Samadhi
Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras are a cornerstone of yogic philosophy, offering profound insights into the workings of the mind and the true purpose of yoga. The celebrated second sutra encapsulates the very essence of yoga: yogaḥ citta-vṛtti-nirodhaḥ. In this article, revered Gurudev Anandmurti Gurumaa offers an insightful exposition on this timeless aphorism, revealing its intended meaning.
Rishi Patanjali states that yoga begins with righteous conduct and discipline. Accordingly, yama and niyama are considered the first two limbs of ashtanga yoga. With this foundation in place—and under the guidance of a competent teacher—the practitioner can progress further on the path of sadhana.
Many Hindus adore the Divine by visiting temples or performing aarti, waving lamps, beating drums, and playing cymbals before a murti (idol). In this insightful article, Pujya Gurudev Anandmurti Gurumaa elucidates that for a yogi, God is not a mere statue. The Divine has no form or name; it is the unchanging, absolute existence. Yogis perform their worship differently—by stilling their mind in meditation and adoring the Atman, the pure and...
The practice of mantra japa has been one of the most enduring spiritual disciplines since ancient times. When done with faith and vigour, it quietens the mind and turns it inward. A point may come when japa ripens into effortless remembrance – or the mind may dissolve altogether into stillness and bliss. What follows are valuable pointers to deepen your sadhana and avail the true joy of mantra japa.
India is a land with a long tradition of great masters and great yogis. And there are countless stories depicting their amazing lives and teachings. One such story is about a yogi from Maharashtra (in central India) called Changdev Maharaj. He entered a state of samadhi and stayed in that state for almost three hundred years. When he came out of samadhi, his age was almost four hundred years. Emerging from the cave, he asked the locals what year...
