The Moksha Gita: Swami Sivananda // Commentary: Chapter 9. 3&4 - Swami Krishnananda.

 

Chinmaya Mission

On 18th July 2023, the Computer Learning Centre for underprivileged children at the Ashram was inaugurated by Swami Avyayananda, the resident Swami of Chinmaya Gurudham. The center is operated by an NGO - Nai Disha Educational and Cultural Society, and the courses provided to the children are certified by NIIT. The children were addressed by Swamiji, who emphasized the importance of focus, gratitude for available opportunities, full utilization of those opportunities, and regular attendance.

Swamiji highlighted that the establishment of the learning centre was made possible by the collective efforts of various individuals and factors, and the children should express their gratitude to everyone involved, especially to God, as nothing would have been possible without divine grace. He further encouraged the children to apply their learning in the service of humanity, which, in turn, is a service to the Lord. After offering prayers to Gurudev and imparting words of wisdom to the children, Swamiji formally inaugurated the Computer Centre.

Within a short span of one week, nearly 60 children commenced their journey towards digital literacy at the newly inaugurated center.

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Sunday, 06 Aug 2023 07:10.

The Moksha Gita: Swami Sivananda

Chapter 9: The Five Sheaths-3&4

Commentary : Swami Krishnananda.

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Slogas -3, 4. 

Translation

"The Pranamaya Kosha or the vital sheath is a product of Rajoguna. It also has a beginning and an end. It is inert. It is an effect. Therefore you are not the Pranamaya Kosha. You are the witness of this sheath. Understand, therefore, "I am not the Pranamaya Kosha. I am Brahman.""

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Commentary

The Pranamaya Kosha consists of the five Pranas and five Karma-Indriyas or organs of action. Though the Prana is waking when one is sleeping, it does not invite a friend and entertain him; it cannot stop a thief who tries to remove the articles in a house. Therefore it is insentient. The Self is a mass of Intelligence. It is Chaitanya-Swarupa. It is entirely different from the Prana. The Self is the knower, seer and witness of this sheath.

Prana is only the active working of the mind. A pure-hearted man breathes rhythmically. The breath of an evil-minded person is disturbed. When the mind is controlled the Prana is automatically controlled. The Vedantic aspirant does not practise Pranayama, because his breath is automatically regulated and Kumbhaka naturally follows when the mental Kumbhaka or concentration and meditation are practised. The Pranas are the Rajasic manifestations of the dynamic mental force which with their ups and downs maintain the balance of individual existence even as the bicycle is kept in balance when its wheels are vigorously turning. When there is a break of this movement, the bicycle falls down and when the Prana is inhibited the individualising mind together with the ego breaks down and dies.

Hence there should be no identification with the Pranamaya Kosha and the aspirant should assert the Self-existent Atman distinct from it.

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To be continued

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