Swami Sivananda - Kundalini Yoga

KUNDALINI YOGA

By SRI SWAMI SIVANANDA

Sri Swami Sivananda Founder of The Divine Life Society

SERVE, LOVE, GIVE, PURIFY, MEDITATE, REALIZE

So Says

Sri Swami Sivananda

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Tenth Edition: 1994 (Copies 10,000)

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© The Divine Life Trust Society

ISBN 81-7052-052-5 Published By

OM

MEMORY OF PATANJALI

IN

MAHARSHI, YOGI BHUSUNDA, SADASIVA BRAHMAN, MATSYENDRANATH, GORAKHNATH, JESUS CHRIST, LORD KRISHNA AND ALL OTHER YOGINS WHO HAVE EXPOUNDED THE SCIENCE OF YOGA

PUBLISHERS’NOTE

ItwouldseemaltogethersuperfluoustotrytointroduceSriSwamiSivanandaSaraswatitoa readingpublic,thirstingforspiritualregeneration.FromhislovelyAshramatRishikeshheradiated spiritualknowledgeandapeacebornofspiritualperfection.Hispersonalityhasmadeitself manifestnowhereelseascompletelyasinhisedifyingandelevatingbooks.Andthislittlevolume onKundaliniYogaisperhapsthemostvitalofallhisbooks,forobviousreasons.

Kundaliniisthecoiledup,dormant,cosmicpowerthatunderliesallorganicandinorganic matterwithinusandanythesisthatdealswithitcanavoidbecomingtooabstract,onlywithgreat difficulty.Butwithinthefollowingpages,thetheorythatunderliesthiscosmicpowerhasbeen analysedtoitsthinnestfilaments,andpracticalmethodshavebeensuggestedtoawakenthisgreat pristineforceinindividuals.ItexplainsthetheoryandillustratesthepracticeofKundaliniYoga.

Wefeelcertain,thattothespiritualaspirant,thisbookwillserveasakindlylightthatleads himonthroughthedarkalleysofanasyetunexploredbranchofYogicexercises,whiletothe laymanitcontainsawealthofnewinformationwhichisboundtobeavaluableadditiontohis knowledgeofYogicculture.

—THEDIVINELIFESOCIETY GURUSTOTRA

sT:av:röj:¤m:övy:apt:öy:etkeWc:t:Îs:c:rac:rm:Î.

t:tp:dödeS:üt:öy:ðn:t:sm:òÂ:ig:Ørv:ðn:m:H..

sthàvaraüjaïgamaüvyàptaüyatki¤citsacaràcaram| tatpadaüdar÷itaüyenatasmai÷rãguravenamaþ||

“SalutationstotheGuruwhohasmadeitpossibletorealiseHimbywhomallthisworld, animateandinanimate,movableandimmovable,ispervaded.”

A:ðökaröeb:ndÙs:öy:ØVt:öen:ty:öDy:ay:ent:y:ðn:raH.

kam:döm::ðx:döc:òv:A:ðökaray:n:m::ðn:m:H..

oükàraübindusaüyuktaünityaüdhyàyantiyenaràþ| kàmadaümokùadaücaivaoükàràyanamonamaþ||

“SalutationstoOmkara,whichgiveswhateveronedesiresandalsoliberationtothosewho meditatealwaysonOmkarathatisunitedwiththeBindu.” iii

j¤àna÷akti-samàråóha-tattvamàlà-vibhåùiõe| bhukti-muktipradàtrecatasmai÷rãguravenamaþ||

“SalutationstotheGuruwhoisestablishedinKnowledgeandPower,whoisadornedwith thegarlandofKnowledgeandwhograntsbothworldlyprosperityandliberation.”

kadambavanamadhyagàükanakamaõóalopasthità.N ùaóaüburuhavàsinãüsatatasiddhasaudàminãm| vióaübitajapàruciüvikacacandracåóàmaõiü trilocanakuñuübinãütripurasundarãmà÷raye||

“IseekrefugeinTripurasundari,thewifeofthethree-eyedOne,wholivesintheKadamba forest,whoisseatedonthegoldendiscanddwellsinthesixlotusesoftheYogins,everflashinglike lightningintheheartoftheperfectedones,whosebeautyexcelsthatoftheJapaflowerandwhose foreheadisadornedbythefull-moon.”

y:*:ekeWc:t:ÎVv:ec:¾st:Øs:ds:¾aeK:l:aetm:kñ.

t:sy:s:v:üsy:y:aS:eVt:Hs:atv:öeköst:Üy:t:ðs:da..

yatraki¤citkvacidvastusadasadvàkhilàtmike| tasyasarvasyayà÷aktiþsàtvaükiüståyatesadà||

“OThouSelfofeverything,ofwhateverthingexistingatwhateverplaceortime,whether causeoreffect,ThouartthePowerbehindthat;howcanstThoubepraised?”

m:haev:½am:ham:ay:am:ham:ðD:am:hasm:àet:H.

m:ham::ðhac:B:v:t:im:hadðv:im:has:Øri..

mahàvidyàmahàmàyàmahàmedhàmahàsmçtiþ| mahàmohàcabhavatãmahàdevãmahàsurã||

“ThouarttheSupremeKnowledge,Maya,intellect,memory,delusionandthegreat Prowessofthegodsaswellasofthedemons.”

SIVASTOTRA

krc:rN:kát:öv:aVkay:j:ökm:üj:öv:a

Â:v:N:n:y:n:j:öv:am:an:s:öc:ap:raD:m:Î.

ev:eht:m:ev:eht:öv:as:v:üm:ðt:t:Îx:m:sv:

j:y:j:y:k,N:abD:ðÂ:im:hadðv:S:mB::ð..

karacaraõakçtaüvàkkàyajaükarmajaüvà ÷ravaõanayanajaüvàmànasaücàparàdham| vihitamavihitaüvàsarvametatkùamasva jayajayakaruõàbdhe÷rãmahàdeva÷ambho||

“Sinscommittedinaction—withthehandsandfeetorbyspeech,orbythebody,orbythe earsandeyes,—orbythosedoneinthoughts,—forgiveallthesesinswhetherofcommissionor omission.GlorybeuntoThee,Thouoceanofmercy!GlorybeuntoTheeOMahadeva,O Shambho!”

SriSankaracharya

THEFOURSTAGESOFSOUND

TheVedasformthesound-manifestationofIshvara.Thatsoundhasfourdivisions,—Para whichfindsmanifestationonlyinPrana,Pasyantiwhichfindsmanifestationinthemind, MadhyamawhichfindsmanifestationintheIndriyas,andVaikhariwhichfindsmanifestationin articulateexpression.

Articulationisthelastandgrossestexpressionofdivinesound-energy.Thehighest manifestationofsound-energy,theprimalvoice,thedivinevoiceisPara.TheParavoicebecomes

theroot-ideasorgerm-thoughts.Itisthefirstmanifestationofvoice.InParathesoundremainsin anundifferentiatedform.Para,Pasyanti,MadhyamaandVaikhariarethevariousgradationsof sound.Madhyamaistheintermediateunexpressedstateofsound.Itsseatistheheart.

TheseatofPasyantiisthenavelortheManipuraChakra.Yoginswhohavesubtleinner visioncanexperiencethePasyantistateofawordwhichhascolourandform,whichiscommonfor alllanguagesandwhichhasthevibratinghomogeneityofsound.Indians,Europeans,Americans, Africans,Japanese,birds,beasts—allexperiencethesameBhavanaofathinginthePasyantistate ofvoiceorsound.Gestureisasortofmutesubtlelanguage.Itisoneandthesameforallpersons. Anyindividualofanycountrywillmakethesamegesturebyholdinghishandtohismouthina particularmanner,whenheisthirsty.AsoneandthesamepowerorShaktiworkingthroughthe earsbecomeshearing,throughtheeyesbecomesseeingandsoforth,thesamePasyantiassumes differentformsofsoundwhenmaterialised.TheLordmanifestsHimselfthroughhisMayaicpower firstasParaVaniintheMuladharaChakraatthenavel,thenasMadhyamaintheheartandthen eventuallyasVaikhariinthethroatandmouth.ThisisthedivinedescentofHisvoice.Allthe VaikhariisHisvoiceonly.ItisthevoiceoftheViratPurusha.

PREFACE

ODivineMotherKundalini,theDivineCosmicEnergythatishiddeninmen!Thouart Kali,Durga,Adisakti,Rajarajeswari,Tripurasundari,Maha-Lakshmi,Maha-Sarasvati!Thouhast putonallthesenamesandforms.ThouhastmanifestedasPrana,electricity,force,magnetism, cohesion,gravitationinthisuniverse.ThiswholeuniverserestsinThybosom.Croresofsalutations untothee.OMotherofthisworld!LeadmeontoopentheSushumnaNadiandtakeTheealongthe ChakrastoSahasraraChakraandtomergemyselfinTheeandThyconsort,LordSiva.

KundaliniYogaisthatYogawhichtreatsofKundaliniSakti,thesixcentresofspiritual energy(ShatChakras),thearousingofthesleepingKundaliniSaktianditsunionwithLordSivain SahasraraChakra,atthecrownofthehead.Thisisanexactscience.ThisisalsoknownasLaya Yoga.Thesixcentresarepierced(ChakraBheda)bythepassingofKundaliniSaktitothetopofthe head.‘Kundala’means‘coiled’.Herformislikeacoiledserpent.HencethenameKundalini.

Allagreethattheoneaimwhichmanhasinallhisactsistosecurehappinessforhimself. Thehighestaswellastheultimateendofmanmust,therefore,betoattaineternal,infinite, unbroken,supremehappiness.Thishappinesscanbehadinone’sownSelforAtmanonly. Therefore,searchwithintoattainthiseternalBliss.

Thethinkingfacultyispresentonlyinhumanbeing.Manonlycanreason,reflectand exercisejudgment.Itismanonlywhocancompareandcontrast,whocanthinkof pros and cons andwhocandrawinferencesandconclusions.Thisisthereasonwhyhealoneisabletoattain God-consciousness.Thatmanwhosimplyeatsanddrinksandwhodoesnotexercisehismental facultyinSelf-realisationisonlyabrute.

Oworldly-mindedpersons!WakeupfromthesleepofAjnana.Openyoureyes.Standupto acquireknowledgeofAtman.DospiritualSadhana,awakentheKundaliniSaktiandgetthat ‘sleepless-sleep’(Samadhi).DrownyourselfinAtman.

Chittaisthementalsubstance.Ittakesvariousforms.TheseformsconstituteVrittis.Itgets transformed(Parinama).Thesetransformationsormodificationsarethethought-waves, whirlpoolsorVrittis.IftheChittathinksofamango,theVrittiofamangoisformedinthelakeof Chitta.ThiswillsubsideandanotherVrittiwillbeformedwhenitthinksofmilk.CountlessVrittis arerisingandsubsidingintheoceanofChitta.TheseVrittiscauserestlessnessofmind.Whydo VrittisarisefromtheChitta?BecauseofSamskarasandVasanas.IfyouannihilateallVasanas,all Vrittiswillsubsidebythemselves.

WhenaVrittisubsidesitleavesadefiniteimpressioninthesubconsciousmind.Itisknown asSamskaraorlatentimpression.ThesumtotalofallSamskarasisknownas“Karmasaya”or receptacleofworks.ThisiscalledSanchitaKarma(accumulatedworks).Whenamanleavesthe physicalbody,hecarrieswithhimhisastralbodyof17TattvasandtheKarmasayaaswell,tothe mentalplane.ThisKarmasayaisburntbyhighestknowledgeobtainedthroughAsamprajnata Samadhi.

Duringconcentrationyouwillhavetocollectcarefullythedissipatedraysofthemind. Vrittiswillbeever-risingfromtheoceanofChitta.Youwillhavetoputdownthewavesasthey arise.Ifallthewavessubside,themindbecomescalmandserene.ThentheYogienjoyspeaceand bliss.Thereforerealhappinessiswithin.Youwillhavetogetitthroughcontrolofmindandnot throughmoney,women,children,name,fame,rankorpower.

PurityofmindleadstoperfectioninYoga.Regulateyourconductwhenyoudealwith others.Havenofeelingofjealousytowardsothers.Becompassionate.Donothatesinners.Bekind toall.Developcomplacencytowardssuperiors.SuccessinYogawillberapidifyouputinyour maximumenergyinyourYogicpractice.Youmusthaveakeenlongingforliberationandintense Vairagyaalso.Youmustbesincereandearnest.Intentandconstantmeditationisnecessaryfor enteringintoSamadhi.

HewhohasfirmfaithinSrutisandShastras,whohasSadachara(rightconduct),who constantlyengageshimselfintheserviceofhisGuruandwhoisfreefromlust,anger,Moha,greed andvanityeasilycrossesthisoceanofSamsaraandattainsSamadhiquickly.Justasfireburnsa heapofdriedleaves,soalsothefireofYogaburnsallKarmas.TheYogiattainsKaivalya.Through Samadhi,theYogigetsintuition.Realknowledgeflashesinhimwithinasecond.

Neti,Dhauti,Basti,Nauli,Asanas,Mudras,etc.,keepthebodyhealthyandstrong,and underperfectcontrol.Buttheyarenotthebe-allandend-allofYoga.TheseKriyaswillhelpyouin yourpracticeofDhyana.DhyanawillculminateinSamadhi,Self-realisation.Hewhopractises HathaYogicKriyasisnotaPurnaYogi.HewhohasenteredintoAsamprajnataSamadhionlyisa PurnaYogi.HeisaSvatantraYogi(absolutelyindependent).

Samadhiisoftwokinds,viz.,JadaSamadhiandChaitanyaSamadhi.AHathaYogithrough thepracticeofKhechariMudracanshuthimselfupinaboxandremainunderneaththegroundfor

monthsandyears.ThereisnohighersupernaturalknowledgeinthiskindofSamadhi.ThisisJada Samadhi.InChaitanyaSamadhi,thereisperfect‘awareness’.TheYogicomesdownwithnew, super-sensuouswisdom.

WhenamanpractisesYogicKriyas,naturallyvariouskindsofSiddhisareacquired.The SiddhisarehindrancestoRealisation.TheYogishouldnotatallcarefortheseSiddhis,ifhewants toadvancefurtherandgetthehighestrealisation,thefinalGoal.HewhorunsafterSiddhiswill becomethebiggesthouse-holderandaworldly-mindedman.Self-realisationonlyistheGoal.The sumtotalofknowledgeofthisuniverseisnothingwhencomparedtothespiritualknowledgethatis obtainedthroughSelf-realisation.

AscendthepathofYogacautiously.Removetheweeds,thornsandthesharpangular pebblesontheway.Nameandfamearetheangularpebbles.Subtleunder-currentoflustisthe weed.Attachmenttofamily,children,money,disciples,ChelasorAshramisthethorn.Theseare formsofMaya.Theydonotallowtheaspirantstomarchfurther.Theyserveasthe stumbling-blocks.TheaspirantgetsfalseTushti,stopshisSadhana,imaginesfoolishlythathehas realised,andtriestoelevateothers.Thisislikeablindmanleadingtheblind.WhentheYogic studentstartsanAshram,slowlyluxurycreepsin.TheoriginalVairagyagraduallywanes.Heloses whathehasgainedandisunconsciousofhisdownfall.Ashramdevelopsbeggingmentalityand institutionalegoism.Heisthesamehouse-holdernowinsomeotherform(Rupantara-bheda) thoughheisinthegarbofaSannyasin.Oaspirants,beware!Iwarnyouseriously.Neverbuild Ashrams.Rememberthewatchwords:-“SECLUSION,MEDITATION,DEVOTION.”March directtothegoal.NevergiveuptheSadhanazealandVairagyauntilyourealiseBhuma,thehighest goal.Donotentangleyourselfinthewheelofname,fameandSiddhis.

Nirvikalpaisthestateofsuperconsciousness.TherearenoVikalpasofanysortinthis condition.ThisistheGoaloflife.Allthementalactivitiesceasenow.Thefunctionsoftheintellect andtenIndriyasceaseentirely.TheaspirantrestsnowinAtman.Thereisnodistinctionbetween subjectandobject.Theworldandthepairsofoppositesvanishcompletely.Thisisastatebeyond allrelativity.TheaspirantgetsknowledgeofSelf,supremepeaceandinfinite,indescribablebliss. ThisisalsocalledYogaroodhastate.

WhenKundaliniistakentotheSahasraraandwhenitisunitedwithLordSiva,perfect Samadhiensues.TheYogicstudentdrinkstheNectarofImmortality.HehasreachedtheGoal. MotherKundalinihasdoneHertasknow.GlorytoMotherKundalini!MayHerblessingsbeupon youall!

OmShantih!Shantih!Shantih!

..j:ag::ðm:akÙl:kÙNRel:n:i..

j:ag::ðm:akÙl:kÙNRel:n:ij:ag::ðm:a.

t:Øem:en:ty:an:nd-sv:-ep:N:i..

t:Øem:b:ÒÉan:nd-sv:-ep:N:i..

)s:Øpt:B:Øj:g:akaraA:D:arp:¼v:aes:n:i..

e*:k:ðn:ðj:l:ðkáS:an:Ü, t:aep:t:hEl::ðt:n:Ø

m:Ül:aD:arty:j:eS:v:ðsv:y:öB:Ü-eS:v:-v:ðeÅn:i..

g:cCs:Ø\:Ümn:arp:T:, sv:aeD:Åan:ðhv::ðuedt:,

m:eN:p:ÜrAn:aht:ev:S:عawas:Wc:aerN:i..

eS:res:s:h+dl:ð, p:rm:eS:v:ðt:ðem:l:ð

#iRakr:ðkÙt:Ühl:ðs:ecc:dan:nddaey:n:i..

j:ag::ðm:akÙl:kÙNRel:n:ij:ag::ðm:a.

jàgomàkulakuõóalinãjàgomà|

tuminityànanda-svaråpiõã||

tumibrahmànanda-svaråpiõã||

prasuptabhujagàkàrààdhàrapadmavàsinã||

trikonejalekç÷ànå,tàpitahailotanu målàdhàratyaja÷ivesvayaübhå-÷iva-veùñhinã||

gacchasuùåmnàrapatha,svàdhiùñhànehavoudita, maõipåraanàhatavi÷uddhàj¤àsa¤càriõã||

÷irasisahasradale,parama÷ivetemile krãóàkarokutåhalesaccidànandadàyinã||

jàgomàkulakuõóalinãjàgomà|

PRAYERTOMOTHERKUNDALINI

WakeupMotherKundalini.

ThouwhosenatureisBlissEternal—TheBlissofBrahman. ThoudwellinglikeaserpentasleepatthelotusofMuladhara, Sore,affectedanddistressedamIinbodyandmind, Dothoublessmeandleavethyplaceatthebasiclotus.

ConsortofSivatheSelf-causedLordofUniverse, Dothoutakethyupwardcoursethroughthecentralcanal.

LeavingbehindSvadhishthana,Manipuraka,Anahata,Vishuddha,andAjna. BethouunitedwithSiva,thyLordtheGod.

AtSahasrara—thethousand-petalled-lotusinthebrain. Sporttherefreely,OMother,GiverofBlissSupreme. Mother,whoisExistence,Knowledge,BlissAbsolute. Wakeup,MotherKundalini!Wakeup.

EXPERIENCESONAWAKENINGOFKUNDALINI

Duringmeditationyoubeholddivinevisions,experiencedivinesmell,divinetaste,divine touch,heardivineAnahatasounds.YoureceiveinstructionsfromGod.Theseindicatethatthe KundaliniShaktihasbeenawakened.WhenthereisthrobbinginMuladhara,whenhairsstandon theirroots,whenUddiyana,JalandharaandMulabandhacomeinvoluntarily,knowthatKundalini hasawakened.

Whenthebreathstopswithoutanyeffort,whenKevalaKumbhakacomesbyitselfwithout anyexertion,knowthatKundaliniShaktihasbecomeactive.WhenyoufeelcurrentsofPranarising uptotheSahasrara,whenyouexperiencebliss,whenyourepeatOmautomatically,whenthereare nothoughtsoftheworldinthemind,knowthatKundaliniShaktihasawakened.

When,inyourmeditation,theeyesbecomefixedonTrikuti,themiddleoftheeyebrows, whentheShambhaviMudraoperates,knowthatKundalinihasbecomeactive.Whenyoufeel vibrationsofPranaindifferentpartsinsideyourbody,whenyouexperiencejerksliketheshocksof electricity,knowthatKundalinihasbecomeactive.Duringmeditationwhenyoufeelasifthereis nobody,whenyoureyelidsbecomeclosedanddonotopeninspiteofyourexertion,when electric-likecurrentsflowupanddownthenerves,knowthatKundalinihasawakened.

Whenyoumeditate,whenyougetinspirationandinsight,whenthenatureunfoldsits secretstoyou,alldoubtsdisappear,youunderstandclearlythemeaningoftheVedictexts,know thatKundalinihasbecomeactive.Whenyourbodybecomeslightlikeair,whenyouhavea balancedmindinperturbedcondition,whenyoupossessinexhaustibleenergyforwork,knowthat Kundalinihasbecomeactive.

Whenyougetdivineintoxication,whenyoudeveloppoweroforation,knowthatKundalini hasawakened.WhenyouinvoluntarilyperformdifferentAsanasorposesofYogawithouttheleast painorfatigue,knowthatKundalinihasbecomeactive.Whenyoucomposebeautifulsublime hymnsandpoetryinvoluntarily,knowthatKundalinihasbecomeactive.

THEGRADATIONALASCENTOFTHEMIND

TheChakrasarecentresofShaktiasvitalforce.Inotherwords,thesearecentresof PranashaktimanifestedbyPranavayuinthelivingbody,thepresidingDevatasofwhicharethe namesfortheUniversalConsciousnessasItmanifestsintheformofthesecentres.TheChakrasare notperceptibletothegrosssenses.Eveniftheywereperceptibleinthelivingbodywhichtheyhelp toorganise,theydisappearwiththedisintegrationoforganismatdeath.

PurityofmindleadstoperfectioninYoga.Regulateyourconductwhenyoudealwith others.Havenofeelingofjealousytowardsothers.Becompassionate.Donothatesinners.Bekind toall.SuccessinYogawillberapidifyouputyourmaximumenergyinyourYogicpractice.You musthaveakeenlongingforliberationandintenseVairagyaalso.Youmustbesincereandearnest. IntenseandconstantmeditationisnecessaryforenteringintoSamadhi.

ThemindofaworldlymanwithbasedesiresandpassionsmovesintheMuladharaand SvadhishthanaChakrasorcentressituatedneartheanusandthereproductiveorganrespectively.

Ifone’smindbecomespurifiedthemindrisestotheManipuraChakraorthecentreinthe navelandexperiencessomepowerandjoy.

Ifthemindbecomesmorepurified,itrisestotheAnahataChakraorcentreintheheart, experiencesblissandvisualisestheeffulgentformoftheIshtaDevataorthetutelarydeity.

Whenthemindgetshighlypurified,whenmeditationanddevotionbecomeintenseand profoundthemindrisestoVisuddhaChakraorthecentreinthethroat,andexperiencesmoreand morepowersandbliss.Evenwhenthemindhasreachedthiscentre,thereisapossibilityforitto comedowntothelowercentres.

WhentheYogireachestheAjnaChakraorthecentrebetweenthetwoeyebrowsheattains SamadhiandrealisestheSupremeSelf,orBrahman.Thereisaslightsenseofseparatenessbetween thedevoteeandBrahman.

Ifhereachesthespiritualcentreinthebrain,theSahasraraChakra,thethousand-petalled lotus,theYogiattainsNirvikalpaSamadhiorsuperconsciousstate.Hebecomesonewiththe non-dualBrahman.Allsenseofseparatenessdissolves.Thisisthehighestplaneofconsciousness orsupremeAsamprajnataSamadhi.KundaliniuniteswithSiva.

TheYogimaycomedowntothecentreinthethroattogiveinstructionstothestudentsand dogoodtoothers(Lokasamgraha).

PRANAYAMAFORAWAKENINGKUNDALINI

Whenyoupractisethefollowing,concentrateontheMuladharaChakraatthebaseofthe spinalcolumn,whichistriangularinformandwhichistheseatoftheKundaliniShakti.Closethe rightnostrilwithyourrightthumb.Inhalethroughtheleftnostriltillyoucount3Omsslowly. ImaginethatyouaredrawingthePranawiththeatmosphericair.Thenclosetheleftnostrilwith yourlittleandringfingersoftherighthand.Thenretainthebreathfor12Oms.Sendthecurrent downthespinalcolumnstraightintothetriangularlotus,theMuladharaChakra.Imaginethatthe nerve-currentisstrikingagainstthelotusandawakeningtheKundalini.Thenslowlyexhale throughtherightnostrilcounting6Oms.Repeattheprocessfromtherightnostrilasstatedabove, usingthesameunits,andhavingthesameimaginationandfeeling.ThisPranayamawillawaken theKundaliniquickly.Doit3timesinthemorningand3timesintheevening.Increasethenumber andtimegraduallyandcautiouslyaccordingtoyourstrengthandcapacity.InthisPranayama, concentrationontheMuladharaChakraistheimportantthing.Kundaliniwillbeawakenedquickly ifthedegreeofconcentrationisintenseandifthePranayamaispractisedregularly.

KUNDALINIPRANAYAMA

InthisPranayama,theBhavanaismoreimportantthantheratiobetweenPuraka, KumbhakaandRechaka.

SitinPadmaorSiddhaAsana,facingtheEastortheNorth.

Aftermentallyprostratingtothelotus-feetoftheSat-guruandrecitingStotrasinpraiseof GodandGuru,commencedoingthisPranayamawhichwilleasilyleadtotheawakeningofthe Kundalini.

Inhaledeeply,withoutmakinganysound.

Asyouinhale,feelthattheKundalinilyingdormantintheMuladharaChakraisawakened andisgoingupfromChakratoChakra.AttheconclusionofthePuraka,havetheBhavanathatthe KundalinihasreachedtheSahasrara.ThemorevividthevisualisationofChakraafterChakra,the morerapidwillbeyourprogressinthisSadhana.

Retainthebreathforashortwhile.RepeatthePranavaoryourIshtaMantra.Concentrateon theSahasraraChakra.FeelthatbytheGraceofMotherKundalini,thedarknessofignorance envelopingyoursoulhasbeendispelled.Feelthatyourwholebeingispervadedbylight,powerand wisdom.

Slowlyexhalenow.And,asyouexhalefeelthattheKundaliniShaktiisgradually descendingfromtheSahasrara,andfromChakratoChakra,totheMuladharaChakra.

Nowbegintheprocessagain.

ItisimpossibletoextolthiswonderfulPranayamaadequately.Itisthemagicwandfor attainingperfectionveryquickly.Evenafewdays’practicewillconvinceyouofitsremarkable glory.Startfromtoday,thisverymoment.

MayGodblessyouwithjoy,blissandimmortality.

KUNDALINI

ThewordKundaliniisafamiliaronetoallstudentsofYoga,asitiswellknownasthe power,intheformofacoiledserpent,residinginMuladharaChakra,thefirstofthesevenChakras, theothersixbeingSvadhishthana,Manipuraka,Anahata,Visuddha,AjnaandSahasrara,inorder.

AllSadhanasintheformofJapa,meditation,Kirtanandprayeraswellasalldevelopment ofvirtues,andobservanceofausteritiesliketruth,non-violenceandcontinenceareatbest calculatedonlytoawakenthisserpent-powerandmakeittopassthroughallthesucceeding ChakrasbeginningfromSvadhishthanatoSahasrara,thelatterotherwisecalledasthe

thousand-petalledlotus,theseatofSadasivaortheParabrahmanortheAbsoluteseparatedfrom whomtheKundaliniortheShaktiliesattheMuladhara,andtounitewithwhomtheKundalini passesthroughalltheChakras,asexplainedabove,conferringliberationontheaspirantwho assiduouslypractisesYogaorthetechniqueofunitingherwithherLordandgetssuccessalsoinhis effort.

Inworldly-mindedpeople,giventoenjoymentofsensualandsexualpleasures,this Kundalinipowerissleepingbecauseoftheabsenceofanystimulusintheformofspiritual practices,asthepowergeneratedthroughsuchpracticesaloneawakensthatserpent-power,andnot anyotherpowerderivedthroughthepossessionofworldlyrichesandaffluence.Whentheaspirant seriouslypractisesallthedisciplinesasenjoinedintheShastras,andasinstructedbythepreceptor, inwhomtheKundaliniwouldhavealreadybeenawakenedandreacheditsabodeorSadasiva, acquiringwhichblessedachievementaloneapersonbecomesentitledtoactasaGuruorspiritual preceptor,guidingandhelpingothersalsotoachievethesameend,theveilsorlayersenmeshing Kundalinibegintobeclearedandfinallyaretornasunderandtheserpent-powerispushedor driven,asitwereupwards.

Supersensualvisionsappearbeforethementaleyeoftheaspirant,newworldswith indescribablewondersandcharmsunfoldthemselvesbeforetheYogi,planesafterplanesreveal theirexistenceandgrandeurtothepractitionerandtheYogigetsdivineknowledge,powerand bliss,inincreasingdegrees,whenKundalinipassesthroughChakraafterChakra,makingthemto bloominalltheirglorywhichbeforethetouchofKundalini,donotgiveouttheirpowers, emanatingtheirdivinelightandfragranceandrevealthedivinesecretsandphenomena,whichlie concealedfromtheeyesofworldly-mindedpeoplewhowouldrefusetobelieveoftheirexistence even.

WhentheKundaliniascendsoneChakraorYogiccentre,theYogialsoascendsonestepor rungupwardintheYogicladder;onemorepage,thenextpage,hereadsinthedivinebook;the moretheKundalinitravelsupwards,theYogialsoadvancestowardsthegoalorspiritualperfection inrelationtoit.WhentheKundalinireachesthesixthcentreortheAjnaChakra,theYogigetsthe visionofPersonalGodorSagunaBrahman,andwhentheserpent-powerreachesthelast,thetop centre,orSahasraraChakra,ortheThousand-petalledlotus,theYogiloseshisindividualityinthe oceanofSat-Chit-AnandaortheExistence-Knowledge-BlissAbsoluteandbecomesonewiththe LordorSupremeSoul.Heisnolongeranordinaryman,notevenasimpleYogi,butafully illuminedsage,havingconqueredtheeternalandunlimiteddivinekingdom,aherohavingwonthe battleagainstillusion,aMuktaorliberatedonehavingcrossedtheoceanofignoranceorthe transmigratoryexistence,andasupermanhavingtheauthorityandcapacitytosavetheother strugglingsoulsoftherelativeworld.Scriptureshailhimmost,inthemaximumpossibleglorifying way,andhisachievement.Celestialbeingsenvyhim,notexcludingtheTrinityeven,viz.,Brahma, VishnuandSiva.

KUNDALINIANDTANTRIKSADHANA

KundaliniYogaactuallybelongstoTantrikSadhana,whichgivesadetaileddescription aboutthisserpent-powerandtheChakras,asmentionedabove.MotherDivine,theactiveaspectof theExistence-Knowledge-BlissAbsolute,residesinthebodyofmenandwomenintheformof

Kundalini,andtheentireTantrikSadhanaaimsatawakeningHer,andmakingHertounitewiththe Lord,Sadasiva,intheSahasrara,asdescribedinthebeginningindetail.Methodsadoptedto achievethisendinTantrikSadhanaareJapaofthenameoftheMother,prayerandvariousrituals.

KUNDALINIANDHATHAYOGA

HathaYogaalsobuildsupitsphilosophyaroundthisKundaliniandthemethodsadoptedin itaredifferentfromTantrikSadhana.HathaYogaseekstoawakenthisKundalinithroughthe disciplineofthephysicalbody,purificationofNadisandcontrollingthePrana.Throughanumber ofphysicalposescalledYogaAsanasittonesuptheentirenervoussystem,andbringsitunderthe consciouscontroloftheYogi,throughBandhasandMudrasitcontrolsthePrana,regulatesits movementsandevenblocksandsealsitwithoutallowingittomove,throughKriyasitpurifiesthe innerorgansofphysicalbodyand,finally,throughPranayamaitbringstheminditselfunderthe controloftheYogi.KundaliniismadetogoupwardstowardsSahasrarathroughthesecombined methods.

KUNDALINIANDRAJAYOGA

ButRajaYogamentionsnothingaboutthisKundalini,butpropoundsastillsubtle,higher path,philosophicalandrational,andaskstheaspiranttocontrolthemind,towithdrawallthesenses andtoplungeinmeditation.UnlikeHathaYogawhichismechanicalandmystical,RajaYoga teachesatechniquewitheightlimbs,appealingtotheheartandintellectofaspirants.Itadvocates moralandethicaldevelopmentthroughitsYamaandNiyama,helpstheintellectualandcultural developmentthroughSvadhyayaorstudyofholyScriptures,satisfiestheemotionalanddevotional aspectofhumannaturebyenjoiningtosurrenderoneselftothewilloftheCreator,hasanelement ofmysticismbyincludingPranayamaalsoasoneoftheeightlimbsandfinally,preparesthe aspirantforunbrokenmeditationontheAbsolutethroughapenultimatestepofconcentration. NeitherinphilosophynorinitsprescriptionofmethodsofRajaYogamentionsaboutKundalini, butsetsthehumanmindandChittaasitstargetstobedestroyedastheyalonemaketheindividual soultoforgetitsrealnatureandbringsonitbirthanddeathandallthewoesofphenomenal existence.

KUNDALINIANDVEDANTA

ButwhenwecometoVedanta,thereisnoquestionaboutKundalinioranytypeofmystical andmechanicalmethods.Itisallenquiryandphilosophicalspeculation.AccordingtoVedantathe onlythingtobedestroyedisignoranceaboutone’srealnature,andthisignorancecannotbe destroyedeitherbystudy,orbyPranayama,orbywork,orbyanyamountofphysicaltwistingand torturing,butonlybyknowingone’srealnature,whichisSat-Chit-Anandaor Existence-Knowledge-Bliss.Manisdivine,freeandonewiththeSupremeSpiritalways,whichhe forgetsandidentifieshimselfwithmatter,whichitselfisanillusoryappearanceanda superimpositiononthespirit.Liberationisfreedomfromignoranceandtheaspirantisadvisedto constantlydissociatehimselffromalllimitationsandidentifyhimselfwiththeall-pervading, non-dual,blissful,peaceful,homogeneousspiritorBrahman.Whenmeditationbecomes intensified,intheoceanofExistenceorrathertheindividualityisblottedorblownoutcompletely. Justasadropofwaterletonafryingpanisimmediatelysuckedandvanishesfromcognition,the

individualconsciousnessissuckedinbytheUniversalConsciousnessandisabsorbedinit. AccordingtoVedantatherecannotberealliberationinastateofmultiplicity,andthestateof completeOnenessisthegoaltobeaspiredfor,towardswhichalonetheentirecreationisslowly movingon.

INTRODUCTION

ESSENCEOFKUNDALINIYOGA

ThewordYOGAcomesfromtherootYujwhichmeanstojoin,andinitsspiritualsense,it isthatprocessbywhichthehumanspiritisbroughtintonearandconsciouscommunionwith,oris mergedin,theDivineSpirit,accordingasthenatureofthehumanspiritisheldtobeseparatefrom (Dvaita,Visishtadvaita)oronewith(Advaita)theDivineSpirit.As,accordingtoVedanta,thelatter propositionisaffirmed,Yogaisthatprocessbywhichtheidentityofthetwo(Jivatmanand Paramatman)—whichidentityeverexists,infact—isrealisedbytheYoginorpractitionerofYoga. ItissorealisedbecausetheSpirithasthenpiercedthroughtheveilofMayawhichasmindand matterobscuresthisknowledgefromitself.ThemeansbywhichthisisachievedistheYoga processwhichliberatestheJivafromMaya.SotheGheranda-Samhitasays:“Thereisnobond equalinstrengthtoMaya,andnopowergreatertodestroythatbondthanYoga.”FromanAdvaitic orMonisticstandpoint,Yogainthesenseofafinalunionisinapplicable,forunionimpliesa dualismoftheDivineandhumanspirit.Insuchcase,itdenotesthe process ratherthantheresult. Whenthetwoareregardedasdistinct,Yogamayapplytoboth.ApersonwhopractisesYogais calledaYogin.AllarenotcompetenttoattemptYoga;onlyaveryfeware.Onemust,inthisorin otherlives,havegonethroughKarmaorselflessserviceandritualisticobservances,without attachmenttotheactionsortheirfruits,andUpasanaordevotionalworship,andobtainedthefruit thereof,viz.,apuremind(Chittasuddhi).Thisdoesnotmeanmerelyamindfreefromsexual impurity.TheattainmentofthisandotherqualitiesistheABCof Sadhana.Apersonmayhavea puremindinthissense,andyetbewhollyincapableofYoga.Chittasuddhiconsistsnotmerelyin moralpurityofeverykind,butinknowledge,detachment,capacityforpureintellectual functioning,attention,meditationandsoforth.WhenbyKarmaYogaandUpasana,themindis broughttothispointandwhen,inthecaseofJnanaYoga,thereisdispassionanddetachmentfrom theworldanditsdesires,thentheYogapathisopenfortherealisationoftheultimateTruth.Very fewpersonsindeedarecompetentforYogainitshigherform.Themajorityshouldseektheir advancementalongthepathofKarmaYogaanddevotion.

TherearefourmainformsofYoga,accordingtooneschoolofthought,namelyMantra Yoga,HathaYoga,LayaYogaandRajaYoga;KundaliniYogaisreallyLayaYoga.Thereis anotherclassification:JnanaYoga,RajaYoga,LayaYoga,HathaYogaandMantraYoga.Thisis basedontheideathattherearefiveaspectsofspirituallife:-Dharma,Kriya,Bhava,Jnanaand Yoga;MantraYogabeingsaidtobeoftwokindsaccordingasitispursuedalongthepathofKriya orBhava.TherearesevenSadhanasofYoga,namelySat-Karma,Asana,Mudra,Pratyahara, Pranayama,DhyanaandSamadhi,whicharecleansingofthebody,seatposturesforYoga purposes,theabstractionofthesensesfromtheirobjects,breath-control,meditation,andecstasy whichisoftwokinds—imperfect(Savikalpa)inwhichdualismisnotwhollyovercome,and

perfect(Nirvikalpa)whichiscompleteMonisticexperience–therealisationoftheTruthofthe MahavakyaAHAMBRAHMASMI—aknowledgeinthesenseofrealisationwhich,itistobe observed,doesnotproduceLiberation(Moksha)butisLiberationitself.TheSamadhiofLaya YogaissaidtobeSavikalpaSamadhiandthatofcompleteRajaYogaissaidtobeNirvikalpa Samadhi.Thefirstfourprocessesarephysical,lastthreementalandsupramental.Bytheseseven processesrespectivelycertainqualitiesaregained,namely,purity(Sodhana),firmnessandstrength (Dridhata),fortitude(Sthirata),steadiness(Dhairya),lightness(Laghava),realisation(Pratyaksha) anddetachmentleadingtoLiberation(Nirliptatva).

Whatisknownastheeight-limbedYoga(AshtangaYoga)containsfiveoftheabove Sadhanas(Asana,Pranayama,Pratyahara,DhyanaandSamadhi)andthreeothers,namely,Yama orself-controlbywayofchastity,temperance,avoidanceofharm(Ahimsa),andothervirtues; Niyamaorreligiousobservances,charityandsoforth,withdevotiontotheLord (Isvara-Pranidhana);andDharana,thefixingoftheinternalorganonitsobjectasdirectedinthe Yoga-practice.

Manisamicrocosm(KshudraBrahmanda).Whateverexistsintheouteruniverseexistsin him.AlltheTattvasandworldsarewithinhimandsoistheSupremeSiva-Sakti.Thebodymaybe dividedintotwomainparts,namely,theheadandtrunkontheonehand,andthelegsontheother. Inman,thecentreofthebodyisbetweenthesetwo,atthebaseofthespinewherethelegsbegin. Supportingthetrunkandthroughoutthewholebodythereisthespinalcord.Thisistheaxisofthe body,justasMountMeruistheaxisoftheearth.Hence,man’sspineiscalledMerudanda,theMeru oraxis-staff.Thelegsandfeetaregrosswhichshowlesssignsofconsciousnessthanthetrunkwith itsspinalwhiteandgreymatter;whichtrunkitselfisgreatlysubordinateinthisrespecttothehead containingtheorganofmind,orphysicalbrain,withitswhiteandgreymatter.Thepositionsofthe whiteandgreymatterintheheadandspinalcolumnrespectivelyarereversed.Thebodyandlegs belowthecentrearethesevenlowerornetherworldsupheldbythesustainingSaktiorPowersof theuniverse.Fromthecentreupwards,consciousnessmorefreelymanifeststhroughthespinaland cerebralcentres.HeretherearethesevenupperregionsorLokas,atermwhichmeans“Whatare seen”(Lokyante),thatis,experienced,andarehencethefruitsofKarmaintheformofparticular rebirth.Theseregions,namely,Bhuh,Bhuvah,Svah,Tapa,Jana,MahaandSatyaLokas correspondwiththesixcentres;fiveinthetrunk,thesixthinthelowercerebralcentre;andthe seventhintheupperbrainorSatyaloka,theabodeoftheSupremeSiva-Sakti.

Thesixcentresare:theMuladharaorroot-supportsituatedatthebaseofthespinalcolumn inapositionmidwayintheperineumbetweentherootofthegenitalsandtheanus;aboveit,inthe regionofthegenitals,abdomen,heart,chestandthroat,andintheforeheadbetweenthetwoeyes, aretheSvadhishthana,Manipura,Anahata,VisuddhaandAjnaChakrasorlotusesrespectively. Thesearethechiefcentres,thoughsometextsspeakofotherssuchastheLalanaandManasand SomaChakras.TheseventhregionbeyondtheChakrasistheupperbrain,thehighestcentreof manifestationofconsciousnessinthebodyandtherefore,theabodeoftheSupremeSiva-Sakti. Whenitissaidtobethe“abode”,itisnotmeantthattheSupremeisthereplacedinthesenseofour “placing”,namely,itisthereandnotelsewhere!TheSupremeisneverlocalised,whilstits manifestationsare.Itiseverywherebothwithinandwithoutthebody,butitissaidtobeinthe Sahasrara,becauseitistherethattheSupremeSiva-Saktiisrealised.And,thismustbeso,because consciousnessisrealisedbyenteringinandpassingthroughthehighermanifestationofmind,the

SattvamayiBuddhi,aboveandbeyondwhichisChitandChidrupiniSaktisthemselves.Fromtheir Siva-SaktiTattvaaspectareevolvedMindinitsformasBuddhi,Ahamkara,Manasandassociated senses(Indriyas)thecentreofwhichisabovetheAjnaChakraandbelowtheSahasrara.From AhamkaraproceedtheTanmatras,orgeneralsofthesense-particulars,whichevolvethefiveforms ofsensiblematter(Bhuta),namely,Akasa(ether),Vayu(air),Agni(fire),Apah(water)andPrithvi (earth).TheEnglishtranslationgivendoesnotimplythattheBhutasarethesameastheEnglish elementsofair,fire,water,earth.Thetermsindicatevaryingdegreesofmatterfromtheetherealto thesolid.ThusPrithviorearthisanymatterinthePrithvistate;thatis,whichmaybesensedbythe Indriyaofsmell.Mindandmatterpervadethewholebody.Buttherearecentresthereininwhich theyarepredominant.ThusAjnaisthecentreofmind,andthefivelowerChakrasarethecentresof thefiveBhutas;VisuddhaofAkasa,AnahataofVayu,ManipuraofAgni,SvadhishthanaofApah, andMuladharaofPrithvi.

Inshort,manasamicrocosmistheall-pervadingSpirit(whichmostpurelymanifestsinthe Sahasrara)vehicledbySaktiintheformofmindandmatter,thecentresofwhicharethesixthand followingfiveChakrasrespectively.

ThesixChakrashavebeenidentifiedwiththefollowingplexusescommencingfromthe lowest,theMuladhara;thesacrococcygealplexus,thesacralplexus,thesolarplexus,(whichforms thegreatjunctionoftherightandleftsympatheticchainsIdaandPingalawiththecerebro-spinal axis).Connectedwiththisisthelumbarplexus.Thenfollowsthecardiacplexus(Anahata), laryngealplexus,andlastlytheAjnaorcerebellumwithitstwolobes.Abovethisisthe Manas-Chakraormiddlecerebrum,andfinally,theSahasraraoruppercerebrum.ThesixChakras themselvesarevitalcentreswithinthespinalcolumninthewhiteandgreymatterthere.Theymay, however,andprobablydo,influenceandgovernthegrosstractoutsidethespineinthebodily regionlateralto,andco-extensivewith,thatsectionofthespinalcolumninwhichaparticular centreissituated.TheChakrasarecentresofSaktiasvitalforce.Inotherwordsthesearecentresof PranasaktimanifestedbyPranavayuinthelivingbody,thepresidingDevatasofwhicharenames fortheUniversalConsciousnessasItmanifestsintheformofthosecentres.TheChakrasarenot perceptibletothegrosssenses.Eveniftheywereperceptibleinthelivingbodywhichtheyhelpto organise,theydisappearwiththedisintegrationoforganismatdeath.Justbecausepost-mortem examinationofthebodydoesnotrevealtheseChakrasinthespinalcolumn,somepeoplethinkthat theseChakrasdonotexistatall,andaremerelythefabricationofafertilebrain.Thisattitude remindsusofadoctorwhodeclaredthathehadperformedmanypost-mortemsandhadneveryet discoveredasoul!

Thepetalsofthelotusesvary,being4,6,10,12,16and2respectively,commencingfrom theMuladharaandendingwithAjna.Thereare50inall,asarethelettersofthealphabetwhichare inthepetals;thatis,theMatrikasareassociatedwiththeTattvas;sincebothareproductsofthe samecreativeCosmicprocessmanifestingeitherasphysiologicalorpsychologicalfunction.Itis noteworthythatthenumberofthepetalsisthatofthelettersleavingouteitherKshaorthesecond La,andthatthese50multipliedby20areinthe1000petalsoftheSahasrara,anumberwhichis indicativeofinfinitude.

Butwhy,itmaybeasked,dothepetalsvaryinnumber?Why,forinstance,arethere4inthe Muladharaand6intheSvadhishthana?TheanswergivenisthatthenumberofpetalsinanyChakra

isdeterminedbythenumberandpositionoftheNadisorYoga-nervesaroundthatChakra.Thus, fourNadissurroundingandpassingthroughthevitalmovementsoftheMuladharaChakra,giveit theappearanceofalotusoffourpetalswhicharethusconfigurationsmadebythepositionsof Nadisatanyparticularcentre.TheseNadisarenotthosewhichareknowntotheVaidya.Thelatter aregrossphysicalnerves.Buttheformer,herespokenof,arecalledYoga-Nadisandaresubtle channels(Vivaras)alongwhichthePraniccurrentsflow.ThetermNadicomesfromtherootNad whichmeansmotion.ThebodyisfilledwithanuncountablenumberofNadis.Iftheywere revealedtotheeye,thebodywouldpresenttheappearanceofahighly-complicatedchartofocean currents.Superficiallythewaterseemsoneandthesame.Butexaminationshowsthatitismoving withvaryingdegreesofforceinalldirections.Alltheselotusesexistinthespinalcolumns.

TheMerudandaisthevertebralcolumn.Westernanatomydividesitintofiveregions;andit istobenotedincorroborationofthetheoryhereexpoundedthatthesecorrespondwiththeregions inwhichthefiveChakrasaresituated.Thecentralspinalsystemcomprisesthebrainorencephalon containedwithintheskull(inwhicharetheLalana,Ajna,Manas,SomaChakrasandthe Sahasrara);asalsothespinalcordextendingfromtheupperborderoftheAtlasbelowthe cerebellumanddescendingtothesecondlumborvertebrawhereittaperstoapointcalledthefilum terminale.Withinthespineisthecord,acompoundofgreyandwhitebrainmatter,inwhicharethe fivelowerChakras.Itisnoteworthythatthefilumterminalewasformerlythoughttobeamere fibrouscord,anunsuitablevehicle,onemightthink,fortheMuladharaChakraandKundaliniSakti. Morerecentmicroscopicinvestigationshave,however,disclosedtheexistenceofhighlysensitive greymatterinthefilumterminalewhichrepresentsthepositionoftheMuladhara.Accordingto Westernscience,thespinalcordisnotmerelyaconductorbetweentheperipheryandthecentresof sensationandvolition,butisalsoanindependentcentreorgroupofcentres.TheSushumnaisa Nadiinthecentreofthespinalcolumn.ItsbaseiscalledBrahma-DvaraorGateofBrahman.As regardsthephysiologicalrelationsoftheChakrasallthatcanbesaidwithanydegreeofcertaintyis thatthefouraboveMuladharahaverelationtothegenito-excretory,digestive,cardiacand respiratoryfunctionsandthatthetwouppercentres,theAjna(withassociatedChakras)andthe SahasraradenotevariousformsofitscerebralactivityendinginthereposeofPureConsciousness thereingainedthroughYoga.TheNadisofeachsideIdaandPingalaaretheleftandright sympatheticcordscrossingthecentralcolumnfromonesidetotheother,makingattheAjnawith theSushumnaathreefoldknotcalledTriveni;whichissaidtobethespotintheMedullawherethe sympatheticcordsjointogetherandwhencetheytaketheirorigin—theseNadistogetherwiththe twolobedAjnaandtheSushumnaformingthefigureoftheCaduceusoftheGodMercurywhichis saidbysometorepresentthem.

HowisitthattherousingofKundaliniSaktiandHerunionwithSivaeffectthestateof ecstaticunion(Samadhi)andspiritualexperiencewhichisalleged?

Inthefirstplace,therearetwomainlinesofYoga,namely,DhyanaorBhavana-Yogaand KundaliniYoga;andthereisamarkeddifferencebetweenthetwo.ThefirstclassofYogaisthatin whichecstasy(Samadhi)isobtainedbyintellectiveprocesses(Kriya-Jnana)ofmeditationandthe like,withtheaid,itmaybe,ofauxiliaryprocessesofMantraorHathaYoga(otherthantherousing ofKundalini)andbydetachmentfromtheworld;thesecondstandsapartasthatportionofHatha Yogainwhich,thoughintellectiveprocessesarenotneglected,thecreativeandsustainingSaktiof thewholebodyisactuallyandtrulyunitedwiththeLordConsciousness.TheYoginmakesHer

introducehimtoHerLord,andenjoystheblissofunionthroughher.Thoughitishewhoarouses Her,itisShewhogivesknowledgeorJnana,forSheisHerselfthat.TheDhyanaYogingainswhat acquaintancewiththeSupremestatehisownmeditativepowerscangivehimandknowsnotthe enjoymentofunionwithSivainandthroughthefundamentalBody-power.ThetwoformsofYoga differbothastomethodandresult.TheHathaYoginregardshisYogaanditsfruitasthehighest; theJnanaYoginmaythinksimilarlyofhisown.Kundaliniissorenownedthatmanyseektoknow her.HavingstudiedthetheoryofthisYoga,onemayask:“Canonegetonwithoutit?”Theanswer is:“Itdependsuponwhatyouarelookingfor”.IfyouwanttorouseKundaliniSakti,toenjoythe blissofunionofSivaandSaktithroughHerandtogaintheaccompanyingpowers(Siddhis),itis obviousthatthisendcanbeachievedonlybytheKundaliniYoga.Inthatcase,therearesomerisks incurred.ButifLiberationissoughtwithoutdesireforunionthroughKundalini,then,suchYogais notnecessary;for,LiberationmaybeobtainedbyPureJnanaYogathroughdetachment,the exerciseandthenthestillingofthemind,withoutanyrousingofthecentralBodily-poweratall. InsteadofsettingoutinandfromtheworldtounitewithSiva,theJnanaYogin,toattainthisresult, detacheshimselffromtheworld.Theoneisthepathofenjoymentandtheotherofasceticism. Samadhimayalsobeobtainedonthepathofdevotion(Bhakti)asonthatofknowledge.Indeed,the highestdevotion(ParaBhakti)isnotdifferentfromKnowledge.BothareRealisation.But,whilst Liberation(Mukti)isattainablebyeithermethod,thereareothermarkeddifferencesbetweenthe two.ADhyanaYoginshouldnotneglecthisbody,knowingthatasheisbothmindandmatter,each reacts,theoneupontheother.Neglectormeremortificationofthebodyismoreapttoproduce disorderedimaginationthanatruespiritualexperience.Heisnotconcerned,however,withthe bodyinthesensethattheHathaYoginis.ItispossibletobeasuccessfulDhyanaYoginandyetto beweakinbodyandhealth,sickandshort-lived.Hisbody,andnothehimself,determineswhenhe shalldie.Hecannotdieatwill.WhenheisinSamadhi,KundaliniSaktiisstillsleepinginthe Muladhara,andnoneofthephysicalsymptomsandpsychicalblissorpowers(Siddhis)described asaccompanyingHerrousingareobservedinhiscase.Theecstasywhichhecalls“Liberation whileyetliving”(Jivanmukti)isnotastatelikethatofrealLiberation.Hemaybestillsubjecttoa sufferingbodyfromwhichheescapesonlyatdeath,whenifatall,heisliberated.Hisecstasyisin thenatureofameditationwhichpassesintotheVoid(Bhavana-samadhi)effectedthroughnegation ofallthought-form(Chitta-Vritti)anddetachmentfromtheworld—acomparativelynegative processinwhichthepositiveactofraisingtheCentralPowerofthebodytakesnopart.Byhis effort,themindwhichisaproductofKundaliniasPrakritiSakti,togetherwithitsworldlydesires, isstilledsothattheveilproducedbymentalfunctioningisremovedfromConsciousness.InLaya Yoga,KundaliniHerself,whenrousedbytheYogin(forsuchrousingishisactandpart),achieves forhimthisillumination.

Butwhy,itmaybeasked,shouldonetroubleoverthebodyanditsCentralpower,themore particularlyasthereareunusualrisksanddifficultiesinvolved?Theanswerhasbeenalreadygiven. ThereiscompletenessandcertaintyofRealisationthroughtheagencyofthePowerwhichis Knowledgeitself(JnanarupaSakti),anintermediateacquisitionofpowers(Siddhis),and intermediateandfinalenjoyment.

