Krishnamacharya supposedly studied the vina for three years?
"Note:The human spine is comparable to the vina, an ancient Indian string instrument,the vertebrae of the spine being likened to the nodes of the vina. The practice of mula bhandha tightens the base of the spine, similar to the tightening of the vina at its base. Only when the strings are properly tightened and in proper tension, is the sound (nada) from the vina proper." P65 Yogayajnavalkya
"There are many resemblances between the human body (God made Veena) and man made Veena.
These secrets are revealed in a book by name, “SANDHYA VANDANEEYA TATVARTHA” and “VEDA PRAKASIKE” written and published by Mr. YEDA TOREY SUBRAMANYA SARMA in Kannada language in the year 1936. Many secrets of Veena were mentioned in this book. A few points are given below:
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Veena has 24 frets, 4 strings on the frets and 3 on the side.
The top 1st string Sarani indicates – the RigVeda 2nd string Panchama indicates – YajurVeda 3rd string Mandara indicates – Sama Veda 4th string Anumandra indicates the AtharvaVeda.
All these 4 strings bear the Suddha Satva guna.
The 24 frets get their importance by the nada produced from them and not because of the metal used.
As we see in the universe the three states viz., creation, sustenance and merger (Srusti, Shiti and Laya) even in Nada we see the same three states.Likewise, the 24 frets representing 12 Sruthees in two octaves (24) indicate the 24 letters (Aksharas) of GAAYATHRI MANTHRA. “TAT SAVITUR VARENYAMBHARGO DEVASYA DHEEMAHIDHIYO YONAH PRACHODAYAT”
Veena has been compared to human body:
The human back-bone (Spinal Chord) stands straight from the Mooladhara (the seat of the body) up to the head.In the top of the head exists the Brahma Randhra.
Just like the 24 frets of the Veena, human back bone has 24 divisions. According to the anatomy, the back bone has 7 cervicles, 12 thorasic and 5 lumbar vertibraes.
In Veena the distance between each fret is broad in the lower octaves and becomes less while proceeding towards the higher octaves. Similarly the back bone is thick at the Mooladhara and the distance between each ring becomes less while proceeding towards the Brahma randhra.
The Mandara Sthaayi Swara starts from the seat point of the human back bone and as it proceeds towards the Brahma Randhram situated in the Sahasraram, the pitch or sruti increases. It is here, where the life of music is situated.
The nada born out of the union of prana (life) and agni (fire) starts from the Mooladhaara at low sruti and reaches the Sahasrakamala crossing the Swaadhisthana, Manipoora, Anaahata, Visuddha, Aagna, the Shadchakras. In this course the sruti (pitch) increases.
This shows the resemblance between the Daivi Veena and man made Veena. So it is definite that to attain Moksha nada yoga is a correct path, and for practising nada yoga Veena is an appropriate instrument".
Section in italics above from here http://www.theveena.com/veena/daive-and-manushi-veena.html
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Great pleasure sharing some Vinyasa Krama at Ashtanga Yoga Crete Friday night, thank you to everyone who came, to Gloria Konstantoudaki and Nektarios Mitritsakis for inviting me, for giving me the grand tour of 'their' Chania and for the trip to the Samaria Gorge yesterday (14km plus 2 more to the beach). Nektarios, you have a curious idea of what constitutes a rest day, I can barely stand this morning : )
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My rest day yesterday spent walking 'The Gorge' with Nektarios Mitritsakis and Gloria Konstantoudaki, great day but I may never walk again.
"The gorge is 16 km long, starting at an altitude of 1,250 m at the northern entrance, and ending at the shores of the Libyan Sea in Agia Roumeli. The walk through Samaria National Park is 13 km long, but one has to walk another three kilometers to Agia Roumeli from the park exit, making the hike 16 km long. The most famous part of the gorge is the stretch known as the Gates (or, albeit incorrectly, as "Iron Gates"), where the sides of the gorge close in to a width of only four meters and soar up to a height of almost 300 meters (980 feet)". Our old friend Wikipedia
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"Note:The human spine is comparable to the vina, an ancient Indian string instrument,the vertebrae of the spine being likened to the nodes of the vina. The practice of mula bhandha tightens the base of the spine, similar to the tightening of the vina at its base. Only when the strings are properly tightened and in proper tension, is the sound (nada) from the vina proper." P65 Yogayajnavalkya
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| Nekatarios' Rudra Veena |
These secrets are revealed in a book by name, “SANDHYA VANDANEEYA TATVARTHA” and “VEDA PRAKASIKE” written and published by Mr. YEDA TOREY SUBRAMANYA SARMA in Kannada language in the year 1936. Many secrets of Veena were mentioned in this book. A few points are given below:
Veena has 24 frets, 4 strings on the frets and 3 on the side.
