Change Yourself


Dr. Jayadeva Yogendra and Smt. Hansaji J. Yogendra

The topic for the Satsang on Sunday, 29th July , 2012 was ‘Change Yourself’

Following is a translation of Dr. Jayadeva and Smt. Hansaji’s speeches as reported by the students of the Teacher Training Course.


"We are dragged by various situations and circumstances and we carry on all our life. We blame others and say that we are not brought up properly or do not have good company. In order to change, one has to have the strong urge and feeling inside. When something big happens, that is when we say we want to change and forget. We need to cultivate the quality of awareness, decision making and action. We come to The Yoga Institute, but there needs to be a deep burning desire to make change possible. This might take months or years. Occasionally we read scriptures and hear about them but it doesn't remain with us. "
Dr. Jayadeva Yogendra


"Yoga is a science of awareness. It is a culture of consciousness, and the character of consciousness is to always be in a blissful state. An individual’s true self is ‘Sat-Chit-Anand’ which has to be maintained under all circumstances.

People take birth and perish. People experience feelings as per the external circumstances - being happy in joyful situations and being sad in sorrowful situations. But through yoga we develop wisdom to maintain our balanced state of mind and not get affected with the external stimulus.

We have got to believe in a higher reality and we will automatically get the strength to withstand under all circumstances.

We must accept all the situations in our life. We must accept the occurrence of birth and death. When we get unhappy or negative in life, this indicates that we lack faith in God. We should always have awareness of God, or else the pain will overpower us.

We don’t know what is going to happen in the next moment, but we should be prepared for change, because change is the nature of existence. We must keep our efforts ongoing and not get stuck in the material world."
Smt. Hansaji Jayadeva Yogendra


Satsang is an open meeting held every Sunday from 9:30 to 10:30 am at The Yoga Institute, Santacruz East, Mumbai. It involves an interesting presentation to the public, made by the students of the Teacher Training Course. Each week, a new presentation of a Yogic concept is made in a simple way through skits and decoration for the general public, followed by a short speech from our Gurus, Dr. Jayadeva and Smt. Hansaji Yogendra.

Report of Prayer (Condolence) Meeting for Dr. Patanjali Yogendra


Dr. Patanjali Jayadeva Yogendra 
(15th July 1975 – 24th July 2012) 

Students and well wishers filling up the hall
The prayer (condolence) meeting in honour of Dr. Patanjali J. Yogendra was held on Friday, 27th July 2012 at 6 pm at The Yoga Institute, Santacruz, Mumbai. Hundreds of people from Mumbai, rest of India and  abroad, filled the hall and grounds of the Institute to pay their last respects Dr. Patanjali. We thank each and every one for their immense love and support.

The prayer ceremony began with a few minutes of silence in honour of the departed. It was followed by a reading from the Bhagwad Gita by Sadhakas - Shri Sharad Waghmare and Captain Saudamini Deshmukh.

Capt. Saudamini reciting the Slokas


The reading of the Gita began with Chapter 2, Sloka 11 and is translated in English as follows:

Shri Bhagavan said: Arjuna, you grieve over those who should not be grieved for and yet speak like the learned; wise men do not sorrow over the dead or the living. (11)

In fact, there was never a time when I was not, or when you or these kings were not. Nor is it a fact that hereafter we shall all cease to be. (12)

Just as boyhood, youth and old age are attributed to the soul through this body, even so it attains another body. The wise man does not get deluded about this. (13)

O son of Kunti, the contacts between the senses and their objects, which give rise to the feelings of heat and cold, pleasure and pain etc., are transitory and fleeting; therefore, Arjuna, ignore them. (14)

 Arjuna, the wise man to whom pain and pleasure are alike, and who is not tormented by these contacts, becomes eligible for immortality. (15)

The unreal has no existence, and the real never ceases to be; the reality of both has thus been perceived by the seers of truth. (16)

Know that alone to be imperishable, which pervades this universe; for no one has power to destroy this indestructible substance. (17)

All these bodies pertaining to the imperishable, indefinable and eternal soul are spoken of as perishable; therefore, Arjuna, fight. (18)

Both of them are ignorant, he who knows the soul to be capable of killing and he who takes it as killed; for verily the soul neither kills, nor is killed. (19)

The soul is never born not dies; nor does it become only after being born. For it is unborn, eternal, everlasting and ancient; even though the body is slain, the soul is not. (20)

Arjuna, the man who knows this soul to be imperishable, eternal and free from birth and decay – how and whom will he cause to be killed, how and whom will he kill? (21)

As a man shedding worn-out garments, takes other new ones, likewise the embodied soul, casting off worn-out bodies, enters into others which are new. (22)

