ChapterFour

YOGAADDENDA

1.SadasivaBrahman

SriSadasivaBrahman,areputedYogi,livedinNerur,nearKarur,inTrichinopollydistrict,someonehundredandtwentyyearsago.HewastheauthorofAtmaVilas,BrahmaSutrasandvariousotherworks.OncehewasinSamadhi.ThefloodsintheCauveririvercoveredhimupwithmud.Forsomemonthshisbodyremainedburiedunderneaththeearth.TheagriculturiststilledthelandandinjuredtheheadoftheYogi.Somebloodoozedout.Theywerequiteastonished.Theydugouttheearth.SadasivaBrahmangotupfromhisSamadhiandwalkedaway.Oncesomerudepeoplecamewithstickstobeathim.Theyraisedtheirhands,buttheywerenotabletomovethem.Theyremainedlikestatues.AtsomeothertimeheenteredtheZenanaofaNawabquitenakedwhilehewasroamingaboutasanAvadhuta.TheNawabgotenragedandcutoffhishandwithabigknife.SadasivaBrahmanwentawaywithalaugh.TheNawabthoughtthatthemanshouldbeagreatSage.HetookthemaimedhandandfollowedtheSage.OnthethirddaytheNawabsaid:OmyLord!Icutoffyourhandduetomyfoolishness.Kindlyforgiveme.Sadasivasimplytouchedthecutportionwiththeotherhand.Therewasanewhand.SadasivaforgavetheNawabandblessedhim.

2.Jnanadev

SriJnanadevisalsoknownasJnaneswar.HewasthegreatestYogintheworldhaseverproduced.HewasborninAlandi,7milesfromPoona.HisSamadhiisthereevennow.IfanybodyreadstheGitawrittenbyhimbythesideoftheSamadhiallthedoubtsarecleared.HeisregardedasanAvataraofLordKrishna.Whenhewasaboyhesimplytouchedabuffalo.ItrepeatedtheVedas.Hehadfullcontrolovertheelements.Whentherewasnovesseltopreparefood,hissisterpreparedbreadonhisback.HeenteredSamadhiwhilealiveattheageof22.HedrewupallthePranatotheBrahmarandhraandgaveupthephysicalbody.Whenhewasaboyof14years,hebegantowritecommentaryonGita.HiscommentaryonGitaisconsideredoneofthebest.InabigassemblyofSanskritPanditsinBenares,hewasselectedPresident.

3.TrilingaSwami

SriTrilingaSwamiofBenares,borninAndhraDesa,livedsomefiftyyearsago.Helivedfor280years.HemadehisTapasinManasarovar(Tibet).OnceRamakrishnaParamahamsaalsosawhimatBenares.HebroughtsomemoneytoBenareswhenhefirstcameinforTapas.Heopenedamilkshopanddistributedmilkfreetopoorpersons,SadhusandSannyasins.HeusedtoliveunderneaththeGangawaterevenforsixmonthscontinuously.HeusedtosleepinKashiVisvanathsTemplekeepinghisfeetovertheSivalinga.OncehecaughtholdoftheswordoftheGovernorandthrewitintotheGanges.WhentheGovernordemandeditback,hedivedintothewaterandbroughtbacktwoswordsandtheGovernorwasunabletofindouthisownsword.Somemischiefmakerspouredsomelimewaterinhismouth.HeatoncepumpeditoutthroughtheanusbySangPacharKriya.

4.Gorakhnath

SriGorakhnathwasagreatYogilikeSriJnanadevofAlandi.InChandragirivillageonthebanksoftheGodavari,therewasaBrahminnamedSuraj.HiswifesnamewasSarasvati.Theyhadnochildren.YogiMatsyendranathwentforBhikshainthehouseofSuraj.SarasvatientertainedtheYogiwithgoodfood,withSraddha.Sheweptbeforehimfornothavingachild.YogiMatsyendranathgaveherapinchofholyashwithblessingsforachild.Sometimelater,shehadason.MatsyendranathcamebacktoSarasvatiandtooktheboywithhimwhenhewastwelveyearsofage.HesenttheboytoBadrinarayanfordoingTapas.ApsarasandotherDevatascametomolesthim.Hestoodfirmandtidedoveralltemptations.HegottremendousSiddhis.MatsyendranathalsoimpartedallhispowersandVidyastotheboy,hisdisciple,Gorakhnath.

SriGorakhnathinhis12thyearwenttoBadrinarayanandperformedTapasfor12longyears,livingonairalone.GorakhnathhadtremendousYogicpowers.WhenhisGuruMatsyendranathenteredthedeadbodyofaRaja(ParakayaPravesh)toobeytheordersofSriHanumantoproduceanoffspringforacertainRani,GorakhnathassumedtheformofaladythroughhisYogicpowersandenteredtheinnerapartmentsofthepalace(KamarupaSiddhi).Atsomeotherinstancehemadeatoychildoutofclayandgavethisasaplaymateforthechildrenofacertainvillage.Heconvertedaportionofamountainintogoldandreconvertedittoitsformercondition.Hepassedurineonarock.Itbecamegold.OnceinaKumbhamelaonthebanksoftheGodavari,hegavefoodtoallbyspreadingonlyleavesbutoffereddifferentrichmealstothelikingofeveryone.InthesameMelaheslowlyreducedhimselfinbulkandassumedtheformofamosquito(AnimaSiddhi).ThroughhisownYogicpowerheburnthimselftoashesandagainassumedhisoriginalform.HedidAkasagamanam(walkinginthesky).InthiswayheperformedmanySiddhis.RajaBhartrihariwashisdisciple.

5.SwamiKrishnaAshram

SwamiKrishnaAshramisalivingsaintatDarolivillage,14milesbelowGangotri,theoriginoftheGanges.Hehasbeenlivingthereforthelasteightyearsinanabsolutelynudestate,inanicyregion,whereanordinarymanmayrequireawoollensweater,aGothmaandhalfadozenblankets.HewasaSivaBhakta.HethrewawayallhisPujavessels,wenttoVaranasi,tookSannyasaandlivedthereforayear.ThenhewenttoHardwar,threwofftheDandaandbecameanAvadhuta.HewasinUttarkashialso.Whensharp,bigflieswerebitinghisbody,whenbloodwasemergingprofusely,hewouldneverdisturbtheflies.Suchwashispowerofendurance.OnceintheKshetraanarrogantservantinsultedhimfornotbringinganyvesselforDhalandpouredveryhotDhalonhishands.SwamiKrishnaAshramdranktheDhalthoughhislipsandhandswerescalded.ThereisanotherSwamibynameBhumaAshram,livingatDaroliinanudestate.HeisafriendofKrishnaAshram.

Titiksha,thepowerofendurance,isanessentialattributeofallSadhakas.ThisisoneofthesixfoldvirtuesofSadhanaChatushtaya.ReadSlokas14andl5oftheGita,chapterII.Youwillunderstandtheimportanceofthisvirtue,Titiksha.

6.YogiBhusunda

YogiBhusundaisoneoftheChiranjivisamongsttheYogins.HewasthemasterinthescienceofPranayama.Itissaidthatabignest,likeamountain,wasbuiltbyhimonthesouthernbranchoftheKalpaVriksha,situatedatthenorthernsummitoftheMahameru.Bhusundalivedinthisnest.HewasaTrikalaJnani.HecouldsitinSamadhiforanylengthoftime.Hewasdesireless.HehadobtainedsupremeSantiandJnana.HewasthereenjoyingtheblissofhisownSelfandheisstilltherebeingaChiranjivi.HehadthefullknowledgeofthefiveDharanas.Hehadrenderedhimselfproofagainstthefiveelementsbypractisingthefivemethodsofconcentration.ItissaidthatwhenallthetwelveAdityasscorchtheworldwiththeirburningrays,hewould,throughhisApasDharana,reachuptheAkasa.Whenfiercegalesarisesplinteringuptherockstopieces,hewouldbeintheAkasathroughAgniDharana.WhentheworldtogetherwiththeMahameruwouldbeunderwater,hewouldfloatonthemthroughVayuDharana.

