Arya Samaj

Shishya · Posted: Sun May 28, 2006 3:14 am Post subject: Welcome Ashtangi!

Ashtangi,

Namaste & Welcome to the Forum! Very Happy

If you like, you can tell us a bit about yourself below.
_________________
Namaste,

Shishya
ॐ

ॐ सह नावतु । सह तौ भुनक्तु । सह वीर्यं करवावहै । तेजस्वि नावधीतमस्तु मा विद्विषावहै ॥
"Together may we be protected. Together may we be profited. Together may we do a hero's work. May we learn intelligently. May we never hate one another."
-Brihadaranyaka & Taittiriya Upanishads

Ashtangi · Freshman Member Joined: 27 May 2006 Posts: 23

Namaste,

Full disclosure: I'm not of Indian descent. I'm an African-American who 'discovered' the Sanatana Dharma through my Ashtanga Yoga practice (hence the brilliant username). As a newbie, I apologize in advance to the members of this forum for the dumb questions I will ask.
_________________
Om Shanti

Ashtangi

Shishya · Posted: Sun May 28, 2006 12:30 pm Post subject:

Namaste,

No worries; as an African-American, you are more than welcome here. Very Happy

One of the fundamental teachings of Maharishi Swami Dayanand Sarswati and the Arya Samaj is that the message of Vaidika Dharma is for everyone - regardless of race or nationality. The mission of the Arya Samaj is summed up in one phrase: 'Krinvanto Vishvam Aryam', which means 'Make this world noble'. All peoples are called together in this great work - to spread Vaidika Dharma for the good of all.

Also, you needn't worry about asking 'dumb' questions. We are all humble students of Vaidika Dharma here, and the only 'dumb' questions are the ones that remain unasked. Wink

I can't promise that we will be able to answer all of your questions, but we will certainly try to find someone who can.

If you haven't already, I invite you to read Swamiji's "Statement of Belief", which gives a good summary of his teachings regarding God, the Soul and the World. It might interest you to know that he taught ashtanga yoga to be the best means for attaining upaasanaa or communion with God.

A few relevant passages from his 'Light of Truth' (Satyarth Prakash):

Ashtangi · Freshman Member Joined: 27 May 2006 Posts: 23

Namaste, Shishya.

Thank you for your kind words and great advice. I just read Swamiji's "Statement of Belief". It is yet another example of why humanity needs the Dharma and an Arya Samaj India. I became an Ashtangi because the practice is much more than asanas. Unlike most so-called yoga in the West; true Ashtanga honors Hindu culture.
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Om Shanti

Ashtangi

Shishya · Posted: Mon May 29, 2006 3:54 am Post subject:

Namaste Ashtangi,

Indeed, humanity is in dire need when it comes to understanding and practicing Vedic Dharma. Swamiji had an acute sense of this need, which prompted him to embark on his great mission of setting the world back onto the path of Truth. And though it might come as a surprise to some, it was in India - the very homeland of Vedic Wisdom - that Swamiji chose to initiate this grand reform. He was an outspoken critic of the backwardness and superstition that did and continues to plague Hinduism, and passionately urged the people to cast off the layers of dogma and spiritual lethargy that had accumulated over the centuries, covering the original teachings of the Holy Vedas, in order to come to a true and noble undertanding of God and the purpose of life. His vigorous opposition to long-standing institutions of Hinduism such as idol worship, animal sacrifice, the caste-system etc., as well as his scathing criticisms of Christianity and Islam, resulted in his being met with much indignation and rejection. Yet, like a skillful surgeon who uses a knife to remove a tumor and thereby saves the life of his patient, so too did Swamiji point out the falsity of non-Vedic creeds for the sole purpose of eliminating error and spreading Truth in the hope of aiding humanity.

In his work Panchmaha Yajnavidhi, Swamiji outlined the five great daily duties of every Aryan householder:

Brahma Yajna, or the contemplation of, and holding communion with, the Supreme Being, twice daily, morning and evening.
Deva Yajna, or the burning of odoriferous, nutritive, sweet, curative, and similar other substances, with clarified butter, in the sacred fire. This Yajna is also called homa, or the Agnihotra.
Pitri Yajna is of two kinds, the tarpan and shraddha. Ministering to the comfort of the wise and learned, the seers into the meaning of the Veda (rishis) and the elders, is called tarpan. And serving the same individuals with love and faith is called shraddha. Such service, it must be remembered, can only be rendered to the living, and not the dead, because of their being no longer in contact with us. This is why the Veda speaks of tarpan and shraddha as institutions for the benefit of the living.
Balivaishva Yajna which consists in feeding the poor and destitute people, as well as animals.
Atithi Yajna, which consists in discharging the obligations of hospitality, especially towards individuals who are wise and learned, whose time of arrival and departure is unknown.

Furthermore, Swamiji taught that Brahma Yajna consists of three things:

Stuti or Glorification of God
Prarthana or Prayer to God
Upaasanaa or Communion with God

As noted earlier, Ashtanga Yoga is, according to Swamiji, the best way to attain Upaasanaa. So, you are definately on the path of Vaidika Dharma. And as we continue to expand the amount of literature available on this forum, hopefully you can get an idea of the other aspects Swamiji taught us as being essential to becoming true Aryans.
_________________
Namaste,

Shishya
ॐ

ॐ सह नावतु । सह तौ भुनक्तु । सह वीर्यं करवावहै । तेजस्वि नावधीतमस्तु मा विद्विषावहै ॥
"Together may we be protected. Together may we be profited. Together may we do a hero's work. May we learn intelligently. May we never hate one another."
-Brihadaranyaka & Taittiriya Upanishads

Devo · Posted: Tue May 30, 2006 12:18 am Post subject:

Namaste Ashtangi,

Welcome to the A.S. Forum!

