Tuesday, December 8, 2009

The Hatha Yoga Pradipika - Asanas - Chapter I, 15 - 18 -

The translations of The Hatha Yoga Pradipika in this post are from Pancham Sinh in blue and Brian Dana Ackers in black.

अत्याहारः परयासश्छ परजल्पो नियमाग्रहः जन-सङ्गश्छ लौल्यं छ षहड्भिर्योगो विनश्यति १५atyāhāraḥ prayāsaścha prajalpo niyamāghrahaḥ jana-sangghaścha laulyaṃ cha ṣhaḍbhiryogho vinaśyati 15

Yoga is destroyed by the following six causes:—Over-eating, exertion, talkativeness, adhering to rules, i.e., cold bath in the morning, eating at night, or eating fruits only, company of men, and unsteadiness. 15.


Yoga perishes by these six: overeating , over exertion, talking too much, performing needless austerities , socializing and restlessness.


उत्साहात्साहसाद्धैर्यात्तत्त्व-जञानाश्छ निश्छयात जन-सङ्ग-परित्यागात्ष्हड्भिर्योगः परसिद्ध्यति १६
utsāhātsāhasāddhairyāttattva-jñānāścha niśchayāt jana-sanggha-parityāghātṣhaḍbhiryoghaḥ prasiddhyati 16

The following six bring speedy success:—Courage, daring, perseverance, discriminative knowledge, faith, aloofness. from company. 16.


Yoga succeeds by these six: enthusiasm, openness, courage, knowledge of the truth, determination, and solitude.

अथ यम-नियमाःअहिंसा सत्यमस्तेयं बरह्मछर्यं कष्हमा धॄतिः दयार्जवं मिताहारः शौछं छैव यमा दश १७
atha yama-niyamāḥahiṃsā satyamasteyaṃ brahmacharyaṃ kṣhamā dhṝtiḥ dayārjavaṃ mitāhāraḥ śauchaṃ chaiva yamā daśa 17


The ten rules of conduct are: ahiṃsâ (non-injuring), truth, non-stealing, continence, forgiveness, endurance, compassion, meekness, sparing diet and cleanliness. 17.

तपः सन्तोष्ह आस्तिक्यं दानमीश्वर-पूजनम सिद्धान्त-वाक्य-शरवणं हरीमती छ तपो हुतम नियमा दश सम्प्रोक्ता योग-शास्त्र-विशारदैः १८
tapaḥ santoṣha āstikyaṃ dānamīśvara-pūjanam siddhānta-vākya-śravaṇaṃ hrīmatī cha tapo hutam niyamā daśa samproktā yogha-śāstra-viśāradaiḥ 18


The ten niyamas mentioned by those proficient in the knowledge of yoga are: Tapa, patience, belief in God, charity, adoration of God, hearing discourses on the principles of religion, shame, intellect, Tapa and Yajña. 18.

See related post:

Monday, December 7, 2009

The Hatha Yoga Pradipika - Asanas Chapter I, 10 - 14

There are 69 verses in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika in Chapter I. Taking up where the last post left off. The first part is the translation by Pancham Sinh in the blue print. The translation by Brian Dana Ackers follows in the black print.

अशेष्ह-ताप-तप्तानां समाश्रय-मठो हठः अशेष्ह-योग-युक्तानामाधार-कमठो हठः १० aśeṣha-tāpa-taptānāṃ samāśraya-maṭho haṭhaḥ aśeṣha-yogha-yuktānāmādhāra-kamaṭho haṭhaḥ 10

Like a house protecting one from the heat of the sun, Haṭha Yoga protects its practiser from the burning heat of the three Tâpas; and, similarly, it is the supporting tortoise, as it were, for those who are constantly devoted to the practice of Yoga. 10. - Sinh

Hatha is the sanctuary for those suffering every type of pain. It is the foundation for those practicing every type of yoga.

हठ-विद्या परं गोप्या योगिना सिद्धिमिछ्छता भवेद्वीर्यवती गुप्ता निर्वीर्या तु परकाशिता ११
haṭha-vidyā paraṃ ghopyā yoghinā siddhimichchatā bhavedvīryavatī ghuptā nirvīryā tu prakāśitā 11
A Yogî desirous of success should keep the knowledge of Haṭha Yoga secret; for it becomes potent by concealing, and impotent by exposing. 11.

