Aham Brahmasmi – “I am Brahman”: Here, it signifies that the individual is not merely the body or the mind but is the expansive consciousness that permeates and governs the universe.
Yoga of the Lunar Eclipse
Important: some dos and donts for lunar eclipse (To my students I will send you more detailed personalized ritual details)
Dos and Don’ts for Lunar Eclipse: Following the Ancient Rituals and Purifying the Self
During a lunar or solar eclipse, certain regions of the world are affected, and to honor this event, we must follow the prescribed rituals as laid out in the scriptures. Our esteemed gurus advocate for embracing the sanctity of the occasion and abiding by the following practices:
The Shikshãpatri, a revered text, commands us to stop all activities at the time of the eclipse and chant the name of God in a purified state. After the eclipse, householders must bathe with their clothes on and then donate according to their means.
The Purãnas tells the story of how the eclipse came into existence, narrating how during the churning of the ocean by the gods and demons, the nectar of immortality was produced, and a demon named Rãhu, disguising himself as a god, drank it. Thus, when God beheaded Rãhu, he became a planet, and during certain times of the year, he holds the sun and moon by his mouth (Grahan), causing solar and lunar eclipses.
The rules to follow before, during, and after an eclipse are as follows:
Before the eclipse, one must not eat for 12 hours before the solar eclipse begins and for 9 hours before the lunar eclipse begins. During this period, one must not offer meals to God, but one can perform arti, pray, and sing devotional songs. If the solar eclipse occurs before sunrise, one may see the eclipse only after the sun has risen, and in this case, one must not eat after sunset the previous night.
During the eclipse, one must sit in one place, chant the name of God, and sing devotional songs. One must also observe a waterless fast while the eclipse is in progress.
After the eclipse, one must bathe immediately with clothes on and preferably with cold water. The Satsangijivan recommends offering donations according to one’s income, as this expresses one’s joy at the release of the Sun and/or Moon god from Rãhu’s grasp. Sadhus rejoice by performing puja.
To remain pure during the eclipse, one must get rid of extra cooked food, and not touch anything such as clothes, food, personal items, etc. After the eclipse, one must not touch anyone, and if one has touched anything by mistake, it must be purified by washing or by sprinkling water over it.
It is crucial to take a bath after an eclipse as darkness during the eclipse symbolizes impurity. Once the eclipse is over, light returns to the earth, and to rejoice, one must cleanse the impurity that darkness brought, worship God, and offer donations to express happiness.
We must also remember that we are all engulfed by an eclipse in the form of mãy, and purifying ourselves on this occasion will enable us to transcend this illusory world and reach the ultimate goal of yoga. Let us embrace the sacredness of the lunar eclipse and follow these ancient rituals to purify ourselves and connect with the divine.
Maha Mantra Om Namah Shivay “The Maha Panchakshari Mantra”
The Power of Maha Mantra Om Namah Shivay
The Maha Mantra Om Namah Shivay, also known as “The Maha Panchakshari Mantra,” holds profound significance in Vedic spirituality, serving as a pathway to enlightenment and liberation from worldly entanglements.
Unlocking Spiritual Awakening
Many attribute divine qualities to this five-letter mantra, believing in its potency to transcend negative karma and offer salvation from worldly sufferings, including the depths of hell. It serves as a beacon of light guiding seekers towards spiritual awakening and moksha.
Harnessing Cosmic Energy
Chanting Om Namah Shivay generates powerful energy waves that elevate human intelligence to its zenith. Through meditation, the rhythmic recitation of this mantra instills harmony, concentration, and inner strength, facilitating a profound connection with the divine.
Embracing the Divine Essence
According to Rig Veda, Bhagwan Shiv ji embodies the essence of Maharudra, the supreme being who consoles and uplifts souls from despair. Yogis, through sincere devotion to Sachidanand, experience a transcendental journey, traversing through higher dimensions of reality and attaining profound spiritual insights.
The Essence of the Mantra
The mantra “ॐ नमः शिवाय” translates to “Adoration to Bhagwan Shiv ji,” encapsulating reverence towards the divine. It underscores Bhagwan Shiv ji’s role as the god of yogis, time, and bestower of moksha. The repetition of this mantra signifies a journey from the end to a new beginning, leading practitioners towards Shiva-consciousness.
