मयूरासन Mayurasana - Peacock Pose

Today I was able to count 30 breaths in मयूरासन (Mayurasana - Peacock Pose) (I have to stop counting and look at watch but for today I counted breadths for the ease).

It was difficult in the starting, I had practice in Hamasana for many days before lifting the feet. Getting the balance also took lot of time, however advise of friends did the work. A friend advised to identify the centre of gravity that is navel and keep the elbows exactly by each side at navel. It worked and I was able to balance for 2-3 seconds, after this was just practice, like learning a cycle, you have to fall few times and then you are on…

Wrists, forearms and core must be strong to perform this asana, so it is better to build those using other asana before trying Mayurasana.

Vedic classification of food

While modern science classify food in Carbohydrate, Protein and Fat, Vedic literature classify food in based on qualities it produces in human. Food is classified into 3 categories of Tamasik, Rajasik, and Satvik based on 3 guna (nature or characteristic of human). It is based on fact that food not only impacts body but also the thoughts.

3 (Guna) modes of nature are:
         
          Tamasik: comes from root word "Tamas" meaning darkness, ignorance, laziness.
          Rajasik: comes from root word "Rajas" meaning passion, royal, worldly.
          Sativik: comes from root word "Satva" meaning truth, goodness, knowledge.

Tamasik food

Produces darkness, ignorance and laziness.

यातयामं गतरसं पूति पर्यूषितं च यत  |
उच्छिष्टमपि चामेध्यं भोजनं तामसप्रियम ।।

"Foods that is stale, very cold, tasteless, stinking, food that is left off after eating, and is impure are the foods that are liked to those in the mode of laziness or ignorance." - Gita 17.10

Easiest way to identify such food is watch out for reaction and feeling after eating, if feeling is of laziness and sleep, its tamasik. Curd, Parathas, Fried rice are some of the tamasik foods.

Rajasik food

Produces passion and vigorous energy for worldly things.

कत्वम्ल लावणात्युउसणा तीक्ष्णा रुक्ष विदाहिन: |
आहारा राजसस्येष्टा दुःखशोकामयप्रद:  ||

"The foods that are bitter, sour, saline, steaming hot, burning are the foods that are liked by people after worldly things. These foods produce pain, grief and disease."  - Gita 17.9

These food produce vigorous energy and passion in order to fulfill the uncontrolled desires, so in the end these food produce pain, grief and diseases.

Such food can also be identified by watching the reaction after food, Non-veg, red chili etc are Rajasik.

Satvik food

Produces peace in mind, freshness, and health.

आयु: सत्व बलारोग्य सुखप्रीति विवधर्ना: |
रसया: स्निग्धा: स्थिरा हृधा आहाराः सत्विकप्रियाः ||

"The foods that enhance life and vitality, purity, strength, health, happiness and cheerfulness, that are savoury, nourishing and agreeable to the heart are the foods liked by people in satvik nature."- Gita 17.8

Watch out for freshness after eating meal, if freshness is the feeling after meal then it was satvik. Any food taken in large quantity turns into tamasik due to the effect it produces to body and mind.


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E=MC2 in human body - food and weight gain or loss

Human body is a no loss system where "E= MC square" is followed without exception. Energy we take from food is either used for activity or stored in body as fat for future use.

This is how exactly a human system looks like:

Energy sources

Food is the source of energy for human, food has following important and major component:

    1) Carbohydrate
    Carbohydrate is needed for physical activity. Carbohydrate is not stored in body, however access carbohydrate is converted to fat and stored. Since carbohydrate is not stored in body when we go for long distance run we eat carbohydrate rich diet for a week just before the run.

    2) Protein
    Protein is needed for maintaining the muscles and building them up. We turn to protein rich diet after the a long distance run. Access proteen is not stored in body in any form.

    3) Fat
    Fat is needed for padding the vital organs in the body and is stored in body for hibernation or emergency period.

    4) Minerals

    5) Vitamins

Energy uses

Energy obtained from food is used in following major functions:
    1) Maintaining the body: breathing, heart pumping the blood, walking and talking etc. so major components are:

                   a) Vital maintenance

                   b) Mental activity- mind is a complex part of body and needs lot of energy when we think. That is the reason probably why a thin guy with no physical activity tops the class. 

                   c) Physical activity

     2) Muscles build up and growth of body

     3) Store for future

Now how do we use above simple fact in order to weight gain or loss?

Weight gain

When energy intake is greater then energy uses we generally gain weight. This ca be done easily by increasing carbohydrate and fat in food and reducing mental and physical activity. Remembering one single sentence खाओ पियो और ख़ुश रहो  "Khao piyo aur khush raho"  is more than enough to gain weight.

Weight loss

When energy intake is less than energy uses, one will will reduce weight as body will switch to stored fat. This can be done by various ways and some of them are below:

1) Stop eating sufficient food and worry about everything: not recommended at all as this may have result in major and serious diseases.

2) Eat sufficient food and increase mental and physical activity: One can increase physical and mental exercise and be careful about food intake components. To decrease weight one can reduce carbohydrate and fat from food and increase physical and mental exercise. खेलो कुदो, पडो और ख़ुश रहो "khelo kudo, pado aur khus raho".

