Sivananda Yoga FAQ
Q: The senses are generally turned outside. It is said that if they are turned inside, one will be able to attain Mukti. What is meant by turning them inside?
A: Now, think of Lord Rama and repeat Ram, Ram. When you mentally repeat Ram, keep a
picture of Ram. The senses will be withdrawn. Now the eyes run towards objects and the ears run to various sounds. When you repeat Ram, Ram loudly, the ears hear only Ram, Ram; and they will not run. The inner eye will see only Ram’s picture. The mind will be concentrated on God. It will not run towards objects. So, gaze within, introspect. You can do Pranayama also. Stop the breath. It is Prana that gives strength to the senses. You withdraw the Prana and try to centralise it so that the senses have no vigour to run outside. By gradual practice, the senses will be absorbed in the mind. The mind will be concentrated and will be absorbed in the Self. That is superconscious state, Samadhi. Daily practice.
This marvellous world is a great University of wisdom. Learn your lessons and become wise. – Sri Swami Sivananda
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| SEPTEMBER 2023 06 Sri Krishna Jayanti 08 Swami Sivananda Jayanti 10 Ekadasi 15 New Moon 19 Ganesh Chaturthi 25 Ekadasi 29 Full Moon OCTOBER 2023 Make life a perpetual joy. – Sri Swami Sivananda |
Glossary
DURGA PUJA OR NAVARATRI
Salutations to the Divine Mother, Durga, who exists in all beings in the form of intelligence, mercy, beauty, who is the consort of Lord Shiva, who creates, sustains and destroys the universe. Durga Puja or Navaratri commences on the first and ends on the tenth day of the bright half of Aswayuja (September-October). It is held in commemoration of the victory of Durga over Mahishasura, the buffalo-headed demon. Durga Puja is the greatest Hindu festival in which God is adored as Mother. Durga represents the Divine Mother. She is the energy aspect of the Lord. Without Durga, Shiva has no expression and without Shiva, Durga has no existence. Shiva is the soul of Durga; Durga is identical with Shiva. Lord Shiva is only the silent witness. He is motionless, absolutely changeless. He is not affected by the cosmic play. It is Durga who does everything. Shakti is the omnipotent power of the Lord, or the Cosmic Energy. The Divine Mother is represented as having ten different weapons in Her hands. She sits on a lion. She keeps up the play of the Lord through the three attributes of Nature, namely, Sattwa, Rajas and Tamas. Knowledge, peace, lust, anger, greed, egoism and pride, are all Her forms. You will find in the Devi Sukta of the Rig Veda Samhita that Vak, symbolising speech, the daughter of the sage Anbhirna, realised her identity with the Divine Mother, the Power of the Supreme Lord, which manifests throughout the universe among the gods, among men and beasts and among the creatures of the deep ocean. In the Kena Upanishad, you will find that the Divine Mother shed wisdom on Indra and the gods and said that the gods were able to defeat the demons only with the help of the power of the Supreme Lord. The worship of Devi, the universal Mother, leads to the attainment of knowledge of the Self. The story in the Kena Upanishad known as the “Yaksha Prasna”, supports this view. It tells how Uma, the Divine Mother, taught the Truth to the gods. Goddess Shakti thus sheds wisdom on Her devotees.
Devi worship is, therefore, worship of God’s glory, of God’s greatness and supremacy. It is adoration of the Almighty.
Devi is the conscious power of God. Navaratri is the most suitable occasion for doing intense spiritual practices. These nine days are very sacred to the Divine Mother. Plunge yourself in Her worship.
From Hindu Fasts and Festivals by Swami Sivananda
