Astrology manifested in the inner vision of the ancient sages and Rishis of Bharat. These yogis and enlightened beings were able to see beyond the realm of names and forms. They could feel and express the subtle reality that exists behind cosmic phenomena. As such, they perceived the primal powers of cosmic intelligence in the planets and stars (the macrocosm), and worshipped the cosmic powers within themselves (the microcosm) as powers of their being.

By concentrating intensely on the Sun and other planets, they understood the movement of the life force in their body, and by meditating on the life force, they also came to understand the movement of the Sun and the planets in the heavens. Through this technique called samyama, they could unravel the secrets of the universe. They brought down their understanding into a system of Vedic science, which became known as Jyotisha: the science of light.

Parashara was one such sage. He is known for being the father of Jyotisha. He wrote the magnum opus Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra, which systematically

explains the theory of predictive astrology. According to history, he is the grandson of Vasishtha and also father of Veda Vyasa, who wrote the great epic Mahabharata. The depth of his astrological knowledge was so great that one evening while crossing a river in a boat, he casually looked at his favorite stars in heaven and suddenly realized it was an exceptionally auspicious moment. He concluded that if a child were conceived at that moment, he would be an expert in the scriptures. So he told this to the lady rowing the boat and requested that she marry him. She agreed and the son born out of their spiritual union was Veda Vyasa!

By observing the movements of the celestial bodies through time and space, the science of Vedic Astrology can be applied to each human incarnation to encourage the soul to develop to its fullest potential.

'The moment the consciousness enters the body, the energy level of the cosmos at the time of birth gets printed in that consciousness. Your inner space gets a print of the cosmic energy level and the position of the nine major energy centers of the solar system.

The astrological planets are not only astronomical, they are energies. A particular energy of push and pull exists between them. The different energy positions clearly decide the cosmic energy level during the time of birth. Based on that, Jyotisha will be able to predict the course of life. Understand, not exact incidences because you have freedom. You have freedom to decide whether to sit here or not, to read this or not.

The major course of life- if you will get enlightened or not can be predicted. Principles can be predicted, not policies! Having an idea about your horoscope will give you intelligence and acceptance in your life: intelligence to take decisions and the acceptance to bear the inevitable things. According to me, a seeker should have a basic knowledge about his horoscope.'

Jyotisha can help one to read his destiny. But what is actually destiny?

There are only two types of destinies:

The first one is destiny as defined by a dictionary: destiny lived within the boundaries of the ego, with its own expectations, hopes, desires, successes and failures. It is constantly changing. Because it evolves under mind's law, it is mechanical, accidental and coincidental. This 'destiny' is lived in the dimension of the mind, so it has no existential reality in itself. It is nothing more than a reproduction of one's past in the present, which conditions the future in a mechanical way.

The other destiny is existential and ultimate; it is the flowering of consciousness into enlightenment. Understand: the only thing predestined in the scheme of life is that man is meant to evolve to reach enlightenment. The rest is just incidental; it happens for no other reason than to teach and mold the being towards seeking enlightenment. Living enlightenment is all about making conscious choices, free from the unconscious push and pull of the samskaras.

The further you wander from your center, the more you lose yourself in your periphery, the more you are subjected to incidents and accidents. Whereas, when you live enlightenment, you are centered, you are within your boundaries, you are aware. You become predestined, because your predestination is to reach enlightenment; your destiny is to become more and more aware. Then you become the agent of your fate, and you move beyond grahas' influences. This is how you come to terms with your karmas.

For that to happen, a simple understanding of the forces at work in you can help clarity manifest in your daily routine. In addition to this, you can follow a couple of guidelines to keep your body healthy with the science of Ayurveda and raise your energy level with yoga, the use of gemstones, rudraksha beads, mantra chanting, and a basic knowledge of your psychological tendencies coupled with the ancient Vedic wisdom expressed by the great enlightened Masters.

All these remedies will bring lucidity about your mental set-up and support for eventually dropping your conditionings, unclutching from your mind and emotions and fostering your intelligence and energy to Live Enlightenment.

The grahas are energy centers, energy fields that planets exert in the universe. Each of the nine main grahas in Vedic astrology has a specific energy field that creates specific effects on our planet Earth. For example, the moon has a strong impact on the movements of the sea and on plant growth; it even influences the mind of human beings. In the same way, the major energy centers produce an effect on living beings and influence their potential at birth, their mental set-up and, therefore, the course of their destiny. In Jyotisha, grahas are often referred as the agents of the karmas for which the soul took birth. Human personality and life have their counterparts in the structure of the cosmic physiology, represented by the grahas and the nakshatras.

There are nine grahas (nine influences or 'planets') in our solar system: the Sun (Surya), the Moon (Chandra), Mars (Mangal), Mercury (Budha), Jupiter (Guru), Venus (Shukra), Saturn (Shani) and two nodes called Rahu (ascending lunar node) and Ketu (descending lunar node). These represent archetypes. Surya, for example, represents consciousness; Chandra represents the cosmic mind; Budha represents the cosmic intellect, etc.

