Ramanisblog

Tag: Bhagavadgita

  • Yoga State Can Be Attained Faster Yoga Sutra 1.22

    Paramahamsa Yogananda, A Great Yogi
    Paramahamsa Yogananda, A Great Yogi

    Some people attain Yoga Siddi very fast.

    It takes a long time for the others.

    It might take even more than one Lifetime.

    The inclination to practice Yoga due to one’s Vaasanas.

    The success depends on one’s tireless efforts and following of the Yama and Niyama strictly.

    Yet one would find that even those who follow these rules rigorously  do not get results,

    On the other hand there are some who seem to attain the State of Yoga relatively easy.

    Why?

    Patanjali would be explaining this in the next Sutra on the importance of Iswara Pranidhaana, complete surrender to God,(Iswara)

    The fundamental of India philosophy is that one is totally responsible for one’s action,.

    You can not shift the responsibility to God, hold Him responsible nor can you expect Him to atone your Sins, as it were, as in some other Religions.

    In Indian Philosophy , Free Will Vs Determinism is dealt with exhaustively.

    While it is true that , being a Part of Brahman, The Reality,our individual Self , is not affected by our actions,we are responsible for our action at the Empirical level when and if we do not perform an Action as a Non Action,if we are driven by only our senses.

    Such actions beget results , the remnants of the Impressions or the Vaasanas linger and they condition our development.

    As Krishna declares in the 14th Chapter of The Bhagavad Gita, Sathva Guna is the result of previous Vaasanas or Impressions, though,

    ‘There may be innumerable Forms and beings , living and non living;yet Prakriti, Nature is The Mother and I am The Father , The Seed”

    (Bhagavad Gita Chapter 14.4)

    Ramana Maharishi and Paramahamsa Yogananda
    Ramana Maharishi and Paramahamsa Yogananda

    This Sathva drives a Man for Yoga Sadhana.

    As I have been mentioning on various occasions, Yoga is not an exercise that can be mastered in 30 days or following some lectures;it is life long spiritual practice.

    It takes in most cases, more than a Life time.

    If one were to die before attaining Yoga in that birth, he is born , in the next birth, in a Family of Devotional disposition which helps him to continue his attempts at Yoga, thus rendering the attainment of Yoga faster in the present Birth.

    ( for who question the theory of Rebirth, I shall be posting an Article on this)

    Their fore,the dispositions must  be there, , the continuous practice must be undertaken.

    Then Yoga is achieved faster.

    The next is a step less than this.

    In some cases, every thing mentioned above might have been followed, yet the Siddhi does not materialize.

    The reason is that the Yoga has not been practiced correctly and remnants of Impressions linger.

    In such cases , the practitioner attains partial success as the Siddhas.

    They have no doubt attained Yoga Siddhi, though of a Lower Order.

    This the reason why some Yogis are reborn.

    Please read my post” Why some Yogis are reborn?

    This level is an average level (Madhyam)

    The last is the level we belong to’,

    We attempt and do not follow it up regularly.

    Here the results will be very slow in forthcoming.

    Yoga Sutra of Patanjali
    Yoga Sutra 1.22

    mridumadhyadhimatratvat tatopi visheshah

    mridu = mild;
    madhya = medium;
    adhimatratvat = by intense;
    totopi = further;
    viseshah = differentiation;

    The time necessary for success further depends on whether the practice is mild, medium or intense.

    They again differ according as the means are mild, medium or supreme.

    Yet, again, it is possible to see a distinction between mild, middling and intense zeal, energy and effort, although yoga (which is spontaneous realization of oneness) and effort (which implies duality) are contradiction in terms.

     

    Related articles

  • Necessity of God In Yoga,Sutra 21 22 23

    Having spoken about  Perfection and Imperfection in Yoga, Patanjali now speaks of the reasons for these and recommends corrective action.

