Baba
Science of nasal breathing
Namaskar,
In the general society, little is said about the science of svara shastra (i.e. science of breathing). Common people just go on with their days unaware about the flow of the air in their body. But every Ananda Margii knows that Sadguru Baba places much importance on right breathing, and He gives particular instruction as to what types of actions correspond with each of the nostrils.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
The science of nostrils / svara shastra
As a basic rule, when the body is engaged in physical works - such as running, walking, etc - then the right nostril should be the dominant nostril. That means the air should be flowing primarily through the right nostril. Then you will have more energy.
Included within this category of physical works is the process of eating. Food should also be taken when the air is flowing freely and predominantly through the right nostril, then any stomach issues like gas, bloating, and indigestion will be remedied then and there. Specifically, for proper digestion, the right nostril should be dominant and manage most of the airflow into and out of the body (a) half-an-hour prior to taking food, (b) during the meal itself, and (c) for the first hour after eating. Only in this way will the body be able to digest the food properly. Then gas and bloating will be a non-issue. On the whole, all physical works (moderate to hard) are done using the right nostril. And this will give tremendous energy.
In contrast, during more psychic or mental types of activities like studying, reading, memorizing, doing svadhyaya, and sadhana (dharana, dhyana, pratyahara, guru puja) etc, the left nostril should be dominant; that will make the mind more calm and tranquil. Thus, in those circumstances, the air should be flowing primarily through the left nostril during these engagements. Included in this is the drinking of fluids. During that time also, i.e. while drinking, the left nostril should be controlling most or all of the air flow.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
And when left or both the nostrils are open this is very good for sadhana. Yet there is no breathing rule for second lesson and half-meditation.
As a general review, when the body is engaged in physical works - such as running, walking briskly, etc - then the right nostril should be the dominant nostril. That will bring more energy. That means the air should be flowing primarily through the right nostril. And in sadhana, the left nostril should be dominant, as that will help the mind be more calm and introverted.
1st technique
Basically there are two techniques for switching the nostril, i.e. making the other nostril more dominant. If anyone wants or needs to open the right nostril - i.e. make the right nostril dominant - then first lie down on the left side of your body. By remaining in this lying position for a few minutes the right nostril will open and become the dominant nostril. That is the first technique.
2nd technique
Then there is this second technique: This is performed from a standing position. Start in an erect stance. Raise the left arm into the air and lean the body to the right. The bending of the body should begin at the naval region and the upper torso bends accordingly. It is a deep bend to the right side with the left arm up in the air and sloped over the head and leaning to the right. The right arm will just hang limply along the right side of the body. The position resembles one of the aspect of padahastasana. Remain here for a few minutes. The right nostril will open, or become dominant.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
For established sadhakas
Those whose sadhana is very good and have some degree of control over the mind are able to change their nostril with 3rd and 5th lessons. So if you want to do first lesson, but your right nostril is dominant, then one may do 3rd or 5th lesson to switch the nostril and make the left dominant. And then they may sit for first lesson.
Note: The body has particular needs and if you aim to open the nostril that is most conducive to the action the body must perform, then the nostril will switch quite easily. For instance, suppose you have just eaten and the right nostril is not open, yet it should be open for proper digestion. Then lying on the left side will easily open the right nostril as the body recognises that that is the nostril that should be open. However, if you have just eaten and already the right nostril is dominant and you try to switch it to the left nostril, it may not go because the body has a strong inclination to keep the right nostril open - because you have just taken food.
Conclusion
Most of the time this switching over of the nostrils happens quite naturally - that is to say the body does this automatically. Even then it is extremely important for sadhakas to be aware about this process because due to a change in routine, or for any reason, it can happen that the correct nostril is not dominant. In which case, one will have to switch the nostrils, otherwise that will only invite more problems. And the techniques for switching the nostrils are discussed above.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
In Him,
Krsnadev
* * *
The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.
* * *
== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==
You are playing Your liila
Prabhat Samgiita Intro: This following Prabhat Samgiita is the heartfelt expression of an A-grade bhakta. Here the bhakta is making an accusation with bhakti to Parama Purusa. Such high feelings come when there is extreme intimacy and pure, one-pointed supreme love - bhakti for Ista. Then the bhakta feels internally that he has the right to demand and place his accusation at the Lord's feet. The bhakta desires Parama Purusa in a close and intimate way, and that desire is not being fulfilled, so with with great attraction he accuses Parama Purusa: “You are not fulfilling my yearning to have You close.” So the following song is the expression of deep love for Parama Purusa.
