Mar-Apr 2013 Vol.1.2 TANTRAS ROOTS IN THE

VEDAS ......................... 2

SADHANA ................. 4

CACAO THEOBROMA ... 5

Light of Yoga ADD R ESSI NG T H E N EED S O F YO G A ST U D ENT S AN D

IN DI V ID U AL S FOC U SED O N SP I R IT U ALI T Y AN D GR OW T H.

It is a joy to present this issue of Light of Yoga.

Welcome!!

Welcome to our second issue of Light of

Yoga. In this issue, I examine the roots to

Tantra within the Vedas. Durga from Flor-

ida examines lessons she has learned with

sadhana. And Daya Mata from Canada

shares with us an interesting recipe using

the “Food of the Gods.” We also share one

of my favorite recipes for vegetable stir-

fry; and, of course, we have the latest

online events listed so you can expand and

deepen your knowledge and understanding

of what yoga truly is. In our second issue

we are already expanding the newsletter.

In upcoming issues, we hope to include

more writers that have studied with me for

many years and will provide powerful in-

sight into yoga and its true essence. While

there are numerous challenges facing hu-

manity at the present, I am pleased that we

can spend this sacred time immersed in the

study of and ultimately the realization of

our true selves.

Wisdom from the tradition.

Karma is so fundamental to our world, cause and effect is even studied in most areas of

science. It appears within chemistry, physical therapy, medicine etc. Think about your life,

so often you will see a beautiful play of cause and effect, and when one considers additional

lifetimes and the principle of cause and effect, the play becomes profound. Karma comes

from the Sanskrit root “Kri” meaning ‘to work’. Karma is not our curse, it is not a devil,

rather it an opportunity to resolve undigested experience within lifetimes.

Yogi Baba Prem performing a yogic fire ceremony.

Tantric roots in the Vedas By Yogi Baba Prem Yogi Baba Prem explores that Tantric concepts

are actually based on the Vedic teachings..

While the Tantric system has

often been viewed as a later

development within the

greater field of Hinduism; a

deeper study reveals that the

roots to Tantric teachings

exists within the Vedas them-

selves. Tantric teachings are

based in and as old as the

Vedas itself, representing

another side of the Vedic

approach.

It is not realistic to expect the

Vedas to contain the entire

teachings of the Vedic period,

but rather as Samhitas they

contain the Shrutti or revela-

tions that were given during

deep meditation. This point

cannot be argued, but it is

important to note that there

were different schools of

Vedic thought and teaching.

According to Panini in the

Mahabhasya, there were

about 100 different schools of

thought pertaining to the Ya-

jur Veda. While this can be

seen as a weakness, it is in

reality the strength of Hindu-

ism. By the acceptance of

different schools of thought a

comprehensive system of

thought and teaching is pre-

PATANJALI AND GOD

By Yogi Baba Prem

Yogi Baba Prem has just re-

leased a new book Patanjali

and God. In this important

book, he debunks numerous

myths regarding Patanjali and

the tradition he taught. He

also reveals secret associa-

tions with Divinity that is hid-

den within the Yoga Sutras

of Patanjali. This book is

over 50 pages and is avail-

able as an ebook only. The

cost is only $4.95

Order your copy at:

www.vedicpath.com

served. While very few

schools of thought are pre-

served today, each one still

retains its relevance, impor-

tance, and contribution.

Many westerns scholars,

made the mistake of assum-

ing that Yaska and particu-

larly Sayana were the final

authorities on Vedic sub-

jects. But in reality, Yaska

and Sayana offered only one

of many interpretations of

the Vedas. Possibly all of

the schools were correct in

their Vedic approach and

interpretation. This broader

view makes the Vedas the

most powerful and impor-

tant teaching within human-

ity.

While scholars have often

viewed the Vedas as primar-

ily masculine, the feminine

is represented by the San-

skrit letters themselves.

There are many Vedic God-

desses like Ila, Ushas, Aditi,

and Sarasvati to name just a

few. But most importantly

and often overlooked is

Apas. While apas is viewed

as the primordial waters, it

is often given a neuter posi-

tion within the Sanskrit lan-

guage. But within the

Shatapatha Brahmana

(II.1.1.13), it clearly states

that “[the] waters [apo] are

female, Agni is male. This

message is repeated in

II.1.1.14. In this context

the waters (apas) serve as

the shakti of agni, or at a

minimum the flow and

movement of agni. Within

the ritualistic teachings of

the Yajur Veda, this rela-

tionship between the wa-

ters and Agni is very im-

portant. On the inner level,

the same teaching is re-

flected within the Rig Veda

as the destruction of Vrtra,

and the releasing of the

waters. Apas has a verbal

root of ap, which means ‘to

obtain’. The releasing of

the waters is the obtaining

or acquiring the realization

or experience of Agni.

