॥ योगश्चित्तवृत्तिनिरोधः ॥
On studying the first sutra of Yoga darshan ‘Atha Yogaanushasnam’ one wants to know ‘What is Yoga?’To understand Yoga in entirety one must know what is mind, vritti and nirudh. The original and the actual meaning of Yoga cannot be understood without
understanding this.
Let us first know what is mind- in simple words mind refers to the land where our thoughts are born, formed and remain firm as sacraments. This mind land is of five types.
1. Kshipt- restless state 2. Vikshipt- distracted state 3. Mudha-confused state
4. Ekagra-one-pointed state 5. Niruddh- restrained state
It is important to note here that Yoga is possible only in one mindedness and restrained state of mind.
Now let us understand fluctuations of mind.
Vritti is used as plural instead of singular because fluctuation is not
one but many. Since Maharshi Patanjali has talked about fluctuations in the following sutras, so at this point it is enough to realize that waves of ideas growing inside us or the activities of mind are fluctuations which are divided into five categories.
Now comes the last and
important part which is nirudh. Without proper understanding of nirudh (restriction) Yoga cannot be understood.
The literal meaning of nirudh given by many is ‘to stop’.
‘Yoga is stopping the fluctuations of mind’. If you are short of efforts to completely stop the fluctuations
of mind then Yoga has not happened.And the definition will remain incomplete. Yoga happens in a situation where mind stops fluctuating on its own. Here it is important to understand that Yoga happens only when the fluctuations stop completely, but that cannot happen without
putting in efforts. It is difficult to understand. Unless you practically enter Yoga subject and until your efforts become normal then gradually it brings mind to a condition where it stops fluctuating on its own. Then without realizing efforts, free from arrogance and sense of
duty the practitioner of Yoga reaches the stage of controlling mind. This stage is called Yoga by Maharshi Patanjali.
The Church uses the process of inculturation with an aim to adopt the well-established Hindu cultural practices to confuse, corrupt and change the minds of the gullible masses.
& the most potent weapon in its armoury has been Inculturation.
Religious conversion has been a subject of dispute for ages and the Church has been well-known for conversion activities to spread Christianity throughout the world in its pursuit of souls for harvesting. It mostly
follows the strategies of allurement and pressure to convert the people following other religions.However, the most potent weapon in its armoury has been inculturation. The Church has started setting up Hindu “type” of buildings and calling them as ‘Ashrams’ controlled by
Timeless Glories of Gōmaṭā ~ नित्यः महिमानं गोमाता : - (अंश - i )
Gōmaṭā ; Sanātani's have always worshipped Cow as a Mother !
I intend to explore this in multiple series & will try to bring out the essence of Param Pavitrā Param Pūjya Gōmaṭā.
For thousands of years in our civilizational history, Hindus have worshipped cows, looking upon the cow as their own mother, Gōmaṭā.
Since Pre-Vedic times there are countless hymns glorifying the sacred Cow , it can be found through out the Vedic Literature, Scriptures, Puranas
&Epics!
Let’s begin our journey with this beautiful & divine description of Cow in “Gōmaṭā- Vidya” by Parasuram :
“ Wherever the thirsty cow drinks water from, that body of water is as good as the Ganga, yamuna, sindhu, or Saraswati. In the body of the cows, all holy places
॥ हनुमान चालीसा ॥
Hanuman Chalisa is a timeless ode to devotion.
The 'Hanuman Chalisa' is composed by Saint Goswami Tulsidas, the author of the Tulsi Ramayana (Ramacharitamanasa).
It is believed that an ailing Tulsidas composed the Hanuman Chalisa. Composing and singing the praises of Lord Hanuman, helped Tulsidas regain his health.
Composed of 40 verses filled with praises for Lord Hanuman, the Hanuman Chalisa is composed in Avadhi.
This dialect of Hindi was spoken in Ayodhya, Lord Rama’s birthplace.
Lord Hanuman is known for his devotion to Lord Ram and is considered to be the embodiment of faith, surrender, and devotion.
‘Having examined the worlds that can be obtained through ‘karma’, a brahmin has to attain complete dispassion & should recognise the fact that the ‘Uncreated Whole’ cannot be attained through action. Therefore to know the Truth, the seeker should, in the traditional manner, take
a bundle of ‘Samit’ (sacrificial banyan twigs) & with all humility approach a Guru who has deeply imbibed the essence of Upanishads & is established in Brahman.’
(Muṇḍaka Upaniṣad - 1-2-12)
In the Gita Bhashyam Acharya explains the meaning of ‘Pandita’ as
worlds (ie,the whole Universe), what is his gesture ? What is his body ? What is his plan? What is his basis (support)? What are his means (instruments,resources) ? These are the useless questions raised by some stupid critics, in order to mislead people, against one (i.e., you)
The Shiva Mahimna Stotra composed by Pushhpadanta, is considered one of the best among all Stotras (or Stutis) offered to Lord Shiva.
It has 43 beautiful verses.
From today onwards each day will share 4 verses !