Note: Those who don't do 6th lesson sadhana will not be able to understand this song.
"Anek vedaná diye anek ánkhi jhariye, nit́hur devatá mor esecho..." (Prabhat Samgiita #3609)
Purport:
O’ my unkind Parama Purusa, after such a long time, You have come today. You are extremely uncaring and have given me so much pain and suffering. I was crying in my longing for You. My eyes were showering tears. After calling You again and again with deep yearning, finally You have appeared today. My dearest, it is beyond my capacity to understand what You want. I don’t know Your likings and dislikings. What you say I can’t understand. Only this much I know: By Your grace I have realized that You love me. You have come today after giving me so much pain and suffering.
O’ my Lord, I do not know whether You live far away and that is why my cry does not reach Your ears. It may also be possible that You knowingly do not pay heed to my call, pretending to be deaf. In this way You are playing Your liila. Or maybe You just do not want others to know what You are thinking and imagining in Your mind, day and night, always. That is why Your liila’ remains unknown to me.
O’ Parama Purusa Baba, You sketch the scenery of Your liila’ and go on playing Your cosmic game. Constantly, You are creating one panorama after another. Whatever You think becomes reality for living beings. So it may be that unknowingly You go on manifesting new and newer scenes as Your own thought projection. Baba, You are the beginningless and endless Entity and do not have any starting point, middle, or end. You are infinite and always remain smiling in the stages of sarvishes'a and nirvishes'e - nityananda & liilananda, within and beyond this created world.
Baba, You graced me today. You have appeared before me....
Note for Prabhat Samgiita #3609:
[1] Liila': In this universe there are innumerable events taking place. When we know the cause of a particular event, then that is kriida. And when the cause is not known then it is liila. If the cause was initially now known, and later on becomes known, then that event becomes kriida. Thus as one's knowledge increases - and more and more events can be rationally explained - then for that person the scope of kriida is increased.
"There is a subtle difference between liilá and kriid́a. When the cause of an effect is easily discernible it is called kriid́a, but when the cause is unknown and only the effect is easily discernible it is called liilá." (1)
Reference
1. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 11, To Know Him Is to Be Free from All Fetters
== Section 3: Important Teaching ==
The pratiika: guidelines
Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, “A triangle with one vertex up superimposed on another triangle with one vertex down, with the rising sun having a swastika inside. These are symbols of energy, knowledge, advancement and permanent victory, respectively.” (1)
#1: This rule of wearing pratiika began during the dharma samiiksa period.
#2: Everyone witnessed that Baba was very strict and told that if anyone is not wearing a pratiika that person would get kicked out from reporting etc.
#3: Baba has informed kapalikas that the pratiika is considered as a part of the body and should not be removed.
#4: Those days to see Baba for PC or meetings etc, then it was mandatory to wear a pratiika. If anyone was not wearing a pratiika then Baba would strongly rebuke those in-charges.
#5: During dharma cakra, it is mandatory to have the pratiika in full display on the puja table.
#6: Whenever Baba sat on the dais at DMC, a large pratiika banner was always hanging directly behind Him. And when Baba sat down in the car then a large pratiika cloth was always placed on that portion of the seat where Baba was going to sit.
Reference
1. Caryacarya -1, Treasures of Ananda Marga
Prabhat Samgiita Intro: This following Prabhat Samgiita is the heartfelt expression of an A-grade bhakta. Here the bhakta is making an accusation with bhakti to Parama Purusa. Such high feelings come when there is extreme intimacy and pure, one-pointed supreme love - bhakti for Ista. Then the bhakta feels internally that he has the right to demand and place his accusation at the Lord's feet. The bhakta desires Parama Purusa in a close and intimate way, and that desire is not being fulfilled, so with with great attraction he accuses Parama Purusa: “You are not fulfilling my yearning to have You close.” So the following song is the expression of deep love for Parama Purusa.
Note: Those who don't do 6th lesson sadhana will not be able to understand this song.
"Anek vedaná diye anek ánkhi jhariye, nit́hur devatá mor esecho..." (Prabhat Samgiita #3609)
Purport:
O’ my unkind Parama Purusa, after such a long time, You have come today. You are extremely uncaring and have given me so much pain and suffering. I was crying in my longing for You. My eyes were showering tears. After calling You again and again with deep yearning, finally You have appeared today. My dearest, it is beyond my capacity to understand what You want. I don’t know Your likings and dislikings. What you say I can’t understand. Only this much I know: By Your grace I have realized that You love me. You have come today after giving me so much pain and suffering.