Deciphering the Mantra’s Components
Om Namah Shivay comprises the Panchakshari mantra, excluding Omkar, the primary cosmic vibration. Each syllable – NA, MA, SHI, VA, YA – represents one of the five essential elements of the materialistic world, symbolizing a holistic connection with the universe.
Na: Earth Element (Prithvi Tattva)
Representing the essence of stability and grounding, Na symbolizes the earth element (Prithvi Tattva) within the Om Namah Shivay mantra. This element forms the foundational basis of existence, providing a sense of rootedness and strength.
Ma: Water Element (Jal Tattva)
Ma embodies the fluidity and adaptability of the water element (Jal Tattva) within the mantra. Just as water flows and shapes itself according to its surroundings, Ma symbolizes the essence of emotional fluidity and purification.
Si: Fire Element (Agni Tattva)
Si ignites the transformative and purifying qualities of the fire element (Agni Tattva) within the mantra. Like flames that cleanse and purify, Si represents the inner fire that fuels spiritual growth and purification of the soul.
Va: Air Element (Vayu Tattva)
Va encompasses the dynamic and expansive nature of the air element (Vayu Tattva) within the mantra. Reflecting the qualities of movement and freedom, Va signifies the breath of life and the expansive nature of consciousness.
Ya: Space Element (Akasha Tattva)
Ya encompasses the vastness and boundlessness of the space element (Akasha Tattva) within the mantra. Just as space accommodates all phenomena, Ya symbolizes the infinite potential and expansiveness of the universe.
Embracing the Transcendental Changes
Chanting the Om Namah Shivay mantra initiates transcendent alterations within the practitioner’s body, leading to profound spiritual evolution. Yogis worldwide immerse themselves in the auspicious vibrations of this mantra, elevating their abilities to unprecedented levels.
Connecting with the Divine Essence
The Om Namah Shivay mantra serves as a conduit for aligning with the primary nature of existence, known as Prakriti or sublime energy flow. Through sincere chanting, practitioners establish a profound connection with Goddess Shakti, ultimately leading them to Bhagwan Shiv ji himself.
Unveiling the Supreme God of Gods
Bhagwan Shiv ji, known as Yogeshwara Shiv and Mahadev, stands as the epitome of divinity, devoid of any beginning or end. As the immortal and unconquerable deity, Shiv embodies infinite transformation and supreme knowledge, guiding devotees towards eternal bliss.
Delving into the Benefits
Attainment of Moksha and Thought Stabilization
Chanting Om Namah Shivay not only grants liberation but also stabilizes thoughts and enhances neural connectivity, fostering inner harmony and mental clarity.
Lightness of Being and Sense Control
The mantra instills a sense of lightness and inner peace, enabling practitioners to control their senses and transcend sensory pleasures, leading to emotional balance and inner tranquility.
Calming the Mind and Elevating Happiness
By invoking Lord Shiva’s presence, the mantra cools the mind and increases the production of the happiness chemical, fostering a sense of serenity, joy, and contentment.
Transformation and Metabolic Enhancement
Om Namah Shivay induces positive energy, reducing aggression and fostering physiological and psychological changes, including enhanced metabolism and reduced toxicity.
Health Benefits and Spiritual Purity
Enhanced Blood Circulation and Emotional Healing
The mantra improves blood circulation, stabilizes heartbeat, and purifies the rationalizing process, leading to physical and emotional healing and resilience.
Spreading Positivity and Invoking Spiritual Growth
By establishing the presence of Shiva and Shakti within the home, chanting Om Namah Shivay spreads positivity, fosters moral values, and invokes the law of attraction.
Liberation from Sins and Connection with the Supreme Consciousness
The mantra serves as a vehicle for liberation from past sins and connects practitioners with the simplicity and guiltless nature of Lord Shiva, facilitating a profound connection with the supreme consciousness. ॐ नमः शिवाय mantra chanting brings transcendental changes to the body of the chanter. Yogis all around the world are busy in chanting the auspicious mantra through which they have increased their abilities to infinite levels.
It means that those particular yogis have connected themselves with the primary nature of their existence which is Prakriti or sublime energy flow. Goddess Shakti resides in that energy flow and takes you to the Shiva. It is a remarkable ancient science of Yogis based on logistic realities. If chanted correctly, mantra helps the chanter to get connected with Bhagwan shiv ji. Connecting to Shiva means going to self-healing mode. It is the ultimate state of the eternal blissfulness.
