1 Siddhasana (The Perfect Pose)
Next to Padmasana comes Siddhasana in importance. Some eulogise this Asana as even superior to Padmasana for purposes of Dhyana. If you get mastery over this Asana, you will acquire many Siddhis. Further it was being practised by many Siddhas of yore. Hence the name Siddhasana.
Even fatty persons with big thighs can practise this Asana easily. In fact this is better to some persons than Padmasana. Young Brahmacharins who attempt to get established in celibacy should practise this Asana. This Asana is not suitable for ladies.
Place one heel at anus. Keep the other heel on the root of the generative organ. The feet or legs should be so nicely arranged that the ankle-joints should touch each other. Hands can be placed as in Padmasana.
2. Sirshasana (Topsy Turvy Pose)
Spread a four-folded blanket. Sit on the two knees. Make a finger-lock by interweaving the fingers. Place it on the ground up to the elbow. Now keep the top of your head on this finger-lock or between the two hands. Slowly raise the legs till they become vertical. Stand for five seconds in the beginning and gradually increase the period by 15 seconds each week to 20 minutes or half an hour. Then very slowly, bring it down. Strong people will be able to keep the Asana for half an hour within 2 or 3 months. Do it slowly. There is no harm. If you have time, do twice daily both morning and evening. Perform this Asana very, very slowly, to avoid jerks. While standing on the head, breathe slowly through the nose and never through the mouth.
You can place the hands on the ground one on each side of the head. You will find this easy to practise, if you are fat. If you have learnt balancing, you can take to the finger-lock method. This Asana is nothing for those who can balance on parallel bars or on the ground. Ask your friend to assist you to keep the legs steady while practising or get the help of a wall.
In the beginning some persons may have a novel sensation during practice but this vanishes soon. It brings joy and glee. After the exercise is over take a little rest for five minutes and then take a cup of milk. There are people who are doing this Asana for two or three hours at one stroke.
SIRSHASANA BENEFITS
This is very useful in keeping up Brahmacharya. It makes you Oordhvaretas. The seminal energy is transmuted into spiritual energy, Ojas-Shakti. This is also called sex-sublimation. You will not have wet-dreams, Spermatorrhea. In an Oordhvareto-Yogi the seminal energy flows upwards into the brain for being stored up as spiritual force which is used for contemplative purposes (Dhyana). When you do this Asana, imagine that the seminal energy is being converted into Ojas and is passing along the spinal column into the brain for storage.
Sirshasana is really a blessing and a nectar. Words will fail to adequately describe its beneficial results and effects. In this Asana alone, the brain can draw plenty of Prana and blood. Memory increases admirably. Lawyers, occultists and thinkers will highly appreciate this Asana. This leads to natural Pranayama and Samadhi by itself. No other effort is necessary. If you watch the breath, you will notice it becoming finer and finer. In the beginning of practice there will be a slight difficulty in breathing. As you advance in practice, this vanishes entirely. You will find real pleasure and exhilaration of spirit in this Asana.
Great benefit is derived by sitting for meditation after Sirshasana. You can hear Anahata sound quite distinctly. Young, robust persons should perform this Asana. Householders who practise this should not have frequent sexual intercourse.
Swami Paramahamasa Sivananda
Divine Life Society Hrikesh
Even fatty persons with big thighs can practise this Asana easily. In fact this is better to some persons than Padmasana. Young Brahmacharins who attempt to get established in celibacy should practise this Asana. This Asana is not suitable for ladies.
Place one heel at anus. Keep the other heel on the root of the generative organ. The feet or legs should be so nicely arranged that the ankle-joints should touch each other. Hands can be placed as in Padmasana.
2. Sirshasana (Topsy Turvy Pose)
Spread a four-folded blanket. Sit on the two knees. Make a finger-lock by interweaving the fingers. Place it on the ground up to the elbow. Now keep the top of your head on this finger-lock or between the two hands. Slowly raise the legs till they become vertical. Stand for five seconds in the beginning and gradually increase the period by 15 seconds each week to 20 minutes or half an hour. Then very slowly, bring it down. Strong people will be able to keep the Asana for half an hour within 2 or 3 months. Do it slowly. There is no harm. If you have time, do twice daily both morning and evening. Perform this Asana very, very slowly, to avoid jerks. While standing on the head, breathe slowly through the nose and never through the mouth.
You can place the hands on the ground one on each side of the head. You will find this easy to practise, if you are fat. If you have learnt balancing, you can take to the finger-lock method. This Asana is nothing for those who can balance on parallel bars or on the ground. Ask your friend to assist you to keep the legs steady while practising or get the help of a wall.
In the beginning some persons may have a novel sensation during practice but this vanishes soon. It brings joy and glee. After the exercise is over take a little rest for five minutes and then take a cup of milk. There are people who are doing this Asana for two or three hours at one stroke.
This is very useful in keeping up Brahmacharya. It makes you Oordhvaretas. The seminal energy is transmuted into spiritual energy, Ojas-Shakti. This is also called sex-sublimation. You will not have wet-dreams, Spermatorrhea. In an Oordhvareto-Yogi the seminal energy flows upwards into the brain for being stored up as spiritual force which is used for contemplative purposes (Dhyana). When you do this Asana, imagine that the seminal energy is being converted into Ojas and is passing along the spinal column into the brain for storage.
