Yogi Baba Prem

Practical Light on Deities.

By Yogi Baba Prem, Yogacharya, Vedavisharada, CYI, C.ay, C.va

Often, within modern society, related spiritual and health sciences are kept separate from one another; though a few attempts have been recently made to merge the two systems. This mentality has kept many students from exploring the depth of spiritual teachings, as many never discover the depth of wellness teachings found within the Vedic tradition. While deities are often relegated to a back seat for many modern students of spirituality and yoga, as universal truths and principle’s, they continue to manifest on a multitude of levels. A simple study of Ayurveda and Jyotish (Vedic Astrology) quickly reveals not only a strong correlation and rooting in the Vedas but a plethora of teachings pertaining to the Vedic deities.

Within Vedic astrology, the deities represent the flows of various forms of consciousness as well as serving as lords over a variety of forms of consciousness manifesting within the Vedic chart Within Ayurveda, mantra to deities is commonly used in the preparation of herbal remedies and even in obtaining balance within individuals. Various herbs are even associated with the Vedic deities, an example would be Tulsi, which is associated with Krishna, Turmeric with the divine mother, even herbs such as the powerful blood cleanser manjishta which has powerful vata increasing attributes would be associated with Vayu, as Vayu is the lord of vata.

The Vedic deities are even associated with the actual organs of the body. While this association is supported within Ayurveda; it can also easily be found within the Vedas. The Krishna Yajur Veda provides insight and clear associations between some of the deities and even the organs of the body. Mentioned are Rudra being associated with the liver. Pashupati with the heart. Agni with the heart, especially the spiritual heart. Rudra with the blood. Sharva with the kidneys. Mahadeva with the inner ribs. This is an expansive and complex area as multiple deities can be associated with an organ, such as Agni and Rudra being associated with speech and the organ of speech—the mouth and tongue.

Within Vedic Astrology, the planets are viewed as a deity. Likewise, the planets are associated with various organs by the elements they are associated with and the chakras. Examining Saturn, from an Ayurveda and Vedic astrological standpoint, we would see that Saturn is an air planet giving it a strong association with Vata (ether/air) and it is associated with the muladhara or root chakra (1^st chakra), located at the perineum. The muladhara chakra governs the earth element. Initially this might appear as a strange relationship, but Saturn due to its air/ether element association gives movement to the earth element within the colon. Therefore, Saturn can indicate a potential profound impact on the colon from an Ayurvedic view. Vedic astrology would consider the house and nakshatra (lunar mansion) associated with colon, as well as the houses that Saturn ruled. If Saturn ruled malefic houses, or was malefic towards houses of health and was afflicted, it would increase the possibility of health issues at least when it would transit the house associated with the colon, or during its planetary cycle.

Within Ayurvedic pulse diagnosis, the deity’s energy can be observed within the physical body. Allowing the Ayurvedic practitioner to explore the energy flow associated with a particular deity. Additionally, deities are associated with relieving ailments, as the deities represent important therapeutic models within Ayurveda. For example, for fever, mantra to Rudra is commonly recommended. The Gayatri mantra has numerous healing attributes as well as numerous other mantras within the Vedas. These and other mantras can be fine tuned using the astrological chart and Ayurvedic dosha body type as well, allowing for a more specific mantra to be selected for the individual rather than a generic mantra.

Within the Vedic teachings, information is given for cleaning of the nadi’s or channels of the body. It is suggested that the Gayatri mantra helps to cleanse away blockage, and the Gayatri mantra is to one of the Sun gods. Additionally, the combination of Gayatri and turmeric can be a powerful tool for cleansing the nadi’s. More basic, though important, are mantras such as “OM”, which can be beneficial for opening the flow of energy through the organs and nadi’s. This would also include a variety of bija mantras, such as Hum, which are used to cleanse energy from nadi’s and can also have a profound effect on karma. Hum can be a powerful mantra, so caution is advised with its use.

We see the same basic mantric teachings within Jyotish (Vedic Astrology). As often mantras to deities are used in an attempt to balance karma, learn lessons more efficiently, and create a more harmonious manifestation of energies indicated by the birth chart. These mantras can also be used in an attempt to reduce the malefic impact of energy indicated by a planet in the birth chart, or to strengthen qualities within the chart. This application is part of the traditional system of yoga within India. As frequently we see that Ayurveda and Vedic Astrology are combined within yoga. This was true of Paramahansa Yogananda, as his Guru Sri Yukteswar, who was an astrologer. As propitiation of the deity planets is common within India, likewise, it is not uncommon to find a navagrah murti (image of 9 planets) in Hindu temples, allowing one to worship and perform mantra to the planets. The navagrah murti is an important addition to temples, especially modern temples that are attempting to meet a variety of needs for the community. These important teachings of yoga and spirituality are commonly overlooked by western society. Yet, they return us back to the purer state of teachings that comprise yoga, Ayurveda and Vedic astrology.

Mantras combined with visualization can be a powerful tool for transformation, cleaning, and healing. The deities, as Dharma, have a multitude of manifestations within our mind and body. By cultivating a culture that does not understand the deities only serves to harm our own process of growth and realization. Their removal from modern day yoga is akin to eating only white bread as opposed to multigrain bread.

Sources and recommended reading:

Krishna Yajur Veda

The Yoga of Herbs

CD—Navagrah! Nine Planets!