IftheUltimateRealityistheOnewhichexistsintwoaspectsofquiescentenjoymentofthe Self,andofliberationfromallformandactiveenjoymentofobjects,thatis,aspurespiritandspirit inmatter,thenacompleteunionwithRealitydemandssuchunityinbothofitsaspects.Itmustbe knownbothhere(Iha)andthere(Amutra).Whenrightlyapprehendedandpractised,thereistruth

inthedoctrinewhichteachesthatmanshouldmakethebestofbothworlds.Thereisnoreal incompatibilitybetweenthetwo,providedactionistakeninconformitywiththeuniversallawof manifestation.Itisheldtobefalseteachingthathappinesshereaftercanonlybehadbyabsenceof enjoymentnow,orindeliberatelysoughtforsufferingandmortification.ItistheoneSivawhois theSupremeBlissfulExperienceandwhoappearsintheformofmanwithalifeofmingled pleasureandpain.BothhappinesshereandtheblissofLiberationhereandhereaftermaybe attained,iftheidentityoftheseSivasberealisedineveryhumanact.Thiswillbeachievedby makingeveryhumanfunction,withoutexception,areligiousactofsacrificeandworship(Yajna). IntheancientVaidikritual,enjoymentbywayoffoodanddrinkwasprecededandaccompaniedby ceremonialsacrificeandritual.Suchenjoymentwasthefruitofthesacrificeandthegiftofthe Devas.AtahigherstageinthelifeofaSadhaka,itisofferedtotheOnefromwhomallgiftscome andofwhomtheDevatasareinferiorlimitedforms.Butthisofferingalsoinvolvesadualismfrom whichthehighestMonistic(Advaita)Sadhanaisfree.Heretheindividuallifeandtheworldlifeare knownasone.AndtheSadhaka,wheneatingordrinkingorfulfillinganyotherofthenatural functionsofthebody,doesso,sayingandfeeling“Sivoham”.Itisnotmerelytheseparate individualwhothusactsandenjoys.ItisSivawhodoessoinandthroughhim.Suchaone recognises,ashasbeensaid,thathislifeandtheplayofallitsactivitiesarenotathingapart,tobe heldandpursuedegotisticallyforitsandhisownseparatesake,asthoughenjoymentwas somethingtobefilchedfromlifebyhisownunaidedstrengthandwithasenseofseparatedness;but hislifeandallitsactivitiesareconceivedaspartoftheDivineactioninNature(Shakti)manifesting andoperatingintheformofman.Herealisesinthepulsatingbeatofhishearttherhythmwhich throbsthroughandisthesongoftheUniversalLife.Toneglectortodenytheneedsofthebody,to thinkofitassomethingnotdivine,istoneglectanddenythegreaterlifeofwhichitisapart,andto falsifythegreatdoctrineoftheunityofallandoftheultimateidentityofMatterandSpirit. Governedbysuchaconcept,eventhelowliestphysicalneedstakeonacosmicsignificance.The bodyisShakti;itsneedsareShakti’sneeds.Whenmanenjoys,itisShaktiwhoenjoysthroughhim. Inallheseesanddoes,itistheMotherwholooksandacts,HiseyesandhandsareHers.Thewhole bodyandallitsfunctionsareHermanifestations.TofullyrealiseHerassuchistoperfectthis particularmanifestationofHerswhichishimself.Manwhenseekingtobethemasterofhimself, seekssoonalltheplanesphysical,mentalandspiritualnorcantheybesevered,fortheyareall related,beingbutdifferingaspectsoftheoneall-pervadingConsciousness.Who,itmaybeasked, isthemoredivine;hewhoneglectsandspurnsthebodyormindthathemayattainsomefancied spiritualsuperiority,orhewhorightlycherishesbothasformsoftheoneSpiritwhichtheyclothe? RealisationismorespeedilyandtrulyattainedbydiscerningSpiritinandasallbeingandits activities,thenbyfleeingfromandcastingtheseasideasbeingeitherunspiritualorillusoryand impedimentsinthepath.Ifnotrightlyconceived,theymaybeimpedimentsandthecauseoffall; otherwisetheybecomeinstrumentsofattainment;andwhatothersaretheretohand?Andso,when actsaredoneinthefightfeelingandframeofmind(Bhava),thoseactsgiveenjoyment;andthe repeatedandprolongedBhavaproducesatlengththatdivineexperience(Tattva-Jnana)whichis Liberation.WhentheMotherisseeninallthings,SheisatlengthrealisedasShewhoisbeyond themall.

Thesegeneralprincipleshavetheirmorefrequentapplicationinthelifeoftheworldbefore entranceonthepathofYogaproper.TheYogaheredescribedis,however,alsoanapplicationof thesesameprinciples,insofarasitisclaimedthattherebybothBhuktiandMukti(enjoymentand liberation)areattained.

BythelowerprocessesofHathaYogaitissoughttoattainaperfectphysicalbodywhich willalsobeawhollyfitinstrumentbywhichthemindmayfunction.Aperfectmind,again, approachesand,inSamadhi,passesintoPureConsciousnessitself.TheHathaYoginthusseeksa bodywhichshallbeasstrongassteel,healthy,freefromsufferingandtherefore,long-lived.Master ofthebodyheis—themasterofbothlifeanddeath.Hislustrousformenjoysthevitalityofyouth. Helivesaslongashehasthewilltoliveandenjoysintheworldofforms.Hisdeathisthedeathat will(Iccha-Mrityu);whehmakingthegreatandwonderfullyexpressivegestureofdissolution, (Samhara-Mudra)hegrandlydeparts.But,itmaybesaid,theHathaYoginsdogetsickanddie.In thefirstplace,thefulldisciplineisoneofdifficultyandrisk,andcanonlybepursuedunderthe guidanceofaskilledGuru.Unaidedandunsuccessfulpracticemayleadnotonlytodisease,but death.HewhoseekstoconquertheLordofdeathincurstherisk,onfailure,ofamorespeedy conquestbyHim.AllwhoattemptthisYogadonot,ofcourse,succeedormeetwiththesame measureofsuccess.Thosewhofailnotonlyincurtheinfirmitiesofordinarymen,butalsoothers broughtonbypracticeswhichhavebeenill-pursuedorforwhichtheyarenotfit.Thoseagainwho dosucceed,dosoinvaryingdegrees.Onemayprolonghislifetothesacredageof84,othersto100, othersyetfurther.Intheoryatleastthosewhoareperfected(Siddhas)gofromthisplanewhenthey will.Allhavenotthesamecapacityoropportunity,throughwantofwill,bodilystrength,or circumstance.Allmaynotbewillingorabletofollowthestrictrulesnecessaryforsuccess.Nor doesmodernlifeofferingeneraltheopportunitiesforsocompleteaphysicalculture.Allmenmay notdesiresuchalifeormaythinktheattainmentofitnotworththetroubleinvolved.Somemay wishtoberidoftheirbodyandthatasspeedilyaspossible.Itis,therefore,saidthatitiseasierto gainLiberationthanDeathlessness!Theformermaybehadbyunselfishness,detachmentfromthe world,moralandmentaldiscipline.Buttoconquerdeathisharderthanthis,forthesequalitiesand actswillnotaloneavail.Hewhodoessoconquer,holdslifeinthehollowofonehandand,ifhebea successful(Siddha)Yogin,Liberationintheotherhand.HehasEnjoymentandLiberation.Heis theEmperorwhoisMasteroftheWorldandthepossessoroftheBlisswhichisbeyondallworlds. Therefore,itisclaimedbytheHathaYoginthateverySadhanaisinferiortoHathaYoga!

TheHathaYoginwhoworksforLiberationdoessothroughLayaYogaSadhanaor KundaliniYogawhichgivesbothenjoymentandLiberation.Ateverycentretowhichherouses KundaliniheexperiencesspecialformofBlissandgainsspecialpowers.CarryingHertoSivaof hiscerebralcentre,heenjoystheSupremeBlisswhichinitsnatureisthatofLiberation,andwhich whenestablishedinpermanenceisLiberationitselfonthelooseningofSpiritandBody.

Energy(Shakti)polarisesitselfintotwoforms,namely,staticorpotential(Kundalini),and dynamic(theworkingforcesofthebodyasPrana).Behindallactivitythereisastaticbackground. ThisstaticcentreinthehumanbodyisthecentralSerpentPowerintheMuladhara(root-support).It isthepowerwhichisthestaticsupport(Adhara)ofthewholebodyandallitsmovingPranicforces. ThisCentre(Kendra)ofPowerisagrossformofChitorConsciousness;thatis,initself(Svarupa), itisConsciousness;andbyappearanceitisaPowerwhich,asthehighestformofForce,isa manifestationofit.Justasthereisadistinction(thoughidenticalatbase)betweentheSupreme QuiescentConsciousnessandItsactivePower(Shakti),sowhenConsciousnessmanifestsas Energy(Sakti),itpossessesthetwinaspectsofpotentialandkineticEnergy.Therecanbeno partitioninfactofReality.TotheperfecteyeoftheSiddhatheprocessofbecomingisanascription (Adhyasa).ButtotheimperfecteyeoftheSadhaka,thatis,theaspirantforSiddhi(perfected accomplishment),tothespiritwhichisstilltoilingthroughthelowerplanesandvariously

identifyingitselfwiththem,becomingistendingtoappearandanappearanceisreal.TheKundalini YogaisarenderingofVedanticTruthfromthispracticalpointofview,andrepresentsthe world-processasapolarisationinConsciousnessitself.Thispolarityasitexistsin,andas,thebody isdestroyedbyYogawhichdisturbstheequilibriumofbodilyconsciousness,whichconsciousness istheresultofthemaintenanceofthesetwopoles.Thehumanbody,thepotentialpoleofEnergy whichistheSupremePower,isstirredtoaction,uponwhichthemovingforces(dynamicShakti) supportedbyitaredrawnthereto,andthewholedynamismthusengenderedmovesupwardsto unitewiththequiescentConsciousnessintheHighestLotus.

ThereispolarisationofShaktiintotwoforms—staticanddynamic.Inthemindor experiencethispolarisationispatenttoreflection;namely,thepolaritybetweenpureChitandthe Stresswhichisinvolvedinit.ThisStressorShaktidevelopsthemindthroughaninfinityofforms andchangesinthepureunboundedEtherofConsciousness—theChidakasa.Thisanalysisexhibits theprimordialShaktiinthesametwopolarformsasbefore,staticanddynamic.Herethepolarityis mostfundamentalandapproachesabsoluteness,thoughofcourse,itistoberememberedthatthere isnoabsoluterestexceptinpureChit.Cosmicenergyisinanequilibriumwhichisrelativeandnot absolute.

Passingfrommind,letustakematter.Theatomofmodernsciencehasceasedtobeanatom inthesenseofanindivisibleunitofmatter.Accordingtotheelectrontheory,theatomisaminiature universeresemblingoursolarsystem.Atthecentreofthisatomicsystemwehaveachargeof positiveelectricityaroundwhichacloudofnegativechargescalledelectronsrevolve.Thepositive chargesholdeachotherinchecksothattheatomisinaconditionofequilibratedenergyanddoes notordinarilybreakup,thoughitmaydosoonthedissociationwhichisthecharacteristicofall matter,butwhichissoclearlymanifestintheradioactivityofradium.Wehavethushereagain,a positivechargeatrestatthecentre,andnegativechargesinmotionroundaboutthecentre.Whatis thussaidabouttheatomappliestothewholecosmicsystemanduniverse.Intheworld-system,the planetsrevolvearoundtheSun,andthatsystemitselfisprobably(takenasawhole)amovingmass aroundsomeotherrelativelystaticcentre,untilwearriveattheBrahma-Binduwhichisthepointof AbsoluteRest,aroundwhichallformsrevolveandbywhichallaremaintained.Similarly,inthe tissuesofthelivingbody,theoperativeenergyispolarisedintotwoformsofenergy—anabolicand catabolic,theonetendingtochangeandtheothertoconservethetissues;theactualconditionofthe tissuesbeingsimplytheresultantofthesetwoco-existentorconcurrentactivities.

Inshort,Shakti,whenmanifesting,dividesitselfintotwopolaraspects—staticand dynamic—whichimpliesthatyoucannothaveitinadynamicformwithoutatthesametimehaving itinastaticform,muchlikethepolesofamagnet.Inanygivensphereofactivityofforce,wemust have,accordingtothecosmicprincipleofastaticback-ground—Shaktiatrestor“coiled”.This scientifictruthisillustratedinthefigureKali,theDivineMothermovingastheKineticShaktion thebreastofSadasivawhoisthestaticbackgroundofpureChitwhichisactionless,theGunamayi Motherbeingallactivity.

TheCosmicShaktiisthecollectivity(Samashti)inrelationtowhichtheKundaliniin particularbodiesistheVyashti(individual)Shakti.Thebodyis,asIhavestated,amicrocosm (Kshudrabrahmanda).Inthelivingbodythereis,therefore,thesamepolarisationofwhichIhave spoken.FromtheMahakundalinitheuniversehassprung.InHerSupremeFormSheisatrest,

coiledroundandone(asChidrupini)withtheSiva-bindu.Sheisthenatrest.Shenextuncoils Herselftomanifest.HerethethreecoilsofwhichtheKundaliniYogaspeaksarethethreeGunas andthethreeandahalfcoilarethePrakritianditsthreeGunas,togetherwiththeVikritis.Her50 coilsarethelettersoftheAlphabet.Asshegoesonuncoiling,theTattvasandtheMatrikas,the MotheroftheVarnas,issuefromHer.Sheisthusmoving,andcontinuesevenaftercreationto moveintheTattvassocreated.For,astheyarebornofmovement,theycontinuetomove.The wholeworld(Jagat),astheSanskrittermimplies,ismoving.Shethuscontinuescreativelyacting untilShehasevolvedPrithvi,thelastoftheTattvas.FirstShecreatesmind,andthenmatter.This latterbecomesmoreandmoredense.IthasbeensuggestedthattheMahabhutasaretheDensitiesof modernscience:—Airdensityassociatedwiththemaximumvelocityofgravity;Firedensity associatedwiththevelocityoflight;Waterorfluiddensityassociatedwithmolecularvelocityand theequatorialvelocityoftheearth’srotation;andEarthdensity,thatofbasaltassociatedwiththe Newtonianvelocityofsound.Howeverthisbe,itisplainthattheBhutasrepresentanincreasing densityofmatteruntilitreachesitsthreedimensionalsolidform.WhenShaktihascreatedthislast orPrithviTattva,whatistherefurtherforHertodo?Nothing.Shethereforethenagainrests.At rest,again,meansthatSheassumesastaticform.Shakti,however,isneverexhausted,thatis, emptiedintoanyofitsforms.Therefore,KundaliniShaktiatthispointis,asitwere,theShaktileft over(thoughyetaplenum)afterthePrithvi,thelastoftheBhutas,hasbeencreated.Wehavethus MahakundaliniatrestasChidrupiniShaktiintheSahasrara,thepointofabsoluterest;andthenthe bodyinwhichtherelativestaticcentreisKundaliniatrest,andaroundthiscentrethewholeofthe bodilyforcesmove.TheyareShakti,andsoisKundaliniShakti.Thedifferencebetweenthetwois thattheyareShaktisinspecificdifferentiatedformsinmovement;andKundaliniShaktiis undifferentiated,residualShaktiatrest,thatis,coiled.SheiscoiledintheMuladhara,whichmeans ‘fundamentalsupport’,andwhichisatthesametimetheseatofthePrithviorlastsolidTattvaand oftheresidualShaktiorKundalini.Thebodymay,therefore,becomparedtoamagnetwithtwo poles.TheMuladhara,insofarasitistheseatofKundaliniShakti,acomparativelygrossformof Chit(beingChit-ShaktiandMayaShakti),isthestaticpoleinrelationtotherestofthebodywhich isdynamic.Theworkingthatisthebodynecessarilypresupposesandfindssuchastaticsupport, hencethenameMuladhara.Insense,thestaticSaktiattheMuladharaisnecessarilycoexistentwith thecreatingandevolvingShaktiofthebody;becausethedynamicaspectorpolecanneverbe withoutitsstaticcounterpart.Inanothersense,itistheresidualShaktileftoveraftersuchoperation.

WhatthenhappensintheaccomplishmentofthisYoga?ThisstaticShaktiisaffectedby PranayamaandotherYogicprocessesandbecomesdynamic.Thus,whencompletelydynamic, thatiswhenKundaliniuniteswithSivaintheSahasrara,thepolarisationofthebodygivesway.The twopolesareunitedinoneandthereisthestateofconsciousnesscalledSamadhi.Thepolarisation, ofcourse,takesplaceinconsciousness.Thebodyactuallycontinuestoexistasanobjectof observationtoothers.Itcontinuesitsorganiclife.Butman’sconsciousnessofhisbodyandallother objectsiswithdrawnbecausethemindhasceasedsofarashisconsciousnessisconcerned,the functionhavingbeenwithdrawnintoitsgroundwhichisconsciousness.

Howisthebodysustained?Inthefirstplace,thoughKundaliniSaktiisthestaticcentreof thewholebodyasacompleteconsciousorganism,yeteachofthepartsofthebodyandtheir constituentcellshavetheirownstaticcentreswhichupholdsuchpartsorcells.Next,thetheoryof theYoginsthemselvesisthatKundaliniascendsandthatthebody,asacompleteorganism,is maintainedbythenectarwhichflowsfromtheunionofSivaandSaktiintheSahasrara.Thisnectar

isanejectionofpowergeneratedbytheirunion.ThepotentialKundaliniSaktibecomesonlypartly andnotwhollyconvertedintokineticSakti;andyetsinceSakti—evenasgiveninthe Muladhara—isaninfinitude,itisnotdepleted;thepotentialstorealwaysremainsunexhausted.In thiscase,thedynamicequivalentisapartialconversionofonemodeofenergyintoanother.If, however,thecoiledpowerattheMuladharabecameabsolutelyuncoiled,therewouldresultthe dissolutionofthethreebodies—gross,subtleandcausal,andconsequently,Videha-Mukti, bodilessLiberation—becausethestaticbackgroundinrelationtoaparticularformofexistence would,accordingtothishypothesis,havewhollygivenway.Thebodybecomescoldasacorpseas theSaktileavesit,notduetothedepletionorprivationofthestaticpowerattheMuladharabutto theconcentrationorconvergenceofthedynamicpowerordinarilydiffusedoverthewholebody,so thatthedynamicequivalentwhichissetupagainstthestaticbackgroundofKundaliniSaktiisonly thediffusedfivefoldPranagatheredhome—withdrawnfromtheothertissuesofthebodyand concentratedalongtheaxis.Thus,ordinarily,thedynamicequivalentisthePranadiffusedoverall thetissues:inYoga,itisconvergedalongtheaxis,thestaticequivalentofKundaliniSaktienduring inbothcases.SomepartofthealreadyavailabledynamicPranaismadetoactatthebaseoftheaxis inasuitablemanner,bywhichmeansthebasalcentreorMuladharabecomes,asitwere, oversaturatedandreactsonthewholediffuseddynamicpower(orPrana)ofthebodyby withdrawingitfromthetissuesandconvergingitalongthelineoftheaxis.Inthisway,thediffused dynamicequivalentbecomestheconvergeddynamicequivalentalongtheaxis.What,accordingto thisview,ascendsisnotthewholeSaktibutanejectlikecondensedlightning,whichatlength reachestheParama-Sivasthana.TheretheCentralPowerwhichupholdstheindividual world-ConsciousnessismergedintheSupremeConsciousness.Thelimitedconsciousness, transcendingthepassingconceptsofworldlylife,directlyintuitstheunchangingRealitywhich underliesthewholephenomenalflow.WhenKundaliniSaktisleepsintheMuladhara,manis awaketotheworld;whensheawakestounite,anddoesunite,withthesupremestatic ConsciousnesswhichisSiva,thenconsciousnessisasleeptotheworldandisonewiththeLightof allthings.

Themainprincipleisthatwhenawakened,KundaliniSakti,eitherHerselforHereject, ceasestobeastaticPowerwhichsustainstheworld-consciousness,thecontentofwhichisheld onlysolongasShesleeps;andwhenoncesetinmovementisdrawntothatotherstaticcentreinthe Thousand-petalledLotus(Sahasrara)whichisHerselfinunionwiththeSiva-consciousnessorthe consciousnessofecstasybeyondtheworldofform.WhenKundalinisleeps,manisawaketothis world.WhenShewakes,hesleeps—thatis,losesallconsciousnessoftheworldandentershis causalbody.InYoga,hepassesbeyondtoformlessConsciousness.

Glory,glorytoMotherKundalini,whothroughHerInfiniteGraceandPower,kindlyleads theSadhakafromChakratoChakraandillumineshisintellectandmakeshimrealisehisidentity withtheSupremeBrahman!MayHerblessingsbeuponyouall!

ChapterOne

PRELIMINARY

Patanjali-vyasamukhangurunanyamschabhaktitah;Natosmi vangmanah-kayairajnanadhvanta-bhaskaran—Weofferourobeisancebyword,mindandbodyto Patanjali,VyasaandtoallotherRishisandYogicMasterswhoarelikesomanySunstoremovethe darknessofAjnana(ignorance).

FOUNDATION—VAIRAGYA

Man,ignorantofhistrueDivinenature,vainlytriestosecurehappinessintheperishable objectsofthisillusorysense-universe.Everymaninthisworldisrestless,discontentedand dissatisfied.Hefeelsactuallythatheisinwantofsomething,thenatureofwhichhedoesnotreally understand.Heseekstherestandpeacethathefeelsheisinneedof,intheaccomplishmentof ambitiousprojects.Buthefindsthatworldlygreatnesswhensecuredisadelusionandasnare.He doubtlessdoesnotfindanyhappinessinit.Hegetsdegrees,diplomas,titles,honours,powers, nameandfame;hemarries;hebegetschildren;inshort,hegetsallthatheimagineswouldgivehim happiness.Butyet,hefindsnorestandpeace.

Areyounotashamedtorepeatthesameprocessofeating,sleepingandtalkingagainand again?AreyounotreallyfedupwiththeillusoryobjectscreatedbythejuggleryofMaya?Have yougotasinglesincerefriendinthisuniverse?Isthereanydifferencebetweenananimalandthe so-calleddignifiedhumanbeingwithboastedintellect,ifhedoesnotdoanyspiritualSadhana daily,forSelf-realisation?Howlongdoyouwanttoremainaslaveofpassion,Indriyas,womanand body?FieonthosemiserablewretcheswhorevelinfilthandwhohaveforgottentheirrealAtmic natureandtheirhiddenpowers!

Theso-callededucatedpersonsarerefinedsensualistsonly.Sensualpleasureisnopleasure atall.Indriyasaredeceivingyouateverymoment.Pleasuremixedwithpain,sorrow,fear,sin, diseasesisnopleasureatall.Thehappinessthatdependsuponperishableobjectsisnohappiness.If yourwifedies,youweep.Ifyoulosemoneyorproperty,youaredrownedinsorrow.Howlongdo youwanttoremaininthatabject,degradedstate?Thosewhowastetheirpreciouslifeineating, sleepingandchattingwithoutdoinganySadhanaarebrutesonly.

YouhaveforgottenyourrealSvarupaorpurposeoflifeonaccountofAvidya,Maya,Moha andRaga.YouaretosseduphitherandthitheraimlesslybythetwocurrentsofRagaandDvesha. YouarecaughtupinSamsara-Chakraonaccountofyouregoism,Vasanas,Trishnasandpassions ofvarioussorts.

Youwanta Nitya (eternal), Nirupadhika (independent), Niratisaya (Infinite) Ananda. This youwillfindinyourrealisationoftheSelfonly.Thenalonewillallyourmiseriesandtribulations meltaway.Youhavetakenthisbodyonlytoachievethisend. “Dinnikebitejatehain—Thedays arepassingawayquickly.”Thedayhascomeandgone.Willyouwastethenightalso?

“Aashayabadhyatelokokarmanabahu-chintaya; Ayukshinamnajanatitasmatjagratajagrata—

Youareboundinthisworldbydesires,actionsandmanifoldanxieties.Thereforeyoudo notknowthatyourlifeisslowlydecayingandiswasted.Thereforewakeup,wakeup.”

Nowwakeup.Openyoureyes.ApplydiligentlytospiritualSadhana.Neverwasteevena minute.ManyYoginsandJnanins,Dattatreya,Patanjali,Christ,Buddha,Gorakhnath, Matsyendranath,RamDasandothershavealreadytroddenthespiritualpathandrealisedthrough Sadhana.Followtheirteachingsandinstructionsimplicitly.

Courage,Power,Strength,Wisdom,JoyandHappinessareyourDivineheritage,your birth-right.GetthemallthroughproperSadhana.Itwillbesimplypreposteroustothinkthatyour GuruwilldotheSadhanaforyou.Youareyourownredeemer.GurusandAcharyaswillshowyou thespiritualpath,removedoubtsandtroublesandgivesomeinspiration.Youwillhavetotreadthe SpiritualPath.Rememberthispointwell.YouwillhavetoplaceeachstepyourselfintheSpiritual Path.ThereforedorealSadhana.FreeyourselffromdeathandbirthandenjoytheHighestBliss.

WHATISYOGA?

Theword‘Yoga’comesfromaSanskritroot ‘Yuj’ whichmeanstojoin.Initsspiritualsense itisthatprocessbywhichtheidentityoftheJivatmaandParamatmaisrealisedbytheYogins.The humansoulisbroughtintoconsciouscommunionwithGod.Yogaisrestrainingthemental modifications.Yogaisthatinhibitionofthefunctionsofthemindwhichleadstoabidanceofthe spiritinhisrealnature.TheinhibitionofthesefunctionsofthemindisbyAbhyasaandVairagya” (YogaSutras).

YogaistheSciencethatteachesthemethodofjoiningthehumanspiritwithGod.Yogais theDivineSciencewhichdisentanglestheJivafromthephenomenalworldofsense-objectsand linkshimwiththe AnantaAnanda (InfiniteBliss), ParamaShanti (SupremePeace),joyofan AkhandacharacterandPowerthatareinherentattributesoftheAbsolute.YogagivesMukti throughAsamprajnataSamadhibydestroyingalltheSankalpasofallantecedentmentalfunctions. NoSamadhiispossiblewithoutawakeningtheKundalini.WhentheYogiattainsthehigheststage, allhisKarmasareburntandhegetsliberationfromSamsara-Chakra.

THEIMPORTANCEOFKUNDALINIYOGA

InKundaliniYogathecreatingandsustainingSaktiofthewholebodyisactuallyandtruly unitedwithLordSiva.TheYogigoadsHertointroducehimtoHerLord.TherousingofKundalini SaktiandHerUnionwithLordSivaeffectsthestateof Samadhi (Ecstaticunion)andspiritual Anubhava (experience).ItisShewhogivesKnowledgeorJnana,forSheisHerselfThat.Kundalini Herself,whenawakenedbytheYogins,achievesforthemtheJnana(illumination).

Kundalinicanbeawakenedbyvariousmeansandthesedifferentmethodsarecalledby differentnames,viz.,RajaYoga,HathaYoga,etc.ThepractitionerofthisKundaliniYogaclaims, thatitishigherthananyotherprocessandthatSamadhiattainedtherebyismoreperfect.Thereason

thattheyallege,isthis:—InDhyanaYoga,ecstasytakesplacethroughdetachmentfromtheworld andmentalconcentrationleadingthevarietyofmentaloperation(Vritti)oftheuprisingofpure consciousnessunhinderedbythelimitationsofthemind.Thedegreetowhichthisunveilingof consciousnessiseffected,dependsuponthemeditativepower,DhyanaSakti,oftheSadhakaand theextentofdetachmentfromtheworld.Ontheotherhand,KundaliniisallSaktiandistherefore JnanaSaktiHerself—bestowsJnanaandMukti,whenawakenedbytheYogins.Secondly,in KundaliniYogathereisnotmerelyaSamadhithroughmeditation,butthecentralpoweroftheJiva, carrieswithittheformsofbothbodyandmind.Theunioninthatsenseisclaimedtobemore completethanthatenactedthroughmethodsonly.Thoughinbothcasesthebody-consciousnessis lost,inKundaliniYoganotonlythemindbutthebodyalso,insofarasitisrepresentedbyits centralpower,isactuallyunitedwithLordSivaattheSahasraraChakra.Thisunion(Samadhi) produces Bhukti (enjoyment)whichaDhyanaYogidoesnotpossess.AKundaliniYogihasboth Bhukti (enjoyment)and Mukti (liberation)inthefullestandliteralsense.HencethisYogais claimedtobetheforemostofallYogas.WhenthesleepingKundaliniisawakenedbyYogic Kriyas,itforcesapassageupwardsthroughthedifferentChakras(Shat-Chakra Bheda).Itexcites orstimulatesthemintointenseactivity.Duringitsascent,layerafterlayerofthemindbecomes fullyopened.All Kleshas (afflictions)andthethreekindsofTaapawillvanish.TheYogi experiencesvariousvisions,powers,blissandknowledge.WhenitreachesSahasraraChakrainthe brain,theYogigetsthemaximumknowledge,Bliss,powerandSiddhis.Hereachesthehighest rungintheYogicladder.Hegetsperfectlydetachedfrombodyandmind.Hebecomesfreeinall respects.Heisafull-blownYogi(PurnaYogi).

IMPORTANTQUALIFICATIONSOFASADHAKA

WhenthewholevitalityissappedfromthebodyonecannotdoanyrigidSadhana.Youthis thebestperiodforYogaAbhyasa.ThisisthefirstandtheforemostqualificationofaSadhaka;there mustbevigourandvitality.

Onewhohasacalmmind,whohasfaithinthewordsofhisGuruandSastras,whois moderateineatingandsleepingandwhohastheintenselongingfordeliverancefromthe Samsara-ChakraisaqualifiedpersonforthepracticeofYoga.

“Ahamkarambalamdarpamkamamkrodhamparigraham;Vimuchyanirmamahsanto brahmabhuyayakalpate-

Havingcastasideegoism,violence,arrogance,desire,wrath,covetousness,selflessand peaceful—heisfittobecomeETERNAL.”

Thosewhoareaddictedtosensualpleasuresorthosewhoarearrogantandproud,dishonest, untruthful,diplomatic,cunningandtreacherousandwhodisrespecttheGuru,Sadhusandelders andtakepleasureinvaincontroversiesandworldlyactions,canneverattainsuccessinYogic practices.

Kama,Krodha,Lobha,Moha,Mada,andallotherimpuritiesshouldbecompletely annihilated.Onecannotbecomepureandperfectwhenonehassomanyimpurequalities.

Sadhakasshoulddevelopthefollowingvirtuousqualities:

Straightforwardness,servicetoGuru,thesickandoldpersons,Ahimsa,Brahmacharya, spontaneousgenerosity,Titiksha,SamaDrishti,Samata,spiritofservice,selflessness,tolerance, Mitahara,humility,honestyandothervirtuestoanenormousdegree.Aspirantswillnotatallbe benefitedinanywayintheabsenceofthesevirtueseveniftheyexertmuchtoawakenthe KundalinithroughYogicexercises.

AspirantsshouldfreelyopentheirheartstotheirGuru.Theymustbefrankandcandid. Theyshouldgiveuptheself-assertive,Rajasicvehemence,vanityandarrogance,andcarryout theirmaster’sinstructionswithSraddhaandPrem.Constantself-justificationisadangeroushabit foraSadhaka.

Energyiswastedintoomuchtalking,unnecessaryworryandvainfear.Gossipingand tall-talkshouldbegivenupentirely.ArealSadhakaisamanoffewwords,tothepointandthattoo onspiritualmattersonly.Sadhakasshouldalwaysremainalone.Mounaisagreat desideratum. MixingwithhouseholdersishighlydangerousforaSadhaka.Thecompanyofahouseholderisfar moreinjuriousthanthecompanyofawoman.Mindhasthepowertoimitate.

YOGICDIET

ASadhakashouldobserveperfectdiscipline.Hemustbecivil,polite,courteous,gentle, nobleandgraciousinhisbehaviour.Hemusthaveperseverance,adamantinewill,asininepatience and leech-liketenacity inSadhana.Hemustbeperfectlyself-controlled,pureanddevotedtothe Guru.

Agluttonoronewhoisaslaveofhissenseswithseveralbadhabits,isunfitforthespiritual path.

“Mitaharamvinayastuyogarambhamtukarayet;Nanarogobhavettasyakinchityogona siddhyati

“Withoutobservingmoderationofdiet,ifonetakestotheYogicpractices,hecannotobtain anybenefitbutgetsvariousdiseases”(Ghe.Sam.V-16).

FoodplaysaprominentplaceinYoga-Sadhana.Anaspirantshouldbeverycarefulinthe selectionofarticlesofSattvicnatureespeciallyinthebeginningofhisSadhanaperiod.Lateron whenSiddhiisattained,drasticdieteticrestrictionscanberemoved.

Purityoffoodleadstopurityofmind.Sattvicfoodhelpsmeditation.Thedisciplineoffood isveryverynecessaryforYogicSadhana.Ifthetongueiscontrolled,alltheotherIndriyasare controlled.

“Ahara-suddhausattva-suddhih,sattva-suddhaudhruvasmritih;Smriti-lambhe sarva-granthinamviprarnokshah—Bythepurityoffoodfollowsthepurificationoftheinner

nature,bythepurificationofthenature,memorybecomesfirmandonstrengtheningthememory, followsthelooseningofalltiesandthewisegetMokshathereby.”

SATTVICARTICLES

IwillgiveyoualistofSattvicarticlesforaSadhaka.Milk,redrice,barley,wheat, Havishannam,Charu, cream,cheese,butter,greendal(Moongdal),Badam(almonds), Misri (sugar-candy), Kismis (raisins), Kichidi,PanchaShakha vegetables (Seendil,Chakravarty, Ponnan-gani,Chirukeerai and Vellaicharnai), Lowki vegetable,plantain-stem, Parwal,Bhindi (lady’sfinger),pomegranates,sweetoranges,grapes,apples,bananas,mangoes,dates,honey, driedginger,blackpepper,etc.,aretheSattvicarticlesofdietprescribedfortheYogaAbhyasis.

Charu:Boilhalfaseerofmilkalongwithsomeboiledrice,gheeandsugar.Thisisan excellentfoodforYogins.Thisisfortheday-time.Forthenight,halfaseerofmilkwilldo.

Milkshouldnotbetoomuchboiled.Itshouldberemovedfromthefireassoonasthe boilingpointisreached.Toomuchboilingdestroysthenutritiousprinciplesandvitaminsand rendersitquiteuseless.ThisisanidealfoodforSadhakas.Milkisaperfectfoodbyitself.

Afruitdietexercisesabenigninfluenceontheconstitution.Thisisanaturalformofdiet. Fruitsareverygreatenergy-producers.Fruitsandmilkdiethelpconcentrationandeasymental focussing.Barley,wheat,milkandgheepromotelongevityandincreasepowerandstrength. Fruit-juiceandthewaterwhereinsugar-candyisdissolved,areverygoodbeverages.Buttermixed withsugar-candy,andalmondssoakedinwatercanbetaken.Thesewillcoolthesystem.

FORBIDDENARTICLES

Sour,hot,pungentandbitterpreparations,salt,mustard,asafoetida,chillies,tamarind,sour curd,chutnee,meat,eggs,fish,garlic,onions,alcoholicliquors,acidicthings,stalefood,overripe orunripefruits,andotherarticlesthatdisagreewithyoursystemshouldbeavoidedentirely.

Rajasicfooddistractsthemind.Itexcitespassion.Giveupsalt.Itexcitespassionand emotion.Givingupofsalthelpsincontrollingthetongueandtherebythemindandindeveloping will-poweralso.Snake-biteandscorpion-stingswillhavenoinfluenceonamanwhohasgivenup salt.Onionsandgarlicareworsethanmeat.

Liveanaturallife.Takesimplefoodthatisagreeable.Youshouldhaveyourownmenuto suityourconstitution.YouareyourselfthebestjudgetoselectaSattvicdiet.

TheproficientinYogashouldabandonarticlesoffooddetrimentaltothepracticeofYoga. DuringintenseSadhana,milk(andgheealso)isordained.

IhavegivenaboveseveralarticlesofSattvicnature.Thatdoesnotmeanthatyoushould takeall.Youwillhavetoselectafewthingsthatareeasilyavailableandsuitabletoyou.Milkisthe bestfoodforYogins.Butevenasmallquantityofmilkisharmfulforsomeandmaynotagreewith

allconstitutions.Ifoneformofdietisnotsuitableorifyoufeelconstipated,changethedietandtry someotherSattvicarticles.ThisisYukti.

Inthematteroffoodanddrinksyoushouldbeamaster.Youshouldnothavetheleast cravingorsense-hankeringforanyparticularfood.Youmustnotbecomeaslavetoanyparticular object.

MITAHARA

HeavyfoodleadstoTamasicstateandinducessleeponly.Thereisageneral misapprehensionthatalargequantityoffoodisnecessaryforhealthandstrength.Muchdepends uponthepowerofassimilationandabsorption.Generally,inthevastmajorityofcases,mostofthe foodpassesawayundigestedalongwithfaeces.Takehalfstomachfulofwholesomefood.Filla quarterwithpurewater.Leavetherestfree.ThisisMitahara.Mitaharaplaysavitalpartinkeeping upperfecthealth.Almostalldiseasesareduetoirregularityofmeals,overeatingandunwholesome food.Eatingallthingsatalltimeslikeamonkeyishighlydangerous.Suchamancanbecomea Rogi(sickman)easily;buthecanneverbecomeaYogi.HeartheemphaticdeclarationofLord Krishna:“SuccessinYogaisnotforhimwhoeatstoomuchortoolittle;norforhimwhosleepstoo muchortoolittle(GitaVI-16).AgainintheSloka18ofthesamechapter,Hesays:“Tohimwhois temperateineatingandinsleepandwakefulness,Yogabecomesadestroyerofmisery.”

AgluttoncannotattheveryoutsethavedietregulationsandobserveMitahara.Hemust graduallypractisethis.Firstlethimtakelessquantitytwiceasusual.Theninsteadoftheusual heavynightmeals,lethimtakefruitsandmilkaloneforsomedays.Induecourseoftimehecan completelyavoidthenightmealsandtrytotakefruitsandmilkinthedaytime.Thosewhodo intenseSadhanamusttakemilkalone.Itisaperfectfoodbyitself.Ifnecessarytheycantakesome easilydigestiblefruits.Aglutton,ifheallonasuddentakestofruitormilkdiet,willdesireatevery momenttoeatsomethingorother.Thatisbad.OnceagainIreiterate,gradualpracticeisnecessary.

Donotfastmuch.Itwillproduceweaknessinyou.Occasionalfastingonceamonthor whenpassiontroublesyoumuch,willsuffice.Duringfastingyoushouldnoteventhinkofthe variousarticlesoffood.Constantthinkingofthefoodwhenyoufastcannotbringyouthedesired result.Duringfasting,avoidcompany.Livealone.UtiliseyourtimeinYogicSadhana.Afterafast donottakeanyheavyfood.Milkorsomefruit-juiceisbeneficial.

Donotmakemuchfussaboutyourdiet.Youneednotadvertisetoeveryoneifyouareable topullonwithaparticularformofdiet.TheobservanceofsuchNiyamasisforyouradvancement inthespiritualpathandyouwillnotbespirituallybenefitedbygivingpublicitytoyourSadhana. Therearemanynowadayswhomakeitaprofessiontoearnmoneyandtheirlivelihoodby performingsomeAsana,Pranayamaorbyhavingsomedietregulationsuchaseatingonlyraw articlesorleavesorroots.Theycannothaveanyspiritualgrowth.ThegoaloflifeisSelf-realisation. SadhakasshouldkeepthegoalalwaysinviewanddointenseSadhanawiththeprescribedmethods.

THEPLACEFORYOGASADHANA

Sadhanashouldbedoneinasecludedplace.Thereshouldbenointerruptionbyanyone. Whenyouliveinahouse,awell-ventilatedroomshouldbereservedforSadhanapurposes.Donot allowanybodytoentertheroom.Keepitunderlockandkey.Donotallowevenyourwife,children orintimatefriendstoentertheroom.Itshouldbekeptpureandholy.Itshouldbefreefrom mosquitoes,fliesandliceandabsolutelyfreefromdampness.Donotkeeptoomanythingsinthe room.Theywilldistractyoueverynowandthen.Nosurroundingnoisealsoshoulddisturbyou. Theroomshouldnotbetoobigastheeyeswillbegintowander.

PlacesofcoolortemperateclimatearerequiredforYogaAbhyasaasyouwillgeteasily exhaustedinhotplace.Youmustselectsuchaplacewhereyoucancomfortablystayallthroughthe yearinwinter,summerandrainyseason.YoumuststicktooneplacethroughoutSadhanaperiod. Selectabeautifulandpleasantspotwherethereisnodisturbance,onthebanksofariver,lakeorsea ortopofahillwherethereisanicespringandgroveoftreesandwheremilkandarticlesoffoodare easilyprocurable.YoushouldselectsuchaplacewheretherearesomeotherYogicpractitioners. WhenyouseeotherswhoaredevotedtoYogicpracticesyouwilldiligentlyapplyyourselftoyour practices.Youcanconsultthemintimesofdifficulties.Donotwanderhereandthereinsearchofa placewhereyouwillgetallconveniences.Donotchangeyourplaceveryoftenwhenyoufindsome inconvenience.Youmustputupwithit.Everyplacehassomeadvantageanddisadvantage.Find outaplacewhereyouhavemanyadvantagesandafewdisadvantages.

Thefollowingplacesarebestsuited.Theyareadmirablyadapted.Sceneryischarmingand spiritualvibrationsaremarvellousandelevating.ThereareseveralKutirs(huts)toliveinforreal Abhyasis,oryoucanconstructyourownhut.Milkandotherrationsareavailableinalltheplaces fromtheneighbouringvillages.AnysolitaryvillageonthebanksofGanga,Narmada,Yamuna, Godavari,KrishnaandKaveriissuitable.Iwilltellyousomeimportantplacesformeditation.

KuluValley,ChampaValleyandSrinagarinKashmir;BanrughiGuhanearTehri; BrahmavartanearKanpur;Joshi(Prayag)inAllahabad;CanaryCavesnearBombay;Mussoorie; Mt.Abu;Nainital;Brindavan;Banares;Puri;UttaraBrindavan(14milesfromAlmora);Hardwar, Rishikesh(N.Rly.);Lakshmanjhula(*3),BrahmapuriForest(*4),RamGuhainBrahmapuri Forest,GarudaChatty(*4),Neelkant(*8),VasishthaGuha(*14),Uttarkashi;DevaPrayag; Badrinarayan;Gangotri,NasikandNandiHillsinMysore.(*DistanceinmilesfromRishikesh)

IfyoubuildaKutirinacrowdedplace,peopleoutofcuriositywilldisturbyou.Youwill havenospiritualvibrationsthere.Therewillbealotofotherdisturbancesalso.Againyouwillbe withoutanyprotectionifyouconstructyourKutirinathickforest.Thievesandwildanimalswill troubleyou.Thequestionoffoodwillarise.Youmustconsiderallthesepointswellbeforeyou selectaplaceforyourSadhana.Ifyoucannotgoinforsuchplaces,convertasolitaryroomintoa forest.

YourAsana(seat)fortheYogicpracticesshouldnotbetoohighortoolow.Spreadaseatof Kusha grass,tiger-skinordeer-skinandthensit.Burnincensedailyintheroom.Intheinitialperiod ofyourSadhanayoumustbeveryparticularaboutallthese.Whenyouhavesufficientlyadvanced inyourpractice,thenyouneednotlaymuchstressonsuchrules.

THETIME

ItisstatedinGherandaSamhitathatYogicpracticesshouldnotbecommencedinwinter, summerandrainyseasons,butonlyinspringandautumn.Thisdependsuponthetemperatureofthe particularplaceandthestrengthoftheindividual.Generallycoolhoursarebestsuited.Inhotplaces youshouldnotpractiseduringtheday.EarlymorninghoursaresuitableforYogicpractices.You shouldcompletelyavoidYogaAbhyasainsummerinthoseplaceswherethetemperatureishot eveninwinter.IfyouliveincoolplaceslikeKodaikanal,Ooty,Kashmir,Badrinarayan,Gangotri, etc.,youcanpractiseevenduringtheday.

Asinstructedinthepreviouslessonsyoushouldnotpractisewhenthestomachisloaded. GenerallyYogicpracticesshouldbedoneonlyafterabath.Abathisnotbeneficialimmediately afterthepractices.YoushouldnotsitforYogicpracticeswhenyourmindisrestlessorwhenyou areworriedmuch.

THEAGE

Youngboysunder18yearsofagewhosebodiesareverytendershouldnothavetoomuch practice.TheyhaveaverytenderbodywhichcannotstandtheexertionofYogicexercises.Further, ayouth’smindwillbewanderingandunsettledandso,inyouthonecannotconcentratewell, whereas,Yogicexercisesrequireintenseanddeepconcentration.Inoldagewhenallvitalityis sappedbyunnecessaryworry,anxieties,troublesandotherworldlyVyavaharas,onecannotdoany spiritualpractice.Yogarequiresfullvitality,energy,powerandstrength.Thereforethebestperiod forYogaAbhyasaisfrom20to40yearsofage.ThosewhoarestrongandhealthycantaketoYogic practicesevenafter50.

NECESSITYFORAYOGICGURU

InoldendaystheaspirantswererequiredtolivewiththeGuruforanumberofyears,sothat theGurucouldstudythestudentsthoroughly.Thefoodduringpractice,whattopractiseandhow, whetherthestudentsarequalifiedforthepathofYoga,andthetemperamentoftheaspirantsand otherimportantitemshavetobeconsideredandjudgedbytheGuru.ItistheGuruthatshould decidewhethertheaspirantsareofUttamai,MadhyamaorAdhamatypeandfixdifferentkindsof exercises.Sadhanadiffersaccordingtothenature,capacityandqualificationsoftheaspirants. AfterunderstandingthetheoryofYoga,youwillhavetolearnthepracticefromanexperienced YogicGuru.Solongasthereistheworld,therearebooksonYogaandteachersalso.Youwillhave tosearchforthemwithSraddha,faith,devotionandearnestness.Youcangeteasylessonsfromthe Guruandpractisethemathomealsointheinitialstagesofpractice.Whenyouadvanceabit,for advancedanddifficultexercisesyouwillhavetostaywiththeGuru.Thepersonalcontactwiththe Guruhasmanifoldadvantages.Youwillbehighlybenefitedbythespiritualmagneticauraofyour Guru.ForthepracticeofBhaktiYogaandVedantayoudonotrequireaGurubyyourside.After learningtheSrutisforsometimefromaGuru,youwillhavetoreflectandmeditatealone,inentire seclusion,whereasinKundaliniYogayouwillhavetobreakuptheGranthisandtaketheKundalini fromChakratoChakra.Thesearealldifficultprocesses.ThemethodofunitingtheApanaand PranaandsendingitalongtheSushumnaandbreakingtheGranthisneedthehelpofaGuru.You

willhavetositattheGuru’sfeetforaprettylongtime.Youwillhavetounderstandthoroughlythe locationoftheNadis,ChakrasandthedetailedtechniqueoftheseveralYogicKriyas.

LaybaretoyourGuruthesecretsofyourheartandthemoreyoudoso,thegreaterthe sympathyandhelpyougetfromyourGuru.Thissympathymeansaccessionofstrengthtoyouin thestraggleagainstsinandtemptation.

“Learnthouthisbydiscipleship,byinvestigationandbyservice.Thewise,theseersofthe Essenceofthingswillinstructtheeinwisdom”.(Gita-IV-34)

Somedomeditationforsomeyearsindependently.Laterontheyfeelactuallythenecessity foraGuru.Theycomeacrosssomeobstaclesintheway.Theydonotknowhowtoproceedfurther andtoobviatetheseimpedimentsorstumblingblocks.Thentheybegintosearchforamaster.A strangerinabigcityfindsitdifficulttogobacktohisresidenceinasmallavenuethoughhehas walkedinthewayhalfadozentimes.Whendifficultyariseseveninthecaseoffindingouttheway throughstreetsandroadshowmuchmoredifficultitshouldbeinthepathofspiritualitywhenone walksalonewithclosedeyes!

Theaspirantgetsobstaclesorimpediments,dangers,snaresandpitfallsonthespiritual path.HemaycommiterrorsinSadhanaalso.AGuruwhohasalreadytroddenthepathandreached thegoal,isverynecessarytoguidehim.

WHOISAGURU?

GuruisonewhohasfullSelf-illuminationandwhoremovestheveilofignorancein deludedJivas.Guru,Truth,Brahman,Ishvara,Atman,God,Omareallone.Thenumberofrealised soulsmaybelessinthisKaliYugawhencomparedwiththeSatyaYuga,buttheyarealways presenttohelptheaspirants.TheyarealwayssearchingfortheproperAdhikarins.

GuruisBrahmanHimself.GuruisIshvaraHimself.GuruisGod.Awordfromhimisa wordfromGod.Heneednotteachany.Evenhismerepresenceorcompanyiselevating,inspiring andsoul-stirring.Theverycompanyitselfisself-illumination.Livinginhiscompanyisspiritual education.ThatwhichcomesoutofhislipsisallVedasorgospel-truth.Hisverylifeisan embodimentofVedas.Guruisyourguideorspiritualpreceptor,realfather,mother,brother, relativeandintimatefriend.Heisanembodimentofmercyandlove.Histendersmileradiateslight, bliss,joy,knowledgeandpeace.Heisablessingtothesufferinghumanity.Whateverhetalksis Upanishadicteaching.Heknowsthespiritualpath.Heknowsthepitfallsandsnaresontheway.He giveswarningtotheaspirants.Heremovesobstaclesonthepath.Heimpartsspiritualstrengthto thestudents.Heshowershisgraceontheirheads.HetakestheirPrarabdhaevenonhishead.Heis theoceanofmercy.Allagonies,miseries,tribulations,taintsofworldliness,etc.,vanishinhis presence.

ItishewhotransmutesthelittleJivahoodintogreatBrahmanhood.Itishewhooverhauls theold,wrong,viciousSamskarasoftheaspirantsandawakensthemtotheattainmentofthe knowledgeofSelf.ItishewhoupliftstheJivasfromthequagmireofbodyandSamsara,removes

theveilofAvidya,alldoubts,Mohaandfear,awakensKundaliniandopenstheinnereyeof intuition.

TheGurumustnotonlybeaSrotriyabutaBrahma-Nishthaalso.Merestudyofbooks cannotmakeoneaGuru.OnewhohasstudiedVedasandwhohasdirectknowledgeofAtman throughAnubhavacanonlybeconsideredaGuru.Ifyoucanfindpeaceinthepresenceofa Mahatma,andifyourdoubtsareremovedbyhisverypresenceyoucantakehimasyourGuru.

AGurucanawakentheKundaliniofanaspirantthroughsight,touch,speechormere Sankalpa(thought).Hecantransmitspiritualitytothestudentjustasonegivesanorange-fruitto another.WhentheGurugivesMantratohisdisciples,hegivesitwithhisownpowerandSattvic Bhava.

TheGuruteststhestudentsinvariousways.Somestudentsmisunderstandhimandlose theirfaithinhim.Hence,theyarenotbenefited.Thosewhostandthetestsboldlycomeout successfulintheend.TheperiodicalexaminationsintheAdhyatmicUniversityofSagesarevery stiffindeed.Indaysofyorethetestswereverysevere.OnceGorakhnathaskedsomeofhisstudents toclimbupatalltreeandthrowthemselvesheaddownwardsonaverysharpTrident(Trishul). Manyfaithlessstudentskeptquiet.Butonefaithfulstudentatonceclimbedupthetreewith lightningspeedandthrewhimselfdown.HewasprotectedbytheinvisiblehandofGorakhnath.He hadimmediateSelf-realisation.HehadnoDeha-adhyasa(attachmentforhisbody).Theother faithlessstudentshadstrongMohaandAjnana.

Thereisagooddealofheateddebatesandcontroversyamongstmanypeopleonthematter ofthenecessityofaGuru.Someofthemassertwithvehemenceandforcethatapreceptorisnotat allnecessaryforSelf-realisationandspiritualadvancementandthatonecanhavespiritualprogress andself-illuminationthroughone’sowneffortsonly.Theyquotevariouspassagesfromscriptures andassignargumentsandreasoningstosupportthem.Othersboldlyassertwithgreateremphasis andforcethatnospiritualprogressispossibleforaman,howeverintelligenthemaybe,however hardhemayattemptandstruggleinthespiritualpath,unlesshegetsthebenigngraceanddirect guidanceofaspiritualpreceptor.

Nowopenyoureyesandwatchcarefullywhatisgoingoninthisworldinallwalksoflife. Evenacookneedsateacher.Heservesunderaseniorcookforsomeyears.Heobeyshim implicitly.Hepleaseshisteacherinallpossibleways.Helearnsallthetechniquesincooking.He getsknowledgethroughthegraceofhisseniorcook,histeacher.Ajuniorlawyerwantsthehelpand guidanceofasenioradvocate.Studentsofmathematicsandmedicineneedthehelpandguidanceof aProfessor.AstudentofScience,musicandastronomywantstheguidanceofascientistand musicianandanastronomer.Whensuchisthecasewithordinary,secularknowledge,then,whatto speakoftheinnerspiritualpath,whereinthestudenthastowalkalonewithclosedeyes?Whenyou areinathickjungle,youcomeacrossseveralcrossfoot-paths.Youareinadilemma.Youdonot knowthedirectionsandbywhichpathyoushouldgo.Youarebewildered.Youwantaguidehere todirectyouintherightpath.Itisuniversallyadmittedthatanefficientteacherisneededinall branchesofknowledgeinthisphysicalplaneandthatphysical,mental,moralandculturalgrowth canonlybehadthroughthehelpandguidanceofacapablemaster.Thisisauniversalinexorable

lawofnature.Whydoyoudenythem,friend,theapplicationofthisuniversallyacceptedlawinthe realmofspirituality?

SpiritualknowledgeisamatterofGuruparampara.ItishandeddownfromaGurutohis disciple.StudyBrihadaranyakaUpanishad.Youwillhaveacomprehensiveunderstanding. GaudapadacharyaimpartedSelf-knowledgetohisdiscipleGovindapadacharya; GovindapadacharyatohisdiscipleSankaracharya;SankaracharyatohisdiscipleSuresvaracharya. GorakhnathtoNivrittinath;NivrittinathtoJnanadev.Totapuriimpartedknowledgeto Ramakrishna;RamakrishnatoVivekananda.ItwasDr.AnnieBesantwhomouldedthecareerof SriKrishnamurthi.ItwasAshtavakrawhomouldedthelifeofRajaJanaka.ItwasGorakhnathwho shapedthespiritualdestinyofRajaBhartrihari.ItwasLordKrishnawhomadeArjunaand Uddhavaestablishthemselvesinthespiritualpath,whentheirmindswereinanunsettled condition.

Someaspirantsdomeditationforsomeyearsindependently.Laterontheyfeelactuallythe necessityforaGuru.Theycomeacrosssomeobstaclesintheway.Theydonotknowhowto proceedfurtherandhowtoobviatetheseimpedimentsorstumblingblocks.Thentheybeginto searchforaGuru.

Thestudentandtheteachershouldlivetogetherasfatheranddevotedsonorasahusband andwifewithextremesincerityanddevotion.Theaspirantshouldhaveaneager,receptiveattitude toimbibetheteachingsofthemaster.Thenonlywilltheaspirantbespirituallybenefited; otherwise,thereisnottheleasthopeofthespirituallifeoftheaspirantandcompleteregenerationof hisoldAsuricnature.

ItisagreatpitythatthepresentsystemofeducationinIndiaisnotfavourabletothespiritual growthofSadhakas.Themindsofthestudentsaresaturatedwithmaterialisticpoison.Aspirantsof thepresentdayhavenotgotanyideaofthetruerelationshipofGuruandadisciple.Itisnotlikethe relationshipofastudentandteacherorprofessorinschoolsandcolleges.Spiritualrelationshipis entirelydifferent.Itinvolvesdedication.Itisverysacred.Itispurelydivine.Turnthepagesofthe Upanishads.Indaysofyore,Brahmacharinsusedtoapproachtheirteacherswithprofound humility,sincerityandBhava.