Most of the calendars of the world have been set by the Sun's and Moon's movements (measuring the day, month and year) and were of great importance for agriculture, because the harvest depended on planting at the correct time of the year. But the Vedic tradition uses a system of 27 nakshatras to calculate months. The nakshatra is the constellation in which the moon sits in the heaven at a particular time. In each month, the full moon sits in a particular constellation, and the Vedic month will have this nakshatra'sname.

Each nakshatra falls under the rule of one, sometimes two grahas. Each graha is assigned three nakshatras. For example, if the child is born when the moon sits in Ashwini nakshatra, his birth star will be Ashwini, and his sign will be Aries (called mesha in Sanskrit), ruled by planet Mars (Mangala). Bharani and Krittika, the two next nakshatras, also fall under the lordship of Aries sign. All three will therefore have similar characteristics and will influence the child's mind and consciousness at the time of birth, shaping his destiny.

'I worship Saturn, dark blue in color, who is born before the God of death, the son of the Sun and shadow.'

• Veda Vyasa

Dynamic: How we take responsibility, how we focus and discipline our lives

Key Words: Focus, Longevity, control, discipline, patience, endurance, philosophical disposition, temperament, education

Signs: Capricorn/ Aquarius

Color: Black or deep blue

Gender: Masculine

Chakra: Ajna / Muladhara

Temperament: Tamas (inertia)

Governing deity: Lord Brahma and Yama (the Lord of death)

On the insistence of Shiva, Parvati fasted for a year to propitiate Vishnu so that he would grant

her a son. Lord Vishnu , after the completion of the sacrifice, announced that he would incarnate himself as her son in every eon. Accordingly, Vishnu was born to Parvati as a charming infant.

This event was celebrated with great enthusiasm and all the gods were invited to take a look at the baby.

However Shani, Saturn, the son of Surya, hesitated to look at the baby since he was cursed with the gaze of destruction.

Parvati insisted that he look at the baby, which Shani did.

Immediately the infant's head fell off and flew away. Seeing Shiva and Parvati grief stricken, Vishnu mounted on Garuda, his divine eagle, and rushed to the banks of the Pushpa-Bhadra River, from where he brought back the head of a young elephant.

The head of the elephant was joined with the headless body of Parvati's son, thus reviving him. The infant was named Ganesha and all the Gods blessed Ganesha and wished Him power and prosperity.

'Saturn has an emaciated and long physique, tawny eyes, big teeth, and is vata in temperament. He is indolent, lame and has coarse hair.'

• Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra

Symbol: The goat Element: Air Ruling Planet: Saturn/Shani

Saturn confers the urge to move from the gross material environment to a spiritual goal. Under its influence, the soul experiences its own greatness but meets endless outer and inner limitations, which produce sufferings as it strives to actualize its potential.

Capricorn symbolizes chastity and purity. Its natives are austere and disciplined, courageous and enduring, like the goat which climbs unstable mountain peaks. They try to find stability in either spiritual or mundane life. The qualities of self-sacrifice and renunciation are developed in them.

Uttarāṣāḍha is also known as the 'Universal Star'. Its energy is very concerned with humanity at large and shows a powerful radiation. Introspective and penetrative, it is characterized by intensity.

Uttarāṣāḍha can bring you to the summit of your skills, support and recognition, not so much through your own personal efforts but with the appropriate support of all the gods.

You can be working like a workaholic, with extreme persistence when motivated by a project, but can step back and not finish what you started.

A strongly placed moon in the natal chart of an Śravaṇa-born can make you reticent to share your trust easily. You are a good mediator, maybe good consultant or advisor in many fields. You are usually respected, noble but of wavering mind.

This instability can lead you to practice mantra chanting, tantra and other rituals. Some may even be engaged in penance and tapas, in order to gain the knowledge of enlightenment.

Under this nakṣatra, all actions are clearly motivated by a growing spiritual urge. The person may be introspective and self-centered, as he perceives the universal consciousness in him and contemplate on it. Over time, the person acquires humbleness in life.

You can be attracted to careers such as research, the military, the hunter, boxer or fighter for a cause, government jobs, and social work.

Śravaṇa is also called 'the Star of learning'. It is the birth star of Goddess Sarasvatī who brings knowledge, music, and eloquence to humanity. This nakṣatra is also symbolized by an ear, reflects the ability to hear the cosmic sound, and gives a meditative disposition to the native. It represents transcendental knowledge, and particularly, the knowledge of the Vedas.

One of its great features is outer and inner silence.

Under Śravaṇa, you may have an urge to be alone, silent. You surely have wisdom, and are able to direct people to their appropriate path in life. Therefore, a degree of wisdom is conferred here.

Whatever be the path of the individual, Śravaṇa works on developing the quality of centeredness and

alertness. It generates an emotional purification in life. Often, you are attracted to worship, and to others, because of your kind nature. You can be very hard working and persistent in your aim. You like to travel and study other cultures, and you have a lifelong interest in studies of all kinds.

But be aware not to be overly rigid or too conditioned by principles and values that cripple you at times. You have to overcome some seriousness. You can also be hurt by others' opinion about you, as you are sensitive to it. Sometimes, harsh experiences in early life led you to seek spiritual knowledge.

But first, you may work to be financially stable, and then carry on your search.

