1. Every aspirant in the spiritual path becomes a victim to the mood of depression in the
beginning of the Sadhana period. You will have to overcome this mood through discrimination,
reflection, Vichara, singing Hari’s Name, prayer, etc. This mood is like a passing cloud. You should
not be unnecessarily alarmed. It will pass off soon if you are vigilant.
2. Do not mistake emotion for devotion. Whenever you get the mood of depression, sing
Hari’s Name vigorously by sitting alone in your room with a melting heart. You may sing silently.
This is an easy method to drive away this undesirable mood.
3. Try to control wild outbursts of weeping. This is a weakness and negative state. But allow
the pearl-drops of Divine thrill or ecstasy to trickle down occasionally when you are in a profound
prayerful mood or meditative state.
4. Shed the precious tears of Divine Prema when you are alone, when you are in communion
with the Lord. Do not weep in the presence of others. The rare pearl-drops of Divine Prema are the
outcome of melting of the heart by the fire of devotion and the fire of Viraha or painful separation
from the Lord. Many people develop a habit of weeping and tears flow on account of frequent
irritation of lachrymal glands that secrete or manufacture the tears but not on account of devotion.
5. Sometimes man feigns to be a devotee and sheds false tears just to make his neighbours
think that he is a great devotee and on account of sympathetic action his neighbours also begin to
weep. You will witness a nice scene of a band of weeping people in a Sankirtan gathering but in the
case of heart there will be not an iota of devotion. Devotion is a very rare gift from God. Weeping is
not by itself a criterion to judge the devotional nature of a man or a woman. Do not mistake the
crocodile tears of a hypocrite Bhakta for the genuine pearl-drops of Divine Prema which inspire and
elevate the bystanders. One may not weep outwardly and yet he may be a genuine silent devotee.
6. Open the doors of your heart. Let the lightning spark of love arise in your heart. Let the
love pierce you through and through. Let the heart sing to heart. Let your soul mix with the Supreme
Soul. Let the heart-lotus blossom and waft its sweet Divine fragrance. Let the Divine thrill strike the
strings of your heart. Let the tears flow now on your cheeks. Let the Divine ecstasy fill your whole
being.
7. Lord Hari is an ocean of mercy. He has boundless love for His devotees. He is a purifier of
the sinful and the fallen. He accepted even Ajamila and that fallen woman Pingala. He drove the
chariot of Arjuna in the battlefield. He ran to save Draupadi and Gajendra. Though He is the master
of the three worlds, He is a slave of His devotees.
8. Sit silent. Collect the dissipated rays of the mind. Become serene. Repeat God’s Name:
‘Hari Om’ or ‘Sri Ram’ or ‘Om Namah Sivaya.’ Your happiness will know no bounds. God will
dwell in your heart.
9. May Lord Narayana take you to His bosom and bathe you in the sacred waters of Divine
Prema and transcendental Bliss!
(Sri Swami Sivananda - EASY STEPS TO YOGA)
Showing posts with label Sri Swami Sivananda. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sri Swami Sivananda. Show all posts
31 July 2011
30 July 2011
Bhakti Yoga Sadhana
1. Bhakti is the slender silken thread of Prema or Love that binds the heart of a devotee with the Lotus Feet of the Lord. Bhakti is intense devotion and supreme attachment to God. It is the spontaneous outpouring of love towards God. It is pure, unselfish, Divine Love or Suddha Prema.
Bhakti is sacred, higher emotion with sublime sentiment that unites the devotee with the Lord. It has to be experienced by the Bhaktas.
2. Human love is all hollow. It is mere animal attraction. It is passion. It is carnal love. It is
selfish love. It is ever changing. It is all hypocrisy and mere show. The wife does not care for her
husband when he is in the role of unemployment. She frowns at him. The husband dislikes his wife
when she loses her beauty on account of some chronic diseases. You can find real, lasting love in
God alone. His love knows no change.
3. Bhakti is the basis of religious life. Bhakti destroys Vasanas and egoism. A life without
Bhakti, faith, love and devotion is a dreary waste. Bhakti softens the heart and removes jealousy,
hatred, lust, anger, egoism, pride and arrogance. It infuses joy, Divine ecstasy, Bliss, Peace and
Knowledge. All cares, worries, anxieties, fears, mental torments and tribulations entirely vanish.
The devotee is freed from the Samsaric wheel of births and deaths. He attains the Immortal Abode
of everlasting Peace, Bliss and Knowledge.
