YOGA

The eight limbs of Yog are

1.Yama (abstinence)

2.Niyama (codes of conduct)

3.Āsana (postures)

4.Prānāyāma (breath control)

5.Prayāhāra (turning inward)

6.Dhārāna (concentration)

7.Dhyāna (meditation)

8. Samādhi (complete absorption in God)

The eight limbs can be practiced/improved at the same time

●There is no need to perfect one in order

to go practice the next

●However, the lower stages need to be perfected first.

Yama (abstinence) comprises of

1. Ahimsa (non violence)

2. Satya (truthfulness)

3. Asteya (abstention from theft)

4. Brahmacharya (celibacy)

5. Aparigraha (non hoarding)

Niyama (codes of conduct) comprises of

1. Śhaucha (cleanliness)

2. Santosh (contentment)

3. Tapaḥ (austerity)

4. Svādhyāya (study of the scriptures)

5. Eśvara praṇidhānāni (surrender to God)

saucha (cleanliness), santosha (contentment), tapas (discipline or burning desire or conversely, burning of desire), svadhyaya (self-study or self-reflection, and study of spiritual texts), it also promotes mental clarity and inner peace.

What does Yama mean?

A yama is a duty or observance recommended by yogic philosophy and teaching as part of the eight-limbed path of yoga. In Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, he outlines five yamas as his first "limb" of yoga.

The word, yama, originally meant "bridle" or "rein" and refers to the restraining nature of the yamas. These yamas are practices that are considered to be outer observances. They are a way of applying the behavioral codes of yoga to the way the yogi relates to the world. Practicing the yamas is said to give the yogi the opportunity to live in a way that is healthier and more peaceful. They can improve relationships with others, strengthen character and help the yogi progress on his/her spiritual path. It is also believed to reduce or even prevent the accumulation of bad karma, which can be gathered when one lives without awareness or honesty.

WHY NIYAMA  IS IMPORTANT?

The practice of Niyama helps us maintain a positive environment in which to thrive and gives us the self-discipline, humility, and inner strength necessary to progress along the path of yoga. Yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara and meditation help in emotional management. For example, the principle of non-violence will protect us from negative emotions and develop positive

The 5 Niyamas ----

• Saucha (cleanliness) Saucha can be translated as 'cleanliness', but it doesn't just mean physical cleanliness. ...
• Santosha (contentment) ...
• Tapas (discipline) ...
• Svadhyaya (self study) ...
• Isvara Pranidhana (surrendering to a higher power)

What Is Dharana?

Dharana, a Sanskrit word meaning "concentration," is the sixth limb of yoga in the Ashtanga yoga system—also called the eight-limbed path. The goal of dharana is to bind your consciousness to one particular object, place, or idea. This single-object meditation can focus on an internal thought or an external object around you in the outside world.

         

          Bharatiya Cultural Center

            1612 County Line Road, Chalfont, PA 18914

              Phone: (215) 997-1181,WebSite: www.btemple.org 

 EDUCATIONAL COMMITTEE PRESENT

  Devotees Demand SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT PROGRAM

GITA   STUDY GROUP   BY PRAVEEN SHARMA ON MARCH  30th, THURSDAY AT 7:00  P.M  

7:00 PM: Zoom Meeting ID 822 0096 3573         Passcode Krishna

or click https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82200963573?pwd=UVNPbWUya004VXo4U0JVbmpRV1Uydz09

 

Topic of Discussion: Bhagavad Geeta Chapter 1, Verses 20-27

Lamenting the Consequences of War

 1.20-23 How does Sanjaya start the context of the beginning of Bhagavad Geeta?

1.24-25 What did Lord Krishna do based on Arjun’s order to station the chariot in between the two armies?

1.26-27 Who all did Arjun see in both armies?

                                        All are welcome, even if this is your first time

For additional information, please contact    Rita Sheth (610) 275-7472 btiedu11@aol.com

             Bharatiya Cultural Center 

1612 County Line Road, Chalfont, PA 18914 www.b-temple.org # (215) 997-1181 Educational Committee Presents 

             YOGA WITH MEDITATION 

 TIME: Every WEDNESDAY- 6:30 PM -7:30 PM. 