Sirshasana is really a blessing and a nectar. Words will fail to adequately describe its beneficial results and effects. In this Asana alone, the brain can draw plenty of Prana and blood. Memory increases admirably. Lawyers, occultists and thinkers will highly appreciate this Asana. This leads to natural Pranayama and Samadhi by itself. No other effort is necessary. If you watch the breath, you will notice it becoming finer and finer. In the beginning of practice there will be a slight difficulty in breathing. As you advance in practice, this vanishes entirely. You will find real pleasure and exhilaration of spirit in this Asana.
Great benefit is derived by sitting for meditation after Sirshasana. You can hear Anahata sound quite distinctly. Young, robust persons should perform this Asana. Householders who practise this should not have frequent sexual intercourse.
Swami Paramahamasa Sivananda
Divine Life Society Hrikesh
April 17, 2007
Brahmacharya : Crash course on self realization
Crash course on self realization
How is it a crash course ?
Sooner or later everyone will have to reach at the stage of self realization.But here sooner or later terms are measured in the number of births.
Crash course will be able to help you realize your true self in this very life.
What would happen to the world if everyone chooses this path ?
Evolution is a natural process but even not all the monkeys became humans at the same time.Self realization is indeed an higher evolution process.
It’s not just possible for everyone to realize this path and to reach at the destination at the same time. Even thinking and understanding this is a step
towards it.
Does brahamcharya means no marriage ?
Even Shri Ram,all Sikh gurus , and many great sages were married. The purpose was to give other souls a chance to get a human body again and a chance of self realization .
What souls ?
Sense gratification would only lead one to wish for more sensual pleasures . Such souls would take birth again and again just for the fullfillment of
their wishes. Evolved souls get evolved bodies . Merged souls remains merged in the one.
Evolved souls , Merged souls , What ?
A bulb , a tubelight and sun , all emit lights. But some lights have darkness in them , some are pure without any darkness. Merged souls are a form of pure lights without the existence of any darkness elements such as Lust (Kam), Anger (Krodh), Greed (Lobh), Worldly attachment (Moh).
A pot willed with ocean water
Kept in ocean.
Who’s lonely ?
Ocean or the pot water,
Captive in the boundaries
of Lust (Kam), Anger (Krodh),
Greed (Lobh), Worldly attachment (Moh),
and Pride (Ahankar).
Break these boundaries , become one with the sea,
make bonds with the transcendental hari and
never be lonely or in seculsion again.
Let’s end this topic with a prayer from heart that
As we all are the childs of that omnipresent ,
May we all realize it sooner,
May we wake up soon to see our true self,
Merged in to that ominpresent super soul.
Sadhak
How is it a crash course ?
Sooner or later everyone will have to reach at the stage of self realization.But here sooner or later terms are measured in the number of births.
Crash course will be able to help you realize your true self in this very life.
What would happen to the world if everyone chooses this path ?
Evolution is a natural process but even not all the monkeys became humans at the same time.Self realization is indeed an higher evolution process.
It’s not just possible for everyone to realize this path and to reach at the destination at the same time. Even thinking and understanding this is a step
towards it.
Does brahamcharya means no marriage ?
Even Shri Ram,all Sikh gurus , and many great sages were married. The purpose was to give other souls a chance to get a human body again and a chance of self realization .
What souls ?
Sense gratification would only lead one to wish for more sensual pleasures . Such souls would take birth again and again just for the fullfillment of
their wishes. Evolved souls get evolved bodies . Merged souls remains merged in the one.
Evolved souls , Merged souls , What ?
A bulb , a tubelight and sun , all emit lights. But some lights have darkness in them , some are pure without any darkness. Merged souls are a form of pure lights without the existence of any darkness elements such as Lust (Kam), Anger (Krodh), Greed (Lobh), Worldly attachment (Moh).
A pot willed with ocean water
Kept in ocean.
Who’s lonely ?
Ocean or the pot water,
Captive in the boundaries
of Lust (Kam), Anger (Krodh),
Greed (Lobh), Worldly attachment (Moh),
and Pride (Ahankar).
Break these boundaries , become one with the sea,
make bonds with the transcendental hari and
never be lonely or in seculsion again.
Let’s end this topic with a prayer from heart that
As we all are the childs of that omnipresent ,
May we all realize it sooner,
May we wake up soon to see our true self,
Merged in to that ominpresent super soul.
Sadhak
March 2, 2007
Student life and Brahamcharya
Bhagwat Geeta in reality gives knowledge to us to study Vedas and very few know this fact. Actually Geeta is a true holy book but 99% writers are giving false views which I have been realising. Reason behind, that Shri Krishna Maharaj and the real writer of Bhagwat Geeta i.e., rishi Vyas were philosophers of Vedas and yoga philosophy whereas most of the present writershave never studied Vedas or tell lies that they know Vedas. So due to lack of knowledge of Vedas, nobody can give the real picture of even a single shlok of Geeta.
