Yoga is a science of life and an art of living that originates from ancient India over tens of thousands of years ago. It is a system which overhauls all aspects of the human personality and is an integrated system of education for the body, mind and soul. It has its philosophical and ethical aspects too and is recognized as one of the six systems of Indian philosophy. It has its practical side also in the form of asana, pranayama and meditation. Vasishta yoga students have the possibility to explore the hole range of "yogas" going through Hatha yoga, Raja Yoga, Kriya Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga and Mantra Yoga.
The word yoga means “unity” or “oneness” and is derived from the Sanskrit word “yuj” which means “to join” or to “yoke”. The union referred to in yoga is that of the “ jivatma,” or individual soul, and the “paramatma” or the universal soul, . In other words, it is the union of individual energy with universal energy. The aim of all yoga practice is to achieve Truth, wherein the individual soul identifies itself with the supreme soul.
Hatha Yoga
Hatha yoga has become the most well-known and widely practiced yoga in the world today. Hatha yoga is primarily concerned with the physical discipline of classical yoga, with an emphasis on yoga poses (Asanas), energetic breathing (Pranayama) and yoga purification (Shatkarmas) for the benefit of physical health and spiritual growth. With sincere devotion the , constant and steady practice of Hatha yoga, leads one to maintain balance and harmony between the body, mind and energy.
The word Hatha is Sanskrit and is derived from the two roots “Ha” meaning Sun, which represents pranic or vital energy, and “Tha” meaning Moon, which represents mind or, mental energy. The meeting of these two energies animating the human body, is the objective of all yogic techniques. In this way, Hatha yoga means the perfect synchronization or Union of the pranic and mental energies, for awakening the higher consciousness.
Raja Yoga
Raja yoga is the science of physical and mental control. Raja yoga is also known as continuation of Hatha yoga. It is a system for attaining perfection of mind and body through systematic exercises on concentraton and meditation. If Hatha works more with gross body, Raja train the mind to be calm and focused (« raja » means king, king of senses).
Kriya Yoga
Kriya yoga is one of the most powerful yet simple and easiest of the methods known to us in yoga. its source and origin in the great system of Tantra Sastra which was conceived more then 5000 years ago. The word kriya means ‘activity’ or ‘movement’ and refers to the activity or movement of consciousness. Kriya Yoga does not curb mental fluctuations but purposely creates activity and awakening in consciousness.In kriya you do not quite or concentrate the mind but to create activity to the mind move from one point to another in a specific way without loosing the insight awareness. This brings about the development of certain parts of the brain, activity in the nervous system and awakening of mental energies. In this way practitioner achieve to calm the mind; balance the emotions; harmonize the body, mind, and spirit. The practice of kriya yoga is little more easy for hatha yoga practitioners, so many technique of hatha yoga integrated in kriya yoga.
Jnana Yoga
Jnana is a system of yoga of intelligence and study of wisdom. The ignorant man fails to realize his own identity, but knowledge, helps him to realize himself and also helps to provide realization of mind body. But path of Jnana doesn’t mean university study. All yogic researches go through contemplation and meditation of the inner knowledge that everyone carries inside.
Karma Yoga
Karma in Sanskrit refers to an « action ». The karma yoga enables people to act in the right direction, to perform actions which renders good services to society and bring the person to the state of union with others. By following duties selflessly, without any attachement to fruits of the action, one can become the pure instrument in the hands of the Divin. This is a path of practical living, of selfless service, of self-negation, offering the acts themselves and their fruits at the feet of the divine.
Bhakti Yoga
Bhakti yoga is a path of surrender through love and devotion. In this path a devotee sees God as the supreme expression and embodiment of love. The chanting of the lord’s name, singing his praise, and engaging in worship and ritual are the main features of this path. It is the easiest path to enlightenment and hence the most popular.
