Upendra: Pranam swamiji,astang yog kaise kiya jata hai iska knowledge dene ki krupa kijiye.
Swami Ram Swarup: My blessings to you.
Ashtang Yog ke 8 ang hain –Yam, Niyam, asan, Prannayam, Pratyahaar, Dharnna, Dhyan, Samadhi. Ishawr nein is vidya ko vedon mein varnan kiya hai isliye isko seekhne se pehle, thoda bahut guru se vedon ka gyan sunna hota hai. Phir Ishwar ke Naam ka jaap, guru se seekh kar rozana ved mantron se agnihotra karna zaroori hai. jab theek Brahamcharya palan karte hue sadhak, Ishwar ke naam ka jaap aur nitya agnihotra karta hai, tab acharya usey Ashtang yog vidya kee shiksha deina shuru karte hain. Isliye yeh sab seekhne ke liye aapko ya to mere paas aana chahiye ya local kisi ved evam yog vidya ke gyata acharya ko dhoondna chahiye. Iske ilawa aur koi rasta nahin hai.
I also suggest to read my following books to have clear and deep knowledge of Ashtang Yog:-
1. Yoga A divine Vedas’ Philosophy (in English)
2. Patanjal Yog Darshan Part I and II (in Hindi)
Vijay: Pranam swami ji. Swami ji mai hanuman ji ka bhakt hu aur unki puja pure man k sath krta hu puja se phle dhyan b lgata hu aur mangalwar k vrat b rkhta hu swami ji maine suna h k jo log dhyan se purn smarpit hoke puja krte h un par prabhu apni kripa rkhte h. To aisa kya wakai m hota h k kisi insan pe puja k smy ya sangat k samay prbhu ka koi rup ata ho?Maine aise aneko log dkhe wo btate h k un par devta(god) ate h aisa smbhav h kya? Kyuki kbi kbi mujpe bhi kanpan hota h sangat m ityadi. M asmanjasya m hu marg darshan kre.
Swami Ram Swarup: My blessings to you.
Jaise aap keh rahe hain ki Prabhu aate hain, Prabhu kisi sangat mein aate hain, aisa kabhi nahin hota. Ved-shastra, Upnishad aadi granthon mein aisa koi varnnan nahin hai. Doosree baat yeh hai ki vedon mein sirf Nirakar Parmeshwar, jisne yeh srishtee banayee hai, uskee paalna kar raha hai aur uchit samay par sampoorna srishti ka vinaash kar deita hai, us ek kee hee pooja karne ko kaha hai. iske atirikt koi aur Parmeshwar nahin hai. phir bhi yadi koi apnee marzi se kuch bhi pooja karta hai toh weh uskee apnee marzee hai, ved –shastra nahin kehte. Main aapko advise karoonga kee aap nimanlikhit karein:-
GAYATRI MANTRA
The Gayatri mantra is as follows —
OM BHURBHUVAHA SWAHA TATA SAVITUR VARENYAM BHARGODEVASYA
DHIMAHI DHIYO YO NAHA PRACHODYAT
Meaning of Gayatri mantra stating each word is as follows. Its meaning is based on
Vedas and Sanskrit grammar. Grammatical hints are in short please.
Om has three Hindi words. Aa, Uu AND Ma. Aa is meant for Aakaar from which three
names of God are built, Viraat, Agni, and Vishwadi. From Uu = uukar from which
Hirannyagarbha, Vayu and Tejas names occur and Ma = makaar from which Ishwar,
Aditya and Praajyan aadi, holy names of God occur. Rigveda mantra 1/164/46 says
God is one but His names are several. But here OM the holy name of God is only
being explained.
VIRAAT = Viraat word is made from dhatu ‘Rajrideeptau’ i.e., manifest. Therefore
Viraat means He who manifests the universe. As God manifests the universe, thus
Viraat is the name of God. Rigveda mandal 10, sukta 129 states that like potter
makes pot from clay, similarly God creates universe from non-alive matter prakriti.
