Filler

1) What are your thoughts on Mantra Chanting?
Swami Ram Swarup: Mantra chanting is according to the knowledge of swar & vyanjan. Harsav,dirgh & plut are 3 kinds of the swars & swar further contains the qualities like Udaat,anudaat,swarit,harsav,dirgh & sanyog. And vyajans are not pronounced without the help of swars. So who has the full knowledge of pronounciation then chanting of the veda Mantras gives effect to the whole nervous sysetm, mind, etc. It controls all the organs and perceptions then results further controlling the anger, proud,etc. But still the meaning of the Mantras which are being chanted is to be known 100%. For this purpose a spiritual master is required.

2) Can you tell us anything about the history and origin of chanting and trace it to the present stage?
Swami Ram Swarup: Actually first of all faith on Vedas is essential. It is not blind faith but a real philosopher of Vedas will scientifically prove the philosophy of Vedas to an aspirant. It requires a long preach to be heard. Butin short way the Vedas were not a book. At the time of beginning of creation Almighty God by His powersoriginates the knowledge of 4 Vedas in the heart of four Rishis of unsexual World. So the way of chantingautomatically is made known to the four Rishis by the bless of God. The name of the present Rishis(forefathers) of unsexual World are Angira, Vaayu, Aaditya & Agni. So the chanting is to be learnt traditionally coming right from the beginning of the Earth.

3) Are there any significant reference to mantras in the Veda’s, Upanishads, Bible?
Swami Ram Swarup: Yes there are signs earmarked in all the Mantras which are known by the Vedas philosopher only.

4) Any comments on Om Chanting and its health benefits and any research done on this?
Swami Ram Swarup: Yes , OM chanting is according to the knowledge of swar & vyanjan which can not be described here being lengthy. If yet it is required please put this question again on internet. Om is the best name of Godin the Vedas. I shall try to send its brief description on receipt of your question again. The chanting of Omstart care of the aspirant, controls from bad evils, provide to contain good respiratory system to give long life, save from heart disease, high blood pressure and so many other sickness. I may mention here that by virtue of my long, hard Ashtang Yoga practice, The Om holy word has blessed me to be separated from so many tensions,sickness, etc., and at the age of about 65 years, I feel myself a young and this holy word I have been feeling everytime in my respiratory system .Research can not be done on any spiritualism or holy word Om etc. Only the preach is to be taken in action in life & secondly hard yoga practice is required then every experience is originated in the heart. Because research is a subject of mind,but Mantras are though studied with mind but its practice makes dead mind and thinking, then only experiences are experienced. This you may please call a research.

5) Do you think chanting has any think it has any therapeutic benefits? do you think mantra chanting promotes healing you can give us your personal experiences in this regard if you cannot give us a scientific side to this issue?
Swami Ram Swarup: Yes chanting has therapeutic benefits but it should be connected with Yoga practice also. There is no doubt that Mantra chanting heals. It heals broken heart, it heals wounds, & everything. Please you may see that Pop music or Indian music when are chanted, it heals 100% of people who are fond of listening. But this is worldly music which heals whereas chanting of Veda Mantras are from heaven/superb/God’s given knowledge. Therefore if properly chanted then it may results healing problem etc., and promoting international brotherhood. See when a baby is weeping and if her mother start chanting loudly or clapping loudly then automatically the baby stops weeping and concentrate on the voice. Similarly when Vedas Mantras are chanted then human beings become able to concentrate. See the ray of sun are coming on the earth. But no do become harmful , because the rays are not concentrated on one point, when these rays passes through lens and comes and then touch on our hand or cloth etc., now it burns. Now it has force. Similarly our thoughts have been spread on thousands of case when Mantras are chanted like the baby of mother then our thoughts are concentrated on one point and gains power by which we solve our problem happily.

6) Are there many school of thoughts on chanting? Which is the most effective for health and healing?
Swami Ram Swarup: There are schools giving education of chanting. You may contact Acharya Gurukul Kangri, Haridwar byletters because I do not know its e-mail & telephone.

7) do you think is mantra chanting and sound healing the next frontier in science, playing a significant role in healing, removing the need for allopathic treatment?
Swami Ram Swarup: Allopathic treatment or any other treatment and even full science whatever we are able to invent uptill now has come from four Vedas. But rest of the most part of science is still in Vedas is to be invented. It is acase of Athrvaveda. So Mantra chanting can not remove the need of Allopathic treatment. Because it is from the Vedas & is beneficial for human beings. In Yajurveda Mantra 14 chapter 40 clearly says that we must get progress both in science and as well as spiritualism. Vedas do not say to leave family or science or materialistic articles because all the materialistic have come out from Vedas knowledge only. These are made for the benefit of human beings. Yet a deep study of Vedas is required. I have been giving the knowledge of four Vedas here for the last 23 years and giving knowledge to the aspirants about Ashtang Yoga, therefore whatever I have been writing it is my experience of the last 50 years.

8) What is the correct way to chant Om?
Swami Ram Swarup: The correct pronunciation of OM requires vast study of Sanskrit Grammar which is taught in presence of spiritual master and disciple face to face. You are not before me therefore I can not teach such a lenghty subject on e-mail. Yet you can ask everytime any question. However I give you some education regarding pronunciation of OM. In grammar there are about 2000 formulae of Sanskrit Grammar,from which one is “ACHONTYADITI” please follow its meaning— In Sanskitalphabet viz., Aa, Ee, Uu etc., (these are called ACH) and Ka, Kha, Ga ( these are called HAL). So according to the above Sutra(formula) if there is a last ACH in the words and the ACH is also before the any HAL, then the HAL with that ACH will be named as TI. Next formula is “OMABHYADANE”, please try to follow its meaning. When Om is used in Yajna then OM’s word will be PLUT UDAAT,then the pronunciation of OM will be UDAAT PLUT and it will be pronounced lengthy voice means OM word will take tripple time of one time palpitation like O O O M. Because OM word has got TI name. That is why I am telling that it is not possible to teach on e-mail. This is the correct way to chant OM. However it requires more clarification with regards to breathing concern which you can ask again if needed.

