YOGA=You
Obtain Greatest Accolades
===============================
WITH THE BLESSINGS OF
LORD SUBRAMANYA AND
INVALUABLE GRACE OF
SHRI.AVANI MAHASWAMIGAL
BY SHANMUKHAPRIYA.
1. Introduction.
2. What is yoga?
3. Shree Bhagavad
Geetha.
4. Shri.Vishnu Sahasra
Nama
5. Personality-General.
6. Personality.Real.
7. Profession-Material
Things-Tension.
8. Shri.lord Subramaniya.
9. Peace and
Happiness.-Contentment.
10. Not a Party or
political programme.
11. Shree Ramakrishna
and Shri.Vivekananda.
12. Shree Shankaracharya
Bhaghavatpadal.
13. Some Spiritual
personalities.
13. Trinities.
14. The Two Giants. Sage
Vasishta and Sage Viswamitra.
15. Lord Shiva and
Mother Parvathi.
16. Lord Hanuman.
16A.The Panchapandavas.
17. Lord Krishna.
17A.Bahubali.
18. Shri.Ramana
Maharishi.
18A.Conclusion
==================
architect
CHAPTRT-1
==========
INTRODUCTION.
==============
June 21st sat
2015 is a RED-LETTER-DAY in the annals of History of India. On that Day the
United Nations
Organization announced that, 'THAT DAY SHOULD BE CELEBRATED AS ‘‘INTERNATIONAL YOGA DAY.” In fact, it
is a MEMORABLE DAY IN THE HISTORY OF OUR COUNTRY.'
It is from
here that several things emanated. To illustrate, the
Great Mathematician Shri.Ramanujam
Worked with Mr. Hardy to
bring out a mathematical formula. It is here that Shri.Bhaskaracharya and
Leelavathy made immense contribution in the mathematical field and the '0' concept to the world. Who can
forget Dr.Sir.M.Vishveswariah, the ARCHITECT OF MODERN KARNATAKA'. He gave the slogan 'INDUSTRIALISE OR PERISH, Dr
C.V Raman, who gave the 'THEORY OF LIGHT' AND 'THE RAMAN EFFECT’, is another
proud CITIZEN OF THIS COUNTRY. The Great Spiritual Leader, Swami Vivekananda, gave the
spiritual message of 'UNIVERSAL BROTHERHOOD
‘to the world, during the 'WORLD RELIGIOUS CONFERENCE' at CHICAGO, addressing
them as 'BROTHERS AND SISTERS.' Belongs to this country. Shri.Rabindranath Tagore, who hails from Bengal, gave
Shanthinikethan and the National Anthem, 'JANA
GANA MANA'. Is a Great son of the country?
hence, the call, 'look
to the light for east.' the enquiry into the emergence of nature, man and almighty emerged
out of the deep efforts, contemplation and Meditation
of our forefathers, who gave this country the everlasting gift of
'SPIRITUALITY'. Normally, the legacy left by
the father will go to his children. It is up to them and saves and add some more to leave it to the future generation.
When the British left the country, they left some good Roads, Beautiful
Buildings and the Enchanting English Language for
which we must be grateful to them. Likewise, M/s. Tatas, Birlas, Ambanis, Kotharis, not only gave industries
to the world, really an immense contribution
Finally, who can forget,
Shree Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation, who gave us Freedom through a new struggle
unknown in this world,’ TRUTH AND NONVIOLENCE.' He
tamed the wild British Lion through the stick called 'NON-VIOLENCE.' Struggling
in South Africa against all odds undergoing untold
sufferings, humiliations, coming back to
India, he formed 'THE INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS, collected people, performed the
mass movement of 'INDIAN FREEDOM'. Today’s citizens
must express their gratitude to him for this invaluable
gift and decide to save and protect this invaluable inheritance. Likewise, 'yoga
is an instrument, a method to take the inner personality to its zenith, surpassing the land, individual and the
world at large.'
Hence, here, attempt has
been made to glorify this precious gift to offer it to our present fraternity to come up in
highest colors in life.
YOGA IS A SAGA, A MEGA MARATHON EFFORT TO SING
THE RAGA OF VIRAGA
[SACRIFICE]
TO MAKE LIFE SARAGA. [SMOOTH]
CHAPTER-2.
==========
WHAT IS YOGA ?
==============
In Sanskrit, 'YUJ' is to
unite. Another word used is 'YOGAKSHEMA.' Yoga is to earn. Kshema is to save, what is
earned. Every person wants to live happily.
Hence, he has to invest some time for learning or pursuing a course in
medicine. After earning the degree, he has to specialize in a particular field, ENT, psychiatry, Heart etc. Then the
service starts. He gets married and will have
children. He has the responsibility of taking care of them. Hence, he has to devote some time for his family. With
the service, he has to render his profession
treating his patients as the creation of God and not as money-spinners. The good service rendered is 'YOGA' and the
name and fame earned is ‘KSHEMA.’to quote a Banking word, 'EARN AND SAVE.
‘Today, it is the age of mechanical life. So, it is but natural, that one feels
that, he has to shell money abnormally for a medical seat. Then, what is wrong
in charging enormously and getting reimbursement. But, talent is the gift given by God. Heart is the other
gift. Love and Affection is the third gift. If
money were to be the basic object of service, then, it won't fetch you people, love and respect. I had seen a Doctor who was
money-oriented, earned a lot and had all the
facilities, but, had to go without any kith and kin’s and lost his life out of
frustration. Another Doctor was known for his
humane treatment and his compassionate words and
lovely speaking earned the goodwill of the patients 50 percent and confidence
earned back to recover early. Hence, Doctor-patient contact resulted in cordial
friendship and relationship, resulting in a
bee-line of patients in the hospital. He used to say, 'i can give you medicine
and god must give you confidence, pray him.'
When a patient is
admitted to a hospital in a critical condition, he will be placed in an ICU ward, where nobody will be
there, except the patient and the lord. Hence,
Lord says 'I see you, viz .I will
take care of you.