Some tips are:

1) Do not cut any type of food completely, you never know what vitamin you are getting from what type of food. So it is better reduce quantity of type by small amount and observe.

2) Increase body maintaining energy needs by switching to cold water bath daily and similar things.


This was how food looks scientifically, read about Vedic classification of food in next blog.



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Jyoti Trataka experience and benefit

I have been practicing Jyoti Trataka for some time now, and here are the observations and experiences.

I followed following procedure for Jyoti Trataka

    1) Preparatory exercises
                a)    Wash eyes
                b)    One round of Kapalbhati
                c)    Simple eye exercises:
                        -up down movement
                        -right and left movements
                        -right up and left down,  left up and right down movements
                        -clockwise and anticlockwise movements
    2) Dharana 

               a)   Focus at the middle of flame

               b)   Intensive focus - focus at the tip of back thread of candle
    3) Dyana
               a)   Effortless expansion of vision

    4) Silence

I used simple, press and release, and constant pressure palming after each of the above sub-steps.

 
Starting up experience:
I started up with Padmasana posture, no of counts in each step was as low as 20. eyes were getting tired in in count of 20 in preparatory exercises. At Dharana and Dhyana was going for approximately 20 breaths. It was difficult to keep gazing at flame and making it effortless was more difficult.

Experience after 3 months:
After some time, no of counts in each step increased with practice and I used to keep gazing the flame until tears start appearing. Then I tried to slow down the breath consciously, for few days. however I observed a conflict in counting breaths and slowing down the breath. Mind was trying to run count faster so the breath while I was trying to slow down the breath. I also felt that mind was constantly on work while counting, so reaching silence was difficult. So I stopped counting the breaths not only in Trataka but also in any of the Asana or Pranayama. I also moved from Padmasana to Vajrasana slowly.

Challenges:
It becomes easy with practice and mind starts wandering. Key is to bring back the mind to a single thought effortlessly and dwell into silence. As I had stopped counting the breaths, now I don't know how long I am in each step, so I am trying with a stop watch, however a video recording seems to be better option, I will try it soon.


Yesterday evening I was on a Ice Cream joint with a friend. I needed to read the menu printed on wall and order, I found it difficult to read, as I was there without my spectacles. however I blinked my eyes few times and tried to read again effortlessly. I observed that I was able to read:-). I was so happy that I read menu loud to friend :-)

Will Power

“Fearing possible obstacles and difficulties, the lowest do not start the work at all. Having come to face obstacles one after another, the middle type leave the work uncompleted. But the best are who reach out to completion of the task in spite of all odds that torture and crush them all.” - Niti Satkam

I met various people in last 8 months who inspire me to write about will power.

I met many people who wished to be slim, or get away with some lifestyle disease but they never started anything.

I met some people, although in less number, who started gym or aerobics or Yoga but failed to continue for a longer time and got back to their old problems very soon.

I also met a student in SVYASA who was in our class during Yoga Instructors' course. He was looking so old that I was thinking why did he come here to learn Yoga at that age. He told us that at age of 60 he developed some bone related problem on his upper back, doctor told him that there was no solution and he had to live with the problem all his life. His problem got resolved with performing Yoga for some 6 months, and later on he became healthy and fit. From there on, he started practicing Yoga. He performed Mayurasana with ease on happy assembly stage. He was a very cool temperament person, one night around 11.30 PM in dormitory, we youngsters were cracking jokes and laughing loudly. He got up from deep sleep by our sound, we all were expecting a scolding from him but just smiled and started enjoying jokes with us. In one class people were asked to guess his age, maximum people could guess was 70, and he was 82 years old.

Will power is an inborn quality, people are born with high or low will power characteristic. Some part of will power is developed by upbringing. Astang Yoga of Pantajali, also known as Raj Yoga is also called culturing of will power, where person develops his will power to maximum extent possible by performing Yogic practices of Raj Yoga. However one needs to have some will power to start treading the path of Will power.

With a beautiful smile on your face please open your eyes...

I left office at 3.30 PM by Volvo, got down at Jayadeva flyover and then caught an auto to reach Eknath Bhavan, city office of Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana (S-VYASA). I reached there at 5.15 PM and waited for SVYASA bus for Prashanti Kutiram. After some time one man and his wife came, I asked them if they had come for yoga instructors' course. Man said "she is the participant", after few talks we settled into news paper and then another man came and sat there, I smiled, he reciprocated and we waited silently for bus.

There was a water dispenser next to my seat and I tried to drink water but there was no water, so I just sat down and just then, bus came. I inquired if this was the bus for Prashanti Kutiram. Person in reception said “wait wait, you can drink water and go” and asked security to change the water can, I drank some water and went into the bus. We were only 3 members in the bus, after introductions, suddenly it struck us- are there only 3 people in YIC PCP? Third person said more people will come there tomorrow morning. Discussion started on Yoga and its applications, we kept talking while bus went through busy traffic of the city.