9) According to the shastras one can chant om in different ways. What are the different ways?
Swami Ram Swarup: Chanting of Om in different ways is simply this that when we chant in Yajna (Agnihotra etc.) i.e., inburning fire when we pour Ghee and samagri therein, then OM is used as TI. Otherwise it is chanted simply OM without considering three times palpitation time.

10) Why does one chant Om before every mantra?
Swami Ram Swarup: Because it is traditional and as said in above formula i.e., “OMABHYADANE” ,the OM is chanted before Veda’s Mantra. Sometime it is also used before the Mantra and in the end of every Mantra.

11) Why is Om important for pranaayam?
Swami Ram Swarup: Actually in Pranayaam there is no need of chanting OM but in Jaap the OM is chanted in mind only with breathing system. However if it is chanted in mind while doing Pranayaam then there is no harm.

12) Is it true that the creation of Veda’s began with the sound of Om? Can you tell us something about this?
Swami Ram Swarup: Vedas are not books it is knowledge. Knowledge means as you eat ice-cream then you have experienced the taste of ice-cream. This real experience is called knowledge. So the knowledge which comes from God direct at the time of creation and is originated in the heart of four men who are called Rishis then the originated knowledge is called Vedas. Veda word is made from VID GYANE Dhatu(VERB) which means knowledge. So Yajurveda chapter 31 Mantra 7 says:
“TASMAT YAJAH SARVHUTAH RICHA SAMANI JAJIRE CHHANDANSI JAJIRE TASMAT YAJUHU TASMAT AJAYATAHA”
It means that Rigveda, Saamveda, Atharvaveda and Yajuyveda (knowledge) are originated from Almighty God. So OM is also originated from God being in Vedas.

13) Mandookya Upanishads says that Om is the swarup of Brahmaa. Can you tell us something about this?
Swami Ram Swarup: OM is the superb name of God & other names of God are in second category as said in Mandookya Upanishad. OM contains three words Aa, Uu, Ma. Aa(Akar) indicates Virat Agni and Vishwa etc.,these are the names of God. Uu(Uukar)contains Hirnya Garbha, Vaayu, Tejas etc., these are also names of God. Ma(Makar) contains Ishwar, Aditya and Pragya etc., which are also the names of God. So in word OM there are so many names of God, that is why It is superb name of God. It is said in Atteryo Brahman that from Rigveda Bhuhu, from Yajurveda Bhuvah and from Saamveda saah were originated and from those Aa, Uu and Ma were originated from which OM is made. So it is the best name of God. There is no swarup (statue) ofBrahma. In Yajurveda chapter 40 and Mantra 15 therefore it is said that O man/woman do pious deeds & work hard and always remember(Jaap) the holy name of God i.e., OM.

14) Is there reference to Om in any of the other Upanishads. Can you tell us specifically where and in what context?
Swami Ram Swarup: The reference of OM is in the said Yajurveda Mantra 15 of chapter 40, In Chhandga Upanishad (1/1/1), Ish Upanishad shalok 17 says to remember(Jaap) OM, Kath Upanishad (2/15) where it is said about whom Vedas says again & again that word is OM. In bhagwad Geeta chapter 17 shalok 24.

15) Om is said to be the swaroop of Brahman, Vishnu, Mahesh, bhu, bhuvaha, svaha and triga, yajur and sam Vedas. Is that correct? Can you tell us something about this?
Swami Ram Swarup: Swarup of Om I have mentioned above. But Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh are the name of one God only. In Rigveda 1/164/46 says “EKAM SAD VIPRA BAHUDA VADANTI” it means truth is one that is, God is one. But the learned says so many names of God from Vedas like Surya(SUN), Chandrma(MOON)etc.-etc. So Brahma means the superb—- that is, God. Vishnu means omnipresent(everywhere) that is, God. Mahesh means creator that is, God. Therefore no separate Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh are there. These are the names of one God, the creator.

16) Mythologists say that it is by the combination of A + U+ M that the world got created. Is this true? How did this happen?
Swami Ram Swarup: No world has not been created by the combination of A+U+M. As I have already said above with proofs that world is created by God, whose superb name is OM. If you make a house but it does not mean that your name has made up the house. From Prakriti the world is created by the power of God, whereas Vedas directly comes from God and originated in the heart of four Rishis and OM is within the Vedas. Vedas are not made from any matter whereas world is made from Prakriti(Matter). If still you need clarification then either study Mandal 10th Sukat 129 of Rigveda about creation or tell me again.

17) In your last mail you had written, “Because it is from the Vedas & is beneficial for human beings. In Yajurveda Mantra 14 chapter 40 clearly says that we must get progress both in science and as well as spiritualism”. I just wanted to check whether the name of the chapter you have mentioned is chapter 40? what is mantra 14?
Swami Ram Swarup: I told that allopathic is beneficial because it is from Vedas and therefore it can’t be removed. Secondly chapter 40 Mantra 14 is as under———–
VIDYAM CH AVIDYAM YASTD VEDO UBHYAM SAH
AVIDYAM MRITUAM TIRTVA VIDYAM AMRITAM ASHNUTE

Here AVIDYAM MEANS——TO CONSIDER UNTRUE AS A TRUE, IMPURE AS A PURE, SORROWS AS A PLEASURE, NON-ALIVE AS A ALIVE, AND VIDYA MEANS HIGHEST EDUCATION OF VEDAS INCLUDING SCIENCE. So who get progress in both sides at a time in the life they get peace and realize God. In this connection actually Mantra 9 is also important which will follow. Actually those who study hard and knows words meanings etc.,& thus gain only but also have proud for the knowledge and does sins and bad deeds this is called Vidya their knowledge is not going to build self, moral character and benefits to other. They all are engaged in such like Vidya(knowledge) and gets illusion/darkness.