Yogeshwara Shiv is Mahadev, in simple terms supreme god of gods. The one who doesn’t have any start and end. Everything emerges from him and in the end, gets dissolve in him. Therefore, Shiva is unique; there is no one like Shiv, the immortal one, Unconquerable, the greatest Aghor, infinite, omniscient, greatest transformer, Adi Purusha.
The benefits of chanting Om Namah Shivay
The Mantra is Moksha Giver and stabilizes your thoughts – The Chanting of Om Namah Shivay is not just moksha giving mantra; It also enlightens, our inner thoughts process and improves blood circulation on the neurons. In medical term, this concept is called neuroplasticity .
Mantra makes you feel Light – Lord Shiva is highly auspicious, When someone chants Om Namah Shivay, At that moment he becomes AGHORI. Ghor means extreme and, AGhor (Not Ghor) means the one who is not extreme. That’s how Shiva makes you feel light inside your heart. A significant vibration originates in the subconsciousness part of the mind which gives the feeling of internal ecstasy. Om Namah Shivay mantra benefits that the Continuous repetition of the divine mantra is the way toward perennial joy.
Om Namah Shivay helps in controlling Senses and anxieties Neelkantham is Vairagya founder (Means founder of Dispassion). Shiva Kaam Bhasmam (Destroyer of eroticism ) makes you qualify to control your senses and nerves. The deity of eroticism (Kaam Dev) will not influence you.
Om Namah Shivay gives calmness to your mind Shiva holds moon crescent on his head. It impacts chanter body When somebody starts Om Namah Shivaay chanting. It cools his/her mind and helps them to get peace of mind, persistence, and calmness especially when everything is going against you.
Om Namah Shivay increases the happiness chemical which is known as GABA chemical. Lack of Gaba chemical reduces the natural sleep within humans. People who lack such chemical always feel exhausts. The frontal area of the human brain is in the Orbito prefrontal cortex which is responsible for making decisions, problem-solving and awakening the consciousness gets charged.
Students get the immense benefit of improving memory power after the Om Namah Shivaya chanting. Therefore if your kid is suffering from low memory power, advice them to chant the mantra for 15 mins every day. Chanting Om Namah Shivay mantra gives you eternal joy and the great Bhagwan shiv ji becomes your protector, Every kind of panic, stress, depression, insanity starts fading slowly, when you begin Om Namah Shivay chanting. Himself becomes the protector of the chanter.
Om Namah Shivay mantra makes you free from your animal passion and rude behavior. It grows positive energy in you which improves your body metabolism and reduces the toxicity of the body. You will start feeling the reduction in your aggression and anger. These changes will require 25-30 days. You require to practice mantra with high reverence on Shiv at least two times daily. Slowly – Slowly Internal and external Changes start appearing It activates the inactive neurons of the brain cell. Your body and skin start getting glow and shine by tightening up your pores automatically in a natural way. Om Namah Shivaya is a powerful maha-mantra.
The Continuous 108-time repetition is more beneficial to get Siddhis and It is helpful in awakening Kundalini Yoga Shakti.
Health Benefits of Om Namah Shivay
•improves your blood circulation and stabilizes heartbeat.
•Mantra can even enhance your blood purification system.
•Chanting the mantra also purifies your rationalizing process which improves your physiological as well as intellectual well-being.
•It also heals your sorrows, emotional pain and takes you out of the darkness and show the positivity of life.
•It also reduces the chances of heart strokes and organ failure.
It spreads positivity in your house Worshipping Shiva in the home brings happiness into the family. Shiva & Shakti both get established in that house. You start understanding others problem and becomes ever ready to give helping hand to others. Moreover that, Moral values will start growing in the kids. Positive vibes will get emitting from that house and from the people living in that house. Chanting Om Namah Shivaya makes the law of attraction works better in your favor.
The Power of Om Namah Shivaya is that it can free you from your past sins. The Mantra helps you to invoke [ AtmyaGyan – Atman ] What most of the people don’t know is that almighty Shiva is known for his simplicity and guiltless nature. This mantra helps you to get connected with supreme consciousness. Every substance including deities is the manifestation of Shiva’s energy. Chanting Om Namah Shivay is like worshipping the primary elements of nature means invoking your inner Shiva.
