The Power of Yantra

Yantra

Yantra is a geometric figure inscribed on a metallic plate or paper and is the confluence of the powers of the concerned God.

Yantra is a Sanskrit word that is derived from the root meaning "to restrain, curb, check". Meanings for the noun derived from this root include "that which restrains or fastens, any prop or support", "a fetter", "any instrument or machine", "an amulet, a mystical or astronomical diagram used as an amulet."
Some practitioners of Tantra employ yantra, mantra and other items in their sadhana, puja and yajna. (We had alreadt talked about Mantra & Tantra in the older posts)
Yantra, or other permutations and cognate phenomena such as mandala, rangoli, kolam, rangavalli and other sacred geometrical traditions, are endemic throughout Indian religions. There are numerous yantra. Shri Yantra is often furnished as an example. Yantra contain geometric items and archetypal shapes and patterns namely squares, triangles, circles and floral patterns; but may also include bija mantra and more complex and detailed symbols. Bindu is the central core. Though often rendered in two dimensions through art, yantra are conceived and conceptualised by practitioners as multi-dimensional sacred architecture and in this quality are identical with their correlate the mandala.
Mantras, the Sanskrit syllables inscribed on yantras, are essentially 'thought forms' representing divinities or cosmic powers, which exert their influence by means of sound-vibrations.

DETAILS OF SOME YANTRAS

--------------------------------------------
SIDDHI PRADAYAK TARA YANTRA
For Wealth and Prosperity in Life
Saadhakaanaam Sukham Katreem Sarva Lok Bhayankareem
i.e. Bhagwati Tara bestows prosperity to the Sadhaks. Even great Yogis like Vashishtth, Vishwamitra, Ravan, Gorakhnath have accepted the greatness of Tara Sadhana. It was due to Sadhana of Tara that Kuber could become the Lord of Wealth. Tara Sadhana is very easy to accomplish and hence it is a must for Sadhaks.
In the present age wealth is a measure of a person's worth. Even for good tasks one needs wealth. The above Yantra has been prepared in very special and auspicious moments. Just by keeping it in the house one can get miraculous results and attain to wealth and prosperity in life.

SIDDH CHEITANYA ROSARY
For Totality in life
The chief aim of human life is to attain to totality. And totality can be in any field material, spiritual, business, Sadhanas, victory over enemies, family life or the life of a hermit.
But the human body is very impure and divinity can descend only in a pure form. Oil cannot mix in water. Hence the body and the mind need to be made pure.
This rosary is like the divine grace of the Guru because it has been energised with divine Mantras and if worn with full devotion it can make the Kundalini to rise and give success in Sadhanas and life.
When you get the rosary the next morning have a bath and chant one round of Guru Mantra and wear it. After 45 days drop it in a river or pond.

BHAGYODAYA YANTRA
For Changing one's Luck
This Yantra is obtained when luck favours a person. It is seen that many times one is not able to attain to success in life, in business, in job, in studies and in Sadhanas in spite of the best of efforts. The reason could be te bad Karma of past lives. If the fortune favours a person then he can succeed even without making any efforts. This Yantra can make your fortune change for the better, for it has been prepared in Navratris and imbibed with divine energy. Any day place the Yantra early morning between 5 and 6 am in a plate. Then chant
Om Hreem Bhaagyodayam Hreem Om
108 times. Do this regularly for one month and then leave the Yantra in a temple.

NIKHILESHWARANAND CHEITANYA ROSARY
For Fulfilment of Wishes
Nikhileshwaranand Stavan is a powerful divine hymn whose each verse manifests wonderful results just like Mantras when it is chanted. One can gain divine powers, get rid of problems and fulfil wishes through this hymn. But sometimes due to impurity of mind, place and past bad Karmas the good results do not manifest. To counter this negative effect we present this divine rosary which if worshipped according to the procedure given in Nikhil Stavan and worn around the neck can produce amazing results. Just wear this rosary and then chant the hymn once daily for nine weeks. This rosary is a divine boon for the Sadhaks from revered Sadgurudev. Whenever engaged in Guru Sadhana do wear this rosary.

GURU SAAYUJYA YANTRA
For Spiritual Closeness to the Guru
About the Guru the ancient texts say
Guru Brahma Guru Vishnnu Guru Devo Maheshwarah Guru Saakshaat Par Brahma Tasmei Shree Gurave Namah
Totality in life is symbolised by the Guru element. All divine powers are present in the Guru. All holy places of pilgrimage are in his feet. Guru is omnipresent and omnipotent and he can banish the darkness of ignorance from the hearts of disciples and make their lives total.
It is the greatest fortune of life to fuse in the form of the Guru. Only thus can totality be gained. You too can achieve this fortune by placing this amazing Yantra in your worship place and worshipping it daily.

JAGDAMBA YANTRA
For Riddance from Fears of dangers and Accidents
Today everyone is surrounded by dangers in the form of enemies and fear of accidents and other problems. No matter how rich one is one cannot avoid all these dangers. In such cases only divine help can work. Accident means coming together of a place, time and person. If even one element is missing the same can be avoided. Planets tend to pull a person to the spot of accident at the desired moment. But Jagdamba Yantra is an amazing device which can neutralise the effect of evil planets. Just place this Yantra in your place of worship and light a ghee lamp or incense before it daily.

MAHAKAAL ROSARY
For Riddance from Obstacles and Fulfilment of wishes
Every person who cares to delve onto the ocean of true knowledge is able to experience the great power of Lord Mahakaal, another form of Shiva. In times of trouble a person loses all confidence. But those who do not depend solely on fate are able to make circumstances favourable through Sadhanas. Mahakaal rosary is a divine Sadhana object wearing which on the body removes all obstacles from one's life and enables one to make quick progress. Just wear it around your neck for 45 days and then drop it in the river. Daily pray to Lord Shiva.

VETAAL YANTRA
For Riddance from Enemies and Fulfilment of Wishes
This amazing Yantra is capable of defeating all one's enemies and fulfilling all one's wishes. It is indeed a wonderful divine article which is only to be kept in the place of worship and offered a lit incense daily for three months. After that it is to be dropped in a river or pond.

MANTRA SADHANA SIDDHI YANTRA
For Success in Sadhanas
When a person tries Sadhanas for the first time it is nothing surprising for him to fail, for inexperience can make him commit mistakes. But if an experienced Sadhak fails in the same it means he has no control over his mind. Place the Mantra Sadhana Siddhi Yantra in the worship place at home brings about a great change in one's thoughts and one is able to concentrate better. In the night of full moon (Poornnima) at 9 pm place the Yantra in the worship place and worship it with flowers, rice grains, incense and ghee lamp. After three months drop it in a river or pond.

