img_4180

Bhagavad Gita’s Timeless Wisdom: Predicting the Modern World’s Struggles

In the fast-paced and ever-changing world we live in, it’s often enlightening to turn to ancient texts for wisdom and insight. One such timeless scripture is the Bhagavad Gita, which remarkably predicted the challenges and dynamics of our modern society over 5,700 years ago. In this blog post, I will take you on a journey through the verses of the Bhagavad Gita that accurately foreshadow the state of affairs in today’s world.

Kaliyug (the dark age of demon Kali) began with the onset of the Mahabharat War about 5700 years ago

** 1: The Diminishing Virtues**
The Bhagavad Gita, in its profound wisdom, stated, “Religion, truthfulness, cleanliness, tolerance, mercy, duration of life, physical strength, and memory will all diminish day by day because of the powerful influence of the age of Kali.” This verse reflects the erosion of these virtues in our time, highlighting the need to rekindle them for the betterment of humanity.

** 2: Wealth as a Benchmark**
In Kali Yuga, the Gita predicts that “wealth alone will be considered the sign of a man’s good birth, proper behavior, and fine qualities.” Our society often measures success and worth by material possessions, echoing the Gita’s foresight.

** 3: Superficial Attraction and Deceit in Relationships**
The text goes on to foresee that “men and women will live together merely because of superficial attraction, and success in business will depend on deceit.” These predictions are uncannily accurate in describing some of the challenges in modern relationships and commerce.

** 4: External Symbols vs. True Spirituality**
The Bhagavad Gita predicts, “A person’s spiritual position will be ascertained merely according to external symbols.” In today’s world, the emphasis on outward appearances often overshadows genuine spiritual growth and connection.

** 5: Hypocrisy Accepted as Virtue**
The verse that mentions “hypocrisy will be accepted as virtue” mirrors the prevalence of insincerity and duplicity in our society, emphasizing the importance of authenticity.

** 6: The Shift in Sacred Places**
In a world where sacredness is often reduced to convenience, the Gita foresaw that “a sacred place will be taken to consist of no more than a reservoir of water located at a distance.” This highlights the need to reconnect with the spiritual essence of our surroundings.

** 7: The Triumph of the Strongest**
The prediction that “whoever among any of the social classes shows himself to be the strongest will gain political power” reflects the power struggles and polarization that dominate our contemporary politics.

** 8: Struggles of Survival**
The Bhagavad Gita foretells that people will face hardships such as “famine and excessive taxes.” These predictions resonate with the economic challenges and inequalities of our time.

** 9: Climate and Societal Issues**
Lastly, the Gita mentions the suffering caused by “cold, wind, heat, rain, snow, quarrels, hunger, thirst, disease, and severe anxiety.” These words seem to mirror the climate crises and the mental health challenges that we grapple with today.

The Bhagavad Gita’s prophetic verses serve as a powerful reminder of the cyclical nature of human existence. While it paints a somber picture of the challenges we face, it also offers guidance on how to navigate these troubled waters. As we reflect on these ancient insights, let us strive to restore the values of truth, compassion, and spirituality in our lives, working collectively for the betterment of humanity.

If you truly want to not just survive but have success in this age

  • Do shivling sthapna,
  • Do daily puja sadhna with the shivling,
  • Do mantra sadhana with the maha panchakshari mantra and add the beej Om to it,
  • Do dhyan sadhna on the shivling!
  • & DO THE ABOVE DAILY (TWICE)

Here you go, I just gave you the pinnacle of yoga through which not only can you survive the Kaliyug but also achieve moksh. Everything else is just megre show and technicalities and it’ll save you the 2000€ + the 9 months of time on those yoga teacher training’s.

Remember” I can not change the world, but I will change my world by changing myself”

img_3336

Hanuman Jayanti

From the point of view of yoga, today we celebrate the birth of Bhagwan Hanuman ji and look at the greatest soul who through the power of his Bhakti became the next Brahma in line in the next cosmic creation. If we look for the greatest master of Bhakti yoga, we will realise that there are more than one interpretations available for Hanuman ji.

