Gurugram April 2015 | Preface
Blessed Self,
Om Namah Sivaya
We are glad to inform you that finally our San Francisco Sivananda Centre found a new location so we can continue serving in that city as we have for the past 40 years. While South India and Bahamas had their successful high seasons and continued to go with same strength as we write this, our Rudraprayag had highest numbers of teacher trainees this year, so has Vietnam and the Yoga Ranch Winter TTC. Our TTC diplomas reached the turning point of over 36,000.
In general, all city Centres worldwide are receiving more students for Meditation and Satsangs, where we experience people longing to go deeper inside. We are glad that Swamiji’s teachings are getting more and more stronger and reaching many that are in need.
May Master and Swamiji bless us always in our Sadhana and service.
Pranams to all.
Feel you are all-pervading Atman. Live in Atman. Rejoice in Atman. – Sri Swami Sivananda
Upcoming Courses
| 2015
Apr 05 – May 03/15 Apr 09 – May 06/15 Apr 09 – May 06/15 Apr 26 – May 25/15 May 02 – May 30/15 May 09 – Jun 05/15 May 02 – May 17/15 May 09 – Jun 07/15 May 10 – Jun 07/15 May 18 – Jun 15/15 May 31 – Jun 28/15 Jun 14- Jun 28/15 Jun 02 – Jun 30/15 Jun 14 – Jul 12/15 Jun 28 – Jul 25/15 |
Jul 03 – Jul 31/15 TTC – English, Français, Espaňol, Nederlands Orleans, France www.sivananda.org/orleansJul 03 – Jul 31/15 ATTC – English, Français, Espaňol Orleans, France www.sivananda.org/orleansJul 05 – Aug 02/15 ATTC – English Woodbourne, NY, USA www.sivananda.org/ranchAug 02 – Aug 30/15 TTC – Français Orleans, France www.sivananda.org/orleansAug 02 – Aug 29/15 ATTC – English, Français, Español Val Morin, QC, Canada www.sivananda.org/campAug 02 – Aug 30/15 TTC – English Netala, Uttar Kashi, North India www.sivananda.org/uttarkashi Aug 14 – Aug 28/15 Aug 29 – Sep 27/15 Sep 01 – Sep 30/15 Sep 01 – Sep 30/15 Sep 06 – Sep 20/15 Sep 08 – Oct 06/15 Sep 26 – Oct 24/15 Sep 27 – Oct 25/15 Be humble. Be simple. Be gentle. Be sweet. Be frank like a child. You will enter the realm of eternal bliss. – Sri Swami Sivananda |
Raja Yoga
From Discourse II – Sadhana Pada – On Spiritual Disciplines
II.32. SAUCA-SAMTOSA-TAP-SAVDHYAYESVARA-PRANIDHANANI
“The Niyamas consists of cleanliness, contentment, austerity, self study, and self surrender.
Commentary:
The ‘niyamas’ are observances which cultivate positive qualities. They involve purification, stilling the mind, self-discipline, inquiry into the nature of the Self, and surrendering the personal will, or ego, to the Supreme will. Aside from cleanliness, one should cultivate indifference toward the body. Cleanliness means internal as well as external purification. A proper diet based on vegetarianism and natural foods, specialized yogic cleansing techniques, and the Yoga exercises keep the body internally pure and free from obstructions. Cleanliness also extends to the mind. Only when it is it is purified of all dross can it be a pure mirror for the reflection of the Self.
Walk in the foot-steps of the great Saviours and Saints of the World. – Sri Swami Sivananda
Bhagavad Gita Quote
Chapter II: Sankhya Yoga
(Krishna speaking to Arjuna)
II.63. From anger comes delusion;
from delusion loss of memory; from loss of memory the destruction of discrimination; from the destruction of discrimination he perishes.
COMMENTARY: From anger arises delusion. When a man becomes angry he loses his power of discrimination between right and wrong. He will speak and do anything he likes. He will be swept away by the impulse of passion and emotion and will act irrationally.
Renounce pedantry, erudition and learning and become child-like and silent. Now you will realize the Self. – Sri Swami Sivananda
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Spiritual Calendar
| APRIL 2015
04 Full Moon MAY 2015 04 Full Moon |
Glossary
PARASURAMA AVATARA – Rama with the axe, the destroyer of the tyranny of the warrior-caste, the Kshatriya race. The object of Parasurama Avatara was to deliver the country from the oppression of the Kshatriya rulers. Parasurama destroyed the Kshatriya race twenty-one times. Parasurama (Axe-wielding Rama), is the Sixth avatara of Vishnu, and a son of Jamadagni. He is also the first Sovereign Emperor known to man. He received an axe after undertaking a terrible penance to please Shiva, from whom he learned the methods of warfare and other skills.
As the story goes, King Kaartaveerya-arjuna (Sahasrarjuna) and his army visited Jamadagni, Parasurama’s father and a brahmin sage. Jamagagni fed his guest and the whole army with his divine cow, Subarea. The king demanded to have the magical cow but Jamadagni refused because he needed the cow for his religious ceremonies. Later, King Kaartaveerya-arjuna (Sahastrarjuna) sent his soldiers to take the cow. Parasurama stepped in and killed the entire army and the king with his axe. In return, the prince beheaded Jamadagni.
The purpose of the sixth incarnation of Vishnu is considered to relieve the earth’s burden by exterminating the sinful, destructive and irreligious monarchs that pillaged its resources and neglected their duties as kings.
However, unlike all other avatars, Parasurama still lives on earth even today. Secondly, he is an Avesha Avatara, a secondary type of Avatara. In such an Avatara, Vishnu does not directly descend such as that of Rama but instead enters the soul of a man with His form. Accordingly, unlike Rama and Krishna, Parasurama is not worshipped. But in South India, there exists one major temple commemorating Parasurama.
Other notes about Parasurama, the story goes on that Parasurama was struck by remorse at the King’s wanton killings, and offered penance on a mountain top. The sea god Varuna responded, and offered Parasurama land equal to the distance he could throw his axe. Parasurama threw his axe from Gokarnam and it fell at Kanyakumari. As promised the sea gave way to land, thus giving rise to Kerala.
According to one legend, Parasurama also went to visit Siva once but the way was blocked by Ganesha. Parasurama threw the axe at him and Ganesha, knowing it had been given to him by Shiva, allowed it cut off one of his tusks.
Love knows no reward. Love knows no fear. – Sri Swami Sivananda