Swami Sivananda - Practical Lessons in Yoga

PRACTICAL LESSONS IN 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

Eighth Edition: 1997 (Copies 6,000)

World Wide Web (WWW) Edition: 2001 WWW site: http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/

This WWW reprint is for free distribution

© The Divine Life Trust Society

ISBN 81-7052-010-X

Published By THE DIVINE LIFE SOCIETY

TO STUDENTS OF YOGA IN THE EAST AND THE WEST

PUBLISHERS’ NOTE

HisHolinessSriSwamiSivanandaSaraswatiis,asitwere,anornamentofnotonlythe gloriousHimalayasandIndiabutoftheentireworld.FromthecoolheightsofhisHimalayan Ashram,“AnandaKutir,”thegreatYogistoodasamightydynamoradiatingDivineLove,Joyand Peacetomillionsuponmillionsofbleedingheartsallovertheworld,aYogi,whoshinesasa brilliantpole-starinthespiritualfirmamentoftheuniverse,guidingthetiredandrestlesstraveller towards the haven of Peace, Bliss and Knowledge.

Asagreatsaintandphilosopher,hisspotlesspurity,saintlinessoflife,magneticand voluminouswritingswereunparalleledinrecord;hewasnotonlyaneminentandpopularauthorof Hindureligiousandphilosophicalsubjects,butisanauthorityonthosesubjects.Hewasnotonlya manoflettersandvasterudition,butalsoonewhohadinafullmeasurerealisedtheincalculable benefitsofYogicpracticesinthecourseofastrenuousstruggleofoverfifteenyearsofintense dispassionandrigorousausteritiesintheholyregionsoftheHimalayas.Moreover,hispriceless writingsthroughthemediumofsomeofthewell-knownandinfluentialnewspapers,magazines andjournalsnotonlyinIndiabutalsoabroadandinAmericacoupledwithhisownuniqueand powerfulpersonalityandrealisationhavewonforhimanenviableplaceofhonourinevery spiritually,religiouslyandphilosophicallyinclinedhomeinIndia.Infact,ifthepoliticalIndiaof thepresentdaycanbeproudofatleastoneGandhi,thespiritualIndiacanbereasonablyproudofat least one Sivananda!

Theobjectwithwhichthisbookispublishedistwofold.Yearinandyearoutlargenumbers ofEuropeansandAmericans,menandwomen,cameouttoIndiatolearnYogaunderanAdeptand practicethesameinIndiaitself.Inthecourseoftheirendlesswanderingsandsearchesforsuch AdeptsinYoga,thesepeoplehadnootheralternativebuttoresorttotheHimalayanAshramof SwamiSivananda.Butunfortunatelyowingtoseveralcausesthesetravellerscouldnotremainlong inthiscountry.Theywentbackhomelearningsomethinghereandsomethingthere,inbits,but nothingfromoneYogionly,whichalonecouldbesaidtobeofsomesolidandpracticalutilityto them.

TheWesterners,interestedinYogicpractices,hadnaturallytotakeresorttobooksand otherliteratureonthesubject,whichwereeitherunintelligibletothemor,aswasmoreoftenthan not,hadbeenwrittenbypersonswhoseaiminwritingbookswas,inninety-ninecasesoutofevery hundred,toshowofftheirlearningratherthantoteachYogaandmakethesubjectintelligibleand interestingtothepublic.Thisisthedifferencebetweenbookswrittenbymostwritersandthoseby SwamiSivananda.Moreover,unlikeseveralothers,SwamiSivanandaSaraswatiwasapractical Yogi,whofullyrealisedthefruitsofYogaandwasthereforebestsuitedtowritebooksonthe subjectfromhisownpracticalexperience.Thepresentbookhasbeenspeciallydesignedbythe authorkeepinginmindtheneedsofthestudentsofYogainEuropeandAmerica,whoneeda practicalbutnon-technicalpresentationofthesubjectinalanguagewhichisaccessibletothe beginner in the path. We hope the book will amply serve this most sacred purpose in view.

MaytheunfailingblessingsofSwamiSivanandapourforthinprofusionovertheheadsof allthereadersintheWestandEast,nay,NorthandSouth,andleadthemontoSatchidanandawhich every one is seeking at heart!

THE DIVINE LIFE SOCIETY

PREFACE

Thisbookentitled“PracticalLessonsinYoga”consistsoftwelveeasyandinteresting Lessons.TheFirstLessondealswithYogaandItsObjects.TheSecondLessontreatsofYoga SadhanaorthepracticeofYogaandcontainsaclearandluciddescriptionofthefourimportant pathsviz.,KarmaYoga,BhaktiYoga,RajaYogaandJnanaYoga.Onecaneasilychoosefor himselfapathaccordingtohisparticulartaste,temperamentandcapacitybyaclosestudyofthis Lesson.IfirmlyholdthatnoonewishingtobecomeaperfectYogicanrealisehiswish,ifhedoes notbeginhisYogicpracticeswithKarmaYogaordoingactionsforactions’sake,withouttheidea ofagencyandwithoutexpectationofthefruitsofhisactions.Ihavealsomadepassingreferencesto the various other forms of Yoga such as Hatha Yoga, Mantra Yoga and Kundalini Yoga.

IntheThirdLessononYogicDisciplineIhaveclearlyandexpresslystatedthatthepractice ofYogaisrootedinthecultivationofvirtuesandtheeradicationofnegativequalities,andhavealso statedindetailwhatvirtuesshouldofnecessitybecultivatedandwhatvicesaretobeeradicated, and through what means.

YogicDietformsthesubject-matteroftheFourthLesson.Itshouldbedistinctlybornein mindthatmindismadeupofthefineparticlesoffoodthatwetake,andwearewhatweeat.Ifthe studentofYogawhoisaneophytedesirestolayafirm,sureandsoundfoundationinhispractices, heshouldtakecaretoeatonlysuchfoodsthatareconducivetohisspiritualadvancementand progress,andavoidallothers.Alistofthevariousarticlesofdiet,prescribedandprohibited,isalso given.

IntheFifthLessonIhavetakenallcaretocollectthevariousstumblingblocksinthewayof theaspirantandthevariousmeansofovercomingthem.Istronglyadvisethestudenttoreadand re-read this Lesson a number of times in order that he may be cautious in moments of temptation.

ThenintheSixthLessonIhavedealtwithYogasanasorYogicpostures.Itisverynecessary forthewould-beYogitomaintainasoundandvigorousbodyandmindtoachievesuccessinhis undertaking,andinorderthathemightachievethisend,anumberofsimpleandeasyexercises, physicalandconsequentlymental,havebeenprescribed.TheseexerciseswerepracticedbyYogins andRishisofyoreandarestillbeingpracticedinIndiaandothercountrieswithastonishingresults.

TheSeventhLessontreatsofPranayamaorregulationofbreath.Simpleandpractical exerciseshavebeenprescribedfortheregulationandcontrolofbreath.whichwillultimatelyresult inthecontrolofthemind.Theseexercisesinbreath-controlarenotmerelyforenhancingthe soundnessandcontrolofthemind,buttheyalsoplayavitalpartinensuringasoundbody.The student of Pranayama who attains perfection in it will have various psychic powers.

Regulationofbreathandcontrolofmindleadtoconcentration.Soconcentrationisthetopic ofthenextlesson.Ihavedealtatlengthwiththenatureofthemindandthemethodsthroughwhich it can he controlled. Some practical exercises are given to attain success in concentration.

TheNinthLessondealswithMeditationbecausethefruitofconcentrationismeditation.A numberofeasyandinterestingexerciseshavebeendescribed.ThefruitofmeditationisSamadhi andthisformsthesubject-matterofthenextlesson.Samadhiissuperconsciousstate,whereinthe Yogigetssuperintuitionalorsupersensualknowledgeandsupersensualbliss.InSamadhitheYogi communes with the Lord and enjoys Absolute Independence. He has reached the Goal now.

IntheEleventhLessonIhavedealtwiththeSerpentinePowerorthemightypristineForce underlyingallorganicandinorganicmatter.ThisForceisinadormantstateandissleepinga sleep-tranceinalmostallpersonsinthebasalMuladharaChakra.WhenthissleepingForceis rousedtoaction,itpiercesthroughthevariouscentresofspiritualenergyinthehumanbodyand reachesthecrownoftheheadortheSahasraraChakrawhereSheisunitedwithHerConsort,Lord Siva.ThatYogiwhohastakenthesleepingKundalinitotheSahasraraChakraandunitedHerwith LordSivaalonehasattainedtheGoal,notothers.TheprocessbywhichthissleepingPowercanbe rousedtoactionandtakentothetopoftheheadhasalsobeendescribedwithbeautifulillustrations. TheYogiwhohassucceededinachievingthisunionbecomestheLordofallpowersand knowledge.

InthelastLessononSpiritualVibrationsandAuraIhavestatedwhatvibrationandaura meanandvariousmeansofproducingvibrationsoflove,joy,peace,mercysympathyandpurity, anddevelopingthespiritualaura.Ihavealsostatedinbriefthatthehumanaurahasvariouscolours accordingtothegrowthanddevelopmentofapersonphysically,mentally,morallyandspiritually, andthateachcolourhasgotitsownsignificanceandmeaning.Thewould-beYogishoulddispelall other colours and develop the particular spiritual aura, the colour of which is yellow.

AttheendofthebookanAppendixhasbeenaddedandaGlossaryofSanskrittermsgiven. InAppendixIadailyroutineforaspirantshasbeenchalkedout,oneforthebeginner,anotherfor theintermediatestudentandathirdfortheadvancedYogi.Ibelievethatifasimilarroutinechalked outaccordingtoone’sownnecessityandconvenienceisfollowedregularlyandsystematically, nothingwouldstandinthewayoftheaspiringYogitoachievesuccessinYoga.Moreover,he shouldalsomaintainaSpiritualDiarysimilartotheonegivenintheAppendixrealisingthe importanceandbenefitsofsuchadiscipline.InAppendixIIaninterestingarticleonYogaand Science has also been added in the belief that it would be read with considerable interest.

IappealtothestudentsofYogaintheEastandtheWesttostartdoingsomespiritualand Yogicpracticeinrightearnestafterdigestingandassimilatingthetruthsandidealsinculcated herein and I hope they would be immensely benefited by this book.

Sivananda

THE UNIVERSAL PRAYER

Thouart,OLord!theCreatorofthisuniverse.ThouarttheProtectorofthisworld.Thouart inthegrassandtherose.Thouartinthesunandthestars.SalutationsuntoThee,ODestroyerofthe cycle of births and deaths! Salutations unto Thee, O Bestower of Bliss and immortality!

OsweetLord!MayIbefreefromthebondsofDeath.MayIneveragainforgetmy immortalnature.MayIbeabletolookuponallwithequalvision.MayIattaintheSupremeSeatof Brahman. May I be free from impurity and sin. May I know my real essential nature.

AdorationstotheSupremeBeingwhodwellsintheheartsofallbeings,whoisinthefire andwaterwhoisintheplants,herbsandtrees,whoisinthestones,bricksandiron-barsandwho has pervaded the whole universe.

IbowtoThee,OSecretofsecrets!IbowtoThee,OIndwellerofourhearts!IbowtoThee, OSilentWitnessofallactivitiesofallminds!IbowtoThee,OInnerRulerofallbeings!Ibowto Thee,OThread-Soulwhoconnectsallbeings,whopervadesandpermeatesandinterpenetratesall things of this universe!

SalutationstoThee,theSupremeLord.Thouartwithoutbeginningandend.Thouartthe flower;Thouartthebee;Thouartwoman;Thouartman;Thouartthesea;Thouartthewaves; Thou art the old man tottering with a stick; Thou art the saint; and Thou art the rogue.

ThouartLightDivine.ThouartLightofKnowledge.ThouarttheDispellerofdarkness. ThouarttheSupremeGuru.Thouartbeyondthereachofmindandspeech.Thouartbeyondany kind of limitation. Thou art the Oversoul. Thou art the Self of this universe.

ThouartSelf-luminous.Thouartwithoutparts,withoutactions,withoutlimbs,withoutany taintoffault,withoutbirthanddeath.ThouartourFather,Mother,Brother,Friend,Guru,Relative andsoleRefuge.ThouarttheembodimentofPeace,Bliss,Knowledge,Power,Strengthand Beauty.

OAll-mercifulLord!ThroughThyGrace,mayIrealiseTruth.MayIalwaysentertain sublimethoughts.MayIrealisemyselfastheLightDivine.MayIbeholdtheonesweetimmortal Self in all beings. May I realise Brahman with pure understanding.

MaythatLightoflightseverguideme.MayHecleansemymindofallimpurities.MayHe inspireme.MayHebestowonmePower,CourageandStrength.MayHeremovetheveilinthe mind.MayHeremoveallobstaclesintheSpiritualPath.MayHemakemylifehappyandfruitful.I bowtoTheeOLordoflords,OGodofgods,ODevaofdevas,OBrahmanoftheUpanishads,the Support for Maya and Isvara, the Supreme Bridge to Immortality!

Om Peace! Peace! Peace!

TheReligionoftheVedantaandYogastandsforthasabrilliantguidingstartothestudent ofYogaPhilosophyandOccultism,invitinghimtothemysteriousunknownworld,whichhe wouldgladlyexplore,andencouraginghimtomarchonwarduntilhereachesastage,whenall powersdeartoeveryhumanheartlieathiscommand,andallearthlyattractionsceasetoinfluence himanymore.Itisatruismthatitisinthenatureofeveryhumanbeingtostriveforhappiness,but thehappinesshegainsbyhisactions,hefindstohisutterdissatisfactionandsorrow,isonlyofa limitedduration.Theenjoymentsofthesensesaretransient,andthesensesthemselvesarewornout byexcessiveenjoyment.Furthersingenerallyaccompaniestheseenjoymentsandmakeshim unhappybeyondcomparison.Evenifthepleasuresoftheworldareenjoyedasmuchastheirnature wouldpermit,eveniftheyareasintense,asvarious,asuninterruptedaspossible,yetoldageinall itshideousshapethreatenshimwithdeathanddestruction.Itshouldberememberedthatthe enjoymentsofheavenitselfarenotinrealitymoreenviablethanthesepleasuresofthesenses;they areofthesamenaturethoughmoreunmixedanddurable.Moreovertheyalsocometoanendas theyaregainedbyactions;andasactionsarefinitetheireffectmustalsobefinite.Inaword,thereis necessarily an end to all these enjoyments.

Olittlemanoflittlefaith!Whydoyouvainlystriveforpleasures,whichyouknowcannot satisfyyoubeyondthemomentofenjoyment?Lookoutforanunchangeable,infiniteandsupreme happinesswhichmustcomefromaBeinginwhomthereisnochange.Searchandfindoutsucha Being,andifyoucouldonlysucceedinyourquest,thenyoucangetthatunalteredhappinessfrom Him.

AllthegreatreligionsoftheworldproclaiminoneunanimousvoicethatthereisOneBeing asmentionedabove.ThisBeing,believeme,isnotveryfarfromyou.Heisquiteclosetoyou.He residesinthebody-templeofyours,intheinnermostrecessesofyourheart.HeisthesilentWitness ofyourmind,theWatcherofalltheactivitiesofyourintellect.HeistheSupremeBeingofthe ScripturessohighlyeulogisedbySaints,Sages,Yogins,PhilosophersandProphets.ThisBeingcan be realised by all through the practice of Yoga.

Itisawell-knownfactthatanynumberofzeroshavenointrinsicvalueunlesstheNo.1is placedbeforethem.Evensothewealthofallthethreeworldsisnothing,ifyoudonotleada spirituallife,ifyoudonottrytoacquiretheSpiritualWealth,ifyoudonotstrivefor Self-realisation.YouwillhavetoliveintheSoulortheSelfwithin.YouwillhavetoaddAtmanto thelifehere.ThatisthereasonwhyLordJesussays:“SeekyefirsttheKingdomofGodandHis righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Everyoneofyouisapowerinyourself.Youcaninfluenceothers.YoucanradiateJoyand Peacetomillionsuponmillionsofpeoplefarandnear.Youcanelevateothersevenfromalong distance.Youcantransmityourpowerful,soul-stirring,beneficialthoughtstoothers,becauseyou areanimageofGod,nay,youareGodHimselfthemomenttheveilofignoranceenshroudingyou is rent asunder.

Thisworldisagreatschool.Thisworldisforyoureducation.Youlearnseveralvaluable lessonsdaily.Ifyouarewiseenoughtoutiliseallopportunitiestothebestpossibleadvantageinthe

spiritofYoga,yourcapacitiesandwill-powerwilldeveloptoanastonishingdegree.Youwill grow.Youwillevolve.Youwillexpand.Therewillbeintegraldevelopment.Youwillmarch forwardtowardsthegoal.Allveilswilldropdownonebyone.Alllimitationsorbarrierswillbe annihilated.Allshacklesorfetterswillbetornasunder.YouwillreceivemoreandmoreDivine Light Knowledge, Purity, Peace and Spiritual Strength.

Youaretheauthorofyourownfate.Youyourselfhavecreatedthis.Youyourselfare entirelyresponsibleforthis.Youarethearchitectofyourjoysandsorrows.Justasthespiderorthe silkwormcreatesaweborcocoonforitsowndestruction,soalsoyouhavecreatedthiscageofflesh byyourownactions,attractions,repulsionsandfalseegoism.Youhavebecometheslaveofthe flesh,slaveofyourbodyandmind,slaveofcountlessdesires.Youaresunkinthequagmireof deepest ignorance.