Simple living and high thinking is a great achievement. Thus moon has not been decorated by any diamond ornament etc., but looks very charming due to its own qualities of calmness etc. So we (soul) have to decorate us with the good qualities, spiritualism which are attained by following the path of Vedas as followed by Shri Ram, Shri Krishna, Mata Sita etc. If one leaves habits that waste time, it will really help you to devote time for your study and spiritualism. God is everywhere and sees everybody including you and on this act of your change of life, God will really be happy and will shower blessingsupon you. He is brave, is a distinguished person who control five perceptions, five organs and mind from all evils like Shri ram, Mata Sita, Madalsa, Yogeshwar Krishna, King Harishchandra and all his public etc., of those days and he is not accepted by God who makes his perceptions, organs and mind free to do sins like Ravan, Kansa, Duryodhan and most of the politicians,Gurus and public of now a days.
Who devote daily time to worship like name jaap of God and yoga practice, become one day able to be a true Brahamchari/brahamcharini. Vedas tell that a student must always be a Brahamchari till he finishes his education.
You must know that people always laugh for good as well as for bad. You may see the life of Meerabai. Even Shri Ram, Shri Krishna who were opposed by many people of those days but they ignored them and followed the teaching of Yajurveda mantra 17/68. “SWAH YANTAHA NA APEKSHYANTE ADYAM ROHANTI RODASI YAJYAM YE VISHWATODHARAM SUVIDWANSAHA VITENIRE”
Meaning: (YE) who are (SUVIDWANSAHA) learned aspirants or Yogi, they (YANTAHA) when go to God i.e., when follow the path of worship according to Vedas to realise God, they (APEKSHYANTE) see or realise but do not bother any obstacle or comments from anywhere (SWAH) only merriment (RODASI) on the earth and even in universe, they (AA_ROHANTI) wander pleasantly (VITENIRE) they spread (VISHWATODHARAM YAJYAM) Yagya according to Vedas knowledge and attain salvation, i.e., an aspirant after adopting the path of Vedas, does yoga practice and by controlling his organs, perceptions and mind, realises God, attains salvation and simultaneously spread the same knowledge to universe like the work of ancient and present Rishisand Munis.
Marriage and future is always based on hard working, pious deeds, concentration, devotion towards a right path. Yajurveda mantra 40/14 says that one should get progress in both ways simultaneously i.e., in science education and worldly pious matters according to Vedas and secondly in spiritualism. So when your character and thinking will be high then after finishing you education, marriage will be no problem. You know that regarding Sita, Madalsa, Savitri, Kunti etc., marriage was no problem. Even the public of ancient time has got no problem in this regard. Instead the intelligent and brave princes used to come for swayamvar themselves due to the huge good qualities in those girls.
Quality of Brahmacharya is itself a caretaker of everything based on which most of the marriages used to take place at the age of 33 and 44 and minimum of 25 years and their life-span used to cross 200 years whereas now a days due to lack ofbrahmacharya everything has gone in vain. In these days of student and brahmacharya life, you need not to think about marriage, kids, and husband etc., because it is against Vedas and in the future, at a proper time, with the grace of God and Guru, everything will be alright after finishing of your studies. As regards Vedas, this is always done simultaneously i.e., with studies. You see, Shri Ram was a warrior, mathematician, scientist, family holder, king, a complete Yogi etc., and these all qualities, he gained during brahmacharya ashram and so was Mata Sita.
Everybody has mind and he who follows the order of mind, can never be happy, but he who controls the mind, is ever happy. So you dress up as you like but dress must be to satisfy soul and not mind. You know posh cities have destroyed several lives. All big cities have cheated several lives. So beware of false pomp and show because everything which glitters is not gold.
You must remember a cultural, ancient story of Shabri of Ramayana that she was ugly but loved by all world based on her Vedic qualities and Vedic path followed by her under guidance and blessings of her Guru Patang Rishi. I read a [poem of WilliamShakespeare while studying in 12th and is 100% true that,
“He who loves a rosy cheek and coral lips admires, And from star like eyes seek fuel to maintain his fire.
When old time makes this decay then his flames of love must waste away.”
i.e., physical love is not everlasting but thelove based on good qualities and heart with equal combined never dies.
By vedmandir.com
Simple living and high thinking is a great achievement. Thus moon has not been decorated by any diamond ornament etc., but looks very charming due to its own qualities of calmness etc. So we (soul) have to decorate us with the good qualities, spiritualism which are attained by following the path of Vedas as followed by Shri Ram, Shri Krishna, Mata Sita etc. If one leaves habits that waste time, it will really help you to devote time for your study and spiritualism. God is everywhere and sees everybody including you and on this act of your change of life, God will really be happy and will shower blessingsupon you. He is brave, is a distinguished person who control five perceptions, five organs and mind from all evils like Shri ram, Mata Sita, Madalsa, Yogeshwar Krishna, King Harishchandra and all his public etc., of those days and he is not accepted by God who makes his perceptions, organs and mind free to do sins like Ravan, Kansa, Duryodhan and most of the politicians,Gurus and public of now a days.
Who devote daily time to worship like name jaap of God and yoga practice, become one day able to be a true Brahamchari/brahamcharini. Vedas tell that a student must always be a Brahamchari till he finishes his education.
