Brahman is the Absolute Reality which is the unchanging, infinite, immanent and uncaused. It is the transcedent reality. It is the divine screen on to which everything relative and finite is projected, yet remains unaffected. Brahman is infinite Being, infinite Consciousness, and infinite Bliss,it is Satchidhananda. Brahman is the absolute consciousness.
"Satyam jnanam anantam brahman" Taittariya upanishad, brahman is the absolute truth, knowledge and is infinite.
"ayam ātmā brahma" Atman, the individual self is brahman. Realising the Self is to become one with brahman. It is beyond all mental concepts.
Ishwara is the highest manifestation of Brahman in the relative creation with gunas. It is the highest concept a human mind can perceive. He is the creation itself and is finite.
'Maya' or delusion is the result of 'avidhya' ignorance. Identifying with the 'upadhis' ie., like body and mind which are finite the 'jiva' individual soul becomes entangled by the chains of 'karma'.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Karmendriyas & Jnanendriyas
Panchamahabhoothas:
a)Prithivi (earth) corresponds to the mooladhara chakra
b)Apas or Jala (water) corresponds to the Svadhistana chakra
c)Agni (fire) corresponds to the manipura chakra
d)Vayu (air) corresponds to the anahata chakra
e)Akasha (ether) corresponds to the vishuddha chakra.
____________________________________________
The five tanmātras - subtle mediums of the sensations
gandha - is the olfactive impressions, smell. Is the quality of earth.
rasa - is the the taste sensations. Is the quality of water element.
rūpa - is the visual sensations. Is the quality of fire element.
sparśa - is the touch sensations. The quality of air element.
śabda - is the auditive sensations.The quality of ether.
____________________________________________
Karmendriyas represent the physical organs of action and the corresponding subtle organs. They are related to the active solar energy of the manas tattva.
1.pāyu - the excretory organ.
Is the organ of excretion. Associated with the mooladhara chakra and the earth element.
2.upastha - the sexual organs
This is the generative organ.
3.pāda - the locomotion organ
Legs are the locomotory organs.
4.pāni - the organ of apprehension
Hands are the most complex organ of action as they can express,feel and touch.
5.vāk - the speech organ
_________________________________________
Jñānendriyas are the five sense organs.
a)Prithivi (earth) corresponds to the mooladhara chakra
b)Apas or Jala (water) corresponds to the Svadhistana chakra
c)Agni (fire) corresponds to the manipura chakra
d)Vayu (air) corresponds to the anahata chakra
e)Akasha (ether) corresponds to the vishuddha chakra.
____________________________________________
The five tanmātras - subtle mediums of the sensations
gandha - is the olfactive impressions, smell. Is the quality of earth.
rasa - is the the taste sensations. Is the quality of water element.
rūpa - is the visual sensations. Is the quality of fire element.
sparśa - is the touch sensations. The quality of air element.
śabda - is the auditive sensations.The quality of ether.
____________________________________________
Karmendriyas represent the physical organs of action and the corresponding subtle organs. They are related to the active solar energy of the manas tattva.
1.pāyu - the excretory organ.
Is the organ of excretion. Associated with the mooladhara chakra and the earth element.
2.upastha - the sexual organs
This is the generative organ.
3.pāda - the locomotion organ
Legs are the locomotory organs.
4.pāni - the organ of apprehension
Hands are the most complex organ of action as they can express,feel and touch.
5.vāk - the speech organ
_________________________________________
Jñānendriyas are the five sense organs.
1. ghrāṇa - nose 2.rasanā - tongue 3.cakṣu - eye 4.tvak - skin 5.śrotra - ear
________________________________
Antaḥkaraṇa - the inner instrument
1.manas - the lower mind 2.buddhi - the intellect
3.Chitta -the subconscious mind 4.ahaṃkāra - the empirical ego
_________________________________
Pancha pranas are the 5 major vital energies forming the pranic body.
1. Prana : it is the upward moving force of the chest region mainly connected with the function of respiration. It corresponds to the anahata chakra and is denoted by yellow color.
2.Apana: is the downward moving energy of the sacral region connected with the functions of excretion and reproduction. It corresponds to the Mooladhara chakra and is orange-red in color.