From the above
illustration, it is clear that, we are the products of God, Talent, effort and opportunity is the
products of our labour to a certain extent. But, goodwill service, Heart, Love,
Affection. Good will is the gifts of God. We cannot give any monetary value for
the same. In between the two stations of birth and death, man must proceed with
the luggage of love and affection in the journey
goodwill, service, humanity, which will enable
the person to mingle with god and that, is yoga.
CHAPTER-3
==========
SHREEMAD BHAGAVAD GEETHA
=============================
We have seen students
who pursue their degree referring to the books of famous authors. Others will refer teacher's notes
or guides due to paucity of time, the main purpose being to prepare for the
examination. In the examination called LIFE', if every individual has to pass,
he has to learn the process of creation, protection and absorption of the world
and the activities of the lord. This search of the sages after years of
penance came out in the form of Vedas, Upanishads, Ithihasas, and puranas. The
great epic of Ramayana where the lord showed the way of life sticking to
dharma. In Mahabharata lord Krishna showed the world as a guide and
philosopher, establish dharma and annihilate adharma.
He gave the entire gist of righteousness in eighteen chapters to make shri.Arjuna a hero, a masculine figure, a man of
righteousness to wage the war of duty. We have got three yogas, called, Gyana yoga, karma yoga and
bhakthi yoga. The yoga of knowledge, yoga of
action and the yoga of devotion. The entire crux of gyana yoga is that, 'the
lord is the master and we are part and parcel
of his creation. We are only his representatives. In Karma yoga every man is bound by actions. He has to undergo
happiness or suffering according to his past
karma. Old-prarabdha-past action. Present fruit. If he performs good deeds [present]-sanchita, his life will be pleasant,
otherwise it is suffering. If you’re
Action for the future [Agama] The result will be similar. Hence, 'don't surrender your action but fruit of your action.'
leave the results to the lord. 'Bhakthi
yoga 'who will not get mesmerized by 'love.' one can win the entire world by love.' 'Live diverted towards god is devotion.''
'Keeping the lord in your heart and
seeing him every, where and in everything is supreme love.' lord Anjaneya is the embodiment of these three yogas.
'In his heart, in his physical activities, in his
thoughts, he was always thinking of lord rama.
Hence, he was offered the duty of searching and seeing mother seetha. The
bliss of lord Rama helped him to overcome all the hurdles and cross the ocean. After reaching
lanka, he could not find where mother seetha? After contemplating on lord Rama,
he had a vision of her where about offered the wedding ring to the holy mother
and gave chudamani to lord Rama. He acted as a
'conduit pipe' to unite the lord and the holy mother hence, he was called as 'his brother by lord Rama and got the
gift of his strong embrace.
He is always at the
lotus feed of lord Rama and will be there where his story is lectured. Jocularly,
it is said, that, when ramayana kalakshepam is conducted anywhere, He will be listening and having
rest. We can also the audience sleepy during the lecture.
CHAPTER- 4.
==========
SHREE VISHNU SAHASRANAMA
============================
Sahasra= one thousand. Nama=names.
Shri.Vishnu has one thousand names. His
Bed, lord adishesha has got one thousand tongues. In
purushasuktha, the elegy of the supreme lord,
he has got thousand faces, heads, eyes and feet. Hence, he is called vishva
vyapi [lord surrounding the entire world]. He chooses the grand sir
bhishma pithamaha to do the task. When the queen draupadi laughed at the idea,
as to how can one teach about righteousness, when one was a witness to the
humiliation inflicted on the noble lady the answer
was, as he had taken the food offered by duryodhana, he had to repay the debt. After the war was over, there was no
obligation on his part as a senior leader he
was entitled to teach about administration and righteousness, and the greatness
of the Lord. In Vishnu Sahasranama the
first sloka starts with 'YOGEESHWARA.' Lord Vishnu is sleeping in the milky ocean. MILK IS ALWAYS PURE AND WHITE.
Hence, if a man's heart is pure and white like
milk he can be happy. THE LORD IS SLEEPING ON THE SERPENT. Normally a snake
will always hiss but will not charge. It shakes its head to the melodious
tune of music [pungi]. When a devotee utters the
name of the Lord, the Lord nods his head in appreciation. He has got Mother
Lakshmi at his feet. Instead of asking for
wealth, if you seek her bliss she will recommend to the Lord for his well-being. In the four hands, the lord has
got conch, whenever he has to declare anything to the world, he will blow the
conch. Ex. kurukshetra war. The wheel is
offered by lord Shiva to lord Vishnu. [sudarshana chakra]. Whenever a wicked person goes to extremes he will use this weapon.
When King shishupala showered insulting words
on the Lord, he used this weapon and finished him. Mase=Kaumodaki; It is rarely used; it is like a stick in
the hands of a teacher to create fear not to
use it. Padma=the lotus, reflecting the soft
nature of the world. Though it is in the water,
it will not be touched by it. [Non-attached].padmapatramimambhasa. A man must remain unattached though remaining in the world.
He has lord garuda as
his vehicle, so that, he can run to the devotee’s help when called for. He is also
called 'yogeeshwara.'. The lord of equanimity.' lord
srinivasa, silent under all circumstances, blesses his devotees calmly,
quietly, under all circumstances.
CHAPTER-5.
==========
PERSONALITY - GENERAL.
=======================
Who is a ‘PERSON’? Among all the creatures of the
lord, man is said to be the most precious specie. While other species can eat, drink and reproduce, man is
the only specie who can THINK AND ACT.
He has got 'BODY TO ACT, MIND TO THINK AND INTELLIGENCE TO DISCRIMINATE’. Now, we
have to segregate three personalities, PHYSICAL; PHYSIQUE’ depends on one's
food he takes. If he is a fabulous eater he
will become a GIANT PERSONALITY. If he is unable to take sufficient food, he
will be a weak personality. If he is 'smart and good, he will be called a 'SMART PERSONALITY.
If his food is not up to the mark, he is
called a 'MODERATE PERSONALITY, loveable means A CHILD.. If his 'looks are fearsome, he is called A 'FEARSOME
PERS0N.' These are all physical features.