You must know that people always laugh for good as well as for bad. You may see the life of Meerabai. Even Shri Ram, Shri Krishna who were opposed by many people of those days but they ignored them and followed the teaching of Yajurveda mantra 17/68. “SWAH YANTAHA NA APEKSHYANTE ADYAM ROHANTI RODASI YAJYAM YE VISHWATODHARAM SUVIDWANSAHA VITENIRE”
Meaning: (YE) who are (SUVIDWANSAHA) learned aspirants or Yogi, they (YANTAHA) when go to God i.e., when follow the path of worship according to Vedas to realise God, they (APEKSHYANTE) see or realise but do not bother any obstacle or comments from anywhere (SWAH) only merriment (RODASI) on the earth and even in universe, they (AA_ROHANTI) wander pleasantly (VITENIRE) they spread (VISHWATODHARAM YAJYAM) Yagya according to Vedas knowledge and attain salvation, i.e., an aspirant after adopting the path of Vedas, does yoga practice and by controlling his organs, perceptions and mind, realises God, attains salvation and simultaneously spread the same knowledge to universe like the work of ancient and present Rishisand Munis.
Marriage and future is always based on hard working, pious deeds, concentration, devotion towards a right path. Yajurveda mantra 40/14 says that one should get progress in both ways simultaneously i.e., in science education and worldly pious matters according to Vedas and secondly in spiritualism. So when your character and thinking will be high then after finishing you education, marriage will be no problem. You know that regarding Sita, Madalsa, Savitri, Kunti etc., marriage was no problem. Even the public of ancient time has got no problem in this regard. Instead the intelligent and brave princes used to come for swayamvar themselves due to the huge good qualities in those girls.
Quality of Brahmacharya is itself a caretaker of everything based on which most of the marriages used to take place at the age of 33 and 44 and minimum of 25 years and their life-span used to cross 200 years whereas now a days due to lack ofbrahmacharya everything has gone in vain. In these days of student and brahmacharya life, you need not to think about marriage, kids, and husband etc., because it is against Vedas and in the future, at a proper time, with the grace of God and Guru, everything will be alright after finishing of your studies. As regards Vedas, this is always done simultaneously i.e., with studies. You see, Shri Ram was a warrior, mathematician, scientist, family holder, king, a complete Yogi etc., and these all qualities, he gained during brahmacharya ashram and so was Mata Sita.
Everybody has mind and he who follows the order of mind, can never be happy, but he who controls the mind, is ever happy. So you dress up as you like but dress must be to satisfy soul and not mind. You know posh cities have destroyed several lives. All big cities have cheated several lives. So beware of false pomp and show because everything which glitters is not gold.
You must remember a cultural, ancient story of Shabri of Ramayana that she was ugly but loved by all world based on her Vedic qualities and Vedic path followed by her under guidance and blessings of her Guru Patang Rishi. I read a [poem of WilliamShakespeare while studying in 12th and is 100% true that,
“He who loves a rosy cheek and coral lips admires, And from star like eyes seek fuel to maintain his fire.
When old time makes this decay then his flames of love must waste away.”
i.e., physical love is not everlasting but thelove based on good qualities and heart with equal combined never dies.
By vedmandir.com
February 19, 2007
Brahmacharya-Celibacy –By The Mahabharata — Santi Parva, Section CCXIV — Translated by Sri Kisari Mohan Ganguli
Addressing King Yudhishthira
Bhishma said: I shall now tell thee what the means are (for conquering the senses) as seen with the eye of the scriptures. A person, O king, will attain to the highest end by the help of such knowledge and by framing his conduct accordingly. Amongst all living creatures man is said to be the foremost. Among men, those that are regenerate have been called the foremost; and amongst the regenerate, they that are conversant with the Vedas. These last are regarded as the souls of all living creatures. Indeed, those Brahmanas (Brahmins) that are conversant with the Vedas are regarded as all seeing and omniscient. They are persons who have become conversant with Brahman (the Supreme Reality). As a blind man, without a guide, encounters many difficulties on a road, so has a person destitute of knowledge to encounter many obstacles in the world. For this reason, those that are possessed of knowledge are regarded as superior to the rest.
Those that are desirous of acquiring virtue practise diverse kinds of rites according to the dictates of the scriptures. They do not, however, succeed in attaining to Emancipation, all that they gain being those good qualities of which I shall presently speak.
[Note: Bhishma desires to show the difference between the religion of Pravritti or acts and that of Nivritti or abstention from acts. Those that follow the former cannot attain to Emancipation. What they gain are certain good qualities mentioned in the next verse, which, however, are equally gained by the followers of the religion of Nivritti. See Page ‘Pravritti- Nivritti’.]
Purity of speech, of body, and of mind, forgiveness, truth, steadiness, and intelligence, - these good qualities are displayed by righteous persons observant of both kinds of religion. That which is called Brahmacharya (religion of abstention or Yoga) is regarded as the means of attaining to Brahman. That is the foremost of all religions. It is by the practice of that religion that one obtains the highest end (viz., Emancipation).