3.Samana: is the laterally moving energy of the navel region helping in digestive functions. It corresponds to the manipura chakra and is denoted green.
4.Udana: is the energy that compress. Is situated mainly at the throat region. It causes deglutition and also separates physical body from astral. Corresponds to the vishuddha chakra and is violet-blue.
5.Vyana: is the energy moving in circles in the entire body. It is connected with the circulatory system. Corresponding to the svadhistana chakra it is denoted rose in colour.
There are 5 minor pranas:
1. Naga 2. kurma 3.krikkara 4.Devadatha 5.Dhananjaya
________________________________________
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Kosha
'Kosha' are the sheaths or layers relating to the three bodies of individual existence. Pancha kosha are the five sheaths.
1.Annamaya kosha: is the food sheath which forms the gross physical body ,the stula sharira.'Annam' means food.This sheath is formed from the food on birth and is recycled back into the food chain on death. Stages of change in the physical body are the qualifications of this kosha.
2.Pranamaya kosha: is the vital sheath formed of the pancha pranas (five vital energies) and five karmendriyas (organs of action).This is a part of the astral body.
3.Manomaya kosha: is the mental sheath .It is formed of manas (mind), Chitta(subconscious) and the five Jnanedriyas (organs of senses).This is also a part of the astral body. Emotional responses and attachments arising from that are its qualifications.
4.Vijnanamaya kosha: is the intellectual sheath formed of buddhi (intellect) and Ahamkara(ego).This is also a part of the astral body. Power of Discrimination and awareness are the qualities of the intellectual sheath.
5.Anandamaya kosha:is the blissful sheath.It is the seat of calmness and peace.This is in the casual body.
1.Annamaya kosha: is the food sheath which forms the gross physical body ,the stula sharira.'Annam' means food.This sheath is formed from the food on birth and is recycled back into the food chain on death. Stages of change in the physical body are the qualifications of this kosha.
2.Pranamaya kosha: is the vital sheath formed of the pancha pranas (five vital energies) and five karmendriyas (organs of action).This is a part of the astral body.
3.Manomaya kosha: is the mental sheath .It is formed of manas (mind), Chitta(subconscious) and the five Jnanedriyas (organs of senses).This is also a part of the astral body. Emotional responses and attachments arising from that are its qualifications.
4.Vijnanamaya kosha: is the intellectual sheath formed of buddhi (intellect) and Ahamkara(ego).This is also a part of the astral body. Power of Discrimination and awareness are the qualities of the intellectual sheath.
5.Anandamaya kosha:is the blissful sheath.It is the seat of calmness and peace.This is in the casual body.
Sharira
The word 'Sharira' means body.There are three bodies that account for each of our individual existences. Body and mind are the most active and prominent limitations.They bring about the sense of individual consciousness.
The three bodies are:
1.Stula sharira:This is the gross physical body composed of the 'panchaboothas' the five elements.
a)Prithivi (earth)
b)Apas or Jala (water)
c)Agni (fire)
d)Vayu (air)
e)Akasha (ether)
This gross physical body move through the stages of birth,growth,change,decay and death.
2.Sukshma sharira:This is the astral body or the 'Linga sharira' ,is composed of nineteen elements.
a) five Karmendriyas(organs of action)
b)five Jnanendriyas(organs of senses or knowledge)
c)Pancha pranas (five vital energies)
d)four Anthakaranas ( four divisions of mind)
3.Karana sharira: This is the casual body in which the impressions of all past karma of an individual is contained and to which the impressions formed of varthamana karma is being added.
The three bodies are:
1.Stula sharira:This is the gross physical body composed of the 'panchaboothas' the five elements.
a)Prithivi (earth)
b)Apas or Jala (water)
c)Agni (fire)
d)Vayu (air)
e)Akasha (ether)
This gross physical body move through the stages of birth,growth,change,decay and death.
