Vedic Study Members Enter Above
Sadhana
Nurturing Your Spiritual Journey
Becoming a Lotus: Awakening Through
Vedic Studentship
Vedic studentship is akin to the journey of a lotus, which grows from the depths of muddy waters to blossom into a radiant flower. Just as the lotus rises above the murky depths, follwingthe first ray of the sun, untouched by the impurity surrounding it, a Vedic student navigates the challenges of worldly- samsaric life with the guidance of ancient wisdom. Through dedicated practice (Sadhana), study, and the guidance of a qualified teacher, the student unfolds their true potential, gradually awakening to the divine knowledge within, and like the lotus, they bloom in spiritual purity and beauty, rooted in the essence of Vedic teachings.
Preparing the Ground for Spiritual Growth
Becoming a student of Vedic wisdom is much like tending to a sacred garden. Just as a gardener tills the soil to plant new seeds, nurturing them with care and devotion, so too must we prepare our inner landscape to receive and cultivate the teachings. This preparation is a sadhana—a disciplined practice of aligning our minds, hearts, and spirits to create a fertile ground where knowledge can take root and flourish. Through this nurturing process, we become receptive vessels, ready to absorb the wisdom that will blossom into lasting transformation.
Three Pillars of Vedic Learning
There are three stages in the journey of acquiring and assimilating knowledge, particularly in the realms of Vedic philosophy and spiritual wisdom gained from Shastra.
Shravanam - involves active listening. I encourage you to attend regular study sessions or lectures, as this is where my knowledge shall flow and find a home in your hearts and minds. By actively absorbing these teachings, one opens the doorway to profound wisdom.
Mananam - Once knowledge is acquired through Shravanam, it requires private contemplation, reflection, and examination. This phase encourages you to question, analyze, and seek clarity, thus ensuring a thorough understanding of the teachings. Engage in journaling to internalize these teachings and better understand their significance.
Nididhyasanam - is the culmination of this triad. It is the practice of meditation and self-awareness, where the knowledge you've acquired is not just understood conceptually but experienced at a profound level (emotionally too). This allows the wisdom to become an integral part of your being, guiding your actions and transforming your life. Seek to apply the wisdom in daily life and experience its transformative power.
Right Eating
Promote a sattvic diet – one that is clean, pure, and fosters mental clarity. Avoid foods that are excessively spicy, processed, or tamasic in nature. A balanced, vegetarian diet harmonizes with Vedic principles. Finishing dinner no later than 6 PM allows for us to be fresh in the morning and arise early.
Asana
Embrace yoga asanas and pranayama to maintain both physical health and mental clarity. Yoga helps balance the energies within the body, facilitating a more profound absorption of Vedic knowledge.
Pranayama
Pranayama, or breathwork, is a potent tool. It calms the mind, enhances concentration, and purifies the body. Practice the various pranayama techniques taught to you, to support your Vedic studies. Anulom Vilom and Brahmari are of special significance.
Prayerful Life
Cultivate a life infused with daily prayers, mantras, rituals, and acts of devotion to the divine Mother/Ishvara. These practices foster a sacred and mindful environment, nurturing your spiritual growth, and encouraging you to continuously ask Ishvara to keep the karmic window of learning open and flowing for you.
Cultivate Sattva
Engage in acts of kindness and practice non-violence (ahimsa). Maintain a harmonious environment and reduce negative influences. By cultivating 'sattva' through virtuous actions, your mind becomes more receptive to Vedic wisdom.
Supportive Community
We are on this journey together, yet it's important to remember that Shastra study is primarily an individual and solitary pursuit. While you're encouraged to acknowledge each other's presence and learn from each other’s questions and my responses, conversations unrelated to the study of Shastra, such as life, profession, and relationships, are discouraged.
