Chapter 13: chapter 13

Laxmi had been ardently performing Vaikunth Ekadashi fast paying utmost sincerity. She didn't touch even jal but engaged herself the entire day in venerating Vishnu such that her earnestness overwhelmed Vishnu. She took darshan of Lord Vishnu in a nearby Vishnu temple through uttaradwar and extolled her Vishnu's idol after adorning with peetambara she weaved. Idol appeared alluring in that dress. She decorated it with parijata garlands and sindhoor. She placed the idol near the Vishnu temple beside the Saraswati river and started her worship. Priya and Jaya too accompanied her in puja. Laxmi's persistent and relentless devotion was being observed and appreciated by Narad and Narayan from Vaikuntha."Prabhu! Mata Laxmi successfully completed her puja. Will you bring her Vaikunth?? ", asked Narad in ecstasy."Narad! Even I am yearning to bring here ", Vishnu's visage became sombre,"Laxmi Devi laid this avatar to prove that being human isn't an obstacle to reach Parambrahma. Position of Vaikunthavasini is godly being the divine strength of Narayan. Narayan's wife is a position of goddess of wealth, fortune, the ideal of all humans and the principal deity of chaturbhuvan. She's bhagyadevatha(goddess of auspiciousness). Humans are innocent .Laxmi should not innocently grant all wealth and fortune for everyone who prayed her but should be aware of their nature too. She should first get unclasped by human manacles and be able to control feelings like sympathy. I can't marry her selfishly before she becomes suitable for this holy position""Narayan Narayan", suddenly Narada excited face turned gloomy,"Prabhu! Is that mean all the hardship of maa Laxmi gone wasted?She can't get her Vaikuntha Ekadashi vrat efficacy?"Narayan cooled his tension,"Narad! Whoever does Vaikunth Ekadashi vrat sincerely should be obviously granted for their hardship. I won't directly appear before her to marry but I will show her a way to get unclasped from human manacles and regain her holy position. Laxmi Narayan Divya sangam happens soon for sure""What's that way Prabhu?How will you show Mata Laxmi that way?", Narad in excitation."YOGA......", beamed Kamalanabha in exhilaration"Yoga?Means what Prabhu??""It's that practise that connects human and god. It's an art of self-realization of human beings. Yoga means to unite. A true yoga is that which unites human body/ mind with god from which it's separated. It frees not only diseases of human being but also from lust, ego, anger, jealous. A man is a mental, physical and spiritual being. Yoga helps promote balanced development of these three. It embodies unity of mind with body, thought and action, restraint and fulfillment, harmony between man and nature and also an holistic approach to health and well-being. It is to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, nature and the world. It is for consciousness of humans. Laxmi can self-realize herself and also gets godly characters with Ashtangayoga marga."" Ashtangayoga marga???", exclaimed Narad." Haa! Ashta means eight and anga means limbs. It is the eight fold path which guide us our true purpose of life. They teach moral, ethical conduct and self-discipline. Eight steps involved in this areYama,Niyama,Asana,Pranayama,Pratyahara,Dharana,Dhyana,Samadhi.Yama: It helps in better conducting of life and improve our behavior, sense of integrity. In this an individual develops the qualities of "ahimsa(non violence), satya( truthfulness), asteya(non stealing), brahmacharya(moderation), aparigraha(generosity).Niyama: It teaches self discipline, the most important for a god. It improvessaucha(cleanliness), santosh(contentness), tapas(austerities) and isvara pranidhana(surrender to god).Asana: It improves concentration of our body.Pranayama: An individual can gain control over emotions and mind through this. It rejuvenates soul.Pratyahara: In this , human gets detached from human senses, negative feelings and helps in paying attention for knowing their true purpose of life.Dharana: Humans become self observant in this stage. They learn overcoming distractions both physical snd mental.Dhyana: A humans mind becomes quiet and free from external disturbances in this stage and starts being aware of spiritual consciousness.Samadhi: The final stage, stage of ecstasy reaches the meditator to his destination. He realizes his profound connection to god and frees him from human life. It gives enlightenment and peace. Laxmi passing all these levels acquire her godly features and becomes deserved for Vishnupriya position."Yoga is director of life!! Yoga lightens the human life by brightening him with consciousness. There is no wealth, no success, no prosperity eminent than yoga. It is the cessation of fluctuations of mind. It teaches humans to abandon attachment to the human body, success and failure. It's the journey of the self, through the self to the self. Perfectly disciplined mind gets absorbed in self for a perfect yogi." Adbhuth! Amogh!! Padmanabha!", Narad rejuvenated, "Laxmi mata quickly completes this ashtangayoga prakriya and becomes your consort. But Prabhu who will teach her this??? How can she become aware about this prakriya??"" Yogiswareswara, Mahayogi, who is aware of this eightlimb yoga, adhyatmikapravartak, mahagnan, my mahabhakt , Rishi Yagnavalkya. I will send him to her", beamed Narayan." Who is he Prabhu?", asked Narad excitedly.TO BE CONTINUED...