SIMPLE Physical Exercises to Promote a Healthy Life.
You can familiarize yourself with the exercise routine through daily practice over a few weeks. 



Sound is very important and creates vibrations that affect our moods, motivates us and can create either positive or negative changes in individuals and groups.

There are SEED SOUNDS that were known to ancient Indian sages. They understood and used these seed sounds for Positive Development of students.

Here are the seed sounds of the Hanuman mantra. Hanuman represents the energy which promotes intelligence, strength and success of a person. It is also a mantra for the Universal protection mantra. The sounds can be chanted for 5 to 10 minutes in the early morning, noon and afternoon.

OM NAMO HANUMATE NAMAHA

The five faces of Hanuman represent the five elements (Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Space).

The mantra is a reminder that we must protect the five elements that comprise the planet Earth.

Our body is also made up of the five elements. We must balance the five elements in the body. This can be done using the respective mudra (hand gestures) related to the element and performing deep breathing exercise.

See yoga exercise routines on related pages showing earth, water, fire, air and ether (space) mudras.


Non Attachment

Sudama and Sri Krishna (taken from Bhakti Mala magazine)

When Sudama was young he studied with Krishna at their Guru’s (teacher) home. Both boys became very good friends. When they completed their studies, they had to go to their own homes. Sudama was very sad to leave his friend Krishna and told him that he will always remember him.

Sudama got married and had two children. He was very poor and lived in a small hut. He would always tell his wife and children about his childhood friend Krishna. He told them how Krishna was always kind. He narrated how they had both gone to gather wood in the forest one day and it had become stormy. He was very scared, but Krishna took care of him on that stormy night in the forest.

One day Sudama’s wife looked at her kids who barely had enough to eat and clothes to keep them warm. She felt sorry for them, so she suggested to Sudama, “Why don’t you go and visit your friend Krishna? You are always remembering him; he will also be happy to see you.”

Sudama was very happy at the suggestion and agreed to go and visit Krishna. However, he said, “I cannot go to visit my friend and not take him a gift. We don’t have anything, how can I go to his house empty handed?”

Sudama’s wife remembered that he would tell her how Krishna loved cooked sweet rice. She went to one of the neighbour’s house and borrowed some rice and sugar. She prepared the sweet rice. She tore a bit of her sari and tied the rice in the cloth. Here Sudama take this to Krishna, I am sure he will enjoy it.

Sudama then set out on foot to Mithila where Krishna lived. As he crossed the rivers and valleys he was deeply immersed in thoughts about Krishna. He wondered if his friend would remember him. It had been many years since they saw each other.

When Sudama arrived in Mithila, he approached the palace where Krishna lived. He thought, “Would the guard let me enter the palace?” However, as if by a miracle there were no guards at the gate to stop him from entering the palace. He looked around and saw the grandeur of the place. Then Krishna appeared and seeing Sudama ran to him and hugged him. He put him to sit on the throne and asked for water to be brought and he washed Sudama’s feet. He made Sudama take a bath and gave him royal clothes and food. Then they chatted for some time about the old school days. Krishna asked, “Sudama, have you not brought a gift for me? Did my sister not remember to send me a present?”

Sudama was shy and after seeing all the splendour of the palace did not want to offer the sweet rice to Krishna. Krishna saw the cloth tied to Sudama’s arm and grabbed it. He opened the cloth and started eating the sweet rice. Then he said, “Oh, this is delicious you remembered how much I love sweet rice!”

Sudama was very happy that Krishna had appreciated his small gift. After spending a few days with his friend, he returned home. On the way home he smiled with joy and sang songs about Krishna. He did not imagine that he could wish for anything more in this world than the love of Krishna.

When he approached his home, he was confused as he did not see his hut. A lady dressed in beautiful clothes was coming towards him. “Sudama don’t you recognize me? I am your wife. Look! Krishna has given a very big house and lots of riches. I knew once Krishna saw you, without even asking he would help you.”

As the days went by Sudama’s wife noticed that Sudama was not very happy with the big house. She asked, “At least you should be happy that Krishna has blessed you with this house. Whenever I see even a chair in the house I am reminded of Krishna and his love and I am happy.”

Sudama replied, “Why a chair in the house, even if I see any chair I am reminded of Krishna. Before we had this big house I thanked Krishna for the small hut that he provided us. When I see the sky or the hills or the trees or the rain all things remind me of him. So, I was happy before he gave this big house and I am also the same after I have the big house.”

Sudama was not sad because he did not have much food or a big house. He was not overjoyed when he got a lot of riches. Sudama was not carried away by his senses or the objects he possessed. He remained calm, peaceful and happy at all times. 

 

 MORAL :

I should not be sad if I do not have many things nor overjoyed or proud if I have a lot of things.  

I should be thankful, happy and content with whatever I have. 

I should remember the kindness showered on me by others.

I should treat those who visit my home with love and respect.

If possible, when I visit others I should take a small gift to offer to the person.

Sudama thoughts were always on Sri Krishna, whatever he saw he was reminded of Sri Krishna.


 LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE STORY

i.     Sudama remembered his good friendship with Sri Krishna as a child even after marriage.

ii.    Sudama was poor but was very happy in his thoughts of Sri Krishna. 

iii.   Sudama took a small offering for Sri Krishna when he visited his home.

iv.    Although Sri Krishna lived in a palace, he appreciated the small gift of sweet rice which was                given with so much love by Sudama.

v.   Sri Krishna was the same as Sudama remembered him when they were young and at the Guru’s home. Sri Krishna did not change when he left his Guru’s place and returned to the palace. He was not proud living in a palace. He greeted his friend with happiness and treated Sudama with love when he visited him.

vi.  Sudama remained the same even after receiving a big house and many comforts gifted by Sri Krishna. Sudama did not become proud or possessive of the things given to him by Sri Krishna.  

vi.  Sudama saw the all-pervasive nature of God in the form of his friend Sri Krishna.


Click on the link below to download each of the attached files in pdf format

Curriculum : Lessons Learned from Sky, Non-Attachment

Sky Exercise Routine