Hinduism Mantra Intermediate 202 Course

Course Goals and Objectives

The Hinduism Mantra Basics 102 Course, is an introductory course for Yoga, Bhagavad Gita and Vedanta. It uses following authentic books from ancient Hindu scriptures.

1) Patanjali Yoga Sutra - Yoga book by Sage Patanjali, the father of modern Yoga ~2500 years old

2) Hathya Yoga Pradipika - Yoga book by Swami Sawatmaram 6th-15th Century AD text

3) Gherand Samhita - Yoga book by Sage Gherand 10th-17th Century AD text

4) Shiva Samhita - Yoga Book by Unknown author between 10th and 13th Century AD text

5) Bhagavad Gita - 5561BCE ~7600 years old book of Hinduism, positive psychology and motivation

6) Bhaj Govindam - Vedanta text by Adi Guru Shankaracharya ~ 7th century AD text

7) Mandyukya Upanishad - Upanishad by Veda Vyasa and Hindu Sages - thousands of years old text

10 Weeks Course by eYogi Gurukul (online tutor/physical class)
Module 1: Yoga [4 Lessons x 1.5 hours each]
- 3 Lessons on Yoga Sutra of Patanjali and Hatha Yoga Pradipika
Module 2: Bhagavad Gita [2 Lessons x 1.5 hours each]
- 2 Lessons on Bhagavad Gita
Module 3: Vedanta [3 Lessons x 1.5 hours each]
- Vedanta Text “Bhaj Govindam” by Adi Guru Shankaracharya
Basics of Yoga explained with reference to Patanjali Yoga Sutra
Basics of Meditation explained with reference to Patanjali Yoga Sutra and Bhagavad Gita
Yoga Practice: 1 Pranayama/Lesson (total 6-10 Pranayama as per Hatha Yoga Pradipika and Gheranda Samhita)
Meditation Practice: 1.5 hr practice session

Yoga & Meditation

योगश्चित्तवृत्तिनिरोधः

Yogash Chitta Vritti Nirodhah

Yoga is the stilling of the changing state of the mind

Over 15,000 years ago, on the banks of the lake Kantisarovar in the Himalayas. Adiyogi (Shiva) poured his profound knowledge into the legendary Saptarishis or "seven sages”.

The sages carried this powerful yogic science to different parts of the world including Asia, the Middle East, Northern Africa, and South America. Agastya, the Saptarishi who traveled across the Indian subcontinent, crafted and spread this culture in the Indian subcontinent to make it a core yogic way of life.

The number of seals and fossil remains of the Pre-Vedic period Indus Saraswati valley civilization (4000-6000 years ago) with Yogic motives and figures performing Yoga Sadhana and Meditation prove the existence of Yoga in ancient India. Then Yoga and many other concepts of Hinduism evolved to their fullest during the Vedic period.

Maharishi Patanjali is known for his treatise on Yoga, called “Patanjali Yoga Sutra”. He was a saint who is believed to have lived during the 2nd century BCE (2200 years ago). He was not only an authority on the Science of Yoga but was also a scientist and a doctor whose clarity and wisdom was remarkable.

There are many stories about Patanjali. One popular legend says Maharishi Patanjali is the incarnation of Anantha, the holy serpent on whom Vishnu reclines in Yoga Nidra. According to another legend, seeing Vishnu enraptured watching the dance of Shiva, Adisesha wanted to learn the dance so that he could please his Lord. Impressed by this, Vishnu blessed Adisesha and said that Lord Shiva would bless him for his devotion. He would take birth so that he could bless the human race and master the Art of Dance. It was at this time that a virtuous woman named Gonika, who was totally devoted to Yoga, was praying for a worthy son, with a handful of water, when she saw a tiny serpent moving in her hand. Very soon, it turned to human form. This serpent was none other than Adisesha, who had incarnated as Patanjali.

