Panchkadai

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Who Exactly Is God?

First we have to know the Qualities of God
God is the most powerful person, no one can defeat God in anyway.
God is the most beautiful person, no one is more beautiful than God.
God is the most loving person, he is the nicest guy around.
God is the most merciful person, he doesn’t send anyone eternally to hell.
God is the most forgiving person, he gives us unlimited chances (reincarnation).
God is the most caring person, he even cares for the animals like cows, pigs, chickens etc. (vegetarianism).
God is the most fair person, we are rewarded or punished based on our own actions (karma).
God is the most just person, he doesn’t make one suffer or enjoy for no reason (karma).
God is the most efficient person, he doesn’t keep the dead waiting (reincarnation).
God is the most responsible person, he doesn’t order his followers to hate others.
The Vedic scriptures, Srimad Bhagavtam and Bhagavad-Gita. Are the only scriptures on the Planet that completely describes a person who proved without a doubt that he has all the above qualities. That person is Lord Krishna.
Does God have a Form?
Some people believe that God is formless and thus cannot be seen. Does it make any sense to follow someone who has never been seen and who will never be seen?
You have a form, I have a form, even the plants and animals have a form, and so if God can give us a form, then why can’t he take a form for himself? Are we greater than God?
It is said that everything comes from God:

We have a form, because God has one.
We are beautiful to some degree, because God is all beautiful.
We are powerful to some degree, because God is all powerful.
We have some knowledge, because God has all knowledge.
We have some intelligence, because God has all intelligence.
We are merciful to some degree, because God is all merciful.
We are loving to some degree, because God is all loving.
We are peaceful to some degree, because God is all peaceful.
We are caring to some degree, because God is all caring.
We can remember some things from our childhood, because God can remember everything from everyone’s past.

God Is Great
People say God is great, but unfortunately they do not know how great God is. Lord Krishna in his Maha Vishnu form, has millions of Universes coming out of his body with every exhalation, and with every inhalation, millions of Universes go back into his body. There are trillions of Planets with living beings and the highest Planet in the material creation is called Satayaloka, where one single day is 8.64 billion earth years and the life span of the living beings on Satyaloka is trillions of years.
The Sun is situated in one place but the sunshine is everywhere in the Universe. Similaraly Lord Krishna is situated in one place, but he is also present on each of the trillions of Planets. He is present in the heart of every living being as the super soul and he is also present in the atom. This is how great God is.
What does God look like?
This question can only be answered by the Vedic scriptures.

Lord Krishna’s original form is just like a human being. Even the Christian Bible states that man is made in the image of God. This means that God is a person with two hands, 2 legs and so on. That person is Lord Krishna.
His complexion is dark-blue, like that of a rain filled cloud.
His eyes are like lotus petals.
He is ever youthful.
He is full of bliss and his beauty excels that of thousand of cupids.
He likes to play the flute.
He wears a peacock feather in his crown.
He wears the Kaustubha jewel around his neck.
He wears yellow garments.

Can God be worshipped in an Image Form?
For millions of years, humans have been worshipping God in an image form, so why is it all of a sudden wrong to worship God in an image form?
God has been creating humans who worship him in the image form for millions of years. Is God a fool?
God created the rules for humans to follow at creation, billions of years ago and not just a few thousands years ago.
The Vedic knowledge was passed down from Lord Vishnu (an incarnation of Lord Krishna) at creation to Brahma, the first living being. Then Brahma passed it down to his children and so on in disciplic succession down to the most recent prophet of God. Srila Prabhupada, the founder of ISKCON. The Vedic religion is based on unlimited prophets and not just one. God is unlimited and all-powerful and so he can send unlimited prophets, and not just one.
It is important to understand that the Vedic scriptures authorize God’s image, thus Lord Krishna’s deity, to be worshipped and not any image.
There is only one living being who very strongly declared himself as the supreme. That person is Lord Krishna.
Lord Krishna declared himself as the Supreme Father:

“It should be understood that all species of life, o son of Kunti, are made possible by birth in this material nature, and that I am the seed giving father” (Bhagavad-Gita 14.4)

Lord Krishna declared himself as the Supreme Creator:

“Furthermore, O Arjuna, I am the generating seed of all existences. There is no being, moving or unmoving, that can exist without me” (Bhagavad-Gita 10.39)

Lord Krishna declared himself as the Supreme Controller:

“I give heat, and I withhold and send forth the rain” (Bhagavad-Gita 9.19)

“With a single fragment of myself I pervade and support this entire universe”(Bhagavad-Gita 10.42)

Lord Krishna declared himself as the Supreme Maintainer:

“I enter into each planet, and by my energy they stay in orbit” (Bhagavad-Gita 15.13)

Lord Krishna is Omnipresent: meaning he is present everywhere.