The science of Hatha should be kept top secret by the yogi desirous of success. It is potent when concealed and impotent when revealed.

सुराज्ये धार्मिके देशे सुभिक्ष्हे निरुपद्रवे धनुः परमाण-पर्यन्तं शिलाग्नि-जल-वर्जिते एकान्ते मठिका-मध्ये सथातव्यं हठ-योगिना १२
surājye dhārmike deśe subhikṣhe nirupadrave dhanuḥ pramāṇa-paryantaṃ śilāghni-jala-varjite ekānte maṭhikā-madhye sthātavyaṃ haṭha-yoghinā 12

The Yogî should practise Haṭha Yoga in a small room, situated in a solitary place, being 4 cubits square, and free from stones, fire, water, disturbances of all kinds, and in a country where justice is properly administered, where good people live, and food can be obtained easily and plentifully. 12.

The Hatha Yogi should live in a secluded hut free of stones, fire, dampness to distance of four cubits in a country that is properly governed, virtuous, properous and beautiful.

अल्प-दवारमरन्ध्र-गर्त-विवरं नात्युछ्छ-नीछायतंसम्यग-गोमय-सान्द्र-लिप्तममलं निःशेस-जन्तूज्झितम बाह्ये मण्डप-वेदि-कूप-रुछिरं पराकार-संवेष्ह्टितंपरोक्तं योग-मठस्य लक्ष्हणमिदं सिद्धैर्हठाभ्यासिभिः १३
alpa-dvāramarandhra-gharta-vivaraṃ nātyuchcha-nīchāyataṃsamyagh-ghomaya-sāndra-liptamamalaṃ niḥśesa-jantūjjhitam bāhye maṇḍapa-vedi-kūpa-ruchiraṃ prākāra-saṃveṣhṭitaṃproktaṃ yogha-maṭhasya lakṣhaṇamidaṃ siddhairhaṭhābhyāsibhiḥ 13

The room should have a small door, be free from holes, hollows, neither too high nor too low, well plastered with cow-dung and free from dirt, filth and insects. On its outside there should be bowers, raised platform (chabootrâ), a well, and a compound. These characteristics of a room for Haṭha Yogîs have been described by adepts in the practice of Haṭha. 13.

These are the marks of a yoga hut as described by masters practicing Hatha: a small door, no windows, no rat holes; not too high, too lwo or too long; well plastered by cow dung, clean and bug free. The grounds are enclosed by a wall and beautified by arbor, a raised platform, and a well.

एवं विधे मठे सथित्वा सर्व-छिन्ता-विवर्जितः गुरूपदिष्ह्ट-मार्गेण योगमेव समभ्यसेत १४
evaṃ vidhe maṭhe sthitvā sarva-chintā-vivarjitaḥ ghurūpadiṣhṭa-mārgheṇa yoghameva samabhyaset 14

Having seated in such a room and free from all anxieties, he should practise Yoga, as instructed by his guru. 14.

Living in this hut, free from all anxieties, one should earnestly practice yoga as taught by one's Guru.

Sunday, December 6, 2009

The Hatha Yoga Pradipika - On Asanas - Chapter I, 1-9

The Hatha Yoga Pradipika is a small book that consists of four parts and since I love yoga, the review of the text begins. The translating authors of the Hatha Yoga Pradipika to be used for this review are Pancham Sinh and Brian Dana Ackers.
Pancham Sinh's translation was done in 1915 and in his introduction he points out that there are two classes of students of Yoga. Those who studied it theoretically and those who combined the theory with practice. He stated that Yoga is of little use if studied theoretically.

Chapter one is named Asanas. As with all spiritual and or yogic text it begins with acknowledgement /salutations to the Guru or Deity responsible for the making of the text.

