Friendship is one of the great treasures of life. Certainly this is something we have all experienced. With friends we share our innermost thoughts, smile, console, and rejoice. And so much more…

How dreary would life be without friends?

In Sanskrit there are many terms for the word friend – one of which is sa’thii. The root word sa’the means “with” and the suffix ii means “the one who”. The literal meaning is “the one who is always with you” – whether in good times or bad. Such a person is your friend. Hence the Sanskrit word sa’thii.

Friendships are invaluable and sometimes come in unusual ways, shapes and forms. We have all developed friendships in ways we least expected.

Such has got to be the case with Roscoe the orangutan and this rescue dog.

Read the story how these two became the best of friends and see all the wonderful photos.

Tell us about a friendship in your life…

Dharma is the natural characteristic or inherent value of something. The dharma of fire is to burn and the dharma of a bird is to fly.

The yogis say that human dharma is based on expansion (vistara), flow of mind (rasa), and service (seva). Vistara means expanding our psychic boundaries to include one and all; rasa means keeping steadiness of mind; and seva means caring for and serving others.

Another way of describing human dharma lies in the 10 characteristics of dharma:

1. Dhrti (patience)
2. Ks’ama (forgiveness)
3. Dhama (self-control)
4. Asteya (non-stealing)
5. Shaoca (cleanliness)
6. Indriyanigraha (control over organs)
7. Dhii (benevolent intellect)
8. Vidya’ (spiritual knowledge)
9. Satyam (benevolent truthfulness)
10. Akrodha (non-anger)

Certainly, each of the above points is a discussion unto itself. However, we all have a general understanding of what these points are. To keep this short, suffice to say here that the more we adhere to these tenets, the greater we are following our manava dharma, or human dharma.

Here in our ongoing series we are investigating another limb of yama and niyama.

With the onset of spring, this next point is quite relevant.

Shaoca (also written saucha) means purity or cleanliness in all realms of life: physical, mental, emotional, environmental and spiritual. It is the first step of niyama sadhana.

This is a big point of yogic life and indeed in our human life – keeping purity of one’s environment, body and mind. The yogis say that physical shaoca is comparatively easy in comparison to psychic shaoca. Even then both realms are vast.

For the yogis, physical shaoca is not limited to one’s clothing and dress but means cleanliness of one’s whole body – everything from diet, digestion, fasting, and so much more. The skin needs to be scrubbed to get rid of the old dead cells, finger nails need cutting and care, hands need to be washed regularly, and there are so many points. Share with us some of the ways you practice physical shaoca.

Mental purity – a vast topic. How to keep the mind positive, buoyant, and resplendent, free from anger, vanity, jealousy and so many other unbecoming qualities. The yogis say the way to get rid of any negative quality is to consciously adopt the opposite principle. For instance, if one is a greedy miser, then they should consciously practice generosity and in due course that quality will develop within them, in which case their miserliness will naturally drift away.

Meditation and other contemplative pursuits are excellent avenues for cleaning the mind. Share with us how in your life you overcome unwanted thoughts and keep the mind clean.

Here is our first article on yama and niyama which explores the code of aparigraha.

A’sana: Literally meaning seat. This more commonly refers to a physical yoga posture which comes under the practice of hatha yoga. A’sanas are glandular based movements which bring about a balance of both body and mind. Specifically, it a position that is comfortably held that develops strength and flexiblity to the body and composure to the mind. Every pose in Sanskrit incorporates the a’sana term at the end. For example Warrior II is Viirbhadrasana II.

Chakra: These are the seven plexii or vortices in the human body; they are also known as psychic energy centers. In Sanskrit their names are: (1) muladhara (tailbone), (2) svadisthana (supra pubis), (3) manipura (naval), (4) anahata (heart), (5) vishuddha (throat), (6) ajina (pituitary gland or center of the head), and (7) sahasrara (pineals gland or at the crown). So the lower five cakras are along the spine from tailbone to the throat and the highest two cakras are in the head— in behind the eyes and at the crown. These seven cakras control various aspects of one’s physical and mental body: From the elements of the physical body (solid, liquid, luminous, aerial, ethereal) to the tendencies of mind, aka psychic propensities (vrttis) like fear, greed, compassion and love. Specifically, the chakras are located where two nerves (na’diis) intersect along the spinal canal (susumna). As the mind rises through each chakra point, one gains a great inner realization.