4. Sakamya Bhakti is one where the Bhakta worships God for getting riches, son or for
removal of sufferings from diseases. Vyabhicharini Bhakti is one in which the devotee worships or
loves God for some time and then his wife, children and property for some time. To love God and
God alone for ever and ever is Avyabhicharini Bhakti. Prahlada in the advanced stage of devotion
meditated on his own self as Lord Hari. This is Abheda Bhakti.
5. The Bhakta remains in the Loka where Lord Vishnu resides like an inhabitant of a state.
This is Salokya Mukti. In Sameepya Mukti, the Bhakta remains in close proximity with the Lord
like the attendant of a king. In Sarupya Mukti he gets the same form like that of the Lord like the
brother of a king. In Sayujya Mukti, he becomes one with the Lord like salt and water. Thus there
are four kinds of Mukti for the Bhaktas.
6. Out of love the formless Brahman assumes the form of Lord Hari to please His devotees.
God is an embodiment of mercy. The Lord runs after His devotees with food and water in His hands
to the forests. He becomes a slave of His devotees. Lord Vishnu says to Prahlada: “Dear, you are too
tender of age and too delicate of body to stand the terrible tortures inflicted on you by the
hot-headed father. A parallel of his atrocious deed I have never seen before. Pray, therefore, excuse
Me if I was late in coming to your rescue.” Again Lord Krishna says: “I am not in My control. I am
under the complete control of My Bhaktas. They have taken entire possession of My heart. How can
I leave them when they have taken entire possession of My heart? How can I leave them when they
have renounced everything for My sake? He who seeks Me in all things, and all things in Me, to him
I am never lost, nor he to Me.”
7. By following the following nine modes of worship (Navavidha Bhakti), you can develop
Bhakti and attain God-realisation: Sravana (hearing the Lila of God); Kirtana (singing His praise);
Smarana (remembering His Name); Padasevana (worshipping His Lotus Feet); Archana
(offerings); Vandana (prostration); Dasya (service); Sakhya (friendship) and Atmanivedana
(complete self-surrender). Study the Gita, the Ramayana and the Bhagavata. Have Satsanga. Visit
holy places (Teertha-Yatra). Do Japa. Meditate. Sing His Name. You can develop Bhakti and have
His Darsana.
8. Do you really want God? Do you really thirst for His Darsana? Have you got spiritual
hunger? You may deliver thrilling lectures on Bhakti. You may write several volumes on Bhakti,
and yet you may not possess a grain of true devotion. He who thirsts for Darsana of God will
develop Bhakti. If there is sincere demand for God, then the supply will come. By regular, steady
Sadhana may you attain Peace, Bliss, Knowledge, Perfection and God realisation!
9. The Name of God chanted in any way, correctly or incorrectly, knowingly or
unknowingly, carefully or carelessly is sure to give the desired result. The Glory of the Name of
God cannot be established through reasoning and intellect. It can certainly be experienced or
realised only through devotion, faith and constant repetition of the Name. Every Name is filled with
countless potencies or Saktis. The power of the Name is ineffable. Its glory is indescribable. The
efficacy and inherent Sakti of the Name of God is unfathomable.
10. Just as fire has the natural property of burning inflammable things, so also the Name of
God has the power of burning the sins, Samskaras and Vasanas and bestowing Eternal Bliss and
everlasting peace on those who repeat the Name of the Lord. Just as burning quality is natural and
inherent in fire, so also the power of destroying sins with their very root and branch and bringing the
aspirant into blissful union with the Lord through Bhava-Samadhi is natural and inherent in the
Name of God.
11. O man! Take refuge in the Name. Nami and Name are inseparable. Sing the Lord’s
Name incessantly. Remember the Name of the Lord with every incoming and outgoing breath. In
this iron age Namasmarana or Japa is the easiest, quickest, safest and surest way to reach God and to
attain Immortality and Perennial Joy. Glory to the Lord. Glory to His Name. Sing ‘Hari Om,’ ‘Sri
Ram,’ ‘Radheysyam,’ ‘Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare, Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare.’
(Sri Swami Sivananda - EASY STEPS TO YOGA)
Bhakti is sacred, higher emotion with sublime sentiment that unites the devotee with the Lord. It has to be experienced by the Bhaktas.
2. Human love is all hollow. It is mere animal attraction. It is passion. It is carnal love. It is
selfish love. It is ever changing. It is all hypocrisy and mere show. The wife does not care for her
husband when he is in the role of unemployment. She frowns at him. The husband dislikes his wife
when she loses her beauty on account of some chronic diseases. You can find real, lasting love in
God alone. His love knows no change.
