• Yogic Nectar by Dr Satish K Kapoor is a comprehensive book on Yoga’s practice and philosophy. It also covers other Indian traditions, Chakras, Mudras, Japa, Raja Yoga and Ashtanga Yoga.

I got to know of Dr Satish Kapoor, author of Yogic Nectar (YN), from his spirituality and culture articles in the Speaking Tree. I loved the articles because they were informative, brief and every word had a purpose. During the last ten odd years that I have been speaking to him, this distinguished educationalist, spiritualist, historian and former British Council Scholar had added value to my thinking in more ways than I can imagine. He even gave me tips on popular Kitchen Remedies and Ayurveda. His knowledge on all matters Indic is praiseworthy.

Dr Kapoor’s earlier book Hinduism the Faith Eternal is a constant reference book and like YN covers a vast range of topics in an integrated manner. What I like about this book is that it presents strands of thought from different Indic schools. Comparison improves understanding.

It is my pleasure to tell you about Dr Kapoor’s book The Yogic Nectar-Spiritual Wisdom for Self-awareness. The book is divided into five parts namely –

1. Yoga and its forms.

2. Inner Anatomy of Man: Koshas & Chakras (each Chakra, colour symbolism).

3. Classical Yog and Mudras.

4. The Triveni of Yoga namely Karma, Bhakti and Jnana Yoga.

5. Mantra, Mauna and Meditation.

In the Appendices found three parts interesting i.e. Lotus: Flowers of Gods, Rudraksha: Sacred Beads of Shiva and The Power of Crystals. The Glossary is very useful too. Now I will share Dr Kapoor’s pearls of wisdom from each part.

1. Yoga and its forms

Pg 1: “Spirituality is a higher dimension of human experience in which one connects with the supreme spirit. 

Pg 5: Yoga is the science of self-awareness, of inner peace and freedom.

Pg 103: Yoga is a spiritual, philosophic, esoteric and scientific pathway to health, happiness and bliss,

Pg 5-7: The classical yoga of Patanjali was enriched by numerous Saivite schools. Natha Yoga Sants contributed too. Different schools of Kashmir Shaivism added a distinct flavour to Yogic wisdom. They were based mostly on the monistic tradition of Tantra that centres on Shiva and Shakti. The Gheranada Samhita by sage Gheranda (late 17^th century) though modelled on Hatha Yoga Pradipika, provides a Vaishnav touch to it.”

It covers Many Forms of Yoga and names of various Swamis who contributed to propagation of Yoga starting with Swami Vivekananda (1863).

Briefly know about Raja Yoga, Bhakti Y, Karma Y, Jnana Y, Integral Y of Sri Aurobindo, Purna yoga popularised by Aadil Palkhiwala, Bihar School of Yoga, Yantra Yoga (also called Breath Yoga) as practiced in the Nyingmapa Secret Mantrayana tradition of Tibet and Yoga in Western Cloaks like Vinyasa Yoga, Baptisete Power Vinayaka Yoga, Somatic Yoga.

“Yoga increases inner vitality by bringing about greater harmony between body, breath and mind.”   

YN also tells about Raja Yoga which Swami Vivekananda described as, “realization of the divinity through the control of the mind.” Pg 9 

2. Inner Anatomy of Man: Koshas & Chakras (each Chakra, colour symbolism)

It tells about the five sheaths namely Matter (physical being), Energy, Awareness, Mental activity and bliss.

The food sheath covers Ayurveda aspects too. The breath sheath is all about Prana. Whilst talking about the mind sheath Dr Kapoor compares Vedanta, Yoga and Samkhya schools. YN shows how the sheaths are intertwined.  

The next chapter tells each of their eight chakras, where located in body, their colour, bija-Mantra, Swara of Musical Octave, Symbolism and how to empower the chakra. Lastly, covers chakras and Kundalini.

3. Classical Yog and Mudras 

It starts with Ashtanga Yoga-The Eight-Fold Path and explains each path in detail i.e. Yama and Niyama. Types of Samadahi explained. Next are types of Bandha (Yogic locks) and benefits of sunlight.  

The chapter on Mudras is of great interest because I practice some daily. For each type of Mudra Dr Kapoor tells what it stands for, how is it done, Wish the mudra diagrams that are at the end of the book were placed in the chapter itself. The sub chapters on Shiva Mudras: Symbolism and use and Mudras and Meditation were useful.

4. The Triveni of Yoga namely Karma, Bhakti and Jnana Yoga

Pg 197 “‘Swami Vivekananda said, Remember always, there are different Yogas for different minds, and that if one does not suit you, another may.’” Swamiji also said on Pg 198, “‘Through practice comes Yoga, through Yoga comes knowledge, through knowledge, love and through love, bliss’”

In Karma Yoga Dr Kapoor also refers to Karma and Incarnation.

Pg 212 “Bhakti yoga is the path of single-minded devotion to God.” Also told is the concept of Bhakti in Sikh, Buddhist and Jain traditions. Details of nine forms of devotion are given. 

The Glory of the Holy Name is told in the context of Sanatan and Sikh traditions. The concept of Kripa (grace) is explained in Saivite, Vaishnav and Sikh traditions.  

After Jnana Yoga: Path of Wisdom Pg 259 gives Five mental Blocks to Spiritual Growth.  

5.  Mantra, Mauna and Meditation

Under metaphysics of mantras Dr Kapoor gives six limbs of mantra. AUM – The Sound of the Soundless Absolute and Soham – Mantra for Self-realization are very nicely written. References to various are given and Japa explained too.

Next is Mauna-The Language of Silence. Mauna-sadhana is the celebration of the divine in the solitude of the self.

Pg 305 Epilogue “Yoga stands for unity, stability and integration – of body, mind and soul, both at individual and cosmic levels”.

6. Appendices

These are Swami Vivekananda: Pioneer of Yoga in the West, Kshama: Cultivating Forgiveness, Krodha: Overcoming Anger, Mind and Food, Shri Ganesha: Lord of Muladhara Chakra, Lotus: Flower of Gods, Rudraksha: Sacred Beeds of Shiva and The Power of Crstals. The importance of Lotus in Buddhist and Jain traditions is also given. The mantra that needs to be chanted with a single, two-faced rudraksh and so on is given.

The book has enriched me and helped clear the mind. What I particularly liked are references to various Indian traditions and Upanishad references.

It is Dr Kapoor’s life work and he has put his all into it for which readers might be grateful.

To buy book online It is available in paperback and hard cover editions.