Brahmacharya is divested of all connection with the five vital breaths, mind, understanding, the five senses of perception, and the five senses of action. It is on that account free from all the perceptions that the senses give. It is heard only as a word, and its form, without being seen, can only be conceived. It is a state of existence depending only on the mind. It is free from all connection with the senses. That sinless state should be attained to by the understanding alone. He that practises it duly attains to Brahman; he that practises it half, attains to the condition of the gods; while he that practises it indifferently, takes birth among Brahmanas (Brahmins) and possessed of learning attains to eminence.
Brahmacharya is exceedingly difficult to practice. Listen now to the means (by which one may practise it). That regenerate person who betakes himself to it should subdue the quality of Passion as soon as it begins to manifest itself or as soon as it begins to be powerful. One that has betaken oneself to that vow should not speak with women. He should never cast his eyes on an undressed woman. The sight of women, under even different circumstances, fills all weak-minded men with Passion. If a person (while observing this vow) feels a desire for woman rising in his heart, he should (as an expiation) observe the vow called Krichcchra and also pass three days in water.
[Note: The vow of Krichcchra consists of certain fasts. ‘Pass three days in water’, i.e., stand in water tank or stream with water up to the chin.]
If desire is entertained in course of a dream, one should, diving in water, mentally repeat for three times the three Riks by Aghamarshana.
[Note: The three Riks begin with Ritamcha Satyamcha etc. Every Brahmana who knows his morning and evening prayers knows these three Riks well. (These three Riks are reproduced at the foot of this article.)]
That wise man who has betaken himself to the practice of this vow should, with an extended and enlightened mind, burn the sins in his mind which are due to the quality of Passion. As the duct that bears away the refuse of the body is very closely connected with the body, even so the embodies soul is very closely connected with the body that confines it. The different kinds of juices, passing through the network of arteries, nourish men’s wind and bile and phlegm, blood and skin and flesh, intestines and bones and marrow, and the whole body. Know that there are ten principal ducts. These assist the functions of the five senses. From these ten branch out thousands of other ducts that are minuter in form. Like rivers filling the ocean at the proper season, all these ducts, containing juices nourish the body. Leading to the heart, there is a duct called Manovaha. It draws from every part of the human body the vital seed, which is born of desire.
Numerous other ducts branching out from that principal one extend into every part of the body and bearing the element of heat cause the sense of vision (and the rest). As the butter that lies within milk is churned up by churning rod, even so the desires that are generated in the mind (by the sight or thought of women) draw together the vital seed that lies within the body. In the midst of even our dreams, passion having birth in imagination assails the mind, with the result that the duct already named, viz., Manovaha, throws out the vital seed born of desire.
The great and divine Rishi Atri is well conversant with the subject of the generation of the vital seed. The juices that are yielded by food, the duct called Manovaha, and the desire that is born of imagination,- these three are causes that originate the vital seed which has Indra for its presiding deity. The passion that aids in the emission of this fluid is, therefore, called Indriya. Those persons who know that the course of vital seed is the cause of (that sinful state of things called) intermixture of castes, are men of restrained passions. Their sins are regarded to have been burnt off, and they are never subjected to rebirth. He that betakes himself to action simply for the purposes of sustaining his body, reducing with the aid of the mind the (three) attributes (of Goodness, Passion and Darkness) into a state of uniformity, and brings at his last moments the vital breaths to the duct called Manovaha, escapes the obligation of rebirth.
[Note: ‘With the aid of the mind’ means Yoga Dehakarma means one whose acts are undertaken only for the purpose of sustaining the body, i.e., one who does no act that is not strictly necessary for supporting life; hence, as the commentator explains, one who is free from all propensities leading to external objects. Manovaham Pranan Nudan, i.e., bringing to sending the vital breaths to the duct called Manovaha or Sushumna. Though a physical act, its accomplishment becomes possible only by a long course of penances consisting in the withdrawal of the mind from external objects. “Reducing the (three) attributes to a state of uniformity,” as explained by the commentator, means arriving at Nirvikalpa, i.e., at that state of knowledge which is independent of the senses.]
The mind is sure to gain knowledge. It is the Mind that takes the form of all things. The minds of all high-souled persons, attaining to success through meditation, becomes freed from desire, eternal and luminous.
[Note: The Knowledge here spoken of is that knowledge which is independent of the senses. What the speaker says is that such Knowledge is no myth but is sure to arise. When it arises, its possessor comes to know that the external world, etc., is only the mind transformed, like the sights seen and sounds heard and thoughts cherished in a dream. In the second line the results of that knowledge are declared. The mind of a Mahatma is Mantra-Siddha, i.e., has won success by the meditation of the initial Mantra, or OM; it is Nitya, i.e., eternal, meaning probably that through the result of Maya or Avidya, it is no longer subject to rebirth; it is Virajas, i.e., free from desire and passion, and lastly it is Jyotishmat or luminous, meaning Omniscient and Omnipotent. The commentator cites a passage from Vasishtha’s treatise on Yoga, which declares the same results as consequent on the attainment of Knowledge. It is, of course, implied that in attaining to such a state, the mind as mind must be destroyed or merged into the soul and the soul, with knowledge only for its attribute, must exist. In the previous verse emancipation after death has been spoken of. In this Jivan-Mukti or emancipation in life is referred to.]
