1. isbn 978-1-60607-122-9

Viśākha-Anurādhā Jyeṣṭā Nakṣatras

Moon in Scorpio

'The Lord is in all beings and the entire Universe is in Him.'

• Bṛhat Parāśara Hora Śāstra

The meditation techniques included in this book are to be practiced only under the direct supervision of an ordained teacher of Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam and in consultation with your personal physician to determine your fitness and ability to do the techniques. They are not intended to be a substitute for medical attention, examination, diagnosis or treatment. If someone tries these techniques without prior participation in the meditation programs of Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam and without the direct supervision of an ordained teacher of Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam, they shall be doing so entirely at their own risk; neither the author nor Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam nor Nithyananda Publishers shall be responsible for the consequences of their actions.

Published by:

Nithyananda Publishers

Nithyanandapuri, Off Mysore road

Bidadi 562 109, Bengaluru, Karnataka state, India

Copyright© 2009 - 'Living Enlightenment year'

First Edition: December 2009,

M.R.P in India only:

ISBN: 978-1-60607-122-9

ISBN: 1-60607-122-X

Ebook ISBN: 979-8-88572-221-6

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without written permission of the publisher. In the event that you use any of the information in this book for yourself, the author and the publisher assume no responsibility for your actions.

All proceeds from the sale of this book go towards supporting charitable activities.

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Karnataka state Ph: +91 80 2221 1168 Email: [email protected]

Universal Truth

If you look deeply, if you look beyond mundane life, beyond the day-to-day life we live... If you contemplate on a night sky... you will see that the most intimate and complete relationship man owns is the relationship to the Universe. In fact, it is man’s ultimate relationship: he takes birth, lives and merges back into it. Nothing happens outside of it; even his enlightenment happens in it. Just as the child grows in his mother’s womb, man evolves in the cosmic womb. He is the microcosm of a tremendous cosmic macrocosm. Therefore, all components of man, from the grossest to the subtlest, come from the universe: his body, his mind, his energy and his very consciousness are elements of the cosmos. Universe and man are indivisible. Whatever happens in the Universe resounds in the human consciousness, and whatever happens in the human consciousness resounds in the Universe. Both are a unique consciousness.

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The Great Vedic Astronomy

Man has been deeply fascinated by the Cosmos since the beginning of time. Early cultures worked on understanding the phenomena that happen in the sky; they observed them in order to understand what role the sky played in their lives. From these attempts, the science of astronomy was born.

In this field, the ancient Vedic contribution is well known. The earliest references to astronomy are found in the Ṛg Veda, which are dated 2000 BC. Around 500 BCE, Aryabhaṭa, a great astronomer, presented a system that showed the earth to spin on its axis and considered the motions of the planets with respect to the Sun. He also discovered how the lunar and solar eclipses occur and was the earliest to discover that the orbits of the planets around the Sun are ellipses, just as Copernicus and Galileo concluded a thousand years later. He even determined the diameter of the Earth to be 5,000 yojanas, approximately 36,000 km, which is very close to the actual figure.

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These traditions related these objects and their movements to natural events such as rain, drought, seasons and tides; they related them to auspicious or inauspicious occurrences on planet Earth. Jyotiṣa, the science of Vedic astrology, took birth out of observations and perceptions based on these astronomical phenomena. The first astronomers were actually Ṛṣis and sages, who understood the sky was a divine happening; they identified celestial objects with energies and Gods and connected astronomy to astrology.

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Jyotiṣa Simply Put

Astrology manifested in the inner vision of the ancient sages and Ṛṣis of India. These yogis and enlightened beings were able to see beyond the realm of names and forms. They could feel and express the subtle reality that exists behind cosmic phenomena. As such, they perceived the primal powers of cosmic intelligence in the planets and stars (the macrocosm), and worshipped the cosmic powers within themselves (the microcosm) as powers of their being.

By concentrating intensely on the Sun and other planets, they understood the movement of the life force in their body, and by meditating on the life force, they also came to understand the movement of the Sun and the planets in the heavens. Through this technique called samyama, they could unravel the secrets of the universe. They brought down their understanding into a system of Vedic science, which became known as Jyotiṣa: the science of light.

Parāśara was one such sage. He is known for being

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the father of Jyotiṣa. He wrote the magnum opus Bṛhat Parāśara Hora Śāstra, which systematically explains the theory of predictive astrology. According to history, he is the grandson of Vasiṣṭa and also father of Veda Vyāsa, who wrote the great epic Māhābhārata. The depth of his astrological knowledge was so great that one evening while crossing a river in a boat, he casually looked at his favorite stars in heaven and suddenly realized it was an exceptionally auspicious moment. He concluded that if a child were conceived at that moment, he would be an expert in the scriptures. So he told this to the lady rowing the boat and requested that she marry him. She agreed and the son born out of their spiritual union was Veda Vyāsa!

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By observing the movements of the celestial bodies through time and space, the science of Vedic Astrology can be applied to each human incarnation to encourage the soul to develop to its fullest potential.

In Paramahamsa Nithyananda's own words:

'The moment the consciousness enters the body, the energy level of the cosmos at the time of birth gets printed in that consciousness. Your inner space gets a print of the cosmic energy level and the position of the nine major energy centers of the solar system.

The astrological planets are not only astronomical, they are energies. A particular energy of push and pull exists between them. The different energy positions clearly decide the cosmic energy level during the time of birth. Based on that, Jyotiṣa will be able to predict the course of life. Understand, not exact incidences because you have freedom. You have freedom to decide whether to sit here or not, to read this or not.

