Right: Sri Paramahamsa Yogananda & Sri Yukteshwar Giri :Left

Rarely in a lifetime does a new spiritual classic appear that has the power to change people's lives and transform future generations. This is such a book.

The Essence of the Bhagavad Gita Explained by Paramhansa Yogananda shares the profound insights of Yogananda, author of Autobiography of a Yogi, as remembered by one of his close and direct disciples, Swami Kriyananda.

This revelation of India's best-loved scripture approaches it from an entirely fresh perspective, showing its deep allegorical meaning and also its down-to-earth practicality. The themes presented are universal, including: how to achieve victory in life in union with the divine; how to prepare for life's "final exam," death, and what happens afterward; and how to triumph over all pain and suffering.



The Bhagavad Gita - According to Paramhansa Yogananda

Link

Bhagavad Gita

Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 6, Verse 11

शुचौ देशे प्रतिष्ठाप्य स्थिरमासनमात्मन: |

नात्युच्छ्रितं नातिनीचं चैलाजिनकुशोत्तरम्

śhuchau deśhe pratiṣhṭhāpya sthiram āsanam ātmanaḥ

nātyuchchhritaṁ nāti-nīchaṁ chailājina-kuśhottaram

śhuchau—in a clean; deśhe—place; pratiṣhṭhāpya—having established; sthiram—steadfast; āsanam—seat; ātmanaḥ—his own; na—not; ati—too; uchchhritam—high; na—not; ati—too; nīcham—low; chaila—cloth; ajina—a deerskin; kuśha—Kuśh grass; uttaram—one over the other.

Translation:

BG 6.11

To practice Yog, one should make an āsan (seat) in a sanctified place, by placing Kuśh grass, deer skin, and a cloth, one over the other. The āsan should be neither too high nor too low.

Commentary

Shree Krishna explains in this verse the external practice for sādhanā. Śhuchau deśhe means a pure or sanctified place. In the initial stages, the external environment does impact the mind. In later stages of sādhanā, one is able to achieve internal purity even in dirty and unclean places. But for neophytes, clean surroundings help in keeping the mind clean as well. A mat of Kuśh grass provides temperature insulation from the ground, akin to the yoga mats of today. The deer skin atop it deters poisonous pests like snakes and scorpions from approaching while one is absorbed in meditation. If the āsan is too high, there is the risk of falling off; if the āsan is too low, there is danger of disturbance from insects on the ground. Some instructions regarding external seating given in this verse may be somewhat anachronous to modern times, in which case the spirit of the instruction is to be absorbed in the thought of God, while the instructions for the internal practice remain the same.

How to Meditate

Preparing a Space for Meditation

Find a quiet, peaceful place where you can be secluded and undisturbed during meditation. Create your own sanctuary exclusively for your meditation practice.

Sit on a straight chair or cross legged on a firm surface — cover that with a woollen blanket and/or a silk cloth. This insulates your seat from the downward pull of subtle earth currents.

Correct Posture

Instructions on Posture for Effective Meditation:

Erect Spine: One of the first requisites for meditation is correct posture. The spine should be erect. When the devotee is seeking to direct his mind and life force upward through the cerebrospinal axis to the centres of higher consciousness in the brain, he should avoid stricture or pinching of the spinal nerves caused by improper posture.

Sit on a Straight Armless Chair Those persons whose legs are supple may prefer to meditate sitting cross-legged on a meditation cushion or meditation bench on the floor, or armless chair.

However,

Paramahansa Yogananda recommended the following meditation pose: Sit on a Deer Skin with Silk Cloth Over it / or Sit on a Wool Blanket or Wool Mat Wrapped with Silk - ( Satin - Silk ) it effectively isolates the earth’s magnetism, assisting in an unbounded cosmic experience.

During meditation, the energy flows upwards towards the crown, and deer skin acts to insulate against the downward pull of the earth’s energy field, on a straight armless chair with the feet resting flat on the floor. Hold spine erect, abdomen in, chest out, shoulders back, chin parallel to the ground. The hands, with palms upturned, should rest on the legs at the juncture of the thighs and the abdominal region to prevent the body from bending forward.

If the correct posture has been assumed, the body will be stable yet relaxed, so that it is easily possible to remain completely still, without moving a muscle.

Now, close your eyes and gently lift your gaze upward, without straining, to the point between the eyebrows — the seat of concentration, and of the spiritual eye of divine perception.

Meditation should ordinarily be practised in a sitting position. Obviously, in a standing posture (unless one is advanced) he may fall down when the mind becomes interiorized. Neither should the yogi meditate lying down, for he might resort to the “practised” state of slumber.

“The proper bodily posture, one which produces calmness in body and mind, is necessary to help the yogi shift his mind from matter to Spirit.”
—

Paramahansa Yogananda, - God Talks With Arjuna: The Bhagavad Gita.

MEDITATING ON DEER SKIN

Why the Yogis and Rishis meditated or sat on deer skin:

Deer skin offers a soft and cushioning experience, which supports a more comfortable meditation.