Importance of 108
Welcome to the sacred knowledge about the importance of 108. The mala, consisting of 108 beads, holds great importance in the practice of yoga and meditation. Although there are numerous explanations for the number 108, none are superior or inferior to the others.
108 is a Harshad number, a number that is divisible by the sum of its digits. The Sanskrit term for Harshad is “great joy.”
In mortals, there are said to be 108 earthly desires and 108 lies. The chakras, energy intersections in the body, have 108 energy lines converging to form the heart chakra, and the path to self-realization lies in Sushumna, one of the energy lines leading to the crown chakra.
The Sri Yantra, which has 108 points, as well as the human body, has 54 intersections where three lines meet, each having shiva and shakti aspects.
There are 108 human delusions or forms of ignorance, and 108 marmas in the subtle body. When reciting mantras on the mala, it is essential to remember the mantra with sincerity, devotion, feeling, and full attention.
In the practice of counting the number of repetitions of the mala, 100 beads are counted as completed, with the remaining 8 beads being offered to god and guru and used to cover errors or omissions.
Some say there are 108 feelings, with 36 related to the past, present, and future. The numbers 1, 0, and 8 have symbolic meanings, with 1 representing higher truth, 0 representing emptiness or completeness in spiritual practice, and 8 representing infinity or eternity.
The diameter of the sun is 108 times the diameter of the earth, while the average distance of the moon from the earth is 108 times the diameter of the moon.
Lastly, 108 is believed to refer to the number of Hindu deities, with each having 108 names. It is also said that there are 108 paths to god, and 108 styles of meditation. Let the knowledge of 108 inspire your spiritual practice and guide you on your journey toward self-realization.
The Mahamrityunjaya Mantra
The Mahamrityunjaya Mantra reads:
ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम्
उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान्मृत्योर्मुक्षीय माऽमृतात्
om tryambakaṃ yajāmahe sugandhiṃ puṣṭivardhanam
urvārukamiva bandhanānmṛtyor mukṣīya maamṛtāt
The Mahamrityunjaya Mantra, believed to originate from Rigveda, stands as a powerful chant renowned for its healing properties. Devotees chant this mantra to invoke the blessings of Lord Shiva, the omniscient three-eyed deity, for protection from ailments, death, and suffering.
Decoding the The Mahamrityunjaya Mantra
The mantra commences with the sacred syllable “Om,” symbolizing the universe and divinity. “Tryambakam” extols Lord Shiva as the three-eyed deity, while “Yajamahe” expresses worship and reverence.
Exploring Symbolism in the The Mahamrityunjaya Mantra
“Sugandhim” alludes to the Lord’s fragrant nature, signifying purity and auspiciousness. “Pushthivardhanam” portrays Lord Shiva as the nurturing gardener, fostering growth and prosperity among all creations.
Symbolic Comparisons
“Urvārukamiva” metaphorically compares the Lord’s protective powers to a cucumber sheltered by its robust vine. “Bandhanān” denotes being bound down, while “Mṛtyormukṣīya” signifies liberation from the bonds of death.
Seeking Divine Blessings
The concluding line, “Māmṛtāt,” holds multiple interpretations. It may seek protection from death while embracing immortality or request the bestowal of life-rejuvenating nectar for vitality and longevity.
The origin of this secret mantra is steeped in mythology, with Rishi Markandeya being the only one in the world who knew it. Legend has it that the Moon was once in trouble and cursed by King Daksha. Rishi Markandeya gave the Mahamritryunjaya Mantra to Sati, Daksha’s daughter, for the Moon’s well-being.
The mantra is also known as the Rudra mantra, symbolizing the furious aspect of Lord Shiva. The Tryambakam mantra alludes to Shiva’s three eyes and is sometimes called the Mrita-Sanjivini mantra, as it forms a part of the life-restoring practice given to the primordial sage Sukracharya.
The Mahamritryunjaya Mantra is a potent tool for seekers of yoga and spirituality. It has found its place in the Vedas and holds within it the essence of the divine. So let us invoke the blessings of the three-eyed Lord Shiva and elevate our consciousness to new heights.