Mantra Yoga
The word mantra combines the root « man » : which means « to think » with the element “tra” : suffix indicating instrumentality. » Hence a literal translation would be « instrument of thought ». Mantras are usually based on the Sanskrit language, which is composed of 52 sounds that are said to make up matter. When these letters are combined, they produce a mantra which effects the mental and psychic consciousness, operating directly on the deep mind by creating vibrations. Sound is energy and has an explosive force. As a mantra is repeated it begins to explode the knots held in the unconscious mind and free the energy to move and expand.
GURU MANTRA
Gurur brahma gurur vishnu
Gurur devo maheshwara
Guru sākshāt parambrahma
Tasmai shri guruve namaha
Ref: Skanda Purana
The guru is Brahma (the god of creation),
The guru is Vishnu (the god of sustenance),
The guru is Shiva (the god of annihilation)
My salutation to such a guru, who is verily the supreme God.
Dhyana moolam Guru Murti
Puja moolam Guru Padam
Mantra Moolam Guru Vakyam
Moksha Moolam Guru Kripa
The source of meditation is the Guru’s form.
The source of devotion is the Guru’s feet.
The source of mantra is the Guru’s word.
The source of awakening is the Guru’s grace
SALUTATION TO PATANJALI
Yogena cittasya padena vacam
Malam sarirasya ca vaidyakena
Yopakarottam pravaram muninam
Patanjalim pranajali ranato’smi
Abahu purusakaram
Sankha cakrasi dharinam
Sahasra sirasam svetam
Pranamami Patanjalim
Let us bow before the noblest of sages Patanjali, who gave yoga for serenity and sanctity of mind, grammar for clarity and purity of speech and medicine for perfection of health.
Let us prostrate before Patanjali, an incarnation of Adisesa, whose upper body has a human form, whose arms hold a conch and a disc, and who is crowned by a thousand-headed cobra.
SHANTI MANTRA / FOR PEACE
Om sahanā vavatu sahanau bhunaktu
Saha vēryam karavā vahai
Tejasvi nā vadhētamastu
Mā vidvishā vahai
Om Shānti Shānti Shāntihi
Ref: Taittiriya Upanishad 2.2.2
May the lord indeed, protect both of us.
May he indeed, nourish both of us.
May we together acquire the capacity (to study and understand the scriptures). May our study be brilliant.
May we not disagree with each other.
Om peace, peace, peace.
Om asato mā sad gamaya
Tamaso mā jyotir gamaya
Mrityor mā amritam gamaya
Om Shānti Shānti Shāntihi
Ref: Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 1.3.28
Lead me (by giving knowledge) from the unreal to the real,
From darkness (of ignorance) to light (of knowledge)
From death (sense of limitation) to immortality (limitlessness, liberation).
Om peace, peace, peace.
Om Sarve bhavantu sukhinaha
Sarve santu nirāmayā
Sarve bhadrāni pashyantu
Mā kaschit dukha bhāg bhavet
Om Shānti Shānti Shāntihi
Ref: Brihadaranyaka Upanishad
May all be happy,
May all be free from disease,
May all enjoy prosperity,
May none experience sorrow.
Om peace, peace, peace.
Om pūrnamada pūrnamidam
Pūrnāt pūrna mudachyate
Pūrnasya pūrnamādāya
Pūrnamevā vashishyate
Om Shānti Shānti Shāntihi
Ref: Isha Upanishad
That is fullness, this is fullness.
From that fullness this fullness came.
From that fullness this fullness removed,
What remains is fullness.
Om peace, peace, peace
Lokā samasthā sukhino bhavantu
Om Shānti Shānti Shāntihi
May all beings everywhere be happy and free
Om peace, peace, peace
GAYATRI MANTRA / MOTHER OF VEDAS
Om Bhῡr Bhuvah Swaha
Tat Savitur Varenyam
Bhargo Devasya Dhīmahi
Dhēyo yo Nah Prachodayāt
Ref: Rig Veda
We meditate on the glory of the creator,
Who has created the universe, who is worthy of worship, who is the embodiment of knowledge and light,
Who is the remover of all sin and ignorance,
May he enlighten our intellect.