2.Sukshma sharira:This is the astral body or the 'Linga sharira' ,is composed of nineteen elements.
a) five Karmendriyas(organs of action)
b)five Jnanendriyas(organs of senses or knowledge)
c)Pancha pranas (five vital energies)
d)four Anthakaranas ( four divisions of mind)
3.Karana sharira: This is the casual body in which the impressions of all past karma of an individual is contained and to which the impressions formed of varthamana karma is being added.
GUNAS
We can discuss about creation and ego only on the platform of duality.The very reason for the feeling of creation is our identification with the Ego.
Gunas are the qualities of nature.Saguna is the state when the powers of gunas are in action and nirguna is state when these powers of gunas are in inaction.
The gunas are broadly classified as three,
1)Sattva 2)Rajas 3)Tamas
In saguna level these three gunas coexists and their ratios vary depending on the practioner and his practice.Gunas are never found independent of each other,so a person can never be totally only in one of these gunas.One guna can be so prominent that the other two can remain backstage without any role to play,but its there.
Its why we say'Vishnu'is'sattva guna pradhan','Brahma'is'rajo guna pradhan' and'Siva'is'tamo guna pradhan'.The 'TRIMURTHIS'are accordingly associated with the three modes of nature of 1)'Srishti' the creation 2)'sthiti' the operation 3)'samhara' the destruction.
About the powers of gunas:On the path of spiritual evolution and the understanding of gunas we come to know of'Jnana shakti','Kriya shakti'and'dravyashakti'. The 'shakti' of sattva is 'jnana', that of rajas is 'kriya' and of 'tamas' is 'dravya'.'Shakti' is vital cosmic energy,the cosmic power.Its the feminine aspect of creation.Its the breath and prana at the very first levels of practice of yoga.Its all these at the different levels of spiritual evolution and beyond this as you reach towards the door of liberation.In 'saguna upasana' 'Shakti 'is worshipped as goddess.
The nature of creation 'prakrithi' has no existence independent of three gunas as these are three strands of 'maya' binding us to this illusory world.Gunas are reflected every where in nature,any character or quality that is pleasant, calm and constant is sattvic. Anxiety, competition, pride and all actions that reflect these characters and qualities are rajasic. Fear, desires, inertia, unawareness, ignorance are the qualities which create the darkness is tamasic.
***The ratio of combination and projection of gunas come to be in accordance to karma.Practice of yoga is the scientific approach for transcending the gunas and karma.
The consciouness of creation 'Purusha' stands beyond the cause and effects of karma and guna.
Gunas are the qualities of nature.Saguna is the state when the powers of gunas are in action and nirguna is state when these powers of gunas are in inaction.
The gunas are broadly classified as three,
1)Sattva 2)Rajas 3)Tamas
In saguna level these three gunas coexists and their ratios vary depending on the practioner and his practice.Gunas are never found independent of each other,so a person can never be totally only in one of these gunas.One guna can be so prominent that the other two can remain backstage without any role to play,but its there.
Its why we say'Vishnu'is'sattva guna pradhan','Brahma'is'rajo guna pradhan' and'Siva'is'tamo guna pradhan'.The 'TRIMURTHIS'are accordingly associated with the three modes of nature of 1)'Srishti' the creation 2)'sthiti' the operation 3)'samhara' the destruction.
About the powers of gunas:On the path of spiritual evolution and the understanding of gunas we come to know of'Jnana shakti','Kriya shakti'and'dravyashakti'. The 'shakti' of sattva is 'jnana', that of rajas is 'kriya' and of 'tamas' is 'dravya'.'Shakti' is vital cosmic energy,the cosmic power.Its the feminine aspect of creation.Its the breath and prana at the very first levels of practice of yoga.Its all these at the different levels of spiritual evolution and beyond this as you reach towards the door of liberation.In 'saguna upasana' 'Shakti 'is worshipped as goddess.
The nature of creation 'prakrithi' has no existence independent of three gunas as these are three strands of 'maya' binding us to this illusory world.Gunas are reflected every where in nature,any character or quality that is pleasant, calm and constant is sattvic. Anxiety, competition, pride and all actions that reflect these characters and qualities are rajasic. Fear, desires, inertia, unawareness, ignorance are the qualities which create the darkness is tamasic.