So mere study of Science or study of Vedas/Upanishads/holy books does not serve the purpose until we obey the preach mentioned therein and do only pious deeds, here Yoga practice is required. So again this mantra says ” AVIDYAM MRITUAM TIRTVA” means when we study Avidya with doing Yoga/meditation etc., then we will know this world along with human body is made of matter and is destroyed thus we will not be afraid of death. Again when we will study vidya(knowledge) with yoga practice then we will know about soul and God and we will thus attain peace and the stage of salvation/final liberation. So here Vedas says that we must progress & know all about matter and creation/deep science to know the world that it is destroyed one time and side by side we must get progress in spiritualism to get peace and promote international brotherhood and to get final liberation. One sided progress is always dangerous as you see mostly saint says about God (which is yet not true even) and condemns study of science etc and on the other hand one sided science is being progressed, but there is no peace and brotherhood and it has become danger to humanity. If you need I shall tell you next time about allopathic/medicine from Vedas.

One sided progress is always dangerous for example science says about entropy law which defines that there is a date when sun /Moon etc where built. Now Sun has been going little bit towards minimize point and one day it will be no more. You see when Sun will be no more then we all will be no more. This all is mentioned in four Vedas that God creates, nursed and one day destroys the universe and then again God creates. Now you see some of the scientists are worshiping God and some are not worshiping but most of the scientists do not identify the reality of God. Even they do not have time, but our forefathers like Shri Ram, Shri Krishna and other Rishi Munis were serving the the nation and were well conversant with the knowledge of God even they were real Yogi in the family life and there was progress of science as well as of spiritualism and there was unity in the human beings.

The knowledge of Vedas is eternal as it comes direct from God so Yoga shashtra sutra 1/26 says God is our first spiritualmaster who gives us knowledge. On this present earth God gave this knowledge about one Arab and ninety seven years back. Four Vedas contains three vidya – Karam(duties) in Yajurveda, upasna (worship)in Saam Veda and knowledge (science, matter, electronic etc.) in Rig Veda. And about these three Vedas and specially medical science, the fourth Atharva Veda speaks.

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We were talking about Pramaan Vritti. So when we see the destruction of matter or sorrows and even death before us, so this Pramaan Vritti helps to determine that the world and even our body at one time is destroyed/disappeared. In this matter Lord Krishna also says in Bhagwat Geeta 2/27 that death is certain for those who are born. Vyas Muni in Mahabharta says that this is strange that the people daily see the death but all the remaining alive people are so busy in their routine that they have forgotten their death and seems to be indulged in their work as if they will remain alive forever. So if by virtue of Pramaan Vritti one learns about the sorrows and death etc.,and become an ascetic and starts worship Yoga practice etc., then this Pramaan Vritti is called “Aklishta” (gives no sorrows) and on the other hand if somebody is attracted towards materialistic world and is involved in bad deeds/sins then this Pramaan Vritti is called “Klishta” (give rebirth and sorrows etc.) It is Prataksha Pramaan. But see that in the matter of realisation of God the Prataksha Pramaan can’t be produced, God being unmanifested. Yajur Veda Mantra 40/8 also says that God is omnipresent and unmanifested. God is beyond description and beyond imagination and is not liable to realise by means of any organs. Here the Vedas arise the necessity of Yoga philosophy to realise God.

Second is Anumaan Pramaan Vritti. When we recognize the true knowledge about the unseen matter by seeing its symbol/symptom then the “Main Vritti” which gets the true knowledge is called Anumaan Vritti. It is Anumaan Pramaan. This type of knowledge of a matter is based on guess, by seeing the symbol of the matter. For example, far away we see the smoke in the sky then we guess that surely the smoke is the result of burning fire. Here we do not see the burning fire, but on the basis of smoke only we come to know the truth that there is fire. Similarly when we see sun, moon, earth, animals and sky etc., then by virtue of Anumaan Vritti we guess that all the said matter had not been created by man but certainly God has created the same. This is called Anumaan Pramaan Vritti and this knowledge from Anumaan Pramaan is attained by “Main Vritti”. In Yoga Shashtra the words of Main Vritti has been used specially by Vyas Muni in his comments. The reason behind is that some Vritti is have misunderstanding also but the Vritti which gives knowledge without any doubt that Vritti is called “Main Vritti”. For example it was told above that from a far distance when we see the rope then we have doubt that it may be a snake, so this is the Vritti with doubt. Again when we went near the rope and got the truth about snake then the Vritti which has given the true knowledge of snake is called “Main Vritti”. When the total world is seemed destroyable by this Vritti and when we become ascetic and start studies of Vedas /Yoga practice then this Anumaan Pramaan Vritti is called “Akilshta” (gives no sorrows). On the other hand when we are entangled with illusion and attachment etc., and do sins then this Anumaan Pramaan Vritti becomes “Klishta”(gives sorrows). Description of Aagam Pramaan Vritti will follow.