“I am the supersoul, O Arjuna, seated in the hearts of all living entities, I am the beginning, the middle, and the end of all beings” ( Bhagavad-Gita 10.20)

Lord Krishna is omnipotent, meaning he is the greatest:

“There is no truth beyond Me. Everything rests upon Me, as pearls are strung on a thread”(Bhagavad-Gita 7.7)

Lord Krishna is Omniscient: meaning he knows the past, present, and the future:

“O Arjuna, I know everything that has happened in the past, all that is happening in the present, and all things that are yet to come. I also know all living entities” (Bhagavad-Gita 7.26)

“Many, many births both you and I have passed. I can remember all of them, but you cannot!”(Bhagavad-Gita 4.5)

Lord Krishna declared himself as the Only God:

“Those who are devotees of other gods and who worship them with faith actually worship only me, O son of Kunti, but they do so in a wrong way. I am the only enjoyer and master of all sacrifices. Therefore, those who do not recognize my true transcendental nature fall down.” (Bhagavad-Gita 9.24)

“Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear.” (Bhagavad-Gita 18.66)

What’s the Proof that Krishna is God?
Anyone can claim to be God, but who can actually prove it?
In each incarnation, Lord Krishna proved without any doubt that he was God. Full details on all the miracles performed by Lord Krishna can be found in the Srimad Bhagavatam.
Lord Krishna performed miracles that no other being can perform:

When Lord Krishna was 7 years old, he lifted a mountain (26 miles in perimeter) and held it up with his one hand for 7 days. Witnessed by tens of thousands of people who were standing underneath the mountain.
Lord Krishna expanded his body into 16,108 forms. Which means he duplicated his body into 16,108 identical bodies.

Lord Krishna showed the whole Universe in his mouth several times.
Many atheists tried to kill Lord Krishna, but Lord Krishna very easily defeated them all and also gave them on the spot liberation.Lord Krishna is most merciful; he gives
liberation even to those who try to kill him. The Lord can give on the spot liberation; one does not need to wait for the Day of Judgment.
Lord Krishna brought back to life many dead people including the six children of Devaki.
Lord Krishna cured diseased people including transforming a hunchback woman into a most beautiful woman in return for offering sandalwood pulp to the Lord.
Lord Krishna destroyed all the wicked Kings and evil people who were tormenting and harassing the public. People were saved in this very life.
Lord Krishna put out a big forest fire, simply by swallowing it whole.
Lord Krishna transformed himself into exact copies of others.
Lord Krishna granted Arjuna divine vision and reveled his spectacular unlimited form as the cosmic universe. In which Arjuna could see the various forms of Lord Krishna, and unlimited Planets while being seated in one place. He was also shown the past, present, and future.
When a woman called Draupadi was disrobed in a court of kings, she called out to Lord Krishna for help and he supplied her with an unlimited sari and thus she could not be disrobed.
Lord Krishna in his Maha Vishnu form, is so big that millions of Universes are coming out from his body with every exhalation, and with every inhalation, millions of Universes enter his body. When Maha Vishnu inhales or exhales just once, 311 trillion years pass on Earth.
Lord Krishna can make himself so small that he can enter the atom.

The Purpose of Life
The purpose of human life is to enquire:

Who am I?
Where have I come from?
What will happen to me at death?
Why do I suffer?
Why do others suffer?
Who is God?
How can I serve God?
Why is there variety of living beings?
How can I get out this cycle of birth, old age, disease, and death?
How can I live eternally?

