Yogasutras - HH Rangapriya swamy

[Guest guest]

I got up late today and somehow could get about 45 minutes of the lecture by

HH Rangapriya swamy on Yogasutras . I always knew that yogasutras is an

excellent work. The lecture was excellent. I had never heard a better

introduction and explanation of the first sutra. It was simple and easily

understandable.

 

A lot of emotions passed in my mind. Initially I felt, why am I here caught

in samsara, while I could have learnt Yoga under this Guru. I was living 3

blocks from this great tutor of yoga in Bangalore and never learnt anything

except some meanings of scriptures. I was cursing myself, my decisions, my

money mindedness etc. But I realized soon that things that have happened and

are probably going to happen cannot be changed . I further realized that

there is no point in worrying about anything in life. I know that workload

and economic situations do not give us enough time in life. However, we are

the losers if we do not try to listen to such lectures. Listening to this

lecture made my day. My daily aradhanam to perumal was more peacegiving than

usual due to the impact of this lecture. I do know that yoga is understood

by practice and not just shravana or listening. However shravana is

necessary. If someone gets a chance, they should learn yoga directly under

HH Rangapriya swamy.

 

I feel that there is no contradiction between prapatti and yoga. Note that

even a prapanna should do aradhanam and in aradhanam during bhutasuddhi

krama, one has to resort to yoga on God in our hridaya kamalam. I have to

admit that it is impossible for me to do that, even though I try hard some

days with great difficulty and despair to visualize God atleast a tiny bit

during Aradhanam. If done properly, both prapatti marga and Yoga path can

enrich each other in one's life. (note: ask elders to figure out how to

avoid bramahastra nyaya problems between prapatti and bhaktiyoga. In short,

once prapatti is done, one can still meditate on God as a phala-bhakti not

as a means or path, since if bhaktiyoga is entertained as an alternate path,

then prapatti could get affected). I personally feel that there is no

contradiction between the two if understood properly. I feel that we should

work very hard in learning, meditating the meanings of sutras as said by

great teachers like HH Rangapriya swamy. Note that even Sri Vedanta Desikar

was a yogi of some sort or else how could he state in gopala vimsati -

nikateshu nishamayami nityam nigamantairadhunapi mrigyamanam yamalarjuna

drista bala kelim yamuna sakshika yauvanam yuvanam - I realize that Lord

Krishna everyday who is still being pursued by the Vedas.!!..)

 

I personally like the feeling of experience right here. Who wants to wait

here forever uttering...kadaham bhagavantam narayanam mama kula natham mama

kula daivatham...sakshat karavani chaksusa?.. Anyway due to several reasons,

we cannot immediately put an end to this misery of samsara, immediately. Why

not practice some meditation when we can get an inkling of ananda right

here?.Note that Yoga can be used for both Atmasakshatkara and

Paramatma-sakshatkara. Like how sri Vedanta desikar says in rahasya

trayasaram, one has to see God in our daily lives, like how a lover

remembers his/her object of love thru a photograph before attaining that

person, one can meditate on God anytime anywhere to seek bliss till we

attain the direct sakshatkaram of God in Moksa. Since God is not completely

visible to us here - (na chakshusa pasyati kaschanainam - none can see God

completely here in samsara - Mahanarayaniya Upanisad), how about getting a

glimpse or just a quick momentary experience thru yoga. Yoga can assist

greatly in one's daily duties - like sandhyavandana, or even a chant or song

on God, or Aradhana. Forget about even these strange practices which are

followed by a few people! Even a lay person or even an atheist can get peace

of mind by Yoga OR A student can attain concentration in studies of any

kind.

 

Finally, I have to thank my first Guru of Yoga, Sampath Iyengar, my

grandfather's brother, who lighted the flame of interest in Yoga in me. I

hope, our Acharyas will bless everyone with immense knowledge and experience

of Yoga soon. It is not a bad idea to dream and hope for the best. Nothing

is impossible with the blessings of Great Seers.

 

Please tell your friends about the Yoga sutra lectures from HH Rangapriya

swamy. Do not forget to listen to them.

 

adiyen Krishna Kashyap