After reaching, we were asked to leave our luggage in reception and have dinner. After dinner we were taken to dormitory or separate rooms based on the preferences.

Tyaga: Male's dormitory

After putting our luggage in dormitory, we were asked to assemble in Santosha, a big auditorium type class room. Some 15 people were already there, I took my place in the circle. Mr Ravi welcomed all and introduced Rudra bhaiya, Shimla didi and Natesh Bhaiya. Then, asked us to introduce ourselves, but in a different way. First person took his name, second person had to repeat the first name and add his at the end, third person would repeat both names and then his and so on... it was fun and we all remembered the names of each other. I tried to remember the names and faces while circle increased to 20 plus. After chanting three OMs, and Slokas we went to dormitory and slept.

Santosha: our class room

Next day, I woke up at 4 AM with others and after daily routine and bath went to Santosha. Shimla didi was sitting in meditative posture on stage. I took an empty space without disturbing the pin drop silence. We did OM mediation and loosening exercises and then at 7 went to attend Maitry Milan-daily morning prayer, followed by chanting of Hanuman Chalisa, Geeta Sloka Sangrah, and small lecture by a professor of S-VYASA. All participants and students attend the Maitri Milan daily at 7AM.

After Maitri Milan we went to breakfast in students' mess, first we washed the plate, then sat in line for someone to serve, and waited for Bhojan Mantra before eating. Then was the time for Karma yoga, immediately after breakfast 45 minutes of cleaning some part of campus, then washing and bathing, classes, lunch and then most loved class of DRT (Deep Relaxation Technique) and cyclic meditation. Milk was served in the evening and then Krida yoga or tuning to nature. Krida yoga was fun, while tuning to nature was serene. Evening was time for bhajans followed by dinner, and some classes and finally retiring to bed.

Schedule was same for every day with variations in contents of classes.

First day, almost everyone cribbed about the busy schedule, from second day all started liking it, and on seventh day people were nostalgic about it.

One morning was a trek to nearby Durga hill, a place with beautiful views, calm nature and awesome rocks. All enjoyed small trek and photography on top of the rocks.

Durga Hill trek

After day three, we started practicing for happy assembly, every one was excited. Enthusiasm and hard work ensured nice programs coming out of it. Rhythm of Kerala snake boat song and Nasik dol enthralled everyone. People were amazed after unbelievable Mayurasana, astonishing artistic yoga, and enjoyed lovely Taylor Swift- love story song. Fun was added by Haryana jokes and unplanned speak about Indian freedom struggle, Finally the Bhangra thrilled everyone from 2 to 82 years of age.

Mayurasana by eldest student

Eighth day, we had puja and havan in Shree Yoga Vinayaka Mandir at 5 AM and certificates were distributed after Matri Milan.

There were different personalities similar to different paths of Yoga, Some were verbose, some were quiet, some were serene, some were smiling, some were serious... At the end on eighth day, when we all opened our eyes with a beautiful smile on our face; we found Jnana, Peace, and Beginning of a path...

Ma Sarasvati statue in S-VYASA

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Aashi Yoga Research Academy

http://www.AashiYoga.com/
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Few more thoughts on Past Life Regression Therapy

Story was posted in a facebook debate and I asked questions people's perspective of good life. Didn't get any deep answers as probably wise people tried to keep themselves out of debate due to sensitivity of re-incarnation topic. However, one member hinted at existence of separate topics so I made three logical subdivisions.

1. Re-incarnation
2. Past Life Regression Therapy (PLRT) (this life or previous life)
3. Uses of PLRT
   1. Ethical uses (good uses for humanity)
      1. For finding peace and nirvana (I do not see value in looking at past life in spiritual path, I will write more about this in next)
   2. Commercialization
   3. Misuse
   4. Talent hunt

I had a question in mind regarding use of Past Life Regression Therapy:

At what symptoms do you recommend past life regression therapy to a person?

1. to a child?,
2. to an adult?

Since I didn't get any answer of above question, I decided to change story's end and post in next blog.

Rebirth of three brothers and Dr Jobs

There lived three brothers in city of Delhi in early 21^st century. Their parents were God fearing, honest and hardworking, they gave their children an education that inculcated importance of honesty, hard work and ethics. However, all three were different in interest and personality.

First brother, Ajay was very studious and became an honest serving officer of Indian police.

Second brother, Vijay was street smart, high-willed and wanted to get more in less time. He came in contact of criminals in childhood itself, criminal used him for drug trafficking. He joined organized crime in his early 20's and made a lot of money. He also killed many people in course of his business. He was caught in few cases and spent 5 years in prison. In prison, he was beaten up by rival gang, that caused a big scar in hand and face. Life went on with ups and downs for him until one calm morning when he was shot dead at point blank by his own partner on a territory dispute.

Ajay however took revenge of killing of his brother by using his influence on police and got business partner arrested, but could not prove the charges in court. He lived a frustrated life after the incident.

Third brother, Sujay was very simple and average. He never liked his brother's criminal life and kept himself away from him. He was average in studies, didn't make lot of money but was able to earn hand to mouth. He loved a girl, got married to her and they lived happily ever after.

