Several readers have asked, what really is prana? Prana is the energy permeating the universe at all levels, including physical, mental, intellectual, spiritual, and cosmic energy. While it is hidden, in that the common person cannot hear, touch or feel it, the yogi knows that it is actually the mover of all activity. Both creation and destruction are made possible with prana.
While prana certainly is the power behind creation and destruction, its real power is how it sustains our body. Without it, the body and mind cannot function. Therefore pranayama, often mistaken for merely breathing exercises, is actually a series of techniques developed to enhance the prana in our body which leads to greater vigor and vitality. Prana flows through our nadis, or energy channels, and it is through the use of breath that we are able to influence it.
Knowing this, it may be difficult to distinguish prana and aatma. The Prashna Upanishad clarifies the two when one disciple asks what is “prana and how it is related to aatma?” The Rishi replies, “Prana is same to the aatma as a shadow is to the body.” In other words, they are not the same but move together.
In the next article about Pranayama, we will discuss the nadis.
ॐ शन्नो देवीरभिष्टये , आपो भवन्तु पीतये I
शंयोर भिस्रवन्तु नः II
Rishi Atharvana Yajurveda 36.12
Meaning; Oh God, Your form is divine, You are in the form of Light. Whatever resources and wealth, etc. we have by Your grace, all that may be blissful to us, that should suffice our needs and enhance comforts, peace and prosperity.
Over 100 students and supporters of the Ashram gathered at Ashyana Banquet Hall on April 25th to show their appreciation for all that Yog Sadhan Ashram and Acharya Hersh Khetarpal have done for their lives. Below are some pictures of this inspiring event. We will also be posting some testimonials given at the dinner over the next few months.
For those of you unable to attend the dinner, please consider making a donation to the Ashram to help us continue our mission of Yoga for All.
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In this podcast, Acharya Hersh Khetarpal poses the timeless question of why we’re here. What is the purpose of life and why did we incarnate in this form? She answers it according to the yogic philosophy of life, illuminating on our dharma (duty) and ultimate goal of moksha (liberation).
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This quick and easy recipe with tons of flavor comes from Bharti. It is very nutritious and takes less than 15 minutes to prepare.
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ॐ येनेदं भूतं भुवनं भविष्यत् , परिगृहीतं अमृतेन सर्व I
येन यग्यस्ताय्ते सप्तहोता, तन्मे मनः शिवसंकल्पमस्तु II
ऋषि : विश्वामित्र यजुर्वेद : ३४.४
O Lord! The immortal mind by which actions of the past, present and future come into form, and which is at the helm of seven functions (saptahotri yajna ) respiration, sight, hearing, speech, taste, touch and walking (all actions of a person are inspired by mind ), such mind of mine must be of pure thoughts.
Source: Yajurveda 34.4, Rishi Vishvamitra
Pranayama is the science of breath control. It is a subject worth studying due to the effect breath has on our five koshas (sheaths), including the pranamaya kosha (vital energy sheath). For example, the quality of our breath can change due to our mental and physical states, but how we breath can also affect our mental and physical states. The Yogic scriptures thus give great importance to pranayama, and it’s mastery is considered a prequisite to dharna (concentration) and dhyana (meditation). We will explore it in a series of articles over the next several months.
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We’ve received many requests from recipes following the article on sattvic food posted last month. If you’ve ever been to the Ashram, you certainly know about the many talented chefs we have cooking sattvic and delicious food! So we’re very excited to begin sharing recipes from the Ashram community with the world!
Our first recipe is from Acharya Hersh Khetarpal. It is a simple yet hearty barley and vegetable soup. Enjoy!
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Source: Yajurveda 34.3
Rishi: Vishvamitra
ॐ यत्प्रज्ञानमुत चेतो धृतिश्च , यत ज्योतिर्न्तर्म्रितम I
यस्मान्न ऋते किंचन कर्म क्रियते , तन्मे मनः शिवसंकल्पमस्तु II
OM YATPRAGYANMUT CHETO DHRITISHCH, YAT JYOTIRNTARMRITAM
YASMAANN RITE KINCHAN KARM KRIYATE, TANME MANAH SHIVSANKALPMASYU
Oh God! The mind is the source of wisdom, consciousness and fortitude in human beings; it is ageless, immortal, in the form of light and no work is possible without it. O Lord, purify such mind of mine, pious thoughts should evolve in it always.
Yajurveda: 34.2
Rishi: Vishvamitra
ॐ येन कर्माण्यपसो मनीषिनो,
यज्ञे क्रिन्वंती विदथेशु धीराः I
यद्पूर्व यक्षमन्तः प्रजानां ,
तन्मे मनः शिवसंकल्पमस्तु II
OM YEN KARMANYA-APSO MANEESHINO,
YAJNE KRIN-VANTI VIDTHESHU DHEERA I
YAT-POORVE YAKSH-MANTAH PRAJA-NAAM,
TANME MANAH SHIV-SANKALPAM-ASTU II
Oh God! The mind by which dutiful persevering Yogis always remain devoted to ‘ yajnas’ and auspicious scientific actions: that mind having the highest qualities, nature and actions, dwells in the heart of all humans like a God. O Lord, such mind of mine should be of pure thoughts.
