Advice for practicing pranayama
True sādhanā is devotion from the heart, not mere ritual or fleeting emotion. The Pāṇḍavas failed to invite a ṛṣi for their yajña by citing their lack of performed sacrifices. Draupadī succeeded by declaring that each barefoot step taken toward a sage is itself a hundred yajñas, demonstrating the power of sincere reverence. Similarly, an unlearned brother who held only to God's name could walk on water through devotion, while his scholarly brother could not. Success comes from inner feeling, not external knowledge. Even the science of breath, prāṇāyāma, must be understood and practiced correctly from the heart, not just mechanically. Its purpose is to connect with the universal prāṇa that sustains all life.
"Each and every step taken toward sādhus or ṛṣis is equivalent to one hundred yajñas."
"Your mantras have no power, but you... you have this power that exists nowhere else in the world."
Filming location: Strilky, Czech Republic
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The Sacred Ritual of Abhiṣeka and the Path of Yoga
The sacred ritual of Abhiṣeka and the path of Yoga.
The ritual begins with invocations to Gaṇapati, various deities, and blessings for long life and removal of obstacles. A saṅkalpa is declared for performing Rudra Abhiṣeka with water offerings for all devotees. The ceremony involves worship of Sphaṭika Maheśvara and the Śiva Parivāra. A series of ritual baths are offered, including water, milk, curd, honey, sugar, and pañcāmṛta. Further offerings include sandalwood paste, sacred ash, flowers, and incense. The ritual continues with Vedic chants, hymns to Śiva, and the Gāyatrī mantra. An āratī ceremony is performed with offerings of light. The worship concludes with a puṣpāñjali and declarations of victory to various deities. The entire performance is a liturgical act of devotion, not a lecture. The stated topic of Yoga is not expounded upon; the content remains a continuous ritual sequence.
"Puṇyaṁ puṇyāhaṁ dīrgham āyur astu nirvighnam astu."
"Vakra Tuṇḍa Mahākāya Sūrya Koṭi Samaprab
Christmas with Swamiji in Vienna
We celebrate the arrival of Jesus, a festival of peace, love, and unity. The world needs light, both physical and the divine light of wisdom within every being. Since organized religion began, division has followed, unlike the universal, indivisible consciousness of Sanātana Dharma. Human greed creates ownership and mental pollution, which is more dangerous than physical waste. Before a bomb destroys others, it destroys itself; similarly, negative thoughts first harm the one who holds them. We are called not to judge, but to forgive and to hate the sin, not the sinner. Modern celebrations have become materialistic and polluting, especially with single-use plastics, which now seem immortal. The true gift is non-material, offered openly without harmful packaging. Our spiritual duty is selfless service, to pass on immortal wisdom. A true disciple, like Jesus, endures suffering without abandoning principle to deliver a divine message. We must write and share immortal wisdom through devotion and trust.
"Forgive them; they do not know what they are doing."
"We hate the sin, but not the sinner."
Filming location: Vienna, Austria
How to find peace
The path to peace, memory, and fearlessness is found through yogic health. Peace begins within the heart and cannot be gained from outside. A primary cause of disease and nervousness is stress from an imbalanced nervous system. Health requires disciplined nourishment. Practice Alpāhāra, eating little. After a meal, eat nothing for six hours, only water. This gives the digestive system rest. A healthy body sleeps well, a sign of peace. Memory is connected to the Mūlādhāra cakra. Practice Aśvinī Mudrā to strengthen the nervous system and develop memory. Practice Kapālabhāti Prāṇāyāma to activate the brain. Perform Śaṅkhaprakṣālana for internal purification. Health is primarily in your hands through practice. Control the diet, reduce quantity, and peace will follow.
"Śānti is within your heart. Peace begins from our heart."
"Eat as much as you can. But then, for six hours, nothing to eat."
Do not waste your human life
Dharma is the path of righteousness, while adharma is its opposite. We each have a personal duty to follow. Jealousy and ego divert us from this path. Dharma protects those who protect it. In the Mahabharata, Arjuna was conflicted about fighting his family, but Krishna instructed him to uphold dharma by opposing adharma. Divine incarnations occur to restore dharma when evil prevails. The current Kali Yuga is still early; a time will come when dharma nearly vanishes. Human birth is a rare blessing after passing through millions of life forms. What we do with this life determines our future. Four blessings are essential: divine grace, scripture, the Guru, and self-effort. The Guru's grace is paramount, guiding and protecting, but we must take the initiative. We must follow the Guru's instruction without logic, as the Guru sees past, present, and future. Calm the mind and let thoughts pass without engaging them. Cultivate contentment and avoid greed. Students should embody five qualities: the crow's determination, the crane's concentration, the dog's alert sleep, eating little, and living away from home for discipline. Be in the company of truth, satsang, which brings lasting happiness. Fulfill your duty to yourself first, then to others. Do not give up; the Guru protects the disciple eternally. Perform selfless service without desire for recognition. Surrender fully. Do not dwell on the past or future; reside in the present. Use the tools given—mantra, meditation, satsang—to attain inner peace.
"Dharma rakṣati rakṣitaḥ." He who protects dharma, dharma protects him.
"Karma karte ro, phal kī cintā mat karo." Perform your duty; do not worry about the result.
Filming location: Strilky, Czech Republic