7.TirumulaNayanar

TirumulaNayanarwasagreatYogiinKailas.Hehadallthe8majorSiddhisthroughthegraceofNandi,theVahanaofLordSiva.HewasafriendofAgastyaMuni.HecamefromKailasandstayedinVaranasi.ThenhewenttoChidambaramandTiruvavaduturaiandotherplacesnearMadras.HeworshippedLordSivainthetempleatTiruvavaduturaiandstayedthereforsometime.OncehewenttoagardenonthebanksoftheriverCauveri.Therehesawthedeadbodyofacaretakerofaherdofcows.Henoticedthatallthecowssurroundedthedeadbodyofthecowherdandwerecryingbitterly.ThistouchedtheheartofTirumular.Hepitiedthecowsverymuch.Helefthisbodyinacertainplaceandenteredthedeadbodyofthecowherd.Helookedafterthecowsthroughout

thedayandsentthembacktotheirrespectivehouses.Thewifeofthecowherd,whowasnotawareofthedeathofherhusband,invitedTirumularwhowaswearingthephysicalbodyofherhusband.Tirumularrefused.Hewantedtoenterhisownbody.Whenhesearchedforhisbody,itwasnotfoundintheoriginalplace.ThenhethoughtitwasallthegraceofLordSiva.Thenwiththebodyofthecowherd,hewenttoAvaduturaiandsatunderneathanAsvatthatreeonthewesternsideofthetempleandwroteavaluablebookcalledTirumantraminTamil.Itisabookof3000verseswhichcontaintheessenceoftheVedas.

8.Mansoor

MansoorwasaSufistBrahmaJnani.HelivedinPersia,somefourhundredyearsago.HewasrepeatingalwaysAnalhaq!Analhaq!ThiscorrespondstoSohamorAhamBrahmaAsmioftheVedantins.PeoplereportedtotheBadshahthatMansoorwasanatheist(Kafir)andthathewasalwaysutteringAnalhaq.TheBadshahwasquiteenraged.HeorderedthatMansoormustbecutintopieces.Hisorderswereobeyed.EventhenthepiecesoffleshwereutteringAnalhaq.HefeltnopainashewasafullblownSamadhiJnaniandashehadfullidentificationwithBrahman.Hewasabovebodyconsciousness.Thentheyputthepiecesoffleshandbonesinthefireandreducedthemintoashes.EventhentheashesutteredAnalhaq.Duringhislifetimeheperformedmanymiracles.EvenJnaniscandomiraclesiftheydesireandiftheyfinditnecessaryfortheoccasion.SadasivaBrahmanandotherJnanisdidwonders.Rememberthelivesofgreatmendaily.Youwilladvanceinthespiritualpath.

9.Milarepa

Milarepawasonewhohadbeenprofoundlyimpressedfromhisyouthbythetransientandimpermanentnatureofallconditionsofworldlyexistenceandbythesufferingsandwretchednessinwhichhesawallbeingsimmersed.Tohimexistenceseemedlikeahugefurnacewherealllivingcreatureswereroasting.WithsuchpiercingsorrowdidthisfillhisheartthathewasunabletofeelevenanyofthecelestialfelicityenjoyedbyBrahmaandIndraintheirheavens,muchlessoftheearthlyjoysanddelightsaffordedbyalifeofworldlygreatness.

Ontheotherhand,hewassocaptivatedbythevisionofimmaculatepurity,bythechastebeautyinthedescriptionofthestateofperfectfreedomandomniscienceassociatedwiththeattainmentofNirvana,thathecarednoteventhoughhemightlosehisverylifeinthesearchonwhichhehadsetout,endowedashewaswithfullfaith,keenintellectandaheartoverflowingwithallpervadingloveandsympathytoall.

Havingobtainedtranscendentalknowledgeinthecontroloftheetherealandspiritualnatureofthemind,hewasenabledtofurnishdemonstrationthereofbyflyingthroughthesky,bywalking,restingandsleepingontheair.Likewisehewasabletoproduceflamesoffireandspringsofwaterfromhisbodyandtotransformhisbodyatwillintoanyobjectdesired,therebyconvincingunbelieversandturningthemtowardsreligiouspursuits.

HewasperfectinthepracticeofthefourstagesofmeditationandthushewasabletoprojecthissubtlebodysoastobepresentasthepresidingYogiintwentyfourholyplaceswheregodsandangelsassemble,likecloudsforspiritualcommunion.

Hewasabletodominategodsandelementalsandmakethemcarryouthiscommandsinstantaneously,inthefulfilmentofallduties.Hewasaperfectadeptinsupernaturalpowers.HewasabletotransverseandvisitalltheinnumerablesacredparadisesandheavensoftheBuddhas,wherebyvirtueofhisallabsorbingactsofunsurpasseddevotiontheBuddhasandBodhisattvaspresidingthereinfavouredhimwithdiscoursesonDharmaandlistenedtohisinreturn,sothathesanctifiedtheheavenworldsbyhisvisitsandsojournsthere.

10.NapoleonBonaparte

NapoleonBonapartewasamanofgreatconcentration.Hissuccesswasallduetothepowerofconcentration.Hesufferedfromvariousdiseasesasepilepticfits,Bradycardia,etc.Butforthesemaladies,hewouldhaveprovedstillmorepowerful.Hecouldsleepatanytimeheliked.Hewouldsnoretheverymomentheretiredtobed.Hewouldgetupattheverysecondoftheappointedtime.ThisisakindofSiddhi.HehadnoVikshepaorshillyshallying.HehadthehighlydevelopedEkagrataofaYogi.Hecoulddraw,asitwere,anysinglethoughtfromthebrainpigeonhole,dwellonitaslongashelikedandcouldshoveitbackwhenfinished.Hewouldsleepverysoundlyatnightamidstbusywar,wouldneverworryabitatnight.Thiswasallduetohispowerofconcentration.Concentrationcandoanything.Withoutconcentrationofmindnothingcanbeachieved.

Messrs.GladstoneandBalfourhadagreatdealofconcentrationofmind.Theverymomenttheyretiredtobed,theywouldgetsleep.Markthewordverymoment.Theywouldnevertossaboutfor15or20minutesinthebedasinthecaseoftheworldlypersons.Thinkhowdifficultitistoenterintodeepsleeptheverymomentyouliedown.Theyhadperfectcontroloversleep.Theycouldalsogetupfrombedatanytimetheywishedwithoutanyalarmtimepiece.Sleepingandgettingupattheappointedsecondisonlyanexampletoshowthepowerofconcentrationtoacertaindegree.Therearepeoplewho,afteradayshardwork,cansleeptheverymomenttheygotobedbuttheycannotgetupattheappointedtime.Thisisonlyanexampleonaveryordinarything.Peopleofconcentrationcanworkwondersandmiracles.

11.TeachingsOfKabir

OnceKabirtiedastoutpigtothefrontpostintheverandahofhishouse.AnorthodoxBrahminPunditcametoKabirshousefordiscussingaphilosophicalproblem.Hesawthepiginfrontofthehouse.Hewasmuchupset,irritatedandannoyed.HeaskedKabir:DearSir,howisityouhavetiedanastyanimalthateatstheexcretaofhumanbeings,veryclosetoyourhouse.YouhavenoAchara.Youareadirtyman.YoudonotknowtheShastras.Youareignorant.Kabirreplied:OShastriji,youaremoredirtythanmyself.Ihavetiedthepigtothefront

postoutsidemyhouse,whereasyouhavetiedthepigtothemind.TheBrahminwasverymuchvexedandwentawaywithouttellingaword.Manchangakatoriemeganga:Ifthemindispure,youwillfindtheGangesinthecup.Purificationofmindisofparamountimportance.Withoutthisnothingcanbeachievedinthespiritualpath.

12.AShamLatinScholar

AcertainmanwenttoaLatinteachertolearnLatin.Hestayedwiththeteacherforaweek.Henoticedthatmostofthewordsendedino.Hethoughtthathemustaddtheletterototheendofeachword.HeknewEnglishwell.HetoldtheteacherthatheknewLatinandwiththepermissionoftheteacher,hewentbacktohisnativeplace.Hereachedhishouseandtappedthedoorutteringthesewords:O,dearo,wifeo,openo,dooro.HethoughtthiswasallLatin.

