light of vedas august september 2014 issue

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ight of the Vedas

I-MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF VEDIC STUDIES

A U G U S T - S E P T E M E R 2 0 1 4 I S S U E | V O L U M E 8 | I S S U E 2 6

AMSA

RA ASYA

he Secret of Hamsa

ri ri Ravi hankar

Vamadeva & hambhavi with


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ri ri Ravi hankar

& hambhavi with

Om ri Veda Purusay a Namah!

Om, Reverence to the VedicPurusha, the Soul of the Vedas!

Swami Sitaramananda organized abeautiful retreat integrating theVedic Sciences at Sivananda YogaFarm in Grass Valley, highlightingVamadeva David Frawley's latest

book release Vedic Yoga, the Pathof the Rishi.

The Yoga tradition or Yoga Dharmarests upon this greater SanatanaDharma tradition of living inharmony with the consciousuniverse, all living creatures and allthe forces of nature in maer,energy, and mind.

The highest human dharma of allcreatures is the pursuit of Self-realization, or direct awarenessof the cosmic Being. Yoga is the means of fulfilling our highest

dharma or duty of inner spiritualgrowth, cal led Moksha orliberation in Sanskrit.

Yoga Dharma teaches us then e c e s s a r y p r i n c i p l e s a n dpractices to help us grow inconsciousness and bring theDivine into manifestation withinand around us.

This Santana Dharma or YogaDharma is called Satya Dharma,the natural law of truth.

This ancient Rishi Jnana is not thecreed of one community oranother- it unfolds a universalcosmic Truth. The first step ofVedic Yoga consists of awakeningt h e s o u l o r t h e d e e p e r

consciousness of immortalitywithin us. Yoga in the inner sense is a process for the soul orour eternal being to unfold its cosmic reality.

Summer has brought us the divine

grace of being with our sadhaks in our

beautiful Santa Fe Yoga Shakti Retreat

with 42 people from around the world

understanding the deeper meaning of

our Karmic Unfolding. We experienced

the spirit of the Sangre de Cristo

Mountains, the abundance of fruits,

flowers and vegetables at the localFarmer's Market, meditating on the

mystic night of planets and stars

guided by Vamadeva Shastri and a

special celebration of ritualizing our

lives and home!

VEDIC YOGAThe Path of the Rishi

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I-MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF

AUGU ST - SEPTE M ER 2014 ISS UE

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Shiva Yoga and Hamsa

The Hamsais one of the key concepts in Vedic, Yogicand Tantricthought. Along with the Kundalini, it holds many secrets ofdeeper Yoga practices. Indeed without understanding theHamsa, the Kundaliniforce cannot likely be properly developedor understood.

The Hamsaas a bird is portrayed in later Sanskrit literature as a

swan, which is a symbol for Pranaand the inner Self that is thehighest Prana. The Hamsain Puranicthought is the vehicle forLord Brahma, the Creator, and his consort Sarasvati Devias thebringers of knowledge. Yet Hamsa has other meanings andthere are many forms of Hamsasback to the Rigvedawhere theHamsais primarily a solar symbol, the bird of light. Hamsaisalso the shyena, the hawk or falcon that steals the Somaandtakes it up from the Earth to enjoy it in the freedom of thehighest Heaven.

The Hamsain Tantric thought represents the individual soul or

Jiva, whose life is governed by the breath, and all the dualitiesof body and mind that arise from it. This is because Haand Saare the natural sounds of the breath through inhalation andexhalation. Many forms of Pranayama follow these soundsaccordingly.

Yet at a higher level beyond duality, Haand Saare the naturalsounds of the Self, which is the inner breath of awareness, theunitary Pranathat is Self-existent and immortal. Hais the Selfas I (aham) and Sais the Self as that or the inner Being. Hamsaalso refers to the supreme or Paramahamsa, which is the

liberated soul that dwells in the state of the Supreme Shiva. Inthis regard, Hamsateachings are an integral part of Shiva Yogaand Shivais also Hamsa. Hamsaas sound andpranavibration isalso Om or Pranava, of which LordShivais the indicator.

Hamsarepresents the union of Shivaand Shakti, which are Haand Sa, Sun and Moon, Pranaand Apana, the incoming andoutgoing vital energies. All dualities, starting with the breath,are a reflection of the greater two-in-one power of ShivaandShakti, which gets divided in the lower worlds.

In terms of Tantric Yogapractices, the Hamsa represents theShiva principle just as the Kundalini indicates the Shaktiprinciple. Hamsaand Kundalinimust unite and move together.It is the Kundalinithat carries the Hamsaup the spine. At thesame time, it is the Hamsa or soul energy that turns the

Kundalini into a force of spiritual aspiration and ascent.

