When reading Sanskrit, whenever you see -tva (-त्व) added as a suffix to a base, it is translated as “X-ness” or “a “state of X.” For instance, in the word samatvam, often described in the Bhagavadgītā, as an ideal state of mind, is broken into sama + tvam. Sama means “same” or “equal” and the …
The Meaning of Yoga from √yuj || Yogasūtra of Patañjali
In Patañjali's Yogasūtra, the word Yoga is said to be composed of the root yuj. This root, however, is not the same root as yuj-to yoke/merge, but rather, is from the root yuj-to meditate/contemplate upon. Thus, there are two roots of yuj. The first, meaning "to yoke/merge" is from the 7th gaṇa (class). It's original form is yujir. After …
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Me
I am a creation of this world, but I have to escape it to create Me. If it created my sensitivity and if escape it, will I still be Me? If I am my sensitivity, then who am I when I am hurt? And if I escape that hurt will I create a new version …
Freedom From Validation
When we seek validation, that is, when we want another to like us, this is when weakness seeps in. What is the mechanism behind validation? "I want you to see me as how I want to see myself." If I want to be seen as a charismatic, attractive individual, when I want someone else to …
Inference
How do I know that I have a "brain"? I have never seen, felt, heard, tasted or touched my "brain". As of now, you only know it through inference. What are Perception & Inference? Perception is a source of knowledge in which a sense object is known directly by the sense organs: eye, ear, nose, tongue …
The Dharma of Character
On a Saturday morning, I once visited a temple to study saṃskṛtam. I was told that during this time, weekly classes were held with aspirations of teaching those eager to learn one of the most renowned, ancient languages of vedic (Hindu) civilization. I went with my mother, who genuinely enjoys car rides and visiting different places …
Triumph in Defeat
In difficult times, there will be immense pain, humiliation and coldness. The world will not understand us and we may feel abandoned. The world will treat us without compassion, honesty, sympathy, sensitivity and justice. The eyes of those who once supported you will have a different look, missing that sparkle of love that once existed. …
Patience in Healing
When we see others in pain, whether it be psychological or physical, oftentimes, we have a powerful urge to relieve them of their suffering. At times, we want others to be relieved to such an extent that we become frustrated. We must differentiate between two types of frustration: failed attempt and opposing conflict. Failed attempt …
The Source of Anger
३.३६: अथ केन प्रयुक्तोऽयं पापं चरति पूरुष: अनिच्छन्नपि वार्ष्णेय बलादिव नियोजित: O' Kṛṣṇa, now, by what, is an individual urged to perform evil acts, unwillingly and from force? ३.३७: काम एष क्रोध एष रजोगुणसमुद्भव: महाशनो महापाप्मा विद्ध्येनमिह वैरिणम् It is desire, it is anger which are born of the rajas guṇa. Consuming and evil, you must know this …
The Gift of Nature
१८. ५९: यदहंकारमाश्रित्य न योत्स्य इति मन्यसे मिथ्यैष व्यवसायस्ते प्रकृतिस्त्वां नियोक्ष्यति Having depended on the false self, you think "I will not fight." Your determination is false, Nature will compel you. In the last chapter of the Bhagavad Gītā, Lord Kṛṣṇa reveals a profound statement about the ego or false self. The warrior, Arjuna, having …