As “Hanuman,” he is the one without any doubt (anuman) as to the existence of Ram (God).

As Anjaniputra, he is the one who comes accidentally into this world, but by his efforts ascends to the greater heights of spiritual evolution.

As Vayuputra he is the breath body in us and can help the lower self (Sita) that is lost to ignorance to reunite with its true companion, the inner soul (Ram). As Veeranjaneya, he is the source of courage and confidence for many a timid heart.

As Bajarangbali, he is strong in both devotion and physical strength. He is an ocean of virtues and friend of the pure hearted. He loves the ascetic qualities in man because only those who are detached and mentally free from the luxuries of life and desires of their bodies can truly concentrate on the divine and attain Him.

In the macrocosm Ram represents the Supreme Self and Hanuman as his devotee, the individual Self. Within in the microcosm of the embodied Self (jiva), Ram represents the embodied Self, who is caught in the cycle of births and deaths (Samsara). Sita represents the physical Self or mind and the body complex (Kshetra). Ravana with his ten heads represents the ego with ten senses which have fallen into evil ways. Hanuman ji represents, the breath. When ego and the senses carry away the mind and body and put them to wrong use, with the help of breath the embodied soul restrains the senses, silences the ego, regains the control of the mind and body and stabilises them in the contemplation of God.

Here are 2 important mantras for Bhagwan hanuman ji

  • ॐ हनुमते नमः |
  • Om Hanumate Namah
  • ॐ आञ्जनेयाय विद्महे वायुपुत्राय धीमहि।
    तन्नो हनुमत् प्रचोदयात्॥
  • Om Anjaneyaya Vidmahe Vayuputraya Dhimahi।
    Tanno Hanumat Prachodayat॥

May the power of the maha mantra “Om Namah Shivay” lead you to success in yoga…

eclipse

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.

img_7972.jpg

Maha Mantra Om Namah Shivay “The Maha Panchakshari Mantra”

Maha Mantra Om Namah Shivay “The Maha Panchakshari Mantra” is the great Vedic mantra to achieve awakenings, enlightenment and moksh. Many believe that this 5 Letter Mantra had the power to even Save you from Hell and the affects of bad karma.

Om Namah Shivay mantra generates a very high energy. These waves enhance human intelligence to the optimum level. Chanting Om Namah Shivay slowly during Meditation gives Harmony, Concentration, and strength.

Rig Veda defined Supreme being as Maharudra. Bhagwan Shiv ji symbolizes the Maharudra (रुदन रोकने वाला ) means the one who wipes out the tears. If a yogi chants the mantra with true devotion towards Sachidanand, their mind, body, and soul go through the transcendental phase, and they can even switch to higher dimensions of reality .

The Mantra
ॐ नमः शिवाय:

Direct Translation: Adoration to Bhagwan shiv ji

The mantra focuses on Bhagwan shiv ji who is understood to be the god of all yogis and the god of yoga along with being the god of time and also the god who gives moksh. The repetition of the mantra is such that the last syllable of the mantra is the doorway to Shiva-consciousness, moving from the end to a new beginning.

Om Namah Shivay is Panchakshari mantra excluding Omkar (primary cosmic vibration) . Namah Shivay attached with the five essential elements of the materialistic world NA – MA -SI – VA – YA.

SivaOm – NAMAH SHIVAY

Na Earth Element (Prithvi Tattva)
Ma Water Element (Jal Tattva)
Si Fire element (Agni Tattva)
Va Air element (Vayu Tattva)
Ya Space element (Akasha Tattva)

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 the 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 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.

by Yogi Atma Prabha

img_6584.jpg

Dussehra – The tale of DASHA HARA

Happy Dussehra
DASHA HARA is a Sanskrit word that means removal of ten bad qualities within you.

Bhagwan Ram defeats Ravan

On the auspicious occasion of Dussehra, hear the tale of DASHA HARA – the removal of ten wicked qualities that reside within us. These vices are Kama vasana (Lust), Krodha (Anger), Moha (Attachment), Lobha (Greed), Mada (Over-Pride), Matsara (Jealousy), Swartha (Selfishness), Anyaaya (Injustice), Amanavta (Cruelty), and Ahankara (Ego).

