Science of Pranayam, Meditation

Image source.

Each cell in our body also requires energy (called Prana) to survive. This energy is created in a specific part of the cell called Mitochondrion which uses oxygen to oxidize glucose.

Image source.

 If the quality or quantity of oxygen reaching the cell is less, the energy output is also less. But since energy cannot be compromised, the mitochondria immediately demands more oxygen and hence the lungs inhales (refills) air again and the cycle repeats.body & energy efficiency can be improved by:
1) Improving blood circulation
2) Improving capacity of lungs
Although Asanas address the blood circulation throughout the body, there are several internal organs & tissues which are beyond the scope of Asanas. For example, we need different techniques (other than asanas) to rejuvenate the the brain cells, nervous system & nadis. This is where Pranayama comes to the rescue. Pranayamas are basically breathing exercises which involves combinations of inhalations, exhalations, vigorous breathing, breath control and more. Just like how we have several asanas, we also have several pranayamas, each catering to certain aspect. Each pranayama can either improve blood circulation or improve lung capacity or do both.

For example, Kapalabhati pranayam improves blood circulation in the brain while Bhastrika pranayam improves lung capacity. Ujjayi regulates blood pressure whereas Anulom Vilom cleanses & tones the nervous system. This way, practicing the right set of pranayamas can eventually result in increased lung capacity & improved blood circulation.

It is widely acknowledged that Yogis, despite having similar lung size as that of an average human, can inhale 3-4 times more air because regular practice of Pranayama would have increased their lung capacity i.e They fill their lungs completely (almost 100%) with air during every inhalation, and exhale it completely before the next inhalation.
Renowned Yoga master BKS Iyengar demonstrates his lung capacity in this 2 min clip:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcPjvp4La8A

With increased lung capacity & improved blood circulation, the breathing rate (number of times the lungs are refilled) decreases. As with any machine which has wear & tear and a shelf life, our body also has a shelf-life which is proportional to the number of breaths it takes throughout its lifetime.

study of Pranayama has gained prominence in the medical field, with experiments ranging from measuring reaction time, to long term analysis of health benefits. Due to the acknowledgement of the benefits of Pranayama by medical sciences, it is being recommended by doctors throughout the world and Yoga teachers with entrepreneurial minds have turned it into big business.



http://www.ijpp.com/IJPP%20archives/2003_47_2/229-230.pdf
Despite several such proofs & acknowledgement of the benefits of Pranayama in the western world, surprisingly, it is yet to be recognized in its own country i.e India.
When it was recently introduced in Indian schools (along with Yoga), there was a severe backlash from several communities in the name of secularism and the matter is now in the Supreme Court to decide whether Yoga & Pranayama can taught in schools or not.



http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3939514/pdf/jcdr-8-10.pdf



Source-Modified from guruprasad.net 

Ancient Indian ASTROLOGY was a Science

Ancient Indian wisdom is a treasure trove of science. In fact, most of the claims made by ancient India (related to astrology, yoga, ayurveda) have been validated by Modern Science today. For example, this physics journal from USA in 1998 was astonished to find that ancient India knew the speed of light, down to the last digit of accuracy!!


LINK- http://arxiv.org/pdf/physics/9804020.pdf
Not only that new scientist acknodge that Solar does influence mind of all living in earth. Heard about Full moon and many unusual activites.

Source-http://news.sciencemag.org/sifter/2014/01/solar-activity-at-birth-may-influence-life-span

The radiation patterns of the Sun not only affects at individual level but might affect at society level as well. Extensive studies and historical evidences have shown the correlation between historical activity and moments of maxima of solar activity.

For example, this webpage from National University of Singapore gives more insight into the concepts of maxima-minima of solar activity (sunspots & sunflares) and their effect on humans

Source-http://www.math.nus.edu.sg/aslaksen/gem-projects/hm/0203-1-02-sunspots/human.html

 

Carlini Research Institute, based in Canada, is involved in intensive study of the effect of solar activity on human psychology and has been publishing papers depicting the influence of solar activity on our lives.

Link:
http://www.carliniinstitute.com/how_solar_flares_are_affecing_us

Following is an interesting revelation from a science magazine which claims: “Solar activity affects every single aspect of human life”

Full article:
http://english.pravda.ru/science/earth/07-06-2006/81653-solar_activity-0/

 

A recent study published in the popular science journal NewScientist claims that solar activity affects physical & mental state of humans.

Link:
http://www.earthchangesmedia.com/publish/article-9162523562.php

 

 

 

 

Akshay trithiya

Today 21st April 2015 is Akshay Trithiya

Significance of Akshay Tritiya 

1⃣ Lord Parashurama appeared on this day.

2⃣ Ganges descended to Earth on this day.

3⃣ This day marks the beginning of Treta-yuga.

