The truth is tapas
A spiritual discourse reflecting on the Kumbh Mela and warning against false spiritual powers.
"If you bathe during that constellation, the nectar still has an effect on you—meaning it cleans your karmas and blesses you with immortality."
"There is no austerity more than truth. To follow the truth is the biggest austerity, tapasyā—and no greater sin than to lie."
Swami Avatarpuri begins by describing his profound experience at the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, taking a sacred bath for all devotees. He then shifts to a cautionary theme, recounting stories of Holy Guruji exposing fraudulent fortune tellers and so-called healers. He warns devotees against those who claim siddhis (powers) like seeing auras or predicting futures, arguing these are obstacles to true spiritual progress. He advises focusing on genuine devotion and practice, sharing a personal story where Mahaprabhuji counseled him to be like a steadfast banyan tree, free from expectation.
Filming locations: Strelky Ashram, Czech Republic.
DVD 326
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The aim of human life
Public lecture with Vishwaguruji from Martin, Slovakia. Yoga means uniting, harmonizing and balancing. Our earth is a living planet, in each and every cell of the body there is an immense amount of energy. The aim of the human life is to achieve liberation. Nourishment, breath, behavior and practicing yoga exercises, are the main points if we would like to be healthy and keep ourselves pure.
Practice makes perfect and healthy
Evening satsang with Vishwaguruji from Summer Yoga Camp in Vep, Hungary. Practice makes perfect. Yoga means and begins with discipline. There are many people suffering from illnesses. Focusing on the target is the main point in archery. Vishwaguruji explains the strory of the Eklavya and Arjuna to illustrate what it means to practice.
The Nature of Attachment, the Curse of Knowledge, and the Immortal Parrot
A spiritual discourse exploring attachment, divine knowledge, and a mythological story about immortality.
"Love is the greatest. That love is God, and God is love. Our love for our dear ones, parents, ancestors, sisters, brothers, friends, animals, house pets, even our car."
"Therefore, moha. Moha means ignorance, and moha means attachment."
The speaker delivers an evening satsang, weaving together philosophical teachings on attachment (moha) with the story of Shiva, Parvati, and the quest for immortal wisdom. He explains how attachment leads to suffering, illustrating this with the tale of Sati's self-immolation and Shiva's grief. The narrative then focuses on Parvati's insistence that Shiva teach her the secret of immortality, a secret that is accidentally overheard by a clever parrot, leading to the birth of the sage Shukadeva. The talk emphasizes the challenges of spiritual practice and the need for a true Guru.
Filming location: Vienna, Austria
Master should have equal vision
A discourse on a guru's non-discriminatory teaching methods, using a parable from the Mahabharata.
"If yoga is in your blood, then yoga is in your blood. It means it is a home tradition, a home culture."
"Masters have equal vision and no differences. If there are differences, then they are not masters."
In response to a question about teaching Indians versus Europeans differently, the speaker explains that while foundational knowledge is the same, the method must suit the student's cultural background, like learning to cook at home versus from scratch. He then narrates the story of Eklavya, who, though rejected by the teacher Dronacharya, honored him as his guru from afar and offered his thumb as guru dakshina, illustrating that true teaching and devotion transcend physical presence and formal instruction. The master's love, like sunlight, shines on all disciples equally without favoritism.
Filming location: Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