Sowing Seeds of Wisdom
As we embark on this sacred journey, think of your spiritual practice as the gentle act of sowing seeds in a fertile garden. Drop by drop, a pitcher is filled; drop by drop, an ocean becomes full. In the same way, each mindful seed you plant—through practices like embracing a sattvic diet, engaging in daily sadhana, or cultivating a prayerful life—gradually displaces the thorny weeds of the mind and samsara, replacing them with fruit-bearing trees that offer nourishment and peace. With patience and devotion, your inner landscape will transform, flourishing into a rich garden of wisdom and tranquility.
Preparing for Our Time Together
Hello, Sadasya
In the sacred moments before each class, let us embark on a journey of inner purity and spiritual receptivity. These simple rituals can help create a space for profound learning and connection:
Before Every Session
A Soulful Preparation
01
Wake Up
Wake Up Before 6 AM - Embrace the Rising Sun: Begin your day by rising before 6 AM. Welcome the breaking dawn as you step into the embrace of the rising sun. Offer your homage to this celestial force of energy and light. As the sun ascends, engage in meditation, pranayama, and yoga to align your physical and mental energies with the cosmic rhythms. This practice harmonizes your inner self with the universe, preparing you to embark on your quest for wisdom.
03
Seek Divine Light
The divine light you seek is ultimately the sun itself, a powerful source of spiritual energy. You are invited to connect with this light every morning by following my Gayatri Sadhana teachings in the video library, allowing the sun's radiance to illuminate your inner landscape. In case the sun does not rise early in your part of the world or during the seasons of less sunlight, you can illuminate a ghee-lamp nearby, casting a gentle glow that represents the inner illumination you seek. With patience and devotion, your inner world will transform, flourishing into a rich garden of wisdom and tranquility.
02
Showering and Fresh Attire
Following this early morning ritual, cleanse your body and dress in fresh, clean clothes. This act symbolizes the purification of the physical self, readying you to receive the profound wisdom that awaits. Increase white clothes in your wardrobe if possible (white for Sattva).
04
Prayers and Gratitude
In this lineage, we can revere the divine in any form. We can also honor the formless divine as Supreme Consciousness. It is traditional to honor Surya (the Sun), Shiva, Vishnu, Ganesha, and Shakti in her infinite forms as the Divine Mother and Devi. Take a moment to express heartfelt gratitude and devotion, directing your thoughts to Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, and Maa Saraswati, the embodiment of knowledge. Seek their blessings, and honor any deities or spiritual figures that resonate with your own heart and faith. Additionally, express gratitude to your ancestors and to the sacred symbols of your own faith, whatever they may be, recognizing that all is ONE. Acknowledge the lineage, the parampara, which serves as a bridge connecting you to these sacred teachings, and embrace the spiritual path that speaks to your soul, fostering a diverse and inclusive journey of wisdom.
Stillness and Presence
Finally, do as you sit down to receive these teachings, either directly on Zoom or indirectly on Youtube, release all distractions and cultivate inner stillness and presence. It is in this tranquil space that the wisdom and guidance can deeply resonate with your soul.
Ideas to Cultivate Sattvic Self Awareness
Below, you'll find a series of videos with sattvic suggestions, designed to help you gradually incorporate these lifestyle rituals into your life, one at a time—perhaps one each month. This is not a to-do list, but a gentle invitation to bring intentionality and balance into your daily routine.
Evoking Deity's: Before Study
Offering prayers to Ganesha and Saraswati before logging online is a practice that can significantly enhance your online learning experience. Here's why:
Seeking Blessings: Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, is invoked to clear any hurdles or challenges that might obstruct your learning journey. By seeking his blessings, you can navigate through any technical or mental obstacles that may arise while studying online.
Wisdom and Knowledge: Saraswati is the goddess of knowledge, wisdom, and learning. By offering prayers to her, you invoke her guidance and blessings to enhance your understanding and retention of the material you study online.
Focus and Clarity: These prayers can help calm your mind, improve focus, and enhance mental clarity. This is especially valuable when you're studying in a digital environment, where distractions are abundant.
