Chaturmas - Bali and Bhooma Devi

Chaturmas

Bali and Dharaani devi’s story – are they inter-related?

One question in exam paper was “Answer any 4 out of 8” and Rajinikanth answered all the eight questions and wrote below “choose any 4 to correct”.

If Rajini can do, can’t I?  can’t I give 2 stories to answer your questions? Well, jokes apart, here’s the explanation…

Yes, story of Bhooma Devi as you’ve rightly noticed explains all the queries that you asked – why 4 months are called ‘chaturmas’? what to do then – as told by Rishis and why? But, I also answered a question that wasn’t asked by you.

Agreed, Bhooma Devi wanted that boon and all that but why those 4 months are not considered auspicious for events like marriages etc in the first place? Because Maha Vishnu is not at Vaikuntam and if such events occur, then the offerings would be offered which have to be taken by Gods and to do that they would have had to go to ‘Patala loka’ where Mahavishnu would be during those months. Then, the question as to why he is there would arise and hence I told the story of Bali Chakravarthi. Because, He is in Patala Loka, the Rathri automatically becomes inauspicious and to remove that it was declared as ‘chaturmas’ fit enough for Theerth, homam, meditation etc as already explained. Yes, both 4 months are the same months as rightly noticed by you Vaibhav.

I hope its clear for one and for all now. Sorry, for not having explained in detail earlier.

And thanks Vaibhav for coming out with your doubt. If its still confusing please ask again, and I’ll try to explain it once more…

head stand

Now that the complete postmortem had been done of the question – let’s go to see its answer.

First let’s see what ‘sirsasan’ is. It’s called the ‘Head stand’ in yoga. It is part of Hatha-yoga and is unanimously called ‘The king of Asanas’. See the picture below to understand how it’s done.

Now, what are its benefits?

    

          Brain is the main centre that controls all the parts of the body. And yet the blood and oxygen that reaches it is very less. No doubt, it doesn’t work to its optimal capacity. This posture automatically address this issue as the brain or head is down and the rest of the body up – the blood immediately rushes to the brain. It gets good amount of oxygen and thereby it benefits all other parts of the body. 

      

      Then what are the rules for not doing it and for doing it?

First let’s see when and by whom it should not be done –

   

      Initially it shouldn’t be done for more than 30 sec and that too under the supervision of a ‘qualified yoga master’ only. Don’t try it on your own. The harm caused by it is more than the benefit it gives – if not properly done. It is a very dangerous asana and hence only taught as an advanced asana – not in the first few weeks of joining yoga classes.

 

          Though it looks as if the head is taking the weight of the entire body, it’s the neck that kbears the weight of the entire body. So, people with spondylytis and such neck issues cannot and should not attempt it. They can having once over the years with the practice of other asanas like ‘sarpasan’, ‘bhujangasan’, ‘dhanursasan’ et like strengthened the neck and shoulder muscles. People with weak spine and such issues like disc-prolapse, slip disc shouldn’t attempt it

 .  

         Hands also have to be strengthened before attempting this asana as we use our palms and hands to go into this posture.

 

         It is preferable to do this asana under the guidance of ‘yoga master’ for few months regularly and till you’ve raised it to ‘10mts stand posture’. Only then ‘please’ practice it on your own.

         Women who are pregnant though ‘modern studies’ don’t have reasons against it – I suggest you don’t till after 6 mths of delivery. There are scores of other asanas good for women during and post delivery – please do that and leave this alone.

       Women during their monthly cycles – though comfortable doing it. Don’t. I don’t want to discuss much about it here, so my suggestion is don’t.

      Preferably do it before your morning tea/coffee or any other intake. Other time, see that you’ve taken very light meals and the food is properly digested completely before attempting it. Since, there’s no way one can know that for sure, I suggest only mornings. Rest – you are the better judge.

So, looking into these points, you take the call depending upon your situation. And yes, people who are over weight take support of others for few months before doing it on your own!

      And all others, who for various reasons unable to do it can benefit to a large extent if they do ‘parvathasan’ and ‘bend down to touch their own toes’.

Hope the question is answered…..

