Indian philosophical systems are meant as Paths to Self Realisation and any other benefit like Emotional calmness,physical fitness and well being are only spinoffs of these spiritual practices aimed at realizing Self.Indian philosophy understands the limitations of humans,both physical and mental and so has devised methods that function effectively within the limitations of human frailty and Hinduism never imposes anything that is strenuous either mentally or physically.Sri Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita that human body is precious and it has to be respected as God resides in it.Ancient Tamil Siddha texts, including Thirumandhiram by Thirumoolar declare that human body is A Temple One can realize Self with the help of this body which has Mind.Krishna declares that those who strain the body are following Rakshasa Tapas,that is one practiced by the powerful with not much of wisdom.It has to be avoided.
A point to note in Hinduism is that Mind unlike in Western philosophy, is considered as a sense organ and is not a separate entity.Mund had to be guided, channelized in a specific manner to achieve Self Realisation.Mind is not to be controlled consciously as the more you try to control, the more it would go out of control.So , the technic is to cheat the Mind,as it were, by appearing to go along with it and direct it subtly towards Self Realisation.This may sound gibberish, which it is not.This can be achieved by Discerning knowledge, Practice and strong Determination ,Gnana,Abhyaasa and Druda Sankalpa.I shall devote a post on this shortly.
In the meantime, let’s note that there are four broad paths suggested for Self Realisation.They are..
Gnana, Knowledge
Karma, Action
Raja,Highly Active physically
Bhakti, Total Surrender.
Gnana yoga is the intellectual approach, Karma Yoga is Rooted in Sacrifice of the fruits of Action,Raja Yoga is a process of disciplining the Mind through Physical exercises and Bhakti is totally emotional approach when one surrenders every thing to God.Though it appears simple Bhakti Yoga is difficult to practice if you do not have the required disposition.
In practice, all these form a whole in realising Self ,that is in every Yoga, the other yogas are present. However, the emphasis differs.So, when one practices Patanjali’s Ashtanga Yoga, the purpose is to stop the modification of the Chitta. To put it in simple world’s, stop the processes of Thoughts.That is the State Of Being.Self Realisation.
In this yoga process , beneficial physical and mental accrue.These are, as I mentioned earlier , are only side effects and not to be given too much importance.Performing Yoga as a Physical Exercise without the goal being Self Realisation is not Yoga.Such an approach is likely to bring in physical and mental problems.
However, there are studies which show that meditation, chanting of OM helps one Mental health,effectively manages Epilepsy.I had also published articles about the benefits of Yoga .
I am providing two views based on the research of the relationship between Yoga ,OM Chanting and Mental health, especially Epilepsy.The result is inconclusive.Whike a study suggests it aids in management of Epilepsy,while other view is that Meditation causes Epilepsy.My view is that we need more specific study on this subject.At the same time, I am of the opinion that if one practices meditation as it ought to be, as a tool for Self Realisation, these issues do not arise and become irrelevant. Don’t attempt to convert a Spiritual Sadhana into a Physical Exercise.
Proponents of meditation tout its ability to reduce seizures in people with epilepsy, while those more skeptical contend that regular practice of meditation could in fact induce epileptic seizures. So, how much of this debate is based on real clinical data and how much on opinion? To answer this question, Epilepsy.com writer, Jenna Martin, interviewed Erik K. St. Louis, M.D., Assistant Professor of Neurology Co-Director, Iowa Comprehensive Epilepsy Program and co-author of the recently published article, “Meditation and epilepsy: A still hung jury” 1 and another forthcoming review on the subject2.
Our interest in this subject was kindled by a young patient that I had seen who developed new onset mesial temporal lobe epilepsy, who lacked other epilepsy risk factors, and had been a lifelong practitioner of meditation. I was aware of recent research that had shown evidence for physiological neuronal hypersynchrony seen on electroencephalograms (EEG) during meditation. While I thought the potential relationship between her meditative practice and her development of epilepsy was probably no more than a chance coincidence, I started to review the literature and was surprised to see that there were a few previous (although nebulously described) case reports of potential associations of epilepsy with meditation.