The Mahamrityunjaya Mantra, a sacred and powerful invocation to Bhagwan Shiv, holds profound significance in spirituality. Believed to bestow longevity, immortality, and protection against untimely death, this mantra is revered for its immense benefits to mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
The Practice of Japa: Reconnecting with the Divine
When chanted, the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra infuses the practitioner with divine energy and guidance, facilitating a profound connection with the true nature of consciousness. This transformative practice, known as Japa, involves the rhythmic repetition of the mantra, fostering heightened concentration, and expanded awareness.
Utilizing the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra
The Mahamrityunjaya Mantra can be incorporated into various spiritual practices to harness its healing and rejuvenating properties. Whether applied during the application of Vibhuti over different parts of the body or integrated into Japa or Homa (havan) rituals, this mantra serves as a potent tool for manifesting desired outcomes and fostering spiritual growth.
Contrasting with the Gayatri Mantra
While the Gayatri Mantra primarily serves to purify and guide spiritually, the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra offers a distinct focus on healing, rejuvenation, and nurturing the practitioner’s well-being. Its resonance with the divine essence of Lord Shiva enriches the spiritual journey, offering solace, strength, and profound transformation.
Understand god through the concept of time
To truly understand the concept of the divine, we must understand the concept of time. Time is the ultimate manifestation of the divine, present in all things and driving nature itself. It both creates and destroys, and in the end, only time remains when all else fades away.
The ancient sages knew that to Understand god they must understand the concept of time, which is why they named Shiva Mahakal and Shakti as Mahakali, the great gods, and goddesses of time. These divine entities are beyond our limited selves and hold the key to the fate of our soul’s journey.
Even if you do not consider yourself religious or spiritual, it is crucial to respect time. For, in the end, only time is ever victorious, and it determines the course of our lives. Let us learn to appreciate the power of time and honor its place in our lives. By doing so, we can connect with the divine and find a greater purpose in our existence.
Where can we find GOD ?
“Where to hide the divinity was the question” ask Gods. So Lord Shiva called a council of the gods to help him decide.
“Let’s bury it deep in the earth,” said the gods. But Shiva answered, “No, that will not do because humans will dig into the earth and find it.”
Then the gods said, “Let’s sink it in the deepest ocean.” But Shiva said, “No, not there, for they will learn to dive into the ocean and will find it.”
Then the gods said, “Let’s take it to the top of the highest mountain and hide it there.” But once again Shiva replied, “No, that will not do either, because they will eventually climb every mountain and once again take up their divinity.”
Then the gods gave up and said, “We do not know where to hide it, because it seems that there is no place on earth or in the sea that human beings will not eventually reach.”
Shiva thought for a long time and then said, “Here is what we will do. We will hide their divinity deep in the center of their own being, for humans will never think to look for it there.”
All the gods agreed that this was the perfect hiding place, and the deed was done. And since that time humans have been going up and down the earth, digging, diving, climbing, and exploring–searching for something already within themselves.
Hinduism is a Dharma or a way of life, not a Religion – Supreme Court of India
In an important ruling the Supreme Court India adjudged that Hinduism is a Dharma or a way of life, not a Religion.
Alexander meets the Yogi – A tale of whose greater
Alexander was a brilliant warrior and military genius. He had a bright and subtle mind. His tutor was the great Greek philosopher Aristotle, whose thoughts and writings have had a huge influence on western thoughts concerning ethics, beauty, and politics.
Alexander created a huge army and invaded Persia, of which he conquered along with Egypt, Phoenicia, Palestine, Babylonia, Assyria, and Asia Minor. Alexander now commanded a vast empire but was not satisfied so went on to invade India. When he was making his way through India he came to the Indus Valley. Whilst there, he encountered a small group of yogi’s who were sitting in meditation on the banks of the river.
EPISODE 1
Alexander’s party of soldiers was trying to get through but the meditating yogis were blocking their way and were refusing to move. One of Alexander’s Lieutenants started shouting at one of the yogi’s, “This man has conquered the world! What have you accomplished?” The yogi looked up calmly and replied, “I have conquered the desire to conquer the world” and upon hearing these words Alexander laughed; he admired the wisdom of the yogi.
EPISODE 2
Plutarch further speaks of the wit and character of Indian Yogis in these terms:
“Alexander summoned ten of the wise men of the country, which men do all go naked, and are called philosophers of India. They had made the tribe of Sabbas to rebel and fight against Alexander and had thereby greatly hurt him. These philosophers were taken to be the sharpest and readiest of answer Alexander put them, as he thought many hard questions. He told them that he would put the first man to death that answer his question worst and likewise all others in this order. He made the eldest among them the judge of their answers.
