அன்பும் ஆண்டவனும் (LOVE AND GOD)

I was reading “God” by Kahlil Gibran, which was part of "The Madman", which is reproduced here.

God by Kahlil Gibran

In the ancient days, when the first quiver of speech came to my lips, I ascended the holy mountain and spoke unto God, saying, 'Master, I am thy slave. Thy hidden will is my law and I shall obey thee for ever more.'

But God made no answer, and like a mighty tempest passed away.

And after a thousand years I ascended the holy mountain and again spoke unto God, saying, 'Creator, I am thy creation. Out of clay hast thou fashioned me and to thee I owe mine all.'

And God made no answer, but like a thousand swift wings passed away.

And after a thousand years I climbed the holy mountain and spoke unto God again, saying, 'Father, I am thy son. In pity and love thou hast given me birth, and through love and worship I shall inherit thy kingdom.'

And God made no answer, and like the mist that veils the distant hills he passed away.

And after a thousand years I climbed the sacred mountain and again spoke unto God, saying, 'My God, my aim and my fulfillment; I am thy yesterday and thou art my tomorrow. I am thy root in the earth and thou art my flower in the sky, and together we grow before the face of the sun.'

Then God leaned over me and in my ears whispered words of sweetness, and even as the sea that enfoldeth a brook that runneth down to her, he enfolded me.

And when I descended to the valleys and the plains, God was there also.
The following attempt in Tamil poetry is a product of inspiration from Kahlil Gibran (Of course conceptually it takes a different line). While we are trying to approach god through various means - rituals, yoga and what not, the poem stresses that Love is God in simple Tamil and you may like reading this.

கடவுளை நானும் காண 

கரியவனின் கருணைப் பேண

ஆற்றிலே  நீராடல் செய்து 

நன்மலர்கள் பதமாய்க் கொய்து 

தூயாடையும் மடியாய்ச் சூடி 

மும்முறை சந்தி ஆடி 

பூஜையும் யாகமும் கண்ட

படைத்த நல்லவிர்பாகம் கொண்ட

யாகத்தின் தலைவன் நின்னை 

நாடினேன் நலம்செய் என்னை!
 

பூஜையில் மகிழ்ச்சிக் கொண்டு

பரமனும் வந்தான் முன்பு 

அக்னி பிழம்பாய் நின்ற

அண்ணலும் என்னைக் கண்டு 

காந்தமின் பார்வைக் கொண்டு 

புன்முறுவலும் பூத்தே நன்று

வார்த்தையும் மொழியாமல் ஒன்று

என்னையும் கடந்தான் சென்று! 

கடவுளை நானும் காண 

கரியவனின் கருணைப் பேண

யோகமும் நீயே என்று 

சிரசிலே நின்றேன் நன்று 

முதுகுத் தண்டினை நட்டி

மூச்சினை நன்குக் கட்டி 

நாசியில் உன்னைக் காண

வாடினேன் நின்னைப் பேண

ஆதலால் அடியேன் நின்னை 

வாசியென ஏற்றுவேனே

வாலையின் பதியே உன்னை

நாடினேன் நலம்செய் என்னை!
 

யோகத்தில் மகிழ்ச்சிக் கொண்டு

பூரணனும் வந்தான் முன்பு

நிர்மல வடிவாய் நின்ற

முதல்யோகியும்  என்னைக் கண்டு 

காந்தமின் பார்வைக் கொண்டு 

புன்முறுவலும் பூத்தே நன்று

வார்த்தையும் மொழியாமல் ஒன்று

என்னையும் கடந்தான் சென்று! 

ஓமெனும் மெய்ப்பொருளும் நீயே

ஒமுறை மறைப்பொருளும் நீயே

நான்மறை முதற்ப்பொருளும்  நீயே 

நான்மறை மேற்ப்பொருளும் நீயே

நான்மறை கருப்பொருளும் நீயே 

நான்மறை இறைப்பொருளும் நீயே 

ஆதலால் அடியேன் நின்னை 

அப்பிரணவமென ஏற்றுவேனே

நாதத்தின் நாதன் உன்னை

நாடினேன் நலம்செய் என்னை!
 