Weapons cannot cut it nor can fire burn it; water cannot wet it nor can wind dry it. (23)

Sadhakas of The Yoga Institute
For this soul is incapable if being cut; incapable of being burnt, impervious to water and undriable as well. The soul is eternal, omnipresent, immovable, constant and everlasting. (24)

This soul is unmanifest; it is unthinkable; and it is spoken of as immutable. Therefore, knowing this as such, you should not grieve. (25)

And, Arjuna, if you should suppose this soul to be subject to constant birth and death, even then you should not grieve like this. (26)

For in that case death is certain for the born, and rebirth is inevitable for the dead. You should not, therefore, grieve over the inevitable. (27)

Arjuna, before birth beings are not manifest to our human senses; at death they return to the unmanifest again. They are manifest only in the interim between birth and death. What occasion, then, for lamentation? (28)

Hardly anyone perceives this soul as marvellous, rarely speaks thereof as marvellous, and rarely hears of it as marvellous, while there are some who know it not even on hearing of it. (29)

Arjuna, this soul dwelling in the bodies of all can never be slain; therefore, you should not mourn for anyone. (30)

Treating alike victory and defeat, gain and loss, pleasure and pain, get ready for the fight, then; fighting thus you will not incur sin. (38)

Your right is to work only, but never to the fruit thereof. Be not instrumental in making your actions bear fruits, nor let your attachment be to inaction. (47)

Arjuna, perform your duties established in Yoga, renouncing attachment, and even tempered in success and failure; evenness of temper is called Yoga. (48)
Crowd outside the hall
  
The reading was followed by a short speech from Shri Ajay Bansal, another Sadhaka of the Institute. He spoke as follows:

“On Monday, 23rd July, Patanjali had gone to Kurla area in the evening. There he met with an accident. He was immediately taken to a nearby hospital. He was severely injured. He was given immediate attention. He was in an unconscious state. The doctors did their best but they couldn’t save him. He passed away at 4:30 am on Tuesday, 24th July, 2012.”

He went on to quote in Hindi, “Buzurg kaha gaye hai - Agar meri itcha se koi kaam hota hai toh khushi hoti hai. Agar meri itcha se kaam nahin hota hai toh bohut khushi honi chahiye. Kyu? Kyuki vaha Bhagawan ki itcha se ho raha hai.” (Wise elders have said – If things happen as I wish, I feel happiness. If things don’t happen as I wish, then I should feel even happier. Why? Because it is happening according to God’s wish.)

Shri Ajay Bansal
Shri Ajaybhai continued, “Dr. Jayadeva and Hansaji lost their son, but they have many sons here who really love and respect them. Gauri has lost her husband, but she has many brothers and sisters here who love and respect her. Soha has lost her father, but she has many uncles and aunts who love and cherish her. Gauri’s parents have lost their son-in-law, but they have all of us here who will always support them.

Dear Dr. Saheb and Hansaji, all of us here will do our best to see that the activities of The Yoga Institute continue, the purity of yoga will be maintained. The show will go on and all of us, including Gauri, will take The Yoga Institute to greater heights.

May Patanjali’s soul rest in peace.”

Following Shri Ajaybhai, Smt. Asha Asrani, who was a close friend of Dr. Patanjali, spoke to the large gathering:

“We have all gathered here today with a very heavy heart to mourn the sudden passing away of our dear Dr. Patanjali. This is a huge loss in our lives and no words are enough to express our thoughts and feelings. But, let me share a few things with you about Dr. Patanjali.

Smt. Asha Asrani
As a child, Patanjali was very sweet. He took up games, sitar, guitar, harmonium and vocal singing. He loved animals, especially dogs. He had kept a Great Dane at the Institute for a year. He had great knowledge about dogs and their pedigree. He was also a lover of horses.

Patanjali was a simple person with a very sharp and brilliant mind. He was a good student. He did his schooling from Maneckji Cooper and B.Sc. in Chemistry from Parle College. Later he did his Masters in Ancient Indian Culture. He was deeply interested in Yoga history and practice. He would practise meditation and other techniques for long hours.

His practice and study of Yoga along with his research on Yogis culminated in a PhD thesis titled, ‘Yoga in Ancient India as revealed in the Upanishads.’ This was conferred upon him in the year 2009.

He was interested in meeting various Yogis, Nath Panthi Sadhus and Babas. He attended the Maha Kumbha Mela at Prayag and also at Ujjain and Nashik. He visited Degam in Gujarat which is the ancestral village of the Yogendra Family.