3. Bhakti is the basis of religious life. Bhakti destroys Vasanas and egoism. A life without
Bhakti, faith, love and devotion is a dreary waste. Bhakti softens the heart and removes jealousy,
hatred, lust, anger, egoism, pride and arrogance. It infuses joy, Divine ecstasy, Bliss, Peace and
Knowledge. All cares, worries, anxieties, fears, mental torments and tribulations entirely vanish.
The devotee is freed from the Samsaric wheel of births and deaths. He attains the Immortal Abode
of everlasting Peace, Bliss and Knowledge.
4. Sakamya Bhakti is one where the Bhakta worships God for getting riches, son or for
removal of sufferings from diseases. Vyabhicharini Bhakti is one in which the devotee worships or
loves God for some time and then his wife, children and property for some time. To love God and
God alone for ever and ever is Avyabhicharini Bhakti. Prahlada in the advanced stage of devotion
meditated on his own self as Lord Hari. This is Abheda Bhakti.
5. The Bhakta remains in the Loka where Lord Vishnu resides like an inhabitant of a state.
This is Salokya Mukti. In Sameepya Mukti, the Bhakta remains in close proximity with the Lord
like the attendant of a king. In Sarupya Mukti he gets the same form like that of the Lord like the
brother of a king. In Sayujya Mukti, he becomes one with the Lord like salt and water. Thus there
are four kinds of Mukti for the Bhaktas.
6. Out of love the formless Brahman assumes the form of Lord Hari to please His devotees.
God is an embodiment of mercy. The Lord runs after His devotees with food and water in His hands
to the forests. He becomes a slave of His devotees. Lord Vishnu says to Prahlada: “Dear, you are too
tender of age and too delicate of body to stand the terrible tortures inflicted on you by the
hot-headed father. A parallel of his atrocious deed I have never seen before. Pray, therefore, excuse
Me if I was late in coming to your rescue.” Again Lord Krishna says: “I am not in My control. I am
under the complete control of My Bhaktas. They have taken entire possession of My heart. How can
I leave them when they have taken entire possession of My heart? How can I leave them when they
have renounced everything for My sake? He who seeks Me in all things, and all things in Me, to him
I am never lost, nor he to Me.”
7. By following the following nine modes of worship (Navavidha Bhakti), you can develop
Bhakti and attain God-realisation: Sravana (hearing the Lila of God); Kirtana (singing His praise);
Smarana (remembering His Name); Padasevana (worshipping His Lotus Feet); Archana
(offerings); Vandana (prostration); Dasya (service); Sakhya (friendship) and Atmanivedana
(complete self-surrender). Study the Gita, the Ramayana and the Bhagavata. Have Satsanga. Visit
holy places (Teertha-Yatra). Do Japa. Meditate. Sing His Name. You can develop Bhakti and have
His Darsana.
8. Do you really want God? Do you really thirst for His Darsana? Have you got spiritual
hunger? You may deliver thrilling lectures on Bhakti. You may write several volumes on Bhakti,
and yet you may not possess a grain of true devotion. He who thirsts for Darsana of God will
develop Bhakti. If there is sincere demand for God, then the supply will come. By regular, steady
Sadhana may you attain Peace, Bliss, Knowledge, Perfection and God realisation!
9. The Name of God chanted in any way, correctly or incorrectly, knowingly or
unknowingly, carefully or carelessly is sure to give the desired result. The Glory of the Name of
God cannot be established through reasoning and intellect. It can certainly be experienced or
realised only through devotion, faith and constant repetition of the Name. Every Name is filled with
countless potencies or Saktis. The power of the Name is ineffable. Its glory is indescribable. The
efficacy and inherent Sakti of the Name of God is unfathomable.
10. Just as fire has the natural property of burning inflammable things, so also the Name of
God has the power of burning the sins, Samskaras and Vasanas and bestowing Eternal Bliss and
everlasting peace on those who repeat the Name of the Lord. Just as burning quality is natural and
inherent in fire, so also the power of destroying sins with their very root and branch and bringing the
aspirant into blissful union with the Lord through Bhava-Samadhi is natural and inherent in the
Name of God.
11. O man! Take refuge in the Name. Nami and Name are inseparable. Sing the Lord’s
Name incessantly. Remember the Name of the Lord with every incoming and outgoing breath. In
this iron age Namasmarana or Japa is the easiest, quickest, safest and surest way to reach God and to
attain Immortality and Perennial Joy. Glory to the Lord. Glory to His Name. Sing ‘Hari Om,’ ‘Sri
Ram,’ ‘Radheysyam,’ ‘Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare, Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare.’