Conversely, there were also small treatment trials demonstrating possible benefits of seizure reduction with meditative techniques. Coincidentally, a few opinion pieces concerning epilepsy and meditation started to surface in the medical literature around this time last year. There seemed to be two schools of thought on a possible relationship between meditation and epilepsy. Some suggested the possibility that the neuronal hypersynchrony and “psychic” type mental imagery that may accompany meditation may actually reflect the occurrence of simple partial seizures provoked by meditation. On the other hand, many proponents of meditation objected strongly to this suggestion, citing a few small past treatment trials that had suggested that meditation may reduce seizures in those with known epilepsy.https://www.epilepsy.com/article/2014/3/meditation-epilepsy-silent-debate-wages
In this study, significant deactivation was observed bilaterally during ‘OM’ chanting in comparison to the resting brain state in bilateral orbitofrontal, anterior cingulate, parahippocampal gyri, thalami and hippocampi. The right amygdala too demonstrated significant deactivation. No significant activation was observed during ‘OM’ chanting. In contrast, neither activation nor deactivation occurred in these brain regions during the comparative task – namely the ‘ssss’ pronunciation condition.
Conclusion:
The neurohemodynamic correlates of ‘OM’ chanting indicate limbic deactivation. As similar observations have been recorded with vagus nerve stimulation treatment used in depression and epilepsy, the study findings argue for a potential role of this ‘OM’ chanting in clinical practice.
Meaning: 1.1: (Salutations to Sri Ganesha) Who Always has a Child-like Form, but can Destroy Mountains of Obstacles, 1.2: Who has an Elephant Face with a Huge Tusk, but is respected by the Five-Faced Shiva, 1.3: Who is sought after by Vidhi (Brahma), Indra and Others; and Who is known as Ganesha; To me … 1.4: … please bestow Sri (Glory and Prosperity), O the Lord with an Auspicious Form.
नजानामिशब्दंनजानामिचार्थं नजानामिपद्यंनजानामिगद्यम् । चिदेकाषडास्याहृदिद्योततेमे मुखान्निःसरन्तेगिरश्चापिचित्रम् ॥२॥ Na Jaanaami Shabdam Na Jaanaami Ca-Artham
Na Jaanaami Padyam Na Jaanaami Gadyam |
Cid-Ekaa Ssaddaasyaa Hrdi Dyota-Te Me
Mukhaan-Nihsarante Girash-Ca-Api Citram ||2||
Meaning: 2.1: (Salutations to Sri Subramanya) I know neither Words, nor their Meanings O Lord, 2.2: And I know neither Poetry, nor Prose, but … 2.3: … within the Core of my Heart, I see the Conscious Effulgence of Your Six Faces, … 2.4: … which is making these various Words pour forth through my Mouth.
Meaning: 3.1: (Salutations to Sri Subramanya) Whose Form Mounted on a Peacock represents the deepest Secret of the UpanishadicMaha Vakyas, 3.2: Whose Heart-Stealing Beautiful Body Dwells within the Great Heart of Spiritual Consciousness, 3.3: Who is the Great God of the Devas and represents what the Great Vedas convey, 3.4: I Worship that Son of Mahadeva (another name of Shiva) Who is the Protector of the World.
Meaning: 4.1: (Salutations to Sri Subramanya) When Persons come to My Presence (and completely surrender to me), 4.2: They have Indeed Crossed the Ocean of the Samsara, 4.3:Thus You seem to proclaim Manifesting on the Shore of the Sea (at Tiruchendur) and Dwelling there, 4.4: May I always Praise You, O the Ever Pure Son of Parashakti (Divine Mother).
यथाब्धेस्तरङ्गालयंयन्तितुङ्गाः तथैवापदःसन्निधौसेवतांमे । इतीवोर्मिपंक्तीर्नृणांदर्शयन्तं सदाभावयेहृत्सरोजेगुहंतम् ॥५॥ Yatha-Abdhes-Taranggaa Layam Yanti Tunggaah
Tathai[aa-E]va-[A]apadah Sannidhau Sevataam Me |
Iti-Ivo[a-Uu]rmi-Pangktiir-Nrnnaam Darshayantam
Sadaa Bhaavaye Hrt-Saroje Guham Tam ||5||
Meaning: 5.1: (Salutations to Sri Subramanya) Like the Huge Waves of the Sea Disappear within the Sea, … 5.2: … similarly, the Calamities of My Devotees will Disappear Who come to My Presence where I Dwell (and completely surrender to me), 5.3:Thus You seem to proclaim showing the Rows of Waves on the Sea (to the Devotees), 5.4: May I always Meditate on You, O Guha (another name of Subramanya) within the Lotus of my Heart.