As we conclude the nine sacred nights of Navratri, we witness the triumph of good over evil in the celebration of Vijayadashami or Dussehra. It symbolizes victory (Vijaya) over these ten wicked qualities. Like the sun that rises every day, reminding us that light will always conquer darkness, let us embrace this natural order and rejoice in the triumph of good over evil.

This moment is one of jubilation, where we honor the power of good, and the world witnesses its victory over the forces of darkness. May this joyous occasion bring success to your life, and may you overcome all evils with the grace of the divine. As we celebrate this occasion, let us wish our loved ones good health, happiness, and prosperity. Let us chant the mantras of

Jai Sri Ram
Bolo Siya pati ram Chandra bhagwan ki jai

Dharm ki vijay ho 🙏🏻
Adharm ka nash ho 🥊
Praniyo mai sadbhavna ho😇
Vishwa ka Kalyan ho🕉
Bolo shankar bhagwan ki Jai ❤️
HAR HAR MAHADEV

tenor.gif

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.

yogini meditating sivaom yoga


img_5058.jpg

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 is a powerful chant that is believed to have originated from Rigveda. It is considered to be one of the most potent mantras for healing and is chanted to invoke the blessings of Lord Shiva, the three-eyed Lord who sees everything, both visible and invisible. The mantra seeks the Lord’s protection from disease, death, and all forms of suffering.
The mantra begins with the sacred syllable “Om,” which is a mystical symbol of the universe and the divine. The word “Tryambakam” refers to Lord Shiva, who is known as the three-eyed one. The next line, “Yajamahe,” is an expression of worship, adoration, and reverence.

“Sugandhim” means fragrant and is a reference to the Lord’s sweet-smelling nature. “Pushthivardhanam” refers to the Lord’s nourishing and life-giving qualities. The Lord is seen as a good gardener who takes care of all his creations, making them thrive and prosper.

The line “Urvārukamiva” compares the Lord’s protective powers to that of a cucumber, which is shielded by its strong vine. The Lord’s protection is believed to be as powerful as the vine that holds the cucumber. “Bandhanān” means bound down, and with “Mṛtyormukṣīya,” it means “liberate from the bounds of death.”


The last line, “Māmṛtāt,” can be interpreted in different ways. One interpretation is “Free me from death but not from immortality,” implying that the mantra seeks protection from death but not necessarily eternal life. Another interpretation is “Give me some life-rejuvenating nectar,” which implies that the mantra seeks the blessings of the Lord for a healthy and long life.

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 Lord Shiva, is renowned for its benefits to mental, emotional, and physical health. This moksha mantra is believed to grant longevity and immortality, and to protect against untimely death.
When chanted, the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra imbues the practitioner with energy and guidance from the divine, while reconnecting the consciousness to its true nature. This transformative practice is known as Japa, which involves the repetition of the mantra and leads to greater concentration and awareness.

The Mahamrityunjaya Mantra can be used in various ways, including during the smearing of Vibhuti over various parts of the body, as well as in Japa or Homa (havan) to manifest desired results. While the Gayatri Mantra serves to purify and guide spiritually, the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra provides healing, rejuvenation, and nurturance to the practitioner.

tenor-2.gif

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.

img_4676-1.jpg

The 3 main principles of karma yoga

As per Sanatan Dharma (Hinduism), karma is of three kinds:

Prarabadha Karma
This karma is unchangeable within the scope of one life, since it is the ‘setup’ for the life in question. It is the karma of one’s past lives. After death, the atma leaves the body, as the casting off of old vestments, and carries with it the samskaras (impressions) of the past life of thoughts and actions and events. These samskaras manifest themselves in the unchangeable situation into which one is born and certain key events in one’s life. These include one’s time of death (seen as governed by an allotment from birth of the total number of one’s breaths for that life), one’s economic status, one’s family (or lack of family), one’s body type and look: essentially, the setting of one’s birth, the initial base.

