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Yoga Poornima
Swami Satyasangananda
 Five
days after the Sat Chandi Mahayajana in worship of the Cosmic Shakti is
over, Yoga Poornima will commence, which is the worship of her counterpart,
the Cosmic Consciousness, Shiva. Thus together these two events, each
unique in its own way, pay homage to the Mother and Father of the universe
and create a full circle or totality of experience. On completion of these
two events one feels satiated, complete and whole.
Shiva is everywhere. Wherever we look we can see Shiva, in water, on
land, in the skies, on the mountains, in the cool breeze and in the warm
sun. The seasons announce his presence and the entire creation sings his
praise. Shiva is Adi Guru, the first guru from whom all knowledge sprang
forth and from whom the guru parampara evolved. Shiva is Satyam, Shivam
and Sundaram, Truth, Auspiciousness and Beauty. He is Trayambakeshwar,
the threeeyed auspicious one, and remembrance of him protects us from
difficulties, danger and afflictions of every kind, and grants us good
health and long life. Yoga Poornima is intended to make us aware of this
reality and enable us to experience the power and grace of Lord Shiva
in our own lives.
This event has been introduced at Rikhiapeeth from 2008 as a tribute
to the birth of Swami Satyananda which took place on the Marga Sheersha
Poornima at Almora in 1923. On account of his unparalleled contribution
to mankind in the field of yoga, this event is named Yoga Poornima, for
it has become clear that it was to fulfil this task that Swami Satyananda
was born.
As Shiva in the form of Mrityunjaya, the jyotirlingam at Trayambakeshwar
near Nasik, is Swami Satyananda’s ishta deva, the basis of this event
will be veneration and worship of the Shivalingam with the ancient Vedic
Rudri hymns, along with Mahamrityunjaya homa, which will be conducted
by learned pandits from Varanasi. This sacred yajna is most powerful when
conducted here in Rikhiapeeth, as it is in close vicinity of an awakened
shrine where the sacred jyotirlingam of Lord Shiva is worshipped as Baba
Baidyanath. It is also the tapobhoomi of Swami Satyananda, where he has
performed rigorous sadhanas including panchagni.
For anyone who has ever asked themselves, “What can I do to help
others?” or “How can I improve my life?” this Mahamrityunjaya
havan is the answer, as we all need to expand our concept of giving from
merely material giving, to giving in more subtle and positive ways that
can have a profound influence on our own lives and on the lives of others.
The sacred Mahamrityunjaya mantra is a centuries old technique from the
Krishna Yajur Veda that bestows health, wealth, long life, peace, prosperity
and contentment. Swami Satyananda has vowed to “serve, love, give”,
and by bringing peace, prosperity and health through a universal mantra
it is giving in the absolute sense, as the subtle vibrations not only
positively influence the lives of those immediately present, but the whole
of creation. Guru is the light who shines brightly like the full moon
and dispels darkness and ignorance. He brings us hope, joy and inspiration.
Yoga Poornima is an opportunity to reconnect and rededicate ourselves
to guru, the divine light who dispels the darkness in our lives. We will
join together to invoke the radiant grace of guru shakti, by chanting
sacred mantras, prayers and singing kirtans.
This tribute to Swami Satyananda is most befitting. His life has been
one of total surrender and dedication to his guru Swami Sivananda, who
gave him the mandate to reveal the true essence of yoga. True to the instructions
of his guru, he has successfully spread the science of yoga throughout
the world and is one of the leading authorities on yoga today. He is a
shining example of dedication, surrender, compassion and service to guru
and humanity, and continues to inspire millions to live the divine life.
Usually on birthdays people receive presents, but even on his birthday
Swami Satyananda continues to give, give and give. Throughout Yoga Poornima
2008 he was present at the havan and pooja from morning to evening. The
very first Rudra abhisheka of the Shivalingam, which was specially brought
from the Narmada river, was conducted by Sri Swamiji himself. His sparsha,
or touch, and drishti, or gaze, at once infused the Shivalingam with divine
prana, transforming the stone into a divyalingam, to bless and confer
divine grace upon all.
I invite you all to Rikhiapeeth to join the Yoga Poornima celebration
from 28th November to 2nd December 2009 to have darshan of the divyalingam
of Rikhiapeeth and hope that you will not miss this unique opportunity,
as none of us knows in what form Shiva may appear to bless us all. He
may come in the twinkle of a child’s eye or as a stranger who passes
in the crowd. But what we do know is that he is above, beside and below
us, and definitely if you open your heart, expand your mind and tune into
the subtle vibrations you will feel his presence within!
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