    Patanjali's Yoga Sutra.
    Yoga Sutra 1.21

    Intensity , constant and regular practice will speed up the process of Yoga .

    • tivra = rate is fast, speedy
    • samvega = momentum, force, vigor, conviction, enthusiasm
    • asannah = very close, near, speedy

    1.21 Those who pursue their practices with intensity of feeling, vigor, and firm conviction achieve concentration and the fruits thereof more quickly, compared to those of medium or lesser intensity.
    (tivra samvega asannah)

    He adds,

    Yoga Sutra 1.22
    Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra 1.22
    • mridu = mild, slow
    • madhya = medium, middling
    • adhimatra = intense, strong
    • tatah = from that 
    • api = also
    • visheshah = differentiation, distinction
    •  For those with intense practices and intense conviction (1.21), there are three more subdivisions of practice, those of mild intensity, medium intensity, and intense intensity.
      (mridu madhya adhimatra tatah api visheshah

    Now we come to an important aspect of Yoga,Indian Philosophy.

    That of God.

    Hinduism speaks of Polytheism,Henotheism,Monotheism,Dualism and Non Dualism.

    It speaks of principle as the Realiy, yet advocates worship of God as well.

    ord Krishna in The Bhagavad Gita says that ‘Whatever God you pray, I shall, in the form of That God shall give you the fruits in that Form”

    Does this mean God is only an imaginary Concept?

    Again we find many Gods in the Indian Pantheon, which is contrary to the Vedic Mahavakyas,

    Aham Brahmaasm,

    Tatatvam Asi and

    Soham Asi.

    When I am That, You are That and He Is That, where is the question of God?

    Detail on this

    “In a Nut-shell, God does not have Name and Form. But we need to have name and Form to Realize the Reality. So, different forms and names are best left to individuals as they know best what they like.”

    http://ramanisblog.in/2009/09/28/does-god-have-name-and-form/

    At the Ultimate Level thre is no God with Name and Form.

    Yet it is needed as a Concept to graduate in Spiritual Practice, it is a tool.

    But how come there are legends and Histories of God s in Hinduism”

    Reality projects itself as God.

    It is Real in this temporal world, ceases its relevance at the Paramaarthika Level, ParaVidya Level.

    Sounds not convincing?

    The same question was asked of Adi Sankaracharya when he explained the Theory of Maya and Brahman.

    We know Sankaracharya advovates Non Dualism ,Advaita.

    He syas the Reality has to be reailzed by the Individual by reclaiming the Knowledge that He is None other than the Reality.

    How come the One Reality became or appears, as he put it, as Many”

    Here Sankaracharya speaks of Maya, mayavada.

    The impediment to realization is Avidya, Nescience,Ignorance at the Individual Level.

    This Avidya is called as Maya at the Macro level.

    Sankaracharya explains that the Realit, Brahman appears to be many and the world of names and Forms of because of Maya.

    When did the Reality start appearing as Many?

    Right form the Beginning?

    Does it mean thet maya Existed in Time along with Brahman at the same time?

    Yes.

    If so, are not ascribing ‘Timelessness’-Anaadithtva to Maya?

    Yes.

    Then does Maya have the same attributes as that of Brahman?

    In that case non dualism becomes meaaningless for for interaction between two realities the Third One is required, and a fourth One to manage thiese three and this is a Fallacy of Infinity?

    What do you say”

    Sankaracharya states that this is as far as our Minds can go.

    One has to experience this.

    Swami Vivekanada echoed this  when he ated,

    ‘You go this far and then you will find there are no more questions’

    And that is That.

    Patanjali is his Sutra 1.23 says the same as Iswara paranidhaana.