Many years and generations passed, one day in Heaven God noticed story of three brothers while auditing records of hell. God thought of sending them to earth as brothers again but with out any memories of past. As a result of God's action, three brothers were re-born to a couple living in Mumbai by the far end of 22^nd century. Since it was a new life, God gave them new characteristics and interests. Ajay was born with less intelligence, Vijay was born with honesty and Sujay with super intelligence.

Because all three remembered nothing, they had a very beautiful childhood until class 6th report card of Ajay arrived. Ajay did extremely bad in almost all the subjects, while Vijay passed his exam with average marks and Sujay came first in his class.

The couple was worried for Ajay. One of their friend suggested a past life regression therapy in order to find the real causes behind Ajay's poor marks. After some initial hesitation couple fixed an appointment with a franchisee center of “Past life regression therapy of Dr Jobs”. Reports came out in few days; couple was shocked with the report and went to Delhi for verification of facts. They could not verify all the report but were able to read about Vijay's deeds in one on-line news paper archive.

Ajay was enrolled for tuition in mathematics, rocket fundamentals and discoveries of Mars, while Vijay was enrolled for martial art and life saving techniques of Dr Jobs, Sujay was moved to less interesting subjects.

Dr Jobs and his descendants lived happily ever after.

Sitali, Sitkari and Sadanta Pranayama

Sitali, Sitkari and Sadanta are 3 basic cooling pranayama techniques. All 3 are similar in nature, and differ only the way air is inhaled by mouth.

In Sitali, air is inhaled by a tube formed by protruding tongue similar to beak of a bird.

In Sitkari, air is inhaled by gap formed by both sides of tongue when tongue is folded upwards between the 2 rows of teeth.

In Sadanta, air is inhaled by the crevices of teeth, when upper layer of teeth is kept on lower.

Air is exhaled by nostrils in all 3 pranayama.

Cool air when inhaling and warm air when exhaling is felt when performing these pranayama.

Sitali word probably came from sound of air when inhaling or from word Sheetal (Sheetal means cool).

Sitkari probably is sound of inhaling (kindly leave a comment if you know origin of Sitkari word).

Sadanta is probably Sa and Danta (Danta means teeth)

Benefits:

All 3 are revitalizing and detoxifying. Allergies due to cold can be cured when practiced regularly.

Many people ask me and try practice when suffering from cold. It must be avoided when suffering from cold, however, must be practiced only after recovered fully from cold. Practicing these pranayama when in good health ensures strengthened and prepared systems or organs to fight allergy and cold.

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Aashi Yoga Research Academy

http://www.AashiYoga.com/

Hatha Yoga, Pranayama, Meditation

Yoga classes in Bangalore

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Sectional and Full Yogic Breathing

Today we practiced Sectional and Full Yogic Breathing in the morning yoga class.

Full Yogic Breathing is combination of 3 sectional breathing:

1) Adhama Svasa

2) Madhyama Svasa

3) Aadi Svasa

Adhama is word for lower, Madhyama for middle, Aadi for upper and Svasa for breath in Sanskrit.

Adhama Svasa (also called abdominal breathing, diaphragmatic breathing, or belly breathing) is using of diaphragm for breathing. Stomach bulges out for inhale and goes in for exhale, causing diaphragm to move down and up respectively. Chest and upper part of trunk remains still in this sectional breathing. This Svasa fills air in lower parts of lungs.

Madhyama Svasa(also called thoracic breathing) is expanding chest outwards and upwards for inhale and bringing back to resting position for exhale. Keeping no movements in stomach. This Svasa fills air middle parts of lungs.

Aadi Svasa(also called clavicular breathing) is raising collar bones and shoulders upwards and backwards for inhale and bring back to resting position for exhale. Abdomen and chest remain still. This Svasa fills air are in upper parts of lungs.

Full Yogic Breathing is nothing but above 3 sectional breathing together where inhale and exhale are done on the same sequence of Adhama, Madhayma and Aadi in one big breath.

Benefits of Full Yogic Breathing

Since lungs are completely filled with air and oxygen goes to all parts of lungs, full yogic breathing is revitalizing. Use of 3 sections of trunk in breathing ensures stimulation to related organs as well. Full yogic breathing also helps in calming down the mind, controlling the sudden temper or emotion and reducing anxiety. Diaphragmatic and Full Yogic breathing is also used as a therapy for treatment of asthma, emphysema, and stammering.

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Aashi Yoga Research Academy

http://www.AashiYoga.com/

Hatha Yoga, Pranayama, Meditation

Yoga classes in Bangalore

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Yoga streams and goals

Swami Vivekananda classified Yoga(in-fact whole of spirituality) in 4 streams. It is based on 4 important qualities or characteristics of human being. This is the most rational classification I have found till date so worth mentioning here:

1) Karma Yoga (culturing the action)
Gita is considered best literature on Karma Yoga.
Explained by Sri Krishna in response of very practical questions asked by Arjuna in battlefield.
It is the path of action, about performing one's worldly duties ethically and efficiently. Karma Yoga answers many of conflicts in practical life.