TIBBATI DHAN PRADATA LAMA YANTRA
For Wealth and riches in life
Divine objects make their presence felt automatically. You don't have to tell, just the smell shall make others aware that you are wearing a perfume. For the best of Yantras there is no need to perform any Sadhana. Just placing these at home can bring about miraculous changes. Similar is this Yantra obtained from a secret Lama monastery which can banish poverty and make the Sadhak rich and prosperous. In the night of a Sunday wrap the Yantra in a red cloth and tie it with a Mouli (holy red thread) chanting
Om Mannipadame Dhanadaayei Hoom Phat
Then place it in your safe at home.

AROGYA ROSARY
For Health and Longevity in life
Just wearing this amazing rosary can free you of all ailments. Today there is no person who is not troubled by some health problem or the other. For all such people this rosary is a divine boon. Wearing it fills the mind, soul and body with a new energy and enthusiasm. Early in the morning after having had a bath place the rosary in your place of worship at home and offer incense, ghee lamp, vermilion and rice grains. Then chant one round of the Mantra -
Om Joom Hroum Joom Sah
After that wear the rosary day long. At night put it back in the worship place. Do this daily for 30 days. After that drop it in a river or pond.

TEEVRA PRABHAV AATMA YANTRA
For Confidence and Enthusiasm in life
All human actions are for achievement of success in life. But continuous failure can lead to frustration and a feeling of hopelessness. Once self confidence is lost success becomes very hard to attain. To remedy this problem we have prepared a very powerful Yantra during a lunar eclipse and that too in Pushya asterism that can fill you with confidence, joy, enthusiasm and a determination to succeed at all costs. Early in the morning place the Yantra in your place of worship at home and before it chant just five times -
Om Ayeim Brahmaand Tejase Namah
Do this daily for 30 days.

KANAKDHARA YANTRA
To Banish poverty from your life
Are you heavily in debt, is your business failing, are you facing a severe financial crisis? If yes, then this Yantra is the answer to all your problems. Place it on a Wednesday in your worship place and having offered flowers and rice grains, light incense. Then chant
Om Hreem Sahastravadane Kanakeshwari Sheeghram Avatar Aagachh Om Phat Swaahaa
only 21 times. Do this for 11 consecutive Wednesdays and then place the Yantra in your safe or where you keep your valuables or cash.

GRIH KLESH NIVRATTI YANTRA
For Riddance from tensions at home and for a happy married life
Any Tuesday morning bathe the Yantra with pure water and place it in your worship place at home. Then daily in the morning offer vermilion and rice grains on the Yantra and chant
Om Kleem Kleshnaashaay Kleem Phat
only five times. Do this regularly for three months. After that throw the Yantra in a river or pond.

MANOKAMANA POORTI YANTRA
To Fulfil some current wish
This Yantra is inscribed on copper and is energised with special powerful Mantras. You only need to place this Yantra at home and worship it daily in the morning with water, rice grains, incense, flowers and ghee lamp.

GANPATI YANTRA
For All round progress
Ganpati Yantra is a boon to the Sadhak. The divine power of Ganpati resides in Sadhak's home through this Yantra. Early in the morning, worship the Ganpati Yantra with incense, deepak etc. Then chant
Gam Ganpataye Namah
for ten minutes. Then , with folded hands, mentally request Ganpati to reside in Yantra form in your worship place. Then place the Ganpati Yantra in the worship place. You should daily pray to Ganpati and light deepak, incense etc.

--------------------------------------------

The Above all Mantra-Tantra-Yantra are subjected to emense practice & dedication, just by chanting them will never bear fruits. When they are done for the betterment of the culture , civilization & more over for the sake of Humanity then only it bears fruit.

Thanks

The Power of Tantra

TANTRA

Tantra is an eminent science having thousands of principles. In fact, it is the system of our life and a science of practice and practical knowledge. Through Tantra, we can attain superb powers by attracting and deriving the divine faculties pervading the entire cosmos. The aspirant of Tantra makes his internal capacity sharp and intensely forceful just like a magnet. This science is the process of activating the various dormant vital glands and Chakras(we had alredy disscussed this before) of the astral form, present inside the human body. It makes us aware of the truth that a person can get liberation from his own subjugation, can achieve immense power and even with the physical body present, can free himself from his body and expand his faculties infinitely.
Each and every element of the nature is associated with the other. Every action has a definite basis and for that action, there also exists an equal and opposite reaction. This uninterrupted succession of atomic process is going on in our atmosphere. Formation of water vapours, rain from the clouds due to attraction between positively and negatively charged atoms, storms, tempest and earthquakes, all are interrelated to each other.
Tantra is the process of intensification of our peculiar inner potentialities so that we can command this atomic arrangement which in other words is known as 'Siddhi'. The flow of energy is going on ceaselessly in the environment and when your own inner energy becomes capable of influencing the external ones, nothing will remain impossible for you and this is the science of Tantra in which the aspirant's wish is first and foremost.

Many people confuse Tantra with the practice of sacred sex. Tantra is a philosophy and practice for the realization of the unconditioned Self. Shakti and Shiva's devine love gave birth to a rich universe.

Fear of Tantra is baseless
The notions of an ordinary person about Tantra are not worthy to mention as this science of power has been misused very much. Those who are quite conversant with Tantra, by awakening their internal cosmic faculties, acquire knowledge to progress ahead and by activating the internal Chakras become ultimately successful in attaining Self realisation and thereby Supreme Bliss, whereas the imperfect Tantriks focus their attention towards the leftist part which hitherto has been utilised by such Tantriks in causing pain and harm to others and in achieving sensual enjoyment. Thus they involve themselves in a wrong direction. Although they can cause damage to the common men, yet eventually such Tantriks undergo severe sufferings and their lives get highly miserable.
This is human nature that every person focuses his attention first on the bad aspect of any subject and not on the virtuous one. This attitude proves harmful to them. As it is said earlier that Tantra is a process of activating internal cosmic faculties of the invisible world and making them favourable for oneself. During this process, that vigorous energy at first affects the person who is trying to overpower it and if at that time the aspirant does not get frightened, the divine energy itself behaves like a slave and then performs all the miraculous deeds at the will of the aspirant. To explain further for the illustration- If you go outside during winter without wearing woollen clothes, what will happen? The frozen particles of cold wave will fall violently upon you and you will fall sick. But in case you are totally prepared- you have a healthy physique covered with woollen clothes, cold cannot affect you in any way and you will proceed ahead without any fear. The same is the case with Tantra. If you are not afraid, have the required equipment and also a sound knowledge then Tantra is the easiest way for you to acquire the divine powers.To emerge successful in Tantra, fearlessness as well as elevation of inner consciousness are absolutely essential because in this Sadhana, the power is to be evolved from within.