Last but not the least, this doubt and such doubts raise their head only when one is restless within. And a restless mind can not concentrate enough to hear completely, understand what it’s hear, read or seen and the confusion reigns in such cases. Solution – sadhan, sadhan nothing like sadhan. Do sadhan regularly to be more in control of the senses. Be in regular sadhan (It applies to all!) re-birth meditation and Let go meditation can give good results.

So stick to it – at all times – regularly!

head stand

…..contd……..

1.   

         Now, what’s the second thing we can learn here? Importance of framing sentences and usage of words. Why? Simple – because we know our desires are expressed through our intentions and intentions are nothing but a string of words. Now, the question is ‘you get what you ask’ means ‘you get what your words imply’ not what you assumed or wanted your words to mean. Remember ‘words mean what they mean. They don’t mean what you want them to mean’.

That means, if a desire or an intention is not getting fulfilled, their one reason – I repeat ‘only one reason’ could be that ‘we are not wording our intentions correctly’. No. it doesn’t mean you call your master immediately with your intentions. No. Don’t! It means you need to write your intentions read them and see what they mean and you can do that only if “you stop seeing your meaning in those words”. How can one do that? Simple!

2.      Be Aware! An agitated mind can’t think clearly and it certainly can’t see a solution right in front of its eyes. So, relax! Write an intention with a calm mind. Don’t be afraid of making mistakes or going wrong. Be adventurous! Go on this trip – unmarked and unplanned! Be open to learning from your mistakes – even if you make some. One gets few bruises and falls quite a few times before learning to ride. But, that doesn’t stop us from leaning to ride and forgo the joy of riding? Do we? Same here.

Once you accept that you are ready to accept your mistakes, you’ll not make mistakes – you can call that “Reiki Law” or “Murphy’s Law”. But it is so! Why? Because, mistakes are the outcome of a mind filled with fear. Fear numbs our senses and pushes us towards making mistakes. With acceptance, we let go off fear. And where there is no fear, where is the question of making mistakes?

Try it couple of times to experience and understand what I meant and do share with others your experience too!

……contd…….

Sirsasan - Yoga posture

Sirsasan – Head Stand

“Can I do ‘sirsasan’? because, I remember you telling me not to…..”

Wow! Can you read that question slowly and couple of times? I sentence is a question asking ‘if you can do’ and 2^nd sentence says I’ve already asked you not to!

What does it imply?

1.    

        Inspite of me telling you not to, you wish to seek a clarification if you can? God, it surely is confusing for me…….if this so, then what is the purpose of me giving an answer, because you’ll again ask the same question. That only means that you’ll ask the question till you receive the answer that you seek. If this is the case, why question me when you’ve decided on the answer. Because, if you ask wanting me to give an answer that you seek, it will not happen. I’ll give an answer that’s right for that question. And the answer cannot be ‘yes’ once and ‘no’ next time.

Here, I know the person who sought an answer didn’t mean all that, yet I am explaining that way, why? Because I know what your question meant, but you should know what your question implies. Because, others and the Nature doesn’t care to listen to you they listen to your words and they’ll understand what you’ve said or done – not what you thought. And this exactly is the cause of confusion, misunderstandings and miscommunication as we all know – these cause havoc in any relationship. So, beware of what you say and how you say! Be it verbal or written.

”Thank-God! I didn’t ask any doubts!

OR

“That’s why I don’t ask any doubts” – if this is your reaction after reading this explanation, remember, you’ve sealed your fate. You’ve accepted defeat even before trying. You are afraid of being wrong when actually you should strive to know your flaws, how to overcome then and finally ‘Be’ the person you long to be or ‘Be at the place’ you wish to be!

If you don’t open your mouth, how can I correct you and unless you know the ‘reasons’ for your failure, pain, suffering – how can you deal with it? So, a person who seeks to know will go a long way when compared to a man who is afraid of being told of his flaws. Then again, between 2 persons who seek answer one who seeks to know, is open to listening and eager to apply the suggestions and solutions will benefit more than the person who asks just for the sake of asking and doesn’t bother much about the answer.

…..contd……..