    Patanjali Yoga Sutra 1.23
    Yoga Sutra 1.23

     

     

    • ishvara = creative source, pure consciousness, purusha, God, supreme Guru or teacher
    • pranidhana = practicing the presence, sincerity, dedication, devotion, surrender of fruits of practice
    • va = or
    • From a special process of devotion and letting go into the creative source from which we emerged (ishvara pranidhana), the coming of samadhi is imminent.
      (ishvara pranidhana va)
    • More on Iswara Pranidhana to follow

     

    Related articles

  • At Yoga Beyond Yoga Sutra 1.18

    In Yoga Sutra 1.17,Patanjali explained the various types/stages of Yoga,

    Savitarka Samadhi,

    Savichara Samadhi,

    Ananda Samadhi and

    Saasmita Samadhi.

    These four belong to Sampraagya or the state attained by being with the Consciousness.

    Now Patanjali explains that the real Yoga does not end here.

    A Yogi after attaining the Consciousness identification, reaches a stage where he should be able to transcend that stage ,be with the world and yet be with the Consciousness.

    waves and ocean.
    Reality description,Advaita,Waves and ocean not differnent

    This stage is what is described as Asampragyada Samadhi.

    This is the stage where the practitioner of Yoga, though he has attained the Sampragya samadhi,  returns back, as it were, to the day-to-day World and keeps himself engaged in daily activities, yet remaining one with the Supreme.

    This is what Lord Krishna explains to Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita while discoursing on the Karma, Gnana, and Bhakti Yoga.

    On karma Yoga, Krishna explains that when one performs Duty as it has to be performed with out attachment to the fruits thereof, he attains Brahma Nirvana.

    The effects of actions do not touch him, he is not caught in the Samskaras or Vasanas(Tendencis extending beyond the present birth).

    While talking about Gnana Yoga , Lord Krishna advises that for one who has known that He is Not different from the reality, the Samaskaras leave as  leaves are burnt by a raging Fire.

    Under Bhakti  Yoga, in 18.66, Krishna Declares,

    ‘Leave all actions,take refuge in Me,,I shall take care of your Sins and Grant you Liberation”

    “sarva-dharmān parityajyamām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vrajaahaṁ tvāṁ sarva-pāpebhyomokṣayiṣyāmi mā śucaḥ(BG 18.66)”

     

    विरामप्रत्ययाभ्यासपूर्वः संस्कारशेषोऽन्यः
    viramapratyayabhyasapoorvah sanskarashesho anyah

    virama = complete cessation;
    pratyaya = firmly convinced;
    abhyasa poorvah = by the practice;
    samskaraseshah = having only impressions remain;
    anyah = the other;

    By firmly convinced practice of the complete cessation of the mental modifications, the impressions only remain. This is the other samadhi [asamprajnata or non-distinguished].

    explanation of the Sutra in the next post.

     

     

    Related articles

  • Preachers Of Hinduism,Indifferent ‘Greedy For Money’

    Hinduism is a personal Religion.

    It does not believe in Numbers, nor in Proselytism.

    As a matter of fact, The Vedas do not mention collective worship at all.

    Those who disseminate Knowledge did so, free of cost, after evaluating the student’s aptitude.

    Symbolism Of Lord Ganesh.
    Symbolism Of Lord Ganesh.

    However a token was accepted, of the Teacher‘s choosing, from the students’ parents, either to make people understand that nothing must be gained free of cost or to test the skill-set and dedication of the Student.

    Lord Krishna was asked to save Santipini’s son  from a demon in the Ocean, as Guru dakshina.

    By doing so, Lord Krishna acquired his famous Panchajanya.

    Drona asked, nay punished Ekalaivya by asking for his Thumb, this is an exception, for this act his son Aswathama was cursed to roam as Chiranjeevi (ever living) in the forest.

    Or the Gurus asked of their students to undertake a mission for the welfare of the Society.

    Viswamitra asked Lord Rama to kill the demons Thataka.

    But never they hankered after wealth for their efforts.

    One must remember in the Vedic System of Life, the students were living with the Teacher in his household, partaking what was available;their parents, however rich were not permitted to offer anything.