SPIRITUALPOWER

Justasyoucangiveanorangetoamanandtakeitback,soalsospiritualpowercanbe transmittedbyonetoanotherandtakenbackalso.Thismethodoftransmittingspiritualpoweris termed“ShaktiSanchara.”

Birdskeeptheireggsundertheirwings.Throughheattheeggsarehatched.Fishlaytheir eggsandlookatthem.Theyarehatched.Thetortoiselaysitseggsandthinksofthem.Theyare hatched.EvensothespiritualpoweristransmittedbytheGurutothedisciplethroughtouch (Sparsha)likebirds,sight(Darshana)likefish,andthinkingorwilling(Sankalpa)likethetortoise.

Thetransmitter,theYogi-Guru,sometimesenterstheastralbodyofthestudentandelevates hismindthroughhispower.TheYogi(operator)makesthesubject(Chela)sitinfrontofhimand

askshimtoclosehiseyesandthentransmitshisspiritualpower.Thesubjectfeelsthespiritual poweractuallypassingfromMuladharaChakrahigheruptotheneckandtopofthehead.

ThediscipledoesvariousHathaYogicKriyas,Asanas,Pranayamas,Bandhas,Mudras, etc.,byhimself.Thestudentmustnotrestrainhis Iccha-Sakti. Hemustactaccordingtotheinner Prerana(innergoadingorstirring).Themindishighlyelevated.Themomenttheaspirantcloseshis eyes,meditationcomesbyitself.ThroughSakti-SancharaKundaliniisawakenedbythegraceof theGuruinthedisciple.SaktiSancharacomesthroughParampara.Itisahiddenmysticscience.It ishandeddownfromtheGurutothedisciple.

ThediscipleshouldnotrestsatisfiedwiththetransmissionofpowerfromtheGuru.Hewill havetostrugglehardinSadhanaforfurtherperfectionandattainments.

SaktiSancharaisoftwokinds,viz.,lowerandhigher.TheloweroneisJadaKriyaonly whereinoneautomaticallydoesAsanas,BandhasandMudraswithoutanyinstructionswhenthe Guruimpartsthepowertothestudent.ThestudentwillhavetotakeupSravana,Mananaand Nididhyasanaforperfection.HecannotdependupontheKriyaalone.ThisKriyaisonlyan auxiliary.ItgivesapushtotheSadhaka.Afully-developedYogionlypossessesthehigherkindof Shakti-Sanchara.

LordJesus,throughtouch,transmittedhisspiritualpowertosomeofhisdisciples(Master’s Touch).SamarthaRamdastouchedaprostitute.SheenteredintoSamadhi.SriRamakrishna ParamahamsatouchedSwamiVivekananda.SwamiVivekanandahadsuperconscious experiences.Hestruggledhardforsevenyearsmoreevenafterthetouchforattainingperfection. LordKrishnatouchedtheblindeyesofVilvamangal(Surdas).TheinnereyeofSurdaswasopened. HehadBhavaSamadhi.LordGouranga,throughhistouch,producedDivineintoxicationinmany peopleandconvertedthemtohisside.Evenatheistsdancedinecstasyinthestreetsbyhistouchand sangsongsofHari.Glory,glorytosuchexaltedYogicGurus.

ChapterTwo

KUNDALINIYOGA—THEORY YOGANADIS

Nadisaretheastraltubesmadeupofastralmatterthatcarrypsychiccurrents.TheSanskrit term‘Nadi’comesfromtheroot‘Nad’whichmeans‘motion’.ItisthroughtheseNadis(Sukshma, subtlepassages),thatthevitalforceorPraniccurrentmovesorflows.Sincetheyaremadeupof subtlemattertheycannotbeseenbythenakedphysicaleyesandyoucannotmakeanytest-tube experimentsinthephysicalplane.TheseYogaNadisarenottheordinarynerves,arteriesandveins thatareknowntotheVaidyaShastra(AnatomyandPhysiology).YogaNadisarequitedifferent fromthese.

ThebodyisfilledwithinnumerableNadisthatcannotbecounted.Differentauthorsstate thenumberofNadisindifferentways,i.e.,from72,000to3,50,000.Whenyouturnyourattention totheinternalstructureofthebody,youarestruckwithaweandwonder.Becausethearchitectis theDivineLordHimselfwhoisassistedbyskilledengineersandmasons—Maya,Prakriti,Visva Karma,etc.

NadisplayavitalpartinthisYoga.Kundaliniwhenawakened,willpassthroughSushumna NadiandthisispossibleonlywhentheNadisarepure.Therefore,thefirststepinKundaliniYogais thepurificationofNadis.AdetailedknowledgeoftheNadisandChakras,isabsolutelyessential. Theirlocation,functions,nature,etc.,shouldbethoroughlystudied.

Thesubtlelines,YogaNadis,haveinfluenceinthephysicalbody.Allthesubtle(Sukshma) Prana,NadisandChakrashavegrossmanifestationandoperationinthephysicalbody.Thegross nervesandplexuseshavecloserelationshipwiththesubtleones.Youshouldunderstandthispoint well.Sincethephysicalcentreshavecloserelationshipwiththeastralcentres,thevibrationsthat areproducedinthephysicalcentresbyprescribedmethods,havethedesiredeffectsintheastral centres.

Wheneverthereisaninterlacingofseveralnerves,arteriesandveins,thatcentreiscalled “Plexus.”ThephysicalmaterialplexusesthatareknowntotheVaidyaShastraare:—Pampiniform, Cervical,Brachial,Coccygeal,Lumbar,Sacral,Cardiac,Esophageal,HepaticPharyngeal, Pulmonary,LigualProstaticPlexus,etc.Similarlythereareplexusesorcentresofvitalforcesinthe SukshmaNadis.Theyareknownas‘Padma’(lotus)or Chakras

.Detailedinstructionsonallthese centresaregivenelsewhere.

AlltheNadisspringfromtheKanda.ItisinthejunctionwheretheSushumnaNadiis connectedwiththeMuladharaChakra.Somesay,thatthisKandais12inchesabovetheanus.Out oftheinnumerableNadis14aresaidtobeimportant.Theyare:—

AgainIda,PingalaandSushumnaarethemostimportantoftheabove14Nadis,and Sushumnaisthechief.ItisthehighestandmostsoughtbytheYogins.OtherNadisaresubordinate tothis.DetailedinstructionsoneachNadianditsfunctionsandthemethodofawakeningthe KundaliniandpassingitfromChakratoChakraaregiveninthefollowingpages.

SPINALCOLUMN

BeforeproceedingtothestudyofNadisandChakrasyouwillhavetoknowsomething abouttheSpinalColumn,asalltheChakrasareconnectedwithit.

SpinalColumn

SpinalColumnisknownasMeruDanda.ThisistheaxisofthebodyjustasMountMeruis theaxisoftheearth.Hencethespineiscalled‘Meru’.Spinalcolumnisotherwiseknownasspine, axis-stafforvertebralcolumn.Manismicrocosm.(Pinda-Kshudra-Brahmanda).Allthingsseen intheuniverse,—mountains,rivers,Bhutas,etc.,existinthebodyalso.AlltheTattvasandLokas (worlds)arewithinthebody.

Thebodymaybedividedintothreemainparts:—head,trunkandthelimbs,andthecentre ofthebodyisbetweentheheadandthelegs.Thespinalcolumnextendsfromthefirstvertebra, Atlasbone,totheendofthetrunk.

Thespineisformedofaseriesof33bonescalledvertebrae;accordingtothepositionthese occupy,itisdividedintofiveregions:—

1.Cervicalregion(neck)7vertebrae

2.Dorsalregion(back)12vertebrae

3.Lumbarregion(waistorloins)5vertebrae.

4.Sacralregion(buttocks,Sacrumorgluteal)5vertebrae.

5.Coccygealregion(imperfectvertebraeCoccyx)4vertebrae.

Thevertebralbonesarepiledoneupontheotherthusformingapillarforthesupportofthe craniumandtrunk.Theyareconnectedtogetherbyspinous,transverseandarticularprocessesand bypadsoffibro-cartilagebetweenthebones.Thearchesofthevertebraeformahollowcylinderor abonycoveringorapassageforthespinalcord.Thesizeofthevertebraediffersfromeachother. Forexample,thesizeofthevertebraeincervicalregionissmallerthanindorsalbutthearchesare bigger.Thebodyofthelumbarvertebraeisthelargestandbiggest.Thewholespineisnotlikea stiffrod,buthascurvaturesthatgiveaspringaction.Alltheotherbonesofthebodyareconnected withthisspine.

Betweeneachpairofvertebraethereareaperturesthroughwhichthespinalnervespass fromthespinalcordtothedifferentportionsandorgansofthebody.Thefiveregionsofthespine correspondwiththeregionsofthefiveChakras:Muladhara,Svadhishthana,Manipura,Anahata andVishuddha.SushumnaNadipassesthroughthehollowcylindricalcavityofthevertebral columnandIdaisontheleftsideandPingalaontherightsideofthespine.

Vertebrae

SUKSHMASARIRA

Thephysicalbodyisshapedinaccordancewiththenatureoftheastralbody.Thephysical bodyissomethinglikewater,Sthulaform.Whenwaterisheated,thesteamorvapourcorresponds totheastralbody.InthesamewaytheastralorSukshmabodyiswithinthegrossorphysicalbody. Thegrossbodycannotdoanythingwithouttheastralbody.Everygrosscentreofthebodyhasits astralcentre.AclearknowledgeofthegrossbodyisofutmostimportanceasthisYogadealswith thecentreoftheastralbody.Insubsequentchaptersyouwillfind,therefore,ashortdescriptionof thecentresofthegrossbodyandtheircorrespondingcentresintheSukshmaSarira.Youwillfind thedescriptionsoftheastralcentresandtheirconnectedfunctionsinthephysicalbody.

KANDA

Thisissituatedbetweentheanusandtherootofthereproductoryorgan.Itisliketheshape ofaneggandiscoveredwithmembranes.ThisisjustabovetheMuladharaChakra.AlltheNadisof thebodyspringfromthisKanda.ItisinthejunctionwhereSushumnaisconnectedwithMuladhara Chakra.ThefourpetalsoftheMuladharaChakraareonthesidesofthisKandaandthejunctionis calledGranthi-Sthana,wheretheinfluenceofMayaisverystrong.InsomeUpanishadsyouwill findthatKandais9digitsabovethegenitals.

KandaisacentreoftheastralbodyfromwhereYogaNadis,subtlechannels,springand carrytheSukshmaPrana(vitalenergy)tothedifferentpartsofthebody.Correspondingtothis centre,youhave‘Caudaequina’inthegrossphysicalbody.Thespinalcordextendingfromthe braintotheendofthevertebralcolumntapersoffintoafinesilkenthread.Beforeitsterminationit givesoffinnumerablefibres,crowdedintoabunchofnerves.Thisbunchofnervesis‘Cauda equina’inthegrossbody.Theastralcentreof‘Caudaequina’isKanda.

SPINALCORD

Thecentralnervoussystemconsistsofthebrainandthespinalcord,thecerebro-spinal centreoraxis.Thecontinuationofthe Medullaoblongata orthe Bulb isaconnectingmedium betweenthebrainandthespinalcord.Thecentreinthe Medullaoblongata iscloselyconnected withtheinvoluntaryfunctionsofbreathingandswallowing.Thespinalcordextendsfromthetopof thespinalcanaltothesecondvertebraofthecoccygealregionwhereittapersoffintoafinesilken thread,called Filumterminale.

Thespinalcordisacolumnofverysoftgreyandwhitebrain-matter.Thewhitematteris arrangedonthesidesofthegreymatter.Thewhitematterisofmedullatednerveswhilethegreyis ofnerve-cellsandfibres.Thisisnottightlyfittedwiththespinalcanal,butsuspendedordropped,as itwere,intothespinalcanaljustlikethebraininthecranialcavity.Thisisnourishedbythe membranes.Spinalcordandbrainfloatinthecerebro-spinalfluid.Thefluidprevents,therefore, anyinjurydonetothem.Furtherthespinalcordisprotectedbyacoveringoffattytissue.Itis dividedintotwosymmetricalhalvesbyananteriorandposteriorfissure.Inthecentrethereisa minutecanal,called canaliscentralis. BrahmanadirunsalongthiscanalfromtheMuladharato SahasraraChakra.ItisthroughthisNadi,Kundalini,whenawakened,passestoBrahmarandhra.

Thespinalcordisnotdividedorseparatedfromthebrain.Itiscontinuouswiththebrain.All thecranialandspinalnervesareconnectedwiththiscord.Everynerveofthebodyisconnected withthis.Theorgansofreproduction,micturition,digestion,blood-circulation,respirationareall controlledbythisspinalcord.Spinalcordopensoutintothefourthventricleofthebraininthe medullaoblongata.Fromthefourthventricleitrunsalongthethird,thenthefifthventricleofthe brainandfinallyitreachesthecrownofthehead,SahasraraChakra.

SpinalCord

SUSHUMNANADI

Whenwestudytheconstruction,locationandfunctionoftheSpinalCordandthe SushumnaNadi,wecanreadilysaythattheSpinalCordwascalledSushumnaNadibytheYogins ofyore.TheWesternAnatomydealswiththegrossformandfunctionsoftheSpinalCord,while theYoginsofancienttimesdealtwithallaboutthesubtle(Sukshma)nature.NowinKundalini Yoga,youshouldhaveathoroughknowledgeofthisNadi.

SushumnaextendsfromtheMuladharaChakra(secondvertebraofcoccygealregion)to Brahmarandhra.TheWesternAnatomyadmitsthatthereisacentralcanalintheSpinalCord, called CanalisCentralis andthatthecordismadeupofgreyandwhitebrain-matter.SpinalCordis droppedorsuspendedinthehollowofthespinalcolumn.Inthesameway,Sushumnaisdropped withinthespinalcanalandhassubtlesections.ItisofredcolourlikeAgni(fire).

WithinthisSushumnathereisaNadibynameVajrawhichislustrousasSurya(sun)with Rajasicqualities.AgainwithinthisVajraNadi,thereisanotherNadi,calledChitra.ItisofSattvic natureandofpalecolour.ThequalitiesofAgni,SuryaandChandra(fire,sunandmoon)arethe threeaspectsofSabdaBrahman.HerewithinthisChitra,thereisaveryfineminutecanal(whichis knownas CanalisCentralis).ThiscanalisknownasBrahmanadithroughwhichKundalini,when awakened,passesfromMuladharatoSahasraraChakra.Inthiscentreexistallthesix Chakras (lotuses,viz.,Muladhara,Svadhishthana,Manipura,Anahata,VishuddhaandAjna).

ThelowerextremityoftheChitraNadiiscalledBrahmadvara,thedoorofBrahman,as KundalinihastopassthroughthisdoortoBrahmarandhra.ThiscorrespondstoHaridwarwhichis thegateofHariofBadrinarayaninthemacrocosm(physicalplane).TheChitraterminatesinthe Cerebellum.

InageneralsensetheSushumnaNadiitself(grossSpinalCord)iscalledBrahmaNadi because,BrahmaNadiiswithintheSushumna.AgainthecanalwithintheChitraisalsocalled Sushumna,becausethecanaliswithintheSushumna.IdaandPingalaNadisareontheleftandright sidesofthespine.

ChitraisthehighestandmostbelovedoftheYogins.Itislikeathinthreadoflotus.Brilliant withfivecolours,itisinthecentreofSushumna.Itisthemostvitalpartofthebody.Thisiscalled theHeavenlyway.ItisthegiverofImmortality.BycontemplatingontheChakrasthatexistinthis Nadi,theYogidestroysallsinsandattainstheHighestBliss.ItisthegiverofMoksha.

WhenthebreathflowsthroughSushumna,themindbecomessteady.Thissteadinessofthe mindistermed“UnmaniAvastha”,thehigheststateofYoga.Ifyousitformeditationwhen Sushumnaisoperating,youwillhavewonderfulmeditation.WhentheNadisarefullofimpurities, thebreathcannotpassintothemiddleNadi.SooneshouldpractisePranayamaforthepurification ofNadis.

PARA-SYMPATHETICANDSYMPATHETICSYSTEM

Oneithersideofthespinalcordrunthesympatheticandpara-sympatheticcords,adouble chainofganglia.Gangliameansacollectionofnerve-cells.TheseconstitutetheAutonomicSystem whichsuppliesnervestotheinvoluntaryorgans,suchasheart,lungs,intestines,kidneys,liver,etc., andcontrolsthem. Vagus nervewhichplaysavitalpartinhumaneconomycomesoutofthis sympatheticsystem.Sympatheticsystemstimulatesoraccelerates.Para-sympatheticsystem retardsorinhibits.Therearenervestodilateorexpandthearterieswhichcarrypureoxygenated bloodtonourishthetissues,organsandcellsofdifferentpartsofthebody.Thesearecalled Vaso-dilators. Theleftandtherightsympatheticchainsareconnectedbyfilaments.Thesecross fromtherighttotheleftsideand viceversa,buttheexactplaceswherethesecrossesarenotknown, thoughseveralhaveattemptedtofind.M’KendrickandSnodgrassintheir PhysiologyoftheSenses write:“Wherethesensoryfibrescrossfromonesidetotheotherisnotknown.....Insomepartsof thespinalcordthesensoryfibresdocrossfromtherighttoleftsideand viceversa.”

IDAANDPINGALANADIS

IdaandPingalaNadisarenotthegrosssympatheticchains.ThesearethesubtleNadisthat carrytheSukshmaPrana.Inthephysicalbodythesetentativelycorrespondtotherightandleft sympatheticchains.

IdastartsfromtherighttesticleandPingalafromthelefttesticle.TheymeetwithSushumna NadiattheMuladharaChakraandmakeaknotthere.ThisjunctionofthreeNadisattheMuladhara ChakraisknownasMuktaTriveni.Ganga,YamunaandSarasvatidwellinPingala,Idaand SushumnaNadisrespectively.ThismeetingplaceiscalledBrahmaGranthi.Againthesemeetat theAnahataandAjnaChakra.InthemacrocosmalsoyouhaveaTriveniatPrayagwherethethree riversGanga,YamunaandSarasvatimeet.

IdaflowsthroughtheleftnostrilandPingalathroughtherightnostril.Idaisalsocalled ChandraNadi(moon)andPingalaasSuryaNadi(sun).IdaiscoolingandPingalaisheating. Pingaladigeststhefood.Idaisofpale,SaktiRupa.Itisthegreatnourisheroftheworld.Pingalais offieryred,RudraRupa.IdaandPingalaindicateKala(time)andSushumnaswallowstime.The Yogiknowsthetimeofhisdeath;takeshisPranaintoSushumna;keepsitinBrahmarandra,and defiestime(Kala—death).ThefamousYogiSriChangDevofMaharashtrafoughtagainstdeath severaltimesbytakingthePranaintoSushumna.HewasacontemporaryofSriJnanadevof Alandi,nearPoona.ItwashewhohadBhutaSiddhi,controloverwildanimals,throughhisYogic practices.HecameonthebackofatigertoseeSriJnanadev.

SUMMARYOFSHATCHAKRAS

Chakras Padmas,Lotusesof theAstralbody

Muladhara orAdhara Chakra SwadhishthanaManipuraAnahataVishuddhaAjnaSahasrara

Corresponding nerveplexusesin thephysicalbody (Sacral) Sacro-Coccygeal Plexus ProstaticPlexusSolarPlexusCardiacPlexus (Pharyngeal)Laryngeal Plexus CavernousPlexus Pineal Gland

LocationorPosition

JustbelowKanda, betweentheroot ofreproductory organandanus.At thebaseofspinal column

AttheLingaorthe originofthe reproductoryorgan. BetweenMuladhara andManipura Chakras

NavelofNabhi Sthana Heart

Atthebaseofthe throatofKantha-Mula Sthana

Atthespacebetween thetwoeyebrowsor Bhru-Madhya

Petalsornumberof YogaNadis 461012162

Lettersonthepetals orthevibrationsof theYogaNadis v:öS:ö\:ös:ö b:öB:öm:öy:öröl:ö

Mandalaorthe regionofTattva

RöZöN:öt:öT:ö döD:ön:öp:öPö

köK:ög:öG:ö{öc:ö

Cöj:öJ:öW:öXöYö

AöA:öEöIöuöUö?ö@ö ;ö=öOöOðöA:ðöA:òöAöAH höx:ö

Prithvior Bhumandal. Regionofthe Earth ApasorJala Mandal. Regionofthewater TejasorAgni Mandal.Regionof Fire VayuMandal. RegionofAir AkasaMandal.Region ofEther AvyaktaAhankara ManasTattva.Region ofMind

ShapeofMandalaSquareCrescentmoonTriangleHexagonalRoundRound ColourofTattvasYellowWhiteRedSmokyBlue

FunctionofTattvaGandhaorsmellRasaortasteRupaorsightSparshaortouchShabdaorhearingSankalpaVikalpa

PresidingDeity Ganesha (Brahma4faced) Brahma(Narayana fourhanded)

Shankarathreeeyed (Vishnu)

Shankarathreeeyed (Siva)

MaheswaraSadasivaas Bindurupa Sadasivaor ShambhuNada

GoddessDakiniRakiniLakiniKakiniShakiniHakini

DevaorTattvaPrithviVarunaAgniVayuAkasaManas

BijaAkshara l:öv:öröy:öhö!

Corresponding Lokas BhuLokaBhuvarLoka SwahorSwarga Loka

MaharLokaJanahorJanarLokaTapoLoka

GranthiSthanaBrahmaGranthi--Vishnu-Rudra

SVARASADHANA

SvaraSadhana,practiceofbreath,istherevealerofSatya,Brahmanandbestowerofthe SupremeKnowledgeandBliss.PerformcalmactsduringtheflowofIdaandharshactsduringthe flowofPingala.Doactsresultingintheattainmentofpsychicpowers,Yoga,meditation,etc., duringtheflowoftheSushumna.IfthebreathrisesbyIda(moon)atsunriseandflowsthroughout theday,andPingala(sun)risesatsunsetandflowsthroughoutthenightitconfersconsiderable goodresults. LetthebreathflowthroughIdathewholedayandthroughPingalathewholenight. HewhopractisesthusisverilyagreatYogi.

HOWTOCHANGETHEFLOWINNADIS

ThefollowingexercisesareforchangingtheflowfromIdatoPingala.Selectanyoneofthe methodsthatsuitsyoubest.ForchangingtheflowfromPingalatoIda,justdothesameexerciseon theoppositeside:

1.Plugtheleftnostrilwithasmallpieceofcottonorfineclothforafewminutes.

2.Liedownontheleftsidefortenminutes.

3.Siterect.Drawtheleftkneeupandkeeptheleftheelneartheleftbuttock.Nowpressthe leftarm-pit, Axilla,ontheknee.InafewsecondstheflowwillbethroughPingala.

4.Keepthetwoheelstogetherneartherightbuttock.Therightkneewillbeovertheleft knee.Keeptheleftpalmonthegroundafootawayandlettheweightofthetrunkrestontheleft hand.Donotbendattheelbow.Turntheheadalsotowardstheleftside.Thisisaneffectivemethod. Catchholdoftheleftanklewiththerighthand.

5.TheflowofbreathcanbechangedbyNauliKriyaalso.

6.Therearesomewhoareabletochangetheflowbywill.

7.Placethe YogaDanda or HamsaDanda (awoodenstickofabout2feetinlengthwitha restoftheshapeofUatoneend)attheleftarm-pitandleanonitbytheleftside.

8.Themosteffectiveandinstantaneousresultisproducedinchangingtheflowthrough KhechariMudra.TheYogiturnsthetongueinsideandblockstheairpassagebythetipofthe tongue.

Theaboveexerciseisintendedforgeneralregulationofbreath.Manyotherspecial exercisesforthepurificationofNadisandawakeningKundaliniwillbegiveninthesubsequent chapters.Aknowledgemoresecretthanthescienceofbreath,afriendmoretruethanthescienceof breath,hasneverbeenseenorheardof.Friendsarebroughttogetherbythepowerofbreath.Wealth isobtainedwithcomfortandreputationthroughthepowerofbreath.Theknowledgeofthepast, presentandthefutureandallotherSiddhisareacquiredandamanreachesthehigheststate,bythe powerofbreath.

IwantyoutopractiseeverydaytheSvaraSadhanasystematicallyandregularly,thatis,to allowtheflowofbreaththroughtheleftnostrilthroughoutthedayandthroughtherightnostril throughoutthenight.Thiswill,doubtless,bestowonyouwonderfulbenefits.WrongSvaraisthe causeofahostofailments.ObservanceofrightSvaraasdescribedaboveleadstohealthandlong life.Verily,verily,Isaythisuntoyou,mydearchildren!Practisethis.Practisethisfromtoday. Shakeoffyourhabitualsloth,indolenceandinertia.Leaveoffyouridletalk.Dosomething practical.Beforeyoubeginthepractice,praytoLordSiva,whoisthegiverofthiswonderful sciencebyutteringOmNamahSivayaandSriGanesha,theremoverofallobstacles.

OTHERNADIS

Gandhari,Hastajihva,Kuhu,Sarasvati,Pusha,Sankhini,Payasvini,Varuni,Alambusha, Vishvodhara,Yasasvini,etc.,aresomeotherimportantNadis.ThesehavetheirorigininKanda.All theseNadisareplacedonthesidesofSushumna,IdaandPingala,andproceedtodifferentpartsof thebodytoperformcertainspecialfunctions.TheseareallsubtleNadis.InnumerableminorNadis springfromthese.Astheleafofthe Asvattha treeiscoveredwithminutefibressoalso,thisbodyis permeatedwiththousandsofNadis.

PADMASORCHAKRAS

ChakrasareintheLingaSarira(astralbody).LingaSariraisof17Tattvas,viz.,5 Jnanendriyas (ears,skin,eyes,tongueandnose);5 Karmendriyas (speech,hands,legs,genitals, anus);5 Pranas (Prana,Apana,Vyana,Udana,Samana);Manas(mind);and Buddhi (intellect). Thesehavecorrespondingcentresinthespinalcordandthenerve-plexusesinthegrossbody.Each Chakrahascontrolandfunctionoveraparticularcentreingrossbody.Thesecannotbeseenbythe nakedeyes.SomefoolishdoctorssearchfortheChakrasinthephysicalbody.Theycannotfind themthere.SincetheycannotfindanyChakrainadeadbody,theylosefaithinShastrasandYogic Kriyas.

SukshmaPranamovesinthenervoussystemoftheLingaSarira(astralbody).SthulaPrana movesinthenervoussystemofthegrossphysicalbody.Thetwocoursesareintimatelyconnected. Theyactandreactuponeachother.TheChakrasareintheastralbodyevenafterthedisintegration ofthephysicalorganismtodeath.Accordingtoaschoolofthought,theChakrasareformedduring concentrationandmeditationonly.Thisisnotpossible.TheChakrasshouldexistthereinasubtle state,asthegrossmatteristheresultofthesubtlematter.Withoutthesubtlebody,thegrossbodyis impossible.Themeaningofthissentenceshouldbetakentobethatonecanfeelandunderstandthe SukshmaChakrasduringconcentrationandmeditationonly.

Whereverthereisaninterlacingofseveralnerves,arteriesandveins,thatcentreiscalled Plexuses.ThephysicalgrossplexusesthatareknowntotheVaidyaShastraareHepatic,Cervical, Brachial,Coccygeal,Lumbar,Sacral,Cardiac,Epigastric,Esophageal,Pharyngeal,Plumonary, Lingual,Prostatic,etc.SimilarlythereareplexusesorcentresofSukshmaPranaintheSushumna Nadi.Allthefunctionsofthebody,nervous,digestive,circulatory,respiratory,genito-urinaryand allothersystemsofthebodyareunderthecontrolofthesecentresinSushumna.Thesearesubtle centresofvitalenergy.Thesearethecentresofconsciousness(Chaitanya).Thesesubtlecentresof Sushumnahavetheircorrespondingcentresinthephysicalbody.Forexample,AnahataChakra

whichisintheSushumnaNadihasitscorrespondingcentreinthephysicalbodyattheheart (CardiacPlexus).

ThesubtlecentresintheSushumnaNadiareotherwiseknownasLotusesorChakras.A particularTattvapreponderatesateveryChakra.ThereisapresidingdeityineachChakra.Inevery Chakraacertainanimalisrepresented.Itdenotesthatthecentrehasthequalities,TattvasorGunas ofthatparticularanimal.TherearesiximportantChakras:Muladhara,Svadhisthana,Manipura, Anahata,Vishuddha,andAjna.SahasraraisthechiefChakra.Itisinthehead.These7Chakras correspondtotheLokas(Bhuh,Bhuvah,Svah,Maha,Jana,Tapa,andSatyaLokas).Muladharato Vishuddhaarethecentresof PanchaBhutas (fiveelements):earth,water,fire,airandether.

WhenKundaliniisawakeneditpassesonfromMuladharatoSahasrarathroughallthe Chakras.AteverycentretowhichtheYogidirectstheKundalini,heexperiencesaspecialformof Ananda(Bliss)andgainsspecialSiddhis(psychicpowers)andknowledge.HeenjoystheSupreme BlisswhenKundaliniistakentoSahasraraChakra.

ThefollowingaresomeotherChakras:Adhara(anothernameofMuladharaChakra), Amrita,Ananda,Lalita,Balvana,Brahmadvara,Chandra,Dipaka,Karnamula,Gulhaha,Kuladipa, Kundali,Galabaddha,Kaladaada,Kaladhvara,Karangaka,Kalabhedan,Lalana,Mahotsaha, Manas,Talana,Mahapadma,Niradhara,Naukula,Prana,Soma,Triveni,Urdhvarandhra,Vajra, etc.SomeofthesenamesrefertothesiximportantChakrasonly.Therearealsomanyminor Chakras.SomeHathayogissay,thatthereare21minorChakrasbesides13majorChakrasand someotherHathayogisholdthatthereareforty-nineChakraswhiletheancientYogistaughtthat thereare144Chakras.TalanaChakrawithitstwelveredpetalsislocatednearthebaseofthepalate andManasChakrawithitssixpetalscloselyassociatedwithsensations,dreamsandastral travelling.DetailedinstructionsofeachChakraaregivenintheforegoingchapters.

PETALSONCHAKRAS

EachChakrahasaparticularnumberofpetalswithaSanskritalphabetoneachpetal.The vibrationthatisproducedateachpetalisrepresentedbythecorrespondingSanskritletter.Every letterdenotestheMantraofDeviKundalini.Thelettersexistinthepetalsinalatentform.These canbemanifestedandthevibrationsoftheNadisfeltduringconcentration.

Thenumberofpetalsofthelotusesvaries.Muladhara,Svadhishthana,Manipura,Anahata, VishuddhaandAjnaChakrashave4,6,10,12,16,and2petalsrespectively.Allthe50Sanskrit lettersareonthe50petals.ThenumberofpetalsineachChakraisdeterminedbythenumberand positionoftheYogaNadisaroundtheChakra.Iwillmakeitstillclear.FromeachChakraa particularnumberofYogaNadiscropup.TheChakragivestheappearanceofalotuswiththe Nadisasitspetals.ThesoundproducedbythevibrationsoftheYogaNadisisrepresentedbythe correspondingSanskritletter.TheChakraswiththeirpetalshangdownwardswhenKundaliniisat theMuladharaChakra.Whenitisawakened,theyturntowardsBrahmarandhra.Theyalwaysface thesideofKundalini.

MULADHARACHAKRA

MuladharaChakraislocatedatthebaseofthespinalcolumn.Itliesbetweentheoriginof thereproductoryorganandtheanus.ItisjustbelowtheKandaandthejunctionwhereIda,Pingala andSushumnaNadismeet.Twofingersabovetheanusandabouttwofingersbelowthegenitals, fourfingersinwidthisthespacewheretheMuladharaChakraissituated.ThisistheAdharaChakra (support)astheotherChakrasareabovethis.Kundalini,whichgivespowerandenergytoallthe Chakras,liesatthisChakra.Hencethis,whichisthesupportofalliscalledMuladharaorAdhara Chakra.

THEMULADHARAANDKUNDALINI

FromthisChakrafourimportantNadisemanatewhichappearaspetalsofalotus.The subtlevibrationsthataremadebyeachNadiarerepresentedbytheSanskritletters: v:öS:ö\:ö and s:ö (vaü,÷aü,ùaü, and saü.)TheYonithatisinthecentreofthisChakraiscalledKamaanditis worshippedbySiddhas.HereKundaliniliesdormant.GanesaistheDevataofthisChakra.The sevenunderworlds: Atala,Vitala,Sutala,Talatala,Rasatala,Mahatala and PatalaLokas are belowthisChakra.ThisChakracorrespondswith Bhu Lokaor Bhu-Mandal, physicalplane(region ofearth). Bhuvah,Svah or Svarga,Maha,Jana,Tapa and Satya LokasareabovethisChakra.All theunderworldsrefertosomeminorChakrasinthelimbswhicharecontrolledbytheMuladhara Chakra.ThatYogi,whohaspenetratedthisChakrathroughPrithviDharan,hasconqueredthe PrithviTattva.Hehasnofearofdeathfromearth.Prithviisofyellowcolour.ThegoldenTripura (fire,sunandmoon)istermedthe‘Bija’.Itisalsocalledthegreatenergy(Param Tejas) whichrests ontheMuladharaChakraandwhichisknownasSvayambhuLinga.NearthisLingaisthegolden regionknownasKulaandthepresidingdeityisDakini(Shakti).BrahmaGranthiortheknotof BrahmaisinthisChakra.VishnuGranthiandRudraGranthiareintheAnahataandAjnaChakras. l:ö (laü)istheBijaofMuladharaChakra.

ThewiseYogi,whoconcentratesandmeditatesontheMuladharaChakra,acquiresthefull knowledgeofKundaliniandthemeanstoawakenit.WhenKundaliniisawakened,hegetsDarduri Siddhi,thepowertorisefromtheground.Hecancontrolthebreath,mindandsemen.HisPrana entersthemiddleBrahmaNadi.Allhissinsaredestroyed.Heacquiresknowledgeofthepast, presentandfuture.HeenjoysthenaturalBliss(SahajaAnanda).

SVADHISHTHANACHAKRA

SvadhishthanaChakraislocatedwithintheSushumnaNadiattherootofthereproductory organ.ThiscorrespondstoBhuvarLoka.Thishascontroloverthelowerabdomen,kidneys,etc.,in thephysicalbody. JalaMandal (regionofwater—ApaTattva)ishere.WithinthisChakrathereisa spacelikeacrescentmoonortheformofaconchor Kunda flower.ThepresidingdeityisLord BrahmaandDevataisGoddessRakini.Bijakshara v:ö (vaü),theBijaofVaruna,isinthisChakra. ThecolouroftheChakraispureblood-likeredorthecolourof Sindura (vermilion).Fromthis centresixYogaNadisemanate,whichappearlikethepetalsofalotus.Thevibrationsthatare producedbytheNadisarerepresentedbytheSanskritletters:—b:öB:öm:öy:öröl:ö (baübhaümaü yaüraü and laü).

SVADHISHTHANACHAKRA

HewhoconcentratesatthisChakraandmeditatesontheDevatahasnofearofwater.Hehas perfectcontroloverthewaterelement.Hegetsmanypsychicpowers,intuitionalknowledgeanda perfectcontroloverhissenses.Hehasfullknowledgeoftheastralentities.Kama,Krodha,Lobha, Moha,Mada,Matsaryaandotherimpurequalitiesarecompletelyannihilated.TheYogibecomes theconquerorofdeath(Mrityunjaya).

MANIPURACHAKRA

ManipuraisthethirdChakrafromtheMuladhara.ItislocatedwithintheSushumnaNadi, intheNabhiSthana(regionofnavel).Thishasitscorrespondingcentreinthephysicalbodyandhas controlovertheliver,stomach,etc.Thisisaveryimportantcentre.FromthisChakraemanateten YogaNadiswhichappearlikethepetalsofalotus.ThevibrationsthatareproducedbytheNadis arerepresentedbytheSanskritletters:—RöZöN:öt:öT:ödöD:ön:öp:öPö (óaüóhaüõaütaüthaü daüdhaünaüpaü and phaü).TheChakraisofthecolourofdarkclouds.Withinthereisa spacetriangularinform.ItistheAgniMandala(regionoffire—AgniTattva).TheBijakshara rö (raü),theBijaofAgni,ishere.ThepresidingdeityisVishnuandGoddessisLakshmi.This ChakracorrespondstoSvahorSvargaLokaandtoSolarPlexusinthephysicalbody.

MANIPURACHAKRA

TheYogiwhoconcentratesatthisChakragetsPatalaSiddhi,canacquirehiddentreasures andwillbefreefromalldiseases.HehasnofearatallfromAgni(fire).“Evenifheisthrowninto theburningfire,heremainsalivewithoutfearofdeath.”,(GherandaSamhita).

ANAHATACHAKRA

AnahataChakraissituatedintheSushumnaNadi(Sukshmacentre).Ithascontroloverthe heart.ItcorrespondstotheCardiacPlexusinthephysicalbody.ThiscorrespondstoMaharLoka. TheChakraisofdeepredcolour.WithinthisChakrathereisahexagonalspaceofsmokeordeep blackcolourorthecolourofcollyrium(usedfortheeyes).ThischakraisthecentreofVayuMandal (regionofair,VayuTattva).Fromhere15YogaNadisemanate.Thesoundthatisproducedbyeach NadiisrepresentedbythefollowingSanskritletters:—köK:ög:öG:ö{öc:öCöj:öJ:öW:öXöYö (kaü khaügaüghaüïaücaüchaüjaüjhaü¤aüñaü and ñhaü).TheBijakshara y:ö (yaü), theBijaofVayu,ishere.ThepresidingdeityisIsha(Rudra)andDevataisKakini.IntheMuladhara ChakrathereisSvayambhuLingaandinAnahataChakrawehaveBanaLinga.KalpaVriksha,

whichgivesallthedesiredthings,ishere.Anahatasound,thesoundofShabdaBrahman,isheardat thiscentre.WhenyoudoSirshasanaforalongtime,youcandistinctlyhearthissound.VayuTattva isfullofSattvaGuna.VishnuGranthiisinthisSthana.

ANAHATACHAKRA

HewhomeditatesonthisChakrahasfullcontroloverVayuTattva.Hegets Bhuchari Siddhi,KhechariSiddhi,KayaSiddhi,etc.,(flyinginair,enteringthebodyofanother).Hegets cosmicloveandallotherdivineSattvicqualities.

VISHUDDHACHAKRA

VishuddhaChakraissituatedwithintheSushumnaNadiatthebaseofthethroat, Kantha-MulaSthana. ThiscorrespondstoJanarLoka.ItisthecentreofAkasaTattva(ether element).TheTattvaisofpurebluecolour.Abovethis,allotherChakrasbelongtoManasTattva. ThepresidingdeityisSadasiva(IsvaraLinga),andtheGoddessisShakini.Fromthiscentre emanate16YogaNadiswhichappearlikethepetalsofalotus.Thevibrationsthatareproducedby theNadisarerepresentedbythe16Sanskritvowels:—

AH (aüàüiüãüuüåüçüéüëüíüeüaiüoüauüaü and aþ).AkasaMandal(the regionofether)isroundinshapelikethefullmoon.TheBijaofAkasaTattva hö (haü)isinthis centre.Itisofwhitecolour.ThisChakracorrespondstoLaryngealplexusinthephysicalbody.

TheconcentrationontheTattvaofthisChakraiscalledAkasaDharana.Hewhopractises thisDharanawillnotperisheveninPralaya.Heattainsthehighestsuccess.Hegetsthefull knowledgeofthefourVedasbymeditatingonthisChakra.Hebecomesa TrikalaJnani (who knowsthepast,thepresentandthefuture).

VISHUDDHACHAKRA

AJNACHAKRA

AjnaChakraissituatedwithintheSushumnaNadianditscorrespondingcentreinthe physicalbodyisatthespacebetweenthetwoeye-brows.ThisisknownasTrikuti.Thepresiding deity,Paramasiva(Shambhu),isintheformofHamsa.ThereisGoddessHakini(Sakti}.Pranava xdvng(Om)istheBijaksharaforthisChakra.Thisistheseatofthemind.Therearetwopetals (YogaNadis)oneachsideofthelotus(Chakra)andthevibrationsoftheseNadisarerepresentedby theSanskritletters:—xdvng(Ham)and(Ksham).ThisistheGranthiSthana(RudraGranthi).The Chakraisofpurewhitecolourorlikethatofthefullmoon(onthePurnimaday).Bindu,Nadaand SaktiareinthisChakra.ThisChakracorrespondstoTapo-Loka.Thecorrespondingcentreinthe physicalbodyisattheCavernousPlexus.

HewhoconcentratesatthiscentredestroysalltheKarmasofthepastlives.Thebenefitsthat arederivedbymeditationonthisChakracannotbedescribedinwords.Thepractitionerbecomesa Jivanmukta(liberatedmanwhileliving).Heacquiresallthe8majorand32minorSiddhis.All YogisandJnanistooconcentratetothiscentreontheBijakshara,Pranava ! (OM).Thisiscalled BhrumadyaDrishti(gazeatthespacebetweenthetwoeye-brows).Moredetailsofthisimportant Chakrawillbegiveninthesubsequentlessons.

THEBRAIN

Brainandcranialnervesarethechiefpartsofthewholenervoussystem.Itisamassof nervoustissuesmadeupofsoftgreyandwhitematter.Itoccupiesthewholeofcranium.Craniumis liketheironsafetokeepupthetreasure‘brain’.Itissurroundedbythreemembranesor Meninges, viz., (1) duramater, thefibrousconnectivetissuebythesideofthecranialbones;(2) piamater, the connectivetissuecontaininganetworkofbloodvessels,whichpenetratesandnourishesallthe partsofthebrain;and(3) arachnoid, averyfinemembranearoundthebrain.Belowthe arachnoid thereisthespacewhichcontainsthecerebro-spinalfluidthatisintendedtopreventanyinjurytothe brain.Thebrainlooksasifitisfloatingonthisliquid. THEBRAIN

Thebraincanbedividedintotwohalves,rightandlefthemispheres,byacentral Sulcus or tissue.Thereareseverallobesorsmallerportionsinthebrainsuchastheparietalandtemporal lobesonthesides,theoccipitallobeattheposteriorportionofcerebellum,etc.Therearemany convolutionsor Gyre ineverylobe.Again,forthesakeofstudy,wecandividethebrainintofour sections.

1. Cerebrum:Itistheanterior,oval-shapedlargerpartofthebrain.Itissituatedintheupper portionofthecranialcavity.Thiscontainstheimportantcentresofhearing,speech,sight,etc.The pinealglandwhichisregardedastheseatofthesoulandwhichplaysaprominentpartinSamadhi andpsychicphenomenaissituatedhere.

2. Cerebellum,thelittleorhindbrain:Thisisthemainportionofthebrain,oblong-shaped, situatedjustabovethefourthventricleandbelowandbehindthebrain.Herethegreymatteris arrangedoverthewhitematter.Itregulatesthemuscularco-ordination.Mindrestshereduring dreams.

3. MedullaOblongata:Itisthebeginningplaceofthespinalcordatthecranialcavity, whereitisoblong-shapedandwide.Itisbetweenthetwohemispheres.Herethewhitematteris placedoverthegreymatter.Thiscontainsthecentresofimportantfunctionssuchascirculatory, respiratory,etc.Thisportionmustbecarefullyprotected.

4. PonsVarolii:Itisthebridgethatliesbeforethe MedullaOblongata. Itismadeofwhite andgreyfibresthatcomefrom cerebellum and medulla. Thisisthejunctionwherecerebellumand medullameet.

Therearefiveventriclesofthebrain.Thefourthisthemostimportantone.Itissituatedin MedullaOblongata. Thefourthventricleisthenameofthecentralcanalofthespinalcord, “CanalisCentralis”whenitentersthecranialcavity.Herethetinycanalbecomesbiggerinsize.

Everynerveofthebodyiscloselyconnectedwiththebrain.The12pairsofcranialnerves proceedfrombothhemispheresthroughtheopeningsatthebaseoftheskulltodifferentpartsofthe body:Olfactory;Optic;MotorOculi;Pathetic;Trifacial;Abducens;Facial;Auditory; Glossopharyngeal;Pneumogastric,Spinalaccessory;andHypo-glossal.Thesearethenervesthat areconnectedwiththeeye,ear,tongue,nose,pharynx,thorax,etc.Foradetailedstudyofthis sectionrefertoanybookonanatomy.HereIhavegivenyouportionsthatareconnectedwith KundaliniYoga.

BRAHMARANDHRA

“Brahmarandhra”meanstheholeofBrahman.Itisthedwellinghouseofthehumansoul. Thisisalsoknownas“Dasamadvara,”thetenthopeningorthetenthdoor.Thehollowplaceinthe crownoftheheadknownas anteriorfontanelle inthenew-bornchildistheBrahmarandhra.Thisis betweenthetwoparietalandoccipitalbones.Thisportionisverysoftinababe.Whenthechild grows,itgetsobliteratedbythegrowthofthebonesofthehead.Brahmacreatedthephysicalbody andentered(Pravishat)thebodytogiveilluminationinsidethroughthisBrahmarandhra.Insome oftheUpanishads,itisstatedlikethat.Thisisthemostimportantpart.Itisverysuitablefor NirgunaDhyana(abstractmeditation).WhentheYogiseparateshimselffromthephysicalbodyat thetimeofdeath,thisBrahmarandhraburstsopenandPranacomesoutthroughthisopening (KapalaMoksha).“Ahundredandonearethenervesoftheheart.Ofthemone(Sushumna)has goneoutpiercingthehead;goingupthroughit,oneattainsimmortality”(Kathopanishad).

SAHASRARACHAKRA

SahasraraChakraistheabodeofLordSiva.ThiscorrespondstoSatyaLoka.Thisissituated atthecrownofthehead.WhenKundaliniisunitedwithLordSivaattheSahasraraChakra,the YogienjoystheSupremeBliss,ParamaAnanda.WhenKundaliniistakentothiscentre,theYogi attainsthesuperconsciousstateandtheHighestKnowledge.Hebecomesa Brahmavidvarishtha or afull-blownJnani.

Theword Sahasradala-Padma denotesthatthisPadmahas1000petals.Thatis,one thousandYogaNadisemanatefromthiscentre.Therearedifferentopinionsabouttheexact numberofpetals.ItisquitesufficientifyouknowthatinnumerableNadisproceedfromthiscentre. AsinthecaseofotherChakras,thevibrationsthataremadebytheYogaNadisarerepresentedby theSanskritletters.Allthe50lettersoftheSanskritalphabetarerepeatedhereagainandagainon allYogaNadis.ThisisaSukshmacentre.Thecorrespondingcentreinthephysicalbodyisinthe brain.

Theterm“Shat-Chakras”refersonlytothechiefsixChakras, viz., Muladhara, Svadhishthana,Manipura,Anahata,VishuddhaandAjna.AboveallthesewehaveSahasrara Chakra.ThisisthechiefofalltheChakras.AlltheChakrashavetheirintimateconnectionwiththis centre.HencethisisnotincludedasoneamongtheShat-Chakras.Thisissituatedaboveallthe Chakras.

LALANACHAKRA

LalanaChakraissituatedatthespacejustaboveAjnaandbelowSahasraraChakra.Twelve YogaNadisemanatefromthiscentre.Thevibrationsthataremadebythe12Nadisarerepresented bytheSanskritletters:(Ha,Sa,Ksha,Ma,La,Va,Ra,Ya,Ha,Sa,Kha and Phrem).IthasOMasits Bija.AtthiscentretheYogiconcentratesontheformofhisGuruandobtainsallknowledge.This hascontroloverthe12pairsofnervesthatproceedfromthebraintothedifferentsense-organs.

SUMMARYOFTHEPREVIOUSLESSONS

AspirantsmusthavealltheSattvicqualitiesandshouldbequitefreefromimpurities. Satsanga,seclusion,dieteticdiscipline,goodmanners,goodcharacter,Brahmacharya,Vairagya, etc.,formthestrongfoundationofYogiclife.ThehelpofaGuru,whohasalreadytroddenthepath, isabsolutelynecessaryforquickprogressinthespiritualpath.Placesofcool,temperateclimateare requiredforYogaAbhyasa.

NadisaretheSukshma(astral)channelsthroughwhichPrana(vitalenergy)flowsto differentpartsofthebody.Ida,PingalaandSushumnaarethemostimportantoftheinnumerable Nadis.AllNadisstartfromtheKanda.Kandaislocatedinthespacebetweentheoriginofthe reproductoryorganandtheanus.SushumnaNadiissituatedwithintheSpinalColumn,inthespinal canal.WithintheSushumnaNadithereisaNadibynameVajra.ChitraNadi,aminutecanal,which isalsocalledBrahmanadi,iswithinthisVajraNadi.Kundalini,whenawakened,passesthrough ChitraNadi.TheseareallSukshmacentresandyoucannothaveanylaboratorytestsandtest-tube experiments.Withoutthesesubtlecentres,thegrossphysicalbodycannotexistandfunction.

Muladhara,Svadhishthana,Manipura,Anahata,Vishuddha,AjnaandSahasraraaretheimportant Chakras.WhenKundalinipassesonfromChakratoChakra,layerafterlayerofthemindbecomes openedandtheSadhakaentersintohigherstatesofconsciousness.AteveryChakrahegetsvarious Siddhis.Ida,PingalaandotherNadisareonthesidesofthespine.Idaflowsthroughtheleftnostril andPingalathroughtherightnostril.InSvaraSadhanathebreathshouldflowbytheleftnostril throughoutthedayandbytherightnostrilthroughoutthenight.

THEMYSTERIOUSKUNDALINI

ManastvamVyomatvamMarudasiMarutsarathirasi, TvamapastvamBhumistvayiparinatayamnahiparam, TvamevaSvatmanamparinamayitumvisvavapusha Chidanandakaramharamahishi-bhavenabibhrushe.

“ODevi!Thouartthemind,thesky,theair,thefire,thewater,andtheearth.Nothingis outsideTheeonThytransformation.ThouhastbecomeSiva’sconsecratedqueentoalterThyown blissfulconsciousFormintheshapeoftheworld”.

Kundalini,theserpentpowerormysticfire,istheprimordialenergyorSaktithatlies dormantorsleepingintheMuladharaChakra,thecentreofthebody.Itiscalledtheserpentineor annularpoweronaccountofserpentineform.Itisanelectricfieryoccultpower,thegreatpristine forcewhichunderliesallorganicandinorganicmatter.

Kundaliniisthecosmicpowerinindividualbodies.Itisnotamaterialforcelikeelectricity, magnetism,centripetalorcentrifugalforce.ItisaspiritualpotentialSaktiorcosmicpower.In realityithasnoform.TheSthulaBuddhiandmindhavetofollowaparticularforminthebeginning stage.Fromthisgrossform,onecaneasily,understandthesubtleformlessKundalini.Prana, Ahamkara,Buddhi,Indriyas,mind,fivegrosselements,nervesarealltheproductsofKundalini.

Itisthecoiled-up,sleepingDivineSaktithatliesdormantinallbeings.Youhaveseeninthe MuladharaChakrathatthereisSvayambhuLinga.TheheadoftheLingaisthespacewhere SushumnaNadiisattachedtotheKanda.ThismysteriousKundaliniliesfacedownwardsatthe mouthofSushumnaNadiontheheadofSvayambhuLinga.Ithasthreeandahalfcoilslikea serpent.Whenitisawakened,itmakesahissingsoundlikethatofaserpentbeatenwithastick,and proceedstotheotherChakrathroughtheBrahmaNadi,whichisalsocalledChitraNadiwithin Sushumna.HenceKundaliniisalsocalledBhujangini,serpentpower.Thethreecoilsrepresentthe threeGunasofPrakriti:Sattva,RajasandTamas,andthehalfrepresentstheVikritis,the modificationofPrakriti.

KundaliniistheGoddessofspeechandispraisedbyall.SheHerself,whenawakenedby theYogin,achievesforhimtheillumination.ItisShewhogivesMuktiandJnanaforSheisHerself that.SheisalsocalledSarasvati,asSheistheformofSabdaBrahman.Sheisthesourceofall KnowledgeandBliss.Sheispureconsciousnessitself.SheisBrahman.SheisPranaSakti,the SupremeForce,theMotherofPrana,Agni,Bindu,andNada.ItisbythisSaktithattheworldexists. Creation,preservationanddissolutionareinHer.OnlybyherSaktitheworldiskeptup.Itis throughHerSaktionsubtlePrana,Nadaisproduced.Whileyouutteracontinuoussoundorchant

DirghaPranava ! (OM),youwilldistinctlyfeelthattherealvibrationstartsfromtheMuladhara Chakra.ThroughthevibrationofthisNada,allthepartsofthebodyfunction.Shemaintainsthe individualsoulthroughthesubtlePrana.IneverykindofSadhanatheGoddessKundaliniisthe objectofworshipinsomeformortheother.

KundalinihasconnectionwithsubtlePrana.SubtlePranahasconnectionwiththesubtle NadisandChakras.SubtleNadishaveconnectionwiththemind.Mindhasconnectionallthrough thebody.Youhaveheardthatthereismindineverycellofthebody.Pranaistheworkingforceof thebody.Itisdynamic.ThisstaticSaktiisaffectedbyPranayamaandotherYogicpracticesand becomesdynamic.Thesetwofunctions,staticanddynamic,aretermed‘sleeping’and‘awakening’ oftheKundalini.

ChapterThree YOGASADHANA

HOWTOAWAKENTHEKUNDALINI

OneshouldbecomeperfectlydesirelessandshouldbefullofVairagyabeforeattemptingto awakenKundalini.Itcanbeawakenedonlywhenamanrisesabove Kama,Krodha,Lobha,Moha, Mada andotherimpurities.Kundalinicanbeawakenedthroughrisingabovedesiresofthesenses. TheYogi,whohasgotapureheartandamindfreefrompassionsanddesireswillbebenefitedby awakeningKundalini.IfamanwithalotofimpuritiesinthemindawakenstheSaktibysheerforce throughAsanas,PranayamasandMudras,hewillbreakhislegsandstumbledown.Hewillnotbe abletoascendtheYogicladder.Thisisthechiefreasonforpeoplegoingoutofthewayorgetting somebodilyinfirmities.ThereisnothingwrongintheYoga.Peoplemusthavepurityfirst;thena thoroughknowledgeoftheSadhana,aproperguide,andasteady,gradualpractice.When Kundaliniisawakenedtherearemanytemptationsontheway,andaSadhakawithoutpuritywill nothavethestrengthtoresist.

Athoroughknowledgeofthetheoryisasessentialasthepractice.Someareofopinionthat theoryisnotatallnecessary.TheybringoneortworareinstancestoprovethatKundalinihasbeen awakenedeveninthosewhodonotknowanythingaboutNadis,ChakrasandKundalini.Itmightbe duetothegraceofaGuruorbymerechance.Everyonecannotexpectthisandneglectthe theoreticalside.IfyoulookatthemaninwhomKundalinihasbeenawakenedthroughthegraceof aGuru,youwillnotatoncebegintoneglectthepracticalsideandactuallywasteyourtimein passingfromoneGurutotheother.Themanwhohasaclearknowledgeofthetheoryandasteady practice,attainsthedesiredgoalquickly.