4⃣ Sudama visited Krishna at Dwaraka.

5⃣ Pandavas received Akshaya Patra from Sund God.

6⃣ Vyasadeva started composing Mahabharata on this day.

7⃣ Adi Sankaracharya composed Kanakadhara Stotram on this day

8⃣ Kubera received his wealth and position as custodian of wealth and It is said that Goddess Annapoorna Devi appeared on this day. 

9⃣ The construction of the charitos for Ratha Yatra begins on the day of Akshaya Tritiya.

🔟 In the temple of Kshira-chora Gopinatha (Remuna, Orissa) the Deities of Madana-mohana, Govinda and Gopinatha are smeared with sandalwood pulp on this auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya.

Sent by ISKCON Desire Tree

www.iskcondesiretree.com

Godly Qualities, Ungodly Qualities

Godly Qualities, Ungodly Qualities

sri-bhagavan uvacaabhayam sattva-samsuddhir jnana-yoga-vyavasthitih
danam damas ca yajnas ca svadhyayas tapa arjavam
ahimsa satyam akrodhas tyagah santir apaisunam
daya bhutesv aloluptvam mardavam hrir acapalam
tejah ksama dhrtih saucam adroho nati-manita
bhavanti sampadam daivim abhijatasya bharata

“The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: 

1.Fearlessness;
2.purification of one’s existence;
3.cultivation of spiritual knowledge;
4.charity;
5.self-control;
6.performance of sacrifice;
7.study of the Vedas;
8.austerity;
9.simplicity;
10nonviolence;
11.truthfulness;
12.freedom from anger;
13renunciation;
14.tranquility;
15.aversion to faultfinding;
16.compassion for all living entities;
17.freedom from covetousness;
18.gentleness;
19.modesty;
20.steady determination;
21.vigor;
22.forgiveness;
23.fortitude;
24.cleanliness; and
25.freedom from envy and from the passion for honor
— these transcendental qualities, O son of Bharata, belong to godly men endowed with divine nature.”
(Bhagavad Gita As It Is, Chapter 16 “The Most Confidential Knowledge”, Text 1-3)

“abhayam sattva-samsuddhih” – fearlessness and purification of one’s existence – “What is that?” It does not appeal to people. It does not strike them at all. And yet in the Lord’s estimation, these qualities are the high qualities. Is it not?

“Fearlessness and purification of one’s existence.” the Lord requires of us. But who is fearless? Everyone is fearful. Fearlessness is a godly quality, but today who understands it?

ahara-nidra-bhaya-maithunam ca samanyam etat pasubhih naranam
dharmo hi tesam adhiko viseso dharmena hina pasubhih samanah

“Human beings and animals have the same urges. They eat and sleep and copulate and the feelings of fear are common to both. What, then, is the difference between the two? It is adherence to dharma that distinguishes human beings from animals. Without dharma to guide him man would be o better than an animal.”

All that people understand is eating, sleeping, mating, and defending, or fearing. This is animal life. To eat, to sleep, to have sex, and to become fearful — this is animal life. And so Krsna says one has to become fearless. But who cares about it? People are thinking that to become fearless means to keep a gun. Of course, that is also one way.

And as for purification of one’s existence, here also people do not know anything. When someone falls sick he wants to go to a doctor and become purified. But his whole life is impure — that he doesn’t know. You see, Because people’s very existence is impure, they are subjected to birth, death, old age, and disease. That they do not know.

“Godly Qualities, UnGodly Qualities”

(Lecture by Srila Prabhupada New Vrindaban, West Virginia, on June 26, 1976.)

Rebirth

eteṣu hi bila-svargeṣu svargād apy adhika-kāma-bhogaiśvaryānanda-bhūti-vibhūtibhiḥ susamṛddha-bhavanodyānākrīḍa-vihāreṣu daitya-dānava-kādraveyā nitya-pramuditānurakta-kalatrāpatya-bandhu-suhṛd-anucarā gṛha-pataya īśvarād apy apratihata-kāmā māyā-vinodā nivasanti.(Srimad Bhagavatam 5.24.8)

In these seven planetary systems, which are also known as the subterranean heavens [bila-svarga], there are very beautiful houses, gardens and places of sense enjoyment, which are even more opulent than those in the higher planets because the demons have a very high standard of sensual pleasure, wealth and influence. Most of the residents of these planets, who are known as Daityas, Dānavas and Nāgas, live as householders. Their wives, children, friends and society are all fully engaged in illusory material happiness. The sense enjoyment of the devas is sometimes disturbed, but the residents of these planets enjoy life without disturbances. Thus they are understood to be very attached to illusory happiness.