Prakriti is unseen matter. From unseen matter, the whole universe is created in the
visible form. Science also says that matter is never destroyed but changes its form.
Suppose a paper is burnt, paper changes its form into ashes. Then ashes are crushed
and thrown in air. At this moment, the paper changed into ashes becomes invisible
but was never destroyed. Similarly the whole universe at the time of final destruction
is turned into prakriti i.e., into unseen form.
AGNI = From dhatu, “ANCHU GATI POOJANAYOHO” the word “AGNI is made. Its
meaning is: He who is a form of wisdom. “SARVAJAYEN” i.e., Omniscient. That is,
knows each and every atom of universe and even beyond universe. He who is to be
known, to be gained and is worshipful. So Agni is the name of God.
VISHWA = Vishwa word is made from dhatu, “VISHPRAVESHANE”. Its meaning is He
in whom the universe is entering or He who is entering the universe. So being
omnipresent, Vishwa is the name of God.
HIRANNYAGARBHA = i.e., ” JYOTIRVAYIHIRANYAM”. Its meaning is, who is the base
of all sun, etc., luminous lokas or He who is the living place of all luminous lokas.
VAYU = from dhatu, “VA GATIGANDHANYOHO”, vayu word is made. Its meaning is
He who holds, gives life and destroys and is the mightiest amongst all. So the name
of God is Vayu.
TEJ = from dhatu, “TIJA NISHANE”, the word Tej is made meaning He who is self
made and self-enlightened and gives light to sun, moon, stars etc. God does not take
light from anywhere but gives light to sun, moon, stars, etc. so the unbroken,
unobstructed/unproduced and eternal form of light is Almighty God and not sun,
moon etc. So the name of God is Tej.
ISHWAR = from dhatu, “ISH ASHWERIYE”, the word Ishwar is made. Its meaning is
whose knowledge is thoughtful and true and He who has unlimited wealth, fortune
and glory etc. Therefore the name of God is Ishwar. Here it is not out of place to
mention that soul (man/woman) has limited qualities and are dependent whereas
God is independent and has unlimited qualities that is why He is God.
ADITYA = from dhatu, “DO AVAKHANDANE”, Aditya word is made. Its meaning is the
one who cannot be broken into pieces and thus cannot be destroyed. So God’s name
is Aditya.
PRAJAYEN (PRAGYA) = from dhatu, “JYEN AVABODHANE”, Prajayen word is made
meaning whose wisdom is totally without any misunderstanding and thus he who
knows every matter and behavior of whole universe without misunderstanding. So
God’s name is Prajayen. So here also it is not out of place to mention that illusion
can never attack on God and God is totally free from illusion.
BHUHU = “BHUHU ITI VAYEE PRANAHA” i.e., He who is the base of lives of universe,
is most beloved, even more than Prann i.e., breath. So Bhuhu is the name of God.
BHUVAHA= “BHUVAHA ITI APANAHA” i.e., He who is totally free from any sorrow,
and the soul removes his own all sorrows after coming in contact with Him. So the
name of God is Bhuvaha.
SWAHA = i.e., “SWAHA ITI VYANAHE” who is omnipresent in the universe and is
holding the same. So the name of God is Swaha.
SAVITUHU = He who creates the universe. So the name of God is Savituhu.
DEVSYA= who gives all pleasure/merriment, so the name of God is Dev.
VARENNYAM = He who is the most supreme and acceptable. God is most supreme
and acceptable for worship.
BHARGAHA = the purest entity (though God is formless, but finding no suitable
English word of Sanskrit word, “SHUDH SWARUPAM” the word entity has been used.)
TAT = i.e., the God i.e., of the purest entity.