***The ratio of combination and projection of gunas come to be in accordance to karma.Practice of yoga is the scientific approach for transcending the gunas and karma.
The consciouness of creation 'Purusha' stands beyond the cause and effects of karma and guna.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Talk on Gunas
For days I've been disturbed by a statement I made in an yoga forum. So last week I told Sindu chechi about the discussion and the statement I made on Gunas.
Prasanna (P): I know something on gunas... from what I have read and a little more from the way I experience it ...but now I need your guidance....Chechi.. I said in one of the forums ..that.. Kali is tamasic. I don't want to change the statement for I don't feel wrong in what I said..but I can't explain it anymore than that.
Chechi is smiling...
Sindu chechi (S): I mention it always ... the deeper levels on realization path is not to be discussed in open....where people of different levels of spiritual evolution come in.It can confuse and irritate those who have yet to transcend to reach the next stage.So if you respect those seekers never make statements that can aggravate their ego.
P: I'm sorry ! And .. I don't understand clearly ..what I myself said!!!
S: Mmmmmmm.... we will view the gunas from the level that made you say ...(smiling)Kalima is tamasic...
(So this explanation is for those aspirants... not general.. so please excuse if it does not agree to those intellects... as this is not to be a debate.)
S:The translations of the sanskrit words to english may not be apt..in the sense of experience.. as I'm not so versed in the english language... (smiling..)Gunas.... saguna and nirguna....The very reason for the feeling of creation is Ego.Saguna... is with gunas.Here we are talking about EGO and creation on the platform of duality.The Ego is with gunas the qualities of nature and ,the three gunas are sattva,rajas and tamas. In the saguna levels the basic fact is these three gunas coexists and only their ratios vary depending on the practice and practioner. So they are never found independent of each other.
P: Does it mean that a person can never be totally sattvic..or the other two?
S: A person can never be totally only in one of these... one guna can be so prominent that the other two can remain backstage without any role to play..but its there.Thats why we find a ray of good in everything.(smiling...)Its we say 'Vishnu' is 'sattva guna pradhan' , 'Brahma' is 'rajo guna pradhan' and'Siva' is 'tamo guna pradhan'
P: Ok.
Chechi continues...
S: On the path of spiritual evolution and the understanding of gunas we come to know of'Jnana shakti' , 'Kriya shakti' and 'dravyashakti'. The 'shakti' of sattva is 'jnana', of rajas is 'kriya' and of 'tamas' is 'dravya'
P: What is 'Shakti'?
S: 'Shakti' is vital..cosmic energy?..cosmic power?..feminine?..prana?.. its all these at the different levels of spiritual evolution and beyond this as you reach towards the door of liberation.In 'saguna upasana' 'Shakti ' is worshipped as goddess. Object state of this material world is the projection of 'Dravya shakti' ....is the tamasic level of ego.
P: So what does 'tamas' means?
S: 'Tamas' is darkness... that which veils the light of truth... the path of liberation. Any obstacles in the path of realisation ... like inertia,laziness,attachments, .. are all 'tamas'.. darkness.Ignorance and unawareness is the cause of darkness. In darkness we are not aware where we are going and so we feel anxious and fear. The feeling of reality in materialism and the attachment to it veils the truth of being. So if you hold the torch that illumines the truth you can calmly walk through this darkness of 'maya' .Then darkness is not frightening and there is no anxiety or fear anymore.
P: 'Dravyashakti' is the tamasic level of ego?
S: Yes. From the 'dravya shakti' arose the 5 'tanmatras' (characteristics)and the 5 elements,these together resulted in materialism.
P: Which are these 'tanmatras'?
S: Sound,touch,taste,form and smell are the 5 'tanmatras'.The 'guna' of space is sound, of air is touch, of fire is form, of water is taste and of earth is smell. This is also the simple understanding of the 5 charkras.
This material world (prakriti) is also due to the projection of ‘Kriya shakti’. It is the rajasic level of ego. From the rajasic Kriya shakti arose the 5 jnanendriyas (ear, skin, tongue, eyes, and nose), the 5 karmendriyas (speech, hands, legs, excretory and reproductive organs) and the 5 pranas (prana, apana, vyana, samana and udhana) these are 15 karanas.
