Dark and Light

Yasha Prashna Talks, Mysore, 2017 Post by Gillian  The spiritual aspirant must not only identify with the good and ideal, but must also look at the darker aspects of one’s mind and behavior, “the shadow.”  The shadow includes both the conscious and unconscious aspects of the personality.  When we become aware of the shadow, though…

Good Destiny

Yasha Prashna Talks, Mysore, 2017 Post by Kristin Yakṣa asks : Which is good destiny? Answer: “The result of offering is the good destiny.” Punya = Impressions of right deeds. Papa = Impressions of wrong deeds. Good Destiny = Without external efforts results are found. Good opportunities to experience both internal and external results. What…

Three Robbers

Yasha Prashna Talks, Mysore, 2017 Post by Kusuma The questions and answers are weaving back and forth like a silken braid of wisdom. Śloka after śloka, Yakṣa’s questions and Dharmarāja’s answers spiral though ignorance, greed, anger, egoism, mercy, dharma, cleverness and realization. While India itself seems to naturally provoke a reflective process, these talks are…

Egoism

Yasha Prashna Talks, Mysore, 2017 Post by Kristin Yakṣa asked: By what quality will one be accepted by others? Dharmarāja answered: By not having bad egoism. Egoism is an appreciation of the self in the wrong way. A wrong assessment of one’s wealth, knowledge, etc. One may think, ‘I have huge wealth, so I can…

Samskrita Text for Yakṣa Prasna

Yasha Prashna Talks, Mysore, 2017 Post by Kristin The Yakṣa Prasna appears in the Mahābhārata. The story is set as the Pandavas end their twelve years of exile in the forest. Yakṣa kills four Pandava brothers, one after another, when they arrive at a lake to fetch water. Dharmarāja arrives at the lake. Yakṣa offers to revive their life,…

Happiness

Yasha Prashna Talks, Mysore, 2017 Post by Kristin Yakṣa asks:  Which is the best tool to achieve happiness? Dharmarāja answered:  Having good character one can achieve the best happiness.   Here the word sila is used. Its general meaning is noble character. Meaning that, through our own character and actions, we should be able to get both…

Friendship

Yasha Prashna Talks, Mysore, 2017 Post by Kusuma Six Characteristics of a Friend: 1. We will be careful to bring our friend back on track if they have slipped or are getting lost. Because of close connection, this supports the welfare of both self and friend. 2. We will always think of our friend’s welfare…

Door

Yasha Prashna Talks, Mysore, 2017 Post by Kristin “Yogis feel this external life journey is meager. Traveling here, there is only a small space to travel. Inside, there is unlimited space to travel.” ~ Ācārya