“The question that he asked the first man was:
“Whether the dead or the living, were the greater number”. He answered, “the living…’For, the dead are no more man.’”
‘He asked the second man, “Whether the earth or the sea brought forth most creatures”.
‘The man answered, “The earth ‘for the sea is but a part of the earth.”
‘To the third man he asked, “Which of all beasts was the subtlest”.
‘The answered given was, “That which man hitherto never knew”.
‘To the fourth, question put was, “why did you make king of Sabbas rebel against him (Alexander)?”
‘The answered received was, “Because he should live honorably, or die vilely”.
‘To the fifth he asked, “Which you thought was the first- the day or the night?”
‘The answer given was, “the day, by a day”.
‘Alexander finding this strange answer said, “Strange questions must of necessity receive strange answers.”
‘Coming to the sixth he asked, “How a man should come to be beloved?”
‘He got this answer, “If he be a good man and not terrible”.
‘To the seventh he put the question, “how a man should be a god?”
“In doing a thing that is impossible for a man”, was the received answer.
“Which was stronger, life or death?” was the question put by him to the eighth.
‘And he received this answer, “life that suffers so many troubles.”
‘To the last ninth Yogi, he put this question, “How long a man should live?”
‘The answer was, “until the man thinks it better to die, than to live.”
‘After hearing these answers, Alexander turned to the tenth yogi and asked him to give his judgment upon them.
‘The judge said, “They had all answered one worse than another.”
‘Thereupon, Alexander said, “then you shall be made to die first, because you have given such a judgment.”
‘He replied promptly to Alexander, “It cannot be so, 0 king, unless you be a liar, because you said that you would kill him first, that answered the worst.”
‘Alexander gave them rewards and allowed them to go.”
EPISODE 3
“When Alexander the Great was busy conquering the world far and wide, he came at last to India.
When he was about to return to his country, he remembered that his
people had asked him to bring to them an Indian yogi. They had heard
a lot about yogis and were very desirous of seeing one, meeting him,
hearing him speak and receiving his blessings. Alexander was told
that the yogis dwelt in the forest.
In quest of a yogi he went to a forest. Sure enough, he found one
sitting underneath a tree, in deep meditation. He waited patiently
until the yogi opened his eyes. They shone with a strange, mystic
light.
Reverently, Alexander requested the yogi to accompany him to Greece,
saying.
“I will give you everything you need or ask for. But, pray, do come
with me. My people would love to meet you!”
The yogi quietly answered, “I need nothing, I am happy where I am.”
This was the first time that anyone had turned down Alexander’s
request. He could not control himself. He flew into a rage.
And unsheathing his sword, he thundered, “Do you know who is
speaking to you? I am the great king Alexander. If you will not listen to me. I shall
kill you- cut you into pieces!”
Unperturbed, the yogi answered. “You cannot kill me. You can only
kill my body. And the body is but a garment I have worn. I am not
the body. I am that which dwells within the body.”
The yogi continued, “You say you are a king. May I tell you, who you
are? You are a slave of my slave!”
Stunned. Alexander asked. “How am I a slave of your slave?”
In a voice tender with compassion, the yogi explained. “I have
mastered anger. Anger is my slave. See, how easily you gave way to anger. You are a slave of anger, and, therefore, a slave of my slave!”
EPISODE 4 (even though technically this is episode 3, I switched the order, wanted to save the best for the last)
Aristotle the teacher and guide of Alexander had told him that, in India lived great mystical, intellectual, and spiritual super beings called Yogis. He told Alexander if he ever got the opportunity, to go and meet a Yogi SPECIFICALLY DANDAMIS, and if possible to even bring one back to Greece for Aristotle to meet.
Upon inquiry, whilst in India, Alexander learned about the great and wise Sanyasi, Yogi Dandamis, of Taxila who dwelled deep in a forest.
Alexander sent numerous summons to Dandamis, which he promptly ignored. Alexander who could strike fear in the hearts and minds of great armies and kings was intrigued. He became desperate to meet this being who assigned no importance to Alexander.
