Soma in Yoga and Ayurveda Book

Foreword Swami Veda Bharati 7

Author's Preface 11

Part I Introduction 18

The Search for Bliss, Longevity and Immortality 18

The Quest for Immortality: 19

High Tech Somas or Inner Spiritual Somas? 38

Agni and Soma: The Eternal Fire and the Immortal Nectar 63

Individual Constitution and Rejuvenation: The Role of the Three Doshas 78

Prana, Tejas and Ojas: The Master or Soma Forms of the Doshas 92

Part II Soma Ayurveda: Physical Rejuvenation and Longevity through Ayurveda 101

The Soma of Food: Diet for Yoga and Longevity 102

Our Soma Drinks: Rejuvenating Waters and Beverages 120

Rejuvenative Herbs and Soma Plants 126

Herbs to Rejuvenate the Mind 148

Soma Herbs and Aromatherapy 159

Rejuvenation and the Skin: Ayurvedic Spa Therapies 164

Sexuality and Rejuvenation: Balancing Shiva and Shakti 171

Your Inner Ecology: Rejuvenation, Environment and Life-style 178

Preparing Yourself for Soma: Preliminary Purification and Pancha Karma 185

Part III Soma Yoga: Rejuvenation of the Mind and Heart Through Yoga and Meditation 195

Yoga and Inner Rejuvenation 196

The Yogic Soma and How to Prepare It 203

The Yamas and Niyamas of Yoga: Conserving Your Inner Soma 213

Asana and Rejuvenation: the Healing Power of Physical Stillness 219

Prana Rasayana: the Immortal Breath of Soma 229

Pratyahara Rasayana: Rejuvenation and the Sense and Motor Organs 248

Mantra Rasayana, The Rejuvenating Power of Cosmic Sound and the Divine Word 268

Deity Rasayana: the Rejuvenating Power of Devotion 278

Meditation, The Yoga of Knowledge and Rejuvenation of the Mind 293

Part IV Esoteric Soma Teachings 315

Vedic Astrology, Karma and Longevity: The Influence of Time and Karma 316

The Search for the Original Soma Plant 326

Shiva as Nilakantha: Turning Life's Poison into Soma 335

Selected Soma Verses from the Rigveda 343

Appendix

Sanskrit terms 356

Bibliography 363

Sanskrit Texts 365

Books by the Author 366

Resources 367

Comments on the Book 370

Endnotes 373

Index 387