P: The ‘jnanashakti’ is the sattvic level of ego and what is its part and form of existence in creation?
S: From the ‘jnanashakti’ arose the 5 adidevatas of the ‘jnanendriyas’ ( surya, dhik, wind, aswis and pasi), Chandra, vidhi, rudra and ksetrajna these 4 , the antakarana , its 4 devatas and mind. This is the basic relative explanation of ‘Gunas’, ego and its creation. It is at this stage of understanding we come to the absolute and gross levels of creation.
P: How does the gross structure of creation arise from these levels of ego?
S: From the 5 absolute elements and ‘tatwas’ the 5 gross elements are formed by ‘Panchikarana’. This is actually the very basic principle of ‘Kundalini Yoga’ and ‘Chakra meditation’.
P: ‘Panchikarana’ is the formula of gross structure?
S: Yes, it’s the formula to the gross structure of creation.
P: Please can you explain it?
S: (Smiling)Why do you need to hear all these intellectual explanations? Its all there within you like its in me and all others. All you need to be is silent from within and listen.
P: Maybe I could relate it to some experience I have had and understand it more clearly.
Chechi was silent. I wished she would be kind enough to explain more.
S: The experience of this process is the knowing of creation.
My wish is granted……. chechi explains the process … but with strict instructions not to disclose this unless I personally find someone worthy and ready for it. She say of sowing the right seed at the right time at the right place or else.... its disrespect.
S: (In ‘chittha’ ………………)The whole process is done with the help of corresponding ‘mantras’. When the elements become dense the consciousness comes to reside in there and ego is born. This is the structure of creation on the basis of the three gunas.
P: How are these gunas reflected in us?
S: Just like they are reflected every where in nature. Any character or quality that is pleasant, calm and constant is sattvic. Anxiety, competition, pride.. actions that reflect these characters and qualities are rajasic. Fear, desires, inertia, unawareness, ignorance… those qualities which create the darkness are tamasic.
P: How do we reach and stay in the level where the sattva guna is prominent?
S: The different paths of yoga practice keep you to that.
P: Chechi.. yoga helps to reach the sattvic level ?
S: Yes. Step by step .(to be continued..)
Prasanna (P): I know something on gunas... from what I have read and a little more from the way I experience it ...but now I need your guidance....Chechi.. I said in one of the forums ..that.. Kali is tamasic. I don't want to change the statement for I don't feel wrong in what I said..but I can't explain it anymore than that.
Chechi is smiling...
Sindu chechi (S): I mention it always ... the deeper levels on realization path is not to be discussed in open....where people of different levels of spiritual evolution come in.It can confuse and irritate those who have yet to transcend to reach the next stage.So if you respect those seekers never make statements that can aggravate their ego.
P: I'm sorry ! And .. I don't understand clearly ..what I myself said!!!
S: Mmmmmmm.... we will view the gunas from the level that made you say ...(smiling)Kalima is tamasic...
(So this explanation is for those aspirants... not general.. so please excuse if it does not agree to those intellects... as this is not to be a debate.)
S:The translations of the sanskrit words to english may not be apt..in the sense of experience.. as I'm not so versed in the english language... (smiling..)Gunas.... saguna and nirguna....The very reason for the feeling of creation is Ego.Saguna... is with gunas.Here we are talking about EGO and creation on the platform of duality.The Ego is with gunas the qualities of nature and ,the three gunas are sattva,rajas and tamas. In the saguna levels the basic fact is these three gunas coexists and only their ratios vary depending on the practice and practioner. So they are never found independent of each other.
P: Does it mean that a person can never be totally sattvic..or the other two?
S: A person can never be totally only in one of these... one guna can be so prominent that the other two can remain backstage without any role to play..but its there.Thats why we find a ray of good in everything.(smiling...)Its we say 'Vishnu' is 'sattva guna pradhan' , 'Brahma' is 'rajo guna pradhan' and'Siva' is 'tamo guna pradhan'
P: Ok.
Chechi continues...
