Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Three Yoga
Three Yoga
To
Yogamaharishi
Dr Swami Gitananda Giri Guru Maharaj
(24.07.1907 - 29.12.1993)
Forward i
Appreciation and Blessings iii
Introduction v
From the Author ix
SECTION ONE :
Yantra : Yogic Science of Number, Name and form
Karma Yuga 1
Dharma Marga 9
SECTION TWO :
Yoga : One to Ten
Ekah - One 17
Dwau - Two 27
Trayah - Three 41
Chatwarah - Four 61
Pancha - Five 83
Shat - Six 95
Sapta - Seven 103
Ashta - Eight 109
Nava - Nine 115
Dasha - Ten 125
FORWARD
Dr Jonn Mumford
(Swami Anandakapila Saraswati)
Sydney, NSW, Australia.
AN APPRECIATION AND BLESSINGS iii
He had the good fortune of learning Yoga from the great man
himself for two long years before he embarked on his medical
education. He got a chance to experience for himself that while
Yoga is for the body, mind and soul, medicine is primarily for
the body, and how they complement each other. Today Dr Ananda
is able to clearly enunciate, just as his great father did, the
physiological and psychological benefits of Yogic practices.
INTRODUCTION
May the Guru’s wisdom flow into our bodies, hearts and minds
as a continuous stream of light, enlightening all of mankind and
all beings, fortunate enough to manifest on this lovely earth
planet.
11. Hatha Yoga Pradipika. English Translation by Pancham The Greatest Guru In My Universe
Sinh.
Yoga is the science of the SELF and can also be termed the
science of man in depth, the science of conscious evolution
or the science of human possibilities. Yoga not only has the
concepts but also the tools and technology needed to find OUR
SELF. While modern science or the modern scientist looks outward
for the smallest single unit of existence, the Yogi searches the
depth of his own self for the largest single unit of existence.
According to Yogamaharishi Dr Swami Gitananda Giri Guru Maharaj,
who was one of the foremost authorities on RISHICULTURE
ASHTANGA YOGA in the last century, Yoga is a science, and
not only is it a science but it is the Mother of Science.
Dr. I K Taimni, another learned scholar known for his great
analytical works on Yoga, even goes to the extent of calling
Yoga the “Science of Sciences”.
of Total Man (Yoga) that has arisen from it. It is imperative that
the youth of our world are awakened to the greatness inherent
in Indian Culture and Yoga and the link between both of them.
They must be given a proper and systematic training in Yoga
and our cultural heritage. Catching them young must be our
aim if we are to educate them about the greatness of this cultural
heritage of Yoga.
I wish that all those who go through this book find that it enriches
their knowledge of this science of Yoga and Indian Culture as
much as it did for me in its compilation.
KARMA YUGA:
CYCLES OF TIME
Yoga Therapy Consultation with The evolutionary phases of the five Tattwas (elements) are an
inherent natural cycle that manifests in all human endeavors.
By understanding these cycles we may move with natural rhythm,
rather than go against the tides of time. We thus fulfill ourselves
in a positive logical way rather than living haphazardly. This
cyclical pattern duplicates the agricultural cycle of SOWING (three
phases), CULTIVATING (three phases), and HARVESTING (three
phases). On the wheel of life, these nine distinct phases are
found to exist in a nine unit cycle of time. This cyclic progression
of time is known as the “Karma Yuga,” and the different phases
are as follows :
DHARMA MARGA: THE INDIVIDUAL PATH LIFETIME AFTER LIFETIME 9
DHARMA MARGA :
THE INDIVIDUAL PATH
LIFETIME AFTER LIFETIME
For example, if one were born on April 16, 1972, one would be
a “THREE” in his “birth path” or Dharma Marga, and his whole
life would be influenced by the qualities associated with the
number “THREE”. (April is the fourth month, so 4 + 16 + 1972
may be reduced to 4 +7 + 1 which is further reduced to 3). One
may see how numbers affect an individual’s destiny by studying
how Yantra associates the various birth paths (Dharma Marga)
with certain qualities of character, as well as with the appropriate
planet, element and associated Deity (Cosmic Energy). The
Yantric concept of Dharma Marga is like a “guideline” or a “detailed
map” or blueprint of lessons which the individual soul must learn
and the path he/she much walk during his/her lifetime in the
present body.