Only the human beings enquire, the animals do not enquire. Unfortunately at the present time many humans have become two legged animals.
Give up lust, greed, and anger. These force us to sin and the result is hellish life in this life and the lives after.
Give up the killing of animals, especially the cows. The animals are also our brothers and sisters. This means no meat eating and no leather (car seats, sofas, clothing).
Human birth is rare, we have to make the best use of it by not engaging in sinful activities. The sinful activities are being greedy, lusty, angry, and violence against other living beings (animals and humans).
Don’t waste this life by getting attached to the bodily platform of life (meat eating, lust, greed, anger, partying, discoing, bollywood and so on). This body is just one drop in the ocean of bodies that we are going through. A sword is hanging over y our head. It will fall at any moment. All your properties, cars, and big bank balance won’t help you at the time of death. Only your service to Lord Krishna will count at death. So make the best use of this precious life by serving Lord Krishna. All your physics, chemistry, math, computing, and business knowledge will be completely erased at death. Only spiritual knowledge will go with you, and the top most spiritual knowledge is the Bhagavad-Gita. So don’t waste precious time, read the Bhagavad-Gita, listen to the Bhagavad-Gita, and watch the Bhagavad-Gita.
We are the soul and not this body. The body is temporary but the soul is eternal and immortal. Our aim in life should be to escape from fangs of material life (birth, old age, disease, and death). This can only be done by humans, who have the higher consciousness.
We can attain an immortal spiritual body full of bliss, knowledge, eternal, and without a trace of calamity if we follow the Bhagavad-Gita with seriousness.

The main teachings of the Bhagavad-Gita are:

Be compassionate towards all living beings, thus love all living beings. This means don’t be envious or hateful of others. Be friendly to others, be nice to others, be kind to others, be generous to others, be merciful to others, be charitable to the needy. Don’t cheat others, don’t lie, don’t steal, don’t hurt others, don’t drink, don’t take drugs, don’t eat meat, don’t buy leather.
This body you (the soul) are residing in, is temporary, but the real you, the soul, is eternal. Just as we change worn out clothes, jobs, houses, cars, partners, and so on. One day you will be forced to change your body too. So don’t get too attached to this temporary body and material life. And just as a manufacturing company designs it’s products today for production in the future. Similarly you are designing your next body with the actions you are taking now. So if you think let me enjoy now and forget about the future. Thus if you think your next life is not worth thinking about now. Then your next life will be that of nothing. You will take birth among the 8 million species of living beings below that of human beings (animal and plant kingdoms).
There is only one person who without any doubt declared himself and proved that he was the Supreme Personality of God, Lord Krishna. Always think of him, worship him, and serve him. In this age of Kali, which means the age of ignorance, there will be so many godless people who will try to make you godless too. Surrender onto the only proven God, Lord Krishna. Do you know anyone who can lift a mountain, expand himself into thousands of forms, show the whole Universe in his mouth, put out a forest fire by swallowing it, kill all the demonic and save people in this very life. Lord Krishna did all this.
In this age of Kali, the age of ignorance and irreligion. There will be many imposters who will claim to be God or prophet of God and cheat innocent people. These imposters can only cheat people, they cannot exhibit the potency of God. Only Lord Krishna proved himself to be the one true God.

What Happens After Death?
Only the Vedic scriptures answer this important question. At death, the person (the soul) is judged according to the actions taken in life (karma). And based on what the person deserves, the soul is immediately transferred to another body. Some souls transmigrate to animal bodies, some to human bodies. Some are born in China, some in Africa. Some are born diseased, some are born in poverty, some are born ugly, some are beautiful and so on.. The theory of the transmigration of the soul (reincarnation) is the truth. One can see the proof of reincarnation. Simply by looking around. Some are born in China, some in Africa. Every second, animals and humans are dying and every second animals and humans being born. This is proof of the transmigration of the soul from one body to another. Some are born diseased, some healthy. Some are born black, some white. Some are born in poverty, some in wealth, and so on…
“The living entity in the material world carries his different conceptions of life from one body to another as the air carries aromas. The living entity, thus taking another gross body, obtains a certain type of ear, tongue, and nose and sense of touch, which are grouped about the mind. He thus enjoys a particular set of sense objects. The foolish cannot understand how a living entity can quit his body, nor can they understand what sort of body he enjoys under the spell of the modes of nature. But one whose eyes are trained in knowledge can see all this.” (Lord Krishna, Bg. 15.8-10)

From (http://www.gitamrta.org/)

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Karmanye Vadhikaraste Ma Phaleshu Kadachana..