(Sri Swami Sivananda - EASY STEPS TO YOGA)
Gist of Karma Yoga
1. Karma Yoga is selfless service unto humanity. The important point is to serve humanity
without any attachment or egoism. The central teaching of the Gita is non-attachment to work. Lord
Krishna says: “Work incessantly. Your duty is to work but not expect the fruits thereof.”
2. The mind is so framed that it cannot work without expectation of fruits or anticipation of
rewards or even appreciation. You will have to train the mind to work disinterestedly. Worldly
people cannot understand the spirit of Nishkamya Karma Yoga as their minds are charged or
saturated with impurities. Do vigorous service for some time. You will grasp the spirit of
Nishkamya service.
3.AKarma Yogi should be absolutely free from greed, lust, anger and egoism. Then only he
can do real useful service. Even if there are traces of these Doshas, he should try to remove them one
by one.
4. A Karma Yogi should have an amiable, loving, social nature. He should have perfect
adaptability, tolerance, sympathy, cosmic love and mercy. He should be able to adjust himself to
the ways and habits of others. He should have an all-embracing and all-inclusive heart and equal
vision. He should have a cool and balanced mind. He should rejoice in the welfare of others. He
should have all the organs under perfect control. He should lead a very simple life. He should bear
insult, disrespect, dishonour, censure infamy, disgrace, harsh words, heat and cold and the pain of
diseases. He should have power of endurance. He should have absolute faith in himself, in God, in
scriptures and in the words of his Guru. Such a man becomes a good Karma Yogi and reaches the
Goal quickly.
5. The man who serves the world really serves himself. That man who helps others really
helps himself. This is an important point. When you serve a man, when you serve your country,
always think that the Lord has given you a rare opportunity to improve, correct and mould yourself
by service. Be grateful to that man who has given you a chance to serve him.
6. Karma Yoga prepares the mind for the reception of Light or Knowledge. It expands the
heart and breaks all barriers that stand in the way of unity or oneness. Karma Yoga is the effective
Sadhana for Chitta Suddhi.
7. By doing selfless service you purify your heart. Egoism, hatred, jealousy, idea of
superiority and all the kindred negative qualities will vanish. Humility, pure love, sympathy,
tolerance, and mercy will be developed. Sense of separateness will be annihilated. Selfishness will
be eradicated. You will get a broad and liberal outlook of life. You will begin to feel oneness and
unity. Eventually you will attain knowledge of the Self. You will realise ‘One in All’ and ‘All in
One.’ You will feel unbounded joy. World is nothing but manifestation of God. Service of
humanity and country is service of God. Service is worship.
8. Generally people are impatient and they expect Siddhis after doing a little service. The
real Karma Yogi who serves the people with humility and Atma Bhava (seeing God in every face)
becomes a real ruler of the world. He is honoured and respected by all. The more service you do
with Atma Bhava, the more power, energy, and capacity you will get. Practise this and feel.
9. When the thought of doing good to others becomes part and parcel of a man’s very being,
then he will not entertain any least motive at all. He takes immense delight in serving others, in
doing good to others. There is peculiar joy and Ananda in the vigorous Nishkamya service. He gets
inner spiritual strength and power by performing motiveless and selfless actions.
10. Never grumble or murmur when you do service to others. Take delight in service. Be
ever ready to serve others. Watch for opportunities to serve. Never miss a single opportunity. Create
opportunities. Create field of good service.
11. In the practice of Nishkamya Karma Yoga, there is no loss of effort. There is no harm.
There is no transgression also. Even a little of this practice can protect you from great fear of birth
and death with its concomitant evils. You will reap the fruits of Karma Yoga, viz., Jnana. There is
no uncertainty here. The path of Karma Yoga eventually leads to the attainment of Bliss of the Self.
(Sri Swami Sivananda - EASY STEPS TO YOGA)
without any attachment or egoism. The central teaching of the Gita is non-attachment to work. Lord
Krishna says: “Work incessantly. Your duty is to work but not expect the fruits thereof.”
2. The mind is so framed that it cannot work without expectation of fruits or anticipation of
rewards or even appreciation. You will have to train the mind to work disinterestedly. Worldly
people cannot understand the spirit of Nishkamya Karma Yoga as their minds are charged or
saturated with impurities. Do vigorous service for some time. You will grasp the spirit of
Nishkamya service.
3.AKarma Yogi should be absolutely free from greed, lust, anger and egoism. Then only he
can do real useful service. Even if there are traces of these Doshas, he should try to remove them one
by one.
