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Svetasvatara Upanishad
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(A short introduction (Upanishads_by_Shankara01.html) to the

Svetasvatara Upanishad by Shankara)
THE UPANISHADS
The Practice of Yoga Overview (Upanishads01.html#overview)

The sages, absorbed in meditation through one-pointedness of mind, Brahman (Upanishads01.html#brahman)

discovered the [creative] power, belonging to the Lord Himself and
hidden in its own gunas. That non-dual Lord rules over all those The Greatest Sayings
causes —time, the self, and the rest. (1.3) (Upanishads01.html#sayings)
The Supreme Lord appears as Isvara, omniscient and omnipotent, Prayer for Enlightenment
and as the jiva, of limited knowledge and power, both unborn. [But
this does not deny the phenomenal universe;] for there exists further (Upanishads01.html#prayer)
the unborn prakriti, which creates [the ideas of] the enjoyer,
Importance of the Vedas
enjoyment, and the object. Atman is infinite and all-pervading, and
therefore devoid of agency. When the seeker knows all these three (Upanishads02.html#importance)
to be Brahman, he is freed from his fetters. (1.9)
Theory of Maya (theory_of_maya.html#theory)
The wise man [the yogi] should hold his body steady, with the three
[upper] parts erect, turn his senses, with the help of the mind, toward Who Created God?
the heart, and by means of the raft of Brahman cross the fearful
(theory_of_maya2.html#god)
torrents of the world. (2.8)
Cause of Maya
Commentary: (theory_of_maya2.html#paradox)
The heart is often described by the yogis as the "abode of
Liberation (Upanishads03.html#liberation)
Brahman." One feels there most vividly the presence of the
Spirit. Self is the Witness
(Upanishads03.html#knowing)
[The basic pranayama instruction]
SHANKARA ON UPANISHADS
The teachers of the Upanishads recommend the disciplines Brahman
of Patanjali's yoga for the attainment of samadhi, in which (Upanishads_by_Shankara01.html#shankara1)
the Knowledge of Brahman is directly realized. Mere
Liberation
intellectual knowledge gives only a mediate or indirect
perception of Reality. But the knowledge of multiplicity (Upanishads_by_Shankara02.html#liberation)
created by ignorance is direct and immediate. Only the
Maya
immediate Knowledge of Brahman attained in samadhi
can remove the direct and immediate perception of (Upanishads_by_Shankara03.html#maya)
multiplicity.
Ultimate Truth

The following is from the Yajnavalkya Smriti, quoted by (Upanishads_by_Shankara04.html#truth)

Sankaracharya in his commentary: BRIHADARANYAKA UPANISHAD
Prana
"After practising the postures as desired, according to the
rules, O Gargi, a man conquers the postures. Then he takes (Brihadaranyaka01_Upanishad.html#prana)

