Amritanada-Upanishad Selections

The wise, having studied the Sastras and reflected on them again and again and having come to know Brahman, should abandon them all like a firebrand, and wishing to go to the seat of Brahmaloka one should go on as long as he can go. Pratyahara, dhyana (meditation), pranayama (control of mind by the breath), dharana (steady focus), tarka and samadhi are said to be the six parts of yoga. (216)

One should think of the shining (Ruchira). (217)

When one takes in vayu, remaining still, he sees forms like the blind, hears sounds like the deaf and sees the body like wood. (217)

Tarka is when one makes inference which does not conflict with the Vedas. (217)

Note. In yoga, tarka (Skt. reasoning) goes beyond surface thought and into pondering, reflecting, supposing, or surmising - after having calmed the mind well. The Maitrayani Upanishad lists tarka as one of six parts of yoga-meditation, along with pranayama; pratyahara (inward-turning); dharana (focus); dhyana (meditation and samadhi (being steeped in deep bliss etc.) In some schools of thought, tarka is considered a part of samadhi. (WP, "tarka")

Closing the nostril with the thumb, one should breathe in through the other nostril (etc.). (217)

The greatly wise one should practise yoga [a lot]. (218)

A yogin should always avoid fear, too much waking and too much fasting - well and strictly practised each day. (218)

Prana is said to be of the colour of a blood-red gem (219)

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Varaha-Upanishad Selections

Chapter 1

A boar appeared before Ribhu and said: "Rise, rise and choose your boon." (220)

The sage got up and said: "Impart to me that science of Brahman which treats of your nature." (220)

The boar: "Some hold that there are twenty-four principles (tattvas) and some thirty-six, while others maintain that there are ninety-six." (220)

The boar went on: "Those who worship me, with devotion, are released from ignorance and its effects and become jivanmuktas (free soul)." (221)

Chapter 2

Ribhu asked the godly boar: "Please initiate me into the supreme Brahmavidya (God-knowledge or science)." (222)

The boar: "One's duties and longing after liberation should be practised. (222)

"Whoever sees . . . the Supreme Seat of light, attains moksha at once. (see 223)

"By cognising Brahman well, a person becomes immortal. Not afraid of anything." (223 abr)

The boar still: "By cognising clearly my form, one is not trammelled by karma." (224)

"The universe is filled by me as with the waters of the universal deluge. (224)

"By beating about the hole of a snake, can we be said to have killed the big snake within? (225)

"With an undisturbed mind, the tattvas of Brahman should be investigated. (226)

"Brahman alone should be contemplated on. (227)

"If it is said that the universe shines, then it is Brahman alone that shines. (228)

"Without the grace of a good (perfect) guru, the abandonment of sensual objects is very difficult of attainment; so also the perception of (divine) truth and the attainment of one's true state." (228)

Chapter 3

"To an exalted yogin the universe shines as absolute Consciousness. (see 229)

"That which always is, is my eternal form of Sat. (230)

"Only the one without Self-knowledge (atmajnana) and no emancipated person, longs after siddhis [paranormal powers] of no importance. (231, abr-mod.)

Chapter 4

On another occasion Nidagha asked Ribhu what marks a jivanmukti [liberated spirit living in a body].

Ribhu answered: "He is said to be a jivanmukta whose heart is pure, and though participating in illusory objects, has a cool, full Mind. (236)

"One need not utter many words. (236)

Chapter 5

Nidagha asked Ribhu to enlighten him as to the rules (to be observed) in the practice of yoga. (237)

Ribhu said: "A posture called Uddiyanabandha is to death as a lion to an elephant. (237)

Yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, (Parana, dhyana, and samadhi.

Yama is of ten kinds. They are non-injury, truth, non-coveting, continence, compassion, straightforwardness, patience, courage, moderate eating, and purity (bodily and mental).

Niyama is of ten kinds. They are tapas (religious austerities), contentment, belief in the existence of God or Vedas, charity, worship of Ishvara (or God), listening to the exposition of religious doctrines, modesty, a (good) intellect, japa (muttering of prayers), and vrata (religious observances).

Postures. (238)

Pranayama. (238)

Nadis are said to have different colours. (239)

A dam across the water serves as an obstacle to the floods. (240)

"It is only through kumbhaka that kumbhaka should be firmly mastered. (241)

Note. The parts of yoga told of apart from ancient moral of yogis are postures, pranayama og further. However, deep meditation is the main thing. ◦Basic TM, Transcendental Meditation helps many.