In all 195 Sutras of Yoga Darshan the word ‘Chitta’ is used for a combination of three elements – 1st ‘ Mahat’ (Intellect), 2nd ‘Ahankar’ (Relating to Egotism) and 3rd ‘Mana’. About ‘Mana’ Bhagwat Geeta says:
‘Chanchalam hi Manah’ (Geeta Chapter 6 Shaloka 34)

Meaning: Mana is unsteady/inconstant, Arjuna says.

We have mentioned above the meaing of ‘Vritti’ is various Forms. Now I further define word ‘Various Forms’ in details:-

“We receive wordly information through five organ, i.e. Eye, Ear, Nose, Tongue and Skin which is contained by our ‘Chitta’. Whatever effects are made on ‘Chitta’ by the information, The Chitta acts accordingly. So when a situation arises our thought relationg to the information, goes out of our ‘Chitta’ and acts accordingly.” These coming information and out going thoughts relating to ‘Chitta’ are called ‘Vritti’ i.e. Various Forms.

To understand clearly, suppose a person sitting on a chair suddenly looks a snake. So, here his chitta has received information of coming snake through eye organ. Within no time the Chitta studied the situation and gives order either to the feet to run away or to the hands to kill the snake by all means. So in this process incoming collected information and out going order of the Chitta is called Vritti or Various forms. Vritti word is in Sanskrit and Various forms is in english. So these various forms (Vritti) are coutnless in total. It generates daily and countless various forms are from previous deeds/situations from previous countless births.
Now after understand the word ‘Vritti’ (Various Forms) we come to understand the word ‘Chitta’. I think after understanding the word ‘Vritti;, it is not so difficult about ‘Chitta’ to understand.

Under the heading ‘What is Yoga’ above, we have defined ‘Chitta’ – a combination of three elements i.e. Intellect (in Hindi language it is called ‘BUDDHI’), 2nd element is ‘Ahankar’ (Egotism) and 3rd is ‘Mana’. Mana word is in Sanskrit and Hindi language. In English language it is ‘Mind’ but not intellect or brian. Because Intellect is a facult of thinking, discussing and making solution of problems etc., after collecting picture/data/information, etc. from ‘Mana’. Whereas, ‘Mana’ is a media to collect such data/information from ten organis and ‘Mana’ passes the same to Intellect (Buddhi). Similarly after getting decision from Intellect, Mana passes the same to ten organs to obey the decision. Therefore, the Intellect is separate, Mana is separate and Ahankar (Egotism) is separate from each other. Ahankar is related to the quality of ego (Egotism), Ahankar enable us to understand that we have taken birth and we have a baby, young, man or woman, etc.

Ten organs are:-
5 organs of perception – Eye, Ear, Nose, Tongue and Skin, which receive worldly knowledge and give it to ‘Mana’.

5 organs of action – Hands, Mouth, Legs, Rectum and Genital i.e. external organ of generation.

Again we come to the word ‘Chitta’.

In Samkya Darshan Sutra 26 of Chapter one, we see that when creation stars, the first element which comes in existence is called ‘Mahat’ i.e. intellect or Buddhi as briefed above. Hereafter the ‘Mahat’ will be called Intellect. The Intellect is the nearest power to Soul. From Intellect the 2nd element produced is called ‘Ahankar’ by which power one is able to understand that he has taken birth and has got body etc. From Ahankar the third element generated which is called ‘Mana’. The word ‘Mana’ has been briefed above. So now what is ‘Chitta’?

In Yoga Darshan, a combination of above three elements, i.e. Intellect, ‘Ahankar’ (Ego) and ‘Mana’ (Mind), is called ‘Chitta’. Why this combination is called ‘Chitta’, it will be briefed later on while learning 1st Chapter of Yoga Darshan. Please see that hereinafter for Ahankar the word Egotism, for Mana Mind and for Mahat word Intellect will be used. And word ‘Chitta’ will be treated a combination of Intellect, Egotism and Mind. For Vritti the word Various Forms will be used. For word ‘Chitta’ it will remain as ‘Chitta’ but will be a symbol of combination of Intellect, Egotism and Mind. So again we come to know what is Yoga.

“Total stoppage of various forms of ‘Chitta’ is called Yoga.”
Once upon a time in a lonely place some of Rishis/Munis and others were discussing on the matter as to how the earth came into existence? Who is the Creator of the world? Etc. To get the answer thereof they went on meditation through the powers of Yoga and then realized that the power of Almighty God is great and superb and the same is hidden (same power) by its own quality. That is to say that through the power of Yoga, the Rishi came to know about the great and superb power of God and they also came to know that the same power is hidden by its own qualities. That is the power is so great that it is hidden by itself. This authentic description is taken from Svetasvatara Upnishada, Chapter 1 Shloka 1 and 3. See that to hide itself, the power needed no assistance or substance. For hiding itself, the power of God was self-sufficient. That is why we call God as Almighty, because he does not want any assistance or help to create world and Vedas or anything else. So the Yajurveda…

From the above it is concluded that the most difficult answer of the world is to realise the Truth – The Creator and His Superb Power did not come to know merely based on the discussion. However, the Rishi/Muni went on meditation through the power of Yoga and then only they came to know that the great and superb power of God is hidden with itself. And this power created the world.
“THEREFORE, THE WAY THROUGH WHICH THE CREATION AND CREATOR IS KNOWN, IS CALLED YOGA.”

