Gayatri. Hreem removes ignorance, Shreem removes lack and Kleem removes infirmity. This super science of acquiring the most coveted bliss which was discovered by the Nepalese mystics and Yogis, is their greatest gift to humanity. This discovery is known as Sadhana. Sadhana leads to Siddis (Devine Powers). Gayatri dadhana is the fount of miraculous divine powers.

Mental Balance

2011-12-31T21:54:00.001-08:00

Brain is the centre of man's power. Its strength is limitless. If it is possible to make the proper use of this strength, then the man goes on progressing and progressing along the desired path. The waves produced in the mind are so powerful that one can achieve plenty of material prosperity with their help.

As much as the brain is powerful, so also it is extremely delicate. To protect it and maintain its activity, it is very essential to save it from unrequited heat. If we wish to take proper work from it, it is essential to create balanced conditions for it. The brain is subjected to severe heat from the sun, as well as by over hot water and chemicals, but it is also subjected to heat produced by excitement, and the damage to unorganized mind is in direct proportion to the extent of such excitement.

When excitement increases, man lapses into semi-madness and his imagination, decisions and activity all appear strange. If the actions and activities of a person ridden by anger are carefully observed, one can conclude that very little is now remaining for him to become mad. If the mind possessed by boiling anger is not cooled in time, then a situation can occur in which a person may commit murder, suicide and other cruel acts.

A face full of anger looks like demon's face and signs of excitement become clearly visible on the eyes, lips, nose etc. The person uses abusive language, the body-temperature rises because of increased blood-circulation, the hands and legs start trembling and the hair stands on end.

Blood pressure is of two types, high and low blood pressure and hence a change in blood-pressure may affect either. In the condition of high blood pressure, there is a feeling of increased discomfort and suffocation. The symptoms of low blood pressure are different, but there is discomfort all the same due to other types of effects on the body.

Increased blood-pressure can be linked to anger and low blood-pressure to sad feelings. Feelings and actions full of malice, contempt, aggression, destruction and cruelty come within the ambit of anger whereas feeling and actions of despair, worry, sorrow, fear and shyness come within th sphere of sadness. They can be considered similar to high and low tide, capable of creating instability and disorganization. Everyone knows how difficult it is to swim in a sea full of high waves.

The mental condition of sorrowing, fearful and despairing individual ruins even a strong health in no time. The face looks devoid of life. The voice becomes weak. It appears as if the body is half-dead. One does not feel like doing any work, appetite and thirst vanish and one finds it very difficult to get sleep.

Almost the same situation occurs in anger. The difference is only this much, that when the feeling of sadness dominates the conditions is like the freezing and melting of ice whereas in the state of anger, it is like scorching and burning. As it is, in either situation, the ordinary situation gets destroyed and not only the mind or the brain but also the body becomes incapable of day-to-day routine.

On observing the effects of excitement, it is found that excitement produces a severe shock on the capacity for routine work. The eyes, ears, nose and tongue are able to work half-heartedly, that too with great effort. There is no taste in the mouth. The ears hear imaginary sounds. Very little is remembered of the events that have happened be fore the eyes. The body temperature raises hair stand on end, breathing becomes faster and heart beats and blood circulation become faster. These symptoms collectively destroy to a large extent the life-force. It may be all right if such a thing occurs once in a while but if this disorganized situation, like a bad habit, becomes a part of one's mental make-up, then it is useless to expect stability or happy possibilities in an individual.

Mental instability is said to be caused by circumstances and a person offers excuses like, "It is not my fault. The circumstances were such that I became the victim of excitement or sadness." On the face of it, this logic appears both straight and true, but this is not reality. Different people react differently under the same situation. While one person becomes berserk with a slightly unfavorable situation, another person is able to remain calm and stable in a similar or even more unfavorable situation. This second type of person considers it as the routine ups and downs in life and is not at all perturbed or afraid. He reacts by trying to find solutions for the unfavorable conditions and feels that it is foolish to become perturbed just because the situation has gone against expectations.

Normally one does not come across mental disease. Hence the harm caused by mental illness is not visible to the naked eye, but one gradually comes to understand it. Normally a mental patient shows arrogant and supercilious behavior. One cannot make out that, trapped in some perversity; he is losing his basic capacity and getting sucked into the quicksand of more perversities.