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 up pranayama. Creation

"Sitting on a soft seat covered first with kusa grass and then (Brihadaranyaka01_Upanishad.html#creation)
with a [deer or tiger] skin, worshipping Ganesa with fruits and That Thou Art
sweetmeats, placing the right palm on the left, holding the
(Brihadaranyaka01_Upanishad.html#that)
neck and the head in the same line, firmly closing the lips,
facing the east or the north, fixing the eyes on the tip of the Aspects of the Universe
nose, avoiding too much of eating or fasting, the yogi should
(Brihadaranyaka01_Upanishad.html#aspects)
practice purification of the nadis (nerves), without which the
practice of pranayama will be fruitless. He should meditate on Self-Realization
the mystic syllable Hum at the junction of the right nostril
(Brihadaranyaka01_Upanishad.html#selfrealization)
(pingala) and left nostril (ida) and inhale air through the left
nostril for twelve seconds (matras); then he should meditate What is Brahman?
on fire in the same place, repeating the mystic word Rung, (Brihadaranyaka01_Upanishad.html#brahman)
and while meditating thus, slowly exhale the air through the
right nostril. Again, inhaling through the right nostril, the air States of Consciousness
should be slowly exhaled through the left nostril in the same (Brihadaranyaka02_Upanishad.html#states)
way. This should be practiced for three or four years, or three
or four months, according to the direction of a guru, in secret Liberation
[i.e. alone in a room], in the early morning, at midday, in the (Brihadaranyaka02_Upanishad.html#liberation)
evening, and at midnight, until the nerves are purified.
Knowledge of the Self
Lightness of body, clear complexion, good appetite, and
hearing of the Nada (Om) are the signs of such purification. (Brihadaranyaka02_Upanishad.html#self)
Then should be practiced pranayama, composed of KATHA UPANISHAD
exhalation (rechaka), retention (kumbhaka), and inhalation Importance of a Guru
(puraka). Joining the prana with the apana is pranayama.
(Katha_Upanishad.html#importance)
"The yogi should fill the body with breath, from head to foot, Brahman is Aum
in sixteen seconds, exhale for thirty-two seconds, and not
breathe again for sixty-four. (Katha_Upanishad.html#brahman)
Nature of Atman
"There is another pranayama, in which the breath should first
(Katha_Upanishad.html#nature)
be retained for sixty-four seconds, then the prana should be
exhaled for sixteen seconds, and next inhaled for sixteen Realizing Atman
seconds. "By pranayama the impurities of the body are
(Katha_Upanishad.html#realizing)
expelled; by dharana, the impurities of the mind; and by
samadhi, everything that hides the lordship of the soul." One Consciousness
(from Raja Yoga by Swami Vivekananda)
(Katha_Upanishad.html#oneness)
KENA UPANISHAD
The yogi of well regulated endeavours should control the pranas; True Goal of Life (Kena_Upanishad.html#true)
when they are quieted he should breathe out through the nostrils.
Then let him undistractedly restrain his mind, as a charioteer ISHA UPANISHAD
restrains his vicious horses. (2.9) The Universe is the Lord
(Isha_Upanishad.html#top)
Control the pranas:
Knowledge is Liberation
There are five manifestations of prana, which function in
different parts of the body. First of all, the yogi should control (Isha_Upanishad.html#knowledge)
them by the process known as the purification of the nerves.
The Real Nature of Atman
Sankaracharya describes this in his commentary as follows:
"First close your right nostril with a finger and breathe in (Isha_Upanishad.html#atman)
through the left nostril as much as possible. Then breathe out PRASNA UPANISHAD
by the right nostril, closing the left nostril. Next breathe in Power of Aum (Prasna_Upanishad.html#power)
again by the right nostril and breathe out by the left. This

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 process should be repeated three or five times." Afterwards AITAREYA UPANISHAD
the yogi should practice pranayama, which consists in the Brahman is Consciousness
inhalation, exhalation, and retention of the breath, under the
(Aitareya_Upanishad.html#brahman)
guidance of a qualified teacher [the Guru].
MANDUKYA UPANISHAD
Importance of Aum
Let yoga be practiced within a cave protected from the high wind, or
in a place which is level, pure, and free from pebbles, gravel, and (Mandukya_Upanishad.html#importance)
fire, undisturbed by the noise of water or of market-booths, and — GAUDAPADA KARIKA
which is delightful to the mind and not offensive to the eye. (2.10)
Turiya - the Fourth State
When yoga is practiced, the forms which appear first and which
(gaudapada_karika.html#gaudapada)
gradually manifest Brahman are those of snow-flakes, smoke, sun,
wind, fire, fire-flies, lightning, crystal, and the moon. (2.11) Understanding Maya
When earth, water, fire, air, and akasa arise, that is to say, when the (gaudapada_karika.html#maya)
five attributes of the elements, mentioned in the books on yoga,
become manifest, then the yogi's body becomes purified by the fire Non-duality of Atman
of yoga and he is free from illness, old age, and death. (2.12) (gaudapada_karika.html#nonduality)
The precursors of perfection in yoga, they say, are lightness and The Nature of Brahman
healthiness of the body, absence of desire, clear complexion,
pleasantness of voice, sweet odour, and slight excretions. (2.13) (gaudapada_karika.html#nature)

As gold covered by earth shines bright after it has been purified, so Dreaming and Waking
also the yogi, realizing the truth of Atman, becomes one [with the
(gaudapada_karika.html#dreaming)
non-dual Atman], attains the goal, and is free from grief. (2.14)
Reincarnation
(gaudapada_karika.html#reincarnation)
Knowledge of Brahman Leads to Immortality Soul is Immortal (gaudapada_karika.html#soul)
MUNDAKA UPANISHAD
And when the yogi beholds the real nature of Brahman, through the
Knowledge of the Self, radiant as a lamp, then, having known the The Higher Knowledge
unborn and immutable Lord, who is untouched by ignorance and its (Mundaka_Upanishad.html#higher)
effects, he is freed from all fetters. (2.15)
How to Know Brahman?
He indeed, the Lord, who pervades all regions, was the first to be
born, and it is He who dwells in the womb [of the universe]. It is He, (Mundaka_Upanishad.html#how)
again, who is born [as a child], and He will be born in the future. He SVETASVATARA UPANISHAD
stands behind all persons, and His face is everywhere. (2.16)
Practice of Yoga
The self-luminous Lord, who is in fire, who is in water, who has
(Svetasvatara_Upanishad.html#practice)
entered into the whole world, who is in plants, who is in trees—to
that Lord let there be adoration! Yea, let there be adoration! (2.17) Knowledge of Brahman

