Towards Self-Realization

Soaham Sadhana or Hansa Yoga is purely a spiritual type of Pranayama. This Yoga incorporates Pranayama along with some kind of Nada Yoga and Dhyana Yoga.. The Pranayama phase consists of -sitting in a stable posture of Sukhasana or Padmasana; in a physically and mentally calm condition; keeping the spinal cord in an erect position and taking deep breaths in a consistent manner. The erect position of the spinal column supports straight flow of the Prana. Like for the other Pranayamas, breathing at a slow pace is supposed to be the best for this one too. Breathing should be so deep that the lungs would be totally filled with oxygen after inhalation. The duration of either kind of Kumbhaka should not be more than half that of the recaka or puraka.
While breathing in, the concentration should be focused at the subtle sound (of 'so') produced by the air-flow through the nostril. During the antah kumbhaka it should be centered inside the body. Meditating on the flow of the 'inhaled' Prana through the endocrine centers like the satachakras or the granthis along the spinal column is extremely useful because it helps focusing the consciousness at these specific extrasensory nodal points and thus accelerating the vibrations of latent energy currents.
While breathing out, the Sadhaka should concentrate on the subtle sound of 'ham' (produced by the outflow of the air) and expel the ego, selfishness, vices and infirmities with it. In order to make this activity careful in his day-to-day life too. All the glamour and passions associated with 'ham' ('I" - the ego) and its narrow perspectives are to be left despite the intense pressures of worldly benefits and fears. When an oil -lamp is kindled, its flame assumes predominance and the oil slowly loses its own identity and transfers its existence in the form of light through the medium of the flame. Similarly, in the soaham Pranayama, the existence of ham (the ego) is immersed in so (that, the omnipresent Brahm) through the medium of controlled breathing and support of mental Samkalpa.
Perception of the subtle sounds - of 'So' and 'Ham' which are 'dissolved' in the in and out flows of the breaths - corresponds to a practice similar to the nada yoga. Meditation upon these sounds and the associated paramount feelings of attracting the mahaprana and releasing the ego and ignorance is indeed a superior type of Dhyana yoga too.
The inherent unity between the soul and the Brahm is described in the scriptures of Vedanta as the principle of advaita. The sastras like the Panchadashi present the details on the philosophy and implementation of this principle. The Hamsa Yoga is a Sadhana, a spiritual experiment for the realization of this theory.
The Gayatri Mantra consists of twenty-four Sanskrit letters compiled in the three vyahrtis after "Oam". The continuous japa of this mantra by the subconscious mind is a sadhana of the prana, which results in the merging of the individual consciousness with the mahaprana. This effectuates the linkage of the individual self with its Omnipresent thy origin and thus leads to the realization of the Brahm. The subtle but spontaneous japa of soaham occurring with each breath is the same type of Sadhana of Prana and gives equivalent spiritual benefits. Therefore, the soaham sadhana is called the ajapa of Gayatri.
Every Sadhaka of Gayatri has to perform the soaham sadhana (hamsa yoga) before entering into the highest phase of the spiritual sadhana of Gayatri. Thus 'soaham' is the bija (essence) of the Gayatri Mantra and its sadhana is said to be essential for the ultimate success in the sadhana of Gayatri.

Traditional Meanings of Colors
The traditional meanings of colors are given below:
Red Leadership, energy, aggressiveness
Orange Peace, cooperation, diplomacy, health
Yellow Creative expression, joy of living, intellect
Green Order, service, healing, construction
Blue Constructive freedom, travel, resourcefulness, love of knowledge and sex
Indigo Balance, responsibility, humanitarianism, love, domesticity
Violet Analysis, understanding, intuition, spirituality, clairvoyance
Pink Materialism, attainment, execution, love of power and position
Bronze Selflessness, philanthropy, tolerance, compassion
Silver Illumination, intuition, vision, impracticality
Gold Master builder

Above are the meaning of traditional color which may apply till date by the person.