O’ my Lord, I do not know whether You live far away and that is why my cry does not reach Your ears. It may also be possible that You knowingly do not pay heed to my call, pretending to be deaf. In this way You are playing Your liila. Or maybe You just do not want others to know what You are thinking and imagining in Your mind, day and night, always. That is why Your liila’ remains unknown to me.
O’ Parama Purusa Baba, You sketch the scenery of Your liila’ and go on playing Your cosmic game. Constantly, You are creating one panorama after another. Whatever You think becomes reality for living beings. So it may be that unknowingly You go on manifesting new and newer scenes as Your own thought projection. Baba, You are the beginningless and endless Entity and do not have any starting point, middle, or end. You are infinite and always remain smiling in the stages of sarvishes'a and nirvishes'e - nityananda & liilananda, within and beyond this created world.
Baba, You graced me today. You have appeared before me....
Note for Prabhat Samgiita #3609:
[1] Liila': In this universe there are innumerable events taking place. When we know the cause of a particular event, then that is kriida. And when the cause is not known then it is liila. If the cause was initially now known, and later on becomes known, then that event becomes kriida. Thus as one's knowledge increases - and more and more events can be rationally explained - then for that person the scope of kriida is increased.
"There is a subtle difference between liilá and kriid́a. When the cause of an effect is easily discernible it is called kriid́a, but when the cause is unknown and only the effect is easily discernible it is called liilá." (1)
Reference
1. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 11, To Know Him Is to Be Free from All Fetters
== Section 3: Important Teaching ==
The pratiika: guidelines
Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, “A triangle with one vertex up superimposed on another triangle with one vertex down, with the rising sun having a swastika inside. These are symbols of energy, knowledge, advancement and permanent victory, respectively.” (1)
#1: This rule of wearing pratiika began during the dharma samiiksa period.
#2: Everyone witnessed that Baba was very strict and told that if anyone is not wearing a pratiika that person would get kicked out from reporting etc.
#3: Baba has informed kapalikas that the pratiika is considered as a part of the body and should not be removed.
#4: Those days to see Baba for PC or meetings etc, then it was mandatory to wear a pratiika. If anyone was not wearing a pratiika then Baba would strongly rebuke those in-charges.
#5: During dharma cakra, it is mandatory to have the pratiika in full display on the puja table.
#6: Whenever Baba sat on the dais at DMC, a large pratiika banner was always hanging directly behind Him. And when Baba sat down in the car then a large pratiika cloth was always placed on that portion of the seat where Baba was going to sit.
Reference
1. Caryacarya -1, Treasures of Ananda Marga
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Those who blame God
Ananda Marga scripture says, ”People often hold Parama Purusa responsible for calamities that befall them, but in fact they alone are responsible, as the suffering of fate is only reaction of their own previous actions. How can Parama Purusa be responsible? Human beings themselves are answerable for their fate as it is their actions alone which create it. They alone will have to bear the consequences of all their actions. No one else can substitute for them. Their good deeds beget good result, while bad ones beget bad results, and they will have to experience both without exception. This is the law of Prakrti and no one can change this law.” (1)
In the general society as well as in Ananda Marga there are some who never accept their own faults. They blame others for whatever they do wrong - for their own misery. Sometimes they accuse their friends or parents, and in the spiritual realm they accuse and blame Parama Purusa for their suffering. They never try to understand the cause of their misery; they never change their behaviour or modus operandi. They continue on in their old patterns, repeating the same mistakes. So they never grow.
For example, those who are greedy eat more and more until they incur a stomach disease. Then they will blame Parama Purusa for giving them a test and making their stomach bloated. After dharmacakra or in discussion, others patiently and rationally try to help them understand the real issue, but they never understand. This type of devotion is third-grade devotion. Such persons have some devotion where they have some relation with Parama Purusa, but ultimately theirs is a lowly relation because they are blaming their misdeeds on Parama Purusa.
True bhaktas never fault or blame Parama Purusa. Rather they always stand in favour of Parama Purusa and defend Him.
Once again we should refresh ourselves on this matter by re-reading Baba’s divine teaching.
Reference
1. Ananda Marga Elementary Philosophy, p.86-87
== Section 4: Links ==
