Guest guest Posted June 23, 2008 Report Share Posted June 23, 2008 Dear friends and devotees, Bhakti is eternal. PANCHAGNI One of our friends has asked me to give some details on Panchagini. I have recollected my Guru’s words in this regard and taking into consideration of some references I am giving some details.. The word panchagni denotes five fires. What are they? Are they five types of fires or five shapes of one fire? No. They are five pranas (five vital airs). This is clarified by sage Pippalada to Sauraayani the fourth disciple of Gargi lineage. Sauraayani once approached the sage Pippalada and asked: "Swami! When living beings are asleep, who is it that sleeps? Who is it that is awake in that state? Who is it that is oblivious to the mind that is immersed in bliss, forgetting life itself, and is one with that Entity? Please reveal the mystery about these and confer peace of mind on me. When a living being is asleep, what happens to all the qualities of Prana (the Life-Force)?" Pippalada replied: "Just as when the sun sets, the sun's rays are withdrawn into his Tejas and are effulgent again the next morning, when a man is asleep; all the activities of the sense organs are merged in the mind. Because of this, man is unable to see the external world, is not able to speak or hear, or think. The reason is all the operations of the senses are merged in the mind. However, in this sleeping state, the Pancha Pranas (Prana, Apaana, Samaana, Vyaana and Udaana---the five vital breaths) are active in the form of Panchaagnis (five internal fire-principles). In that state, the processes of inhaling and exhaling go on, with the help of the Prana (breath) and the Samaana (vital air).. Hence, what are awake in the sleeping state are the "five fires" corresponding to the Pancha Pranas (five vital airs). In the sleeping state it is the Jiva (the individual spirit) that enjoys the rest and the bliss of that state. The occurrences in the past and the present, the things seen in the past and now, past and present experiences, all these are experienced by man in the form of dreams. Moreover, the consequences of activities in previous lives, which have become part of his spirit but are not known to him, are also experienced in dreams. Hence, in the sleeping state, what is experienced relates to the panchabhutas (the five physical elements). It is the Jiva who experiences the calmness and happiness of the sleeping state. In the dream state, he creates all that he experiences, including himself, and enjoys self-created experiences. For all these, the mind is the root cause. The mind is responsible for the experiences in the waking state and in dreams." The same word is clarified by Bhagavan Sathya Sai in his simple language as under. “There is an important section in dealing with the Panchagnis, the five fires. There are five kinds of fire-principle, Agni. Udara-Agni, Manga-Agni, Kaama-Agni, Soka-Agni and Badavaa-Agni. Udara-Agni refers to the burning sensation caused by hunger, fire in the stomach. Manda-Agni refers to the burning feeling caused by excessive eating resulting in indigestion. Kaama-Agni is the burning agony in the mind caused by numerous desires and passions. Soka-Agni does not refer only to consuming grief caused by worldly disappointments and losses. It pertains also to the burning sorrow felt by one who is yearning for God, thirsting for experiencing oneness with the Divine”. Bhagavan Sathya Sai further told “The dreams that are experienced are actually the reactions of the food habits. There is an intricate and inseparable relationship between food, head and God. Food plays a vital role in the spiritual path. When we consume the right kind of food, it helps us in our effort to understand Divinity. As is the food, so is the mind. Only one with pure mind can understand Divinity. In order to cultivate purity of mind, you should partake of pure and Sathwic food. You should consider food as God. It is said, “Yad Bhavam Tad Bhavati” (as you think so you become). If you consider food as mere Padartha (matter), it will remain so. Depending on the feeling, it undergoes change. Take for instance, the magnetic power in the body. It gets transformed into electric power. It gives rise to sound energy and develop Tejas (effulgence). Jewellery shines with added brilliance when it is polished. Likewise every man is endowed with Tejas which is known as Chaitanya Shakti (power of Consciousness). Consider food as Parartha (God) and not mere Padartha (matter).. Take care that the food that you eat helps you maintain good health. Do not consume stale food. It is like poison”. So let us maintain taking Sathwic food only. With love and regards, Sastry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 23, 2008 Report Share Posted June 23, 2008 , " Dr.B.G.Y Sastry " pranams sir, when i read your following article i wanted to tell u one thing. these days, very frequently i am getting dreams with people whom i had never ever seen in my life.even after i wake up i could easily remember their faces and would be amazed to think of it. can u tell me why is it like that? regards, lakshmi. <drbgysastry wrote: > > Dear friends and devotees, > > Bhakti is eternal. > > PANCHAGNI > > One of our friends has asked me to give some details on Panchagini. I have recollected my Guru's words in this regard and taking into consideration of some references I am giving some details. > > The word panchagni denotes five fires. What are they? Are they five types of fires or five shapes of one fire? No. They are five pranas (five vital airs). This is clarified by sage Pippalada to Sauraayani the fourth disciple of Gargi lineage. > > Sauraayani once approached the sage Pippalada and asked: " Swami! > When living beings are asleep, who is it that sleeps? Who is it that is awake in that state? Who is it that is oblivious to the mind that is immersed in bliss, forgetting life itself, and is one with that Entity? Please reveal the mystery about these and confer peace of mind on me. When a living being is asleep, what happens to all the qualities of Prana (the Life-Force)? " > > Pippalada replied: " Just as when the sun sets, the sun's rays are withdrawn into his Tejas and are effulgent again the next morning, when a man is asleep; all the activities of the sense organs are merged in the mind. Because of this, man is unable to see the external world, is not able to speak or hear, or think. The reason is all the operations of the senses are merged in the mind. > > However, in this sleeping state, the Pancha Pranas (Prana, Apaana, Samaana, Vyaana and Udaana---the five vital breaths) are active in the form of Panchaagnis (five internal fire-principles). In that state, the processes of inhaling and exhaling go on, with the help of the Prana (breath) and the Samaana (vital air). Hence, what are awake in the sleeping state are the " five fires " corresponding to the Pancha Pranas (five vital airs). > > In the sleeping state it is the Jiva (the individual spirit) that enjoys the rest and the bliss of that state. The occurrences in the past and the present, the things seen in the past and now, past and present experiences, all these are experienced by man in the form of dreams. Moreover, the consequences of activities in previous lives, which have become part of his spirit but are not known to him, are also experienced in dreams. > > Hence, in the sleeping state, what is experienced relates to the panchabhutas (the five physical elements). It is the Jiva who experiences the calmness and happiness of the sleeping state. In the dream state, he creates all that he experiences, including himself, and enjoys self-created experiences. For all these, the mind is the root cause. The mind is responsible for the experiences in the waking state and in dreams. " > > The same word is clarified by Bhagavan Sathya Sai in his simple language as under. > > " There is an important section in dealing with the Panchagnis, the five fires. There are five kinds of fire-principle, Agni. Udara- Agni, Manga-Agni, Kaama-Agni, Soka-Agni and Badavaa-Agni. Udara-Agni refers to the burning sensation caused by hunger, fire in the stomach. Manda-Agni refers to the burning feeling caused by excessive eating resulting in indigestion. Kaama-Agni is the burning agony in the mind caused by numerous desires and passions. Soka-Agni does not refer only to consuming grief caused by worldly disappointments and losses. It pertains also to the burning sorrow felt by one who is yearning for God, thirsting for experiencing oneness with the Divine " . > > Bhagavan Sathya Sai further told " The dreams that are experienced are actually the reactions of the food habits. There is an intricate and inseparable relationship between food, head and God. Food plays a vital role in the spiritual path. When we consume the right kind of food, it helps us in our effort to understand Divinity. As is the food, so is the mind. Only one with pure mind can understand Divinity. In order to cultivate purity of mind, you should partake of pure and Sathwic food. You should consider food as God. It is said, " Yad Bhavam Tad Bhavati " (as you think so you become). If you consider food as mere Padartha (matter), it will remain so. Depending on the feeling, it undergoes change. Take for instance, the magnetic power in the body. It gets transformed into electric power. It gives rise to sound energy and develop Tejas (effulgence). Jewellery shines with added brilliance when it is polished. Likewise every > man is endowed with Tejas which is known as Chaitanya Shakti (power of Consciousness). Consider food as Parartha (God) and not mere Padartha (matter). Take care that the food that you eat helps you maintain good health.. Do not consume stale food. It is like poison " . > > So let us maintain taking Sathwic food only. > > With love and regards, > > Sastry > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 24, 2008 Report Share Posted June 24, 2008 Dear Madam, Bhakti is eternal. Though your question is simple, it is more valuable and requires an elaborate answer. There are more scientific reasons for the “dreams”. I had already sent an article on the subject long back. However I am furnishing the details once again. Please go through the same. Dreams are the images, thoughts and feelings experienced while asleep, particularly strongly associated with rapid eye movement sleep (REM). The contents and purpose of dreams are poorly