Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Ojas And Tejas



David Frawley, in his book Yoga and Ayurveda has given valuable information about Ojas and Tejas (Chapter 7-Prana,Ojas and Tejas).

He defines "Ojas" as 'Primal Vigour'. The subtle energy of water as the stored -up vital reserve, the basis for physical and mental endurance; the internalized essence of digested food, water, air, impressions and thought. On an inner level it is responsible for nourishing and grounding the development of all higher faculties.

David Frawley defines "Tejas" as 'Inner Radiance'. The subtle energy of fire as the radiance of vitality through which we digest air, impressions and thoughts. On an inner level, it governs the unfoldment of all higher perceptual capacities. 'Tejas' makes a person to attract and magnetise people to himself/herself through radiance and a divine glow.
The functions of 'Ojas':-
It is the latent state of reproductive fluid that provides not only reproductive power but strength in general and nourishes all the bodily tissues from within, particularly the nerve tissue. He also states that Ojas is our power of endurance and ability to sustain us, not only sexually but through all forms of exertion, physical and mental.
The functions of 'Tejas':-
Tejas is the activated state of reproductive fluid when it is transformed into heat, passion and will power. This occurs not only in sexual activity but whenever we are challenged or need to exert ourselves. Tejas gives us valour, courage and daring. In yoga this force is necessary to enable us to perform tapas or transformative spiritual practices.
Increasing 'Ojas':-
1) Right Diet
2)Tonic Herbs
3)Control of Sexual Energy
4)Control of Senses
5)Devotion (bhakthi Yoga)

Right Diet:-
This means strictly vegetarian which involves whole grains, seeds and nuts, oils, root vegetables and naturl sugars.Cruder form of "Ojas" is developed through animal products, but hardly of any value for the spiritual path.Basically the diet has to be "sattvik" in nature like whole grains, dairy products, seeds, nuts, oils and sweet fruit.

Tonic Herbs:-They have qualities of enhancing and rejuvenating the system, like 'Ashwagandha' and 'Ginseng' which are taken along with food.

Control of Sexual Energy:-This means reducing the discharge of reproductive fluid. This is crucial for the development of additional 'Ojas'.This can be achieved by reduced sexual activity, or activity devoid of gratification, the type of practice taught in tantric and Taoist sexual yogas. It is not the question of morality, but retention of energy.Sexual energy being the strongest energy of the body, it is necessary as a fuel to carry on with spiritual practices for advancement. Sexual promiscuity is a strict no-no. It has to be done with spiritual aspiration and not as a mere repression, which cannot take the spiritual aspirant very far.

Control of Senses:-This requires reducing the amount of energy lost through sensory indulgence, which includes avoiding most forms of entertainment, particularly through mass media (television-watching soap-operas, serials, film songs, dance and music competitive programmes- eduacational, academic and classical form of music and dance within limits are exempted from the above.Video games, computer usage for meaningless chatting, emailing, browsing wasted and undesirable sites, playing card games out of boredom etc., reading magazines, fiction etc. for pleasure fall under the category of sensory indulgence.)
Much energy is lost through eyes and ears. This is a part of the practice of 'prathyahara' or withdrawal from the senses in Raja Yoga. Over use of motor organs can also deplete 'Ojas', particularly too much talking because the vocal organ is the most important of these. Overwork or overexertion of ny type should be avoided when 'Ojas' is low.

Devotion:-Bhakthi yoga is the best practice for developing 'Ojas'. This means redirecting our emotional energy inwardly through love of God in whatever form or relationship dearest to us. Devotion halps us to control senses and sexuality and transmutes animal emotions into more refined feelings. This can be achieved through various forms of devotional worship, rituals, prayers, repeating divine names, and serice to God and Guru.

Increasing Tejas:- Once Ojas is sufficient, it can be turned into 'Tejas' without depleting it. Tejas is primarily developed through:
1)Control of speech and other austerities
2)Mantra
3)Concentration exercises
4)Yoga of knowledge (Gnana Yoga)

Control of Speech:-
This means avoiding aimless talking and gossiping, also avoiding critical, sarcastic and abusive speech. Periods of silence are very helpful, like avoiding speech for one day in a week or being silent in the evening. This practice helps in enhancing internal energy apart from taking the aspirant into the witness state. Other austerities like fasting or staying awake in the night, are helpful in developing 'Tejas' as they increase the fire of determination.