As Kundaliniis the serpent power or Shaktiof the soul, Hamsaislike the bird or Shiva/Purushaof the soul, whose two wings are

pranaand mind. Hamsais theJivathat seeks to fly upward toheaven, the thousand petal lotus of the head. TogetherKundaliniand Hamsaare the feathered serpent, or the bird thatflies upward holding the serpent. Yet Kundaliniis not always aserpent, it is sometimes a bird, the Hamsaitself. Similarly, theHamsais not always a bird; sometimes it is also a serpent. Bothserpent and bird indicate electrical and ascending energy. The

Hamsais an extension or expansion of the binduor the point-focus in its movement and expansion. Yet the Nada orvibratory principle forms its wings.

Without this soul awakening or Hamsa Chaitanya, theconsciousness of the Hamsa, one cannot work with Kundalini

AMSA

RA ASYA

he Secret of Hamsa

Acharya David Frawley

Pandit Vamadeva Shastri

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to promote Shivaawareness,to stimulate the Kundalini,and open the chakras. Beloware a few examples.

H am sa used as thenatural sound of thebreath, particularly Hamas inhalation through theright nostril and Sa asexhalation through theleft; relates to the day orsolar breath.

So'ham also used as thenatural sound of thebreath, particularly So asinhalation through theleft nostril and Ham asexhalation through the

right; relates to the night or lunar breath. Hamsa Soham combines both, and reflects the balanced

movement of the unitary prana, through the unity of theSun and Moon.

Shivoham the natural resonance of thepranaand mind asI am Shiva, the supreme Self-aware Prana.

Hamsa Soham Shivoham Combined meaning of I am he,he am I, I am Shiva. This is the Shiva Hamsa mantra.

Om Hum Hamsa Adds the fiery mantra Humwith Hamsaas the solar breath to arouse the Kundalini, theAgni Hamsa

Mantra. For example, Om Lam Hum Hamsastimulates theKundaliniin the root chakra.

Hrim Hamsa Soham Svaha Mantra to the Supreme Light,uses the solar mantra Hrim and the fire offering mantraSvaha; a Suryaor Solar Hamsamantra. Many other mantrascan be added to this. Using the lunar mantra Shriminsteadof Hrim, it becomes a Somaor lunar Hamsa mantra.

Om Hum Hamsa Soham Svaha Mantra to the SupremeLight emphasizing KundaliniandAgni;Agni Hamsa mantra.

Shaktiin a completely harmoniousmanner. If the Kundalini moveswithout the Hamsa, it is likely todisturb our physical and subtlebodies. It is Shakti without Shiva.First one must awaken the Hamsain order to effectively awaken theKundalini, though both tend tomanifest together. This means toawaken as an individual soul in itsperennial pursuit of the Godhead.

The Hamsais theJivaor individualsoul that must take its journey backthrough the chakras guided byShakti, to realize the supreme Shivaabove in the thousand petal lotusof the head. The Hamsais propelledin its ascending movement by Nada(vibration), Bindu (concentration) and Bija (mantras), andenergies the Lingas(powers of stillness) and Yonis(powers ofreceptivity) along the way. The Hamsa carries the Soma ornectar of delight (Amrita, Ananda) up from the lower chakrastothe thousand petal lotus of the head, where it can release it in athousand streams.

Yet there are several types and colors of Hamsa, reflecting thecosmic energies that it is working with:

Nila Hamsa Dark blue Hamsa, power of electrical energyor lightning, the Vidyut Hamsa, represented by the bijamantra Krim. Here the dark blue is that of a rain cloud fromwhich the streak of lightning arises.

Suvarna Hamsa Golden Hamsa, the expansive power ofthe Sun and the heart, Surya Hamsa, represented by the bijamantra Hrim.

Shveta Hamsa White Hamsa, the expansive power of theMoon, the Soma Hamsa, represented by the bija mantraShrim.

Rakta Hamsa Red Hamsa, the ascending force ofFire, Agni Hamsa, represented by the bijamantraHum.

These d ifferent types o f Hamsas aremanifestation of the same Hamsathat is the soul in all ofits manifestations. The supreme Hamsais the liberatessoul that is all the Hamsasor all forms of manifestation.

Hamsa Yoga:Shiva Hamsa Mantras

Hamsa as the sounds of Prana combines mantra andPranain various forms of Hamsa Yoga. Hamsamantrasserve to awaken the inner consciousness and aid thesoul in its ascension to Divinity. They are perhapsunparalleled in this regard. They are commonly used

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We look forward to sharing the deepr authentic Vedic wisdom duringour program in Cologne Germany organized by Devamaya Sarasvati

Yogini who represents the teachings and Trainings of Vamadeva

David Frawley and Yogini Shambhavi Devi through the American

Institute of Vedic Studies Santa Fe USA

Vedic Yoga e Ancient Roots of All Yogic Disciplines

November 28-29-30, 2014 at Cologne, Germany

With Vamadeva David Frawleyand Yogini Shambhavi Devi

March 17 24 2015 7 Healing Nights

With Vamadeva Shastri & Yogini Shambhavi

Ay u r v e d ag r a m B e n g a l u r u In d i a

Learn the Yogic Art of Inner Healing

We look forward to our Journey into the ancient Vedic tradition of

knowledge in the holistic environs of Ayurvedagram one of the

foremost Ayurvedic spa centers in Southern India Every sadhakaspiritual seeker in celebrating the auspiciousness of Devi Shakti the