Therefore, for destroying the mind (as mind), one should do only sinless deeds and freeing oneself from the attributes of Passion and Darkness, one is sure to attain to an end that is very desirable.
[Note: “Freeing oneself from the attributes of Passion and Darkness”, i.e., by practising the religion of abstention from acts.]
Knowledge (ordinarily) acquired in younger days becomes weakened with decrepitude. A person, however, of ripe understanding succeeds, through the auspicious effects of past lives, in destroying his desires.
[Note: Adatte from Da meaning to cut or destroy. Manasam Valam as explained by the commentator, is Sankalpam, i.e., desires or purposes. The man of ripe understanding, by doing this, attains to that knowledge which is not subject to decay with age. Hence, such knowledge is superior to knowledge acquired in the ordinary way.]
Such a person, by transcending the bonds of the body and the senses like a traveller crossing a path of obstacles, and transgressing all faults he sees, succeeds in tasting the nectar (of Emancipation).
Aghamarshana Mantra
(Prayer for destruction of sin)
Om ritam cha satyam chaa abhiddaat tapaso dhyajaayata. Tato raatryajaayata, tatah samudro arnavah.
Om samudraadarnavaadadhi samvatsaro ajaayata. Ahoraatraani vidadhad vishwasya mishato vashi.
Om surya chandramasu dhaataa yathaa purvamakalpayat. Divam cha prithivim chantarikshamatho swah.
Meaning
This world was created by the luminous God who is the impeller of all actions in accordance with the laws of creation and the laws of life. Primordial matter, which was lying dormant in darkness, began to evolve. By evolution the great expanse of sparkling particles of matter began to gain momentum. This movement of particles brought into existence place and time. Thereafter as a continuation of the process of evolution the Creator of the world divided it into day and night in accordance with His laws.
The support of the world made the sun and the moon; the stars and the earth; the other heavenly objects and self-luminous worlds as in previous cycles of creation.
Bhishma said: I shall now tell thee what the means are (for conquering the senses) as seen with the eye of the scriptures. A person, O king, will attain to the highest end by the help of such knowledge and by framing his conduct accordingly. Amongst all living creatures man is said to be the foremost. Among men, those that are regenerate have been called the foremost; and amongst the regenerate, they that are conversant with the Vedas. These last are regarded as the souls of all living creatures. Indeed, those Brahmanas (Brahmins) that are conversant with the Vedas are regarded as all seeing and omniscient. They are persons who have become conversant with Brahman (the Supreme Reality). As a blind man, without a guide, encounters many difficulties on a road, so has a person destitute of knowledge to encounter many obstacles in the world. For this reason, those that are possessed of knowledge are regarded as superior to the rest.
Those that are desirous of acquiring virtue practise diverse kinds of rites according to the dictates of the scriptures. They do not, however, succeed in attaining to Emancipation, all that they gain being those good qualities of which I shall presently speak.
[Note: Bhishma desires to show the difference between the religion of Pravritti or acts and that of Nivritti or abstention from acts. Those that follow the former cannot attain to Emancipation. What they gain are certain good qualities mentioned in the next verse, which, however, are equally gained by the followers of the religion of Nivritti. See Page ‘Pravritti- Nivritti’.]
Purity of speech, of body, and of mind, forgiveness, truth, steadiness, and intelligence, - these good qualities are displayed by righteous persons observant of both kinds of religion. That which is called Brahmacharya (religion of abstention or Yoga) is regarded as the means of attaining to Brahman. That is the foremost of all religions. It is by the practice of that religion that one obtains the highest end (viz., Emancipation).
Brahmacharya is divested of all connection with the five vital breaths, mind, understanding, the five senses of perception, and the five senses of action. It is on that account free from all the perceptions that the senses give. It is heard only as a word, and its form, without being seen, can only be conceived. It is a state of existence depending only on the mind. It is free from all connection with the senses. That sinless state should be attained to by the understanding alone. He that practises it duly attains to Brahman; he that practises it half, attains to the condition of the gods; while he that practises it indifferently, takes birth among Brahmanas (Brahmins) and possessed of learning attains to eminence.
Brahmacharya is exceedingly difficult to practice. Listen now to the means (by which one may practise it). That regenerate person who betakes himself to it should subdue the quality of Passion as soon as it begins to manifest itself or as soon as it begins to be powerful. One that has betaken oneself to that vow should not speak with women. He should never cast his eyes on an undressed woman. The sight of women, under even different circumstances, fills all weak-minded men with Passion. If a person (while observing this vow) feels a desire for woman rising in his heart, he should (as an expiation) observe the vow called Krichcchra and also pass three days in water.
[Note: The vow of Krichcchra consists of certain fasts. ‘Pass three days in water’, i.e., stand in water tank or stream with water up to the chin.]
If desire is entertained in course of a dream, one should, diving in water, mentally repeat for three times the three Riks by Aghamarshana.
[Note: The three Riks begin with Ritamcha Satyamcha etc. Every Brahmana who knows his morning and evening prayers knows these three Riks well. (These three Riks are reproduced at the foot of this article.)]