Weepnot,mychild!Sorrownot!Agloriousbrilliantfutureisawaitingyou!Strivetocome outofthisfalsecageofillusionrightnow,thisverysecond.Ifyourattemptistrueandsincere,if youendeavourwithallyourmightandmaintoachievethisend,thenbythereadyGraceoftheLord thoushaltdriveawaythesedarkcloudsofignoranceandshineinyourtruedivinecolours,inyour native, pristine glory.

Castasidetheerroneousidea:“Iamthebody.”Developtheconsciousnessandrealisation ofthereal“I”withinyou.Thisreal“I”isSat-Chit-AnandaorAtmanortheSelf,theonecommon Consciousness, the spiritual thread that links all hearts.

AwakenyourselftotheconsciousrealisationofyouractualonenesswiththeSupremeSelf. ThinkoftheSelfcontinuously.AsTennysonsays:“Letthyvoiceriselikeafountainformenight andday.”Thisistherealspiritualpractice(Brahma-abhyasa).Thiswilleventuallyleadto Self-realisation.Letthestrugglebekeen.Letyourendeavourbesincere.Letyourmotivebepure. Theremustbeirondiscipline,irondetermination,ironwillandironSadhana(spiritualpractice). Thentherewillbenodifficultyintheattainmentofthefinalbeatitudeoflife—alifesublimeinits nature,resplendentwithspirituallight,radiantwithsplendour,vibrantwithecstasyandrepletewith Peace.

Mereintellectualconceptionofthisidentityoronenesswillnotserveyourpurpose.You mustactuallyfeelandexperiencethetruthofthesamethroughintuition.Youmustbecomefully awareoftheRealSelf,thebasisorsubstratumorbed-rockofthisworld,body,mind,Pranaandthe senses.Youmustenterintoaconsciousnessinwhichtherealisationbecomespartandparcelof yourdailylife.Youmustlivethisidealspirituallifedaily.Letyourneighboursactuallyfeelhow entirelyachangedbeingyouare—asuperman.LetthemsmelltheDivineFragrancefromyou.A full-blownYogicanneverbeconcealed.Justasfragrantfumesemanatefromscentedstickssoalso sweetspiritualfragrancewillemanatefromyourbody,themomentyouattainperfectioninYoga, even though you may shut yourself up in a cave of the far-off Himalayas.

AYoga-Bhrashta(onewhohadfallenfromYogicpractices),whodidrigorousspiritual Sadhanainhispreviousbirth,butwasunabletogetSelf-realisationonaccountofsomecauseor other,getsSelf-realisationinthisbirthlikeaflashoflightninginthetwinklingofaneye.Heisa bornadept.Hedoesnospiritualpractice.Hehasnospiritualpreceptor(Guru).Hehadhisinitiation

inhispreviousbirth.AshtavakraandRishiVamadeva,thetwoYoga-Bhrashtasofyore,attained KnowledgeoftheSelfevenwhiletheywereinthewombsoftheirmothers.JnanadevaofAlandi(a placenearPoona,India),authorofJnanesvari-Gita,wasabornadept.HeexhibitedseveralSiddhis (psychicpowers)evenwhenhewasasmallboy.Hetouchedabuffaloandthebuffalorepeatedthe Vedas.Hecreatedfireonhisownbackandhissisterbakedbreadoverit.Butsuchinstancesare veryrare.ThevastmajorityofpeopleshoulddointenseSadhanabeforetheyattainSelf-realisation.

TheHinduSastrasassertwithastonishingemphasis:“Thisworldofnamesandformsis unreal;GodaloneisReal.”TheobjectsamanoftheworldconsiderspreciousaYogishunsas worthless.Thisworldwithallitsvariegatedpleasures,itspains,itsjoys,itssorrows,itsrivers, mountains,sky,sun,moon,andthestars;withitsdukesandbeggarsexistsonlyinorderthatthe fragmentsoftheoneSelfembodiedinsomanyformsmayregaintheirlostDivineConsciousness andrealisethetruepristinegloryandmanifestthepowersoftheSelfthroughthematterthat envelops them.

Thereisnosuchthingasinanimatematter.Thereislifeineverything.Lifeisinvolvedina pieceofstone.Matterisvibrantwithlife.Thishasbeenconclusivelyprovedbymodernscience. Smilewiththeflowersandthegreengrass.Playwiththebutterfliesandthecobras.Shakehands withtheshrubs,fernsandtwigs.Talktotherainbow,wind,starsandsun.Conversewiththe runningbrooksandtheturbulentwavesofthesea.Keepcompanywithyourwalkingstickand enjoyitssweetcompany.Developfriendshipwithallyourneighbours,dogs,cats,cows,human beings,trees,infact,withallnature’screation.Thenyouwillhaveawide,perfect,rich,fulllife. ThenyouwillrealiseGod.ThenyouwillachievesuccessinYoga.Thisstatecanhardlybe describedinfinitewords.Itshouldbefeltandexperiencedbyyoubyunfoldingthedivinitywithin.

ThisremarkableunfoldingfromthestonetotheGodgoesonthroughmillionsofyears, throughaeonsoftime.Butintheindividualthisunfoldingtakesplacemorerapidlyandquickly withalltheforceofitspastbehindit.Theseforcesthatmanifestandunveilthemselvesinevolution arecumulativeintheirpower.Embodiedinthestone,inthemineralworld,theygrowandputouta littlemorestrength,andinthemineralworldaccomplishtheirunfolding.Thentheybecometoo strongforthemineralandpressonintothevegetableworld.Theretheyunfoldmoreandmoreof theirdivinity,untiltheybecometoomightyforthevegetable,andbecomeanimal.Expanding withinandgainingexperiencesfromtheanimal,theyagainoverflowthelimitsoftheanimaland appearasthehuman.Inthehumanbeingtheystillgrowandaccumulatewithever-increasingforce, andexertgreaterpressureagainstthebarrier,andthenoutofthehuman,theypressintothe superhuman.ThislastprocessofevolutioniscalledYoga.”ThereforeYoga,whenitisdefinitely begun, is not something new, as is often imagined.

IfyoubegintoviewYogainthislight,thenthisYogawhichlookedsoforeignandso strange,willappeartowearafamiliarface,andcometoyouinagarbnotaltogetherstrange.Itwill notlooksostrangethatfromthemanyoushouldpassontosuperman,frommortalityto immortality, and enter a region where divinity becomes more manifest.

WhenyoubegintolearnthatthereisoneSelfinallthesenamesandforms,thatHeisthe sameinakingorapeasant,inabirdorabeast,inamanorawoman,inastoneorapieceofwood, thatallpowersseenthroughouttheworldarelatentin“inorganic”substancesalso,thatthisSelfis

thesameatalltimes,andthatthereisnoincreaseordiminutionintheSelf,thenYogawillbecome possible of achievement.

InfactyouhavepractisedYoga,consciouslyorunconsciously,inyourpreviousbirths,and thisisavitalpointthatshouldnotbelostsightof.Allthatyouhavenowtodoistogiveapowerful momentumtoquickentheprocessofunfoldingthedivinityandattaintheHighestGoalof Life—Perfection, Peace, Joy, Immortality and Happiness.

InthisbookIhavegivendefinitelinesforattainingtruesuccessinYoga.Youcanalsoattain happiness,popularity,name,fame,power,wealth,socialdistinctionandall-roundsmashing successinallyourundertakingstoanextentthatwouldsurprisenotonlyyourownselfbutall otherswithwhomyoucomeincontact.Thisvolumecontainstheboileddownessenceofyearsof extensiveresearchandpersonalexperience.Iassureyouthatyouwillbeabletofullyrealisethe benefitsofYogicpracticesbythehelpofthisonebookalone.Notamomentshouldbedelayed. Youaregrowingolderandolderhourbyhour.ThreethingsrareindeedandduetotheGraceofGod are:ahumanbirth,thelongingforLiberationandtheprotectingcareofaperfectedSage.Theman who,havingbysomemeansobtainedahumanbirth,withamalebodyandmasteryofthescriptures toboot,isfoolishenoughnottoexertforSelf-realisationverilycommitssuicide,forhekills himselfbyclingingtothingsunreal.Letmesoundanoteofwarninghere:Youmaynotgetagain thisrarehumanbirth.Makehaywhilethesunshines.GototheFountain-headofGodanddrink deeptheNectarofImmortality.MaytheLordKrishna,theLordoftheYogins,theGreatMaster, showerHischoicestblessingsuponyouallandgiveyouanicepushinthePathofSpiritualityismy fervent prayer!

Lesson I

YOGA AND ITS OBJECTS

YogaPhilosophyisoneofthesixsystemsofHinduPhilosophywhichexistinIndia.Unlike somanyotherphilosophiesoftheworld,itisaphilosophythatiswhollypractical.Yogaisanexact sciencebasedoncertainimmutableLawsofNature.Itiswellknowntopeopleofallcountriesof theworldinterestedinthestudyofEasterncivilisationandculture,andisheldinaweandreverence asitcontainsinitthemaster-keytounlocktherealmsofPeace,Bliss,MysteryandMiracle.Even thephilosophersoftheWestfoundsolaceandpeaceinthisDivineScience.JesusChristhimself wasaYogiofasuperiororder,aRaja-Yogiindeed.ThefounderoftheYogaPhilosophywas PatanjaliMaharshi,whowasnotonlyaPhilosopherandaYogi,butaPhysicianaswell.Heissaid to have lived about three hundred years before Jesus Christ.

PatanjalidefinesYogaasthesuspensionofallthefunctionsofthemind.Assuch,anybook onYoga,whichdoesnotdealwiththesethreeaspectsofthesubject,viz.,mind,itsfunctionsand the method of suspending them, can he safely laid aside as unreliable and incomplete.

ThewordYogacomesfromtheSanskritroot“Yuj”whichmeans“tojoin.”Yogaisa sciencethatteachesusthemethodofjoiningtheindividualsoulandtheSupremeSoul.Itisthe mergingoftheindividualwillwiththeCosmicorUniversalWill.Yogaisthatinhibitionofthe functionsofthemindwhichleadstotheabsoluteabidanceofthesoulinitsownrealnatureof DivineGloryandDivineSplendour.Itistheprocessbywhichtheidentityoftheindividualsoul andtheOversoulisestablishedbytheYogi.Inotherwords,thehumansoulisbroughtinto consciouscommunionwithGod.YogaistheScienceofsciencesthatdisentanglestheindividual soulfromthephenomenalworldofsense-objectsandlinkswiththeAbsolute,whoseinherent attributes are Infinite Bliss, Supreme Peace, Infinite Knowledge and unbroken Joy.

YogaisthatstateofAbsolutePeacewhereinthereisneitherimaginationnorthought.Yoga iscontrolofmindanditsmodifications.Yogateachesushowtocontrolthemodificationsofthe mindandattainliberation.Itteachesushowtotransmutetheunregeneratenatureandattainthe stateofDivinity.Itisthecompletesuppressionofthetendencyofthemindtotransformitselfinto objects,thoughts,etc.Yogakillsallsortsofpain,miseryandtribulation.Itgivesyoufreedomfrom theroundofbirthsanddeaths,withitsconcomitantevilsofdisease,oldage,etc.,andbestowsupon you all the Divine Powers and final liberation through super-intutional knowledge.

ThewordYogaisalsoapplicableinitssecondarysensetothefactorsofYoga,viz., self-training,study,thedifferentactionsandpracticesthatgotomakeupYogaastheyare conducivetothefulfilmentofYogaandassuchindirectlyleadtoemancipation.UnionwithGodis thegoalofhumanlifeandthatoughttobecomethetouchstoneofallhumanendeavours.Thatisthe be-all and end-all of existence.

EquanimityisYoga.SerenityisYoga.SkillinactionsisYoga.Controlofthesensesandthe mindisYoga.AnythingbywhichthebestandthehighestinlifecanbeattainedisalsoYoga.Yoga isthusall-embracing,all-inclusiveanduniversalinitsapplicationleadingtoall-round development of body, mind and soul.

TheobjectofYogaistoweakenwhatarecalledthefiveafflictions.Thefiveafflictionsare: Ignorance,Egoism,Likes,Dislikesandtheinstinctofself-preservation(orclingingtobodilylife). Ignoranceisthefertilesoilwhichbearsanabundantcropoftherest.Onaccountofignoranceonly egoismhasmanifested.Whereverthereisegoism,thereinvariablyexistlikes,dislikesandtherest sidebyside.Clingingtobodilylifeorfearofdeathisbornoflikesonly.Itisnothingbut attachment.

Egoismisaspecificformofignorance.Themindgetsitselfattachedwhereverthereis pleasure.Ifthemindlikespomegranate,itgetsitselfattachedtothisfruit,asitderivespleasure fromeatingit.Themindrunsafterthingsthathavebeenassociatedwithagreeableexperiencesin thepast.Thisisattachment(like).Themindrunsawayfromobjectswhichhavecausedpain.Thisis dislike.Theseareallthefaultsofmanhimself.Theworldcanneverhurtyou.Thefiveelementsare yourbestteachers.Theyhelpyouinavarietyofways.ThethingscreatedbytheLordareall beneficial.Itisonlythecreationofmanthatbringspainandmisery.Thesefiveafflictionsbindyou totheoutsideobjectsandreduceyoutopiteousslavery.Theseafflictionsremainastendencieseven whentheyareinoperative.TheseafflictionsandtendenciescanbeattenuatedbyYogicdiscipline.

OnaccountofignoranceyouhaveforgottenyourprimitiveDivineGlory.Onaccountof thisevilyouarenotabletorememberyouroldstatusofGodhood,youroriginalimmortal,blissful, divinenature.Ignoranceistherootcauseofegoism,likes,dislikesandtherest.Thesefive afflictionsaregreatimpedimentstoYoga.Theystandasstumbling-blockstotheattainmentof Self-realisation.

Thesefiveafflictionsremaininadormant,attenuated,overpoweredorfullydeveloped state.Whenthehusbandbeginstoquarrelwiththewife,hisloveforherbecomesdormantandhe showsdislikeforherforthetimebeing.InaYogicstudenttheseafflictionsbecomethinnedoutor attenuatedbythespiritualforceofhisYogicpractices.Buttheydoexistinasubtlestate.They cannotdoanyhavoc.Theyarelikethecobrawhosepoisonousfangshavebeenextractedbythe snake-charmer.The“overpoweredstate”isthatstateinwhichonesetofimpressionsiskeptunder restraintforsometimebyanotherpowerfulsetofimpressions;buttheymanifestagain,whenthe causeofthesuppressionisremoved.Inaworldlymanwithpassionsandappetitesthesecanbeseen operatinginfullestswing.Butinafullydevelopedorfull-blownYogitheseafflictionsand impressions are burnt in toto.

OwingtoignoranceyouhavemistakenthephysicalbodyfortheSelfandthisisallthe mistakeyouhavecommitted.Butitisaseriousmistakeindeed.Bychangingyourmentaloutlook, bypurifyingyourheartandintellect,youcanattainKnowledgeofSelf.Mind,Prana,bodyandthe sensesareallinstrumentsonly.TherealSeeristheSelfwhoispure,unchanging,eternal, self-luminous,self-existent,self-contained,infiniteandimmortal.Whenyoubegintoidentify yourself with this immortal, all-pervading Self, all miseries will come to an end.

Likesanddislikesarethecausesfordoinggoodandevildeeds.Goodandevildeedsbring pleasureandpain.Thustheroundofbirthsanddeathsiskeptfromtimeimmemorialbythe six-spoked wheel of Likes, Dislikes, Virtue, Vice, Pleasure and Pain.

TheYogicstudentshouldfirsttrytoweakenthesefiveafflictions.Threepracticesare prescribedforthispurpose.Theyare:Austerity(Tapas),StudyofScriptures(Svadhyaya)and ResignationtotheWilloftheLord(Isvara-pranidhana).Thepractitionershouldhaveintensefaith intheefficacyofhispractices.Thentheenergytocarryonwiththepracticeswillmanifestbyitself. Thentherealmemorywilldawn.Whenthereismemory,thenthereisnodifficultyinpracticing concentration.Ifthereisconcentration,discriminationwilldawn.ThatisthereasonwhyPatanjali says: “Samadhi will come through faith, energy, memory, concentration and discrimination.”

Therefore,togetsuccessinconcentration,meditationandthepracticeofYoga,youmust havetremendouspatience,tremendouswillandtremendousperseverance.Plungeyourselfin concentration.MergethemindintheoneideaofGodandGodalone.Letthemindfullyget absorbedthere.Forgetotherthings.Letthewholebody,muscles,tissues,nerves,cellsandbrainbe filledwiththeoneideaofGod.Thisisthewaytopositivesuccess.Greatsagesandsaintsofyore havepracticedYogainthiswayonly.Workhard.Youwillreachthegoal.Youwillalsobecomea great saint. Whatever one has achieved can be achieved by others also. This is the Law.

Lesson II YOGA SADHANA

SadhanameansanyspiritualpracticethataidstheaspiranttorealiseGod.Itisameansto attainthegoaloflife.WithoutSadhananoonecanachievethegoal.Sadhanadiffersaccordingto taste, temperament and capacity.

Youcanrealisethegoaloflifebyfourdifferentpaths.Justasoneandthesamecoatwillnot suitMr.John,Mr.Smith,Mr.DickandMr.Williams,soalsoonepathwillnotsuitallpeople.These fourpathsleadtothesamegoal,viz.,theattainmentoftheUltimateReality.Roadsaredifferentbut thedestinationisthesame.LordKrishnasaystoArjuna:“HowsoevermenapproachMe,evenso doIrewardthem,for,thepathmentakefromeveryside,isMine,OPartha.”Thefourpathsare:the pathofwork(Karma-Yoga),thepathofdevotionorlove(Bhakti-Yoga),thepathofpsychiccontrol (Raja-Yoga) and the path of self-analysis and knowledge (Jnana-Yoga).

