Tag: Religion & Spirituality

  • Religion Rituals Hinduism Work

    I have come across comments like,

     

    ‘For reaching God, Self Realization, it is enough if our heart is pure,there is no necessity of the rituals, Poojas, visiting temples’

     

    ‘Love for All is the central message of Religions and of Spirituality,if I love all, there is no need for following Religion’

     

    ‘Wearing Caste-mark on the forehead, taking bath before Pooja, following strict cumbersome procedures fo the Pooja, Are they necessary?

     

    God is everywhere,why should I perform all these,they are nothing but expressions of hypocrisy’

     

    I have recently received a comment,

     

    I got your Comment on My Blog, So I came Here
    Seeing your blog, I find it is Spiritually Inclined. So I asking some Questions I Have

    Today Hinduism is full of Rituals. I feel that it is corruption of Hinduism. What do you say.
    True Hindu should worship work, not conduct rituals. What do you think.”

     

    Let me attempt to answer as I have been doing till now to my children and close friends.

     

    It is alright and it sounds nice to say that “I know that God is everywhere and I treat everyone equally’

     

    Is it an honest statement?( I am speaking out myself)?

     

    Do I treat everyone equally?

     

    Do I love everyone and everything in the world?

     

    Am I free from prejudices, anger, Lust for power,women, money?

     

    Do I forgive others?

     

    Am I helping others?

     

    Is my heart pure enough not to feel jealous of others?

     

    Do I place others before myself?

     

    Am I innocent?

     

    Did/Do I not  hurt many in my life, both professional and personal?

     

    Am I honest and follow what I say?

     

    My answer is NO.

     

    So I am not qualified to be counted among those who can realize God by these methods.

     

    There is also this perception,

     

    That if you do your Duty, there is no necessity of worshiping God.

     

    True.

     

    Lord Krishna implies this in The Bhagavad Gita.

     

    The confusion is what ‘work’ means’ though Krishna means Karma or Action’ which is different from work.

     

    What is the Work we are talking about?

     

    Going to office, 10-5, working in a software company or running a Business, where we earn?

     

    What do we do here?

     

    We earn money to satisfy our senses.

     

    We remain unsatisfied whatever we earn.

     

    We remain loyal , honest to others in the work place so that our jobs, businesses are secure.

     

    Where is the question of Altruism?

     

    At the end of the day, after we do our life’s work, what does remain for us?

     

    Have we evolved Happier, Contented?

     

    Have We answered our urge to know where We are, where were We and where do We go thither?

     

    Have I answered these questions?

     

    Of what use this money, the result of my dedication to work to Me finally?

     

    By saying Everything is Brahman, I am Brahman,I Love All does not make One Spiritually evolved.

     

    Every one can not become a Ramana Maharishi by asking ‘Who Am I?

     

    It is only by searching within oneself for answers and finding them, does one become a Jnani or a Realized Soul?

     

    Rituals, procedures laid for them, Poojas, Dhana, Dharma, Neethi Sastras,Vedas , Puranas, Ithihasas, Yoga all these are disciplines to follow , are to enable us to reach that mental and spiritual maturity to Realize Self/God.

     

    One in a Million can become a Ramana Maharishi,Kanchi Periyavar,Ramakrishna Paramahamsa.

     

    Even these people had  followed a system of discipline.

     

    Merely Working in an office, running a business does not constitute a Sadahana.

     

    Ding even this has to have an attitude, disposition as explained in Karma Yoga.

     

    We do not follow this even.

     

    Till we become mature enough we need the Rituals.

     

    You may choose your own from any from the numerous paths explained in Hinduism.

     

     

  • Kanchi Kamakoti Mutt Guru Parampara Acharyas List

    Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham Guru Parampara, Acharyas List.

     

    This rare photo was taken just few days before HH Mettur swamigal was initiated into sanyasa by Periyava himself. You can see Periyava is teaching something to HH Mettur Swamigal.jpg.
    This rare photo was taken just few days before HH Mettur swamigal was initiated into sanyasa by Periyava himself. You can see Periyava is teaching something to HH Mettur Swamigal.