Karmanyevadhikaraste ma phaleshu kadacana,
Ma karmaphala heturbhuh ma te sangostakarmani - Gita-2.47

Yagah Karmasu Kausalam- Gita 2.50

2) Raja Yoga (culturing the will)

Patanjali's Astanga Yoga is also called Raj Yoga. Pantajali Yoga Sutras are considered best literature on Raja Yoga.
Raja Yoga has 8 steps
1) Yama
2) Niyama
3) Asana
4) Pranayama
5) Prayahara
6) Dharana
7) Dhayana
8) Samadhi

uddharedatmanatmanam natmanamavasadayet,
atmaiva hyatmano bandhuh atmaiva ripuratmanah – Gita 6.5

3) Bhakti Yoga(culturing the emotion)
Ramayana as well as Gita is full of Bhakti Yoga.
Bhakti Yoga is surrendering to Lord in order do away with Ego.

Chaturvidha bhanjte mam janah sukrtin o Arjuna
arto jijnasurartharthi jnani ca bharatarsabha – Gita 7.16

4) Jnana Yoga(culturing the knowledge)
Gita is again considered best literature on Jnana Yoga
Jnana Yoga has following steps:
1) Sravana- listening
2) Manana- understand, cognize and question it to maximum extent possible
3) Nidhiyasana- experiment and live it
4) Jnana- realization
5) Jivan mukti- free while alive
6) Sidha sthiti – greater bliss
7) Moksha – highest freedom, state of absolute bliss, total knowledge

tadvidhi pranipatena pariprasnena sevaya,
upadeksyanti te jnanam tattvadarsinah – Gita -4.34

“Seek that enlightenment by respectful behavior, by questioning and by service; the wise seer will instruct you in that knowledge”

Physical part of all this Yoga is easy; comes with practice. However when we move into higher and higher dimension it becomes more and more hazy and difficult.

I have been practicing physical part and have learned it reasonably OK, but when I go into higher dimensions it becomes more and more difficult, more and more questions come... some get answered some not... I go up, fall... and go up again... I will go up by stairs instead of elevator because I enjoy climbing the stairs...There may not be a God waiting for me on the top, but I will go up because I love climbing the stairs...

To the main thread now:
Shail, I thank you again for starting the topic. Re-incarnation part of Gita is neither answered in my mind, nor I find any good references yet. I will read writers you suggested, but will continue only when they I get reasonable answers to initial questions mind poses.

However Shail, Notice a crack in your heel, as you been answering the questions instead of asking.

We all may have different personality, motivation, and goals; Let us all - Seek that enlightenment by respectful behavior, by questioning and by service.

PS: this was in response of a facebook debate re-incarnation.

Travelogue: Morning in Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve

I visited a friend in Nagpur few days ago, and during the trip my friend planned Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve Chandrapur visit. He got booking from North gate(near Khirsingi) and for morning hours.

His family, he and I started at 3 am from Nagpur on national highway 7 and then took state highway 247 and a small connecting road between state highway 233 and 243. By 5 am we were at Khirsingi. From Khirsingi we traveled about 20 kms in muddy road to reach gate of Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve. In this stretch we saw first animal of trip, a rat, it was running just like a mickey mouse, difficult to describe in words how agile and fast it was running in head lights of car. Every auspicious works starts with worship of God Ganesha and sight of rat, the vehicle of Ganesha was off course a good sign. We reached at gate around 6am and open Jeeps were waiting for us there.

Cattle in village near to tiger reserve

Open Jypsy ready for expedition

We entered the tiger reserve in open jeep, 2nd animal we saw was a black wild cat, 3rd was a wild boar and then deer. We reached the place where there was some water and people told us that tiger was there 5 mins ago and just went, so we roamed around 15 mins in search of his foot prints. Saw a beautiful peacock, and herd of black face monkeys (langoor), there were just born members in the herd. We did locate footprints of tiger and after roaming around 15 mins we came back to water and parked our Jeep in hope of tiger coming to drink water.

Tadoba Andhari Tiger Project welcoming visitors

Deer

Tiger footprints: round and 4 dots

There were few alert sounds of deer. Signal that tiger is nearby. After waiting almost for an hour we saw tiger coming from far end of water. Guide told us that it was a female tiger around 2 year old, tigress walked with a panache and went near the herd of deers. Deers on the sides were alert, with head raised and legs ready for flight reaction, while deers on middle of herd kept eating the grass without any worry. Tigress went quite close to them and played chase me game with deer few times, she was in no mood to kill, she was just playing with them.


After playing with deer, tigress came towards us and passed in front of us, just 15 meters away, she was a real big tigress. She then sat for 20 mins under the tree that was just 20 meters away from us. All of us were watching her and she was watching us.

Tigress coming after playing with deer

She then stood, urinated at tree trunk to mark her territory and walked away. We all were happy with sight of tigress so close.

Coming toward us

Tigress resting and watching humans

we then started for other parts of reserve. We saw nice birds whose name I can’t remember, one of them was resembling to kingfisher, few more deer herds, a crocodile and a big big lizard.

