Listening to Shiv Mahapuran Uplifts the Soul
The Śiva Purāṇa reveals how ego and desire obstruct truth and peace. Brahmā and Viṣṇu debated supremacy until Śiva directed them to meditate, where the eternal truth is found within. Ego arises with "I," and desire with "want"; cutting both yields peace. Dakṣa Prajāpati, filled with pride, insulted Śiva by excluding him from a sacrifice. His devoted daughter Satī attended despite Śiva's silent warning. Hearing her father's insults, she immolated herself in the sacred fire. Śiva, though omniscient, manifested fury and sent Vīrabhadra, who destroyed the sacrifice and beheaded Dakṣa. Upon his wife's pleas, Śiva restored Dakṣa's life with a goat's head, teaching that one must bear the consequences of personal karma. The story symbolizes that ignorance and ego make one animal-like, while meditation restores purity. All pain and gain are temporary; be a witness without attachment. True education is physical fitness, mental strength, and spiritual elevation, not mere academic degrees. Divine knowledge brings lasting enjoyment, making worldly addictions unnecessary.
"When you cut 'I' and 'want,' then only say 'peace,' then you will get it."
"Everything has to go. It will go away."
Filming locations: Siprā riverbank, Ujjain, India.
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Discovering harmony and peace
A journey within begins by relaxing the body and observing the breath. Contemplate the five elements within. Space exists inside and outside; feel at ease within it. Air, or prāṇa, purifies the body and can remove illness with concentrated will. Inner fire, or agni, balances temperature and burns away toxins. The water element flows through tissues, supplying minerals and expelling impurities. The earth element, the bones, provides a frame. These elements within can become polluted by the external world. Purify them through sāttvic food, yoga postures, prāṇāyāma, and meditation. Body awareness is life awareness; health depends on clean, balanced elements. Bring awareness to any area of pain or illness. Direct breath and the elements—air, fire, space, water—to that area to balance and heal. This self-inquiry meditation can be done seated. Many bodily problems stem from personal mistakes like wrong diet or substances, but they can be repaired through yoga, meditation, and a balanced diet. Make a resolve to heal the body and mind through these elements and practices. Love and protect nature. Decide for a healthy, strong body and a long life.
"Body awareness means life awareness. The body is here, you are here."
"Strive to purify with sāttvic food... Pure quality gives more quality to your life."
Filming location: Rijeka, Croatia
Around the world - Pranayama practice from Mexico City
atw Mexico2 Pranayama
Musical recording.
Women can bring peace
The four yogic paths are interdependent, each requiring the others for fulfillment. Karma Yoga needs the knowledge of Jñāna, the devotion of Bhakti, and the discipline of Rāja. Bhakti Yoga requires the action of Karma, the understanding of Jñāna, and the structure of Rāja. These paths are united like the elements in a body. True discipline, or Rāja Yoga, means following the Guru's word without deviation. In this age, many seek blessings without discipline, believing a mantra is sufficient. This is a mistake. To attain self-realization, one must obey the Master's instructions completely. A story illustrates this: a disciple ignored his guru's specific warning and, by claiming ownership of a thief's shoes, was condemned to hang. The guru's word is paramount; its value is often understood only in hindsight. Holy scriptures constitute this essential guidance.
"Karma Yoga needs Bhakti Yoga. Karma Yoga needs Jñāna Yoga. And Karma Yoga also needs Rāja Yoga."
"If you truly wish to achieve ātmā jñāna, self-realization, liberation, immortality, divinity, and saintliness, then you must follow what the Master says."
Filming location: Strilky, Czech Republic
A Journey of Remembrance and Reverence
I recently traveled to pay respects at the samādhi of a revered female ascetic. She was the first female Mahāmaṇḍaleśvara in our tradition, renowned for memorizing sacred texts from a very young age and receiving a title for it. She had a large spiritual family of disciples managing various ashrams. We shared a good connection from past meetings at gatherings and when she visited our Guru. Upon learning of her passing, I journeyed through the night to attend the funeral procession in Ahmedabad, which culminated in her burial at a chosen site outside the city alongside other senior ascetics. It was a full 24-hour journey of remembrance.
"She was the first female Mahāmaṇḍaleśvara in our Akhāṛā."
"Her wish was to have her samādhi in Hargośālā."
Filming location: Jadan, Rajasthan, India