This is reflected through

the Tantric practice of

merging the masculine and

feminine principles to-

gether.

Within the Shatapatha

Brahmana (I.1), it is stated

that svaha is the feminine

form of Agni, or more cor-

rectly the opposite polarity

in the Vedic ritual. This is

why Vedic fire rituals often

contain the word svaha as

the offering is being made.

This is certainly true with

the Agnihotra ceremony.

Svaha personified is the

wife of Agni, the fire ritual

cannot be complete without

Tantric roots continued.

recognized for his work.

this male/female polarity being

present. She also represents the

spoken offering as well as the

ashes, the transformed matter at

the end of the fire ceremony.

Again she is the shakti of Agni

on the inner and the outer level

of our being.

The word svaha comes from

two words: 1) ‘su’ meaning to

move or go, to press out, but

more correctly to enliven, im-

pel, or generate. 2) ‘aha’ mean-

ing to say, speak. Together they

enliven speech, generate

through speech, or are using

speech to impel. It can also

mean to press out through

speech. What is important is

that the Tantric concept of male/

female energies is present.

Within the Vedic Vedi, or fire

pit, the same concept is present.

We see the fire pit symbolically

representing the female energy

and the offering of ghee or other

materials as the masculine prin-

ciple. This foundational Vedic

teaching is another example of

the Vedic representation of Tan-

tric principles.

Some temples within India ex-

hibit male and female deities in

a physical (sexual) embrace, on

the outer walls, while this does

not literally refer to sexual Tan-

tra as is often assumed, it again

conveys the importance of the

Vedic and Tantric teaching of

male and female balancing prin-

ciples. This principle manifests

even on the grossest level of

manifestation as the female

genitalia forming the shape of a

flame.

Clearly it can be seen that nu-

merous Tantric principles are

rooted from the Vedic teach-

ings. Even the left handed or

sexual path of Tantra is rooted

within Vedic principles. Re-

grettably the sexual aspect of

the left-handed path receives the

most focus and the deep spiri-

tual principles often become

obscured.

But do the Tantras refer directly

to any of the Vedic deities? The

answer is YES!

Paramananda Tantra 11.35

Surya, Agni and Soma are men-

tioned.

Gautamiya Tantra men-

tioned Antar yajna.

The Shaktisangamatantra

mentioned Indra, Chandra, and

Manu.

The Agamas continue or

contain the symbolism of the

Vedas.

The Mahanirvanatantra

alludes that the agama approach

is in harmony with the Vedas.

The Tantras did teach Antar

Yajna, a Vedic principle.

Do more modern sages support

this belief and link between

Tantra and Vedic teachings, the

answer is YES.

Sri Aurobindo discussed

the connection between the Tan-

tras and Vedas.

T.V. Kapali Shastry also

believed that there was a con-

nection between Tantric tradi-

tion and the Vedas. Though he

acknowledged that they ap-

proached the teachings differ-

ently. He did believe that they

supported the authority of the

Vedas.

Swami Vivekananda sup-

ported a connection between the

Vedas and Tantras.

Sri Ramana Maharshi re-

ferred to Brahman, terms such

as tat tvam asi. He also men-

tioned that he the techniques of

Tantra were good for purifying

the mind. He actually agreed

that most yoga techniques were

good for purifying the mind.

Ganapati Muni (Ramana’s

disciple) wrote on the connec-

tion between the Vedas and

Tantra.

In more modern times, this

work has been continued by

Pandit Vamadeva Shastri

(David Frawley) especially in

his book Tantra Yoga and the

Wisdom Goddesses.

The change in deities within the

Tantric system is not in conflict

with Vedic teachings, but is

more likely a later transition of

teachings, just as the Puranas

are a later modification and/or

continuation of the original

Vedic teachings. Looking

within the Vedas as revelation,

one can clearly see that most

systems of India are rooted

within the Vedic teachings and

are included within the Tantric

system.