शरी-आदि-नाथाय नमोअस्तु तस्मै
येनोपदिष्ह्टा हठ-योग-विद्या
विभ्राजते परोन्नत-राज-योगम
आरोढुमिछ्छोरधिरोहिणीव १ १
śrī-ādi-nāthāya namoastu tasmai
yenopadiṣhṭā haṭha-yogha-vidyā
vibhrājate pronnata-rāja-yogham
āroḍhumichchoradhirohiṇīva 1 1

Salutations to Adinatha (Siva) who expounded the knowledge of Hatha Yoga, which is like a staircase that leads the aspirant to the high pinnacled Raja Yoga. - translated by Pancham Singh

Salutations to Shiva, who taught the science of Hatha Yoga. It is the aspirant's stairway to the heights of Raja Yoga - translated by Brian Dana Ackers

(Raja Yoga - the path of meditation combining all of the paths. Included also is the study of body as a vehicle of spiritual energy.)
परणम्य शरी-गुरुं नाथं सवात्मारामेण योगिना
केवलं राज-योगाय हठ-विद्योपदिश्यते २
praṇamya śrī-ghuruṃ nāthaṃ svātmārāmeṇa yoghinā
kevalaṃ rāja-yoghāya haṭha-vidyopadiśyate 2

Yogin Swâtmârâma, after saluting first his Gurû Srinâtha explains Haṭha Yoga for the attainment of Raja Yoga. 2. - Sinh

Ackers translates this line as Yogi Svatmarama, after saluting the Lord and Guru, explains the science of Hatha for one reason - Raja Yoga


भरान्त्या बहुमत-धवान्ते राज-योगमजानताम
हठ-परदीपिकां धत्ते सवात्मारामः कॄपाकरः ३
bhrāntyā bahumata-dhvānte rāja-yoghamajānatām
haṭha-pradīpikāṃ dhatte svātmārāmaḥ kṝpākaraḥ 3

Owing to the darkness arising from the multiplicity of opinions people are unable to know the Râja Yoga. Compassionate Swâtmârâma composes the Haṭha Yoga Pradipikâ like a torch to dispel it. 3. - Sinh

Ackers translation here is For those too ignorant of Raja Yoga, wandering in the darkness of too many opinions, compassionate Svatmarama gives the light of Hatha.

Verses 5 through 8 refers to the names of Siddhas (masters) that have existed in former times:—
इत्यादयो महासिद्धा हठ-योग-परभावतः
खण्डयित्वा काल-दण्डं बरह्माण्डे विछरन्ति ते ९
ityādayo mahāsiddhā haṭha-yogha-prabhāvataḥ
khaṇḍayitvā kāla-daṇḍaṃ brahmāṇḍe vicharanti te 9

These Mahâsiddhas (great masters), breaking the sceptre of death, are roaming in the universe. 9. - Sinh

Or as translated by Ackers - ...these and other great masters, having conquered death through the power of Hatha Yoga, roam the universe.

See related post:

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Yoga

Yoga is fascinating. In the west, the people that are aware of yoga - not yogurt- are aware of it primarily in the form of Hatha yoga. The Wikipedia begins its description of it as Hatha Yoga (Sanskrit हठयोग haṭhayoga, IPA: [ɦəʈʰəˈjoːɡə]), also called Hatha Vidya (हठविद्या), is a system of Yoga introduced by Yogi Swatmarama, a sage of 15th century India, and compiler of the Hatha Yoga Pradipika. In this treatise Swatmarama introduces Hatha Yoga as preparatory stage of physical purification that the body practices for higher meditation. The Asanas and Pranayama in Raja Yoga were what the Hindu Yogis used to physically train their body for long periods of meditation. This practice is called shatkarma.

Since yoga and its many branches are fascinating and to the average person is unknown, I will begin a review of The Hatha Yoga Pradipika in the next post.  Stay tuned.
Related posts:

Yoga As a Tool




Sunday, August 9, 2009

The Bhagavad Gita - Rap

After completing my review of the Bhagavad Gita, one morning after meditation this form of rap came to me and so I will share it with thee:

Have you ever heard of the Bhagavad Gita ?
It will take you back to the Streeta
Have you ever heard of the Bhagavad Gita ?
It's about life. It's about strife in your life.

