Namaskar Oct 2015

Bullies, beware! Kumbhakarna’s sorry plight
despite all his might is a warning that a
fearful fate awaits those who use spiritual
practices to enhance personal power and
then use that power to control, intimidate
and abuse instead of becoming a source of
comfort to and serving those weaker than
them. Meditators, beware! The task of
plumbing the depths of one’s psyche is long
and arduous. There are no shortcuts and no
quick-fixes. Many a sleeping giant slumbers
away in the dark recesses of the mind. Do you
have the courage to keep on looking in and
facing and transforming the illusory demons
of your mind no matter how dark and
devious, twisted and terrible they may seem?
IN BRIEF
MUDRAS
Three mudras for the
Travelling Yogi
BY KRISHNAA KINKARI
There are, nowadays, many teachers of yoga
traveling all over the world to benefit keen
students. Their yoga practice needs to be
particularly strong and regular so the
demands of the travel itself and the change of
climate and diet in the destination venues do
not deplete their energies nor confuse their
minds even with the most serious ‘jet lag’!
When traveling, situations like airport
lounges or any waiting area and then on the
vehicle itself, are often confined and very
public. However, for the true yogis who are
ever alert to their sadhana, mudras offer the
perfect solution. The circumstances thus
might be unfavorable, but the opportunity to
remain calmly determined in every situation
is excellent and also, in this case, delightfully
simple, needing no special equipment and
perfectly suited to any chair or enough room
to plant the body, standing, sitting or lying.
Mudras are the most versatile practice, are
always ones best friend on a trip. Their
practice will help one to be a yogi first, before
becoming a teacher. A yoga teacher must
fulfill the qualifications of a Yogi before
trying to convey that to others.
Constant traveling unbalances the
tatvas[elements] which leads to disease.
Balance and harmony can restore the ideal
balance just through the juxtaposition of the
fingers which lead to Dharana and Dhyana
with sequential ease.
Therefore travel need not be a task with an
unfavourable end needing days of recovery as
a consequence. It is simple, pleasant
,immediately fruitful, private, enjoyable and
much more effective than many brain-cell
destroying painkillers or any form of
intoxicating self medication!
Enough said !Let’s take three new mudras
aimed at this purpose.
PRITHIVI MUDRA
Prithivi means Earth. This mudra helps one
to ground oneself, bring oneself down to
earth. A compliment is often given that a
person is very ‘down to earth’. Such a person
appreciates basic values and is a support to
all around them. It brings back luster and
brightness to the face and installs qualities of
mercy, compassion and love as well as
tolerance and patience. Helps in queues and
delays!
Method: Tip of the thumb touches the tip of
the ring finger [earth finger] and the other
three fingers remain extended. Do with both
hands.15 minutes ideal.
VYAN MUDRA
Mudra for clearness which can control high
blood pressure, thus useful in times of
stress, tension , irregularity, unbalanced
diet, vertigo and pollution.
Method: Touch the tips of the index and the
middle fingers with the front portion of the
thumb. Ring and little fingers are relaxed and
extended. The wind and ether elements are
stabilized so that blood pressure is
controlled and confined within normal limits
SURYA MUDRA
Surya means Sun. Here fire and earth
elements unite to produce brilliant energy
comparable to solar energy.
Method: Touch the tip of the ring finger to
the root of the thumb. The thumb then rests
across the ring finger. The other three
fingers extend. It helps with headache or
sense of heaviness in the brain. Minimum 15
minutes with both hands.
Have a good trip! May your travelling
enlighten you and bring you back safe and
sound!
BOOK REVIEW
AMAR
CHITRA
KATHA
COMICS
Immortal Stories for all
Ages
BY TIA SINHA
Amar Chitra Katha in Hindi means ‘Immortal
Picture Story’. Amar Chitra Katha comic
books have captured the hearts of children in
India for decades. These comics have been
around since 1969. The heart and brain
behind Amar Chitra Katha comics was the
late Anant Pai who wanted to make children
in India aware of their own culture. He
sought to do this in a fun way rather than in a
preachy and didactic manner. With the help
of his stories, Uncle Pai, as he was commonly
known, succeeded in bringing joy to his
young readers.
Well written, in simple English, often
humorous and always beautifully illustrated,
Amar Chitra Katha comics cover a wide range
of topics. Recently published issues have a
band of a particular colour on their cover.
40 NAMASKAR