Sources, references and suggested read-

ing:

Rg Veda Yajur Veda

Taittiriya Samhita of the Krishna Yajur Veda

Shatapatha Brahmana (Kanva)

Paamananda Tantra

Gautamiya Tantra

Shaktisangamatantra

“Tantra Yoga and the wisdom god-

desses” by David Frawley (Pandit

Vamadeva Shastri) published by Pas-

sage Press 1994

AgamaKosha Vol. 5 Prof S.K.

Ramachandra Rao

Sadhana and the

Beginning Spiritual Aspirant

By Durga

Durga examines her personal journey with Sad-

hana. .

“Sadhana!, Sad-

hana!, Sadhana!” the

teacher would say over

and over. “Doing your

Sadhana every day is the

most important thing that

you can do. Sadhana is the

only thing that is always

there for you”. From the

words spoken and the tone

of voice used to convey

them, it was abundantly

clear that Sadhana was of

great importance in spiri-

tual development. I heard

the words spoken but I

didn’t understand how a

yoga and meditation set

could be so powerful and

deserving of so much at-

tention.

Sadhana is a daily

spiritual practice. It is

probably true to say that

when the average West-

erner begins a Sadhana it

is viewed much like a

daily exercise routine.

Something that they know

is good for them, they are

fairly consistent with in

the beginning, then after a

short time, they start to

miss a day here and there,

which then somehow turns

into a month or longer

lapse and oftentimes be-

comes a dim memory of a

practice that they once did.

This is the predicament of

the beginner. The value of

Sadhana is not easily

grasped by the beginning

spiritual aspirant. The

teacher’s

words are

heard but not

compre-

hended.

Worldly de-

sires (kama)

often clash

with the discipline needed

to perform a daily prac-

tice. This is where trust

(shraddah) comes in; trust

in the teacher, trust in the

process, taking a leap of

faith and committing to a

daily spiritual practice

because despite the fact

that there is not a tangible

goal, you know that some-

how this is bigger than

you.

In the beginning

Sadhana feels like some-

thing that you are sup-

posed to do. Your teacher

said this is important, so

you do it. The alarm goes

off in the morning; more

than anything you would

like to go back to sleep

but this is the time you

have committed for your

daily spiritual practice so

you drag your body out of

bed and go through the

mechanizations of your

Sadhana. During this time,

it is easy to become dis-

tracted, the bond with

Sadhana has not formed

and it is more of a duty

(dharma) than an act of

devotion (bhakti). This is

the testing ground for the

aspirant. Do they have the

will (iccha), discipline,

and desire to be

able to move

beyond their

current level of

consciousness?

Somewhere

along the way,

I’m not sure

when it happened, I don’t

know if it was at 6

months, or 9 months, or a

year, my Sadhana became

a part of who I am. I can’t

imagine beginning my day

without first doing my

Sadhana. Each day is

planned around allowing

time for my spiritual prac-

tice. There have been oc-

casions when I have got-

ten up at 3am to accom-

plish this, it is no longer a

chore but a vital part of

my life, it connects me

with my greater Self. It

has taught me trust and

devotion (bhakti). The

sound of my teacher’s

voice still echoes in my

head, “Sadhana!, Sad-

hana!, Sadhana!” Who

knew how important a

word could be?

“Sadhana is a daily

spiritual practice.”

YOGI BABA PREM

recognized for his work.

Yogi Baba Prem was recog-

nized for his defense of

Dharma and Hinduism in the

book, “A Tribute to Hinduism”

published in India.

Many of Yogi Baba Prems

student’s do not realize that

he spends considerable time

writing about events that af-

fect India and Hinduism in

general. In India, he is much

more known for these writings

and his writings on the Vedas.

Most notably were his writings

against aggressive conver-

sions in India and for the

preservation of yoga within

the traditions of Hinduism.

In the book, “A Tribute to Hin-

duism” He was included with

modern scholars, saints and

scholars over the past hun-

dred years that have worked

for the preservation of the

teachings.

Cacao Theobroma,

Give yourself a love offering

By Daya Mata

Daya Mata examines the

Food of the Gods!

Often referred to as “The

Food of the Gods” or “Heart

Blood”, cacao is considered

extremely high in antioxi-

dants, a premier source of

magnesium, high in vitamin

C, an excellent hormone bal-

ancer, mood stabilizer, laxa-

tive, bone building, muscle

relaxing, calms menstruation,

decreases appetite, increases

energy. Allow your rasa to

explore the exotic taste of

raw, organic medicinal hand-

made chocolate!