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The major course of life- if you will get enlightened or not can be predicted. Principles can be predicted, not policies! Having an idea about your horoscope will give you intelligence and acceptance in your life: intelligence to take decisions and the acceptance to bear the inevitable things. According to me, a seeker should have a basic knowledge about his horoscope.'

Jyotiṣa and Living Enlightenment

Jyotiṣa can help one to read his destiny. But what is actually destiny?

There are only two types of destinies:

The first one is destiny as defined by a dictionary: destiny lived within the boundaries of the ego, with its own expectations, hopes, desires, successes and failures. It is constantly changing. Because it evolves under mind's law, it is mechanical, accidental and coincidental. This 'destiny' is lived in the dimension of the mind, so it has no existential reality in itself. It is nothing more than a reproduction of one's past in the

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present, which conditions the future in a mechanical way.

The other destiny is existential and ultimate; it is the flowering of consciousness into enlightenment.

Understand: the only thing predestined in the scheme of life is that man is meant to evolve to reach enlightenment.

The rest is just incidental; it happens for no other reason than to teach and mold the being towards seeking enlightenment.

Living enlightenment is all about making conscious choices, free from the unconscious push and pull of the saṁskāras.

The further you wander from your center, the more you lose yourself in your periphery, the more you are subjected to incidents and accidents.

Whereas, when you live enlightenment, you are centered, you are within your boundaries, you are aware.

You become predestined, because your predestination is to reach enlightenment; your destiny is to become more and more aware.

Then you become the agent of your fate,

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and you move beyond grahas' influences. This is how you come to terms with your karmas.

For that to happen, a simple understanding of the forces at work in you can help clarity manifest in your daily routine. In addition to this, you can follow a couple of guidelines to keep your body healthy with the science of Āyurveda and raise your energy level with yoga, the use of gemstones, rudrākṣa beads, mantra chanting, and a basic knowledge of your psychological tendencies coupled with the ancient Vedic wisdom expressed by the great enlightened Masters.

All these remedies will bring lucidity about your mental set-up and support for eventually dropping your conditionings, unclutching from your mind and emotions and fostering your intelligence and energy to Live Enlightenment.

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Understanding Grahas and Nakṣatras

The grahas are energy centers, energy fields that planets exert in the universe. Each of the nine main grahas in Vedic astrology has a specific energy field that creates specific effects on our planet Earth. For example, the moon has a strong impact on the movements of the sea and on plant growth; it even influences the mind of human beings. In the same way, the major energy centers produce an effect on living beings and influence their potential at birth, their mental set-up and, therefore, the course of their destiny. In Jyotiṣa, grahas are often referred to as the agents of the karmas for which the soul took birth. Human personality and life have their counterparts in the structure of the cosmic physiology, represented by the grahas and the nakṣatras.

There are nine grahas (nine influences or ‘planets’) in our solar system: the Sun (Sūrya), the Moon (Candra), Mars (Mangal), Mercury (Budha), Jupiter (Guru), Venus (Śukra), Saturn (Śani) and two nodes called Rāhu (ascending lunar node) and Ketu (descending lunar

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node). These represent archetypes. Sūrya, for example, represents consciousness; Candra represents the cosmic mind; Buddha represents the cosmic intellect, etc.

Most of the calendars of the world have been set by the Sun's and Moon's movements (measuring the day, month and year) and were of great importance for agriculture, because the harvest depended on planting at the correct time of the year. But the Vedic tradition uses a system of 27 nakṣatras to calculate months. The nakṣatra is the constellation in which the moon sits in the heaven at a particular time. In each month, the full moon sits in a particular constellation, and the Vedic month will have this nakṣatra's name.

Each nakṣatra falls under the rule of one graha, sometimes two. Each graha is assigned three nakṣatras. For example, if the child is born when the moon sits in Pūrvabhadrapada nakṣatra, his birth star will be Pūrvabhadrapada, and his sign will be Pisces (called meena in Sanskrit), ruled by planet Jupiter (guru). Uttarabhadrapada and Revati, the two next nakṣatras, also

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fall under the lordship of Jupiter and the Pisces sign. All three will therefore have similar characteristics and will influence the child's mind and consciousness at the time of birth, shaping his destiny.

If Mars is your Planet

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'I worship Mars, born from the womb of the earth, who has the beautiful brilliance of lightning, the divine youth who carries a spear in his hand.'

• Veda Vyāsa

Dynamic: How we take actions and are able to be ourselves

Keywords: Energy, power, strength, courage, freshness, agility, competition

Sign: Scorpio, Aries

Color: Red

Gender: Masculine

Cakra: Maṇipūraka

Temperament: Tamas

Governing deity: Subrahmanya, Lord Śiva's son

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Mars in Vedic Scriptures

Once when Lord Śiva was engrossed in deep meditation in his abode Mount Kailāś, three drops of perspiration originated from his forehead and fell to the earth. From those drops manifested a very beautiful child who was reddish in complexion and who had four arms.

The child was handed over to the earth goddess, Bhūmi, for upbringing. The child was named Bhaum as he was nurtured and brought up by ‘Bhūmi’ (a name of the planet earth).

When Bhaum grew up, he went to Kāśi and did a rigorous penance to please lord Śiva. Lord Śiva blessed

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him by granting him 'Maṅgala loka' (the Abode of Maṅgala, Mars), which was superior even to the 'Śukra loka' in the universe (the Abode of Śukra or Venus, the God of love). The same 'Bhaum' is established in the solar system by the name of Maṅgala (the auspicious planet Mars).