Mental personality; mind is a conglomeration of thoughts;
thoughts are the result of
experiences. As long as he is a child, there is no contact with the outside world. Then the child becomes a boy, he
will develop contact with the parents, with
kith and kin’s and school mates his mind gets to develop contact and knowledge about social environment. After getting the degree, he will get a job resulting in
official contact. Gets married and children
and family contact as he grows old, he becomes a matured man and will be called a' revered personality. Hence physical personality is a combination of physical,
mental and
Intellectual facets of
man is this
the only side of the human being or it has got a different personality move to the next chapter.
CHAPTER -6.
===========
PERSONALITY - REAL
===================
What is this 'REAL PERSONALITY?
It is said that, THERE is
a supreme entity called soul in every individual. Lord created human beings and all
other creatures as per his will and also gave the
body, mind intellect. He has given him parents, kith and kin’s, natural
resources, food to eat, house to settle, a job
for survival, and a family to enjoy. 'Birth is
the result of past actions and he has to undergo good or bad experiences according
to the deeds. The present acts will judge future actions they are called
prarabdha, sanchitha and agama [past, present and future] behind these things, the supreme lord guides our destiny. Learning
good things from young age, hearing the
mythological and historical stories, will lead to contact with learned teachers
and noble personalities which will help him to
become a respected figure. Eyes can see but the power to see, ear to hear and the power to hear, mouth to eat, cannot swallow,
the food has to enter, chewed by teeth and
tasted by tongue and go to the stomach, get digested
and eased out. The brain has to receive the message. The hand can only work if it is commanded. Legs can walk if it is
ordered. Hence, the inner commander in chief
will regulate all the physical activities. When
we see the life of great men, they are revered during their lifetime and after for their achievements and works. Every individual must go through the life of such great
personalities deeply and in detail and
emulate aiming high to reach the citadel of glory. Birth and death are common but making a mark and leaving a
legacy make him noble and exhibits his personality.
Body= Be, Obedient, Decide, Yourself.
Mind= Move, in, new, direction.
Intellect=Introspect, tell everything, and act.
Soul=S-search, O- observe, u-you will, l=learn
God=G-gets you, o-out of, d-difficulties.
CHAPTER -7
==========
PROFESSION=MATERIAL THINGS.TENSION
=====================================
As a child there is no
TENSION. As a boy there is no tension, because parents will take care
of them. There is no worry of education because teachers will take care of
it. Of course, he has to study. After graduation, he has to choose a job
that is the period of enjoyment. When
he gets married, the problem starts.
Maintaining the family, status, educating children.
Securing a dwelling, maintenance of status, protection, it is a multi- faced scenario. It is but natural that he gets confused. He
looks for solution. He has to take care of his age-old parents. 'How to
manage.' the vision of the individual should
not be personal but it should be universal. He
should thank the lord for giving good parents Who have helped him to build his personality, offered him education, the almameter
or the institution he has studied, the
employer who has given him an opportunity to contribute his knowledge, his kith and kin’s who have helped him to
come up socially and ultimately the almighty, who has given him personality.
Along with the external personality, there is an
internal personality. Normally, the I element
'I' starts working from boyhood. Then the ii element is you. Then the iii element 'we' emerges. The ‘‘IV' element
‘he’ is the panacea. For sorting out problems.
There is nothing wrong in thinking that, 'I want to
live happily. 'Because, you are living happily, I must also live happily.
We must know the 'variance.' one may be an
officer in a big company and the other may be in a lower position. So, we must compare and decide our living according to our
status. It is not wrong to have
ambitions, but one should not be over ambitious. Add jealousy to it, thus, one should know his status, and cut the coat
according to the cloth, is the real solution.
Discussing with friends and relatives, reading the
books of eminent scholars, hearing the advice
of elders, attending discourses by learned, will have a real impact on the personality. Everyone constructs a big house
with a verandah, a big hall, a family room, French
kitchen. When it comes to the question of 'pooja room’, it will be 1/3 and1/2 feet, as if god had asked for the
same. 'One must not only have a big room for
meditation but also for himself. 'There
are certain problems which he cannot tell others but only to almighty. At that time,
contemplation and meditation will go a long way in finding solutions to
problems. 'Don’t say, I am doing everything that is vanity. Surrender to the
lord and request for solution. 'Remember, it surely comes.'
CHAPTER-8.
==========
LORD SHRI.SUBRANANYA.
=======================
The word 'S' has a
significant place in the English alphabet. When we ask some person if he gives his consent, saying,
S', our heart will be filled with great satisfaction. In the same way, we have got a Lord, who will say 'S' for all
our demands.
He is LORD SUBRAMANYA, who not only offers
what we demand but also what he wishes. Lord
Shiva, unable to bear the onslaught of the Demons, wanted to create a power
'which will annihilate evil power. Thus, out of the
forehead's eye, a powerful bright flame
emerged, which was transferred to Lord Agni, who could not bear its heat, and it was transferred to sharavana poigai, the
sacred river. The six faces were taken over by
kritthika kumaries and mother parvathi blended
them into one. It is also said, that Sage
Sanat kumara was upset by the obstruction of the rituals by the Demons and in his dreams, thought of annihilating them.
Then, lord Shiva and mother parvathi requested
the sage to take birth as their son his condition was, that, he would not take in any woman's womb. That’s why; lord Subramanian
was born out of the forehead's eye of lord Shiva as a bright spark. When he
was a child, there was a competition to collect the mango fruit offered by
shri.narada to lord Shiva and mother uma. The subject was, 'any person going round
the world and coming first will be offered the fruit. While, lord vighneshwara went
round his parents and sat, lord muruga went round the world on his peacock. On his
return, his brother had been offered the fruit. He got enraged, went and
settled in pazhani as 'bala muruga.' again, when lord Brahma was asked to explain
the meaning of pranava, he could not answer. Then lord muruga kept him under
arrest. The entire world was in doldrums on request by all the devas, he was
released. Then, lord muruga taught the meaning of 'pranava' to lord Shiva. That’s
why; he is called 'paramaguru.' then, lord muruga Married ‘valli’ the daughter of a hunter king and
'devayani' the daughter of lord devendra.' thus,' the lord not only gives what
the devotee wants but also what he wills. He also resides on the 'top of six
hills called arupadai veedu'' viz. pazhani, pazha-mudir sholai, swamy malai,
thirupparamkunram, thiruttani and thiruchendur. He is also the lord residing in
shree subramanya kshetra, who is an ardent lover of 'skanda shashtii, greayt
scholars have praised his glory, like pattinattar, arunagirinathar, 'shri.