Thesedivisionsarenothardandfast.Thereisnolineofdemarcationbetweenoneanother. Onepathdoesnotexcludetheother.ForinstanceKarma-Yogaissuitableforamanofactive temperament;Bhakti-Yogaforamanofemotionaltemperament;Raja-Yogaforamanofmystic temperament;andthepathofJnana-YogaorVedantaforamanofwillorreason.Eachpathblends intotheother.Ultimatelytheyallconvergeandbecomeone.ThusitishardtosaywhereRaja-Yoga endsandJnana-Yogabegins.Allaspirantsofdifferentpathsmeetonacommonplatforminthe long run.

Religionmusteducateanddevelopthewholeman—hishead,heartandhand.Thenonly therewillbeperfection.One-sideddevelopmentisnotcommendable.Thefourpaths,farfrom beingantagonistictooneanother,indicatethatthedifferentmethodsoftheYogaSystemarein absoluteharmonywitheachother.Karma-YogaleadstoBhakti-Yogawhichinitsturnleadsto

Raja-Yoga.Raja-YogabringsJnana.SupremedevotionisJnanaonly.Bhakti,itshouldbebornein mind,isnotdivorcedfromJnana.Onthecontrary,JnanaintensifiesBhakti.Karma-Yogaremoves thetossingofmind,Raja-YogasteadiesthemindandJnana-Yogaremovestheveilofignorance andbringsintheKnowledgeofSelf.EveryYogaisafulfilmentoftheprecedingone.ThusBhakti is the fulfilment of Karma, Yoga of Bhakti, and Jnana of all the preceding three.

ThepracticeofKarma-YogapreparestheaspirantforthereceptionofknowledgeofSelf.It mouldshimintoaproperAdhikari(aspirant)forthestudyofVedanta.Ignorantpeoplejumpatonce toJnana-YogawithouthavinganypreliminarytraininginKarma-Yoga.Thatisthereasonwhy theyfailmiserablytorealiseTruth.Theimpuritiesstilllurkintheirminds.Themindisfilledwith likesanddislikes.Theyonly talk ofBrahmanorGod.Theyindulgeinallsortsofuseless discussionsvaindebatesanddry,endlesscontroversies.Theirphilosophyisontheirlipsonly.In otherwords,theyarelip-Vedantins.Whatisreallywantedis practical Vedantathroughceaseless selfless service.

ThosewhofollowthepathofKarma-Yogashoulddoworkforwork’ssake,withoutany motive.TwothingsareindispensablerequisiteinthepracticeofKarma-Yoga.AKarma-Yogi shouldhaveextremenon-attachmentforthefruitsofhisworksandsecondlyheshoulddedicateall hisactionsattheAltarofGodwiththefeelingofIsvararpana(self-surrender).Non-attachment bringsfreedomandimmortality.Attachmentisdeath.Non-attachmentiseternallife. Non-attachmentmakesamanabsolutelyfearless.Whenyouthusconsecrateallyouractionstothe Lord,youwillnaturallydevelopdevotiontowardsHim,andthegreaterthedevotiontheneareryou aretotheLord.YouwillslowlybegintofeelthatGoddirectlyworksthroughyourbodyandsenses. Youwillfeelnostraininthedischargeofyourworksnow.Theheavyloadyoufeltpreviouslyon account of your false egoism, has now vanished out of sight, never to return.

ThedoctrineofKarma-Yoga1 formsanintegralpartofVedanta.Itexpoundstheriddleof lifeandtheriddleoftheuniverse.Itbringssolace,satisfactionandhappinesstooneandall.Itisa self-evidenttruth.FortunatelyeventheWesternershavebeguntoacknowledgeitsimportanceand veracity.Theyhavenoothergo.Everysensiblemanorwomanwillhavetoacceptit.“Asyousow, soyoureap”holdsgoodnotonlyonthephysicalplanebutinthemoralworldaswell.Every thoughtandeverydeedofyoursgenerateinyoucertaintendencieswhichwillaffectyourlifeand hereafter.Ifyoudogoodactionsinaselflessspirit,youwillnaturallysoarhightoregionsofbliss andpeace.Karma-YogaisthelowestrungintheSpiritualLadder;butitliftsusuptoineffable heights. It destroys pride, selfishness and egoism. It helps growth and evolution.

Everyworkisamixtureofgoodandevil.Thisworldofoursisarelativeplane.Youmust thereforestrivetodosuchactionsthatcanbringmaximumofgoodandminimumofevil.Ifyou knowthesecretofwork,thetechniqueofKarma-Yoga,youwillbeabsolutelyfreefromthetaintof Karma.Thatsecretistoworkwithoutattachmentandegoism.Thecentralteachingofthe Bhagavad-GitaandtheYoga-Vasishthaisnon-attachmenttowork.LordKrishnasaystoArjuna:

1For detailed particulars vide my book Practice of Karma-Yoga

YOGA SADHANA

“OArjuna,workincessantly.Yourdutyistoworkalways.Butdonotexpectfruits.Thelotofthat man who expects fruits is pitiable. He is the most miserable man in the world.”

Generallypeoplehavevariousmotiveswhentheywork.Someworkinsocietyforgetting nameandfame,someformoney,someforgettingpowerandposition,andsomeothersforgetting enjoymentsinheaven.Somebuildtemplesandchurcheswiththeideathattheirsinswillbewashed off.Someperformsacrificesforgettingchildren.Somesinkwellsandtankssothattheirnameswill berememberedevenaftertheirdeath.Somelayoutgardensandpublicparkswiththeideathatthey willenjoysuchlovelyparksandgardensinheaven.Somedoactsofcharitywiththeideathatthey will be born in the house of a Henry Ford or a Rockefeller in their next birth.

ThegreatestservicethatonecanrendertoanotheristheimpartingofKnowledgeofSelf. Spiritualhelpisthehighestofall.Therootcauseforallsufferingisignorance(Avidya)only.Cut theknotofAvidyaanddrinkthesweetNirvanicBliss.Thatsagewhotriestoremovetheignorance ofmenisthegreatestbenefactorintheworld.Ifyouremovethehungerofman,itisafteralla temporaryphysicalhelp.Itisremovalofphysicalwantforthreeorfourhours.Thenagainthe hungermanifests.Themanremainsinthesamemiserablestate.Thusitissafetoconcludethat buildingofhospitals,poor-houses, dharmasalas orchoultriesfordistributionoffreefood,clothes, etc.isnotthehighestkindofhelp,thoughtheyareabsolutelynecessary.Isaythisisnotthehighest kindofhelp,becauseIask:Howlongcantheselast?Miserieshavetobeeradicatedonceand forever.Theworldwillremaininthesamemiserablestateevenifyoubuildmillionsofhospitals andfeeding-places.Thereissomethingthatcanputanendtoallthesemiseries,sufferings,worries and anxieties, and that something is Knowledge of Self.

Bhakti-Yoga2 isthepathofdevotionorthepathofaffectionthatissuitableforpeopleof devotionaltemperamentorinwhomthelove-elementpredominates.Ladiesarefitforthispath,for affectionpredominatesinthem.Generallythereisanadmixtureofdevotionalandintellectual temperamentsinallpersons.HenceBhakti-Yogaissuitableforthevastmajorityofpersons.In Bhakti-Yogathedevoteemakesabsoluteandunreservedself-surrender.HedependsupontheLord foreverything.Heisextremelyhumbleandmeek.HedevelopsdevotiontotheLordgraduallytoa veryhighdegreebyrepeatingtheNameoftheLord,studyingtheHolyScripturesandpracticingthe ninemodesofdevotion.HearingtheNameoftheLord,singingHispraises,rememberingHis presence,servingHisLotus-Feet,worshippingHim,bowingbeforeHim,attendingonHim,loving HimasaFriendandsurrenderingoftheselfentirelytoHimaretheninemodesofdevotion.The devoteewillobserveausterities,prayfrequentlytoHimandoffermentalworshiptoHim.Hewill servehisfellow-menrealisingthattheLorddwellsintheheartsofall.ThisistheSadhanaforthose who wish to tread the path of Yoga of devotion.

SriSankara,thegreatAdvaitaJnani,wasagreatBhaktaofLordHari,HaraandDevi. JnanadevaofAlandi,agreatYogioflate,wasaBhaktaofLordKrishna.Ramakrishna ParamahamsaworshippedKaliandgotJnanathroughSwamiTotapuri,hisAdvaitaGuru.Appayya

2For detailed particulars vide my book Practice of Bhakti-Yoga

Dikshitacharya,afamousJnaniofSouthIndia,authorof“SiddhantaLesha”andothermonumental works on Vedanta, was a devotee of Lord Siva.

Itbehoves,therefore,thatBhakticanbecombinedwithmuchadvantagewithJnana.Bhakti isameanstoanend.Itgivespurityofmindandremovesmentaloscillation(Vikshepa).Sakama Bhakti(devotionwithexpectation)bringsSvargaforthedevotee,whileNishkamaBhakti (devotion without expectation) brings purity of mind and Jnana.

AlifewithoutloveofGodispracticaldeath.Thereisnopowergreaterthanlove.Youcan wintheheartsofothersthroughlovealone.Youcanconqueryourenemiesthroughlovealone.You cantamewildanimalsthroughlovealone.Thegloryofloveisineffable.Itssplendouris indescribable. The power of love is unfathomable.

Truereligiondoesnotconsistinritualisticobservances,bathsandpilgrimagesbutinloving all.CosmicLoveisall-embracingandall-inclusive.Inthepresenceofpurelovealldistinctionsand differences,allhatred,jealousyandegoismaredispelledjustasdarknessisdispelledbythe penetratingraysofthemorningsun.ThereisnoreligionhigherthanLove.Thereisnoknowledge higherthanLove.ThereisnotreasurehigherthanLove,becauseLoveisTruth,LoveisGod.This worldcameoutofLove;itexistsinLoveanditwillultimatelydissolveinLove.Aheartwithout loveisadesertwithoutwater.GodisanoceanofLove.IneverycornerofHiscreation,youcansee ample evidence of His unbounded Love for His children.

ItisallsoeasytotalkofUniversalLove,butwhenyoucometothepracticalfield,you manifestlyshowsignsoffailure.IfMr.Johnspeaksillofyouandusesharshwords,youarethrown outofbalanceinstantaneously.Yougetirritated,showyourangryfaceandpayhiminthesame coin.Youdonotliketopartwithyourpossessions,whenyouseepeopleindistress.Amanwhois strugglingtodevelopCosmicLoveandrealiseHimthroughLovecannotkeepanythingforhimself morethanheactuallyneedsforkeepinghislifegoingpeacefully.Hewillwillinglysacrificeeven thislittletoserveaneedypersonandundergostarvationwithmuchpleasure.Hewillrejoicethat theLordhasgivenhimawonderfulopportunitytoserveHim.Peoplegenerally talk ofUniversal Lovebutareveryniggardlyin action.Theyshowlip-sympathyandlip-loveinmerewords.Thisis nothing short of hypocrisy.

ThosewhotalkofUniversalLoveshouldendeavourtodevelopvariousgoodqualities. Theyshouldservehumanityuntiringlydayandnightwithdisinterested,selflessspiritformany years.Theymustbepreparedtobearcalmlyinsultsandinjuries.Thenonlythereisaprospectof developing Cosmic Love. Otherwise it is all vain, flowery talk and idle-gossiping only.

Thesaints,seersandprophetsoftheworldhavespokenofLoveastheendandaimoflife. LordKrishnahaspreachedLovethroughHisflute.LordBuddhawasanoceanofLove.Hegaveup Hisbodytoappeasethehungerofatiger’scub.RajaSibigavefleshequaltotheweightofapigeon fromhisownbreasttosatisfytheappetiteofahawk.LordRamalivedalifeofLoveandshowed LoveineveryinchofHisactivity.LordJesusalsopreachedandpracticedLoveinthefullest measure.

PRACTICAL LESSONS IN YOGA

OdearchildrenofLove!DrawinspirationfromtheirteachingsandtreadthepathofLove. RememberHim.FeelHisindwellingpresenceeverywhere.SeeHiminallfaces,inallobjects,inall movements,inallfeelings,inallsentiments,inallactions.MeditateuponHisformwith single-mindeddevotion.BecomeapeerlessdevoteeoftheLordinthisverylife,nayinthisvery second.

ThestudenttreadingthepathofRaja-Yoga3 hastoascendtheSpiritualLadderstepbystep, stagebystage.ThereareeightlimbsinRaja-Yoga,viz.,Yama,Niyama,Asana,Pranayama, Pratyahara,Dharana,DhyanaandSamadhi.BypracticingYamaandNiyamaattheoutsetthe studentgetsethicaltrainingandpurificationofmind.Bydevelopingfriendship,mercyand complacency,hedestroyshatred,jealousyandharshnessofheartandtherebygetspeaceofmind. BypracticingAsanahesteadieshispostureandgetscompletecontrolandmasteryoverhisbody. ThenhepracticesPranayamatoremovethetossingofmindanddestroyRajas(passion)andTamas (inertia).Hisbodybecomeslightandelastic.BypracticingPratyahara(withdrawaloftheIndriyas orsensesfromsensualobjects)hegetsstrengthandpeaceofmind.Nowheisfitforconcentration whichcomesofitself.HepracticesmeditationandentersintoSamadhi.Bythecombinedpractice ofconcentration,meditationandSamadhi(YogicSamyama),hegetsvariousSiddhis(powers).By concentrationonthesenses,egoism,mind,etc.,hegetsvariousotherpowersandexperiences.He nowseeswithouteyes,tasteswithouttongue,hearswithoutears,smellswithoutanoseandfeels without a skin. He can work miracles. He simply wills and everything comes into being.

ThosewhofollowthepathofJnana-YogaorVedanta4 shouldfirstacquirethefourmeansof salvation,viz.,Viveka,Vairagya,Shat-SampattiandMumukshutva.Vivekaisdiscrimination betweentheRealandtheunreal.Vairagyaisindifferenceordispassionforsensualobjectsherein andhereafter.Shat-Sampattiisthesixfoldvirtue,viz.,Sama,(calmnessofmind),Dama(restraint ofthesenses),Uparati(satiety),Titiksha(powerofendurance),Sraddha(faith)andSamadhana (one-pointednessofmind).Mumukshutvaisintenselongingforliberation.Thentheyshould approachaBrahma-NishthaGuru(onewhoisestablishedinBrahmanorGod),whohasfully realisedtheSupremeSelfandheartheScripturesdirectlyfromhismouth.Thentheyshouldreflect andmeditateonwhattheyheardandattainSelf-realisation.NowtheJnaniexclaimsinexuberant joy:“TheAtmanaloneis,Onewithoutasecond.AtmanortheSelfistheoneReality.IamBrahman (AhamBrahmaAsmi).IamSiva(Sivoham).IamHe(Sivoham).”He,theliberatedsoul,seesthe Self in all beings and all beings in the Self.

TherearealsothreeotherformsofYogainadditiontothefourmentionedabove.Theseare: Hatha-Yoga,Mantra-YogaandLaya-YogaorKundalini-Yoga.Hatha-Yogarelatestothephysical body,Asanas,Bandhas,Mudras,Pranayama,vowofsilence,steady-gazing,crystal-gazing, standingononeleg,etc.Hatha-YogaisnotseparatefromRaja-Yoga.Itpreparesthestudenttotake upRaja-Yoga.Hatha-YogaandRaja-Yogaare,therefore,thenecessarycounterpartsofeachother. NoonecanbecomeaYogiofaperfectorderwithoutaclearknowledgeofthepracticeofthetwo Yogas.Raja-YogabeginswhereproperlypracticedHatha-Yogaends.AHatha-Yogistartshis SadhanawithhisbodyandPrana(breath);aRaja-Yogiwithhismind.AHatha-Yogigetsdifferent

3For detailed particulars vide my book Raja-Yoga

4For detailed particulars vide my book Vedanta in Daily Life

powerswhenthemightyKundalini-SaktireachestheSahasraraChakra(atthetopofthehead);a Raja-Yogigetspsychicpowersbythecombinedpracticeofconcentration,meditationandSamadhi atoneandthesametime.Mantra-YogarelatestotherecitationofcertainMantras(sacredwordsto whichdefinitepowersareascribed),suchas OmNamoNarayana,OmNamoBhagavate Vasudevaya and OmNamahSivaya.Laya-YogaisKundalini-Yoga.Concentrationonthesound emanatingfromtheheart-lotusisLaya-Yoga.Layaisdissolution.ThemindisdissolvedinGodjust as a lump of ice is dissolved in a tumbler of soda-water.

AJnana-YogicanpracticehisSadhanaevenwhilewalking,eatingandtalking.Heisnotin needofanyAsanaorroom.ButaRaja-YogiwantsaroomandanAsanaforhispractice.A Jnana-YogiisalwaysinSamadhi.HeisnotaffectedbyMayaorillusion.Thereisno‘inSamadhi’ and‘outofSamadhi’foraJnani,whereasaYogiisaffectedbyMayawhenhecomesdownfromhis Samadhi.ARaja-Yogiplugshismind,asitwere,througheffort,justasyouplugabottlewitha cork,andthusstopsallmentalactivities.Hetriestomakethemindquiteblank.Heremainsasa silentwitnessofalltheactivitiesofhismindandintellect.ARaja-Yogicommenceshispractice with his mind. A Jnana-Yogi starts his practices with his will and reason.

