Shiv Mahapuran: Tulsi and Shankachuda
The demon Śaṅkhacūḍa’s invincibility stems from his wife Tulasī’s pativratā dharma. Nārada asks Brahmā why Viṣṇu went to Tulasī’s house, unveiling the origin of Śāligrām and tulasī’s sacredness.
Śaṅkhacūḍa, a Dānava born to Dhūmra through penance, gained Brahmā’s boon of being undefeated by gods. He married Tulasī, a yoginī devoted solely to purity. Their union amplified his power, and he tormented the gods. Brahmā, Viṣṇu, and Śiva conferred. Śiva fought Śaṅkhacūḍa for ages but could not defeat him due to two protections: a Kṛṣṇa-given armour and Tulasī’s unbroken marital fidelity. Viṣṇu devised a plan. Disguised as a beggar, he tricked Śaṅkhacūḍa into surrendering the armour. Then, assuming Śaṅkhacūḍa’s form, Viṣṇu deceived Tulasī. Realizing the betrayal, Tulasī cursed Viṣṇu to become stone. Śiva intervened, consoling her that her mind remained pure. She shed her body, becoming the Gaṇḍakī River, while Viṣṇu, by her curse, became Śāligrām stone. Tulasī merged into Vaikuṇṭha and is ever worshipped with Viṣṇu. Śaṅkhacūḍa, weakened, was slain by Śiva’s trident and returned to Kṛṣṇa. The pativratā dharma of a wife grants immense strength; breaching it dismantles that power.
“Viṣṇu Bhagavān Śāligrām Ho Kar Rahe. Isliye Śāligrām Ko Viṣṇu Bhagavān Ke Pratīk Manā Jātā Hai.”
“Śāligrām ke andar me cakra Sudarśana cakra dikhāī detā hai, Viṣṇu kā. Gaṇḍakī me jāke snāna karegā, āśirvād milegā aur sārā pāp chhuṭ jāyegā.”
Filming location: Ujjain, India
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Practicing of the system 'Yoga in Daily Life', Level 1 - Part 5
Welcome to the practice of Yoga in Daily Life, a complete system for health and spiritual development.
This system originates from an authentic Himalayan lineage. It is presented in a book of eight levels, each containing physical, breathing, and mental exercises, including purification techniques and meditation. A core principle is Karma Yoga, the practice of selfless service and love for all beings. The practice also advocates a vegetarian lifestyle. Today's session continues from Level One. The practice integrates postures, breath control, and deep relaxation to harmonize body and mind.
"The light and teaching of this yoga science passed through an authentic and uninterrupted stream of wisdom."
"Prāṇāyāma not only influences the physical body but also the brain centres, balancing both hemispheres to regain the harmony that is the aim of a yoga life."
Filming location: Jadan, Rajasthan, India
Iccha Shakti
The Power of Will and Divine Grace
Whatever you wish, by God’s grace, nothing is impossible. But before expressing a wish, know its nature. God fulfills all desires, good or bad. Therefore, cultivate discrimination first. Without discrimination, desire leads to suffering. A monkey wished for honey, but got a cobra and died. The wish was fulfilled, but without knowledge, it brought death. Humans often desire harmful things. Use intellect to analyze wishes before pursuing them. Spiritual wishes are certainly fulfilled by grace. Pārvatī asked Śiva for a simple teaching. Śiva replied: “I tell my own experience: devotion to God is the ultimate truth.” In Kali Yuga, repeating God’s name is the support to cross the ocean of ignorance. Willpower is a great power, but must be guided by wisdom. Energy is one, manifesting in many forms; use it wisely. With clear will and divine grace, all good is attainable.
"Jo icchā karahī manamai Hari kṛpā durlabh nahī̃."
"Umā kahu anubhava apnā, Hari bhajana eka satya."
Filming location: Vép, Hungary
The place where the past is hidden
The human body is a system of dormant energy and consciousness centered in the chakras. The Ātmā is one with the formless Supreme, whose light is within all. The physical body is one of five layered sheaths. Energy flows through 72,000 nerves, primarily through Iḍā, Piṅgalā, and Suṣumṇā. Where Iḍā and Piṅgalā intersect along the spine, energy circles form a chakra, a storehouse of dormant power. These nadis connect to eight major glands governing hormones and health. Blockages in these three principal nadis can cause severe physical and energetic disturbances. The Mūlādhāra Chakra at the base of the spine holds past karmas and desires, representing the unconscious mind and the border between animal and human consciousness. Its principle is ego, and its imbalance manifests as physical ailments. Mastery of sleep, breath, and purification practices is essential to awaken this latent energy and consciousness.
"Chakras are given their name because energy always moves in a circle."
"All past karmas, good or bad, all desires, are dormant, hidden in the Mūlādhāra Cakra."
Filming location: Vancouver, Canada
Gurudev found all of us
The four yogas and four kṛpās, and the Guru’s grace, show the path to liberation.
The four yogas—Bhakti, Jñāna, Raja, Karma—unite as rivers to the same ocean. Disciples live all four through devotion, study, meditation, and selfless service. Karma Yoga, done without expectation, yields sweet results. Five forces—desire, anger, pride, greed, ego—drag down spiritual progress. A moment of anger can erase a hundred malas of practice. Human birth is a precious opportunity gained after countless lives. The Guru finds and unites disciples from all corners of the world. There are four graces: blessings of the gods, scriptures, Guru, and the self. Guru kṛpā is most praised, but self-effort is essential to walk the path. Āśram means “come, do work”; service burns ego. Destiny can only be altered by the Guru, as shown in the story of the king’s twins. The Guru used loopholes in fate’s words to change the princes’ lives from poverty to prosperity. All holy places and deities reside in the dust of the Guru’s lotus feet. Even Gaṅgā, Yamunā, and Sarasvatī purify themselves through that dust. Without a Guru, there is no crossing the ocean of illusion. Surrendering all baggage at the Guru’s feet brings lightness and freedom.
“When it’s done without any expectations, then the fruit is always sweet.”
“All in one, one in all.”
Filming location: Strilky, Czech Republic
