The 10 Yamas and Niyamas of Hinduism

What does living virtuously mean to Hindus? It is following the natural and essential guidelines of DHARMA and the 10 yamas and 10 niyamas - ancient scriptural injunctions for all aspects of human thought, attitude and behavior. These do's and don'ts are a common-sense code recorded in the Upanishads, in the final section of the 4000-to 5000-year-old Vedas.

Read about the 10 yamas, which means "reining in" or "control", and the 10 niyamas, i.e., observances or practices as interpreted by Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami.

The 10 Yamas - Restraints or Proper Conduct

1. Ahimsa or Non-injury
2. Satya or Truthfulness
3. Asteya or Nonstealing
4. Brahmacharya or Sexual Purity
5. Kshama or Patience
6. Dhriti or Steadfastness
7. Daya or Compassion
8. Arjava or Honesty
9. Mitahara or Moderate Diet
10. Saucha or Purity

The 10 Niyamas - Observances or Practices

1. Hri or Modesty
2. Santosha or Contentment
3. Dana or Charity
4. Astikya or Faith
5. Ishvarapujana or Worship of the Lord
6. Siddhanta Sravana or Scriptural Listening
7. Mati or Cognition
8. Vrata or Sacred Vows
9. Japa or Incantation

10.                Tapas or Austerity

These are the 20 ethical guidelines called yamas and niyamas, or restraints and observances. Sage Patanjali (c 200 BC), propounder of Raja Yoga, said, "These yamas are not limited by class, country, time, or situation. Hence they are called the universal great vows."

Lord shiva and Origin of Yoga

Yoga is believed to have been first taught by Hindu God Shiva and it was compiled by Rishi Patanjali. Origin of Yoga begins with Shiva’s unhappiness over the world created by Brahma. Legend has it that Shiva was unhappy with the pain and suffering in the world due to Maya. Shiva complained to Brahma about this. But Brahmadev was proud of his creation and sprouted four heads to view it from all sides. He was so proud that a fifth head popped out to watch His creation.

This enraged Shiva who took the terrible form of Bhairava and chopped off the fifth head of Brahma.

Brahma complained that he did not create unhappiness or misery. It is mind which is the result of all misery.

Shiva retorted that it was Brahma who created mind.

Brahma then answered that the mind can be controlled and enlightened. The mind which is the cause of unhappiness, if controlled is the path to bliss.

Shiva soon realized that Maya had overpowered him. He felt remorse for his anger and for the sin committed.

Shiva then went to Avimukta in Kashi and meditated on ways to control the mind.

Finally he came with the secret of Yoga.

All living beings who were frustrated with the materialistic world and sought to attain moksha crowded near Shiva.

Shiva as Dakshinamurti then unraveled the great cosmic truth.

Shiva first explained the main aim of yoga and then taught the physical postures.

Shiva is believed to have showed 8, 40, 000 postures – each representing a bird or animal.

Sage Patanjali compiled the teachings and saved it for the future generation. Today a miniscule part of the original teaching is available

 

Shravan Somvar Vrat – Mondays of Shravan Month Dedicated to Lord Shiva

Mondays in the Hindi month of Shravan or Shrawan (July – August) is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Hindus in North India observe Shravan Mas Somvar Vrata or Sravan Somavara Upvaas. In this month, Shivling is bathed with holy water from River Ganga. Fasting is observed from sunrise to sunset on all Mondays in the month. In 2013 Shravan Somvar days are July 29, August 5, August 12 and August 19 as per traditional calendar followed in North India.

In Maharashtra and Gujarat, Shravan Somvar Vrat in 2013 is on August 12, August 19, August 26 and September2.

Married women observe the fast for a happy and long married life. Unmarried women observe it for getting good husbands. Men observe it for a happy and peaceful life. Those who observe fast eat only a single vegetarian meal. Shivlinga is bathed with Ganga water or milk at temples. Devotees also offer flowers or Bilva or Bel leaves to the Shivalingam.

Mondays in Hindu religion is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The importance of Shravan Somvar is because it is believed that the Samudra Manthan (Churning of Ocean) took place in this month and Lord Shiva drank the poison Hala Hala to save the world during this period.

Offering milk to Lord Shiva in this month is considered highly auspicious. People also worship Goddess Parvati, Ganesha and Lord Kartik in this month.

IMPORTANT HINDU FESTIVALS AND VRAT IN April 2013

Dates of important festivals associated with Hinduism in  April 2013 – based on major Hindu calendars and Panchangam used in India. The festivals, Vrats and auspicious days are based on Indian Standard Time (IST). You can also take help through the comment section on good dates for various purposes including house warming, joining job, buying car or house, moving into new rented home etc.

April 1, 2013 – Eknath Sashti

April 2 – Sheetala Saptami Vrat in North India

April 3 – Sheetala Ashtami Vrat

April 6 – Ekadasi Fasting

April 7 – Pradosh Vrat

April 8 – Monthly Shivratri Fasting

April 9 – Maa Hinglaj Puja

April 10 – Amavasi – No Moon Day

April 11 – Chaitra Shukladi – Vikram Samvat 2070 begins in North Indian Calendars

April 11 – Chaitra Navratri begins

April 12 – Cheti Chand

April 13 – Saubhagya Sundari Teej Vrat

April 13 – Gangaur Pooja

April 14 – Vishu in Kerala

April 18 – Vasant Navratri Durga Ashtami Puja

April 18 – Ashokashtami

April 19 – Chaitra Navratri Mahanavami

April 19 – Sriramnavami

April 22 – Ekadasi Fasting

April 23 – Pradosh Fasting

April 25 – Purnima – Full moon day

April 26 – Vaishakh Month begins in North India

April 28 – Sankashti Ganesh Chaturthi Vrat

Holi- this year on 27th March2013

Holi - the festival of colors - is undoubtedly the most fun-filled and boisterous of Hindu festival. It's an occasion that brings in unadulterated joy and mirth, fun and play, music and dance, and, of course, lots of bright colors!