There is damage to the society because of mental diseases, which is much more than the loss caused by physical illnesses. Many persons have made significant achievement in various fields despite physical illnesses, but it has never happened that a mentally ill patient has had any achievement to his credit.

The number of totally mad persons is increasing so fast that it appears that all the other illnesses are lagging behind in the race. The society can be saved from the havoc of he mad people only when more space is allotted to the building of mental asylums compared to the space allotted for jails. Half-mind, whimsical, unbalanced, disorganized and shallow people have increased to such an extent in the society that mentally healthy people in th society are now in a minority. More people suffering from mental vicariousness can be seen these days compared to those suffering from physical illnesses. This class of people is an obstacle in the organization and progress of an already fragmented society.

Continue in "Mental Balance 1"

Hamsa yoga (The elixir of Self Realization)

2011-12-31T21:53:00.001-08:00

Among the twenty-four incarnations (avatars) of God Vishnu - as described in the puranas, one is the Hamsavatara. The Hamsa yoga may also be regarded as the upasana of this manifestation of the Almighty. Success of this yoga elevates the sadhaka up to the states of 'Raja Hamsa', and 'Prama Hamsa', which represent the highest realm of spiritual illumination and sainthood.

As mentioned in the earlier article, the hamsa (swan) is regarded as a symbol of sanctity, fairness and discreetness. It is described in the sastras that if a Hamsa is given a mixture of milk and water, it would suck only milk and leave back the water content. That means, it has a natural tendency to recognize and select the noblest, the supreme. When a sadhaka develops a prudent acumen to adopt the righteous tendency in all aspects of life, he is said to have reached the level of a 'hamsa'.

The bird hamsa (swan) is spotless white. The rhetoric representations associated with its name imply that the lives of the sadhakas who attain the title of (that is, who reach the state of) 'hamsa' should also become absolutely clean and sacred in all dimensions of life…. The personality of such a sadhaka fits well in the simple given by saint Kabira; which implies - "A saintly jiva wears the 'sheet' of life with scrupulous care and leaves it as it is (that is, naturally pure) in the end……

It is said in the Sastras about the Rajahamsa (king swan) that it lives in the Manasarovara and selects only real beads from the waters of this holy pond and leaves out the sea-animals and insects. This description symbolizes the character of the Sadhakas who are spiritually enlightened up to the 'Rajahamsa' level. As such, in the world around, we might sometimes find the bird swan eating the insects and rubbish; but we should note that the descriptions in the sastras are rhetoric, so these should be interpreted in the right perspective. The above qualities in fact imply that - an ideal 'hamsa' would prefer to die but he would not eat anything except the pure beads. Similarly, a spiritually refined person, who has reached the status of rajahamsa would always choose the righteous path of absolute truth and stand by the noble ideals of morality even if he has to face challenging difficulties and adversities in his life…..

The 'sound' of soaham is said to have originated from the combination of prakriti (the eternal power of creation) and Purusa (the Supreme Creator). The puranas describe that the inspiration - to become many from the lonely state of being just one, generated within the Brahm, gave rise to the existence of the prakriti and purusa. The prakriti was jada and the purusa was cetan. Combination of the two resulted in the creation of the universe, the Nature and the manifestation of life…. The commingling of the prakriti and purusa resulted in the expression of Sabda Brahm. The nada produced by this cosmic impulse was reflected in the Nada Brahm as the eternal sublime vibration of Omkara.

When the unity of the prakriti and purusa generated the sentient cetan components - the jivas, then its jada component (the prakriti) disappeared. Only the 'Sah' - the Para Brahm, the purusa, the eternal source of cetan, and the 'Ham' - the jiva, an expression of the Para brahm in thy creation, remained there after… The 'sah' and the 'aham' are recognized separately under the dvaita philosophy. The advaita theory defines their conjugation as eternal because, according to this philosophy, the jiva is nothing but a reflection of the multiple manifestations of the Para Brahm. This absolute unity is represented in 'soaham' (sah + aham). Thus, the soaham has originated and eternally exists along with the omnipresent nada of Omkara.