    1. Adi Sankara Bhagavatpada(482 BC-477 BC)
    2. Suresvaracharya(477 BC-407 BC)
    3. Sarvajnatman(407 BC-367 BC)
    4. Sathyabodhendra Saraswati(367 BC-268 BC)
    5. Jnanandendra Saraswati(268 BC-205 BC)
    6. Suddhanandendra Saraswati(205 BC-124 BC)
    7. Aanandaghanendra Saraswati(124 BC-55 BC)
    8. Kaivalyanandayogendra Saraswati(55 BC-28 AD)
    9. Krpa Sankarendra Saraswati(28 AD-69 AD)
    10. Sureswara Saraswati (69 AD-127 AD)
    11. Sivananda Chidghanendra Saraswati(127 AD-172 AD)
    12. Chandrasekharendra Saraswati(172-235)
    13. Satchidghanendra Saraswati(235-272)
    14. Vidyaghanendra Saraswati(272-317)
    15. Gangadharendra Saraswati(317-329)
    16. Ujjvala Sankarendra Saraswati(329-367)
    17. Sadasivendra Saraswati(367-375)
    18. Shankarananda Saraswati(375-385)
    19. Martanda Vidyaghanendra Saraswati(385-398)
    20. Muka Sankarendra Saraswati(398-437)
    21. Chandrasekharendra Saraswati II(437-447)
    22. Bodhendra Saraswati(447-481)
    23. Satchisukhendra Saraswati(481-512)
    24. Chitsukhendra Saraswati(512-527)
    25. Satchidanandaghanendra Saraswati(527-548)
    26. Prajnaghanendra Saraswati(548-565)
    27. Chidvilasendra Saraswati(565-577)
    28. Mahadeve11dra Saraswati I(577-601)
    29. Purnabhodhendra Saraswati(601-618)
    30. Bhodhendra Saraswati II(618-655)
    31. Brahmanandaghanendra Saraswati(655-668)
    32. Chidanandaghanendra Saraswati(668-672)
    33. Satchidananda Saraswati(672-692)
    34. Chandrasekharendra Saraswati III(692-710)
    35. Chitsukhendra Saraswati(710-737)
    36. Chitsukhanandendra Saraswati(737-758)
    37. Vidyaghanendra Saraswati III(758-788)
    38. Abhinava Sankarendra Saraswati(788-840)
    39. Satchidvilaasendra Saraswati(840-873)
    40. Mahadevendra Saraswati II(873-915)
    41. Gangadharendra Saraswati II(915-950)
    42. Brahmanandaghanendra Saraswati(950-978)
    43. Anandaghanendra Saraswati(978-1014)
    44. Purnabhodhendra Saraswati II(1014-1040)
    45. Paramasivendra Saraswati I(1040-1061)
    46. Sandranandabhodhendra Saraswati(1061-1098)
    47. Chandrasekharendra Saraswati IV(1098-1166)
    48. Advaitanandabodhendra Saraswati(1166-1200)
    49. Mahadevendra Saraswati III(1200-1247)
    50. Chandrachudendra Saraswati I(1247-1297)
    51. Kamachandrendra Saraswati(1297-1385)
    52. Vidyateerthendra Saraswati (1297–1370)
    53. Sankaranandendra Saraswati (1370–1417)
    54. Purnananda Sadasivendra Saraswati (1417–1498)
    55. Vyasachala Mahadevendra Saraswati (1498–1507)
    56. Chandrachudhendra Saraswati II (1507–1524)
    57. Sarvajna Sadasiva Bhodhendra Saraswati (1524–1539)
    58. Paramasivendra Saraswati II (1539–1586)
    59. Atma Bodhendra Saraswati (1586–1638)
    60. Bodhendra Saraswathi (1638–1692)
    61. Advaitatma Prakasendra Saraswati (1692–1704)
    62. Mahadevendra Saraswati IV (1704–1746)
    63. ChandrasekharendraSaraswati V (1746–1783)
    64. Mahadevendra Saraswati V (1783–1813)
    65. Chandrasekharendra Saraswati VI (1813–1851)
    66. Sudarsana Mahadevendra Saraswati (1851–1891)
    67. Chandrasekharendra Saraswati VII (1891 – February 7, 1907)
    68. Mahadevendra Saraswathi V (February 7, 1907 – February 13, 1907)
    69. Chandrashekarendra Saraswati Swamigal (February 13, 1907 – January 3, 1994)
    70. Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal
    71. Vijayendra Saraswati Swamigal

     

    Source.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanchi_Kamakoti_Peetham

     

    Image Credit.

     

    http://mahaperiyavaa.wordpress.com/2012/08/27/another-rare-photo-of-periyava-and-mettur-swamigal/

     

    There seems to be a controversy on this list.

    I am collecting information and shall post on this subject.

  • Sringeri Sharada Peetam Guru Parampara Acharayas List

    This is the list of Gurus,Acharya Paramapara of  Srningeri Sharada Peetha.

     

    HH.Abhnava Vidyatheertha and Bharati Theertha, Sringeri Sharda Peeta.
    HH.Abhnava Vidyatheertha and Bharati Theertha, Sringeri Sharda Peeta.