Tendencies of Mars and Scorpio

'The Scorpio is blood-red in complexion. It has a prominent physique. It denotes courage. It resides in the East and is related to kings. It is fiery. Its ruler is Mars.'

• Bṛhat Parāśara Hora Śāstra

Symbol: The scorpion

Element: Water

Ruling Planet: Mars /Mangal

Ayurvedic constitution: Pitta (fire)

Healing stone: Coral

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Scorpio is a profound and mysterious sign. Its symbol, the scorpion, shows a strong and tenacious determination, coupled with an impulsive nature which can be prone to excess of all sorts.

Scorpios are amongst the most intense people. But still, they remain secretive and introverted. Reading their mind and understanding their inner life is almost impossible. This is why many of them feel misunderstood and hesitate to share their feelings. A key solution to this is to bring clarity into their emotions, to keep a pure inner space, free from envy and attachment, so that they don't get stuck on the emotional plane. Jealousy is one of their challenges, a trait they have to work on.

The Scorpio can go to great depth in the study of psychology and may gain insights other signs never reach. Scorpios are passionate and much attached to their dear ones, whom they sometimes suffocate or try to control, generating conflicts and relationship

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failures. Scorpios can be selfish and blind to others’ needs.

Such perceptive beings like to be behind the scene; they do not express or open up quickly, not because of shyness, but because they are cautious, even though they generally are good orators. Over time, they learn to use their words with care, without hurting others, and work on their impulsiveness.

Their inquisitive minds have great abilities for research; a Scorpio can become a good chemist or surgeon under the sign’s influence. They show interest in medicine and seem fascinated by death or professions related to death.

The spiritually involved explore their inner depth and are usually attracted to yoga and Tantra philosophy. They often perceive the world as black or white and can be quite fixed in their opinions, which leads them to obsessions and a troubled mind.

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Scorpio's Nakṣatras: Viśākha, Anurādhā, Jyeṣṭhā

Tendencies of a person born under Viśākha

Viśākha is called the ‘star of purpose’. This naksatra does not give immediate results in life. It suggests an individual who slowly grows in influence and produces great fruit as age ripens.

Viśākha is ruled by Indra and Agni, who represent the powers of heat and lightning in the atmosphere and attest to the energy and potential enclosed in Viśākha.

You may have much hidden ambition, and you can make great success, but may use questionable means to achieve it. The patience and endurance you show are enormous, and they are sustained even through the struggles you face. This drive can sometimes turn into frustration and anger when obstructions occur. It can lead you to pursue a selfish goal using people as means to an end.

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Viśākha denotes a strong power to recover from depression and difficulties. You are an excellent communicator, able to write and speak well. You are also good as a supervisor of people: you are brave, strong, charitable, and of a religious nature.

Sometimes, the native may be unstable and shows aggressiveness. The problem is often caused by jealousy and envy of the success of others, a fault that breeds problems in relationships.

You may feel sometimes you lack a strong network of friends and feel isolated and alone in this big world. Bitterness and resentment may result out of this lack of attention. When this happens, the native may feel like eating uncontrollably, resulting in weight problems or indigestion.

Those born under this nakṣatra are likely to be scientists, military leaders, writers, public speakers, politicians or lawyers.

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Characteristics of an Anurādhā-born

The residing deity of Anurādhā is Mitra, the God of friendship and partnership. Mitra promotes cooperation among humanity. ādhā is its emblem; it stands for the feminine manifestation of the energy of the universe, encouraging all beings to serve the Lord. Anurādhā gives friendliness, compassion and love, devotion and balanced relationships by honoring others and oneself.

This nakṣatra is also called the ‘star of successes’. The native usually possesses good health and vitality, and has a strong appetite for life.

You like to manage people and can demonstrate organizational skills and motivate others to activity. Residing in foreign lands is highly possible, and you may achieve success away from your homeland. You can shine in the social and political fields or in performing activities such as music, classical dance, etc.

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You can face spiritual challenge with braveness and courage. Righteousness is your motto, and you prosper through good social relationships. Your outer expression may not reveal your inner motive of action.

Sometimes you face difficulty in your home and feel a restless urge to move away from it, to change your place of living. You should learn to develop tolerance and not respond with anger when another person doesn't meet your expectations. Melancholy and lack of motherly nurturing in childhood are in evidence.

You should also watch your diet and learn to eat less, as you have strong appetite.

Characteristics of a Jyeṣṭhā born

Jyeṣṭhā means ‘the eldest one’, the senior most, the chief one, more excellent, the preferred one or most glorious. The nakṣatra shows maturity, experience and skills. The person born under this star is full of luster and splendor.

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The chief deity is Indra, the King of the Gods and protector of heroes. He is the divine warrior and ‘dragon slayer.’ He demonstrates the power of truth. Indra is known for his daring nature, courage and power. Jyeṣṭhā allows us to reach the summit of our personal powers, but it requires great courage and effort

Born under Jyeṣṭhā, you are a combination of power, independence and combative-ness. One can have brilliant analytical abilities here and achieve an elevated position in life, with the most dedicated skills or sometimes creative genius.

The Jyeṣṭhā-born has excellent physical stamina and good physical appearance. Your qualities make you look very proud, but the facts are actually different. Some desire seclusion and are not prone to have friends because of their secretive side. Be careful of hypocrisy. Brought about by internal struggles regarding one’s self image and self-esteem, it does not allow you to be genuine with others. You may often try to behave

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differently from who you are inside. Some arrogance can show up at times, and irritable nerves need to be soothed through yoga practices, or taking time to walk in nature, breathing fully.