But as said in Bhagwat Geeta, Chapter 10, Shaloka 16 and as said in Yoga Darshan Sutra 32 of Sadhan Paad, Yoga Education purify the devotee and too destroy sins, sufferings, sorrows, etc. and thus a devotee gets a good health and happy long life, etc. Yoga Education further kills all the dirt of false knowledge, kills the sins, solve the problems, get way from the sorrows and sufferings/tension, etc. So here another definition of Yoga comes as under:-
“THE ADOTED WAY BY WHICH WE ATTAIN A LONG HAPPY LIFE KILLING ALL THE PROBLEMS, IS CALLED YOGA”

“Relation with all Universal Matters/Articles with Knowledge is called YOGA and spread from Ear to Ear traditionally.”
(Comments on Yogini Hridayam Holy Book 1/2)

Yajur Veda Mantra four, Chapter seven says that o aspirant through the hard practice of Yoga, become able to kill all the trouble, pain and harassments, etc. and through the Yoga obtain the eight power like Anima, Laghima, etc. (These eight powers will be briefed afterwards). So from the same it is concluded that:-
“THE WAY BY ADOPTING WHICH WE BECOME ABLE TO KILL ALL THE TROUBLES, PAIN AND HARASSMENTS, ETC. AND BY WHICH WE GET EIGHT SUPER NATURAL POWERS, THAT WAY IS CALLED ‘YOGA’.”

In Rig Veda (1/164/16) it is said that he, who is a Yogi, can only see all about the Veda Mantras and universe. Again it is said, who is lack of Yoga Knowledge and thus he is blind, he is not able to understand the Truth. In Yajur Veda Mantras 1 and Chapter 11 concludes:-

“He who wish to attain long happy life and final liberation happiness, he must learn and practice yoga education.”

“He who adopt Yoga, they kill all false knowledge and all sufferings by producing true knowledge and super natural qualities.”

In Yagvalkya Smiriti, Rishi Yagvalkya says that Yoga Knowledge is preached by God Himself in Vedas.

In fact, no human being like to have any suffering. Yoga Knowledge kills all suffering/troubles/tension/ills, etc. and produces a long happy life in addition it give realization of Almighty God.

“THEREFORE, IT IS NOT OUT OF MENTION THAT YOGA KNOWLEDGE IS AN UTMOST REQUIREMENT OF HUMAN KINDS AT EACH PART OF THE WORLD.”

Supreme Commander and adorable God is very kind enough to preach Yoga Education for those to whom there is no other way except Final Liberation (Realization of God).
(Shiva Samhita 1/2)

Lord Shiva tells that after going through all the Shastras it is concluded that amongst all only Yoga Education is the best way to accept.
(Shiva Samhita 1/17)

It is a matter of astonishment that leaving a “true God given Yoga Knowledge”, which is automatically applicable to all concerned, a person with disturbed mind is wandering here and there. Secondly while attaining the golden chance of having human body if a person is not capable of doing Yoga at his early stage then whether the God will preach a man during one’s old age full from illness and sufferings etc. or in animal’s birth, etc.
(Shiva Samhita)

We get information through eye, ear, nose, tongue, skin and mana (Mind). This process is called “Getting Knowledge” either bad or good. We are involved in bad deeds or habits through this media. When these senses are controlled and are refrained from illusion, then only the God is known. “Therefore, the path by which these senses are controlled is called Yoga.”
(Keno-Upanishada Part II, Shaloka 4)

It is truly said in Yajur Veda Mantra four, Chapter forty that the God is never known through the media of any senses or organs or Mind (Mana) or Intellect, etc. Therefore, the God is only known by a YOGI through the media or YOGA practice. Therefore by which path the total function of the senses or organs is stopped, Almighty God is realized, that Path is called YOGA.

By knowing the path and doing practice of the same, when we become able to give up the illusion and start looking within us that path is called Yoga Knowledge. In other word it is called Samadhi, i.e. final liberation.

It is said in Katho-Upanishada that after attaining the golden chance of human body there comes two kinds of path GOOD or BAD (Sharey and Parey) before a person to accept. The same truth is also mentioned in Yajur Veda Mantra three of chapter forty that there are two paths to accept after taking birth in human life. One is to do good deed and become wiser (Deva Yoni) 2nd is to do bad deeds and to become devil (Asura Yoni). Wiser after doing Yoga practice becomes Yogi and get final liberation stage. On the contrary Devil with the result of his bad deeds are indulged with illusion gets hell. Hell means to bear the consequences of bad deeds through present and coming birth full of sorrows, sufferings, ills, etc.
Therefore, a wiser person thinking this world destructive, they leave the world and accept the good path and doing the Yoga practice achieve the final liberation stage.

Yoga is a oldest education of the world. Its authentic reason is Four Vedas from where it is originated because Vedas itself are the oldest education of the World, originated by God Himself. On going through the various holy books of the world even, it is concluded that we find therein a portion or reflection of the Vedic Yoga Philosophy. For example, Mahatma Buddha and Mahavir Swami did Tapasya/meditation and preached Ahimsa, etc. See that Meditation and Ahimsa are the teachings of Vedic Yoga Darshan in Eight Fold Path of Yoga philosophy. In Tantra Holy books also a person learns about the praise and education of Yoga. We also see that Yoga Education in holy books like Gorakh Samhita, Hatha Yoga Pradeepika, Gheyrand Sahmita, Shiva Sahmita, etc. In these holy books too we see the reflection less or more already described in Vedic Yoga Philosophy, as under:-
GORAKH SAMHITA: The main knowledge about Asana, Pranayam, meditation and samadhi is given in this holy book which give reflection of Vedic Yoga Philosophy.
HATHA YOGA PRADEEPIKA: It also teaches about Asana, several types of Pranayams, purity of nervous system by Pranayam, meditation and Samadhi, etc.
Gheyrand Samhita: It also teaches the knowledge of Asana, Pranayam, meditation and Samadhi, etc.

