INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES

(YSN Vol. 11, No. 2 – Jun. 2023)

॥ ६-२० Bhagavad Gita॥

यत्रोपरमते चित्तं निरुद्धं योगसेवया ।
यत्र चैवात्मनात्मानं पश्यन्नात्मनि तुष्यति

yatroparamate cittaṃ niruddhaṃ yogasevayā
yatra caivātmanātmānaṃ paśyannātmani tuṣyati

“Where the mind becomes tranquil by the practice of yoga, and where, beholding the Self by the self, one is satisfied in the Self.”

Definitions:
yatra = in that state of affairs where; uparamate = cease (because one feels transcendental happiness); cittaṃ = mental activities; niruddhaṃ = being restrained from matter; yogasevayā = by performance of yoga; yatra = in which; ca = also; eva = certainly; ātmanā = by the pure mind; ātmānaṃ = the self; paśyan = realizing the position of; ātmani = in the self; tuṣyati = one becomes satisfied;

Interpretation:
This verse highlights the state of contentment and inner peace that can be achieved through the practice of Yoga. When the mind is disciplined and calm through dedicated Yogic practices, it becomes free from distractions and disturbances. By observing and realizing the true nature of the Self within, one finds fulfillment and satisfaction. The verse emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and self-realization as key elements in attaining inner peace and contentment. It encourages individuals to turn their focus inward and cultivate a serene and harmonious state of mind through the path of Yoga.

The verse does not imply that one should be selfish in the conventional sense of prioritizing one’s own interests at the expense of others. It emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and self-realization as a means to attain inner peace and contentment. This self-awareness does not promote a self-centered or egotistical mindset, but rather a deeper understanding of one’s own being. In essence, the verse emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and self-realization without promoting self-centeredness or selfishness. It guides individuals towards finding inner peace and contentment while still maintaining a compassionate and empathetic approach towards others.

(YSN Vol. 11, No. 1 – Mar. 2023)

Salutation to the Dawn
~ Sanskrit, attributed to Kālidāsa

Listen to the salutation to the dawn, Look to this day for it is life, the very life of life, In its brief course lie all the verities and realities of our existence.

The bliss of growth, the splendor of beauty, For yesterday is but a dream and tomorrow is only a vision,

But today well spent makes every yesterday a dream of happiness and every tomorrow a vision of hope.

Look well therefore to this day. Such is the salutation to the dawn.

(YSN Vol. 10, No. 1 – Feb. 2022)

Bhagvad Gita, 4:38

न हि ज्ञानेन सदृशं पवित्रमिह विद्यते |
तत्स्वयं योगसंसिद्ध: कालेनात्मनि विन्दति || 38||

na hi jñānena sadṛiśhaṁ pavitramiha vidyate
tatsvayaṁ yogasansiddhaḥ kālenātmani vindati

na—not; hi—certainly; jñānena—with divine knowledge; sadṛiśham—like; pavitram—pure; iha—in this world; vidyate—exists; tat—that; svayam—oneself; yoga—practice of yog; sansiddhaḥ—he who has attained perfection; kālena—in course of time; ātmani—wihtin the heart; vindati—finds

In this world, there is nothing as purifying as divine knowledge. One who has attained purity of mind through prolonged practice of Yog, receives such knowledge within the heart, in due course of time.

(YSN Vol. 9, No. 1 – Sept. 2021)

(II:21) Patanjali Yog Sutra

तदर्थ एव दृश्यस्यात्मा ॥ 2:२१॥

tadarth eva drishyasyatma

tad-artha = the purpose for that, to serve as (tad = that; artha = purpose)
eva = only / alone
drishyasya = of the seen, knowable
atma = seer, soul, essence, being, existence, awareness

Nature and intelligence exist solely to serve the seer’s purpose, liberation.

Nature has no light of its own. Nature is seen with borrowed light of the seer. Just as the moon’s light is borrowed light from the sun.

Yat prāṇena na prāṇiti yena prāṇaḥ praṇīyate
That which one does not inhale by the life-breath, by which life-breath is led

Tadeva brahma tvaṃ viddhi nedaṃ yadidamupāsate
That, indeed, is Brahman (Absolute),
not this that they worship.

~ Kena Upanishad (Saam Ved) 1:8

(YSN Vol. 7, No. 2 – Dec. 2019)

Isha Upanishad #15

Transliteration:

Hiranmayena patrena satya-syapi-hitam mukham,
tattvam pusanna-pavrnu satya –dharmaya drstave.

Translation:

Truth lies concealed by the golden vessel.
O Sun!
Open the entrance of that cover
So as the Truth  you so concealed
be visible to me,
a devotee, who by nature is truthful,
in the light of your illuminating Grace.