Hope you enjoy being a part of this forum. We look forward for your contributions.... Wink

My Namaste,
Dev.

Ashtangi · Freshman Member Joined: 27 May 2006 Posts: 23

Namaste, Devo.

Thank you.
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Om Shanti

Ashtangi

Sunita · Arya Ladies Forum Moderator Joined: 24 May 2006 Posts: 567

Namaste Ashtangi,

I am new here but hope i get a chance to know u better.

Welcome to the forum.

Take Care,
Sunita

Ashtangi · Freshman Member Joined: 27 May 2006 Posts: 23

Namaste, Sunita.

I look forward to it.
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Om Shanti

Ashtangi

Devo · Posted: Sun Jun 11, 2006 6:08 am Post subject:

Namaste ji's,

It is a pleasure to be a part of this forum, for one main reason, which this very thread expresses. Once, Shishya made me realise the true meaning of the word 'Arya', that it doesn't matter who you are and where you may have been born, or where you maybe heading, but whoever, whatever and whenever, An arya can be anyone, regardless. Furthurmore, the knowledge of the Holy Vedas, will always be there for whoever, whatever, and whenever.

Swamiji, a humble 'Arya' aimed at creating a global 'Aryavarta', a global brotherhood, with the inspiration, motivation and the knowledge of the four Vedas, and not just for the Indians of Bharat Maa (Mother India).

The currect membership is only five. Nonetheless, we are part of an online 'Aryavarta', which is reflected in this thread, for we are part of a diverse culture, heading in a Noble direction.

Ashtangi, always be proud of who you are, even though you may not be Indian. In the eyes of the Vedas, and through the message of Swamiji, the colour of a person's skin or what not, is of no importance. Certain traits may create an identity for every individual, but an 'Arya' only holds one identity, an aspirant that seeks the knowledge of God, and strives to better one's own self, and that of the world.

Namaste,
Dev.

Ashtangi · Freshman Member Joined: 27 May 2006 Posts: 23

Namaste, Devo.

Thank you again. And I thank everyone here for welcoming a foreigner to this forum. The "you-have-to-Indian-to-be-Hindu" is something I've been hearing for years now.

If that's true, then why am I drawn to the Dharma? Why did I feel something in me the first time I recited the Invocation to Patanjali in Sanskrit? Why do I feel that the rest of the world should treat Bharat Mata like the queen that she is? I thank the Creator for showing me the Arya Samaj path.I only hope that I can bring something valuable to the movement. Thanks again.
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Om Shanti

Ashtangi

Devo · Posted: Sun Jun 11, 2006 7:27 pm Post subject:

Namaste Ashtangi,

You're most welcome. The "you-have-to-Indian-to-be-Hindu" , in my view, is nothing but foolishness and is irrevelvant to being a follower of Dharma.

As an individual you're searching, like all of us, for a truth, of which Swamiji was searching for as well. Rishi Dayanand proposed a truth to all of us based on the teachings of the Holy Vedas, and with logic. The reason you feel connected to Dharma and the Arya Samaj, is because you and I both find peace in that truth, and the wisdom the Vedas hold within it's pages.

Ashtangi, you yourself being a participant in truth, and working towards self-development and the betterment of our world, is the one of most valueable contribution you can make towards the Samaj. In my opinion you have accomplished that.

Namaste,
Dev.

Shishya · Posted: Mon Jul 17, 2006 3:32 am Post subject:

Namaste Ashtangi,

That's a nice new avatar image! Very Happy

_________________
Namaste,

Shishya
ॐ

ॐ सह नावतु । सह तौ भुनक्तु । सह वीर्यं करवावहै । तेजस्वि नावधीतमस्तु मा विद्विषावहै ॥
"Together may we be protected. Together may we be profited. Together may we do a hero's work. May we learn intelligently. May we never hate one another."
-Brihadaranyaka & Taittiriya Upanishads

Ashtangi · Freshman Member Joined: 27 May 2006 Posts: 23

Namaste, Shishya.

Well, since I'm the one here who goes on and on about yoga; I figured I should have an avatar that reflects that. Who better than Patanjali?
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Om Shanti

Ashtangi

Shishya · Posted: Mon Jul 17, 2006 3:40 am Post subject:

Namaste Ashtangi,

Excellent choice! Where did you find that image? It's a very nice one. I have been looking for images like that for some time. Any tips or links?
_________________
Namaste,

Shishya
ॐ

ॐ सह नावतु । सह तौ भुनक्तु । सह वीर्यं करवावहै । तेजस्वि नावधीतमस्तु मा विद्विषावहै ॥
"Together may we be protected. Together may we be profited. Together may we do a hero's work. May we learn intelligently. May we never hate one another."
-Brihadaranyaka & Taittiriya Upanishads

Ashtangi · Freshman Member Joined: 27 May 2006 Posts: 23

Namaste, Shishya.

That avatar came from (ugh!) yoga.com. For more on the sage Patanjali, I recommend http://hrih.net/patanjali/. There's a download section that may be of use to you.
_________________
Om Shanti

Ashtangi

Shishya · Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2006 6:46 am Post subject:

Namaste Ashtangi,

Very nice! Thanks for the link! Wink

_________________
Namaste,

Shishya
ॐ

ॐ सह नावतु । सह तौ भुनक्तु । सह वीर्यं करवावहै । तेजस्वि नावधीतमस्तु मा विद्विषावहै ॥
"Together may we be protected. Together may we be profited. Together may we do a hero's work. May we learn intelligently. May we never hate one another."
-Brihadaranyaka & Taittiriya Upanishads