God is Everywhere

2011-12-31T21:52:00.003-08:00

According to the Yajurveda 32/8 "The learned people come to know through their knowledge, thinking, contemplation and experience that God is present in every matter. HE astounds everyone. The entire creation has manifested through HIM. All living beings are produced by HIM and go into oblivion (merge into HIM)"

Message: This world has both believers in God and non-believers in God. Those who do not believe in God, they also believe that there is some "power" which runs this entire creation and millions of universes with a definite rhythm. Whether tested on the basis of intelligence and logic or whether you believe on the basis of faith and trust, there cannot be any doubt in the presence everywhere of God. HE is not actually seen, but we can experience Him in every situation. The only condition for that is that we do not make an effort to prove this wrong by rigidly or dogmatically trapping ourselves in a particular line of thought i.e. by keeping an open mind. God Supreme is present in the entire universe. This entire universe is His form 'Purusha eveda ngum sarvam'

Man's strength of soul increases by accepting in this manner the presence of God everywhere. By constantly remaining in the presence of a powerful, capable friend and helper, one's own talent, capability and manliness or valor is awakened and mind's activity for good deeds increases. Man himself is saved due to protection by the divine light of God's authority. He is constantly aware that he is not away from God's sight and he will certainly get the result of his good or bad deeds. In this manner when man gets engaged in good deeds, he saves himself from bad or wicked deeds as well as progresses on the road to becoming a devata (deity) i.e. on the road to achieving divinity.

Everything in this world has the support of something else. If this support is small and brittle, then the condition of that thing will be wobbly. If this support is strong then that thing will be long-lasting and stable. One, who makes the Omnipresent God as his support, is always free from worries. The storms of the universe around him, of attachment, greed, arrogance etc will not be capable of shaking him. He always gets the vision of God in his heart. Our soul is an infinitesimal part of that Supreme Father. The stream of the vital force of life in the body is due to Him only. The never-diminishing treasure of power is within us only, but we are not able to know this fact because of ignorance and always go on crying about our own badluck. When we think by the knowledge, experience and discretion which are all within us, then we are able to experience God's boundless powers within us. This power increases the strength of the soul and the road to the conquest of troubles in our life becomes easy. The protecting hand of the kind Father is always on our head and protects us.

Only the shelter of the all powerful God is capable of liberating us from the world's troublenece.

First step to Soaham Sadhana

2011-12-31T21:52:00.001-08:00

The soaham sadhana provides as answer to the natural quest of the jiva - "what am I?", as - "I am Para Brahm. I am thee, I exist in everything…." The in-depth understanding and insightful analysis of this fact by the risis had given rise to the philosophies of 'Brahm Darsana', etc and hence to the gamut of the ancient scriptures of Nepalese Philosophy and Culture.

Without self- recognition, a human being does not really understand the origin and purpose of his life, its dignity and duties. Like a child gets attracted towards every toy and every new scene and remains engrossed in unnecessary activities, a grow-up person also, throughout his life, remains involved in the aspirations and actions which are triggered by the agile mind and the passions of the other sense organs. Life of a human largely remains confined to his body, physical comforts and the affections of people associated (as relatives and friends) with it. His thoughts and emotions also emanate from and move around within the domains of - these limited aspects of life and the knowledge of the world within the peripheries of his gross perceptions and illusive imaginations in general.

If one pays little attention to what happens to a dead body one would definitely feel that there is some thing else - the prana without which, the body cannot survive even for a tiny part of a second. The biodegradation of the body begins soon after death. The same 'body' which was so dear to the people around when it was recognized as 'so and so person', becomes 'untouchable' moments after death. Unless processed chemically, buried or cremated, this body starts stinking and deteriorates fact. If left open, it would be eaten away in a short while by the germs within it or by the vultures, jackals, kites etc from the outside….

What is that which exists as the prana, the source of consciousness, which keeps the body alive and gives it the identity of a person? Few of us really pay serious attention to this question. Most of the time we remain occupied in the activities associated with the worldly pleasures, cravings and worries and the fulfillment of the emotional, mental and sensual desires generated by materialistic attachments and ego. Those inclined towards religion and spirituality although know that they are souls and not just the physical body…., their knowledge often remains a bookish one or as an abstract concept or theory unless it is co tempted thoroughly, inscribed in the deeper domains of faith and realized in practice….