Shiva Samhita: It also teaches Asana, Prananayam, Meditation and Samadhi, etc.
So, we see that in all the above quoted holy books a main touch from Vedic Yoga philosophy is taught.

See the conclusion of Shiva Samhita about “WHAT IS YOGA PHILOSOPHY”. In Shiva Samhita, Lord Shiva says:-
According to all Shastras (Darshans), no knowledge stands higher than the Yoga Shastra/Yoga education which is described in all the four Vedas as ‘Brahm Vidya’. Lord Shiva states that after going through all the shastras constantly, I have come to the conclusion that no shastra is so excellence as compared with Yoga Shastra.

In Shrimada Bhagwat Geeta, Lord Krishna says:-
The personnel with lack of knowledge, says that Yoga philosophy and Philosophy of Karma Yoga is separate with each other. But this is not told by wisers. He who adopts faithfully as one path from both (Either Yoga or Karam Yoga), in right way, he gets the result of both the paths.

Valmiki Ramayana:
The most authenticated Indian Holy book was written by Maharishi Valmiki, about more than 1 crore years age. We see all the Rishis/Munis mentioned in the Holy Book studied four Vedas and did Yoga only, as that time no other holy book was written except four Vedas originated by Almighty God Himself. See the character of Shri Rama described by Maharishi Valmiki Ji in Ist stage, Shloka 12:-
Shri Rama knew about the true religion. With true oath, kind belevolent renowned, wiser holy and attained Samadhi. “

Before entering the yoga knowledge ,it will be appreciated if we first try to know its origin. Now a days we know that lord Jesus was born in Jerusalem and Christianity spread. Lord Buddha born in India, Buddhism spread. Hazrat Mohammed Sahib born in Arab and Islamic religion spread. In the same manner so many religions have come into existence on this earth for the last so many years.

Accordingly, we must also invent that when the Earth created and to whom the theory of YOGA was taught first? And how it spread? In this connection learned MATTERLIC in his book "The great secret" has written, 

"let us once given ear to Rig Veda, the most authentic echo of the most immortal traditions." 

"Let us note now it appreciates the formidable problems."

"There was neither Being nor non-Being. There was neither atmosphere nor heaven above the atmosphere. What moved, and whither? And in whose care ? Were there waters and the bottomless deep?". 

"There was then neither death nor immortality. The day was not divided from the night. Only one breathed in himself without extraneous breath and apart from Him , there was nothing." 

"There, for the first time desire awoke within him, this was the first seed of the spirit. The sages, full of understanding, striving within their hearts, discovered in Non-Being the link with Being " 

From the above description one can conclude that at the very beginning of creation, there was God alone with the matter (Prakriti) which was to be used to create the universe. Secondly there was no death because there was no life, as death is only possible if there is life. Thirdly God created all beings like man, woman, space, sun, moon, earth, water, flora and fauna etc. All our ancient Rishis and Saints realized this truth. Now listen the authentic echo of Yajur Veda in Mantra seven of Chapter thirty-one:

"After the creation of earth and all beings ,the knowledge of four Vedas originated from the almighty, omnipresent, worshipful and venerable GOD".

Manusmiriti in its Shalok 1/23 throw the same light in this connection :- 

"The God Almighty created the earth and human being . Thereafter He showered His blessings to four Rishis by generating the knowledge of four Vedas in their souls to enable the mankind to attain the stage of Arth (Finance), Dharma (Religion), Kaam (good wishes and to get happy family life) and Moksh (Final liberation )". 

The same truth is seen in the 3rd Sutra of Chapter 1 of Vedanta Darshana by Viyas Muni :

" Worship the God who is the origin of Four Vedas". 

Similarly Guru Nanak Dev Ji also preached: "Onkar Veda Nirmaye"  Meanings: "The Vedas were originated by God." 

Similarly, there are so many statements of Vedas and other Holy books where it is clarified that the Almighty God is only the origin of four Vedas, Now we come on the point that from where the Yoga Education originated. In this connection please see the contents of Mantra No 4, Chapter 7 of Yajur Veda as under:

"Aspirant of Yoga should learn and practice the eight fold of Yoga i.e. 5 Yamas-Non-violence, Truthfulness, Abstaining from theft, Celibacy and not to store the articles more than the requirement (Self Abnegation)". 

5 Niyams- Cleanliness, Contentment, Austerity, Study of holy books and Trust in God. Their Niyamas are also five. Then Asana, Pranayama, Pratayahar, Dharana, Dhayana and Samadhi (Note: These eight fold path of Yoga will be briefed later on). 

Again in the above Mantra it is preached that "O aspirant try to stop internal breathing (Paranayam) to perish away the false knowledge, sufferings, ravages of hatred and tension etc. Thus remove through the power of Yoga all ills and becoming abstemious attain the Yoga property and guard it". Yoga properties are eight sidhis (will be briefed afterwards) and realisation of God (Samadhi). The same description of Yoga Education is seen in several Mantras of remaining three Vedas.  Some mantras Are quoted below: 

(a) Rig Veda Mantra I, Sukta 93 Mandal 9 Says:-  When a Yogi has control on his 5 organs of action, 5 organs of perception and mind through the power of Yoga, in this way when he does meditation, then he sees God (realize God within his soul) 

(b) Same Veda’s Mantra No 50 says:- O God kindly be firmly established in  our hearts during the Yogic and devotional morning practices inhalation, exhalation (Pranayam). 

(c) Sama Veda Mantra no 908 also states:  O Omnipresent God, Thou are realized by the Yogis/Tapsavis/wisers in their hearts through the power of Yoga i.e. Pranayam and meditation etc. 

(d) The God has been realizing through the eight fold paths of Yoga by the Yogis. 

