Sivananda Yoga FAQ
Q 1: How can a person perpetuate the period of youth?
A: The Yogic method excels all other methods. It is the best and the cheapest of all prevalent systems of treatment. Take to intense Pranayama and Asanas. Both these help a lot in preserving Veerya (semen) and converting the vital energy into Ojas. Practice Sirshasan, Sarvangasan, Matsyasan, Halasan, Paschimottanasan, Padahastasan and Yoga Mudra, coupled with Bhastrika Pranayama. Practice Pranayama till the stage of Kevala Kumbhaka is reached. When there is no necessity either to breathe in or to breathe out, Veerya becomes steady; that is, there will be no discharge or emission in any form. The Ayurvedic preparation “Chyawanprash” is a wonderful one in enabling the regular user to preserve youth for a very long time.
Q 2: Due to Prarabdha Karma, if a person is to suffer from a disease, or if he has to die young, will the repetition of the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra help him to overcome?
A: Prarabdha can be overcome by the grace of the Lord. The Lord’s grace descends when there is sincere devotion – when one does Purushartha. Purushartha is possible when the mind is pure. The mind becomes pure when one does acts of kindness and charity. The laws of Nature do not operate when there is the grace of the Lord. His grace is all-powerful. We have the instance of Markandeya who conquered death by his Purushartha, by sincere devotion to the Lord. He was destined to die young, but when the Lord’s grace descended, Lord Yama had no power to carry out his wish. So it is possible to overcome Prarabdha, by Teevra Purushartha.-effort, self-effort and self-effort alone, based on surrender, without minding the results.
Q 3: If there is such an expression “the flight of the alone to the Alone”, where is the necessity for a Guru or the grace of a Guru? God’s grace will do, as it is said in the Upanishad?
A: How will you get God’s grace? When you discipline yourself. How will you know how to discipline? By observing others that had walked the path successfully to the goal of perfection. Who are these men who had walked to the goal? It is these that are known as Gurus. So you need their help, their personal example, their encouragement and their grace. Thus, we have come round to the answer that a Guru is necessary, as well as their grace. Everything is necessary — Atma Kripa, Guru Kripa and Isvara Kripa.
Rely upon nothing other than God. – Sri Swami Sivananda
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| DECEMBER 2016
09 Ekadasi JANUARY 2017 08 Ekadasi |
Glossary
SANNYASANA – [Sanskrit] – [nyasa] renunciation; abandonment. A member of the sannyasa order is known as a sannyasin (male) or sannyasini (female); one who abandons or resigns from worldy affairs. Brahman in the fourth order.
Commentary from Swami Sivananda –
Who is a Sannyasin?
A Sannyasin has a different angle of vision of the worldly affairs, looking upon everything from an absolutely different point of view. Just as the man who wears green spectacles sees green objects everywhere, so also a Sannyasin/Jnani sees the Atman everywhere through his new eye of wisdom. There is absolutely no personal element in him. He has not a bit of selfish interest. The lower self is completely annihilated. He lives for serving all. He feels the world as his own Self. He actually feels that all is himself only. There is not a single thought or feeling for his personal little self. He has cosmic vision and cosmic feeling. Just as the river has joined the ocean, he has joined the ocean of bliss, knowledge and consciousness. He thinks and feels and works for others.
A Sannyasin is absolutely free from worries, difficulties, troubles, tribulations, sorrow and anxieties under any circumstance or condition. He is always cheerful and happy. He is not a slave or victim of different moods. He is not moved a bit by sorrow, grief or persecution.
A Sannyasin has got all-round development. He has spotless or unblemished character. All sattwic virtues shine in him. He is an embodiment of mercy, sympathy, love, patience, serenity, etc. He has high qualities. The whole nature has been perfectly unfolded. All divine attributes are fully awakened in him.
The life of Jesus shows how a real Sannyasin will behave. A Sannyasin is a very good and extremely virtuous person, with no attachment to the world. He may live in the forest or in the city. He will always be thinking of God and of the welfare of other people. He will keep his mind and heart quite pure. He is without anger, without hatred, is truthful and kind. He wants no luxuries but just enough food to keep him alive. He wears very simple dress. He has no family and children and property. Yet he is extremely happy. He is wise and virtuous. He possesses divine qualities such as mercy, universal love, truthfulness, purity. He has control over his mind and senses. He is free from anger, lust, greed, pride, jealousy. He loves all. He always prays and meditates. He never does any harm to anybody. People respect and adore him.
Where is God? Look within. – Sri Swami Sivananda