"Karmanye Vadhikaraste Ma Phaleshu Kadachana,
Ma Karma Phala Hetur Bhurmatey Sangostva Akarmani"

Translation :

"You have a right to perform your prescribed action,
but you are not entitled to the fruits of your action.

Never consider yourself the cause of the results of your activities,

and never be associated to not doing your duty."

How simple and how relevant even today.I think if Bhagavadgeetha is universally renowned as the jewel of India's spiritual wisdom , Most of us today have forgotten about this part and always take things as business deals. Be it friendship, love or even marriage. We always impose conditions before doing anything so that we benefit from it in the end. Thats exactly what Krishna says here.Always do your best without expecting the results and you will be happy.
How beautiful...

Some short explanations
http://www.yogaville.org/Integral_Yoga/Karma/Karma.php
http://www.sivananda.org/teachings/karma/karmayoga.html

The book
http://www.thekrishnastore.com/Detail.bok?no=360

Friday, October 7, 2011

Mudras or Gestures. (part 2 with picture)

Mudras

The physical body is made up of five elements namely - Air, Water, Fire, Earth and Aakash (ether - the tiny intercellular spaces in the human body).

Imbalance of these elements disrupts the immunity system and causes disease.

Deficiencies in any of these elements can be made up by connecting one part of the body with another in a particular manner through Mudras.

When a finger representing an element is brought into contact with the thumb, that element is brought into balance. Therefore the disease caused by the imbalance is cured. Mudras start electromagnetic currents within the body which balance various constituting elements and restore health. The joining of fingers creates an effect on the human body.

Five Fingers for Five Elements
* Thumb	Fire
* Index	Air
* Middle	Aakash
* Ring	Earth
* Little	Water

Mudras for Benefits:

	Gyan Mudra	Effective in cases of mental ailment, imparts happiness, the intellect develops, memory is sharpened.
	Method	Join the tips of the index finger and thumb and keep the other 3 fingers stretched and joined.
	Shoonya Mudra	Relief in diseases and pains relating to the ear.
	Method	Press the middle finger on the base of the thumb and keep the thumb on middle finger. Keep the other three fingers straight..
	Apaan Mudra	Helps in clearing the body by elimination of waste matter from the mouth, eyes, ears, nose etc. Helps when urine is obstructed, reduces constipation.
	Method	Join the tip of the thumb with the tip of middle and ring finger, keeping the other finger straight.
	Prana Mudra	Helps in pumping the life force into your body. Beneficial for all types of diseases. Imparts special power to the eyes.
	Method	Join the tip of the thumb with tip of little and ring finger. Keeping other two fingers straight.
	Vayu Mudra	Helps in diseases like arthritis, trembling in Parkinson's disease. Better results obtained if practices after Prana mudra.
	Method	Press the index finger on the base of thumb and keep the thumb on the index finger. Let the other fingers be straight.
	Prithvi Mudra	Makes body sturdy. One experiences happiness.
	Method	Join the tip of the thumb and ring finger.
	Varun Mudra	Improves the deteriorated quality of blood due to shortage of water & gives freshness to the body.
	Method	Join the tip of the thumb and little finger.
	Surya Mudra	Reduces weight of your body.
	Method	Put the tip of ring finger at the base of thumb, with thumb gently pressing on it.
	Ling Mudra	Produces heat in the body and helps in curing cold and cough.
	Method	Interlock the fingers of both hands together. Keeping the left thumb up (encircled by right thumb and index finger) i.e. left thumb should be vertically straight and right thumb around it.


When to do?
	Can be practiced at all times while sitting, lying, standing, walking or even talking.
	For good results should be practiced for 24 minutes continuously. Can be practiced for 4-5 minutes also at one time.
	If a mudra cannot be made in both hands, you may do it in one hand only

Mudras or Gestures.

Prithvi Mudra (Earth)

Popularly known as Prithvi mudra, this mudra increases the Prithvi (earth) element with in the body. At the same time, it decrease the Agni(fire) element. Therfore, it can also be called Agni-

shaamak mudra.

Method: This mudra is formed by joining together the tips of the ring finger and the thumb.

Effects : Prithvi-vardhak mudra increase the Prithvi(earth) element within the body but decrease the Agni(fire) element within the body.