4. A Karma Yogi should have an amiable, loving, social nature. He should have perfect
adaptability, tolerance, sympathy, cosmic love and mercy. He should be able to adjust himself to
the ways and habits of others. He should have an all-embracing and all-inclusive heart and equal
vision. He should have a cool and balanced mind. He should rejoice in the welfare of others. He
should have all the organs under perfect control. He should lead a very simple life. He should bear
insult, disrespect, dishonour, censure infamy, disgrace, harsh words, heat and cold and the pain of
diseases. He should have power of endurance. He should have absolute faith in himself, in God, in
scriptures and in the words of his Guru. Such a man becomes a good Karma Yogi and reaches the
Goal quickly.
5. The man who serves the world really serves himself. That man who helps others really
helps himself. This is an important point. When you serve a man, when you serve your country,
always think that the Lord has given you a rare opportunity to improve, correct and mould yourself
by service. Be grateful to that man who has given you a chance to serve him.
6. Karma Yoga prepares the mind for the reception of Light or Knowledge. It expands the
heart and breaks all barriers that stand in the way of unity or oneness. Karma Yoga is the effective
Sadhana for Chitta Suddhi.
7. By doing selfless service you purify your heart. Egoism, hatred, jealousy, idea of
superiority and all the kindred negative qualities will vanish. Humility, pure love, sympathy,
tolerance, and mercy will be developed. Sense of separateness will be annihilated. Selfishness will
be eradicated. You will get a broad and liberal outlook of life. You will begin to feel oneness and
unity. Eventually you will attain knowledge of the Self. You will realise ‘One in All’ and ‘All in
One.’ You will feel unbounded joy. World is nothing but manifestation of God. Service of
humanity and country is service of God. Service is worship.
8. Generally people are impatient and they expect Siddhis after doing a little service. The
real Karma Yogi who serves the people with humility and Atma Bhava (seeing God in every face)
becomes a real ruler of the world. He is honoured and respected by all. The more service you do
with Atma Bhava, the more power, energy, and capacity you will get. Practise this and feel.
9. When the thought of doing good to others becomes part and parcel of a man’s very being,
then he will not entertain any least motive at all. He takes immense delight in serving others, in
doing good to others. There is peculiar joy and Ananda in the vigorous Nishkamya service. He gets
inner spiritual strength and power by performing motiveless and selfless actions.
10. Never grumble or murmur when you do service to others. Take delight in service. Be
ever ready to serve others. Watch for opportunities to serve. Never miss a single opportunity. Create
opportunities. Create field of good service.
11. In the practice of Nishkamya Karma Yoga, there is no loss of effort. There is no harm.
There is no transgression also. Even a little of this practice can protect you from great fear of birth
and death with its concomitant evils. You will reap the fruits of Karma Yoga, viz., Jnana. There is
no uncertainty here. The path of Karma Yoga eventually leads to the attainment of Bliss of the Self.
(Sri Swami Sivananda - EASY STEPS TO YOGA)
Essence of Sadhana
1. Get up at 4 a.m. daily. This is Brahmamuhurta which is extremely favourable for
meditation on God.
2. Asana: Sit on Padma, Siddha or Sukha Asana for Japa and meditation for half an hour,
facing the east or the north. Increase the period gradually to three hours. Do Sirshasana and
Sarvangasana for keeping up Brahmacharya and health. Take light physical exercises as walking,
etc., regularly. Do twenty Pranayamas.
3. Japa: Repeat any Mantra as pure Om or Om Namo Narayanaya, Om Namah Sivaya, Om
Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya, Om Saravanabhavaya Namah, Sita Ram, Sri Ram, Hari Om, or
Gayatri, according to your taste or inclination, from 108 to 21,600 times daily.
4. Dietetic Discipline: Take Sattvic food (Suddha Ahara). Give up chillies, tamarind, garlic,
onion, sour articles, oil, mustard, asafoetida. Observe moderation in diet (Mitahara). Do not
overload the stomach. Give up those things which the mind likes best for a fortnight in a year. Eat
simple fool. Milk and fruits help concentration. Take food as medicine to keep the life going. Eating
for enjoyment is sin. Give up salt and sugar for a month. You must be able to live on rice, Dhal and
bread without any chutney. Do not ask for extra salt for Dhal and sugar for tea, coffee or milk.
5. Have a separate meditation room under lock and key.
6. Do charity regularly, every month, or even daily according to your means, say six paise
per rupee.
7. Svadhyaya: Study systematically the Gita, the Ramayana, the Bhagavata,
Vishnu-Sahasranama, Lalita-Sahasranama, Aditya Hridaya, the Upanishads or the Yoga
Vasishtha, the Bible, the Zend Avesta, the Koran, the Tripitakas, the Granth Sahib, etc., from half
an hour to one hour daily and have Suddha Vichara.