EKAH - ONE 17
EKAH - ONE
PARA BRAHMAN
SIDDHA ASANA
DWAU - TWO
MUMMALAM
FIRE
basic shape of the body used is that of the triangle. Fire gives
us the light of vision and wisdom, but it is also capable of
burning us if we aren’t careful. Agni Devatha is the deity associated
with fire and he is propitiated through the variety of Homas
or Yagnas (fire offerings) that are part and parcel of the Indian
way of life. Agnisthana, the abode of Agni, is said to extend
in the human body from the navel to the hips. Panchagni or
five forms of fire reside in the vital body. These may also be
described as the centres of energy consumption in the physical
body. Classically, the Panchagni are listed as Kalagni, Vadavagni,
Parthivagni, Vaidutagni, and Suryarupagni or Jatharagni. Kalagni
(Patalagni or Bhutagni) is said to burn in the Mooladhara,
while Vadavagni (Kashthapashanayorvahni) is in the bones.
Parthivagni (Kashtha-pashanagni) is in the second part of the
duodenum where bile enters the digestive process. Vaidutagni
(Svantaratmakagni) burns in the ear, while Suryarupagni or
Jatharagni is the digestive fire that burns brightly in the Manipura
or Nabhi Mandala. Jatharagni is stimulated by various Hatha
Yogic practices, such as the Agnisara.
z
CHATVARAH - FOUR 61
CHATVARAH - FOUR
CHATUR AVASTHAS
CHATUR ASHRAMAS
CHATUR PURUSHARTHAS
The four legitimate aims of life are Dharma, Artha, Kama and
Moksha. Tiruvalluvar deals with the first three in his great Tamil
scripture Tirukkural, under the headings of Aram, Porul and
Inbam. Dharma or Aram is the living of a righteous life with
fulfillment of all duties in the spirit of Nishkama Karma (selfless
PANCHA - FIVE 93
VISHUDDHA CHAKRA
BAHIRANGA YOGA
TANMATRAS
PRATYAHARA
SHAT - SIX
SHAT RIPUS
The Shat Ripus, or six enemies of the spirit that lead to the destruction
of man, are Kama (passion), Krodha (anger), Lobha (greed), Moha
(infatuation), Mada
(pride), and Maatsarya
(malice or envy). Unless
these enemies are
vanquished, one can
have neither peace of
mind nor spiritual
evolution. The Yama and
Niyama, as well as the
development of Yogic
NAVA - NINE 115
NAVA - NINE
DHARMA SADHANA
NAVADHA PRANAYAMA
ANTARAYAS
NAVARATHRI
NAVA RASA
Nava Rasas are the nine emotions that are depicted in Indian
Dance. These are Sringara (love), Hasya (laughter), Karuna
(compassion), Roudra (anger), Veera (heroism), Bhaya (fear),
Bhibadsa (disgust), Adbhuta (wonder-awe), and Shanta (peacefulness).
The Nava Rasas are a major form of emotional catharsis. Even
negative emotions such as fear and disgust, are expressed in
a dignified, refined manner and the emotions
are used consciously. Thus, Natya (dance)
helps cleanse the negative aspects
of human emotions and sublimate
them, making way for the higher
emotions of Divine Bhakti. The
Nava Rasa are also a great
means of psychological
preventive therapy.
NAVA GRAHA
NAVA RATNAS
The nine gems are also related to the Nava Grahas, and are
said to manifest special powers and qualities through them.
Cat’s Eye (Ketu – South node of the moon) protects the wearer
from hidden enemies, mysterious dangers, and diseases. It
also protects one from drowning, intoxication, and detrimental
government actions.
NAVA DHANIYAM
The nine grains and pulses that are used in Pujas to propitiate
the nine celestial bodies (Nava Graha) are the Nava Dhaniyam.