AKarma-Yogidoesselflessservicetokillhislittleself.ABhaktaordevoteeoftheLord practicesself-surrendertoannihilatehisegoism.AJnanipracticesself-denial.Themethodsare differentbutallwanttodestroythisself-arrogatinglittle“I”therootcauseofbondageand suffering.Karma-YogapreparesthemindforthereceptionofLightandKnowledge.Itexpandsthe heart adinfinitum.Itbreaksallbarriersthatstandinthewayofunityandoneness.Bhaktiand meditationarealsomentalKarmas.TherecanbenoJnanawithoutYoga.ThefruitofBhaktiis Jnana. Have you now understood the nature of the four Yogas and their interrelations?

ThereisaverseinSanskritthegistofwhichrunsasfollows:“TheSastrasareendless;there ismuchtobeknown;timeisshort;obstaclesaremany;thatwhichistheessenceshouldbegrasped justastheswandoesinthecaseofmilkmixedwithwater.”Ithereforewantyoutostartdoingsome kindofspiritualpracticeorotherandrealisethegoaloflifeandjustifyyourexistencebeforethe Lord on the “Day of Judgment.”5

5See Lesson XI

Lesson III

YOGIC DISCIPLINE6

Yogaisrootedinvirtue.EthicaldisciplineisverynecessaryforsuccessinYoga.Ethical disciplineisthepracticeofrightconductinlife.Thetwomoralback-bonesofYogaareYamaand Niyama,whichtheaspirantmustpracticeinhisdailylife.Thesecorrespondroughlytotheten commandmentsofLordJesusortothenobleeightfoldpathofLordBuddha.Non-injuring (Ahimsa),truthfulness(Satyam),non-stealing(Asteya),continence(Brahmacharya)and non-covetousness(Aparigraha)arethecomponentpartsofYama.Internalandexternalpurification (Saucha),contentment(Santosha),austerity(Tapas),studyofreligiousandphilosophicalbooks (Svadhyaya)andself-surrendertotheLord(Isvara-Pranidhana)comeunderNiyama.Practiceof YamaandNiyamawilleradicatealltheimpuritiesofthemind.Infact,YamaandNiyamaformthe corner-stones of Yoga philosophy.

Pre-eminenceisgiventoabstentionfrominjuringanylivingcreature(Ahimsa)amongstall othervirtues.Theremustbenon-injuringinthought,wordanddeed.Non-injuringisplacedfirst becauseitisthesourceofthefollowingnine.Thepracticeofuniversalloveorbrotherhoodis nothingbutthepracticeofnon-injuring.Hewhopracticesnon-injuringwillgetquicksuccessin Yoga.Thepractitionermustabandonevenharshwordsandunkindlooks.Hemustshowgoodwill andfriendlinesstooneandall.Hemustrespectlife.HemustrememberthatonecommonSelf dwells in the hearts of all beings.

Truthfulness(Satyam)comesnextinorder.Thoughtmustagreewithword,andwordwith action.Thisistruthfulness.Thesevirtuesareattainableonlybytheunselfish.Truthcanhardlyarise unlessthereispuremotivebehindallactions.ThewordoftheYogimustbeablessingtoothers.

Thencomesnon-stealing(Asteya).Youmustbesatisfiedwithwhatyougetbyhonest means.TheLawofKarmaisinexorable.Youwillhavetosufferforeverywrongactionofyours. Actionandreactionareequalandopposite.Amassingwealthisreallytheft.Thewholewealthofall thethreeworldsbelongstotheLord.Youareonlyacaretakerofhiswealth.Youmustwillingly share what you have with all and spend it in charity.

Thefourthvirtueisthepracticeofcelibacy.Thatportionofhumanenergywhichis expressedinsexualunionwhencontrolled,becomestransmutedintoaformofspecialspiritual energycalledOjas-Saktiandthisisstoredupinthebrain.IfyoupracticeYogaandatthesametime leadanimpure,voluptuousandimmoderatelife,howcanyouexpectprogressinYoga?Allgreat spiritualgiantsoftheworldhavepracticedcelibacyandthatisthereasonwhytheywereableto thrillandelectrifythewholeworldthroughthepowerofthespecialspiritualenergytheyhadstored upintheirbrains.AYogiwithanabundanceofthisenergykeepshisaudiencespell-bound,asit

6A lecture delivered in the Hallett Hall, Gaya, by Swami Sivananda Sarasvati on March 3, 1937.

were,andswaysthemevenasamonarchswayshisdominions.Thereisapeculiarcharminhis smileandpowerinthewordsemanatingfromhisheart.Heproducesaveryprofoundimpressionin the minds of all with whom he comes in contact.

Householdersareallowedtovisittheirwivesonceinamonthatthepropertime,withoutthe ideaofsexualenjoyment,butjustforthesakeofpreservationofprogeny.Ifthisruleisobserved, thenittantamountstothepracticeofcelibacy.SuchobserversofthisrulearealsoBrahmacharins. Assoonasasonisborn,thewifebecomesthemother,becausethefatherhimselfisbornintheform of the son. A son is nothing but the modified energy of the father.

Brahmacharyaisthebasisofacquiringimmortality.Brahmacharyabringsmaterial progressandpsychicadvancement.BrahmacharyaisthesubstratumforalifeintheAtman.Itisa potentweaponforwagingarelentlesswaragainsttheinternalmonsters—passion,greed,anger, miserliness,hypocrisy,etc.Itcontributestoperennialjoyanduninterrupted,undecayingbliss.It givestremendousenergy,clearbrain,giganticwill-power,boldunderstanding,retentivememory andgoodpowerofenquiry(Vichara-Sakti).ItisthroughBrahmacharyaandBrahmacharyaalone that you can have physical, mental, moral and spiritual advancement.

Whatiswantedisrestraintandnotsuppressionofsexualdesire.Inrestraintnosexual thoughtwillariseinthemind.Thereisperfectsublimationofsex-energy.Butinsuppressionthe aspirantisnotsafe.Therearesexualthoughts.Whenfavourableopportunitiesoccur,therepressed desiremanifestswithredoubledforceandvengeance,andthereisthedangerofamiserable downfall. One should be very careful.

AfterDhanvantarihadtaughtallthesecretsoftheAyurvedasystemofmedicinetohis disciples,theyenquiredthekey-noteofthisscience.Themasterreplied:“Itellyouthat Brahmacharyaistrulyapreciousjewel;itistheonemosteffectivemedicine,nectarindeed,which destroysdisease,decayanddeath.Forattainingpeace,brightness,memory,knowledge,healthand Self-realisation,oneshouldobserveBrahmacharyawhichisthehighestduty.Brahmacharyaisthe highestknowledge;Brahmacharyaisthegreateststrength.OfthenatureofBrahmacharyaisverily thisAtman,andinBrahmacharyaItresides.SalutingBrahmacharyafirst,thecasesbeyondcureI cure. Aye, Brahmacharya can undo all the inauspicious signs.”

Whatiswantedisdeepinnerlife.Silencethebubblingthoughts.Keepthemindcooland calm.Openyourselftohigherspiritualconsciousness.FeeltheDivinePresenceandDivine Guidance.FixyourmindattheLotus-FeetoftheLord.Becomelikeachild.SpeaktoHimfreely. Becomeabsolutelycandid.Donothideyourthoughts.Youcannotdoso,becauseHeistheInner Ruler(Antaryamin).Hewatchesallyourthoughts.PrayforMercy,Light,Purity,Strength,Peace and Knowledge. You will surely get them. You will be established in Brahmacharya.

AYogicstudentshouldabstainfromgreed.Heshouldnotreceiveluxuriouspresentsfrom anybody.Giftsaffectthemindofthereceiver.Thesefivevirtuesmustbepracticedinthought,word anddeed,fortheyarenotmerelyrestraintsbutchangethecharacterofthepractitioner,implying inward purity and strength.

PRACTICAL LESSONS IN YOGA

Besidesthese,thewould-beYogishouldalsopracticecertainotheractivevirtuessuchas cleanlinessofbodyandmind,contentment,austerity,studyofreligiousandphilosophicalbooks andself-surrendertoGod.Contentmentdoesnotmeansatisfaction,butwillingnesstoacceptthings astheyareandtomakethebestofthem.Austeritieslikeoccasionalfastingandobservanceof silenceincreasethepowerofendurance.Self-surrenderistheregardingofeveryworkasthatofthe SupremeLordandrenouncingallclaimstoitsfruits.Studyofreligiousbooksfillsthemindwith pietyandpurity.Sucharigorousethicaldisciplinebringsasenseoffreedomandmoralelevation. Whenyouaresufficientlyadvancedintheabovepractices,youcanfaceeverytemptationby calling in the aid of pure and restraining thoughts.

Twothingsarenecessaryforattainingsuccessinmind-control,viz.,practice(Abhyasa)and dispassion (Vairagya).

Youmusttryyourextremestlevelbesttobefreefromanydesireforanypleasure,seenor unseen,andthisdispassioncanbeattainedthroughconstantperceptionofevilinthem.Dispassion isrenunciationofattainment.Itisaversiontosensualenjoymentshereinandhereafter.The dispassionordetachmentisoftwokinds,thelowerandthehigher.VijnanaBhikshudistinguishes thesuperiorandtheinferiortypesofVairagyainthefollowingway:“Theformerisadistasteforthe goodthingsoflife,hereorhereafter,duetotheexperiencethattheycannotbeacquiredorpreserved withouttroublewhiletheirlosscausespainandthatthequestisneverfreefromegoisticfeelings. Thelatter,however,isbasedonaclearperceptionofthedifferencebetweenintelligenceandthe objects that appear in its light.”

Therearevariousstagesindispassion.Thedeterminationtorefrainfromenjoyingallsorts ofsensualobjectsisthefirststage.Inthesecondstagecertainobjectslosetheircharmforthe spiritualaspirantandheattemptstodestroytheattractionforothersalso.Inthethirdstagethe sensesarecontrolled,butavaguelongingforthesensualenjoymentremainsinthemind.Inthe fourththeaspirantlosescompletelyallinterestwhatsoeverintheexternalobjects.Thefinalstageis astateofhighestdesirelessness.ItisthiskindofdispassionthatbestowsAbsoluteIndependenceon theYogi.InthisstagetheYogirenouncesallkindsofpsychicpowersevensuchasOmniscience, etc.

Itisbypracticeanddispassionthatthepassageofthoughttowardsexternalobjectscanbe checked.Mereindifferencewillnotservethepurpose.Practiceisalsonecessary.Remembering Godalwaysisalsopractice.LordKrishnasaystoArjunawithreferencetothispracticeof controllingthemind:“Abandoningwithoutreservealldesiresbornoftheimaginationbythemind, curbingintheaggregateofthesensesoneveryside,littlebylittlelethimgaintranquillitybymeans ofReasoncontrolledbysteadiness;havingmadethemindabideintheSelf,lethimnotthinkof anything.Asoftenasthewaveringandunsteadymindgoethforth,sooftenreiningitin,lethim bring

Soundandotherobjectsmakethemindwanderaway.Mindisdrawntowardsexternal objectsbytheforceofdesire.Byconvincingoneselfoftheillusorinessofsense-objectsthroughan investigationintotheirnatureandbycultivatingindifferencetoworldlyobjects,themindcanbe restrainedandbroughtbacktotheSelftoabidefinally.InvirtueofthispracticeofYoga,theYogi’s mindattainspeaceintheSelf.Practiceconsistsinconstantlyrepeatingthesameideaorthought

it under control of the Self.” (Bhagavad-Gita: VI-21, 25, 26).

regardinganyobject.Byconstantreflectionandexerciseofwill-power,suggestionsshouldbe giventothesub-consciousmindnottolookforenjoymentinthechangingworldwithout,butinthe changelesswithin.Youshouldexercisegreatvigilancetogetholdofopportunities,whenthemind dwellsonsense-objects,andsuggeststoitnewmeaningsandinterpretationsandmakeitchangeits attitude towards them with a view to its ultimate withdrawal therefrom. This is called practice.

Thechiefcharacteristicofthemindinthewakingstateistohavesomeobjectbeforeitto dwellupon.Itcanneverremainblank.Itcanconcentrateononeobjectatatime.Itconstantly changesitsobjectsandsoitisrestless.Itisimpetuous,stronganddifficulttobend.Itisashardto curbitasthewind.ThatisthereasonwhyPatanjaliMaharshisaysthatthepracticemustbesteady andcontinuousanditmuststretchoveraconsiderableperiodandbeundertakenwithaperfectfaith initsregeneratingandupliftingpowers.Youmustnotshowanyslackeningsymptomsatanystage of practice.

Restraintdoesnotcomeinaday,butbylongandcontinuedpracticewithzealand enthusiasm.TheprogressinYogacanonlybegradual.Manypeoplegiveupthepracticeof concentrationaftersometime,whentheydonotseeanytangibleprospectofgettingpsychic powers.Theybecomeimpatient.Theydolittleandexpectmuch.Thisisbad.Doinganykindof practicebyfitsandstartswillnotbringthedesiredfruit.Directexperienceisthegoaloflife. Thoughtheeffortorpracticeispainfulinthebeginning,yetitbringsSupremeJoyintheend.Lord KrishnasaystoArjuna:“SupremejoyisforthisYogi,whosemindispeaceful,whosepassionate natureiscontrolled,whoissinless,andofthenatureoftheeternal.”(Bhagavad-Gita:Ch.VI-27).

Controlyoursenses.Calmyourmind.Stillthebubblingthoughts.Fixthemindinthelotus oftheheart.Concentrate.Meditate.RealiseHimintuitivelythisverysecondandenjoytheBlissof the Self.

HavefirmandunshakablefaithintheexistenceofGod,thesupreme,undying,intelligent PrincipleorEssenceorSubstancewhoexistsinthethreeperiodsoftime—past,presentandfuture. Hehasneitherbeginning,middlenorend.HeisSat-Chit-Ananda(ExistenceAbsolute,Knowledge Absolute and Bliss Absolute).

Oignorantman!Whydoyouvainlysearchforhappinessintheperishableexternalobjects oftheworldconditionedintime,spaceandcausation?Youhavenopeaceofmind.Yourdesiresare neverfullygratified.Youmayamassboundlesswealth,begetbeautifulbabies,earntitles,honours, name,fame,power,publicityandallyouwant,andyetyourmindisrestless.Youhavenoreal, abidinghappiness.Youfeelyoustillwantsomething.Youhavenofeelingoffullness.Never, therefore,forgetfromthismomentonwardsthatthisfeelingoffullnessoreternalsatisfactioncan beobtainedonlyinGodbyrealisingHimthroughconstantpracticeofself-control,purity, concentration, meditation and practice of Yoga.

Thereisrestlessnesseverywhere.Selfishness,greed,jealousyandlustareplaying unimaginablehavocineveryheart.Fights,skirmishesandpettyquarrelsarepollutingthe atmosphereoftheworldandcreatingdiscord,disharmonyandunrest.Thebugleisblownandthe armiesmarchtothebattlefieldtodestroytheirenemies.Onenationwageswaragainstanother nationforacquiringmoredominionsandpower.Sidebysidewiththesebloodywars,peace

movementisalsoworkingforbringingharmonyandpeace,foreradicatingdireignorance,theroot cause of all human sufferings and for disseminating Divine Knowledge.

Thegreatestneedoftheworldtodayisthemessageoflove.Kindlethelightofloveinyour ownheartfirst.Loveall.Includeallcreaturesinthewarmembraceofyourlove.Nationscanbe unitedbypureloveonly.World-warscanbeputanendtobypureloveonly.TheLeagueofNations cannotdomuch.Loveisamysteriousdivinegluethatunitestheheartsofall.Itisamagicalhealing balmofveryhighpotency.Chargeeveryactionwithpurelove.Killcunningness,greed, crookednessandselfishness.Itisextremelycrueltotakeawaythelivesofothersbyusing poisonousgas.Thisisacapitalcrime.Thescientistwhomanufacturesthegasinthelaboratory cannotescapewithoutbeingpunishedforthiscrimebythegreatLord.ForgetnottheDayof Judgement.WhatwillyousayuntotheLord,Oyemortals,whorunafterpower,dominionsand wealth? Have a clean conscience and pure love. You will verily enter into the Kingdom of God.

Howmysteriousistheuniverse!Howmysteriousarethesilentworkingsoftheunseen Power,whopromptspassionatepeopletowagewarsontheonesideandpiouspeopleto disseminateDivineKnowledgeontheotherandbringpeaceandhappinesstothesuffering humanity at large!

Desireistherealenemyofpeace.Restlessnessisfedbydesirejustasfireisfedbyoil.Inthe Yoga-VasishthayouwillfindSageVasishthasayingtohisroyaldiscipleRama:“Obestof intellects!theobliterationoflatentdesire,Gnosisandthedissolutionofthemind,ifattempted simultaneouslyforasufficientlengthoftime,bestowthedesiredfruit.”LordKrishnaalsosaysto hisroyaldiscipleArjunaonthebattlefieldofKurukshetra:“Itisdesire,itiswrath,begottenbythe qualityofmobility;all-consuming,all-polluting,knowthouthisasourfoehereonearth.Asaflame isenvelopedbysmoke,asamirrorbydust,asanembryobytheamnion,soiswisdomenvelopedby it.Envelopediswisdombythisconstantenemythewiseintheformofdesirewhichisinsatiableas aflame.Masteringfirstthesenses,slaythou,Omightyarmed,theenemyintheformofdesire, destructive of wisdom and knowledge.”