Big lizard

Must do/tips in Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve Chandrapur:

• Tiger: wait for tiger in one place instead of running around in hope of glimpse.
• Go early in the morning, its a warm area.

My understanding of Bhagavat Geeta Chapter 7 (The science of self realization)

Chapter 7 answers questions about Lord Krishna's worship to get self realization.

One in thousands look for God, and among those only one get the the God.

Everything in the world is composed of 2 types of energy. Earth, water, fire, wind, space, mind, wisdom and ego are 8 types of external energy that form lower nature (Prakruti), the potency of Maya. 2^Nd type is individual nature (Atma, The Soul). Lower Prakruti is inferior to individual Prakruti.

Lord Krishna is root cause of everything, is the most superior power behind this world. Lord Krishna describes himself as core property of various wonderful objects or creatures in the world e.g. flavor in the water, luster in the sun and the moon, Ohm sound in the Vedas, words in the ether, potency in the man, fragrance in the earth, heat in the fire... Lord Krishna states that he is eternal essence of all living beings.

All the properties those come due to Satva, Raj, and Tamo Gunas are because of Lord Krishna and Lord Krishna is in all of those.

People are deluded by effect of three Gunas and are unable to see potency of Lord Krishna. People who prey the God continuously go beyond these 3 Gunas, and achieve the Lord Krishna.

Depraved, foolish and lower levels of humanity, who indulge in bad work and whose mind is deluded by Maya, do not worship the God. There are 4 types of people who worship God: people in trouble, people aspiring wealth, seeker of knowledge and people of wisdom, All these 4 are worthy but wise people do it solely for self realization, and this is very rare. Such people are dearest to Lord Krisha.

People deluded by Maya, worship demi-Gods for achieving the materialistic things, they do achieve those things by worship, but that is temporary achievement, while ones who worship Lord Krishna for self realization permanently gets the Lord Krishna means achieve the moksha.

Because people are ignorant and are unable to see the Lord Krishna due to effect of Maya, so not everyone directly worship Lord Krishna.

Important concepts in Chapter 7:

1. 8 folds of lower Prakruti – Lord Krishna's external energy and eternal energy- Atma
2. Satva, Raj, and Tamo Gunas are introduced
3. Who gets the Moksha

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Aashi Yoga Research Academy

http://www.AashiYoga.com/

Hatha Yoga, Pranayama, Meditation

Yoga classes in Bangalore

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My understanding of Bhagavat Geeta Chapter 6 (Yog Journey, Mind, and Re-birth)

Chapter 6 answers questions about Yog, renunciation and techniques for controlling the mind.

One who does work without desire for its fruits is Yogi and renunciate (Sanyasi), not the one who merely renounce prescribed Vedic activities. Yog is renunciation.

For the one who has attained perfection in Yog, Sanyas(renunciation of prescribed duties or cessation of action) is means, action is means for person who is desirous of perfection in Yog. One achieves perfection in Yog when he is not addictive to desires of fruits of action and gratification. One who achieves perfection is Yog displays certain characteristics such as he is free from all dualities, is not affected by joy or grief, love or hate, praise or ridicule... restrained and regulated... eats and sleeps moderately... Aahar Vihar of Astanga Yoga are mentioned in this chapter.

Perfect place and position to do Yoga is also defined, then there is mention of position for starting the Yoga and performing Padmasna and starting meditation by trying to stop mind from wandering. Thinking of a person is given importance by stating that a controlled mind is one's best friend while an uncontrolled one is worst enemy. Continuous practice can ensure mind (Chitta) doesn't run here and there, continuously focusing Chitta on God(Param-Atma) leads to a conquered mind.

Attaining perfection is Yog is difficult and attaining complete perfection in renunciation is more difficult, so what happens to a person who attains near perfection or half perfection. Lord Krishna clarifies this by stating that one who is on path of Yog gets a privileged birth in next life. Good Karma is carried forward, such a person achieves moksha very easily in next life.

Important concepts in Chapter 5:

1. Physical Yog to spiritual Yog – a complete journey that leads to moksha.
2. Conquer the mind.
3. Good Karma is carried forward.

In 30 percent of inquiries about Yoga, people just look for meditation without trying even one single Asana, this chapter of Geeta answers the inquiry...

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Hatha Yoga, Pranayama, Meditation

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My understanding of Bhagavat Geeta Chapter 5(Action, spiritual knowledge and purification of mind)

Chapter 5 is to explain Karma Yog and Jnana Yog in detail. Arjuna is confused with Lord Krishna's recommendation for renouncing the work and then praise for work of devotion. So asks naturally which one is better for him.

Lord Krishna explains that both are good for liberation, but work as a devotional service is better. One who neither desires nor hates the fruits of action is considered as renounced and is completely liberated from material bondage. Both are same and fruits of both results to achievement of supreme God.

Going through the path of renouncing the action is difficult so it is better to go through the path of action without attachment. Action is performed for purification of mind, and the one who perform the action with pure mind achieves the supreme God.

Is God responsible for fruits of actions?

Materialistic and divine spiritual knowledge?