You show interests in being self-employed and a manager. You may be a military leader, musician, dancer, detective, engineer, doctor, surgeon or a worker in funeral home.

Energy Centers and Scorpio

Maṇipūraka Cakra - the fire of transformation

There are 7 major energy centers in our body,

called cakras in Sanskrit. They are directly connected

to our emotions and impact different aspects of our

personality and the way we relate to ourselves, others,

and to Existence.

Each planet resonates with a particular energy

center in the body. The fiery energy of Mars is connected

to maṇipūraka cakra located in the navel region. Its

energy can sometimes imbalance the cakra, especially

when it is channeled towards worrying! Maṇipūraka

flowers when you stop worrying about your worries.

It is a proven fact that cakras correspond and

affect the functioning of specific glands that constitute

the body's endocrine system. This is why worrying

imbalances your system, and creates chronic diseases

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in the long run. Your body and mind are very deeply rooted in our consciousness!

To keep manipūraka balanced, bringing awareness into your mind and irritations, practicing meditation and yoga will benefit you. Wearing coral stone can also contribute to maintain your balance.

Also, Mars stands for the fire which produces heat in the body, a warm temper and an attitude of intensity in life. Mars gives courage and strength to evolve in life. Therefore, it is associated with transformation on all levels: for example, jāṭarāgni is the inner fire through which food is converted into substances which can be assimilated by the body. Inner strength and the power to digest can be maintained by eating slowly and with awareness.

A balanced manipūraka cakra will confer a good digestion and physical well-being.

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Scorpio and Āyurveda: Understand your Constitution

In a birth chart, many influences have to be considered to find out one’s body type. Consulting an experienced Ayurvedic doctor will help you to understand your body constitution.

Generally, the Ayurvedic dośa (or body constitution) related to Scorpio is pitta.

Let's use this scale:

If you experience symptoms such as excessive body heat, digestive problems, quickness to anger, impatience, a tendency to exert excessive effort to achieve goals, vision difficulties, being prone to make errors in judgment because of mental or emotional confusion, then there is a good possibility you are suffering from pitta imbalance.

If you have a strong power of digestion, good vitality, goal-setting inclinations, problem-solving skills,

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a keen intelligence, decisiveness, courage, a bright complexion and mental clarity, then your pitta is balanced.

Here are some of the common characteristics of people who have a predominantly pitta body constitution:

Sharp mind, good power of concentration

Orderly and focused

Assertive, self-confident

Aggressive, sometimes demanding

Enjoy challenges

Under stress, pittas become irritated and angry

Uncomfortable in sun or hot weather, heat makes them very tired

Perspire a lot

Good public speakers, capable of sharp and cutting speech

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Generally good management and leadership ability

Subject to impatience and anger

Typical physical problems include rashes or inflammations of the skin, acne, boils, ulcers, heartburn and acidity, insomnia, burning eyes and blurred vision and anemia.

How to manage pitta?

Factors that can cause pitta to increase include a diet that contains too many hot or spicy foods, fasting or skipping meals, over-exposure to the sun or to hot temperatures and emotional traumas.

Pitta is stimulated by pungent, sour and salty foods and weakened by sweet, bitter and acid tasting foods.

A pitta type should also take care not to do things too rapidly, including eating!

Pitta imbalances can be quickly corrected by spending time in nature and doing less.

Because pitta people are goal-oriented, they can benefit from going from a swim or simply enjoying some hours of rest.

Drinking rose lassi or using sandalwood or rose oil for

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aromatherapy is also essential for cooling the heat of pitta.

Food items to balance pitta:

Dairy milk, butter, and ghee are good for pacifying pitta. Sweet, bitter, and astringent tastes decrease pitta influences. Therefore if your pitta characteristics are too pronounced, you can add complex carbohydrates like wheat, white rice, barley and oat to your plate, and favor sweet fruits such as grapes, cherries, melons, berries, avocados, coconuts, pomegranates, mangoes, and fully ripened oranges or pineapples. Incorporate asparagus, cucumbers, potatoes, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, broccoli, cauliflower, celery, ladies fingers, lettuce, beans, green beans, zucchini and green leafy vegetables such as lettuce to your diet.

And remember, except tofu and split-mung dhal, beans and bean products are not too good for your constitution.

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Meditation for Scorpio: Balance your Pitta!

Mars natives can be benefitted through techniques which develop insight and build energy in the body.

Scorpio people like to work on themselves in a practical way, through physical practices (hatha yoga) or mental techniques like visualizations, or rituals.

Here is a meditation for you:

The first 10 minutes: In standing position, close your eyes and start to intensely shake your body from head to toe.

Let your body become like a liquid.

The next 10 minutes: Sit down wherever you are.

Sit on a chair if you need to and create whatever sounds and gibberish comes to your mind.

Release all the irritation you hold inside.

If it is needed, visualize or remember situations which caused tensions in you, and focus on bringing out sounds from your navel area.

Express yourselves!

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The last 10 minutes: Just sit quietly. Witness whatever is happening in your body and mind, without passing any judgment on any of your thoughts, without resisting any thought and without destroying any thought. Just be as you are and enjoy the light sensation in your maṇipūraka cakra!

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Nithya Dhyaan: the Universal Technique

Nithya Dhyaan is a formula and technique that works on all the components of your being. Whatever your birth sign may be, it awakens the cosmic powers within you and makes them available to your being to excel in all spheres of life.