KundalinicanbeawakenedbyPranayama,AsanasandMudrasbyHathaYogis;by concentrationandtrainingofthemindbyRajaYogis;bydevotionandperfectself-surrenderby Bhaktas;byanalyticalwillbytheJnanis;byMantrasbytheTantrikas;andbythegraceoftheGuru (GuruKripa)throughtouch,sightormereSankalpa.RousingofKundalinianditsunionwithSiva

attheSahasraraChakraeffectthestateofSamadhiandMukti.NoSamadhiispossiblewithout awakeningtheKundalini.

Foraselectedfew,anyoneoftheabovemethodsisquitesufficienttoawakenthe Kundalini.Manywillhavetocombinedifferentmethods.Thisisaccordingtothegrowthand positionoftheSadhakasinthespiritualpath.TheGuruwillfindouttherealpositionoftheSadhaka andwillprescribeapropermethodthatwillsuccessfullyawakentheKundaliniinashortperiod. Thisissomethinglikethedoctorprescribingapropermedicinetoapatienttocureaparticular disease.Onekindofmedicinewillnotcurethediseasesofdifferentpatients.Soalso,onekindof Sadhanamaynotsuitall.

Therearemanypersonsnowadayswhofoolishlyimaginethattheyhaveattainedpurity, commiterrorsinselectingsomemethodsandneglectmanyimportantitemsofSadhana.Theyare poor,self-deludedsouls.Self-assertive,RajasicSadhakaswillselectsomeexercisesoftheirown fancyinanirregularmannerandleavealltheexerciseswhentheygetsomeserioustroubles.

AfterKundaliniisawakened,PranapassesupwardsthroughBrahmaNadialongwithmind andAgni.YouwillhavetotakeituptoSahasraraChakrathroughsomespecialexercisessuchas Mahabheda,SaktiChalana,etc.

Assoonasitisawakened,itpiercestheMuladharaChakra(Bheda).Itshouldbetakento SahasrarathroughvariousChakras.WhenKundaliniisatoneChakra,intenseheatisfeltthereand whenitleavesthatcentreforanotherChakra,theformerChakrabecomesverycoldandappears lifeless.

FreedomfromKama,Krodha,RagaandDveshaandpossessionofbalanceofmind,cosmic love,astralvision,supremefearlessness,desirelessness,Siddhis,divineintoxicationandspiritual AnandaarethesignstodenotetheawakeningofKundalini.Whenitisatrest,amanhasfull consciousnessoftheworldanditssurroundings.Whenitisawakenedheisdeadtotheworld.He hasnobody-consciousness.Heattains Unmani state.WhenKundalinitravelsfromChakrato Chakra,layerafterlayerofthemindbecomesopenedandtheYogiacquirespsychicpowers.He getscontroloverthefiveelements.WhenitreachestheSahasraraChakra,heisintheChidakasa (knowledgespace).

AwakeningoftheKundaliniSakti,itsunionwithSiva,enjoyingthenectarandother functionsoftheKundaliniYogathataredescribedintheYogaSastrasaremisrepresentedand takeninaliteralsensebymany.TheythinkthattheyareSivaandladiestobeSaktiandthatmere sexualunionistheaimofKundaliniYoga.AfterhavingsomewronginterpretationoftheYogic texts,theybegintoofferflowersandworshiptheirwiveswithlustfulpropensities.Theterm “Divineintoxicationthatisderivedbydrinkingthenectar”isalsomisrepresented.Theytakealot ofwineandotherintoxicatingdrinksandimaginetohaveenjoyedtheDivineecstasy.Itismere ignorance.Theyareutterlywrong.ThissortofworshipandunionisnotatallKundaliniYoga. Theydiverttheirconcentrationonsexualcentresandruinthemselves.Somefoolishyoungboys practiseoneortwoAsanas,MudrasandalittlePranayamatooforafewdays,inanywaytheylike, andimaginethattheKundalinihasgoneuptotheirneck.TheyposeasbigYogis.Theyarepitiable, self-deludedsouls.EvenaVedanti(astudentofJnanaYoga)cangetJnanaNishthaonlythrough

awakeningoftheKundaliniSaktithatliesdormantattheMuladharaChakra.Nosuperconscious stateorSamadhiispossiblewithoutawakeningthisprimordialenergy,whetheritisRajaYoga, BhaktiYoga,HathaYogaorJnanaYoga.

ItiseasytoawakentheKundalini,butitisverydifficulttotakeittoSahasraraChakra throughthedifferentChakras.Itdemandsagreatdealofpatience,perseverance,purityandsteady practice.TheYogiwhohastakenittoSahasraraChakra,istherealmasterofallforces.Generally YogicstudentsstoptheirSadhanahalf-wayonaccountoffalseTushti(satisfaction).Theyimagine thattheyhavereachedthegoalwhentheygetsomemysticexperiencesandpsychicpowers.They desiretodemonstratesuchpowerstothepublictogetKhyati(reputationandfame)andtoearn somemoney.Thisisasadmistake.Fullrealisationalonecangivethefinalliberation,perfectpeace andHighestBliss.

DifferentmethodsofawakeningtheKundalinibyHathaYoga,BhaktiYoga,RajaYoga andJnanaYogawillbedescribedonebyone.Someaspirantswillnotgetperfectionbyonlyone method.Aharmoniouscombinationofallmethodsisnecessaryforthevastmajorityofpersons.In thefollowingpagesIwilltellyouthedifferentexercisesthatareintendedtoawakentheKundalini. Ifyouarewiseenough,afteraperusalofthedifferentexercises,youcaneasilypickuptheright methodofSadhanathatsuitsyoubestandattainsuccess.

RousingofKundalinianditsunionwithSivaattheSahasraraChakraeffectthestateof SamadhiandMukti.BeforeawakeningtheKundalini,youmusthaveDehaSuddhi(purityof body),NadiSuddhi(purificationofNadis),Manas-Suddhi(purityofmind)andBuddhiSuddhi (purityofintellect).Forthepurificationofthebody,thefollowingsixexercisesareprescribed:

Dhauti,Basti,Neti,Nauli,TratakandKapalabhati.TheseareknownasShat-Karmaorthe sixpurificatoryexercisesinHathaYoga.

1.DHAUTI

Purificationisoftwokinds:Antar-Dhauti(internalcleaning)andBahir-Dhauti(external cleaning).Antar-Dhauticanbemadeinthreeways.Takeafinepieceofmuslincloth,3incheswide and15feetlong.Thebordersshouldbestitchedwellandnopiecesofloosethreadshouldbe hangingfromitssides.Washitwithsoapbeforeuseandmakeitclean.Dipitintepidwater. Squeezeoutthewaterandswallowoneendofitlittlebylittle.Onthefirstdayswallowonlyone foot.Keepitthereforafewsecondsandthentakeitoutveryslowly.Onthenextdayswallowa littlemoreandkeepitforafewminutesandthentakeitoutslowly.Thuslittlebylittleyoucan swallowthewholelength,retainitforabout5minutesandthentakeitout.Donotbehasty.Donot injureyourthroatbyroughhandling.WhentheKriyaisoverdrinkacupofmilk.Thisisasortof lubricationforthethroat.Thisexerciseshouldbedonewhenyourstomachisempty.Morningtime isgood.

Youneednotpractisethiseveryday.Oncein4daysoraweekissufficient.Thisexercise cannotatalldoanyharmifgraduallypractised.Everyonewillfeelalittlevomitingsensationonthe first2or3attempts.AssoonastheKriyaisover,washtheclothwithsoapandkeepitalwaysclean.

Thisisanexcellentexerciseforthosewhoareofaflabbyandphlegmaticconstitution.Gradual

steadypracticecuresGulma,gastritis,dyspepsia,diseasesofthestomachandspleen,disorderof phlegmandbile.ThisexerciseisalsoknownasVastraDhauti.ThisisonevarietyofAntar-Dhauti.

Therearesomepeoplewhocandrinkplentyofwaterandpassitthroughtheanus immediately.ItiscalledVarisaraDhauti.Thisisaneffectivemethod.Thisexerciseisalsoknown as‘SangPacharKriya’.YogiSambhunathajiofKishkindhaisanexpertinthisKriya.Thisisnot possibleforthevastmajorityofpersons.NauliandUddiyanaBandhashouldbecombinedfor performingthisexercise.Eventhesmokeofacigarettecanbepassedoutthroughtheanus.

Drinkalargequantityofwaterandshaketheabdominalportions.Contractthestomachand vomitthewater.Thisexercisegoeswiththename‘KunjaraKriya’.Thisisalsoakindof purificatoryexercise.

Internalcleaningcanbemadealsobyswallowingair.Fillupthestomachwithplentyofair. Itisdonebyhiccough.Justasyouswallowfoodlittlebylittle,soalsoyoucanswallowairandfill upthestomachandintestines.YouwillhavetolearnthisfromthemanwhocandothisKriya. Whenyoucontracttheabdominalmuscles,theairwillpassawaythroughtheanusasApanaVayu. Thosewhocanfilluptheirstomachwithair,canfloatonwaterjustlikeadeadbodyandcanalso liveonairandwateraloneforsomedayswithoutanyfood.ThosewhocandoAntar-Dhautiinany way,neednotgoinforanypurgativeorlaxative.Theywillneversufferfromindigestionor constipation.

TherearesomeotherDhautis,viz.,DantaDhauti(cleaningtheteeth),JihvaDhauti (cleaningthetongue),KarnaDhauti(cleaningtheears),MulaSodhanaDhauti(cleaningtheanus), etc.Thesearebeingdonebyyoualleveryday.Ineednottellyoumuchaboutthese.

2.BASTI

‘Basti’exerciseisintendedtoservethepurposeof‘enema’topassouttheaccumulationof faecesfromtheintestinalcanal.Therearetwovarieties,viz.,SthalaBastiandJalaBasti.

STHALABASTI:Sitonthegroundandcatchholdofyourtoeswithfingers.Donotbend theknees.ThisisexactlylikethePaschimottanasana,buthereyouneednotbringyourheadtothe knees.Assumingthisposture,churntheabdominalmusclesanddominalmusclesandexpelthe water.Itcuresuritermuscles.ThisisSthalaBasti.

JALABASTI:ThisismoreeffectivethanSthalaBasti.Takeasmallbambootube,five incheslong.Lubricateoneendofitwithvaseline,oilorsoap.Sitinatubofwaterorinatankin knee-levelofwaterinUtkatasana.Insertthebambootubeabout2or3inchesintotheanus. Contracttheanus.Drawthewaterintotheintestinesslowly.Shaketheabdominalmusclesand expelthewater.Itcuresurinarytroubles,dropsy,constipation,etc.Youshouldnotdothiseveryday andmakeitahabit.Thisisonlyforoccasionaluse.Dothisinthemorninghoursbeforetaking meals.Ifyoudonotknowhowtodrawinthewaterthroughthetube,thenyoucanusetheordinary syringethatisavailableinthemarket.Bytheuseofthebamboo,youwillknowthemethodof drawingwaterthroughtheanus.Butintheenemasyringewaterisbeingpushedinbythehelpof air.Thatisonlythedifferencebuttheresultisthesameinbothcases.Byusingthebambootubeyou

canhavemasteryovertheintestinalmusclesbydrawinginandpushingoutthewateratyour command.

3.NETI

‘Neti’exerciseisintendedforthepurificationofthenostrils.Thenostrilsmustbekept alwaysclean.Uncleannostrilswillleadyoutoirregularbreathing.Irregularbreathingwillmake yousick.

Takeafinepieceofthreadabout12incheslong.Thereshouldnotbeanyknotinthemiddle ofthethread.Itshouldnotbetoothinandweak.Insertoneendofitintotherightnostrilandcatch holdoftheotherendfirmly.Makeaforcible,continuousinhalationandpassitinside.Thenslowly pullitout.Againinthesamewaypassitthroughtheleftnostrilandtakeitoutslowly.Donotinjure yournostrilsthroughviolentpulling.Aftersomepractice,passthethreadthroughonenostriland takeitoutthroughtheother.Inthebeginningyouwillbegintosneezeprofuselywhenyouinsertthe threadintothenose.Thispassesoffafter3or4attempts.Thiscanbepractisedwhenyoufindthat yournostrilisblockedfromcold.

Thereisanothereasymethodofcleaningthenostrils.Takesomecoldwaterinyourhandor inawide-mouthedcup.Drawthewaterslowlythroughthenoseandexpelitforciblythroughthe nose.Therearemanywhocandothisquiteeasily.Afteroneortwoattemptssomepersonsmay sufferfromslightcoldandcoughwhentheybegintolearnthis.Assoonastheyareallright,again, theycanpractise.

Youhaveseenmanywhodrawthesmokeofacigarettethroughthemouthandpassitbythe nosequiteeasily.Ifcigaretteuserstry,theycandrawthesmokethroughonenostrilandpassitout bytheothernostrilorbythemouth.Inthesamewaywateralsocanbepassedquiteeasily.

Drawingwaterandexpellingitthroughthenoseisknownas‘Seet-Krama’.Ifyoudraw waterthroughthenoseandexpelitthroughthemouth,itiscalled‘Vyut-Krama’.InGheranda SamhitaitisstatedthatthisNetiKriyapurifiestheskullandproducesclairvoyance(DivyaDrishti). Rhinitisandcoryzaarealsocuredthereby.

4.NAULI

NauliKriyaisintendedforregenerating,invigoratingandstimulatingtheabdominal visceraandthegastro-intestinaloralimentarysystem.ForthepracticeofNauliyoushouldknow theUddiyanaBandha.Uddiyanacanbedoneeveninasittingposture;butNauliisgenerallydone whilestanding.

StageI:Doastrongandforcibleexpirationthroughthemouthandkeepthelungs completelyempty.Contractandforciblydrawtheabdominalmusclestowardstheback.Thisis UddiyanaBandha.ThisisthefirststageofNauli.UddiyanaBandhaterminatesinNauli.

ForpractisingNauli,standup.Keeptherightlegafootapartfromtheleftleg.Ifyoukeep upthefeetclosetogether,attimesyoumaylosethebalanceandstumbledown.Restyourhandson

thethighs,thusmakingaslightcurveoftheback.ThendoUddiyanaBandha.Dothisforoneweek beforeproceedingtothenextstage.

StageII:Nowallowthecentreoftheabdomenfreebycontractingtheleftandrightsideof theabdomen.Youwillhaveallthemusclesinthecentreinaverticalline.ThisiscalledMadhyama Nauli.Keepitaslongasyoucanwithcomfort.Doonlythismuchforafewdays.

StageIII:Hereyoushouldcontracttherightsideoftheabdomenandallowtheleftsidefree. Youwillhavethemusclesontheleftsideonly.ThisiscalledVamaNauli.Againcontracttheleft sidemusclesandallowtherightsidefree.ThisisDakshinaNauli.Byhavingsuchgradual practices,youwillunderstandhowtocontractthemusclesofthecentral,leftandrightsidesofthe abdomen.Youwillalsonoticehowtheymovefromsidetoside.Inthisstageyouwillseethe abdominalmusclesonlyinthecentral,rightortheleftside.Practisethisstageforaweek.

StageIV:Keepthemusclesinthecentre.Slowlybringtotherightsideandthentoleftside inacircularway.Dothisseveraltimesfromtherighttoleftsideandthendoitinareversewayfrom thelefttorightside.Youshouldturnthemusclesalwayswithacircularmotionslowly.Whenyou advanceinthepracticeyoucandoitquickly;butyoucanderivefullbenefitsofthisKriyawhenyou doitveryslowlyandgradually.ThislaststageofNauliwillappearlike‘churning’whenthe abdominalmusclesareisolatedandrotatedfromsidetoside.

Beginnerswillfeelslightpainofabdomeninthefirsttwoorthreeattempts.Theyneednot fearandstopthepractice.Thepainwillvanishawayin2or3days.WhenNauliisdemonstratedby theadvancedYogicstudent,theonlookerswillbeextremelysurprisedtolookatthemovementsof theabdominalmuscles.Theywillfeelasifanengineisworkingintheabdominalfactory.

WhenbeginnerswanttodoDakshinaNauli,theyshouldslightlybendtowardstheleftside andcontracttheleftmuscles.WhentheywanttodoVamaNauli,letthembendalittletotheright side.InMadhyamaNauli,pushtheentiremusclesforwardbycontractingthetwosides.

Thisexerciseisnotatallpossibleforthosewhohaveabarrel-likebelly.Whentheyfindit difficulttocarrytheirownbelly,theycannotatalldreamofgettingsuccessinthisKriya.Theycan alsotrybygradualslowpractice.Forgettingsuccess,theymustexerthardandhaverigorous practiceforalongtime.ThosewhohaveatenderbodycanveryeasilylearnandperformthisKriya inabeautifulandefficientmanner.

InthefamousHardwarcosmopolitanplatformwherePunjabisandBengaliBaboosstrollin theeveningwiththeirladies,onthebanksoftheGanges,somepersonsdemonstrateNauliand variousotherAsanasandMudrasforthesakeofafewpiesonly.Theypassonfromoneexerciseto theotherveryquickly.YouwillfindthesameinCalcutta,Delhi,Bombay,Madrasandinallthe busycentres.Thisisonlyasortofprofession.ItisnotatallYoga.Itisonlyavarietyofphysical feats.Fromtheveryconditionoftheirbodyyouwillfindthattheydonotpossessallthe qualificationsandaimsofaYogi,Theydonotevenappearphysicallybetter,sincetheyare habituatedtointoxicantdrinks,Ganja,Bhang,etc.

IftheYogicexercisesaredoneintherightwaywiththerightmentalattitude,itwillsurely leadyoutospiritualgrowth.NauliKriyaeradicateschronicconstipation,dyspepsiaandallother diseasesofthegastro-intestinalsystem.NaulihelpsSangPacharandBastiKriyaalso.Theliverand pancreasaretoned.Thekidneysandotherorgansoftheabdomenfunctionproperly.Nauliisa blessingtohumanity.Itisasovereignspecific‘uni-all’oranideal‘pick-me-up.’

5.TRATAKA

‘Trataka’issteadygazingataparticularpointorobjectwithoutwinking.Thoughthisisone ofthesixpurificatoryexercises,itismainlyintendedfordevelopingconcentrationandmental focusing.ItisveryusefulforthestudentsofHathaYoga,JnanaYoga,BhaktiYogaandRajaYoga. Thereisnoothereffectivemethodforthecontrolofthemind.Someofthestudentswhoclaimthat theybelongtoJnanaYoga,neglectsuchimportantexercisessincetheyaredescribedunderHatha Yogicportions.SriRamanaMaharshithefamousJnaniofTiruvannamalai,wasdoingthisexercise. YoucouldhaveseenitclearlyifyouhadbeentohisAshramforhisDarshan.Whileseatedonhis sofainhisroom,heusedtogazeonthewalls.Whenhesatontheverandainaneasy-chair,he steadilylookedatthedistanthillsoratthesky.Thisenabledhimtokeepupabalancedstateof mind.Nothingcoulddistracthismind.Hewasverycalmandcoolalways.Hewasnotatall distractedbyanyoneeventhoughhisBhaktasmightbetalkingandsingingbyhisside.

EXERCISES

(1)KeepthepictureofLordKrishna,Rama,NarayanaorDeviinfrontofyou.Lookatit steadilywithoutwinking.Gazeatthehead;thenatthebody;thenatthelegs.Repeatthesame processagainandagain.Whenyourmindcalmsdownlookataparticularplaceonly.Besteadytill tearsbegintoflow.Thenclosetheeyesandmentallyvisualisethepicture.

(2)Gazeonablackdotonawhitewallordrawablackmarkonapieceofwhitepaperand hangitonthewallinfrontofyou.

(3)DrawthepictureOm(!)onapieceofpaperandhaveitbeforeyourseat.DoTratakaon it.

(4)Liedownonanopenterraceandgazeataparticularbrightstaroronthefullmoon.After sometime,youwillseedifferentcoloursoflights.Againsometimelater,youwillseeonlya particularcolourthroughout,andallothersurroundingstarswilldisappear.Whenyougazeatthe moon,youwillseeonlyabrightmoononablackbackground.Attimesyouwillseeahugemassof lightallaroundyou.Whengazingbecomesmoreintense,youcanalsoseetwoorthreemoonsof thesamesizeandattimesyoucannotseeanymoonatalleventhoughyoureyesmaybewideopen.

(5)Selectatrandomanyplaceintheopenskyinthemorningoreveninghoursandgazeatit steadily.Youwillgetnewinspirations.

(6)Lookatamirrorandgazeatthepupilofyoureye.

(7)SomepeopledoTratakaatthespacebetweenthetwoeyebrowsoratthetipofthenose. Evenduringwalking,somepersonsdoTratakaatthetipofthenose.

(8)AdvancedstudentscandoTratakaattheinnerChakras,(Padmas).Muladhara,Anahata, AjnaandSahasraraaretheimportantcentresforTrataka.

(9)Keepaghee-lampbeforeyouandgazeattheflames.Someastralentitiesgive Darshan throughtheflames.

(10)VeryfewYoginsdoTratakaonthesun.Itrequiresthehelpofanexperiencedmanby theirside.TheybegintogazeontherisingsunandaftergradualpracticetheydoTratakaonthesun eveninthemidday.TheygetsomespecialSiddhis(psychicpowers)bythispractice.Allarenotfit forthisSadhana.Allthefirst9exerciseswillsuiteveryoneandtheyareharmless.Thelastone, sun-gazingshouldnotbeattempteduntilyougetthehelpofanexperiencedman.

INSTRUCTIONS

Whenyoudothepracticeinyourmeditationroom,sitinyourfavouriteAsana(posture), SiddhasanaorPadmasana.Atothertimesyoucandoinastandingorsittingposture.Tratakacanbe profitablydoneevenwhenyouwalk.Asyouwalkalongthestreets,donotlookhitherandthither. Gazeatthetipofthenoseortoes.Therearemanypersonswhodonotlookatthefacewhenthey talktoothers.Theyhavetheirowngazeataparticularplaceandtalk.NoparticularAsanais requiredforthisSadhana.

Whenyougazeatapicture,itisTrataka.Whenyoucloseyoureyesandmentallyvisualise thepicture,itisSagunaDhyana(meditationwithform).WhenyouassociatetheattributesofGod suchasomnipresence,omnipotence,omniscience,purity,perfection,etc.,thenameandtheformof theobjectofTratakawillautomaticallydisappearandyouwillenterintoNirgunaDhyana(abstract meditation).

DoTratakafortwominutestostartwith.Thencautiouslyincreasetheperiod.Donotbe impatient.Gradualsteadypracticeisrequired.Gazingataspotevenforthreefullhours continuouslycountsfornothing,ifthemindiswandering.Themindalsomustbeonthespot.Then onlyyouwilladvanceinthispracticeandattainmanypsychicpowers.

Thosewhocannotgazesteadilyforasecondinspiteofseveralattempts,neednotworry much.Theycanclosetheireyesandgazeatanimaginaryspotatthespacebetweenthetwo eyebrows.

Thosewhohaveveryweakeye-capillariesshoulddoTratakaafterclosingtheireyesonany imaginaryspotwithinorwithout.Donottaxyoureyesbyover-practice.Whenyoufeeltired,close youreyesandkeepyourmindontheobjectofTrataka.WhenyousitanddoTratakadonotshake thebody.

Tratakaimproveseyesight.Manywhohadsomeeye-troubleshaverealisedimmense benefitsbyTrataka.Goingbeyondone’sownpowerandgazingatthesunwithoutanyhelpmay

produceserioustroubles.Forgazingonthesunyoumusthaveyourguidebyyourside.TheGuru willprescribesomeoiltorubonyourheadtoavoidsuchserioustroublesandtocoolthesystem. Youshouldapplyhoneytoyoureyesatnightwhenyoupractisesun-gazing.

Thesameobjectofgazingwillappearassomethingelseduringthepractice.Youwillhave manyothervisions.Differentpeoplehavedifferentexperiences.Youwillnotevenbelievecertain thingswhenotherstellyouoftheirexperiences.TratakaalonecannotgiveyouallSiddhis.Afterthe controlofthemind,whenitbecomessteady,youwillhavetomanipulatethemindbyprescribed methodsfortheattainmentofpowers.Thereforethepowersthatareobtainedbythispracticemay varyindifferentpersons.Itdependsuponthefurthertrainingofthemind,inaparticularway.

Youngaspirants,whoposeasbigYogins,neglectsuchpracticesandaskwhetherthis practiceisMoksha.CertainlythatpracticeitselfisnotMoksha.Differentpracticesareforthe attainmentofMoksha.Onecanattainthegoalbyaparticularmethod,othersbydifferentmethods. Rememberthispointalways.Otherwiseyouwillbeneglectingallthemethods.Youwillbe misguidedandlosethegoalifyouneglecttheSadhana.

BythepracticeofTrataka,diseasesoftheeyesareremoved.Eye-sightimproves.Many havethrownawaytheirspectaclesaftertakingtothispractice.Will-powerisdeveloped.Vikshepa isdestroyed.Itsteadiesthemind.Clairvoyance,thought-reading,psychiccureandotherSiddhis areobtainedveryeasily.

OnceagainIwilltellyouthatBhaktiYoga,JnanaYoga,HathaYoga,KarmaYoga,etc.,are notincompatibleslikeCocaineandSodaBicarbonate.Theyarenotantagonistictoeachother.Do notneglectthisexerciseforthemerereasonthatitcomesunderHathaYogaportions.Eventhough youmayclaimtobeastudentofJnanaYogaorBhaktiYoga,youcantaketothispractice.Itisa veryeffectivepowerfulremedyforawanderingmind.Itpreparesthemindundoubtedlyforperfect DhyanaandSamadhi.Thisisassuredlyameansfortheend.YoumustascendtheYogicladderor stair-casestepbystep.Severalpersonshavebeenbenefitedbythisusefulexercise.Whynotyou, also,dearfriend,sincerelyattempttopractisethisfromthismoment?Ihavegivenyoudifferent exercisesforTrataka.Selectanyoneofthemethodsthatsuitsyoubestandrealisethespiritual benefits.Dothisforonemonthregularlyandletmeknowyourexperiences,benefitsandalso troubles,ifany.

6.KAPALABHATI

Kapalabhatiisanexerciseforthepurificationofskullandlungs.Thoughthisisoneofthe Shat-Karmas(sixpurificatoryexercises),yetitisavarietyofPranayamaexercises.

SitinPadmasanaorSiddhasana.Keepthehandsontheknees.PerformPuraka(inhalation) andRechaka(exhalation)rapidly.ThosewhocandoBhastrikaPranayamacaneasilydothis.In BhastrikathereisaKumbhaka(retentionofbreath)foralongtimeattheendoftherequiredrounds. ButinKapalabhatithereisnoKumbhaka.AgaininKapalabhati,Purakaisverylongandmild,but Rechakaistooquickandforcible.InBhastrika,PurakaisdoneasquicklyasRechaka.Thisisthe onlydifferencebetweenKapalabhatiandBhastrika.InKapalabhati,Rechakashouldbedone forciblyandquicklybycontractingtheabdominalmuscleswithbackwardpush.Tostartwith,have

onlyoneexpulsionpersecond.Inthebeginningdo10expulsionsperround.Graduallyincrease10 expulsionstoeachroundtillyouget120expulsionsforeachround.

Itcleansestherespiratorysystemandnasalpassages.Itremovesspasminbronchialtubes. ConsequentlyAsthmaisrelievedandcuredalsoincourseoftime.Consumptioniscuredbythis practice.Impuritiesofthebloodarethrownout.Thecirculatoryandrespiratorysystemsaretoned toaconsiderabledegree.Shat-Karmasareintendedforthepurificationofthebody.WhenNadis areimpureKundalinicannotpassfromtheMuladharatoSahasraraChakra.PurificationofNadisis effectedthroughPranayama.ForPranayama,youshouldknowwellaboutPrana.

PRANAYAMA

WHATISPRANA?

Pranaisthesumtotalofallenergythatismanifestedintheuniverse.Itisthevitalforce, Sukshma.BreathistheexternalmanifestationofPrana.Byexercisingcontroloverthisgross breath,youcancontrolthesubtlePranainside.ControlofPranameanscontrolofmind.Mind cannotoperatewithoutthehelpofPrana.ItistheSukshmaPranathatisintimatelyconnectedwith themind.Pranaisthesumtotalofalllatentforceswhicharehiddeninmenandwhichlie everywherearoundus.Heat,light,electricity,magnetismareallthemanifestationsofPrana.Prana isrelatedtomind;throughmindtothewill;throughwilltotheindividualsoul,andthroughthisto theSupremeBeing.

TheseatofPranaistheheart.Pranaisone;butithasmanyfunctionstodo.Henceitassumes fivenamesaccordingtothedifferentfunctionsitperforms,viz.,Prana,Apana,Samana,Udanaand Vyana.Accordingtothedifferentfunctionstheyperform,theyoccupycertainplacesinthebody. Thetablegiveninthefollowingpageswillgiveyouaclearidea.

Breathdirectedbythoughtunderthecontrolofthewillisavitalising,regeneratedforce whichcanbeutilisedconsciouslyforself-development,forhealingmanyincurablediseasesand formanyotherusefulpurposes.HathaYoginsconsiderthatPranaTattvaissuperiortoManas Tattva(mind),asPranaispresentevenwhenmindisabsentduringdeepsleep.HencePranaplaysa morevitalpartthanmind.

IfyouknowhowtocontrolthelittlewavesofPranaworkingthroughmind,thenthesecret ofsubjugatingtheuniversalPranawillbeknowntoyou.TheYoginwhobecomesanexpertinthe knowledgeofthissecret,willhavenofearfromanypower,becausehehasmasteryoverall manifestationsofpowerintheUniverse.WhatiscommonlyknownasPowerofPersonalityis nothingmorethanthenaturalcapacityofapersontowieldhisPrana.Somepeoplearemore powerfulinlife,moreinfluentialandfascinatingthanothers.ItisallthroughthisPrana,whichthe Yoginusesconsciouslybythecommandofhiswill.

HavingacquiredathoroughknowledgeoftheseatofNadisandoftheVayuswiththeir functions,oneshouldbeginwiththepurificationofNadis.ApersonpossessedofYamaand

Niyama,avoidingallcompany,havingfinishedhiscourseofstudy,delightinginTruthandvirtues, havingconqueredhisanger,beingengagedintheserviceofhisspiritualinstructorandwell instructedinallthereligiouspractices,shouldgotoasecludedplaceforYogaAbhyasa.

FivePranas

NAMECOLOURLOCATIONREGIONFUNCTIONSUB-PRANAS

PranaYellowAnahata Chakra

ApanaOrange red Muladhara Chakra

SamanaGreenManipura Chakra

UdanaViolet blue Vishuddha Chakra

ChestRespiration1. Naga does eructationand hiccup.

2. Kurma thefunctionofperforms openingtheeyes.

NavelDigestion3. Krikara induces hungerandthirst.

ThroatDeglutition.TakestheJivato Brahmanin sleep.Separates thephysicalbody fromtheastral bodyatdeath

VyanaRoseSwadhishthana Chakra Entire body Circulationof blood

4. Devadatta does yawning.

5. Dhananjaya causesdecomposition ofbody

NadiSuddhi(purificationofNadis)isanimportantmatterintheearlystageofYoga.If thereareimpuritiesintheNadis,theascentofKundaliniintheSushumnaisseriouslyretarded. PurityintheNadisfacilitatestheascentofKundalini.Pranayamabringsaboutquickpurificationof theNadis.NadiSuddhiisthebasisofYoga.ItisthefoundationofYoga.ItisthefirstpartofYoga.

Justasyoucanstopalltheotherwheelsofthefactoryifyoucanstoptheimportant fly-wheeloftheengine,soalsoifyoucanstopthefunctionsofallotherorgansofthebody,youcan getcontrolofthesubtle,psychicPranabyrestrainingthebreath.ThatisthereasonwhyPranayama isprescribedforcontrollingPrana.

Pranaistheover-coatofthemind.IfyoucancontrolPrana,youcancontrolmindand Veeryaalso,becausePrana,VeeryaandmindareunderoneSambandha.Ifyoucancontrolmind, breathstopsbyitself.Pranacomesundercontrol.Justasyouhaveanervoussysteminthegross physicalbody,soalsothereisanervoussystemintheastralbody.Thenervoussystemofthe physicalbodyistheSthulaPrana.ThenervoussystemoftheastralbodyistheSukshmaPrana. ThereisintimateconnectionbetweenthesetwoPranas.Thereisinter-actionbetweenthesetwo Pranas.

Bycontrollingtheactofbreathing,youcanefficientlycontrolallthevariousfunctionsin thebody.Youcanveryeasilyandquicklycontrolanddevelopthebody,mindandsoul.Psychic cure,Telepathy,Television,thought-readingandotherSiddhisaretheeffectsofthecontrolof Prana.TheprocessbywhichthePranaiscontrolledbyregulationofbreathistermed‘Pranayama’.

ItisthroughPranayamathatyoucancontrolyourcircumstancesandcharacterandconsciously harmonisetheuniversalindividuallifewiththecosmiclife.

PRANAYAMA

Tosuitthedifferentconstitutions,temperamentandpurpose,inPranayamatherearemany varietiesofexercises,viz.,deepbreathingexercise,SukhaPurvaka(easycomfortable)Pranayama duringwalking,Pranayamaduringmeditation,Rhythmicalbreathing,Suryabheda,Ujjayi,Sitkari, Sitali,Bhastrika,Bhramari,Murchha,Plavini,KevalaKumbhaka,etc.Ofalltheaboveexercises onlythelasteightaredescribedintheHathaYogictexts.

NADISUDDHI

BeforecommencingthepracticeofPranayamahowever,youshouldcleantheNadis.Then onlywillyouderivethemaximumbenefitfromPranayama.ThecleansingoftheNadi (Nadi-Suddhi)iseitherSamanuorNirmanu—thatis,withorwithouttheuseofBija.Accordingto thefirstform,theYogiinPadmasanaorSiddhasanaoffershisprayerstotheGuruandmeditateson him.Meditatingon‘Yang’(y:ú)hedoesJapathroughIdaoftheBija16times,KumbhakawithJapa oftheBija64times,andthenexhalationthroughthesolarNadiandJapaofBija32times.Fireis raisedfromManipuraandunitedwithPrithvi.ThenfollowsinhalationbythesolarNadiwiththe VahniBija‘Rang’(rú)16times,KumbhakawithJapaoftheBija64times,followedbyexhalation throughthelunarNadiandJapaoftheBija32times.Hethenmeditatesonthelunarbrilliance, gazingatthetipofthenose,andinhalesbyIdawithJapaoftheBija‘Thang’(Yú)16times. KumbhakaisdonewiththeBija‘Vang’(v:ú)64times.Hethinkshimselfasfloodedbynectar,and considersthattheNadishavebeenwashed.HeexhalesbyPingalawithJapaoftheBija‘Lang’(l:ú) 32timesandconsidershimselftherebyasstrengthened.

NowIwilltellyouafewimportantexercisesonly,thatareusefulinawakeningthe Kundalini.

1.SUKHAPURVAKA

(EasyComfortablePranayama)

SitinPadmasanaorSiddhasana.Closetherightnostrilwithyourrightthumb.Inhale (Puraka)throughtheleftnostriltillyoucount3Omsslowly.Imaginethatyouaredrawingthe Pranaalongwiththeatmosphericair.Incourseofpractice,youwillactuallyfeelthatyouare drawingPrana.Thenclosetheleftnostrilalsowiththelittleandringfingersofyourrighthand. Retainthebreathtillyoucount12Oms.SendthecurrentdowntotheMuladharaChakra.Feelthat thenerve-currentisstrikingagainsttheMuladharaChakraandawakeningKundalini.Removethe rightthumbandexhalethroughtherightnostriltillyoucount6Oms.Againinhalethroughtheright nostril,retainandexhalethroughtheleftnostrilasstatedabove.Alltheabovesixprocesses constituteonePranayama.Tostartwithdo6Pranayamasinthemorningand6intheevening. Graduallyincreaseitto20Pranayamasforeachsitting.Theratioofinhalation,retentionand exhalationis1:4:2.YoushouldgraduallyincreasetheperiodofKumbhaka.

BecarefulindoingtheKumbhakaaslongasyoucancomfortablydo.Donotbeinahurry. Bepatient.ContracttheanusanddoMulaBandhaalso.ConcentrateontheChakraandmeditateon Kundalini.Thisisthemostimportantportionofthisexercise.InthisPranayama,deep concentrationplaysavitalpartinawakeningKundalini.Kundaliniwillbeawakenedquicklyifthe degreeofconcentrationisintenseandifpractisedregularly.

Thisexerciseremovesalldiseases,purifiestheNadis,steadiesthewanderingmind, improvesdigestionandcirculation,helpsBrahmacharya,andawakensKundalini.Allthe impuritiesofthebodyarethrownout.

2.BHASTRIKA

Rapidsuccessionofforcibleexpulsionsisacharacteristicfeatureofthisexercise. ‘Bhastrika’means‘bellows’inSanskrit.Justasablacksmithblowshisbellowsrapidly,soalsoyou shouldinhaleandexhalerapidly.SitinyourfavouriteAsana.Closethemouth.Inhaleandexhale quickly20timeslikethebellows.Constantlydilateandcontractthechestasyouinhaleandexhale. WhenyoupractisethePranayamaahissingsoundisproduced.Youshouldstartwithforcible expulsionsofbreathfollowingoneanotherinrapidsuccession.After20suchexpulsions,makea deepinhalationandretainthebreathaslongasyoucancomfortablydoandthenslowlyexhale.This isoneroundofBhastrika.

Beginwith10expulsionsforaroundandincreaseitgraduallyto20or25foraround.The periodofKumbhakaalsoshouldbegraduallyandcautiouslyincreased.Restawhileafterone roundisoverandagainbeginthenextround.Do3roundsinthebeginningandafterduepractice, do20roundsinthemorningand20intheevening.

AdvancedstudentsdothisPranayamaafterpartialclosingoftheglottis.Theydonotmakea powerfulnoiselikethebeginners.Theycandoiteveninastandingposture.

Bhastrikaremovesinflammationofthethroat,increasesthegastricfire,destroysphlegm andalldiseasesofthenoseandlungs,eradicatesAsthma,consumptionandotherdiseaseswhich arisefromtheexcessofwind,bileandphlegm.Itgiveswarmthtothebody.Itisthemosteffective ofallPranayamaexercises.ItenablesPranatobreakthroughthethreeGranthis.Alltheother benefitsofSukhaPurvakaPranayamaareobtainedinthisexercisealso.

3.SURYABHEDA

SitonPadmasanaorSiddhasana.Closetheeyes.Keeptheleftnostrilclosedwithyourright ringandlittlefingers.Slowlyinhalewithoutmakinganysoundaslongasyoucandoitcomfortably throughtherightnostril.Thenclosetherightnostrilwithyourrightthumbandretainthebreathby firmlypressingthechinagainstthechest(JalandharaBandha).Holdthebreathtillperspiration oozesfromtherootsofthehair(hairfollicles).Thispointcannotbereachedattheveryoutset.You willhavetoincreasetheperiodofKumbhakagradually.Thisisthelimitofthesphereofpracticeof SuryabhedaKumbhaka.ReleasetheJalandharaBandha.Thenexhaleveryslowlywithoutmaking anysoundthroughtheleftnostrilwiththethumbclosingtherightnostril.

Kumbhakahsuryabhedastu jara-mrityu-vinasakah, Bodhayetkundalimsaktim dehagnimchavivardhayet

“ThepracticeofSuryabhedaKumbhakadestroysdecayanddeathandawakensKundalini.”

ThisPranayamashouldagainandagainbeperformed,asitpurifiesthebrainanddestroys theintestinalworms.ItremovesthefourkindsofevilscausedbyVayuandcuresVata (rheumatism).Itcuresrhinitisandvarioussortsofneuralgia.Thewormsthatarefoundinthe frontalsinusesarealsodestroyed.

4.UJJAYI

SitinyourusualAsana.Closethemouth.Inhaleslowlythroughboththenostrilsina smooth,uniformmanner.

Retainthebreathaslongasyoucandoitcomfortablyandthenexhaleslowlythroughthe leftnostrilbyclosingtherightnostrilwithyourrightthumb.Expandthechestwhenyouinhale. Duringinhalationapeculiarsoundisproducedowingtothepartialclosingofglottis.Thesound producedduringinhalationshouldbeofamildanduniformpitch.Itshouldbecontinuousalso. ThisKumbhakamaybepractisedevenwhenwalkingorstanding.Insteadofexhalingthroughthe leftnostril,youcanexhaleslowlythroughbothnostrils.

Thisremovestheheatinthehead.Thepractitionerbecomesverybeautiful.Thegastricfire isincreased.Itremovesphlegminthethroat.Asthma,consumptionandallsortsofpulmonary diseasesarecured.Alldiseasesthatarisefromdeficientinhalationofoxygenanddiseasesofthe heartarecured.AllworksareaccomplishedbyUjjayiPranayama.Thepractitionerisnever attackedbydiseasesofphlegm,nerves,enlargementofspleen,dyspepsia,dysentery,consumption, coughorfever.PerformUjjayitodestroydecayanddeath.

5.PLAVINI

PracticeofthisPranayamademandsskillonthepartofthestudents.Hewhopractisesthis PlavinicandoJalastambhaandfloatonwaterforanylengthoftime,Mr.‘S’,aYogicstudent,can floatonwaterfortwelvehoursatastretch.HewhopractisesthisPlaviniKumbhakacanliveonair anddispensewithfoodforsomedays.Thestudentactuallydrinksairslowlylikewaterandsendsit tothestomach.Thestomachgetsbloatedabit.Ifyoutapthestomachwhenitisfilledwithair,you willgetapeculiartympanic(air)sound.Gradualpracticeisnecessary.Thehelpofonewhoiswell versedinthisPranayama,isnecessary.Thestudentcanfillupthestomachwithairbygradual belching.Afterthepractice,theairshouldbecompletelytakenout.ItisdonebyUddiyanaBandha andhiccough.

6.PRANICHEALING

ThosewhopractisePranayama,canimparttheirPranaforhealingmorbiddiseases.They canalsorechargethemselveswithPranainnotimebypractisingKumbhaka.Neverthinkthatyou willbedepletedofyourPranabydistributingittoothers.Themoreyouwillgive,themoreitwill flowtoyoufromthecosmicsource(Hiranyagarbha).ThatisthelawofNature.Donotbecomea niggard.Ifthereisarheumaticpatient,gentlyshampoohislegswithyourhands.Whenyoudo shampooing(massage),doKumbhakaandimaginethatthePranaisflowingfromyourhands towardsyourpatient.ConnectyourselfwithHiranyagarbhaorthecosmicPranaandimaginethat thecosmicenergyisflowingthroughyourhandstowardsthepatient.Thepatientwillatoncefeel warmth,reliefandstrength.Youcancureheadache,intestinalcolicoranyotherdiseasebymassage andbyyourmagnetictouch.Whenyoumassagetheliver,spleen,stomachoranyotherportionor organofthebodyyoucanspeaktothecellsandgivethemorders:—“Ocells!Dischargeyour functionsproperly.Icommandyoutodoso.”Theywillobeyyourorders.Theytoohavegot subconsciousintelligence.RepeatyourMantrawhenyoupassyourPranatoothers.Tryafew cases.Youwillgaincompetence.Youcancurescorpion-stingalso.Gentlyshampoothelegand bringthepoisondown.

Youcanhaveextraordinarypowerofconcentration,strongwillandaperfectlyhealthy, strongbodybypractisingPranayamaregularly.YouwillhavetodirectthePranaconsciouslyto unhealthypartsofthebody.Supposeyouhaveasluggishliver.SitonPadmasana.Closeyoureyes. DoSukhaPurvakaPranayama.DirectthePranatotheregionoftheliver.Concentrateyourmind there.Fixyourattentiontothatarea.ImaginethatPranaisinterpenetratingallthetissuesandthe cellsofthelobesoftheliveranddoingitscurative,regeneratingandconstructiveworkthere.Faith, imagination,attentionandinterestplayaveryimportantpartincuringdiseasesbytakingPranato thediseasedareas.Duringexhalationimaginethatthemorbidimpuritiesoftheliverarethrownout. Repeatthisprocess12timesinthemorningand12timesintheevening.Sluggishnessofliverwill vanishinafewdays.Thisisadruglesstreatment.Thisisnature-cure.YoucantakethePranatoany partofthebodyduringthePranayamaandcureanykindofdisease,beitacuteorchronic.Tryonce ortwiceinhealingyourself.Yourconvictionswillgrowstronger.Whydoyoucryliketheladywho iscryingforgheewhenshehasbutterinherhand,whenyouhaveacheap,potent,easilyavailable remedyoragent‘Prana’atyourcommandatalltimes!Useitjudiciously.Whenyouadvancein yourconcentrationandpractice,youcancuremanydiseasesbymeretouch.Intheadvancedstages, manydiseasesarecuredbymerewill.

7.DISTANTHEALING

Thisisknownas“absenttreatment”also.YoucantransmitPranathroughspacetoyour friendwhoislivingatadistance.Heshouldhaveareceptivementalattitude.Youmustfeel yourself enrapport (indirectrelationandinsympathy)withthepeoplewhomyouhealwiththis DistantHealingmethod.

Youcanfixhoursofappointmentwiththemthroughcorrespondence.Youcanwriteto them:“Getreadyat8p.m.Haveareceptivementalattitude.Liedowninaneasy-chair.Closeyour eyes.IshalltransmitmyPrana”.

Saymentallytothepatient,‘IamtransmittingasupplyofPrana(vitalforce)’.Do KumbhakawhenyousendthePrana.Practiserhythmicalbreathingalso.Haveamentalimagethat thePranaisleavingyourmind,passingthroughspace,andisenteringthesystemofthepatient.The Pranatravelsunseenlikethewireless(radio)wavesandflasheslikelightningacrossspace.The Pranathatiscolouredbythethoughtofthehealerisprojectedoutside.Youcanre-chargeyourself withPranabypractisingKumbhaka.Thisrequireslong,steadyandregularpractice.

IMPORTANCEOFPRANAYAMA

TamasandRajasconstitutethecoveringorveil.Thisveilisremovedbythepracticeof Pranayama.Aftertheveilisremoved,therealnatureofthesoulisrealised.TheChittaisbyitself madeupofSattvicparticles,butitisenvelopedbyRajasandTamas,justasthefireisenvelopedby smoke.ThereisnopurificatoryactiongreaterthanPranayama.Pranayamagivespurity,andthe lightofknowledgeshines.TheKarmaoftheYogi,whichcoversupthediscriminativeknowledge, isannihilatedbythepracticeofPranayama.Bythemagicpanoramaofdesire,theessence,whichis luminousbynature,iscoveredupandtheJivaorindividualsoulisdirectedtowardsvice.This KarmaoftheYogiwhichcoversuptheLightandbindshimtorepeatedbirths,becomesattenuated bythepracticeofPranayamaeverymomentandisdestroyedeventually.

DharanasuchaYogyataManasah:“Themindbecomesfitforconcentration”—YogaSutra (II-53).Youwillbeabletoconcentratethemindnicelyafterthisveilofthelighthasbeenremoved. Themindwillbequitesteadyliketheflameinawindlessplaceasthedisturbingenergyhasbeen removed.ThewordPranayamaissometimesusedcollectivelyforinhalation,retentionand exhalationofbreathandsometimesforeachoftheseseverally.WhenthePranaVayumovesin AkasaTattva,thebreathingwillbelessened.Atthistimeitwillbeeasytostopthebreath.The velocityofthemindwillbeslowlylessenedbythePranayama.ItwillinduceVairagyaalso.

BENEFITSOFPRANAYAMA

Thisbodybecomeslean,strongandhealthy.Toomuchfatisreduced.Thereislustreinthe face.Eyessparklelikediamonds.Thepractitionerbecomesveryhandsome.Voicebecomessweet andmelodious.TheinnerAnahatasoundsaredistinctlyheard.Thestudentisfreefromallsortsof diseases.HegetsestablishedinBrahmacharya.Semengetsfirmandsteady.TheJatharagni(gastric fire)isaugmented.ThestudentbecomessoperfectedinBrahmacharyathathismindwillnotbe shakenevenifafairytriestoembracehim.Appetitebecomeskeen.Nadisarepurified.Vikshepais removedandthemindbecomesone-pointed.RajasandTamasaredestroyed.Themindisprepared forDharanaandDhyana.Theexcretionsbecomescanty.Steadypracticearousestheinnerspiritual forceandbringsinspirituallight,happinessandpeaceofmind.ItmakeshimanOordhvareto-Yogi. Allpsychicpowersareobtained.Advancedstudentsonlywillgetallthebenefits.

INSTRUCTIONSONPRANAYAMA

1.Earlymorning,answerthecallsofnatureandsitfortheYogicpractices.Practise Pranayamainadry,welt-ventilatedroom.Pranayamarequiresdeepconcentrationandattention. Donotkeepanyonebyyourside.

2.BeforeyousitforPranayamapractice,thoroughlycleanthenostrils.Whenyoufinishthe practice,takeacupofmilkorlighttiffinafter10minutes.

3.Strictlyavoidtoomuchtalking,eating,sleeping,mixingwithfriendsandexertion.Takea littlegheewithricewhenyoutakeyourmeals.ThiswilllubricatethebowelsandallowVayuto movedownwardsfreely.

4.SomepeopletwistthemusclesofthefacewhentheydoKumbhaka.Itshouldbeavoided. Itisalsoasymptomtoindicatethattheyaregoingbeyondtheircapacity.Thismustbestrictly avoided.SuchpeoplecannothavearegulatedRechakaandPuraka.

5.PranayamacanalsobeperformedassoonasyougetupfrombedandjustbeforeJapaand meditation.Itwillmakeyourbodylightandyouwillenjoythemeditation.Youmusthavearoutine accordingtoyourconvenienceandtime.

6.Donotshakethebodyunnecessarily.Byshakingthebodyoftenthemindalsois disturbed.Donotscratchthebodyeverynowandthen.TheAsanashouldbesteadyandasfirmasa rockwhenyoudoPranayama,Japaandmeditation.

7.Inalltheexercises,repeatRama,Siva,Gayatri,oranyotherMantra,merenumberorany othertime-unitaccordingtoyourinclination.GayatriorOMisthebestforPranayama.Inthe beginningyoumustobservesometime-unitforPuraka,KumbhakaandRechaka.Thetime-unitand theproperratiocomesbyitselfwhenyoudothePuraka,KumbhakaandRechakaaslongasyoucan dothemcomfortably.Whenyouhaveadvancedinthepractice,youneednotcountorkeepanyunit. Youwillbenaturallyestablishedinthenormalratiothroughforceofhabit.

8.Forsomedaysinthebeginningyoumustcountthenumberandseehowyouprogress.In theadvancedstages,youneednotdistractthemindincounting.Thelungswilltellyouwhenyou havefinishedtherequirednumber.

9.DonotperformthePranayamatillyouarefatigued.Theremustbealwaysjoyand exhilarationofspiritduringandafterthepractice.Youshouldcomeoutofthepracticefully invigoratedandrefreshed.Donotbindyourselfbytoomanyrules(Niyamas).

10.DonottakebathimmediatelyafterPranayamaisover.Takerestforhalfanhour.Ifyou getperspirationduringthepractice,donotwipeitwithatowel.Rubitwithyourhand.Donot exposethebodytothechilldraughtsofairwhenyouperspire.

11.Alwaysinhaleandexhaleveryslowly.Donotmakeanysound.InPranayamaslike BhastrikaandKapalabhati,youcanproduceamildorthelowestpossiblesound.

12.Youshouldnotexpectthebenefitsafterdoingitfor2or3minutesonlyforadayortwo. Atleastyoumusthave15minutes’dailypracticeinthebeginningregularlyfordaystogether. Therewillbenouseifyoujumpfromoneexercisetoanothereveryday.

13.PatanjalidoesnotlaymuchstressonthepracticeofdifferentkindsofPranayama.He mentions:“Exhaleslowly,theninhaleandretainthebreath.Youwillgetasteadyandcalmmind.” ItwasonlytheHathaYoginswhodevelopedPranayamaasascienceandwhohavementioned variousexercisestosuitdifferentpersons.

14.AneophyteshoulddoPurakaandRechakaonlywithoutanyKumbhakaforsomedays. TakealongtimetodoRechaka.TheproportionforPurakaandRechakais1:2.

15.“Pranayamainitspopularandpreparatoryformmaybepractisedbyeveryoneinany posturewhatsoever,sittingorwalking;andyetitissuretoshowitsbenefits.Forthosewhopractise itinaccordancewiththeprescribedmethods,fructificationwillberapid.”

16.GraduallyincreasetheperiodofKumbhaka.Retainfor4secondsinthefirstweek,for8 secondsinthesecondweekandfor12secondsinthethirdweekandsoontillyouareabletoretain thebreathtoyourfullcapacity.

17.YoumustsonicelyadjustthePuraka,KumbhakaandRechakathatyoushouldnot experiencethefeelingofsuffocationordiscomfortatanystageofPranayama.Youshouldnever feelthenecessityofcatchingholdofafewnormalbreathsbetweenanytwosuccessiverounds.The durationofPuraka,KumbhakaandRechakamustbeproperlyadjusted.Exerciseduecareand attention.Matterswillturnouttobesuccessfulandeasy.

18.Youmustnotunnecessarilyprolongtheperiodofexhalation.Ifyouprolongthetimeof Rechaka,thefollowinginhalationwillbedoneinahurriedmannerandtherhythmwillbe disturbed.YoumustsocarefullyregulatethePuraka,KumbhakaandRechakathatyoumustbe abletodowithabsolutecomfortandcare,notonlyofonePranayamabutalsothefullcourseor requiredroundsofPranayama.Ihavetorepeatthisoften.Experienceandpracticewillmakeone perfect.Besteady.Anotherimportantfactoristhatyoumusthaveefficientcontroloverthelungsat theendofKumbhakatoenableyoutodotheRechakasmoothlyandinproportionwiththePuraka.

ASANAS

IMPORTANCEOFASANAS

FourAsanasareprescribedforthepurposeofJapaandmeditation.TheyarePadmasana, Siddhasana,SvastikasanaandSukhasana.YoumustbeabletositinanyoneofthesefourAsanasat astretchforfullthreehourswithoutshakingthebody.ThenonlyyouwillgetAsana-Jaya,mastery overtheAsana.WithoutsecuringasteadyAsana,youcannotfurthergetonwellinmeditation.The steadieryouareinyourAsana,themoreyouwillbeabletoconcentrateandmakeyourmind one-pointed.Ifyoucanbesteadyinthepostureevenforonehour,youwillbeabletoacquire one-pointedmindandfeeltherebyinfinitepeaceandAtmicAnanda.

Whenyousitontheposture,think:“Iamasfirmasarock”.Givethissuggestiontothemind halfadozentimes.ThentheAsanawillbecomesteadysoon.Youmustbecomeasalivingstatue

whenyousitforDhyana.ThenonlytherewillberealsteadinessinyourAsana.Inoneyearby regularpracticeyouwillhavesuccessandwillbeabletositforthreehoursatastretch.Startwith halfanhourandgraduallyincreasetheperiod.