SwamiVidyaranyaSarasvati,thereputedauthorof“Panchadasi”and“Jivanmukti-Viveka” says:“Solongasthesethree(obliterationoflatentdesire,Gnosisandthedissolutionofthemind) arenotwellattemptedrepeatedly,thestateofJivanmukti(liberationinthislife)cannotberealised, evenafterthelapseofhundredsofyears.”Whenthemindisdissolvedandthereisnosensationof anyexternalcausewhichcanfullyrousementalimpressions,latentdesirefadesaway.Whenlatent desirefadesaway,andthereremainsnocauseforthatfunctioningofthemindwhichwecalllust, anger, etc., the mind is also dissolved. When the mind is annihilated, Gnosis will arise.

TheHinduScripturesmaintain:“Mindaloneis,toman,thecauseofbondageorliberation; lostinenjoyment,itleadstobondage;freedfromtheobjective,itleadstoliberation.Asmindfreed fromtheobjectiveleadstoliberation,onedesirousofliberationorsuccessinthepathofYogamust alwaystrytowipeofftheobjectivefromtheplaneofhismind.Whenthemindseveredfromall connectionswithsensualobjectsandconfinedtothelightoftheheart,findsitselfinEcstasy,itis saidtohavereacheditsculminatingpoint.Themindshouldbepreventedfromfunctioning,tillits dissolutionisattainedintheheart;thisisGnosis;thisisconcentration;therestisallmere logomachy.”

Desiremaybedescribedasthehankeringforthings,whichgainssuchmasteryoverthe mindastoprecludeevenenquiringintotheirantecedentsandconsequences.Manatoncebecomes thatwhichheidentifieshimselfwith,byforceofstronganddeepattachmentandlosesmemoryof everythingelseintheact.Theman,thussubduedbydesire,fixinghiseyeoneverythingand anything,isdeludedintobelievingitastherealthing.Duetolossofcontrolmanperceives everythingwithbecloudedeyesinthisdeludedfashion,likeoneundertheinfluenceofastrong intoxicant.

Asyouthink,soyoubecome.ThinkyouareaHighCourtjudge,HighCourtjudgeyouwill become.Thinkyouarethemonarchofthewholeworld,monarchofthewholeworldyouwill become.Thinkyouareagreatteacher,teacheryouwillbecome.Thinkyouarepoorandweak,poor andweakyouwillbecome.Thinkyouareamulti-millionaire,multi-millionaireyouwillbecome. ThinkyouareaYogi,Yogiyouwillbecome.Thinkyouareasaintofspotlesscharacter,saintof spotlesscharacteryouwillbecome.ThinkyouareGodorAtmanorBrahman,GodorAtmanor Brahman you will become. The whole universe is governed by this wonderful Law of Nature.

Alwaysthinkrightlyandactrightly.Nevertrytoseizethepossessionsofothers.Never envyyourneighbours.Entertainnobleandsublimethoughts.Havesupremeself-confidenceand courage.Whateveryoudo,doitwithawilltosucceed.Youwill,byallmeans,succeedinallyour endeavours.Successisyours.Youwillknowofnofailures.ThisistheSovereignsecret.Meditate upon this Secret daily in the morning for some time and enjoy the Bliss of the Self.

IntheVishnupuranayouwillfind:“Ifthedeludedfoollovesthebody,amerecollectionof flesh,blood,pus,faeces,urine,muscles,fatandbones,hewillverilylovehellitself!Tohimwhois notdisgustedwiththenastysmellfromhisownbody,whatotherargumentneedbeadducedfor detachment?”

Itisawell-knownfactthatenjoymentcannotbringyousatisfactionofdesire.Onthe contrary,itaggravatesdesireandmakesmanmorerestless.Theroot-causeofallhumansufferings andmiseriesisthecravingforworldlyenjoyments.Themoreyouhankerafterthesesensual enjoyments,themoreunhappydoyoubecome.Thedesiresalsogrowwhentheyarenotfulfilled. You can never be happy as long as the craving for enjoyments exists.

Desireisbornofignorance(Avidya).Attachment,longingandpreferencearethe constituentsofdesire.Donotendeavourtofulfildesires.Trytoreduceyourdesires,asbestasyou can.Withdrawthefuelofgratification.Thenthefireofdesirewillgetextinguishedbyitself.Justas agheelesslampdiesout,whenthegheeiswithdrawn,evensothefireofdesirewilldiewhenthe fuelofgratificationiswithdrawn.Ifattachmentiseradicated,thenlongingandpreferencefor objects will die by themselves.

Mancommitsvariouskindsofsinsandinjuresotherswhenheexertstogetthedesired objects.Hehastoreapthefruitsofhisactions;henceheisbroughtagainandagaininhisroundof birthsanddeaths.Ifyouincreaseoneobjectinthelistofyourpossessionsorwants,thedesirealso increasestentimes.Themoreworldlyobjectsyoupossess,themoredistantyouarefromGod. Yourmindwillalwaysbethinkingandplanningastohowtogetandguardtheobjects,howtoearn tonsofmoneyandkeepthemsafe.Iftheacquiredobjectsarelost,yourmindiscompletelyupset.

Cares,worries,anxietiesandallsortsofmentaltormentsincreasewiththeobjects.Nodoubt,itis painfultoearnmoney.Itismorepainfultokeepthemoneythatisearned.Itisstillmorepainful,if themoneygetsreduced.Anditisextremelypainful,ifthewholemoneyislost.Moneyistheabode ofallsortsofpain.ThatisthereasonwhyinIndiaaSadhuoraSannyasindoesnotpossess anything.Inhisgrandvision,hedoesnotpossesshisbodyalso.Heconstantlyasserts.“Thebodyis notmine;Iamnotbody.”ArealSannyasinisonewhofeels:“Iambodiless.”TheseSannyasins leadalifeofperfectdispassionandruthlessrenunciation.Renunciationbringsinitstrainsupreme Peace.

Itisverydifficulttobecomeabsolutelydesireless.Aliberatedsageorafull-blownYogi aloneisentirelyfreefromthetaintofdesires,forhehascompletelyannihilatedhismindandis enjoyingthesupremeBlissoftheSelfwithin.Howcandesiresariseinhimwhoisplungedinthe ocean of Divine Bliss?

Aneophyteinthespiritualpathshouldentertainnobledesires.Heshoulddovirtuous actions.Heshoulddevelopintenselongingforliberation.Inordertoachievethisend,heshould studytheHolyScripturesregularlyandsystematically.Heshouldbetakehimselftothecompanyof thewise.Heshouldpracticerightconduct,rightthinking,rightspeakingandrightacting.He shouldpracticeregularmeditation.Byandbyalloldviciousdesiresandsensualcravingsandevil propensitieswillvanish.HeySaumya!Leadalifeofperfectcontentment.Contentmentisthebliss oflife.Thecoldambrosialwatersofcontentmentwillquicklyextinguishthefireofdesires. ContentmentisthechiefsentinelwhokeepswatchoverthedomainofPeaceortheKingdomof God.

Theoldsubdueddesiresrecur,persistandresist.Theyassert:“Oungratefulman!Yougave meshelterinyourmindallalong.Youenjoyedvariousobjectsoftheworldthroughmeonly.If thereisnodesireforfoodanddrink,howcanyouenjoyfoodanddrink?Ifthereisnodesirefor sexualunion,howcanyouenjoyawoman?Whyareyousocrueltowardsmenow?Ihaveevery righttodwellinthisabodeofyourmind.Dowhateveryoulike.”Butyoushouldnotbediscouraged evenabitbythesethreats.AlldesireswillbethinnedoutgraduallybymeditationandYoga.They will eventually perish in toto beyond resurrection.

Astrongmindhasinfluenceoveraweakmind.Mindhasinfluenceoverthephysicalbody. Mindactsuponmatter.Mindbringsbondage.Mindgivesyouliberation.Mindisthedevil.Mindis yourbestfriend.MindisyourGuru(SpiritualPreceptor).Youwillhavetotameyourmind.You will have to discipline your mind. You will have to control your mind. This is all you have to do.

Studyyourfeelingsandemotions.Analysethem.Dissectthem.Donotidentifyyourself withthesefeelingsandemotions.Separateyourselffromthesefeelingsandemotions.Standasa silentwitness.Identificationwiththesefeelingsandemotionsisthecauseofbondageandmisery.

Angerisamodificationofdesireinthemind.ThereisnomodificationintheSelfthereal “I”orAtman.Aworldlymanidentitieshimselfwithangerandsohebecomesmiserable.Thisis ignoranceonly.Thebodyandthemindareyourinstrumentsforgrowthandevolution.Identify yourselfwiththebig,infinite“I”byutilisingthesetwoinstrumentsandbecomeamasterofyour mindandbody.Youarethedriverofthisengine—bodyandmind.Assertyourbirthrightand

PRACTICAL LESSONS IN YOGA

becomefree,mychild.Understandthetrickofthismischievousmind.Ithasplayedwithyoulong enough. Attain complete mastery over it. You can do this easily by the practice of Yoga.

Watchandchopandclipthethoughtsassoonastheyarisefromthemind.Killthemdeadon thespot.Ifyoufinditdifficulttodothis,becomeindifferentDonotmindthem.Allowthemtotake theirownshape.Theywillsoondiebythemselves.Or,sometimesyoucanchopthethoughtsand whenyougettiredofdoingso,youcanadoptthemethodofremainingindifferent.Thelatter methodismoreeasy.Ifyoutieamonkeytoapost,itbecomesmoreturbulent;ifyouallowitto moveaboutatitsownwillandpleasure,itisnotsoveryturbulent.Evenso,whenyoutrytofixthe mindatapoint,itbecomesmoreturbulent.Thereforevariouskindsofevilthoughtsenterintothe mindsofneophytesatthetimeofconcentration.Buttheyneednotbeunnecessarilyalarmed.Ifyou finditdifficulttofocusthemindatonepoint,allowittojumpawhilelikeamonkey.Donotwrestle withthemind.Itwillsoongetexhaustedandwillthenbewaitingtoobeyyourbehests.Nowyou can tackle it easily.

Freeyourselffromthetyrannyofthemind.Ithastormentedyoumercilesslyforsolonga time.Youhaveallowedittoindulgeinsensualpleasuresandhaveitsownways.Nowisthetimeto curbitjustasyouwouldcurbawildhorse.Bepatientandpersevering.Practisedaily thoughtlessnessorinhibitionofthoughts.Thetaskmaybedifficultinthebeginning.Itwillbe indeeddisgustingandtiring,buttherewardisgreat.YouwillreapImmortality,SupremeJoy, EternalPeaceandInfiniteBliss.Thereforepracticediligentlyinrightearnest.Itisworthdoing.Be onthealert.Ifyouaresincereinyourwishandstronginyourresolve,nothingisimpossibleunder thesuntoaccomplish.Nothingcanstandinyourway.Ifyoufailinyourattempt,donotbe discouraged.RememberthethrillingstoryofthedreadfulfightbetweenHerculesandthe prodigiousgiant.Inthecourseofhisjourneyinquestofadventures,Herculesencountereda monster,whowassowonderfullycontrivedbynaturethateverytimehetouchedtheearth,he becametentimesasstrongasbefore.Byrememberingthisincidentyouwillgetinnerstrengthand courage. You are bound to succeed.

Realisethatyouareneitherbodynormind,thatyouwereneverbornnorwillyoueverdie, thatyouareinvincible,thatnothinginthisworldcanhurtyou,thatyouaretheSunaroundwhom thewholeuniverserevolves.Thewholeknowledgeistreasuredupwithinthechambersofyour heart.ProcurethekeyandunlockthedoorsofKnowledge.YogaistheKey.Youwillattain unruffled peace, marvellous self-control and tremendous will-power.

Behold!ThereonthebanksoftheholyGangaatRishikesh,Himalayas,aSage,a ParamahamsaSannyasinofeightysummers,withlustrouseyes,sereneface,magneticpersonality, brightcomplexionsitswithaloin-clothonly.Thereisasmallgrass-hutbesidehimunderneatha tree.Insidethehutyouwillfindasmallwoodenbowl(Kamandalu)forkeepingwaterandan ordinarystick.Thisisallhispersonaleffect.Heisalwayssittingthereinacontemplativemood.He nevertalks,norlaughs,butoccasionallynodshisroundshapelyheadandsmilesgently.Henever stirsfromtheplace.Heisunaffectedbytheheatofthesummersunorthebitingcoldofthewinter. Heneverusesblankets,no,noteveninwinter.Whatawonderfulpowerofendurance!Heliveson some milk and fruits only. His heart is filled with purity, mercy, compassion, sympathy and love!

Peoplefromvariouspartsofthecountryflocktohiminhundredsandthousandsinseason andoutofseasonwithflowersandfruitsintheirhands,prostrateathisHolyFeet,worshiphimwith theirofferingsandleavetheplacewithhisreadyblessings.Henevertalks,butalldoubtsarecleared inhismerepresence.Peopleforgettheworld,theirfamilies,theirchildren.Theybatheinhis magneticaura.Suchisthebenigninfluenceofaliberatedsagewhoisverilyabeacon-lighttothe world at large.

Nowhereisamanlivinginthebusiestpartofametropolis.Heearnsafatsalary.Hespends halfofhisearningsingamblingandindrinking.Theotherhalfgoestocinemaandprostitutes.He eatsfish,meatandsmokesheavily.Herunsintodebtseverymonthandfindsithardtomakeboth endsmeet.Hedislikessagesandsaints.HehasnofaithinGodorinscriptures.Heisvery cruel-hearted.Heattendsballroomsandtheatres,goestobedat2a.m.andgetsupat9a.m.He wearsacare-wornfaceeventhoughheappearsincostlysilkenfinery.Heisalwaysgloomyand depressed.Hisheartisfilledwithlust,anger,greed,vanity,hypocrisyandegoism.Comparefora momentthelifeofthismanwiththatofthemagnanimousSageoftheHimalayas!Theyarepoles asunder.TheoneisaGod-man,theotherisabruteman.Butifthebrute-manseeksthecompanyof theGod-man,hewillsurelygiveuphisolddirtyhabits.Justasironistransmutedintogoldbythe touchofthephilosopher’sstone,soalsothebrute-manwillberadicallychangedintoaveritable saint by and by through constant contact with a developed Yogi.

Goodfriend!Slaythisserpentofignorancemercilessly.GetKnowledgeofSelf:Thiswill giveyourFreedomorLiberation.Ignoranceisyourdeadliestenemy.HehasplunderedtheJewelof Wisdomforlongages.Riseabovetemptationsofthislittleworld.Thisworldisashowforfive minutesdirectedbythejuggler,Mayaormind.Beware.Donotgetyourselfentrapped.Money, woman,power,name,fame—thesearethelivetemptingbaitsofMaya.Thosewhohavenotfallen victimstotheseillusorybaitswillsurelyreachtheothershoreofimmortalityandfearlessness—the shorebeyonddarknesswherethereisperennialjoyandeternalsunshine.Reachthisshorethrough indefatigable struggle, rigid discipline and rigorous practice of Yoga.

Fromtheconditionofyourmind,fromyourfeelingsandconduct,youcanverywell understandthenatureofyouractionsinyourpreviouslivesandcannullifyorcounteracttheeffects ofevilactionsbydoinggoodactions,Tapas,disciplineandmeditation.Trytoleadalifeof non-attachment.Disciplineyourmindcarefully.Nooneisfreefrompains,diseases,troubles, difficulties.Youwillhavetorestinyourdivinenature.Thenaloneyouwilldrawstrengthtoface thedifficultiesoflife.Thenonlyyouwillhaveabalancedmind.Thenonlyyouwillnotbeaffected byexternalmorbidinfluencesanddiscordantvibrations.Regularmeditationinthemorningwill giveyounewstrengthandinnerlifeofjoyandbliss.Practisemeditation.Feelthisjoyandbliss despiteyourstormyconditionsandadversecircumstances.Graduallyyouwillgrowspiritually. You will attain Self-realisation.

Abandonthiseat-drink-and-be-merrypolicy.Lookalwaysupwardsandonwards.Havean idealbeforeyou.Liveuptoitatanycost.Youcanbecomeasgreatasanyoneelse.Giveupthis inferiority-complex.Giveupthesuperiority-complexalso.Theideaofinferiorityandsuperiorityis bornofignorance.Inferiority-complexwillcauseworry.Superioritycomplexwillgeneratepride andvanity.PutuptheswitchoftheeternalLightintheinnermostchambersofyourheart.Keepthe DivineFlameburningsteadily.Feeditregularly.Throwyourwholeheartandsoulinspiritual

practices.Wastenotevenasingleminute.BepersistentandmethodicalinyourSadhana.Marshal upallyourforcesproperlyandpowerfullyevenastheLieutenant-Generalinthearmymarshalsup thearmiesonthebattlefield.Allmiserieswillmeltawaysoon.Youwillshineasaglorious Jivanmuktawiththehighestrealisation.Allsenseofseparateness,distinction,duality,difference willvanishoutofsight.Youwillfeelonenessandunityeverywhere.Youwillfeelthatthereis nothingbutBrahmanorGod.Whatamagnanimousvisionyouareblessedwith!Whatanexalted state,whatasublime,soul-stirringandstupendousexperiencewillbeyours!Youwillget dumbfounded. This state is indescribable. You must experience it by direct intuitive perception.

