Introduction
It was 27th June 2023. Prashantji had agreed to meet me around noon. The morning class and practice sessions were over. The lights and fans in the Yog Hall were being turned off. In the lobby, friends meeting after class were exchanging quiet words. There was some laughter here and there, coffee plans being made, and visits to the Institute shop were now done. The sounds faded out as the students left. The office staff was back at their desks. It was quiet now. I paid my respect to Prashantji and sat down across the table with him. Filled with hope and anticipation I opened the conversation by saying, "Sir, on 2nd July 2024 you turn 75." His answer certainly did not match the excitement in my voice. "Turning 75 has no significance," he said. "The important milestone in our culture is at the age of 60 when we complete the Samvatsara Chakra." "Samvatsara (संवत्सर) in Vedic literature means a year. This Jovian year is based on - the relative position of Brihaspati to the Earth. Brihaspati is the planet Jupiter. The Solar year is based on the relative position of the Earth to the Sun and made up of 365 days. The Samvatsara or the Jovian year is about 361 days, marginally short of a solar year. A Samvatsara is defined in Indian calendars, as the time taken by Brihaspati to transit from one Rashi, our Hindu zodiac sign, to the next Rashi, relative to its mean motion. Hence, one complete orbit of Brihaspati through all the twelve signs of the rashi will approximately be equal to twelve solar years. Five such orbits of Jupiter (i.e. 12 x 5 = 60 samvatsaras). These 5 orbits make up the Samvatsara Chakra. Each Samvatsara within this cycle has been given a name. At the age of 60, the grahas under which you were born, come back to the exact place where they were when you were born. Hence Graha Shanti is done when you complete 60." I listened attentively to the explanation. I did not want the conversation to end. So, I said, "Sir, tell me about yourself. You have a large family. So many sisters and you are the only son. Tell me about your childhood."
About The Book
We get knowledge from reading. But if we don't open the book, all the words from that book are lost. So it is with our asanas, if we don't read our body, if we don't understand our words. then we have lost the meaning of what we do
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