skanda shashti kavacham' and shri.kumara sambhavam, shreeskanda purana are some
of the giant works depicting his glory. 'shree shankara bhagavatpadal visited
thiruchendur, and praised lord subramanya, which is popularly called shree
skandashashtikavacham.' while we perform 'yoga', in every human body, there
are, ida, pingala, sushumna, sahasrara,and kundalini nadis. 'when we perform
yoga, sit straight, closing the eyes, with padmasana, controlling the breath,
which will be concentrating on the forehead, the fire reaches the crescendo
called sahasrara, which looks like the serpent in reverse kundalini, the
supreme seat of satisfaction. 'breath control is one of the salient features of
yoga, taking in of the breath is 'uchvasa and the releasing out aspect is
called 'nishvasa and holding up of the breath
is 'niyantrana or control. When we recite 'om' the word 'a' represents taking
in of the breath and 'u' releasing the breath and m' holding the breath. 'subramanyaya
devaya skandaya brahmacharine kundalini svaroopaya vallishaya namonamaha.
Let the lord sitting on
the peacock with kukkuta dwaja offer his devotees
valour, the embodement of yoga, the heart-throb of
mother valli and devayani, the offerer of
boons, healer of diseases and sins, the lord of the devas, the darling son of lord shiva and uma, the rejuvenating
force standing
in shree subramanya, the
ista and kula devata, the enjoyer of shashti vrata.
CHAPTER-9.
==========
PEACE HAPPINESS AND CONTENTMENT
==================================
There is a saying in shreemad
Bhagavad geetha as under,
dhyayato vishayan pumsaha sangastheshupa jayathe
sangat sanjayate kamaha kamat krothobhi jayate
krodat bhavathi sammmohaha sammohat smruthi
vibramaha
smruthibrahmshat buddinshaha buddhinashat
pranashyati
'A person thinks of a
thing and develops contact with it
then desire erupts. The result of desire; when you do
not get the thing, it is loss of balance of mind. Then he will lose wisdom. Result is destruction.
A person is having a
car. His glamorous wife wants him to buy another car. But he has got an Ordinary job. He applies for a
loan which is declined. He wants to pledge an article which he does not possess. Then he asks a loan from his office. That
is also declined. While he is asked by the Accountant
to remit some cash to the Bank He knocks off in the middle and absconds.
He is arrested by the police and lands in the jail
finally. desire for car-pilferage of office money-fraud.arrest-jail.
If he knew his standard of life he would not have attempted such a thing.
Another sloka from shree
Bhagavad geetha,
abhyasat gyanam gyanat
dhyanam
dhyanat karma phala thyagaha tyagat shanthini anantharam
A realized soul will get
the lesson that he is the instrument of god. He will start meditating on the lord. He will
perform action as a representative of the lord and
leave the results to god and the precious gift is 'absolute peace.' Shri Gautama Buddha was born as a prince. his father,
hearing the prediction that one day his son
will become a sage in future, he kept him within the four walls of the palace. One day he went on a stroll in the
city of kapilavastu and saw an old man, a
patient and a dead man's corpse. Realizing that, there is something beyond this material life, he turned away all the material
things and became a sage. Buddha the
enlightened a man walking in the street could not bear the heat and wanted to
have foot- wear, when he saw a man walking
without legs, he realized that he is fortunate to have legs. Desire is like an intoxicant, which makes you
insane. Discretion and discrimination are the
tools to tame the same. Dedication to the lord's lotus feet will help a good decision making that is the secret
of contentment.
CHAPTER=10.
===========
SHRI.SHANKARACHARYA BHAGAVATPADA.
=======================================
India has given birth too
many spiritual giants. Among them as an icon Shri.Shankara bhagavatpada,
When Dharma was in attars
and Adharma had raised its head, a star was born in Kaladi Kerala, known for its beautiful
forests, revered rivers, and the place, where
lord guruvayoorappa, swamy Ayyappa and mother Bhagavathi stand to bless the devotees, to mother aryamba and
shivaguru, [shree shankara.]
he is the 'avatar of lord shankara himself, from his
young age, he showed his brilliance in
vedanta and spiritual matters, he was initiated into brahmopadesam at the age of eight. He lost his father at an early age.
His mother had to take care of him. One day,
while he was taking bath in the Purna River, as pre-determined, a crocodile
caught his feet. He prayed his mother that, if he
wants to be alive, he must become a sage.
Hesitatingly she agreed, He went to himalayas, had the darshan of sage govinda
bhagavatpada and became his disciple. Then, he went
to kashi and defeated scholars and ascended
the sarvajna peetha. [The seat of scholarship]. While in kashi, lord shiva
came in the form of a hunter [chandala] and asked to shri.
shankara that he was the lord quire, 'whether
he is addressing the body or the soul. shri. shankara got baffled and saluted him. Sage
shankara came to sringeri and witnessed a very rare scene of a serpent giving
shelter to a frog, which was about to deliver. Deciding
that, 'this is the place where kindness had
its root; he established shri. sharada peetam initiating shri. sureshvaracharya
as its first guru. He also established three more peetams at dvaraka, kashmir
and puri. He is the 'exponent of advaita tatva according to which, brahmam
satyam jagat mithyam jivo brahmeti na param. 'paramatma is ultimate. World is
illusory. Man is the embodiment of supreme soul. He also wrote commentaries on
shree vishnu sahasranama, shree lalitha sahasranama, the prarthana thraya,
viveka chudamani and the legendary 'shree soundarya lahari. He also wrote
soul-stirring stostras on shri, vinayaka,
subramanya bhujanga stostram,
kanakadhara stostram, shri hanuman chalisa, shri. narasimha stostram etc.
shri. annapoornashtakam, shri.guru paduka stostram. The common man's
puding shree bhajagovindam. Hence he is called shri. bhagavatpada, an avatar of
lord shankara,, who accomplished the great tasks of resurrecting Hindu dharma
throughout the country within a span of thirty two years.