 Do you know we do not use more than 3-5% of our mental capacity? Yoga starts with controlling the wavering mind. Once the mind is completely stopped from wavering, the dawn of self-realization arrives. It is this conscious plane where the soul starts its journey, to reach its master – the almighty, the supreme soul, the God! Yoga enriches physical, mental, and spiritual benefits are as follows: PHYSICAL BENEFITS  Better Sleep  Faster healing  Improves eyesight  Lower blood pressure  Increases energy level  Strengthens the nervous and the immune system  Increases lung capacity for better breathing MENTAL BENEFITS  Lowers stress  Develops creativity  Improves performance  Improves concentration and memory  Balances emotions  Brings clarity to the mind Controls addictions like Alcohol, smoking, and drugs SPIRITUAL BENEFITS: Encourages a sense of peace - A consistent sense of well being “Love is not patronizing and charity isn't about pity, it is about love. Charity and love are the same – With charity you give love, so don't just give money, but reach out your hand instead.” ― Mother Teresa 

 Contact persons: Sheila: 267-222-0801; Alli Natesh: 267-546-7711; Rita Sheth-610-275-7472; Hema Chintalapathi: 610-239-7839; Maya Deshmukh: 484-686-3880 Visit : http://bcceducation.blogspot.com or BTIEDU11@AOL.COM

                                 

           NINETEEN YEARS…..TIME FREEZE WITHOUT YOU!!

My dear son, I miss you so much.
It keeps hurting; I can't stop crying.
My eyes always search for you in the sky.
My heart longs for finding you in the heavens and Earth.

My dear son, I love you so much.
I feel so empty without you.
I am so scared of my future without you.
My heart longs for being around you for your safety.

My dear son, you are my angel, you are my Heartbeat
I still feel that you are caring for me from above.
I tell my broken heart that you are still watching me.
My heart longs for your care even from heaven.

My dear son, you are my protector.
I remember you when I feel lonely.
I talk to you when I break into pieces.
My heart longs for your support even from heaven.

My dear son, I was thinking I gave you life.
The reality is that you had given me life.
Without you and your presence, I can't exist.
My heart longs for your company in my heart until I exist.

Mom and Dad love you, Kishan, my sweetheart!

 

                                                                           Maha Shivaratri

                                

                         In the trinity of the divine manifestation - Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva - Lord Shiva is the one who destroys or dissolves that which is old and impure, in order to make room for a new creation of that which is pure and divine. Lord Shiva annihilates our egos, our attachments, and our ignorance. Many fear Lord Shiva's destructive capacity, and yet it is destruction for the purpose of regeneration. Without death, life cannot begin anew. Without the annihilation of old habits, attachments and ego, we cannot progress toward the goal of God-realization.

                   According to the Puraanaas, the Kailasa peak of the Himalayas is the residence (ABODE) of Shiva and the Ganges on His head. He also known as Pashupathi (with Nandi, the bull, His favorite animal) and on his neck he wear snake and it shows his fearless nature.  Shiva's posture in the meditation is ascribed to Him as the head of Yogis (Yogiraja) who practices various spiritual feats to attain salvation. Lord Shiva's divine consort, Goddess Parvati (who is also the daughter of Himalaya), is the deity of strength. Numerous stories in mythology describe the births of their two sons - Lord Ganesha and Lord Kartikeya (or Guha or Shanmukha or Skanda or Murugha) and their various significances.

                According to a legend,Parvati performed tapas, prayed, and meditated on this day to ward off any evil that might befall her husband on a moonless night. Since then, Mahashivaratri is believed to be an auspicious occasion for women to pray for the well-being of their husbands and sons. An unmarried woman prays for a husband like Shiva, who is considered to be the ideal husband. Another legend of the day is that Shiva and Shakti married each other.

                   Shiva, as the god of destroying evil, is the third among the divine trinity of Hindu mythology. The holy mantra consisting of five-syllables: "Na" "Ma" "Shi" "Vaa" "Ya" (Om NamaH Shivaaya) in praise of Lord Shiva is chanted incessantly on special occasions like Shivaratri. His thousands of names, each of which describes His greatness, may also be chanted. Shiva means "auspicious". As Shankara, He is the giver of happiness to all. Nataraja (the king of dancers) is a favorite form adored by dancers and musicians.

                                        On this night of Shivratri, as we worship Bhagwan Shiva, it is also the night that we must pray for the strength to take His message to heart! Let us not only worship Him, but let us emulate Him. He who is willing to peacefully swallow the poison, he who is willing to sacrifice for the family, for the community, and for humanity is the true Mahadev.