Your feeling of low self-esteem will disappear with time and patience; often, you progress slowly, but very steadily. You will do well in professions such as teaching, speech therapy, linguistics, astrology, scholarship, business, geology, research, and the travel industry.

Health wise, you may suffer from aliments such as eczema, rheumatism, and diseases related to vata constitution.

Dhaniṣṭha is known as 'the Star of Symphony'. Its symbol is a drum and a tablā (a small drum); both instruments symbolize richness and fullness of sound. In a sense, Dhaniṣṭha deepens the impulse of Śravaṇa's influence to perceive the truth, and makes it more practical. Such a person will combine the balance of the meditator, and the energy of the warrior.

Many seers are born under this nakṣatra, and its extreme energy can bring difficulties into ordinary people's life. Dhaniṣṭha's life force can lead to great spiritual attainment, as well as the opposite.

Born under Dhaniṣṭha, your approach to life is very practical; you are of good behavior and kind hearted. You dislike expressing your disagreement with others 'til the last moment. But once you are angry, you are determined to crush your opponent.

You have excellent insight; you are attentive and can perceive the truth behind names and forms. It can make you feel close to humanity at large and be of a compassionate nature. You are also adventurous, having a free spirit and you definitely have spiritual warrior's quality.

On the other hand, you may as well be overly turned towards the outer world. Your seeking for security makes you overwork to acquire things for better comfort. This attitude may lead you to too much ambition, greed, or jealousy of other's success. You can become rude or even revengeful and fail to value people around you.

Patience and perseverance should be maintained in all the trials of life.

Historians, musicians, poets, doctors and surgeons, property managers, engineers, miners, scientists, researchers, and charitably involved people can be found under this nakṣatra's energy.

There are seven major energy centers in our body, called cakras in Sanskrit. They are directly connected to our emotions and impact different aspects of our personality and the way we relate to ourselves, others, and to Existence.

Each planet resonates with a particular energy center in the body. The earthy energy of Saturn is connected to Ājñā cakra, located between the two eyebrows. It gives endurance and will power to achieve things.

When it is blocked, one experiences rigidity. When you break free from the rigid mechanism of the mind and beliefs, you become fluid, flowing, like a river; then you are intelligent. When you move out of your rigid habits of all kinds and grow, then you have awakened Ājñā's intelligence. It comes hand in hand with a growing awareness and an ability to learn and understand the lessons and teachings life gives.

Spontaneity is intelligence. When you know that life is a drama, you are intelligent; when you are aware and conscious of your inner silence, then you are intelligent.

When you are not stuck anywhere for a long time, you are intelligent. When you can feel your ego consciously, when you are ready to transform and better yourself, then you are awakening Ājñā, and the great evolving power which comes with Saturn.

Generally, the Ayurvedic doṣa (body constitution) related to capricorn is vata.

Vata influences the movement of thoughts, feelings, nerve impulse, and fluids in the body.

If you experience symptoms such as anxiety, worry, shyness, a tendency to insomnia, chronic tiredness, mental and emotional depression, physical tension, stress, a weak immune system, headaches, underweight, constipation, dryness of skin, mental confusion, inability to take decisions, fast speech, too many fantasies, then there is a good possibility you are suffering from vata imbalance.

If you have good mental alertness, abundant creative energy, a good elimination system of waste matters, sound sleep, strong immune system, enthusiasm, emotional balance and stability, then the vata principle is balanced in your body.

Here are some of the common characteristics of people who have a predominantly Vata body constitution:

• ❍ Quick to learn and grasp new knowledge

• ❍ Slim body

• ❍ Talk and walk quickly

• ❍ Cold hands and feet,

• ❍ Excitable, lively,

• ❍ Changeable moods

• ❍ Respond to stress with fear and worry and anxiety

• ❍ Variable appetite and digestion

• ❍ Tendency to be tired easily

• ❍ Full of enthusiasm and joy

• ❍ Impulsive

• ❍ Generally good management and leadership ability

• ❍ Dry skin, dry hair, don't perspire much

• ❍ Headache, hypertension, sore throat, anxiety, muscle spasm, irregular heartbeat, constipation, winds, diarrhea, arthritis, neurological disorder.

Factors that can balance vata are warm and soothing food with added oil and fat, as well as sweet tastes. Cold items should be avoided and caffeine should be stopped, as it strains vata's nervous system. Mental and emotional peace and lifestyle routines are important to restore and maintain balance. Vata can be corrected by using warm sesame oil for self-massage. If you can't massage the whole body, at least apply warm oil on the feet and scalp. Maintaining a regular routine in terms of eating, sleeping and other activities will also help you to unclutch the mind.

Warm and cooked food with added oil and fat is good for pacifying vata.

Warm milk, cream, butter, vegetable soups, hot cereals, freshly baked bread, potatoes, cheese and nourishing food are good for stabilizing vata.

On the other hand, food such as salads, iced drinks and ice creams, raw vegetables and greens are not very good for persons with vata imbalance. One should avoid drinks with high caffeine as vata finds it disturbing. As a snack, it is better to prefer nuts that are heavy and oily, as opposed to dry and salty.

All sweet fruits are good for vata. One should avoid unripe fruit that are too astringent. Cinnamon, cardamom, cumin, ginger and cloves should be favored.