The element earth is a vital component of bodily tissues like bones, cartilage, skin, hair, nails, flesh, muscles, tendons, internal organs, etc, Practice of Prithvi-vardhak mudra builds and invigorates these tissues. In other words, this mudra increases the kapha humor within the body. Therefore, this mudra can be used to overcome disorders caused by kapha deficiency. However, it should be practiced in moderation by people who already have and excess of kapha in their bodies.

The element Agni(fire) is concerned with body temperature and metabolism. Since Prithvi-vaardhak(+Agni-shaamak)_ mudra reduces fire, it can be used to pacify an overactive Agni and overcome disorders of Agni-excess like emaciation, fever, inflammation, etc.

The element fire is also a component of bodily humor Pitta.

Therefore, Prithvi-vardhak(+Agni-shaamak) mudra is an excellent mudra for people with a pronounced Pitta constitution. They can regularly use this mudra even to avoid illness.

Benefits: Prithvi-vardhak mudra can be used to treat the following disorders:

1. Cronic fatigue, general debility, convalescence,

2. Lack of Stamina or endurance,

3. Inexplicable, weight-loss, emaciation,

4. Osteoporosis osteomalacia (diminished bone-density, rickets,)

5. Fracture(to expedite union),

6. Degeneration of articular cartilage(Osteo –Arthritis),

7. Weak, atrophied muscles myopahties,

8. Paresis, paralysis, poliomyelitis,

9.dry,cracked, burning ,mature skin,

10.Brittle nails,

11. Hair-loss, premature graying of hair,

12. Burning in eyes, stomach(acidity), urine, anus, hands, feet, head,

13. Aphthous ulcers in the mouth,

14. Ulcers in the stomach, intestines,

15. Inflammatory diseases (disease whose names end with 'it is'),

16 . Jaundice,

17. Fever,

18. Hperthyroidism.

Duration: 45 minutes every day, either at one stretch or in 3 parts(i.e, for 15 minutes, thrice a day).

However, people with kapha deficiency can do it even for longer periods.

Ideal time: though Prithvi-vardhak mudra can be performed at anytime of the day, practicing it at any time 6.00 to 10,00 am/pm gives better results.

Precaution : People with a pronounced kapha constitution should perform this mudra in moderation, if at all.

(Ref.: http://complete-education.blogspot.com/2008/12/prithvi-vardhak-or-prithvi-mudra.html)

Surya Mudra (Fire)

Popularly known as Surya mudra this mudra increases the Agni(fire) elemnt within the body. It can, therefore, be called Agni-vardhak mudra, too. At the same time, this mudra decreases the Prithvi(earth) element with in the body.

Method: This mudra is formed by first placing the tip of the ring finger on the base of the thumb and then bringing gentle pressure of the thumb upon this finger. This amounts to suppression of element earth (residing in the ring finger) by element fire (residing in the thumb). The earth element thus suppressed, fire is able to rage unopposed.

Effect: Prithvi-shaamak or Agni-vardhak mudra increases the Agni(fire) element within the body but subdues the Prithvi(earth) element.

The element Agni (fire) is associated with body temperature and matbolism. Practice of Pritvi-shaamak or Surya mudra helps to maintain the body-temperature and keeps the metabolism going.

The element agni is also connected with vision. Hence, regular practice of surya mudra helps to strengthen weak eyes and improve vision.

Agni is also a component of bodily humor Pitta. Practice of Prithvi-shaamak or Surya mudra increases the Pitta humor within the body. Therefore, this mudra can be used to overcome disorders caused by Pitta deficiency. However, it should be used only in moderation by people having an excess of Pitta.

Prithvi-shaamak mudra decreases the element Prithvi(earth) in the body. It is, therefore, excellent for people having an excess of element Prithvi in their bodies .

The element earth is also a component of bodily humor kapha. Therefore , Prithvi-shaamak mudra is an excellent mudra for people with a pronounced kapha constitution. They can regularly practice this mudra even to prevent illness.

Benfits: Prtivi-shaamak (Agni-vardhak; Surya) mudra can be used to treat the following disorders:

1.Abnormally low body-temperature,

2,Coldness of skin, body, limbs, hands, feet, etc.

3. Intolerance to cold, shivering,

4. Under activity of the thyroid gland causing slow metabolism,

5.Obesity, progressive weight-gain,

6.Loss of appetite, indigestion, constipation,

7.absence of sweating,

8. Ceratin vison/eye problems, especially cataract.

Duration: 45 minutes every day, either at one stretch or in 3 parts(i.e, for 15 minutes, thrice a day).