Meaning: 6.1: (Salutations to Sri Subramanya) Those Persons who Ascend the Hills of My Abode (and completely surrender to me), … 6.2: … they thereby Ascend the Great Silvery Mountain which leads to the path of Liberation (referring to Mount Kailash which appears Silvery due to snow), 6.3:Thus You seem to proclaim Abiding on the Sugandha Hill, 6.4:Let me always Rejoice in the contemplation of You, O my Lord Shanmukha.
Meaning: 7.1: (Salutations to Sri Subramanya) On the Shores of the Great Sea, the Place which Steals away the Great Sins of the People, … 7.2: … the Place which is very Favourable for Munis (Saints or Ascetics) to perform Sadhana, the Place which is known as the Sugandha Hill, … 7.3: … the Place where Guha Abides in His Own Splendour, … 7.4: … and Removes the Distress of the People; I Remember that Place and take Refuge in You, O Guha.
Meaning: 8.1: (Salutations to Sri Subramanya) Within the Shining Golden House (i.e. Temple Room), Granting the Wishes of theDevotees, … 8.2: … Abides the Lord on a Shrine which is covered with heaps of Flowers and various Gems, … 8.3: … the Lord Himself Shining with the Effulgence of Thousand Suns, 8.4: Let me always Meditate on that Form of Kartikeya, the Lord of the Devas.
रणद्धंसकेमञ्जुलेऽत्यन्तशोणे मनोहारिलावण्यपीयूषपूर्णे मनःषट्पदोमेभवक्लेशतप्तः सदामोदतांस्कन्दतेपादपद्मे ॥९॥ Rannad-Dhamsake Man.jule-Atyanta-Shonne
Manohaari-Laavannya-Piiyuussa-Puurnne
Manah-Ssatt-Pado Me Bhava-Klesha-Taptah
Sadaa Modataam Skanda Te Paada-Padme ||9||
Meaning: 9.1: (Salutations to Sri Subramanya) On the Jingling Anklets on the Feet which are very Charming and Reddish, … 9.2: … the Feet which are Heart-Stealing, Lovely and filled with Nectar … 9.3: … On those Six pair of Feet (in Your Six Abodes), let me who is afflicted with the Distress and Heat of the World, … 9.4: … always Rejoice, O Skanda, keeping my Mind always on Your Lotus Feet.
Meaning: 10.1: (Salutations to Sri Subramanya) Clad in Divine Clothes which are Shining with the Lustre of Gold, … 10.2: … and wearing a beautiful Girdle on the Waist on which small Bells are Tinkling, … 10.3: … along with a Golden Silk Cloth which is Flashing like Lightning, … 10.4: … I Meditate on Your Waist, O Skanda, You Who Enlighten my Heart.
Meaning: 11.1: (Salutations to Sri Subramanya) Like how You Embraced the Woman of the Pulinda Tribe (i.e. Sri Valli, who meditated on You for long) who had Big and Round …. 11.2: … Bosom, and as a result of that Embrace, Your Chest became Red like Saffron (signifying deep attachment towards Devotees), … 11.3: … I Bow down to You, the Enemy of Taraka, and Who is extremely Powerful, … 11.4: … Please extend the same Anuraga (Love and Affection which You showed towards Valli) towards Your Devotees also,always, You Who are the Joy of the Devotees.
Meaning: 12.1: (Salutations to Sri Subramanya) The Arms which Effected Punishment to Vidhi (Sri Brahma) and the Arms whichSupported the Universe as One’s Play, … 12.2: … The Arms which Casted off the Elephant (Valli Story) and the Arms which are like Kaaladanda (Staff of Death) to the Hostile, … 12.3: … The Arms which Killed the Multitude of Enemies of Indra, and the Arms which are Skilled in Protecting the World, … 12.4: … I Always take Refuge in Your Formidable Arms, O Subramanya (which are like a Mighty Protecting Staff for the World).