The top 1st string Sarani indicates – the RigVeda 2nd string Panchama indicates – YajurVeda 3rd string Mandara indicates – Sama Veda 4th string Anumandra indicates the AtharvaVeda.
All these 4 strings bear the Suddha Satva guna.
The 24 frets get their importance by the nada produced from them and not because of the metal used.
As we see in the universe the three states viz., creation, sustenance and merger (Srusti, Shiti and Laya) even in Nada we see the same three states.Likewise, the 24 frets representing 12 Sruthees in two octaves (24) indicate the 24 letters (Aksharas) of GAAYATHRI MANTHRA. “TAT SAVITUR VARENYAMBHARGO DEVASYA DHEEMAHIDHIYO YONAH PRACHODAYAT”
Veena has been compared to human body:
The human back-bone (Spinal Chord) stands straight from the Mooladhara (the seat of the body) up to the head.In the top of the head exists the Brahma Randhra.
Just like the 24 frets of the Veena, human back bone has 24 divisions. According to the anatomy, the back bone has 7 cervicles, 12 thorasic and 5 lumbar vertibraes.
In Veena the distance between each fret is broad in the lower octaves and becomes less while proceeding towards the higher octaves. Similarly the back bone is thick at the Mooladhara and the distance between each ring becomes less while proceeding towards the Brahma randhra.
The Mandara Sthaayi Swara starts from the seat point of the human back bone and as it proceeds towards the Brahma Randhram situated in the Sahasraram, the pitch or sruti increases. It is here, where the life of music is situated.
The nada born out of the union of prana (life) and agni (fire) starts from the Mooladhaara at low sruti and reaches the Sahasrakamala crossing the Swaadhisthana, Manipoora, Anaahata, Visuddha, Aagna, the Shadchakras. In this course the sruti (pitch) increases.
This shows the resemblance between the Daivi Veena and man made Veena. So it is definite that to attain Moksha nada yoga is a correct path, and for practising nada yoga Veena is an appropriate instrument".
Section in italics above from here http://www.theveena.com/veena/daive-and-manushi-veena.html
"Its big bowl (kudam) is like the human head.
The finger- board that is connected to the curved end with the dragon or yaali is compared to the human spinal column.
The 24 frets are compared to the vertebrae and also the 24 syllables of Gayatri mantra.
The 4 main strings are the major nerves which symbolize the four vedas – Rig, Yajur, Saama, and Atharvana veda, and the four yugaas- Kruta, Treta, Dwapara and Kali and also the four stages of human life – dharma(duty), artha(material gain), kama(worldly pleasures) and moksha(ultimate salvation).
The three drones represent the three Upanishads.
The re-tuning of the main strings is compared to the philosophical concept of the individual or the jeevatma strayed by the Karmic actions, to be in tune with the Paramatma.
The tuning pegs or the birudais where the strings are tied are the symbol of mind that controls everything. The yaali (dragon) itself symbolizes courage and the triumph over evil".
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Sharing Vinyasa Krama in Chania, crete.
Great pleasure sharing some Vinyasa Krama at Ashtanga Yoga Crete Friday night, thank you to everyone who came, to Gloria Konstantoudaki and Nektarios Mitritsakis for inviting me, for giving me the grand tour of 'their' Chania and for the trip to the Samaria Gorge yesterday (14km plus 2 more to the beach). Nektarios, you have a curious idea of what constitutes a rest day, I can barely stand this morning : )
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| Nektarios mentioned that the vena being compared to the human spine was mentioned in Mohan's version of Yogayajnavalkya, spent my time before class trying to find it. |
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| Yogayajnavalkya AG Mohan http://www.svastha.net/books/ |
Rest day in The Samariá Gorge
"The gorge is 16 km long, starting at an altitude of 1,250 m at the northern entrance, and ending at the shores of the Libyan Sea in Agia Roumeli. The walk through Samaria National Park is 13 km long, but one has to walk another three kilometers to Agia Roumeli from the park exit, making the hike 16 km long. The most famous part of the gorge is the stretch known as the Gates (or, albeit incorrectly, as "Iron Gates"), where the sides of the gorge close in to a width of only four meters and soar up to a height of almost 300 meters (980 feet)". Our old friend Wikipedia