This is a five-step technique. Allow seven minutes for each step. Keep your eyes closed throughout the meditation.

1- Chaotic breathing:

Sit in vajrāsana (kneel and sit on your heels). Place your hands on your hips and breathe chaotically, without a repetitive rhythm. Just focus on your breathing; let your entire being become the breathing.

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2- Intense Humming:

Continue to sit in vajrāsana, form cin mudra with your fingers (with the thumb and forefinger forming a circle and other three fingers outstretched), and place your hands on your knees, palms facing upwards. In this posture, with your mouth closed, produce the sound ‘Mmmmm...’ from inside your body, as loudly and lengthily as possible.

3- Cakra awareness:

You may continue to sit in vajrāsana or sit crossed legged if you wish. Keep your fingers in cin mudra position. Now, bring your awareness to each cakra one after the other, from mūlādhāra cakra (root center) to sahasrāra cakra (crown center).

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Feel each cakra completely as if your whole being has become that energy center.

4- Silent Meditation: Be unclutched

In this step, carry the understanding with you that your thoughts are unconnected, irrational and unclutched. Don’t try to create thoughts, don’t try to maintain thoughts, don’t try to destroy thoughts or react to them. Just sit and watch them.

Understand, by your very nature, you are pure being and bliss.

5- Guru Pūja

Now, connect, relax and rest into the universal energy. Just sit in a very deep and passive way, feeling one with the whole, God,

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or your Master. Listen to the Guru Pūja mantras and feel their vibration in you. Express your gratitude with reverence.

You will find further details on the benefits of Nithya Dhyaan; along with the meditation instructions, in the comprehensive booklet and audio CD called Nithya Dhyaan- Experience bliss.

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Nithya Yoga for You

When the dynamism is low in the person, martial arts can be practiced to strengthen Mars energy. Otherwise, gentle yoga postures which work on manipūraka cakra, as well as Sūrya Namaskār (the ancient Sun salutation), can be practiced by all natives

Ardha Matsyendrāsana :

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Instructions:

To blissfully enjoy the benefits of any asanas, make sure your body is warmed up, the spine loosened up and stretched out before entering the postures.

Sit in vajrāsana (kneel and sit on your heels)

Perform the posture on the right side first. Simply allow the buttocks to fall to the left side.

Using your hands, help to lift your right leg and place the foot on the outside of the left knee.

Ensure that both hips are down on the floor as evenly as possible.

Bring the right hand behind your back (about 1 foot away from the spine), fingertips pointing outward. (Elbow can be bent if needed to create more space between torso and legs).

Bring the left arm up, and push back the knee with the left elbow. Keep the elbow bent with the palm facing outward.

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Look over your right shoulder.

Inhale, lengthen the spine.

Exhale, gently twist around, looking gently over your right shoulder more.

You can hold this āsana for 6 breaths.

After the last exhale, inhale as you bring the head around to the front.

Then exhale and allow the body to unwind slowly.

Repeat on the other side.

Benefits:

This āsana gives a complete rotary movement to the entire vertebral column, and works on the digestive power which planet Mars represents. It can lead one to complete inner transformation by giving an experience of no-mind state.

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Sūrya Namaskār

Sūrya Namaskār (the Sun salutation) is called the king of asanas. It is a sequence of 12 postures, each symbolizing a sign of the zodiac. This sequence of asanas has the amazing ability to activate the best characteristics of your birth chart by bringing energy to your body, a clearer thinking through emotional balancing, and a restored health, thereby enabling you to express your intelligence and uniqueness. It is a technique to experience a conflict-free life, fulfillment and eternal bliss.

Its practice awakens the body’s innate intelligence to produce energy from the sun. It is designed to access the etheric energy all around you. When performed facing the East in the first rays of the morning sun, along with the appropriate breathing technique and the mantra, the effect on the individual mind, body and spirit is incomparable.

It is said that the daily practice of Sūrya Namaskār

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is enough to work on the whole body organs, cakras and mindfor the whole day.

Sūrya Namaskār mantras

A mantra is a composition of syllables, words or sentences that, when repeated with awareness and visualization, has a powerful and penetrating influence on the mind. Before each repetition of Sūrya Namaskār, one chants the corresponding mantra, which is a glorification of the Sun. This simple method leads us to the experience that the outer Sun symbolizes the shining intelligence in our inner sky. We come to understand our connectivity to the cosmic energy that pervades all the grahas. The characteristics of our sign get activated to unfold its inherent potential.

Auṁ hrāṁ mitrāya namaḥ Salutations to the friend of all

Auṁ hrīṁ ravaye namaḥ Salutations to the shining one

Auṁ hrūṁ sūryāya namaḥ Salutations to the one who induces activity

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Aum hraim bhānave namah Salutations to the one who illuminines

Aum hraum khagāa namah Salutations to the one who moves swiftly

Aum hrah pūṣne namah Salutations to the giver of strength

Aum hrām hiraṇyagarbhāya namah Salutations to the golden Cosmic Self

Aum hrīm marīcaye namah Salutations to the Lord of dawn

Aum hrūm ādityāya namah Salutations to the son of Aditi, the infinite Cosmic mother

Aum hraim savitre namah Salutations to the eternal benevolent mother

Aum hraum arkāya namah Salutations to the one who is praiseworthy

Aum hrah bhāskarāya namah Salutations to the one who leads to enlightenment

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Sūrya Namaskār āsana sequence

To blissfully enjoy the benefits of any āsana, make sure your body is warmed up, the spine limber and stretched out before entering the postures.