மோனத்தில் மகிழ்ச்சிக் கொண்டு

என் நாயகனே வந்தான் முன்பு 

நாதத்தின் வடிவாய் நின்ற

நாதனும்  என்னைக் கண்டு 

காந்தமின் பார்வைக் கொண்டு 

புன்முறுவலும் பூத்தே நன்று

வார்த்தையும் மொழியாமல் ஒன்று

என்னையும் கடந்தான் சென்று! 

அன்பிற் பிறியதொன்றில்லை

அன்பிற் பெரியதொன்றில்லை

அன்பினால் இழிவொன்றில்லை

அன்பினால் அழிவே இல்லை 

அன்பையே அம்பாய்க் கொண்டு

அன்பனை அடிமைக் கொள்வேன்  

கருணையை வாளாய்க் கொண்டு

கரியவனின் கருத்தை வெல்வேன்   

ஆதலால் அடியேன் நின்னை 

அன்பே சிவமென ஏற்றுவேனே

அன்பற்கு அடியவன் உன்னை

நாடினேன் அணைப்பாய் என்னை!
 

அன்பனும் அன்பு கொண்டு எனை

அணைக்கவே வந்தான் முன்பு 

கருணையின் வடிவாய் நின்ற

கரியவனும் என்னைக் கண்டு 

காந்தமின் பார்வைக் கொண்டு 

புன்முறுவலும் பூத்தே நன்று

அணைத்தனன் ஆவல் கொண்டு

ஆத்மனும் பகர்ந்தான் ஒன்று

அன்பென்னும் அறிவைக் கொண்டு 

எனை நீயும் அறிந்தாய் நன்று

அன்பும் உன் என்பில் தோய 

அன்பிலே உன் மனமதி ஓய

அன்பின் நான் வேறு அன்றே 

அன்பிலே நாம் கலந்தோம் இன்றே! 

Happy Reading!

BREATH, SEX AND PROGENY

Sage Thirumoolar gave a treasure of information about breath and progeny in his work Thirumantiram. I am going to quote some of these poems and give the closest interpretation that I know of, in English. Now the effort is just to present the poems and not provide a medical treatise here as proof for the same. May the qualified medical experts be interested in such studies and enlighten us on these subjects.

I came across this more than a decade back and found it extremely interesting every time I read it. I am sure you would also like them.

1. How a Male, female and twins are conceived

குழவியும் ஆணாம் வலத்தது ஆகில்
குழவியும் பெண்ணாம் இடத்தது ஆகில்
குழவியும் இரண்டாம் அபானன் எதிர்க்கில்
குழவி அலியாகும் கொண்ட கால் ஒக்கிலே” – Thirumantiram 482

If the man during sex has right / solar breath then the child then conceived would be a male. If the breath of the man during sex is from left / lunar side then the child would be a female. If the breath is balanced between both nostrils then the child so conceived would be with neuter gender. When the movement of Prana is opposed by Apana then it shall be twins. 

In my opinion it is also good in one way when people today don’t know these secrets. In a land where female feticide is very high, you would find people probably mastering the right nostril breathing before sex for a male child. 

2. Children with disabilities

“மாதா உதரம் மலமிகில் மந்தனாம்
மாத உதரம் சலமிகில் மூங்கையாம்
மாதா உதரம் இரண்டொக்கில் கண்ணில்லை.
மாதா உதரத்தில் வந்த குழவிக்கே' - Thirumantiram 481

During sex if the female’s intestine is filled with feces then the child so conceived would be a dullard, if the bladder is full of urine to be excreted then the child so conceived would be dumb (cannot speak). If the female’s body is filled with feces and urine then the child would be blind.

So what we note is the sex of the child is determined by the father’s breath and the constitution of the child like sensory organs is determined by the mother’s quality of breath. 