The Real Benefits of Tantra
Tantra is basically the source of energy and if you master this science, you can easily conquer your materialistic obstacles, other persons can be influenced by you and their activities can be channelised according to your own will. The harmful effects of planets, influences of an evil eye and evil spirits can be removed. It is also helpful as a remedy of mental tension, unbearable pain and other physical and psychological ailments. The scope of Tantra is very wide including Vashikaran, Maran, Ucchattan, Hypnotism, Divine Vision etc., which in many ways are beneficial in modern life.
In fact, Tantra leads to the path of self surrender and it pertains to all the aspects of physical and parapsychological life. Life, a divine gift bestowed upon by the Almighty can be fully purposeful by regenerating one's inner creative faculties and giving 'Karma', a predominant role in our lives and this is the genesis of life's purposefulness and success.

The Power of Mantra

Mantra: The Original Power of the Spoken Word

The science of mantra is thousands of years old. And it is still practiced by millions of people from several of the world's Great Religions. Why? Because mantras work. Mantras are so powerful that it can even make or break a act. Just think out of our history, in those ancient days Sages use to carry blessings & curse in there mouths. One word could destroy or creat a entire world so much power it carries.

The Science of Sound: How ancient sages created sanskrit mantras out of primeval sounds that stimulate the chakras in the subtle body.
Our Karmic Predicament: The four types of karma and the means to reduce or transcend the effects of past karma.
Planetary Influences: Eastern and Western approaches to astrology; correspondences between planets and bodily organs; mantras for purifying the energies we receive from each planet; mantras for receiving power from the Sun.
Mantra Traditions: The Hindu and Buddhist approaches to mantra. The esoteric mantra practices of Tibet.
Mantras for Specific Conditions: The specific formulas for attaining health, wealth, protection, happy marriage, control of emotions, and more.
The Classical Method of Mantra Discipline: The use of malas or rosaries; 40-day sadhanas; Ganesha sadhana to remove obstacles.
Gurus and Teachers: The significance of teachers in mantra practice; mantras that are imparted "with power"; the nature of the Upaguru, or inner teacher in all of us.
Specialized Practices: The use of "seed" mantras; India's most celebrated mantra, the Gayatri; celebrations of the Buddha's birthday (Wesak).

What is MANTRA

Mantra is a divine combination of divine syllables or sounds which when chanted with devotion,faith and emotion gravitate the concerned God or Goddess or deity and secure their divine blessings. For divine help one must link with divine forces but majority of humans are unaware of these forces and have no link whatsoever. But when an individual starts chanting Mantra related to a particular deity regularly the gap between him and the concerned divine force steadily decreases. By regular use of Mantra a subtle link is formed and through this one could then obtain any desired boon within the power of the deity. One could obtain wealth, prosperity, fame, fearlessness, success and spiritual upliftment, but for each a different Mantra is chanted and a different deity propitiated.
A Mantra is a special set of words through only that particular deity could be summoned. If I write or speak in Chinese you won't be able to understand and my words will not produce any effect. But if I speak the language you know its effect shall be with doubt. Praying to these deities in one's language won't help much but if one uses the words that they can understand the result shall be instant.
These words are the Mantras evolved by Rishis and Yogis who actually prepared them and used them to prove their worth. Over the ages these have helped thousands of Sadhaks achieve even that which appeared impossible to them. Within doubt that whose chanting fulfils one's wish is a Mantra.

Jagannath

Jagannath

"The King of the Galaxy"

Jagannath (also spelled Jagganath) is considered amongst Vaishnavas to be a very merciful form of Krishna. The oldest and most famous Jagannath deity is in the city of Puri, in Orissa, India (the city is known to many as Jagannath Puri) where each year the famous Rath Yatra festival takes place. Jagannath is worshipped by Hindus all over India. The Jagannath Temple in Puri is regarded as one of the four most sacred Hindu pilgrimage places in India.

Traditional stories
There are two interesting stories associated with this deity. First is the story of how Krishna appeared to a great devotee of the lord, King Indradyumna and ordered him to carve a deity from a log he would find washed up on the sea shore. King Indradyumna found a mysterious old Brahmin carpenter to carve the deity, but the carpenter insisted that he not be disturbed while he was carving the deity. The king waited anxiously outside his room, but after some time, all sound stopped. The impatient Indradyumna worried what had happened and assuming the worst, opened the doors - only to find the deity half-finished and the carpenter gone! The mysterious carpenter was none other than Vishvakarma, the heavenly architect. The king was distraught as the deity had no arms and legs. Utterly repentant that he had interrupted the carving, the king was only pacified when the muni (sage) called Narada appeared and explained that the form the king now sees is a legitimate form of the supreme personality of godhead. The second story here was narrated to further explain and remove any doubts and confusion.
The second reason for Lord Jagannath's appearance is the story of how Krishna was eavesdropping on the gopis as they spoke amongst themselves of His pastimes, and how much they loved him. Sister Subhadra was instructed to keep watch and ensure Krishna wasn't nearby while the gopis spoke of Krishna. But after a while Subhadra was so overwhelmed by the gopis' devotion and their stories that she became completely engrossed in listening. She didn't see the brothers Krishna and Balarama approaching. As the brothers listened their hairs stood on end, their arms retracted, their eyes grew larger and larger, and they smiled broadly in ecstasy. That is why Jagannath, Balarama and Subhadra look like they do.
This form is worshiped by Vaishnavas as the abstract form of Krishna. The deities - Jagannath, Balabhadra (Balarama) and Subhadra (Krishna's sister) are usually worshipped in the temple, but once in every Asadha Masa (Rainy Season, usually June or July), they are brought out onto the main high street of Puri and travel to the Mausimaa Temple, allowing the public to have Darshan (holy view) of the deities as they pass. This festival is known as Ratha Yatra. The Rath carts themselves are huge wooden structures built new every year and are pulled by the millions of pilgrims who turn up for the event from all parts of the Globe. The festival commemorates Krishna's return to His home in Vrindavan after a long period of separation from the people there.