Meaning: 13.1: (Salutations to Sri Subramanya) If Six Autumn Moons Continuously Shine, … 13.2: … Rising Together and Staying side by side, such that their Splendour is a Continuous Whole, … 13.3: … and they are Always Shining with Full Brightness, without any Spot on them, … 13.4: … Even then, they can be said to be like Your Face, only for the name’s sake, O Skanda, without the real Splendour matching.
Meaning: 14.1: (Salutations to Sri Subramanya) With Shining Gentle Smile like a group of Swans Moving Happily, … 14.2: … and Side Glances like a group of Bees Shining with Splendour, … 14.3: … along with Lips like Bimba Fruit filled with Nectar; O the Son of the Lord of Earth, … 14.4: … I Behold Your Six Faces within my Heart; those Six Faces which blossom like Six Lotuses.
Meaning: 15.1: (Salutations to Sri Subramanya) From Your Large and Long Eyes extending till the Ears, from which continually … 15.2: … pours forth Compassion; those Twelve Eyes, … 15.3: … If on me once Cast their Glance, … 15.4: … What Loss indeed will there be to You, O my Compassionate Lord?
Meaning: 16.1: (Salutations to Sri Subramanya) “Son, you are born from my body, May your glory live (forever)”; Over Your SixHeads which Supports the World, … 16.2: … Mahadeva, the Great Lord, Joyfully uttered Mantras and Blessed You, 16.3: O Jagannatha (Lord of the World), You Who Bear the Burden of the World, … 16.4: … I Salute those Six Heads (blessed by Mahadeva and) which are Adorned with Shining Diadems.
Meaning: 17.1: (Salutations to Sri Subramanya) With a Delightfully Pleasing Form adorned with Bracelets and Garlands studded withGlittering Gems, … 17.2: … and Beautiful Ear-Rings moving to and fro over the Shining Face, … 17.3: … With Golden Yellow Clothes over the Waist and the Beautiful Shakti Vel on His Hands, … 17.4: .. I See Your Beautiful Form before my eyes, O the Son of the Enemy of Tripurasura (referring to Shiva).
Meaning: 18.1: (Salutations to Sri Subramanya) “Come here, my Son”, by Extending the Arms … 18.2: … When Shankara calls You, You from Your Mother’s Lap … 18.3: … Spring up and go towards the endearing Embrace of Your Father, O Kumara (another name of Subramanya), 18.4: I Worship that Form of Bala Kumara (Child Kumara) Whose Body was Embraced by Hara (another name of Shiva).
Meaning: 19.1: (Salutations to Sri Subramanya) O Kumara, You Who are the Son of the Lord (Shiva), You Who are also called Guhaand Skanda, You Who are the Commandar of the Army of Devas, … 19.2: … You Who hold the Shakti Vel in Your Hands, You Who Mount the Peacock, … 19.3: … You Who are the Beloved of the Daughter of the hunter of Pulinda tribe (referring to Valli), … 19.4: … O Lord, You Who are the Enemy of Tarakasura, Please Protect me always.
Meaning: 20.1: (Salutations to Sri Subramanya) During my Old Age, when my Senses will become Calm, when I will lose Consciousness and lie Motionless, … 20.2: … When my Face will Emit Phlegm and my whole Body will Tremble with Fear, … 20.3: … When I will lie Waiting for Death, O my Lord, during that time, for me, this Helpless creature, … 20.4: … Come to me Quickly and be before me, O Guha, the Compassionate Lord.
Meaning: 21.1: (Salutations to Sri Subramanya) When the Messengers of the God of Death (Yama) who are Fierce, will say withFerocity, … 21.2: … “Burn him, Cut him, Split him”, threatening me, … 21.3: … (during that time) You, Mounted on Your Peacock and assuring “There is no need to be afraid”, … 21.4: … Please Come to me Quickly with Your Shakti Vel in Hand.
Meaning: 22.1: (Salutations to Sri Subramanya) I Salute You by Falling at Your Feet right now, … 22.2: … Be Gracious, O Lord, I am Praying to You Many Times now, … 22.3: … For during that time (i.e. during my old age and when I am nearing death), I will not have the Strength to Speak, O the Ocean of Compassion, … 22.4: … Do not therefore Forsake me during the end of my life even for a little while.