3. Children’s height and quality of skeletal structure

“பாய்கின்ற வாயு குறையிற் குறளாகும்
பாய்கின்ற வாயு இளைக்கின் முடமாகும்.
பாய்கின்ற வாயு நடுப்படின் கூனாகும்
பாய்கின்ற வாயு மாத்ர்க்கில்லை பார்க்கிலே” - Thirumantiram 481

During sex if the male and female’s breath are of same measure then the child conceived would not have any deficiency. If the males breathe is shorter than the normal then the child would be short in height. If the breath is not dense enough (in tamil the word is இளைக்கின் which usually means diluted and hence I have used dense / thick) then the child conceived would be lame with poor skeletal structure. If both happens – breathe is shorter than normal and diluted then the child would have a hunch back.

Sage Thirumoolar also tells that the age of the child is also dependent on the quality of breath of the male at the time of sex. 

'பாய்ந்த பின் அஞ்சோடிய ஆயுளும் நூறாம்
பாய்ந்த பின் நாலோடி பாரினில் எண்பதாம்'

I found it difficult to understand this but yet giving you the interpretation. If the male’s breathe is 5 matras then the child would live for 100 years. Similarly if it is 4 matras then the child would live for 80 years. (One matra corresponds to about 20 years of life.)

'கொண்ட வாயு இருவருக்கும் ஒத்தொழில்
கொண்ட குழவியும் கோமளமாயிரும்

Sage also says, that if the rhythm and the measure are equal between male and female the offspring would look very beautiful. 

Now the objective of this chapter is to show the importance of breath and the extent our ancestors knew about it and mastered the techniques for healthy and long life. There isn’t enough research by modern science – at least to the extent I know, that can unravel some of the secrets which we have been having for a long time. 

Don’t you think that some of these aspects especially the types of breath and the breathing rhythm should be part of our curriculum? 

Happy reading!

BREATH, TIME, TIMINGS AND TAMIL

As you know by now that I always harp that in ancient India all things are interrelated with each other and one forms the basis for the other. Let’s look at breath management, time, timings and how Tamil as a language are interrelated.

I am tempted to quote Swami Chinmaya who stated that “Time is the period between two thoughts”. As you know:

·         A day is divided into 24 hours and each hour with 60 minutes. The fundamental unit of time today is a second for day today life.

·         In ancient India a day is divided into 60 units and not 24 hours, and each unit is called as Nazhigai which has 24 minutes. Two Nazhigai is called a Muhurtam which is 48 minutes. Both of them are very significant measures. So each hour has 2.5 Nazhigai.

I hope you noticed both of them (Nazhigai and Muhurtam) are multiples of 8 which is the fundamental resonance numeral.

·         Do you know why any yogic exercise / meditation / Pranayama are given a count that is multiple of 24 (in terms of counts or minutes or days)?

·         Do you know why in Siddha / Ayurveda medical system the treatments are generally prescribed for 24 days or 48 days?

If you don’t know the significance of 24, read on.

·         In ancient India the concept of time and its measurement are sacred, continuous for billions of years and accurate. If you have not read I would encourage you to read my eBOOK Time = Space, Chapter 12: Vedic concept of time & its measurements. (https://www.facebook.com/ThinkingHearts)

·         To my knowledge, we had measurement as small as 1.85 micro second (Tatpara) to linearly 155+ trillion years.

·         When the ancient rishis defined the fundamental period of time (and not unit of time) they wanted that it should correspond to one full cycle. Since earth is always rotating one cycle is 360 degree – it takes 24 hours to rotate around itself and 365 days to revolve around Sun. But both these measures are not fundamental for intra-day measurements. Also how do we equate a spatial measure (rotational distance) with a time value when it comes to Intra-day measurements?

·         Our rishis considered that each breath as one degree and one cycle can be considered as 360 degree or 360 breaths. If it is 15 breaths a minute than 360 breaths takes 24 minutes and hence the fundamental period (not unit of time) of measurement is Nazhigai which has 24 minutes. 60 such units make one day.