Jagannath Temple (Puri)

The Jagannath Temple in Puri is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to Jagannath (Krishna) located in the coastal town of Puri in the state of Orissa, India. The name Jagannath (Lord of the Universe) is a combination of the Sanskrit words Jagat (Universe) and Nath (Lord of). The temple is an important pilgrimage destination for many Hindu traditions, particularly worshippers of Krishna and Vishnu. The temple is famous for its annual Rath Yatra, or chariot festival, in which the three main temple deities are hauled on huge and elaborately decorated chariots. Since medieval times, it is also associated with intense religious fervor.The temple is sacred to the Vaishnava traditions and saint Ramananda who was closely associated with the temple. It is also of particular significance to the followers of the Gaudiya Vaishnavism whose founder, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, was attracted to the deity, Jagannath, and lived in Puri for many years.

The Famous Rath Yatra

Ratha Yatra is a major Hindu festival associated with Lord Jagannath held at Puri in the state of Orissa, India during the months of June or July (Rainy Season). Most of the city's society is based around the worship of Jagannath (Krishna) with the ancient temple being the fulcrum of the area. The festival commemorates Krishna's return to His home in Vrindavan after a long period of separation from the people there.

The festival

Usually the deities - Jagannath (Krishna), Baladeva and Subhadra are worshipped within the temple, but on the day of the Rath festival they are taken through the streets so that everyone can have the fortune of seeing them. Three richly decorated chariots, resembling temple structures, are pulled through the streets of Puri. This commemorates the annual journey of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and their sister Subhadra to their aunt' s temple (Gundicha Mandir) which is situated at a distance of 2 km from their temple. New chariots are built every year. This is the only day when devotees who are not allowed in the temple premises such as non-Hindus and foreigners, can get their glimpse of the deities. During the festival, devotees from all over India go to Puri with an earnest desire to touch the rope of the chariot. They consider this a pious deed and risk their lives in the huge crowd. The huge processions accompanying the chariots play devotional songs with drums, tambourines, etc. Children line the streets through which the chariot will pass and add to the mass chorus. The Rath carts themselves are some approximately 45 feet high and are pulled by the thousands of pilgrims who turn up for the event. Millions of devotees congregate at Puri for this annual event from all over the country and abroad. It is also telecasted live on many Indian channels.

Moksha

The mOksh Provider

Moksha (Sanskrit: मोक्ष, liberation) or Mukti (Sanskrit: मुक्ति, release) refers in Indian religions to liberation from samsara, the cycle of death and rebirth(see previous postings for life cycle) and all of the suffering and limitation of worldly existence. In Hindu philosophy, it is seen as a transcendence of phenomenal being, a state of higher consciousness, in which matter, energy, time, space, causation (karma) and the other features of empirical reality are understood as maya. Liberation is to Indian religions as salvation is to Christianity. Rather than being a reward for good deeds that is achieved after death, however, liberation is experienced in this very life as a dissolution of the sense of self as an egoistic personality by which the underlying, eternal, pure spirit is uncovered. This desireless state concludes the yogic path through which conditioned mentality-materiality or nama-roopa (lit. name-form) has been dissolved uncovering one's eternal identity prior to the mind/spirit's identification with material form. Liberation is achieved by (and accompanied with) the complete stilling of all passions — a state of being known as Nirvana. Buddhist thought differs slightly from the Advaita Vedantist reading of liberation

Hinduism

Moksha is seen as a final release from one's worldly conception of self, the loosening of the shackle of experiential duality and a realization of one's own fundamental nature which is true being, pure consciousness and bliss (satcitananda) an experience which is ineffable and beyond sensation. According to the branch of Hinduism known as advaita vedanta, at liberation the individual soul or atman is realised to be one with the Ground of all being – the Source of all phenomenal existence known as Brahman. The self-as-individual is realised to have never existed. In other (dvaita) traditions it is held that the identification between the liberated human being and God is not total but there is always some distinction between the two. In Vaishnavism, one of the largest branch of Hinduism, Moksha involves forsaking everything material and establishing one's existence as a purely devoted servant of Vishnu (Bhagavan or God; also known by many other names such as Krishna, Rama, Narayana, etc.). Hindu scripture like the Bhagavad Gita, Mahabharata, Ramayana and so on especially emphasize this personal, devotional conception of Moksha, which is achieved through the practice of Bhakti Yoga. On the other hand, works of the non-dualistic Hindu school, Advaita Vedanta or Brahmavada whose doctrinal position is derived from the Upanishads (see earlier posts on this head), say that the Self or Super-Soul is formless, beyond being and non-being, beyond any sense of tangibility and comprehension. These two Hindu concepts of Moksha - personal and impersonal - are seen differently depending on one's beliefs.
In Dvaita (dualist) and qualified advaitic schools of the personal Vaishnava traditions, Moksha is defined as the loving, eternal union with God (Ishvara) and considered the highest perfection of existence. The bhakta (devotee) attains the abode of his supreme Lord in a perfected state but maintains his or her individual identity, with a spiritual form, personality, tastes, pastimes, and so on.
In Advaita philosophy, the ultimate truth is not a singular Godhead, per se, but rather is oneness without form or being, something that essentially is without manifestation, personality, or activity. Moksha is union with this oneness. The concepts of impersonal Moksha and Buddhist Nirvana are comparable. Indeed, there is much overlap in their views of higher consciousness and attainment of enlightenment.
In Nastik religions such as Jainism and Buddhism, Moksha is a union with all that is, regardless of whether there is a God or not. After Nirvana, one obtains Moksha. The Nirvana of Hinduism is Brahma-Nirvana meaning that it will lead to God.
Means to achieve Moksha
In Hinduism, atma-jnana (self-realization) is the key to obtaining Moksha. The Hindu is one who practices karma and bhakti, knowing that god is unlimited and exists in many different forms, both personal and impersonal.
There are believed to be four yogas (disciplines) or margas (paths) for the attainment of Moksha. These are: working for the Supreme (Karma Yoga), realizing the Supreme (Jnana Yoga), meditating on the Supreme (Raja Yoga) and serving the Supreme in loving devotion (Bhakti Yoga). Different schools of Hinduism place varying emphasis on one path or other, some of the most famous being the tantric and yogic practices developed in Hinduism. Today, the two major schools of thought are Advaita Vedanta and Bhakti branches.
Bhakti sees God as the most worshippable object of love, for example, a personified monotheistic conception of Vishnu. Unlike in Abrahamic traditions, for example, Smarta Hinduism, this monotheism does not prevent a Hindu from worship of other aspects of God, as they are all seen as rays from a single source. However, it is worthy of note that the Bhagavad Gita discourages the worship of demigods, as it does not lead to Moksha. The concept is essentially of devotional service in love, since the ideal nature of being is seen as that of harmony, euphony, its manifest essence being love. By immersing oneself in the love of God, one's Karmas (good or bad, regardless) slough off, one's illusions about beings decay and 'truth' is soon known and lived. Both the worshiped and worshiper maintain their identities in a personal, divine loving relationship.
Vedanta finds itself split threefold, though the dualist and modified non-dualist schools are primarily associated with the foregoing thought of Bhakti. The most famous today is Advaita Vedanta, a non-dual (i.e. no separation between the individual and reality/God/etc.) perspective which often played the role of Hindu foil to contemporary Buddhist philosophy. In general, it focused on intense meditation and moral realignment, its bedrock being the Upanishads, Brahma Sutras and the teachings of its putative founder, Adi Shankara. Through discernment of the real and the unreal, as a peeling of the layers of an onion, the sadhak (practitioner) would unravel the maya (illusion) of being and the cosmos to find nothing within, a nothingness which was paradoxically being, and transcendentally beyond both such inadequate descriptions. This was Moksha, this was atman and Brahman realized as the substance and void of existential duality. The impersonalist schools of Hinduism also worship various deities, but with the idea that such worship is ultimately abandoned - both the worshiped and worshiper lose their individual identities.
Moksha in the sacred Hindu temple dance, as in the classical Indian dance too, is symbolized by Shiva raising his right leg, as if freeing himself from the gravitation of the material world.
One must achieve Moksha on his or her own under the guidance of a guru - one who has already achieved success in Moksha. An Arhant or a Siddha inspires but does not intervene.
Components of Moksha
Within Moksha or Mukti, there lies the ultimate peace (Shanti), the ultimate knowledge (Videh), the ultimate enlightenment (kaivalya) and the ultimate paradise (Swarga).