     

     

    1. Sri Shankara Bhagavatpada 820 (videha-mukti)
    2. Sri Sureshwaracharya 820 – 834
    3. Sri Nityabodaghana 834-848
    4. Sri Jnanaghana 848 – 910
    5. Sri Jnanottama 910 – 954
    6. Sri Jnanagiri 954 – 1038
    7. Sri Simhagiri 1038 – 1098
    8. Sri Ishwara Tirtha 1098 – 1146
    9. Sri Nrisimha Tirtha 1146 – 1229
    10. Sri Vidya Tirtha 1229 – 1333
    11. Sri Bharati Tirtha 1333 – 1380
    12. Sri Vidyaranya 1380 – 1386
    13. Sri Chandrasekhara Bharati I 1386 – 1389
    14. Sri Nrisimha Bharati I 1389 – 1408
    15. Sri Puroshottama Bharati I 1408 – 1448
    16. Sri Shankara Bharati 1448 – 1455
    17. Sri Chandrasekhara Bharati II 1455 – 1464
    18. Sri Nrisimha Bharati II 1464 – 1479
    19. Sri Puroshottama Bharati II 1479 – 1517
    20. Sri Ramachandra Bharati 1517 – 1560
    21. Sri Nrisimha Bharati III 1560 – 1573
    22. Sri Nrisimha Bharati IV 1573 – 1576
    23. Sri Nrisimha Bharati V 1576 – 1600
    24. Sri Abhinava Nrisimha Bharati 1600 – 1623
    25. Sri Sacchidananda Bharati I 1623 – 1663
    26. Sri Nrisimha Bharati VI 1663 – 1706
    27. Sri Sacchidananda Bharati II 1706 – 1741
    28. Sri Abhinava Sacchidananda Bharati I 1741 – 1767
    29. Sri Nrisimha Bharati VII 1767 – 1770
    30. Sri Sacchidananda Bharati III 1770 – 1814
    31. Sri Abhinava Sacchidananda Bharati II 1814 – 1817
    32. Sri Nrisimha Bharati VIII 1817 – 1879
    33. Sri Sacchidananda Shivabhinava Nrisimha Bharati 1879 – 1912
    34. Sri Chandrasekhara Bharati III 1912 – 1954
    35. Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha 1954 – 1989
    36. Sri Bharati Tirtha 1989 – Present

     

    Source.

    http://www.sringeri.net/jagadgurus

  • Yogi Burns No Harm To Him

    Yoga, the spiritual discipline, has some physical side effects, some of them amazing.

    Yogi Burns in Thanjavur,India.Image.jpg.
    Yogi Burns in Thanjavur,India.

     

    The practitioner of Yoga gains master over the Five elements of Nature,Earth,Water, Fire, Air and Ether..

     

    Eight powers result when one practices Yoga.

     

    1.Anima.

    Ability to reduce the size of the body, sometimes even to the size of the atoms.  (‘Becoming smaller than the smallest‘ as described in Srimad Bhagavatam by Lord Krishna)

    Example: Hanuman had reduced the size of his body while he was searching for Sita in Lanka.

     

    2,Mahima

    Ability to assume a gigantic form (‘Becoming larger than the largest‘ as described in Srimad Bhagavatam by Lord Krishna)

    Example:

    1. Hanuman assumed a huge form to burn Lanka, he also assumed big form to fight Kumbha Karna
    2. In Vaamana avatar Lord Vishnu increased his form which was so gigantic that it only took him three steps to cover all three worlds

    3.Garima.

    Ability to become very heavy in weight by will

    Example: Lord Hanuman made his tail very heavy that even Bhima couldn’t life it (Bhima who was climbing the GandhaMadana mountains to get Saugandhika flowers for Draupadi was stopped by a monkey whose tail was on the way, Bhima orders the monkey to take the tail off the road, monkey being old tells him to move it himself, but Bhima couldn’t even lift the monkey’s tail)

    4.Laghima.

    Laghima comes from the word laghu, which means small or light. Laghima is the ability to make the body very light (‘Becoming lighter than the lightest‘). Levitation and flying in the air are its subsidiary powers

    5.Praapti.

    Word praapti means ‘to obtain’, ‘having obtained’, ‘to have got’. Thus praapti is the ability to acquire anything anywhere.

    6.Prakamya.

    The ability to obtain anything desired, ability to have realized the dreams

    7.Ishitva.

    Iṣa=lord; isitva=lordship; The power of absolute lordship over entire creation.