He is yogishwara, whose
writings went like jaladhara and a vidyasagara, spiritual dheera, advaita
shura, whose life can be sung in any swara, the vishveshwara, the jewel of
janopakara.
CHAPTER-10.
===========
NOT A PARTY OR A POLITICAL PROGRAMME.
=======================================
When the present
government launched the international yoga programme with much fan-fare, the United
Nations called to celebrate June 21st 2015 as international yoga day.
It was presumed that it
will be celebrated universally like international father’s day, mother’s day
etc. but, it took a different turn. A lobby was created through the media
branding this as the ruling party's programme. The opposition also wanted
to claim the credit for this event.
when king yudhishtira
wanted to perform 'agra pooja' to lord Krishna during rajasuya yaga, there were
loud protests from the kaurava clan and king shishupala, who was charred to
death by the powerful wheel of the lord. The owner of the entire world is the
lord. None can claim ownership over it. Even, we are born as his children. He
has given parents, kith and kin, resources body, mind, intelligence soul to
guard and enjoy. To claim ownership for these is the pinnacle of pride
and vanity.
Yoga is a process to
keep the body fit, since it is,
deho devalaya prokto deho
devah sadashivaha.
It is the temple where the
lord indwells. Contemplation, meditation is the paths that lead to his lotus
feet and salvation. That is yoga which is like a star. Enjoy the beauty,
stay with it. Do not claim ownership. Practice yoga, become Raja.
CHAPTER-10A.
============
SHRI RAMAKRISHNA AND SHRI VIVEKANANDA.
=============================================
West Bengal is known for
many scholars like, Shri.Rabindranath Tagore, Shri.Satyajit Ray
Shri. Subhas Chandra
Bose, B.K. Chattopadyaya, and Dr. Amathya Sen.
Spiritually, there is the
river ganga and the hoogly dam and the powerful kali mata. Shree rama krishna paramahamsa
and his wife mother Sharada devi and his famous disciple Shri.Vivekananda.
shri,Ramakrishna was known earlier as gandadhara . He
was well-versed in sanskrit and spiritual matters. One rani saraladevi had
built a temple in dakshineshwar for kali mata and requested Shree Ramakrishna
to perform worship daily. Gradually, he became one with the holy mother and began to talk directly. Then he
used to go to samadhi often and dress in
different attires, like lord Rama, Krishna, lord Hanuman and began to merge
with the role he played. His wife mother Sharada devi
was also an ardent devotee of the holy mother.
Shri. Ramakrishna used to rever her as the embodiment of the holy mother.
She used to address the disciples to rever the holy
mother. While he met Shree Narendra, who was
very bold and courageous, practical in his approach to everything, he met Shree Ramakrishna and asked him,
'have you seen god.' The master's reply
was, yes, I have seen him like you and Me.' he placed his feet on the head of shri. narendra and his head began to whirl, he was in
another world, enjoying absolute peace. Thus
the world got a bold, brilliant, broad-minded heroic man to be named as swami Vivekananda.
Thirty two years is a
history in the annals of three heroes, first, alexander toured the entire
world, conquered to become the greatest emperor of the world. shri.
shankaracharya toured the entire country by foot and spread the message of
advaita. shri.vivekanda understood and stood by his master to spread the
message of practical spirituality. sheddeing selfishness and struggled
for the welfare of the society. he toured america and attended the
chicago world religious conference and addressed the audience as brothers and
sisters.
Hence, religion is a
code of conduct, prescribed to attain lord, through pooja, upasana, meditation
etc.
While spirituality is a
way to understand the universal lord who is beyond name and farm, who is
in everyone's heart and recognizing this, all should lead a happy and contented
life.
CHAPTER-12.
===========
SOME EMINENT PERSONALITIES.
============================
Apart from some of the
sages who have brought glory to the nation, through their services, we have got some illustrious persons'
who has contributed or the progress of the country. DR.RADHAKRISHNAN a philosopher, statesman, scholar, studied
philosophy and entering the post of teaching,
he earned the distinction of scholar and statesman, through his action, service and majestic personality.
Sept.5-birth day. Teacher’s day shri.C.
Rajagopalachari a master orator, statesman, the first and last Governor-general of independent India, who also translated two
epics the Ramayana and Mahabharata, into
Tamil, a soft-voiced but stubborn in his
views, he was a beacon of light, pure in personality and perception.
Shri.SARDAR VALLABHBHAI
PATEL hailing from Gujarat, after attaining independence, he brought the entire
princely states under one umbrella without any
violence and bloodshed. He is also called the
iron-man.
Shri. JAWAHARLAL NEHRU the
first prime-minister of India after independence, he was the right hand to the father of the
nation, with an excellent vocabulary, dedicated, service and social oriented,
and he took up various developmental activities for the sake of the
nation. He is also popularly called 'chacha Nehru, whose birth day on November 14th is celebrated as
'children’s day.'
Shri. LAL BAHADUR
SHASTHRI hailing from U P his potential was recognized by shri.Nehru who predicted that one day he
would become the prime-minister of India. In a
short span of two years, he revolutionized the economy by the slogan, 'jai jawan and jai kisan.' he
was also the kargil war hero and had to face a tragic end.
Shri. SUBHASH CHANDRA
BOSE, his approach to the freedom movement was different. He never believed in violence but
believed in heroics. He found 'azad hind fouz
and helped in the second world war, but his where about were not known after
the Second World War. But his contribution to
the freedom movement is remembered for ever.
Shri. ATAL BIHARI
VAJAPAYI, a great orator, scholar, known for purity and perfection, and his future had
been predicted by shri.jawaharlal Nehru. A brilliant orator, honest, pure and pious, with no pride and venom,
simple in looks, but strong in will, he ruled
the country for two decades. A bachelor, he had nothing to store for his family, a child by heart, a simple man
with a broad vision, an unforgettable hero in
the annals of the political history of the nation.
Shri. MORARJI DESAI,known
for his honesty, integrity and simplicity, a true gandhian, a senior congressman, a
statesman, a hard-core honest man, he lead the
country for a decade. He became a centurion though he was 96 as he was born in a leap year.