Kundalini

KUNDALINI...The Magic is INnnnn...

The 8 Chakras or Wheels of Life

We all have eight principal centers of life that connect us from our physical body, to our Infinite-Self. They are called "Chakras," (pronounced cha-kah-rahs). On a physical level, they actually control and affect our glands, called the endocrine system. On a mental level they affect the way we think, and on a level of consciousness, they can take us into the dirt, or into the heavens and beyond the superstrings of this multi-level universe. Many of us are now opening the doors and discovering, if not experiencing, these connections, which connect us to our True-Self. So let us take a short tour into the world of chakras.The word chakra means wheel. Chakras are like steering wheels, which steer us through life. If one wheel is out of balance, we may wobble this way or that way out of control. The 1st center is at the base of our spine called the Root Chakra, and the last center is the 8th chakra that surrounds our bodies, it's called the Aura or Auric Body.From the base of our spine, the energy of life called Kundalini, where it is stored, rises up our spine to balance all our chakras and connect us to our Inner-Self. When this energy is blocked, our chakras get out of balance and the connections to the elements that make us who we are, get out of balance. From our glands to our health, from how we feel to how we think - it all relates to a balanced or imbalanced chakra. If you read on, I will give you some very important clues about our chakras. I will keep it clear and simple, and leave out all the esoteric stuff about deities, animals, yantras, and names difficult to articulate, as these are all just metaphors.

The Eight Chakras or Wheels Of Life.
Chakras Can Be Described As DOORS.
"Openings That We Should Be Able To Open Or Close."

1: Earth Connection - Stillness

Survival, Shelter, Grounding, and the Life Force.

Located at the perineum, the base of our spine. This center is our base or foundation, where we have the potential to take the earth and connect it to the heavens. It is where the Life Force or Kundalini resides. It has the ability to make this earth a heaven, or a hell. When balanced - its magnetic field attracts and gives us security, shelter, food, and the earthly things we need to survive. When out of balance - we feel insecure, lost, and never seem to get what we need. We find it difficult to eliminate food from our body. From constipation and hemorrhoids to excess weight, it all comes from a blocked 1st chakra. Its color is red, enough said.

2: Water Connection - Movement

Flowing, Creativity, Pleasure, and Sexuality.

Located at the sex organ. Its color is orange and element is water. Like water, it gives us movement to come out of our shelter and create. When balanced with our other chakras, we can all have a normal healthy sex life, full of creativity. When out of balance, it can cause one to be terribly frigid or grossly oversexed. If we dwell totally in this center we can develop sexual abnormalities. From rape to molestation, from being gay to making love with animals (ouch) - it's all from an imbalanced 2nd chakra.

3: Fire Connection - Combustion
Will Power or Weakness. Create or Destroy.

Located at our navel point, where 72,000 nerve endings meet, and connects to our adrenal glands. Its color is yellow like the sun and it gives us the fire and power to achieve in life. We may have the creativity to create, but without the combustion of energy, our burning desires will fizzle out. If we have too much fire, we can burn ourselves up in a never-ending desire. If this connection is not balanced with the sensitivity of our Heart Connection, then we become a madman full of rage, hatred, and greed. If this point is functioning well - we fill our life with strength and vitality and feel alive. If not - we feel sick, weak, and dead to the world. "Meditating with a balanced navel point or 3rd chakra, may achieve the same results in five minutes, as will occur meditating all day with a disconnected 3rd chakra." Yogi Bhajan

4: Air Connection - Expanding
Love, Forgiveness, Acceptance, and Fulfillment.

Located at the center of our chest, called the heart center, and connected to our thymus gland. If we can coax the Life Force to enter into this center, the heart center, then we can truly expand into the experience of infinite love. Our fires of desire will become fulfilled with the touch of compassion, the feeling of giving, and the ecstasy of infinity. Nothing material can ever come close to that experience of loving all, forgiving all (including ourselves), and embracing our divine Infinite-Self. It's equally important that this center is in equilibrium with our 3rd chakra. If this center is not balanced with the warmth and coziness of fire, we may find ourselves in a cold world of self-pity, self-commiseration, and self-denial. An overworked bleeding heart can cause cardio-vascular problems and weaken the thymus gland, which controls our immune system. Its color is green, when balanced we can no longer be mean. "If this center is not open you cannot be compassionate." Yogi Bhajan

5: Ether Connection - Speak and Create
Sound, Communication, and Purification.

