Mr Ashish Kumar
(It is difficult to comment about young author Mr Ashish Kumar and his mythological/spiritual writing. He has well researched Hindu Philosophy, Science and quest of success beyond the material realms. I am really mesmerized. I am sure you will be also amazed. We are pleased to begin a series on excerpts from his well acclaimed book “Samudramanthanam” . According to Mr Ashish “Samudramanthanam is less explained and explored till date. I have tried to give broad way of this one of the most important chapter of Hindu mythology. I have read many scriptures and taken references from many temples and folk stories, to present the all possible aspects of portrait of Samudramanthanam.” Now our distinguished readers will be able to read this series on every Saturday.)
Amazon Link – Samudramanthanam
☆ Weekly Column – Samudramanthanam – 24 – Nidra ☆
Cycle on churning was nonstop going on. Sura and Asura want to end this process soon. It was the beautiful day of Kartik maas. Day of Ekadashi called Devutthan Ekadashi. Time to consciously waking up of Lord Vishnu.
As one more round of churning of ‘Kshirasāgara’ was about to end. One side Lord Vishnu started opening his eyes over Sheshnaga and started yawning at the other end all Sura, Asura even Lord Brahma started feeling heaviness in their heads and asleep.
Soon many lifeful creature felt down over the surface of ocean of milk ‘Kshirasāgara’.
Lord Brahma fall sleep over his pink lotus. Due to which lotus started tilting a side. Soon Goddess of knowledge ‘Sarswati’ came on her white swan and held the head of sleeping Brahma.
All other sages also slept, only Spatrishis, the seven great sage were awake and all wonder. They soon approached towards Sheshnaga, place where Lord Vishnu use to sleep.
As they reach near Sheshnaga, they saw Lord Vishnu was awake and sitting over Sheshnaga with gentle smile.
One of Saptrishi sage said, “Lord, on the site of churning all Sura, Asura, sage even Lord Brahma is sleeping. Naga Vasuki hood is fallen apart and he is seeping as well. What is this Maya, illusion, O! Mayadhra only you can know”
Lord Vishnu do salute to seven great sage and said, “come with me on site and I’ll explain you there”
Then all reached at the site of churning of ocean ‘Kshirasāgara’ where seems to be whole universe is paused.
Lord Vishnu started saying, “great seven sage, this is due to our Yoga Maya which is creation of ego and desires of individual. Which keeps people bound on their realms.
You can say it is Nidra or sleep of ignorance. It is a Tamsik shakti of mine. See towards the ocean where churning is happening”
All seven sage looked toward the churning site. They saw a beautiful black color Goddess is standing and smiling. All sage does salute to her and ask, “who are you mother?”
That Goddess replied with lazy voice, “I am Yoga Nidra or Yogic sleep is a state of consciousness between waking and sleeping. I am a state in which the one’s body is completely relaxed, and the practitioner becomes systematically and increasingly aware of the inner world by following a set of verbal instructions. This state of consciousness is different from meditation, in which concentration on a single focus is required. In Yoga Nidra the practitioner remains in a state of light withdrawal of the 5 senses (pratyahara) with four senses internalized, that is, withdrawn, and only hearing still connects to any instructions given.
© Ashish Kumar
New Delhi
≈ Blog Editor – Shri Hemant Bawankar/Editor (English) – Captain Pravin Raghuvanshi, NM
