The word for truth in Sanskrit 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 this without asserting that our views, our perception, is better than the other guy? How can we be sure that we are on […]
Sanskrit & Mantra
The Gift of the Kena Upanishad
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 of the Upanishad asks the reader to ponder what is the force that is up underneath everything? ‘By Whom’ is everything moving, growing and decaying? […]
Three Kinds of Yogic Vision in the Upanishads
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 Supra-Understanding, that the student wants access to. When you read the Upanishads and work to align with the vision of the rishis, you begin to […]
Is Sanskrit the Oldest Language in the World?
The often mis-quoted idea in Yoga is that Sanskrit is the oldest language in the world. When I ask students, “What is their understanding of Sanskrit?” Someone will often say confidently, “Sanskrit is the oldest language in the world.” Though Sanskrit is very old. It is not the oldest language. One of the oldest forms […]
How to Approach Sanskrit
It sounds like a funny question, but it’s been on my mind lately. How should one approach Sanskrit? Below I’ve listed Sanskrit Studies Method’s Five Key Principles For Approaching Sanskrit well. Sanskrit Studies Method Key Principle 1: How you approach the subject Many people feel daunted by Sanskrit. That’s because Sanskrit is likened to this very […]
The Upanishads: Oral & Written Tradition
The word Upanishad means to sit in proximity to. Upanishad is a Sanskrit word that derives from the elements upa + ni + sad. Upa + ni = proximity or nearness and sad = to sit. Sanskrit was an oral language for a long time and even today it is impossible to learn Sanskrit without […]
A Story and a Simple Goddess Puja
The Durga Devi Puja was my teacher, Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati’s, favorite festival. He often ate very light during the festival and would remain absorbed in deep contemplation. Each morning he, and we, would chant mantras to the cosmic mother in all of her many aspects. Culminating in over 700 verses being chanted by the end […]
Discovering The Infinite Brahman
Two months after I met my guru, Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati, I heard the Ātmabodha by Shankarācarya. I was in a car, with one of my teacher’s oldest students, George B. As he drove, George popped a cassette into the stereo and off we zoomed down the highway. I remember how somber we were, as we […]
Shanta Claus & 5 Sanskrit Gift Ideas for Yogis-in-Training
I’ll never forget the time I taught a visiting Sanskrit scholar from India about Christmas. He visited for a month, which happened to be December. Since the festivities were beginning, I decided to explain what all the holiday hype was about. I explained the religious significance, as well as the secular way in which we […]
The Unifying Nature of Sanskrit
There is a term that gets used when you learn Sanskrit it’s called ‘The Sanskrit Tradition.’ When I first heard it, it caught my ears and I thought “Hmmm ‘The Sanskrit Tradition,’ what does that mean?” Those immersed in The Tradition will refer to it as such. The term ‘The Sanskrit Tradition’ refers to the […]
Kalidasa, Luminous Poet
“Kalidasa is the Shakespeare of Sanskrit poetry.” This is the quote often repeated about the great kavi, Kalidasa. He is the author of numerous Sanskrit works including two epic poems: The Raghuvamśa and Kumarasambhava. The Raghuvamśa chronicles the kings of the Raghu dynasty, while the Kumarasambhava offers the story of Parvati’s birth, early years and […]
Mantra Meal 101
Chant Mantras Over Your Meal & The Elegant Art of Vegetable Picking I knew nothing about cooking. I grew up in the 1970’s where the main dishes in our house consisted of canned this and processed that. Later when I was in direct training with Guru ji I learned the art of cooking. Guru ji […]
How to Work With Mālā & Mala
Question: Dear Manorama, Can you help me with the word mala? How it is used, as well as what does it mean when I hear the three malas, impurities? Thank you always for your wisdom and graciousness. Love, Vanessa Manorama: Dear Vanessa, Thanks for your question. The first word, mala, is a Sanskrit word written […]
Mantras Contain Secret Messages
Sound is powerful – it has effect. Listen to a harsh tone and watch your body recoil, hear the upbeat sounds of African music and notice how you feel enlivened and joyful, listen to the steady sounds of the ocean waves and find your heart and breathing becoming steady and soothed. Sanskrit mantras profoundly affect […]
Seva: Healing Through Giving (Part I)
In the Luminous Soul Method, Seva is the seventh pillar and is a Sanskrit word which means selfless service. As a practice, seva nourishes and supports both the receiver, as well as the one making the offering. Seva creates a healing channel of energy. Here’s how to use your Luminous Soul Practice to make these connections every day: […]
Yoga Sutra Series: Adhmimatra Powerful Effort in Yoga Practice
Yoga Sutra Series Adhmimatra Powerful Effort in Yoga Practice with Manorama In the context of reviewing what is needed for the yogic practice to have full fruition. We were looking at Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras 1.21 and 1.22. PYS 1.21 Tīvra-Samvegānām Āsannah The full fruition of Samadhi in the yogic practice is nearest to those whose […]
Quick & Sacred Sanskrit: Sparsha Tanmatra By Manorama
The root energies for the Mahā Bhūtas are subtle energies known as the Tanmātras. The second tanmātra to be aware of is Sparsha (spelled Sparśa). Sparśa Tanmātra is the primordial unmanifested form of touch. Sparśa is connected with the essential element, Vāyu, Air. Touch and air are inter-connected and as such the associated organ of the skin […]
The Dance of Shiva & Shakti: The Play between the Point & the Zero
My teacher, Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati spoke often in his yogic lectures about what he called ‘the play between the point and the zero.’ He would draw a circle on the large chalk board to represent the zero and then he’d place in the very center of the circle, a point. In those early years, I […]
What is the difference between an Invocation and a Mantra?
Question: Dear Manorama, Recently, a student asked me the difference between an Invocation to Lord Patanjali and a mantra like the Gayatri Mantra. Can you explain this to me? Love, Śivā Manorama: What a lovely question. Ok let’s start with understanding a few pieces first: What is an invocation verse? An invocation verse is a […]
Freedom Found in Yogic Rituals
Soul Inquiry When I was young I was introduced to the concept of the soul. I was told, “The soul is the most sacred part of you. It is the essence of the Self within.” When I naturally became curious to learn more about the topic, I was often met with confusion on the part […]