Saturn natives can benefit from techniques that work on their body and strengthen their concentration and centeredness. Capricorn tends to live in his mind. Bringing his intellectual nature into his body boundaries and senses through physical practices (Hatha yoga) done slowly will be very beneficial.

Step 1-Duration: 10 minutes - Sit in vajrāsana (kneel down and sit on your heels). Place your hands on your hips. By doing this, you are establishing a connection between the upper and lower parts of your body. Chant 'hoo' for as long as possible with each exhale. Begin again with each inhale, holding the chant as long as possible as you exhale.

Step 2-Duration: 21 minutes - Continue sitting in vajrāsana. With the hands on the hips, bend down at the hip to touch the forehead to the ground. Continue to chant the 'hoo' sound in this position.

This meditation will make your whole body to vibrate, contributing to lowering your inner chatter.

THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM Dhyaan is a formula and technique that works on all the components of your being. Whatever your birth sign may be, it awakens the cosmic powers within you and makes them available to your being to excel in all spheres of life.

This is a five-step technique. Allow seven minutes for each step. Keep your eyes closed throughout the meditation.

Sit in vajrāsana (kneel and sit on your heels). Place your hands on your hips and breathe chaotically, without a repetitive rhythm. Just focus on your breathing; let your entire being become the breathing.

Continue to sit in vajrāsana , form cin mudra with your fingers (with the thumb and forefinger forming a circle and other three fingers outstretched), and place your hands on your knees, palms facing upwards. In this posture, with your mouth closed, produce the sound 'Mmmm…' from inside

your body, as loudly and lengthily as possible.

You may continue to sit in vajrāsana or sit crossed legged if you wish. Keep your fingers in cin mudra position. Now, bring your awareness to each cakra one after the other, from mūlādhāra cakra (root center) to sahasrāra cakra

(crown center). Feel each cakra completely as if your whole being has become that energy center.

In this step, carry the understanding with you that your thoughts are unconnected, irrational and unclutched. Don't try to create thoughts, don't try to maintain thoughts, don't try to destroy thoughts or react to them. Just sit and watch them.

Understand, by your very nature, you are pure being and bliss.

Now, connect, relax and rest into the universal energy. Just sit in a very deep and passive way, feeling one with the whole, God, or your Master. Listen to the Guru

pūja mantras and feel their vibration in you. Express your gratitude with reverence.

When the dynamism is low in the person, martial arts can be practiced to enhance the person's strength through the concentration this sport develops. Otherwise, gentle yoga postures which work on Ājñā cakra, as well as Sūrya Namaskār (the ancient Sun salutation), can be practiced by all natives!

To blissfully enjoy the benefits of any āsanas, make sure your body is warmed up, the spine worked on and stretched out before entering the postures.

• Lie face down on the floor.
• Bend both of your knees behind you.
• Start with the right side. Take your right foot with your right hand from the outside.
• Then take your left foot with your left hand from the outside.
• Straighten both of your arms while continuing to hold onto the feet.
• Bring your Ājñā center (forehead) down on the ground.
• Inhale, start to gently kick your feet back behind you while continuing to hold the feet from the outside. Let your shoulders roll back. Lift your heart and open your chest.
• Exhale, slowly lower your thighs, chest and forehead back down the floor.
• Let go of your feet and relax the legs down. Rest your head on your hands and visualize this movement once. See your body lifting up with ease in this more challenging posture.
• Relax into a soft smile and open your eyes. Repeat this movement five more times.

Dhanur¢sana means the posture of a bow. It massages and invigorates the internal organs, especially the digestive organs. It strengthens the abdominal muscles. It expands the chest muscles and benefits people suffering from asthma and other respiratory problems. Regular practice of this ¢sana helps to strengthen concentration and mental determination. It also increases your energy, vigor and youthful vitality.

S¦rya Namask¢r S¦rya Namask¢r

S¦rya Namask¢r (the Sun salutation) is called the king of asanas. It is a sequence of 12 postures, each symbolizing a sign of the zodiac. This sequence of asanas has the amazing ability to activate the best characteristics of your birth chart by bringing energy to your body, a clearer thinking through emotional balancing, and a restored health, thereby enabling you to express your intelligence and uniqueness. It is a technique to experience a conflict-free life, fulfillment and eternal bliss.

Its practice awakens the body's innate intelligence to produce energy from the sun. It is designed to access the etheric energy all around you. When performed facing the East in the first rays of the morning sun, along with the appropriate breathing technique and the mantra, the effect on the individual mind, body and spirit is incomparable.

It is said that the daily practice of S¦rya Namask¢r

is enough to work on the whole body organs, cakras and mindfor the whole day.

A mantra is a composition of syllables, words or sentences that, when repeated with awareness and visualization, has a powerful and penetrating influence on the mind. Before each repetition of S¦rya Namask¢r, one chants the corresponding mantra, which is a glorification of the Sun. This simple method leads us to the experience that the outer Sun symbolizes the shining intelligence in our inner sky. We come to understand our connectivity to the cosmic energy that pervades all the grahas. The characteristics of our sign get activated to unfold its inherent potential.