सहस्राण्डभोक्तात्वयाशूरनामा हतस्तारकःसिंहवक्त्रश्चदैत्यः । ममान्तर्हृदिस्थंमनःक्लेशमेकं नहंसिप्रभोकिंकरोमिक्वयामि ॥२३॥ Sahasra-Anndda-Bhoktaa Tvayaa Shuura-Naamaa
Hatas-Taarakah Simhavaktrash-Ca Daityah |
Mama-Antar-Hrdistham Manah-Klesham-Ekam
Na Hamsi Prabho Kim Karomi Kva Yaami ||23||
Meaning: 23.1: (Salutations to Sri Subramanya) The Enjoyer of Thousand Universes by name Soora (i.e. demon Soorapadma) was byYou … 23.2: … Slain along with the demons Taraka and Singhavaktra (i.e. demon Singhamukha), 23.3:Within the Core of my Heart lies one Mental Affliction, 23.4: You have still not Killed that, my Lord; What shall I do now? Where shall I go now?
Meaning: 24.1: (Salutations to Sri Subramanya) I am always sunken with the burden of Sorrows, 24.2: You are the Friend of the Miserable in all the Worlds; apart from You, I Pray to None Else, 24.3:Preventing full Devotion towards You by always causing Obstacles … 24.4: … are my Mental Sorrows; O the Son of Uma, please Destroy them Quickly.
Meaning: 25.1: (Salutations to Sri Subramanya) Apasmara (Epilepsy), Kussttha (Leprosy), Kssaya (Consumption), Arsha (Piles),Prameha (Urinary diseases like Diabetes), … 25.2: … Jwara (Fever), Unmada (Madness, Insanity), Gulma (Enlargement of Spleen or other glands in the abdomen) and other formidable Diseases, … 25.3: … as also all types of Pisachas (Evil Spirits), … (when) in Your Bibhuti (Sacred Ash) contained in a Leaf, … 25.4: … sees You, Who is the Enemy of the formidable Taraka (i.e demon Tarakasura), they hasten to Run awayImmediately.
दृशिस्कन्दमूर्तिःश्रुतौस्कन्दकीर्तिः मुखेमेपवित्रंसदातच्चरित्रम् । करेतस्यकृत्यंवपुस्तस्यभृत्यं गुहेसन्तुलीनाममाशेषभावाः ॥२६॥ Drshi Skanda-Muurtih Shrutau Skanda-Kiirtih
Mukhe Me Pavitram Sadaa Tac-Caritram |
Kare Tasya Krtyam Vapus-Tasya Bhrtyam
Guhe Santu Liinaa Mama-Ashessa-Bhaavaah ||26||
Meaning: 26.1: (Salutations to Sri Subramanya) Always Seeing the Form of Skanda and Hearing the Glories of Skanda, … 26.2: … May my Mouth always Eulogize those Pure Deeds, 26.3: With my Hands always full with Your Works, may my Body always be Your Servant, 26.4:May All my Feelings (Bhava) be completely Absorbed in You, O Guha.
Meaning: 27.1: (Salutations to Sri Subramanya) Is it not that Worshipped by the Great Sages and Ascetics only, … 27.2: … the Devas (Gods) everywhere (i.e. in most cases) become the bestower of Desired Boons? 27.3: But even for the sake of Persons (i.e. Devotees) who are of the Lowest Births, to Grant them His Grace, … 27.4: … Apart from Guha, I do not know any other, I do not know any other.
कलत्रंसुताबन्धुवर्गःपशुर्वा नरोवाथनारिगृहेयेमदीयाः । यजन्तोनमन्तःस्तुवन्तोभवन्तं स्मरन्तश्चतेसन्तुसर्वेकुमार ॥२८॥ Kalatram Sutaa Bandhu-Vargah Pashurvaa
Naro Va-Atha Naari Grhe Ye Madiiyaah |
Yajanto Namantah Stuvanto Bhavantam
Smarantash-Ca Te Santu Sarve Kumaara ||28||
Meaning: 28.1: (Salutations to Sri Subramanya) Let my Wife, Children, Relatives or other People, … 28.2: … whether they are Men or Women, all those who stay in my House, … 28.3: … Let them all Worship You alone, let them all pay Obeisance to You alone, let them all Praise You alone, let them allTurn to You alone, … 28.4: … Let them all become absorbed in Your Rememberance only, O Kumara.