     

    8.Vasitva.

    The ability to have everything under control, especially the physical manifestation made up of 5 elements.

     

    Patanjali exhorts not to be taken in b these powers,not to use them , as these will be hindrances to Self Realization.

     

    Now see a Yogi burning in Fire, ,In Thanjavur,India, without any harm to him.

     

    “The Fire Yogi is a 47 minute documentary exploring the journey of a Yogi who has the extraordinary ability to use a unique breathing technique to get into union with Fire.

     

    This documentary portrays a rare and unusual Fire Ritual performed by a Yogi from India and the subsequent chemical analysis of his clothing & physical tests that examine this supernatural phenomenon.

    The Yogi has performed this Fire Ritual for a total of 1000 days over the last 45 years.

    The Yogi, weighing a mere 94 pounds (43 kilos), has been able to survive on only two bananas and a mere glass of milk with a few drops of water twice a day for the last 28 years.

    Many aspects of the Yogi are on the edge of unbelievability, while at the same time highlighting the power and endurance of human mind, body and spirit.

     

    Hoax or Fact:

    The story about Fire Yogi is a Fact.

    Analysis:
    The messages come with a video showing an Indian Yogi performing fire ritual and sleeping in union with it without getting burnt or hurt.

    The story is a fact.

    In 2002, as a part of quest for Tantrics and Gurus in India, Mike Vasan, a director and producer, went to Tanjore in Tamil Nadu and met a special Yogi named Rambhau Swami (aged 63 then), who had an amazing power of getting into union with Fire. He developed a complete documentary on the sacred ritual that Rambhau performs, where he sleeps on fire of yagna without getting hurt or burnt.

    In the documentary video, he shows and explains the unbelievably mystic lifestyle and  rare fire ritual of the yogi, Rambhau Swami.

    Rambhau Swami claimed that he started his career as a researcher at an ancient library and then went on to learn ancient vedas and their importance before meeting his Guru who taught and showed him a completely different life close to his Spirit and God.

    He also says that he has been drinking only a few drops of water since 1975, and two years later, he started limiting his daily diet to a banana and a cup of milk, followed by only three hours of sleep each night. But surprisingly, he looks completely normal, and unlike most others, he is simple, open minded and down to earth, willing to explain his rare fire ritual and its importance.

    Rambhau Swami’s famous and elaborate fire ritual starts with his holy bath, followed by meditation, pranayama and a traditional ceremony of honoring Ganesha.

     

    The fire place of the ritual is a kind of sunken pit, into which Rambhauswami offers wide variety of food and other holy items like gallons of ghee, rice, coconuts, sugar cane, herbal green grass, etc.

     

    While offering these, and as the Fire sets ablaze, Rambhau Swami goes into a deep meditative state, covered only by a woollen shawl

    . He is shown to interact with the fire with his virtual signs, and at times he gets himself into the fire place, sleeping comfortably in union with the fire, without getting burnt or hurt.

    And surprisingly, even his woollen shawl does not burn in fire, but for few scars here and there, which he says happens when he loses his concentration and connection with fire. He is shown to perform this fire ritual for 14 hours at a stretch without any kind of break in between, and on fasting.

    After completing the ritual, he breaks it with only 3 sips of water.

     

    The yogi also claims that he has performed this special fire ritual for about 1000 days in his last 45 years.

    And in one instance, he claims he has performed this ritual for 27 days continuously without any break.

     

    This has been checked by Hoax Slayer and found to be true and authentic.

     

    http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x86dzm_the-fire-yogi-pt-1_travel?start=266

     

    Citation.

     

    http://www.hoaxorfact.com/India/the-supernatural-fire-yogi-of-tanjore-facts-analysis.html

     

    Image Credit.

     

  • Amritabindu Upanishad Yoga Upanishads List

     

    Yoga Sutra of Patanjali is popular and is believed to be the authentic and ancient work on Vedas.

     

    Yet there are Upanishads from the Vedas.

     

    Principle of OM.jpg.
    Principle of OM.Image Credit.http://www.swamij.com/mandukya-upanishad.htm

     

    These form the minor Upanishads.

     

    The List of these Yoga Upanishads.

     

    1. * Amrta-bindu upanishad
    2. * Amrita-nada upanishad
    3. * Brahma-vidya upanishad
    4. * Dhyana-bindu upanishad
    5. * Hamsa upanishad
    6. * Jabala upanishad
    7. * Kshurika upanishad
    8. * Mandala-brahmana upanishad
    9. * Nada-bindu upanishad
    10. * Shandilya upanishad
    11. * Tejo-bindu upanishad
    12. * Trishikhi-brahmana upanishad
    13. * Varaha upanishad
    14. * Yoga-chudamani upanishad
    15. * Yoga-kundali upanishad

    These Upanishads explain the different principles of Yoga as enunciated by Patanjali in Yoga Sutras.