Purport:

According to the statements of Prahlāda Mahārāja, material enjoyment is māyā-sukha, illusory enjoyment. A Vaiṣṇava is full of anxieties for the deliverance of all living entities from such false enjoyment. Prahlāda Mahārāja says, māyā-sukhāya bharam udvahato vimūḍhān: these fools (vimūḍhas) are engaged in material happiness, which is surely temporary. Whether in the heavenly planets, the lower planets or the earthly planets, people are engrossed in temporary, material happiness, forgetting that in due course of time they have to change their bodies according to the material laws and suffer the repetition of birth, death, old age and disease. Not caring what will happen in the next birth, gross materialists are simply busy enjoying during the present short span of life. A Vaiṣṇava is always anxious to give all such bewildered materialists the real happiness of spiritual bliss.

Biography of Sri Vidyaranya

Biography of Sri Vidyaranya

Tradition has it that Madhava (the generally accepted pre-ascetic name of Sri Vidyaranya) was the elder of two Brahmachari brothers belonging to a poor but learned Brahmin family of Ekasila Nagari (present-day Warangal). The younger of the two, wandering south in search of true knowledge, reached Sringeri when the great Vidyashankara Tirtha was the reigning pontiff. Onseeing the innate greatness of the young Brahmachari, Sri Vidyatirtha readily gave him sanyasa diksha with the ascetic name of Bharati Krishna Tirtha in 1328 A.D.

In the meanwhile, Madhava left home in search of his younger brother. After much wandering, he finally reached Sringeri where he found his brother as the junior pontiff Bharati Krishna Tirtha. At the junior pontiff’s request, Sri Vidyatirtha readily gave Madhava sanyasa diksha in 1331 A.D under the ascetic name of Sri Vidyaranya, in other words, verily a forest of knowledge. Sri Bharati Krishna Tirtha, though younger than Vidyaranya became his senior by virtue of his earlier ordainment into Sanyasa Ashrama and came to be known as the senior Sripada and Vidyaranya the junior.

Sri Vidyaranya then started on a pilgrimage and reached Kashi. At the direction of Sri Vyasa, he went to Badrikashrama where the great sage himself initiated him into Sri Vidya. Returning south, he retired to Matanga hill, near Hampi, where he immersed himself in intense meditation. It was at this time that the two brothers, Madhava and Sayana, the sons of Mayana of Bharadwaja Gotra, approached Sri Vidyaranya and sought his blessings. Sri Vidyaranya graciously gave them his unfinished Veda bhashyas and some other works. He blessed them to complete the works in their own names as Madhaviyam and Sayaniyam. Later, both the brothers served as ministers in the Vijayanagara empire under Bukkaraya and Harihara I and II. At Sringeri, Sri Vidyatirtha attained Mahasamadhi by entering into Lambika Yoga Samadhi and Sri Bharati Krishna Tirtha succeeded him as the 11th Jagadguru of the Sringeri Mutt and reigned from 1333 to 1380 A.D.
The Jagadguru’s Greatness

Sri Vidyaranya then resumed his pilgrimage to Varanasi. While he was there, Sri Bharati Krishna Tirtha at Sringeri had already started construction of the magnificent Vidyashankara temple over the tomb into which his guru Sri Vidya Tirtha had entered into Lambika Yoga Samadhi.

Bukka and Harihara who were sharing the responsibilities of ruling their empire and were marching from victory to victory, went to Sringeri in 1346 for the blessings of Sri Bharati Krishna Tirtha. They celebrated the occasion with a land grant to the senior Sripada.

Bukkaraya communicated all the details to Sri Vidyaranya in Kashi, forwarding to him Sri Bharati Krishna Tirtha’s srimukha. It desired his early return to Sringeri, which Sri Vidyaranya complied with, reaching Sringeri via Hampi, accompanied by Bukkaraya. At Hampi, Sri Vidyaranya had built a Mutt near the Virupaksha temple, for his use. After Sri Bharati Krishna Tirtha attained videha mukti, Sri Vidyaranya assumed charge of the Sringeri Mutt and reigned as Jagadguru for six years from 1380 to 1386. The Acharya initiated the emperor into the mysteries of Advaitic meditation, and in 1386 attained videha mukti. Shortly after this event, Harihara visited Sringeri and founded the agrahara of Vidyaranyapura in memory of the guru.