Samchita Karma
The samskaras that one inherits from the last lives create one’s personality, inclinations, talents, the things that make up one’s persona. One’s likings, abilities, attitudes and inclinations are based on the thoughts and actions of past lives. One’s samchita karma is somewhat alterable through practice and effort towards change. This might be seen through the Hindu system of yoga and the dynamic of the gunas. An example would be someone who, through meditation, slowly evolved into a more stable personality.

Agami Karma
Agami karma is the karma of the present life over which the soul has complete control. Through it one creates one’s karma in the present for the future of the current life and in life-times to come. The Hindu cannot say, sometimes, if a major event in life is the doing of Prarabadha or Agami Karma. The idea of “bad things happening to good people” is seen by the Hindu as a result of Prarabadha Karma, more simply understood as karma from a past life. In Hinduism, karma works within a cyclical framework that sees the phenomenal universe being created and eventually dissolving back into itself, back into realization that it was nothing other than Maya imposed on the truth of Brahman. So Karma will eventually be worked out.

Karma does allow for anirudh (Divine Grace). Through exceeding devotion and love of God, the Hindu believes one can be helped to speed through Karma phal (Karmic fruit). By developing ‘vairagya’ or ‘detachment’ from the fruits of one’s karma, as Lord Krishna most famously summarized, one can transcend karma and be liberated. One is aided by love of God. All the Yogas of Hinduism seek to transcend karma through different means of realization.

One of the interesting aspects about karma in reincarnation is that talents and skills are never lost according to the Cayce files. Someone who has developed an ability in one life will still have it to draw upon later through karma. One may be born for example as a genius or prodigy, in math for example, if he develops this skill or have been of service now or having done so to a prodigous degree in the past or present.

img_1421.jpg

How to achieve Yoga

Yoga means union with God. The state of yoga is impossible to attain without the blessings of Lord Shiva. It needs a concentrated and focussed mind. There are some specific spots in the human body concentrating upon which, enables a man to attain the state of yoga-spot between the eyebrows, lower part of the throat, Navel and six inches above it etc.

The state of yoga can never be attained until and unless a person has fully controlled the tendencies of sense organs. It can be achieved with the help of eight means-Yama (Penance), Niyam (discipline), Aasan (Posture), Pranayam (Breath-control), Pratyahar (restraint of passion), Dharan (retention), Dhyan (concentration) and Samadhi (deep meditation). Each of them holds an important position in the path of yoga.

Describing about the methods of performing yoga, in Linga Purana Sutji says – “A person should sit with his legs crossed in Padmasan and try to concentrate his mind by fixing his gaze between his eyebrows. He should keep his spine erect. He should meditate either on the form of Omkar or on the form of lord Shiva. Breath control is an important aspect of yogic exercise. A man should exhale deeply for 32 times and then breathe in deeply. He should then retain his breath as long as possible and visualize lord Shiva within his body. By constant practice he will achieve mastery over this art and a time will come when he will experience divine bliss. This divine bliss can not be experienced unless one has attained a deep state of meditation (Samadhi).”

Obstacles in the Path of Yoga –
A man experiences numerous obstacles in the path of Yoga-laziness, restlessness confusion, a diseased body etc. The main reason for being lazy is a bulky physique and one’s inability to concentrate his mind. Lack of concentration results in restlessness, which is a major obstacle in the path of yoga. If a person in unsure about the results he becomes confused. It is impossible for a person suffering from any disease to concentrate his mind.

All the above mentioned hurdles can be overcome by firm resolution. A man who has successfully overcome all these obstacles might experience other obstacles in the form of siddhis (divine powers). There is a real danger of getting lured by these divine powers. As a result his mind may get distracted from his original goal and he may deviate from his path. The names of these siddhis or divine powers are-Pratibha (having knowledge of past present & future incident), Shravan (being capable of listening to abnormal sounds), Varta (whatever is said becomes true), Darshana (capable of seeing things which can mot be seen by the mortal eyes), Aaswada (being capable of experiencing divine (tastes), Vedana (being capable of relieving other’s pain by a mere touch). If a person successfully overcomes all these allurements then he becomes a siddha- or man of accomplishment and divine powers.!!