     

     

    Translation.

    1. The mind is chiefly spoken as of two kinds, pure and impure. The impure mind is desire-ridden, and the pure is free of desire.

    2. Undoubtedly it is the mind that is the cause of man’s liberation and bondage. The mind that is attached to sense objects leads to bondage, while that which is free from them leads to liberation. So they think.

    3. Since liberation is for the mind free from sense-objects, the mind should always be made clean of such desire, by the seeker of truth.

    4. Once this is accomplished and the mind is fully controlled within the heart (the heart chakra is one of the favorite centers of meditation-Translator) it realizes its own essence. Then the supreme state is obtained.

    5. The mind should be controlled till it gets fully merged in the heart. This is Jnana (realization) and this is Dhyana (meditation) also, all else are mere talk and word play

    6. The supreme state is neither to be thought of (as it is beyond thought), nor unworthy to be thought of (as it is the only method of release), nor is It to be thought of in any other manner than the essence of the ever visible, timeless, supreme bliss itself. Truth which is free from all entanglement is reached in this state.

    7. First concentrate on OM with its letters( that is on AUM, the meaning would be roughly like this A= creative force, U= sustaining force , M= destructive force or in essence the visible reality in all its aspects contained in the word OM- Translator), then graduate to OM without regard to its letters. When the later form of meditation becomes fruitful, the idea of non-entity is attained as entity.

    8. that alone is Reality, without component parts, without doubt, and without taint. Realizing I am that Reality one becomes immutable Reality

    9. The Real is endless, beyond reason and analogy, beyond all proofs and causeless; knowing which the wise person becomes free.

    10 The highest truth is that pure consciousness which realizes, “ There is neither control of mind nor it is coming into play, neither am I bound, nor am I a worshipper, neither am I a seeker after liberation, nor one who has attained liberation.”

    11. Actually the soul should be known from its states of wakefulness, dreaming, and dreamless sleep. For him who has transcended the three states there is no rebirth.
    12. Being the only One, the universal soul is present in all beings. Though One, it is seen as many, like the moon in the water.

    13. Just as it is the vessel which being moved from one place to another which changes place and not the space enclosed in it, so is the jiva which resembles that space.

    14. When the various forms like the vessel are broken repeatedly the Space (Akasha /ether) does not know them to be broken, but He knows perfectly

    15. Being covered by Maya which is a mere sound, it does not know Space (The reality), through darkness, When ignorance is shredded, It by virtue of being Itself, only sees unity in everything.

    16. The OM as Word is first looked upon as the Supreme reality. After that (the word idea) has vanished, that timeless reality remains. The wise person should meditate on that imperishable reality, if he desires the peace of his soul.

    17. These two kinds of learning ought to be understood, the Word (physical) Reality and the Supreme Reality. Having mastered the Word Reality One attains to the highest Reality

    18. After studying the Vedas (that is recorded knowledge) the intelligent person who is solely intent on acquiring knowledge and realization should discard the Vedas altogether, like the man who discards husk to obtain rice?

    19. The milk is always white even though cows are of diverse colures. The intelligent person regards Jnana (learning) as the milk and the many branched Vedas as the cows.

    20. Like butter hidden in milk, pure consciousness resides in every being. That ought to be constantly churned out by the churning rod of the mind.

    21. The Supreme reality should be brought out like fire by taking hold of the rope of knowledge. “I am that Reality, indivisible, immutable, and calm”, thus it is thought of.

    22. In whom reside all beings, and who resides in all beings by virtue of his being the giver of grace to all- I am that soul of the universe, the Supreme being, I am that Soul of the Universe the Supreme being.

    This Upanishad is often linked to Yajurveda (one of the four Vedas) or more precisely to Krishna Yajurveda. Yet the “Santhipatham” (prayer at the beginning) belongs to Upanishads originating from Atbara Veda.

    Considered from the point of view of the subject matter this is an Upanishad on Yoga, it is also a comparatively new Upanishad. Other Upanishads belonging to the same category are Varaha, Yogasikha, Yogathathva, Kshurika, Sandilya, and Hamsa.

     

    amrtabindu_upan

     

    Credit.

    Sanskrit documents.org

     

    Citation of the Translation.

     

    http://sambaviyoga.blogspot.in/2009/03/amrita-bindu-upanishad.html

     

     

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