Shri. NARENDRA MODI,
Raising a storm in the entire country, and dismantling the strong baton of the Congress, he brought
a fresh air to the administration, the previous year. With high hopes, people are hailing lot of expectations from
the new regime. Thus, honesty, integrity, patriotism,
scholarship, velour, simplicity, statesmanship are all the qualities of Yoga, which, when utilized, for the benefit of
all will lead to prosperity.
DR.A.P.J.ABDUL KALAM, born
as a simple man in Rameshwaram, he struggled to educate himself and reached the
zenith in the field of science. His passion to
teach made him a popular professor and passion to learn made him a great
student, bubbling with enthusiasm, energy, to don the
highest post in ISRO, scientific advisor to
the defence minister, to become the President of India
Prostrated by people for
his poignant, perfect and pious way of life. Even today, he meets students, advising them to dream,
think, plan and practice and reach the top in
every field, a beacon of light to the present generation. People adore him with
veneration. A-aspiration, P-perfection, J-judgment.
That is Dr.A.P.J. ABDUL KALAM.
CHAPTER-13
===========
TRINITIES.
=========
The world consists of
three stages. The first is creation, the second sustenance and the third is annihilation.
First, 'we have to write a letter. 'Thinking
process'. That is written. Then it has to be
cleared by post, courier etc. creation is done
by Lord Brahma under the guidance of lord Vishnu as
Directed by the lord Rudra.
Lord vishnu is the protector and finally lord Rudra is the annihilator.
Of course, the managing
director of the process is mother Jaganmatha, the universal mother. She, out of her will
created these trinities. The five phases are
srushti, sthiti, laya, thirodhana and anugraha. Viz. creation, protection, annihilation, removing obstruction
and benediction.
Lord brahma represents
pure thought, contemplation and meditation.
Quiet mood, silence and absolute peace. The calm
state prevailing in the morning is a perfect example. Shri Vishnu he is always calm and serene. Sleeping on the
serpent bed, in the milky ocean, with mother Lakshmi
at his feet, thus, when we take up any
work, we should not be guided by emotions, but deep thinking
analysis and discretion.
'When we meet a person, we will never ask' why you were born, we will ask 'how
are you we are interested in his welfare and well-being. That is sustenance is
important.
Lord Rudra he is in
charge of anhilation. He is lord shiva, with two wives, mother uma, the ewmbodiment of
power and mother ganga, the embodiment of calmness. He is having crescent moon in his head, representing
calmness. He has got trident in his hand representing
velour and damaru creating fear in the wicked.
His eldest son, lord Vinayaka will remove all the hurdles in our work and
the second son lord Muruga assures victory, annihilating all the evil forces. When
evil activities reach its zenith, he will annihilate them. Thus, in meditation
and calm atmosphere, and in quiet and serenity the trinities represent yoga.
CHAPTER-14.
===========
THE TWO GIANTS; SAGE VASHISHTA AND VISHWAMITRA
===================================================
dhig balam kshatriya balam brahma tejo balam
balam
This is a quote by
Vishvamitra, meaning, 'let the valour of kshatriya be damned. Brahmans valour is supreme. sage
Vashishta is one of the supreme figure heads of patience, penance and
performance, who was well-versed in brahma-gyana [knowledge of the supreme
self] and his wife, mother Arundhathi was also a lady of par-excellence, known for chastity and pubity. Appreciating the brilliant penance of sage Vashishta he was
conferred the honour of 'Brahmarishi.' lord Devendra
offered him the divine cow, Nandini to enable feeding
of the guests . He became the rajaguru of the Ikshvaku clan of Shri. Rama and
his teaching of yoga to Srirama give an account of
conduct of
rajadharma. Sage vishwamitra was once known
as 'gadi raja.' he once came to sage Vashishta with
his army and the sage honoured them by offering tasty food. But the king wanted
that the cow to be handed over to him saying that it is a royal property. In
the war that ensued, the cow vanquished his
entire army. realising the fooly of vanity he
began to perform penance. At the first stage, he was called a 'maharshi.' Not
satisfied, he continued his penance and became a
rajarshi.' he began to show his process and
when king Trishanku wanted to go to heaven physically
it was not entertained, as it is against the natural law. Then, he tested raja Harishchandra to its zenith. But his
test did not come
Handy before the king's
honesty. The devas wanted to teach him the qualities of love and affection and hence
sent danseuse menaka to be his partner. Then
he begot shakunthala was brought up in the hermitage of kanva maharshi as a cute and loveable girl to marry raja Dushyantha whose
son was king bharatha. From whom india got the
name of 'Bharatha desha.' then the sage performed penance with a purpose, that is, 'man's life is very short
some divine mantra should be conferred on the
future generation. Then he initiated mother gayathri and got the gayanthri
manthra for the universe. Hence, he became Vishwamitra, the friend of the
universe. Then, he realised that, 'man cannot
do anything on his own and he is only an instrument
of god and he is the ultimate conductor of all the activities.
'Thus, the two experts
are giants in their own field. One’s was a result of natural growth to the
ladder and the other's was the result of continuous effort and determination to
perform and achieve.
Ultimately, the sage for
all his activities of passion compensated by taking lord Rama and Lakshmana to the forest,
teaching them the art of archery, vanquishing the wicked and offering the hand of mother Janaki to lord Sri rama and
mother Urmila to lord Lakshmana both are lord of
yoga of faith, firmness and firmness.
CHAPTER 14-A.
=============
LORD MAHESHWARA AND UMA.
=============================
The lord residing in
mount kailas along with his consort mother Uma and children lord Vinayaka and lord Muruga
is a perfect example of yoga. Though he is
leading a life of mendicant, he is also with the family. He is abhishekapriya, the offering of the holy water to the
chanting of Rudram and Chamakam. He is also having mother Ganga on his head
along with the crescent moon keeping the head
always cool. He is having trident to warn the
evil forces and Damaru to wake the devotees from their slumber. He is having
japamala to meditate. He is having a third eye which
opens when he is furious and burn the desires.
He burnt lord Manmatha when he tried to emote lord Shiva through his dance along with wife Rathi. He has got
the holy ashes smeared all over his body.