Introspectdailyinthemorningandexaminethevariousnooksandcornersofyourheart. Themindisverydiplomaticandcunning.Theegowillkeepseveraldesiresforsecretgratification. Manydesireswillbelurkinginyourmind.Itisveryhardtodetecttheirpresence.Aspirantswhoare puffedupwiththeirscholarlyeruditionandsomepowers(Siddhis)cannottracetheexistenceof theseunder-currentsofdesiresintheirminds.TheyposethemselvesasgreatYogins,deliver lecturesinvariouspartsoftheworld,buildAshramsandmakelady-disciples.Nevertheless,it shouldbeadmitted,theirspeechesdonotproduceanydeepimpressioninthemindsofthehearers. Thesespeechesarelikeemptybullets.ThesecretdesiresattackthestudentofYogamercilessly, wheneverasuitableopportunitypresentsitselfanddestroysallhisnoblequalitiesandsublime ideals.TheypounceuponthestudentofYogawithavengeanceandredoubledvigourandbringa hopelessdownfallthathasnoparallel.Thosewhohaveapure,subtleintellect,whorememberGod always,whothirstforcommunionwithHim,whopracticedailyintrospection,self-analysisand meditationwillbeabletodetectthepresenceoflurkingdesires,notothers.Hewhohasabandoned alldesires,whoisfreefromallyearnings,attainseverlastingPeace.Heenjoysthesupremest Happiness.Thefewerthedesires,thegreaterthehappiness.ThatdesirelessYogiwhoroamsabout in the world with a loin-cloth and a blanket only is the happiest man in all the three worlds.

Selfishnessisanegativeattributeofthelowermind.Itisamodificationofdesirethatarises inamindfilledwithpassion.Itisthefirst-bornchildofignoranceorindiscrimination.Itisthe greatestobstacletothepracticeofYoga.Itisthebaneoflife.Itcontractstheheartadinfinitumand intensifiestheideaofseparatenessfromothers.Selfishnessgoeshandinhandwithegoism, hypocrisy, vanity, miserliness, cunningness, dishonesty and pride.

Howtoeradicatethisselfishness?Theanswerissimpleenough.Selflessserviceinsome formoranother,cultivationoftheoppositevirtuousqualities,viz.,nobility,magnanimity, disinterestedness,integrity,generosity,charitablenature,mercyanduniversallove—allthesewill pavealongwayintheeradicationofthisdiremalady,thedeadlyfoeofpeaceandYoga.Positive overpowers the negative. This is an infallible dictum in Yoga.

TosumupthefundamentalrequisitesforthepracticeofYoga:Youshouldhaveabsolute fearlessness,regardforeverycreaturethatbreathes,respectfortruth,continence,absenceofgreed, alifeofcontentment,austerity,absenceofangerandhypocrisy.Moralexcellenceisnotthefinal goaloflifebutisonlythemeanstothatend.WhentheYogiisestablishedinthesevirtues,hegets somepowerssuchaseffectivenessofspeech,arrivalofunsoughtwealth,vigourofbodyandmind, clearandlucidundertakingoflife’sevents,clarityofthought,steadinessofattention,controlofthe senses, immense joy and intuition.

PRACTICAL LESSONS IN YOGA

BelovedImmortalSelf!Observevowofsilence.Keepthemindfullyoccupied.Sitonyour favouriteAsanaanddoregularmeditation.SingtheNameoftheLord.Twirlthebeads.Studythe Scriptures.Practisecelibacyorbevery,verymoderateinsexualacts.Takealmondsand sugar-candyeverymorning.7 Donotconsultdoctors.Donotthinkofyourdisease.Divertthemind fromthebody.Becheerfulalways.Smile,whistle,laugh,danceinjoyandecstasy.ThinkofGod andmeditateuponHimwithtruedevotionandfeelingandmergeinHim.Thisisthegoaloflife. Youhaveattaineditafteralongandcontinuedstruggleforsomeyearswithzealandenthusiasm. YouhavenowbecomeaJivanmukta(livingliberatedsoul).Hail,hailtothee,athousandhails,my child.

Lesson IV

YOGIC DIET

AdietthatiswhollyconducivetothepracticeofYogaandspiritualprogressiscalledYogic diet.Diethasintimateconnectionwiththemind.Mindisformedoutofthesubtlestportionoffood. SageUddalakainstructshissonSvetaketu“Food,whenconsumedbecomesthreefold:thegross particlesbecomeexcrement,themiddlingonesfleshandthefineonesthemind.Mychild,when curdischurned,itsfineparticleswhichriseupwards,formbutter.Thus,mychild,whenfoodis consumed,thefineparticleswhichriseupwardsformthemind.Henceverilythemindisfood.”

AgainyouwillfindintheChhandogyaUpanishad:“Bythepurityoffoodonebecomespurifiedin hisinnernature;bythepurificationofhisinnernatureheverilygetsmemoryoftheSelf;andbythe attainment of the memory of the Self, all ties and attachments are severed.”

Dietisofthreekindsviz.,Sattvicdiet,RajasicdietandTamasicdiet.Milk,barely,wheat, cereals,butter,cheese,tomatoes,honey,dates,fruits,almondsandsugar-candyareallSattvic foodstuffs.Theyrenderthemindpureandcalm.Fish,eggs,meat,salt,chilliesandasafoetidaare Rajasicfoodstuffs.Theyexcitepassion.Beef,wine,garlic,onionsandtobaccoareTamasic foodstuffs. They fill the mind with anger, darkness and inertia.

LordKrishnasaystoArjuna:“Thefoodwhichisdeartoeachisthreefold.Hearthe distinctionsofthese.Thefoodswhichincreasevitality,energy,vigour,healthandjoyandwhich aredelicious,bland,substantialandagreeablearedeartothepure.Thepassionatedesirefoodsthat arebitter,sour,saline,excessivelyhot,pungent,dryandburningandwhichproducepain,griefand disease.Thefoodwhichisstale,tasteless,putridandrotten,leavingsandimpureisdeartothe Tamasic.” (Bhagavad-Gita. Ch. VII-8, 9, 10).

Foodplaysanimportantpartinmeditation.Differentfoodsproducedifferenteffectson differentcompartmentsofthebrain.Forpurposesofmeditation,thefoodshouldbelight,nutritious andSattvic.Milk,fruits,almonds,butter,sugar-candy,greengram,Bengalgramsoakedinwater

7Soaktenortwelvealmond-seedsovernightincoldwater.Peelofftheskinthenextmorningandeatthemwith sugar-candy.

overnight,bread,etc.,areallveryhelpfulinmeditation. Thed (akindofrootavailableinabundance intheHimalayanregions)isverySattvic.Teaandsugarshouldbeusedinmoderation.Itisbetterif youcangivethemupentirely.Driedginger-powdercanbemixedwithmilkandtakenfrequently. IndianYoginslikethisverymuch.Anotherhealth-givingstuffismyrobalanoftheyellowvariety whichcanbechewednowandthen.IntheVagbhataitisrepresentedasevensuperiortoa nourishingmother.Ittakescareofthebodybetterthanamotherdoes.Amothergetsannoyedwith herchildsometimes,butmyrobalanalwayskeepsaneventemperamentandischeerfuland enthusiasticinattendingtothewell-beingofhumanbeings.Itpreservessemenandstopsall nocturnalemissions.Potato,boiledwithoutsaltorbakedonfire,isalsoanexcellentfoodfor practitioners.

Abeginnershouldbecarefulinchoosingfood-stuffsofSattvicnature.Foodexercises tremendouslyvastinfluenceoverthemind.Youcanseeitobviouslyineveryday-life.Itisvery difficulttocontrolmindafteraheavy,sumptuous,indigestible,richmeal.Themindruns,wanders and jumps like an ape all the time. Alcohol causes great excitement of the mind.

Evolutionisbetterthanrevolution.Youshouldnotmakesuddenchangesinanything, particularlysoinmatterspertainingtofoodanddrink.Letthechangebeslowandgradual.The systemshouldaccommodateitwithoutanytrouble. Naturenonagitpersaltum (naturenever moves by leaps).

Foodisonlyamassofenergy.Waterandairalsosupplyenergytothebody.Youcanlive withoutfoodforseveraldays;butyoucannotlivewithoutairevenforafewminutes.Oxygenis evenmoreimportant.Whatiswantedtofeedthebodyisenergy.Ifyoucansupplythisenergyby anyothermeans,youcanentirelydispensewithfood.Yoginslivewithoutfoodbydrinkingnectar. Thisnectarflowsthroughaholeinthepalate.Itdribblesandnourishesthebody.AJnanicandraw energydirectlyfromhispure,irresistiblewillandsupportthebodywithoutanyfoodwhatsoever.If youknowtheprocessofdrawingtheenergyfromtheCosmicEnergy,thenyoucanmaintainthe body for any length of time and can dispense with food completely.

Foodisoffourkinds.Thereareliquidswhicharedrunk;solidswhicharepulverisedbythe teethandeaten;therearesemi-solidswhicharetakeninbylicking;andtherearesoftarticlesthat areswallowedwithoutmastication.Allarticlesoffoodshouldbethoroughlymasticatedinthe mouthuntiltheyarereducedtoquitealiquidbeforebeingswallowed.Thenonlytheycanbereadily digested, absorbed and assimilated in the system.

Thedietshouldbesuchascanmaintainphysicalefficiencyandgoodhealth.Thewell-being ofanindividualdependsmoreonperfectnutritionthanonanythingelse.Varioussortsofintestinal diseases,increasedsusceptibilitytoinfectiousdiseases,lackofhighvitalityandpowerof resistance,rickets,scurvy,anaemiaorpovertyofblood,beriberi,etc.,areduetofaultynutrition.It shouldberememberedthatitisnotsomuchtheclimateasfoodwhichplaysthevitalrolein producingastronghealthybodyoraweaklingsufferingfromahostofdiseases.Anappreciable knowledgeofthescienceofdieteticsisessentialforeverybody,especiallyforspiritualaspirants,to keepupphysicalefficiencyandgoodhealth.Aspirantsshouldbeabletomakeoutacheapand well-balanceddietfromonlyacertainarticlesofdiet.Whatisneededisawell-balanceddiet,nota rich diet.Arichdietproducesdiseasesoftheliver,kidneysandpancreas.Awell-balanceddiet

helpsamantogrow,toturnoutmorework,increaseshisbody-weight,andkeepsuptheefficiency, stamina and a high standard of vim and vigour. You are what you eat.

WherecanSannyasinsinIndia,wholiveonpublicalmsgetawell-balanceddiet?Onsome daystheygetpungentstuffsonly,onsomeotherdayssweetmeatsonlyandyetonsomeotherdays sourthingsonly.Buttheyareabletodrawtherequisiteenergythroughpowerofmeditation.This uniqueYogicmethodisunknowntothemedicalprofessionandtothescientists.Wheneverthe mindisconcentrated,adivinewavebathesallthetissueswithadivineelixir.Allthecellsare renovated and vivified.

GluttonsandepicureanscannotdreamofgettingsuccessinYoga.Hewhotakesmoderate diet,whohasregulatedhisdietcanbecomeaYogi,notothers.ThatisthereasonwhyLordKrishna says:“VerilyYogaisnotforhimwhoeatethtoomuch,norwhoabstainethtoexcess,norwhoistoo muchaddictedtosleep,noreventowakefulness,OArjuna!Yogakillethoutallpainforhimwhois regulatedineatingandamusement,regulatedinperformingactions,regulatedinsleepingand waking.”(Bhagavad-Gita:Ch.VI-16-17).Thereforetakepleasant,wholesomeandsweetfood half-stomachful;fillaquarterstomachwithwaterandallowtheremainingquarterstomachfreefor expansion of gas. Offer up the act to the Lord. This is moderate diet.

Allarticlesthatareputrid,stale,decomposed,unclean,twicecooked,keptovernight, shouldbeabandoned.Thedietshouldbefresh,simple,light,bland,wholesome,easilydigestible andnutritious.Hewholivestoeatisasinner,buthewhoeatstoliveisverilyasaint.IntheSiva Samhitaitissaid:“Yogashouldnotbepracticedimmediatelyafterameal,norwhenoneisvery hungry; before beginning the practice, some milk and butter should be taken.”

YouwillfindintheYoga-TattvaUpanishad:“TheproficientinYogashouldabandonthe fooddetrimentaltothepracticeofYoga.Heshouldgiveupsalt,mustard,sourthings,hot,pungent orbitterarticles,asafoetida,women,emaciationofthebodybyfastsetc.Duringtheearlystagesof practice,foodofmilkandgheeisordained;alsofoodconsistingofwheat,greenpulseandredrice issaidtofavourtheprogress.Thenhewillbeabletoretainhisbreathaslongashelikes.Bythus retainingthebreathaslongashelikes,Kevala-Kumbhaka(cessationofbreathwithoutinhalation andexhalation)isattained.WhenKevala-Kumbhakaisattainedbyoneandthusinhalationand exhalation are dispensed with, there is nothing unattainable in the three worlds to him.”

IntheBhikshuka-Upanishadyouwillfind:“ParamahamsaslikeSamavartaka,Aruni, Svetaketu,JadaBharata,Dattatreya,Suka,Vamadeva,Haritakiandotherstakeeightmouthfulsand strive after Moksha alone through the path of Yoga.”

Manu,JesusandBuddhaexhortedthepeopletorefrainfromusingliquors,intoxicantsand drugsasthesearedeleteriousintheireffects.Nospiritualprogressispossiblewithoutabandoning them.

Thevastmajorityofpersonsdigtheirgravesthroughtheirteeth.Norestisgiventothe stomach.Afterall,manwantsverylittleonthisbountifulearth—afewloavesofbread,alittle butterandsomecoldwater.Thiswillamplysufficetokeepthelifegoing.People,onthecontrary, stufftheirstomachswithallsortsofthings,eatableanduneatable,onaccountoftheforceofhabit

evenwhenthereisnoappetite.Thisisverybad.Alldiseasestaketheirorigininoverloadingthe stomach.Hungeristhebestsauce.Ifthereishunger,foodcanbedigestedwell.Ifyouhaveno appetite, do not take anything. Let the stomach enjoy a full holiday.

Avarietyofdishesoverworksthestomach,inducescapriciousappetiteandrendersthe tonguefastidious.Thenitbecomesdifficulttopleasethetongue.Thereforecontrolthetonguefirst; then all the other senses can be easily controlled.

Manhasinventedsomanykindsofdishesjusttosatisfyhispalateandhasmadelife complexandmiserable.Hecallshimselfacivilisedman,whenheisreallyignorantanddeludedby thesenses.Hismindgetsupsetwhenhecannotgethisusualdishesinanewplace.Isthisreal strength?Hehasbecomeanabsoluteslaveofhistongue.Thisisverydeplorable.Benaturaland simpleineatinganddrinking.ModerationisYoga.Eattoliveandnotlivetoeat.Followthisgolden rule and be happy. You can then devote more time to Yoga practices.

AYogicstudentwhospendshistimewhollyinpuremeditationwantsverylittlefood.One oroneandahalfseersofmilkandsomefruitsperdaywillquitesuffice.ButaYogiwhoascendsthe platform for vigorous active work wants abundant nutritious food.

Vegetariandiethasbeenacclaimedtobemostconducivetospiritualandpsychic advancement.Ithasbeenfoundthatmeataugmentsanimalpassionanddecreasesintellectual capacity.Whileitistruethatmeat-eatingcountriesarephysicallyactiveandstrong,thesame cannotbesaidoftheirspiritualattainments.Meatisnotatallnecessaryforthekeepingupofperfect health,rigourandvitality.Onthecontrary,itishighlydeleterioustohealth.Itbringsinitstraina hostofailmentssuchastape-worm,albuminuriaandotherdiseasesofthekidneys.Killingof animalsforfoodisagreatsin.Insteadofkillingtheegoismandtheideaof“mine-ness,”ignorant peoplekillinnocentanimalsunderpretextofsacrificetogoddess,butinrealityitismeanttoplease theirowntongueorpalate.WhatinhumanhorriblecrimesarebeingcommittedinthenameofGod andReligion!Ahimsa(non-injuring)isthefirstvirtuethataspiritualaspirantshouldtrytopossess. Youshouldhavereverenceforlife.LordJesussays:“Blessedarethemerciful,fortheyshallobtain mercy.”Mahavirashoutedinatrumpet-likevoice:“Regardeverylivingbeingasthyselfandharm noone.”TheLawofKarmaisinexorable,unrelenting,immutable.Thepainyouinflictupon anotherwillsurelyrebounduponyouandthehappinessyouradiatewillcomebacktoyouaddingto your happiness. He who knows this Law will not hurt anybody.

Meat-eatingandalcoholismarecloselyallied.Thecravingforliquordiesanaturaldeath, whenthemeatiswithdrawn.Thequestionofbirth-controlbecomesverydifficultinthecaseof thosewhotakemeat.Tothemmind-controlisnexttoimpossible.Markhowthemeat-eatingtiger andthecoworelephantlivingongreengrassarepolesasunder!Theoneiswildandferocious,the other is mild and peaceful. Meat has direct influence on the different compartments of the brain.

Thefirstandforemoststepinthespiritualadvancementofanaspirantisthegivingupof meat.TheDivineLightwillnotdescend,ifthestomachisloadedwithmeat.Inlargemeat-eating countriescancermortalityisveryhigh.Vegetarianskeepupsoundhealthtilloldage.Eveninthe Westdoctorsinhospitalsputpatientsonaregimenofvegetablediet.Theyconvalescequickly.Itis welcomesigntoseethatatleastinsomeofthecountriesofEuropevegetarianhotelsarespringing

upinamazingnumbers,anditisnottoomuchtoexpectthatinthecourseofadecadeortwothe Westernerswillbecomequiteadifferentraceofpeoplealtogetherintheirfood,dress,manners, habits and social customs.