Located at the throat, blue in color, it connects to our thyroid glands, which aid in purifying our blood. It is said that if we always speak truth, our words become true. It's called vach siddhi, also known as "the power of the word." Yogi Bhajan says: "The highest most effective energy on this planet is the word." In a book called "Energy Maps, A Journey Through The Chakras," it says: "One who enters the 5th chakra becomes master of his entire self." It's through our wordsthat we command. It's through the element of etherthat we create.

6: Mind Connection - Intuition & Perception

Inner-Sight, Inner-Knowing, ESP.

Located at the eyebrow, indigo in color, connected to the pituitary gland, dubbed the THIRD EYE. Its actual name is the Ajna (Ah-jah-nah) Chakra, meaning to perceive. Have you ever had psychic experiences like precognition or clairvoyance? What about intuition? It gives us the insight to see and command. If we are fat, can we see ourselves thin? If working correctly, we can become thin by simple - creative visualization. It's the command center to command all the other glands and chakras.

7: Consciousness Connection - Wahey Guru
Thoughts, Self-Realization, & Samadhi.

Located at the top of the head, violet in color, it connects to our pineal gland. It's labeled the THOUSAND PETALED LOTUS, because each petal represents one thought. Our brain can produce 1000 thoughts in the wink of an eye- can we let go, and go beyond all the thoughts? When the Kundalini enters this center of consciousness, then we go beyond all thoughts, and into a state of Indescribable Wisdom and Being - called Wahey Guru.

8: Aura - The Container
The Shield Of Our finite-self, Into Our Infinite-Self.

Our Aura is called an "electromagnetic field of energy" that surrounds us in every direction. It is the container for all the chakras. It extends outwards from our body, up to nine feet. It blocks out what is negative and lets in what is positive. When Kundalini flows fully into this chakra - IT WILL BALANCE OUT ALL THE CHAKRAS - as it comes back to rest in our Navel Center. At that moment, we truly become ENLIGHTENED. We simply let the light in.

RE-BIRTH

Reincarnation

Truth or Blind Faith

Reincarnation, literally "to be made flesh again", is a doctrine or metaphysical belief that some essential part of a living being (in some variations only human beings) survives death to be reborn in a new body. This essential part is often referred to as the spirit or soul, the "higher" or "true" self, "divine spark", thetan, or "I". According to such beliefs, a new personality is developed during each life in the physical world, but some part of the self remains constant throughout the successive lives.
Belief in reincarnation is an ancient phenomenon. This doctrine is a central tenet within the majority of Indian religious traditions, such as Hinduism (including Yoga, Vaishnavism, and Shaivism), Jainism, and Sikhism. The idea was also entertained by some ancient Greek philosophers. Many modern Pagans also believe in reincarnation as do some New Age movements, along with followers of Spiritism, practitioners of certain African traditions, and students of esoteric philosophies such as Kabbalah, Sufism and Gnostic and Esoteric Christianity. The Buddhist concept of Rebirth although often referred to as reincarnation differs significantly from the Hindu-based traditions and New Age movements in that there is no "self" (or eternal soul) to reincarnate.
During recent decades, a significant minority of people in the West have developed a belief in reincarnation. Feature films, such as Kundun and Birth, contemporary books by authors such as Carol Bowman and Vicki Mackenzie, as well as popular songs, regularly mention reincarnation.
Some researchers, such as Professor Ian Stevenson, have explored the issue of reincarnation and published suggestive evidence. Some skeptics are critical of this work and others say that more reincarnation research is needed.

Hinduism
In India the concept of reincarnation is first recorded in the Upanishads(to know more about upnishads please view the earlier posts in the community) (c. 800 BCE), which are philosophical and religious texts composed in Sanskrit.
According to Hinduism, the soul (atman) is immortal, while the body is subject to birth and death. The Bhagavad Gita states that:
Worn-out garments are shed by the body; Worn-out bodies are shed by the dweller within the body. New bodies are donned by the dweller, like garments.
The idea that the soul (of any living being - including animals, humans and plants) reincarnates is intricately linked to karma, another concept first introduced in the Upanishads. Karma (literally: action) is the sum of one's actions, and the force that determines one's next reincarnation. The cycle of death and rebirth, governed by karma, is referred to as samsara.
Hinduism teaches that the soul goes on repeatedly being born and dying. One is reborn on account of desire: a person desires to be born because he or she wants to enjoy worldly pleasures, which can be enjoyed only through a body. Hinduism does not teach that all worldly pleasures are sinful, but it teaches that they can never bring deep, lasting happiness or peace (ananda). According to the Hindu sage Adi Shankaracharya - the world as we ordinarily understand it - is like a dream: fleeting and illusory. To be trapped in Samsara is a result of ignorance of the true nature of our existence.
After many births, every person eventually becomes dissatisfied with the limited happiness that worldly pleasures can bring. At this point, a person begins to seek higher forms of happiness, which can be attained only through spiritual experience. When, after much spiritual practice (sadhana), a person finally realizes his or her own divine nature—ie., realizes that the true "self" is the immortal soul rather than the body or the ego—all desires for the pleasures of the world will vanish, since they will seem insipid compared to spiritual ānanda. When all desire has vanished, the person will not be reborn anymore.
When the cycle of rebirth thus comes to an end, a person is said to have attained moksha, or salvation. While all schools of thought agree that moksha implies the cessation of worldly desires and freedom from the cycle of birth and death, the exact definition of salvation depends on individual beliefs. For example, followers of the Advaita Vedanta school (often associated with jnana yoga) believe that they will spend eternity absorbed in the perfect peace and happiness that comes with the realization that all existence is One (Brahman), and that the immortal soul is part of that existence. The followers of full or partial Dvaita schools ("dualistic" schools, such as bhakti yoga), on the other hand, perform their worship with the goal of spending eternity in a loka, (spiritual world or heaven), in the blessed company of the Supreme being (i.e Krishna or Vishnu for the Vaishnavas and Shiva for the dualistic schools of Shaivism).
Jainism
In Jainism, particular reference is given to how devas (gods) also reincarnate after they die. A Jainist who accumulates enough good karma may become a deva, but this is generally seen as undesirable since devas eventually die and one might then come back as a lesser being. This belief also exists in a number of other schools of Hinduism.
Sikhism
In Sikhism reincarnation is subject to grace of Guru and God. Though it affirms Karma, it recognises the possibility of modifying ones destiny with the blessings of Guru. The tenth Sikh guru, Guru Gobind Singh, after initiating Sikhs with Khande di Pahul (Sikh baptism ceremony) declared the Sikhs to have been freed from previous family origin (janamnaash), creed (dharamnaash), rituals (karamnaash), duality (bhramnaash) and pre-determined occupation (kritnaash).
Therefore, the Sikhs hold the belief, as per enshrined by the Sikh Gurus, that they are free from re-incarnation.
Buddhism
According to the scriptures, the Buddha taught a concept of rebirth that was distinct from that of any known Indian teacher contemporary with him. This concept was consistent with the common notion of a sequence of related lives stretching over a very long time, but was constrained by two core Buddhist concepts: anatta, that there is no irreducible atman or "self" tying these lives together; and anicca, that all compounded things are subject to dissolution, including all the components of the human person and personality. At the death of one personality, a new one comes into being, much as the flame of a dying candle can serve to light the flame of another.
Since according to Buddhism there is no permanent and unchanging self (identify) there can be no transmigration in the strict sense. However, the Buddha himself is said to have referred to his past-lives. Buddhism teaches that what is reborn is not the person but that one moment gives rise to another and that that momentum continues, even after death. It is a more subtle concept than the usual notion of reincarnation, reflecting the Buddhist concept of personality existing (even within one's lifetime) without a "soul".
Buddhism never rejected samsara, the process of rebirth, but suggests that it occurs across five or six realms of beings. It is actually said to be very rare for a person to be reborn in the immediate next life as a human. However, Tibetan Buddhists do believe that a new-born child may be the rebirth of some important departed lama.