• Au¼ hr¢¼ mitr¢ya namaª Salutations to the friend of all
• Au¼ hr£¼ ravaye namaª Salutations to the shining one

Salutations to the one who induces activity

• Au¼ hrai¼ bh¢nave namaª Salutations to the one who illumines ● Au¼ hrau¼ khag¢a namaª Salutations to the one who moves swiftly ● Au¼ hraª p¦¾´e namaª Salutations to the giver of strength ● Au¼ hr¢¼ hira´yagarbh¢ya namaª Salutations to the golden Cosmic Self ● Au¼ hr£¼ mar£caye namaª Salutations to the Lord of dawn ● Au¼ hr¦¼ ¢dity¢ya namaª Salutations to the son of Aditi, the infinite Cosmic mother ● Au¼ hrai¼ savitre namaª Salutations to the eternal benevolent mother ● Au¼ hrau¼ ark¢ya namaª Salutations to the one who is praiseworthy ● Au¼ hraª bh¢skar¢ya namaª Salutations to the one who leads to enlightenment

To blissfully enjoy the benefits of any ¢sana, make sure your body is warmed up, the spine limber and stretched out before entering the postures.

• Stand with feet slightly apart. Bring hands together into prayer position in front of your chest. Keep your eyes open during the practice of the ¢sanas. Chant the corresponding mantraloudly.
• Inhaling, gracefully sweep the arms up over your head and gently arch the spine backwards.
• Exhaling and bending from the hips, sweep the arms forward and down so the hands touch the floor close to the feet and the forehead comes in close to the knees. Bend the knees to allow for greater ease in doing this.
• Step the right foot back as far as you can and as you inhale, lift your heart center up.
• Step the left foot back and assume the plank position with spine, neck, and head in a straight line, hands placed directly under your shoulders.
• On the exhale, lower the knees, chest and chin to the floor assuming a¾°¢nga namask¢r. Point the toes.
• Inhale, raise the head and chest off the floor by engaging the lower back and gently pushing with your hands. Keeping the elbows bent at a 90-degree angle, come into bhujang¢sana.
• Exhaling, push with your hands, raise your hips into the air and back and assume the downward dog pose. Push your heels towards the floor.
• Gently look forward at your hands and step the left foot forward as far as you can, close to the hands. Inhale, lift your heart.
• Step the right foot forward to meet the right hand. Bend your knees if you need, exhale, and bring the head in close to the legs.
• On an inhale, sweep your arms up over your head and gently arch the spine, saluting the Sun.
• Exhale, bring your arms down and your hands back into prayer position in front of your chest.

Nithya Yoga is THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM's unique offering to the world, helping the practitioner to be in the state of yoga every moment. You will find further details on the benefits of S¦rya Namask¢r in the book titled: Nithya Yoga - The Ultimate Practice for Body Mind and Being.

This book comes with a unique energy bead bracelet which beautifully combines semi-precious stones with rudr¢k¾a beads, enhancing and radiating the properties of the stones. This bracelet attunes you to the Universe and contributes to destroy sufferings related to negative karmas. It is specially blessed by THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM, the enlightened Master of our times for the fortunate ones who wish to receive the blessings of the Universe! Enlightened Masters are said to be the manifestation of the Cosmic Energy that radiates Enlightenment.

Jyoti¾a uses different gemstones (also called birthstones) to strengthen each planet's energies.

Gemstones are the finest and purest consolidation of minerals that exists, formed under extreme heat and pressure inside the earth. Stones are crystals of clear and purified minerals that are also found in the human body.

Because of their mineral quality, they are agents of electromagnetic energy, which influences the electromechanical nature of the human body. When a stone is in contact with the skin, it starts working on the physiology and energy level of the body, as well as the pranic layer of energy.

The amethyst supports Saturn's energy in the natal chart. It rules over the nervous system, and fortifies it. It is beneficial for:

• Elevates Saturn influence
• Faithfulness
• Clearing the mind
• Detachment
• Gives what one desires
• Fertility
• Over conservatism
• Longevity
• Discipline
• Authority
• Ambition
• Honesty
• Humility
• Discrimination
• Clarity
• Eyesight
• Immune system
• Tension and neuroses
• Headache
• Deafness
• Alcoholism
• Bone structure
• Osteoporosis

Today, scientific experiments have verified the intrinsic properties of the rudr¢k¾a. These are: dynamic polarity, bioelectricity, and paramagnetic and diamagnetic propertiesall of which effectively control

Part 2: Uttarasada-Sravana Dhanista Naksatras - Moon in Capricorn_English_part_2.md

hyperactivity, eliminate stress and bring beneficial effects on body and mind.

Rudr¢k¾a beads are emblems of Lord ¹iva, who is believed to be at the very core of the centrifugal force of the universe, representing Brahman or the cosmic Sun: the aspect of creation which continually dissolves to begin a new cycle of creation, preservation, dissolution and recreation of the Universe. Therefore, wearing rudr¢k¾a attunes one with the cosmic energy that destroys karmas and confers spiritual liberation. It cannot have an adverse effect on the wearer because of its auspicious signification and can be worn by anyone, irrespective of his or her moon sign. Rudr¢k¾a beads have immense benefits:

• They protect against negative planetary positions and enforce the positive effects of the birthstone which you wear
• They keep, foster and protect one's own energy
• They can tap into energy fields to restore energy in the wearer.
• They stimulate an individual's consciousness and sub-consciousness
• They stimulate the mind, sharpens the intellect, gives power and opens the third eye
• They ensure peace of mind and harmony of relationships
• They help to cure dangerous diseases such as epilepsy, cough, and small pox and heal poisonous wounds
• They actualize Master's blessings into your life

Navagraha P¦ja Navagraha P¦ja

The Navagraha p¦ja is a Vedic prayer which produces tremendous positive energy, and helps everyone to gain courage to face any situation in life.

