Yotam, on his Mantra project, chose the Mṛtyuñjaya as the second track. His sound arrangement and the beautiful voices of the singers Vasuda Sharma and Soojin Chang are so soothing. Indeed, this is a mantra that is profoundly healing so Yotam’s work, like that of a good teacher, takes care of our nervous system and helps us along on the path to wholeness.

This is the story of the Mṛtyuñjaya mantra:

The sage Mrikandu and his wife, Marudvati, who were childless, undertook a long period of worship to Shiva in the hope of earning the the boon of a child. In time, Shiva appears and grants their request but with a condition. They can either chose a child who is a brilliant spiritual light but whose life would be only sixteen years, or they could raise a long-lived child who would be witless and self-absorbed.

They chose the child with spiritual virtue, and Marudvati gave birth to a boy they named Markandeya. The couple decided not to tell him that he would have a short life span, but as he approached his sixteenth birthday his parents’ growing sadness betrayed them. And when he asked them to explain their downcast mood, they told him what Shiva had said. Already an accomplished yogi, Markandeya continued to dedicate himself to his practice. On the day of his sixteenth birthday Markandeya took refuge in a temple and sat next to a symbol of Shiva to meditate. When the messengers of Yama, the god of death, arrived to take him away, they found him so absorbed in his prayers, they could not complete their mission.

Returning to Yama, they described their dilemma. So Yama himself traveled to the temple to accomplish the task. He urged Markandeya to follow the natural laws of life and death, and to come willingly, but Markandeya wrapped his arms around the symbol of Shiva and surrendered himself to its protection. Yama threw his noose to gather Markandeya in, but the noose encircled the symbol of Shiva as well, and immediately, Shiva, dwelling in the image, emerged in a rage. Yama had thrown his noose too far, for he had no authority to encircle Shiva himself.

Yama was killed with a blow from Shiva’s foot as the other gods looked on in dismay. Fearing that Yama’s death would upset the order of the universe, they implored Shiva to bring him back to life—and in the end, Shiva complied. But he pointed out that Markandeya’s devotion had protected him, and he was blessed to remain a sixteen-year-old sage eternally. The ancient belief is that Markandeya still lives in the Himalaya to this day.

Yoga Philosophy session ONLINE

Thursday 09 December
18.00 – 20.00 (UK time)
Donation based

Yoga is a tradition with a lineage that goes back to ancient times. In these sessions, I will explore some of the most important texts of yoga philosophy: the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and Bhagavad Gita. These scriptures outline what yoga really is about, on the mat, the cushion and life. They also provide a practical guide on how to do it. These sessions offer another way to approach and experience yoga, as a complete practice.The first session in June 2021 looked at the question of what Yoga is. For this December 2021 session, we will explore what is a practice. What makes what you do on your mat a practice and not an exercise session? How is one meant to practice yoga? Sacrifice and devotion are parts of this and we will explore how. There is no need to have attended the first session as I will provide a summary. All sessions are a good entry point into philosophy and everyone is welcome.

Yoga philosophy is very inclusive: there is no right or wrong. We will create a space for exploration, going from the teachings to discuss its practical application on and off the mat. There is no need to read or understand the texts in advance. Everything you need will be provided in the session. Come, deepen your knowledge of yoga and be inspired to continue on your journey.