Sivananda Ashtang Yoga Shala Nagpur

01/08/2026

🎬 Yoga Chronicles– The Mystery of Trailanga Swami

“Imagine a man who drank poisonous lime water… floated on the Ganga for hours… meditated beneath its waters… and was believed to have lived for nearly 300 years.”

Video credit : https://youtu.be/7fk0gXOG_58?si=Kge2xgyRQ6DWNLtG

“This is the mystery of Trailanga Swami of Kashi.”

According to traditional accounts, Trailanga Swami was initiated into sannyasa by Swami Bhagirathananda Saraswati.

Under his guru’s guidance, he is said to have spent nearly 20 years in intense tapas and meditation in the Himalayas, mastering himself long before he arrived in Kashi.

For generations, the ghats of Varanasi witnessed a yogi unlike any other.

It is said that when skeptics offered him large quantities of lime water used in construction—something that could be fatal—he drank it without any harm.

Many devotees claimed to have seen him float effortlessly on the Ganga for hours… while others said he would remain beneath the river in deep meditation for astonishing lengths of time before emerging completely unharmed.

He possessed almost nothing… spoke very little… and lived immersed in samadhi.

Perhaps the greatest mystery of all was his age.

Many traditional accounts say Trailanga Swami lived for nearly 300 years. Others believed he lived well over 150 years.

No one knows for certain… and that mystery remains unsolved.

According to tradition, when Trailanga Swami entered Mahasamadhi, his body was placed in a wooden box and immersed in the sacred Ganga.

It is said that when the box was later opened, his physical body had disappeared… and the box was filled only with fragrant flowers.

When Sri Ramakrishna met him in Kashi, he bowed with deep reverence and later called him “The Walking Shiva of Varanasi.”

Whether every miracle can be explained or not, one thing is undeniable…

Trailanga Swami’s life continues to inspire millions and remains one of the greatest mysteries in the history of Indian spirituality.

“Some mysteries are not meant to be solved… they are meant to awaken us.”

31/07/2026

🎬 THE YOGA CHRONICLES
When Ramakrishna Met Totapuri

“How do you teach non-duality to a man who sees God everywhere?

The answer came from a wandering monk...

Totapuri.”

For years, Sri Ramakrishna worshipped Mother Kali with complete devotion.

To him, She was not an idol...

She was a living presence.

Then one day, Totapuri, a wandering monk and master of Advaita Vedanta, arrived at Dakshineswar.

He recognized Ramakrishna’s extraordinary spiritual state but saw one final attachment—his love for the Divine Mother.

Totapuri said,

“To realize the Absolute, you must go beyond all names and forms... even Kali.”

Ramakrishna tried to meditate on the formless Brahman.

But each time, the radiant form of Mother Kali appeared before him.

Seeing his struggle, Totapuri pressed a sharp piece of glass between Ramakrishna’s eyebrows and said,

“Concentrate here... and cut through the form with the sword of knowledge.”

In deep meditation, Ramakrishna visualized a sword of wisdom and symbolically cut through the form of Kali.

In that very moment...

he entered Nirvikalpa Samadhi—

a state beyond time, form, and individuality.

Totapuri was astonished.

The realization that had taken him decades...

Ramakrishna attained almost instantly.

Before leaving, Totapuri understood a profound truth.

The formless Brahman and the Divine Mother were not separate realities...

but two expressions of the same Infinite.

Ending

“Sometimes the greatest teachers come to teach...

Only to discover they too have something to learn.”

31/07/2026

31/07/2026

Kriya Yoga and Paramahansa Yogananda

Paramahansa Paramahansa Yogananda introduced Kriya Yoga to millions through his classic book, Autobiography of a Yogi. While he did not create Kriya Yoga, he became its most influential modern teacher in the West.

The Kriya Yoga Lineage

According to Yogananda’s tradition, the lineage is:

1. Mahavatar Babaji – The immortal Himalayan master who revived the ancient science of Kriya Yoga.
2. Lahiri Mahasaya – Received Kriya from Babaji and made it accessible to sincere householders.
3. Sri Yukteswar Giri – Combined Vedanta, Yoga, and practical spirituality while training Yogananda.
4. Paramahansa Yogananda – Took Kriya Yoga to Europe and America beginning in 1920.

What is Kriya Yoga?

Yogananda described Kriya Yoga as a scientific method of meditation that works directly with the life force (prana). Rather than focusing primarily on physical postures, it emphasizes:

* Control and refinement of the breath.
* Interiorization of awareness.
* Concentration on the spine and subtle energy centers.
* Gradual stilling of the mind.
* Direct experience of the Self.

He often quoted the Bhagavad Gita and Patanjali to show that Kriya Yoga is rooted in the ancient yoga tradition.

30/07/2026

𝐊𝐞𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐇𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐧 𝐏𝐢𝐥𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 3𝐫𝐝 – 10𝐭𝐡 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟.

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫, 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐰𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐬, 𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐩𝐢𝐥𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐊𝐞𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐡 — 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚’𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬.

𝐀𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐲, 𝐰𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐆𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚 𝐀𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢, 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐯𝐢𝐜 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐰𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫.
𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜

30/07/2026

PANCHMARHI WEEKEND GETAWAY

7th – 9th August 2026

Escape the noise. Return to nature. Return to yourself.