This ritual traditionally performed for the nine planets, brings solace to the person's mind, and dilutes any

negative influences which can be felt during certain period called *'*Navagraha doºa'; when the planets are not in proper alignment, influencing the person negatively. Due to these, people fall into depression and certain low moods. This period may last for some time, depending on the power of the planet.

However this can be averted with intelligence. Navagraha p¦ja is conducted to connect oneself to the cosmic intelligence, to avert any hindrances and to bestow tremendous peace and contentment in life. This p¦ja is a collection of prayers and rituals performed to the planets in the form of deities.

With the blessing of these nine planets, the person is helped to attain good health, prosperity, knowledge and enlightenment.

Homa is a fire ritual, and an intense spiritual practice which becomes a powerful meditation technique when performed with devotion. During homa, one invokes the cosmic energy and visualizes it in the fire. Offerings to the planet deity through the fire are made at the same time.

Through the mantra chanted and the purification effect of the fire; the body, the space in which the ritual happens and the people attending the prayer are benefited, and the planetary effect decreased.

When this homa is done as a personal spiritual practice, the energy is brought from the nirvanic to the physical layer of the body through all subtle energy layers, healing the person and raising his level of energyallowing him to transform his destiny.

Navagraha p¦ja and homa services are available in all THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM Vedic Temples throughout USA, and THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM Dhyanapeetam ashrams throughout Bharat.

In this mantra, Aum is the primordial sound and is the representation of ¹iva's energy, the male aspect of the universe. Actually, Aum is the cosmic sound that pervades the grahas, their movements and their effects on us.

The B¤jamantra (seed sound), Hr¤m, has no linguistic meaning but encloses a powerful vibration which attunes you to the primordial energy from which the grahas originate: the female energy, ¹akti.

Nithyananda means Eternal Bliss and invokes the truth which is our true nature, and the nature of our own intelligence. It is the p¦r´a m¦la mantra (the complete mantra) because it represents a straight path to both ¹akti (success in this world) and to ¹iva (success in the cosmic world) which is 'enlightenment'.

Namaªa means 'I surrender' my ego to Existence, to the Master. Thus this sacred mantra awakens the completeness and fulfillment inside us and balances the male and female energies which exist inside every one of us.

The repetition of this mantra is a powerful technique which can be performed throughout the day as you go about your daily routine. It can also be uttered aloud 108 times every morning. The number 108, which is a multiple of 9, has been sacred since time immemorial. That is because the number 9 is the limit of all numbers: 0 to 9 is all one needs to make up an infinite amount of numbers. Therefore, 108 symbolizes and connects you to infinity.

Its beautiful sound should be pronounced clearly and as loudly as possible and from the navel region.

Eventually, this mantra will replace your inner chatter and create silence in your mind. Your whole being integrates itself towards enlightenment which leads you out of the dynamic of karma and planetary effects.

You usually have flair and drive to sense what needs to be done and how it should be done. You should learn to harness your intuition in your day-to-day life! You often feel you cannot afford to trust it in your practical life… Feeling it may mislead you… Did you forget all genius decisions, discoveries and masterpieces were made out of sheer intuition? Don't let your practicality and goals cut you off from your intuition. It is too big a price to pay! This intuition is the very path to beautiful mysticism in your life. Be very clear, when you reject it, you close your door to the higher aspects of life and reduce existence to an object. There may be a plan for business in your life, but your life should not be a business plan only!

Whenever you feel depressed, just remain with it. You cannot be depressed for long because by its very nature, your inner space constantly clears itself. In this world nothing is permanent; everything fluctuates. And the world cannot change its basic law for you so that you remain depressed forever! Nothing is here forever; everything is moving and changing. Existence is like a river; it cannot stop for you, just for you, so that you remain depressed forever. If you watch your depression, you will feel that even your depression is not the same today that it was yesterday; it is different, it has changed. Just watch, remain with it and don't do anything. This is how transformation happens. Fighting it will not solve the problem; it will only increase it and leave you frustrated. Don't let your resistances bring negative feelings towards yourself. And be sure to take care of your health.

It feels difficult to come out of the following inner chatter: "Whatever I do is wrong. People are never happy with what I achieve…Nobody cares for the efforts I'm putting into things." Your outer personality, your self-image, clothing, body language, and ways of presenting yourself to the outer world never seem right. So, again, you feel stirred by low self-esteem and a need of recognition. When this low mood happens, watch yourself carefully! Are you suffering from someone else's negative views or from your own constant self-criticism? Actually, nobody can hurt you unless you give silent permission. If you look sincerely, you'll find the inner critic is far more virulent than the outer. So to get out of this feeling, beware of your inner chatter and use healing words for yourself. You will see, your problem does not actually exist!