MAHA MRITYUNJAYA MANTRA / MANTRA OF VICTORY ON THE DEATH
OmTrayambakam Yajāmahe
Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam
Urvārukamiva Bandhanān
Mrityormukshīya Māmritāt
Ref: Rig Veda
We offer our worship to the fragrant, three-eyed lord ( Shiva) who enhances prosperity.
May he liberate us from the bondage of death
Like the cucumber which effortlessly separates from the vine,
May he not (let us turn away) from immortality.
DHYANA MANTRA / MEDITATION MANTRA
Omkaram bindu samyuktam
Nityam dhyaayanti yoginaha
Kaamadam mokshadam chaiva
Omkaraya namo namaha
The yogis meditate constantly on the syllable Om
Composed of the sounds O and M.
This Om fulfils all our desires and leads to liberation.
Salutations again and again to this syllable Om!
AAVARTA DHYANA MANTRA
Om laye sombhodayeth chittam
Vikshiptham shamayeth punaha
Sakaashaayam vijaneeyat
Samapraptam na chalayet
Stimulate the dull mind Calm down the excited mind
Keep repeating the process of stimulation and relaxation till you experience the Bliss
After experiencing the Bliss don’t disturb the mind,
Keep enjoying the Bliss.
PRANAYAMA MANTRA
Prānasyēdam vase sarvam
tridive yatpratishthitham
Mātheva puthrana rakshaswa
Shrīshcha pragnyām cha vidhehi na ithi
Ref: Prashnopanishad
Whatever exists here or whatever is established
In the three worlds is under the control of Prana.
O Prana protect us as mother (protects) her children;
Ordain for us prosperity and supreme knowledge.
SURYA NAMASKAR MANTRA
Om Hiranmayēna pātrēna
Satyasyāpihitham mukham
Tattvam pūshnna pāvrinu
Satya dharmāya drishtayē
Ref: Isha Upanishad
Like a lid to a vessel, O sun!
Your golden orb covers the entrance of truth.
Kindly open the same
And lead us to truth.
12 NAMES OF SURYA
1. OM Hrām Mitrāya namaha Prostration to him who is affectionate to all
2. OM Hrīm Ravaye namaha Prostration to him who is the cause for change
3. OM Hrūm Sūryāya namaha Prostration to him who induces activity
4. OM Hrāim Bhānave namaha Prostration to him who diffuses light
5. OM Hrāum Khagāya namaha Prostration to him who moves in the sky
6. OM Hrah Pushne namaha Prostration to him who nourishes all
7. OM Hrām Hiranyagarbhāya namaha Prostration to him who contains everything
8. OM Hrīm Marīchaye namaha Prostration to him who possesses rays
9. OM Hrūm Ādityāya namaha Prostration to him who is god of gods
10. OM Hrāim Savitre namaha Prostration to him who produces everything
11. OM Hraum Arkāya namaha Prostration to him who is fit to be worshipped
12. OM Hrah Bhāskarāya namaha Prostration to him who is the cause of luster
AGNIHOTRA MANTRA / AT SUNRISE
Sooryaya Svaha
Sooryaya Idam Na Mama
Prajapataye Svaha
Prajapataye Idam Na Mama
Unto the sun I am offering this offering,
This offering is not mine it is Thine
PRATAHSMARANAM / EARLY MORNING MANTRA
Karaagre Vasate Lakshmi
Karamadhye Saraswati
Karamuule Tu Govinda
Prabhaate Karadarshanam
Lakshmi resides in the fingers,
Saraswathi in the centre of the palm,
Vishnu around the wrist.
It is therefore auspicious to look at your hand first thing in the morning.
PRATAHSMARANAM / MORNING BEFORE STEPPING ON THE FLOOR
Samudra vasane Devi, parvata stana mandale
Vishnupatni namastubhyam, Paada sparsha kshamasvame
O! Mother Earth, who has the ocean as clothes and mountains and forests on her body, who is the wife of Lord Vishnu, I bow to you.