He had a very keen sense and power of observation and very deep grasping power. He instantly picked up the gist of the subject matter. His memory was also very sharp. He took to writing stories, short stories, long essays and published them in the monthly journal of The Yoga Institute, of which he was the Assistant Editor.

Crowd filling the Institute garden
Patanjali was always full of ideas and plans for the Institute and played an active tole in the Institute’s administration. The garden as we see it today, the arrangement and construction of the kitchen, the washrooms, the ladies’ hostel and the third floor ‘B’ wing were all done under his ideation and supervision. He was authoritative and forthright in his behaviour towards all and did not suffer fools gladly. At the same time, he was caring and considerate to all the staff and helpers at the Institute.

In his personal life, he was very meticulous and organized with very regular and simple habits. He believed in keeping a low profile and had little interest in material possessions. His material possessions were very few, just a few simple clothes and a pair of Chappals (Sandals).

The Yogendra Family
He maintained a strict time-table for all his daily activities. He had a simple lifestyle and strict routines and disciplines. He loved very simple Sattvic, vegetarian, home-made food.

He was a complete family man. As a child he was very close to his Dadaji – Late Shri Yogendraji, the Founder of The Yoga Institute. Both of them spent a lot of time together. He was also very close to his Nanaji – Late Shri Jitendra Patni and had lunch with him once a week without fail.

(L-R) Dr. Jayadeva Yogendra, Smt. Hansaji Yogendra,
Smt. Gauri Patanjali, Smt. Taraben Patni and Gauriji's family.
As a family man, he was loving and responsible. He took great care of all the family members, their health, hygiene, wellbeing and security. He was a most loving and supportive companion to his wife, Gauri. He loved going out with her and loved her singing. He was a proud and doting father to little Soha. He loved playing with her and singing songs to her. He was a caring son and his primary concern was his parents' health and wellbeing. He always desired that they should rest and relax enough. He was a valuable friend to a close circle of people.


To say that we shall miss him very much is an understatement.

Let us all remember this uniquely simple person in our prayers and may his soul rest in peace.”

Smt. Armaiti Desai
Smt. Armaiti Desai, who has been associated with the Institute since the Founder’s time, shared some of her memories of Dr. Patanjali when he was a child. She shared fondly that even as a child, Patanjali was unusual in that, not only was he born in a family of Yogis, but he hardly even slept. She remembered Dr. Jayadeva or Hansaji holding him in their arms at all times.

She had heard him speak to someone on the phone at a very young age and the person on the other line must have been complaining about someone. She remembers being surprised on hearing him respond wisely, “Let it go.”

Senior IPS Officer Shri Sadanand Date
attended the prayer meeting.
Once, Hansaji had requested him to help her out with making good talks as her English was not as good as his. He readily and sincerely helped her out all the time and truly cared about the activities at the Institute.

Such was the personality of this wonderful young man who leaves behind him loving memories in the minds of thousands of people.

The prayer ceremony ended with Captain Saudamini reciting the Shanti Mantra in Sanskrit. The crowds of people – family, students, teachers, friends, followers, etc. all joined hands and paid their respects to Dr. Patanjali Yogendra.

God Bless. 

Paying last respects

SAD DEMISE



Dr. Patanjali Jayadeva Yogendra
(15th July 1975 – 24th July 2012)


Dr. Patanjali J. Yogendra, son of Dr. Jayadeva and Smt. Hansaji Yogendra met with an accident on 23rd July and passed away on 24th July, 2012.  A prayer meeting to condole the demise of Dr. Patanjali will be held on Friday, 27th July, 2012 at 6 pm at The Yoga Institute, Santacruz East.

Dr. Patanjali was the Secretary and Treasurer of The Yoga Institute, Santacruz.  He was the Assistant Editor of the monthly journal Yoga and Total Health. His monthly feature in the journal, “The Story that Stirs…” was well read and appreciated by all.

He took lectures on Samkhya philosophy in the three month teacher training course at The Yoga Institute. He was involved with the analysis and follow-up of case history of students attending the regular classes at the Institute.

His early schooling was at the Maneckji Cooper School, Juhu, Mumbai. Thereafter, he graduated from Sathaye College, Vile Parle, Mumbai. He did his M.A. in Ancient Indian Culture and qualified as a PhD. from the Mumbai University for his thesis on “Yoga in Ancient India as revealed in the Yoga Upanishads.”

Very intelligent, with a good sense of humour, he regaled his friends with hilarious jokes.  As a child, he enjoyed playing the guitar and table tennis.

He is survived by his wife, Smt. Gauri Patanjali Yogendra and daughter Kum. Soha. 