SAI BABA

"Sri Satchitanand Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai"
Joduniya kar charani thevila Matha
Parisawi vinanti majhi sagurunatha(pandharinatha)
Aso-naso bhav alo tujhiya thaya
Kripa drishti pahe majkade sadgururaya
Akhandit asawe aise watate payi
Sanduni sankoch thav thodasa dei
Tuka manhane deva maji vedi wakudi
Namhe – bhavapash hati apulya todi
Utha panduranga ata prabhat samayo patala
Vaishnawancha mela garud pari datala
Garud para pasuni mahadwara paryant
Suracharanchi mandi ubhi joduniya hath
Shuka sanakadik narad tumbar bhaktanchyakoti
Trishul damaroo ghewooni ubha girjecha pati
Kaliyugincha bhakta namhe ubha kirtani
Pathimage ubhi dola lawooniya jani

Utha utha sri sainath guru charan kamal dawa
Aadhi wyadi bhawatap waruni tara jadviwa
Geli tumha soduniya bhawatama rajani vilaya
Pri hi agyanasi tumachi bhulawi yogmaya
Shakti na amha Yatkinchitahi tijala saraya
Tumhich teetay saruni dawa mukha jan taraaya
Bho sainath maharaj bhawa timirnashak ravi
Agyani amhi kiti tawa varnavi thorawi
Tee warnita bhagale bahuvadani shesh vidhi kavi
Sakurpa howooni mahima tumcha tumhich wadwa wa
Utha Utha ------------------------
Bhakt mani sadbhaw dharuni je tumha anusarale
Dhayastawa Te darshan tumche dwari ubhe thele
Dhyanastha tumhas pahuni man amuche dhale
Pari Twa chanamruta Prashayate atur jhale
Ughaduni netra kamaladeenabhandu ramakanta
Pahiba krupa drushti balaka jashi mata
Ranjavi madhurvani Hari tap Sai Natha
Aamhich Apule Kajastawa tuja kashtavito Deva
Sahan Karishil te aikuni ghyawi bhet Krishna Dhawa
Utha Utha Aadhi Wyadi ..(2)

Utha Panduranga ata darshan dya sakala
Jhala Arunodaya sarali nidrechi vela
Sant sadhu mani avaghe jhaleti gola
Sada Sheje sukh ata baghu dhya mukh kamala
Rang Mandapi maha dwari jhalise dati
Man utavil roop pahawaya drushti
Rahi rakhumabai tumha yewoodhya daya
Sheje halwooni jage kara devraya
Garud hanumant ubhe pahati waat
Swarginche surwar ghewooni ale bobhat
Jale mukta dwar labh jhala rokada
Vishnu das nama ubha ghewooni kankada

Ghewooniya pancharati karoo babansi arti karoo sai si..
Utha utha ho bandhav owalu ha ramadhav
Karuniya Sthira man, Pahu gambhir he dhyana
Saiche hey
Krishna natha datt sai jado chitt tujhepai

Kakad arti karito sainath deva
Chinmaya roop dakhavi ghewooni balak laghu seva
Kam krodh mad matsar atwooni Kankada kela
Vairagyache toop ghalooni me to bhijavila
Sai nath guru bhakti jawaane to me petawila
Tad wruth jaluni guru ne parakash padila
Dwaita tama nasuni milavi tatswaroopi jeewa
Chinmaya roop dhakavi ghewooni balak laghu seva
Bhoo-kechar vyapuni avaghe hrudhkamali rahasi
Tochi datta devu shridi rahuni pawasi
Rahooni yethe anyatrahi too bakta stav dhavasi
Nirasuniya sankata dasa anubhav davisi
Chinmaya roop dakhavi...
Twadhyash dundu bhine sare ambar he kondale
Sagun murti pahanya atur jan shirdi ale
Prashuntwat vachanamrit amuche dehabhan harpale
Soduniya durabhiman manas twat charni wahile
Krupa karuniya sai maule dass padari ghyawa
Chinmaya...

Bhaktichiya poti bodh kankada jyothi
Panch pran jivebhave owaloo arti
Owaloo arti majya pandharinatha majya sainatha
Donhi Kara jodoni charani thevila matha
Kayb mahima varnu ata sangane kiti
Koti brahma hatya mukh pahata jati
Rai rukhumabai ubhaya doghi do bahi
Mayur pich chamare dhallti thaiche thai
Tuka mhane deep ghewooni unmaneet shobha
Vite vari ubha dise lawanya gabha .. Owaloo …

Utha sadhu sant sadha apulale heet
Jaeel jaeel ha nardeh mag kaicha bhagwant
Uthoniya pahate baba uba ase vite
Charan tayancha gomate amrut drishti awaloka
Utha utha ho vegsi chala jawooya rawoolasi
Jalatil patakanchya rashi kakad arti dekhiliya
Jage kara rukminivar, dev ahe nijsurant
Vege linlon kara drisht hoel tayasi
Dari wajantri vajati dhol damane garjati
Hote kakad ati majhya sadguru rayanchi
Sihanad shankh bheri anand hoto maha dwari
Keshavraj vetewari nama charan vandito