Rudra [Brahman] is truly one; for the knowers of Brahman do not (Svetasvatara_Upanishad.html#knowledge)
admit the existence of a second, He alone rules all the worlds by His TAITTIRIYA UPANISHAD
powers. He dwells as the inner Self of every living being. After
having created all the worlds, He, their Protector, takes them back The Knower of Brahman
into Himself at the end of time. (3:2) (Taittiriya_Upanishad.html#knower)
His eyes are everywhere, His faces everywhere, His arms Brahman is Bliss (Ananda)
everywhere, everywhere His feet. He it is who endows men with
arms, birds with feet and wings and men likewise with feet. Having (Taittiriya_Upanishad.html#brahman)
produced heaven and earth, He remains as their non—dual CHANDOGYA UPANISHAD
manifester. (3:3)
Gayatri Mantra
The Supreme Lord is higher than Virat, beyond Hiranyagarbha. He is (Chandogya_Upanishad.html#gayatri)
vast and is hidden in the bodies of all living beings. By knowing Him
who alone pervades the universe, men become immortal. (3:7)

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 Hidden - that is to say, as Pure Consciousness. As oil is Everything is a Name
hidden in oil-seed, and fire in fire-wood, so also is Brahman
(Chandogya_Upanishad.html#everything)
hidden in the physical body.
Meditation as Brahman
The Purusha, no bigger than a thumb, is the inner Self, ever seated (Chandogya_Upanishad02.html#meditation)
in the heart of man. He is known by the mind, which controls
knowledge and is perceived in the heart. They who know Him
become immortal. (3:13)

The BEST QUOTES

The yogis meditate on Atman as the luminous space in the
heart, which resembles a lotus bud and is of the size of a In a Nutshell
thumb.
(../gurus/yogananda02quotes.html#essence)

The Purpose Of Life

The Self, smaller than the small, greater than the great, is hidden in
the hearts of creatures. The wise, by the grace of the Creator, behold (../gurus/yoganandaquotes06.html#whyhere)
the Lord, majestic and desireless and become free from grief. (3:20)
Top 20 Spiritual Tips
Two birds, united always and known by the same name, closely cling
to the same tree. One of them eats the sweet fruit; the other looks on (../gurus/yogananda_quotes_best_tips_44.html#top)
without eating. (4.6) Who Are You?

(../gurus/yoganandaquotes04c.html#whoareyou)
Two birds: The individual self and the Supreme Self.
The Art of Living

Of what use are the Vedas to him who does not know that
indestructible Substance, that akasa-like Brahman, which is greater
than the unmanifest and wherein the Vedas and all the gods are
sheltered? Only those who know It attain bliss. (4.8)
(../gurus/yogananda_quotes35living.html#art)
Wisdom
(../gurus/yoganandaquotes09.html#wisdom)

Know, then, that prakriti is maya and that Great God is the Lord of Best Meditation Tips
maya. The whole universe is filled with objects which are parts of His
being. (4:10) (../gurus/yogananda_quotes_43_med_tips.html#top)
Marriage

(../gurus/yoganandaquotes07.html#marriage)
How the Soul (jiva) Assume Various Bodies Self-Realization:

By means of desires, contact, attachment and delusion, the Checklist

embodied soul assumes, successively, diverse forms in various
places, according to its deeds, just as the body grows when food and (../checklist/checklist00.html#top)
drink are poured into it. (5:11) How to Progress
The embodied soul, by means of good and evil deeds committed by (../gurus/yogananda_quotes_progress.html#top)
itself, assumes many forms, coarse and fine. By virtue of its actions
and also of such characteristics of the mind as knowledge and The Secret of Life
desire, it assumes another body for the enjoyment of suitable
(../gurus/yogananda_quotes_secret_of_life_45.html#top)
objects. (5:12)
Soul Mates
He who knows the Lord, who is without beginning or end, who
stands in the midst of the chaos of the world, who is the Creator of all (../gurus/yogananda_quotes29soulmates.html#soulmates
things and is endowed with many forms—he who knows the radiant
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fetters. (5:13) (../gurus/yogananda_quotes32love.html#love)
Success