DHIMAHI = i.e., we must hold (sort of meditation) because
YAHA = the God
NAHA = our,
DHIYAHA = mind(i.e., in our minds)
PRACHODYAT = by inspiration (fulfil the mind with wisdom)
MEANING
“We meditate the God who is the base of lives’ of universe, totally free from any sorrow, omnipresent, creates the universe, gives all pleasure/merriment, most supreme and acceptable, purest entity; May the God enlighten our minds with wisdom by His inspiration”.
Here it is not out of place to mention that idea of a (one) Ved mantra is based on ideas of several Ved mantras. So in the above Gayatri mantra, there are three things —-
Bhuhu, Bhuvaha, Swaha, Savituhu, Bhargaha, Devsya are some qualities amongst unlimited qualities of God. These are called Stuti i.e., to say about God with His real qualities and not self made etc.
Secondly Dhimahi means meditation i.e., one should always sit in meditation and do hard and pious deeds for which he will have to study Vedas in full, while discharging moral duties towards family and nation.
Third and last is DHIYO YO NAHA PRACHODYAT. It is a prayer to God explanation of which is cited above.
HOW TO DO HAVAN
Please sit in the morning to perform havan. Havan must be in sunlight then it is more beneficial. Then half a bowl of fresh water with a tablespoon must be with you with small twigs especially of mango tree if possible, havan samagri, ghee, camphor and match box must be there with you. Please sit on sukh asan on four times folded blanket and blanket must be on mat.
Sukh asan i.e., sit on duly folded feet in comfortable position. Then first close your eyes and concentrate between two eyebrows and chant Gayatri mantra three times within heart and not by mouth. Then open your eyes.
Take one spoon of water in right palm. Chant this mantra, OM AMRITO UPASTRANMASI SWAHA and drink the water which you have put in your palm. Then again take the spoon of water in right palm then chant the next mantra, OM AMRITA APIDHANMASI SWAHA, and drink the water. Then again take the water in right palm and chant the mantra, OM SATYAM YASHAH SHRI MAYI SHRI SHRAYTAAM SWAHA, and drink the water. Then wash the right palm while sitting, with the same water kept in bowl.
Then put the twigs into havan kund with one piece of camphor and burn it. During this process chant the Gayatri mantra again and again till such time the fire is lighted sufficiently. Then chant the Gayatri mantra and at the last add the word Swaha and offer ghee with tablespoon, quantity equivalent to 4 to 5 drops. And if you are alone then also offer in fire pinch of havan samagri from your right hand’s finger and thumb avoiding forefinger. So this offering may be of 11 times, 21 times or 51 times as the time suits. It is the simplest way and I have not quoted the complete method of Yajna. The havan with Ved mantras are always offered as the best worship of God only please. Do havan daily and both times.
Procedure of Chanting
Please, start the day by chanting Gayatri mantra in the early morning sitting on suitable asan like Sukhasan, Siddhasan or Padmasan etc. concentrate on the point between two eyebrows which is called “Agyachakra”. The Gayatri mantra should be chanted along with its meaning both times. Also, please try to perform daily hawan even with Gayatri mantra. Then try to study any of my books daily and put up question if any. After 15 days chant the Gayatri mantra only thrice thereafter do the name jaap of Almighty God-“Om”. The jaap must be done daily by heart and not orally.