Enlightenment is passion with patience. Passion alone will raise a great number of thoughts: this passion, this rajas, will allow you to be successful in the outer world. If you have just patience, you will deeply accept everything and earn peace in the inner world. But with either one or the other alone, you will not get the ultimate experience of enlightenment which gives you the fulfillment in both worlds. Enlightenment is the total sum of passion plus patience. It is a mix of a strong will and a deep prayer that raise your frequency to a higher level, to a different dimension. Through that alone will you be able to break through all your automaticities to awaken the non-mechanical part of the brain. They will bring revolution to your experience of reality. Be passionate, be patient! Be actively passive.

You cannot believe your life can be lived without day-dreaming. If you live in super consciousness, whatever dream you have will give you deep satisfaction. These dreams will be a clear vision. Your mind has convinced you that you cannot live without fantasy: that is why you suffer. You can live without day-dreaming! You may feel you have to plan things to be able to survive. But more often than not, instead of planning things, you are worrying and limiting your growth with your worries. From today, have the courage to live with spontaneity. The people who have the courage to trust their vision become the geniuses. The courage to enter into life without daydreaming can simply revolutionize it. Just try this technique throughout the month!

¹ani (Saturn) god as represented in Tiruvannamalai Ashram (Bharat). Around Saturn stand the other 8 Navagraha deities (deities associated with the nine planets), along with their Navagraha trees (trees associated with the nine planets), to bless all with abundance. The circle of deities is placed around the main deities of the temple, Sri Anandeshwara and Anandeshwari; located near a powerful energy field of 1008 ¹iva lingas radiating ¹iva's cosmic energy in an extremely auspicious atmosphere.

Nak¾atra*:* the constellation in which the moon sits in the heaven at a particular time, commonly called as 'birth Star'

Vedic sciences: refer to a number of disciplines found in the Vedas, a large body of texts originating in ancient Bharat, among the oldest sacred texts

§g Veda**:** an ancient Hindu sacred collection of hymns, among the four canonical sacred texts of Vedic tradition known as the Vedas

¡ryabha°a**:** one of the first astronomer and great mathematician of Bharat, born in 476

Copernicus: (1473-1543) the first astronomer to formulate a heliocentric cosmology, which displaced the Earth from the center of the universe

Galileo: (1564-1642) Italian physicist, mathematician, astronomer and philosopher. His achievements include improvements to the telescope and important astronomical observations

Yojanas: a Vedic measure of distance used in ancient Bharat, between 6 to 15 km (4 and 9 miles).

§¾i**:** a sage through whom the Vedic hymns flowed, a "seer" able to reach states of higher consciousness

Yogi**:** a practitioner of various forms of spiritual discipline known as yoga.

Par¢ºara Par¢ºara : author of many ancient Hindu texts and important astrological texts, known as a traveling Master.

B¨hat Par¢ºara Hora ¹¢stra**:** a prominent astrological scientific text, written as a recorded dialogue between Par¢ºara and his disciple Maitreya

Vaºi¾°a**:** R¢ma's guru, a great §¾i who had complete knowledge of the whole cosmos and the gods

Veda Vy¢sa**:** a sage of ancient Bharat, compiler of the Vedas and great epics like the M¢h¢bh¢rata

M¢h¢bh¢rata**:** one of the major Sanskrit epic of Bharat and philosophical scripture, depicting a great war that happened in Bharat; written in 250 000 verses

Sa¼sk¢ras: engraved memories, memories stored in the subconscious part of the mind. They are continually interfering with our decision making process

Grahas: energy centers, energy fields that planets exert in the universe; generally assimilated to 'planets'

Karmas: the collection of unfulfilled experiences and actions that stay in us and constantly pull us to fulfill them

¡yurveda**:** is a system of traditional medicine native to the Hindu Subcontinent. The word ¡yurveda consists of the words ayus, meaning 'life', and Veda, meaning 'related to knowledge' or 'science'

Yoga**:** literally union, union of the individual self and the divine Self, often taken to mean Hatha yoga, which is one of the components of yog¢sana, relating to body postures

Rudr¢k¾a**:** a large broad-leaved tree whose seed is traditionally revered and used for prayer beads, or mal¢. Rudr¢k¾a mainly grows in foothills of the Himalayas up to South-East Asia

Sanskrit: the language of the §g Veda and of many scriptures, as well as mantras.

Mantra**:** a sound, a formula, sometimes a word or set of words, which because of their inherent sounds, have energizing properties. They are an approach to spiritual evolution.