Sainath guru majhe aaee
Majla thav dhava payee
Datt raj guru majhe aaee
Majla thav dhava payee
Sri satchidanand sadguru
Sainath maharajki jai
Prabhat samayi shubh ravi prabha phankali
Samare guru sada asha samayi tya chhale na kali
Manhoni kar jodoni karu ata guru prarthana
Samarth guru sai nath purvi manovasana……………
Tama nirsi bhanu ha guru hi nasi adnyanata
Parantu guruchi kari na ravihi kadhi samyata
Punha timir janma ghe gurukrupeni adnyana na
Samarth guru sainath puri manovasana………………
Ravi pragat hawooni twarita ghalwi alasa
Tasa guruhi sodwi sakal dushkruti lalasa
Haroni abhimani jadwi tatpadi bhavana
Samarth guru sainath purvi manovasana……………...
Gurusi upma dise vidheehari haranchi uni
Kuthoni mag yei tee kavani ya ugi pahooni
Tujjhich upma tula bharvi shobhate sajana
Samarth guru sainath purvi manovasana…………….
Samadhi utroniya guru chala mashidikade
Twaidya vachnoti tee madhur variti sankade
Ajatripu sadguru akhil pataka bhajana
Samarth guru sainath purvi manovasana……………..
Aha susamayasi ya guru uthoniya baisale
Vilokuni padashrit tadiy aapade nasile
Asa suhitkari ya jagati konihi anya na
Samarth guru sainath purvi manovasana……………..
Ase bahut shahana pari na jya guruchi kripa
Na tatswahit tya kale karitase rikamya gapa
Jari gurupada dhari sadrudh bhaktine to mana
Samarth guru sainath purvi manovasana……………..
Guro vinati mi kari hridaymandiriya basa
Samasta jag he guruswarupachi thaso manasa
Karo satat satkruti matihi de jagatpavana
Samarth guru sainath purvi manovasana……………..
Premeya ashtakasi padhuni guruvara prarthiti je prabhati,
Tyachi chittasee deto akhil
Haruniya bhranti mee nitya shanti
Aise he sainathekathuni
Suchvile jevi ya baalakasi,
Tevi tya krisnapayi namuni
Savinaye arpito ashtakasi………………………………
Sai raham najar karna,
Bachoon ka palan karna
Jana tumne jagat pasara,
Sabahi jooth jamana
Sai raham najar karna
Mai andha hoon banda apaka
Mujase prabhu dikhlana
Sai ram najar karna
Das ganu kahe aab kya bolu,
Thak gayi meri rasana
Sai ram najar karna
Raham najar karo, ab more sai
Tumbin nahi mujhe maa baap bhai - Raham ….
Mai andha hoo banda tumara - Mai andha ….
Mai na janoo allah elahi-Raham najar Karo
Khali jamana maineh gamaya - Khali ….
Sathi akhar ka kiya na koi-Raham najar Karo
Apne mashidka jhadoo ganu hai - Apne ….
Malik hamara, tum baba sai - Raham najar Karo
Tuj kay deoon sawlya mee khaya tari
Mi dubali batik namyachee jaa shree hari
Uchhishta tula dene hi goshta na bari
Tu jagannath, tuj deoon kashire bhakari
Nako anta madiya pahoon sakhiya bhagwanta - shrikanta
Madhyanharatr Ultoni galee hi aata - aan chitta.
Hoiel tujhare kankada ki raulantari
Aantil bhakti naivedyahi nanapari -
Sri sadguru baba sai
Tujwanchuni ashray nahi, bhutali
Mi papi patit dheemananda - Mi….
Tarne mala gurunatha, jhadakari
Tu shantishamecha meru, Tu….
Tu bhavarnavinche taru guruvara,
Guruvara majasi pamara, ata udddhvara
Twarit lavlahi, Twarit lavlahi,
Mi budto bhavbhay dohi, uddhvara Sri sadguru….

"Sri Satchitanand Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai"

THE FOUR ASHRAMS

The Four Ashrams or Life Stages

The human life span is divided into four ashrams. These are Brahmacharya, Grahasta, Vanaprastha and Sanyasa. The Vedas define a specific purpose for each ashram.
According to Vedic philosophy the human life span is divided into four stages known as ‘ashrams’. The word ashram means shelter implying that the person takes shelter successively in each of the four stages during his life’s journey. These ashrams are Brahmacharya, Grahasta, Vanaprastha and Sanyasa. The Vedas define a specific purpose for each ashram and offer specific instructions to be followed in each ashram. The overall movement from ashram to ashram facilitates the merging of the jivatma (individual soul) with the paramatma (universal soul or God), which is the purpose of life.
The first ashram, Brahmacharya, is the student phase of life when the person is supposed to immerse himself or herself in learning the craft or trade in preparation for later life. During this period the person is supposed to live a celibate life (Brahmacharya means celibacy) because sexual activities were thought to have an adverse effect on the learning process. Till a few decades back, celibacy till marriage was the norm in India. In rural India it still is. However in urban areas the incidence of premarital sex is increasing, largely under the influence of the west.
Grahasta (meaning householder) ashram is the stage of family life. It begins with marriage and proceeds to raising a family. It involves earning a living through the skills acquired during Brahmacharya ashram. It encourages the enjoyment of a material life, including sexual pleasures with one’s spouse. The householders have the responsibility of bringing up their children in the same way that their parents brought them up. The householder needs to perform his religious duties as well.
Vanaprastha indicates the departure from material possessions. The person lives with the family, in society, but in a withdrawn manner. The man no longer takes part in the commercial activities and the woman leaves the running of the household to her daughter-in-law. People in this ashram play the role of mentors. The social activities become religious in nature. Celibacy is again advocated. The person is in this world but not of this world. The process of detachment from possessions, desires and relations begins in this stage. When Mr. Narayan Murthy, the founding father of Infosys, relinquished executive responsibility on turning sixty he was acting according to this philosophy.
The final stage is Sanyasa or renunciation. The person leaves society to spend the remaining part of his or her life in meditation and the contemplation of God in solitude. This is a very severe step and once upon a time was the norm. Hinduism propounds that religious and ethical values decline from age to age and hence it is not surprising that today this stage of life finds few takers.
In Hindu philosophy there exists a universal soul known as 'paramatma', which is another way of describing God. Each living being also has a soul known as 'jivatma'. The objective of existence is to try to merge the jivatma with the paramatma. This is known as moksha or salvation. The four ashrams prepare a person to undertake the process in a controlled but directed manner.