Cultural and Spiritual Connection: Invoking Ganesha and Saraswati is a cultural and spiritual tradition that connects seekers to The Vedic roots and provides a connection and meaning in their learning process.
Setting a Positive Tone: Starting your online learning with prayers sets a positive and reverent tone for your study session. It can help you approach your studies with humility and a receptive mindset.
Incorporating these prayers into your online learning routine can create a conducive and spiritually enriched environment, making your educational journey more meaningful and productive.
Prayer to Lord Ganesha
ॐ गजाननाय विद्महे।
वक्रतुण्डाय धीमहि।
तन्नो दन्ति प्रचोदयात्।।
Translation:
Om Gajananaya Vidmahe,
Vakratundaya Dhimahi,
Tanno Danti Prachodayat.
Meaning:
“We know Lord Ganesha, We meditate upon the Curved One, May He guide our intellect."
Word by Word Meaning:
ॐ (Om) - The universal sound, often referred to as the "pranava," representing the essence of the ultimate reality.
गजाननाय (Gajānanāya) - To the elephant-faced one (referring to Lord Ganesha)
विद्महे (Vidmahe) - We know
वक्रतुण्डाय (Vakratuṇḍāya) - To the one with a curved trunk (referring to Lord Ganesha)
धीमहि (Dhīmahi) - We meditate upon
तन्नो (Tanno) - May that
दन्ति (Danti) - Teeth
प्रचोदयात् (Prachodayāt) - Inspire/guide us
Benefit:
This mantra is an invocation to Lord Ganesha, seeking his blessings and guidance. It begins with the universal sound "Om" and then meditates on the elephant-faced Lord, asking for guidance and inspiration. Reciting this prayer before your study invokes the blessings and guidance of Ishvara as Lord Ganesh, seeking wisdom, knowledge, and successful learning. Ganesh is revered as the deity who removes obstacles and bestows intellect and wisdom.
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Prayer to Maa Saraswati
सरस्वति नमस्तुभ्यं वरदे कामरूपिणि।
विद्यारम्भं करिष्यामि सिद्धिर्भवतु मे सदा॥
Translation:
Saraswati Namastubhyam Varade Kaam Rupini
Vidyarambham Karishyami Siddhirbhavatu Me Sada
Meaning:
O Saraswati, I bow to you, the giver of blessings and the embodiment of knowledge.
I will begin my studies. May success always be with me.
Word by Word Translation:
सरस्वति (Saraswati) - O Saraswati
नमस्तुभ्यं (Namastubhyam) - I bow to you
वरदे (Varade) - The giver of blessings
कामरूपिणि (Kaam Rupini) - Embodiment of desire (knowledge)
विद्यारम्भं (Vidyarambham) - I will begin my studies
करिष्यामि (Karishyami) - I shall do
सिद्धिर्भवतु (Siddhirbhavatu) - May success be
मे (Me) - My
सदा (Sada) - Always
Benefit:
This mantra is a supplication to Goddess Saraswati for her blessings and guidance in the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom. It is commonly recited at the beginning of educational activities and creative endeavors. Reciting this prayer before your study session is a way to invoke the blessings of Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, arts, and learning, to help you in your quest for wisdom and understanding. It's a beautiful tradition in many cultures to seek her guidance and inspiration before embarking on a journey of learning.
Study Circle Commencement Prayers
This prayer invokes blessings and protection from a higher power Supreme Ishvara/Brahman while seeking harmony and wisdom in the study and the relationship between the teacher and students, reciting it. The specific deity or form of the Divine may vary depending on the context and personal belief.