True meaning of Color

Traditionally a particular color would typify a person and say, "this is how the person is". True meaning would differ on the 'level of certainty' and say, "this is how the person should be". This is so because only a few of us live or are able to live correctly according to the traditional meaning. Most of us do not live or are not able to live the way the traditional meaning expects. This observation applies equally to astrology, numerology, palm reading predictions, etc.
According to the traditional meaning nature normally offers an opportunity to people, which they fail to grab for several reasons. One of the most common reasons is the fear of failing. In come corner of their heart they feel that this is what they are supposed to be, and perhaps they could have done it. However, they were afraid, and the opportunity passed by. They felt safer in leading a mediocre life. I personally am aware of missing several grand opportunities that came my way.
The other prominent reason for missing the opportunity is to live as a means to an end. People have to earn money to pay the bills and run the family, and so, they cannot pursue the special lines offered by their primary color. They could have become extraordinary, but they were forced by circumstances to live a mediocre life. More often than not such people are painfully aware of what they have missed. But, I repeat, the opportunities keep persisting, and at any other time in life you can still seize one of them. You always have a chance to live true to the traditional meaning of the color
Thus, an engineer, a doctor, a lecturer, a carpenter, a blacksmith, a cobbler - all may be having the same color as primary in the aura, but they are leading different professions. Similarly, if you see the auras of half a dozen librarians, for example, you may be surprised to see that they have six different colors as primary in their auras. This explains why most people are doing what they are not supposed to be doing. Yet there are a few who are doing what they are supposed to be doing. And they are the brilliant ones, know in society for their work Galileo, Einstein, Rabindranath Tagore, Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Nat King Cole are some such examples. This should motivate you to find your primary color in the aura, and to live up to its requirements, if possible. It is never too late.
Then there are mood colors in the auras. For example, if you are angry or jealous or revengeful, a dirty red can appear in the outskirts of your aura. Murderers and condemned people may have dull red and black combined at the moment of their intense feelings.
When you are in love or in a peaceful state or involved in religious activities, blue and violet may appear in the aura. Blue and green appearing together may imply intuitive awareness. Appearance of gray would mean depression or stress. When you are thoughtful, a yellow tinge may be seen in the outskirts. When you are involved in philanthropic or compassionate activities, indigo may be seen in the aura for that time. These are temporary appearances.

Value of Meaningful life

Life is like a river, which keeps on flowing from its source to its merger into the sea. That the feeling of worthlessness of life gives rise to the wish for suicide is evident from the fact that man wants to keep only useful things which are worth keeping. No body likes to keep worthless dirt with him.
Therefore when life is found worthless, it is but natural that man tends to destroy rather than save it. There may be some connecting fiber, which because of attachment or infatuation; May save him from rash acts but when such a connection breaks down, then the desire for self-destruction becomes intense. This desire becomes fulfilled upon gathering enough courage - otherwise there is only the wish in the individual.
Many have found life's fulfillment in collecting wealth, but even wealthy persons have been found committing suicide. Many people have tried to make lives successful through fame, reputation and renown. It has been found that even after success in this direction, they are not satisfied. Some think that life becomes worth through scholarship and knowledge but many profound scholars and knowledgeable people and scientists have been found committing suicides.
These types of successes create an illusion of success, but do not give a meaningful life. If life became meaningful with these, then big scholars, wealthy, famous people, leaders and knowledgeable people would not be seen dejected, disappointed and unhappy.
What makes life meaningful? With a little thinking, it becomes clear that man's own soul is a part of the vast universe. Man's soul - bound within the body - is eager to meet the vast sea of vitality pervading the universe. Whosoever has understood this eagerness, made the gesture of dissolving one's selfish interests in the vast interest of the universe - they have never been found to be disappointed, nor is a description found of such person, who having accepted this direction, has ever committed suicide. Just as a drop of water merges into the river and becomes meaningful, similarly man also, by breaking away from the hold of his wretched ego and merging into the vase creation becomes meaningful and fulfilled. Then the question of thinking about committing suicide does not arise at all.
Weakness is also a type of unforgivable sin which gives rise to impulsive sentiments and ultimately to diseases. It is natural for those without strength to feel hopeless and sad, but nature does consider lack of strength as some disease or helpless and pitiable condition. Sages with the strength of knowledge have called weakness as a sin, for which the punishment has to be suffered in all spheres. When every particle of creation inspires you for gathering strength, and the facilities for this are available everywhere, then why should you remain weak because of laziness and inaction? Weakness is not a condition but a result of laziness and lack of action. For this reason whatever be the type of weakness - whether physical, mental, intellectual or spiritual - the person will have to bear unfavorable results of efforts in the related field.
A weak person is not able to take proper advantage of his natural rights. The effect of nature's organization always works against him and the rules and organization which give benefits to the strong; the same prove injurious for him.
For such an individual, song, music, entertainment, facilities, money and wealth all these are of no use, to the extent that he is not able to sleep peacefully. It is well known that the reason for ill health is weakness. Bacteria and other matter which can produce ill health cannot remain even for a second in a strong and well-nourished body. The moment they enter, the body's vital resistance-power destroys them. How is this possible for a weak person?
From an intellectual view all that is best and beautiful is included in the literature. The advice and experience of pleasant sweetness, love and beauty can be had through the mediu, of literature. If unfortunately some person is a victim of intellectual weakness, then the incomparable knowledge and the treasure of joy of this world has no value for him.
Blind and deaf people are able to enjoy literature by hearing and reading literature, but mentally retarded people remain deprived of this joy despite enjoying good health. People with mental strength are able to go ahead even in adverse conditions. As against that, mentally weak persons become disappointed and stupefied in similar conditions.
Where is it possible for spiritually weak persons to make any kind of progress in the spiritual field? For them - that joy and peace which a spiritually fulfilled person gets and makes his life successful is not only available, but impossible.
The elements like water, air, heat, open brightness never harm anyone, but they become fatal for weak persons. It is also said in Sanskrit language "Devopi durbalaha ghatakaha" i.e. for a weak person, even deities are fatal. As a result of lack of alertness, laziness and malingering, people are not able to pay any attention to the supreme requirements of life. Their own weaknesses grasp the contrary of effects of supportive powers. The elements which are helpful to strong persons becomes injurious for weak people.