ThereareverymanyscholarsinYogaandVedantaalsosimilartothelearnedLatinscholar,abovenarrated.TheystayforafewdaysinRamAshramLibraryorwithsomeSadhus,learnthenamesKundalini,MulaChakra,Nadi,Pranayama,Maya,orPratibimbavadaandmovefromplacetoplace.YogaandVedantaarephilosophiesthataretobestudiedunderaGuruwithgreatinterestforaperiodof12years.Thenonlyonecanmasterthesubjects.YogaandVedantashouldnotbeusedasameansforlivelihood.AfterlearningafewwordsinYogaandVedanta,oneshouldnotgoaboutandmixwiththeworldlypeople.AttainingperfectioninYogarequiresalongpracticalexperienceunderaperfectguide.

13.StoryOfAnAspirant

AnaspirantwenttoaMahantofGorakhnathPanth.Gorakhnathfollowersarethosewhoweareitherbigblackcelluloidorglassearrings.TheMahantboredtheaspirantsears,insertedbigearringsandgavehimabeautifulnamealso,YogiIshvarananda.HeremainedintheAshramforthreemonths.Hedidnotgetanyspiritualprogress.Hethoughttohimself:Thisisnottheproperpath.Letmetryanotherpath.HelefttheAshramimmediately,wanderedthroughthickjungles,cameacrossaFakirandimploredforinitiation.TheFakircircumcised,gavehimaMantraandaskedhimtohavealongbeard.Thisalsodidnotsatisfyhim.Nowlookatthepitiableconditionofthispooraspirant.Theulcersintheearshadnothealedupproperly.Hehadconsiderablepainthroughsepticinflammation.Therewasprofusedischargeofpus.Hehadalreadyadisturbedstateofmindandthisstateofaffairsaugmentedhismentalworries.HeseriouslyreflectedthatthiswasnotthewayofseekingtheGuru.Hemadeastrongdeterminationthathemustnotroamabout,muststickfirmlytoonesolitaryplaceandmustperformthereTapaswithconstantprayerstoGod.HeselectedaplaceandperformedTapaswithallsincerity.Thispurifiedhimandmadehimfitforhighersteps.Afteraperiodoftwoyears,aGuruappearedbeforehim,initiatedhimintodeepmysteriesofYoga.PresentdayaspirantsalsoarerunninglikethisfromplacetoplaceinsearchofaGuru.Itisofnouse.TheyshouldpurifythemselvesforaYogiclife.Bychance,eveniftheycomeincontactwithanAvatara,

theywillnotbebenefitedmuchiftheyhavenotastrongfoundationforaYogiclife.

14.OtherYogins

Theyogibymeansofvariouspracticesestablishesaconsciouscontrolovertheorgansandfunctionsofthebody.Hemouldshisbodylikesteel.OneSwamiinLondonhadademonstrationofstoppinghisheartbeforetheKing.Manyablephysicianswerepresentontheoccasionandexaminedhim.Desabandhuin1926stoppedtheradialandtemporalpulsesonbothsidesatwillandstoppedthebeatingsoftheheartalsoforashorttime.HeshowedademonstrationintheBombayMedicalUnion.InMaharajahRanjitSinghsCourtinLahore,HathaYogiHariDaswhoburiedhimselfunderneaththegroundforfortydaysaftertightlyclosinghisnose,mouth,earsandeyeswithwaxcamebackalive.TheMohammedanYogi,GunangudiMastan,wasburiedinMadras.SomeYoginsflyintheair.ThisisduetoKhechariMudra.

YogiPratapwasinthepostureofdoingViparitakaraniMudra.Heaskedtheonlookerstocoverhisheadwithclayonallsides.Heremainedinthatpositionforfull2hours.PaulDeussen,theGermantraveller,personallywitnessedthisinVaranasi.SriSwamiVishuddhanandaofVaranasioncegavelifetoadeadsparrow.NothingisimpossibleforarealYogi.

MysticExperienceVisionsOfLights

Variouskindsoflightsmanifestduringmeditationowingtodeepconcentration.Inthebeginningabright,whitelight,thesizeofapinspointwillappearintheforeheadatthespacebetweenthetwoeyebrowswhichcorrespondstentativelytotheAjnaChakra.Youwillnotice,whentheeyesareclosed,differentcolouredlights,white,yellow,red,smoky,blue,green,mixedlights,flasheslikelightning,fire,moon,sun,starsandsparks.TheseareTanmatriclights.EachTanmatrahasitsownspecificcolour.Yellowandwhitelightsareverycommonlyseen.Inthebeginningsmallballsofwhiteorredlightfloataboutbeforethemindseye.Whenyoufirstobservethisbeassuredthatthemindisbecomingmoresteadyandthatyouareprogressinginconcentration.Aftersomemonths,thesizeofthelightwillincreaseandyouwillseeafullblazeofwhitelight,biggerthanthesun.Inthebeginningtheselightsarenotsteady.Theycomeanddisappearimmediately.Whenyouhavesteadyandsystematicpracticeofmeditationfor2or3hours,theselightsappearmorefrequentlyandremainsteadyforalongtime.ThevisionoflightsisagreatencouragementinSadhana.ItimpelsyoutosticktoSadhanasteadily.Itgivesyoustrongfaithinsuperphysicalmatter.Theappearanceofthelightsdenotesthatyouaretranscendingthephysicalconsciousness.Youareinasemiconsciousstatewhenthelightappears.Youarebetweenthetwoplaces.Youmustnotshakethebodywhentheselightsmanifest.YoumustbeperfectlysteadyinyourAsanaandbreatheslowly.

AttimesyouwillseesomelustrousformsofDevatasorsomeotherphysicalforms.YouwillseeyourIshtaDevataoryourGuru.Siddhas,RishisandothersgivetheirDarshantoencourageyou.Youcanseebeautiful

gardens,palatialbuildings,rivers,mountains,goldentemples,sceneriessolovelyandpicturesqueascannotbeadequatelydescribed.

Duringintenseconcentration,manyareabletofeelcertainpeculiarsensationasifsomeelectriccurrentpassesfromtheMuladharaChakra.Theyimmediatelydisturbtheirbodyandcomedowntothephysicalconsciousnessoutoffear.Theyneedhavenofearatall.Theyshouldkeepsteadyandwaitforfurtherexperiences.

Theexperiencesvaryindifferentindividuals.Theexperienceofonemanmaynotbethesameasthatofanotherman.ManyerroneouslybelievethattheyhaverealisedtheSelfwhentheygettheseexperiences,stoptheirSadhanaandtrytomovewiththepublictopreachandtodoLokaSangraha.Thisisaseriousblunder.Thisisnotrealisationatall.TheseareallsimpleencouragementsfromyourIshtaDevatatoconvinceyouofahigherspirituallifeandpushyouinyoursystematicandincessantpracticewithzealandenthusiasm.Youwillhavetoignorethesethingsanddrivethemawayjustasyoudidwithworldlyobjects.Youmustnotcareabitwhenyougetthesevisions.YoumusthaveyourLakshyaonthegoal.Thevisionsmayappearinsomepersonswithinafewdays,whileinotherswithinsixorninemonths.Itdependsuponthestateofthemindanddegreeofconcentration.Somepersonsmaynothavesuchexperiences,buttheywillbeprogressinginthespiritualpath.

Sometimesyouwillgetverypowerful,dazzlinglights,biggerthanthesun.Theyarewhite.Inthebeginning,theycomeanddisappearquickly.Laterontheybecomesteadyevenfor10or15minutesaccordingtothedegreeofconcentration.LightswillappearbeforetheeyesoratanyoneoftheChakras.Thelightissopowerfulanddazzlingsometimesthatyouhavetowithdrawyourselffromlookingandbreakyourmeditation.Somepeopleareafraidandtheydonotknowwhattodoandhowtoproceedfurther.Byconstantpractice,themindengagedinconcentrationwillvanish.ThebeingsandobjectswithwhomyouareintouchduringtheearlyperiodofSadhanabelongtotheastralworld.ThelustrousformsarehigherDevatasofmentalandhigherplanes,whocomedowntogiveDarshanandtoencouragetheSadhakas.VariousShaktismanifestinlustrousforms.Adorethem.DomentalPujaassoonastheyappearbeforeyou.