That wise man who has betaken himself to the practice of this vow should, with an extended and enlightened mind, burn the sins in his mind which are due to the quality of Passion. As the duct that bears away the refuse of the body is very closely connected with the body, even so the embodies soul is very closely connected with the body that confines it. The different kinds of juices, passing through the network of arteries, nourish men’s wind and bile and phlegm, blood and skin and flesh, intestines and bones and marrow, and the whole body. Know that there are ten principal ducts. These assist the functions of the five senses. From these ten branch out thousands of other ducts that are minuter in form. Like rivers filling the ocean at the proper season, all these ducts, containing juices nourish the body. Leading to the heart, there is a duct called Manovaha. It draws from every part of the human body the vital seed, which is born of desire.
Numerous other ducts branching out from that principal one extend into every part of the body and bearing the element of heat cause the sense of vision (and the rest). As the butter that lies within milk is churned up by churning rod, even so the desires that are generated in the mind (by the sight or thought of women) draw together the vital seed that lies within the body. In the midst of even our dreams, passion having birth in imagination assails the mind, with the result that the duct already named, viz., Manovaha, throws out the vital seed born of desire.
The great and divine Rishi Atri is well conversant with the subject of the generation of the vital seed. The juices that are yielded by food, the duct called Manovaha, and the desire that is born of imagination,- these three are causes that originate the vital seed which has Indra for its presiding deity. The passion that aids in the emission of this fluid is, therefore, called Indriya. Those persons who know that the course of vital seed is the cause of (that sinful state of things called) intermixture of castes, are men of restrained passions. Their sins are regarded to have been burnt off, and they are never subjected to rebirth. He that betakes himself to action simply for the purposes of sustaining his body, reducing with the aid of the mind the (three) attributes (of Goodness, Passion and Darkness) into a state of uniformity, and brings at his last moments the vital breaths to the duct called Manovaha, escapes the obligation of rebirth.
[Note: ‘With the aid of the mind’ means Yoga Dehakarma means one whose acts are undertaken only for the purpose of sustaining the body, i.e., one who does no act that is not strictly necessary for supporting life; hence, as the commentator explains, one who is free from all propensities leading to external objects. Manovaham Pranan Nudan, i.e., bringing to sending the vital breaths to the duct called Manovaha or Sushumna. Though a physical act, its accomplishment becomes possible only by a long course of penances consisting in the withdrawal of the mind from external objects. “Reducing the (three) attributes to a state of uniformity,” as explained by the commentator, means arriving at Nirvikalpa, i.e., at that state of knowledge which is independent of the senses.]
The mind is sure to gain knowledge. It is the Mind that takes the form of all things. The minds of all high-souled persons, attaining to success through meditation, becomes freed from desire, eternal and luminous.
[Note: The Knowledge here spoken of is that knowledge which is independent of the senses. What the speaker says is that such Knowledge is no myth but is sure to arise. When it arises, its possessor comes to know that the external world, etc., is only the mind transformed, like the sights seen and sounds heard and thoughts cherished in a dream. In the second line the results of that knowledge are declared. The mind of a Mahatma is Mantra-Siddha, i.e., has won success by the meditation of the initial Mantra, or OM; it is Nitya, i.e., eternal, meaning probably that through the result of Maya or Avidya, it is no longer subject to rebirth; it is Virajas, i.e., free from desire and passion, and lastly it is Jyotishmat or luminous, meaning Omniscient and Omnipotent. The commentator cites a passage from Vasishtha’s treatise on Yoga, which declares the same results as consequent on the attainment of Knowledge. It is, of course, implied that in attaining to such a state, the mind as mind must be destroyed or merged into the soul and the soul, with knowledge only for its attribute, must exist. In the previous verse emancipation after death has been spoken of. In this Jivan-Mukti or emancipation in life is referred to.]
Therefore, for destroying the mind (as mind), one should do only sinless deeds and freeing oneself from the attributes of Passion and Darkness, one is sure to attain to an end that is very desirable.
[Note: “Freeing oneself from the attributes of Passion and Darkness”, i.e., by practising the religion of abstention from acts.]
Knowledge (ordinarily) acquired in younger days becomes weakened with decrepitude. A person, however, of ripe understanding succeeds, through the auspicious effects of past lives, in destroying his desires.
[Note: Adatte from Da meaning to cut or destroy. Manasam Valam as explained by the commentator, is Sankalpam, i.e., desires or purposes. The man of ripe understanding, by doing this, attains to that knowledge which is not subject to decay with age. Hence, such knowledge is superior to knowledge acquired in the ordinary way.]
Such a person, by transcending the bonds of the body and the senses like a traveller crossing a path of obstacles, and transgressing all faults he sees, succeeds in tasting the nectar (of Emancipation).
Aghamarshana Mantra
(Prayer for destruction of sin)
Om ritam cha satyam chaa abhiddaat tapaso dhyajaayata. Tato raatryajaayata, tatah samudro arnavah.
Om samudraadarnavaadadhi samvatsaro ajaayata. Ahoraatraani vidadhad vishwasya mishato vashi.