understood, though they have been a topic of speculation and interest throughout recorded history There is a biological definition of dreaming. General observation shows that dreams are strongly associated with rapid eye movement sleep, during which an electroencephalogram shows brain activity to be most like wakefulness. When the body decides that it is time to sleep, neurons near the eyes begin to send signals throughout the body. These neurons are located in such close proximity to neurons that control eyelid muscles that the eyelids begin to grow heavy. Glands begin to secrete a hormone that helps induce sleep and neurons send signals to the spinal cord which cause the body to relax. There are many hypotheses about the function of dreams. During the night there may be many external stimuli bombarding the senses, but the mind interprets the stimulus and makes it a part of a dream in order to ensure continued sleep. Dreams have a long history both as a subject of conjecture and as a source of inspiration. Throughout their history, people have sought meaning in dreams or divination through dreams. They have been described physiologically as a response to neural processes during sleep, psychologically as reflections of the subconscious, and spiritually as messages from God or predictions of the future. Many cultures practiced dream incubation, with the intention of cultivating dreams that were prophetic or contained messages from the divine. The most common emotion experienced in dreams is anxiety. Negative emotions are more common than positive feelings Content-analysis studies have identified common reported themes in dreams. These include: situations relating to school, being chased, running slowly/in place, sexual experiences, falling, arriving too late, a person now alive being dead, teeth falling out, flying, embarrassing moments, failing an examination, or a car accident. Twelve percent of people dream only in black and white Dreams of absent-minded transgression (DAMT) are dreams wherein the dreamer absentmindedly performs an action that he or she has been trying to stop (one classic example is of a quitting smoker having dreams of lighting a cigarette). Subjects who have had DAMT have reported waking with intense feelings of guilt. One study found a positive association between successfully stopping the behavior Dreams can link to actual sensations, such as the incorporation of environmental sounds into dreams, or dreaming of urination while wetting the bed. Some philosophers have extended this idea to a skeptical hypothesis about ontology. The recall of dreams is extremely unreliable, though it is a skill that can be trained. Dreams that are difficult to recall may be characterized by relatively little affect, and factors such as salience, arousal, and interference play a role in dream recall. According to a recent medical theory one passes in sleep through many phases until one arrives at a state in which there is absolute rest and silence, which lasts only for ten minutes, the rest of the time is taken up by traveling to that and traveling back again to the waking state. The ten minutes sleep can be called “Sushupti” in the Brahman of Brahmaloka, the rest is “Svapna” (dream) or passage through other worlds (planes or states of conscious existence). It is these ten minutes that restore the energies of the being, and without it, sleep is not refreshing. People's ideas of sound sleep are absolutely erroneous. What they call sound sleep is merely a plunge of the outer consciousness into a complete subconscious. They call that a dreamless sleep; but it is only a state in which the surface sleep consciousness which is a subtle prolongation of the outer still left active in sleep itself is unable to record the dreams and transmit them to the physical mind. As a matter of fact the whole sleep is full of dreams. It is only during the brief time in which one is in the Brahmaloka that the dreams cease. The dreams are strongly associated with rapid eye movement sleep and nothing but hallucination, in the medical point of view. But it is natural that one will become despair psychologically. How can we avert or stop a disaster, accident which we see in our dream? The main remedy is meditation and Bhakti. Any bad or good is in accordance with the Karma as per our Hindu mythology and at the same time one can overcome bad by praying God. If one is destined to get poisoned by a snake at a particular time, he/she cannot elude and has to undergo. But in case, he/she sits at that time praying Lord Siva in a Temple, the snake cannot enter in the midst of all. Then what about the destiny? Then also he/she gets poisoned by a small scorpion bite which can be cured by an ordinary physician. It does not mean that one should always sit in the temple. It would only emphasize that Bhakti on God is the ultimate, even to overcome the preordained bad or torment. Why bad, anguish. Disaster or accident? Even death! The example is our Markandeya Purana. Please therefore ignore the dreams and think them as night-mare. Come out of them and live happily. With love and regards, Sastry --- On Mon, 6/23/08, lakshmi.krishnan41 <no_reply > wrote: lakshmi.krishnan41 <no_reply > Re: PANCHAGNI Date: Monday, June 23, 2008, 1:01 PM om_namah_shivaya_ group@ s.com, "Dr..B.G.Y Sastry" pranams sir, when i read your following article i wanted to tell u one thing. these days, very frequently i am getting dreams with people whom i had never ever seen in my life.even after i wake up i could easily remember their faces and would be amazed to think of it. can u tell me why is it like that?regards,lakshmi. <drbgysastry@ ...