Join us for a rejuvenating weekend in the serene hills of Pachmarhi, where yoga, meditation, nature, and meaningful connection come together. Spend two nights surrounded by lush forests, waterfalls, and fresh mountain air while reconnecting with your body, mind, and spirit.

What’s Included

• Daily Yoga & Pranayama
• Guided Meditation
• Nature Walks & Sightseeing
• Sattvic Vegetarian Meals
• Comfortable Accommodation
• Group Sharing & Evening Satsang

Highlights

* Bee Falls
* Jata Shankar Cave
* Handi Khoh
* Dhoopgarh Sunset
* Peaceful Forest Walks

Dates: 7th – 9th August 2026
Duration: 2 Nights | 3 Days
Location: Pachmarhi, Madhya Pradesh

A Weekend to Slow Down

Leave behind the rush of daily life and immerse yourself in silence, movement, and the healing energy of nature. Whether you’re new to yoga or an experienced practitioner, this getaway is designed for anyone seeking rest, clarity, and inspiration.

Limited Seats Available

Organised by:
Sivananda Ashtang Yogashala

“Take a break from the world, so you can reconnect with yourself.”

29/07/2026

One master, many disciples.
Some taught Vedanta, some Yoga, some karma yoga.
They all came from the same master.
A master whose life goal was to spread the message of Vedas, to serve people, to love people.

29/07/2026

Swami Sivananda Saraswati (1887–1963) was one of the greatest spiritual masters of modern India. He founded the Divine Life Society in 1936 and trained hundreds of monks and householders who carried Yoga, Vedanta, and Sanatana Dharma across the world.

His teachings were beautifully summarized in his famous motto:

“Serve, Love, Give, Purify, Meditate, Realise.”

Among his many disciples, these became the most influential:

1. Swami Vishnudevananda

* Perhaps his best-known international disciple.
* Founded the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres across the world.
* Authored The Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga.
* Spread classical Hatha Yoga to Europe and North America.
* Famous for promoting world peace through his “Peace Flights.”

2. Swami Chidananda Saraswati

* Successor to Swami Sivananda as President of the Divine Life Society.
* Embodiment of compassion, humility, and selfless service.
* Delivered profound teachings on Vedanta and Karma Yoga.
* Inspired seekers worldwide through simplicity and saintly living.

3. Swami Krishnananda

* One of India’s greatest philosophers and Vedanta teachers.
* Author of more than 40 books.
* Known for The Realisation of the Absolute, The Study and Practice of Yoga, and his lectures on the Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita.
* Combined deep scholarship with direct spiritual experience.

4. Swami Satyananda Saraswati

* Founder of the Bihar School of Yoga.
* Systematized yoga practices for modern practitioners.
* Popularized Yoga Nidra, Pawanmuktasana, and Kriya Yoga.
* His books are among the most widely studied in yoga education.

5. Swami Venkatesananda

* Spread Sivananda’s teachings across South Africa, Europe, and Australia.
* Produced celebrated translations of the Yoga Vasistha and other scriptures.
* Renowned for making Vedanta accessible to modern seekers.

28/07/2026

How old was Devraha Baba?

The truthful answer is: no one knows with certainty.

There are several claims:

* Historical evidence: There is no verified birth record or reliable historical documentation establishing his age.
* Traditional accounts: Many devotees believed he lived over 200 years, while some claimed 250–300 years or even more.
* Public statements: During his lifetime, journalists and devotees often asked his age, but he either smiled, remained silent, or gave mystical replies rather than a specific number.

Devraha Baba left his body in 1990, but because his birth date is unknown, historians cannot calculate a definite age.

28/07/2026

Bandhas and Mudras :
T. Krishnamacharya regarded bandhas and mudras as advanced internal yogic practices, to be learned only after a practitioner had established steadiness in āsana, proper breathing, and mental discipline. While he taught them, he generally emphasized their function within prāṇāyāma rather than as isolated techniques.

Here’s a summary of his approach:

1. Uḍḍīyāna Bandha

Krishnamacharya described Uḍḍīyāna as the upward lifting of the diaphragm and abdominal wall after exhalation.

Its purpose is to:

* Direct prāṇa upward through the central channel.
* Massage and strengthen the abdominal organs.
* Prepare the body for higher prāṇāyāma.
* Awaken subtle energetic awareness rather than merely creating a physical abdominal lock.

He advised that it should be learned gradually under guidance and not forced.

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2. Jālandhara Bandha

Jālandhara Bandha (the throat lock) was considered essential during breath retention (kumbhaka).

According to Krishnamacharya, it:

* Stabilizes the pressure created during kumbhaka.
* Prevents the upward dissipation of prāṇa.
* Helps quiet the mind.
* Protects the heart and nervous system during advanced breathing practices.

He frequently incorporated Jālandhara Bandha into structured prāṇāyāma sequences.

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3. Mahābandha

Mahābandha is the combined application of:

* Mūla Bandha
* Uḍḍīyāna Bandha
* Jālandhara Bandha

Krishnamacharya treated Mahābandha as an advanced practice suitable only after the individual bandhas had been mastered.

He taught that its purpose is to:

* Unite the upward and downward movements of prāṇa (prāṇa and apāna).
* Stabilize the life force during kumbhaka.
* Prepare the practitioner for meditation and the awakening of deeper states of consciousness.