·         So the most fundamental period of time where anything completes 1 cycle in Microcosm is 24 minutes or 1 Nazhigai.

·         The other aspect I want to highlight is that the same concept is used to overcome death by stilling the breath and mind. Since you have stilled the breath, you have not moved in the time-space scale and also the breath is not wasted which means you can achieve immortality in the state of Samadhi. Again as Indians, lets us wait for someone to come and tell us this in English with a theory for us to accept it and award them noble prize. Till then let’s ignore the science in our scriptures stating that these are mythology, religious and superstition. Our ability to take pride in our ignorance is really amazing!

Breath and Tamil language:

Just go and ask someone who is fanatic about Tamil as to “Why Tamil was named as Tamil”? & not something else. If I am right, many of them would not know the answer. Because we have become emotional idiots, we are fanatic about our language / culture without understanding the science behind it. When we understand the science then we would not be fanatic but supremely confident and this confidence about the superiority in our language or culture is the contagious aspect that is required today.

As per Tamil scripture Aintiram, the initial universal evolutionary process consisted of 5 stages and they are can be imagined as movements of particles during the Big bang. They are அமிழ்தல், இமிழ்தல், குமிழ்தல், உமிழ்தல், தமிழ்தல்.

·         Withdrawl (Amizhdal)

·         Imizhdal (Overflowing)

·         Kumizhdal (clustering round in an order)

·         Umizhdal (Emitting)

·         Tamizhdal (resulting into a well defined form)

These are the first stages from the Big bang till a well defined shape is formed. Now the last level is called Tamizhdal which results in a well defined form. This state has emanated from the Pranava and was not been created by someone. Hence a language as rich with the sweetness of inherent order, originating from the luminosity of the original particle is called Tamil. Tamil is word based on the final resultant state called Tamizhdal (தமிழ்தல்).

Tamil language has 12 vowels and 18 consonants both combine to form 216 letters (உயிர் எழுத்து - Uyir Ezhuthu (Life / Energy letters – 12 letters) and மெய் எழுத்து - Mei Ezhuthu (Body / Matter letters – 18 letters)

We have already seen that “Yoga states that if you breathe through the right nostril (Solar breath), then it is effectively 12 angulas of breath length and if you breathe through the left nostril (Lunar Breath), then it is effectively 16 angulas of breath length”. I am going to highlight the correlation between this and Tamil language.

·         The 12 vowels correspond to 12 Angula breath of Solar / right breath. This also means all Vowels originate in our navel.

·         The 18 consonants correspond to 16 Angula breath of Chandra / left breath with the addition of Manas – மனஸ் (mind) and உயிர் (life). All consonants originate in our Moooladhara Chakra.

·         The combination of vowels and consonants total up to 216 alphabets in Tamil (216 =18*12) corresponds to one hundredth of 21600 breaths in day. Please note that vowels and consonants create a word with life just as much we would have a living body by the combination of left and right breath.

· This number 18 is what is reflected in பதிணென் சித்தர்கள், (18 different Siddhas) பதினெட்டுப் புராணங்கள், (18 Puranas), யோக சாதன முறைகளி ஏற்படும் தடைகள் (நிலைகளும்) (18 step process of Sidha Yoga) பதினெட்டு, அய்யப்பன் கோவில்படிகள் பதினெட்டு (18 steps in Lord Ayappa temple in Kerala), பகவத்கீதையில் பதினெட்டு அதிகாரங்களை (18 Chapters in Bhagavad Gita). There are more such significances like Mahabharatha war took place for 18 days.

So to sum up:

·         We all are endowed with a rhythmic breath count which corresponds to our life span, and health.

·         There are 2 types of breath – Solar and Lunar which has a specific rhythm and pattern to it.

·         Our whole body is very well aligned with nature – Lunar and Solar cycle based on which the breath rhythm is aligned.

·         Breath rhythm is used to define the fundamental period of time called Nazhigai and this is used for yogic exercises, Siddha medicine and meditative purposes too.