You see there were a group of brothers who were against their cousins
Not because they didn't love them, but because the cousins were withholding their rightful share of ownership of the kingdom
Doesn't it sound familiar about life?
When things are happening to us that doesn't seem right?

Now one of the brothers named Arjuna was lamenting about the fight that was to be fought
And Lord Krishna who was guiding his chariot said
Yo Arjuna! - Get up and do your duty! Stop boohooing and be a man
Do your duty and take a stand
Don't you know that you cannot kill the essence of who you truly are ?
Because that Inner Self, who is the nature of me cannot be destroyed, cut or burnt

Oh Arjuna! Stand up and be a man - The warrior prince that you are by and far
If you do not do this, know that you will be looked upon as a wimp and not worthy of respect.

Arjuna said - Oh Lord I cannot kill my teachers, relatives - It's a sin!
I will surely not want to win with their blood on my plate

Krishna said - Get a grip!
Don't give me no lip!
Listen! Listen! Listen to me!
Know you own Self and you will truly be free!
The body is like a piece of clothing, it is not permanent
There is no death - It's an illusion
So get in gear and clear your confusion!

Arjuna listened and surrendered to the Lord

The Bhagavad Gita is the song of the Lord giving us enlightenment to use as a sword to cut through the veil of illusion.

Yours truly,

Bometernally

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

A Tribute to Michael Jackson 7/7/09

We have all been bombarded and inundated with the news of Michael Jackson - The King of Pop passing so suddenly on June 25, 2009. The posts of this site has mostly been a review of yogic texts like the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and the Bhagavad Gita. So one might think it odd to see this post regarding Michael Jackson.

With Michael passing so suddenly, it was like a wake up call to me (and the world). It brings the role of death very much to the fore front. It is like a spiritual teacher of mine stated "You never know when death will come!" This major event ( it may not be major to you and one could say that people die everyday) had put me in a very contemplative frame of mine. It made me so grateful to have an understanding that "the essence who one really is never dies". The gratitude to this knowledge also shows how important it is to have some spiritual understanding about life. To not let the outer impressions make one deluded, crazy or upset and depressed.

This is where reference to the Yoga Sutras comes in handy. Like the review of Five Obstacles -YS II-3 and Abhinivesa - Fear of Death YS II- 9

From the Bhagavad Gita in Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1 - The Depression of Arjuna... Arjuna is crying and upset about participating in a war that his family members, and relatives will die. We could compare this to people mourning over the death of a loved one - like Michael. It is with the study of the other chapters of this insightful text that can help one keep our eye on the truth of who we really are and why we are here on earth.

A realization that has come from my contemplation with Michael's passing is that we are all instruments of the One, of that great creative force (the Self, God, Allah, Divine Creator, Krishna, Atma, etc.) We all came here in this lifetime with a gift. One thing Michael really did well was display and share his gifts with the world. What are we doing with our gifts? Do we even know what the gifts are? I want to thank Michael for being an instrument of the creator despite the human obstacles in his life. We all have them and what are we doing?

My contemplation lead me to see one of the socially conscious music videos that Michael made a contribution to the world.



Earth Song Lyrics

What about sunrise
What about rainWhat about all the things
That you said we were to gain
What about killing fields
Is there a time
What about all the things
That you said was yours and mine...
Did you ever stop to notice
All the blood we've shed before
Did you ever stop to notice
This crying Earth this weeping shore?

Aaaaaaaah Oooooooh
Aaaaaaaah Oooooooh

What have we done to the world
Look what we've done
What about all the peace
That you pledge your only son...
What about flowering fields
Is there a time
What about all the dreams
That you said was yours and mine...
Did you ever stop to notice
All the children dead from war
Did you ever stop to notice
This crying Earth this weeping shore

Aaaaaaaah Oooooooh
Aaaaaaaah Oooooooh

I used to dream
I used to glance beyond the stars
Now I don't know where we are
Although I know we've drifted far

