Category: Pearls of Wisdom

Pranayama: The fourth limb of ashtanga yoga

Pranayama - the fourth limb of ashtanga yoga by maharishi patanjali

Pranayama is a popular term now a days. But it is not just a breathing exercise!!! Let's see Pranayama from the eye of Patanjali Yoga Sutra. Maharishi Patanjali, the compiler of yoga sutras has enlightened the path of ashtanga yoga (the eightfold path of yoga). And Pranayama is the fourth limb of ashtanga yoga which comes after asana. He has mentioned some of the sutras about Pranayama in "Patanjali Yoga Sutra", one of the greatest work on yoga. The sutras are from chapter two, Sadhana pada starting from 49 to 53. In this blog the yoga sutras shares the knowledge about what is pranayama, stages of pranayama, goal, result and factors on which the practice depends. These five yoga sutras enlightens everything about the pranayama.

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Meditation to manage & reduce stress

Meditation for stress management

We all experience stressful conditions in day to day life and body has auto mechanism for it, that is fight or flight. But when this stress prolongs it starts damaging the mind and body. There are many incidents like death of loved ones, breakups, disease, huge financial losses and many which directly throw us into the hands of stress. Unhealthy stressful mind affects body adversely too. So the exercise to keep mind fit is Meditation.

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Act Or No Act – The Karma Yoga

Karma Yoga - the yoga of action

Karma yoga is the union with God by doing. We can say it is "Yoga of Action". But what actions and how they need to be performed. In this context, the principle of Karma Yoga described in the Gita is most acceptable. Bhagavad Gita says that doing nishkama karma, the karma with non attachment, non desire, non intention is the way to attain yoga. What Lord Krishna says more on this, lets see.

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Navarna Mantra – The Powerful Mantra

Goddess Durga Navarna Mantra - Om aim hreem kleem chamundayai vichee

This is the navarna mantra of the goddess Durga. The Navarna Mantra is the Navakshari mantra which means mantra having nine syllables. It is also popular by the names of the Chamunda Mantra or Chandi Mantra. This is the basic mantra of the Shri Durga Saptashati recitation. People who belong to the Shakti cult has great faith in mantra and hence this is the integral part of their practice.

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Brahma Muhurta – The most auspicious time

Brahma Muhurta - the most auspicious time

Who am I? I am brahman, the veda mahavakya says "Aham Brahmasmi". But when and how I will truly experience that I am the brahman. When and how this Veda vakya or principle will become the truth for me. There is a time when you can realize the real truth called Brahma Muhurta ब्रह्म मुहूर्त.

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Pratyahara & Its Fruit – Pearls Of Wisdom

Pratyahara - withdrawal of senses

The fifth limb of ashtanga yoga, the eightfold path of yoga, is Pratyahara प्रत्याहार. Maharishi Patanjali has complied two sutras for pratyahara. The sutras are mentioned in the classical work on yoga, Patanjali Yoga Sutra. The first sutra defines the pratyahara and the second one talks about the fruit of practicing it.

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The nine devotions – navdha bhakti

Bhakti - Path of love and devotion

Bhakti or devotion is the path of love. Any process out of these can lead to the ultimate. It is the path of joy, tears, emotions, feelings and surrendering. The urge of being one with beloved is the ultimate reward in itself. Indeed lucky ones are those who have this urge for Lord!

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Need Of Meditation Asana (Meditative Posture)

meditative posute padmasana for meditation

Why it is always advised to sit in meditative pose for meditation. We have seen many hindu Gods and goddess in meditative postures in pictures. Buddha, Master in jainism, hindu sages and many saints are our spiritual heritage who has always been seen in meditative poses. WHY?

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Are We Eating Right?

The diet which lacks in nutrition will lead to various sorts of diseases like intestinal diseases, less immunity making one more prone to infections, lack of energy etc. A well balanced diet having nutrition in right measure will keep one in good physical and mental health. A diet with extra nutrition which may not be needed by the body will also give birth to many diseases, extra load to liver and intestines. So a nutritious balanced diet at right time in right amount is the right choice.

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Pradakshina or Parikrama – The Ancient Ritual

Why do we do Pradakshina

Generally, Parikrama 'परिक्रमा', Pradakshina 'प्रदक्षिणा' or Circumambulation around deities and temples is very much popular among many traditions and cultures. It is not just a ritual that one should follow blindly. It has scientific basis too. As we all know temples, shrines, trees, mountains, rivers, parents, guru, scriptures and more all are the source of knowledge, wisdom and love. Either penance or some great positive stories are associated with them. These stories tell us how they became the source of energies.

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Dharana (Concentration) – Pearls Of Wisdom

Dharana in Patanjali Yoga Sutra

Dharana - The concentration. Maharishi patanjali has compiled the yoga sutra on Dharana as "Desha Bhandhashchittasya Dharana". Focussing the chattering mind is necessary whether it is day today life or spiritual life. No work can be accomplished without focus. So lets understand the sutra for better lifestyle.

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Offering Water To Sun God – Surya Arghya

Mantra/Shloka to affer water to god sun

Hinduism is based on science, faith and love. Our ancient sages have discovered the facts, logics and benefits of many things, which propagated as beliefs and rituals. Each ritual has great significance based on scientific logic. We, so called modern man may or may not be able to find the logics of all but that... Continue Reading →

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