WhenyousitintheAsana,keepyourhead,neckandtrunkinonestraightline.Sticktoone Asanaandmakeitquitesteadyandperfectbyrepeatedattempts.NeverchangetheAsana.Adhere toonetenaciously.RealisethefullbenefitsofoneAsana.AsanagivesDridhata(strength).Mudra givesSthirata(steadiness).PratyaharagivesDhairya(boldness).PranayamagivesLaghima (lightness).DhyanagivesPratyakshatva(perception)ofSelfandSamadhigivesKaivalya (isolation)whichisverilythefreedomorfinalbeatitude.

Theposturesareasmanyinnumberastherearenumberofspeciesoflivingcreaturesinthis universe.Thereare84lakhsofAsanasdescribedbyLordSiva.Amongthem84arethebestand amongthese,32areveryuseful.TherearesomeAsanaswhichcanbepractisedwhilestanding. TheseareTadasana,Trikonasana,Garudasana,etc.Therearesomewhichcanbepractisedby sitting,suchasPaschimottanasana,Padmasana,etc.SomeAsanasaredonewhilelyingdown. TheseareUttanapadasana,Pavanamuktasana,etc.Sirshasana,Vrikshasana,etc.,aredonewith headdownwardsandlegsupwards.

InoldendaystheseAsanaswerepractisedinGurukulasandsothepeoplewerestrongand healthyandhadlonglives.InschoolsandcollegestheseAsanasshouldbeintroduced.Ordinary physicalexercisesdevelopthesuperficialmusclesofthebodyonly.OnecanbecomeaSandow withabeautifulphysiquebythephysicalexercises.ButAsanasareintendedforphysicaland spiritualdevelopment.

Detailedinstructionsregardingthetechniqueof94Asanasaregiveninmybook‘Yoga Asanas’withillustrations.HereIwillmentiononlyafewoftheAsanasthatareusefulfor concentration,meditationandforawakeningtheKundalini.

1.PADMASANA(LOTUSPOSE)

AmongstthefourposesprescribedforJapaandDhyana,Padmasanacomesforemost.Itis thebestAsanaforcontemplation.RishislikeGheranda,Sandilya,speakveryhighlyofthisvital Asana.Thisishighlyagreeableforhouseholders.EvenladiescansitinthisAsana.Padmasanais suitableforleanpersonsandforyouthsaswell.

Sitonthegroundbyspreadingthelegsforward.Thenplacetherightfootontheleftthigh andtheleftfootontherightthigh.Placethehandsontheknee-joints.Youcanmakeafingerlock andkeepthelockedhandsovertheleftankle.Thisisveryconvenientforsomepersons.Oryoucan placethelefthandovertheleftkneeandthenplacetherighthandovertherightkneewiththepalm facingupwardsandtheindexfingertouchingthemiddleportionofthethumb(Chinmudra).

PADMASANA

2.SIDDHASANA(THEPERFECTPOSE)

NexttoPadmasanacomesSiddhasanainimportance.SomeeulogisethisAsanaaseven superiortoPadmasanaforpurposesofDhyana.IfyougetmasteryoverthisAsana,youwillacquire manySiddhis.FurtheritwasbeingpractisedbymanySiddhasofyore.HencethenameSiddhasana.

EvenfattypersonswithbigthighscanpractisethisAsanaeasily.Infactthisisbetterto somepersonsthanPadmasana.YoungBrahmacharinswhoattempttogetestablishedincelibacy shouldpractisethisAsana.ThisAsanaisnotsuitableforladies.

Placeoneheelatanus.Keeptheotherheelontherootofthegenerativeorgan.Thefeetor legsshouldbesonicelyarrangedthattheankle-jointsshouldtoucheachother.Handscanbeplaced asinPadmasana.

3.SVASTIKASANA(PROSPEROUSPOSE)

Svastikasanaissittingateasewiththebodyerect.Spreadthelegsforward.Foldtheleftleg andplacethefootneartherightthighmuscles.Similarlybendtherightlegandpushitinthespace betweenthethighandcalfmuscles.Nowyouwillfindthetwofeetbetweenthethighsandcalvesof thelegs.ThisisaverycomfortableAsana.Thosewhofinditdifficulttodothis,cansitin Samasana.

Placetheleftheelatthebeginningofrightthighandtherightheelatthebeginningoftheleft thigh.Sitatease.Donotbendeitherontheleftorright.Thisiscalled‘Samasana’.

4.SUKHASANA

Anyeasy,comfortablepostureforJapaandmeditationisSukhasana,theimportantpoint beingthehead,neckandtrunkshouldbeinalinewithoutcurve.PeoplewhobeginJapaand meditationafter30or40yearsofagegenerallyarenotabletositinPadma,SiddhaorSvastikasana foralongtime.Peoplesitinanywrongwayandtheycallit‘Sukhasana’.Thetroubleiseven withouttheirknowledgethebackboneformsacurveinafewminutes.NowIwilldescribetoyoua niceSukhasanawherebyoldpersonscansitandmeditateforalongtime.Youngpersonsshouldnot trythis.ThisisspeciallydesignedtosuitoldpeoplewhoareunabletositinPadmasanaor Siddhasanainspiteofrepeatedattempts.

Takeacloth5cubitslong.Folditnicelylength-wisetillthewidthbecomeshalfacubit.Sit inyourusualwaykeepingthefeetbelowyourthighs.Raisethetwokneestothelevelofyourchest tillyougetaspaceof8or10inchesbetweentheknees.Nowtakethefoldedcloth.Keeponeend neartheleftside,touchingtherightknee,cometothestartingpoint.Thenmakeaknotofthetwo

ends.Keepyourpalmsfacetofaceandplacethemonthesupportoftheclothbetweentheknees.In thisAsanathehands,legsandbackbonearesupported.Henceyouwillneverfeeltired.Ifyou cannotdoanyotherAsanasitatleastinthisAsanaanddoJapaandmeditationforalongtime.You canalsohaveSvadhyaya(studyofreligiousbooks)inthisAsana.

5.SIRSHASANA(TOPSYTURVYPOSE)

Spreadafour-foldedblanket.Sitonthetwoknees.Makeafinger-lockbyinterweavingthe fingers.Placeitonthegrounduptotheelbow.Nowkeepthetopofyourheadonthisfinger-lockor betweenthetwohands.Slowlyraisethelegstilltheybecomevertical.Standforfivesecondsinthe beginningandgraduallyincreasetheperiodby15secondseachweekto20minutesorhalfanhour. Thenveryslowly,bringitdown.StrongpeoplewillbeabletokeeptheAsanaforhalfanhour within2or3months.Doitslowly.Thereisnoharm.Ifyouhavetime,dotwicedailybothmorning andevening.PerformthisAsanavery,veryslowly,toavoidjerks.Whilestandingonthehead, breatheslowlythroughthenoseandneverthroughthemouth.

Youcanplacethehandsonthegroundoneoneachsideofthehead.Youwillfindthiseasy topractise,ifyouarefat.Ifyouhavelearntbalancing,youcantaketothefinger-lockmethod.This Asanaisnothingforthosewhocanbalanceonparallelbarsorontheground.Askyourfriendto assistyoutokeepthelegssteadywhilepractisingorgetthehelpofawall.

Inthebeginningsomepersonsmayhaveanovelsensationduringpracticebutthisvanishes soon.Itbringsjoyandglee.Aftertheexerciseisovertakealittlerestforfiveminutesandthentake acupofmilk.TherearepeoplewhoaredoingthisAsanafortwoorthreehoursatonestroke.

SIRSHASANA

BENEFITS

ThisisveryusefulinkeepingupBrahmacharya.ItmakesyouOordhvaretas.Theseminal energyistransmutedintospiritualenergy,Ojas-Shakti.Thisisalsocalledsex-sublimation.You willnothavewet-dreams,Spermatorrhea.InanOordhvareto-Yogitheseminalenergyflows upwardsintothebrainforbeingstoredupasspiritualforcewhichisusedforcontemplative purposes(Dhyana).WhenyoudothisAsana,imaginethattheseminalenergyisbeingconverted intoOjasandispassingalongthespinalcolumnintothebrainforstorage.

Sirshasanaisreallyablessingandanectar.Wordswillfailtoadequatelydescribeits beneficialresultsandeffects.InthisAsanaalone,thebraincandrawplentyofPranaandblood. Memoryincreasesadmirably.Lawyers,occultistsandthinkerswillhighlyappreciatethisAsana. ThisleadstonaturalPranayamaandSamadhibyitself.Noothereffortisnecessary.Ifyouwatch thebreath,youwillnoticeitbecomingfinerandfiner.Inthebeginningofpracticetherewillbea slightdifficultyinbreathing.Asyouadvanceinpractice,thisvanishesentirely.Youwillfindreal pleasureandexhilarationofspiritinthisAsana.

GreatbenefitisderivedbysittingformeditationafterSirshasana.YoucanhearAnahata soundquitedistinctly.Young,robustpersonsshouldperformthisAsana.Householderswho practisethisshouldnothavefrequentsexualintercourse.

6.SARVANGASANA(ALL-MEMBERSPOSE)

ThisisamysteriousAsanawhichgiveswonderfulbenefits.Spreadathickblanketonthe floorandpractisethisAsanaontheblanket.Lieonthebackquiteflat.Slowlyraisethelegs.Liftthe trunk,hips,andlegsquitevertically.Supportthebackwiththetwohands,oneoneitherside.Rest theelbowsontheground.Pressthechinagainstthechest(JalandharaBandha).Allowthe back-shoulderportionandnecktotouchthegroundclosely.Donotallowthebodytoshakeor movetoandfro.Keepthelegsstraight.WhentheAsanaisover,bringthelegsdownvery,very slowlywitheleganceandnotwithanyjerks.InthisAsanathewholeweightofthebodyisthrown ontheshoulders.Youreallystandontheshoulderswiththehelpandsupportoftheelbows. ConcentrateontheThyroidglandwhichliesonthefrontlowerpartoftheneck.Retainthebreathas longasyoucandowithcomfort,andslowlyexhalethroughthenose.

YoucandothisAsanatwicedaily,morningandevening.Thisshouldimmediatelybe followedbyMatsyasana(fish-posture).Thiswillrelievepainsinthebackpartoftheneckand intensifytheusefulnessofSarvangasana.StandontheAsanafortwominutesandgradually increasetheperiodtohalfanhour.

SARVANGASANA

BENEFITS

Thisisa panacea,acure-all,asovereignspecificforalldiseases.Itbrightensthepsychic facultiesandawakensKundaliniSakti,removesallsortsofdiseasesofintestineandstomach,and augmentsthementalpower.

Itsuppliesalargequantityofbloodtotherootsofspinalnerves.ItisthisAsanawhich centralisesthebloodinthespinalcolumnandnourishesitbeautifully.ButforthisAsanathereisno scopeforthesenerve-rootstodrawsufficientblood-supply.Itkeepsthespinequiteelastic. Elasticityofthespinemeanseverlastingyouth.Itstimulatesyouinyourwork.Itpreventsthespine fromearlyossification(hardening).Soyouwillpreserveandretainyouryouthforalongtime.It helpsalotinmaintainingBrahmacharya.LikeSirshasana,itmakesyouanOordhvaretas.Itchecks wet-dreamseffectively.Itrejuvenatesthosewhohavelosttheirpotency.Itactsasapowerful blood-tonicandpurifier.IttonesthenervesandawakensKundalini.Spinalcolumnisrenderedvery softandelastic.ThisAsanapreventstheearlyossificationofthevertebralbones.Ossificationis quickdegenerationofbones.Oldagemanifestsquicklyonaccountofearlyossification.Thebones becomehardandbrittleinthedegenerativeprocess.HewhopractisesSarvangasanaisverynimble, agile,fullofenergy.Themusclesofthebackarealternatelycontracted,relaxedandthenpulledand stretched.Hencetheydrawagoodsupplyofbloodbythesevariousmovementsandarewell nourished.Varioussortsofmyalgia(muscularrheumatism),lumbago,sprain,neuralgia,etc.,are curedbythisAsana.

Thevertebralcolumnbecomesassoftandelasticasrubber.Itistwistedandrolledasitwere likeapieceofcanvassheet.AmanwhopractisesthisAsanacanneverbecomelazyevenabit.Heis

atwo-leggedtalkingsquirrel.Thevertebralcolumnisaveryimportantstructure.Itsupportsthe wholebody.Itcontainsthespinalcord,spinalnerveandsympatheticsystem.InHathaYogathe spineistermedasMeruDanda.Thereforeyoumustkeepithealthy,strongandelastic.Themuscles oftheabdomen,therecticmusclesandthemusclesofthethigharealsotonedandnourishedwell. Obesityorcorpulenceandhabitualchronicconstipation,Gulma,congestionandenlargementofthe liverandspleenarecuredbythisAsana.

7.MATSYASANA(FISHPOSTURE)

ThisAsanawillhelponetofloatonwatereasilywithPlaviniPranayama.Thereforeitis calledfish-pose,Matsyasana.SpreadablanketandsitonPadmasanabykeepingtherightfootover theleftthighandtheleftoverrightthigh.Thenlieflatontheback.Holdtheheadbythetwoelbows. Thisisonevariety.

Stretchtheheadback,sothatthetopofyourheadrestsonthegroundfirmlyononesideand thebuttocksonlyontheother,thusmakingabridgeoranarchofthetrunk.Placethehandsonthe thighsorcatchthetoeswiththehands.Youwillhavetogiveagoodtwistingtotheback.This varietyismoreefficaciousthantheformerone.Thebenefitsthatyouderivefromthisvarietyarea hundredtimesmorethanwhatyougetinthepreviousvariety.

Thosefattypersonswiththickcalves,whofinditdifficulttohavePadmasana(foot-lock), maysimplysitintheordinarywayandthenpractisethisAsana.PractisethePadmasanafirst.Make itfirm,easyandsteady.ThentakeMatsyasana.DothisAsanafor10secondsinthebeginningand increaseitto10minutes.

WhenyouhavefinishedtheAsana,slowlyreleasetheheadwiththehelpofhandsandget up.ThenunlockthePadmasana.

YoumustpractisethisAsanasoonafterSarvangasana.Itwillrelievestiffnessoftheneck andallcrampyconditionsofthecervicalregioncausedbylongpracticeofSarvangasana.This givesnaturalmassageorshampooingtothecongestedpartsoftheneckandshoulders.Furtherit affordsthemaximumbenefitsofSarvangasana.ItisacomplimentaryAsanaofSarvangasana. RatheritsupplementsSarvangasana.Asthelarynxorwind-boxandtrachea(wind-pipe)arethrown openwidely,thisAsanahelpsdeepbreathing.

Matsyasanaisthedestroyerofmanydiseases.Itremovesconstipation.Itbringsdownthe accumulatedfaecalmattertotherectum.Itisusefulinasthma,consumption,chronicbronchitis, etc.,onaccountofthedeepbreathing.

8.PASCHIMOTTANASANA

Sitonthegroundandstretchthelegsstifflikeastick.Catchthetoeswiththethumband indexandmiddlefingers.Whilecatching,youhavetobendthetrunkforwards.Fattypersonswill finditratherdifficulttobend.Exhale.Slowlybendwithoutjerkstillyourforeheadtouchesyour knees.Youcankeepthefaceevenbetweentheknees.Whenyoubenddown,drawthebellyback. Thisfacilitatesthebendingforward.Bendslowlybygradualdegrees.Takeyourowntime.Thereis nohurry.Whenyoubenddown,bendtheheadbetweenthehands.Retainitonalevelwiththem. Youngpersonswithelasticspinecantouchthekneeswiththeforeheadevenintheirveryfirst attempt.Inthecaseofgrown-uppersonswithrigidspinalcolumn,itwilltakeafortnightoramonth forcompletesuccessintheposture.Retainthebreathtillyoutaketheforeheadback,toitsoriginal position,tillyousitstraightagain.Thenbreathe.

Retaintheposefor5seconds.Thengraduallyincreasetheperiodto10minutes.

ThosewhofinditdifficulttodothefullPaschimottanasana,candohalfposewithoneleg andonehandandthenwiththeotherlegandhand.Theywillfindthismoreeasy.Aftersomedays whenthespinehasbecomemoreelastic,theycanhaverecoursetothefullpose.Youwillhaveto usecommon-sensewhilepractisingYogasanas.

BENEFITS

ThisisanexcellentAsana.ItmakesthebreathflowthroughtheBrahmaNadiand Sushumna,androusesthegastricfire.Itreducesfatintheabdomenandmakestheloinslean.This Asanaisaspecificforcorpulenceorobesity.Itbringsaboutreductionofspleenandliverincasesof enlargementofspleen.WhatSarvangasanaisforthestimulationofendocrineglands,sois Paschimottanasanaforthestimulationofabdominalviscera,suchaskidneys,liver,pancreas,etc. ThisAsanarelievesconstipation,removessluggishnessofliver,dyspepsia,belchingandgastritis. Lumbagoandallsortsofmyalgiaofthebackmusclesarecured.ThisAsanacurespilesand diabetesalso.Themusclesoftheabdomen,thesolarplexus,theepigastricplexus,bladderprostate, lumbarnerves,sympatheticcordarealltonedupandkeptinahealthy,soundcondition.

9.MAYURASANA(PEACOCKPOSE)

ThisismoredifficultthanSarvangasana.Thisdemandsgoodphysicalstrength.

Kneelontheground.Sitonthetoes.Raisetheheelsup.Jointhetwoforearmstogether. Placethepalmsofthetwohandsontheground.Thetwolittlefingersmustbeinclosetouch.They projecttowardsthefeet.Nowyouhavegotsteadyandfirmforearmsforsupportingthewholebody intheensuingelevationofthetrunkandlegs.Nowbringdowntheabdomenslowlyagainstthe conjoinedelbows.Supportyourbodyuponyourelbowsthatarepressednowagainstthenavelor umbilicus.Thisisthefirststage.Stretchyourlegsandraisethefeetstiffandstraightonalevelwith thehead.Thisissecondstage.

Neophytes(beginners)finditdifficulttokeepupthebalanceassoonastheyraisethefeet fromtheground.Placeacushioninfront.Sometimesyouwillhaveafallforwardsandyoumay hurtyournoseslightly.Trytosliponthesideswhenyoucannotkeepupthebalance.Ifyoufindit difficulttostretchthetwolegsbackwardsatonestroke,slowlystretchonelegfirstandthenthe other.Ifyouadoptthedeviceofleaningthebodyforwardsandheaddownwardsthefeetwillby themselvesleavethegroundandyoucanstretchthemquiteeasily.WhentheAsanaisinfull manifestationthehead,trunk,buttocks,thighs,legsandfeetwillbeinonestraightlineandparallel totheground.Thispostureisverybeautifultolookat.

BeginnerscanpractisethisAsanabyholdingontoatable.Theywillfinditeasytopractise this.IfyouunderstandthetechniqueofthisAsanaandifyouuseyourcommon-senseyoucandoit easilyandcankeepupthebalancewithoutmuchdifficulty.Fattypeoplehavefrequentnastyfalls, slipsanddoublingsandtheyexcitemuchlaughteramongsttheonlookers.Donotbendthelegs whenyoustretchthem.

PractisethisAsanafrom5to20seconds.Thosewhohavegoodphysicalstrengthcandoit for2or3minutes.

Retainthebreathwhenyouraisethebody.Itwillgiveyouimmensestrength.Whenyou finishtheAsana,exhaleslowly.

BENEFITS

ThisisawonderfulAsanaforimprovingdigestion.Itdestroystheeffectsofunwholesome food,andincreasesthedigestivepower.ItcuresdyspepsiaanddiseasesofthestomachlikeGulma (chronicgastritis),andreducesspleenicandliverenlargementsbyincreasingtheintra-abdominal pressure.Thewholeabdominalorgansareproperlytonedandstimulatedwellbytheincreaseof intra-abdominalpressure.Sluggishnessofliverorhepatictorpiditydisappears.Ittonesthebowels andremovesconstipation(ordinary,chronicandhabitual).ItawakensKundalini.

10.ARDHAMATSYENDRASANA

PaschimottanasanaandHalasanabendthespineforwards.Dhanur,BhujangaandSalabha Asanasarecounter-posestobendthespinebackwards.Thisisnotsufficient.Itmustbetwistedand bentfromsidetosidealso(lateralmovements).Thenonlyperfectelasticityofthespinalcolumn canbeensured.TheMatsyendrasanaservesthispurposewellingivingalateraltwisttothespinal column.

Placetheleftheelneartheanusandbelowthescrotum.Itcantouchtheperennialspace.Do notallowtheheeltomovefromthisspace.Bendthekneeandplacetherightankleattherootofthe leftthighandresttherightfootwellonthegroundclosetothelefthip-joint.Placetheleft axilla or arm-pitoverthetopoftheverticallybentrightknee.Pushthekneenowalittletothebacksothatit touchesthebackpartofthe axilla.Catchholdoftheleftfootwithleftpalm.Thenapplyingpressure attheleftshoulder-jointslowlytwistthespineandturntotheextremeright.Turnthefacealsoto therightasmuchasyoucando.Bringitinalinewiththerightshoulder.Swingroundtherightarm towardstheback.Catchholdoftheleftthighwiththerighthand.Retaintheposefrom5to15 seconds.Keepthevertebralcolumnerect.Donotbend.Similarlyyoucantwistthespinetotheleft side.

BENEFITS

ThisAsanaincreasesappetitebyincreasingthedigestivefire.Itdestroysterriblediseases.It rousesKundaliniandmakesthemoon-flow,Chandranadi,steady.Abovetherootofthepalatethe moonissaidtobelocated.Itdropsthecoolambrosialnectar,whichiswastedbymixingwith gastricfire.ButthisAsanapreventsit.

Itkeepsthespineelasticandgivesagoodmassagetotheabdominalorgans.Lumbagoand allsortsofmuscularrheumatismoftheback-musclesarecured.Thespinalnerve-rootsand sympatheticsystemaretoned.Theydrawagoodsupplyofblood.ThisAsanaisanadjunctto Paschimottanasana.

11.VAJRASANA(THEADAMANTINEPOSE)

ThosewhositinthisAsanahaveaquitesteadyandfirmpose.Theycannotbeeasilyshaken. Thekneesarerenderedveryhard.Merudandabecomesfirmandstrong.ThisAsanaresembles moreorlesstheNamazposeinwhichtheMuslimssitforprayer.

Keepthesolesofthefeetonbothsidesoftheanus,i.e.,placethethighsonthelegsoneover theotherandthesolesonthebuttocks.Thecalvesmusttouchthethighs.Thepartfromthetoetothe kneeshouldtouchtheground.Thewholeburdenofthebodyisputonthekneesandankles.Inthe beginningofpracticeyoumayfeelaslightpaininthekneeandankle-jointsbutitpassesoffvery quickly.Massagethepainfulpartsandtwojointswiththehands.YoucanusealittleIodexor Amrutanjanforrubbing.Afterfixingthefeetandtheknees,putboththehandsstraightonthe knees.Keepthekneesquiteclose.Sitlikethiskeepingthetrunk,neckandheadinonestraightline.

ARDHAMATSYENDRASANA

ThisisthemostcommonAsana.YoucansitinthisAsanaforaverylongtimecomfortably.Yogins generallysitinthisAsana.

VAJRASANA BENEFITS

IfyousitinthisAsanaforfifteenminutesimmediatelyafterfood,thefoodwillbedigested well.Dyspepticswillderivemuchbenefit.TheNadis,nervesandmusclesofthelegsandthighsare strengthened.Myalgiaintheknees,legs,toesandthighsdisappears.Sciaticavanishes.Flatulence isremoved.Stomachexercisesastimulating,beneficialinfluenceonKanda,themostvitalpart fromwhichalltheNadisspring.

12.URDHVAPADMASANA(ABOVELOTUSPOSE)

PerformSirshasana.Slowlybendtherightlegandkeepitontheleftthighandkeeptheleft legontherightthigh.Youmustdothisverycarefullyandslowly.IfyoucanstandinSirshasanafor morethan10or15minutes,thenyoucanattemptthis.Otherwiseyouwillhaveafallandinjure yourlegs.Agymnast,whocanbalanceontheparallelbarsontheground,candothis.Thebenefits ofSirshasanacanberealisedfromthisAsana.

URDHVAPADMASANA

INSTRUCTIONSONASANAS

1.AsanaisthefirstAngaoftheAshtangaYoga.WhenyouareestablishedinAsana,then onlyyouwillderivethebenefitsofPranayama.

2.SpreadablanketonthefloorandpractisetheAsanasovertheblanket.Useapillowor four-foldedblanketforpractisingSirshasanaanditsvarieties.

3.WearaLangoteeorKowpeenwhenyoupractiseAsanas.Youcanhaveabanianonthe body.

4.DonotwearspectacleswhenyoudoAsanas.Theymaybebrokenortheywillinjureyour eyes.

5.ThosewhopractiseSirshasana,etc.,foralongtime,shouldtakelighttiffinoracupof milkafterfinishingtheAsanas.

6.Beregularinthepractice.Thosewhopractisebyfitsandstartswillnotderiveanybenefit.

7.Asanashouldbedoneonemptystomachinthemorningoratleastthreehoursafterfood. MorningtimeisbestfordoingAsanas.

8.Ifthefoundationofabuildingisnotproperlylaid,thesuperstructurewillfalldowninno time,evensoifaYogicstudenthasnotgainedmasteryovertheAsanas,hecannotsuccessfully proceedinhishighercoursesofYogicpractices.

9.JapaandPranayamashouldgohandinhandwithYogaAsanas.Thenonlyitbecomes realYoga.

10.InthebeginningyoucannotperformsomeoftheAsanasperfectly.Regularpracticewill giveperfection.Patienceandperseverance,earnestnessandsincerityareneeded.

11.NeverchangetheAsanas.Adheretoonesettenaciously.IfyoudoonesetofAsanas todayandsomeothertomorrowandsoon,youcannotderiveanybenefit.

12.ThemoresteadyyouareontheAsanathemoreyouwillbeabletoconcentrateandmake yourmindone-pointed.Youcannotgetonwellinyourmeditationwithouthavingasteadyposture.

13.MildKumbhakaduringthepracticeofAsanasaugmentstheefficacyofAsanasandgive increasedpowerandvitalitytothepractitioner.

14.EveryoneshouldselectacourseofafewAsanastosuithistemperament,capacity, convenience,leisureandrequirement.

15.Ifyouarecarefulaboutyourdiet,Asanasandmeditation,youwillhavefine,lustrous eyes,faircomplexionandpeaceofmindinashorttime.HathaYogaensuresbeauty,strengthand spiritualsuccesstotheYogicstudents.

16.Amancansitfor10hoursatonestretchmotionlessontheAsanaandyethemaybefull ofdesires.Thisisamerephysicalpracticelikeanacrobaticorcircusfeat.Amanwithoutdosingthe eyes,withoutwinking,withoutturningtheeye-ballscanpractiseTratakforthreehoursandyethe maybefullofdesiresandegoism.Thisisalsoanotherkindofphysicalexercise.Thishasnothingto dowithspirituality.Peoplearedeceivedwhentheyseepersonswhocandotheabovepractices. Fastingfor40daysisalsoanotherkindoftrainingofthephysicalbody.

17.PranayamawithAsanasbeforestartingJapaandmeditationisverygoodandconducive. Itremoveslazinessanddrowsinessofthebodyandmind.Itsteadiesthemindalso.Itfillsthemind withnewvigourandpeace.

18.Asanascanbepractisedonthesandybedofrivers,openairyplacesandbyseasidealso. Ifyoupractisetheminaroom,seethattheroomisnotcongested.Youshouldcleaniteveryday.

19.AVedantinisafraidtodoAsanasonthegroundthatthepracticewillintensify DehadhyasaandmilitateagainsthispracticeofVairagya.IhaveseenmanyVedantinsinasickly conditionwithpoorphysiqueanddilapidatedconstitution.TheycanhardlydoanyrigidSadhana. Theymayutter:“OmOmOm,”mechanicallythroughlipsonly.Theyhavenotsufficientstrength toraisetheBrahmakaraVritti.

20.Thebodyiscloselyrelatedtothemind.Sickly,weakbodyisJada.Thebodyisan importantinstrumentforSelf-realisation.Theinstrumentmustbekeptclean,strongandhealthy.

MUDRASANDBANDHAS EXERCISES

MudrasandBandhasarecertainposturesofthebodybywhichKundaliniissuccessfully awakened.InGherandaSamhita,thedescriptionof25MudrasandBandhas,isgiven.The following12arethemostimportant:—

Manyoftheaboveexerciseshaveintimateconnectionwitheachother.Inoneexerciseyou willhavetocombine2or3BandhasandMudras.Thisyouwillseewhenyouseethedescription. ManyaspirantsarenotabletofindouttheexacttechniqueofseveralMudrasthataredescribedin HathaYogictexts,andthereforetheycouldnotrealisethebenefits.

Yogicexerciseswhenpractisedregularlyintherightway,willsurelybestowonyouallthat youwant.

Nastimudrasamamkinchit Siddhidamkshitimandale

“ThereisnothinginthisworldlikeMudrasforgivingsuccess.”

Dyspepsia,constipation,piles,cough,asthma,enlargementofspleen,venerealdiseases, leprosyandallsortsofincurablediseasesarecuredbyMudrasandBandhas.Theyarethemost effectiveexercisesformaintainingBrahmacharya,withoutwhichnothingcanbemadeinthe spiritualpath.

1.MULABANDHA

PresstheYoniwiththeleftheel.Keeptherightheelpressedatthespacejustabovethe organofgeneration.ContracttheanusanddrawtheApanaVayuupwards.ThisiscalledMula Bandha.TheApanaVayuwhichdoesthefunctionofejectionofexcretahasnaturaltendencyto movedownwards.ThroughthepracticeofMulaBandha,theApanaVayuismadetomove upwardsbycontractingtheanusandbyforciblydrawingitupwards.ThePranaVayuisunitedwith theApanaandtheunitedPrana-ApanaVayuismadetoentertheSushumnaNadi.ThentheYogi attainsperfectioninYoga.Kundaliniisawakened.TheYogidrinkstheNectarofImmortality.He enjoysSiva-padainSahasraraChakra.HegetsalldivineVibhutisandAishvarya.WhentheApana isunitedwithPrana,Anahatasounds(mysticalinnersounds)areheardverydistinctly.Prana, Apana,NadaandBinduuniteandtheYogireachesperfectioninYoga.Thishigheststagecannotbe reachedbythefirstattempt.Oneshouldpractisethisagainandagainforalongtime.

TheSiddhiinthepracticeofPranayamaisattainedthroughthehelpofBandhasand Mudras.ThepracticeofMulaBandhaenablesonetokeepupperfectBrahmacharya,gives Dhatu-Pushti(nerve-vigour),relievesconstipationandincreasesJatharagni.Duringthepracticeof concentration,meditation,PranayamaandallotherYogicKriyas,MulaBandhacanbecombined.

2.JALANDHARABANDHA

Contractthethroat.Pressthechinfirmlyagainstthechest.ThisBandhaispractisedatthe endofPurakaandbeginningofKumbhaka.GenerallythisBandhaisdoneduringKumbhakaonly. Thegastricfire,whichissituatedintheregionofNabhi,consumesthenectarwhichexudesoutof theSahasraraChakrathroughtheholeinthepalate.ThisBandhapreventsthenectarbeingthus consumed.

3.UDDIYANABANDHA

TheSanskritword“Uddiyana”comesfromtheroot‘ut’and‘di’whichmeansto“flyup.” WhenthisBandhaispractisedthePranafliesupthroughtheSushumnaNadi.Hencethesignificant name.

Emptythelungsbyastrongandforcibleexpiration.Thelungswillbecomecompletely emptywhenyouexhaleforciblythroughthemouth.Nowcontractanddrawuptheintestinesabove andbelowthenaveltowardstheback,sothattheabdomenrestsagainstthebackofthebodyhigh upinthethoraciccavity.ThisisUddiyanaBandha.ThisispractisedattheendofKumbhakaand beginningoftheRechaka.WhenyoupractisethisBandha,thediaphragm,themuscularportion betweenthethoraciccavityandabdomen,israisedupandtheabdominalmusclesaredrawn backwards.Ifyoubendyourtrunkforwards,youcaneasilydothisexercise.UddiyanaBandhais thefirststageofNauliKriya.YoushouldknowUddiyanaBandhaifyouwanttopractiseNauli Kriya.NauliKriyaisgenerallydoneinastandingposition.UddiyanaBandhacanbepractisedina sittingorstandingposture.Whenyoudoitwhilestanding,keepyourhandsonthethighasshownin theillustration.

ThisexercisehelpsalotinkeepingupBrahmacharya.Itimpartsbeautifulhealth,strength, vigourandvitalitytothepractitioner.WhenitiscombinedwithNauliKriya,itservesasapowerful gastro-intestinaltonic.ThesearethetwopotentweaponsoftheYogintocombatagainst constipation,weakperistalsisoftheintestinesandotherdisordersofthealimentarycanal.Itisby thesetwoYogicKriyasalone,thatyoucanmanipulateandmassagealltheabdominalmuscles.For abdominalexercisesnothingcancompetewithUddiyanaBandhaandNauli.Theystanduniqueand unrivalledamongstallsystemsofphysicalexercises.Inchronicdiseasesofstomachandintestines, wheredrugsofallsortshavefailed,UddiyanaandNaulihaveeffectedarapid,thoroughand marvellouscure.

WhenyoupractisePranayama,youcanbeautifullycombineMulaBandha,Jalandhara BandhaandUddiyanaBandha.ThisisBandha-Traya.

UddiyanaBandhareducesfatinthebelly.IncaseswhereMarienbudreductionpillshave failedtoreducefat,UddiyanaBandhawillworkwonders.Iffattypersonsstoptakinggheeand

reducethequantityofdrinkingwater,theywillbeabletodoUddiyana.Atripto Kedar-BadriorMountKailasbyfootwillpreparefattypeopleforthepracticeofUddiyanaBandha.

UDDIYANABANDHA

4.MAHAMUDRA

ThisisthemostimportantofallMudras.Henceitiscalled‘MahaMudra.’Presstheanus carefullywiththeleftheel.Stretchouttherightleg.Catchholdofthetoewiththetwohands.Inhale andretainthebreath.Pressthechinagainstthechestfirmly(JalandharaBandha).Fixthegaze betweentheeyebrows(BhrumadhyaDrishti).Retainthepostureaslongasyoucanandthenexhale slowly.Practisefirstontheleftlegandthenontherightleg.

Thiscuresconsumption,haemorrhoidsorpiles,enlargementofspleen,indigestion,Gulma (chronicgastritis),leprosy,constipation,feverandallotherdiseases.Lifeisincreased.Itconfers greatSiddhisonthepractitioners.GenerallytheYogidoesMahaMudra,MahaBandhaandMaha Vedha.Thisisagoodcombination.Thenonlymaximumbenefitsarederived.Dolikethissixtimes inthemorningandevening.

5.MAHABANDHA

MahaMudraisthepreliminaryexerciseforthis.Presstheanuswiththeleftheel.Placethe rightfootupontheleftthigh.Contracttheanusandmusclesoftheperineum.DrawtheApanaVayu upwards.DrawthebreathslowlyandretainitbyJalandharaBandhaaslongasyoucan.Then exhaleslowly.Practisefirstontheleftsideandthenontherightside.TheBandhadestroysdecay anddeath.TheYogiachievesallhisdesiresandobtainsSiddhis.

6.MAHAVEDHA

SitinMahaBandhaposture.Drawthebreathslowly.Retainthebreath.Pressthechin againstthechest.Placethepalmsontheground.Restthebodyonthepalms.Raisethebuttocks slowlyandstrikethemgentlyagainsttheground.TheAsanamustbeintactandfirmwhenyouraise thebuttocks.ThisKriyadestroysdecayanddeath.TheYogigetscontroloverthemindand conquersdeath.ThereisnotmuchdifferencebetweenMahaMudra,MahaBandhaandMaha Vedha.Theyaresomethinglike3stagesofoneexercise.

7.YOGAMUDRA

SitinPadmasana.Placethepalmsontheheels.Exhaleslowlyandbendforwardsandtouch thegroundwiththeforehead.Ifyouretaintheposeforalongtime,youcanbreatheasusual.Or cometotheformerpositionandinhale.Insteadofkeepingthehandsontheheels,youcantakethem totheback.Catchholdoftheleftwristwithyourrighthand.Thisposeremovesallkindsof disordersoftheabdomen.

8.VIPARITAKARANIMUDRA

Lieontheground.Raisethelegsupstraight.Supportthebuttockswiththehands.Restthe elbowsontheground.Remainsteady.Thesundwellsattherootofthenavelandthemoonatthe rootofthepalate.Theprocessbywhichthesunisbroughtupwardandthemooniscarried downwardiscalledViparitakaraniMudra.Thepositionsofthesunandthemoonarereversed.On thefirstdaydoitforaminute.Graduallyincreasetheperiodtothreehours.Aftersixmonths wrinklesonthefaceandgreyhairdisappear.TheYoginwhopractisesthisforthreehoursdaily conquersdeath.Asthegastricfireisincreased,thosewhopractisethisMudraforalongtimeshould takesomelightrefreshmentsuchasmilk,etc.,assoonastheKriyaisover.Sirshasanaposturealso iscalledViparitakaraniMudra.

9.KHECHARIMUDRA

‘Kha’meansAkasaand‘Chari’meanstomove.TheYogimovesintheAkasa.Thetongue andthemindremainintheAkasa.HencethisisknownasKhechariMudra.

ThisMudracanbeperformedbyaman,onlyifhehasundergonethepreliminaryexercise underthedirectguidanceofaGuru,whoispractisingKhechariMudra.Thepreliminaryportionof thisMudraisinmakingthetonguesolongthatthetipofthetonguemighttouchthespacebetween thetwoeyebrows.TheGuruwillcutthelowertendonofthetonguewithabright,cleanknifelittle

bylittleeveryweek.Bysprinklingsaltandturmericpowder,thecutedgesmaynotjointogether again.Cuttingthelowertendonofthetongueshouldbedoneregularly,onceaweek,foraperiodof sixmonths.Rubthetonguewithfreshbutteranddrawitout.Takeholdofthetonguewiththe fingersandmoveittoandfro.Milkingthetonguemeanstakingholdofitanddrawingitasthe milkmandoestheudderofacowduringmilking.Byallthesemeansyoucanlengthenthetongueto reachtheforehead.ThisisthepreliminaryportionofKhechariMudra.

ThenturnthetongueupwardsandbackwardsbysittinginSiddhasanasoastotouchthe palateandclosetheposteriornasalopeningswiththereversedtongueandfixthegazeonthespace betweenthetwoeye-brows.NowleavingtheIdaandPingala,PranawillmoveintheSushumna Nadi.Therespirationwillstop.Thetongueisonthemouthofthewellofnectar.ThisisKhechari Mudra.

BythepracticeofthisMudratheYogiisfreefromfainting,hunger,thirstandlaziness.Heis freefromdiseases,decay,oldageanddeath.ThisMudramakesoneanOordhvaretas.Asthebody oftheYogiisfilledwithnectar,hewillnotdieevenbyvirulentpoison.ThisMudragivesSiddhisto Yogins.KhechariisthebestofallMudras.

10.VAJROLIMUDRA

ThisisanimportantYogicKriyainHathaYoga.Youwillhavetoworkhardtogetfull successinthisKriya.Thereareveryfewpeoplewhoareexpertsinthisact.Yogicstudentsdraw waterfirstthroughasilver-tube(catheterspeciallymade)passedintotheurethra12inchesinside. Afterduepracticetheydrawmilk,thenoil,honey,etc.Theydrawmercuryintheend.Lateronthey candrawtheseliquidsdirectlythroughtheurethrawithoutthehelpofthesilver-tube.ThisKriyais ofimmenseuseforkeepingupperfectBrahmacharya.Onthefirstdayyoushouldsendthecatheter insidetheurethraforoneinchonly,theseconddaytwoinches,thirddaythreeinches,andsoon. Youmustgraduallypractisetillyouareabletosend12inchesofthecatheterinside.Theway becomesclearandblowing.RajaBhartriharicoulddothisKriyaverydexterously.

EvenadropofsemencannotcomeoutoftheYogiwhopractisesthisMudra.Evenifitis discharged,hecandrawitbackthroughthisMudra.TheYogi,whodrawshissemenupand preservesit,conquersdeath.Goodsmellemanatesfromhisbody.

ThelateTrilingaswamiofVaranasiwasanexpertinthisKriya.SriSwamiKuvalayanandaji ofLonavalateachesthisMudra.

SomepersonscalltheMayurasanaVajroliMudra.AgainVajroliMudraisalsoknownas YoniMudra.However,thedescriptionofYoniMudraisgivenseparately.

TheobjectofVajroliMudraistobeperfectlyestablishedinBrahmacharya.Whenaspirants practisethisMudra,theyunconsciouslydiverttheirmindtosexualcentresandtherebytheycannot getanysuccess.WhenyouseethedescriptionofthisMudra,youwillclearlyunderstandthatstrict Brahmacharyaisabsolutelynecessary.Forpractisingthisthereisnonecessityatallforawomanor foranysexualintercourse.SincetheGrihasthashavetheirwivesandbecausetheythinkthatVajroli Mudraisadeviceforbirth-control,theyhaveakeendesiretopractisethisMudra.Itisallmere

foolishnessanddelusion.Theyhavenotunderstoodthetechniqueandobjectofthisimportant Kriya.

PracticeofMulaBandha,MahaBandha,MahaMudra,Asanas,Pranayamas,etc.,will naturallyenableonetounderstandandtogetsuccessinthepracticeofVajroli.Thismustbedone underthedirectguidanceofaGuru.

11.SHAKTICHALANAMUDRA

SitinasecludedroominSiddhasana.DrawintheairforciblyandjoinitwithApana.Do MulaBandhatilltheVayuenterstheSushumna.Byretainingtheair,theKundalini,feeling suffocated,awakesandfindsitswaythroughSushumnatoBrahmarandhra.

SitinSiddhasana.TakeholdofthefootneartheankleandslowlybeattheKandawiththe foot.ThisisTadanaKriya.BythismethodalsoKundalinicanbeawakened.Throughthepractice ofthisMudraonecanbecomeaSiddha.

12.YONIMUDRA

SitinSiddhasana.Closetheearswiththetwothumbs,eyeswiththeindex-fingers,nostrils withthemiddle-fingers,theupperlipswiththering-fingersandthelowerlipswiththelittlefingers. ThisisabeautifulposefordoingJapa.DivedeepandmeditateontheShatChakrasandKundalini. ThisisnotquiteeasyforalllikeotherMudras.Youhavetoexertmuchingettingsuccessinthis. YoumustbeperfectlyestablishedinBrahmacharyaifyouwantsuresuccess.“Devanamapi durlabha”—verydifficulttobeobtainedevenbyDevas.Thereforerealisetheimportanceofthis Mudraandpractiseitverycautiously.VajroliMudraalsoiscalledYoniMudra.

OTHERMUDRAS

ThereareSambhavi,Manduki,Aswini,Tadagi,Matangini,Bhuchari,Aghoriandvarious otherMudras.HereIhavetoldyouonlytheimportantMudras.Fortheinstructionsofallthe Mudras,refertomybook“HathaYoga.”

INSTRUCTIONSONMUDRASANDBANDHAS

1.MahaMudra,MahaBandhaandMahaVedhaformonegroup.Theyaresomethinglike threestagesofoneexercise.SimilarlyMulaBandha,UddiyanaBandhaandJalandharaBandha formanothergroup.MulaBandhaispractisedduringPuraka,Kumbhaka,Rechakaandduring meditationandJapaalso.UddiyanaBandhaispractisedduringRechakaandJalandharaBandha duringKumbhaka.

2.AsinthecaseofotherYogicKriyas,MudrasandBandhasalsoshouldbepractisedwhen thestomachisempty.GeneralinstructionsthataregivenforAsanasandPranayamasshouldbe followedforthepracticeofMudras.

3.ThebenefitsthataregivenmaynotberealisedbythepracticeofMudrasalone.Youwill havetocombinePranayamas,Asanas,JapaandotherYogicKriyas.

4.KhechariMudrashouldbedoneunderthedirectguidanceofaKhechariGuru.Cutting thelowertendonshouldbecarefullydoneatregularintervals.Aspirantsmaynotbesuccessfulin thisKriyaiftheybeginafter25yearsofagewhenthemusclesandnerveshavebecomestiff.

5.Khechari,ShaktiChalana,Vajroliandotheradvancedcoursesshouldnotbepractisedby all.TheaspirantsshouldascertainfromtheGuruiftheyarefitforsuchadvancedexercisesandalso theyshouldseeiftheyhaveallotherrequirementsforthepractice.

6.UddiyanaBandhaisalsocalledTadagiMudra.Seet-KramaandVyut-Kramadescribed onpage39arecalledMatanginiMudra.DoMulaBandha.Releaseit.Againandagaindolikethis. ItistermedAswiniMudra.

7.ThosewhohavenotundergonethepreliminaryportionofKhechariMudra(makingthe tonguelong)cansimplykeepthetongueturnedupwardsonthepalate.ThisisNabhoMudraor MandukiMudra.

8.RealsuccessinMudrascanbehadonlyifthereisintenseconcentrationofmind.A detailedinstructiononconcentrationwillbegiveninthesubsequentpages.

MISCELLANEOUSEXERCISES

LAYAYOGA

Layaisthestateofmindwhenoneforgetsalltheobjectsofsensesandgetsabsorbedinthe objectofmeditation.LayaenablesonetohaveperfectcontroloverthefiveTattvas,mindand Indriyas.Thefluctuationsofmindwillstop.Themind,bodyandPranawillbeentirelysubdued.

ForLayaYoga,SambhaviMudraisaneffectivemethod,inwhichoneintentlyconcentrates onanyoneoftheShatChakras.TratakaexerciseplaysavitalpartingettingsuccessinLaya.Indue courseofpractice,theYogingetsestablishedinSamadhi.HebecomesaJivanmukta.

ANAHATASOUNDS

AnahatasoundsarethemysticsoundsheardbytheYoginduringhismeditation.Itisasign ofthepurificationofNadis.Somestudentscanclearlyhearitthroughanyoneoftheearsandsome byboththeears.Thereareloudaswellassubtlesounds.Fromtheloud,onewillhaveto contemplateonthesubtleandfromthesubtletothesubtler.Beginnerscanhearthesoundonly whentheearsareclosed.AdvancedstudentscanconcentrateontheAnahatasoundevenwithout closingtheears.AnahatasoundisalsotermedOmkaraDhvani.TheyproceedfromtheAnahata centreoftheSushumnaNadi.

SitinyourusualAsana.Closetheearswiththethumbs.Hearandminutelyobservethe internalsoundthroughtheears.Thesoundthatyouhearfromwithinwillmakeyoudeaftoall externalsounds.Closetheeyesalso.Inthebeginningofyourpractice,youwillhearmanyloud sounds.Laterontheyareheardinamildway.Themindhavingatfirstconcentrateditselfonany onesoundfixesfirmlytothatandisabsorbedinit.Themindbecominginsensibletotheexternal impressions,becomesonewiththesoundasmilkwithwaterandthenbecomesrapidlyabsorbedin Chidakasa.JustasthebeedrinkingthehoneyalonedoesnotcarefortheodoursoalsotheChitta, whichisalwaysabsorbedintheinnersound,doesnotlongforsensualobjects,asitisboundbythe sweetsmellorNadaandhasabandoneditsflittingnature.

ThesoundproceedingfromPranavaNada,whichisBrahman,isofthenatureofeffulgence. Themindgetsabsorbedinit.Themindexistssolongasthereissound,butwithitscessation,there isthatstatetermedTuriya.Itisthesupremestate.ItistheUnmanistate.Themindgetsabsorbed alongwithPranabyconstantconcentrationuponNada.Thebodyappearstobealogofwoodandit doesnotfeelheatorcold,joyorsorrow.Differentkindsofsoundsproceedfromtheheart(Anahata sounds).

Nadathatisheardthroughtheearsisoftenkinds.Thefirstisthesound‘Chini’(likethe pronunciationoftheword);thesecondis‘Chini-chini’;thethirdisthesoundofabell;thefourthis thatofaconch;thefifthisthatofalute;thesixthisthesoundofcymbals;theseventhisthetuneofa flute;theeighthisthevoiceofadrum(Bheri);theninthisthesoundofadouble-drum(Mridanga); andthetenthisthesoundofthunder.

Youcannotexpectthesoundimmediatelyafteryoucloseyourears.Youshouldconcentrate andkeepyourmindone-pointed.Theparticularsoundthatyouheartoday,youmaynothearevery day.ButyouwillhearanyoneofthetenAnahatasounds.

ThedescriptiongivenaboveisLayathroughNada,Anahatasound.Inthesamemanner, Layacanbeeffectedbyconcentrationatthetipofthenose(NasikagraDrishti),atthespace betweenthetwoeyebrows(BhrumadhyaDrishti),meditationonthefiveTattvas,onSoham Mantra,AhamBrahmaAsmi,TatTvamAsiMahavakyasandothermethodsalso.

BHAKTIYOGA—CLASSESOFWORSHIP

AtthelowestrungoftheladderofBhaktiYogacomestheworshipofelementsanddeparted spirits.Thisisthelowestformofworship.NextcomestheworshipofRishis,DevasandPitris.The faithofeachisshapedaccordingtohisownnature.Themanconsistsofthatwhichhisfaithis,heis eventhat.ThethirdclassincludesthosefollowerswhoworshipAvataraslikeSriRama,Krishna, Narasimha.TheabovefourclassesofBhaktashavetheSagunaformofworship.Nextcomesthe classofBhaktaswhodoNirgunaUpasanaonBrahmandevoidofattributes.Thisisthehighestform ofworshipthatissuitablefortheintelligentpeoplewhohavestrongwillandboldunderstanding. ThisisknownasAhamgrahaUpasanaorJnanaYogaSadhana.

Bhakticanbeacquiredandcultivated.PracticeoftheNavaVidhaBhakti(ninemethodsof devotion)willinfuseBhakti.ConstantSatsanga,Japa,Prayer,meditation,Svadhyaya,Bhajan,

servicetosaints,Dana,Yatra,etc.,willdevelopBhakti.Thefollowingaretheninemethodsof developingBhakti:

Sravana:—hearingoftheLilasofGod

Smarana:—rememberingGodalways

Kirtan:—singingHispraise

Vandana:—NamaskarastoGod

Archana:—offeringstoGod

Pada-Sevana:—attendance

Sakhya:—friendship

Dasya:—service

Atma-nivedana:—self-surrendertoGuruorGod

SriRamanujarecommendsthefollowingmeasuresofdevelopingBhakti:—

Viveka:—discrimination

Vimoka:—freedomfromallelseandlongingforGod

Abhyasa:—continuousthinkingofGod

Kriya:—doinggoodtoothers

Kalyana:—wishingwelltoall

Satyam:—truthfulness

Arjavam:—integrity

Daya:—compassion

Ahimsa:—non-violence

Dana:—charity

Namdev,Ramdas,TulsidasandotherswereafewblessedsoulstowhomGodgaveHis Darshan.TheseBhaktaswereYoga-Bhrashtas.Theycameintothisworldwithagreatassetof spiritualSamskaras.TheyworshippedGodinseveralbirthswithsinceredevotion.Theydidnotdo muchSadhanaintheirfinalincarnation.Thisdevotionwasnaturalandspontaneousinthemon accountoftheforceofpreviousSamskarasofBhakti.Ordinarypeopleshouldadoptdrastic,special measuresanddospecialSadhanafordevelopingBhaktirapidly.Newgrooves,newchannelshave tobecutintheoldstony,devotionlesshearttoamaximumdegree.Throughconstantprayer,Japa, Kirtan,servicetoBhaktas,charity,Vrata,Tapas,DhyanaandSamadhiaBhaktashouldraisehis consciousnesstoahighdegreeandacquireParaBhakti,highestknowledgeandSupremepeace.In theadvancedstagesofmeditation,themeditatorandthemeditated,theworshipperandthe worshipped,theUpasakaandtheUpasyawillbecomeone.DhyanawillterminateinSamadhi. Constantandregularpracticeisnecessary.

AHathaYogireachesthehigheststagebythepracticeofvariousMudras,Bandhas,Asanas andotherexercises;aJnanibythepracticeofSravana,MananaandNididhyasana;aKarmaYogin bytheselflessworks(NishkamaSeva);aBhaktabydevelopingBhaktiandself-surrender,anda RajaYogibydeepconcentrationandmanipulationofthemind.TheGoalisthesameinallcases butthemethodsaredifferent.

KUNDALINIYOGA

Concentrationandmeditationontheprimordialenergy,Shakti,isonlyamodificationof JnanaYogicSadhana.Concentrationandmeditationonthedifferentcentresofenergybelongsto RajaYoga.ConcentrationatthedifferentChakrasandNadisandawakeningtheShaktithrough physicalmethodsbelongtoHathaYoga.ConcentrationandmeditationontheDevata,presiding deityofthedifferentinnerChakras,maybetakenasanadvancedcourseinBhaktiYoga.Forquick success,differentmethodsofSadhanashouldbecombined.

TheBhaktawhenhemeditatesonthepresidingdeityorDevata,imaginesaparticularform ofGodateachChakra.InbooksofMantraShastra,elaboratedescriptionsofGodandtheDevatas aregivenforeachChakra.AccordingtothetemperamentofthestudentstheytaketheformofGod inadifferentway.Theexperiencesandfeelingsoftheaspirantsvaryinallcases.ThereforeIamnot givingthedescriptionsofalltheDevasandDevatas.Whenamancloseshiseyesandmeditateson theinnerChakras,hegetsvariousvisionsandseesthedifferentformsofGod.Thatisthebestto whichheshouldcling.Thenonlyrealgrowthispossible.Thegeneralinformationthatisgivenin thetheoreticalportionofthisKundaliniYogawillsurelyhelpalotinconcentrationandmeditation ontheChakras.

MANTRAS

AwakeningKundaliniiseffectedbyMantraalso.ItisaportionofBhaktiYoga.Some aspirantsshouldrepeattheMantragivenbytheirGuruevenlakhsoftimes.Duringthetimeof DikshaofanUttamaAdhikari,theGuruuttersaparticularMantraandKundaliniisawakened immediately.Theconsciousnessofthestudentisraisedtoaveryhighdegree.Thisdependsupon thefaithofthestudentinhisGuruandintheMantra.Mantras,whenreceivedfromtheGuruin person,areverypowerful.AspirantsinKundaliniYogashouldtaketothisMantraSadhanaonly aftergettingaproperMantrafromaGuru.ThereforeIamnottouchingthispointindetail.Mantras whenlearntthroughordinaryfriendsorthroughbookscannotproduceanybenefitatall.Mantras arenumerousandtheGurushouldselectaparticularMantrabywhichtheconsciousnessofa particularstudentcanbeawakened.

EIGHTMAJORSIDDHIS

Anaccomplished,PurnayogiinthepathofKundaliniYogaisinpossessionofeightmajor Siddhis,viz.,Anima,Mahima,Laghima,Garima,Prapti,Prakamya,VasitvamandIshitvam.