During Holi, practices, which at other times could be offensive, are allowed. Squirting colored water on passers-by, dunking friends in mud pool amidst teasing and laughter, getting intoxicated on bhaang and reveling with companions is perfectly acceptable. In fact, on the days of Holi, you can get away with almost anything by saying, "Don't mind, it's Holi!" (Hindi = Bura na mano, Holi hai.

Women, especially, enjoy the freedom of relaxed rules and sometimes join in the merriment rather aggressively. There is also much vulgar behavior connected with phallic themes. It is a time when pollution is not important, a time for license and obscenity in place of the usual societal and caste restrictions. In a way, Holi is a means for the people to ventilate their 'latent heat' and experience strange physical relaxations.

Holi is one of the oldest among Hindu festivals, there is no doubt. Various references are found in the sculptures on walls of old temples. A 16th century panel sculpted in a temple at Hampi, capital of Vijayanagar, shows a joyous scene depicting Holi where a prince and his princess are standing amidst maids waiting with syringes to drench the royal couple in colored water.

The colors of Holi, called 'gulal', in the medieval times were made at home, from the flowers of the 'tesu' or 'palash' tree, also called 'the flame of the forest'. These flowers, bright red or deep orange in color, were collected from the forest and spread out on mats, to dry in the sun, and then ground to fine dust. The powder when mixed with water made a beautiful saffron-red dye. This pigment and also 'aabir', made from natural colored talc, which were extensively used as Holi colors, are good for the skin, unlike the chemical colors of our days

Colorful days, solemn rituals, joyous celebrations - Holi is a boisterous occasion! Draped in white, people throng the streets in large numbers and smear each other with bright hued powders and squirt coloured water on one another through pichkaris (big syringe-like hand-pumps), irrespective of caste, color, race, sex, or social status; all these petty differences are temporarily relegated to the background and people give into an unalloyed colorful rebellion. There is exchange of greetings, the elders distribute sweets and money, and all join in frenzied dance to the rhythm of the drums.

Happy Holi to all of you

Mahashivratri on 10th March 2013

Shivratri or Mahashivaratri, as the name indicates is the night of Lord Shiva. It is observed on the night before ‘amavasya’ in the Hindu month of Magh/Phalgun (February – March). In 2013, the date of Shivaratri is March 10.

Unlike other festivals associated with Hinduism, Shivratri is a night dedicated largely to prayers and not to celebrations. Of course, when Lord Shiva is worshipped there is bliss all around but the bliss is of Brahman realization.

I find most people asking how to celebrate Shivratri? Shivratri is the day when rituals and worship are given more importance. There is no fun or merrymaking as in other Hindu festivals.

It is a day of renunciation and prayer. It is a day to realize the Brahmn and cleanse ignorance. Lord Shiva appeared in the form of Jyotirlinga on this day. A lingam which had no end and beginning and it symbolizes Brahman.

It is said that one should practice non-violence on this day. Then are things like not to lie, strict brahmacharya, be compassionate etc. But these things should be practiced on all days. So one need not wait for Shivaratri to be compassionate.

Generally most people fast on Shivaratri day by uttering the panchakshari mantra – ‘om namah shivaya.’ Next is keeping vigil all night by worshipping Lord Shiva. Worshipping Shiva with Bilva leaves is considered highly auspicious.

If you have a Shivling at home you can keep on bathing it at night with milk, curd, sugar, honey and ghee. But I guess this would be hard for a devotee to do. So, simple water will do. Remember, Shiva accepts anything when given with utmost devotion.

If you are unable to observe fastthen one can observe the day by chanting ‘om namah shivaya.’

IMPORTANT HINDU FESTIVALS AND VRAT IN MARCH 2013

Dates of important festivals associated with Hinduism in March 2013 – based on major Hindu calendars and Panchangam used in India. The festivals, Vrats and auspicious days are based on Indian Standard Time (IST). You can also take help through the comment section on good dates for various purposes including house warming, joining job, buying car or house, moving into new rented home etc.

March 1, 2013 – Sankashti Chaturthi Vrat

March 8 – Ekadasi Fasting – Vijaya Ekadashi

March 9 – Pradosh Vrat – Shani Pradosham

March 10 – Mahashivratri

March 11 – Amavasya

March 12 – Phalgun month begins in calendars followed in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat.

March 14 – Kharmas begins in North India

March 17 – Sashti Vrat – Muruga Sashti Fasting

March 20 – Holashtak begins

March 22 – Phagu Dasami

March 23 – Ekadasi Fasting – Amalki Ekadasi

March 24 – Pradosh Vrat

March 26 – Purnima Vrat

March 26 – Holika Dahan

March 26 – Panguni Uthiram

March 27 – Holi

March 27 – Purnima

March 28 – Chaitra Month begins in calendars followed in North India.

March 29 – Bhai Dooj in certain North Indian places.

March 30 – Sankashti Ganesh Chaturthi

March 31 – Rang Panchami