From the above it is learnt that the Yoga knowledge is the origin of four Vedas and thereafter spread by Rishis/Munis/Gurus traditionally from mouths to mouths and ear to ear within man kinds considering the same the most authentic and immortal tradition which one is a right and true path to worship and realize God too by overcoming sorrows /sufferings /ills and death etc, attaining the final stage of Arth, Dharam, Kama and Moksh. 

So, the most authenticated, immortal and traditional knowledge of Yoga to worship God is originated from God’s voice in the shape of four Vedas at the time of creation on the Earth by him. That is why Manu Samriti says 

"Vedo Akilo Dharma Mulam". 

meaning -the most ancient authentic and immortal echo in the shape of four Vedas is the root of all religions  in the world and accordingly the origin of worshipful Yoga philosophy is also a origin from Vedas.

Swami Ram Swarupji is a Saint with a difference
He never considers himself to be a mystic or a spiritual healer
though his devotes think otherwise

(Interviewed by R. N. Anil)

“Throughout the human history religion has been the mainstay of man. Though the search has been through different paths but the goal is the same. None of the religions teaches hatred far less injury to any man”, says Swami Ram Swarupji. “The world is inflected today with discords, animosities and rivalries and religion is the only way to bring harmony peace and solace to the troubled mankind.”

Emphasizing the role of religion, Swamiji says, “religion is the essence of righteousness. It inspires us to climb from evil to good, from darkness to light and from falsehood to truth. It elevates man from the morass of temporal concern. It ennobles his spirit. It helps him to achieve emancipation from all bondages.”

Born at Landikotal in West Punjab, on June 6, 1940, Swami Ram Swarupji looks much younger than his age. His Yoga way of life, perhaps, has shortened his ageing process. He stresses the revival of Yogic knowledge which, according to him, is the best way to secure peace. “If one wants to be happy he must first discover himself. Peace does not come from outside, it lies within. So to get peace one should reach within one’s soul. Nature is all Maya and Maya can never give permanent happiness which comes only by understanding oneself and Yoga helps in that.”

Swamiji has same reverence for all religions and often recites couplets from Sufi saints and scholars. He is secular to the core.

Swamiji never considers himself to be a mystic or a spiritual healer though his devotes think otherwise, as several of them have been cured by him through his Yogic powers. Yoga, according to Swamiji, can fashion human personality into an integrated and harmonious being.

Real happiness lies not in luxurious living but in loving and serving one’s fellow-beings, says Swamiji. True religion, he asserts, teaches universal love, tolerance and compassion. God is truth and truth is one. Though its manifestations are many but the source is one. Though the paths are many but the destination is one. When asked about the role of religion in politics, Swamiji empathetically said, “all the maladies of present day society are due to the fact that the modern rulers have lost the path of Dharma.”

“The ruler”, he said, “should identify himself with his subjects and should not be ignorant of their needs. He should care for them and share their joys and sorrows.” Politics, according to him, should be guided by Dharma but in no way it should interfere in Dharma. Spiritual values and ethics should form the basics of politics.

According to Swamiji religion unites people and never divides them. Even if we think from the religious point of view there is a divine spark within everyone. We are the creation of the same source and the soul hardly sees any boundaries. Why not then talk about the one global family? If we do so then the world will be much happier place to live in.

Among the many sins that man should avoid, thanklessness is one that is cruelly double-edged (some others too are) giving more pain to the benefactor. Yes, to forget the good deed done on you by someone, breaks the heart of the do-gooder. The goodly soul experiences pain inflicted by ungratefulness in his heart that he sometimes begins to doubt his own self. Consequently, many others with good intentions curb their natural inclination for helping others when examples of ungratefulness are put forth to them. The world gets poorer when people start questioning the very moral of doing good to others and become indifferent to the problems of others. This is most damaging to the health of a society. The sinner who commits the act of thanklessness, in fact, causes grievous injury to the society, much to it’s detriment.

To substantiate at the above, I forthwith give you an example that shall remove the disguise thanklessness portrays in its true form. Once a highly successful medical doctor observed to me that if a man from his fraternity was dutifully discharging his obligations towards his wife and children, giving all comforts and providing good education to the youngsters, doing his utmost in serving the patients than would it be wrong on his part if he couldn’t find time for remembering God? I replied – this sort of an attitude is no different if a successful person is unable to find time for his parents who, like all good parents, had sacrificed in bringing him up, tenderly molding him to path of success, and one day their child turns away his face betraying amnesia to all the good done to him. This type of ungratefulness pierces the heart and shakes the foundation of a society.

At the spiritual level too, it will be noticed, man falls prey to acts of thanklessness, sometimes due to his arrogance. God, our ultimate Father, call Him by any name, has sent us to this beautiful planet, provided us with all the requirements for our survival, amazing flora and fauna, a versatile body and a brain without a rival. All this He has given us without expecting anything in return. Of course, we can’t give him anything but surely we can give him some of our time, just a few minutes in twenty four hours. Have we become so busy in our routine, generally materialistic pursuits, that we are able to find tine for most insane activities but not for God who is doing so much for us every moment of our lives? This is thanklessness in its most detestable form.

Our rishis, munis, and saints have stressed in holy books that man should remember God always. With firm determination and regular practice it is possible to do so even when submerged in our daily activities. In time it becomes a part of man’s existence and he need not consciously remember God all the time. Vyas Muni has said that “All human beings should strive to realize God.” And that the realization of God is the Dharma of all people.