CARE OF THE NOSE


- Shri Yogendraji

The practice of nasal cleansing purifies the air sinuses, invigorates the brain, tones up the optic nerves and thus improves sight.
                                                                          Hathayogapradipika, II, 30.


Sufficient attention is not yet directed to the hygiene of the nose which is wrongly supposed to be the least important organ by the physiological text books. On the contrary, it is the main internal organ that keeps functioning even to the last moment of our earthly existence. Nasal toilet has, therefore, not become as common as the daily cleansing of the teeth, mouth and tongue.

Many diseases like tonsillitis, mumps, sinusitis and even diphtheria, infantile paralysis, measles, scarlet fever, influenza, tuberculosis and rheumatism etc. can be easily prevented by taking good care of the nose, of course, including the general hygiene of the other organs. Further, the ordinary nasal affections such as the polyp, adenoid growth, deformities of the septum and the most common of all troubles – the recurring nasal catarrh – are also all mostly preventable and could be easily avoided by a little timely care of this organ.

The two nostrils, Pingala (right) and Ida (left) – have solar and lunar effects on the nervous system. The deaf, mute and the insane, even with loss of taste, still live while the nasal organ is still active; and in fact, cleansing the nostril is the cure for the insane and will diminish insanity ninety percent; yet physiological text books teach that it is the least important organ.     

Ordinarily, whatever dust is inhaled, lodges on the mucous surface of the nasal canal and is pushed towards the outer orifice by the minute cilia which are in constant outward motion. Any microbes entering the nose are likewise expelled, and in addition to this mechanical expulsion, the nasal mucus, which by nature is germicidal, destroys a large number of bacteria. But, with the amount of dust we inhale and the adulterated food and poisonous drinks we are daily swallowing, clogging throughout biophysical mechanism is unavoidable. The nasal passage accordingly suffers from dust accumulation and stuffing. Handkerchiefs cannot remove all the dust and mucus accumulated.  When one sleeps on one side the refuse begins to encrust in the nare of the other side which during the period remains blocked. The slightest variation in the usual amount of air inhaled, as a result of morbid accumulation in the nasal canal, impairs the natural freedom in breathing, and this, in turn, produces deleterious effects upon the composition and quality of blood cells and also upon circulation itself, besides causing functional disturbances in the circulatory, digestive, nervous and other systems. The cumulative effect is the lowering of the vital index.

To start with any anti-toxic treatment (Malasuddhi) at this stage, it is necessary first to remove the cause where the clogging originated. The nostrils therefore, need the cleansing before other organs are treated. Again, the closure of one nostril, now becoming so common among the adults, brings on premature old age by constant rarefaction of the air. Physiologic yoga contends that closure of one nostril reacts unfavourably on the energy cycle of an individual because the harmony between the solar (Pingala) and lunar (Ida) electromagnetic currents remains disturbed. It also affects temperature, pulse and therefore the curve of health, and detracts much from thinking and concentration. This condition, however, could be most certainly and easily avoided by timely and daily care of the nasal organs. To keep this organ in a healthy state it is necessary that the nostrils must be fully open for the passage of air. The method suggested by yoga hygiene is very simple and is known as Neti or nasal cleansing.

The ordinary Jalaneti of the Vyutkrama type is non-injurious, non-irritating and absolutely simple. The beginners in yoga and for that matter, even the layman could practice this yoga nasal douche not only without any misgiving but with positive benefits. So, just when you wash your teeth and mouth, both in the morning and in the evening, do not forget to cleanse your nose also with cold or tepid water.

Take a glassful of water nearly half a pint – and put in half a teaspoonful of table salt. Stir it up properly and pour some (about an ounce) in your inverted palm and inhale the same as in suction through one nostril at a time. (Refer to fig.) If tilting the head to one side for snuffing water by dipping one nostril is found unsatisfactory, the other nostril may even be closed with the thumb of the other hand. Use each palm alternately for the respective nostril. The snuffed water will flow out either through the same nostril or the other or both or what is more likely; it may drain down through the mouth. Repeat this snuffing process twice alternately through each nostril.

During cold or other nasal ailments, the practice may be repeated two or three times a day. Soon after Jalaneti, remember to blow your nose of all watery discharge, taking care to use only one nostril at a time.          

Jalaneti not only loosens clogged up mucus and dirt accumulated and hardened in the nostrils but also stimulates the tiny nerves and tender mucus membrane in the nostrils. Stimulation of the nerve endings has a tonic effect on the brain and the nervous system. Furthermore vision is improved and all diseases arising out of nasal obstruction are cured.



Published in the June 2011 edition of Yoga & Total Health Magazine