One who, neither elates the pleasing nor laments the unpleasant, is free from delusion... and some more characteristics of person who has achieved spiritual knowledge. One's mind has to stop getting affected by external sense objects. Method of concentration or meditation is described, with fixing the eyes between eyebrows to stop the mind from wandering in order to achieve spiritual knowledge.

Important concepts in Chapter 5:

1. Achieve Jnana through Karma
2. Purification of mind.
3. Entry to meditation to achieve spiritual knowledge and attain divine peace.

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Hatha Yoga, Pranayama, Meditation

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My understanding of Bhagavat Geeta Chapter 4 (action, inaction, good-bad and the ultimate truth)

Lord Krishna tells Arjuna that HE told this imperishable Yog to Sun to, Sun to Vivasvan, Vivasvan to Manu and Manu to Ikshavaku. This knowledge traveled through generations and after a long time, now it has disappeared from the world. And Since Arjuna is HIS devotee and friend, HE is is telling this to Arjuna. And this Yog is secret.

Why is Yog secret?

Lord Krishna told that HE and Arjuna have gone through may lives, but Arjuna doesn't remember those while HE remembers. HE comes to earth to protect noble people and to establish Dharama whenever required. Lord Krishna also explains prescribed duties as per Vedic classification.

One who knows the difference between Karma, Akarma and Vikrama, gets freedom from cycle of life and death. These differences are mysterious and hard to understand. (I will write about differences later)

A focused, self-controlled person with faith, who performs his Vedic duties achieves the self-realization. One has to go through the path of Karma to achieve Jnana! One achieves Moksha after in this state.

Important concepts in chapter 4:

• Avatar
• Karma(Action), Akarma(Inaction), Vikarma(Prohibited)
• Jnana: Achieve ultimate truth by being realized and performance of Karma

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Hatha Yoga, Pranayama, Meditation

Yoga classes in Bangalore

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My understanding of Bhagavat Geeta Chapter 3 (Karma)

Chapter 3 is about Karma Yog. Here Lord Krishna explains importance of performing one's duty, way to achieve supreme God even with performing one's worldly duties.

Arjuna is confused between Karma Yog and Jnana Yog. He gets the feeling from previous chapter that Jnana Yog is supreme, and if it is so, why Lord Krishna is asking him to engage him in Karma. Lord Krishna explains him importance of Karma and explains that there are 2 types of people who realize the self, 1) who renunciate everything and follow spiritual path 2) who engage in performing worldly duties without attaching their mind to its fruits.

He further explains, renunciation is not enough to achieve self-realization, it is important to control senses from within. Forceful control of senses doesn't lead to self realization. All humans are bound to work out of impulses born out of materialistic nature and therefore no one can refrain from work. People follow great, so if great people stop working, all will follow that. Lord Krishna says that He doesn't need anything and He is not required to do anything, even though He follows his duties. If He doesn't follow his duties world will follow him and no one will work.

Lust is born out of material modes of passion, all living entities are covered with different degree of lust. Mind and intelligence are home to lust and hide real knowledge. Lust is greatest enemy of human, so by realizing the Atma one should free himself from delusions.

Important concepts in Chapter 3:

1. Engage in Karma.
2. Free your mind from worldly pleasures and output of Karma.
3. Control the senses; concur lust and free oneself from delusion.

In direct contrast to modern theory of motivation Chapter 3 asks to engage in work just for duty without getting attached to rewards. Will this work (or has this worked) for masses is questionable as there are examples of individuals supporting each. Will there(or are there) only few who follow this path?

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Hatha Yoga, Pranayama, Meditation

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My understanding of Bhagavat Geeta Chapter 2 (perform the duties and be realized)

Chapter 2 called essence of Geeta, is about Atma (The Soul), Karma Yog and Jnana Yog.

Chapter starts with Arjuna becoming a disciple of Lord Krishna and telling him that he is not cowardice, but he sees sin (pap) in killing some of the revered people. Lord Krishna explains to him that he must perform his duty without any inhibitions and he should be not be worried about killing as Soul never dies. Soul is eternal and it changes body similar to people change cloths, when cloths are old. No one can kill the Soul!

Lord Krishna also explains Arjuna about Karma Yog and asks him to perform his duty of waging a war, as only some fortunate warriors (Khhatriyas) get this opportunity. Lord Krishna tells that Arjuna must not worry about the outcome but focus on performing his duty, since result of war is not in his hands. If he dies in the war, he will go to heaven as a martyr, and if he wins he will enjoy worldly pleasures.

Arjuna is suggested to fight without getting attached to worldly attractions, being realized and still perform the duties.

Arjuna is still not sure so he asks how does a person with realized person (sthir buddhi) looks like. And Lord Krishna explains him characteristics of a realized person. A realized person is not affected by worldly happiness and sorrow, he doesn’t becomes angry, he is not affected by cold or hot and so on... He is the one who has attained natural control over his senses. One who becomes realized, attains the supreme God!

There is a large possibility that someone may interpret Karma Yog in wrong way and justify any of his doings. I think, that was the reason for Sage Ved Vysa to keep Jnana Yog in the same chapter and describing details of a realized person.