Dharma: The natural characteristic or inherent quality of something. For example the dharma of birds is to fly; the dharma of fish is to swim; and the dharma of fire is to burn. Humans also have their dharma— to expand and become great. Dharma also refers to righteousness or those benevolent and moral actions that are consistent with the laws of universal welfare.

Mudra’: This word has two basic meanings. Most commonly in class I use this as a hand positioning such as in namaskar or ainjali mudra (i.e. palms together at the heart). In that sense mudra is a hand gesture that conveys an internal idea. Read definition of namaskar further down. Just as we wave our hand to “say goodbye”, the ancient system of hand mudras (of which there are 50,000) are common in yoga, especially in dance to convey particular meanings. Secondly, mudra refers to strenuous  bound positions which work the muscles and nerves, as opposed to a’sanas which focus more on the glands and chakras.

Namaska’r: This is a mudra or gesture where one joins their palms together and touches the trikuti point (spot between eyebrows) with the thumbs and then brings the palms down to the heart. It means, “I pay respects to the eternal consciousness within you with all the charms of my mind and all the love and cordiality of my heart.” It is used to greet people and the mudra may also be done to start and conclude meditation.

(Note: You are welcome to read my essay on the difference between namaskar and namaste.)

Yoga: Literally means ‘union’ or ‘yoke’. The ‘y’ in Sanskrit is pronounced like a ‘j’ when at the beginning of a word and the last ‘a’ is often silent. So the traditional pronunciation of yoga is like joag. It is an age-old, scientific system that allows one to reach their human potential in all the spheres of life: physical, mental, spiritual. Thousands of years ago a sage known as Patanjali codified the already existing practice of yoga into a particular framework: As’t'a’un’ga Yoga, or the 8 limbs of yoga as asta means eight and aunga means limb. These 8 limbs include yama and niyama (morality), asanas (postures), pranayama (specialized breathing), pratyhara (withdrawal of senses), dharana (concentration), dhyana (sustained meditation), and samadhi (bliss).

Next week, more Sanskrit words and terms will be introduced. If you have any words you want to review, just let me know.

In this podcast, we explore how the law of karma works, as well as how you can improve your karma.

How does an action lead to a reaction? What is a sam’skara? What is prakrti?

What is good karma and what is bad karma? Discover how to escape all karmic reactions completely.

We discuss all the above and so much more in this short podcast about the wheel of karma.

If you would like supportive word doc’s about this topic let us know and we will certainly email them to you.

Your comments and questions are always most welcome.

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Diipava’lii or Diwali is the ‘celebration of light’.

It is celebrated on the darkest night of the year, which is the 10th new moon in the northern hemisphere. (Oct 17 / 18 2009)

Celebrations include colorful lights, fireworks, and sentient merrymaking.

The inner significance is that despite the darkness all around, one should illumine the mind and rid oneself of all kinds of ignorance, superstition and dogma through deep mediation and contemplation. In essence, one should become the embodiment of love, truth and light.

The term diipa in Sanskrit means lamp, and Diipa’valii refers to lighting the lamp within.

This is a day of universal significance for one and all and is being celebrated by more peoples and communities each and every year.

The swastika is an ancient symbol in yogic life and refers to permanent victory in life: liberation in individual life and justice in collective life.

We all know that one nefarious character in our 20th century tainted this symbol both in form and in meaning, but his wicked intentions have nothing to do with the true and inherent meaning of the swastika symbol.

In Sanskrit the prefix su means great or goodness and vasti means being. Thus, becoming the embodiment of greatness and benevolence. That is the victory depicted by the swastika.