These are Godumai (wheat for Surya), Nel (paddy for Chandra),
Thuvarai (red gram for Mangala), Pacchaippayiru (green gram
for Buddh), Kadalai (Bengal gram for Guru), Mocchai (hyacinth
bean for Shukra), Ellu (sesame for Shani), Ulundu (black gram
for Rahu) and Kollu (horse gram for Ketu). As the different planets
also have a relationship to the nine Dhatus, we can assume
that the different grains that are used in the Puja, as well as in
cooking, have an effect on the body through the Dhatus.
z A FINAL WORD
OM PURNAMADHAH PURNAMIDAM
z PURNAT, PURNAM UDACHYATE
z
PURNASYA PURNAM ADAYA
PURNAM EVA AVASHISYATE. OM
z
The above verse from the
Isavasya and Brihadaranyaka
Upanishads tells us that the
z
Absolute Pure Consciousness
is full (complete) and that this
Manifest Universe is also full
z (complete). They also tell us
that after manifesting this Full
Universe, that Perfect Absolute
z
verily still remains full
(complete).
This is why this book in the real sense cannot be termed complete,
as a complete study in this regard would have to be a study
using the numbers ranging from Zero to Infinite!
I have limited this work to the numbers “1 to 10” but would like
to remind those readers who are still with me that there still
exist many concepts that lie beyond this numerical codification
of 1 to 10.
136 YOGA: 1 TO 10 BY DR ANANDA BALAYOGI BHAVANANI
z
that carries this name.
z
existing in the Sukshma and Karana Sharira.
z
components of the human being as enunciated by
Yogamaharishi Swami Gitananda Giri.
z
centre of great purity.
z
each for Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.
z
18 senses that include the normal as well as para-sensory
aspects of the Indriyas.
z The numbers 54, 108 and 1008 are sacred for the purpose
z of Japa and a Rudraksha Mala typically has these
combinations of beads.
Yo g a Vibhushan Yo g a c h a r y a
Dr. Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani was
born to the world famous Yoga team of
Yogamaharishi Dr. Swami Gitananda
Giri Guru Maharaj and Puduvai
Kalaimamani, Yogamani, Yogacharini,
Smt. Meenakshi Devi Bhavanani on April
16, 1972, in Pondicherry, South India.
He was reared in the ‘Gurukula’ atmosphere of Ananda Ashram,
first at Lawspet and then at Sri Kambliswamy Madam in
Thattanchavady, Pondicherry where the Yoga Vidya (Knowledge
of the Art and Science of Yoga) was imbibed as a 24-hour-
a-day Sadhana and not just a few classes now and then.
Nominated as his Guru-Father ’s successor on his fourth
birthday as Madathiapathy of Sri Kambliswamy Madam,
Ananda took great interest in Hindu Rites and Rituals, Mantra,
Yoga and Carnatic Fine Arts from a young age. He has been
trained in Rishiculture Ashtanga (Gitananda) Yoga from
that tender age and has assisted his illustrious parents in
the Yoga training imparted at Ananda Ashram, Sri Kambaliswamy
Madam and ICYER from that time onwards.
H e i s r e s p o n s i b l e f o r r e v i v i n g t h e P o n d i c h e r r y Yo g a s a n a
A s s o c i a t i o n ( 2 0 0 0 ) f o u n d e d b y Yo g a m a h a r i s h i D r S w a m i
Gitananda Giri in 1975. He is currently General Secretary
o f t h e P o n d i c h e r r y Yo g a s a n a A s s o c i a t i o n , A d v i s o r t o
the World Yoga Council and a Member of the International
Council for Yoga Sport in the International Yoga Federation,
South America. He has recently been nominated as Vice
P r e s i d e n t o f t h e A s i a n U n i o n o f Yo g a , N e w D e l h i , w h i c h
i s a ff i l i a t e d w i t h t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l Yo g a F e d e r a t i o n .
Yo g a f o r h i m i s n o t j u s t t h e p e r f o r m a n c e o f a f e w A s a n a s
or Pranayamas but is a means for the evolution of the
human mind into higher states of consciousness and
awareness.
144 YOGA: 1 TO 10 BY DR ANANDA BALAYOGI BHAVANANI