Vedan (Piercing) Of Shat Chakras -1

Human body is formed of five basic elements of earth, water, fire, air and ether. Different parts of the body are constituted and governed by mixture of these elements in varying proportions. If the proportion of a particular element increases or decreased beyond what is required, that part of the body becomes diseased. Existence of elements in requisite proportion at a relevant location is considered to be a sigh of good health. There is prominence of one element in each chakra. It is known as the element of that chakra.
When vital breath passes through the hollow Brahmanadi and it collides with the holes of the chakras, sound similar to one produced by playing of a flute, emanates. Sounds like sa, re, ga, ma, flow through the holes of the chakras and they are audible as Yan, Ina, rna, hna, Om, etc. These are known as seeds of these chakras.
There is difference in the speed of breath in different chakras. The pulse of persons having the element of vat, pitta or kaf in prominence moves with the speed of pigeon, frog, serpent or cock etc, and physicians (vaidhayas) diagnose and treat accordingly. Due to mixture of different elements, zigzag passage, whirlpools and coordination of seed etc, a specific speed is noticed in every chakra on account of blood circulation and breathing. This speed is sluggish like that of an elephant or a crocodile, or fast as that of a deer or a frog in different chakras. These speeds are named after the particular animals, which are mounts (vahans) of different chakras.
Different divine energies lie dormant within these chakras. Creation, maintenance, destruction, knowledge, prosperity, strength, etc have been regarded as energies of specific deities. In every chakra there are hot masculine as well as cold feminine elements because without the union of these two elements there can be no movement or life. These powers are known as the god or goddess of the particular chakras.
The five elements have their own characteristics. Smell, flavor, from touch and sound are characteristics of earth, water, fire, air and ether respectively. In accordance with the prominence of the element concerned its characteristic predominates in each chakra. These are known characteristics of chakras.
The subtle energy of these chakras flow in the entire body but it is mainly related to one organ of sense and one organ of action. The symptoms of awakening of these chakras are immediately reflected in these organs. On account of such relationship that particular organ is categorized as the organ of that chakra.
Peculiar names of divine energies viz. Dakini, rakini, sakini, hakini, etc, could be misunderstood to be something like ghost, witch etc, but this is not so. Right from mouth to navel there is a circular chain of letters from AA to ha. The beads of this chain are known as matrikas. On their basis rishis have formulated letters of the alphabet. The Matrika, by which the deity of a chakra is linked, is known as divine energy of that deity. Letters da, ra, la, ka, sha have been prefixed to the word kini, signifying matrikas and thus the words Dakini, rakini, etc have been formulated, which are all names of divine powers. After understanding these definitions, it will be easy for the readers to understand the following introductory information about the six chakras.