1. Anima:TheYogicanbecomeasminuteashepleases.

2. Mahima:ThisistheoppositeofAnima.Hecanbecomeasbigashelikes.Hecanmake hisbodyassumeaverylargesize.Hecanfillupthewholeuniverse.HecanassumeaVirat Svarupa.

3. Laghima:Hecanmakehisbodyaslightascottonorfeather.Vayustambhanamisdone throughthisSiddhi.InJalastambhanamalsothepowerisexercisedtoaverysmalldegree.The bodyisrenderedlightbyPlaviniPranayama.TheYogiproducesadiminutionofhisspecific gravitybyswallowinglargedraughtsofair.TheYogitravelsintheskywiththehelpofthisSiddhi. Hecantravelthousandsofmilesinaminute.

4. Garima:ThisistheoppositeofLaghima.InthistheYogiacquiresanincreaseofspecific gravity.Hecanmakethebodyasheavyasamountainbyswallowingdraughtsofair.

5. Prapti:TheYogistandingontheearthcantouchthehighestthings.Hecantouchthesun orthemoonorthesky.ThroughthisSiddhitheYogiattainshisdesiredobjectsandsupernatural powers.Heacquiresthepowerofpredictingfutureevents,thepowerofclairvoyance, clairaudience,telepathy,thought-reading,etc.Hecanunderstandthelanguagesofthebeastsand birds.Hecanunderstandunknownlanguagesalso.Hecancurealldiseases.

6. Prakamya:Hecandiveintothewaterandcancomeoutatanytimehelikes.Thelate TrilingaSwamiofBenaresusedtoliveforsixmonthsunderneaththeGanges.Itistheprocessby whichaYogimakeshimselfinvisiblesometimes.Bysomewritersitisdefinedtobethepowerof enteringbodyofanother(ParakayaPravesh).SriSankaraenteredthebodyofRajaAmarukaof Benares.TirumularinSouthernIndiaenteredthebodyofashepherd.RajaVikramadityaalsodid this.Itisalsothepowerofkeepingayouth-likeappearanceforanylengthoftime.RajaYayatihad thispower.

7. Vashitvam:Thisisthepoweroftamingwildanimalsandbringingthemundercontrol.It isthepowerofmesmerisingpersonsbytheexerciseofwillandofmakingthemobedienttoone’s ownwishesandorders.Itistherestraintofpassionsandemotions.Itisthepowertobringmen, womenandtheelementsundersubjection.

8. Ishitvam:Itistheattainmentofdivinepower.TheYogibecomestheLordoftheuniverse. TheYogiwhohasthispowercanrestorelifetothedead.Kabir,Tulsidas,AkalkotSwamiand othershadthispowerofbringingbacklifetothedead.

MINORSIDDHIS

TheYogiacquiresthefollowingminorSiddhisalso:

1.Freedomfromhungerandthirst.

2.Freedomfromtheeffectsofheatandcold.

3.FreedomfromRaga-Dvesha.

4.DooraDarshan,clairvoyanceorDooradrishti.

5.DooraSravan,clairaudienceorDooraSrutiandDooraPravachana.

6.Mano-Jaya,controlofmind.

7.KamaRupa:TheYogicantakeanyformhelikes.

8.ParakayaPravesha:Hecanenterintoanotherbody,cananimateadeadbodyandenter intoitbytransferringhissoul.

9.Iccha-Mrityu:Deathathiswill.

10.DevanamSahaKreedaandDarshana:Playingwiththegodsafterseeingthem.

11.YathaSankalpa:Cangetwhateverhelikes.

12.Trikala-Jnana:Knowledgeofpast,presentandfuture.

13.Advandva:Beyondthepairsofopposites.

14.Vak-Siddhi:WhatevertheYogipredictswillcometopassbythepracticeofSatya, Prophecy.

15.TheYogicanturnbasemetalintogold.

16.Kaya-Vyuha:TakingasmanybodiesastheYogilikestoexhaustallhisKarmasinone life.

17.Darduri-Siddhi:Thejumpingpowerofafrog.

18.Patala-Siddhi:YogibecomesLordofdesire,destroyssorrowsanddiseases.

19.Hegetsknowledgeofhispastlife.

20.Hegetsknowledgeoftheclusterofstarsandplanets.

21.HegetsthepowerofperceivingtheSiddhas.

22.Hegetsmasteryoftheelements(BhutaJaya),masteryofPrana(PranaJaya).

23.Kamachari:Hecanmovetoanyplacehelikes.

24.Hegetsomnipotenceandomniscience.

25.Vayu-Siddhi:TheYogirisesintheairandleavestheground.

26.Hecanpointouttheplacewhereahiddentreasurelies.

POWEROFAYOGI

AYogiforgetsthebodyinordertoconcentratethemindontheLord.Heconquersheatand coldbymasteringbreath-controlandbycontrollinghisnervoussystem.

AYogigeneratespsychicheatinthebodythroughthepracticeofBhastrikaPranayama.

Hecanbearextremesofclimateswithoutdiscomfort.

Hesitsonthesnowandmeltsitbythewarmthgeneratedinhisbody.

AYogicovershisbodywithasheetdippedinverycoldwateranddriesitbytheYogaheat givenofffromhisbody.Afewadeptshavedriedasmanyasthirtysheetsinasinglenight.

AperfectYogicremateshisbodyintheendbytheYogicheatgeneratedbyhispowerof Yoga.

INSTRUCTIONSONSIDDHIS

1.BytheprocessofHathaYoga,theYogiattainsperfectphysicalbody—Rupalavanya BalaVajrasam-hananaKayaSampat.“Theperfectionofthebodyconsistsinbeauty,grace, strengthandadamantinehardness.”Thepowertobearextremecoldandheat(Titiksha),thepower tolivewithoutwaterandfoodandotherpowerscomeunderthecategoryofKayaSampat (perfectionofbody).

2.SincethebodyoftheHathaYogiisperfectandfirm,hismindalsoisfirmand one-pointed.BythepracticesofDharanaandDhyana,hereachesthehighestrungintheYogic ladderandattainsImmortalitythroughYogicSamadhi.TheYogiwhohasreachedthehighest stage,willhavethe8majorandalltheminorSiddhis.

3.AttainmentofpowersdependsupontheamountofconcentrationatdifferentChakrasand TattvasandawakeningofKundalini.ThepracticeofMudras,Bandhas,AsanasandPranayamas willalsohelpalotinacquiringSiddhis.

4.TheSiddhisthatareobtainedbythepracticeofMudrascanbeobtainedbythepracticeof Bandhas,Asanas,PranayamasandalsobytheconcentrationondifferentChakras.Thatdepends uponthetemperamentandcapacityoftheaspirants.Onecanobtainthedesiredgoalbyoneexercise andothersbydifferentmethods.Thereforeifoneisnotabletogetsuccessbyaparticularexercise, hewillhavetohaverecoursetootherexercises.

5.Manyofthe8majorSiddhisarenotpossibleatallatthepresentage(KaliYuga),when thebodyandmindofthevastmajorityarenotfitenough.EventodaythereareseveralSiddhaswho havethepowertoperformsomeoftheSiddhis.Whenpeopleapproachthemtodothisandthat, theyhidethemselvesorgenerallysay:—“Idonotknow.”Theyarenotmuchparticularaboutthese Siddhis.Theiraimistoignoretheseasunrealandaspiretoreachthehighest.Theyaretheonlyreal Yogins.Manyareabletousesomepowersandtheydonotknowhowtheyareabletodothem.

6.Onecanreadthethoughtsofothers.AmaninLondonhearsthespiritualmessageof sagesinIndia.Youhaveseenseveralpersonsremovingthepoisonofcobrasbychantingsome Mantrasorbymeretouch.Bygivingsomesortofleaves,incurablediseasesarecured.Thereare menwhowillveryaccuratelytellyourpast,presentandfuture.Someareabletoseeastralentities. Stoppingthefunctionsoftheheartandchangingthemindofothersandotherpowersaredueto Yogicpractices.

7.Nowadaysyoucannotfindamanwhohasdevelopedallthepowers.Whenonegets certainpowers,hestopstherebytheinfluenceofMayaandfalseTushti(satisfaction)andusesthe powersforhislivelihoodorforfame.Thereforeheisnotabletoproceedfurtherandattain perfection.ItisnotthemistakeoftheYogicKriyas.Youshouldnotlosefaith.Faith,attention, sincerityandearnestnesswillleadyoutosuccess.

DHARANA(CONCENTRATION)

1.Fixthemindonsomeobjecteitherwithinthebodyoroutside.Keepittheresteadyfor sometime.ThisisDharana.Youwillhavetopractisethisdaily.Laya-Yogahasitsbasison Dharana.

2.PurifythemindfirstthroughthepracticeofYama,Niyamaandthentaketothepractice ofDharana.Concentrationwithoutpurityisofnouse.Therearesomeoccultistswhohave concentration.Buttheyhavenogoodcharacter.Thatisthereasonwhytheydonotmakeany progressinthespiritualline.

3.HewhohasasteadyAsanaandhaspurifiedtheYogaNadiswillbeabletoconcentrate easily.Concentrationwillbeintenseifyouremovealldistractions.AtrueBrahmachari,whohas preservedhisVeerya,willhavewonderfulconcentration.

4.Somefoolish,impatientstudentstaketoDharanaatoncewithoutundergoingthe preliminaryethicaltraining.Thisisaseriousblunder.Ethicalperfectionisofparamount importance.

5.YoucanconcentrateinternallyonanyoneofthesevenChakrasandexternallyonany Devata,Hari,KrishnaorDevi.

6.Attentionplaysaprominentpartinconcentration.Hewhohasdevelopedhispowerof attentionwillhavegoodconcentration.Amanwhoisfilledwithpassionandallsortsoffantastic desires,canhardlyconcentrateonanyobjectevenforasecond.Hismindwillbejumpinglikea monkey.

7.HewhohasgainedPratyahara(withdrawingthesensesfromtheobjects)willhaveagood concentration.Youwillhavetomarchinthespiritualpathstepbystep,stagebystage.Laythe foundationofYama,Niyama,Asana,PranayamaandPratyaharatostartwith.Thesuper-structure ofDharanaandDhyanawillbesuccessfulonlythen.

8.Youshouldbeabletovisualiseveryclearlytheobjectofconcentrationeveninits absence.Youmustcallupthementalpictureatamoment’snotice.Ifyouhavegoodpracticein concentration,youcandothiswithoutmuchdifficulty.

9.Inthebeginningstageofpractice,youcanconcentrateonthetick-ticksoundofawatch orontheflameofthecandleoronanyotherobjectthatispleasingtothemind.Thisisconcrete concentration.Therecanbenoconcentrationwithoutsomethinguponwhichthemindmayrest.

Themindcanbefixedonapleasantobject.Itisverydifficultinthebeginningtofixthemindonany objectwhichitdislikes.

10.Ifyouwanttoincreaseyourpowerofconcentrationyouwillhavetoreduceyour worldlyactivities.YouwillhavetoobserveMounaeverydayfortwohoursorevenmore.

11.Practiseconcentrationtillthemindiswellestablishedontheobjectofconcentration. Whenthemindrunsawayfromtheobject,bringitbackagain.

12.Whenconcentrationisdeepandintense,allothersensescannotoperate.Hewho practisesconcentrationforonehourdailyhastremendouspsychicpowers.Hewillhaveastrong will-power.

13.VedantinstrytofixthemindonAtman.ThisistheirDharana.HathaYoginsandRaja YoginsconcentratetheirmindonthesixChakras.BhaktasconcentrateontheirIshtaDevata.Other objectsofmeditationaredescribedunderTratakaandLayaYoga.Concentrationisnecessaryfor alltheaspirants.

14.Thosewhopractiseconcentrationevolvequickly.Theycandoanyworkwithgreater efficiencyinnotime.Whatotherscandoinsixhourscanbedoneeasilyinhalfanhourbyonewho hasaconcentratedmind.Concentrationpurifiesandcalmsthesurgingemotions,strengthensthe currentofthoughtandclarifiestheideas.Concentrationkeepsamaninhismaterialprogressalso. Hewillturnoutverygoodworkinhisofficeorbusiness-house.Whatwascloudyandhazybefore, becomescleareranddefinite;Whatwasverydifficultbeforebecomeseasynow;andwhatwas complex,bewilderingandconfusingbefore,comeseasilywithinthementalgrasp.Youcanachieve anythingbyconcentration.Nothingisimpossibleforonewhoregularlypractisesconcentration. Clairvoyance,clairaudience,mesmerism,hypnotism,thought-reading,music,mathematicsand othersciencesdependuponconcentration.

15.Retireintoaquietroom.Closeyoureyes.Seewhathappenswhenyouthinkofanapple. Youmaythinkofitscolour,shape,size,differentpartssuchasskin,pulp,seeds,etc.Youmaythink oftheplaces,AustraliaorKashmir,wherefromitisimported.Youmaythinkofitsacidicorsweet tasteanditseffectsonthedigestivesystemandblood.Throughthelawofassociation,ideasof someotherfruitsalsomaytrytoenter.Themindmaybegintoentertainsomeotherextraneous ideas.Itmaybegintowander.ItmaythinkofmeetingafriendattheRailwayStationat4p.m.It maythinkofpurchasingatoweloratinofteaorbiscuits.Youshouldtrytohaveadefinitelineof thought.Thereshouldnotbeanybreakinthelineofthinking.Youmustnotentertainanyother thoughtwhichisnotconnectedwiththesubjectonhand.Themindwilltryitslevelbesttoruninits oldgrooves.Youwillhavetostrugglehardinthebeginning.Theattemptissomewhatlikegoingup asteephill.Youwillrejoiceandfeelimmensehappinesswhenyougetsuccessinconcentration.

16.Justaslawsofgravitation,cohesion,etc.,operateinthephysicalplane,soalsodefinite lawsofthoughtsuchaslawsofassociation,relativity,contiguity,etc.,operateinthementalplane orthought-world.Thosewhopractiseconcentrationshouldthoroughlyunderstandtheselaws. Whenthemindthinksofanobject,itmaythinkofitsqualitiesanditspartsalso.Whenitthinksofa causeitmaythinkofitseffectalso.

17.IfyoureadwithconcentrationBhagavadGitaortheVicarofWakefieldseveraltimes, youcangetnewideaseachtime.Throughconcentrationyouwillgetinsight.Subtleesoteric meaningswillflashoutinthefieldofmentalconsciousness.Youwillunderstandtheinnerdepthof philosophicalsignificance.

18.Whenyouconcentrateonanobjectdonotwrestlewiththemind.Avoidtension anywhereinthebody.Thinkgentlyoftheobjectinacontinuousmanner.Itisverydifficultto practiseconcentrationwhenoneisveryhungryandwhenoneissufferingfromanacutedisease.

19.Ifemotionsdisturbyouduringconcentration,donotmindthem.Theywillpassaway soon.Ifyoutrytodrivethemawayyouwillhavetotaxyourwill-force.Haveanindifferent attitude.Todrivetheemotionsaway,theVedantinusestheformula:“IamaSakshiofthemental modifications.Idon’tcare.Getout”.TheBhaktasimplyprays,andhelpcomesfromGod.

20.Trainthemindinconcentratingonvariousobjects,grossandsubtle,ofvarioussizes.In courseoftimeastronghabitwillbeformed.Themomentyousitforconcentration,themoodwill comeatonce,quiteeasily.

21.Whenyoureadabookyoumustreadwithconcentration.Thereisnouseofskipping overthepagesinahurriedmanner.Readonepage.Closethebook.Concentrateonwhatyouhave read.FindoutparallellinesinGita,Upanishads,etc.

22.Foraneophytethepracticeofconcentrationisdisgustingandtiringinthebeginning.He hastocutnewgroovesinthemindandbrain.Aftersometime,saytwoorthreemonths,hegets greatinterest.Heenjoysanewkindofhappiness.Concentrationistheonlywaytogetridofthe miseriesandtribulations.Youronlydutyistoachieveconcentrationandthroughconcentrationto attainthefinalbeatitude,Self-realisation.CharityandRajasuyaYajnaarenothingwhencompared withconcentration.

23.Whendesiresariseinthemind,donottrytofulfilthem.Rejectthemassoonasthey arise.Thusbygradualpracticethedesirescanbereduced.Themodificationsofthemindwillalso diminishalot.

24.Youmustgetridofallsortsofmentalweakness,superstitions,falseandwrong Samskaras.Thenonlyyouwillbeabletoconcentrateyourmind.

ChapterFour

YOGAADDENDA

1.SADASIVABRAHMAN

SriSadasivaBrahman,areputedYogi,livedinNerur,nearKarur,inTrichinopollydistrict, someonehundredandtwentyyearsago.Hewastheauthorof‘AtmaVilas’,‘BrahmaSutras’and variousotherworks.OncehewasinSamadhi.ThefloodsintheCauveririvercoveredhimupwith mud.Forsomemonthshisbodyremainedburiedunderneaththeearth.Theagriculturiststilledthe landandinjuredtheheadoftheYogi.Somebloodoozedout.Theywerequiteastonished.Theydug outtheearth.SadasivaBrahmangotupfromhisSamadhiandwalkedaway.Oncesomerude peoplecamewithstickstobeathim.Theyraisedtheirhands,buttheywerenotabletomovethem. Theyremainedlikestatues.AtsomeothertimeheenteredtheZenanaofaNawabquitenakedwhile hewasroamingaboutasanAvadhuta.TheNawabgotenragedandcutoffhishandwithabigknife. SadasivaBrahmanwentawaywithalaugh.TheNawabthoughtthatthemanshouldbeagreat Sage.HetookthemaimedhandandfollowedtheSage.OnthethirddaytheNawabsaid:“Omy Lord!Icutoffyourhandduetomyfoolishness.Kindlyforgiveme.”Sadasivasimplytouchedthe cutportionwiththeotherhand.Therewasanewhand.SadasivaforgavetheNawabandblessed him.

2.JNANADEV

SriJnanadevisalsoknownasJnaneswar.HewasthegreatestYogintheworldhasever produced.HewasborninAlandi,7milesfromPoona.HisSamadhiisthereevennow.Ifanybody readstheGitawrittenbyhimbythesideoftheSamadhiallthedoubtsarecleared.Heisregardedas anAvataraofLordKrishna.Whenhewasaboyhesimplytouchedabuffalo.ItrepeatedtheVedas. Hehadfullcontrolovertheelements.Whentherewasnovesseltopreparefood,hissisterprepared breadonhisback.HeenteredSamadhiwhilealiveattheageof22.HedrewupallthePranatothe Brahmarandhraandgaveupthephysicalbody.Whenhewasaboyof14years,hebegantowrite commentaryonGita.HiscommentaryonGitaisconsideredoneofthebest.Inabigassemblyof SanskritPanditsinBenares,hewasselectedPresident.

3.TRILINGASWAMI

SriTrilingaSwamiofBenares,borninAndhraDesa,livedsomefiftyyearsago.Helived for280years.HemadehisTapasinManasarovar(Tibet).OnceRamakrishnaParamahamsaalso sawhimatBenares.HebroughtsomemoneytoBenareswhenhefirstcameinforTapas.He openedamilk-shopanddistributedmilkfreetopoorpersons,SadhusandSannyasins.Heusedto liveunderneaththeGangawaterevenforsixmonthscontinuously.HeusedtosleepinKashi Visvanath’sTemplekeepinghisfeetovertheSivalinga.Oncehecaughtholdoftheswordofthe GovernorandthrewitintotheGanges.WhentheGovernordemandeditback,hedivedintothe waterandbroughtbacktwoswordsandtheGovernorwasunabletofindouthisownsword.Some mischief-makerspouredsomelime-waterinhismouth.Heatoncepumpeditoutthroughtheanus bySangPacharKriya.

SriGorakhnathwasagreatYogilikeSriJnanadevofAlandi.InChandragirivillageonthe banksoftheGodavari,therewasaBrahminnamedSuraj.Hiswife’snamewasSarasvati.Theyhad nochildren.YogiMatsyendranathwentforBhikshainthehouseofSuraj.Sarasvatientertainedthe Yogiwithgoodfood,withSraddha.Sheweptbeforehimfornothavingachild.Yogi Matsyendranathgaveherapinchofholyashwithblessingsforachild.Sometimelater,shehada son.MatsyendranathcamebacktoSarasvatiandtooktheboywithhimwhenhewastwelveyears ofage.HesenttheboytoBadrinarayanfordoingTapas.ApsarasandotherDevatascametomolest him.Hestoodfirmandtidedoveralltemptations.HegottremendousSiddhis.Matsyendranathalso impartedallhispowersandVidyastotheboy,hisdisciple,Gorakhnath.

SriGorakhnathinhis12thyearwenttoBadrinarayanandperformedTapasfor12long years,livingonairalone.GorakhnathhadtremendousYogicpowers.WhenhisGuru MatsyendranathenteredthedeadbodyofaRaja(ParakayaPravesh)toobeytheordersofSri HanumantoproduceanoffspringforacertainRani,Gorakhnathassumedtheformofalady throughhisYogicpowersandenteredtheinnerapartmentsofthepalace(KamarupaSiddhi).At someotherinstancehemadeatoychildoutofclayandgavethisasaplay-mateforthechildrenofa certainvillage.Heconvertedaportionofamountainintogoldandreconvertedittoitsformer condition.Hepassedurineonarock.Itbecamegold.OnceinaKumbhamelaonthebanksofthe Godavari,hegavefoodtoallbyspreadingonlyleavesbutoffereddifferentrichmealstotheliking ofeveryone.InthesameMelaheslowlyreducedhimselfinbulkandassumedtheformofa mosquito(AnimaSiddhi).ThroughhisownYogicpowerheburnthimselftoashesandagain assumedhisoriginalform.HedidAkasagamanam(walkinginthesky).Inthiswayheperformed manySiddhis.RajaBhartrihariwashisdisciple.

5.SWAMIKRISHNAASHRAM

SwamiKrishnaAshramisalivingsaintatDarolivillage,14milesbelowGangotri,the originoftheGanges.Hehasbeenlivingthereforthelasteightyearsinanabsolutelynudestate,in anicyregion,whereanordinarymanmayrequireawoollensweater,aGothmaandhalfadozen blankets.HewasaSivaBhakta.HethrewawayallhisPuja-vessels,wenttoVaranasi,took Sannyasaandlivedthereforayear.ThenhewenttoHardwar,threwofftheDandaandbecamean Avadhuta.HewasinUttarkashialso.Whensharp,bigflieswerebitinghisbody,whenbloodwas emergingprofusely,hewouldneverdisturbtheflies.Suchwashispowerofendurance.Onceinthe KshetraanarrogantservantinsultedhimfornotbringinganyvesselforDhalandpouredveryhot Dhalonhishands.SwamiKrishnaAshramdranktheDhalthoughhislipsandhandswerescalded. ThereisanotherSwamibynameBhumaAshram,livingatDaroliinanudestate.Heisafriendof KrishnaAshram.

Titiksha,thepowerofendurance,isanessentialattributeofallSadhakas.Thisisoneofthe sixfoldvirtuesofSadhanaChatushtaya.ReadSlokas14andl5oftheGita,chapterII.Youwill understandtheimportanceofthisvirtue,Titiksha.

6.YOGIBHUSUNDA

YogiBhusundaisoneoftheChiranjivisamongsttheYogins.Hewasthemasterinthe scienceofPranayama.Itissaidthatabignest,likeamountain,wasbuiltbyhimonthesouthern branchoftheKalpaVriksha,situatedatthenorthernsummitoftheMahameru.Bhusundalivedin thisnest.HewasaTrikalaJnani.HecouldsitinSamadhiforanylengthoftime.Hewasdesireless. HehadobtainedsupremeSantiandJnana.HewasthereenjoyingtheblissofhisownSelfandheis stilltherebeingaChiranjivi.HehadthefullknowledgeofthefiveDharanas.Hehadrendered himselfproofagainstthefiveelementsbypractisingthefivemethodsofconcentration.Itissaid thatwhenallthetwelveAdityasscorchtheworldwiththeirburningrays,hewould,throughhis ApasDharana,reachuptheAkasa.Whenfiercegalesarisesplinteringuptherockstopieces,he wouldbeintheAkasathroughAgniDharana.WhentheworldtogetherwiththeMahameruwould beunderwater,hewouldfloatonthemthroughVayuDharana.

7.TIRUMULANAYANAR

TirumulaNayanarwasagreatYogiinKailas.Hehadallthe8majorSiddhisthroughthe graceofNandi,theVahanaofLordSiva.HewasafriendofAgastyaMuni.HecamefromKailas andstayedinVaranasi.ThenhewenttoChidambaramandTiruvavaduturaiandotherplacesnear Madras.HeworshippedLordSivainthetempleatTiruvavaduturaiandstayedthereforsometime. OncehewenttoagardenonthebanksoftheriverCauveri.Therehesawthedeadbodyofa caretakerofaherdofcows.Henoticedthatallthecowssurroundedthedeadbodyofthecowherd andwerecryingbitterly.ThistouchedtheheartofTirumular.Hepitiedthecowsverymuch.Heleft hisbodyinacertainplaceandenteredthedeadbodyofthecowherd.Helookedafterthecows throughoutthedayandsentthembacktotheirrespectivehouses.Thewifeofthecowherd,whowas notawareofthedeathofherhusband,invitedTirumularwhowaswearingthephysicalbodyofher husband.Tirumularrefused.Hewantedtoenterhisownbody.Whenhesearchedforhisbody,it wasnotfoundintheoriginalplace.ThenhethoughtitwasallthegraceofLordSiva.Thenwiththe bodyofthecowherd,hewenttoAvaduturaiandsatunderneathanAsvatthatreeonthewesternside ofthetempleandwroteavaluablebookcalled“Tirumantram”inTamil.Itisabookof3000verses whichcontaintheessenceoftheVedas.

8.MANSOOR

MansoorwasaSufistBrahma-Jnani.HelivedinPersia,somefourhundredyearsago.He wasrepeatingalways“Anal-haq!Anal-haq!”Thiscorrespondsto“Soham”or“AhamBrahma Asmi”oftheVedantins.PeoplereportedtotheBadshahthatMansoorwasanatheist(Kafir)and thathewasalwaysuttering“Anal-haq.”TheBadshahwasquiteenraged.HeorderedthatMansoor mustbecutintopieces.Hisorderswereobeyed.Eventhenthepiecesoffleshwereuttering “Anal-haq.”Hefeltnopainashewasafull-blownSamadhiJnaniandashehadfullidentification withBrahman.Hewasabovebody-consciousness.Thentheyputthepiecesoffleshandbonesin thefireandreducedthemintoashes.Eventhentheashesuttered“Anal-haq.”Duringhislife-time heperformedmanymiracles.EvenJnaniscandomiraclesiftheydesireandiftheyfinditnecessary fortheoccasion.SadasivaBrahmanandotherJnanisdidwonders.Rememberthelivesofgreatmen daily.Youwilladvanceinthespiritualpath.

Milarepawasonewhohadbeenprofoundlyimpressedfromhisyouthbythetransientand impermanentnatureofallconditionsofworldlyexistenceandbythesufferingsandwretchedness inwhichhesawallbeingsimmersed.Tohimexistenceseemedlikeahugefurnacewhereallliving creatureswereroasting.Withsuchpiercingsorrowdidthisfillhisheartthathewasunabletofeel evenanyofthecelestialfelicityenjoyedbyBrahmaandIndraintheirheavens,muchlessofthe earthlyjoysanddelightsaffordedbyalifeofworldlygreatness.

Ontheotherhand,hewassocaptivatedbythevisionofimmaculatepurity,bythechaste beautyinthedescriptionofthestateofperfectfreedomandomniscienceassociatedwiththe attainmentofNirvana,thathecarednoteventhoughhemightlosehisverylifeinthesearchon whichhehadsetout,endowedashewaswithfullfaith,keenintellectandaheartoverflowingwith all-pervadingloveandsympathytoall.

Havingobtainedtranscendentalknowledgeinthecontroloftheetherealandspiritualnature ofthemind,hewasenabledtofurnishdemonstrationthereofbyflyingthroughthesky,bywalking, restingandsleepingontheair.Likewisehewasabletoproduceflamesoffireandspringsofwater fromhisbodyandtotransformhisbodyatwillintoanyobjectdesired,therebyconvincing unbelieversandturningthemtowardsreligiouspursuits.

Hewasperfectinthepracticeofthefourstagesofmeditationandthushewasabletoproject hissubtlebodysoastobepresentasthepresidingYogiintwenty-fourholyplaceswheregodsand angelsassemble,likecloudsforspiritualcommunion.

Hewasabletodominategodsandelementalsandmakethemcarryouthiscommands instantaneously,inthefulfilmentofallduties.Hewasaperfectadeptinsupernaturalpowers.He wasabletotransverseandvisitalltheinnumerablesacredparadisesandheavensoftheBuddhas, wherebyvirtueofhisall-absorbingactsofunsurpasseddevotiontheBuddhasandBodhisattvas presidingthereinfavouredhimwithdiscoursesonDharmaandlistenedtohisinreturn,sothathe sanctifiedtheheaven-worldsbyhisvisitsandsojournsthere.

10.NAPOLEONBONAPARTE

NapoleonBonapartewasamanofgreatconcentration.Hissuccesswasallduetothepower ofconcentration.Hesufferedfromvariousdiseasesasepilepticfits,Bradycardia,etc.Butforthese maladies,hewouldhaveprovedstillmorepowerful.Hecouldsleepatanytimeheliked.Hewould snoretheverymomentheretiredtobed.Hewouldgetupattheverysecondoftheappointedtime. ThisisakindofSiddhi.HehadnoVikshepaorshilly-shallying.Hehadthehighlydeveloped EkagrataofaYogi.Hecoulddraw,asitwere,anysinglethoughtfromthebrainpigeon-hole,dwell onitaslongashelikedandcouldshoveitbackwhenfinished.Hewouldsleepverysoundlyatnight amidstbusywar,wouldneverworryabitatnight.Thiswasallduetohispowerofconcentration. Concentrationcandoanything.Withoutconcentrationofmindnothingcanbeachieved.

Messrs.GladstoneandBalfourhadagreatdealofconcentrationofmind.Theverymoment theyretiredtobed,theywouldgetsleep.Marktheword“verymoment”.Theywouldnevertoss

aboutfor15or20minutesinthebedasinthecaseoftheworldlypersons.Thinkhowdifficultitis toenterintodeepsleeptheverymomentyouliedown.Theyhadperfectcontroloversleep.They couldalsogetupfrombedatanytimetheywishedwithoutanyalarmtime-piece.Sleepingand gettingupattheappointedsecondisonlyanexampletoshowthepowerofconcentrationtoa certaindegree.Therearepeoplewho,afteraday’shardwork,cansleeptheverymomenttheygoto bed;buttheycannotgetupattheappointedtime.Thisisonlyanexampleonaveryordinarything. Peopleofconcentrationcanworkwondersandmiracles.

11.TEACHINGSOFKABIR

OnceKabirtiedastoutpigtothefrontpostintheverandahofhishouse.Anorthodox BrahminPunditcametoKabir’shousefordiscussingaphilosophicalproblem.Hesawthepigin frontofthehouse.Hewasmuchupset,irritatedandannoyed.HeaskedKabir:—“DearSir,howisit youhavetiedanastyanimalthateatstheexcretaofhumanbeings,veryclosetoyourhouse.You havenoAchara.Youareadirtyman.YoudonotknowtheShastras.Youareignorant”.Kabir replied:—“OShastriji,youaremoredirtythanmyself.Ihavetiedthepigtothefrontpostoutside myhouse,whereasyouhavetiedthepigtothemind”.TheBrahminwasverymuchvexedandwent awaywithouttellingaword. Manchangakatoriemeganga:“Ifthemindispure,youwillfindthe Gangesinthecup”.Purificationofmindisofparamountimportance.Withoutthisnothingcanbe achievedinthespiritualpath.

12.ASHAMLATINSCHOLAR

AcertainmanwenttoaLatinteachertolearnLatin.Hestayedwiththeteacherforaweek. Henoticedthatmostofthewordsendedin‘o’.Hethoughtthathemustaddtheletter‘o’totheend ofeachword.HeknewEnglishwell.HetoldtheteacherthatheknewLatinandwiththepermission oftheteacher,hewentbacktohisnativeplace.Hereachedhishouseandtappedthedooruttering thesewords:—“O,dear-o,wife-o,open-o,door-o”.HethoughtthiswasallLatin.

ThereareverymanyscholarsinYogaandVedantaalsosimilartothelearnedLatinscholar, abovenarrated.TheystayforafewdaysinRamAshramLibraryorwithsomeSadhus,learnthe namesKundalini,MulaChakra,Nadi,Pranayama,Maya,orPratibimbavadaandmovefromplace toplace.YogaandVedantaarephilosophiesthataretobestudiedunderaGuruwithgreatinterest foraperiodof12years.Thenonlyonecanmasterthesubjects.YogaandVedantashouldnotbe usedasameansforlivelihood.AfterlearningafewwordsinYogaandVedanta,oneshouldnotgo aboutandmixwiththeworldlypeople.AttainingperfectioninYogarequiresalongpractical experienceunderaperfectguide.

13.STORYOFANASPIRANT

AnaspirantwenttoaMahantofGorakhnathPanth.Gorakhnath-followersarethosewho weareitherbigblackcelluloidorglassearrings.TheMahantboredtheaspirant’sears,insertedbig earringsandgavehimabeautifulnamealso,YogiIshvarananda.HeremainedintheAshramfor threemonths.Hedidnotgetanyspiritualprogress.Hethoughttohimself:—“Thisisnottheproper path.Letmetryanotherpath.”HelefttheAshramimmediately,wanderedthroughthickjungles, cameacrossaFakirandimploredforinitiation.TheFakircircumcised,gavehimaMantraand

askedhimtohavealongbeard.Thisalsodidnotsatisfyhim.Nowlookatthepitiableconditionof thispooraspirant.Theulcersintheearshadnothealedupproperly.Hehadconsiderablepain throughsepticinflammation.Therewasprofusedischargeofpus.Hehadalreadyadisturbedstate ofmindandthisstateofaffairsaugmentedhismentalworries.Heseriouslyreflectedthatthiswas notthewayofseekingtheGuru.Hemadeastrongdeterminationthathemustnotroamabout,must stickfirmlytoonesolitaryplaceandmustperformthereTapaswithconstantprayerstoGod.He selectedaplaceandperformedTapaswithallsincerity.Thispurifiedhimandmadehimfitfor highersteps.Afteraperiodoftwoyears,aGuruappearedbeforehim,initiatedhimintodeep mysteriesofYoga.Present-dayaspirantsalsoarerunninglikethisfromplacetoplaceinsearchofa Guru.Itisofnouse.TheyshouldpurifythemselvesforaYogiclife.Bychance,eveniftheycome incontactwithanAvatara,theywillnotbebenefitedmuchiftheyhavenotastrongfoundationfora Yogiclife.

14.OTHERYOGINS

Theyogibymeansofvariouspracticesestablishesaconsciouscontrolovertheorgansand functionsofthebody.Hemouldshisbodylikesteel.OneSwamiinLondonhadademonstrationof stoppinghisheartbeforetheKing.Manyablephysicianswerepresentontheoccasionand examinedhim.Desabandhuin1926stoppedtheradialandtemporalpulsesonbothsidesatwilland stoppedthebeatingsoftheheartalsoforashorttime.HeshowedademonstrationintheBombay MedicalUnion.InMaharajahRanjitSingh’sCourtinLahore,HathaYogiHariDaswhoburied himselfunderneaththegroundforfortydaysaftertightlyclosinghisnose,mouth,earsandeyes withwaxcamebackalive.TheMohammedanYogi,GunangudiMastan,wasburiedinMadras. SomeYoginsflyintheair.ThisisduetoKhechariMudra.

YogiPratapwasinthepostureofdoingViparitakaraniMudra.Heaskedtheonlookersto coverhisheadwithclayonallsides.Heremainedinthatpositionforfull2hours.PaulDeussen,the Germantraveller,personallywitnessedthisinVaranasi.SriSwamiVishuddhanandaofVaranasi oncegavelifetoadeadsparrow.NothingisimpossibleforarealYogi.

MYSTICEXPERIENCE—VISIONSOFLIGHTS

Variouskindsoflightsmanifestduringmeditationowingtodeepconcentration.Inthe beginningabright,whitelight,thesizeofapin’spointwillappearintheforeheadatthespace betweenthetwoeyebrowswhichcorrespondstentativelytotheAjnaChakra.Youwillnotice, whentheeyesareclosed,differentcolouredlights,white,yellow,red,smoky,blue,green,mixed lights,flasheslikelightning,fire,moon,sun,starsandsparks.TheseareTanmatriclights.Each Tanmatrahasitsownspecificcolour.Yellowandwhitelightsareverycommonlyseen.Inthe beginningsmallballsofwhiteorredlightfloataboutbeforethemind’seye.Whenyoufirstobserve thisbeassuredthatthemindisbecomingmoresteadyandthatyouareprogressinginconcentration. Aftersomemonths,thesizeofthelightwillincreaseandyouwillseeafullblazeofwhitelight, biggerthanthesun.Inthebeginningtheselightsarenotsteady.Theycomeanddisappear immediately.Whenyouhavesteadyandsystematicpracticeofmeditationfor2or3hours,these lightsappearmorefrequentlyandremainsteadyforalongtime.Thevisionoflightsisagreat encouragementinSadhana.ItimpelsyoutosticktoSadhanasteadily.Itgivesyoustrongfaithin superphysicalmatter.Theappearanceofthelightsdenotesthatyouaretranscendingthephysical

consciousness.Youareinasemiconsciousstatewhenthelightappears.Youarebetweenthetwo places.Youmustnotshakethebodywhentheselightsmanifest.Youmustbeperfectlysteadyin yourAsanaandbreatheslowly.

AttimesyouwillseesomelustrousformsofDevatasorsomeotherphysicalforms.You willseeyourIshtaDevataoryourGuru.Siddhas,RishisandothersgivetheirDarshantoencourage you.Youcanseebeautifulgardens,palatialbuildings,rivers,mountains,goldentemples,sceneries solovelyandpicturesqueascannotbeadequatelydescribed.

Duringintenseconcentration,manyareabletofeelcertainpeculiarsensationasifsome electriccurrentpassesfromtheMuladhara-Chakra.Theyimmediatelydisturbtheirbodyandcome downtothephysicalconsciousnessoutoffear.Theyneedhavenofearatall.Theyshouldkeep steadyandwaitforfurtherexperiences.

Theexperiencesvaryindifferentindividuals.Theexperienceofonemanmaynotbethe sameasthatofanotherman.ManyerroneouslybelievethattheyhaverealisedtheSelfwhenthey gettheseexperiences,stoptheirSadhanaandtrytomovewiththepublictopreachandtodo Loka-Sangraha.Thisisaseriousblunder.Thisisnotrealisationatall.Theseareallsimple encouragementsfromyourIshtaDevatatoconvinceyouofahigherspirituallifeandpushyouin yoursystematicandincessantpracticewithzealandenthusiasm.Youwillhavetoignorethese thingsanddrivethemawayjustasyoudidwithworldlyobjects.Youmustnotcareabitwhenyou getthesevisions.YoumusthaveyourLakshyaonthegoal.Thevisionsmayappearinsome personswithinafewdays,whileinotherswithinsixorninemonths.Itdependsuponthestateofthe mindanddegreeofconcentration.Somepersonsmaynothavesuchexperiences,buttheywillbe progressinginthespiritualpath.

Sometimesyouwillgetverypowerful,dazzlinglights,biggerthanthesun.Theyarewhite. Inthebeginning,theycomeanddisappearquickly.Laterontheybecomesteadyevenfor10or15 minutesaccordingtothedegreeofconcentration.Lightswillappearbeforetheeyesoratanyoneof theChakras.Thelightissopowerfulanddazzlingsometimesthatyouhavetowithdrawyourself fromlookingandbreakyourmeditation.Somepeopleareafraidandtheydonotknowwhattodo andhowtoproceedfurther.Byconstantpractice,themindengagedinconcentrationwillvanish. ThebeingsandobjectswithwhomyouareintouchduringtheearlyperiodofSadhanabelongtothe astralworld.ThelustrousformsarehigherDevatasofmentalandhigherplanes,whocomedownto giveDarshanandtoencouragetheSadhakas.VariousShaktismanifestinlustrousforms.Adore them.DomentalPujaassoonastheyappearbeforeyou.

Donotwasteyourtimeinlookingatthesevisions.Thisisonlyacuriosity.Theseareall encouragementstoconvinceyouoftheexistenceofsuperphysical,metaphysicalrealities.Visions areeithersubjectiveorobjective,yourownmentalcreationsorofrealitiesonfinerplanesofmatter. Universeconsistsofplanesofmatterofvariousdegreesofdensity.Rhythmicalvibrationsof Tanmatrasinvariousdegreesgiverisetotheformationofvariousplanes.Visionsmaybeofthese thingsorbeings.Orinmanycasestheymaybepurelyimaginary.Theymaybethecrystallisationof yourownintensethinking.Youmustdiscriminatewell.

ELEMENTALS

Sometimestheseelementalsappearduringmeditation.Theyarestrangefigures,somewith longteeth,bigfaces,somewiththreeheads,somewithfacesonthebelly,somewithoutfleshand skin,etc.TheyareinhabitantsofBhuvarLoka.TheyareBhutas.Theyaresupposedtobethe attendantsofLordSiva.Theyhaveterrifyingforms.Theydonotcauseanyharmatall.Theysimply appearonthestage.Theycometotestyourstrengthandcourage.Theycandonothing.Theycannot standbeforeapure,ethicalaspirant.RepetitionofOmoryourGuruMantrawillthrowthemata distance.Wheneveryoungpeoplelookatadeadbodyorwhentheyseeabodyhangingorwhen theyseeacruelmurder,theyalwaysbroodoverthisinstance.Evenduringmeditation,thesame thoughtwillcomeandtakepeculiarform.Againandagaintheywillseethesameformbeforetheir eyes.Theyshouldnotfearatall.Itisonlytheirmentalcreation.Acowardisabsolutelyunfitforthe spiritualline.Destroyfear.Developcourage.Bebold.

LIFEINTHEASTRALPLANE

Duringthecourseofpractice,onedayyouwillfeelthatyouhaveseparatedyourselffrom thebody.Youwillhaveimmensejoymixedwithfear;joyinthepossessionofanewlight,astral body;andfearowingtotheentryinaforeign,unknownplane.Attheveryoutset,thenew consciousnessisveryrudimentaryinthenewplane.Youwillonlyfeelthatyouhavealight,airy bodyandwillperceivearotating,vibrating,limitedastralatmospherewithilluminationofgolden lights,objectsandbeings.Youmayfeelthatyouarefloatingintheair.

Youwillneverfall;butthenewexperienceofsubtletygeneratesnovelfeelingsand sensationsinthebeginning.Howyouleavethebodyandremain,isunknown.Youareunawareof howyouhavecompletelyseparatedyourselffromthebody.Thenewjoyisinexpressible.Yourwill havetoactuallyfeelandexperienceityourself.Whenyoucomebacktobody-consciousness,there isanintensecravingtoregainthenewconsciousnessandtoremaininthatstatealways.Bychance, byrepeatedattempts,youareabletogobeyondthebody-consciousnessonceinamonthorsointhe courseofSadhana.Ifyouplodonwithpatience,throughYogicpractices,youwillbeabletoleave thebodyatwillandstayforalongtime.

Youcanbymerewillingtravelinanyplaceyoulikewiththeastralbodyandthere materialisebydrawingthenecessarymaterialseitherfromAhamkaraortheuniversalstorehouse. TheprocessisverysimpletooccultistsandYogiswhoknowtherationale,thedetailedtechniqueof thevariousoperations.Thought-reading,thought-transference,psychichealing,distanthealing, etc.,canbeveryeasilyperformedbythosewhocanfunctionwiththeastralbody.Concentrated mentalrayscanpenetrateopaquewallsandtravelmilesandmiles.

HINTSONYOGA

BrahmacharyaisveryveryessentialEvenindreamsyoumustbefreefromlustfulthoughts. ItrequireslongpracticeandcarefulwatchoverthemindandIndriyas.Foolishpeoplehastilyjump uptothehighercoursesinYogainvainwithouthavingthisimportantitemwhichisveryusefulfor spiritualSadhana.

Wetdreamsgenerallyoccurinthelastquarterofthenight.Thosewhoareinthehabitof gettingupfrombedbetween3and4a.m.(Brahmamuhurta)anddoingJapa,Pranayamaand Dhyana,canneverfallavictimtonocturnalpollutions.

Thatmaninwhomthesex-ideaisdeep-rootedcanneverdreamofunderstandingYogaand Vedantaeveninonehundredbirths.

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

AlwayswearaKaupeenorLangotee.Thisisscientificandspiritualtoo.Ifyouareamarried man,sleepinaseparateroomfromyourwife.Changeyourhabitimmediately.

Becarefulintheselectionofyourcompanions.Giveupdrama,talkies,readingnovelsand otherlove-stories.Donotusesoapsandflowers.ObserveMowna.Donotmixwithanyone.Read goodinspiringreligiousbooks.Whendesiresariseintheminddonotfulfilthem.Crushthem immediately.Avoidthecompanyofwomen.Nojokingandlaughing.Thesearealloutward manifestationsoflustonly.Whenyouwalkinthestreetdonotlookhitherandthitherlikea monkey.Donotlookatawoman—eventhephotoorpictureofalady.Donottalkaboutwomen.

Whenyouadvanceinthespiritualpracticeitwillbeverydifficultforyoutodoboth meditationanddailyofficeandhouseholdworkatthesametime,becausethemindwillundergoa doublestrain.Itfindsitverydifficulttoadjusttodifferentuncongenialactivities.Therefore,the advancedGrihastha-studentswillhavetostopallworldlyactivities.Whentheyadvancein meditation,iftheydesiretoadvancefurther,theyshouldtaketoseclusionandmustdisconnect themselvesfromtheworldlyactivitiesentirely.Workisahindranceinmeditationforadvanced Yogicstudents.

Livealone.ObserveMownaandrecordinyourdiarythebenefitsyouderive.Donotmake gesturesandsigns hu,hu,hu.This hu,hu,hu istantamounttotalking.Thereismorewastageof energyinthis hu,hu,hu business.UtilisethisconservedenergyinJapaandmeditation.

SadhakaswhotakeuptoNivrittiMargagenerallybecomelazyaftersometime,astheydo notknowhowtoutilisethementalenergy,astheydonotkeepupanydailyroutineandastheydo notfollowtheinstructionsoftheirGuru.TheygetVairagyaofcourse,buttheyhavenoexperience inthespiritualline.Theydonotmakeanyspiritualprogressintheend.

ThosewhowanttotakeuptoseclusionandNivrittiMarga,shouldobserveMownaand disciplinetheIndriyas,mindandbodywhilelivingintheworld.Theyshouldtrainthemselvesto hard,laboriouslife,coarsefood,walkingwithoutshoesandumbrella.Thenonlytheycanbearthe rigorouslifeofanascetic.Theyshouldentirelygiveuptimidity.

IfcircumstancespreventyoufromobservingMowna,strictlyavoidlongtalk,bigtalk,tall talkandallsortsofvaindiscussionsandwithdrawyourselffromsocietyasmuchaspossible.Too

muchoftalkissimplywastageofenergy.IfthisenergyisconservedbyMowna,itwillbe transmutedintoOjasShaktiwhichwillhelpyouinyourSadhana.

Sadhakashouldalwaysremainalone.Thisisanimportantfactorinspiritualprogress. Mixingwithhouseholdersishighlydangerous.SolitudeforSadhanaisagreatdesideratum.All energiesmustbecarefullypreserved.Afterashortstayinsolitude,aspirantsshouldnotenterthe world.WhattheyhavegainedinfiveyearsinseclusionthroughhardTapas,willbeirrecoverably lostinamonthbymixingwithworldlypeople.Severalpersonshavecomplainedtomethatthey havelostthepowerofconcentration.

AfterattainingperfectioninYoga,onecanenterworldifheisnotaffectedevenabitby unfavourable,hostilecurrentsoftheworld.Thereisnoharmifyoumixwithcongenialcompany whichisalsodevotedtoYogaAbhyasa.Youcandiscussvariousphilosophicalpoints.Youcanbe inthecompanyofhigherspiritualpersonageswhoenterintoSamadhi.Manypersonsenterthe worldbeforeperfectioninYogatodemonstratetheirminorpowersinthenameofLokaSangraha andforfame.Theyhavebeenreducedtoalevelworsethanaworldlyman.

Everythingmustbedonegradually.Itisverydifficultforamanwhowasintheworldtobe inentireseclusion.Itwillbeverypainfulandtroublesomeforabeginner.Heshouldslowlytrain himselfbyobservingMownaoften.

TheplacewhereinyoucangetconcentrationofmindissuitableforyourYogicpractices. Thisisageneralrule.Therewillbenouseifyourunfromplacetoplace.

WhenyoudoKarmaYogayoumustbefreefromegoism.Youmustnotexpectanyreward orappreciationfortheworkthatyoudo(Nishkama).Youmusthaveabalancedmindinsuccessand failure.

ThemomenttheChitta-Shuddhiisattained,youmuststopdoingNishkamaKarmaandtake topuremeditationinseclusion.

Mostofthedifficultiesariseinyourdailylifeifyoudonothaveapropercontroloveryour mind.Forinstance,ifamandoeseviltoyou,instantlyyouwanttorevenge,toextracttoothfor tooth,titfortatpolicy,toreturnangerforanger.Everyreactionofevilshowsthatthemindisnot undercontrol.Byangeroneloseshisenergy.Balancedstateofmindisnotpossible.Fromangerall otherimpuritiesemanate.Angercontrolledproperly,becomestransmutedintoanenergyso powerfulastomovethewholeworld.

Aslightoverloadinginthestomachwillupsetmeditation.Themindhasdirectconnection withgastricnervesofthestomach.Youwillgetdrowsinessalso.Youmusttrainyourselfto ‘Mitahara’.

Whenyouhavedietrestriction,inthebeginningyouwillimaginethatyouaregettingleaner andweaker.Toaddtothisyourfriendsandrelativeswillfrightenyou.Donothearthem.Inafew daysyouwillbequiteallright.

Incaseofindigestionandconstipation,takealongbriskwalkinthemorning.Assoonas yougetupfrombeddrinklargequantityofwater.DoPaschimottana,Mayura,TrikonaAsanas, NauliandUddiyana.Dophysicalexercisesalso.Incaseofchronicconstipationtryachangeindiet. Ifyoutakerice,thentakewheat,andsee.Ifyouareinthesamestate,tryfruitsandmilkdiet.Then youwillbequiteallright.Changeofdietisasureremedy.

Ifyouhavetheevilhabitofdrinkingwine,toddy,coffee,etc.,andifyouwanttostopit,go tothemeditationroomandpromisebeforethedeitythatyouwillstopthebadhabitfromthat moment.Proclaimthisdeterminationtoyourfriends.Ifyourmindgoestothesamehabit,youwill naturallybeashamedtocontinuethehabit.Severaltimesyouwillfail.Stillstrugglehard.Taketo Satsanga.Studyreligiousbooks.Youcandestroyallimpurehabits.Ifyoufinditverydifficultto giveup,thelastremedyyouwillhavetotakeisinrunningawayfromthepresentsocietyandyou mustfleetoaplacewhereyoucannotatallgetallthese.Outofcompulsionyoucanleavethebad habit.

Ifyouwanttostoptakingmutton,fishetc.,justseewithyourowneyesthepitiable, strugglingconditionatthetimeofkillingthesheeporfish.Nowmercyandsympathywillarisein yourheart.Thenyouwilldeterminetogiveupflesh-eatingsothatthepoorinnocentlivesmaybe spared.Ifyoufailinthisattempt,justchangeyourenvironmentsandliveinaBrahminhotelwhere youcannotgetmuttonandfishandmovewiththatsocietywherethereisonlyvegetablediet. Alwaysthinkoftheevilsofflesh-eatingandthebenefitsofvegetablediet.Ifthisalsocannotgive yousufficientstrengthtostopthishabit,gototheslaughterhouseandbutcher’sshopand personallyseethedisgustingrottenmuscles,kidneysandothernastypartsoftheanimalandthebad smell.ThiswillinduceVairagyainyouandastrongdisgustandhatredformutton-eating.

AMantraisamassofTejasorradiantenergy.Ittransformsthementalsubstanceby producingaparticularthoughtmovement.TherhythmicalvibrationsproducedbyMantraregulate theunsteadyvibrationsofthefivesheaths.Itchecksthenaturaltendencyofobjectivethoughtsof themind.IthelpstheSadhanaShaktiandreinforcesit.SadhanaShaktiisstrengthenedby Mantra-Shakti.Mantraawakenssuperhumanpowers.

“OnlytheknowledgeimpartedbyaGuruthroughhislipsispowerfulanduseful;otherwise itbecomesfruitless,weakandverypainful.”

“Siddhauvisvasahprathamalakshanam”—Forsuccess,firmbeliefisthefirstcondition.

Developthepowerofendurance(Titiksha),learntobearhappinessandmiseryevenlyand topassthroughallphasesoflife,allexperiences.

Theenduranceofallpainandtorturewithpatienceandcontentmentmeanstheexerciseofa distinctforcewhichspiritualisesthewholenature.Thegreaterthisforce,thespeedierthespiritual growth.PatienceandfaithshouldcontinueundiminishedallthroughtheSadhanaperiod.

Chitta-Shuddhiispurificationofmind.NadiShuddhiispurificationofNadis.

Bhuta-Shuddhiispurificationofelements.Adhara-ShuddhiispurificationofAdhara.Ifthereis

Shuddhi(purification),Siddhi(perfection)willcomebyitself.Siddhiisnotpossiblewithout Shuddhi.

Humilityisthehighestofallvirtues.Youcandestroyyouregoismbydevelopingthisvirtue alone.Youcaninfluencethewholeworld.Youwillbecomeamagnettoattractthewholeworld.It mustbegenuine.Feignedhumilityishypocrisy.

ControlangerbypracticeofKshama,Dhairya,patienceandNirabhimanata,absenceof egoism.

Whenangeriscontrolleditwillbetransmutedintoanenergybywhichyoucanmovethe wholeworld.

Angerisamodificationofpassion.Ifyoucancontrollust,youhavealreadycontrolled anger.

Drinkalittlewaterwhenyoubecomeangry.Itwillcoolthebrainandcalmtheexcited, irritablenerves.

Counttwenty,onebyone.Bythetimeyoufinishcountingtwenty,angerwillsubside.

Watchthesmallirritableimpulseorthought-wavecarefully.Thenitwillbecomemoreeasy foryoutocontrolanger.Takeallprecautions.Donotallowittoburstoutandassumeawildform.

Ifyoufinditextremelydifficulttocontrolit,leavetheplaceatonceandwalkforhalfan hour.PraytoGod.DoJapa.Meditate.Meditationgivesimmensestrength.

Veryoftendepressioncomesinmeditationinneophytesowingtotheinfluenceof Samskaras,influenceofastralentities,evilspirits,badcompany,cloudydays,badstomachand loadedbowels.Itmustbequicklyremovedbycheerfulthoughts,abriskwalk,singingHisName, andlaughing,prayer,Pranayama,purgativeandadoseofcarminativemixture.