Chocolate comes from the

seeds/nuts of the cacao bean,

from an indigenous jungle

fruit tree. In history, cacao

beans were used instead of

gold as money by the May-

ans and Aztecs. This jungle

tree is in season all the time,

so if you follow eating with

the seasons, you can eat

chocolate all the time! In it’s

natural habitat, the fruit pod

can take 5-6 months to ripen

and can be 7-8 inches in

length.

Our present condition on

earth contributes to low mag-

nesium, some researchers

report a chronic deficiency in

magnesium. Our brain needs

magnesium to build the pro-

tective myelin sheaths that

insulate the nerve fibers that

network our nervous system.

Chocolate is mineral rich.

Our heart requires 2 minerals

more than any other, magne-

sium and potassium. Cacao is

heart supporting due to the

high levels of magnesium.

Heart problems can be looked

at from a mineral viewpoint,

and when the primary min-

eral is missing (magnesium)

the heart will pump less ef-

fectively. Magnesium is con-

centrated 18 times greater in

the heart muscle than in the

blood stream, it increases the

vitality of the heart.

Chocolate an anupana?

Chocolate dilates the capillar-

ies, absorbing deeper into the

tissues whatever you eat or

drink with chocolate. Consid-

ered one of the highest deliv-

erers of medicine through food

in the world.

For the love of your brain and

heart, consume raw choco-

late. One can get very crea-

tive in offering a yoga class

paired with chocolate tasting

based on deeper experience

of asanas, meditations and

mantras combined with

knowledge of the nutritional

value of chocolate and the

alchemy of superfoods and

herbs.

A Simple Recipe for Hand-

made Raw Chocolate

(melted in double broiler)

1 cup Cacao butter and or

Coconut oil

1/2 -1 cup or more Cacao

Powder

1/4 cup sweetener like agave,

honey or maple syrup

1 t rose powder

1/2 - 1 vanilla bean, scraped

out, or 1t vanilla powder

Mix together. Pour into

molds or cookie sheet. Set in

fridge or freezer.

DAYA MATA PROGRAM

To inquire or register visit

www.harmonyhealthalberta.ca or contact

Lacie@harmonyhealthalberta.ca

May 4 - 11, 2012

Bliss In Bimini

49 nautical miles from Mi-ami, Bimini is perched at the edge of the Great Bahama Bank, overlooking the aqua blue abyss rich in tropical fish.

Discover the clarity in the relationship of love and fear through Wild Dolphin Swims on a glass bottom boat. Feel freedom to initi-ate visions and dreams, a progression of harmony anchored in breath through an intense yoga practice. Nourish your connection to the great sea of awareness. Snorkel shallow waters in the fabled Lost City of At-lantis. Bathe in the rich minerals of The Healing Hole. An abundance of vor-texes at the edge of the

Upcoming Online Events.

For the latest information on workshops visit

www.vedicpath.com

March Online Sangha

Thursdays, March 7th, 13th

and 21st

7:00 pm (GMT -5:00) to

8:00 pm

Yogi Baba Prem continues

his online Sanghas for

2013. These programs will

include a brief lecture and a

variety of meditation tech-

niques.

Investment: $90.00

You do not have to attend

these live.

Shukla Panchami

Saturday March 16th

7:00 pm (GMT -5:00) to

8:00 pm

This will be the first time

Yogi Baba Prem has offered

a public Shukla Panchami

program to the public. This

program will focus on the

gentle form of the Goddess

and specific planets associ-

ated with this auspicious

date. This is an excellent

time to project and connect

with the energies of spiritual

prosperity, knowledge and

inspiration. This program

will primarily focus on man-

tra and meditation.

Investment: $30.00

Spring Equinox

Wednesday, March 20th

7:00 pm (GMT -5:00) to

8:00 pm

Equinox is a special event

that happens only twice a

year. It is an excellent time

to immerse oneself in the

spiritual energies of the cos-

mos. Yogi Baba Prem will

also teach the specific Vedic

deities associated with cy-

cle. In addition, as this is

occurring under a difficult

lunar mansion, Yogi Baba

Prem will include a mantra

to try and reduce the chal-

lenging energies associated

with this lunar man-

sion. This program will fo-

cus on mantra and medita-

tion.