The religious and spiritual scriptures always preach that - "know your-self", Do what is your real duty towards the soul" ……. etc. Without adept understanding of the answers and their implementation in conduct, one can not recognize the path of his own welfare and the true goal of his life. For a practical implementation of the teachings of the sastras, one has to bear in mind and thoroughly comprehend that the soul and the body are two different entities of a living being. The relation between the two is that of - a rider and a vehicle, or a craftsman and his tools. The body is only a medium for the expression and activities of the soul.

The requirements of the body and the soul are quite different. The body needs comforts, luxuries…, and respectful attention of others. Its pleasures tend towards the self-obsessive activities. But the soul is neither affected by any material or worldly possessions and com forts, nor by scarcity and hardship…. It is the body and the mind attached with the desires and passions that experience the pleasures or pains.

First step to Soaham Sadhana 1

2011-12-31T21:51:00.001-08:00

The feelings of content of the sense organs and the mind are momentary. Once the desired things or pleasures are attained, the charm of the same disappears soon; the enthusiasm ceases and the thirst for novel taste, newer achievements…, begin to grow-up….; and so on….; the vicious cycle continues throughout the life…., and eventually the life ends in a 'yet to be satisfies state'

Most people do not realize that human life is the best creation of the God and it is bestowed on a jiva with very specific purpose. Even those who are attracted towards evolution of the inner self often do it at a superficial level. Some people think reading or listening to the religious scriptures and performing some rituals of worshiping is sufficient for spiritual elevation. They should note that such actions are only symbolic and supportive and do not lead to the 'visualization' of the existence of the soul as different from the body and the mind.

The process of spiritual awakening and inner contentment of the soul begins only when the piety, generous attitude, compassion and altruist activities of social welfare become natural part of one's thinking and routine cores. The door of the ecstatic beatitude of our soul opens only when our life, rather than being confined to the material attainments, comforts and sentient pleasures…., enjoys - helping others, sharing love and compassion with everybody around, and working for a noble cause of enlightening the society by the righteous knowledge and excelled expansion of moral ideals.

The science of spirituality and the yoga sadhanas cannot be understood or employed just by some physical actions or oral recitations. The incorporation of the associated principles in one's deeds and corresponding changes in one's intrinsic tendencies, emotions and thoughts is essential. Without the latter, the so-called spiritual and religious activities will be nothing more than engrossment of the mind and the body in a novel 'play' or activity….

The natural interests of the soul are rooted in compassion, generosity and altruist deeds of selfless service for the betterment of all. These cannot be fulfilled without sacrificing the selfish interests of the body. One has to learn limited and restrain the needs and desires of the body before proceeding towards the evolution of his true "self". One could attempt it in gradual steps so that the body could easily adopt the new life style. The training of the mind to face the 'hardships' of austerity and asceticism is the most difficult task. This could be achieved only if one has sincere faith, aspirations and strong will to become a better human, an ideal child of divinity… One's convictions and samskaras conditioning of mind or, suppressing and diverting it from self-restrain and altruist way of life.

Dedicated meditation on the separate existence of the soul and the mind, the prana and the body helps refining the samskaras and righteous conditioning of the mind and body for accepting the guidance of the soul. The soaham sadhana is supposed to be the best for this purpose. It can easily be performed with other kinds of upasanas and sadhanas and essential activities of the normal routine. This special pranayama can be practiced at any free time (of about 20 to 30 minutes at a stretch) during the day. However, it is most fruitful if performed at a neat and quite place, at regular intervals of time every day, in a relaxed and fresh state of the body and the mind. The larger the duration of this practice with through mental concentration, the faster will be its effect.

The gross body, pranik or the subtle body and the soul, each is given due importance in this sadhana. As stated earlier, this sadhana is beneficial for the body, mind and the soul because the oxygen, prana and the mahaprana acquired with each breath in this practice is an ideal food for the gross, subtle and causal bodies respectively. The combination of these sources induces energy and courage, enlightens the intellect with the understanding of the ideals of human life and inspires the inner self with the nectar of sraddha and the spiritual charge of absolute truth.