Mother Goddess and Shiva Maheshvara will embark on a deepening

experience sharing the deeper Shakti Tantra and Ayurveda teachings

e divine blessings of the Devi Mother Goddess nurtures sustains

and prepares us for the quintessential bliss peace and still calm of

Lord Shiva

is retreat program is open to everyone both students who are

familiar with Ayurveda and nonstudents who wish to improve theirlifestyle in yogic ways AyurYoga Shakti guides us in exploring and

developing a personal lifestyle for greater health vitality and harmony

aligning our Heart Mind and Body with Mother Nature and her

changing seasons

Experience the Tandava Yoga Shakti of powerful Shiva & Shakti places in

Southern India Inhale India's PranaShakti through sacred and thought

provoking spiritual traditions in rural and urban mystic India eexhilarating experience of Yoga Asana and meditation amidst the mystic

environs of Mahabalipuram draws us into another world of harmony

Taking in the esoteric teachings of Sri Aurobindo in Pondicherry reflects

the mysticism in his beautiful poem Savitri In the ancient Vedic text

Skanda Purana Tiruvannamalai is mentioned as the most sacred Shiva

sthana or place of darshana We will partake in the sacred pujas and

meditation at the Ramana Ashram Experience the powerful wish

fulfilling form of Ma Durga at Sri Chamundeshwari Temple in Mysore

and the darshan of Nandi the mystic vehicle of Shiva Maheshvara ereare limited seas for these programs so please signup to book your space

Please email Yogii Shambhavi before registering for the

programsyoginishambhavi@aolcom

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http://vedanet.com/retreats-programs-2/vedic-yoga-germany/http://vedanet.com/retreats-programs-2/ayur-yoga-shakti-study-retreat/http://vedanet.com/retreats-programs-2/yoga-tandava-yatra-2015/http://vedanet.com/retreats-programs-2/yoga-tandava-yatra-2015/http://vedanet.com/retreats-programs-2/yoga-tandava-yatra-2015/http://vedanet.com/retreats-programs-2/ayur-yoga-shakti-study-retreat/http://vedanet.com/retreats-programs-2/ayur-yoga-shakti-study-retreat/http://vedanet.com/retreats-programs-2/ayur-yoga-shakti-study-retreat/http://vedanet.com/retreats-programs-2/vedic-yoga-germany/http://vedanet.com/retreats-programs-2/vedic-yoga-germany/


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VEDIC YOGA

ight of the Vedas




This is one of the first and most detailed books ever published in

the West on the ancient Vedic origins of Classical Yoga,

including all aspects of Yoga philosophy and practice. The book

reveals secrets of the Vedic Yoga from the teachings of great

modern Vedic teachers including Sri Aurobindo, Kavyakantha

Ganapati Muni, Brahmarshi Daivarat, and Swami Veda

Bharati, as well as Vamadevas own insights. It challenges

popular ideas of the meaning of Yoga and brings Yoga back to

the mantras of the ancient Himalayan Rishis. It explores the

Yogas of Knowledge and Devotion, along with Raja and Hatha

Yogas, with a special emphasis on Mantra Yoga.

Vedic Yoga is the latest of twenty books in Vamadevas series of

Lotus Press publications on different fields of Vedic knowledge.

The book contains a special chapter from Swami Veda Bharati,

who has also wrien the Foreword.

he Path of the Rishi

Latest Book by Acharya David Frawley

This profound and intricate book from a great Vedic

master can serve as a guide to total well-being and

complete enlightenment.

Dr. Deepak Chopra

David Frawley is one of the most important voices in the

ongoing transmission of Vedic knowledge that has alreadytransformed the spiritual landscape of the West. This book

is a sparkling gem in his necklace of trenchant

commentaries; it will doubtless leave a profound and

enduring mark on religious history.

Philip GoldbergAuthor American Veda

Vedic Yoga: The Path of the Rishi is a masterful book that

takes the reader back to the earliest original sources of the

Yoga tradition and in the process presents unexpected

pathways of understanding and self-examination.

Subhash Kak,Regents Professor at Oklahoma State University

and author of Mind and Self

Vedic Yoga is a treasure for every serious practitioner of

Yoga. With profound insight, Acharya Vamadeva (Dr.

Frawley) reveals the practical yogic secrets hidden within

the symbolism of the Vedas.

Gyandev McCord,

Author of Spiritual YogaCo-founder of Yoga Alliance

In this new book on Vedic Yoga, Charya Vamadeva Shastri

(David Frawley), a Vedic Rishi in his own right, not only

enhances our understanding of the classical paths of Yoga,

but also opens us to inspring hopeful possibilities for a new

human consciousness.

Swami SitaramanandaAcharya, International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta
http://www.lotuspress.com/item.php?item=990668


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