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Yogasutras - HH Rangapriya swamy

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krishna kashyap • February 22, 2003 


I got up late today and somehow could get about 45 minutes of the lecture by
HH Rangapriya swamy on Yogasutras . I always knew that yogasutras is an
excellent work. The lecture was excellent. I had never heard a better
introduction and explanation of the first sutra. It was simple and easily
understandable.

A lot of emotions passed in my mind. Initially I felt, why am I here caught
in samsara, while I could have learnt Yoga under this Guru. I was living 3
blocks from this great tutor of yoga in Bangalore and never learnt anything
except some meanings of scriptures. I was cursing myself, my decisions, my
money mindedness etc. But I realized soon that things that have happened and
are probably going to happen cannot be changed . I further realized that
there is no point in worrying about anything in life. I know that workload
and economic situations do not give us enough time in life. However, we are
the losers if we do not try to listen to such lectures. Listening to this
lecture made my day. My daily aradhanam to perumal was more peacegiving than
usual due to the impact of this lecture. I do know that yoga is understood
by practice and not just shravana or listening. However shravana is
necessary. If someone gets a chance, they should learn yoga directly under
HH Rangapriya swamy.

I feel that there is no contradiction between prapatti and yoga. Note that
even a prapanna should do aradhanam and in aradhanam during bhutasuddhi
krama, one has to resort to yoga on God in our hridaya kamalam. I have to
admit that it is impossible for me to do that, even though I try hard some
days with great difficulty and despair to visualize God atleast a tiny bit
during Aradhanam. If done properly, both prapatti marga and Yoga path can
enrich each other in one's life. (note: ask elders to figure out how to
avoid bramahastra nyaya problems between prapatti and bhaktiyoga. In short,
once prapatti is done, one can still meditate on God as a phala-bhakti not
as a means or path, since if bhaktiyoga is entertained as an alternate path,
then prapatti could get affected). I personally feel that there is no
contradiction between the two if understood properly. I feel that we should
work very hard in learning, meditating the meanings of sutras as said by
great teachers like HH Rangapriya swamy. Note that even Sri Vedanta Desikar
was a yogi of some sort or else how could he state in gopala vimsati -
nikateshu nishamayami nityam nigamantairadhunapi mrigyamanam yamalarjuna
drista bala kelim yamuna sakshika yauvanam yuvanam - I realize that Lord
Krishna everyday who is still being pursued by the Vedas.!!..)

I personally like the feeling of experience right here. Who wants to wait
here forever uttering...kadaham bhagavantam narayanam mama kula natham mama
kula daivatham...sakshat karavani chaksusa?.. Anyway due to several reasons,
we cannot immediately put an end to this misery of samsara, immediately. Why
not practice some meditation when we can get an inkling of ananda right
here?.Note that Yoga can be used for both Atmasakshatkara and
Paramatma-sakshatkara. Like how sri Vedanta desikar says in rahasya
trayasaram, one has to see God in our daily lives, like how a lover
remembers his/her object of love thru a photograph before attaining that
person, one can meditate on God anytime anywhere to seek bliss till we
attain the direct sakshatkaram of God in Moksa. Since God is not completely
visible to us here - (na chakshusa pasyati kaschanainam - none can see God
completely here in samsara - Mahanarayaniya Upanisad), how about getting a
glimpse or just a quick momentary experience thru yoga. Yoga can assist
greatly in one's daily duties - like sandhyavandana, or even a chant or song
on God, or Aradhana. Forget about even these strange practices which are
followed by a few people! Even a lay person or even an atheist can get peace
of mind by Yoga OR A student can attain concentration in studies of any
kind.

Finally, I have to thank my first Guru of Yoga, Sampath Iyengar, my
grandfather's brother, who lighted the flame of interest in Yoga in me. I
hope, our Acharyas will bless everyone with immense knowledge and experience
of Yoga soon. It is not a bad idea to dream and hope for the best. Nothing
is impossible with the blessings of Great Seers.

Please tell your friends about the Yoga sutra lectures from HH Rangapriya
swamy. Do not forget to listen to them.

adiyen Krishna Kashyap



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