Harmony and Divine Protection Mantra
ॐ
सहना ववतु
सहनौ भुनक्तु
सहवीर्यं करवावहै
तेजस्विनावधीतमस्तु
मा विद्विषावहै
ॐ शान्ति शान्ति शान्ति
Translation:
Om Sahana Vavatu
Sahanau Bhunaktu
Sahaveeryam Karavavahai
Tejasvinavadhitamastu
Ma Vidvishavahai
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti
Meaning:
Om, May The Supreme Power protect both teacher and student, may the power nourish both of us. May we both work together with great energy, and may our study be enlightening. May no obstacle arise between us. Om, Peace, Peace, Peace
Word by Word meaning:
ॐ (Om) - The universal sound, often referred to as the "pranava," representing the essence of the ultimate reality.
सहना (Sahana) - May we be able
ववतु (Vavatu) - Protect us
सहनौ (Sahanau) - Both of us
भुनक्तु (Bhunaktu) - May we enjoy
सहवीर्यं (Sahaveeryam) - Together with great energy
करवावहै (Karavavahai) - May we work
तेजस्विनावधीतमस्तु (Tejasvinaavadheetamastu) - May our learning be radiant
मा (Ma) - Let not
विद्विषावहै (Vidvishaavahai) - May we both not quarrel
ॐ शान्ति (Om Shanti) - Om, peace
शान्ति (Shanti) - Peace
शान्ति (Shanti) - Peace
Benefit:
This mantra is often recited as a prayer for harmony, understanding, and peace, especially in Vedic educational settings or at the beginning of gatherings or activities. It seeks blessings for peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, and collective growth. It asks ishvara for blessings of guidance, protection, and peaceful study. It expresses the desire to study together, share knowledge, and seek wisdom harmoniously, without any conflict or obstacle.
Study Session Conclusion Mantra
ॐ
असतो मा सद्गमय
तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय
मृत्योर्मामृतं गमय
ॐ शान्ति शान्ति शान्ति
Asato Ma Sadgamaya
Tamaso Ma Jyotirgamaya
Mrityor Ma Amritam Gamaya
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti
Meaning:
Lead us from the unreal to the real,
Lead us from darkness to light,
Lead us from mortality to immortality.
Om Peace Peace Peace
Word by Word meaning:
असतः (Asato) - From unreal
मा (Ma) - Not
सद्गमय (Satgamaya) - Lead us to the real
तमसः (Tamaso) - From darkness
मा (Ma) - Not
ज्योतिः (Jyotirgamaya) - Lead us to the light
मृत्योः (Mrityoh) - From death
मामृतं (Maamritam) - Lead me to immortality
गमय (Gamaya) - Let there be
ॐ (Om) - The universal sound, often referred to as the "pranava," representing the essence of the ultimate reality.
शान्ति (Shanti) - Peace
शान्ति (Shanti) - Peace
शान्ति (Shanti) - Peace
Benefit:
This mantra is a prayer for guidance and protection, seeking to move from the unreal to the real, from darkness to light, and from mortality to immortality. It expresses the aspiration for spiritual awakening and realization of the ultimate truth. The repetition of "Shanti" at the end signifies the prayer for inner and outer peace. This mantra is often recited at the end of a Vedic study session to seek the blessings of truth, light, and immortality. It serves as a reminder of the ultimate purpose of seeking knowledge and wisdom – to move from a state of ignorance and impermanence toward enlightenment and everlasting truth.
Cultivating Your Spiritual Path
As you journey through these teachings, I encourage you to embrace the many practices and principles that nurture your spiritual growth. Whether it's connecting with the divine light through Gayatri Sadhana, adopting a sattvic diet to purify your body and mind, or expressing gratitude to the deities, ancestors, and faith symbols that resonate with your soul, each step you take enriches your inner landscape.
I hope these suggestions inspire and support your learning within the Vedic tradition. Your active participation and dedication not only deepen your own spiritual understanding but also contribute to the collective wisdom and progress of our beautiful Vedic Study Circle. Together, we create a sacred space where knowledge, love, and unity flourish, guiding us all toward greater enlightenment.