IfyouwanttoenterintoSamadhiquickly,cutallconnectionswithfriends,relatives,and others.ObserveAkhandaMowna,Liveonmilkalone.Plungeinmeditation.

LazinessandficklenessofmindarethetwogreatobstaclesinYoga.LightSattvicdietand Pranayamaswillremovelaziness.Donotoverloadthestomach.Walkbrisklyinthecompound hitherandthitherforhalfanhour.

“Diseasesaregeneratedinone’sbodythroughthefollowingcauses,viz.,sleepingin day-time,latevigilovernight,excessofsexualintercourse,movingincrowd,checkingofurineand faeces,takingofunwholesomefoodandlaboriousmentalwork.IfaYogiisaffectedbyanydisease duetothesecauses,hesaysthatthediseaseisduetohisYogicpractice.Thisisthefirstobstaclein yoga.”

“Disease,mentalinactivity,doubt,indifference,laziness,tendencytogoafter sense-enjoyments,stupor,falseperception,non-attainmentofconcentrationandfallingawayfrom thatwhenattainedonaccountofrestlessness,aretheobstructingdistractions.”

Ifapractitionerisgloomy,depressedandweak,surelythereissomeerrorinhisSadhana.If aspirantsthemselvesaregloomyandpeevishhowcantheyimpartjoy,peaceandstrengthtoothers? Acheerfulandever-smilingcountenanceisasuresignofspiritualityandDivinelife.

Oemotional,enthusiasticyoungaspirants!Donottakethemovementsofrheumaticwinds inthebackfromchroniclumbagoforascentofKundalini.DoyourSadhanawithpatience, perseverancetillyougetSamadhi.MastereverystageinYoga.Donottakeupanyhighercourses beforeyoucompletelymasterthelowersteps.

Oimpatientaspirant!DonotbothermuchaboutawakeningKundalini.Premature awakeningisnotdesirable.DoyourSadhanaandTapassystematicallyandregularly.Justasthe gardenerwhowatersthetreesdailygetsthefruitswhenthepropertimecomessoalsoyouwill enjoythefruitsofyourSadhanawhenthetimecomes.Purifyandsteadythemindnow.Purifythe Nadis.ThenKundaliniwillbeawakenedspontaneously.

Theaspirant,eventhoughhewouldhaveawakenedtheKundalinibysomemeans,willnot bebenefitedatallifhehasnotdevelopedthenecessaryqualifications.Itisnotpossibleforhimto feel,andmanifestallthebenefitsofawakeningKundalini.

TherearesomedevelopedsoulswhoareinastateofSamadhinaturallyfromtheirvery birth.Theyhavenotacquiredthisbyanyexertioninthisbirth.TheyarecalledbornSiddhas.They havefinishedtheirSadhanaintheirpreviousbirths.

Bycontinence,devotiontoGuruandsteadypractice,successcomesinYogaafteralong time.Theaspirantshouldalwaysbepatientandpersevering.

“Svastika,Gomukha,Padma,Hamsa—thesearetheBrahmicpostures(Asanas).Vira, Mayura,VajraandSiddhaAsanasaretheRaudrapostures.YoniistheSaktaposture. PaschimottanasanaistheShaivaposture.”

“Controloverthefiveelements(Bhutas)maybegainedbypractisingDharanaontheir respectiveseatsinthebody.Theseatofearthextendsfromthefoottotheknee;theseatofwater extendsfromthekneetothenavel;theseatoffire,fromnaveltothethroat;theseatofair,fromthe throattotheregionbetweentheeyebrows;andtheseatofAkasafromtheeyebrowsto Brahmarandhra.”

NadaislikeapurecrystalextendingfromtheMuladharatoSahasraraChakra.Itisthat whichisspokenofasBrahmanorParamatman.

Inthebeginningofyourpractice,youmaygetjerksofhands,legs,trunkandwholebody. Sometimesthejerkswillbeterrible.Donotbeafraid.Donotbetroubled.Itisnothing.Itisdueto

(YogaSutrasI-30).

suddenmuscularcontractionfromnewPranicinfluence.Thejerkswillpassoffaftersometime. Youwillhavetopassthroughthesestages.

AssoonasKundaliniisawakenedforthefirsttime,aYogigetsthesesixexperienceswhich lastforashorttime—Ananda(spiritualbliss),Kampana(tremorofthebodyandlimbs),Utthana (risingfromtheground),Ghurni(divineintoxication),Murccha(fainting)andNidra(sleep).

Goodhealth,lightnessofthebody,shiningcomplexion,nottobeaffectedbythetipsof thorns,toendurehungerandthirst,toeatanddrinkmuchandtofastforalongtime,toendureheat andcold,andtohavecontroloverthefiveelements,aresomeothersymptomsofYogiclife.

“OnlyaYogileadingthelifeofaBrahmachariandobservingamoderateandnutritious diet,obtainsperfectioninthemanipulationofKundalini”.

(Ghe.Sam.III-12).

ManypeopleareattractedtothepracticeofPranayamaandotherYogicexercises,asitis throughYogathatpsychichealing,telepathy,thought-transference,andothergreatSiddhisare obtained.Iftheyattainsuccess,theyshouldnotremaintherealone.TheGoaloflifeisnot‘healing’ and‘Siddhis’.TheyshouldutilisetheirenergyinattainingtheHighest.

Thosewhocandotelepathy,psychichealing,etc.,useonlythePranainadifferentway.For producingdifferentresults,thesamePranamustbeutilisedinadifferentmethod.Youshouldknow thetechniquetousethisfromaGuru.Bylongpracticeyoualsocandoeverythingsuccessfully.

AYogiontheappearanceofcertainSiddhisthinksthathehasachievedthehighestgoal.He maygiveuphisfurtherSadhanathroughfalsecontentment.TheYogiwhoisbentupongettingthe highestSamadhi,mustrejectSiddhiswhenevertheycome.SiddhisareinvitationsfromDevatas. OnlybyrejectingtheseSiddhis,onecanattainsuccessinYoga.HewhocravesforSiddhisisa worldly-mindedman.Heisaverybighouseholder.ThosewhocraveforSiddhiswillneverget them.IfaYogicstudentistemptedtoattainSiddhis,hisfurtherprogressisseriouslyretarded.He haslosttheway.

DonotstopSadhanawhenyougetafewglimpsesandexperiences.Continuethepractice tillyouattainperfection.Donotstopthepracticeandmoveaboutintheworld.Examplesarenot lacking.Numerouspersonshavebeenruined.Aglimpsecannotgiveyousafety.

Youcandonothingbyahappy-go-luckylife.Sticktooneplaceforthreeyears.Drawa programmeofdailyroutine.Thenfollowtotheveryletteratanycost.Thenyouaresuretosucceed.

Thereisnouseofdilly-dallyinghitherandthitherinsearchofaGuru.Ifyousearchforhim, youwillnevergethim.Ifyoumakeyourselfdeservingbythepracticeofallpreliminary qualifications,hewilldoubtlesscometoyou.Itiswithinthepowerofeverybodytoattainsuccess inYoga.Whatiswantedissinceredevotion,constantandsteadyAbhyasa.

Neverallowsentimenttoovercomeyouonewayorother.Wiselyutiliseeveryconditionfor theupliftofthesoulandChittaSuddhi.

UnlessyouarepreparedtogiveupallyouhavefortheserviceoftheLordandmankind,you arequiteunfitforthespiritualpath.

Youfirstseparateyourselffromthebody;thenyouidentifyyourselfwiththemindandthen youfunctiononthementalplane.Throughconcentration,youriseabovebody-consciousness; throughmeditationyouriseabovemind;andfinallythroughSamadhi,youreachthegoal.

AHathaYogibringsdownthePranabyJalandharaBandha;byMulaBandhahechecksthe downwardtendencyofApana;havingaccustomedhimselftothepracticeofAsviniMudra,he makestheApanagoupwardwiththemindintentonKumbhaka.ThroughUddiyanaBandha,he forcestheunitedPrana-ApanatoentertheSushumnaNadialongwithKundalini,andthroughSakti ChalanaMudra,hetakesKundalinifromChakratoChakra.BythisprocedureaHathaYogimakes conquestoverDehaAdhyasa.

Eliminatefearaltogetherbyconstantlyraisinganoppositecurrentofthoughtinthemind. Constantlyandintentlythinkofcourage.FearisaVikara,unnatural,temporarymodificationon accountofAvidya.Whenfeardisappears,theattachmentforthebodygoesawayandthenitiseasy foryoutogoabovebody-consciousness.

Donotbecarriedawaybynameandfame(Khyati).Ignoreallthesetrivialthings.Besteady inyourpractice.NeverstopSadhanatillthefinalbeatitudeisreached.

Justasthemanwhofoolishlyrunsaftertworabbitswillnotcatchholdofanyoneofthem, soalsoameditatorwhorunsaftertwoconflictingthoughtswillnotgetsuccessinanyoneofthetwo thoughts.Ifhehasdivinethoughtsfortenminutesandthenworldlyconflictingthoughtsforthe nexttenminuteshewillnotsucceedingettingattheDivineconsciousness.

SeveralaspirantsinthenameofTapasyaneglectthebody.Allpossiblecareshouldbetaken tokeepthebodyinahealthycondition.ASadhakashouldtakemorecarethanaworldlyman becauseitiswiththisinstrumentthathehastoreachtheGoal.Atthesametimehemustbequite unattachedtothebodyandbepreparedtogiveitupatanymoment.Thatistheproperideal.

Astothequalificationforrenunciation,amanshouldhaveattainedperfectpurityofmind, stabilityofintellect,discrimination,disgusttowardssensualpleasuresandakeendesirefor freedom.Unlessamanhasattainedthesequalifications,renunciationofactivedutiesoflifedoes notproducethedesiredeffect.

IfyouwantSamadhi,youmustknowwelltheprocessofDhyana.IfyouwantDhyana,you mustknowaccuratelythemethodofDharana.IfyouwantDharana,youmustknowperfectlythe methodofPratyahara.IfyouwantPratyahara,youmustknowPranayama.IfyouwantPranayama youmustknowAsanawell.BeforegoingtothepracticeofAsana,youshouldhaveYamaand Niyama.ThereisnouseofjumpingintoDhyanawithouthavingthevariouspreliminarypractices.

Someaspirants,whentheycannotgetmilkorghee,stoptheirYogicpractices.Ifyoucannot getmilkorghee,youwillhavetotakealittlemorequantityofbreadandDal.Dalismorenutritious thanmilk.Itisvery,verysubstantial.Sadhakasshouldnotdevelopanyhabitatall.Habitmeans

slavery.Peopleofslavishmentalityareabsolutelyunfitforthespiritualpath.Theyshouldnotbe affectedatalleveniftheyareplacedundertheworstcircumstances.

VedantinsusedifferentmethodsforgettingLaya,viz.,(1)AntahkaranaLayaChintana,(2) PanchaBhutaLayaChintanaand(3)OmkaraLayaChintana.InAntahkaranaLaya,youmustthink thatthemindismergedinBuddhi;BuddhiinAvyaktam;andAvyaktaminBrahman.InPancha BhutaLaya,youmustthinkthattheearthgetsmergedinwater,waterinfire;fireinair;airinAkasa; AkasainAvyaktam;andAvyaktaminBrahman.InOmkaraLaya,youmustthinkthatVisvagets mergedinVirat(Viratintheletter‘A’);TaijasainHiranyagarbha(Hiranyagarbhaintheletter‘U’); PrajnainIshvara(Ishvaraintheletter‘M’).JivaSakshigetsmergedinIshvaraSakshi;Ishvara SakshiinArdhamatraofOmkara.Thusyoucangobacktotheoriginalsource,Brahman,whoisthe YoniforallmindsandPanchaBhutas.Brahmanaloneremains.

AnnamayaKoshaisthephysicalbody(SthulaSarira).PranamayaKosha,Manomaya KoshaandVijnanamayaKoshaareintheastralbody(SukshmaSarira).AnandamayaKosha belongstothecausalbody(KaranaSarira).PranamayaKoshacontainsthefiveKarmaIndriyas. ManomayaandVijnanamayaKoshascontainthefiveJnanaIndriyas.

Priya,ModaandPramodaaretheattributesofAnandamayaKosha.Hungerandthirst belongtoPranamayaKosha.BirthanddeathbelongtotheAnnamayaKosha.HarshaandSoka (exhilarationanddepression)belongtoManomayaKosha.Passion,hunger,greed,Sankalpaand VikalpaareDharmasoftheManomayaKosha.SleepandMohabelongtoAnandamayaKosha. Kartritva(agency)andBhoktritva(enjoyment)belongtoVijnanamayaKosha.

InManomayaKosha,Iccha-Shaktiisworking.InVijnanamayaKosha,Jnana-Shaktiis working.Forotherdetailedinformationconsultmybook“PracticeofVedanta.”

WhenKundaliniisawakened,itdoesnotproceedatoncetoSahasraraChakra.Byfurther Yogicpractices,youwillhavetotakeitfromChakratoChakra,onebyone.

EvenafterKundalinihasreachedtheSahasraraitcandroptoMuladharaChakra.TheYogi canalsostopitataparticularChakra.WhentheYogiisestablishedinSamadhi,whenhehas attainedKaivalya,KundaliniwillnotcomebacktoMuladhara.

ThebodywillexistevenafterKundalinihasreachedSahasraraChakra,buttheYogiwill havenobody-consciousness.ItisonlywhenKaivalyaisattainedthatthebodybecomeslifeless.

TheSadhakasshouldhaveapureheartandshouldbefreefromDoshas.TheMantrashould havebeenobtainedfromagreatman.TheSadhakashouldhavefaithintheMantra.Inthiscase, JapaaloneisquitesufficienttoawakenKundalini.

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

Youngboyshavenosettledmind.Manyhavenotthepowerofdiscrimination.Therefore youngageisnotsuitableforadvancedcoursesinYoga.

Manyotherimportantdoubtsoftheaspirantshavebeenclearedinthetext.

SOMEPRACTICALHINTS

TheactualmethodofawakeningtheKundaliniShaktiandunitingHerwiththeLordinthe SahasraracanonlybelearntfromaGuru.IgivehereageneraloutlineoftheYogicpracticethatwill enabletheSadhakatorealisetheChit.

TheJivatmainthesubtlebody,thereceptacleofthefivevitalairs(PanchaPranas),mindin itsthreeaspectsofManas,BuddhiandAhankara;thefiveorgansofaction(Karmendriyas);andthe fiveorgansofperception(Jnanendriyas),areunitedwiththeKula-Kundalini.TheKandarpaor KamaVayuintheMuladhara—aformoftheApanaVayu—isgivenaleftwardrevolutionandthe firewhichisaroundKundaliniiskindled.BytheBija“Hung”,andtheheatofthefirethuskindled, thecoiledandsleepingKundaliniisawakened.ShewholayasleeparoundSvayambhu-linga,with hercoilsthreecirclesandahalf,dosingtheentranceoftheBrahmadvara,willonbeingroused, enterthatdoorandmoveupwards,unitedwiththeJivatma.

Onthisupwardmovement,Brahma,Savitri,Dakini-Shakti,theDevas,BijaandVritti,are dissolvedinthebodyofKundalini.TheMaheemandalaorPrithviisconvertedintotheBija“Lang,” andisalsomergedinHerbody.WhenKundalinileavestheMuladhara,thelotuswhich,onthe awakeningofKundalini,hadopenedandturneditsflowerupwards,againclosesandhangs downwards.AsKundalinireachestheSvadhishthana-Chakra,thatlotusopensout,andliftsits flowerupwards.UpontheentranceofKundalini,Mahavishnu,Mahalakshmi,Sarasvati,Rakini Shakti,DevaMatrikasandVritti,Vaikunthadhama,Goloka,andtheDevaandDeviresiding thereinaredissolvedinthebodyofKundalini.ThePrithviorearthBija“Lang”isdissolvedin Apah,andApahconvertedintotheBija“Vang,”remainsinthebodyofKundalini.WhentheDevi reachestheManipuraChakraallthatisintheChakramergesinHerbody.TheVarunaBija“Vang” isdissolvedinfire,whichremainsinthebodyoftheDeviastheBija“Rang”.ThisChakraiscalled theBrahmagranthi(orknotofBrahma).ThepiercingofthisChakramayinvolveconsiderablepain, physicaldisorder,andevendisease.Onthisaccount,thedirectionsofanexperiencedGuruare necessary,andthereforealsoothermodesofYogahavebeenrecommendedforthosetowhomthey areapplicable;forinsuchmodesactivityisprovokeddirectlyinthehighercentreanditisnot necessarythatthelowerChakrasshouldbepierced.KundalininextreachestheAnahataChakra whereallwhichisthereinismergedinHer.TheBijaofTejas,“Rang”disappearsinVayuandVayu convertedintoitsBija“Yang”,mergesintothebodyofKundalini.ThisChakraisknownas Vishnugranthi(knotofVishnu).KundalinithenascendstotheabodeofBharati(orSarasvati)orthe VishuddhaChakra.UponHerentrance,Ardha-NarisvaraSiva,Sakini,thesixteenvowels,Mantra, etc.,aredissolvedinthebodyofKundalini.TheBijaofVayu,“Yang”isdissolvedinAkasa,which itselfbeingtransformedintotheBija“Hang”ismergedinthebodyofKundalini.Piercingthe LalanaChakra,theDevireachestheAjnaChakra,whereParamaShiva,SiddhaKali,the Deva-GanaandallelsethereinareabsorbedintoHerbody.TheBijaofAkasa,“Hang”ismergedin theManas-ChakraandminditselfinthebodyofKundalini.TheAjnaChakraisknownas Rudra-granthi(ortheknotofRudraorShiva).AfterthisChakrahasbeenpierced,Kundalini,ofHer

ownmotion,uniteswithParamasiva.AsSheproceedsupwardsfromthetwo-petalledlotus,the NiralambaPuri,PranavaNadaetc.,aremergedinHer.

TheKundalinitheninherprogressupwards,absorbsherselfthetwenty-fourTattvas commencingwiththegrosselements,andthenunitesHerselfandbecomesonewithParamasiva. ThenectarwhichflowsfromsuchunionfloodstheKshudrabrahmandaorhumanbody.Itisthen thattheSadhakaforgetfulofallinthisworldisimmersedinineffablebliss.

ThereaftertheSadhaka,thinkingoftheVayuBija“Yang”asbeingintheleftnostril,inhales throughIda,makingJapaoftheBijasixteentimes.Thenclosingbothnostrils,hemakesJapaofthe Bijasixty-fourtimes.Hethenthinksthattheblack“manofsin”(Papapurusha)intheleftcavityof theabdomenisbeingdriedup,andsothinking,heexhalesthroughtherightnostrilPingala,making JapaoftheBijathirty-twotimes.ThePapapurushashouldbethoughtofasanangryblackmanin theleftsideofthecavityoftheabdomen,ofthesizeofthethumb,withredbeardandeyes,holding aswordandshield,withhisheadeverheldlow,theveryimageofallsins.TheSadhakathen meditatinguponthered-colouredBija“Rang”intheManipura,inhales,makingsixteenJapasof theBija,andthenclosesthenostrils,makingsixty-fourJapas.WhilemakingtheJapahethinksthat thebodyofthemanofsinisbeingburntandreducedtoashes.Hethenexhalesthroughtheright nostrilwiththirty-twoJapas.HethenmeditatesuponthewhiteChandraBija“Thang”.Henext inhalesthroughIda,makingJapaoftheBijasixteentimes,closesbothnostrilswithJapadone sixty-fourtimes,andexhalesthroughPingalawiththirty-twoJapas.Duringinhalation,holdingof breathandexhalation,heshouldconsiderthatanewcelestialbodyisbeingformedbythenectar (composedofallthelettersofthealphabet,Matrika-varna)droppingfromthemoon.Inasimilar waywiththeBija“Vang”,theformationofthebodyiscontinued,andwiththeBija“Lang”itis completedandstrengthened.Lastly,withtheMantra“Soham”,theSadhakaleadstheJivatmainto theheart.ThusKundaliniwhohasenjoyedHerunionwithParamashiva,setsoutonherreturn journeythewayshecame.AsshepassesthrougheachoftheChakrasallthatshehasabsorbed therefromcomeoutfromherselfandtaketheirseveralplacesintheChakra.

InthismannersheagainreachestheMuladhara,whenallthatisdescribedtobeinthe Chakrasareinthepositionswhichtheyoccupiedbeforeherawakening.

SPIRITUALDIARY

Questions

1.Whendidyougetupfrombed?

2.Howmanyhoursdidyousleep?

3.HowmanyMalasofJapa?

4.HowlonginKirtan?

5.HowmanyPranayamas?

6.HowlongdidyouperformAsanas?

7.HowlongdidyoumeditateinoneAsana?

8.HowmanyGitaSlokasdidyoureadorgetby heart?

9.Howlonginthecompanyofthewise (Satsanga)?

10.HowmanyhoursdidyouobserveMouna?

11.Howlongindisinterestedselflessservice?

12.Howmuchdidyougiveincharity?

13.HowmanyMantrasyouwrote?

14.Howlongdidyoupracticephysicalexercise?

15.Howmanyliesdidyoutellandwithwhat self-punishment?

16.Howmanytimesandhowlongofangerand withwhatself-punishment?

17.Howmanyhoursyouspentinuseless company?

18.HowmanytimesyoufailedinBrahmacharya?

19.Howlonginstudyofreligiousbooks?

20.Howmanytimesyoufailedinthecontrolof evilhabitsandwithwhatself-punishment?

21.HowlongyouconcentratedonyourIshta Devata(SagunaorNirgunaDhyana)?

22.Howmanydaysdidyouobservefastand vigil?

23.Wereyouregularinyourmeditation?

24.Whatvirtueareyoudeveloping?

25.Whatevilqualityareyoutryingtoeradicate?

26.WhatIndriyaistroublingyoumost?

27.Whendidyougotobed?

Date

THESPIRITUALDIARY

TheSpiritualDiaryisawhipforgoadingthemindtowardsrighteousnessandGod.Ifyou regularlymaintainthisdiaryyouwillgetsolace,peaceofmindandmakequickprogressinthe spiritualpath.Maintainadailydiaryandrealisethemarvellousresults.

PrepareastatementofdailySpiritualDiaryforeverymonthasshownontheoppositepage andverifywhetheryouareprogressingornot.Ifyouwantquickspiritualattainments,youshould neverneglecttorecordeverythinginyourdiary.Tochangetheworldlynatureitneedsrigorous Sadhana.Apartfromthesequestionsyoumustalsomentionthefollowingintheremarks column:—

1.ThenameoftheAsanas.

2.Thekindofmeditation.

3.WhatbooksdoyoukeepforSvadhyaya?

4.Whatisyourspecialdiet?

5.DoyoukeepaJapaMala?

6.Haveyougotaseparatemeditationroom?

7.Howdoyoukeepthemeditationroom?

8.DoyoureadGitawithmeaning?

Donotbeashamedtomentionyourmistakes,vicesandfailures.Thisismeantforyourown progressonly.Donotwasteyourprecioushours.Itisenoughthatyouhavewastedsomanyyearsin idle-gossiping.Enough,enoughofthetroublesyouhadallthesedaysinsatisfyingyoursenses.Do notsay:—“fromtomorrowIwillberegular.”That“tomorrow”isfortheworthlessworldly-minded fools.BesincereandstartdoingSadhanafromthismoment.Besincere.Takeoutacopyofthe SpiritualDiaryandsenditontoyourGuru,whowillguideyou,removealltheobstaclesinyour Sadhanaandgiveyoufurtherlessons.

YOGA-KUNDALINIUPANISHAD

YOGA-KUNDALINIUPANISHAD INTRODUCTION

TheYoga-KundaliniUpanishadistheeighty-sixthamongthe108Upanishads.Itformspart oftheKrishnaYajurveda.ItdealswithanexpositionofHathaandLambikaYogas.Itconcludes withanaccountofthenon-qualifiedBrahman.TheNon-dualBrahmanisthequestofallseekers.

ThoughgroupedamongtheminorUpanishads,theYoga-KundaliniUpanishadisavery importantworkonKundaliniYoga.ItbeginswithananalysisofthenatureofChitta.Itmaintains thatSamskarasandVasanasontheonehand,andPrana,ontheother,constitutethecausesforthe existenceofChitta.IfVasanasarecontrolled,Pranaisautomaticallycontrolled.IfPranais controlled,theVasanasareautomaticallycontrolled.

TheYoga-KundaliniUpanishadpresentsmethodsforthecontrolofPrana.TheYogic studentdoesnotdealwithVasanas.Heconcernshimselfwiththetechniquesofcontrollingthe Prana.

ThethreemethodsgivenintheYoga-KundaliniUpanishadforthecontrolofPranaare: Mitahara,AsanaandShakti-Chalana.Thesethreemethodsarefullyexplainedinthefirstchapter. Light,sweetandnutritiousfoodformsthedisciplineofMitahara.ThePadmasanaandthe VajrasanaaretwoimportantAsanasusedbytheYogicstudent.Shakti-Chalanaisarousingthe Kundaliniandsendingittothecrownofthehead.

Kundalinicanbearousedbyatwofoldpractice.SaraswatiChalanaandtherestraintof Pranaarethetwopractices.TherousingoftheSaraswatiNadiisSaraswatiChalana.

Theprocess,asdescribedintheYoga-KundaliniUpanishad,forarousingKundaliniis simple.Whenapersonexhales,thePranagoesout16digits.Ininhalationitgoesinonly12digits, thuslosing4.TheKundaliniisarousedifonecaninhalePranafor16digits.Thisisdonebysitting inPadmasanaandwhenthePranaisflowingthroughtheleftnostril,andlengtheninginwards4 digitsmore.

BymeansofthislengthenedbreaththeYogicstudentshouldmanipulatetheSaraswatiNadi andstiruptheKundaliniShaktiwithallhisstrength,fromrighttoleft,repeatedly.Thisprocess mayextendtothreequartersofanhour.Allthishasbeenbrieflyandyetcomprehensivelydescribed intheYoga-KundaliniUpanishad.

ThemostimportantresultofshakingtheSaraswatiNadiisthatitcurestheseveraldiseases arisingwithinthebelly,andcleansesandpurifiesthesystem.AfterthepracticeoftheSahita KumbhakatheYogicstudentisinitiatedintotheKevalaKumbhaka.ThesetwotypesofKumbhaka bringaboutthecompleterestraintofthePrana.

SuryabhedaKumbhaka,UjjayiKumbhaka,SitaliandBhastrikaarethefourdivisionsofthe SahitaKumbhaka.SuryabhedaKumbhakadestroystheintestinalwormsandthefourkindsofevils causedbyVayu.Ujjayipurifiesthebody,removesdiseasesandincreasesthegastricfire.Italso

removestheheatcausedintheheadandthephlegminthethroat.Sitalicoolsthebody.Itdestroys gulma,dyspepsia,pliha,consumption,bile,fever,thirstandpoison.TheseformsofSahita KumbhakapurifyandpreparetheentirephysiologicalorganismforthearousaloftheKundalini Saktiandfortheexperienceofthenon-dualBrahman.

Apartfrombringinganumberofwholesomephysiologicalchanges,BhastrikaKumbhaka piercesthethreeknotsortheGranthis.TheYoga-KundaliniUpanishadthenproceedstoprescribe thepracticeofthethreeBandhas,fortheYogicstudent.Theprocessbywhichthedownward tendencyoftheApana(breath)isforcedupbythespinctermusclesoftheanus,iscalledthe Mulabandha.BythisBandhatheApanaisraisedup.ItreachesthesphereofAgniorfire.Thenthe flameoftheAgnigrowslong,beingblownaboutbyVayu.Inaheatedstate,AgniandApana comminglewiththePrana.ThisAgniisveryfierce.

ThroughthisfieryAgni,therearisesinthebodythefirethatawakensandarousesthe Kundalini,throughitsradiantheat.ThearousedKundalinimakesahissingnoise,becomeserect andenterstheholeofBrahmanadi.TheYoginspractisethisMulabandhadaily.

InthisaimofarousingtheSarasvatiNadiandtheKundaliniShakti,theothertwoBandhas, viz.,UddiyanaBandhaandtheJalandharaBandha,alsoplaythemostsignificantpart.

AftergivingdetailedknowledgeofthetechniquesoftheBandhas,theYoga-Kundalini UpanishadexplainsthenumberofobstaclestheYogicstudentsencounter.Italsogivesthemethods ofovercomingtheseobstacles.

Thecausesofthediseasesinthebodyareseven.1.Sleepingduringthedaytime.2.Late vigilsovernight.3.Excessofsexualintercourse.4.Movingamidstcrowds.5.Theeffectof unwholesomefood.6.Checkingofthedischargeofurineandfaeces.7.Laboriousmental operationswiththePrana.

ThemistakethattheYogicstudentcommitsisthatwhendiseasesattackhim,he erroneouslyattributesthediseasestohispracticeofYoga.ThisisthefirstobstacleinYoga.

TheYogicstudentbeginstodoubtastotheefficacyoftheYogaSadhana.Thisisthesecond obstacle.Carelessnessorastateofconfusionisthethirdobstacle.Indifferenceorlazinessisthe fourthobstacle.Sleepisthefifthobstacleandthesixthistheattachmenttosense-objects.The seventhobstacleiserroneousperceptionordelusion.Theeighthisconcernwithworldlyaffairs. Theninthiswantoffaith.ThetenthobstacletoYogapracticeiswantofthenecessaryaptitudefor graspingtheYogatruths.

Earnestspiritualaspirantsshouldavoidalltheseobstaclesbymeansofacloseinvestigation andgreatdeliberation.Furtheron,theUpanishadsdescribetheprocessandthemannerbywhich theKundaliniisrousedandtakentotheSahasrarabypiercingthroughtheGranthis.

WhentheawakenedKundalinimovesupwards,theshowerofnectarflowscopiously.The Yogienjoysthiswhichkeepshimawayfromallsensualpleasures.TheYogitakeshisstandupon

theInnerReality,theAtman.Heenjoysthehigheststateofspiritualexperience.Heattainspeace andisdevotedonlytotheAtman.

BythewholeprocessoftheKundaliniYogaSadhana,thebodyoftheYogiattainsvery subtlestateofthespiritualConsciousness.TheYogiwhohasattainedtoSamadhiexperiences everythingasConsciousness.TheYogirealisestheonenessofthemacrocosmandthemicrocosm. Because,theKundaliniShaktihasreachedtheSahasraraKamalaorthethousand-petalledlotusand hasbecomeunitedwithSiva,theYogienjoysthehighestAvastha.Thisisthefinalbeatitude.

TheChakrasarecentresofShaktiasvitalforce.ThesearethecentresofPranaShakti manifestedbyPranavayuinthelivingbody.

ThoseaspirantswhoaspiretoarousetheKundaliniShaktitoenjoytheBlissofUnionof SivaandShakti,throughawakenedKundalini,andtogaintheaccompanyingPowersorSiddhis, shouldpractiseKundaliniYoga.Tothem,thisYoga-KundaliniUpanishadisofgreatimportance.It equipsthemwithacomprehensiveknowledgeofthemethodsandprocessesoftheKundaliniYoga inwhichtheKhechariMudrastandsprominent.

TheKundaliniYogiseekstoobtainbothBhuktiandMukti.Heattainsliberationinand throughtheworld.JnanaYogaisthepathofasceticismandliberation.KundaliniYogaisthepath ofenjoymentandliberation.

TheHathaYogiseeksabodywhichshallbeasstrongassteel,healthy,freefromsuffering andtherefore,long-lived.Masterofthebody,theYogiistheMasteroflifeanddeath.Hisshining formenjoysthevitalityofyouth.Helivesaslongashehasthewilltoliveandenjoysintheworldof forms.Hisdeathisthedeathatwill(Ichha-Mrityu).TheYogishouldseektheguidanceofanexpert andskilledGuru.

TheSerpentPoweristhepowerwhichisthestaticsupportorAdharaofthewholebodyand allitsmovingPranicforces.Thepolarityasitexistsin,andas,thebodyisdestroyedbyYogawhich disturbstheequilibriumofbodilyconsciousness,whichconsciousnessistheresultofthe maintenanceofthesetwopoles.

InthehumanbodythepotentialpoleofEnergywhichistheSupremePowerisstirredto action.TheShaktiismovedupwardtounitewiththeSiva,thequiescentConsciousnessinthe Sahasrara.

ByPranayamaandotherYogicprocessesthestaticShaktiisaffectedandbecomes dynamic.Whencompletelydynamic,whenKundaliniuniteswithSivaintheSahasrara,the polarisationofthebodygivesway.Thetwopolesareunitedinoneandthereisthestateof consciousnesscalledSamadhi.ThepolarisationtakesplaceintheConsciousness.Thebody actuallycontinuestoexistasanobjectofobservationtoothers.

WhentheKundaliniascends,thebodyoftheYogiismaintainedbythenectarwhichflow, fromtheunionofSivaandShaktiinSahasrara.GlorytoMotherKundaliniwho,throughHer InfiniteGraceandPower,kindlyleadstheSadhakafromChakratoChakraandillumineshimand

makeshimrealisehisidentitywiththeSupremeBrahman!TheYoga-KundaliniUpanishad attachesgreatimportancetothesearchforandfindingofrightGuru.Itinsistsuponreveringthe illuminedGuru,asGod.GuruisonewhohasfullSelf-illumination.Heremovestheveilof ignoranceinthedeludedindividuals.

ThenumberofrealisedGurusmaybelessinthisKaliYugawhencomparedwiththeSatya Yuga,buttheyarealwayspresenttohelptheaspirants.Theyarealwayssearchingfortheproper Adhikarins.

TheYoga-KundaliniUpanishadgivesalistoftheobstaclestoYogapractice.Sometaketo thepracticeofYoga,andlateron,whentheycomeacrosssomeobstaclesintheway,theydonot knowhowtoproceedfurther.Theydonotknowhowtoobviatethem.Manyaretheobstacles, dangers,snaresandpitfallsonthespiritualpath.Sadhakasmaycommitmanymistakesonthepath. AGuruwhohasalreadytroddenthepathandreachedthegoal,isverynecessarytoguidethem.

OnemoreimportantthingwhichyouwouldfindinmanyplacesintheYoga-Kundalini UpanishadistheSushumnaNadi.YoumusthaveacompleteknowledgeofthisNadi.

Now,awordonKundalini,thearousalofwhichistheimmediateaimoftheKundalini Yoga.Kundalini,theserpent-powerormysticfireistheprimordialenergyorShaktithatlies dormantorsleepingintheMuladharaChakra,thecentreofthebody.Itiscalledtheserpentineor annularpoweronaccountofserpentineform.Itisanelectricfieryoccultpower,thegreatpristine forcewhichunderliesallorganicandinorganicmatter.

CHITTAANDTHECONTROLOFPRANA

1.ChittaistheSubconsciousmind.Itisthemind-stuff.Itisthestore-houseofmemory. Samskarasorimpressionsofactionsareimbeddedhere.ItisoneofthefourpartsofAntahkaranaor innerinstruments,viz.,mind,intellect,ChittaandAhankaraorego.

2.Mindisformedoutofwind.So,itisfleetinglikethewind.Intellectisformedoutoffire. Chittaisformedoutofwater.Egoisformedoutofearth.

3.Chittahastwocausesforitsexistence,viz.,Vasanasorsubtledesiresandthevibrationof Prana.

4.Ifoneofthemiscontrolled,theresultis,bothofthemarecontrolled.

MITAHARA,ASANAANDSHAKTI-CHALANA

5.Ofthesetwo,viz.,PranaandVasanas,thestudentofYogashouldcontrolPranaby moderatefood(Mitahara),byAsanasorYogicposturesandthirdlybyShakti-Chalana.

6.OGautama!Ishallexplainthenatureofthesethreedisciplines.Listenwithraptattention.

7.TheYogishouldtakesweetandnutritiousfood.Heshouldfillhalfthestomachwith food.Heshoulddrinkwater,onequarterofthestomach.Heshouldleavethefourthquarterofthe stomachunfilledinordertopropitiateLordSiva,thepatronoftheYogins.Thisismoderationin diet.

THEPADMAANDVAJRAASANAS

8.Placingoftherightfootontheleftthighandtheleftfootontherightthigh,isPadmasana. Thispostureisthedestroyerofallsins.

9.PlacingoneheelbelowtheMuladharaandtheotheroveritandsittingwiththetrunk, neckandheadinonestraightlineistheadamantinepostureortheVajrasana.Mulakandaistheroot oftheKanda,thegenitalorgan.

THEROUSINGOFTHEKUNDALINI

10.AwiseYogishouldtaketheKundalinifromtheMuladharatotheSahasraraorthe thousand-petalledLotusinthecrownofthehead.ThisprocessiscalledShakti-Chalana.

11.TheKundalinishouldpassthroughtheSvadhishthanaChakra,theManipuraChakrain thenavel,theAnahataChakraintheheart,theVishuddhaChakrainthethroat,andtheAjnaChakra betweentheeyebrowsortheTrikuti.

12.TwothingsarenecessaryforthepracticeofShakti-Chalana.OneistheSarasvati ChalanaandtheotheristherestraintofPranaorthebreath.

THESARASVATICHALANA

13.SarasvatiChalanaistherousingoftheSarasvatiNadi.SarasvatiNadiissituatedonthe westofthenavelamongthefourteenNadis.SarasvatiiscalledArundhati.Literally,itmeansthat whichhelpstheperformanceofgoodactions.

14.ThroughthispracticeofSarasvatiChalanaandtherestraintofthePrana,theKundalini whichisspiralbecomesstraightened.

15.TheKundaliniisrousedonlybyrousingtheSarasvati.

16.WhenPranaorthebreathispassingthroughone’sIdaortheleftnostril,oneshouldsit firmlyinPadmasanaandlengtheninwards4digitstheAkasaof12digits.InexhalationPranagoes out16digitsandininhalationitgoesinonly12digits,thuslosing4.Butifinhaledfor16digitsthen theKundaliniisaroused.

17.ThewiseYogishouldbringSarasvatiNadibymeansofthislengthenedbreathand holdingfirmlytogetherboththeribsnearthenavelbymeansoftheforefingerandthumbsofboth handsonehandoneachside,shouldstirupKundaliniwithallhisstrength,fromrighttoleft,again andagain.Thisstirringmayextendoveraperiodof48minutes.

18.ThenheshoulddrawupalittlewhenKundalinifindsitsentryintoSushumna.Thisisthe meansbywhichtheKundalinientersthemouthofSushumna.

19.AlongwiththeKundalini,PranaalsoentersofitselftheSushumna.

20.TheYogicstudentshouldalsoexpandnavelbycompressingtheneck.Afterthis,by shakingSarasvati,thePranaissentabovetothechest.Bythecontractionoftheneck,Pranagoes abovefromthechest.

21.Sarasvatihassoundinherwomb.Sheshouldbethrownintovibrationorshakendaily.

22.MerelybyshakingSarasvationeiscuredofdropsyorJalodara,Gulma(adiseaseofthe stomach),Pliha(adiseaseofthespleen)andallotherdiseasesrisingwithinthebelly.

VARIETIESOFPRANAYAMA

23.Briefly,IwillnowdescribetoyouPranayama.PranaistheVayuthatmovesinthebody. TherestraintofPranawithinisknownasKumbhaka.

24.Kumbhakaisoftwokinds,namely,SahitaandKevala.

25.TillhegetsKevala,theYogicstudentshouldpractiseSahita.

26.TherearefourdivisionsorBhedas.Thesedivisionsare:Surya,Ujjayi,Sitaliand Bhastrika.SahitaKumbhakaistheKumbhakaassociatedwiththesefour.

SURYABHEDAKUMBHAKA

27.Selectaplacewhichispure,beautifulandfreefrompebbles,thorns,etc.Itshouldbeof thelengthofabowfreefromcold,fireandwater.Tothisplace,takeapureandpleasantseatwhich isneithertoohighnortoolow.Uponit,sitinPadmasana.Now,shakeorthrowintovibration Sarasvati.Slowlyinhalethebreathfromoutside,throughtherightnostril,aslongasthisis comfortable,andexhaleitthroughtheleftnostril.Exhaleafterpurifyingtheskullbyforcingthe breathup.ThisdestroysthefourkindsofevilscausedbyVayu.Itdestroysalsotheintestinal worms.Thisshouldberepeatedoften.ItiscalledSuryabheda.

UJJAYIKUMBHAKA

28.Closethemouth.Drawupslowlythebreaththroughboththenostrils.Retainitinthe spacebetweentheheartandtheneck.Thenexhalethroughtheleftnostril.

29.Thisremovesboththeheatcausedintheheadandthephlegminthethroat.Itremoves alldiseases.Itpurifiesthebodyandincreasesthegastricfire.Itremovesalltheevilsarisinginthe Nadis,Jalodaraordropsy,thatiswaterinthebelly,andDhatus.ThenameforthisKumbhakais Ujjayi.Itcanbepractisedevenwhenwalkingorstanding.

SITALIKUMBHAKA

30.Drawupthebreaththroughthetonguewiththehissingsound Sa. Retainitasbefore. Thenslowlyexhalethroughboththenostrils.ThisiscalledSitaliKumbhaka.

31.SitaliKumbhakacoolsthebody.Itdestroysgulmaorthechronicdyspepsia,Pliha(a diseaseofthespleen),consumption,bile,fever,thirstandpoison.

32.SitinPadmasanawithbellyandneckerect.Closethemouthandexhalethroughthe nostrils.Theninhalealittleuptothenecksothatthebreathwillfillthespace,withnoise,between theneckandskull.Thenexhaleinthesamewayandinhaleoftenandoften.Evenasthebellowsofa smitharemovedstuffedwithinwithairandthenletout,soyoushouldmovetheairwithinthebody. Whenyougettired,inhalethroughtherightnostril.IfthebellyisfullofVayu,presswellthe nostrilswithallyourfingersexcepttheforefinger.PerformKumbhakaandexhalethroughtheleft nostril.

33.Thisremovestheinflammationofthethroat.Itincreasesthedigestivegastricfire within.ItenablesonetoknowtheKundalini.Itproducespurity,removessins,givespleasureand happinessanddestroysphlegmwhichistheboltorobstacletothedooratthemouthofBrahmanadi ortheSushumna.

34.ItpiercesalsothethreeGranthisorknotsdifferentiatedthroughthethreemodesof NatureorGunas.ThethreeGranthisorknotsareVishnuGranthi,BrahmaGranthiandRudra Granthi.ThisKumbhakaiscalledBhastrika.ThisshouldbeespeciallypractisedbytheHatha Yogicstudents.

THETHREEBANDHAS

35.TheYogicstudentshouldnowpractisethethreeBandhas.ThethreeBandhasare:the MulaBandha,theUddiyanaBandhaandtheJalandharaBandha.

36. MulaBandha:Apana(breath)whichhasadownwardtendencyisforcedupbythe sphinctermusclesoftheanus.MulaBandhaisthenameofthisprocess.

37.WhenApanaisraisedupandreachesthesphereofAgni(fire)thentheflameofAgni growslong,beingblownaboutbyVayu.

38.Then,inaheatedstate,AgniandApanacomminglewiththePrana.ThisAgniisvery fiery.ThroughthistherearisesinthebodythefirethatrousesthesleepingKundalinithroughits heat.

39.ThenthisKundalinimakesahissingnoise.Itbecomeserectlikeaserpentbeatenwitha stickandenterstheholeofBrahmanadiortheSushumna.Therefore,theYoginsshouldpractise dailyMulabandhaoften.

40. TheUddiyanaBandha:AttheendoftheKumbhakaandatthebeginningofexpiration, UddiyanaBandhashouldbeperformed.Because PranaUddiyate,orthe Prana goesupthe SushumnainthisBandha,theYoginscallitUddiyana.

41.SitintheVajrasana.Holdfirmlythetwotoesbythetwohands.ThenpressattheKanda andattheplacesnearthetwoankles.ThengraduallyupbeartheTanaorthethreadortheNadi whichisonthewesternsidefirsttoUdaraortheupperpartoftheabdomenabovethenavel,thento theheartandthentotheneck.WhenthePranareachestheSandhiorthejunctionofthenavel, slowlyitremovestheimpuritiesanddiseasesinthenavel.Forthisreason,thisshouldbepractised frequently.

42. TheJalandharaBandha:ThisshouldbepractisedattheendofPuraka(afterinhalation). ThisisoftheformofcontractionoftheneckandisanimpedimenttothepassageofVayu (upwards).

43.ThePranagoesthroughBrahmanadionthewesternTanainthemiddle,whentheneck iscontractedatoncebybendingdownwardssothatthechinmaytouchthebreast.Assumingthe postureasmentionedbefore,theYogishouldstirupSarasvatiandcontrolPrana.

HOWMANYTIMESKUMBHAKASHOULDBEPRACTISED

44.Onthefirstday,Kumbhakashouldbepractisedfourtimes.

45.Itshouldbedonetentimes,onthesecondday,andthenfivetimesseparately.

46.Onthethirdday,twentytimeswillbeenough.AfterwardsKumbhakashouldbe practisedwiththethreeBandhasandwithanincreaseoffivetimeseachday.

THEOBSTACLESTOTHEPRACTICEOFYOGAANDHOWTO OVERCOMETHEM

47.Sevenarethecausesofthediseasesinthebody.Sleepingduringthedaytimeisthefirst, latevigilsovernightisthesecond,excessofsexualintercoursethethird,movingamidstcrowdsthe fourth.Thefifthcauseistheeffectofunwholesomefood.Thesixthisthecheckingofthedischarge ofurineandfaeces.TheseventhisthelaboriousmentaloperationwithPrana.

48.Whenattackedbysuchdiseases,theYogiwhoisafraidofthemsays,“Mydiseaseshave arisenfrommypracticesofYoga.”Thenhewilldiscontinuethispractice.Thisisthefirstobstacle toYoga.

49.ThesecondobstacletoYogaisthedoubtastotheefficacyofYogapractice.

50.Thirdobstacleiscarelessnessorastateofconfusion.

51.Thefourthisindifferenceorlaziness.

52.SleepconstitutesthefifthobstacletoYogapractice.

53.Thesixthisnotleavingtheobjectsofsenses;theseventhistheerroneousperceptionor delusion.

54.Theeighthissensualobjectsorconcernwithworldlyaffairs.Theninthiswantoffaith. Thetenthisnon-aptitudeforunderstandingofthetruthsofYoga.

THEROUSINGOFTHEKUNDALINI

55.TheintelligentpractitionerofYogashould,bymeansofcloseinvestigationandgreat deliberation,avoidthesetenobstacles.

56.WiththemindfirmlyfixedontheTruth,thepracticeofPranayamashouldbeperformed daily.ThenthemindtakesitsreposeintheSushumna.ThePranathereforenevermoves.

57.WhentheimpuritiesofthemindarethusremovedandPranaisabsorbedinthe Sushumna,onebecomesatrueYogin.

58.Whentheaccumulatedimpurity,cloggingtheSushumnaNadi,iscompletelyremoved andthepassageofvitalairthroughtheSushumnaiseffectedbyperformingKevalaKumbhaka,the YoginforciblycausestheApanawiththedownwardcoursetoriseupwardsbythecontractionof theanus(MulaBandha).

59.Thusraisedup,theApanamixeswithAgni.ThentheygoupquicklytotheseatofPrana. Then,PranaandApanaunitingwithoneanother,gotoKundaliniwhichiscoiledupandasleep.

60.HeatedbyAgniandstirredupbyVayu,Kundalinistretchesitsbodyintheinteriorofthe mouthoftheSushumna.

THEKUNDALINIREACHESTHESAHASRARABYPIERCING THROUGHTHETHREEKNOTS

61.TheKundalinipiercesthroughtheBrahmagranthiformedofRajas.Itflashesatonce likelightningatthemouthofSushumna.

62.ThenKundalinigoesupatoncethroughVishnugranthitotheheart.Thenitgoesup throughtheRudragranthiandaboveittothemiddleoftheeyebrows.

63.Havingpiercedthisplace,theKundalinigoesuptotheMandala(sphere)ofthemoon.It driesupthemoistureproducedbythemoonintheAnahataChakrawhichhassixteenpetals.

64.ThroughthespeedofPrana,whenthebloodisagitated,itbecomesbilefromitscontact withthesun.Thenitgoestothesphereofthemoon.Hereitbecomesofthenatureofpurephlegm.

65.Whenitflowsthere,howdoesthebloodwhichisverycoldbecomehot?

66.Sinceatthesametimetheintensewhiteformofmoonisrapidlyheated.Theagitated Kundalinimovesupwardsandtheshowerofnectarflowsmorecopiously.

67.Asaresultofswallowingthis,theChittaoftheYoginiskeptawayfromallsensual pleasures.TheYoginisexclusivelyabsorbedintheAtmapartakingofthesacrificialofferingcalled nectar.HetakeshisstandinhisownSelf.

68.Heenjoysthishigheststate.HebecomesdevotedtotheAtmanandattainspeace.

THEDISSOLUTIONOFPRANAANDOTHERS

69.TheKundalinithengoestotheseatoftheSahasrara.Itgivesuptheeightformsofthe Prakriti:earth,water,fire,air,ether,mind,intellectandegoism.

70.Afterclaspingtheeye,themind,thePranaandtheothersinherembrace,theKundalini goestoSivaandclaspingSivaaswell,dissolvesherselfintheSahasrara.

71.ThusRajas-Suklaortheseminalfluidwhichrisesup,goestoSivaalongwithMarutor theVayu.PranaandApanawhicharealwaysproducedbecomeequal.

72.Pranaflowsinallthings,bigandsmall,describableorindescribable,asfireingold.The breathalsodissolvesitself.

73.Borntogetherofthesamequality,thePranaandtheApanaalsodissolvethemselvesin thepresenceofSivaintheSahasrara.Havingreachedanequipoisedcondition,theynolongergoup ordown.

74.ThentheYogithriveswiththePranaspreadoutwardintheformofattenuatedelements orinthemereremembranceofit,themindhavingbeenreducedtotheformoffaintimpressionsand thespeechhavingremainedonlyintheformofrecollection.

75.Allthevitalairsthenspreadthemselvesoutrightinhisbodyevenasgoldinacrucible placedonfire.

EXPERIENCINGEVERYTHINGASCONSCIOUSNESSDURING SAMADHI

76.ThebodyoftheYogiattainsverysubtlestateofthepureBrahman.Bycausingthebody madeoftheelementstobeabsorbedinasubtlestateintheformoftheParamatmanorthesupreme Deity,thebodyoftheYogigivesupitsimpurecorporalstate.

77.ThataloneistheTruthunderlyingallthings,whichisreleasedfromthestateof non-sentienceandisdevoidofimpurities.

78.ThatalonewhichisofthenatureoftheAbsoluteConsciousness,whichisofthe characteroftheattribute“I”ofallbeings,theBrahman,thesubtlestformofThataloneistheTruth underlyingallthings.

79.ThereleasefromthenotionthattheBrahmanisqualified,thedelusionaboutthe existenceornon-existenceofanythingapartfromtheBrahman(whichshouldbeannihilated)and experiencesuchasthesethatremain,theretheYogishouldknowastheBrahman.Simultaneously withthedrawingofsuchknowledgeoftheformoftheAtman,theliberationisattainedbyhim.

80.Whensuchisnotthecase,onlyallkindsofabsurdandimpossiblenotionsarise.The rope-serpentandsuchotherabsurdnotions,broughtaboutbydelusiontaketheirrise.Absurd notionslikethenotionwhichmenandwomenhave,ofsilver,intheshellofthepearl-oyster,arise.

81.TheYogishouldrealisetheonenessoftheVisvatmanandothersuptotheTuriya.He shouldrealisetheonenessofthemicrocosmwiththeViratAtmanandothers,uptotheTuriya,of themacrocosm,alsooftheLingawiththeSutratman,oftheSelfwiththeunmanifestedstate,ofthe Atmanmanifestedinone’sSelfwiththeAtmanofConsciousness.

THESAMADHIYOGA

82.TheKundaliniSaktiislikeathreadintheLotus.Itisresplendent.Itisbitingwithits mouth,theupperendofitsbody,attherootoftheLotus,theMulakandaortheMuladhara.

83.ItisincontactwiththeholeofBrahmanadiofSushumna,takingholdofitstailwithits mouth.

84.SeatedinPadmasana,ifapersonwhohasaccustomedhimselftothecontractionofhis anus(MulaBandha),makestheVayugoupwardswiththemindintentonKumbhaka,theAgni comestotheSvadhishthanaflaming,owingtotheblowingofVayu.

85.FromtheblowingofVayuandAgni,KundalinipiercesopentheBrahmagranthi.Itthen piercesopentheVishnugranthi.

86.ThentheKundalinipiercestheRudragranthi.Afterthat,itpiercesallthesixlotusesor theplexus.ThentheKundaliniSaktiishappywithSivainSahasradalaKamala,the thousand-petalledlotus.ThisshouldbeknownasthehighestAvasthaorthestate.Thisaloneisthe giveroffinalbeatitude.Thusendsthefirstchapter.

THEKHECHARIVIDYA

1.Now,then,adescriptionofthesciencecalledKhechari.

2.Hewhohasdulymasteredthisscience,isfreedfromoldageanddeath,inthisworld.

3.Knowingthisscience,OSage,onewhoissubjecttothepainsofdeath,diseaseandold age,shouldmakehismindfirmandpractiseKhechari.

4.HewhohasgainedaknowledgeoftheKhecharifrombooks,fromtheexpositionofthe meaningofthesame,andwhohasbyrecoursetoitspractice,gainedamasteryofthisscience, becomesthedestroyerofoldage,deathanddisease,inthisworld.

5.Suchamaster,oneshouldapproachforshelter.Fromallpointsofview,oneshouldlook uponhimashisGuru.

6.ThescienceofKhechariisnoteasilyaccessible.Itspracticeisnoteasilyattainable.Its practiceandMelanaarenotaccomplishedsimultaneously.Literally,Melanaisjoining.

7.ThekeytothisscienceofKhechariiskeptaprofoundsecret.Thesecretisrevealedby adeptsonlyatinitiation.

8.TheydonotgetMelana,whoarebentonlyuponpractice.OBrahman,onlysomegetthe practiceafterseveralbirths.But,evenafterhundredbirths,Melanaisnotobtained.

9.Asaresultofhavingundergonethepracticeforseveralbirths,someYogisgettheMelana insomefuturebirth.

10.TheYogiattainstheSiddhimentionedinseveralbooks,whenhegetsthisMelanafrom themouthoftheGuru.

11.ThestateofSivafreedfromallrebirth,isachievedwhenthepractitionergetsthis Melanafromthegraspofthesignificancepresentedinthebooks.

12.Thisscienceis,therefore,verydifficulttomaster.Untilhegetsthisscience,theascetic shouldwanderoverearth.

13.TheascetichasphysicalpowersorSiddhisinhishand,themomentheobtainsthis science.

14.OneshouldthereforeregardasAchyutaorVishnu,anypersonwhoimpartsthisMelana. HetooshouldberegardedasAchyuta,whogivesthisscience.Hewhoteachesthepractice,should beregardedasSiva.