    Over a period of years the system of conveying the Vedic Thoughts, The Ithihasa, Ramayana, Mahabharata and others came into vogue.

    When it started the preachers never accepted anything but were driven the noble thought of spreading the Good Word.

    Over a period of time, this become an Industry where people , in the garb of disseminating knowledge have started making money and only money, with presenting facts that would suit the audience.

    The system of negotiating Rates for Pravachana began.

    Till some time back there was this habit of’ ‘taking the plate around’ among the audience to raise for some noble cause;later it degenerated into collecting money from the audience for the preacher!

    Now with Media networks running wild to make quick buck by presenting miish mash of programmes called  Religious, popular figures in the filed of preaching are called in.

    What they do more is to advertise themselves, distort stories.Philosophy to suit TRP!

    Nauseating is their naked lust for money and fame.

    Worse is their treatment of people who attend their Pravachanas or Preaching, Kathas.

    People come to their Pravachanas or Kathas to know more of the Subject.

    They are treated with contempt,; the man does not even acknowledge you or at times if he inclined will tell you rudely’he has no time”

    This applies all the Pravachanakarthas including Velukkudi Krishna who is the craze now.

    He stares at you indifferently and keeps mum or looks at some body.

    But hear his Pravachanas, you would believe he is embodiment of Knowledge, Wisdom,Eager to help people and, as irony would have it,Humble!

    I recall Sri Kripanandavariar , great preacher asking people in the midst of a Lecture for their doubts and clearing them on the spot!

    If one were to approach him later, he would patiently explain things till he was satisfied that you understood him!

    Preachers of Hinduism, what you are doing is not Dharma and you are insulting Hinduism

    Note.People might ask me why I have not said anything about Christian Preacher,..

    Well…it is their profession sanctioned(?) by their Religion.

    Nor I am saying anything about the self-styled Gurus, like Chandrasawmi,Baba Ramdev or the one who teaches the ‘Art of Living’ as if Hinduism teaches the ‘Science of Death!’

    These guys should remember  what would be their position that if Vedas, Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, Mahabharata,Yoga had Copyright and IPR!

    Related articles

  • Directing The Mind, Yoga Sutra 1.12

    Lord Krishna's Bhagavad Gita
    Lord Krishna’s Bhagavad Gita Sermon to Arjuna.

    Explaining that the modifications of the Chithi,Yoga delves further into describing the tool that can make the Modifications extinct and enable the Individual to return to his original Self or His Natural Identity..

    The modifications of the Chitha starts from and due to the Mind and its activities.

    Can we control The Mind be controlled and make us do our bidding?

    Yoga confirms we can.

    But it is difficult.

    We are aware how difficult it is to reign in the Mind.

    The more one tries to control the Mind, more it would become uncontrollable and roam, than it would have been, had we kept quiet.

    This is not a disqualification for practicing Yoga nor is this unique to you, of us , the fickle minded.

    Arjuna,who mastered the art of Concentration, for he was the one, when asked by his Guru to hit a bird,after felling it , said later, that he could see nothing else but the bird only, found it difficult to control the Mind and confesses to lord Krishna in The Bhagavad Gita.(6.34)

    Bhagavd Gita 6.34
    Bhagavd Gita 6.34

    ‘This Mind,Krishna, has the ability  to confound the senses into running after objects, fickle and strong;It is as difficult as controlling the wind’

    Lord Krishna agrees with him and replies,

    ‘
    ‘O son of Kunti, without doubt mind is difficult to restrain, prone to agitation; but it can be controlled by repetitive practice and by Right Resolve.’ (6.35)

    Mind can be controlled by Practice and Right Resolve .

    Yoga says the same.

     

    Patanjali Yoga 1.12
    Yoga Sutra 1.12

    By regular practice and Right Resolve one can make mind one’s own.

    Vairagaya or Right Resolve and Abhyasa, regular practice, is explained in the coming Sutras.

     

    Related articles