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Stand with feet slightly apart. Bring hands together into prayer position in front of your chest. Keep your eyes open during the practice of the āsanas. Chant the corresponding mantra loudly.

Inhaling, gracefully sweep the arms up over your head and gently arch the spine backwards.

Exhaling and bending from the hips, sweep the arms forward and down so the hands touch the floor close to the feet and the forehead comes in close to the knees. Bend the knees to allow for greater ease in doing this.

Step the right foot back as far as you can and as you inhale, lift your heart center up.

Step the left foot back and assume the plank position with spine, neck, and head in a straight line, hands placed directly under your shoulders.

On the exhale, lower the knees, chest and chin to the floor assuming aștānga namaskār. Point the toes.

Inhale, raise the head and chest off the floor by engaging the lower back and gently pushing with your hands. Keeping the elbows bent at a 90-degree angle, come into bhujangāsana.

Exhaling, push with your hands, raise your hips into the air and back and assume the downward dog pose. Push your heels towards the floor.

Gently look forward at your hands and step the left foot forward as far as you can, close to the hands. Inhale, lift your heart.

Step the right foot forward to meet the right hand. Bend your knees if you need, exhale, and bring the head in close to the legs.

On an inhale, sweep your arms up over your head and gently arch the spine, saluting the Sun.

Exhale, bring your arms down and your hands back into prayer position in front of your chest.

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Nithya Yoga is Paramahamsa Nithyananda's unique offering to the world, helping the practitioner to be in the state of yoga every moment. You will find further details on the benefits of Sūrya Namaskār in the book titled: Nithya Yoga - The Ultimate Practice for Body Mind and Being.

Birthstones for Scorpio

Red coral gemstone bracelet

This book comes with a unique energy bead bracelet which beautifully combines semi-precious stones with rudrākṣa beads, enhancing and radiating the properties of the stones. This bracelet attunes you to the Universe and contributes to destroy sufferings related to negative karmas. It is specially blessed by Nithyananda, the enlightened Master of our times for the fortunate ones who wish to receive the blessings of the Universe! Enlightened Masters are said to be the manifestation of the Cosmic Energy that radiates Enlightenment.

Jyotiṣa uses different gemstones (also called birthstones) to strengthen the planet’s energies.

Gemstones are the finest and purest consolidation of minerals that exists, formed under extreme heat and pressure inside the earth. Stones are crystals of

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clear and purified minerals that are also found in the human body.

Because of their mineral quality, they are agents of electromagnetic energy, which influences the electromechanical nature of the human body. When a stone is in contact with the skin, it starts working on the physiology and energy level of the body, as well as the pranic layer of energy.

Red coral stone represents planet Mars in the natal chart. It rules energy, vigor and vitality. It is beneficial for:

Physical and mental growth

General health

Monetary gains

Status in life,

Success in sports

Marital bliss

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New ventures and relief from obstruction

Low stamina, lack of effort and self-confidence,

Blood infections, blood circulation, obstructions in physical growth

Fatigue

Back pain

Chest congestion

Fever

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Rudrākṣa Beads

Scorpio's Cosmic seed

Today, scientific experiments have verified the intrinsic properties of the rudrākṣa. These are: dynamic polarity, bioelectricity, and paramagnetic and diamagnetic propertiesall of which effectively control

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hyperactivity, eliminate stress and bring beneficial effects on body and mind.

Rudrākṣa beads are emblems of Lord Śiva, who is believed to be at the very core of the centrifugal force of the universe, representing Brahman or the cosmic Sun: the aspect of creation which continually dissolves to begin a new cycle of creation, preservation, dissolution and recreation of the Universe. Therefore, wearing rudrākṣa attunes one with the cosmic energy that destroys karmas and confers spiritual liberation. It cannot have an adverse effect on the wearer because of its auspicious signification and can be worn by anyone, irrespective of his or her moon sign. Rudrākṣa beads have immense benefits:

They protect against negative planetary positions and enforce the positive effects of the birthstone which you wear

They keep, foster and protect one’s own energy

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They can tap into energy fields to restore energy in the wearer.

They stimulate an individual’s consciousness and sub-consciousness

They stimulate the mind, sharpens the intellect, gives power and opens the third eye

They ensure peace of mind and harmony of relationships

They help to cure dangerous diseases such as epilepsy, cough, and small pox and heal poisonous wounds

They actualize Master’s blessings into your life

Navagraha Pūja

The Navagraha pūja is a Vedic prayer which produces tremendous positive energy, and helps everyone to gain courage to face any situation in life.

This ritual traditionally performed for the nine planets, brings solace to the person's mind, and dilutes any negative influences which can be felt during certain period called ‘Navagraha dośa’; when the planets are not in proper alignment, influencing the person negatively.

Due to these, people fall into depression and certain

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low moods. This period may last for some time, depending on the power of the planet.

However this can be averted with intelligence. Navagraha pūja is conducted to connect oneself to the cosmic intelligence, to avert any hindrances and to bestow tremendous peace and contentment in life. This pūja is a collection of prayers and rituals performed to the planets in the form of deities.

With the blessing of these nine planets, the person is helped to attain good health, prosperity, knowledge and enlightenment.

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Navagraha Homa

Homa is a fire ritual, and an intense spiritual practice which becomes a powerful meditation technique when performed with devotion. During homa, one invokes the cosmic energy and visualizes it in the fire. Offerings to the planet deity through the fire are made at the same time.