Important concepts in Chapter 2:

1) Atma is amar (The Soul is eternal).

2) Karma Yog is about performing one’s duty without getting attached to its fruits.

3) Jnana Yog is about becoming a realized by having a natural control over senses.

Try out Chapter 2 quiz of Bhagavat Geeta at:

http://www.aashiyoga.com/index.php/quiz?task=quiz&quizId=8

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Aashi Yoga Research Academy

http://www.AashiYoga.com/

Hatha Yoga, Pranayama, Meditation

Yoga classes in Bangalore

---------------------------------

My understanding of Bhagavat Geeta: Chapter 1 (feelings, emotions and attachments)

1^st chapter of Bhagavat Geeta is about Arjuna's dejection from war and explaining the reasons. From his point of view Arjuna has noble reasons to believe that war is not worth. He explains this beautifully to Lord Krishna:

Bhagavat Geeta starts with Dhritarashtra asking Sanjaya about happening of the war field:

Dharma-kshetre kuru-kshetre samaveta yuyutsavah
mamakah pandavas caiva kim akurvata sanjaya (1)

After explaining all the warriors in their poses to start the war, focus shifts to Arjuna and Lord Krishna.

drstvemam sva-janam Krisna yuyutsum samupasthitam
sidanti mama gatrani mukham ca parisusyati (28)

Arjuna tells Lord Krishna that after looking at all the relatives and friends ready for war he is feeling low and is not in a position to continue the war. He further says that he doesn't see good in killing people who were close to him once and had bestowed some favor to him earlier. He is more dejected by view of his teacher Dronacharya and Bheesma Pitamah. He doesn't want kill these people even for kingdom of three loks (heaven, earth and underground), so asked why should he kill for just earth. By killing all the men of a dynasty, dynasty gets plagued and society becomes impure and such people go to hell forever. He is shocked that all wise people are ready to kill just for sake of getting kingdom and worldly pleasures. He doesn't want to fight even if Kaurava's kill him. He sees more good in getting killed without putting a fight.

With this Arjuna goes to back seat of his chariot and sits in no mood of a war.

In Chapter 1, Arjuna displays feelings, emotions and attachments that are common to any man in such a situation. His thinking has probably originated from various teachings about being a noble gentleman or from spiritual contradictions of worldly and heavenly things. 

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Hatha Yoga, Pranayama, Meditation

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Travelogue: The holy city of Pushkar

I am writing this blog from memories of a travel done almost one and a half years ago... I was in Jaipur was thinking of going to a place that can offer peace of mind. I had heard from dad that he wanted to go to Pushkar and its a very holy place, so Pushkar was automatic choice for me.

I went on a state transport bus from Ajmer as it is just some 14 km journey. On the way, there were not many things except small hills of Rajasthan with some vegetation, it was mostly dry. Bus stop was uncrowded, almost of a village; crowd was yet to come as I was there few weeks before famous cattle fair of Pushkar. I checked in a hotel and after doing few inquiries about nearby places I went to offer my prayer to the creator at Brahma temple. 

Rajasthan State Road Transport's Bus to Pushkar

Brahma temple of Pushkar

After taking some rest in hotel I then marched to the sacred lake of Pushkar and famous Ghats. It was dusty in the ghats due dryness of November, I started walking around the lake, after the first round sun went down and beauty of lake was visible. Even though there were few people on the pathway but every one was peaceful probably trying to find purpose and meaning of life. It was so calm that I thought of using one of the Yoga advantages of not needing any equipments for practice. After 2 rounds of lake I cleaned the dust on one of the Ghats and did my complete set of Yoga. Serene ghats, dim lighting, and hills around the lake offered a conductive environment to attain internal peace, I felt that I found what I came for. After some walk on the streets of Pushkar I took dinner in a Rajasthani restaurant and went to sleep in hotel.

Tranquil Pushkar lake

Pushkar lake panoramic view

Pushkar market: colors and people of Rajasthan

Next day morning, I again went to ghats and offered my prayer with help of Pandit who was more interested in Dakshina than prayer. In between Mantras he asked how many Brahmins I would feed for peace of my ancestors, I said 2, and he wanted me to raise the number, luckily I was able to catch the trick. After the prayer he started calculating money for 2 people at rate of 200 Rupees per head. I was furious, gave him hundred rupees and came. I remember another priest who asked "Sir, aap duty main aaye ho kiya" thinking I am from police or some para-military force, may be due to my recent hair-cut. I had breakfast of delicious Rajasthani kachauri with kadi.

Maa Savitri temple view from Pushkar

Then started trek to Maa Savitri Devi temple on hill top. It's all stairs after 3 kms, don't exactly remember the time but I climbed quite fast. In between there was a lovely family of Rajasthani folks who were entertaining people with their musical instruments. View of Pushkar from Maa Savitri Devi temple was pleasant and lovely.

Rajasthani kid dressed in traditional attire

Rajasthani folk family and their musical instruments

Came down took shower and caught a bus of Ajmer and then to Jaipur.

Must do in Pushkar:

• Brahma temple
• Talk to self
• Round of sacred lake in the evening