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—Swami Sivananda—
Get up at 4 a.m. from bed. Sleep for six hours at night. Do Japa (chanting of God’s name). Do Kirtan for one hour. Do Asanas (yogic physical exercises). Do Pranayamas (yogic breathing exercises). Sit on Padmasana (a yogic posture) for Japa. Read the Gita a little every day.
Spend your time in the company of the wise. Observe Mouna (silence) once a week. Do selfless service a little everyday. Give much in charity. Write your Mantra in a notebook daily. Practise physical exercises in the evenings. Do not tell lies. Do not be angry. Do not keep useless company. Control evil habits like jealousy, pride.
Remember the Lord always. Eradicate bad qualities like novel-reading, visiting cinemas and hotels. Eat little. Talk little. Study more. Go to bed at 10 p.m. Develop right conduct by practising Yamas (restraints) and Niyamas (observances).
Do not injure any being—any man or any animal. Speak the truth always. Do not steal the property of others. Observe celibacy. Do not accept gifts from others. These are Yamas.
Be pure in body and mind. Be always happy and contented. Fast regularly. Read the scriptures and do Japa. Pray to the Lord everyday. These are Niyamas.
God will come to you and help you if you follow these rules.
Commentary: (you were told to get up at 4 a.m. daily in the last month’s communication under ‘Instructions’.)
You get up in order to think of God and to remember Him. This is the way to start the day. So the purpose of getting up early in the morning is not to listen to the radio or take tea or coffee but to do Japa. You should gradually increase the period of Japa.
(This month’s instruction speaks about physical health). Do some Asanas for keeping up health. Take light physical exercise such as walking regularly. For earning money, fulfilling legitimate desires and attaining Moksha (realizing God), health of the body is of paramount importance. Never neglect it. Take care of the physical vehicle called body.
Do some Pranayamas. (Pranayamas facilitate deep breathing). Deep breathing is of paramount importance. Oxygen is the essence of life. Breath is the bearer of oxygen into the body. The deeper you breathe and the more air the lungs take in, the greater the amount of oxygen supplied and made available to the body, the blood-stream and the cells. A combination of breathing, light exercises (to quicken the circulation) and Asanas bring about vital inner health. Japa makes the body a fit instrument for seva (service) and Bhakti (devotion).
Commentary by Swami Chidananda
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