Yoga has existed well before Patanjali for thousands of years, but it was Patanjali who produced a comprehensive guide with clear technique and that is why many scholars consider him the father of modern yoga. Patanjali’s work has been rewritten and translated into almost every language in the world.

Today, there are thousands of books have been written on Yoga Sutra. All forms of yoga practiced in the world, have some lineage to Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra. Many saints of other religions and faith Buddhism, Jainism, Shikhism, and Christianity have discovered aspects of the spiritual path that are intrinsic to the teachings of Yoga.

Yoga Sutra of Patanjali

Yoga Sutra contains 196 Slokas in 4 chapters. In Sanskrit, the word pada means a chapter. Samadhi Pada is, therefore, the first of four chapters in the Yoga Sutra, the one that sets you off on a path of enlightenment through the art of meditation.

1. Samadhipad (Meditative Absorption) [51 Sloka]

Samadhi pada contains 51 sutras that teach you the core postulates of yoga, the obstacles you need to overcome, the importance of constant practice abhyasa, and the detachment from material experiences or vairagya. According to sage Patanjali, this is the process of becoming One.

2. Sadhanpad (Practice) [55 Sloka]

This chapter details that first and foremost, you must commit yourself to abhyasa or the constant and continual practice. The second Pada introduces the Yamas and the Eight-Limbed Yoga system called Ashtang Yoga. Sadhana Pada outlines the principles of Ashtanga yoga, Kriya yoga and Karma yoga.

3. Vibhutipad (Mystic Powers) [56 Sloka]

Vibhuti Pada brings you another step closer to the promised unity and teaches you how to improve your results and harness the power achieved in the process. It focuses on the on the last three Limbs of Yoga and the mystic powers accrued from the samyama on a variety of things.

4. Kaivalyapad (Absolute Independence) [34 Sloka]

The last chapter of Yoga Sutra reflects back on what is achieved by one’s mind, thus preparing you for the complete and utter liberation (moksha). It’s the last stage of yoga and the grand finale of the sutras.

8 Limbs of Yoga

1.Yama: Correct behavior toward others. External Discipline [Abstentions]

i.Nonviolence [Ahimsa]

ii.Truthfulness [Satya]

iii.Not stealing [Asteya]

iv.Not wasting energy [Brahmacarya]

v.Abstaining from greed [Aparigraha]

2.Niyama: The principles by which you should live your own life

Internal Disciplines [Observance]

i.Purity [Sauca]

ii.Contentment [Santoasa]

iii.Spiritual observances [Tapha]

iv.Study [Svadhyay]

v.Devotion [Ishvar-Pranidhanani]

3.Asana: The seat of consciousness; the yogi’s seat and postures to

prepare the body

4.Pranayama: Expanding the life force through breathing exercises

5.Pratyahara: Turning the senses inward to explore the inner universe

6.Dharana: Effortless focused attention; training the mind to meditate

7.Dhyana: A continuous flow; meditation perfected

8.Samadhi: Lost or found in the Divine; unity

Bhagavad Gita

Bhagavad Gita is part of great epic Mahabharata.

What is Mahabharat

Mahabharata means “Great Story of Bharata (India).” Bharata was an early ancestor of both the Pandavas and Kauravas.

Mahabharata:

•100,000 verse (2 - line sloka)

•The work is divided into 18 books (concerning an 18-day war among 18 armies)

•The Oldest & Largest Epic of the world! 100,000 Verse!

•8 times as long as Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey together

•Author: Krishna-Dwaipayan Vyasa, himself a character in the epic, composed it. According to tradition, he dictated the verses and Lord Ganesha wrote them down.