8. Preserve the vital force (Veerya) very, very carefully. Veerya is God in motion or
manifestation—Vibhuti. Veerya is all power. Veerya is all money. Veerya is the essence of life,
thought and intelligence.
9. Get by heart some prayer-Slokas, Stotras and repeat them as soon as you sit in the Asana
before starting Japa or meditation. This will elevate the mind quickly.
10. Have constant Satsanga. Give up bad company, smoking, meat and alcoholic liquors
entirely. Do not develop any evil habits.
11. Fast on Ekadasi or live on milk and fruits only.
12. Have Japa Mala (rosary) round your neck or in your pocket or underneath your pillow at
night.
13. Observe Mouna (vow of silence) for a couple of hours daily.
14. Speak the truth at all cost. Speak a little. Speak sweetly.
15. Reduce your wants. If you have four shirts, reduce the number to three or two. Lead a
happy, contented life. Avoid unnecessary worry. Have plain living and high thinking.
16. Never hurt anybody (Ahimsa Paramo Dharmah). Control anger by love, Kshama
(forgiveness) and Daya (compassion).
17. Do not depend upon servants. Self-reliance is the highest of all virtues.
18. Think of the mistakes you have committed during the course of the day, just before
retiring to bed (self-analysis). Keep daily diary and self-correction register. Do not brood over past
mistakes.
19. Remember that death is awaiting you at every moment. Never fail to fulfil your duties.
Have pure conduct (Sadachara).
20. Think of God as soon as you wake up and just before you go to sleep. Surrender yourself
completely to God (Saranagati).
This is the essence of all spiritual Sadhanas. This will lead you to Moksha. All these Niyamas or spiritual canons must be rigidly observed. You must not give leniency to the mind.
(Sri Swami Sivananda - EASY STEPS TO YOGA)
meditation on God.
2. Asana: Sit on Padma, Siddha or Sukha Asana for Japa and meditation for half an hour,
facing the east or the north. Increase the period gradually to three hours. Do Sirshasana and
Sarvangasana for keeping up Brahmacharya and health. Take light physical exercises as walking,
etc., regularly. Do twenty Pranayamas.
3. Japa: Repeat any Mantra as pure Om or Om Namo Narayanaya, Om Namah Sivaya, Om
Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya, Om Saravanabhavaya Namah, Sita Ram, Sri Ram, Hari Om, or
Gayatri, according to your taste or inclination, from 108 to 21,600 times daily.
4. Dietetic Discipline: Take Sattvic food (Suddha Ahara). Give up chillies, tamarind, garlic,
onion, sour articles, oil, mustard, asafoetida. Observe moderation in diet (Mitahara). Do not
overload the stomach. Give up those things which the mind likes best for a fortnight in a year. Eat
simple fool. Milk and fruits help concentration. Take food as medicine to keep the life going. Eating
for enjoyment is sin. Give up salt and sugar for a month. You must be able to live on rice, Dhal and
bread without any chutney. Do not ask for extra salt for Dhal and sugar for tea, coffee or milk.
5. Have a separate meditation room under lock and key.
6. Do charity regularly, every month, or even daily according to your means, say six paise
per rupee.
7. Svadhyaya: Study systematically the Gita, the Ramayana, the Bhagavata,
Vishnu-Sahasranama, Lalita-Sahasranama, Aditya Hridaya, the Upanishads or the Yoga
Vasishtha, the Bible, the Zend Avesta, the Koran, the Tripitakas, the Granth Sahib, etc., from half
an hour to one hour daily and have Suddha Vichara.
8. Preserve the vital force (Veerya) very, very carefully. Veerya is God in motion or
manifestation—Vibhuti. Veerya is all power. Veerya is all money. Veerya is the essence of life,
thought and intelligence.
9. Get by heart some prayer-Slokas, Stotras and repeat them as soon as you sit in the Asana
before starting Japa or meditation. This will elevate the mind quickly.
10. Have constant Satsanga. Give up bad company, smoking, meat and alcoholic liquors
entirely. Do not develop any evil habits.
11. Fast on Ekadasi or live on milk and fruits only.
12. Have Japa Mala (rosary) round your neck or in your pocket or underneath your pillow at
night.
13. Observe Mouna (vow of silence) for a couple of hours daily.
14. Speak the truth at all cost. Speak a little. Speak sweetly.
15. Reduce your wants. If you have four shirts, reduce the number to three or two. Lead a
happy, contented life. Avoid unnecessary worry. Have plain living and high thinking.