Ideal time: though Prithvi-vardhak mudra can be performed at anytime of the day, practicing it at any time 6.00 to 10,00 am/pm gives better results.

Precaution: over performance of this mudra may cause undue heating of the body.

http://complete-education.blogspot.com/2008/12/prithvi-shaamak-or-surya-mudra.html

Aakash shaamak or shoonya mudra

Popularly known as shoonya mudra, this mudra decrease the Aakaash(space) element with in the body .

Method: this mudra is formed by first placing the tip of the middle finger on base of the thumb and tehn bringing gentle pressure of the thumb upon this finger. The amounts to suppression of element space(residing in the middle finger) by element fire(residng in the thumb).

Effects: aakaash-shaamak mudra decrease the Aakaash(space) element with in the body. It can, therefore, be used to treat disorders (enlisted below) caused by an abnormal increase of space within the body. The element space is associated with ears.

Therefore Aakaash-shaamak mudra helps certain ear disorders. In fact, it is an almost fail proof remedy for ear-pain.

The decreased internal space restricts the rest of the four bodily elements i.e, vaayu(air), agni(fire), jal(water) and pirthvi(earth). Therfore, aakaash-shaamak mudra can be beneficially combined with Vaayu-shamaak, Agni-shammak, Pritvi-shammak and jal-shammak mudras.

The element aakaash is also a component of bodily humor Vaata. The decrease of space in the body form the practice of Aakaash-shammak mudra pacifies the (aggravated) Vaata. Therfore, this mudra is especially suitable for people having a pronounced Vaata constitution (Vaata dosha).

Benefits: Aakash-shamak mudra can be used to treat the following disorders:

Feeling of emptiness or numbers in the body or body parts like the head, the chest, the abdomen, etc.,

2. Ear ailments like pain, tinnitus(noises), vertigo and acquired deafness.

duration: In case of acute ear-pain, incapacitating vertigo or severe numbness, perform this mudra continuously till the disorder subsides. For chronic ear ailments or numness perform this mudra for 45 minutes either at one stretch or in 3 parts(i.e., for 15 minutes thrice a day).

Ideal time: for chronic disease, this mudra should, if possible be performed at anytime other than 2.00 to 6.00 am/pmgives better results.

Precaution : Experienced doctors believe that the practice of this mudra should be discontinued as soon as the disease has been overcome.

http://complete-education.blogspot.com/2008/12/aakaash-shaamak-or-shoonya-mudra.html

Aakaash-vardhak or Aakash mudra

Popularly known as Aakaash mudra this mudra increases the (inactive) Aakaash(ether or space) element with in the body.

Method: This mudra is formed by joining together the tips of the thumb and middle finger.

Effects: Aakaash-vardhak mudra increases the aakash(space0 element with in the body. Since the space within the body is a part of the outer space (aakaash or cosmos), practise of the mudra enables the individual(aatmaa) to reunite with the collective consciousness(Paramaatmaa or God). Negative emotions like fear, anger,sorrow, etc. are replaced by positive emotions and thoughts.

The above- mentioned increase in internal space is effected by the elimination of metabolic wastes from the body. Thus Aakaash-vardhak mudra is a detoxifying mudra.

The increased internal space enables the rest of the four bodily elements:vaayu(air), agni(fire), jal(water) and prtihvi (earth) to increase , affording them a room to act. Thus , Aakaash-vardhak mudra can be beneficially combined wiht mudras that increase the other four elements(i.e, Vaayu-vardhak mudra, Prithvi vardhak mudra, Agni-vardhak mudra and jal-vardhak mudra).

In general, Aakaash-vardhak mudra is an excellent mudra that stimulates noble thoughts and helps the practioner to take rapid strides along the path to moksha(salvation).It also helps a person who wishes to scale great heigths in the art of meditation.

The element Aakaash is also a component of bodily humor Vaata. Therfore, Aakaash-vardhak mudra reinforces the Vaata humor of the body. It should be djone in moderation by people of Vaata constitution.