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Through the mantra chanted and the purification effect of the fire; the body, the space in which the ritual happens and the people attending the prayer are benefited, and the planetary effect decreased.

When this homa is done as a personal spiritual practice, the energy is brought from the nirvanic to the physical layer of the body through all subtle energy layers, healing the person and raising his level of energy- allowing him to transform his destiny.

Navagraha pūja and homa services are available in all Nithyananda Vedic Temples throughout USA, and Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam ashrams throughout India.

Find out your nearest Temple in India on www.nithyananda.org and www.nithyanandavedictemple.org for USA, contact them to have more details if you are interested in benefiting from these services.

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Mantra for Scorpios

Aum hrīṁ Nityānandāya namaḥ

(Om Hreem Nithyanandaya Namaha)

In this mantra, Aum is the primordial sound and is the representation of Śiva’s energy, the male aspect of the universe. Actually, Aum is the cosmic sound that pervades the grahas, their movements and their effects on us.

The Bīja mantra (seed sound), Hrīṁ, has no linguistic meaning but encloses a powerful vibration which attunes you to the primordial energy from which the grahas originate: the female energy, Śakti.

Nithyananda means Eternal Bliss and invokes the truth which is our true nature, and the nature of our own intelligence. It is the pūrṇa mūla mantra (the complete mantra) because it represents a straight path to both Śakti (success in this world) and to Śiva (success in the cosmic world) which is ‘enlightenment’.

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Namaḥa means 'I surrender' my ego to Existence, to the Master. Thus this sacred mantra awakens the completeness and fulfillment inside us and balances the male and female energies which exist inside every one of us.

The repetition of this mantra is a powerful technique which can be performed throughout the day as you go about your daily routine. It can also be uttered aloud 108 times every morning. The number 108, which is a multiple of 9, has been sacred since time immemorial. That is because the number 9 is the limit of all numbers: 0 to 9 is all one needs to make up an infinite amount of numbers. Therefore, 108 symbolizes and connects you to infinity.

Its beautiful sound should be pronounced clearly and as loudly as possible and from the navel region.

Eventually, this mantra will replace your inner chatter and create silence in your mind. Your whole being integrates itself towards enlightenment which leads you out of the dynamic of karma and planetary effects.

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Five Techniques for a Scorpio mind

Infuse Awareness into Life!

Your inquisitive mind leads you into tenacious action. Intensity and understanding can lead you to solve many issues you are having on the professional, relational or emotional levels. It is guiding you to a state of complete awareness that breaks down all the blockages that create these issues in you. Intensity is the secret of spiritual growth. Spirituality is infusing intensity and awareness in your day to day life.

Be aware of your jealousy

Jealousy is born out of comparison. We have been taught to compare; we think somebody else has a better job, somebody else is more beautiful or richer. If you go on comparing yourself with everybody else, a great jealousy will be the outcome; it is a by-product of your attitude. If you drop comparing, jealousy disappears. Then you simply know that you are you, and nobody else. Nobody has ever been like

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you, and nobody will ever be like you. And you need not be like anybody else either. Satisfaction happens. Each person is unique and incomparable. Once this understanding settles in you, jealousy disappears.

Be straight!

We are all connected. Your body language always sends signals about your real feelings, which others unconsciously pick up. We often move our body in a way that contradicts our words and rejects people without being aware of it. We want to sound open and nice, but our body acts closed, creating uneasiness in others. We then fail to understand we are the sole reason for our feelings of isolation and solitude. Observing your body language will reveal to others and yourself a lot about what you are trying to hide. Move with the intention of expressing bliss, love and openness and heal your relations at a deeper level.

The power of intuition

Your intelligence is getting sharpened by your

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growing intuition. That hidden force is manifesting itself more and more. This presence grows with awareness, clarity, action and experience. Taking decisions from the intuitive level opens the door to the workings of the God in your life. Expressing it in your home or in private matters can bring lightning-fast changes in situations that have looked stuck for ages. Practice unclutching every moment, to experience its power more and more, to enjoy the results and to let your life be transformed through it!

Be as you are

When your mind is positive, a balance, inner peace and bliss blossom in you. A sense of being part of the beautiful cosmic drama strikes you! When your mind pulls you down, your desire to run away and hide becomes so strong that it forces you into unbearable and tortured situations. When you feel restless, feel restless, and when you feel tortured, feel tortured! One has to learn to live with the negative parts of one's personality to become whole. As soon you

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accept, you relax and become aware of the play of these emotions. Both have to be accepted and integrated. The yearning to improve yourself, the seeking to evolve and transform, sometimes come from the experience of your negativities!

Mangai (Mars god) as represented in Tiruvannamalai Ashram (India). Around Mars stand the other 8 Navagraha deities (deities associated with the nine planets), along with their Navagraha trees (trees associated with the nine planets), to bless all with abundance. The circle of deities is placed around the main deities of the temple, Sri Anandeshwara and Anandeshwari, located near a powerful energy field of 1008 Śiva lingas radiating Śiva's cosmic energy in an extremely auspicious atmosphere.

