Yoga is such a vast topic. It is not possible to explore all aspects in twenty six blog posts. The intention was also not to make in depth study of any aspect. The purpose was to give some idea about the vastness of the topic and break lots of myths associated with yoga. At the … Continue reading Zipping it up
Tag: Hinduism
Existential issues and yoga
In our very first post in this series we have examined how Arjuna's dilemma as to whether to fight against his own relatives or not became an existential issue. He was so confused, he began questioning his own integrity. He was doubtful about the direction of his belief system. He was not sure whether the … Continue reading Existential issues and yoga
Skill in action is verily yoga
बुद्धियुक्तो जहातीह उभे सुकृतदुष्कृते |तस्माद्योगाय युज्यस्व योग: कर्मसु कौशलम् || 50||buddhi-yukto jahātīha ubhe sukṛita-duṣhkṛitetasmād yogāya yujyasva yogaḥ karmasu kauśhalam || Bhagavad Gita 2:50||With evenness of mind one goes beyond deedsgood and evil in this very life.Hence fight for the sake of yoga,Because, being skilled in your chosen activity is yoga. Even though in Bhagavad Gita … Continue reading Skill in action is verily yoga
Mantra Yoga
The word mantra is now part of English Dictionary. According to Oxford Dictionary - a mantra is a word, sound, or phrase repeated frequently, particularly during meditation or prayer to aid concentration. It also refers to a frequently repeated statement or slogan that expresses a core belief or principle. Sanskrit scholars would define the word as … Continue reading Mantra Yoga
Learning under a Guru
In ancient times learning anything valuable was done by going to a Guru. It was the standard practice. It was such a a standard practice that the word Upanishad means sitting near a Guru and the highest spiritual knowledge is contained in the Upanishads. Yogic practices were handed down to generations though a master- disciple … Continue reading Learning under a Guru
Kriya Yoga vs Karma Yoga
तपः स्वाध्यायेश्वरप्रणिधानानि क्रियायोगः (योगसूत्र 2.1)Tapaḥ svādhyāyeśvara-praṇidhānāni kriyā-yogaḥ (Patanjali Yoga Sutras 2:1)योगस्थः कुरु कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा धनञ्जय।सिद्ध्यसिद्ध्योः समो भूत्वा समत्वं योग उच्यते।।yoga-sthaḥ kuru karmāṇi saṅgaṁ tyaktvā dhanañjayasiddhy-asiddhyoḥ samo bhūtvā samatvaṁ yoga uchya (Bhagavad Gita 2:1) After describing Samadhi in the first section of the Patanjali Yoga Sutras, in the second section titled Sadhana Pada Maharishi Patanjali … Continue reading Kriya Yoga vs Karma Yoga
Jnana Yoga vs Bhakti Yoga
Shradhavan labhate Jnanam - One who is curious gains knowledge Jnana yoga is translated as the yoga of the knowledge and knowledge is associated with lots of information. A person who has lots of information is considered to be knowledgeable. A person may have all the knowledge of the world, but the question may not … Continue reading Jnana Yoga vs Bhakti Yoga
Arjuna’s Despondence
सेनयोरुभयोर्मध्ये रथं स्थापय मेऽच्युतO Achyuta ! Place my chariot at the middle of both the armies. You may wonder - what has Arjuna, or for that matter the Bhagavad Gita to do with yoga? Let us not forget that the first chpter of the Bhagavad Gita is named as Arjuna Vishada Yoga, the second chapter … Continue reading Arjuna’s Despondence
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
Guest Post : Closely Guarded History and Beauty of Mahendra Giri
A VISIT TO THE HISTORICALLY MOST IMPORTANT MOUNTAIN IN THE EASTERN GHATS WHERE LORD PARSHURAM THE IMMORTAL BEING IS SAID TO BE IN MEDITATION. Recently, I had been to Mahendra Giri, which has the second most highest mountain peak of Odisha. Mahendra Giri is part of the Eastern Ghats, which is the second oldest mountain … Continue reading Guest Post : Closely Guarded History and Beauty of Mahendra Giri
PEBBLES AND WAVES 