Vedan (Piercing) Of Shat Chakras

There are six gates on the way leading to the origin of Kundalini power. Or, it may be said that this path is locked by six locks. Human soul can reach the inner energy centers by opening these gates or locks. These six obstructions are called Shat-Chakras in spiritual language.
These six Chakras are related to Brahamnadi which is one og the three nadis situated in the inner most part of the Sushumna. They can also be compared to lotus flowers strung into the thread of a garland. Readers will be able to see in the picture where a particular Chakra is located in the body. Mooladhar chakra lies in the genital region; Swadhisthan chakra in the portion between the navel and the pubic region; Manipur chakra in the umbilicus region; Anahat chakra near the heart; Vishudakhya chakra near the neck; Agya chakra in the middle of both the eye-brows; and above all lies Sahasrar.
Sukshumna and three nadis encased within it namely, Vajra, chitrani and brahmanadi are so subtle that they can not be seen by naked eye. The corresponding chakras are still more subtle. Any attempt to operate upon the body to locate shat chakras will be ridiculous and futile because the power of vision of human eye is very much limited. Sound waves, atoms of air, germs of diseases cannot be seen by the naked eye, still their existence cannot be denied. Yogis have seen these chakras by their yogic vision and have gained miraculous knowledge, insights and powers through investigations of the inner being of man. They have given a well-organized scientific description of such investigations and presented it before those who are interested in the subject.
Shat chakras are like subtle knots (granthis) formed in the passage of Brahmanadi. When a Sadhak concentrates his mind on these chakras he unusual experiences of subtle conditions prevailing there. These knots (granthis) are not circular but angular like petals of a flower. These petals are called Padma-dal. They are like a bunch of fibers.
These chakras are of different hues because of energies of varying potencies of elements dominant in different Granthis. This also affects the quantity and color of the blood of that region. The color changes to pink, blue, red and smoky according to the prominence of the elements of earth, water, fire, air and sky respectively. The mixture of these elements changes the color of each chakra.
When a weevil (wood-worm) cuts through wood, the cut portion assumes different shapes. When vital breath (pran-vayu) passes through these chakras, its passage becomes slightly zigzagged according to the position of the Granthi. It takes different shapes similar to the shape of some letters of devnagri script and they are called letters of that particular chakra.
In a fast flowing river, whirlpools of different shapes are formed at several points. When the vital breath of Sushumna flows rapidly through these chakras, subtle whirlpools are formed, which are quadrangular, triangular, hexagonal, circular, semi-circular and phallus-like in shape. The flame of rising fire is thick at the bottom and thin at the top. Thus an irregular triangle is formed when the chakras are pierced. Different shapes are thus formed by the flow of vital breath; these are known as yantras of chakras.

Wisdom Through Gayatri Sadhana

Gayatri is a mantra which inspires true wisdom and inspires the mind intellect with inner psyche and emotions of the devotee in the righteous path. In the mental sphere, with the development of virtues, vices like passion, anger, greed, attachment, pride, jealousy, selfishness, laziness, intoxication, lewdness, deception, falsehood, pretence, worry, fear, sorrow etc, get reduced and with their reduction virtues like self-restraint, regularity, sacrifice, equality, humility, simplicity, straight-forwardness, truthfulness, fearlessness, carefulness, valor, wisdom, courage, patience, compassion, love, service, generosity, dutifulness, devoutness etc starts developing in the Sadhak. The result of this inner transformation is that the Sadhak acquires the wisdom and strength to meet with equanimity routine challenges and setbacks of daily life. Physical ailments a re averted on account of exercising self-control over sense organs and maintaining regularity. Wit the awakening of the power of discrimination, one gets rid of worries, sorrows, fear, apprehension, attachment, loss etc, which are all created due to ignorance. On account of faith in God, the intellect remains unperturbed and the Sadhak remains care-free about his future. Other people are also benefited by the Sadhak's virtues like service-mindedness, politeness, generosity, philanthropy, honesty, benevolence etc and there is no apprehension of any harm being done to anybody by him. The result is that out of gratitude for his unconditional service people become his admires, friends and defenders. On account of this mutual goodwill, life becomes exceedingly blissful. Thus, with the increase in the element of righteousness (satva) in the physical as well as mental sp here a current of divine bliss overflows and Gayatri Sadhak remains always immersed in it.
Man being an integral part of Divinity, all divine powers is hidden in the human soul in seed form. These powers remain dormant under the debris of mental agitation, sensual perversions, defects and vices in the form of ignorance. People think that they are poor, miserable, insignificant and infirm, but the Sadhaks who are able to sweep away this debris from within them are able to have a glimpse of the pure light of the inner self. They know that the light of the Omnipotent Supreme Divine is present within their own soul and they are its true inheritors. As soon as the ash covering live coal is removed, red-hot flame of blazing fire is revealed. This live coal, although small in size, has the potentiality of causing devastating conflagration. With the unveiling of this curtain an insignificant man becomes a great man. Human soul is a storehouse of supreme knowledge, wisdom and extraordinary powers. By their enfoldment a Sadhak becomes a siddha yogi. Nothing is required to be brought from neither outside nor does it require the grace of some god or demon to attain Siddhis. What is needed is simply to remove the dense and dark covering which envelops the inner light. The sun of righteous Sadhana of Gayatri removes the clouds of ignorance and the resplendent divine light of the soul is manifested. This is instinct with all divine powers, riddhis-siddhis.
The development of righteousness through Gayatri Sadhana gives birth to numerous kinds of spiritual and material prosperity. The purification of the body and mind makes worldly life happy and peaceful. With the growth of prudence and spiritual power several difficulties which appear to others to be daunting like a steep mountain top become as simple and light as straw. The Sadhak finds no insurmountable hindrance in accomplishment of any work. Either circumstances change according to his will or he adjusts and changes his desires to the circumstances. Suffering is due to conflict between desire and unfavorable circumstances. A prudent person is always resilient and avoids conflict and thus leads a happy life. For him the ganga of divine bliss flows on this earth