(../gurus/yogananda_quotes30success.html#success)
Realization of Brahman is Liberation

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 He who attains purity of heart by performing actions as an offering to Right Attitude
the Lord and merges prakriti and all its effects in Brahman, realises
his true Self and thereby transcends phenomena. In the absence of (../gurus/yoganandaquotes04b.html#attitude)
maya, both collective and individual, all his past actions are
Karma
destroyed. After the destruction of the prarabdha karma he attains
final Liberation. (6:4) (../gurus/yoganandaquotes06c.html#karma)
May the non—dual Lord, who, by the power of His maya, covered World Crisis
Himself, like a spider, with threads drawn from primal matter, merge
us in Brahman! (6:10) (../gurus/yogananda_quotes38crisis.html#crisis)

In this universe the Swan, the Supreme Self alone exists. It is He Happiness
who, as fire, abides in the water. Only by knowing Him does one (../gurus/yoganandaquotes04a.html#happiness)
pass over death, There is no other way to reach the Supreme Goal.
(6:15) What is God?

* Commentary by Swami Nikhilananda (../gurus/yoganandaquotes03b.html#god)

Next Page » (Taittiriya_Upanishad.html#top) Self-Realization

(../gurus/yoganandaquotes05.html#self-

realization)
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1. Oneness with God is the Goal (../gurus/yogananda_quotes31meditation.html#meditation

(../gurus/yogananda_quotes_best_tips_44.html#top) Kriya Yoga

2. First, Know Yourself as Soul (../gurus/yoganandaquotes03.html#kriya)

(../gurus/yogananda_quotes_best_tips_44-2.html#top) Reincarnation

3. Discriminate Between the Real and Unreal (../gurus/yoganandaquotes06b.html#reincarnation)

(../gurus/yogananda_quotes_best_tips_44-3.html#top) Law of Maya

(../gurus/yoganandaquotes06d.html#law)
4. Accelerate Your Progress with Kriya Yoga
Death
(../gurus/yogananda_quotes_best_tips_44-4.html#top)
(../gurus/yoganandaquotes07c.html#death)
5. Do Everything with the Attitude of Love
Devotion
(../gurus/yogananda_quotes_best_tips_44-5.html#top)
(../gurus/yoganandaquotes04.html#devotion)
6. Practice the Presence of God
The Presence of God
(../gurus/yogananda_quotes_best_tips_44-6.html#top)
(../gurus/yoganandaquotes03c.html#presence)
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The Soul
(../gurus/yogananda_quotes_best_tips_44-7.html#top)
(../gurus/yoganandaquotes03b2.html#soul)
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The Way to Freedom
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Why Evil Exists?
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(../gurus/yogananda_quotes34evil.html#evil)
10. Keep Your Mind on the Spiritual Eye
Levels of Consciousness
(../gurus/yogananda_quotes_best_tips_44-10.html#top)
(../gurus/yogananda_quotes36consciousness.html#consc
11. Control Your Mind to Attain Self-Mastery

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 12. Be the Changeless Witness Concentration

(../gurus/yogananda_quotes_best_tips_44-12.html#top) (../gurus/yogananda_quotes33concentration.html#concen

13. Concentration is Essential for Spiritual Progress The Steps to God

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14. Introspect to Be Completely Victorious 46.html#top)

(../gurus/yogananda_quotes_best_tips_44-14.html#top) Forgiveness

15. Meditate with the Guru (../gurus/yoganandaquotes04a.html#forgiveness)

(../gurus/yogananda_quotes_best_tips_44-15.html#top) Health

16. Live a Balanced Life — Play Your Part Well (../gurus/yoganandaquotes05c.html#health)

Intuition
(../gurus/yogananda_quotes_best_tips_44-16.html#top)
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Peace
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 Conquering Worry

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Desires
(../gurus/yoganandaquotes05a.html#desires)

Overcoming Moods
(../gurus/yogananda_quotes_overcoming_moods_47.htm
Prayer
(../gurus/yoganandaquotes03d.html#Prayer)

Samadhi (Ecstasy)
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Introspection

(../gurus/yoganandaquotes05b.html#introspection)
Service
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