S: On the path of spiritual evolution and the understanding of gunas we come to know of'Jnana shakti' , 'Kriya shakti' and 'dravyashakti'. The 'shakti' of sattva is 'jnana', of rajas is 'kriya' and of 'tamas' is 'dravya'
P: What is 'Shakti'?
S: 'Shakti' is vital..cosmic energy?..cosmic power?..feminine?..prana?.. its all these at the different levels of spiritual evolution and beyond this as you reach towards the door of liberation.In 'saguna upasana' 'Shakti ' is worshipped as goddess. Object state of this material world is the projection of 'Dravya shakti' ....is the tamasic level of ego.
P: So what does 'tamas' means?
S: 'Tamas' is darkness... that which veils the light of truth... the path of liberation. Any obstacles in the path of realisation ... like inertia,laziness,attachments, .. are all 'tamas'.. darkness.Ignorance and unawareness is the cause of darkness. In darkness we are not aware where we are going and so we feel anxious and fear. The feeling of reality in materialism and the attachment to it veils the truth of being. So if you hold the torch that illumines the truth you can calmly walk through this darkness of 'maya' .Then darkness is not frightening and there is no anxiety or fear anymore.
P: 'Dravyashakti' is the tamasic level of ego?
S: Yes. From the 'dravya shakti' arose the 5 'tanmatras' (characteristics)and the 5 elements,these together resulted in materialism.
P: Which are these 'tanmatras'?
S: Sound,touch,taste,form and smell are the 5 'tanmatras'.The 'guna' of space is sound, of air is touch, of fire is form, of water is taste and of earth is smell. This is also the simple understanding of the 5 charkras.
This material world (prakriti) is also due to the projection of ‘Kriya shakti’. It is the rajasic level of ego. From the rajasic Kriya shakti arose the 5 jnanendriyas (ear, skin, tongue, eyes, and nose), the 5 karmendriyas (speech, hands, legs, excretory and reproductive organs) and the 5 pranas (prana, apana, vyana, samana and udhana) these are 15 karanas.
P: The ‘jnanashakti’ is the sattvic level of ego and what is its part and form of existence in creation?
S: From the ‘jnanashakti’ arose the 5 adidevatas of the ‘jnanendriyas’ ( surya, dhik, wind, aswis and pasi), Chandra, vidhi, rudra and ksetrajna these 4 , the antakarana , its 4 devatas and mind. This is the basic relative explanation of ‘Gunas’, ego and its creation. It is at this stage of understanding we come to the absolute and gross levels of creation.
P: How does the gross structure of creation arise from these levels of ego?
S: From the 5 absolute elements and ‘tatwas’ the 5 gross elements are formed by ‘Panchikarana’. This is actually the very basic principle of ‘Kundalini Yoga’ and ‘Chakra meditation’.
P: ‘Panchikarana’ is the formula of gross structure?
S: Yes, it’s the formula to the gross structure of creation.
P: Please can you explain it?
S: (Smiling)Why do you need to hear all these intellectual explanations? Its all there within you like its in me and all others. All you need to be is silent from within and listen.
P: Maybe I could relate it to some experience I have had and understand it more clearly.
Chechi was silent. I wished she would be kind enough to explain more.
S: The experience of this process is the knowing of creation.
My wish is granted……. chechi explains the process … but with strict instructions not to disclose this unless I personally find someone worthy and ready for it. She say of sowing the right seed at the right time at the right place or else.... its disrespect.
S: (In ‘chittha’ ………………)The whole process is done with the help of corresponding ‘mantras’. When the elements become dense the consciousness comes to reside in there and ego is born. This is the structure of creation on the basis of the three gunas.
P: How are these gunas reflected in us?
S: Just like they are reflected every where in nature. Any character or quality that is pleasant, calm and constant is sattvic. Anxiety, competition, pride.. actions that reflect these characters and qualities are rajasic. Fear, desires, inertia, unawareness, ignorance… those qualities which create the darkness are tamasic.
P: How do we reach and stay in the level where the sattva guna is prominent?
S: The different paths of yoga practice keep you to that.
P: Chechi.. yoga helps to reach the sattvic level ?
S: Yes. Step by step .(to be continued..)
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