Donotwasteyourtimeinlookingatthesevisions.Thisisonlyacuriosity.Theseareallencouragementstoconvinceyouoftheexistenceofsuperphysical,metaphysicalrealities.Visionsareeithersubjectiveorobjective,yourownmentalcreationsorofrealitiesonfinerplanesofmatter.Universeconsistsofplanesofmatterofvariousdegreesofdensity.RhythmicalvibrationsofTanmatrasinvariousdegreesgiverisetotheformationofvariousplanes.Visionsmaybeofthesethingsorbeings.Orinmanycasestheymaybepurelyimaginary.Theymaybethecrystallisationofyourownintensethinking.Youmustdiscriminatewell.

Elementals

Sometimestheseelementalsappearduringmeditation.Theyarestrangefigures,somewithlongteeth,bigfaces,

somewiththreeheads,somewithfacesonthebelly,somewithoutfleshandskin,etc.TheyareinhabitantsofBhuvarLoka.TheyareBhutas.TheyaresupposedtobetheattendantsofLordSiva.Theyhaveterrifyingforms.Theydonotcauseanyharmatall.Theysimplyappearonthestage.Theycometotestyourstrengthandcourage.Theycandonothing.Theycannotstandbeforeapure,ethicalaspirant.RepetitionofOmoryourGuruMantrawillthrowthematadistance.Wheneveryoungpeoplelookatadeadbodyorwhentheyseeabodyhangingorwhentheyseeacruelmurder,theyalwaysbroodoverthisinstance.Evenduringmeditation,thesamethoughtwillcomeandtakepeculiarform.Againandagaintheywillseethesameformbeforetheireyes.Theyshouldnotfearatall.Itisonlytheirmentalcreation.Acowardisabsolutelyunfitforthespiritualline.Destroyfear.Developcourage.Bebold.

LifeInTheAstralPlane

Duringthecourseofpractice,onedayyouwillfeelthatyouhaveseparatedyourselffromthebody.Youwillhaveimmensejoymixedwithfearjoyinthepossessionofanewlight,astralbodyandfearowingtotheentryinaforeign,unknownplane.Attheveryoutset,thenewconsciousnessisveryrudimentaryinthenewplane.Youwillonlyfeelthatyouhavealight,airybodyandwillperceivearotating,vibrating,limitedastralatmospherewithilluminationofgoldenlights,objectsandbeings.Youmayfeelthatyouarefloatingintheair.

Youwillneverfallbutthenewexperienceofsubtletygeneratesnovelfeelingsandsensationsinthebeginning.Howyouleavethebodyandremain,isunknown.Youareunawareofhowyouhavecompletelyseparatedyourselffromthebody.Thenewjoyisinexpressible.Yourwillhavetoactuallyfeelandexperienceityourself.Whenyoucomebacktobodyconsciousness,thereisanintensecravingtoregainthenewconsciousnessandtoremaininthatstatealways.Bychance,byrepeatedattempts,youareabletogobeyondthebodyconsciousnessonceinamonthorsointhecourseofSadhana.Ifyouplodonwithpatience,throughYogicpractices,youwillbeabletoleavethebodyatwillandstayforalongtime.

YoucanbymerewillingtravelinanyplaceyoulikewiththeastralbodyandtherematerialisebydrawingthenecessarymaterialseitherfromAhamkaraortheuniversalstorehouse.TheprocessisverysimpletooccultistsandYogiswhoknowtherationale,thedetailedtechniqueofthevariousoperations.Thoughtreading,thoughttransference,psychichealing,distanthealing,etc.,canbeveryeasilyperformedbythosewhocanfunctionwiththeastralbody.Concentratedmentalrayscanpenetrateopaquewallsandtravelmilesandmiles.

HintsOnYoga

BrahmacharyaisveryveryessentialEvenindreamsyoumustbefreefromlustfulthoughts.ItrequireslongpracticeandcarefulwatchoverthemindandIndriyas.FoolishpeoplehastilyjumpuptothehighercoursesinYogainvainwithouthavingthisimportantitemwhichisveryusefulforspiritualSadhana.

Wetdreamsgenerallyoccurinthelastquarterofthenight.Thosewhoareinthehabitofgettingupfrombedbetween3and4a.m.(Brahmamuhurta)anddoingJapa,PranayamaandDhyana,canneverfallavictimtonocturnalpollutions.

ThatmaninwhomthesexideaisdeeprootedcanneverdreamofunderstandingYogaandVedantaeveninonehundredbirths.

Keepthemindfullyoccupied.ThisisthebestpanaceaorsovereignremedyforkeepingupBrahmacharya.DoJapa,meditation,readingofreligiousbooks,walking,Kirtan,prayer,Satsanga,service,religiousdiscourse,writing,etc.

AlwayswearaKaupeenorLangotee.Thisisscientificandspiritualtoo.Ifyouareamarriedman,sleepinaseparateroomfromyourwife.Changeyourhabitimmediately.

Becarefulintheselectionofyourcompanions.Giveupdrama,talkies,readingnovelsandotherlovestories.Donotusesoapsandflowers.ObserveMowna.Donotmixwithanyone.Readgoodinspiringreligiousbooks.Whendesiresariseintheminddonotfulfilthem.Crushthemimmediately.Avoidthecompanyofwomen.Nojokingandlaughing.Thesearealloutwardmanifestationsoflustonly.Whenyouwalkinthestreetdonotlookhitherandthitherlikeamonkey.Donotlookatawomaneventhephotoorpictureofalady.Donottalkaboutwomen.

Whenyouadvanceinthespiritualpracticeitwillbeverydifficultforyoutodobothmeditationanddailyofficeandhouseholdworkatthesametime,becausethemindwillundergoadoublestrain.Itfindsitverydifficulttoadjusttodifferentuncongenialactivities.Therefore,theadvancedGrihasthastudentswillhavetostopallworldlyactivities.Whentheyadvanceinmeditation,iftheydesiretoadvancefurther,theyshouldtaketoseclusionandmustdisconnectthemselvesfromtheworldlyactivitiesentirely.WorkisahindranceinmeditationforadvancedYogicstudents.

Livealone.ObserveMownaandrecordinyourdiarythebenefitsyouderive.Donotmakegesturesandsignshu,hu,hu.Thishu,hu,huistantamounttotalking.Thereismorewastageofenergyinthishu,hu,hubusiness.UtilisethisconservedenergyinJapaandmeditation.

SadhakaswhotakeuptoNivrittiMargagenerallybecomelazyaftersometime,astheydonotknowhowtoutilisethementalenergy,astheydonotkeepupanydailyroutineandastheydonotfollowtheinstructionsoftheirGuru.TheygetVairagyaofcourse,buttheyhavenoexperienceinthespiritualline.Theydonotmakeanyspiritualprogressintheend.

ThosewhowanttotakeuptoseclusionandNivrittiMarga,shouldobserveMownaanddisciplinetheIndriyas,mindandbodywhilelivingintheworld.Theyshouldtrainthemselvestohard,laboriouslife,coarsefood,walking

withoutshoesandumbrella.Thenonlytheycanbeartherigorouslifeofanascetic.Theyshouldentirelygiveuptimidity.

IfcircumstancespreventyoufromobservingMowna,strictlyavoidlongtalk,bigtalk,talltalkandallsortsofvaindiscussionsandwithdrawyourselffromsocietyasmuchaspossible.Toomuchoftalkissimplywastageofenergy.IfthisenergyisconservedbyMowna,itwillbetransmutedintoOjasShaktiwhichwillhelpyouinyourSadhana.