Sri Vidyaranya was indeed a unique personality, scholar and sage, rightly regarded as a great thinker in the post-Shankara period. No wonder he was extolled and virtually raised to divinity by kings Bukka and Harihara when making royal grants:

Sri Vidyaranya’s powers of exposition are more wonderful than those of Brahma; he can make (by his dialectics) the eloquent dumb and (by his teaching) the dumb eloquent (Copper Plate May 1384)
Can he be Brahma? We do not see four faces; can he be Vishnu? He does not have four hands; can he be Shiva? No oddness of the eyes is observed. Having thus argued for a long time, the learned have come to the conclusion that Vidyaranya is verily the Supreme Light Incarnate. (Sringeri Plate of Harihara II May 1386)
Mutts

Under Sri Vidyaranya’s direction, the emperors made endowments to Mutts founded by him or by Sri Bharati Krishna Tirtha in different parts of South India, some of which rose to importance as branches of the Sringeri Sharada Peetha or as subordinate monastic establishments. Prince Chikka Raya (afterwards Virupaksha I) made a grant to Satyatirtha of Muniyur Mutt which marks the origin of the Sakatapuram or Bandigade Mutt.

Hariharapura, an agrahara about six miles from Sringeri was founded by Harihara II, and Sri Ramachandra Saraswathi was the first Acharya of the Mutt established there. The Tirthamuttur Mutt (Tirthahalli taluk) and the Kudali Mutt also came into existence some centuries later under the guidance and encouragement of the Sringeri Gurus and the emperors. The agraharas of Sringapura and Vidyaranyapura were laid out by Harihara II.
Temples

A vritti was allotted to the Sri Janardana temple. Of the new temples built during this period, the Vidyashankara temple was the grandest. It was during Sri Vidyaranya’s time, that Sri Bharati Krishna Tirtha substituted the present golden image of Sri Sharada for the one in sandalwood originally consecrated by Sri Shankara over a Sri Chakra on a rock and over which a small temple had been raised. The temple was enlarged. The Bharati Ramanatha temple was built over the samadhi of Sri Bharati Krishna Tirtha and the Vidyavishweswara temple in memory of Sri Vidyaranya. Sri Vidyaranya made grants for the worship of Gopinatha in Paschimavahini, a few furlongs from Sringeri on the westward bend of the Tunga, and consecrated lingas and Sri Chakras in several places.
A New epoch

Vedic dharma, which had received a rude shock under Muslim rule in the North found a bulwark in the South. The re-emergence was on all fronts. On the political front, Sri Vidyaranya’s grace helped in the formation of a Hindu empire. On the socio-religious front, to begin with, worship that had been suspended in several temples, including the famous temples of Srirangam and Madurai was restored. Mysore inscriptions speak of grants to temples under the direction or in honour of Sri Vidyaranya. From now on, Vijayanagar emperors and their vassals carried out renovations, with extensions on a lavish scale of hundreds of temples.

Till this period in the history of the Sringeri Sharada Peetha, the Jagadgurus had been concentrating on imparting Brahmavidya to the elect, and training spiritual aspirants. Since Sri Vidyaranya, the Jagadgurus also took upon themselves the tasks of prescribing proper modes of divine services, in temples and guiding the socio-religious activities of the millions of disciples so as to bring them under the discipline of religion.

The Resplendent Jewel amongst Jagadgurus: Sri Vidyaranya was the head of the Sringeri Mutt for only a short span of six years. But because of his association with Sri Bharati Krishna Tirtha (his predecessor Jagadguru and poorvashrama brother) for over five decades, he left an indelible mark on the spiritual life of his times. The Vidyashankara ‘ Bharati Krishna Tirtha ‘ Vidyaranya epoch marks the rise of the Sharada Peetham to the highest of eminence and led to the emergence of the spiritual institution as the torchbearer in sustaining Sanatana Dharma. Sri Vidyaranya is rightly considered as one of the brightest jewels in the illustrious line of Sringeri Guru Parampara.

विद्याविद्याविवेकेन पारं संसारवारिधेः ।
प्रापयत्यनिशं भक्तान् तं विद्यारण्यमाश्रये ॥

Homage to this serene Vidyaranya who holds aloft the torch of discrimination, Knowledge of the Real form unreal and helps the devoted across the sea of birth!

Bila-svarga

yeṣu mahārāja mayena māyāvinā vinirmitāḥ puro nānā-maṇi-pravara-praveka-viracita-vicitra-bhavana-prākāra-gopura-sabhā-caitya-catvarāyatanādibhir nāgāsura-mithuna-pārāvata-śuka-sārikākīrṇa-kṛtrima-bhūmibhir vivareśvara-gṛhottamaiḥ samalaṅkṛtāś cakāsati. (Srimad Bhagavatam 5.24.9)

My dear King, in the imitation heavens known as bila-svarga there is a great demon named Maya Dānava, who is an expert artist and architect. He has constructed many brilliantly decorated cities. There are many wonderful houses, walls, gates, assembly houses, temples, yards and temple compounds, as well as many hotels serving as residential quarters for foreigners. The houses for the leaders of these planets are constructed with the most valuable jewels, and they are always crowded with living entities known as Nāgas and Asuras, as well as many pigeons, parrots and similar birds. All in all, these imitation heavenly cities are most beautifully situated and attractively decorated.