·         Breath has a significant linkage to a language like Tamil and hence Tamil with divine words and a breath like rhythm is a language throbbing with life.

Let us look at some more interesting aspects!

Happy reading!

RIGHT & LEFT – SOLAR & LUNAR BREATH

Now look at the picture of Lord Shiva below depicting to be holding a staff as a support to his left hand. Not just Shiva any yogi doing meditation or not would always have his staff supporting his left hand and not right hand. Can you answer why?

Figure 1: Lord Shiva in a meditative pose with a supporting staff in the left hand

Irrespective of whether we consider that breathing as an activity that we perform or we identify our very existence with breathing, it is important to know the basics behind this activity.

The basis of this chapter is our Indian Yoga / Siddha system. Some of the interesting aspects are given as points below:

·         If you divide the human body vertically along the sternum it has 2 symmetric sides - right and left side. (have you recognized that most of the organs are symmetric along this meridian?) Right side is called as male, +ve, Yang, Surya, Pingala, Ravi and so on. Similarly left side of the body is called as female, -ve, Yin, Mathi, Ida, Chandra. These 2 aspects are bipolar yet non-dual in the sense one cannot exist without the other. The Yin-yang symbol, the Arthanareeswarar image and the Star of David conveys this aspect only.

·         Out of the 72000 nadis / meridians in the body there are 3 nadis which is very important. Pingala, Ida and Sushmna. All nadis carry subtle energy called Prana or Chi through our body. When we breathe through our right side and the breath that comes through the right nostril is called Pingala and left breath is called Ida. It is actually the name of the nadi and the breath is called Surya (right) or Chandra (Left). The objective of the article is not to talk about Sushmna but look at the rhythm we have between right and left nostril breathing.

  

                               

         

Figure 2: Nadis and Chakras (From Internet)               Figure 3: Nadis and Chakras (From Internet)

·         Figure 2, 3 and 4 actually highlight the 3 Nadis and 7 chakras. You would note that the flow of nadis is different in all the pictures. There are multiple schools of thought and I have produced all of them. I shall explain why I buy Figure 2 over others.

·         Right breathe characterizes solar power and hence physical energy, enthusiasm, drive, health, aggression, sexual potency and long life. Left breathe characterizes humility, truthfulness, creativity, spirituality, obedience, compassion etc.

·         We know that every human being is endowed with ~ billion breath package and the concept of long life is based on how much breath you save and not waste. Yoga states that if you breathe through the right nostril (Solar breath), then it is effectively 12 angulas of breath length and if you breathe through the left nostril (Lunar Breath), then it is effectively 16 angulas of breath length. Ask your Yoga guru about this angula measurements and I am sure most of them would not know it.

·         Let me explain this 12 and 16 angulas concept as I understood. I have not come across this but it is my interpretation and hence may stand corrected in future.

o    If the height of a man is 9 Talas then the torso which is neck to start of thigh is 3 talas. From neck to navel is 2 Talas and naval to start of the thigh is 1 Tala. Each Tala is 6 Angulas and hence neck to navel is 12 Angulas.

o    In figure 2, the solar breath starts at navel / nabhi chakra and hence 12 angulas.

o    The lunar breath starts much below at Mooladhara chakra and hence 4 angulas below the nabhi chakra and hence 16 angulas. I would like to highlight that the distinction between nadi and breath. The Pingala nadi may still start at Mooladara but the solar breath is from the nabhi chakra. It is always better to go with what your guru says and that’s what I do.

o    I have noticed that some schools tell us that 16 and 12 angulas are the length of the breath from the nose when we exhale, which is wrong in my opinion. One angula is 11/8^th of an inch. This would not be applicable for the exhaling length of the breath outside us.

Figure 4: Nadis and Chakras (Book Yoga Nidra, by NC Panda)

·         You would notice that the flow crisscrosses between your nose and brain and this is one of the reasons why our sides of the body are controlled by the opposite sides of our brain.

·         The more we breathe through the right nostril the wastage is low and you would lead a long and healthy life. Alternatively when you breathe through your left nostril the breath wastage is more and they noted that it hampers long life and good health.