Sadhakashouldalwaysremainalone.Thisisanimportantfactorinspiritualprogress.Mixingwithhouseholdersishighlydangerous.SolitudeforSadhanaisagreatdesideratum.Allenergiesmustbecarefullypreserved.Afterashortstayinsolitude,aspirantsshouldnotentertheworld.WhattheyhavegainedinfiveyearsinseclusionthroughhardTapas,willbeirrecoverablylostinamonthbymixingwithworldlypeople.Severalpersonshavecomplainedtomethattheyhavelostthepowerofconcentration.

AfterattainingperfectioninYoga,onecanenterworldifheisnotaffectedevenabitbyunfavourable,hostilecurrentsoftheworld.ThereisnoharmifyoumixwithcongenialcompanywhichisalsodevotedtoYogaAbhyasa.Youcandiscussvariousphilosophicalpoints.YoucanbeinthecompanyofhigherspiritualpersonageswhoenterintoSamadhi.ManypersonsentertheworldbeforeperfectioninYogatodemonstratetheirminorpowersinthenameofLokaSangrahaandforfame.Theyhavebeenreducedtoalevelworsethanaworldlyman.

Everythingmustbedonegradually.Itisverydifficultforamanwhowasintheworldtobeinentireseclusion.Itwillbeverypainfulandtroublesomeforabeginner.HeshouldslowlytrainhimselfbyobservingMownaoften.

TheplacewhereinyoucangetconcentrationofmindissuitableforyourYogicpractices.Thisisageneralrule.Therewillbenouseifyourunfromplacetoplace.

WhenyoudoKarmaYogayoumustbefreefromegoism.Youmustnotexpectanyrewardorappreciationfortheworkthatyoudo(Nishkama).Youmusthaveabalancedmindinsuccessandfailure.

ThemomenttheChittaShuddhiisattained,youmuststopdoingNishkamaKarmaandtaketopuremeditationinseclusion.

Mostofthedifficultiesariseinyourdailylifeifyoudonothaveapropercontroloveryourmind.Forinstance,ifamandoeseviltoyou,instantlyyouwanttorevenge,toextracttoothfortooth,titfortatpolicy,toreturnangerforanger.Everyreactionofevilshowsthatthemindisnotundercontrol.Byangeroneloseshisenergy.Balancedstateofmindisnotpossible.Fromangerallotherimpuritiesemanate.Angercontrolledproperly,becomestransmutedintoanenergysopowerfulastomovethewholeworld.

Aslightoverloadinginthestomachwillupsetmeditation.Themindhasdirectconnectionwithgastricnervesofthestomach.Youwillgetdrowsinessalso.YoumusttrainyourselftoMitahara.

Whenyouhavedietrestriction,inthebeginningyouwillimaginethatyouaregettingleanerandweaker.Toaddtothisyourfriendsandrelativeswillfrightenyou.Donothearthem.Inafewdaysyouwillbequiteallright.

Incaseofindigestionandconstipation,takealongbriskwalkinthemorning.Assoonasyougetupfrombeddrinklargequantityofwater.DoPaschimottana,Mayura,TrikonaAsanas,NauliandUddiyana.Dophysicalexercisesalso.Incaseofchronicconstipationtryachangeindiet.Ifyoutakerice,thentakewheat,andsee.Ifyouareinthesamestate,tryfruitsandmilkdiet.Thenyouwillbequiteallright.Changeofdietisasureremedy.

Ifyouhavetheevilhabitofdrinkingwine,toddy,coffee,etc.,andifyouwanttostopit,gotothemeditationroomandpromisebeforethedeitythatyouwillstopthebadhabitfromthatmoment.Proclaimthisdeterminationtoyourfriends.Ifyourmindgoestothesamehabit,youwillnaturallybeashamedtocontinuethehabit.Severaltimesyouwillfail.Stillstrugglehard.TaketoSatsanga.Studyreligiousbooks.Youcandestroyallimpurehabits.Ifyoufinditverydifficulttogiveup,thelastremedyyouwillhavetotakeisinrunningawayfromthepresentsocietyandyoumustfleetoaplacewhereyoucannotatallgetallthese.Outofcompulsionyoucanleavethebadhabit.

Ifyouwanttostoptakingmutton,fishetc.,justseewithyourowneyesthepitiable,strugglingconditionatthetimeofkillingthesheeporfish.Nowmercyandsympathywillariseinyourheart.Thenyouwilldeterminetogiveupflesheatingsothatthepoorinnocentlivesmaybespared.Ifyoufailinthisattempt,justchangeyourenvironmentsandliveinaBrahminhotelwhereyoucannotgetmuttonandfishandmovewiththatsocietywherethereisonlyvegetablediet.Alwaysthinkoftheevilsofflesheatingandthebenefitsofvegetablediet.Ifthisalsocannotgiveyousufficientstrengthtostopthishabit,gototheslaughterhouseandbutchersshopandpersonallyseethedisgustingrottenmuscles,kidneysandothernastypartsoftheanimalandthebadsmell.ThiswillinduceVairagyainyouandastrongdisgustandhatredformuttoneating.

AMantraisamassofTejasorradiantenergy.Ittransformsthementalsubstancebyproducingaparticularthoughtmovement.TherhythmicalvibrationsproducedbyMantraregulatetheunsteadyvibrationsofthefivesheaths.Itchecksthenaturaltendencyofobjectivethoughtsofthemind.IthelpstheSadhanaShaktiandreinforcesit.SadhanaShaktiisstrengthenedbyMantraShakti.Mantraawakenssuperhumanpowers.

OnlytheknowledgeimpartedbyaGuruthroughhislipsispowerfulandusefulotherwiseitbecomesfruitless,weakandverypainful.

SiddhauvisvasahprathamalakshanamForsuccess,firmbeliefisthefirstcondition.

Developthepowerofendurance(Titiksha),learntobearhappinessandmiseryevenlyandtopassthroughallphasesoflife,allexperiences.

Theenduranceofallpainandtorturewithpatienceandcontentmentmeanstheexerciseofadistinctforcewhichspiritualisesthewholenature.Thegreaterthisforce,thespeedierthespiritualgrowth.PatienceandfaithshouldcontinueundiminishedallthroughtheSadhanaperiod.

ChittaShuddhiispurificationofmind.NadiShuddhiispurificationofNadis.BhutaShuddhiispurificationofelements.AdharaShuddhiispurificationofAdhara.IfthereisShuddhi(purification),Siddhi(perfection)willcomebyitself.SiddhiisnotpossiblewithoutShuddhi.

Humilityisthehighestofallvirtues.Youcandestroyyouregoismbydevelopingthisvirtuealone.Youcaninfluencethewholeworld.Youwillbecomeamagnettoattractthewholeworld.Itmustbegenuine.Feignedhumilityishypocrisy.

ControlangerbypracticeofKshama,Dhairya,patienceandNirabhimanata,absenceofegoism.

Whenangeriscontrolleditwillbetransmutedintoanenergybywhichyoucanmovethewholeworld.

Angerisamodificationofpassion.Ifyoucancontrollust,youhavealreadycontrolledanger.

Drinkalittlewaterwhenyoubecomeangry.Itwillcoolthebrainandcalmtheexcited,irritablenerves.

Counttwenty,onebyone.Bythetimeyoufinishcountingtwenty,angerwillsubside.

Watchthesmallirritableimpulseorthoughtwavecarefully.Thenitwillbecomemoreeasyforyoutocontrolanger.Takeallprecautions.Donotallowittoburstoutandassumeawildform.

Ifyoufinditextremelydifficulttocontrolit,leavetheplaceatonceandwalkforhalfanhour.PraytoGod.DoJapa.Meditate.Meditationgivesimmensestrength.

VeryoftendepressioncomesinmeditationinneophytesowingtotheinfluenceofSamskaras,influenceofastralentities,evilspirits,badcompany,cloudydays,badstomachandloadedbowels.Itmustbequicklyremovedbycheerfulthoughts,abriskwalk,singingHisName,andlaughing,prayer,Pranayama,purgativeandadoseofcarminativemixture.