He has got a serpent in his neck. During the churning
of the ocean, out of the many things emerged
the ghasty poison, which he consumed for the sake
of the world. His wife mother Uma embraced him tightly and the poison rested in the neck and hence, he is called 'Neelakantha.
He also gave ganges to the world. He also
gives boon to everyone who prays him with devotion. But they will take undue advantage. A demon called Bhasmasura
got a boon that anyone on whose head he places
his hand will be destroyed.' He placed his
hand on lord Shiva himself who ran helter shelter for shelter and ultimately
lord Vishnu asked the demon to test and place his hand on his own head ending in his killing. Thus lord Shiva is the giver
and lord Vishnu is the healer. Thus lord shiva
is liberal and merciful and kind to his devotees. mother Uma is the symbol of strength and hence she is
called 'shakthi.' born to lord Himavan she was
determined to wed lord Shiva and performed severe penance. After critical test lord Shiva married mother Uma. Shri.Shankara
bhagavatpadal had described the beauty of
mother Uma in Shri.Lalitha sahasranama, Shree Soundarya lahari and also Shri.Laitha trishathi and Ashttottaram,
along with the glory and majesty. She is the
feeder, protector of the entire world,. when a mother pays the fees of her son, she is mother lakshmi, when she teaches him she
is mother vani and when she punishes with a
stick for some chief, she is Durga[. shree kanchi maha periyaval.] when she kills demons, she is Durga, when she offers
wealth, she is mother lakshmi when she
gives knowledge, she is mother vani. When she
offers food, she is mother Annapurneshwari. When she is in madurai, she is Meenakshi [the fish-eyed when she is kanchi she is Kamakshi.[the eyes that creates
reverence], in kashi she is Vishalakshi, [the wide-eyed], so that her grace
falls on all her children, with lord Shiva. she is mother Parvathi. with her
the lord is Ardhanareeshwara. she is the
creator, protector and annihilator of the world. salute the holy parents of the entire world who are like words and
meaning. Shri Kalidasa, the poet.
CHAPTER-15.
===========
LORD HANUMAN.
===============
buddihi balam yasho dhairyam nirbhayatvam
arogatha
ajadyam vakpatuvancha hanumat smaranat bhavet
By meditating on lord
hanuman, one gets intelligence, fame, bravery, fearlessness, clean health,
oratory. Lord hanuman is the son of lord Yayu and Anjanadevi. We know, how
'breathing' is important in everone's life, one may be having other organs, ‘no breath no life.'
When he was young, fore fun's sake, he used to pull
the beards of the sages, who were in penance.
They cursed him to forget his strength. He jumped towards the rising sun,
thinking that it is an apple. He got a slap on
his face, which became swollen. He requested Lord Sun to teach him vedas. The lord agreed on one condition, that,
he must follow the Lord with the same speed,
during his journey in the sky. Having learnt everything, he became an omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient personality. He beame a
Minister to Monkey king Sugriva. When Lord
Rama went to kishkinda, on his way to Lanka, in search of Mother Seetha, he met Lord Rama and Lakshmana and offered his
pranama. Lord Rama was attracted by his wonderful articulation, vocabulary,
grammatical beauty, the fascinating language and
communication skill. Then Lord Hanuman arranged for friendship between
Lord Rama and King Sugriva. He lit a fire in
between them to make it sanctified. When all the monkies went in search of Mothert Sita, he chose to proceed towards
south and hearing the where abouts of Mother through the Bird King Jatayu, he
crossed the ocean.
When he was not able to
see the Holy Mother, he prostrated Lord Rama for guidence and saw ASHOKAVANA, where Mother Seetha was placed, He got elated,
after seeing queen Mother Mandodari, the queen
of Demon Ravana and jumped with happiness. After seeing her attires, he concluded that it was not Mother Seetha.
Coming to Ashokavana, siting on Shimshupavruksha,
seeing Mother Seetha in a melancholy mood, sang the glory of Lord Rama and offered the Ring offered by Lord Rama, and got the
chudamani offereds by the Holy Mother. He
offered his salutations to the Holy Mother and got the consent to witness
the glory of Demon Ravana and advised him to Handover
Mother Seetha to Shree Rama. When his tail was
set fire as per the command of Demon Ravana, and it became cool due to Mother Settha's prayer. He burnt the entire city except that of the righteous Vibhishana,
came back to kishkinda and handed over the chudamani
to shree rama. He also helped taking Lord vibhishana to Shree Rama's fold.During the war, when shree Lakshmana
became unconscious due to the mighty arrow from
demon Indrajit, the lord flew and brought the 'sanjeeevini hill, as he
could not find the herb. Lord rama had sent shri,
Maruti, after completing fourteen years of forest life to Ayodhya to pass on
the message to brother Bharatha, and maruthi, to avoid any mishap, uttered, 'coming/coming, shree rama is coming.'
after the crowning of lord shree rama, he was in
charge of reminding the lord about his daily
activities. Once, when he complained to the lord, that he needs rest, the lord
asked him to take rest [bhakthi yoga] in the
place where his story was being lectured. That’s why, even today, we can see
people sleeping when Ramayana harikatha is going on.
'Thinking always of lord
Rama [gyana yoga], dedicating his activities to the lord [karma yoga] chanting always his
name out of love, [bhakthi yoga] who can beat him in calling him, 'a MAHA YOGI.'
CHAPTER-15
===========
PANCHA PANDAVAS
==================
Lord Krishna described, 'mama pranahi pandavaha' ,[pandavas
are my life]. In Mahabharatha,
there are two parties, viz., Pandavas, standing for Righteousnesss, and Kauravas, standing for wickedness. trechery, greed and jealousy.
Lord Krishna came to this earth to establish dharma
and vanquish adharma. Panchapandavas ;- we
have got five brothers.
The first one,
Yudhishtira represents righteousness.
2. The Second Bheema velour.
3. The Third, Arjuna, scholarship
4. The Fourth Nakula-
Self-control.
5. The fifth, Sahadeva, absolute
faith and devotion.