मृगाःपक्षिणोदंशकायेचदुष्टाः तथाव्याधयोबाधकायेमदङ्गे । भवच्छक्तितीक्ष्णाग्रभिन्नाःसुदूरे विनश्यन्तुतेचूर्णितक्रौञ्चशौल ॥२९॥ Mrgaah Pakssinno Damshakaa Ye Ca Dussttaah
Tathaa Vyaadhayo Baadhakaa Ye Mad-Angge |
Bhavac-Chakti-Tiikssnna-Agra-Bhinnaah Suduure
Vinashyantu Te Cuurnnita-Kraun.cashaula ||29||
Meaning: 29.1: (Salutations to Sri Subramanya) Those Animals, Birds and Biting Insects which are offensive, … 29.2: … and in like manner, those Diseases which cause Pain and afflict my Body, … 29.3: … Piercing them with Your Sharp Shakti Vel and casting them Far away, … 29.4: … Please Destroy them, O You Who Crushed the Krauncha Mountain.
जनित्रीपिताचस्वपुत्रापराधं सहेतेनकिंदेवसेनाधिनाथ । अहंचातिबालोभवान्लोकतातः क्षमस्वापराधंसमस्तंमहेश ॥३०॥ Janitrii Pitaa Ca Sva-Putra-Aparaadham
Sahete Na Kim Deva-Sena-Adhinaatha |
Aham Ca-Ati-Baalo Bhavaan Loka-Taatah
Kssama-Sva-Aparaadham Samastam Mahe[a-Ii]sha ||30||
Meaning: 30.1: (Salutations to Sri Subramanya) Mother and Father, seeing the Faults of their Children, … 30.2: … do they not Tolerate and Forgive those, O the Chief of the Army of Devas? 30.3:I am a mere Child and You are the Father of the World, 30.4: (So like a Father) please Forgive all my Faults, O the Great Lord.
Meaning: 31.1: (Salutations to Sri Subramanya) Salutations to Your Peacock and Your Shakti Vel, 31.2:Salutations to Your Goat, Salutations to Your Cock, 31.3:Salutations to Your Pilgrimage (referred to as Sindhudesha) by the side of the Sea, 31.4:Salutations, Salutations to You again and again, O Skanda, Salutations to Your Beautiful Form.
Meaning: 32.1: (Salutations to Sri Subramanya) Victory to You, the Inner World of Bliss Consciousness, Victory to You Whose Abodeis in that Shoreless (i.e. Unbounded) Bliss Consciousness, 32.2:Victory to You Whose Glory (both Inner and Outer) unfailingly extend everywhere, Victory to You Whose Form is an Embodiment of Bliss, 32.3:Victory to You Who is an Ocean of Bliss, Victory to You Whose Friendship is Unbounded (being the all pervading Consciousness), 32.4:Victory to You Always, Who is the Son of the Lord Who bestows Liberation (i.e. Lord Shiva).
Meaning: 33.1: (Salutations to Sri Subramanya) This Hymn which is Arranged and set in Motion in the Bhujanga (Snake-like) Metre,the person who … 33.2: … Recites with deep Devotion and Reverentially Bowing before Guha, … 33.3: … will get good Spouse and Sons, Wealth and long Life … 33.4: … and finally that person will obtain the Sayujya (absorption in the Divine Essence) of Skanda.
-Subrahmanya Bhujangam by Adi Sankaracharya.
Begin the Mantra on any of the Thithis in Sukla Paksha(Waxing Moon)
Chaturthi,
Panchami,
Shashti.
Recite this in the morning,
Naivedyam. Honey/Dry Fruits.
On the concluding Day, Naivedyam Sakkarai Pongal and feed the poor.
Number of people to be fed depends on your budget.
In addition to this chant the Maha Mrutyunjaya Mantra 108 times.
The Mantra.
Maha Mriytunjaya Mantra
The patient may recite these Mantras, if they can.
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