The Mahabharata is an ancient Indian historical epic. A long time ago, two families were to inherit a vast kingdom known as the Kuru Empire. The five sons of Pandu, called the Pandavas, were brave warriors and followed the path of truth and dharma. Their cousins, the hundred sons of Dhritarashtra, were called the Kauravas. The Kauravas were greedy, always hankering after more wealth. Since neither Pandu nor Dhritarashtra was suited to reign over the kingdom, the throne had to be equally divided between these two families. However, the Kauravas cheated the Pandavas out of their share and drove them into a long exile. They constantly try to kill them throughout their exile, but the Pandavas survived. At last, they return to claim their rightful kingdom, but the Kauravas are not ready to part with even a small village of the kingdom. With the stage set, the Pandavas and the Kauravas meet in an epic battle of Kurukshetra. On this battlefield, Lord Krishna, explains the righteous duty the Pandavas have to fulfill by exterminating their vile cousins. The conversation between Krishna and Arjuna is known as Bhagavad Gita. This is a story of love, jealousy, wisdom, patience, and respect for one’s fellow man. Finally, the Dharma (righteousness) wins and Pandavas won the battle.

What is Gita

It is a conversation between Arjuna and Krishna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. On the battlefield, when Arjuna was unable to decide what is right and what is wrong, he asked several questions Krishna, Gita captures these questions of Arjuna and answers of Krishna. Krishna gives him discourse for 3 days in the middle of the battlefield and convinces him to fight. The entire 18 chapters of the Gita are the talk between confused Arjuna and his best friend mentor and cousin Krishna. All of us face similar confusion and problems in our life, and the daily practice of only a few of Gita’s teachings can help us to overcome our problems.

The main theme of the Gita is Dharma (Holy Duty). It describes the different Yogas;

–Bhakti Yoga, Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga

–Moksha or liberation.

Few Concepts of Gita

Why do you worry without cause? Whom do you fear without reason? Who can kill you? The soul is neither born nor does it die. The body is made of fire, water, air, earth, and ether, and will disappear into these elements. But the soul is permanent
Whatever happened, happened for good; whatever is happening, is happening for good; whatever will happen, will also happen for the good only. You need not have any regrets for the past. You need not worry about the future. The present is happening, and you focus in the present
What did you lose that you cry about? What did you bring with you, which you think you have lost? You are mistakenly enjoying the thought that this is yours. It is this false happiness that is the cause of your sorrows.
Change is the law of the universe

स्वधर्ममपि चावेक्ष्य न विकम्पितुमर्हसि |

धर्म्याद्धि युद्धाच्छ्रेयोऽन्यत्क्षत्रियस्य न विद्यते ||2.31||

Swa-dharmam api chavekshya na vikampitum arhasi

Dharmyaddhi yuddhach chhreyo nyat kshatriyasya na vidyate || 6.6 ||

Meaning

Besides, considering your duty as a warrior, you should not waver. Indeed, for a warrior, there is no better engagement than fighting for upholding righteousness.

Vedanta

Duration

10 Weeks Course taught by professional Gurus.
8 years plus age.
Prerequisite Mantra Gurukul 102 or 103 courses.

Classes

Class#1

Class Work
- Yoga Lesson
Home Work:
- Video Development
- Quiz:

Class#2

Class Work
- Yoga Lesson
Home Work:
- Video Development
- Quiz:

Class#3

Class Work
- Yoga Lesson
Home Work:
- Video Development
- Quiz:

Class#4

Class Work
- Yoga and Meditation Practice
Home Work:
- Video Development
- Quiz

Class#5

Class Work
- Bhagavad Gita
Home Work:
- Video Development
- Quiz

Class#6

Class Work
- Bhagavad Gita
Home Work:
- Video Development
- Quiz

Class#7

Class Work
- Vedanta
Home Work:
- Video Development
- Quiz
- Poster Development for Graduation

Class#8

Class Work
- Vedanta
Home Work:
- Video Development
- Quiz

Class#9

Class Work
- Vedanta
Home Work:
- Final Video of all Mantras, Stotram and Aarati Development and submission
- Quiz

Class#10 Graduation Day

Class Work
- Review of Course
- Message to Students
- Next Course announcement and enrollment
- Best Poster Award
- Best Video Award
- Best Quiz Award
- Graduation Ceremony

- Certificate issued

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