Sivananda Yoga FAQ
Q 1: Are there fulfilled prophecies in the Hindu scriptures?
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 fulfill 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: Why did God embark on Creation at all?
A: Don’t bother about why creation came into being, but try to know the Creator! Take creation for what it is and try to transcend it. This is wisdom. Trying to probe intellectually into the mystery is only buying psychological distress. There is no ‘Why?’ in respect of transcendental matters. ‘Why?’ is only for worldly things. Reason is finite and frail. God only knows the ‘Why?’. Realize the Self. Then you will get the answer. Then you will know the origin and nature of Maya and everything.
Q 3: What are the advantages of Mouna, the vow of silence?
A: Observe Mouna for a couple of hours daily at any time that suits you. Try to speak little at other times. Avoid unnecessary conversations. Don’t talk harsh words and obscene language. Talk sweetly and gently. You must have perfect control over speech. Control over speech means control of mind. The organ of speech, Vak Indriya, is a great distractor of the mind. Mouna gives you peace. It removes anxieties and quarrels. It develops your will power. It conserves energy. It reduces the force of Sankalpa or the thought-current.
Forget and forgive. Then you will have Peace. – Swami Sivananda
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Spiritual Calendar
SEPTEMBER 2019
02 Ganesha Chathurthi
08 Swami Sivananda ‘s Birthday
09 Ekadasi
11 Onam
14 Full Moon
25 Ekadasi
28 New Moon
29 Navarathri Starts
OCTOBER 2019
08 Vijaya Dasami
09 Ekadasi
13 Full Moon
24 Ekadasi
27 Deepavali (Diwali)
28 New Moon
Knowledge reveals itself. It is not taught. – Sri Swami Sivananda
Glossary
SANKALPA [Sanskrit] – a solemn or highest vow; a thought current to the Divine; the combination of thought and resolve; intention; desire; imagination; volition.
Sankalpa, the thought current is what connects one with the other. It is this that plays between the two.
In our spiritual evolution we have the power within us to open to the Divine inflow. We have, through the power of mind, through the operation of thought, a great power in Sankalpa yogic resolutions, to become free from any form of human suffering as we move towards our natural state of Moksha and absolute Bliss. Sankalpa can be used as a tool in this evolution but ultimately Sankalpa needs to be destroyed to free the mind, to dispel delusion and lead deeply to Moksha.
How To Destroy Sankalpa – Swami Sivananda: Destroy the cloud of Sankalpa through the power of discrimination and constant efforts. Drown in the ocean of Brahmic bliss with spiritual illumination. When you try to bury your shadow in the earth, it always comes out. Similarly, when you try to destroy the Sankalpas through Viveka-Vritti, they will come out again and again. Therefore, withdraw the mind from the objects and act according to your Guru’s instructions. Mouna reduces the force of Sankalpa, the thought current. Purify the mind and fix it on the Akasha of the heart (Infinite Brahman). The mind will be destroyed in course of time. Be sure of this.
KALPA [Sanskrit] – A day of Brahma. 360 human years make one celestial year. 12,000 celestial years make one Chaturyuga Mahayuga. 71 such Mahayugas make one Manvantara. 1 such Manvantaras (with their twilight periods) make a Kalpa of 4,320,000,000 years. A night of Brahma is of an equal duration. He lives hundred such years. Brahma’s life is known as Para, being of a longer duration than the life of any other being, and a half of it is called Parardha. He has now completed the first Parardha and is in the first day of the second Parardha. This day or Kalpa is known as Svetavarahakalpa; Kalpa also means a code of rituals.
Repeat OM. Chant OM. Sing OM. Meditate on OM. All desires will vanish. – Sri Swami Sivananda