Agar chaho to kuch pustakein hain jinse aap gyan arjit kar sakte hain:-
List of books is appended below, please —–
S. No. NAMES OF BOOK COST PAGES
1. PATANJAL YOG DARSHAN PT I 131.00 332
2. PATANJAL YOG DARSHAN PT II 300.00 295
3. VEDIC PRAVACHAN SANGRAH(Reptinted) 120.00 118
4. VEDIC SATSANG SANGRAH PT II 12.00 29
5. MANAV DHARAM SHIKSHA 21.00 88
6. ATMIK UDGAR 51.00 42
7. DIL SE DIL KI BAAT 21.00 20
8 YAJ KARAM SARVSHRESHTH ISHWAR POOJA 65.00 132
9. BRAHAMCHARYA DUKH NIVARAK
DIVYA MANNI 100.00 173
10. MRITYU EK KATU SATYA 20.00 63
11. BHAJAN KIRTAN 40.00 64
12. SHRIMADBHAGWAD GEETA
EK VEDIC RAHSYA (CHAP. 1-6) 400.00 739
13. SHRIMADBHAGWAD GEETA
EK VEDIC REHASYA (CHAP. 7-12) 400.00 594
14. SANDHYA MANTRA 25.00 33
15. VEDIC PRAVACHAN SANGRAH PT II 120.00 124
16. SHRIMADBHAGWAD GEETA
EK VEDIC RAHSYA (Chap. 13-15) 250.00 246
(IN HINDI 1-16)
17. VEDANTA & ETERNAL VEDAS’
PHILOSOPHY PT I
31.00 77
18. VEDANTA AND ETERNAL VEDAS’
PHILOSOPHY PT II 20.00 92
19. YOGA A DIVINE VEDAS PHILOSOPHY 65.00 123
20. VEDAS A DIVINE LIGHT Pt. I 80.00 190
21. PROTECT THE HOLY COW, SAY VEDAS 40.00 58
22. VEDAS A DIVINE LIGHT PT. II 121.00 279
23. VEDAS A DIVINE LIGHT PT. III 100.00 126
24. VEDAS A DIVINE LIGHT PT. IV 100.00 154
25. VEDAS A DIVINE LIGHT PT. V 140.00 104
(IN ENGLISH 17-25)
26. VEDA – DIVYA GNANA (TRANSLATED IN KANNADA)
(Originally in English as VEDAS A DIVINE LIGHT PT. I ) 120 202
LIST OF CASSETTES & CDs Sung by Swamijee
1. SANT VANNI CASSETTES (PT 1-8) 35.00 EACH
2. BHAJ GOVINDAM CASSETTE 35.00
3. VCDS VEDOIN KEE CHHAWON TALE PT1&2 50.00 EACH
4. ISHWAR KEE AWAZ SUNO (ACD) 36.00
5. SAB MEIN VYAPAK JYOTI EK (ACD) 36.00
6. SANT VANNI PT. 1-4 (ACD) 35.00 EACH
7. VALMIKI RAMAYAN (ACD) 36.00
8. ISHWAR BIN SUKH NAHIN (ACD) 36.00
9.SARVAVYAPAK ISHWAR MAHIMA SUNO(ACD) 36.00
10. SAB GOBIND HAI (ACD) 45.00
11. AMRIT VANNI VED 36.00
SS: For what reason God create this universe?
Swami Ram Swarup: In this connection I paste my articles-
Why God has created the universe?
It is usually asked as to why God should create all this at all. Why indicates “mark of interrogation” i.e., question, that is, what is the reason behind? So, actually the above question will be what is the reason behind creation of the universe? Its answer will be that creation is eternal. A deep study of four Vedas reveals that God, prakriti and souls are called “Swayambhu”. Swayambhu means which has not been made by anyone. The universe is created from prakriti but prakriti is non-alive and God is alive. At a stipulated time (which is eternal) power of God (not God) acts in prakriti and universe is created. This creation is eternal then the power of God nurses the creation and automatically at a stipulated time, the final destruction takes place. So creation, nursing and destruction take place automatically at a fixed time. It means creation, nursing and destruction is eternal and God has not to decide or even think for the same. So question does not arise to put question that why God should create all this at all.
Freedom to the human beings to do good or bad deeds is also eternal and thus everlasting but God awards the result of deeds. So naturally, here also the question of grading etc., does not arise because such process is eternal and everlasting. It is only for the person to decide whether he follows true path of Vedas for long, happy life and to attain salvation or he wants to be indulged in illusion to do sins etc. God has nothing to do for the same, being eternal law. Keeping the above views in mind, to give or not to give freedom is now not a question please.