Pythagorasseemstobewailwhenhesays:“Beware,Omortals,ofdefilingyourbodieswith sinfulfood.Therearecereals,therearefruitsbendingtheirbranchesdownbytheirweight,and luxuriousgrapesonthevines.Therearesweetvegetablesandherbswhichthefirecanrender palatableandmellow.Norareyoudeniedmilk,norhoney,fragranceofthearomaofthethyme flower.Thebountifulearthoffersyouanabundanceofpurefoodandprovidesformealsobtainable without slaughter and bloodshed.”

FastingisinterdictedforpractitionersofYogaasitproducesweakness.Butoccasionalmild fastsarehighlybeneficial.Theywilloverhaulthesystemthoroughly,giveresttothestomachand theintestinesandeliminateuricacid.Yogicstudentsmaytakeonefullmealat11o’clock,acupof warmmilkinthemorningandhalfaseerofmilkandsomeplantains(ororangesorapples)atnight withmuchadvantage.Thenightmealshouldbeverylight.Ifthestomachisoverloaded,sleepwill superveneandastoomuchsleepisinjurioustoYogicpractices,onecannotmakeanyrealheadway inthepathofYoga.Thereforeadietconsistingofmilkandfruitsaloneisasplendidmenuforall practitioners.

Aspirantsshouldavoidallnarcotics,coffee,tea,alcoholandsmokethatstimulatethe senses.Oursensesarecomparedtorestivehorses,andtheybecomeuncontrollablebytaking narcotics.Youshouldcontrolthembyrefrainingfromtakingnarcotics.Weareallslavesofour sensesmoreorlessandthesensesinturnaretheslavesofnarcotics.Ifyoureallycravefor perfection, control of mind and success in Yoga, avoid these narcotics by all possible means.

Boilhalfaseerofmilkalongwithsomeboiledrice,gheeandsugar.Thisiscalled Charu ThisisanexcellentfoodforYogicpractitioners.Thisisfordinner.Halfaseerofmilkandsome fruitswilldoforthenight.Trythisprescriptionandtellmethebenefitsyouhavederivedinyour Sadhana.

Milkshouldnotbeboiledtoomuch.Itshouldberemovedfromfirethemomenttheboiling pointisreached.Excessiveboilingdestroysallnutritiousprinciplesandvitaminsandrendersmilk unfit for consumption. Milk is an ideal food for aspirants. It is a perfect food by itself.

Fruit-dietexercisesamarvellousinfluenceupontheconstitution.Thisisanaturaldiet. Fruitsaretremendousenergy-producers.Fruitsandmilkhelpconcentrationandmeditation. Barley,wheat,milk,gheeandhoneypromotelongevityoflifeandincreasepowerandstamina. Fruit-juiceandthewaterwhereinsugar-candyisdissolvedareverygooddrinks.Buttermixedwith sugar-candy and almonds soaked in water overnight will cool the system.

Abovealldonotmakemuchfussaboutyourdiet.Youneednotadvertisetoeveryonethat youareabletoliveonaparticularformofdiet.TheobservanceofsuchNiyama(rules)isforyour ownadvancementinthespiritualpathandyouwillnotbespirituallybenefitedbygivingpublicity toyourpractices.Therearemanynowadayswhomakeittheirprofessiontomakemoneyandtheir livelihoodbyperformingsomeYoga-Asanas,Pranayamaorbyhavingsomedietregulationas

eatingonlyrawarticlesorleavesorroots.Thesepeoplecannothaveanyrealspiritualgrowth.The goaloflifeisSelf-realisation,andaspirantsshouldalwayskeepthisinviewanddointenseSadhana with zeal and patience.

Liveanaturalsimplelife.Takesimplefoodthatiswhollyagreeabletoyoursystem.You shouldhaveyourownmenutosuityourconstitution.Youareyourselfthebestjudgetoselecta Sattvicdiet.Inthematteroffoodanddrinkyouwilldowelltoeatanddrinkasamaster.Youshould nothavetheleastcravingforanyparticulardiet.Youshouldnotbecomeaslavetothisfoodorthat food.Simple,natural,non-stimulating,tissue-building,energy-producing,non-alcoholicfoodand drinkwillkeepthemindcalmandpureandwillhelpthestudentofYogainhispracticesandinthe attainment of the goal of life.

TABLE SHOWING SATTVIC, RAJASIC AND TAMASIC ARTICLES OF DIET

SATTVICRAJASTAMASIC

Cow’s milk.

Cream.

Cheese

Butter.

Curd.

Ghee.

Sweet fruits. Apples.

Bananas.

Grapes.

Papaya.

Pomegranates.

Mangoes.

Oranges.

Pears.

Pineapples.

Guavas.

Figs.

Vegetables.

Coconut.

Brinjals.

Potatoes.

Cabbages.

Spinach.

Fish. Eggs. Meat. Salt. Chillies. Chutney. Asafoetida. Pickles. Tamarind. Mustard. Sour things. Hot things. Tea. Coffee. Cocoa. Ovaltine. White sugar. Carrots. Turnips. Spices.

Beef. Pork. Wine. Onions. Garlic. Tobacco. Rotten things. Stale things. Unclean things. Twice cooked things. All intoxicants. All liquors. All drugs.

Tomatoes.Cucumber.Pumpkin.Cauliflower.Lady’sfinger.Peaches.Almonds.Pistachios. Raisins.Wheat.Redrice.Unpolishedrice.Barley.Oat-meal.Driedpeas.Dates.Sugar-candy. Greengram.Bengalgram.Greenpulse.Groundnut.Cereals.Driedginger.Myrobalan.Lemon. Honey. Charu.

Lesson V

OBSTACLES IN YOGA8

TherearecertainobstaclesinthepathofYoga,whichyoushould,byallmeans,overcome intheverybeginningofyourYogiccareer.Ifyoudonotadequatelyguardyourselfagainstthese impedimentsinrighttimebythewarningvoiceofyourGuru,theywillsmashallyourhopesand aspirations to pieces and will eventually bring about miserable downfall.

Lust,greed,anger,hatred,jealousy,fear,inertia,depression,prejudice,intolerance,evil company,arrogance,self-sufficiency,desirefornameandfame,curiosity,buildingcastlesinthe airandhypocrisyareforemostamongthese.Youshouldeverintrospectandwatchyourmind.You should take effective measures to remove these obstacles root and branch.

“Women,beds,seats,dresses,andrichesareobstaclesinYoga.Betels,daintydishes, carriages,kingdoms,lordlinessandpowers;gold,silver,aswellascopper,gems,aloewood,and kine;learningtheVedasandtheSastras;dancing,singingandornaments;harp,flute,anddrum; ridingonelephantsandhorses;wivesandchildren,worldlyenjoyments;allthesearesomany impediments.” (Siva Samhita: Ch. V-3).

TheYogicstudentshouldnotpossessmuchwealthasitwilldraghimtoworldly temptations.Hemaykeepasmallsumtogetthewantsofthebody.Economicalindependenceisof paramountimportancetoanaspirant;becauseitwillrelievehimfromanxietiesandwillenablehim to continue his practices uninterruptedly.

Ifyougeteasilyoffendedevenfortriflingthings,knowthatyoucannotmakeanyprogress inYogaandmeditation.Youshould,hence,cultivateamiable,lovingnatureandadaptability. Someaspirantseasilygetoffended,iftheirdefectsandvicesarepointedout.Theybecome indignantandbegintofightwiththepersonwhoshowsthedefects.Theythinkthatthepersonis concoctingthemoutofjealousyandhatred.Thisisbad.Otherscanveryeasilydetectyourdefects. Ifyouhavenolifeofintrospection,ifyourmindisofoutgoingtendencies,howcanyoufindout yourowndefects?Yourself-conceitveilsandblursyourmentalvision.Ifyou,therefore,wantto growinspiritualityandYoga,youmustadmityourdefects,whentheyarepointedoutbyothers. Youmustendeavourtoeradicatethemandmustbereallygratefultothemanforpointingoutyour defects.

Itisratheradifficultbusinesstoeradicatetheself-assertivenature.Thisnatureisbornof ignoranceonly.Everyonehasbuilthispersonalityfrombeginninglesstime.Thispersonalityhas grownverystrong.Itishardtobendthispersonalityandmakeitpliableandelastic.Youwantto dominateoverothers.Youdonotwanttoheartheopinionsandargumentsofothers,eventhough theyarequitelogical,soundandtenable.Youhaveapairofjaundicedeyes.Yousay:“WhateverI

OBSTACLES IN YOGA

sayiscorrect.WhateverIdo-iscorrect.Theviewsandactionsofothersareincorrect.”Younever admityourmistakes.Youtryyourbesttosupportyourownwhimsicalviewsbycrooked arguments.Ifargumentsfail,youwilltaketovituperationandhand-to-handfightalso.Ifpeoplefail toshowyourespectandhonour,youareinstantaneouslythrownintoafitoffury.Youare immenselypleasedwithanybodywhobeginstoflatteryou.Youwilltellanynumberofliesto justifyyourself.Self-justificationgoeshandinhandwithself-assertiveRajasicnature.Youcan nevergrowinYogasolongasyouhavethisself-assertivenaturewiththehabitofself-justification. Youshouldchangeyourmentalattitude.Youmustdevelopthehabitoflookingatmattersfromthe view-pointofothers.Youmusthavethenewvisionofrighteousnessandtruthfulness.Thenalone youwillgrowinYogaandspirituality.Youshouldtreatrespectandhonourasoffalandpoison,and censure and dishonour as ornament and nectar.

Youwillalsofindithardtoadjustyourselftothewaysandhabitsofothers.Yourmindis filled,asitwere,withlikesanddislikes,prejudiceofcaste,creedandcolour.Youarequite intolerant.Thefaultfindingnatureisingrainedinyou.Youjumpatoncetofindthefaultsofothers. Youcannotseethegoodinothers;youhaveapairofmorbideyes.Youcannotappreciatethe meritoriousactionsofothers.Youbragofyourownabilitiesandmerits.Thatisthereasonwhyyou fightwithallpeopleandcannotmaintaincordialrelationswithothersforlongtime.Youshould overcome these defects by developing tolerance, love and other good virtues.

TheoldSamskaras(latentimpressions)ofvanity,cunningness,crookedness,arrogance, petty-mindedness,fighting,boastingorbraggingnature,self-esteemorthinkingtoomuchof yourself,speakingillofothers,belittlingothersmaybestilllurkinginyourmind.Youcannever shineuntilyouremovethesefaultsthoroughly.SuccessinYogaisnotpossibleunlessthese undesirable negative qualities of lower nature are completely eradicated.

Thosewhoengagethemselvesinhotdiscussions,vaindebates,wranglings,lingualwarfare andintellectualgymnasticscauseseriousdamagetotheirastralbodies.Muchenergyiswasted.The astralbodygetsactuallyinflamedandanopensoreisformed.Bloodbecomeshot.Itbubbleslike milkoverfire.Ignorantpeoplehavenoideaofthedisastrouseffectsofunnecessaryhotdiscussions andargumentations.Thosewhoareinthehabitofarguingunnecessarilyandenteringintovain discussionscannotexpectaniotaofprogressinYoga.Aspirantsmustentirelygiveupunnecessary discussions. They should destroy the impulses by careful introspection.

Youhaveheardseveralbrilliantlectures,deliveredbylearnedmonksorSannyasins.You havelistenedtoseveraldiscoursesandexpositionsontheBhagavad-Gita,theRamayana,the BhagavataandtheUpanishads.Youhavealsoheardseveralvaluablemoralandspiritual instructions.Butyouhavenotatallendeavouredtoputanythingintoseriousearnestpracticeandto do protracted solid Sadhana.

Mereintellectualassenttoareligiousidea,alittleclosingoftheeyesinthemorningandat nightjusttodeceiveyourselfandtheIndwellerandtheWitness,alittleendeavourtosticktothe dailyspiritualroutineandtodevelopsomevirtuesinahalt-hearted,carelessmanner,somemild efforttocarryouttheinstructionsofyourspiritualpreceptorperfunctorilywillnotsuffice.This kindofmentalityshouldbeentirelygivenup.Youshouldfollowtheinstructionsofyourmasterand theteachingsoftheScripturestotheveryletter.Noleniencytothemind.Therecanbenohalf

PRACTICAL LESSONS IN YOGA

measuresinthepathofYoga.Exactimplicitandstrictobediencetotheinstructionsiswhatis expected of you.

Donotmakeanythoughtlessremarks.Donotspeakevenasingleidleword.Giveupidle talk,talltalk,bigtalk,loosetalk.Avoidevilcompany.Becomesilent.Donotassertforrightsinthis physical,illusoryplane.Donotfightforrights.Thinkmoreaboutyourdutiesandlessaboutyour rights.Theserightsareworthless.AssertyourbirthrightofGod-consciousness.Thenyouareawise man.

Ifyouareendowedwithgoodcharacter,celibacy(Brahmacharya),truthfulness,mercy, love,tolerance,forgiveness,serenitythesequalitieswillmorethancounterbalancemanyotherevil qualitiesyoumaypossess.Thengraduallytheseevilqualitiesalsowillvanish,ifyouarecareful,if you focus your attention on them.

Ifyouremaininthecompanyofadevelopedsaint,youwillbereallybenefitedbyhis magneticauraandwonderfulspiritualcurrents.Hiscompanywillbelikeafortressforyou.You willnotbeaffectedbyevilinfluences.Thereisnofearofdownfall.Youcanhaverapidspiritual progress.YoungaspirantsshouldremaininthecompanyoftheirGurusorotherexperiencedsaints tilltheyarefirmlymouldedandestablishedindeepmeditation.Nowadaysmanyyoungaspirants wanderaimlesslyfromplacetoplace.Theydonotcaretoheartheinstructionsoftheirmasters. They want independence from the very start. Hence they do not make any progress in Yoga.

Humourisararegiftofnature.Ithelpsaspirantsintheirmarchonthespiritualpath.It removesdepression.Itkeepsonecheerful.Itbringsjoyandmirth.Butyoushouldnotcutjokesat theexpenseofothersandwoundtheirfeelings.Thehumorouswordsmusteducateandcorrect others.

Youshouldlaughinamild,delicateanddecentmanner.Sillygiggling,guffaw,or boisterous,indecent,unrefinedlaughterinarudemannershouldbegivenup,becauseitprevents thespiritualprogressanddestroysserenityofmindandseriousmagnanimousattitude.Sagessmile throughtheireyes.Itisgrandandthrilling.Intelligentaspirantsonlycanunderstandthis.Don’tbe childish and silly.

Eventheslightannoyanceandirritabilityaffectthemindandtheastralbody.Youshould notallowtheseevilmodifications(Vrittis)tomanifestinthemind-lake.Theymayburstoutasbig wavesofangeratanymoment,ifyouareweakandcareless.Theyshouldbenippedinthebud.You shoulddevelopthenoblequalitiesofforgiveness,loveandsympathyforothers.Thereshouldnot betheleastdisturbanceinthemind-lake.Itshouldbeperfectlycalmandserene.Thenonly meditation is possible.

SuccessinYogaispossibleonlyiftheaspirantpracticesprofoundandconstantmeditation. Hemustpracticeself-restraintatalltimes,becauseallofasuddenthesensesmaybecome turbulent.ThatisthereasonwhyLordKrishnasaystoArjuna:“OsonofKunti!Theexcitedsenses ofevenawiseman,thoughhebestrivingimpetuously,carryawayhismind.Forthemind,which followsinthewakeofthewanderingsenses,carriesawayhisdiscrimination,asthewind(carries away) a boat on the waters.” (Bhagavad-Gita: Ch. II-60, 67).

Aterriblefitofangershattersthephysicalnervoussystemandproducesadeepandlasting impressionontheastralbody.Darkarrowswillshootforthfromtheastralbody.Thegermsthat causedtheepidemicofSpanishflumaydie,butthewaveofinfluenzastillcontinuesinvarious partsforalongtime.Evenso,thoughtheeffectofthefitofangerinthemindmaysubsideinashort time,thevibrationorwavecontinuestoexistfordaysorweekstogetherintheastralbody.Slight, unpleasantfeelingthatlastsinthemindforfiveminutesmayproducevibrationintheastralbody fortwoorthreedays.Aterriblefitofwrathwillproducedeepinflammationoftheastralbody.An opensorewillbeformedonthesurfaceoftheastralbody.Itwilltakemonthsforthehealingofthe ulcer.Haveyounowrealisedtheseriousconsequencesofanger?Donotfallavictimtoanger. Controlitbyforgiveness,love,mercy,sympathy,enquiry(of“whoamI?”)andconsiderationfor others.

Worry,depression,unholythoughtsandhatredproduceakindofcrustordarklayeronthe surfaceofthemindorastralbody.Thiscrustorrustordirtpreventsthebeneficialinfluencestoget entryinside,butitallowstheevilforcesorlowerinfluencestooperate.Worrydoesgreatharmto theastralbodyandthemind.Energyiswastedbythisworry-habit.Nothingisgainedbyworrying. Itcausesinflammationoftheastralbodyanddrainsthevitalityofman.Itshouldbeeradicatedby the practice of cheerfulness, vigilant introspection and keeping the mind fully occupied.

Bycontinence,devotiontoGuruandsteadypractice,successinYogacomesafteralong time. You should be patient and persevering.