Please forgive me for touching you with my feet.
DAILY ABLUTIONS MANTRA / WHILE TAKING BATH
Gange cha Yamune chaiva Godavari Saraswati,
Narmade Sindhu Kaveri jalesmin sannidhim kuru.
Translation: In this water, I invoke the presence of holy waters from the rivers
Ganga, Yamana, Godavari, Saraswathi, Narmada, Sindhu (Indus) and Kaveri.
PRATAHSMARANA STOTRAM
Om prātasmarāmi hridi sam sphuradātma tattvam
Sat cit sukham paramahamsa gatim turīyam
Yat svapna jāgara sushuptam avaiti nityam
Tat brahma nishkalam aham na ca bhῡta sangahā
Prātar bhajāmi manasā vachasām agamyam
Vācho vibhānti nikhilā yad anugrahēna
Yam neti neti vachanair nigamā avouchu
Tam deva devam ajam acyutam āhur agriyam
Prātar namāmi tamasa param arkavarnam
Pῡrnam sanātana padam purushottam ākhyam
Yasmin idam jagad ashesham asheshamῡrtau
Rajvām bhujanga maiva pratibhāsitam vai
Ref: Adi Shankaracharya
In the early hours of the morning, I think of the Self which shines in the chambers of my heart, which is of the nature of Existence-Knowledge-Bliss Absolute, which is the goal of the Paramahamsas, and which is the fourth state of Consciousness. I am that Brahman which is Nirguna and Eternal, beyond the three states of consciousness—waking, dreaming and deep sleep, and I am not composed of the elements.
In the early hours of the morning, I adore Him who is the God of gods, who is beyond the reach of mind and speech, and by whose Grace alone speech is illuminated, whom scriptures describe by the Neti-Neti formula, who is unborn, Achyuta, and the Primordial Being.
In the early hours of the morning, I bow down to that Purusha who is beyond darkness, who is the brilliance of the sun, who is full, eternal, and in whom this universe appears as a snake appears in the rope.
BHOJANA MANTRA
Om brahmārpanam brahma havir
Brahmāgnau Brahmanā hutam
Brahmaiva tena gantavyam
Brahmakarma samādhinā
Ref: Bhagavad Gita
The act of offering is Brahman.
The offering itself is Brahman.
The offering is done by Brahman in the sacred fire which is Brahman.
He alone attains Brahman who, in all actions, is fully absorbed in Brahman.
(As we chant this prayer we are offering the different types of food to Brahman).
AGNIHOTRA MANTRA / AT SUNSET
Agnaye Svaha
Agnaye Idam Na Mama
Prajapataye Svaha
Prajapataye Idam Na Mama
Unto the fire I am offering all.
This offering is not mine it is Thine
TRISANDHYA (Evening Mantra)
Shivam Bhavatu Kalyanam Aayurarogyavardhanam
Mama dukha vinashaya Sandhya deepam namo namah
KSHAMAPANAM / EVENING BEFORE GOING TO BED
Karacharana kritam vaa Kaayajam Karmajam vaa
Sravana nayanajam vaa maanasam vaa aparadham
Vihitam avihitam vaa sarvametat kshamasva
Shiva shiva karunabdhe sri mahadeva shambho
O Lord, kindly forgive my wrong actions done knowingly or unknowingly,
Either through my organs of action (hand, feet and speech)
Or through my organs of perception (eyes, ears) or by my mind.
Glory to you, Mahadeva, who is the ocean of kindness and compassion, and the cause of happiness.
TWAMEVA MATA
Twameva mata cha pita twameva
Twameva bandhushcha sakha twameva
Twameva vidya dravinam twameva
Twameva sarvam mama deva deva
Pandava Gita verse 28
You alone are my mother and father
You alone are my friend and beloved companion
You alone are my knowledge and wealth
You alone are always my Divine of Divine
