Eddie Stern wrote at some length on Krishnamacharya's YogaRahasya of Nathamuni in this months Namarupa. I thought it might be a good opportunity to take a closer look at this fascinating text. Below are selected verses from the "hurried" translation by Ramaswami who wanted to teach the text on his LMU teacher training but at the time the KYM version was not readily available.
My friend Claudia gives a nice intro to the story of the text over on her blog
http://earthyogi.blogspot.ru/2011/05/yoga-rahasya-krishnamacharya-walks-over.html
from Ch IV KALA ADHYAAYA (final chapter).
Further one should know how favourable and unfavourable things happen to Yogis.
How and whence things that ar favorable and unfavorable emanate. Is it true or just and illusion?
Knowing this well, one should start the practice of Kriya yoga. Else the desired results may not be achieved.
As a matter of fact, everything in this world is neither favorable nor unfavorable.
Because of the constant changes of the gunas, and also due to the actions, objects change every moment, resulting in objects being favorable or unfavorable.
Whether or not a particular object is favorable or not, it is all in the mind. Due to the changes in the mind this can be viewed in two ways.
Changes take place in the mind because of past karmas, present activities and also the changes taking place in the mind itself.
Perception of the changes takes place due to the activities of the bhutas every moment and the Jivatma’s attachment to material objects. (IV-9)
The mind takes the form of the object through the senses and the objects are known as sthula and sukshma.
Man who has 16 kalas (like the moon with 16 kalas changes constantly) serves the objects, which are like poison has a dstracted mind.
!
Objects undergo unexpected changes moment after moment,thereby producing anukula or pratikula.
Why are those people who believe God provides everything, be concerned with finding what are favorable and what are not avorable. Which arguments are wasteful.
!
By the practice of Yoga one would understand what is and what is not favorable to the body.
When the body gets back its strength, the practitioner can continue with the practice to have continuous happiness’
!
When the body and senses become weak due to yoga practice, the yogi should enquire into the cause and with a steady mind set it right.
The debility could have arisen out of not following the yamaniyamas, attachment to outside objects, mindless practice and disregard for the breath.
All objects contain pure and impure aspects in equal measure. To refine objects, the virtuous qualities, the defects, the good and the bad must be known.
The body should be used to destroy the diseases of the body (by Yoga). And the disturbances of the mind can be reduced by Pranayama.
For those whose minds are always engulfed by women (or sex), what is the use of studies, tapas, religious sacrifices, study of the Vedas or observing silence. (IV 36)
One cannot conceptualize what can not be seen or hear. One can not calm the mind without Pranayama.
Improper practice of yoga leads to diseases. A disciplined practice of yoga leads to removal of diseases.
Some ailments can be eradicated by means of meditation, some are eradicated by asanas, and some others through tapas, mantras and herbal medicines.
There are different approaches resorted to to obtain good healthy body, and thereafter such learned people attempt to get different results.
These means or systems may produce ill health or other undesirable effects with an end. This is similar to cultivating plants that produce inedible fruits.
In this Kali Yuga, people to get some money, give up friends, this precious life itself, and even destroys one’s own relatives.
There are evil people who only for the sake of their stomach and sex, do not protect their own parents, children, wife and other well wishers.
Oil,wick and fire work in unison to produce a lamp, so is the life withing the body. Let it be properly nourished.
Selections from chapter 1
http://grimmly2007.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/from-chapter-1-yoga-rahasya-of.html
Selections from chapter 2
http://grimmly2007.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/from-chapter-2-yoga-rahasya-of.html
Selections from chapter 3
http://grimmly2007.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/from-chapter-3-yoga-rahasya-of.html
Selections from chapter 4
http://grimmly2007.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/from-chapter-4-yoga-rahasya-of.html
My friend Claudia gives a nice intro to the story of the text over on her blog
http://earthyogi.blogspot.ru/2011/05/yoga-rahasya-krishnamacharya-walks-over.html
from Ch IV KALA ADHYAAYA (final chapter).
Further one should know how favourable and unfavourable things happen to Yogis.
How and whence things that ar favorable and unfavorable emanate. Is it true or just and illusion?
Knowing this well, one should start the practice of Kriya yoga. Else the desired results may not be achieved.
As a matter of fact, everything in this world is neither favorable nor unfavorable.
Because of the constant changes of the gunas, and also due to the actions, objects change every moment, resulting in objects being favorable or unfavorable.
Whether or not a particular object is favorable or not, it is all in the mind. Due to the changes in the mind this can be viewed in two ways.
Changes take place in the mind because of past karmas, present activities and also the changes taking place in the mind itself.
Perception of the changes takes place due to the activities of the bhutas every moment and the Jivatma’s attachment to material objects. (IV-9)
The mind takes the form of the object through the senses and the objects are known as sthula and sukshma.
Man who has 16 kalas (like the moon with 16 kalas changes constantly) serves the objects, which are like poison has a dstracted mind.
!
Objects undergo unexpected changes moment after moment,thereby producing anukula or pratikula.
Why are those people who believe God provides everything, be concerned with finding what are favorable and what are not avorable. Which arguments are wasteful.
!
By the practice of Yoga one would understand what is and what is not favorable to the body.
When the body gets back its strength, the practitioner can continue with the practice to have continuous happiness’
!
When the body and senses become weak due to yoga practice, the yogi should enquire into the cause and with a steady mind set it right.
The debility could have arisen out of not following the yamaniyamas, attachment to outside objects, mindless practice and disregard for the breath.
All objects contain pure and impure aspects in equal measure. To refine objects, the virtuous qualities, the defects, the good and the bad must be known.
The body should be used to destroy the diseases of the body (by Yoga). And the disturbances of the mind can be reduced by Pranayama.
For those whose minds are always engulfed by women (or sex), what is the use of studies, tapas, religious sacrifices, study of the Vedas or observing silence. (IV 36)
One cannot conceptualize what can not be seen or hear. One can not calm the mind without Pranayama.
Improper practice of yoga leads to diseases. A disciplined practice of yoga leads to removal of diseases.
Some ailments can be eradicated by means of meditation, some are eradicated by asanas, and some others through tapas, mantras and herbal medicines.
There are different approaches resorted to to obtain good healthy body, and thereafter such learned people attempt to get different results.
These means or systems may produce ill health or other undesirable effects with an end. This is similar to cultivating plants that produce inedible fruits.
In this Kali Yuga, people to get some money, give up friends, this precious life itself, and even destroys one’s own relatives.
There are evil people who only for the sake of their stomach and sex, do not protect their own parents, children, wife and other well wishers.
Oil,wick and fire work in unison to produce a lamp, so is the life withing the body. Let it be properly nourished.
Selections from chapter 1
http://grimmly2007.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/from-chapter-1-yoga-rahasya-of.html
Selections from chapter 2
http://grimmly2007.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/from-chapter-2-yoga-rahasya-of.html
Selections from chapter 3
http://grimmly2007.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/from-chapter-3-yoga-rahasya-of.html
Selections from chapter 4
http://grimmly2007.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/from-chapter-4-yoga-rahasya-of.html