Unclutching: understanding that each thought is completely independent, unconnected to the precedent; which leads to disengage oneself from the mind, resulting in experiencing the no-mind state

Ma´ip¦raka**:** third energy center, meaning 'the city of jewels', in reference to the treasures it holds

Pitta**:** one of the three doºas (or attributes) of the body in ¡yurveda, principle of heat

Lak¾mi: Lak¾mi: the goddess of prosperity, wealth, purity, generosity, and the embodiment of beauty, grace and charm, consort of Lord Vishnu

Mantra**:** a sound, a formula, sometimes a word or set of words, which because of their inherent sounds, have energizing properties, an approach to spiritual evolution

Unclutching: understanding that each thought is completely independent, unconnected to the precedent; which leads to disengage oneself from the mind, resulting in experiencing the no-mind state

Cakra**:** literally a 'wheel': refers to energy centers in the mind-body system

¡j®¢: sixth cakra, located between the eyebrows, known as the master cakra, locked by excessive seriousness

Tamas**:** the behavior of laziness or inaction

Lord Brahma**:** the creator of the trinity

Lord ¹iva**:** rejuvenator in the trinity also means 'causeless auspiciousness'

P¢rvati P¢rvati**:** consort of Lord ¹iva, mother to Ga´eºa

Vi¾´u**:** the preserver in the trinity; His incarnations include K¨¾´a, R¢ma ect., also means 'all encompassing'

Ganesha: the very revered elephant god who removes obstacles.

Agastya**:** a great sage who introduced and popularized Vedic tradition in South Bharat

Viºuddhi Viºuddhi cakra**:** the fifth cakra, or subtle energy center located in the throat region, locked by comparing ourselves with other

Doºa**:** in Ayurvedic medicine, one of the three biological humors or energies (kapha, pitta, vata) which combine in various proportions to determine individual constitution, mental and physical disorders

Vata**:** one of the three humors (body constitution) of ¡yurveda, related to the principle of movement in the mind and body; air element

Tantra**:** esoteric techniques used in spiritual evolution

Goddess Sarasvat¤ Sarasvat¤: goddess of knowledge; consort of Lord Brahma

Vajr¢sana : common yoga and meditation posture, where the person sits on his heels

Cin mudra**:** palms upraised with thumb and forefinger forming a circle and other three fingers outstretched

Guru p¦ja: form of worship offered to the master

Asana**:** body postures performed in yoga, literally means 'seat'

A¾°¢nga namask¢r A¾°¢nga namask¢r**:** prostrating to a deity or master by lying on the floor with all eight limbs of the body touching the earth

Bhujang¢sana**: '**cobra posture' in yoga, in which the head and chest are raised while lying down

Pranic layer: the second layer of energy of the body, related to pranaor life energy

Brahman: Brahman: the unchanging, infinite, immanent, and transcendent reality, the Divine Ground of all matter, energy, time, space, being, and everything beyond in this Universe

B¤ja mantra**:** refers to the single syllable mantra used to invoke certain deities

P¦ja**:** a ritual made of different offerings related to the deity propitiated

Navagraha doºa**:** literally means 'planetary defects' or inauspicious alignment of planets

Homa**:** ancestral Vedic fire ritual

Nirvanic layer: seventh subtle body that we have and last layer of energy which is the space where one experiences intense bliss

Physical layer: the gross body made of flesh and bones

Aum**:** the primordial cosmic sound from which the whole Universe emerged

hr¤¼**:** b¤ja, or seed mantra relating to feminine energy

¹akti**:** energy, isntelligent energy, considered as the feminine aspect of ¹iva

Ahank¢r Ahank¢r:ego or excessive pride due to one's possessions, material wealth, intelligence or powers

Rajas**:** one of the three gu´as or attributes of nature. Attribute of activity and aggression

J¤van Mukti J¤van Mukti: the state of achieving liberation from the cycle of birth and death during one's lifetime

THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM is an enlightened master living amidst us today. With a worldwide movement for meditation and inner bliss, THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM offers solutions for situations as practical as every day stress to the quest for something as profound as enlightenment. He left home at a young age and traveled the length and breadth of Bharat, visiting holy shrines and associating himself with spiritual masters and mystics. He realized his intrinsic knowledge through the paths of meditation, yoga, tantra, knowledge, devotion and other Eastern metaphysical sciences. With an enlightened insight into the core of human nature, THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM has defined his mission for humanity at large. Rooted in the ancient tradition of living enlightenment, and embracing all world religions as sacred and unique, THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM draws people from around the globe, crossing all societal, cultural, language, age and gender barriers.

Nithyananda Mission is a worldwide movement for spreading meditation and inner bliss. The services provided by the organization include meditation, yoga, corporate leadership programs, free energy healing through the Nithya Spiritual Healing system, free education to youth, promoting art and culture satsangs (spiritual gatherings), free medical support, free meals at all ashrams worldwide, a holistic system of education for children through the ¢ºram gurukul and a host of specially designed meditation programs.

Inner Awakening is a 21-day 'master' program that is intensely transformative. It is designed to reproduce all the components of J¤van Mukti or 'Living Enlightenment' in every individual and brings about an irreversible alchemy of moving from the mundane to the Divine.

LBE is a 90-day residential program to experience the intense and transformative power of being in an enlightened master's presence. Conducted at the Bengaluru ashram in Bharat, it takes you to the depths of your being through yoga, meditation and a wide range of multifarious activities and helps you to awaken your innate peak potential. It is a lifetime opportunity to learn directly from a living enlightened master, to engineer your very body and mind for enlightened living.

A one-day meditation program that sows in you the seed of Living Enlightenment. This program empowers you with the energy to align your actions with your intentions so you move with outer world success and inner bliss.

- Paramahamsa Nithyananda