Krishnamacharya's Yogasanagalu ongoing translation project

The Yogasanagalu translation project now has it's own page at the top of this blog, just below the title picture this will be updated as each page comes in from Satya.


http://grimmly2007.blogspot.co.uk/p/yogasanagalu-translation-project.html


In this post I plan on adding the pages of the translation, as they arrive, in one place so there's no need to jump around the different posts.


Many many thanks to Satya Murthy for the continuing translation and fitting it in around family, business and practice. 

This, along with Krishnamacharya's other book Yoga Makaranda (downloadable HERE), was originally written in Mysore while Krishnamacharya was teaching at the Mysore Palace and while Sri K Pattabhi Jois was his student.

Download the text in In the original Kanada for Free HERE

See THIS post for a little background to the text and a video of a flick thorough the book and pictures

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Yogasanagalu

Foreword (Summary)

Yogasana exercise system has been practiced by Hindus for thousands of years.  This practice is based on the scientific knowledge of the human anatomy and physiology.  In recent years, people of Europe and America are also beginning to understand its benefits.  In addition, the youth in these countries are incorporating yoga into their exercise regimen.

This yoga system does more than making the muscles strong and the body to become an efficient machine.  However,  far from this and much more spiritual,  yogis discovered that this system can be used to stimulate the dormant kundalini.  It is said that by elevating this secret kundalini, one can achieve god realization. That is, merging with the divine.  Yoga means the same thing - union. Union with what? Paramatma or Almighty; hence rishis used to practice yogasana.  However, that does not mean that the yoga sadhana is meant for rishis only.  People can also obtain strong body and mind to help in their respective material world objectives.

The currently popular exercise regimens definitely make the muscles big and strong.  However, they don’t pay attention to the spinal and abdominal muscles.  Dr. V.G. Reel who is a master of western medicine and yoga has said “ by doing these yogasana practice, abdominal muscles get stronger”.  Since we press and massage the inside of the abdomen, it helps to restore the abdominal organs and eliminates constipation.  It also reduces blood pressure, helps remove fat and other byproducts and restores normal body function.  In addition, yogis who practice yogasana along with pranayama also achieve long lives.

From this yogasana practice, digestive power will improve.  While we are young, our daily routine/activities provide enough exercise for the internal organs to keep us healthy.  However, during adult life, without sufficient exercise, abdominal muscles become loose, weak and fatty leading to diseases associated with gas and constipation.  Yoga practitioners claim that yogasanas have the ability to eliminate and prevent many of these diseases.

By the practice of pranayama which is part of the yoga tradition, inhalation and exhalation from the lungs will become more controlled.  The body will be supplied with essential oxygen while eliminating carbon dioxide and other impurities.

Yogasana practice provides great benefits not only to men, but also to women.

My humble request is that please don’t dismiss these claims without carefully practicing and testing on your own.  For those who are interested, I recommend reading Dr. Reel’s book “Yogic Asanas”.

After realizing the great benefits of yogasana and pranayama, in order to provide an opportunity for both students and teachers to learn yogasanas under the supervision of expert practitioners and wishing that it provides them both physical and mental stimulation, we are opening an Yoga school under the auspices of Mysore University.  I want to  say one more thing here.  No other form of body exercises provides the complete benefits that you get from yogasana practice.  Because this practice not only refines a person’s physical body but also prepares one for a complete spiritual reawakening and expansion, which is the ultimate reward.  Therefore, my humble request to all the youth is to start yoga practice and you will never regret this decision.  These yoga classes opened at the university have already become popular.  I’m already happy to hear from students who are benefiting from these classes.

T. Singaravelu Modaliyar

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Introduction

I did not attempt a detailed review of all ancient yoga treatises since it will make this book very long and perhaps cause boredom to the readers.  Please forgive.  This writing is mainly based on the following texts:

Patanjalayogasutra

Hathayogapradipika

Rajayogaratnakara

Yogakuranti

Upanishads related to yoga

Learning’s from my Guru and self-experience

About the Second Edition

This is the second edition.  Added additional text to one section.  I trust that by reading this, readers and practitioners will be able to overcome their doubts.  With a strong conviction, I suggest and request that teachers will be able to teach the essence of yoga to their students.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            T. Krishnamacharya

Third Edition

There may be many forms of Yoga, but the most important yoga is the one that serves not to lose one’s Dharma of self or Dharma of the nation.

This was said by Bhagavatpatanjai (in Patanjali yogasutras).

Only these two will show the way for people’s life.  Patanjali has explained that the benefits of yoga are mainly these two and can extend from this world into the brighter world.   He also suggested that they are under the control of god, prana and mind.