IfyouwanttoenterintoSamadhiquickly,cutallconnectionswithfriends,relatives,andothers.ObserveAkhandaMowna,Liveonmilkalone.Plungeinmeditation.

LazinessandficklenessofmindarethetwogreatobstaclesinYoga.LightSattvicdietandPranayamaswillremovelaziness.Donotoverloadthestomach.Walkbrisklyinthecompoundhitherandthitherforhalfanhour.

Diseasesaregeneratedinonesbodythroughthefollowingcauses,viz.,sleepingindaytime,latevigilovernight,excessofsexualintercourse,movingincrowd,checkingofurineandfaeces,takingofunwholesomefoodandlaboriousmentalwork.IfaYogiisaffectedbyanydiseaseduetothesecauses,hesaysthatthediseaseisduetohisYogicpractice.Thisisthefirstobstacleinyoga.

Disease,mentalinactivity,doubt,indifference,laziness,tendencytogoaftersenseenjoyments,stupor,falseperception,nonattainmentofconcentrationandfallingawayfromthatwhenattainedonaccountofrestlessness,aretheobstructingdistractions.(YogaSutrasI30).

Ifapractitionerisgloomy,depressedandweak,surelythereissomeerrorinhisSadhana.Ifaspirantsthemselvesaregloomyandpeevishhowcantheyimpartjoy,peaceandstrengthtoothers?AcheerfulandeversmilingcountenanceisasuresignofspiritualityandDivinelife.

Oemotional,enthusiasticyoungaspirants!DonottakethemovementsofrheumaticwindsinthebackfromchroniclumbagoforascentofKundalini.DoyourSadhanawithpatience,perseverancetillyougetSamadhi.MastereverystageinYoga.Donottakeupanyhighercoursesbeforeyoucompletelymasterthelowersteps.

Oimpatientaspirant!DonotbothermuchaboutawakeningKundalini.Prematureawakeningisnotdesirable.DoyourSadhanaandTapassystematicallyandregularly.JustasthegardenerwhowatersthetreesdailygetsthefruitswhenthepropertimecomessoalsoyouwillenjoythefruitsofyourSadhanawhenthetimecomes.Purifyandsteadythemindnow.PurifytheNadis.ThenKundaliniwillbeawakenedspontaneously.

Theaspirant,eventhoughhewouldhaveawakenedtheKundalinibysomemeans,willnotbebenefitedatallifhehasnotdevelopedthenecessaryqualifications.Itisnotpossibleforhimtofeel,andmanifestallthebenefitsofawakeningKundalini.

TherearesomedevelopedsoulswhoareinastateofSamadhinaturallyfromtheirverybirth.Theyhavenotacquiredthisbyanyexertioninthisbirth.TheyarecalledbornSiddhas.TheyhavefinishedtheirSadhanaintheirpreviousbirths.

Bycontinence,devotiontoGuruandsteadypractice,successcomesinYogaafteralongtime.Theaspirantshouldalwaysbepatientandpersevering.

Svastika,Gomukha,Padma,HamsathesearetheBrahmicpostures(Asanas).Vira,Mayura,VajraandSiddhaAsanasaretheRaudrapostures.YoniistheSaktaposture.PaschimottanasanaistheShaivaposture.

Controloverthefiveelements(Bhutas)maybegainedbypractisingDharanaontheirrespectiveseatsinthebody.Theseatofearthextendsfromthefoottothekneetheseatofwaterextendsfromthekneetothenaveltheseatoffire,fromnaveltothethroattheseatofair,fromthethroattotheregionbetweentheeyebrowsandtheseatofAkasafromtheeyebrowstoBrahmarandhra.

NadaislikeapurecrystalextendingfromtheMuladharatoSahasraraChakra.ItisthatwhichisspokenofasBrahmanorParamatman.

Inthebeginningofyourpractice,youmaygetjerksofhands,legs,trunkandwholebody.Sometimesthejerkswillbeterrible.Donotbeafraid.Donotbetroubled.Itisnothing.ItisduetosuddenmuscularcontractionfromnewPranicinfluence.Thejerkswillpassoffaftersometime.Youwillhavetopassthroughthesestages.

AssoonasKundaliniisawakenedforthefirsttime,aYogigetsthesesixexperienceswhichlastforashorttimeAnanda(spiritualbliss),Kampana(tremorofthebodyandlimbs),Utthana(risingfromtheground),Ghurni(divineintoxication),Murccha(fainting)andNidra(sleep).

Goodhealth,lightnessofthebody,shiningcomplexion,nottobeaffectedbythetipsofthorns,toendurehungerandthirst,toeatanddrinkmuchandtofastforalongtime,toendureheatandcold,andtohavecontroloverthefiveelements,aresomeothersymptomsofYogiclife.

OnlyaYogileadingthelifeofaBrahmachariandobservingamoderateandnutritiousdiet,obtainsperfectioninthemanipulationofKundalini.(Ghe.Sam.III12).

ManypeopleareattractedtothepracticeofPranayamaandotherYogicexercises,asitisthroughYogathatpsychichealing,telepathy,thoughttransference,andothergreatSiddhisareobtained.Iftheyattainsuccess,theyshouldnotremaintherealone.TheGoaloflifeisnothealingandSiddhis.TheyshouldutilisetheirenergyinattainingtheHighest.

Thosewhocandotelepathy,psychichealing,etc.,useonlythePranainadifferentway.Forproducingdifferentresults,thesamePranamustbeutilisedinadifferentmethod.YoushouldknowthetechniquetousethisfromaGuru.Bylongpracticeyoualsocandoeverythingsuccessfully.

AYogiontheappearanceofcertainSiddhisthinksthathehasachievedthehighestgoal.HemaygiveuphisfurtherSadhanathroughfalsecontentment.TheYogiwhoisbentupongettingthehighestSamadhi,mustrejectSiddhiswhenevertheycome.SiddhisareinvitationsfromDevatas.OnlybyrejectingtheseSiddhis,onecanattainsuccessinYoga.HewhocravesforSiddhisisaworldlymindedman.Heisaverybighouseholder.ThosewhocraveforSiddhiswillnevergetthem.IfaYogicstudentistemptedtoattainSiddhis,hisfurtherprogressisseriouslyretarded.Hehaslosttheway.

DonotstopSadhanawhenyougetafewglimpsesandexperiences.Continuethepracticetillyouattainperfection.Donotstopthepracticeandmoveaboutintheworld.Examplesarenotlacking.Numerouspersonshavebeenruined.Aglimpsecannotgiveyousafety.

Youcandonothingbyahappygoluckylife.Sticktooneplaceforthreeyears.Drawaprogrammeofdailyroutine.Thenfollowtotheveryletteratanycost.Thenyouaresuretosucceed.

ThereisnouseofdillydallyinghitherandthitherinsearchofaGuru.Ifyousearchforhim,youwillnevergethim.Ifyoumakeyourselfdeservingbythepracticeofallpreliminaryqualifications,hewilldoubtlesscometoyou.ItiswithinthepowerofeverybodytoattainsuccessinYoga.Whatiswantedissinceredevotion,constantandsteadyAbhyasa.

Neverallowsentimenttoovercomeyouonewayorother.WiselyutiliseeveryconditionfortheupliftofthesoulandChittaSuddhi.

UnlessyouarepreparedtogiveupallyouhavefortheserviceoftheLordandmankind,youarequiteunfitforthespiritualpath.

Youfirstseparateyourselffromthebodythenyouidentifyyourselfwiththemindandthenyoufunctiononthementalplane.Throughconcentration,youriseabovebodyconsciousnessthroughmeditationyouriseabovemindandfinallythroughSamadhi,youreachthegoal.

AHathaYogibringsdownthePranabyJalandharaBandhabyMulaBandhahechecksthedownwardtendencyofApanahavingaccustomedhimselftothepracticeofAsviniMudra,hemakestheApanagoupwardwiththemindintentonKumbhaka.ThroughUddiyanaBandha,heforcestheunitedPranaApanatoentertheSushumnaNadialongwithKundalini,andthroughSaktiChalanaMudra,hetakesKundalinifromChakratoChakra.BythisprocedureaHathaYogimakesconquestoverDehaAdhyasa.

