KIRAN ATMA

Hinduism - Who Was Begampura?

Ravidas, the poet-saint, named a fictional city(?) after one of his poems (ca. 1500).

The term begam may be translated as "queen" or "painless."

The city is depicted in the poem as an idealistic realm free of the hardships of everyday life, such as pain, grief, taxation, wrongdoing, and, to a lesser degree, social differences.

Despite the fact that Ravidas was born a tanner (chamar), a despised profession, this is one of his few poems that addresses societal problems, although indirectly.

You may also want to read more about Hinduism here.

Be sure to check out my writings on religion here.

Hinduism - Who Was Baudhayana?

Baudhayana (6th–3rd century B.C.E.) was a Wise Man, a Writer, and a Commentator.

One of the three surviving religious scriptures known as the Kalpa Sutras is written by Baudhayana.

The other two Kalpa Sutras were written by Apastamba and Hiranyakeshin.

The three components required for a Kalpa Sutra are

prescriptions for Vedic rituals (Shrauta Sutras),
prescriptions for household rites (Grhya Sutras),
and prescriptions for proper human conduct (Grhya Sutras) in each of the extant works (Dharma Sutras).

All three writers belonged to the same school of the Black Yajur Veda, the Taittiriya school.

Baudhayana was the eldest, Apastamba was his student, and Hiranyakeshin was Apastamba's disciple, according to legend.

Because Baudhayana's work is considerably less structured than the others, his vocabulary is more archaic, and he is frequently less rigid in his views, the texts themselves corroborate this relative chronology.

His writings take on more significance as a source for his successors.

You may also want to read more about Hinduism here.

Be sure to check out my writings on religion here.

Hinduism - Where Is Mohenjo-Daro, Bath?

One of the most impressive buildings found at Mohenjo-Daro, the Indus Valley civilization's first metropolis.

This bath is an oblong pool that measures 39 by 23 feet and is eight feet deep.

It's made of brick and covered with pitch.

The tank was encircled on all four sides by tiny chambers that looked like changing rooms and could be drained via an entrance in one corner.

The Indus Valley towns placed a high value on plumbing, cleanliness, and sewers, implying that bathing (snana) was associated with ceremonial purity, as it is in contemporary Hindu culture.

With this in mind, the bath was most likely not a bathing pool, but rather had a deeper religious significance.

Walter Ashlin Fairservis, The Roots of Ancient India, 1975, is a good source of knowledge.

You may also want to read more about Hinduism here.

Be sure to check out my writings on religion here.

Yoga Asanas For Stress Relief - Prasarita Padottanasana - Intense Leg Stretch

Prasarita means "stretched out" or "spread out" in Sanskrit, while pada means "leg" or "foot" in Sanskrit.

This asana provides your legs a good stretch.

In this position, the body is inverted and the head is resting on the floor, a block, or a bolster.

This calming and restorative asana is typically done immediately before Salamba Sirsasana at the conclusion of the standing posture cycle.

BENEFITS

• Soothes the brain and sympathetic nervous system
• Energizes the heart and lungs
• Lowers blood pressure
• Relieves stress-related headaches, migraines, and fatigue
• Tone the abdominal organs
• Relieves stomachache by neutralizing acidity
• Relieves lower backache

PRECAUTIONS

This asana should not be held for more than one minute, particularly if you are a novice.

To prevent dizziness, slowly exit the position if you have low blood pressure.

While doing this position, do not tilt your head or squeeze your neck.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Tadasana means "to stand" in Sanskrit.

Place your hands on your hips, thumbs on the back and fingers on the front, with your thumbs on the back and fingers on the front.

Take a deep breath and stretch your feet 1.2 meters (4 feet) apart.

Your toes should point forward and your feet should be parallel to each other.

Your feet's outside borders should be pressed on the floor.

Maintain a straight back.

2. Lift both kneecaps as you exhale.

Bring your torso down to the floor by bending forward and stretching your spine.

As you bend, look up to make sure your back is concave.

Remove both hands from your hips and place them on the ground.

With your fingers stretched out, place your hands flat on the floor.

3. Keep your hands flat on the floor while flexing your elbows.

Place the top of your head between your hands on the floor.

Draw your abdomen in and push your sternum forward.

Reduce the strain on your head by moving your thighbones and groin back.

Hold the position for one minute.

VARIATION 1 - HEAD ON BOLSTER

PROPS - A BOLSTER.

Assists individuals with stiff lower backs in achieving the final posture more efficiently and without effort.

INSTRUCTIONS

Place a bolster on the floor between your feet with the flat end facing you.

Steps 1, 2, and 3 of the primary asana should be followed.

Place your crown in the center of the bolster as you bend towards the floor.

Maintain a relaxed head and neck.

Shift your weight to your heels at this point.

For 1 minute, stay in this position.

VARIATION 2- HEAD ON BLOCK

PROPS - A WOODEN BLOCK.

Will assist you if you have a stiff spine and find it difficult to put your head on the floor.