Only, when five fingers
are folded, hand can work. There must be a purpose, a commanding authority. Purpose
is draupadi, energy is krishna. Problem- mother
kunthi, think of the lord. Get rid of thy problem.' during all their critical times and obstacles, they prayed
lord krishna, even during the mahabharatha war, arjuna asked for lord
krishna, [prior to the commencement] while duryodhana
asked foe lord balarama and krishna's forces. Lord krishna lead the war as
the chariater of arjuna and victory was ensured for
righteousness. pandavas represent
righteousness. draupadi the mind, lord krishna, the intelligence kauravas are trhe provoking forces. 'When one dismantles
his desires and depends on lord krishna, that
is the biggest boon he can get. Hence, lord krishna is called 'yogishwara.' to get rid
of problems, we have got 'departmental stores, where everything is
avilable. To purchase peace,
split the word 'depart mental store=grt rid of needless thoughts.
Another solution. From
bhagavad gita'; man. m=maruthi. a=arjuna. n=narayana. maruti sits on the top of the chariot'
mind in the centre a-arjuna heart. n-naryana=
the ultimate saviour. Gap. The distance
between one thing and another. gandivi=arjuna
a=achuta p-problems. Catch hold of the lord and get rid of the problems.
We do gpa= gandivi. Problems= a=achuta. You are there. Bring the lord first. Put the problem next= happiness
you are there. Bring the problem first-put the lord
next= grief. Accept the first delete the next.
CHAPTER 16.
===========
BAHUBALI
=========
We have heard of
brothers who have abandoned everything for the sake of their brothers.
Shree Rama is a perfect
example who sacrificed his kingdom for the sake of his younger brother Bharatha. Shri. Lakshmana
went with his brother for offering his services. Shri. Yudhishtira went to forest, sacrificing his kingdom, along
with his brothers for the sake of
honesty. In mahabharatha, shri. lakshmana
became the elder brother of shri. krishna for a change in jainism, we have got a tale of two brothers, which is
very thrilling. The younger brother was keen
to get the kingdom. He waged a war with his elder brother bahubali for the same. Though bahubali was strong, he
defeated his brother and handed over the
kingdom to his brother to embrace spirituality. 'He spread the message of truth
and non-violence through Jainism. Today, after eight
centuries, he stands as a spirit of sacrifice
in shravanabelagola, whose image was carved out by minister chamundaraya, saluted by not only by his devotees and is
declared as one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
CHAPTER 17.
============
LORD SHREE KRISHNA
====================
Out of all the avatars
that Lord Narayana too, the Avatara as Lord Krishna stands supreme as
'PURNAVATARA.'
Emerging to vanquish
Adharma and Establish Dharma, in his young age, he underwent several
attempts on his life.
The Gopis had unblemished love towards the Lord. Rasakrida is a perfect
Example of their unflinching love. Then, he got panchapandavas
as his friends toVanquish the enemies. He was an expert in 'shadyantra' or the
political game.'' he did not wage
war with anyone directly, but engaged the mighty Bheema to fight with demon jarasandra, finished him. Then,
pandavas were defeated in the dice by kauravas and they have to undergo untold
misery in the forest. When lord Krishna went to
kauravas as ambassador, demanding at least five
villages, the kauravas refused. When the war was declared, he became the charioteer
of Arjuna and knowing the weakness of kauravas;
he killed all the leaders one by one and taught
shreemad Bhagavad-Gita in standing behind the battle field. He is the 'master
of creation' and we have to do our duty as his
offspring’s with utmost devotion and faith to the lord. He also helped king Yudhishthira to learn 'raja dharma' and 'shree
Vishnu sahasranama' by veteran Zion, pitamaha Bhishma,
when he was lying on the bed of arrows. He
took up on himself all the curses offered to his devotees and underwent the relevant
fruits because, he had to kill monkey king
vali against the law standing behind seven banyan trees now, a Krishna hunter sent an arrow on lord Krishna
unknowingly and that was the end of his
avatar thus, he is a guide, friend and philosopher for the entire mankind and
managed the entire show as an avatar. If
shree Mahabharata is a narration of his leader-ship, shreemad bhagavatam is an anecdote
of his colourful life. A magnum-opus.
CHAPTRTER 17 A.
===============
Shri. RAMANA MAHARSHI
========================
In Thiruvannamalai,
along with Thiru. Arunachaleshwarar and mother Ambal, there is one sage, the symbol of
yoga, shri. Ramana maharshi. In the young age,
he left his native place; he had the peculiar experience about death, sleeping
calmly for a few hours. When one of the relatives
died, He went to Thiruvannamalai, performed
penance for a few years in a cave and realized
'SELF-KNOWLEDGE.' Among the three ways of Yoga,
gyana yoga stands for knowing the supreme self, as
the ultimate goal. In karma yoga, ‘doing one's duty without craving for fruit
is the message. In bhakthi yoga, having absolute
faith and surrendering to the lotus feet of
the lord is the theme. 'yuj; to contact. ;
yoga; to contact with the lord . In the above three ways.
HE IS REGARDED AS ONE OF THE GIANTS IN THE FIELD
OF 'YOGA SADHANA.'
REMEMBER ATMA MARCH AHEAD NECTOR WAITS. [RAMANA]
CHAPTER-18.
===========
CONCLUSION.
============
In the year of
INTERNATIONAL YOGA, this is a small attempt and we have got small tanks, rivers, oceans, all
indicating water.
We have giants in the
field like, shri.k.v.iyer, yoga iyengar of international fame. The main idea is to raise the
person from mundane life, bury the craze for wealth, position, hatred and jealousy and make him a complete man
this body is temporary subject to decay / prana will
also go one day. Mind is like the pendulum of a watch which oscillates between good and bad. Intelligence
will not help in securing real
knowledge, because it is also subject to emotions, the last is ananda, the absolute happiness, which is not
available in any market but in yourself, that
is sach=chit-ananda absolute pure bliss 'Paramatma'.
Y-YOUR O-OBJECT G-GETTING A-ABSOLUTE PEACE.
Y=YOU READ THE MATTER.
O=OFFER THY OPINION.
G= GAIN SOME BENEFIT
A=ADVICE THY ACHEVEMENTS TO OTHERS,
==============================================================
THIS WORK IS DEDICATED TO MY DEAR DEVOTED
DAUGHTER-IN-LAW
RAMYA KIRAN.
---------------------------