Eliminatefearaltogetherbyconstantlyraisinganoppositecurrentofthoughtinthemind.Constantlyandintentlythinkofcourage.FearisaVikara,unnatural,temporarymodificationonaccountofAvidya.Whenfeardisappears,theattachmentforthebodygoesawayandthenitiseasyforyoutogoabovebodyconsciousness.

Donotbecarriedawaybynameandfame(Khyati).Ignoreallthesetrivialthings.Besteadyinyourpractice.NeverstopSadhanatillthefinalbeatitudeisreached.

Justasthemanwhofoolishlyrunsaftertworabbitswillnotcatchholdofanyoneofthem,soalsoameditatorwhorunsaftertwoconflictingthoughtswillnotgetsuccessinanyoneofthetwothoughts.Ifhehasdivinethoughtsfortenminutesandthenworldlyconflictingthoughtsforthenexttenminuteshewillnotsucceedin

gettingattheDivineconsciousness.

SeveralaspirantsinthenameofTapasyaneglectthebody.Allpossiblecareshouldbetakentokeepthebodyinahealthycondition.ASadhakashouldtakemorecarethanaworldlymanbecauseitiswiththisinstrumentthathehastoreachtheGoal.Atthesametimehemustbequiteunattachedtothebodyandbepreparedtogiveitupatanymoment.Thatistheproperideal.

Astothequalificationforrenunciation,amanshouldhaveattainedperfectpurityofmind,stabilityofintellect,discrimination,disgusttowardssensualpleasuresandakeendesireforfreedom.Unlessamanhasattainedthesequalifications,renunciationofactivedutiesoflifedoesnotproducethedesiredeffect.

IfyouwantSamadhi,youmustknowwelltheprocessofDhyana.IfyouwantDhyana,youmustknowaccuratelythemethodofDharana.IfyouwantDharana,youmustknowperfectlythemethodofPratyahara.IfyouwantPratyahara,youmustknowPranayama.IfyouwantPranayamayoumustknowAsanawell.BeforegoingtothepracticeofAsana,youshouldhaveYamaandNiyama.ThereisnouseofjumpingintoDhyanawithouthavingthevariouspreliminarypractices.

Someaspirants,whentheycannotgetmilkorghee,stoptheirYogicpractices.Ifyoucannotgetmilkorghee,youwillhavetotakealittlemorequantityofbreadandDal.Dalismorenutritiousthanmilk.Itisvery,verysubstantial.Sadhakasshouldnotdevelopanyhabitatall.Habitmeansslavery.Peopleofslavishmentalityareabsolutelyunfitforthespiritualpath.Theyshouldnotbeaffectedatalleveniftheyareplacedundertheworstcircumstances.

VedantinsusedifferentmethodsforgettingLaya,viz.,(1)AntahkaranaLayaChintana,(2)PanchaBhutaLayaChintanaand(3)OmkaraLayaChintana.InAntahkaranaLaya,youmustthinkthatthemindismergedinBuddhiBuddhiinAvyaktamandAvyaktaminBrahman.InPanchaBhutaLaya,youmustthinkthattheearthgetsmergedinwater,waterinfirefireinairairinAkasaAkasainAvyaktamandAvyaktaminBrahman.InOmkaraLaya,youmustthinkthatVisvagetsmergedinVirat(ViratintheletterA)TaijasainHiranyagarbha(HiranyagarbhaintheletterU)PrajnainIshvara(IshvaraintheletterM).JivaSakshigetsmergedinIshvaraSakshiIshvaraSakshiinArdhamatraofOmkara.Thusyoucangobacktotheoriginalsource,Brahman,whoistheYoniforallmindsandPanchaBhutas.Brahmanaloneremains.

AnnamayaKoshaisthephysicalbody(SthulaSarira).PranamayaKosha,ManomayaKoshaandVijnanamayaKoshaareintheastralbody(SukshmaSarira).AnandamayaKoshabelongstothecausalbody(KaranaSarira).PranamayaKoshacontainsthefiveKarmaIndriyas.ManomayaandVijnanamayaKoshascontainthefiveJnanaIndriyas.

Priya,ModaandPramodaaretheattributesofAnandamayaKosha.HungerandthirstbelongtoPranamayaKosha.

BirthanddeathbelongtotheAnnamayaKosha.HarshaandSoka(exhilarationanddepression)belongtoManomayaKosha.Passion,hunger,greed,SankalpaandVikalpaareDharmasoftheManomayaKosha.SleepandMohabelongtoAnandamayaKosha.Kartritva(agency)andBhoktritva(enjoyment)belongtoVijnanamayaKosha.

InManomayaKosha,IcchaShaktiisworking.InVijnanamayaKosha,JnanaShaktiisworking.ForotherdetailedinformationconsultmybookPracticeofVedanta.

WhenKundaliniisawakened,itdoesnotproceedatoncetoSahasraraChakra.ByfurtherYogicpractices,youwillhavetotakeitfromChakratoChakra,onebyone.

EvenafterKundalinihasreachedtheSahasraraitcandroptoMuladharaChakra.TheYogicanalsostopitataparticularChakra.WhentheYogiisestablishedinSamadhi,whenhehasattainedKaivalya,KundaliniwillnotcomebacktoMuladhara.

ThebodywillexistevenafterKundalinihasreachedSahasraraChakra,buttheYogiwillhavenobodyconsciousness.ItisonlywhenKaivalyaisattainedthatthebodybecomeslifeless.

TheSadhakasshouldhaveapureheartandshouldbefreefromDoshas.TheMantrashouldhavebeenobtainedfromagreatman.TheSadhakashouldhavefaithintheMantra.Inthiscase,JapaaloneisquitesufficienttoawakenKundalini.

JnanaYoga,MantraYoga,HathaYoga,RajaYogaandallothermethodshavethe8steps,viz.,Yama,Niyama,Asana,Pranayama,Pratyahara,Dharana,Dhyana,andSamadhi.ThesearenottheexclusivepropertyofRajaYogaalone.ThesearenecessaryforallSadhakas.

Youngboyshavenosettledmind.Manyhavenotthepowerofdiscrimination.ThereforeyoungageisnotsuitableforadvancedcoursesinYoga.

Manyotherimportantdoubtsoftheaspirantshavebeenclearedinthetext.

SomePracticalHints

TheactualmethodofawakeningtheKundaliniShaktiandunitingHerwiththeLordintheSahasraracanonlybelearntfromaGuru.IgivehereageneraloutlineoftheYogicpracticethatwillenabletheSadhakatorealisetheChit.

TheJivatmainthesubtlebody,thereceptacleofthefivevitalairs(PanchaPranas),mindinitsthreeaspectsof

Manas,BuddhiandAhankarathefiveorgansofaction(Karmendriyas)andthefiveorgansofperception(Jnanendriyas),areunitedwiththeKulaKundalini.TheKandarpaorKamaVayuintheMuladharaaformoftheApanaVayuisgivenaleftwardrevolutionandthefirewhichisaroundKundaliniiskindled.BytheBijaHung,andtheheatofthefirethuskindled,thecoiledandsleepingKundaliniisawakened.ShewholayasleeparoundSvayambhulinga,withhercoilsthreecirclesandahalf,dosingtheentranceoftheBrahmadvara,willonbeingroused,enterthatdoorandmoveupwards,unitedwiththeJivatma.