Alexander next sent messengers with lavish gifts and an invitation to Dandamis for discourse and discussion on philosophy. Dandamis politely declined both the gifts and the invitation.
Though angry Alexander, a pupil of the great philosopher and teacher Aristotle, knew very well that, great beings could rarely be lured or coerced.
Finally, Alexander sent a messenger, his helmsman, Onesicritus a disciple of the Hellenic school of Diogenes to invite Dandamis. When Onesicritus met Dandamis, he lavished praise and gifts on him. When Dandamis declined his invitation and gifts, Onesicritus threatened Dandamis. He said that Alexander had ordered the beheading of Dandamis should the orders of the emperor be disobeyed.
Dandamis remained unperturbed, stating, he had no fear of death. Onesicritus couldn’t muster the courage to kill Dandamis, and, instead, paid his respects to Dandamis and went back to report the incident to Alexander.
Livid at being rejected by a naked forest-dweller, Alexander decided to go to Dandamis himself. With his Marshal and a large entourage, Alexander made his way deep into the forest. Even though he experienced the powerful aura of Dandamis, Alexander grew furious when the sage did not get up to welcome him.
Dandamis Yogi ji
“How dared you refuse my gifts?” Alexander demanded.
“They were smeared in blood,” replied Dandamis.
The chilling truth, and fearless conviction in Dandamis’s voice, rattled Alexander. Alexander could not let his men overhear the embarrassing exchange, so he ordered them to move some distance away.
Then, when he was alone with Dandamis, Alexander dismounted from his horse, walked towards the sitting sage, and menacingly stood over him.
“Do you know who I am?” Alexander roared.
“I don’t think even you know, who you are,” replied Dandamis.
Alexander felt deeply insulted. He drew his sword and swung it at Dandamis, stopping just before it struck Dandamis’s neck.
“I am Alexander, the world conqueror,” he shouted.
“You are sitting on my land. Submit or I’ll kill you … ”
“Your land?” Dandamis chuckled as he cut him off. “The land belongs to no one, O King!”
“Before you, there were others who claimed it as theirs,” he continued. “After you, there’ll be others who will say it’s theirs.
All creation belongs to the Creator alone, Alexander. And no one has any right to destroy what they haven’t created. You have blood on your hands, O Emperor! You may have a temporary claim on the land, but you have permanent scars on your soul.”
Clearing his throat, a flustered and uncomfortable Alexander lowered his sword and adjusted his posture.
“The whole world is mine, Dandamis,” Alexander exclaimed. “History will remember me as the mightiest king! My men will die for me!”
“What good is your ambition or their remembrance, O King? You drown yourself in alcohol every evening so you may forget about your crimes and sins. These men who surround you, they are tired of you. You will see it, they’ll give up on you one day, in fact very soon.”
“Besides,” Dandamis continued, “what will you do with the world? All you need is two yards. Two yards long and two yards deep. Ultimately that’s all that will belong to you.”
Alexander sheathed his sword and sat at the feet of Dandamis for a long while. After a rather long discourse, a humbled Alexander bowed his head before Dandamis and left.
Chakra – the seat of the Shiv and shakti
Shiva resides in the Sahasrāra Chakra and Shakti in the Mūlādhāra Chakra. When Prakriti and Purusha unite in the Sahasrāra Chakra, knowledge, knower and the object of knowledge become one. Once we have experienced this no desires remain within us because we realise unequivocally that everything we have ever yearned for is carried within us. In this state of absolute consciousness there are no polarities and therefore no more sorrows; there is only everlasting joy, unconditional love, unlimited compassion and total understanding for all living beings.
For as long as consciousness is connected to the physical body it is unable to remain constantly in the Sahasrāra Chakra and so returns to the residence of the Ātmā in the Heart Centre (Anāhata Chakra). A realised person always thinks, feels and acts from the heart. Embedded in eternal love and eternal happiness, that person is always conscious of the immortal Ātmā, the ocean of bliss, and their consciousness is forever connected to the divine consciousness.
Shakti is the motherly love of God that surrounds us with warmth, caring and protection.
Shiva is the paternal love of God that gives us consciousness, clarity and knowledge.
I wish for you the blessing of the Divine Mother who lives within you as energy and vitality, and the blessing of the Divine Father who resides within you as consciousness and knowledge. May they always take care of you, protect you and guide you, and in their infinite love lead you to the cosmic consciousness.