Online Gurukulam ‘Learn with Masters’
Online Gurukulam with Maa Dr. Hansaji Yogendra, Member, Governing Council, IYA
In January 2022, Indian Yoga Association brought for you all the words of wisdom from Maa Dr. Hansaji Yogendra, Member, Governing Council, IYA as part of the second series of Online Gurukulam- Learn with the Masters. She took all of us on an elaborated journey of yoga for 4 sessions. In each session that was held on every Sunday of the month, she discussed in detail about varied aspects of Yoga. In her sessions, Maa Dr. Hansaji Yogendra talked in detail about Purpose of Life, Karma and Bhagwat Gita which went LIVE from 5pm-6pm on Facebook on January 9, 16 and 23 respectively.
The aim of the series is to take the viewers in the journey of in-depth knowledge of different horizons of yoga making them further understand the importance of inculcating the ancient science into their lives.
IYA is a self-regulatory body of all Yoga organisations. Online Gurukulam is an endeavour to provide yoga lovers and followers of our vedic culture a chance to meet the world-renowned Yoga Gurus and learn from them free of cost. The Association aims at bridging the gap between the Guru and the disciple, and bring the wisdom of yoga in its purity and directly from the source.
Webisode 14: Purpose of life
Held on January 9, Maa Hansa talked about Purpose of Life. In her entire session she stressed that in any given situation or circumstances we should not forget the purpose. She said, “Our life is full of action. We act and face the consequences. In whatever we do, we should always remember the purpose. We should think and act because only then the purpose will not be lost. We should always question ourselves— What am I doing? Why am I doing this? What is the purpose behind doing this?”
For example: A child who is young and learning to write, wrote an essay and he brings it to you. Instead of encouraging his work, as adults we tend to find out mistakes. The purpose of the entire activity where the child hoped for little encouragement is completely lost. We forgot the purpose.
Like when we are eating food, we should always think why are we eating? Is it to fill the stomach or to give nutrition to your body properly? Nutrition is important and we should avoid crossing a saturation point while eating because then it gets unhealthy. As soon as you get tasty food you start hogging. You go on eating and force your stomach to accommodate more. Don’t force because that was not the purpose. Food should not be a burden to the body. So always remember purpose!!
Webisode 15: Karma
Held on January 16, Maa Hansa in Webisode 15 discussed with the Yoga lovers about Karma. Everybody is supposed to do their duties in life, Karma in life! It is my duty to take care of myself to take care of everybody who is around me. I should be doing my duty. When I do my duty, we are doing action. Ultimately everything boils to action. Important thing is that we must know how we should do our actions. If we do wrong action, its effect would be wrong. Good action will have have good effect.
Action theory is Karma Theory. It is scientific. It tells you how to act and you should be clear about it. It is nature’s law. You reap what you sow. If you place your hand on a hot plate, you will be hurt and the pain will take time to go. So the result of your actions may have a long time effect on you. It is a Cause and Effect Theory. Whatever you are going through has a cause. Nothing happens for no reason.
Webisode 16: Bhagwat Gita
On January 23, Maa Hansa talked about the Chapter 11, Sloka 2 of Bhagwat Gita. You only perform your duty and should not be bothered about the result.
Karmanye vadhikaraste, ma phaleshou kada chana
You have a right to perform your prescribed duty, but you are not entitled to the fruits of action. Never consider yourself to be the cause of the results of your activities, and never be attached to not doing your duty. – Bhagavad Gita, Chapter II, Verse 47
In the battle ground, looking at all his relatives, elders, guru and family members on the opposite side, Arjuna was not able to muster courage to fight. It is then, Lord Krishna explained him that you are here to perform your duties and not to think about the result.
Carrying out one’s duties without any attachment to the results is Karma Yoga. Bhagavad Gita mentions Karma yoga as one of the paths to purify the mind and ultimately leads to spiritual liberation. Krishna suggests that karma yoga path centres on dharma (Duty) and work (actions). Karma or actions should be such that one’s dharma is like doing God’s work and in that sense being “like unto God Krishna” in every moment of life. To simply put it do your duty with utmost care and dedication without any expectations and attachments to results.
You may visit Indian Yoga Associaition’s Facebook page for the complete Webisode.
About Maa Dr. Hansaji Yogendra
A dynamic and charismatic personality, Maa Dr. Hansaji Yogendra, wife of Dr. Jayadeva Yogendra and present Director of The Yoga Institute, has dedicated her life to the running of the Institute and to teaching yoga as a way of life in a completely practical way. She is perhaps best known throughout the nation due to her involvement in the popular television series ’Yoga for Better Living’, first aired in 1980. She is the recipient of Bharat Gaurav award for her extraordinary contribution and excellence in the field of yoga. The honours were conferred at the UK House of Commons in British Parliament in London on July 19th, 2019 by Sanskriti Yuva Sanstha.