Benfits: Practice of Aakaash-vardhak mudra helps -

· to develop noble, elevated thoughts,

· to develop intuiton and extra sensory powers(ESP),

· to detoxify the body by the elimination of metabolic wastes(thorugh exhaled air, Sweat, urine and stools),

· to overcome a feeling of fullness/heaviness in the body or body-parts,

· to overcome discomfort caused by over-eating

· to relieve congestion (and pain) in the head (due to migraine or sinusitis), ear/s (due to infection) , chest (due to infection/asthma), etc.

· Hight blood pressure, irregular heart-beats, angina pectoris, etc.

Duration: 45 minutes every day, either at one stretch or in three parts(i.e for 15 minutes, thrice a day)

Ideal time: Though Aakaash-vardhak or gyaan mudra can be performed at any time of the day, practising it at any time between 2.00 to 6.00 am/pm gives better results.

Precaution: People with a pronounced Vaata prakruti(constitution) should perform this mudra in moderation, if at all.

http://complete-education.blogspot.com/2008/12/aakaash-vardhak-or-aakash-mudra.html

The following weblink enlists disorders and corrective mudras for each:

http://complete-education.blogspot.com/2008/12/diseases-that-can-be-cured-by-mudras.html

Please refer to the attached files for pictures of the mudras. Just in case you cannot view the pictures please access the weblinks mentioned.

Meaning of "yada yada hi dharmasya glanibhabati bharata abhyuthhanam dharmsya tadatamnan".

yada yada hi dharmasya
glanir bhavati bharata
abhyutthanam adharmasya
tadatmanam srjamy aham

Whenever there is discrepancies in the discharge of natural laws of God, then God incarnates. Either He incarnates Himself, or He sends His bona fide representative, or He sends His powerful representative, like that. So whenever there is incarnation of God, it is to be understood that there is discrepancies in the matter of discharging the laws made by God. And the laws made by God is called dharma, dharma, or religion.

So religion, you cannot manufacture; I cannot manufacture. Just like there are so many religions now, manufactured by laymen. Oh, they are not religion. Dharmam tu saksad bhagavat-pranitam: "Dharma means, religion means, which is made by God." Or His representative. Not by anyone. Not that you make a club or association, you manufacture some idea and it becomes religion. No. Dharmam tu saksad bha... Therefore God incarnates. Yada yada hi dharmasya glanir bhavati. Glanir means when there is discrepancies. In that law, which is given by God, when there is discrepancies and people are disturbed, especially the devotees are disturbed, when there is satanic influence, there is, devotees are very much disturbed. So paritranaya sadhunam. When incarnation comes, now, paritranaya sadhunam, the first business is to give protection to the devotees. There is no necessity of God's coming here to settle up things. There is no necessity. He has got omnipotential power. He can do without His presence. But when His devotees become very much disturbed, He comes personally. He comes personally, sends His representative. Paritranaya sadhunam. Sadhunam means devotees. Paritranaya and vinasaya ca duskrtam. And, simultaneously, when He comes, all these miscreants, they are killed. They are annihilated. Vinasaya ca duskrtam. Dharma-samsthapanarthaya, and reestablishing the principle of religion. Yuge yuge sambhavami. The Lord says, "I come in different millenniums."

It is to demonstrate this truth of the universality of God's perfection and the ideal inclusiveness of everything that this incarnation shone on earth. "Yada yada hi dharmasya glanir bhavati Bharata; Abhyutthanam adharmasya tadatmanam srijamyaham. Paritranaya sadhunam vinasaya cha dushkritam; Dharma-samthapanarthaya sambhavami yuge yuge." "Whenever the balance of the universe is disturbed by external interference from any of its parts, then I reveal Myself as the Power of eternal balancing. For the protection of those who are in harmony, and the rectification of everything disharmonious, I incarnate Myself at every juncture of time."

Through these verses of the Bhagavad Gita, Sri Krishna proclaims the meaning of his descent for the ascent of the spirit of man. God's incarnation is a perpetual act, an eternal occurrence. It is not merely a historical event that took place centuries back and is not taking place now. The words, 'Yuge yuge', imply every juncture of time. At a great juncture and critical moment and crisis, God manifests Himself to dissolve that crisis and conflict. The perpetual incarnation of God is taking place every moment of time, which is the work of Vishnu, the Sustainer, who is ever vigilant in maintaining the harmony of all creation, which gets disturbed by an excess of rajas and tamas, distracting desires in the direction of objects of sense and torpidity due to excessive fixity caused by dark natures, clouds of unknowing.