Often this swastika symbol is used in yoga and in Diipa’vali celebrations, as shown in the above photo. Here is one special song about the Diipava’li:

“Aka’s’he a’j ranger mela’ manete a’j a’lo...” (Prabhat Samgiita #64)

In the sky there is a festival of color. In my mind there is a flow of light. The air is filled with fragrance, and everything is sweet. With the realization of the Divine within, my heart is filled with rhythm and song. With the sweet, tender touch of life, all the darkness has vanished. On such a glorious day, may we light the candle of light within, together with all…

Here is more information about the swastika:

(1)Wikipedia (2) About (3) Swastika Movement

Often we think of yoga as being the practice of asanas or physical postures, in which case one may think that progress only pertains to our physical sphere.

However, this aspect of yoga is a stepping stone that facilitates our growth and development – in all realms of life, not just by becoming more bendy and flexible.

The totality of  yoga is concerned with the overall flourishing of one’s human personality. As much as anything else, our progress on the path of yoga is measured by how far we represent these following qualities.

Here below are the yogi’s list of the ten qualities of a dharmika (a follower of human dharma or expression of one’s true or highest nature.)

1. Dhriti (patience)

2. Ks’ama (forgiveness)

3. Dhamah (self-control)

4. Asteya (non-stealing)

5. Shaoca (purity & cleanliness)

6. Indriyanigraha

(control over motor and sensory organs)

7. Dhii (benevolent intellect)

8. Vidya’ (spiritual knowledge)

9.  Satyam’ (love of truth)

10. Akrodha (non-anger)

With continued effort and practice, all the above manifest with greater clarity within each and every practitioner. Our asanas, our meditation, our relaxation and more help bring us forward on the path.

Note: As I mentioned on another list-serve, just because my name is #9 does not mean that I am that. I think that name was given to me because I was so terribly deficient in that attribute

Wishing everyone well on the path to becoming a great dharmika!

This podcast – the 4th in this ongoing series – describes, in brief, the life of the Buddha as well as his foundational teaching of the eight-fold path. Learn about Buddha’s brith and early years, why he embarked on a life of renunciation, where he achieved enlightenment, as well as his great gift of madhyama ma’rga, or the middle path.

Investigate each of the limbs of his eight-fold approach: samyak dharshan (right philosophy), samyak samkalpa (right determination), samyak va’k (right expresssion), sayak ajiiva (right occupation), samyak vya’ya’m (right exercise), samyak karmanta (right finishing), samyak smrti (right memory), and samyak sama’dhi (right ideation).

I hope you find this podcast both interesting and worthwhile. Your comments are of course most welcome. Duration: 11min 43sec

Satyam

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This podcast talks about the important imagery and spiritual science related with the lotus flower. Learn about the symbolism of the lotus, Sanskrit terms, and the inner essence of the phrase thousand petaled lotus chakra.

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As the popularity of yoga spreads, as eastern and western cultures continue to merge, more and more Sanskrit words enter our daily working vocabulary.

Words like: Yoga, dharma, asana, mantra, guru, and so many more.

At the same time we should not lose sight of the original meaning and usage of the term. Here are some thoughts on the word karma, another word that is frequently used in our English language.

Karma comes from the Sanskrit very karo meaning “to do”. Hence karma is the path of action. But not just any action, only selfless action. Doing good works and sacrificing to help others physically, mentally, or spiritually is that path of karma. The yogis say this is one veritable path to enlightenment. That is one definition of the term karma.

Then there is the law of karma. This refers to yoga’s theory of cause and effect. Doing good actions (sukarma) leads to  good reactions (positive samskara). Doing bad actions (vikarma or kukarma) invites bad reactions (negative samskara). There is quite a bit more to the theory than this, but that is the basic idea.

In the past we did an entire workshop on this principle (i.e. law of karma)  known as The Dharma of Karma. It was quite a participatory and situational program with many examples to think about and figure out.

Anyway, that is a little bit about karma. If there is any other Sanskrit word you would like to know more about, or if you have questions about this one, here is your chance…

Have a good karma day!!