It is said that the deer skin prevented unwanted intruders such as ants, snakes, insects and scorpions from crawling on its surface and harming the meditating yogis.

Deer skin effectively isolates the earth’s magnetism, assisting in an unbounded cosmic experience.

During meditation, the energy flows upwards towards the crown, and deer skin acts to insulate against the downward pull of the earth’s energy field.

The deer skin in its natural form (tanning it with natural substances) still has Prana (life-force) in it, which influences the meditator who sits on it.

Deer skin effectively isolates the earth’s magnetism, assisting in an unbounded cosmic experience.

Deer is a Sattvic (pure) animal.

Deers are herbivores or vegetarian. They are also very gentle (sattvic) creatures. The energy which is stored in their skin is considered pure and sattvic, unlike other animal skins which may transmit impurities or bad energies to those who sit upon them.

The deer skin is believed to enhance the solitary tranquility and awareness required by a a meditator or yogi who intends to go very deep (recluse / sanyasi type of people) as they absorb the pure sattvic energy as they sit.

You may have seen Yogis or Rishis sitting on tiger skin. This was more commonly used in invoking the wrathful aspects of consciousness or deities, and denotes rajas (stimulating and dynamic energy) rather than sattva.

Tiger skin is more powerful than deer skin, but is only to be used by yogis with great mastery over their passions or lust (kama) and anger (krodha).

The relationship between Deer and the Mind

Deer represent the fickle nature (chamchalatī – चंचलता) of the mind.

Just as the deer wanders around elusively and is hard to catch, so is the mind. It is always wandering and it is challenging to stabilise a coherent composure with self-mastery over the mind.

This is why it is difficult for people to initiate into meditation or find extended periods of deep meditation challenging (8+ hours/day, usually relevant for reclusive ascetics / “Sanyasis”.).

This is why the texts conveying Lord Śiva (the destruction operator) sitting on Deer skin or holding a Deer in his hands represent the mastery a yogi can have over his mind.

Even in Buddhism, deer or antelope skins serve as meditation seats (asanas) for Buddhist yogis.

Lord Shiva holding a deer in one of his hands & Uma/Parvati sitting next to him

The Bhagavad Gita (a spiritual story and the most commentated text in the world) especially mentions deer skin for the purpose of a asana (seat) inverse (6.11):

“In a clean place, having established a firm seat of his own, neither very high nor very low, covered with cloth, deer skin and kusa grass…”

Deer Skin Absorbs Shakti (Divine Energy)

The skin absorbs some of the extra shakti generated during practice and becomes a valuable and nourishing aid each time you sit on it.

This is why people value the seats or cloths that gurus sit on, or the malas (necklaces) that they wear, because it absorbs their potent shakti.

Meditation Tools now available for purchase:

( Takes about 7 - 14 days to make after order has been placed and payment has reflected ) standard postage / courier 3 - 5 working days. ) All items are hand made so there may be slight differences in colour and stitch. Each item is unique and one of a kind.







Woolen Hand Knitted Meditaion Mat with Satin - Silk wrapped meditation āsan - yoga mat ( with Gold border / braiding. ) *R3000* 2 Meters x 1 Meter



Woollen Hand Knitted Meditation Mat / Yoga Mat ( Size: 2 Meters x 1 Meter )



Woollen Hand Knitted Meditation Mat / Meditation āsan / Yoga Mat wrapped in Satin Silk No Gold Braiding - Plain ( Size: 2 Meters x 1 Meter )*R1800* 2 Meters x 1 Meter





Woolen Hand Knitted Meditaion Mat - Chair Blanket with Satin - Silk wrapped meditation āsan - yoga mat ( with Gold border / braiding. ) *R3000* 2 Meters x 1 Meter

Meditation Bench



Meditation Bench:

Meditation Bench

Dimensions: Meditation Bench: ( SOLID PINE WOOD )



Legs: 15.24cm front and 18.41cm back

Bench Top: 17.76cm x 45.11cm

*R750*



Meditation OM Board / Meditation T- Bar / Meditation Arm Rest



Meditation OM Board / Meditation T- Bar / Meditation Arm Rest





Meditation T- Bar / Meditation Om - Aum Board:

Dimensions: Meditation T- Bar / Meditation Om - Aum Board: ( SOLID PINE WOOD )

Top T. Elbow Rest - Horizontal Arm: 85cm (std length)

Bottom Vertical Leg: ( please hold elbows horizontal and measure from bottom of elbow down to the ground - give measurement in cm when placing your order ) all items are hand made, custom made to fit your measurements.
*R450*

Other Items Coming Soon!!!

Meditation Bench / Foldable:
*R850*

Meditation T- Bar / Meditation Om - Aum Board / Foldable:
*R600*
Meditation cushion round:
*R550*

Meditation cushion crescent:
*R500*

Cost: Without Courier. Pick up Available ( Cape Town, South Africa. )

Images btm: Yogis Sitting on Animal Skins

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