It is best to attend this pro-

gram live, but if necessary a

recorded program may be

available

Investment: $30.00

Navaratri

April 11th -19th

Join us for our special

Navartri program. This pro-

gram will be different from

our Fall Navaratri Program,

and will include a Navaratri

program that Yogi Baba

Prem has not taught in sev-

eral years.

Navaratri is an excellent time

to access Divine energies of

the Goddess to transform

ones consciousness. To ele-

vate and expand ones aware-

ness over the course of their

life.

Due to student's taking this

program around the world,

the exact dates will vary

slightly due to lunar calen-

dar. Likewise, this program

will be recorded and a link

sent to watch the specific

recording on the specific day

for your personal schedule.

This program will also in-

clude a package mailed to

you that will include items

beneficial for your Navaratri

program. This will be avail-

able to all student's that reg-

ister early, as the date for the

event comes closer it is not

possible to mail the items in

time for their arrival. A

schedule for your area will

also be sent to you as well.

Investment: $350.00

(includes items and mailing)

Cost is estimated and will be

confirmed soon.

To Register for programs, please

visit www.vedicpath.com and

click on workshops.

TECHNIQUES Wellness in the Kitchen

One of Yogi Baba Prem’s

personal Stir Fry recipes.

Ingredients:

1 Portobello mushroom.

6-9 Stalks of Asparagus.

¼ - ½ inch slice from a me-

dium to large onion.

3 thin slices of ginger.

1 clove of garlic.

1 tablespoon of ghee.

1 Cup of Bhasmati Rice.

(prepare rice as normal)

Heat pan for stir fry to about

425.

Have all ingredients chopped

and mixed together. The

garlic and ginger should be

chopped into very small

pieces. The onion can be

chopped to the desired size,

but should be rather small as

well. Note that the larger the

onion, ginger and garlic

pieces are the stronger their

taste.

Put one tablespoon of ghee

into wok, once hot, pour in

all the other items and stir

frequently for 1-2 minutes,

cover and regularly stir for

approximately 5 minutes.

Serve as is or over a serving

of Bhasmati rice. Take a

teaspoon of ghee and drip

over the vegetables and rice.

Serve hot!

Jyotish: Vedic As-trology

Vedic astrology is an important part of living a

yogic lifestyle.

During the winter months, it is

Within the Vedic traditions,

understanding ones karmas is

an important area of study. It

is important for all students of

spirituality. A powerful tool for

understanding ones karmas

can be as simple as looking

at cycles that repeat over and

over within ones life. For

those that wish to understand

these cycles more deeply,

understanding their Vedic

astrological chart is quite

important. As the stars and

heavens are a snapshot of

the karmic

energies and

their flow at

your birth.

This snapshot

can provide

powerful in-

sight into the

lessons, opportunities and

challenges that may try and

manifest within ones life.

But one of the most powerful

tools are mapping strategies

to try and modify these

karmas, after all, this is the

reason we incarnate in the

first place. Many students do

not realize that

this requires going

beyond the initial

astrological read-

ing; in fact it can

take several read-

ings to cover the

basics of ones

chart.

If spirituality is important to

you, then at some point one

should explore the astrologi-

cal information from the

Vedic tradition.

Our fate and destiny is

written in the stars.

ASTROLOGY: Fundamentals are important

to yoga.

The Vedic chart provides im-

portant insight into one’s

karmas and lessons in this

lifetime. It can be used as a

map and to create strategies

to address ones lessons and

karmas. If you have not had

your initial reading, for a lim-

ited time Yogi Baba Prem is

offering a discount for initial

readings. Good only for

March. Contact us today for

information:

universalyoga@cfl.rr.com

Light of Yoga is a bimonthly publication provided by The Universal

Yoga Inc. www.vedicpath.com

Yogi Baba Prem, Founder and Director.

All articles are the opinions of the author and not necessarily those of the

Universal Yoga or its editors. This publication is to share the teachings of

Yogi Baba Prem and the greater tradition of Vedic Yoga. No information

in this newsletter is intended to diagnose or suggest treatment for any ill-

ness. Consult with your doctor before beginning anything discussed in

this newsletter. This newsletter is for educational purposes only pertaining

to Vedic tradition. Not all programs are affiliated with Universal Yoga or

endorsed by Universal Yoga Inc. Copyright 2013. All Rights reserved.