Mantra:-Mantra is a higher form of control of speech that develops the inner fire. The Goddess Kundalini is said to wear the garland of the letters of the Sanskrit alphabets around Her neck. She is made up of Mantra. Repitition of 'bija' mantras like, 'hreem', 'kleem', 'shreem','om', etc. is one way of Mantra austerity. Longer mantras like Gayathri Mantra are extremely good. Initially it is advisable to recite mantras aloud for a short period of time, then muttered with a low voice for a longer period, and then repeated on a purely mental level for a yet longer period. Incidentally "Shrim" and"Krim" are useful bija mantras for increasing Ojas and Prana respectively.

Concentration Exercises:-They are "dharana' exercises like focussing the mind on a particular object outside, like a flame. Internal visualization of the form of a deity, an element, an idea or truth principle comes in the category of concentration exercises. Concentration kindles th inner fire to come forth. The most important concenration technique for increasing 'Tejas' is visualization of inner light in the region of the third eye. Tejas is what allows the third eye to open.

Yoga of Knowledge:-The yoga of knowledge is fire-predominant, particularly the practice of various forms of inquiry, like Self-inquiry. This consists of contemplation of 'atman' while letting go of other thoughts. Tejas arises out of development of discrimination (viveka), which means discerning the eternal from the transient, the unchanging truth from the changing names and forms. This is the main movement of our inner intelligence (buddhi) as it awakens in us as insight.

Above are excerpts from David Frawley's, Yoga and Ayurveda.




10 comments:

Ganti Lakshmi Narasimha Murthy said...

Dear Gayatrigaru,Namaskaram.I read the above article with interest.Sri David frawley(Sri vamaeva sastry) is a disciple of late Natesan.(Sri Natesan brought out all Sanskrit works of Nayanagaru in 11 volumes and they are available at subsidized prices at Ramanashramam,Thiruvannamalai.)Thus he is an indirect disciple of Ganapathimuni.Sri David frawley has written many books.One of his boks"TANTRIK YOGA and The Wisdom goddeses deals exhaustively on "Dasamaha vidyas".Chapter six is on Chinnmastha.The book was dedicated to Ganapthimuni garu because he draws heavily form Dasamahavidyas of Ganpathi munigaru.I met him in December 2003 @Hyderabad and shown him two rare photos of Nayanagaru-with all the best wishes for Happy Pongal and Sankranthi -Murthy

Veenaagayathri said...

Sri.Murthy Garu,
Thank you again for the valuable information. I haven't read Frawley's "Dasamaha Vidyas", I shall get the same at the earliest and also the other 11 volumes in my next trip to Thiruvannamalai. All the details given by you in this regard are so interesting and informative,!
Wishing you a happy Sankranthi,
Gayathri

Shabari said...

Hi Veenai Gayatri madam,
I happened to read an incident in the book 'Sri Raghavendra Mahimai Part IV', about yourself donating a 'silver Veenai' to the Raghavendra madam at Selam.
I was very happy to read about you, in concern with Guru Raghavendra Bridavanam.
You are surely blessed!!!

Regards.

Unknown said...

Dear Gayathri ji,
Nice articles. The Srinivasa Padmavati kalyanam was a nice topic too. Thank you for sparing time for blogging despite your concerts through the music season.
Wishing you and your family and your blog readers a Happy New Year!
Music Lover

Veenaagayathri said...

Dear Mrs. Mythili,
I consider myself blessed to present a silver veena to the sannidhi of Lord Raghavendra.Only His blessings give me the strength to play veena!Regards.

Veenaagayathri said...

Dear Music Lover,
I am really hard pressed for time after returning to India,in between my concerts and tours. I still feel driven to share whatever little I know with you and my blog readers. Wish you the same!!!!!!!

sandhya said...

respected madam my name is sandhya i am a student of dr suma sudhindra n sudha vadirj ever since i was 8 years old i always thought of you as my manasika guru i have collected all of your cds not a day passes without hearing to it all these years.today i am so happy i found your blog.may god bless you with a long life n may your music flow eternal

Veenaagayathri said...

Dear Ms. Sandhya,
Thank you for your kind appreciation of my music. I wish you all the best in your pursuit of veena music.
Thank you and wish you the same!

manikandan said...

Good Day Madam. I am sankarasubramanin working and staying in chennai. I dont have more knowledge abt music. But i am mesmarised whenever i am listening string instruments (especially veena) and mahudi and udukkai. i want to listen veena music. which site or which cassetes can get. any web id for listening ur music online

Veenaagayathri said...

Dear Sri.Sankarasubramaniam,
Your musical interests are highly sattvic. The best sites for classical music is www.musicindiaonline.com

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