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Glossary

Nakṣatra: the constellation in which the moon sits in the heaven at a particular time, commonly called as ‘birth Star’

Vedic sciences: refer to a number of disciplines found in the Vedas, a large body of texts originating in ancient India, one among the oldest sacred texts

Ṛg Veda: an ancient Indian sacred collection of hymns, counted among the four canonical sacred texts of Hinduism known as the Vedas

Āryabhaṭa: one of the first astronomer and great mathematician of India, born in 476

Copernicus: (1473-1543) the first astronomer to formulate a heliocentric cosmology, which displaced the Earth from the center of the universe

Galileo: (1564-1642) Italian physicist, mathematician, astronomer and philosopher. His achievements include improvements to the telescope and important astronomical observations

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Yojana: a Vedic measure of distance used in ancient India, between 6 to 15 km (4 and 9 miles)

Ṛṣi: a sage through whom the Vedic hymns flowed, a "seer" able to reach states of higher consciousness

Yogi: a practitioner of various forms of spiritual discipline, as yoga

Parāśara : author of many ancient Indian texts and important astrological texts, known as a traveling Master

Bṛhat Parāśara Hora Śāstra: a prominent astrological scientific text written as a recorded dialogue between Parāśara and his disciple Maitreya

Vaśiṣṭa: Rāma’s guru; a great Ṛṣi who had complete knowledge of the whole cosmos and the gods

Veda Vyāsa: a sage of ancient India, compiler of the Vedas and great epics like the Māhābhārata

Mahabharata: one of the major Sanskrit epic of India and philosophical scripture, depicting a great war that happened in India, written in 250 000 verses

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Samskāras: engraved memories stored in the subconscious part of the mind. They are continually interfering with our decision making process

Grahas: energy centers, energy fields that planets exert in the universe, generally assimilated to ‘planets’

Karmas: the collection of unfulfilled experiences and actions that stay in us and constantly pull us to fulfill them

Āyurveda: a system of traditional medicine native to the Indian Subcontinent, ayus meaning ‘life’, and veda, meaning ‘related to knowledge’ or ‘science’

Yoga: literally union, union of the individual self and the divine Self, often taken to mean Hatha yoga, which is one of the components of yogāsana, relating to body postures

Rudrākṣa: a large broad-leaved tree whose seed is traditionally revered and used for prayer beads, or mala, mainly growing in foothills of the Himalayas up to South-East Asia

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Sanskrit: the Indo-Aryan language, language of the Ṛg Veda and of many scriptures, as well as mantras

Mantra: a sound, a formula, sometimes a word or set of words, which because of their inherent sounds, have energizing properties, an approach to spiritual evolution

Unclutching: understanding that each thought is completely independent, unconnected to the precedent; which leads to disengage oneself from the mind, resulting in experiencing the no-mind state

Cakra: literally a ‘wheel’: refers to energy centers in the mind-body system

Maṇipūraka cakra: third energy center, meaning ‘the city of jewels’ in reference to the treasures it holds

Tamas: the behavior of laziness or inaction.

Pitta: one of the three dośas (or attributes) of the body in Āyurveda, principle of heat

Subramaniya: Śiva and his consort Pārvati had two

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famous offspring Ganeśa and Subrahmaṇya. Subrahmaṇya represents the innocent, vigorous energy associated with the planet Mars

Lord Śiva: rejuvenator in the trinity also means ‘causeless auspiciousness’

Mount Kailāś: abode of Lord Śiva, where he practices intense yogic austerities

Kāśi: refers to Varanasi, the holy city located on the bank of the River Ganges, in the Indian State of Uttar Pradesh; one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world

Jatarāgni: Inner fire that sustains life

Dośa: in Ayurvedic medicine, one of the three biological humors or energies (kapha, pitta, vata) which combine in various proportions to determine individual constitution, mental and physical disorders

Lassi: a popular and traditional yoghurt-based drink

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About Nithyananda Mission

Nithyananda Mission is a worldwide movement for spreading meditation and inner bliss. The services provided by the organization include meditation, yoga, corporate leadership programs, free energy healing through the Nithya Spiritual Healing system, free education to youth, promoting art and culture satsangs (spiritual gatherings), free medical camps and eye surgeries, free meals at all ashrams worldwide, a holistic system of education for children through the āśram gurukul and a host of specially designed meditation programs.

Programs Offered by Nithyananda Mission

Inner Awakening

Inner Awakening is a 21-day 'master' program that is intensely transformative. It is designed to reproduce all the components of Jīvan Mukti or 'Living Enlightenment' in every individual and brings about

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Contact Us

USA:

Los Angeles

Life Bliss Foundation

9720 Central Avenue, Montclair, CA 91763

USA

Ph.: +1 909 625 1400

Email: [email protected], [email protected]

URL: www.lifeblissfoundation.org

MALAYSIA:

Kuala Lumpur

14, Jalan Desa Gombak 5, Taman Desa Gombak

53000 KL, MALAYSIA

Ph.: +601 78861644 / +601 22350567

Email: [email protected], [email protected]

URL: www.mynithyananda.com

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INDIA:

Bengaluru, Karnataka

(Spiritual headquarters and Nithyananda Vedic Temple)

Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam,

Nithyanandapuri, Off Mysore Road,

Bidadi, Bengaluru - 562 109

Karnataka, INDIA

Ph.: +91 97422 03311 / +91 92430 48957

Email: [email protected]

URL:www.nithyananda.org

Visit : www.nithyanandagalleria.com

www.lifeblissgalleria.com

for more information. E-mail:

[email protected] &

[email protected]

Over 500 FREE discourses of Nithyananda

available at http://www.youtube.com/lifebliss

foundation

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Let you all experience and radiate Jīvan Mukti, Living Enlightenment - Paramahamsa Nithyananda

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NOTES

Ebook ISBN: 979-8-88572-221-6

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