(YSN Vol. 7, No. 1 – Mar. 2019)

VI-72 in Maha Upanishad (Sammaveda)

Devanagari script:

अयंनिजःपरोवेतिगणनालघुचेतसाम्
उदारचरितानांतुवसुधैवकुटुम्बकम्

Transliteration:
Ayam nijah paro veti gananaa laghuchetasam
Udaar charitaanam to vasudhaiwa kutumbakam.

Translation:
“This is one’s own, this is other,” such is the calculation of the narrow-minded.
But to the noble hearts, the entire earth is but one family.

(YSN Vol. 6, No. 3 – Nov. 2018)

Lokah Samasta Sukhino Bhavantu

Devanagari script:
लोकाः समस्ताः सुखिनो भवन्तु

Transliteration:
lokāh samastāh sukhino bhavantu

Translation:
“May all beings everywhere be happy and free.”

Note: This Sanskrit prayer has been used for many centuries to invoke greater states of compassion and peace among all beings.

(YSN Vol. 6, No. 2 – Jul. 2018)

__________________________________________

अभ्यासवैराग्याअभ्यांतन्निरोधः ॥१२॥

(YSN Vol. 6, No. 1 – Feb. 2018)

Bhagvad Gita, Chapter 2, Verse 50

Excellence in Action is Yoga.
(yogaḥ karmasu kauśalam / योगः कर्मसु कौशलम् )

बुद्धियुक्तो जहातीह उभे सुकृतदुष्कृते |
तस्माद्योगाय युज्यस्व योग: कर्मसु कौशलम् || 50||

buddhi-yukto jahātīha ubhe sukṛita-duṣhkṛite
tasmād yogāya yujyasva yogaḥ karmasu kauśhalam

buddhi-yuktaḥ-endowed with wisdom; jahāti-get rid of; iha-in this life; ubhe-both; sukṛita-duṣhkṛite-good and bad deeds; tasmāt-therefore; yogāya-for Yog; yujyasva-strive for; yogaḥ-yog is; karmasu kauśhalam-the art of working skillfully

“One who prudently practices the science of work without attachment can get rid of both good and bad reactions in this life itself. Therefore, strive for Yog, which is the art of working skillfully (in proper consciousness).”

(Source: https://www.holy-bhagavad-gita.org/chapter/2/verse/50)

(YSN Vol. 5, No. 1 – May 2017)

Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 6, Verse 17

| | युक्ताहार-विहारस्य | युक्त-चॆष्टस्य कर्मसु | युक्त-स्वप्नावबॊधस्य | यॊगॊ भवति दुःख-हा | |

yuktåhåra-vihårasya yukta-ce߆asya karmasu
yukta-svapnåvabodhasya yogo bhavati dukha-hå

yukta—regulated; ahara—eating; viharasya—recreation; yukta—regulated; cestasya—of one who works for maintenance; karmasu—in discharging duties; yukta—regulated; svapna-avabodhasya—regulated sleep and wakefulness; yogah—practice of yoga; bhavati—becomes; duhkha-ha—diminishing pains.

“He who is moderate in eating and recreation, who performs all activities in a regulated manner and is temperate in sleeping and waking, can mitigate miseries and pains by practicing the yoga system.”

(YSN Vol. 4, No. 3 – Dec. 2016)

“When you drop all your ideas, fantasies and projections about who you are and what freedom is and remain completely empty, this is freedom.” — Mooji

(YSN Vol. 4, No. 1 – Dec. 2015-Jan. 2016)

Bhagvad Gita, Chapter 2, Verse 48

समतवम योग उचयते

Samatvam yoga uchyate

(Evenness of mind is called Yoga): samatvam = equanimity; yoga = yoga; uchyate = is called

“Yoga is the work of the inner self (vyakta) on the outer self (vyakti). All that the outer does is merely in response to the inner.”
~Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj in “I am That” (1973: p. 74)

(YSN Vol. 3, No. 1 – Jan. 2015)

योगेन चित्तस्य पदेन वाचां | मलं शरीरस्य च वैद्यकेन || योऽपाकरोत्तं प्रवरं मुनीनां | पतञ्जलिं प्राञ्जलिरानतोऽस्मि ||

yogena chittasya padena vaachaammalam sharirasya cha vaidyakenayopaakarottam pravaram muninaampaataanjalim praanjalir anato’smi

“Let us bow before Patanjali, who gave yoga for serenity and sanctity of mind, grammar for clarity and purity of speech, and medicine for perfection of health.”

(YSN Vol. 2, No. 1 – Jul. 2014)

Sutra 1.3
Tada Drashtuh Svarupe Vasthanam

“Then the seer (self) receives insight into his own nature.”