Onthisupwardmovement,Brahma,Savitri,DakiniShakti,theDevas,BijaandVritti,aredissolvedinthebodyofKundalini.TheMaheemandalaorPrithviisconvertedintotheBijaLang,andisalsomergedinHerbody.WhenKundalinileavestheMuladhara,thelotuswhich,ontheawakeningofKundalini,hadopenedandturneditsflowerupwards,againclosesandhangsdownwards.AsKundalinireachestheSvadhishthanaChakra,thatlotusopensout,andliftsitsflowerupwards.UpontheentranceofKundalini,Mahavishnu,Mahalakshmi,Sarasvati,RakiniShakti,DevaMatrikasandVritti,Vaikunthadhama,Goloka,andtheDevaandDeviresidingthereinaredissolvedinthebodyofKundalini.ThePrithviorearthBijaLangisdissolvedinApah,andApahconvertedintotheBijaVang,remainsinthebodyofKundalini.WhentheDevireachestheManipuraChakraallthatisintheChakramergesinHerbody.TheVarunaBijaVangisdissolvedinfire,whichremainsinthebodyoftheDeviastheBijaRang.ThisChakraiscalledtheBrahmagranthi(orknotofBrahma).ThepiercingofthisChakramayinvolveconsiderablepain,physicaldisorder,andevendisease.Onthisaccount,thedirectionsofanexperiencedGuruarenecessary,andthereforealsoothermodesofYogahavebeenrecommendedforthosetowhomtheyareapplicableforinsuchmodesactivityisprovokeddirectlyinthehighercentreanditisnotnecessarythatthelowerChakrasshouldbepierced.KundalininextreachestheAnahataChakrawhereallwhichisthereinismergedinHer.TheBijaofTejas,RangdisappearsinVayuandVayuconvertedintoitsBijaYang,mergesintothebodyofKundalini.ThisChakraisknownasVishnugranthi(knotofVishnu).KundalinithenascendstotheabodeofBharati(orSarasvati)ortheVishuddhaChakra.UponHerentrance,ArdhaNarisvaraSiva,Sakini,thesixteenvowels,Mantra,etc.,aredissolvedinthebodyofKundalini.TheBijaofVayu,YangisdissolvedinAkasa,whichitselfbeingtransformedintotheBijaHangismergedinthebodyofKundalini.PiercingtheLalanaChakra,theDevireachestheAjnaChakra,whereParamaShiva,SiddhaKali,theDevaGanaandallelsethereinareabsorbedintoHerbody.TheBijaofAkasa,HangismergedintheManasChakraandminditselfinthebodyofKundalini.TheAjnaChakraisknownasRudragranthi(ortheknotofRudraorShiva).AfterthisChakrahasbeenpierced,Kundalini,ofHerownmotion,uniteswithParamasiva.AsSheproceedsupwardsfromthetwopetalledlotus,theNiralambaPuri,PranavaNadaetc.,aremergedinHer.

TheKundalinitheninherprogressupwards,absorbsherselfthetwentyfourTattvascommencingwiththegrosselements,andthenunitesHerselfandbecomesonewithParamasiva.ThenectarwhichflowsfromsuchunionfloodstheKshudrabrahmandaorhumanbody.ItisthenthattheSadhakaforgetfulofallinthisworldisimmersedinineffablebliss.

ThereaftertheSadhaka,thinkingoftheVayuBijaYangasbeingintheleftnostril,inhalesthroughIda,makingJapaoftheBijasixteentimes.Thenclosingbothnostrils,hemakesJapaoftheBijasixtyfourtimes.Hethenthinksthattheblackmanofsin(Papapurusha)intheleftcavityoftheabdomenisbeingdriedup,andsothinking,heexhalesthroughtherightnostrilPingala,makingJapaoftheBijathirtytwotimes.ThePapapurushashouldbethoughtofasanangryblackmanintheleftsideofthecavityoftheabdomen,ofthesizeofthethumb,withredbeardandeyes,holdingaswordandshield,withhisheadeverheldlow,theveryimageofallsins.TheSadhakathenmeditatingupontheredcolouredBijaRangintheManipura,inhales,makingsixteenJapasoftheBija,andthenclosesthenostrils,makingsixtyfourJapas.WhilemakingtheJapahethinksthatthebodyofthemanofsinisbeingburntandreducedtoashes.HethenexhalesthroughtherightnostrilwiththirtytwoJapas.HethenmeditatesuponthewhiteChandraBijaThang.HenextinhalesthroughIda,makingJapaoftheBijasixteentimes,closesbothnostrilswithJapadonesixtyfourtimes,andexhalesthroughPingalawiththirtytwoJapas.Duringinhalation,holdingofbreathandexhalation,heshouldconsiderthatanewcelestialbodyisbeingformedbythenectar(composedofallthelettersofthealphabet,Matrikavarna)droppingfromthemoon.InasimilarwaywiththeBijaVang,theformationofthebodyiscontinued,andwiththeBijaLangitiscompletedandstrengthened.Lastly,withtheMantraSoham,theSadhakaleadstheJivatmaintotheheart.ThusKundaliniwhohasenjoyedHerunionwithParamashiva,setsoutonherreturnjourneythewayshecame.AsshepassesthrougheachoftheChakrasallthatshehasabsorbedtherefromcomeoutfromherselfandtaketheirseveralplacesintheChakra.

InthismannersheagainreachestheMuladhara,whenallthatisdescribedtobeintheChakrasareinthepositionswhichtheyoccupiedbeforeherawakening.

SpiritualDiary

Month:________________

QuestionsDate

1.Whendidyougetupfrombed? 2.Howmanyhoursdidyousleep? 3.HowmanyMalasofJapa? 4.HowlonginKirtan?

5.HowmanyPranayamas?

6.HowlongdidyouperformAsanas? 7.HowlongdidyoumeditateinoneAsana? 8.HowmanyGitaSlokasdidyoureadorgetbyheart? 9.Howlonginthecompanyofthewise(Satsanga)? 10.HowmanyhoursdidyouobserveMouna? 11.Howlongindisinterestedselflessservice? 12.Howmuchdidyougiveincharity? 13.HowmanyMantrasyouwrote? 14.Howlongdidyoupracticephysicalexercise? 15.Howmanyliesdidyoutellandwithwhatselfpunishment? 16.Howmanytimesandhowlongofangerandwithwhatselfpunishment?

17.Howmanyhoursyouspentinuselesscompany? 18.HowmanytimesyoufailedinBrahmacharya? 19.Howlonginstudyofreligiousbooks? 20.Howmanytimesyoufailedinthecontrolofevilhabitsandwithwhatselfpunishment?

21.HowlongyouconcentratedonyourIshtaDevata(SagunaorNirgunaDhyana)?

22.Howmanydaysdidyouobservefastandvigil? 23.Wereyouregularinyourmeditation? 24.Whatvirtueareyoudeveloping? 25.Whatevilqualityareyoutryingtoeradicate? 26.WhatIndriyaistroublingyoumost? 27.Whendidyougotobed?

TheSpiritualDiary

TheSpiritualDiaryisawhipforgoadingthemindtowardsrighteousnessandGod.Ifyouregularlymaintainthisdiaryyouwillgetsolace,peaceofmindandmakequickprogressinthespiritualpath.Maintainadailydiaryandrealisethemarvellousresults.

PrepareastatementofdailySpiritualDiaryforeverymonthasshownontheoppositepageandverifywhetheryouareprogressingornot.Ifyouwantquickspiritualattainments,youshouldneverneglecttorecordeverythinginyourdiary.TochangetheworldlynatureitneedsrigorousSadhana.Apartfromthesequestionsyoumustalsomentionthefollowingintheremarkscolumn:

1.ThenameoftheAsanas.2.Thekindofmeditation.3.WhatbooksdoyoukeepforSvadhyaya?4.Whatisyourspecialdiet?5.DoyoukeepaJapaMala?6.Haveyougotaseparatemeditationroom?7.Howdoyoukeepthemeditationroom?8.DoyoureadGitawithmeaning?

Donotbeashamedtomentionyourmistakes,vicesandfailures.Thisismeantforyourownprogressonly.Donotwasteyourprecioushours.Itisenoughthatyouhavewastedsomanyyearsinidlegossiping.Enough,enoughofthetroublesyouhadallthesedaysinsatisfyingyoursenses.Donotsay:fromtomorrowIwillberegular.Thattomorrowisfortheworthlessworldlymindedfools.BesincereandstartdoingSadhanafromthismoment.Besincere.TakeoutacopyoftheSpiritualDiaryandsenditontoyourGuru,whowillguideyou,removealltheobstaclesinyourSadhanaandgiveyoufurtherlessons.

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