15.Youhavegotthesciencefromme.Youshouldnotrevealittoothers.Onewhoknows thisscience,shouldpractiseitwithallhisefforts.Excepttothosewhodeserveit,heshouldgiveit tonone.

16.OnewhoisabletoteachtheDivineYoga,istheGuru.Totheplacewherehelives,one shouldgo.Then,learnfromhimthescienceofKhechari.

17.Taughtwellbyhim,oneshouldatfirstpractiseitcarefully.Apersonwillthenattainthe SiddhiofKhechari,bymeansofthisscience.

18.OnebecomestheLordofKhecharasortheDevas,byjoiningwithKhechariShakti(viz., KundaliniShakti)bymeansofthisscienceofKhechari.Helivesamongstthem,always.

THEKHECHARIMANTRA

19.KhecharicontainstheBijaortheseed-letter.KhechariBijaisspokenofasAgni encircledwithwater.ItistheabodeoftheDevasortheKhecharas.ThemasteryoftheSiddhiis obtainedbythisYoga.

20.TheninthletterorBijaofSomamsaortheMoonface,shouldbepronouncedinthe reverseorder.ThenconsideritastheSupremeanditsbeginningasfifth.ThisissaidtobeKuta (horns)oftheseveralBhinnas(orparts)ofthemoon.

21.ThroughtheinitiationofaGuru,thiswhichtendstotheaccomplishmentofallYogas, shouldbelearnt.

22.OnewhorecitesthistwelvetimeseverydaywillnotgeteveninsleepthatMayaor illusionwhichisborninhisbodyandisthesourceofallviciousdeeds.

23.Totheonewhorecitesthisfivelakhsoftimeswithverygreatcare,thescienceof Khechariwillrevealitself.Forhim,allobstaclesvanish.TheDevasarepleased.Withoutdoubt,the destructionofthegreynessofhairandwrinkles,Valipalita,willtakeplace.

24.Onewhohasacquiredthegreatscience,shouldpractiseitconstantly.Otherwise,hewill notgetanySiddhiinthepathofKhechari.

25.Ifinthispractice,onedoesnotgetthisnectar-likescience,heshouldgetitinthe beginningofMelanaandreciteitalways.Otherwise,onewhoiswithoutitnevergetsSiddhi.

26.Nosooneronegetsthisscience,thanoneshouldpractiseit.Itisthenthatonewillsoon gettheSiddhi.

27.ThesevensyllablesHRIM,BHAM,SAM,PAM,PHAM,SAMandKSHAMconstitute theKhechariMantra.

THECUTTINGOFFRENUMLINGUI

28.AknoweroftheAtman,havingdrawnoutthetonguefromtherootofthepalate,should inaccordancewiththeadviceofhisGuru,cleartheimpuritiesofthetongueforsevendays.

29.Heshouldtakeasharp,oiledandcleansedknifewhichresemblestheleafoftheplant Snuhi,themilk-hedgeplant,andshouldcutforthespaceofahair,thefrenumlingui.Heshould powderSaindhavaortherock-saltandPathyaorthesea-saltandapplyittothatplace.

30.Ontheseventhday,heshouldagaincutforthespaceofahair.Thus,withgreatcare,he shouldcontinueitalways,forthespanofsixmonths.

31.Therootofthetongue,fixedwithveins,ceasestobeinsixmonths.ThentheYogiwho knowstimelyactionshouldencirclewithcloththetipofthetongue,theabodeofVag-Ishvariorthe deitypresidingoverspeech,andshoulddrawitup.

THETONGUEREACHESTHEBRAHMARANDHRA

32.OSage,againbydailydrawingitupforsixmonths,itcomesasfarasthemiddleofthe eyebrowsandobliquelyuptotheopeningoftheears.Bygradualpractice,itgoesuptotherootof thechin.

33.Then,witheaseitgoesuptotheendofthehair(ofthehead)inthreeyears.Itgoesup obliquelytoSakha(somepartbelowtheskull)anddownwardstothewellofthethroat.

34.ItoccupiesBrahmarandhra,inanotherthreeyears.Withoutdoubt,itstopsthere. Crosswiseitgoesuptothetopoftheheadanddownwardstothewellofthethroat.Graduallyit opensthegreatadamantinedoorinthehead.

35.OneshouldperformthesixAngasorpartsoftheKhechariBijaMantrabypronouncing itinsixdifferentintonations.InordertoattainalltheSiddhis,oneshoulddothis.

36.KaranyasaorthemotionsofthefingersandhandsinthepronunciationoftheMantras, shouldbedonegradually.Karanyasashouldneverbedoneallatatime,becausethebodyofone whodoesitallatoncewillsoondecay.ObestoftheSages,littlebylittleitshouldbepractised.

37.Oneshould,whenthetonguegoestotheBrahmarandhrathroughtheouterpath,place thetongueaftermovingtheboltofBrahma.TheboltofBrahmacannotbemasteredbytheDevas.

38.Ondoingthiswiththepointofthefingerforthreeyears,theYogishouldmakethe tongueenterwithin.ItenterstheBrahmadvaraorhole.OnenteringtheBrahmadvara,oneshould practisewellMathanaorchurning.

39.EvenwithoutMathana,somewiseYogisattainSiddhi.Healsoaccomplishesitwithout Mathana,whoisversedinKhechariMantra.OnereapsthefruitsoonbydoingJapaandMathana.

40.TheYogishouldrestrainhisbreathinhisheart,byconnectingawiremadeofgold, silverorironwiththenostrilsbymeansofathreadsoakedinmilk.Sittinginaconvenientposture, withhiseyesconcentratedbetweenhiseyebrows,heshouldperformMathanaslowly.

41.TheStateofMathanabecomesnaturallikesleepinchildren,withinsixmonths.Itisnot advisabletodoMathanaalways.Itshouldbedoneonceonlyineverymonth.

THEURDHVAKUNDALINIYOGA

42.AYogishouldnotrevolvehistongueinthepath.Twelveyearsofthispractice,will surelygivetheSiddhitotheYogi.ThentheYogiperceivestheentireuniverseinhisbodyasnot beingdifferentfromtheAtman.

43.OChiefofKings,thispathoftheUrdhvaKundaliniorthehigherKundalini,conquers themacrocosm.Hereendsthesecondchapter.

MELANAMANTRA

1. Melanamantra:—Hrim,Bham,Sam,Sham,Pham,SamandKsham.

2.TheLotus-bornBrahmasaid:Amongnewmoon,thefirstdayofthelunarfortnightand fullmoon,OShankara,whichisspokenofastheMantra’ssign?Inthefirstdayoflunarfortnight andduringnewmoonandfullmoondays,itshouldbemadefirm.Thereisnootherwayortime.

SENSE-OBJECTS,MANASANDBANDHANA

3.Throughpassion,apersonlongsforanobject.Heisinfatuatedwithpassionforobjects. Thesetwooneshouldleave.TheNiranjanaortheStainlessshouldbesoughtafter.Allthatone thinksisfavourabletooneselfshouldbeabandoned.

4.TheYoginshouldkeeptheManasinthemidstofShakti,andtheShaktiinthemidstof Manas.HeshouldlookintoManasbymeansofManas.Itisthenthatheleaveseventhehighest stage.

5.ManasaloneistheBindu.Itisthecauseofcreationandpreservation.

6.Likecurdfrommilk,itisonlythroughManasthatBinduisproduced.Theorganof ManasisnotthatwhichissituatedinthemiddleofBandhana.BandhanaistherewhereShaktiis betweentheSunandtheMoon.

THEENTRYINTOTHESUKHA-MANDALA

7.TheYogishouldstandintheseatofBinduandclosethenostrils,havingknown SushumnaanditsBhedaorpiercingandmakingtheVayugointhemiddle.

8.AfterknowingVayu,theabove-mentionedBinduandtheSattva-Prakritiaswellasthe sixChakras,oneshouldenterthesphereofhappiness,SahasraraortheSukha-Mandala.

THESIXCHAKRAS

9.Therearesixchakras.Muladharaisintheanus.Svadhishthanaisnearthegenitalorgan. Manipurakaisinthenavel.Anahataisintheheart.

10.TheVishuddhiChakraisattherootoftheneck.ThesixthChakra,theAjnaisinthehead (betweenthetwoeyebrows).

11.AftergainingaknowledgeofthesesixMandalasorspheres,oneshouldenterthe Sukhamandala,drawinguptheVayuandsendingitupwards.

12.HebecomesonewithBrahmanda,themacrocosm,whopractisesthusthecontrolof Vayu.Vayu,Bindu,Chitta,andChakrashouldbemasteredbyhim.

ABHYASAANDBRAHMAJNANA

13.ThroughSamadhialone,theYogisattainthenectarofequality.

14.WithoutthepracticeofYoga,thelampofwisdomdoesnotarise,evenasthefirelatent inthesacrificialwooddoesnotappearwithoutchurning.

15.Thefireinavesseldoesnotshedlightoutside.But,whenthevesselisbroken,itslight appearswithout.

16.One’sbodyiscalledthevessel.Theseatof“That”isthelightorthefirewithin.When, throughthewordsofaGuru,thebodyisbroken,thelightofBrahmajnanabecomesresplendent.

17.OnecrossesthesubtlebodyandtheoceanofSamsara,withtheGuruasthehelmsman, andthroughtheaffinitiesofAbhyasa.

THEFOURKINDSOFVAK

18.SproutinginPara,Vak(powerofspeech)givesforthtwoleavesinPasyanti,budsforth inMadhyamaandblossomsinVaikhari—thatVak,earlierdescribed,reachesthestageofthe absorptionofsound,reversingtheaboveorder,viz.,beginningwithVaikhari,etc.

19.Para,Pasyanti,MadhyamaandVaikhari,arethefourkindsofVak.Paraisthehighestof sounds.Vaikhariisthelowestofsounds.

20.Vakbeginsfromthehighestofsoundstothelowest,inevolution.

21.IninvolutionittakesareverseorderinordertomergeinParaorthehighestsubtle sound.

22.AnyonewhothinksthattheOnewhoisthegreatLordofthatVak,theundifferentiated, theIlluminatorofthatVakistheSelf—suchapersonwhothinksoverthus,isnevereffectedby words,highorlow,goodorbad.

THEABSORPTIONINPARAMATMAN

23.ThroughtheabsorptionoftheirrespectiveUpadhisorvehiclesalltheseinturnare absorbedinthePratyagatma—thethreeaspectsofconsciousness,Visva,Taijasa,andPrajnain man,thethree,Virat,Hiranyagarbha,andIshvaraintheuniverse,theeggoftheuniverse,theeggof manandthesevenworlds.

24.HeatedbythefireofJnana,theeggisabsorbedwithitsKaranaorcause,into ParamatmanortheuniversalSelf.ItbecomesonewithParabrahman.

25.Itisthenneithersteadinessnordepth,neitherlightnordarkness,neitherdescribablenor distinguishable.ThataloneremainswhichistheBe-nessortheSat.

THEESSENTIALNATUREOFMAN

26.Likealightinavessel,theAtmaniswithinthebody—thusoneshouldthink.

27.Atmanisofthedimensionsofathumb.Itisalightwithoutsmoke.Itiswithoutform.It isshiningwithinthebody.Itisundifferentiableandimmortal.

28.Thefirstthreeaspectsofconsciousnessrefertothegross,subtleandKaranabodiesof man.Thesecondthreeaspectsofconsciousnessrefertothethreebodiesoftheuniverse.

29.Inhisformation,manisandappearsasanegg,evenastheuniverseisandappearsasan egg.

30.Duringthestatesofwaking,dreaminganddreamlesssleep,theVijnanaAtmawhich dwellsinthisbodyisdeludedbyMaya.

31.But,aftermanybirths,owingtotheeffectofgoodKarma,itwishestoattainitsown essentialstate.

32.Theenquirysetsin.WhoamI?Howhasthisstainofmundaneexistencecometome?In thedreamlesssleepwhatbecomesofmewhoamengagedinbusinessduringboththestates, wakinganddreaming?

33.TheChidabhasaistheresultofnon-wisdom.Itisburntbythewisethoughts,evenasa baleofcottonisburntbyfire,andalsobyitsownsupremeillumination.

34.Theburningoftheouterbodyisnoburningatall.

35.PratyagatmaisintheDahara(Akasaortheetheroftheheart).Itobtains,whenthe worldlywisdomisdestroyed,Vijnana,anddiffusesitselfeverywhereandinaninstantburnsthe twosheaths,VijnanamayaandManomaya.Then,itisHeHimselfthatshinesalwayswithin.It shineslikealightwithinavessel.

36.Tillsleepandtilldeath,theMuniwhocontemplatesthusshouldbeknownasa Jivanmukta.

VIDEHAMUKTI

37.Hehasdonewhatoughttobedone.Therefore,heisafortunateperson.

38.SuchapersonattainsVidehamukti,havinggivenupeventhestateofJivanmukti.

39.Nosoonerthebodywearsoff,thanheobtainstheemancipationinadisembodiedstate, Videhamukti.Thestate,asifofmovingintheair,hegains.

NON-DUALBRAHMAN

40.Afterthat,Thataloneremains.Thatisthesoundless,thetouchless,theformlessandthe deathless.

41.ThatistheRasaortheEssence.Itiseternalandodourless.Itisgreaterthanthegreat;it hasneitherbeginningnorend.Itisthepermanent,thestainlessandthedecayless.Thusendsthe Yoga-KundaliniUpanishad.

KUNDALINIYOGA

TheYoginwhoworksforliberationdoessothroughKundaliniYogawhichgivesboth enjoymentandliberation.AteverycentretowhichherousesKundaliniheexperiencesspecialform ofblissandgainsspecialpowers.CarryingHertoSivaathiscerebralcentre,heenjoystheSupreme blisswhichinitsnatureisthatofLiberationandwhichwhenestablishedinpermanenceis Liberationitselfonthelooseningofspiritandbody.

Energy(Sakti)polarisesitselfintotwoformsnamely,staticorpotential(Kundalini) dynamic(theworkingforcesofthebodyasPrana).Behindallactivitythereisastaticbackground. Thisstaticcentreinthehumanbodyisthecentreserpent-powerintheMuladhara(rootsupport).

ThisstaticSaktiisaffectedbyPranayamaandotherYogicprocessesandbecomesdynamic. ThuswhencompletelydynamicthatiswhenKundaliniuniteswithSivaintheSahasrarathe polarisationofthebodygivesway.Thetwopolesareunitedinoneandthereisthestateof consciousnesscalledSamadhi.Thepolarisation,ofcourse,takesplaceinconsciousness.Thebody actuallycontinuestoexistasanobjectofobservationtoothers.Itcontinuesitsorganiclife.But man’sconsciousnessofhisbodyandallotherobjects,iswithdrawnbecausethemindhasceasedso farashisconsciousnessisconcerned,thefunctionhavingbeenwithdrawnintoitsgroundwhichis Consciousness.

Whenawakened,KundaliniSakticeasestobeastaticpowerwhichsustainsthe world-consciousness,thecontentofwhichisheldonlysolongasshesleeps;andwhenoncesetin movementKundaliniisdrawntothatotherstaticcentreintheThousand-petalledLotus(Sahasrara) toattainunionwiththeSivaConsciousnessortheconsciousnessofecstasybeyondtheworldof forms.WhenKundalinisleepsmanisawaketothisworld.Whenshewakeshesleepsi.e.losesall consciousnessoftheworldandentersthecausalbody.InYogahepassesbeyondtoformless consciousness.

PranayamaforAwakeningKundalini:Whenyoupracticethefollowing,concentrateonthe MuladharaChakraatthebaseofthespinalcolumnwhichistriangularinformandwhichistheseat oftheKundaliniSakti.Closetherightnostrilwithyourrightthumb.Inhalethroughtheleftnostril tillyoucount3Omsslowly.ImaginethatyouaredrawingthePranawiththeatmosphericair.Then closetheleftnostrilwithyourlittleandringfingersoftherighthand.Thenretainthebreathfor12

Oms.Sendthecurrentdownthespinalcolumnstraightintothetriangularlotus,theMuladhara Chakra.Imaginethatthenerve-currentisstrikingagainsttheLotusandawakeningtheKundalini. Thenslowlyexhalethroughtherightnostrilcounting6Oms.Repeattheprocessfromtheright nostrilasstatedaboveusingthesameunitsandhavingthesameimaginationandfeeling.This PranayamawillawakentheKundaliniquickly.Doit3timesinthemorningand3timesinthe evening.Increasethenumberandtimegraduallyandcautiouslyaccordingtoyourstrengthand capacity.InthisPranayamaconcentrationontheMuladharaChakraistheimportantthing, KundaliniwillbeawakenedquicklyifthedegreeofconcentrationisintenseandifthePranayamais practisedregularly.

KUNDALINIPRANAYAMA

InthisPranayama,theBhavanaismoreimportantthantheratiobetweenPuraka, KumbhakaandRechaka.

SitinPadmaorSiddhaAsanafacingtheEastortheNorth.

Aftermentallyprostratingtothelotus-feetoftheSat-guruandrecitingStotrasinpraiseof GodandGuru,commencedoingthisPranayamawhichwilleasilyleadtotheawakeningofthe Kundalini.

Inhaledeeplywithoutmakinganysound.Asyouinhale,feelthattheKundalinilying dormantintheMuladharaChakraisawakenedandisgoingupfromChakratoChakra.Atthe conclusionofthePuraka,havetheBhavanathattheKundalinihasreachedtheSahasrara.Themore vividthevisualisationofChakraafterChakra,themorerapidwillbeyourprogressinthisSadhana.

Retainthebreathforashortwhile.RepeatthePranavaoryourIshtaMantra.Concentrateon theSahasraraChakra.FeelthatbytheGraceofMotherKundalini,thedarknessofignorance envelopingyoursoulhasbeendispelled.Feelthatyourwholebeingispervadedbylight,powerand wisdom.

Slowlyexhalenow.And,asyouexhalefeelthattheKundaliniSaktiisgradually descendingfromtheSahasraraandfromChakratoChakra,totheMuladharaChakra.

Nowbegintheprocessagain.

ItisimpossibletoextolthiswonderfulPranayamaadequately.Itisthemagicwandfor attainingperfectionveryquickly.Evenafewdays’practicewillconvinceyouofitsremarkable glory.Startfromtoday,thisverymoment.

MayGodblessyouwithjoy,blissandimmortality.

LAMBIKAYOGA

PracticeofKhechariMudraisLambikaYoga.ThetechniqueoftheMudraisexplained below.HewhopractisesthisMudrawillhaveneitherhungernorthirst.Hecanwalkinthesky.This Yogaisbesetwithdifficulties.

ThisisaverydifficultYoga.IthastobelearntunderadevelopedYogiGuruwhohas practisedthisYogaforalongtimeandattainedfullsuccess.

ItiskeptsecretbyYogis.ItconfersgreatSiddhisorpowers.Itisagreathelptocontrolthe mind.

HewhohasattainedsuccessinthisMudra,willhaveneitherhungernorthirst.Hecan controlhisPranaquiteeasily.

KhechariMudra,YoniMudraorShanmukhiMudra,SambhaviMudra,AsviniMudra, MahaMudraandYogaMudraaretheimportantMudras.AmongtheseMudras,KhechariMudrais theforemost.ItisthekingoftheMudras.Mudrameansaseal.ItputsasealtothemindandPrana. MindandPranacomeunderthecontrolofaYogi.

KhechariMudraconsistsoftwoimportantKriyasviz.,ChhedanandDohan.

Thelowerpartofthefrontportionofthetongue,thefrenumlingua,iscuttotheextentofa hair’sbreadthwithasharpknifeonceinaweek.Afterwardspowderofturmericisdustedoverit. Thisiscontinuedforsomemonths.ThisisChhedan.

AfterwardstheYogicstudentappliesbuttertothetongueandlengthensitdaily.Hedraws thetongueinsuchawaythatitissimilartotheprocessofmilkingtheudderofacow.Thisis Dohan.

Whenthetongueissufficientlylong(itshouldtouchthetipofthenose)thestudentfoldsit, takesitbackandclosestheposteriorportionofthenostrils.Nowhesitsandmeditates.Thebreath stopscompletely.

Forsomethecuttingandthelengtheningofthetongueisnotnecessary.Theyarebornwith alongtongue.

HewhohasattainedperfectioninthisMudrabecomesawalkerinthesky.QueenChudala hadthisSiddhiorpower.

Hewhohaspurityandotherdivinevirtues,whoisfreefromdesire,greedandlust,whois endowedwithdispassion,discriminationandstrongaspirationorlongingforliberationwillbe benefitedbythepracticeofthisMudra.

TheMudrahelpstheYogitogethimselfburiedunderneaththeground.

YOGA—I

Yogaisaperfectpracticalsystemofself-culture.Yogaisanexactscience.Itaimsatthe harmoniousdevelopmentofthebody,themindandthesoul.Yogaistheturningawayofthesenses fromtheobjectiveuniverseandtheconcentrationofthemindwithin.Yogaiseternallifeinthesoul orspirit.Yogaaimsatcontrollingthemindanditsmodifications.ThepathofYogaisaninnerpath whosegatewayisyourheart.

Yogaisthedisciplineofthemind,sensesandphysicalbody.Yogahelpsinthe co-ordinationandcontrolofthesubtleforceswithinthebody.Yogabringsinperfection,peaceand everlastinghappiness.Yogacanhelpyouinyourbusinessandinyourdailylife.Youcanhave calmnessofmindatalltimesbythepracticeofYoga.Youcanhaverestfulsleep.Youcanhave increasedenergy,vigour,vitality,longevityandahighstandardofhealth.Yogatransmutesanimal natureintodivinenatureandraisesyoutothepinnacleofdivinegloryandsplendour.

ThepracticeofYogawillhelpyoutocontroltheemotionsandpassionsandwillgiveyou powertoresisttemptationsandtoremovethedisturbingelementsfromthemind.Itwillenableyou tokeepabalancedmindalwaysandremovefatigue.Itwillconferonyouserenity,calmnessand wonderfulconcentration.ItwillenableyoutoholdcommunionwiththeLordandthusattainthe summumbonum ofexistence.

IfyouwanttoattainsuccessinYoga,youwillhavetoabandonallworldlyenjoymentsand practiseTapasandBrahmacharya.Youwillhavetocontrolthemindskilfullyandtactfully.You willhavetousejudiciousandintelligentmethodstocurbit.Ifyouuseforce,itwillbecomemore turbulentandmischievous.Itcannotbecontrolledbyforce.Itwilljumpanddriftawaymoreand more.Thosewhoattempttocontrolthemindbyforcearelikethosewhoendeavourtobinda furiouselephantwithathinsilkenthread.

AGuruorpreceptorisindispensableforthepracticeofYoga.Theaspirantinthepathof Yogashouldbehumble,simple,gentle,refined,tolerant,mercifulandkind.Ifyouhaveacuriosity togetpsychicpowersyoucannothavesuccessinYoga.Yogadoesnotconsistinsitting cross-leggedforsixhoursorstoppingthepulseorbeatingoftheheartorgettingoneselfburied underneaththegroundforaweekoramonth.

Self-sufficiency,impertinence,pride,luxury,name,fame,self-assertivenature,obstinacy, ideaofsuperiority,sensualdesires,evilcompany,laziness,overeating,overwork,toomuchmixing andtoomuchtalkingaresomeoftheobstaclesinthepathofYoga.Admityourfaultsfreely.When youarefreefromalltheseeviltraits,Samadhiorunionwillcomebyitself.

PractiseYamaandNiyama.SitcomfortablyinPadmaorSiddhasana.Restrainthebreath. Withdrawthesenses.Controlthethoughts.Concentrate.MeditateandattainAsamprajnataor NirvikalpaSamadhi(unionwiththeSupremeSelf).

MayyoushineasabrilliantYogibythepracticeofYoga.Mayyouenjoytheblissof eternal.

YOGA—II

Yogaisprimarilyaprocessofself-culture.Itsaimistheattainmentofspiritualperfectionor Self-realisation.TheprocessofYogapertainstothecontrolofthephysicalorgans,thebreath,the mindandthesenses.

PracticeofYogabestowsarichandfulllife.Itis,infact,thescienceoflivingapureand healthylife.

Practiceofself-restraint,mentalequipoise,truthfulness,compassion,purityand selflessnessconstitutestheprocessofYoga.

PracticeofAsana,Pranayama,BandhaandMudraalsoconstitutestheprocessofYoga.

Anationcomposedofphysicallystrongandmentallyhealthypeoplecansurelybegreat.

Physicalcultureshouldstartatanearlyage.Bothbodyandmindshouldbetrained. Exercisesshouldprovidebothrecreationandphysicalandmentaldevelopment.

Asanaskeepthemusclessupple,thespineelastic,developmentalfaculties,lungcapacity, strengthentheinternalorgansandbestowlongevity.

Sirshasanadevelopsthebrain,confersgoodmemoryandimproveseyesightandhearing capacitythroughextracirculationofbloodinthebrainbox.

Sarvangasanadevelopsthethyroidgland,strengthensthelungsandtheheart,andmakesthe spineelastic.

Bhujangasana,SalabhasanaandDhanurasanaincreasetheperistalticmovementofthe bowels,removeconstipationandcurethediseasesoftheabdomen.

ViparitakaraniMudraandPaschimottanasanatoneupthepelvicmusclesandthepelvic organs.Theyimprovethedigestivesystem.AgnisaraKriya,UddiyanaBandhaandMayurasana alsohelpdigestionandgivegoodappetite.Ardha-matsyendrasanaisgoodforappetite. Ardha-matsyendrasanaisgoodfortheliverandthespleen.

RollingfromsidetosideinDhanurasanagivesverygoodabdominalmassage.Matsyasana isgoodforthedevelopmentofthelungs,thebrainandtheeyes;italsostrengthenstheupperpartof thespine.Savasanarelaxesthebodyandthemindandgivesperfectpoiseandrest.

Womenandchildren(abovesevenyears)arenotexemptedfrompractisingAsanas.

EveryAsanashouldbepractisedonlyforaminuteortwo,buttheperiodcouldbegradually extendedtoalimiteddurationaspertheadviceofacompetentteacher.

Pranayamabestowsvigour,vitalityandlongevity.Itdevelopsthelungsandstrengthensthe musclesofthechest.

Firstpractisedeepinhalationandexhalation.Thentrytoholdthebreathasfarasitis comfortablypossible.Practiseafewroundsofdeepbreathingintheearlyhoursofthemorning.

InwinterpractiseBhastrikaPranayamaandinsummerSitaliandSitkari.

MildpracticeOfPranayamaneedsnodieteticregulationoranyparticularconditionof living.

Neverexertyourself.Useyourcommon-sense.Ifyoufindanysubstantialbenefit,continue yourpractice.Ifthereisanydiscomfort,discontinuethepracticeandseekproperguidance.

Withdrawthemindfromtheexternalobjectsandtrytofixyourattentiononaparticular objectorsubject.ConcentrateonthesymbolofOmoronthepictureofanAvataraorasaint.

Meditateonthedivinequalitiesofauspiciousness,holiness,peace,sanctity,grace, equanimity,nobility,sincerityandselflessness.Trytocultivatethesequalifiesinyourday-to-day life.Speakthetruthalways.Bekind-hearted.

Livethelifeofdetachmentandegolessness.Trytocontrolyouremotions.Trytorestrain yourimpulses.Donotbedomineering.Behumble,politeandcourteous.Donotbejealousof another’sprosperity.Donotbepessimistic.Donottrytobecomeprosperousorfamousatthe expenseofothers.

Analyseyourmotives.Scrutiniseyourthoughts.Enquireintothenatureofthings.Donot runafterthefalseglitteroftheworld.Restrainyourself.Foregopersonalcomfortsandluxuriesif therebyyoucouldbeofsomehelptoanother.Alwaysrememberyouressential,divinenature.

ThisistheprocessofYoga.

IDEALYOGA

SomeYogicstudentsthinkthatonlyhewhocanflyintheair,walkonthewater,anddo suchothermiracles,canbecalledaYogi.Itisasadmistake.Tobepeaceful,tobecalm,toradiate joy,tohaveanintenseaspirationtorealiseGod,tohavethespiritofserviceanddevotion,tobe self-controlled—thisisrealYoga.Flyingintheairisnotyoga.Whyshouldoneaspiretoflylikea birdafterattainingthehumanbirth?Youmusthaveawillinghearttoserveeverybodyandadesire topossessalldivinevirtues.ThisisYoga.

Youridealshouldbetobegood,andtodogood.Beeverwillingtosharewhatyouhave withothers.

Youshouldhaveaknowledgeofthescriptures,devotiontoyourpreceptor,saintsand sages.EvenNirvikalpaSamadhiisnotnecessary.Whydoyouwanttogetyourselfmergedinthe

Absolute?HaveasmallveilofindividualityandservehereasNityasiddhas.Possessdivine qualitiesandmoveasadivinebeingonthisearth.Aspirenotforpowers.Powerswillcomeby themselves.Possessallnoblevirtues.Befreefromhatredandmalice.Elevateothersbyyourown example.

SpreadthemessageoftheRishis.Leadarighteouslife.Speakthetruth.Worshipmotheras God,fatherasGod,teacherasGod,guestasGod.Give;butgivewithmodesty.Givewithgoodwill. Givewithlove.

ThereisoneeternalAtma,oneuniversalConsciousnessthatdwellsintheheartsofall.

Realizethisthroughaspiration,renunciation,concentration,purification.

Controlanger.Donotgetirritatedthroughmisunderstanding.Trytounderstandeverybody. Understandthefeelingsofothers.Bearinsult.Bearinjury.Beeverintentonthewelfareof all—Sarvabhutahiteratah.Youshouldpractisethese—notmerelystudytheBrahmasutrasandthe Upanishads.TheUpanishadsshouldcomefromyourheartthroughpurification,throughService.

Selflessserviceisthehighestthingonthisearth.Servicewillmakeyoudivine.Serviceis divinelife.ServiceiseternallifeinGod.ServicewillgiveyouCosmicConsciousness—Service thatisselfless,withoutattachment.Butnobodywantstoserve!Everybodywantstobeservedby others.Youwillhavetokilltheego.Youwillhavetopulverizeit,makeitapowder.Youwillhave toextractoilfromyourbonesandburnitforsixmonths.Suchisthetoil,asitwere,toprogressin thepathofself-realisation.

Begood;dogood.Thisistheessenceoftheteachingsofallscripturesandprophetsofthe world.Thosewhowantinnerlifeareveryfew.Allarethirstingforhappiness,buttheydonotknow wheretheycangethappiness.Theysearchforitinwealthandmaterialpossessions.Mayaisclever. SheneverallowspeopletotastetheblissofaninnerlifeintheAtman.Deludedbyherpower,man thinksthatthereisnotranscendentalrealm,thatthereisnothingbeyondthesenses.“Eat,drinkand bemerry,”thishasbecomethemottooflife.ThepathtotherealmofGodisopenonlytothosewho havegottheDivineGrace.

MayyouallknowthetrueimportofYoga,andbaseyourlifeonselflessservicetohumanity withAtmaBhava,andthedevelopmentofalldivinevirtues.Mayyouallhavesustainedaspiration. PractisedeepmeditationandattainSelf-realisation.MayyouallshineasNityasiddhas,radiating joyandpeaceallround.

TENCOMMANDMENTSFORYOGA-STUDENTS

1.PractiseAsanasandPranayamaintheearlymorningorthreehoursafterfood.

2.OfferprayerstoGuruandGodbeforecommencingthepractice.

3.TakeSattvicfood,avoidhot,pungent,sourarticlesoffoodandstimulants,liketea, coffee,etc.

4.Keepacleanroomunderlockandkey;letitbewell-ventilated,cool,freefrominsects andfromothersourcesofdisturbance.

5.ObservestrictBrahmacharya;avoidunnecessarytalks.

6.Reduceyourwants.Developcontentment.

7.Takebathbeforethepractice;ifthatisnotpossible,haveawashbeforeandbathatleast halfanhourafterthepractice.

8.SitfacingEastorNorth.

9.Beregularandsystematicinyourpractice.

10.ObeyyourGuruimplicitlyinallrespects.

YOGAANDITSCONSUMMATION

YogaistheartofunitingtheindividualsoulwiththeSupremeSoul,ofunitingthe KundaliniSaktilyingdormantintheMuladharaChakrawithSivaintheSahasraraChakra.By convention,allpracticesthathelptheattainmentofthisgoalarealsocalledYoga.

Vedantasaysthattheindividualsoulisenvelopedbyfivesheaths—AnnamayaKosha(the grossbody),PranamayaKosha(vitalsheath),ManomayaKosha(themind),VijnanamayaKosha (theintellect),andAnandamayaKosha(thebliss-sheathortheignorancethatimmediatelyveilsthe Self),andthatthegoaloflife,viz.,Self-realisationisattainedbynegatingthefivesheathsand piercingtheveilofignorance.

Whendoweregardaparticularpartororganofthebodyasperfectlyhealthy?Whenweare notmadeawareofthatorgan.Theearisinperfecthealthwhenwearenotawarethatthatorgan exists;ifthereispainweareconsciousofitspresence.Inordertotranscendthefivesheaths, therefore,theymustallbefreefromafflictions.Yogahelpsyoutodothat.

ThepurificatoryKriyasofHathaYogaandAsanasensurehealthofthebodyandfreeit fromailments.Pranayamarevitalisesthevitalsheath.Pratyahara(withdrawaloftheraysofthe mindandrestrainingthemfromflowingoutwards)andDharana(concentration)strengthenthe mind.Meditationbringsaboutahappyblendingoftheintellectandintuition;andtheYogi’s intelligencebecomesintuitive.SamadhiilluminesthesoulandrevealstheSelf,bypiercingtheveil ofignorance.ThisisYoga,theperfectsystemofall-roundself-culture.

Butnoonecanembarkonthisnobleenterprisewithoutpreparingthevessel.Yama-Niyama orthecanonsofrightconduct,ensurethis.Onewhohasnotcontrolledhissenses,whoisnot truthful,kind,compassionateandpure,cannotmakeanyprogressinSadhana.Energyleaksout throughalltheavenuesofhisbody.Hisvitalsheathisdebilitated.Hismindiscompletely extroverted.Hisintellectisdull.Hissoulisenvelopedindensedarkness.Meditationforsuchaman isonlyadream.ThereforeIinsistonallspiritualaspirantsthattheyshould:—

1.EngagethemselvesinNishkamaKarmaYoga,forself-purificationandcultivationof virtues;and

2.PractiseasmuchJapaaspossible,inordertoearnHisGrace.

Thesetwo—KarmaYogaandBhaktiYoga—cannotbeoveremphasised.

Oncethesensesarecontrolled,andtheheartpurified,controlofmind,concentrationofits rays,andmeditationbecomeveryeasy.Theaspirantwoulddowelltorememberthetwogreat watch-wordsofSadhana—

(a)Abhyasa(unrelenting,intense,unbroken,regularandsystematicpractice),

(b)Vairagya(dispassion,aversiontoallsensualenjoyments,non-attachmenttoobjectsof senses).

Totheextenttowhichtheaspirantgrowsinthesetwo,tothatextentwillhismind wantto meditate.Therewillbejoyinmeditation.Themindwilllookforwardtotheperiodofmeditation. Whenthisconditionbecomesintense,thenthemindwillbeinaconstantstateofmeditation.As yourhandsareengagedintheworkoftheday,themindwillbeblissfullydetachedfromtheworld, peacefullywitnessing—Sakshi-Bhava—theplayofthesensesandthesense-objects.Whenyouare establishedinthisstate,youareaperfectedYogi.Youhaveonlytositandcloseyoureyes;youwill instantlytranscendthefivesheathsandmergeintheSupremeSoul.Youractionswillbeintune withtheDivineWill.Youwillhavethesuperhumanpowersofintellect,mindandbody.Youwill neverbetired,dullordepressed.Yourwordswillhavelife-transformingpower.Yourheartwillbe fullofcompassionandloveforhumanity,andallhumanitywillbedrawntowardsyou.Youwill becomeaspiritualmagnet.YouwillshineasaYogi,sageandJivanmukta.Youareliberated.This istheGoal.

MayGodblessyou.

THEGRADATIONALASCENTOFTHEMIND

TheChakrasarecentresofShaktiasvitalforce—inotherwords,thesearecentresof PranashaktimanifestedbyPranavayuinthelivingbody,thepresidingDevatasofwhicharethe namesfortheUniversalConsciousnessasitmanifestsintheformofthesecentres.TheChakrasare notperceptibleinthegrosssenses.Eveniftheywereperceptibleinthelivingbodywhichtheyhelp toorganisetheydisappearwiththedisintegrationoforganismatdeath.

PurityofmindleadstoperfectioninYoga.Regulateyourconductwhenyoudealwith others.Havenofeelingofjealousytowardsothers.Becompassionate.Donothatesinners.Bekind toall.SuccessinYogawillberapidifyouputyourmaximumenergyinyourYogapractice.You musthaveakeenlongingforliberationandintenseVairagyaalso.Youmustbesincereandearnest. IntenseandconstantmeditationisnecessaryforenteringintoSamadhi.

ThemindofaworldlymanwithbasedesiresandpassionsmovesintheMuladharaand SvadhishthanaChakrasorcentressituatedneartheanusandthereproductiveorganrespectively.

Ifone’smindbecomespurifiedthemindrisestotheManipuraChakraorthecentreinthe navelandexperiencessomepowerandjoy.

Ifthemindbecomesmorepurified,itrisestotheAnahataChakraorcentreintheheart, experiencesblissandvisualisestheeffulgentformoftheIshtaDevataorthetutelarydeity.

Whenthemindgetshighlypurified,themeditationanddevotionbecomeintenseand profound,themindrisestoVishuddhaChakraorthecentreinthethroatandexperiencesmoreand morepowersandbliss.Evenwhenthemindhasreachedthiscentre,thereispossibilityforitto comedowntothelowercentres.

WhentheYogireachestheAjnaChakraorthecentrebetweenthetwoeyebrowsheattains SamadhiandrealisesthesupremeSelforBrahman.Thereisaslightsenseofseparatenessbetween thedevoteeandBrahman.

Ifhereachesthespiritualcentreinthebrain,theSahasraraChakra,thethousand-petalled lotustheYogiattainsNirvikalpaSamadhiorsuperconsciousstate—Hebecomesonewiththe non-dualBrahman.Allsenseofseparatenessdissolves.Thisisthehighestplaneofconsciousness orSupremeAsamprajnataSamadhi.KundaliniuniteswithSiva.

TheYogimaycomedowntothecentreinthethroattogiveinstructionstothestudentsand dogoodtoothers(Lokasamgraha).

EXPERIENCESONAWAKENINGOFKUNDALINI

Duringmeditationyoubeholddivinevisions,experiencedivinesmell,divinetaste,divine touch,heardivineAnahataSounds.YoureceiveinstructionsfromGod.Theseindicatethatthe KundaliniShaktihasbeenawakened.WhenthereisthrobbinginMuladhara,whenhairstandson itsroot,whenUddiyana,JalandharaandMulabandhacomeinvoluntarily,knowthatKundalinihas awakened.

Whenthebreathstopswithoutanyeffort,whenKevalaKumbhakacomesbyitselfwithout anyexertion,knowthatKundaliniShaktihasbecomeactive.WhenyoufeelcurrentsofPranarising uptotheSahasrara,whenyouexperiencebliss,whenyourepeatOmautomatically,whenthereare nothoughtsoftheworldinthemind,knowthatKundaliniShaktihasawakened.

When,inyourmeditation,theeyesbecomefixedonTrikuti,themiddleoftheeyebrows, whentheSambhaviMudraoperates,knowthatKundaliniShaktihasbecomeactive.Whenyoufeel vibrationsofPranaindifferentpartsinsideyourbody,whenyouexperiencejerksliketheshocksof electricity,knowthatKundalinihasbecomeactive.Duringmeditationwhenyoufeelasifthereis nobody,whenyoureyelidsbecomeclosedanddonotopeninspiteofyourexertion,when electric-likecurrentsflowupanddownthenerves,knowthatKundalinihasawakened.

YOGA-KUNDALINIUPANISHAD

Whenyoumeditate,whenyougetinspirationandinsight,whenthenatureunfoldsits secretstoyou,alldoubtsdisappear,youunderstandclearlythemeaningoftheVedictexts,know thatKundalinihasbecomeactive.Whenyourbodybecomeslightlikeair,whenyoupossess inexhaustibleenergyforwork,knowthatKundalinihasbecomeactive.

Whenyougetdivineintoxication,whenyoudeveloppoweroforation,knowthatKundalini hasawakened.WhenyouinvoluntarilyperformdifferentAsanasorposesofYogawithouttheleast painorfatigue,knowthatKundalinihasbecomeactive.Whenyoucomposebeautifulsublime hymnsandpoetryinvoluntarily,knowthatKundalinihasbecomeactive.

THEQUINTESSENCEOFYOGA

YogaisunionwiththeinfinitethroughmeditationandSamadhi.

AYogiisfreedfromKarmaorthelawofcauseandeffect,frombirthsanddeathsandfrom thetrammelsofmindandflesh.

TheYogihasperfectcontroloverhislife-forcesandmind.Hecandematerialiseatwill.

TheYogipractisesdisciplineofbodyandmind.Hehascontroloverhisbodyandmind.He meditatesonOm.

Yogaillumines,renovatesandhelpstheYogitoattainthehighestpointofperfection.

Ifoneawakenshissuperconsciousness,therewillbenoproblemsatall.Therewillbeonly love,peace,harmony,unityandhappinessinthisworld.

PRACTISEYOGATOPROLONGLIFE

ThepracticeofYogalessensandpreventsthedecayoftissues,byincreasingthelife-force, andfillsthesystemwithabundantenergy.

BythepracticeofYogathebloodischargedwithabundantoxygen.Thebrainandspinal centresarerejuvenated.

BythepracticeofYoga,theaccumulationofvenousbloodisstopped.Thebodyisfilled withabundantenergy.Thebrain-centresandthespinalcordarestrengthenedandrenovated. Memoryisimproved.Intellectissharpened.Intuitionisdeveloped.

HowcanonewhodoesnotknowhisownbodyhopetoachievesuccessinYoga?Firsthave astrong,firmandhealthybodythroughthepracticeofHathaYogaandthentaketoRajaYoga.

Breathingplaysanimportantroleinprolonginghumanlife.Therefore,practisePranayama regularly.

Arabbitthatbreathesveryrapidlydoesnotliveverylong.Practiserhythmicbreathingand deepbreathing.

TherearedetailedpracticesinYogaforcleansingofthefood-tube(Dhauti)andthe stomach,assimpleandeffectiveascleansingoftheteeth.

TherearemethodsinYoga(Trataka)forstrengtheningtheeyesightandcleansingthenose.

Peoplewhosufferfromoverweight,constipationordyspepsiawillspeciallyfindthis Yoga-practiceveryuseful.

ThroughthepracticeofYoga,theevolutionofmanisquickened.Whathecangainin hundredsofbirths,hecangaininonebirththroughthepracticeofYoga,andattainfinal emancipation.Hecanattainlongevityandattainperfecthealth.Hecancompressinonelifethe experiencesofseveralhundredsofbirths.

HewhopractisesBastiorYoga-enemaneversuffersfromconstipationandotherabdominal disorders.

PERFECTIONINYOGA

AYogicanswitchhislife-currents,toandfromthesenses.HetakesthePranaandthemind totheSahasraraorthethousand-petalledlotusatthecrownofthehead.HeentersintoSamadhi.He isdeadtotheworld.HeexperiencessuperconsciousnessorNirvikalpaSamadhi.Heisinblissful unionwiththeLord.

SavikalpaSamadhiissubjecttotimeandchange.ThereisTriputi,theseer,sightandseen; orknower,knowledgeandknowable.ThereissomelinkwithPrakritiormatter.Savikalpa Samadhicannotgivethefinalemancipation.ThisisalsoanobstacletoNirvikalpaSamadhi.The aspirantgetsfalsecontentmentandstopshismeditationorSadhana.Hencethisisanobstacletothe finalorhigherrealisation.NirvikalpaSamadhialonecanburnallSamskarasandVasanas intoto. SavikalpaSamadhicannotdestroyallSamskarasandVasanas.InSavikalpaSamadhithelife-force orPranaoftheYogiiswithdrawnfromthebody.Thebodyappearstobedead,motionlessand rigid.Breathingissuspended.Heisawareofhisbodilyconditionorsuspendedbreath.

NirvikalpaorNirbijaSamadhiistimeless,changeless.ThisisthehigheststateofSamadhi.

DOUBLECONSCIOUSNESS

InNirvikalpaSamadhi,theYogi’sconsciousnessmergeswiththeabsoluteconsciousness. Thereisnobodilyfixation.Inhisordinarywakingconsciousness,eveninthemidstofworldly duties,heisincommunionwiththesupremeconsciousness.Hehasdouble-consciousness.

Thecrowhasoneeye-ball,buttwosockets.Itturnstheeye-balls,nowtoonesocketand afterwardstotheothersocket.Evenso,theYogihasdouble-consciousness.

YOGA-KUNDALINIUPANISHAD

WISEGUIDANCEFORSURESUCCESS

ThepracticeofYogashouldbegradualandstepbystep.Extremesaretobeavoided.No suddenandviolentmethodsshouldbeemployed.Common-senseisanessentialpartofYoga. Boldnessisalsoequallyessential.

Fickle-mindednesswillnotdoonthepathofYoga.Vacillationandoscillationwillretard progressandresultinstagnation.

Reflectgraduallyandchooseamethod;chooseamethodandsticktoitandpersevereinit continuously.ThisNishthaisnecessary.

Amanwhodigsawellshouldnotdigafoothere,afootthere,afewfeetinanotherplace andthenafourth.Ifhedoesthis,hewillnotfindwaterevenafterdigginginfiftyplaces.Onceaspot ischosen,hemustdigonandoninthesameplaceandlo,hewillreachthewater.EvensoinYoga, oneteacher,onepath,onemethod,onemaster,oneideaandone-pointedfaithanddevotion—all theabovemakeupthesecretofsuccessinspirituallife.

PRACTICEOFYOGAASANAS

1.ThepracticeofYogaAsanashelpstopreventdiseaseandmaintainahighstandardof health,vigourandvitality.Itcuresmanydiseases.

2.Itisconducivetohigherintellectualandspiritualattainmentandprovidesaco-ordinated systemofhealthforallpeople.

3.ThereareasmanyAsanasastherearelivingcreatures.

4.Siddha,Padma,Svastika,Sukha—arethefourchiefmeditation-postures.

5.Sirshasana,Sarvangasana,Halasana,Paschimottanasana—conferwonderfulhealthand curemanydiseases.

6.ThepracticeofAsanasisalwaysaccompaniedbyPranayamaandJapaofMantra.

7.ModerationindietandobservanceofBrahmacharyaarenecessaryforrealisingthe maximumbenefitsofthepracticeofAsanas.AYogishouldalwaysavoidfear,anger,laziness,too muchsleeporwalking,andtoomuchfoodorfasting.

8.RegularityinthepracticeofAsanasisofparamountimportance.

9.LakhsofpeoplehavederivedrealbenefitfromthepracticeofYogaAsanas.

10.EveninEuropeandAmerica,manyhavetakentothepracticeofYogaAsanas.

11.SeveralSchoolsofYogaintheWestandIndia,HongKong,Indonesia,Australia, Denmark,Holland,showarecordtoprovethetherapeuticvalueoftheAsanas.

12.IhavewrittenseveralbooksonYogaAsanas:1.YogaAsanas,2.HathaYoga,3.Yogic HomeExercises,4.RadiantHealthThroughYoga,5.PracticalGuidetoStudentsofYoga;anda numberofotherbookslike1.EasyStepstoYoga,2.YogainDailyLife,3.PracticalLessonsin Yoga,etc.,containlessonsinYogaAsanasandPranayama.

13.Thissystemcostsnothing.Itisinexpensive.Itissimple.Itisspeciallysuitedforthe peopleofthewholeworldatlarge.

14.Evenwomencanpractiseitwithgreatadvantagetothemselves.Irrespectiveofage,all canjoininthepracticeofYogaAsanas.

15.ThebenefitofYogaAsanasshouldbemadeavailabletoeveryfamilyinthewhole world.Doctors’billscanbesaved.

16.Ethicalculture,practiceofdivinevirtues,arigorousdisciplineofthemind,spiritual cultureandmeditationarealsoverynecessaryforattainingintegralperfection.Asanasand PranayamasareonlyapartofYoga.

GLOSSARY

ABHYASA—Spiritualpractice.

Abhyasin—Practitioner.

Acharya—Preceptor;Teacher.

Adhara—Foundation;basewhichsupports.

Adhikarin—Qualifiedperson.

Adhyatmic—PertainingtoAtman.

Agni—Fire.

Ahankara—Egoism.

AjnaChakra—Spiritualcentreattheeyebrows.

Ajnana—Ignorance.

Akasa—Ether.

Akhanda—Unbroken.

AnahataChakra—Cardiacplexus.

Ananda—Bliss;happiness;comfort.

Antahkarana—Fourfoldinternalorgans,viz.,Manas,Chitta,BuddhiandAhankara. Anubhava—Experience.

Asana—Seat;posture.

Avidya—Ignorance.

BAHIH—Outward;external.

Basti—Thepurificatoryexerciseforcongestedbowels.Bhakta—Devotee. Bhakti—Devotion.

Bhava—Feeling. Bheda—Difference;piercing. Bhrumadhya—Thespacebetweentheeyebrows.

BhutaSiddhi—Controloverelements. Brahmachari—Celibate. Brahmacharya—Celibacy. Brahmamuhurta—Theperiodfrom3to6a.m.intendedforYoga—Abhyasa. Brahmarandhra—Anapertureinthecrownofthehead.

CHAITANYA—Consciousness.

Chakras—SpiritualcentresinSushumnaNadi. Chandra-Nadi—Moon-flow;anothernameforIda.

Chit—Knowledge.

Chitta—Consciousness.

DANA—Charity. Darshana—Interview.

Deha—Physicalbody. Dharana—Concentration.

Dhauti—Theexerciseforcleaningthestomach. Diksha—Initiation.

Dosha—Fault;impurity. Drishti—Vision.

Duhkha—Misery;pain. Dvesha—Hatred;repulsion.

GRIHASTHA—Householder. Granthi—Knot.

Gulma—Chronicgastritis. Guru—Spiritualpreceptor.

ICCHA—Desire.

Ida—TheNadithatrunsontheleftsideofSushumna. Indriyas—Senses.

JADA—Insentient;lifeless. JadaKriya—Physicalexercise.

Japa—RepetitionofaMantra.

Jaya—Mastery.

Jiva—Individualsoul.

Jnana-Indriyas—FiveorgansorsensesofKnowledge.viz.,ear,skin,eye,tongueandnose.

KAIVALYA—Isolation. Kama—Passion,desire.

Kanda—ThesourceofallNadis.

Karma-Indriyas—Fiveorgansofaction,viz.,speech,hands,legs,genitalsandanus. Karma—Action;duty. Kaya—body.

Kaya-Sampat—Perfectionofbody. Krama—Order. Kripa—Grace. Kriya—Physicalactionorexercises. Krodha—Anger.

Kumbhaka—Retentionofbreath. Kundalini—Themysteriouspowerinthebody.

LAKSHYA—Objectofconcentration. Laya—Dissolution.

MADHYAMA—Middle;centre. Manana—Reflectionorconcentration.

Manas—Mind.

Mandala—Region.

Manipura—Solarplexussituatedatthenavel. Mantra—Holywords.

Matsarya—Envy;jealousy. Maya—Illusivepower;veilingShakti. Mada—Arrogance;pride. Mitahara—Moderationofdiet. Moha—Attachment;infatuatedlove. Moksha—Liberation;emancipation. Mouna—Vowofsilence. Mrityunjaya—Conquerorofdeath. Mukti—Finalbeatitude. Mula—Origin;root;base.

MuladharaChakra—Thespiritualcentreatthebaseofthespinalcolumn.

NABHI—Navel.

Nada—AnahataSound. Nadi—AstraltubethatcarriesPrana. NasikagraDrishti—Visionatthetipofthenose. Nauli—Purificatoryexerciseofabdominalregion. Neti—Theexerciseforcleaningthenostrils. Nididhyasana—Profoundmeditation. Nirguna—Formless;withoutattributes. NishkamaKarma—Disinterestedwork.

Nishtha—Fixity;steadiness.

NivrittiMarga—Pathofrenunciation. Niyama—Religiousrules;secondstepinYoga.

YOGA-KUNDALINIUPANISHAD

OJAS—Spiritualenergy.

Oordhvareto-Yogi—TheYogiinwhomtheseminalenergyflowsupwards.

PADMA—Lotus;Chakra;anamefortheplexus. Parama—Supreme.

Pingala—TheNadithatrunsontherightsideofSushumnaNadi. Poorna—Full.

Prakriti—Nature;undifferentiatedmatter. Prana—Vitalenergy.

Pranayama—Regulationofbreath.

Pratyahara—Withdrawingthesensesfromobjects.

Pratyakshatva—Directperception. Prema—Divinelove.

Prerana—Innergoading. Puraka—Inhalation.

RAGA—Attachment. Rajas—Passion;motion.

Rajasic—Passionate.

Rechaka—Exhalation. Rupa—Form.

SADHAKA—Spiritualaspirant. Sadhana—Spiritualpractice. Saguna—Withform.

Sahasrara—Thespiritualcentreatthehead. Sakshatkara—Directperception.

Sama—Equal;balancedstateofmind. Samadhi—Superconsciousstate.

SamsaraChakra—Wheelofdeathandbirth.

Samskara—Impression.

Sankalpa—Formativewill;determination. Sattva—Purity.

Sattvic—Pure.

Satyam—Truth;Brahman. Shakti—Power.

Shat-Karmas—SixpurificatoryexercisesofHathaYoga,viz.,Dhauti,Basti,Neti,Nauli,Trataka andKapalabhati.

Siddhas—PerfectedYogins. Siddhi—Perfection;psychicpower. Sindur—Vermilion.

Sparsha—Touch;feeling. Sraddha—Faith.

Sravana—HearingofSrutis. Sthula—Physical;gross.

Sukha—Happiness;comfortable.

Sukshma—Astral;subtle.

SuryaNadi—AnothernameforPingala. Sutra—Aphorism. SvaraSadhana—Regulationofbreath.

TAMAS—Inertia;darkness. Tamasic—Dull;lazy. Tattva—Elements;faculty. Titiksha—Forbearance.

Trataka—Gazingataparticularspot.

Trikala-Jnani—Onewhoknowsthepast,presentandfuture. Trishna—Craving. Triveni—Theplacewherethreeholyriversmeet. Tushti—Satisfaction.

UNMANIAVASTHA—MindlessstateofYogins. Uttama—Qualifiedperson.

VAIRAGYA—Renunciation;dispassion. Vajra—Adamantine;firm. Vak—Speech.

Vasana—Impressionofactionthatremainsinthemind. Virya—Seminalpower;energy.

Vishuddha—Laryngealplexusatthebaseofthethroat. Vritti—Mentalfunction.

YAMA—ThefirststepinYoga. Yatra—Pilgrimage.

Yoga—Superconsciousstate;unionwithParamatma. Yogic—PertainingtoYoga. Yogin—OnewhoisdevotedtoYoga. Yukti—Common—sense.

YOGA-KUNDALINIUPANISHAD