The lotus is one of the most beautiful and enduring symbols in the Yoga tradition. In Sanskrit, there are many words for lotus. One of its most well-known names is Padma….

In an instant everything changed.  Years and years (10 to be exact) of nurturing and development and just like that. Just. Like. That.  I entered the hospital and discovered my…

In Satsang, my guru, Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati, used to remind us all to engage the practice of Nada Yoga, to listen and meditate on the inner sound. He advised us first…

Dashing up the light blue carpeted staircase up and around to the main house temple, my sari sash flowing behind me acting as a kind of makeshift cape. The resounding rhythmic sound of the group chanting bellowing out from the crowded room, out of the temple windows, drew me in.

Let’s clarify and understand what the word and concept of Rishi means rather than just settling for the gist.  We’ve all heard it said: Rishi means Seer.    But if…

The practice of Sanskrit chanting is so fun and healing that most people dive in immediately and don’t even think about the details involved. It’s natural to immerse and enjoy….

Yeah, I’ve had my fair share of overwhelm in life. Haven’t you? Whether it was when I was looking at densely presented yogic shastras, layered Sanskrit grammar or some complexity…

I once had a dear teacher named Dr Sharma ji, say to me, “Manorama, you must make a decision.” He saw I was strugglin’ to decide the best course of…

Here are 6 Essentials ya gotta know about Sanskrit. These 6 keys I’m sharing with you are so helpful to effectively learn the language. After reading these, go ahead and…

Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 9 verse 26 OM Patram Pushpam Phalam Toyam Yo Me Bhaktyā Prayacchati Tad Aham Bhaktyupahrtam Aśnāmi Prayatātmanah He who offers to Me with devotion a leaf, a…

  After my mom passed, my sister became the keeper of the family photos, drawings and such. Now whenever I visit my sister Jen’s home, I feel like I’m simultaneously…

The Mandukya Upanishad is the shortest Upanishad consisting of just 12 verses. This Upanishad is associated with the Atharva Veda and is also considered fifth among the canon of the…

When you study Sanskrit, you engage two subjects at the same time: The scholarly and the mystical. In my classes, I often share that Sanskrit is a meeting place of…

Baba Bhagavan Das was the Sad Guru of my teacher, Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati. When I travelled with my guru in the 1980’s and 90’s, whenever he spoke of his own…

When I first met Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati, I remember being amazed at how beautiful his teachings were. At the time, I couldn’t believe anyone had a clue the way he…

Contrary to popular understanding, karma is not a cosmic retribution scale. Karma is not you messed up and now (whatever bad there is) is comin’ for you. Karma is a…

The Sanskrit word for truth is Satya. In our current climate, individually, politically, socially and spiritually, it feels more than ever that satya is to be studied. But how do we do…

The Kena Upanishad is called a mukhya, which means a Principle Upanishad. It centralizes around the first word in its title, ‘Kena,’ which, in Sanskrit, means ‘By Whom?’ The focus…

The Upanishads form some of the oldest Yogic teachings. Within their verses and stories, the reader will discover the vision of the Rishis. It is this vision, a kind of…

Luminous Soul Definitions 1. Ātmā Ātmā the Self, the Absolute Reality. Manorama’s Commentary: Atma is your highest Self. In the Atmabodha text, Shankaracharya lays out non-dualistic, Advaita Vedanta philosophy for…