16. Never hurt anybody (Ahimsa Paramo Dharmah). Control anger by love, Kshama
(forgiveness) and Daya (compassion).
17. Do not depend upon servants. Self-reliance is the highest of all virtues.
18. Think of the mistakes you have committed during the course of the day, just before
retiring to bed (self-analysis). Keep daily diary and self-correction register. Do not brood over past
mistakes.
19. Remember that death is awaiting you at every moment. Never fail to fulfil your duties.
Have pure conduct (Sadachara).
20. Think of God as soon as you wake up and just before you go to sleep. Surrender yourself
completely to God (Saranagati).
This is the essence of all spiritual Sadhanas. This will lead you to Moksha. All these Niyamas or spiritual canons must be rigidly observed. You must not give leniency to the mind.
(Sri Swami Sivananda - EASY STEPS TO YOGA)
Yoga for Health
1. Most of the diseases take their origin in over-eating, sexual excess and outbursts of anger
and hatred. If the mind is kept cool and calm at all times, you will have wonderful health, strength
and vitality. Energy is depleted by fits of anger. The cells and tissues are filled with morbid,
poisonous materials, when one loses his temper and entertains deep hatred. Various sorts of
physical ailments crop up. The blood becomes hot and thin and consequently night pollution
results. Various kinds of nervous diseases are attributable to excessive loss of the seminal energy
and frequent fits of explosive anger or wrath.
2. Let any disease remain in your body. Do not bother too much. Do not fret and fume.
Develop the powers of endurance and resistance. Strengthen your body, mind and nerves. Take
plenty of open-air exercises, substantial nutritious food, medicated oil bath and plenty of rest. Have
mental and physical recreation. Lead a well-regulated life. Be moderate in food, drink and
enjoyments. Lead a spiritual life. All diseases will leave your body by themselves. All microbes
will die, when your vitality, vigour and strength are at a flood tide. This is the secret of health and
happiness.
3. Do not be carried away by the pompous advertisements made by quacks and charlatans.
Lead a simple natural life. You will become all right soon. Do not spend any money in purchasing
the so-called patent medicines and specifics. They are worthless. Quacks try to exploit the
credulous and the ignorant. Beware. Do not go to the doctors very often. Endeavour to qualify
yourself as your own doctor. Understand the laws of nature and the principles of hygiene and
health. Do not trespass against the laws of health.
4. Bask in the sun. Expose your body to the rays of the sun for a short time daily. This is
heliotherapy or sun-treatment. Sun is the source of energy and power. You will derive energy and
power from the sun.
5. Soak 12 almonds at night. Remove the skin and take the almonds with some sugarcandy
in the early morning. Or you can make a refreshing beverage by grinding these almonds with a little
black pepper and sugarcandy. This is called ‘thandai’ by the Punjabis. This is a fine, cooling and
strength-giving tonic.
6. Rest in bed is necessary. Adjust your diet. Take simple, wholesome, easily digestible,
bland and non-irritating food. Give up hot, pungent curries, chutneys and chilliest Rest the stomach
and the small bowels by taking recourse to partial fasts. If you can fast for a whole day, it is all the
better. Fasting eliminates poisons and overhauls the system thoroughly. You can take sago and milk
barley water and fruits like sweet oranges, grapes, etc. If you are thirsty, you can take lemon or
orange juice with sugarcandy.
7. Observe Brahmacharya. Get up at 4 a.m. and practice Japa of ‘Hari Om’ or any other
Mantra and also meditation for one hour. The Name of the Lord is the best medicine or tonic in the
world. You should have intense faith in the power of the Names of the Lord. Incurable diseases are
cured by Japa or singing Hari’s Name. Meditation creates new, healthy vibrations in all the cells of
the body and removes any kind of disease. All the tissues are bathed in the nectar that flows during
meditation. All germs that cause diseases are destroyed. The rationale of this kind of Yogic or
spiritual treatment is yet unknown to the medical profession.
8. Why do you unnecessarily introduce foreign drugs into the system? Resort to Nature
Cure and Yogic Chikitsa. Practise regularly Pranayama, breathing exercises, Asanas, concentration
and meditation. This is the ideal treatment. Do not think too much of the disease and too much of the
body. Too much thinking of the disease will intensify the malady. Keep the mind fully occupied in
some way or the other. This is very important. Take away the mind from the body and think of the
diseaseless Atma or Soul within, the bed-rock or substratum for the body and mind. Friend,
cultivate this kind of Atma-chintana and attain the Anamayapada or the Painless State Param
Dhama or Immortal Brahman. Cheer yourself up. Have a cheerful countenance always. Meditate on
Om. Think of Om. Sing Om. Om is thy real name. Om is the best tonic, specific or sheet anchor,
panacea or cure-all, ‘pick-me-up’ or sovereign remedy for all diseases. Smile and laugh. Thou art
bodiless, undying Soul. Never, never forget this.
