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Sanskrit Letters, Transliterations, and the Siri Gayatri Mantra

In the last blog, we undertook a in depth exploration of the the last part (So Hung), of the mantra Ra Ma Da Sa, Sa Say So Hung in light of the Upanishads and other topics. Now that we have laid all that out we will explore the Siri Gayatri mantra and how it can be viewed in light of Sanskrit alphabet. In this blog we will explore the connections as well as the mismatches with how Yogi Bhajan expressed the Siri Gayatri Mantra and how other sources do as well. 

Ra, Ma, Da, and Sa are consonants in the Sanskrit alphabet. The meaning of these letters according to Dr. David Frawley’s in his book Mantra Yoga and Primal Sound is mostly congruous with the Siri Gayatri Mantra as Yogi Bhajan taught it, although not 100%.

I have tremendous respect for Dr. Frawley's body of work and teachings.  That being said, and this is not to discredit him,...

 Introduction

In this multiple part blog I will be sharing eye opening observations on the mantra Ra Ma Da Sa aka the Siri Gayatri Mantra in light of Sanskrit, the Upanishads, and what I refer to as “the larger yoga tradition” meaning, Classical Yoga, Ayurveda, Yoga Scriptures, Tantric Bija Mantra and the Sanskrit language. I started this article in 2020. I got busy with being a new dad and other big projects and set this effort to the side. I am happy to finally get this info out to you.

In my studies of Yoga I have seen lots of variations on similar themes.  Many master teachers offer variations influenced by culture and language.  The master teachers personal experiences also informs how they share the practice.  Ra Ma Da Sa Mantra shares similarities with many other yoga traditions, namely using Sanskrit letters as mantras and the mantra So Hung, which is commonly known in its classical from so'hum.  

I have observed that much of...

Invocation Mantras and Your Yoga Practice

Setting an intention to begin our Yoga practice is a powerful and useful way to start our inward journey of self-healing, and Self-Awakening.  Using the same mantra or method each time we sit down helps us instantly shift from our extroverted state to enjoying the process of Yoga.  Using the same mantra creates a healthy habit. The mantra we choose to start our practice with becomes like a phone number.  We simply dial the number or chant that mantra and we quickly come into communication with that which we are seeking. In various Yoga traditions and schools, we see different invocation mantras used. These mantas often tell us a lot about the Yoga school’s underlying philosophy or approach to Yoga. While the mantras vary, the basic tenant of shifting from our ordinary activities to Yoga practice is shared. Centering and coming back to our Infinite Self or invoking the Divine are two of the main purposes of chanting...

Just Imagine......

It's the 1970's, you are a young adult.  You grew up with the civil rights movement, watched your friends die in the Vietnam war, you lived through Kent State and the early psychedelic movement.  You have the original printing of Be Here Now by Ram Das and you saw Swami Satchidananda address thousands at Woodstock. All this inspired you to live differently and change your inner world. It took some time but you found a Guru, you changed your name and dedicated your life to yoga. 

You were inspired by Yoga as a marriage of "East meets West", you loved the interfaith dialogue started by Swami Vivekananda who is credited with bringing Yoga to the West in the 1890s.  You were inspired by the few who laid the seeds of Yoga in the West in the 1920s, '30's '40s, '50s, and '60s. You looked to emulate that progressive attitude.  If felt so good to dedicate your life to the breadth and depth of Indian...

Kriya Blog # 5 - Kriyā & The Yoga Sutra

The word Kriya is found in the Yoga Sutras of Sage Patanjali four times.  Interestingly it is only used in the second chapter called the Sadhana Pada.  We could translate this as the chapter relating to spiritual practice.  Kriya Yoga is mentioned in the 1st Sutra and then reiterated in a similar context in Sutra 32.  The word Kriya is then used two other times without referring to Kriya Yoga.  In Sutra 18 and 36 the word Kriya is used to describe actions.  Kriya Yoga in the Yoga Sutras does not explain Yoga sequencing, use of Pranayama, Bandha etc. but it does highlight Bhakti as īśvarapraṇidhāna,  Karma as tapaḥ (tapasya)  and Jnana Yoga as svādhyāya. The first Sutra of the Sadhana Pada states:

तपः सवाधयायेशवरपरणिधानानि करियायोगः ॥॥

tapaḥ svādhyāy iśvarapraṇidhānāna kriyā yogaḥ ॥1॥

Austerity (tapaḥ), self-inquiry (svādhyāya), and devotional surrender to the Supreme being (īśvarapraṇidhāna) are the...

Section 4

Shat Kriyā and the Hatha Yoga Pradipika

The Shat Kriyā’s are considered to be of great importance in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika.  These techniques are said to be important to gain perfection (siddhi).  They are preliminary steps to prepare the body for deeper practices.

Kriyā yuktasya siddhiḥ syāda kriyasya kathaṁ bhavet|
Na śāstrapāṭhamātreṇa yoga siddhiḥ prajāyate||65|| 

Perfection (siddhiḥ) comes to the person who is deeply occupied in the action (kriyā) of practice. How might that perfection spring up to someone who does not practice kriya (cleansing actions)? Perfection (siddhiḥ) in Yoga does not emanate by simply studying shastra (scriptures).

Chapter 2 Veres 65 Hatha Yoga Pradikpika   

The Hatha Yoga Pradipika goes on to explains Kriyā as a cleansing action.  The Kriyā’s are used as preparation for deeper sadhana and preparation for Raja Yoga and awakening Kundalini. 

The one...

Kriya Blog #3 - Sanskrit Origins & Its Place in Yogic Text, Classical Yoga & Ayurveda 

Section 3 - Yoga Therapy and Kriya Practices

General Groupings of Yoga Therapy

Before specifically exploring the relationship of Yoga Therapy and Kriya practices first we must clearly define Yoga Therapy in its various manifestations.

Ayurveda: India’s traditional medical system that uses herbs, diet, exercise, detoxification programs, gems, essential oils, and various lifestyle practices to bring balance to the individual. Ayurveda takes into account all life-phases putting the importance on spiritual healing and Self-Realization. Ayurveda has specific suggestions for exercise based on body type.  Ayurveda is considered Yoga's sister science. Today many are sharing therapeutic and spiritual Yoga practices in light of Ayurvedic mind-body theory.  Ayurveda has a comprehensive system of diagnostics based on Vedic Self Revealed Knowledge or Spirit’s...

Kriya Blog #2 - Sanskrit Origins & Its Place in Yogic Text, Classical Yoga & Ayurveda 

Section 2 - Kriyā & Shastra

What is Shastra?

The teachings of Yoga, Hinduism, Buddhism, Ayurveda, and all of the Vedic schools have an in-depth tradition of scriptures or text.  Shastra is the word in Sanskrit that translates as scriptures.  Yogic Shastra or Yogic Scriptures are loaded with amazing information about Yoga.  For some, the word scripture might bring up unpleasant memories of Bible school.   Yogic Shastra is based out of profound realizations.  Shastra is an attempt to point towards the enlightened state in writing, which can not be expressed in any words or language.  Yogic texts offer us a view into Self Revlead Knowledge of higher states of consciousness.  This is different than ordinary dogmatic religions.

Cultural Misappropriation - Why Shastra is Needed in the Yoga Marketplace

Is Yoga a form...