Continue to use the block until your spine and back muscles are more flexible.

Variations 1 and 2 are more advanced variations.

INSTRUCTIONS

Place a wooden block on the floor in front of your feet, on its wide side.

Steps 1, 2, and 3 of the primary asana should be followed.

Place the top of your head on the block by bending forward.

For 1 minute, stay in this position.

You may also want to try out some more Yoga Asanas For Stress Relief Here.

You may also want to read more about Yoga here.

You may also want to read more about Yoga Asanas and Exercises here.

Yoga Asanas For Stress Relief - Adhomukha Svanasana - Downward Facing Dog Stretch

This inverted stretch increases the overall fitness of the body by bringing new blood to the heart and lungs.

In Sanskrit, adhomukha means "facing down," while svan means "dog."

This position and its variants are gentler versions of the classic stance, allowing for a greater stretch of the limbs and a relaxing and soothing effect on the mind.

PROPS - A WALL AND THREE WOODEN BLOCKS.

Two blocks against the wall provide support for the hands, extend the arms, and relieve shoulder joint tension.

The third block aids in achieving the ultimate posture for individuals with tight backs.

BENEFITS

• Assists in the development of self-confidence.
• Headaches and hypertension are relieved.
• Aids in the relaxation and rejuvenation of the heart.
• Reduces the sensation of being "heavy-headed" that comes with menopause.
• Helps to alleviate sadness and anxiety by toning and relaxing the nervous system.
• Treats shortness of breath, palpitations, severe exhaustion, and sunstroke.
• Helps to keep blood pressure and heart rate in check.
• Assists in the relief of persistent constipation, indigestion, and bile overproduction.
• Assists in the relief of arthritis in the shoulders, wrists, and fingers.
• Helps to relieve lower back pain.
• Improves joint flexibility in the hip, knee, and ankle.
• Leg ligaments and tendons are strengthened.
• Strengthens the arches of the foot and avoids calcaneal spurs by preventing injury to the cartilage of the knee or hamstring muscles caused by running, walking, and other activities.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Kneel in front of a wall approximately 1 meter (3.5 feet) away.

Place two of the blocks against the wall, shoulder-width apart, on their wide sides.

Place the third block 45cm (18in) away from the wall on its long side.

Set a 45cm space between your feet (18in).

Place your hands against the wall on the two blocks.

2. Place your palms on the blocks and step backwards until your feet are 1.2m (4ft) from your hands.

Make sure your feet are parallel to your hands and that they are the same distance apart.

Raise both heels to the ceiling, extend your legs, and then drop your heels to the ground.

Fully extend your arms.

3. Stretch each leg from the heel to the buttocks, as well as from the front of the ankle to the top of the thigh.

Raise your buttocks, extend your chest, and reach for your hands with your sternum.

Take a deep breath out, then lay your head on the third block.

Extend your arms completely and press your hands down on the blocks.

Extend your chest and stretch your spine.

Maintain a smooth and long throat.

Keep your eyes closed and your mind at ease.

VARIATION 1 - HANDS AGAINST A WALL.

PROPS - A WALL AND A WOODEN BLOCK.

Placing the fingers on the wall supports the shoulders and reduces shoulder joint strain.

BENEFITS.

Aids in the relief of shoulder, elbow, wrist, and finger arthritis.

PRECAUTIONS.

Do not do this asana if you are experiencing diarrhoea.

This asana should be avoided by rheumatoid arthritis patients who have a fever.

If you have a stiff spine, high blood pressure, or are prone to recurring headaches or varicose veins, do all of these variations with a block under your head.

The final posture should not be held for more than 30 seconds by beginners.

Gradually extend the pose's duration to 1 minute.

INSTRUCTIONS.

Steps 1 and 2 of the major asana should be followed without the blocks for the hands.

Place your fingers on the wall and your hands firmly on the floor.

Then go to the third step of the major asana.

You may also want to try out some more Yoga Asanas For Stress Relief Here.

You may also want to read more about Yoga here.

You may also want to read more about Yoga Asanas and Exercises here.

Yoga Asanas For Stress Relief - Uttanasana - Intense Forward Stretch

This is a gentler variation of the classic posture, which assists novices and people with tight backs in achieving the ultimate forward stretch.

The final posture may be done in five different ways.

Practice the one that seems most natural to you and best meets your requirements.

This is a restorative and soothing asana that relaxes and energizes the heart and lungs.

PROPS - FIVE WOODEN BLOCKS AND A FOAM BLOCK

Three wooden blocks should be stacked on top of the foam block.

On each side of the stacked bricks, place a wooden block.

BENEFITS

• Calms and soothes the body and mind.
• Increases blood flow to the brain, soothing brain cells and the sympathetic nervous system
• Regulates blood pressure
• Relieves migraines and stress-related headaches
• Tone the abdominal organs
• Relieves stomachache by neutralizing acidity
• Strengthens and stretches the hamstring muscles
• Increases the flexiblity of the hamstring muscles