Om surya chandramasu dhaataa yathaa purvamakalpayat. Divam cha prithivim chantarikshamatho swah.
Meaning
This world was created by the luminous God who is the impeller of all actions in accordance with the laws of creation and the laws of life. Primordial matter, which was lying dormant in darkness, began to evolve. By evolution the great expanse of sparkling particles of matter began to gain momentum. This movement of particles brought into existence place and time. Thereafter as a continuation of the process of evolution the Creator of the world divided it into day and night in accordance with His laws.
The support of the world made the sun and the moon; the stars and the earth; the other heavenly objects and self-luminous worlds as in previous cycles of creation.
Practising Brahamcharya
Brahamcharya is a sanskrit word derived from “Brahma or Braham” and “Char”. Brahma signifies Brahaman which according to vedas is ‘The ultimate reality’ .Root Word “Char” means ‘To follow or practise’. One who follows the principles of brahamcharya is called brahamchari. Now one can be an athlete , musician , artist etc. But the degree of achievement in one’s particlular field depends upon the hard work and dedication laid on it. Just like an olympic player and me. I can be an olympic player but I am not dedicated towards it or in other words I am not concentrating on it. Concentration of mind can bring great achievements. One can control his/her senses.
One who’s practicing brahamcharya must gain control on senses and should not let the senses run like a wild horse running in to the deep pitch of falseness. In kalyug practising brahamcharya means standing firm in a tornado . Maya is the tornado that will try to pull you off from the truthness. So anyone who’s just starting on it may stumble and fall down occasionally but one should never give up. One has to train his mind and senses like a player who wants to be successful. Meditation on one’s self is the ultimate way to realise the truth . More one realize the truth , more one becomes stronger while facing the maya. This is the road which ends at the point where one’s conciousness has united in seamless way with the super soul . Just like a rain drop meets the ocean and becomes one with ocean.There’s nothing that’s out there and not in me. All are me and I am in all.
Here’s a great quote from Upnishads:
Those who see all creatures within themselves
And themselves in all creatures know no fear.
Those who see all creatures in themselves
And themselves in all creatures know no grief.
How can the multiplicity of life
Delude the one who sees its unity?
One should try to have control on all five senses.
1)Should not look at the member of opposite sex with carnal desire. Should try not to preceive any thing from the eyes that may bind one to falseness or false reality or false pleasure. The real pleasure is the pleasure that an aspirant can get once his consciousness is united with the ultimate reality or ultimate consciousness of the universe or brahmand.
2) Should not have desire to touch the opposite sex with passion.
3) Should have control on eating habits. Simple food is good. One shouldn’t eat non-veg food or any food that makes one aggrresive. One shouldn’t drink liquor. There are few yogis that don’t eat anything and live merely on Surya sadhna or sun gazing.
4)Purity of speech. Always saying truth and never do back biting.
5) Should not have lustful thought about the opposite sex.
6) Should control oneself from getting attracted towards the smell of good food or scent .
Any aspirant who’s beginning on this practise should never stop trying till the success is achieved. The path of meditation will keep on becoming easier and in turn one’s soul will keep on merging in to the divine light more and more as the reality being realized , making one self more rigid in the tornado of maya.
One who’s practicing brahamcharya must gain control on senses and should not let the senses run like a wild horse running in to the deep pitch of falseness. In kalyug practising brahamcharya means standing firm in a tornado . Maya is the tornado that will try to pull you off from the truthness. So anyone who’s just starting on it may stumble and fall down occasionally but one should never give up. One has to train his mind and senses like a player who wants to be successful. Meditation on one’s self is the ultimate way to realise the truth . More one realize the truth , more one becomes stronger while facing the maya. This is the road which ends at the point where one’s conciousness has united in seamless way with the super soul . Just like a rain drop meets the ocean and becomes one with ocean.There’s nothing that’s out there and not in me. All are me and I am in all.
Here’s a great quote from Upnishads:
Those who see all creatures within themselves
And themselves in all creatures know no fear.
Those who see all creatures in themselves
And themselves in all creatures know no grief.
How can the multiplicity of life
Delude the one who sees its unity?
One should try to have control on all five senses.
1)Should not look at the member of opposite sex with carnal desire. Should try not to preceive any thing from the eyes that may bind one to falseness or false reality or false pleasure. The real pleasure is the pleasure that an aspirant can get once his consciousness is united with the ultimate reality or ultimate consciousness of the universe or brahmand.
2) Should not have desire to touch the opposite sex with passion.
3) Should have control on eating habits. Simple food is good. One shouldn’t eat non-veg food or any food that makes one aggrresive. One shouldn’t drink liquor. There are few yogis that don’t eat anything and live merely on Surya sadhna or sun gazing.
4)Purity of speech. Always saying truth and never do back biting.
5) Should not have lustful thought about the opposite sex.
6) Should control oneself from getting attracted towards the smell of good food or scent .
Any aspirant who’s beginning on this practise should never stop trying till the success is achieved. The path of meditation will keep on becoming easier and in turn one’s soul will keep on merging in to the divine light more and more as the reality being realized , making one self more rigid in the tornado of maya.
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