 'Rudrabhisheka''

   There is a special mantra in the Vedas (the most ancient scripture in the history of human race and which forms the fountain-head of the Hindu culture) - Rudra Sukta - which is recited by pundits while they offer a holy bath to Lord Shiva in form of Shiva-linga or a Shaligrama which are the symbols of god with the waters of sacred rivers like the Ganges. This ritual is known as "Rudrabhisheka". A Shaligrama constitutes a sacred stone. Such precious stones are brought from the river Gandaki or Narmada at the frozen summits of the Himalaya                                      Giving a bath to the Shaligrama as a part of Shiva-puja symbolizes the removal of impurities from our mind. It also means washing off false ego. Unless we attain self-realization, we all become the victims of a false self or an ego. False-self (False personalities) is due to an illusion (or ignorance), a covering upon our real soul, of our mind, which then acts from mistaken identity. According to Vedanta (philosophical strategy), this accumulation of false-self upon our real Self is the root cause of our bondage and sufferings in life. This notion of purification (of Shaligram stone by holy waters) also symbolizes at the philosophical level, the total destruction of the accumulated material interests (of us) which often gloomy the real spiritual Reality.

Mahashivaratri in Southern India

             Maha Shivaratri is celebrated widely in temples all over Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. Shiva is considered the Adi (first) Guru from whom the yogic tradition originates. According to tradition, the planetary positions on this night are such that there is a powerful natural upsurge of energy in the human system. It is said to be beneficial for one's physical and spiritual well-being to stay awake and aware throughout the night. On this day, artists from various fields such as music and dance perform the whole night

                             Bharatiya Cultural Center

                  1612, County Line Road ( VIA ZOOM)

               Chalfont, PA 18914: Phone: 215-997-1181

                          www.b-temple.org

                       Thursday, March 31^st, 2022 7:00pm  

7:00 PM: Zoom Meeting ID 822 0096 3573 -Passcode- Krishna

or click https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82200963573?pwd=UVNPbWUya004VXo4U0JVbmpRV1Uydz09

 The topic of Discussion: Bhagavad Geeta                      Chapter 18, Verses 49-52

Yoga through the Perfection of Renunciation and Surrender

 18.49 Who attains the highest perfection of freedom from action?

18.50 What else can one attain who has attained perfection (of cessation of actions)?

18.51-52 When does one become fit to attain Brahman?

 Join with family and friends and get the benefit of the study group.

For additional information, contact

Rita Sheth (610) 275-7472 btiedu11@aol.com

 Presentations from the previous sessions,  --> (phase 1) & here (phase 2)

 Mother’s love never dies even after 17 years...
                                    it Grows and Grows, which never stop.

            One of the most tragic and traumatic losses life can deal out to a mother is the death of a son. The death of a son means the loss of more than just most precious life. It represents the loss of future experiences and future hopes. 

          No parent is prepared for the loss of a child.

 And when it happens, their world is changed forever.

Kishan, I remember when you were small and how you would hold my 
hand, and as you grew older, you became my best friend.

      Kishan, I have 19 years of memories that I will treasure.

 I'm building my own little library, embedded in my heart, for all the moments spent with you.The memories we've made will go on and on.
  Even distance can never fad the memories, your name  still comes in my conversation. I'll never be able to lovingly touch you  and it breaks my heart. I wish I could hug you and laugh with you … 
      I really miss your loving tight Hug  😭😭😭

You've opened my eyes to see what it all means.
So now that you're gone, how can I forget;
Because you were the greatest out of all I have met.
I hope you're watching from above, Watch me, your Mum grow old!
I really do love you LOT. My dearest son, I will see you again someday.

Love,Give and Peace

Rita, Mom to Kishan forever 

Sarvesham Svastir Bhavatu सर्वेषां स्वस्तिर्भवतु । Sarvesham Shantir Bhavatu सर्वेषां शान्तिर्भवतु । Sarvesham Purnam Bhavatu सर्वेषां पूर्नं भवतु । Sarvesham Mangalam Bhavatu सर्वेषां मड्गलं भवतु ॥

   Meaning Words Sarva=everything; Sarvesham≈all/ everything; svastir=health/ well-being; bhavatu=let be, may there be Shanti=peace Pūrnam=completeness/ perfection/ fulfillment Mangalam=success (spiritual success)/ auspiciousness / prosperity