In addition, those who eat satwik food and practice yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana and samadhi under the guidance of a guru may be rewarded.  It has been said that in addition to the four objectives of man – dharma, artha, kama and moksha, four additional objectives – god, mind, prana and food are equally important.

The  Maharaja of our Karnataka state, his highness Sri Krishna Rajendra, an enthusiastic yoga advocate having practiced this Patanjala ashtanga yoga for many years under his guru and now wishing that his subjects also benefit from this practice has generously started 1) Maharaja Sanksrit Patha Shala 2) Jaganmohana Palace Sriyogashala 3) Bangalore Sanskrit Patha Shala 4) Mysore Univerisity 4) Chitradurga Sriyogashala and to help with the practice yoga ordered the publication and propagation of “Yogamakaranda”, “Yogasanagalu” and “Yoganjali” volumes in Kannada.

These volumes have been printed in 1) Bangalore Government Press 2) University Publications, Mysore and 3) Private Press.

According to the command of his highness, the first book “Yogamakaranda” has been translated to Tamil and published from Madurai, Tamilnadu.

The author of all these books is also the yoga teacher for his highness.  In order to publish the 3rd edition of the book “Yogasanagalu” and to help men, women, youth, old and patients practice appropriately, I used a new set of photos and expanded and altered many the topics regarding the practice.

About 38 years ago, our Maharaja took interest in propagating yoga and as a consequence of that action, a healthy lifestyle is growing in many countries.  Before this, it was not available in foreign countries.  Even if some books were available, it was not in this practical format.

I want to express deep gratitude and thanks to the officials of the Mysore University which is renowned in all of Karnataka.

Madras.                                                                                                            Author   

5-10-1972 

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Table of Contents

Foreword                    V

Introduction                IX

First section                 1

Second section            23

                                                                                                                                                           

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Patanjalayoga

First section

In order for the citizens of this world to enjoy unrestrained happiness, first their body and organs must be free from disease and be shining with pure energy day by day.           

           

1. Requirements

Brain, neck, chest, lungs, bile duct, excretory system, urinary system, throat, urinary tract, esophagus and rectum etc., are important organs inside the body.

Eyes, nose, ears, tongue and skin are the five sense organs.

Hands, legs, mouth, rectum and reproductive organs are the five organs of action 

2. We are seeing what disappeared

In addition, mind is an organ.  Its foundation is in the heart center. Staying in its location, like a light, it spreads all around and performs the function of organs.  There are no external or internal mischievous activities that are not associated with the mind.  Therefore, it is well known as the king of organs.  It is responsible for both happiness and misery in life.  Its stability, peace, and power are required for the upliftment of all humanity.  Most people agree that a stable body and mind are pathways for a happy life.  In order to develop these capacities, historically many systems have been developed and practiced.  Countless hospitals are also working.  Gymnasiums and sports facilities have also spread.  However, there is no deficiency of misery in this world.  We are proposing that the Yoga sadhana is also one such system to develop body organs and mind.

This yoga system is not new.  From ancient times, this system has been practiced by many in Hindustan according to Vedas, Puranas, drawings and temple carvings.        

3. Intimation of Gratitude

The fact that citizens happiness and contentment was disappearing due to lack of yoga practice was noticed by his highness Sri Krishnarajendra Wodeyar who has practiced this system for many years and encouraged propagation of yoga system in many countries.  He established a yoga school in Jaganmohan Palace on August 11, 1933 so that a regular yoga practice is available to the public at large.  Our current ruling Maharaja, his highness Sri Jayachamarajendra Wodeyar G.B.E; J.C.S.I. who has been practicing yoga since childhood and who has experienced its benefits is also continuing the support for this yoga shala.   

                                                                                            

4. Result of Propagation

From the time this yoga shala started to the present, approximately one thousand people have benefited immensely.

5.  Classification

This yoganga sadhana has been divided into three series: power (strength) series, treatment series and the spiritual series.

The power series is further classified into mind and body

The treatment series is divided into kosha (sheath) and Nadi (pulse)

Spiritual is only one

Essential

First series requires many yogasanas and some pranayama

Second series needs some easy asanas and three pranayamas

Third series requires pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana and samadhi

Later a table is shown that includes these.

6. Yogangas

Yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana and samadhi are the eight steps in the yoga sadhana.

7. Yama and its inner modules

Non-violence, honesty and truthfulness, non-stealing, Brahmacharya (chastity) and non desire for other’s property.  These are the five Yama’s under the first step of yoganga.

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To be continued....

The Yogasanagalu translation project now has it's own page at the top of this blog, just below the title picture this will be updated as each page comes in from Satya.

http://grimmly2007.blogspot.co.uk/p/yogasanagalu-translation-project.html