Now let’s try to answer this question I asked at the start of this part.

When you want to breathe for long and healthy life you should breathe through your right nostril. The easiest way to breathe through your right nostril is to close the left nostril or more easily press the left side of the body slightly. This can be done by leaning to the left even while sitting in a chair or by pressing the left hand on to a staff. This is what is depicted in the image of Shiva. Any yogi would be leaning to his left or supporting his left hand with a staff or standing on his left leg highlights that he is doing effective breath management to live longer.

Figure 5: Cuddapah Swami Sachidananda Yogeeswar

·         This staff used by the yogis is called as “Vaasi Dhand”, Vaasi means combination of fire and air which is our breath. This staff is pressed against specific points in hand or armpits.

·         The quickest way to change the breathing from one right to left nostril is to sit like the Swamiji in figure 5. If you want to switch from left to right then change the pose to left side with the left hand pressed on the ground.

·         If you or your kids have a blockage of any nostril say right nostril is blocked, please turn to your left and sleep and you would notice that the blockage is cleared within seconds. There is no need for medication like saline and nasal drops.

Let’s look at some simple Dos and dont's:

·         If you are diseased (even headaches, running low on energy) you may want to note that you may be breathing through your left nostril and not right. Try switching the breath over for a doctor-less, self administered relief.  Please note that this is not cure since the root cause is not addressed for a disease.

·         Right side breathing increases the overall heat in the body and hence requires some bodily thermodynamics. It’s very important that you take the advice of a qualified yoga guru / Siddha doctor.

·         Balanced breathe are of 2 types.

o    First category is when the breathe flows balanced in both the nostrils. This typically happens during dawn and dusk which is when the consciousness switches over based on daily rhythm. Elders prohibit us from doing any worldly activities when the breath flows equally through both the nostrils, this spells disaster. We notice most of the half baked gurus tell people to balance the breath in both nostrils throughout the day. As I understand this is wrong.

o    The second category of balanced breath is there is no noticeable breathe at all because of deep meditative state. Now breathe is stationed in Ajna chakra or the eyebrow point. During this stage the sub-conscious mind is active and any thought / act during this stage becomes energized and powerful. It is recommended to maintain this state during our worldly life too which is easier said than done.

·         As per Sage Agasthiyar in this “Saranool Sastram” he says the following activities can be done when the left breath is active:

o    Wear new clothes, Jewels, giving employment, construction of wells and ponds, marriage, buy houses or take possession / occupy new house.

o    Selling things, interface with government officials, meditation, learn arts etc.

o    If you are travelling South or west direction then a lunar breath is good.

·         As per Sage Agasthiyar in this “Saranool Sastram” the following activities can be done when the right breath is active:

o    Teaching, fighting, agriculture, any heavy work, taking medication, sleeping, taking bath etc.

o    If you are travelling East or North direction then a solar breath is good.

·         In short as per my understanding, all physical activities in worldly life should be performed when the right nostril is active. If you have poor appetite, feeling very cold because of weather try switching over to right nostril. A male's sexual attraction increases with right nostril breathing and the female's magnetism increases with her left nostril breathing.

·         Equal breath through both nostrils and left nostril based breathing is recommended only for meditative purposes. Please note Hindus who do Pranayamam during Sandyavandanam, do only left nostril based breathing. This is a very special breathing technique.

·         When you sleep in the night it is preferable to sleep turning to your left. I understand we don't have any control after we slept, but consciously training ourselves helps us with healthy life.This not only helps digestion but also is the best breath management possible while sleeping.

So to sum up, we saw that we are endowed with a natural breath count and also we have seen 2 important types of breath in our 3 nadis. It is told that the right side / solar breathing is very critical for healthy and long life and we have many examples of yogis and rishis living for many many years using these techniques. The choice is left to us if we want to accept and benefit from these techniques or not.

Next let us look at what is the breathing rhythm which nature has endowed us and how should we manage this.

Happy reading!