9. May God bless you with perfect health, high standard of vigour, strength, vitality and
longevity. May you prosper gloriously! Om Santi!
(Sri Swami Sivananda - EASY STEPS TO YOGA)
and hatred. If the mind is kept cool and calm at all times, you will have wonderful health, strength
and vitality. Energy is depleted by fits of anger. The cells and tissues are filled with morbid,
poisonous materials, when one loses his temper and entertains deep hatred. Various sorts of
physical ailments crop up. The blood becomes hot and thin and consequently night pollution
results. Various kinds of nervous diseases are attributable to excessive loss of the seminal energy
and frequent fits of explosive anger or wrath.
2. Let any disease remain in your body. Do not bother too much. Do not fret and fume.
Develop the powers of endurance and resistance. Strengthen your body, mind and nerves. Take
plenty of open-air exercises, substantial nutritious food, medicated oil bath and plenty of rest. Have
mental and physical recreation. Lead a well-regulated life. Be moderate in food, drink and
enjoyments. Lead a spiritual life. All diseases will leave your body by themselves. All microbes
will die, when your vitality, vigour and strength are at a flood tide. This is the secret of health and
happiness.
3. Do not be carried away by the pompous advertisements made by quacks and charlatans.
Lead a simple natural life. You will become all right soon. Do not spend any money in purchasing
the so-called patent medicines and specifics. They are worthless. Quacks try to exploit the
credulous and the ignorant. Beware. Do not go to the doctors very often. Endeavour to qualify
yourself as your own doctor. Understand the laws of nature and the principles of hygiene and
health. Do not trespass against the laws of health.
4. Bask in the sun. Expose your body to the rays of the sun for a short time daily. This is
heliotherapy or sun-treatment. Sun is the source of energy and power. You will derive energy and
power from the sun.
5. Soak 12 almonds at night. Remove the skin and take the almonds with some sugarcandy
in the early morning. Or you can make a refreshing beverage by grinding these almonds with a little
black pepper and sugarcandy. This is called ‘thandai’ by the Punjabis. This is a fine, cooling and
strength-giving tonic.
6. Rest in bed is necessary. Adjust your diet. Take simple, wholesome, easily digestible,
bland and non-irritating food. Give up hot, pungent curries, chutneys and chilliest Rest the stomach
and the small bowels by taking recourse to partial fasts. If you can fast for a whole day, it is all the
better. Fasting eliminates poisons and overhauls the system thoroughly. You can take sago and milk
barley water and fruits like sweet oranges, grapes, etc. If you are thirsty, you can take lemon or
orange juice with sugarcandy.
7. Observe Brahmacharya. Get up at 4 a.m. and practice Japa of ‘Hari Om’ or any other
Mantra and also meditation for one hour. The Name of the Lord is the best medicine or tonic in the
world. You should have intense faith in the power of the Names of the Lord. Incurable diseases are
cured by Japa or singing Hari’s Name. Meditation creates new, healthy vibrations in all the cells of
the body and removes any kind of disease. All the tissues are bathed in the nectar that flows during
meditation. All germs that cause diseases are destroyed. The rationale of this kind of Yogic or
spiritual treatment is yet unknown to the medical profession.
8. Why do you unnecessarily introduce foreign drugs into the system? Resort to Nature
Cure and Yogic Chikitsa. Practise regularly Pranayama, breathing exercises, Asanas, concentration
and meditation. This is the ideal treatment. Do not think too much of the disease and too much of the
body. Too much thinking of the disease will intensify the malady. Keep the mind fully occupied in
some way or the other. This is very important. Take away the mind from the body and think of the
diseaseless Atma or Soul within, the bed-rock or substratum for the body and mind. Friend,
cultivate this kind of Atma-chintana and attain the Anamayapada or the Painless State Param
Dhama or Immortal Brahman. Cheer yourself up. Have a cheerful countenance always. Meditate on
Om. Think of Om. Sing Om. Om is thy real name. Om is the best tonic, specific or sheet anchor,
panacea or cure-all, ‘pick-me-up’ or sovereign remedy for all diseases. Smile and laugh. Thou art
bodiless, undying Soul. Never, never forget this.
9. May God bless you with perfect health, high standard of vigour, strength, vitality and
longevity. May you prosper gloriously! Om Santi!
(Sri Swami Sivananda - EASY STEPS TO YOGA)
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