> wrote:>> Dear friends and devotees,> > Bhakti is eternal.> > PANCHAGNI> > One of our friends has asked me to give some details on Panchagini. I have recollected my Guru's words in this regard and taking into consideration of some references I am giving some details. > > The word panchagni denotes five fires. What are they? Are they five types of fires or five shapes of one fire? No. They are five pranas (five vital airs). This is clarified by sage Pippalada to Sauraayani the fourth disciple of Gargi lineage. > > Sauraayani once approached the sage Pippalada and asked: "Swami!> When living beings are asleep, who is it that sleeps? Who is it that is awake in that state? Who is it that is oblivious to the mind that is immersed in bliss, forgetting life itself, and is one with that Entity? Please reveal the mystery about these and confer peace of mind on me. When a living being is asleep, what happens to all the qualities of Prana (the Life-Force)? "> > Pippalada replied: "Just as when the sun sets, the sun's rays are withdrawn into his Tejas and are effulgent again the next morning, when a man is asleep; all the activities of the sense organs are merged in the mind. Because of this, man is unable to see the external world, is not able to speak or hear, or think. The reason is all the operations of the senses are merged in the mind.> > However, in this sleeping state, the Pancha Pranas (Prana, Apaana, Samaana, Vyaana and Udaana---the five vital breaths) are active in the form of Panchaagnis (five internal fire-principles) . In that state, the processes of inhaling and exhaling go on, with the help of the Prana (breath) and the Samaana (vital air). Hence, what are awake in the sleeping state are the "five fires" corresponding to the Pancha Pranas (five vital airs).> > In the sleeping state it is the Jiva (the individual spirit) that enjoys the rest and the bliss of that state. The occurrences in the past and the present, the things seen in the past and now, past and present experiences, all these are experienced by man in the form of dreams. Moreover, the consequences of activities in previous lives, which have become part of his spirit but are not known to him, are also experienced in dreams.> > Hence, in the sleeping state, what is experienced relates to the panchabhutas (the five physical elements). It is the Jiva who experiences the calmness and happiness of the sleeping state. In the dream state, he creates all that he experiences, including himself, and enjoys self-created experiences. For all these, the mind is the root cause. The mind is responsible for the experiences in the waking state and in dreams."> > The same word is clarified by Bhagavan Sathya Sai in his simple language as under.> > "There is an important section in dealing with the Panchagnis, the five fires. There are five kinds of fire-principle, Agni. Udara-Agni, Manga-Agni, Kaama-Agni, Soka-Agni and Badavaa-Agni. Udara-Agni refers to the burning sensation caused by hunger, fire in the stomach. Manda-Agni refers to the burning feeling caused by excessive eating resulting in indigestion. Kaama-Agni is the burning agony in the mind caused by numerous desires and passions. Soka-Agni does not refer only to consuming grief caused by worldly disappointments and losses. It pertains also to the burning sorrow felt by one who is yearning for God, thirsting for experiencing oneness with the Divine".> > Bhagavan Sathya Sai further told "The dreams that are experienced are actually the reactions of the food habits. There is an intricate and inseparable relationship between food, head and God. Food plays a vital role in the spiritual path. When we consume the right kind of food, it helps us in our effort to understand Divinity. As is the food, so is the mind. Only one with pure mind can understand Divinity. In order to cultivate purity of mind, you should partake of pure and Sathwic food. You should consider food as God. It is said, "Yad Bhavam Tad Bhavati" (as you think so you become). If you consider food as mere Padartha (matter), it will remain so. Depending on the feeling, it undergoes change. Take for instance, the magnetic power in the body. It gets transformed into electric power. It gives rise to sound energy and develop Tejas (effulgence) . Jewellery shines with added brilliance when it is polished. Likewise every> man is endowed with Tejas which is known as Chaitanya Shakti (power of Consciousness) . Consider food as Parartha (God) and not mere Padartha (matter). Take care that the food that you eat helps you maintain good health.. Do not consume stale food. It is like poison".> > So let us maintain taking Sathwic food only.> > With love and regards,> > Sastry> > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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