Aaaaaaaah Oooooooh
Aaaaaaaah Oooooooh
Aaaaaaaah Oooooooh
Aaaaaaaah Oooooooh

Hey, what about yesterday (what about us)
What about the seas (what about us)
The heavens are falling down (what about us)
I can't even breathe (what about us)
What about Africans (what about us)
I ain't even you (what about us)
What about nature's worth (ooh ooh)
It's our planet's womb (what about us)
What about animals (what about it)
We've turned kingdoms to dust (what about us)
What about elephants (what about us)
Have we lost their trust (what about us)
What about crying whales (what about us)
We're ravaging the seas (what about us)
What about forest trails (ooh ooh)
Burnt despite our pleas (what about us)
What about the holy land (what about it)
Torn apart by creed (what about us)
What about the common man (what about us)
Can't we set him free (what about us)
What about children dying (what about us
)Can't you hear them cry (what about us)
Where did we go wrong (ooh ooh)
Someone tell me why (what about us)
What about babies born (what about it)
What about the days (what about us)
What about all their joy (what about us)
What about the man (what about us)
What about the crying man (what about us)
What about Abraham (what about us)
What about death again (ooh ooh)
Do we give a damn

Aaaaaaaah Oooooooh
Aaaaaaaah Oooooooh

Friday, July 3, 2009

Bhagavad Gita - Study of the Gita

At the end of the Bhagavad Gita - Text and Commentary by Sri Sivananda (Sivananda Press Durban SA), we are informed that:

Study of the Gita alone is sufficient for the purpose of daily scriptural study. You will find a solution for all your doubts. The more you study with devotion and faith, the more will you get deeper knowledge, penetrative insight and clear, right thinking. Even if you live in the spirit of one verse of the Gita, all your miseries will come to an end and you will attain the goal of life--immortality and eternal peace.

The Gita is a gospel for the whole world. It is meant for the generality of mankind. It was given over five thousand years ago on the battlefield of Kurushetra by Lord Krishna to Arjuna.

None but the Lord can bring out such an unprecedented and marvellous book, which gives peace to the readers, which helps and guides them in the attainment of supreme bliss. This itself proves clearly that God exists, that He is an embodiment of knowledge and that one can attain perfection or liberation by realizing Him alone.

The whole world is a big battlefield. The real Kurushetra is within you. The battle of Mahabharata is still raging within you. Ignorance is Dhritarashtra. The individual soul is Arjuna. The Indweller in your heart is Lord Krishna, the charioteer. The body is your chariot. The senses are the horses. Mind, egoism, senses, mental expressions, latent tendencies, cravings, likes and dislikes, lust, jealousy, greed, pride and hypocrisy are your dire enemies.

As the Gita contains subtle and profound teachings, you should study it under a qualified teacher--a preceptor who is established in the Absolute--with great and intense faith, single-minded devotion and purity. Only then will the truths of the Gita be revealed unto you like a fruit on the palm of your hand.

We are informed good commentaries, written by sages of Self-realisation will help us greatly. This is needed as worldly-minded people, however intellectual they are, cannot grasp the meaning of the essential teachings of the Gita. It is stated that worldly minded people will have unnecessary discussions and debates. However, If they study the Gita with reverence and faith under a qualified teacher, all their doubts will vanish. They will realise that there is a close connection between one verse and another in all the chapters. Repetitions in the Gita and the Upanishads are useful repetitions.

It is pointed how that Lord Krishna speaks from different levels of consciousness in different texts like the Gita and the Upanishads. So in order to know the right significance of the verses, the help of a teacher is necessary to understand. Sivananda tells us that Lord Krishna praises each Yoga in order to create interest in the aspirant in his particular path or Yoga. You must remember that the Gita is a book for the people of the world at large. It was not meant for Arjuna alone. Each Yoga is as efficacious and potent as the others.

India is held in high esteem by the Westerners on account of the Gita. Mahatma Gandhi once visited one of the largest libraries in London and asked the librarian, "What spiritual book is issued most frequently?" The librarian replied, "The Gita."

Sivananda ends with May the blessings of Lord Krishna be upon you all1 May the Gita be your centre, ideal and goal. Blessed is the man who studies the Gita daily! Twice blessed is he who lives in the spirit of the Gita! Thrice blessed is he who has realised the knowledge of the Gita--Atmajnana or Self-knowledge!