God has not only given the freedom to do good or bad deeds but he has blessed us with the knowledge of Vedas wherein other pious rules and regulations to live a long, happy life have been mentioned. For e.g.: In Yajurveda, God states that the best pious deed is Yajyen, to be performed by all. Then moral duties have been mentioned to be discharged. In Vedas, God has warned that if anybody will not obey the preach of God mentioned in Vedas then only the God will punish the defaulter.
So naturally, the sins are done when people do not listen to Vedas or do not make contact with learned Acharya. Yes, if God could not have preached us in Vedas to follow pious path. Then it would have been the fault of God only. But really, God is merciful and has showered all blessings upon us in Vedas to follow.
Purpose of soul acquiring body
Automatically srishti is created and automatically souls come in body of living beings according to good or bad deeds. Suppose, soul does not acquire body then it is a law that soul will remain in Sushupt avastha (like in coma). So what will be the use of man or woman who remains in coma for years together?
At the time of non-sexual creation, Vedas emanate direct from God and are originated in the heart of four Rishis. This all is for the benefit of human beings. So Vedas are also eternal as Vedas have not been written by anybody.
So wrong being in coma like stage is that soul will be considered lazy and will be of no use for himself and for others. People when see a person in coma, they feel sad and shower mercy for him. But I may tell here strictly that these lines are based on assumption only which is dangerous klesh as per Yog shastra Sutra 1/6 and 1/9 being Vikalp Vriti, I have explained this Vritti in comments (detailed description) of Yog shastra which may be read there. In short, Vikalp Vritti is that vritti in which one being a lazy person will be thinking and creating own stories, the fact of which is never seen on the earth. For example –Kapil Muni in his Sankhya Shastra sutra 5/52 states that such false knowledge is like a thought that man has horn on his head which is totally false. Secondly if someone says that the man is carrying bow made of horns of hare/rabbit. Whereas rabbit has no horns.
In Vedas God has advised only that if human being wants happiness and to be away from diseases, sorrows, tensions, problems, death etc, then he should follow the Vedas and must do worship of God, otherwise he may avoid Vedas and worship. So there is no compulsion in Vedas to worship God. On the contrary, it is mentioned “Swantrata hi karta” i.e., man or woman are free to follow or not to follow the Vedas but result will be awarded by God. So the knowledge of Vedas is given by the God for the benefit of human beings and not for the benefit of God. Secondly, We all use sun, moon, air, water, earth and every matter of the universe made by God for our benefit and the use thereof is already mentioned in Vedas. Then we become happy to utilize the same but still remain in diseases, problems, sorrows etc. Therefore if we obey spiritualism of the Vedas, we will really be happy. This is preached by God in Vedas. So it is upto the people. They may or may not follow the Vedas.
Yes, the God is not affected whether we praise Him or not but people are affected. Why? If we worship, we remain the happiest and if we do not worship we always remain in trouble, sorrows etc. God is our commander and even like our father. Father nurses and so does God while providing us with food etc. So there is only Almighty and omnipresent power in the shape of God who only selflessly nurses us and makes all materials available to us for our benefit. So if in return we do not thank Him then we are indulged in thanklessness which is further a great sin. A gentleman always try to thank the others for the deeds which have been done for him for his benefit. But if we do not remember God who is really more than an ocean/source of all benefits to us then what why will we not be called the most thankless.
Souls are uncountable but God is one who is omnipresent. The soul who has got moksha will remain liberated in the next creation also and he even experiences the time of final destruction and the time of next creation
However, soul gets moksha and not body. A yogi who has got moksha touches electric wire knowingly or unknowingly he will die. But soul residing within his body will not be affected. Or somebody gives poison to a liberated person, the effect of poison will be in his body and he will die, then too soul always remains unaffected. Question of not following the Vedic path after moksha never arises.
