यमनियमासनप्राणायामप्रत्याहारधारणाध्यानसमाधयोऽष्टावङ्गानि॥२९॥Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi - are the eight limbs (Yogasutras - 2:29) image credit : unsplash The first section of the Patanjali Yoga-sutras was Samadhi Pada . It describes the ultimate destination of Yoga. After 'where to go', logically speaking 'how to go there' should be told. The second section of … Continue reading Eight Limbs of Yoga
Category: Spirituality
Defining Yoga
After going thorough my previous posts in this BlogChatterA2Z series, the reader by now must have got some idea about yoga. Now it is time to explore the formal definitions of yoga. According to Maharshi Patanjali: योगश्चित्तवृत्तिनिरोधः - Yogaschittabritti Nirodhah If the reader is clear about the Sanskrit words chittah, britti and nirodhah, there is … Continue reading Defining Yoga
Begin with the end in view
अर्जुन उवाच: स्थितप्रज्ञस्य का भाषा समाधिस्थस्य केशव।स्थितधीः किं प्रभाषेत किमासीत व्रजेत किम्।। Arjuna asked: O Keshava ! How would you define a sthitaprajna who is established in samadhi? How does he talk? How does he sit? How does he walk? The ancient text on yoga which is most talked about is The Yoga-sutras of Maharshi … Continue reading Begin with the end in view
Theme reveal – Blogchatter A2Z 2026
This will be for the third time that I will be participating in Blogchatter A2Z challenge. The uninitiated may ask – what is this Blogchatter A2Z challenge? Blogchatter.com, is India’s primary web portal that provides networking and publicity support to the blogging community. Come April and the blogchatter team throws open the A2Z blogging challenge. … Continue reading Theme reveal – Blogchatter A2Z 2026
Spiritual Shades of the Rainy Season
In popular culture rain has been associated with romance. Inspired by the rainy season, classical poets like Kalidasa and many other poets have composed verses highlighting either the sensual elements or the feelings of longing borne out of separation. Many popular folk songs and film songs of our times are no different. But there can … Continue reading Spiritual Shades of the Rainy Season
August Contemplations
I: Spirituality and Freedom August here in India is the rainiest month. In spite of that we have celebrations galore. Most of our religious festivals follow the lunar calendar. There are two types of lunar months in India. Some states, especially those in South India follow a system where in the month ends on the … Continue reading August Contemplations
Sitting Near The Guru
In our Indian tradition, great importance has been attached to being in the presence of the Guru as much as possible and getting knowledge directly from him. While this is applicable to all forms of knowledge, this has crucial significance in the case of spiritual knowledge. The crux of vedic wisdom are compiled in books … Continue reading Sitting Near The Guru
The Meaning and Purpose of Life
Life has no inherent meaning or purpose. It is you who brings meaning and purpose to life – so would say the western philosopher. But is it? The wonder and dilemma associated with meaning and purpose of life has been as old as civilization itself. Our ancient Rishis too have meditated upon it. They have … Continue reading The Meaning and Purpose of Life
Let us save the native plants
Oplus_131104 This news report should come as no surprise. Till now the extinction of animals and birds have been the subject of much public discourse. It is not that plants have not been getting extinct. What could be alarming is that there could be plants that have become extinct without coming to our notice for … Continue reading Let us save the native plants
Lord Brahma’s Advice to His Creation
In vedic astrology human births are classified as Deva Gana, Manushya Gana and Rakshasa Gana. It does not mean that those who are born under Rakshasa gana are demonic in nature. Among other implications, such classifications are usually taken into account while matching horoscopes of prospective brides and grooms. Otherwise also we have lots of … Continue reading Lord Brahma’s Advice to His Creation