Sivananda Yoga FAQ
Q 1: Are there fulfilled prophecies in the Hindu scriptures? If so, please explain them.
A: The Lord has given His ever-standing promise that He would appear on earth whenever there is a danger to Dharma, whenever Adharma tries to vanquish Dharma. To fulfil that promise He has appeared many times in the form of saints and sages who have protected Dharma from decay and from the onslaughts of foreign oppression. They have instilled new elements of vigour and perspective in Hinduism. Therefore, Hinduism continues to flourish. Whenever there is a necessity, saints and sages will emerge, not from the heavens, but from among the people themselves. Hinduism does not believe exclusively in one prophet. The prophecies given in the Puranas about the state of affairs to come have also proved true.
Q 2: It takes a long time to remove Mala and Vikshepa. What to do?
A: If you want to become a Master of Arts, it takes a large number of years. You will have to pass through the Matriculation, Intermediate and B.A. courses and then take up the M.A. course. Even so, you will have to plod on and persevere for many years to remove the Mala and the Vikshepa. How patiently does the fisherman wait with concentrated gaze to catch a single fish! When such is the case for a trifling thing, what to speak of attaining Brahma-Jnana? It is Kshurasya Dhara, walking along the blade of a sharp razor.
Q 3: What is the feeling of a Jnani when he eats a mango or some delicious food?
A: He has not the idea of Bhokta, Bhoga and Bhogya (enjoyer, enjoyment and enjoyable). The eating of a mango will not produce any Samskara in him. He will not think again at a certain time, “I ate a delicious mango at Mr. Raman’s bungalow last year”. He has not the Kama Sankalpa. He is free from the Bhav, “Aham Bhokta” or “I am enjoyer”. He is aware of the hunger. He is aware that hunger is the Dharma of the Pranamaya Kosha and that something or the other should be thrust inside the stomach to appease this hunger.
Absolute desireless-ness is the most important of all qualifications required of the disciple. – – Sri Swami Sivananda
Quick Links
Spiritual Calendar
| APRIL 2016
04 Ekadasi MAY 2016 03 Ekadasi |
Glossary
MOUNA – Silence. The Truth of Brahman, expressed by the Brahman/knower, by mere abidance in stillness.
Swami Sivananda advises, “The benefits of Mouna (Silence) are incalculable. Observe Mouna for two hours daily. Live alone for two hours in a room. Introspect. Meditate. Watch your thoughts carefully.
Mouna develops will power. It checks the impulse of speech. It is a great help in the observance of truth and the control of anger. Emotions are also controlled and irritability vanishes. A mouni (one who observes mouna) uses measured words and his speech is very impressive. A mouni first thinks whether his speech will wound the feelings of others, what sort of impression it will make on the minds of others, and so on. He is careful in his speech. He is thoughtful and considerate. He weighs each word before it comes out of his mouth. He can stay for a long time in seclusion.
During mouna, introspect. Watch the thoughts. Then you will come to understand the ways of the mind and its workings. You can notice how the mind runs from one object to another in a moment’s time. You will derive immense benefit from the practice of mouna. Real mouna is silence of the mind. Physical mouna eventually leads to silence of the mind.
Mouna of the mind is far superior to the mouna of speech. Mouna should come by itself. It must be natural. Forced mouna is only wrestling with the mind. It is an effort. If you live in truth, then mouna will come by itself, and there will be absolute peace. Practice. Observe Mouna for two hours daily. Live alone for two hours in a room. Introspect. Meditate. Watch your thoughts carefully. Feel the joy and peace of silence for yourself.”