Dwelling on the subject of thanklessness, I am reminded of one of the much appreciated lines of William Shakespeare who used to write in the language of the common people and on the subjects that were of interest to them too. Here he depicts brutal thanklessness by portraying an ungrateful elder brother and broken hearted younger one. The elder brother turns out his brother from the house penniless, without adequate clothing. And this to a brother who selflessly did everything for his elder brother’s well-being and prosperity and never thought of his own interest. The scene is London and the month December. Out in the streets the biting cold wind blows hard and the snow begins to fall. And in this state of discomfort, he says:
“Blow, blow, thou winter wind, thou art not so unkind as men who remember not.”
“Freeze, freeze, though bitter sky, thou sting is not so nigh, as man’s ingratitude.”

The above lines show the inner mortification of the younger brother who has been stung to the core. For all the good done for his brother he has been turned away from the house in most demeaning manner. Out in the cold least bothering of his own body discomfort which is true to his nature, as previously too, whatever good that he had done for his brother it was without expecting anything in return. He does not complain but reflects in his mind that his brother’s ingratitude is more lethal than the cold winter wind or the freezing snow falling on him. Disillusioned by the thanklessness of his brother he wishes the wind to blow with more severity and the snow to freeze him so that he may be able to benumb his inner heart.

Quite similar is the relationship between God (who does good) and man (who forgets and becomes thankless). God has given us life, the means and spirit to survive, and to excel, and yet fail to remember Him. It shows thanklessness sometimes become deep rooted in man and he finds difficult to cleanse himself of this sin. This happens because of his arrogance and his self deception that he is the doer and should come out winner by hook or crook. With this kind of temperament he severs his in born relationship with God.

If material gain is the purpose of life, or accumulation of wealth gives us inner peace, then Ravan, Kans and Duryodhan should have been most happy and contented but then we see what kind of end they met because they denied God, turning epitomes of thanklessness.

From such innumerable examples we learn that we should be thankful to God and remember Him by reciting His holy name and doing satsang. Being thankful makes man humble and realize the true worth of his existence which is to help and do good to his fellow-beings. Always be thankful even to the smallest of good deeds. It spreads goodness all around. And that is the essence of life.

Nothing is immortal in this world, whosoever has come must go one day. As after day comes the night and the day comes again, the cycle goes on unchanged. Change, in fact, is the law of nature. Nothing is permanent. Often I have heard people saying that they are passing away the time but, in reality time is passing by them and they are merely silent spectators. Not a single moment passes without change – construction or destruction. The wheel of nature moves on uninterruptedly. At one single moment there is a sunrise in one place and sunset at another. Birth of a new human body also mars the end of a worn out body. Generations come and go but the human race lives on.

In Bhagwad Gita Lord Krishna says, “All material things are mortal and therefore liable for destruction. Only soul is immortal.” According to Indian philosophy also a person can attain salvation through Yoga and meditation. This is the stage when the soul joins the Supreme Soul and experiences eternal bliss. (P a r m – A n a n d). Unfortunately very few people strive to reach that stage. The majority is running after wealth without bothering that material gains are only temporary and will bring him grief one day when he will loose these acquisitions. I really feel pity for such people and pray that they become wise and don’t waste their time for temporary gains.

There are examples in history when the high and mighty, like Duryodhan and Ravan, also perished inspite of the fact that they had possessed enormous wealth and power but even that couldn’t save them from doom. It is therefore proved beyond doubt that money or material possessions have no permanent bearing.

Often I have heard people saying that life is nothing without money. That is not true. I do realise the value of money but it is not the ultimate goal of life and happiness. With money, no doubt, we are able to fulfill our obligations towards our family and society but money can never buy us peace of mind or eternal happiness. Why not then run after something which is permanent and eternal? To achieve that we shall have to concentrate on Yoga and meditation. However, it doesn’t mean that everyone should become a Yogi or a Sanyasi but one can maintain a steady balance between the material possessions and spiritual attainments. Do remember, one can acquire a blissful state of money even when remaining in the family. The only thing is that one should keep a sizeable portion of his earning for charity and good causes. That will give him inner satisfaction. Even our Rishis and Munis who meditated for years together in jungles and mountains ultimately returned to society to share their spiritual experiences with the people.

Not only human beings even the animals also pay back to their Creator by doing something for others. A donkey carries heavy load on his back, a cow gives us milk and a sheep gives us wool. Even the trees pay back to mother earth by bearing fruit. Man is perhaps the only being who cares a little of his Creator. He simply believes in the hedonist philosophy of eat, drink and be merry, seldom remembering God, who has given him such a precious life. He wrongly thinks that whatever he has earned is his own creation.

Dwelling on this point Gandhiji once said, the rich people should consider themselves to be trustees and not the owners of their wealth and added the money should be means to do something good for the society and not and end in itself.

In our holy scriptures there is the story of a Brahmin who worshipped Lord Shiva for several years and ultimately had the Darshan of the Lord who blessed him with a boon. The Brahmin asked for a Paras Stone which could make him the richest man on the earth. Lord Shiva asked him to go to Kashi and collect the precious stone from one of the devotees there. The Brahmin went to Kashi but was amazed to see Lord Shiva’s devotee’s austere life-style. The very first question the Brahmin put to him was: Why he was not making gold with the help of Paras Stone? The devotee very humbly replied that he didn’t require gold as he was having something more precious than it. Curiously enough the Brahmin craved to have that other thing which was more important than the Paras Stone. Happily the devotee gave him a Mantra saying that by reciting it the Brahmin could sail across the sea of desires and free himself from the bondage of life and death. Filled with gratitude, the Brahmin came back alongwith his prized possession and spent the rest of his life in remembering the name of the Lord.

From the above example we see that remembering and reciting God’s name is more important than amassing wealth and material possessions.