Aspirantswhotaketoseclusiongenerallybecomelazyaftersometime,astheydonotknow howtoutilisetheirmentalenergy,astheydonothaveanydailyroutine,astheydonotfollowthe instructionsoftheirGurus.TheygetVairagya(dispassionanddisgustforworldlyenjoyments)in thebeginning,butastheyhavenoexperienceinthespiritualline,theVairagyabeginstowane. Theydonotmakeanyrealprogressintheend.IntenseandconstantpracticeofYogaisnecessary for entering into Asamprajnata Samadhi.

IftheYogicstudentwhopracticesmeditationisgloomy,depressedandweak,surelythere issomeerrorinhisSadhanasomewhere.Truemeditationmakestheaspirantstrong,cheerfuland healthy.Iftheaspirantsthemselvesaregloomyandpeevish,howaretheygoingtoimpartjoy, peace and strength to others?

YouwillhavetomastereverystepinYoga.Donottakeupanyhigherstepbefore completelymasteringthelowerstep.Graduallyascendthesuccessivestagesboldlyandcheerfully. This is the right royal road to perfection in Yoga.

AspirantsdonotpossesstrueandunshakablefaithintheirGurusandtheteachingsofthe Scriptures. Hence they fail to attain success in Yoga.

Sleeplessvigilanceisnecessary,ifyouwishtohaverapidspiritualadvancement.Neverrest contentedwithalittleachievementorsuccessinthepath,alittleserenityofmind,alittle one-pointednessofmind,somevisionsofangelsandDevatas,alittlefacultyofthought-reading, and so on. There are still higher summits to ascend, higher regions to climb.

AYogiclaimsthathecanattainextraordinarypowersandknowledgebysubduingthe passionsandappetitesandbypracticingYama,NiyamaandYogicSamyama(concentration, meditationandSamadhiatoneandthesametime).Patanjaliclearlywarnsthestudentsthatthey shouldnotbecarriedawaybythetemptationsofpowers.Thegodsthemselvestempttheunwary Yogibyofferinghimapositionsimilartotheirs.AspirantsrunmoreafterSiddhis(psychicpowers) than after real spiritual attainment despite the clear note of warning.

DesireforpowerswillactlikepuffsofairwhichmayblowoutthelampofYogathatis beingcarefullyfed.Anyslacknessinfeedingitduetocarelessnessorselfishnesswillblowoutthe littlespirituallamptheYogihaslightedaftersomuchstruggleandwillhurlhimdownintothedeep abyssofignorance.Hecannotriseupagaintotheoriginalheighttowhichhehadascended. TemptationsaresimplywaitingtooverwhelmtheunwaryaspirantorYogi.Temptationsofthe astral, mental and the Gandharva worlds are more powerful than earthly temptations.

Patanjalienumeratesthefollowingnineobstacles:Disease,languor,doubt,carelessness, laziness,sensuality,mistakennotion(falseknowledge),tossingofmindandinstabilitytoremainin thestateofSamadhi.Heprescribespracticeofconcentrationononesubject(Eka-Tattvabhyasa)to overcomethem.Thiswillgivetheaspirantsteadinessandrealinnerstrength.Hefurtheradvocates thepracticeoffriendshipbetweenequals,mercytowardsinferiors,complacencytowardssuperiors andindifferencetowardswickedpeople.Thispracticewillgeneratepeaceofmindorcomposure andwilldestroyhatred,jealousy,etc.Anewlifewilldawninhim,whenhepracticesthesevirtues. Perseveranceisneeded.Itisthekey-notetosuccessinYoga.TheYogiisamplyrewarded,whenhe gets full control over his mind. He enjoys the highest bliss of Asamprajnata Samadhi.

IntheYoga-KundaliniUpanishadyouwillfind:“Diseasesaregeneratedinone’sbody throughthefollowingcausesviz.,sleepingintheday-time,latevigilsovernight,excessofsexual intercourse,movingincrowds,thecheckingoftheurineandthefaeces,theevilofunwholesome foodandlaboriousmentaloperationswithPrana.IfaYogiisafraidofsuchdiseases(whenattacked bythem),hesays:“MydiseaseshavearisenfromthepracticeofYoga.”Thenhewilldiscontinue hispractice.Thisissaidtobethefirstobstacle.Thesecondobstacleisdoubt,thethirdcarelessness, thefourthlaziness,thefifthsleep,thesixthnotleavingofobjects(ofsense),theseventherroneous perception,theeighthsensualobjects,theninthwantoffaithandthetenththefailuretoattainthe truth of Yoga. A wise man should abandon these ten obstacles after great deliberation.

Fatigueisharmfulforaspirants.Theyshouldavoidlongwalksandmuchexertion.When thestateoftranquillityprevailsduringmeditation,donotdisturbthemind.Donotgetupfromyour seat. Try to prolong the meditation.

Youcannotpleasetheworld.Rememberthestoryoftheoldman,hissonandthedonkey. Sticktoyourideals,convictionsandprinciplestenaciously,whetheryoubecomepopularor unpopular,evenifthewholeworldopposesyou.Standupboldlyonyourownprinciplesofright conduct and right living. Do not retrace your steps even a fraction of an inch.

Donotdigshallowpitshereandthereforgettingwater.Thepitswilldryupsoon.Diga deeppitinoneplace.Centraliseallyoureffortshere.Youwillgetgoodwaterthroughouttheyear. Evenso,trytoimbibethespiritualteachingsfromonepreceptoronly.Drinkdeepfromoneman

only.Sitathisfeetforsomeyears.Thereisnouseofwanderingfromplacetoplace,fromoneman toanothermanoutofcuriosity,losingfaithinashorttime.Donothavetheever-changingmindofa prostitute.Followthespiritualinstructionsofonemanonly.Ifyougotoseveralpeopleandfollow their instructions, you will be bewildered. You will be in a dilemma.

Donotrelaxyourefforts.KeeptheDivineFlameburningsteadily.Youarenearingthegoal. Thelighthascome.ThereisBrahmicaurainyourface.Youhavecrossedmanypeaksand insurmountablesummitsinthespiritualpathbydintofuntiringpatientSadhana.Itishighly creditableindeed!Youhavemademarvellousprogress.Iamhighlypleasedwithyou,OJohn!You willhavetoascendonemorepeakandgothroughonemorenarrowpass.Thisdemandssomemore patienteffortandstrength.YouwillhavetomeltyourSattvicegoismalso.Youwillhaveto transcendtheblissfulstateofSavikalpaSamadhi.TheBrahmakaraVrittialsoshoulddie.Then alone you will attain Bhuma, the highest goal of life. You can do this also. I am quite confident.

ThereatthesummitoftheHillofEternalBliss,youcanseenowtheJivanmuktaorthe full-blownYogi.Hehasclimbedthestupendousheightsthroughintenseandconstantstruggle.He didsevererigorousspiritualSadhana.Hedidprofoundmeditation.Hespentsleeplessnights.He keptlongvigilsatnightoncountlessoccasions.Hegraduallyascendedtheheightsstepbystep.He tookrestatseveralhalting-places.Heperseveredwithpatienceanddiligence.Hesurmountedmany obstacles.Heconquereddespair,gloomanddepression.Todayheisabeacon-lighttotheworldat large. You can also ascend to that summit if only you will.9

Lesson VI YOGA-ASANAS10

Howmanyofyou,sistersandbrothers,findinyourselvestheunmistakablesignsofdisease, declininghealth,vim,vigourandvitality?Howmanyofyou,mayIaskagain,feelactuallythegrip ofprematureoldage?Whydoyouunjustlythrowthewholeblameonhereditywithoutfora momentrealisingthatfornearlythirtyorthirty-fiveyearsyouhavebeenfloutingthelawsoflife? Thirty-fiveyearsofwrongliving!Thirty-fiveyearsofwrongfeeding!Thirty-fiveyearsofwrong breathing!Thirty-fiveyearsofwrongthinking!Thirty-fiveyearsspentinabjectignoranceofthe relationshipbetweenbrainandbrawn!Thirty-fiveyears,infact,spentindoingeverythingpossible to develop the disease of “Old Age!”

Nowsupposethewholesituationisreversed,andinplaceofwrongliving,wrongfeeding, wrongbreathing,etc.,thereisintroducedrightliving,rightfeeding,rightbreathing,andsoforth, whatwillbetheeffect?Willphysicalandmentaldegenerationgiveplacetophysicalandmental regeneration?TheanswergivenbytheSeersoftheEastisanemphatic“YES”.TheIndianYogins haveconclusivelyprovedthatbyfollowingaregimenitisquitepossibletorebuildthehumanbody,

9For further particulars vide my book “Sure ways for Success in Life and God-realisation”

10For full detailed particulars vide my book “Yoga Asanas.”

PRACTICAL LESSONS IN YOGA

toreconstructthehumanmind,toregainlostyouth,strengthandbeauty.Thekeytoaccomplishthis remarkable feat according to the Saints, Sages and Rishis of yore is to be found in Yoga-Asanas.

Youknowwhattheword‘Yoga’means.Itisunionoftheindividualsoul(Jivatman)with theSupremeSoul(Paramatman).Asanaisaneasyandcomfortableseatorposeorposture.Thusthe termYoga-Asanasmeanscertainposturesbyassuminganyoneofwhichtheindividualsoulis unitedwiththeSupremeSoulquiteeasilybytheYogicpractitioner.Therelationshipbetweenmind andbodyissocompleteandsosubtlethatitisnowonderthatcertainphysicaltrainingwillinduce certain mental transformations.

Agoodmanyofyoumighthavecomeacrossseveralpersonscapableofdemonstrating theseYoga-Asanassomeofwhichmayseematfirstsightdisgustingandtiring.Atanyratesuch personsarenotuncommoninIndia.Someofmyownstudentswhoarespecialistsinthisbranchof Yogacandothevariousexerciseswithamazinggraceandfinish.Itiswrongtosupposethatthese Yoga-AsanasaremerelyphysicalexercisesfoundedbytheancientRishisofIndiajustassomany systemsofphysicalculturehavecroppedupnowbothinEuropeandinAmerica.Thereis somethingspiritual,somethingdivineatthebottomofthissystemforitawakensthesleeping Kundalini-Shakti,helpstheYogicstudentalotinestablishinghimselffullyinmeditationand finally makes him taste the nectar of Cosmic Consciousness.

Itisimportanttoknowwhatanidealsystemofphysicalcultureshouldbe,sothatyouwill beabletojudgeforyourselfthevalueofYoga-Asanasinthelightoftheideal.Thatsystemcanbe safelysaidtobeanidealsystemwhichrequiresthesmallestamountofenergytobespentinorderto securethegreatestamountofbenefit;whichcaneffectamaximumincreaseinthevitalindex; whichcanbuildupahealthynervoussystem;whichcanensurehealthfortheexcretoryorgansof thebody;whichcantakecareofthecirculatorysystem;andwhichcanalsodevelopthemuscular system. Let us now see how far these few conditions are fulfilled by Yoga-Asanas.

LetmenowprescribeashortbutcompletecourseofYoga-Asanaswhichismorethan sufficientforanaverageman(orwoman)ofhealthnotonlytomaintainahighstandardofhealth butalsotoachievetruesuccessinYoga.Yogicphysicalcultureisonlyameanstoanend,andnot anendinitself.Youneednot,therefore,attachundueimportancetothisbranchofYogaaloneto thegrossneglectoftheothers.AlltheAsanasmentionedandillustratedinthisbookcanbe successfullypracticedwithoutthepersonalcontactofateacher.Thousandsarebenefitedinvarious waysbyregularlypractisingtheseAsanas.Thevariousexercisesgiveninthisbookhavebeenso arrangedthatstrictadherenceisexpectedofyou.AllAsanasshouldbedone invariablyinthe morning,andnotintheeveningasyouwillfindinsomebooksonthesubject.Thereasonforthis emphasisisthatintheeveningeverybodyistiredofaday’sworkandassuchwillnotbeabletodo thevariousexerciseswithafeelingofexhilarationandfreshnesswhichheorshewouldotherwise feelinthemorning.Thereshouldabsolutelybenofeelingofdepressionorfatigueeitherbeforeor duringtheperformanceoftheseexercises.Thisisanimportantpointtoremember,ifyouwishto enjoythebenefitsoftheseexercisesinthefullestmeasure.Youneednotgothroughthewhole courseeveryday.butyoumustbyallmeansberegularandsystematicintheverylittlethatyoudo, andbeamasterofalltheexercisesgiveninthisbook.Anotherpointtorememberisthattheamount ofenergyexpendedintheseexercisesshouldonnoaccountstrainyoursystem.Thoseofyouwho wishtodomuscularexercisesmaydosointheevening.AllYoga-Asanasmustbedoneonan

emptystomach;butthereisnoharmifasmallcupofmilk,lightteaorcoffeeistakenbefore commencing the exercises.

Asanaisthethirdlimb(Anga)ofYoga.IfyouarefirmlyestablishedinAsanas,youwillnot feelthebodyatall.Whenyoudonotfeelthebody,qualitiesofthepairsofoppositeswillnotaffect you.Whenyouarefreefromtheeffectofthepairsofoppositessuchasheatandcold,pleasureand pain,youwillbeabletotakeupthenexthigherstepviz.,Pranayamaandpracticeitwithan unruffledmind.Thereforeyoushouldselectthatposturewhichiseasyandcomfortableandin whichyoucanremainlong,say,threehours.LordKrishnasays:“Havinginacleanlyspot establishedafirmseat,neithertoohighnortoolowwithcloth,skin,and Kusa grassthereon; makingthemindone-pointed,withtheactionsofthemindandthesensescontrolled,lethim,seated thereontheseat,practiseYogaforthepurificationoftheself.Holdingerectandstillthebody,head andneck,firm,gazingatthetipofthenose,withoutlookingaround,serene-minded,fearless,firm inthevowofgodlylife,havingrestrainedthemind,thinkingonMe,andbalanced,lethimsit, looking up to Me as the Supreme.” (Bhagavad-Gita Ch. VI-11, 12, 13).

Yogaaimsatdeveloping,will-power.Amanofstronganddynamicwill-powerwillalways situprightandwalkwithhischestthrowninfrontofhishead;butaweak-willedpersonwillchange hispostureoftenandoften,whilesittingorstanding,willwalkinazigzagfashion,betraying infirmityandwantofresolutionofmindineverystep.ThepracticeofAsanasisofvitalimportance, andthoughthepracticemaybefoundtobepainfulandtroublesomeattheoutset,whenoncethe habitofsittingononeAsanaforaconsiderablelengthoftimeisformed,youwillfeelapeculiar thrill and pleasure while seated there, and you will not like to change the pose on any account.

AccordingtoPatanjaliMaharshi,postureisthatwhichisfirmandcomfortable.Hedoesnot layanyspecialstressoneitherAsanaorPranayama.ItwasonlylateronthattheHatha-Yogins developedthesetwolimbsofYoga,and,nodoubttheyareoftremendoushelptotheYogicstudent. WhiletheHatha-Yoginsaimatthecontrolandcultureofthebody,theRaja-Yoginsaimatthe controlandcultureofthemind.Andasbodyandmindareinterdependent,physicalcultureisa sine qua non to mental culture.

ItiswrongtosupposethatYoga-AsanasarepurelymeantfortheIndiansandthattheyare ideallysuitedtoIndianconditions.Thatitisnotthecaseisprovedbythefollowingfewinstances. Mr.HarryDikman,theDirector-FounderoftheYogaCentreinRiga,Latvia(Europe)isagood specialistintheseYoga-Asanas,BandhasandMudrasandhisopinionandadvicetopersons sufferingfromvariouskindsofdiseases,curableandincurable,areincreasinglybecomingpopular inEurope.IhavenotheardofanothermaneitherinEuropeorinAmerica,whotakessuchakeen andlivelyinterestinthissubjectandismakingresearchesinthesame.Youwillbesurprisedto know that Mr. Harry Dikman is essentially a philosopher and a sage.

InCalifornia(U.S.A.)ayounggirlofabouttwoandtwenty,weighing280lbs.,duetomuch adiposityandthereforefeelingcompletelydejectedandforlorn,finallytookrecourseto Yoga-Asanasontherecommendationofafriendofhers,andinthecourseofsixmonthstime,tothe astonishmentandwonderofall,wasabletoreduceherbody-weightto180lbs.,byfollowingthe instructionsofaspecialist!Thephotographsofthegirltakenbefore,duringandafterthesixmonths coursewerelavishlypublishedinvariousAmericanjournalsandhightributespaidtothe

remarkableefficacyofYoga-Asanasasthemeansofbuildinguparadiantandhealthybodyand eradicating all kinds of diseases.

Mr.ErnestHaekelofLosAngeles,California,Mr.BorisSacharowofBerlinandseveral othersinterestedinacquiringpsychicpowersbyawakeningtheKundaliniareallinstancestoprove thatYoga-AsanascanbepracticedandareintendednotonlyforIndiaandtheIndiansbutforthe whole world and the humanity at large.

PractiseeitherPadmasanaorSiddhasanaformeditativepurposesandthevariousother Asanas,Bandhas,etc.,formaintaining,ahighstandardofhealth,vigour,strength,vitality,andfor keeping up Brahmacharya.

(1) Padmasana

(THE LOTUS POSE)

Amongstthevariousposesprescribedformeditation,Padmasanaisuniqueandforemost.It holdsaveryconspicuousplaceintheYogapracticesbecausegreatRishislikeSandilya,Gheranda andseveralothershavespokenofitinglowingterms.ItiscalledPadmasanabecauseofitsfullpose lending one the appearance of a full-blown lotus.

SitontheseatprescribedbyLordKrishnaintheBhagavad-Gita:Ch.VI-11.Stretchthelegs forward,placetherightfootgentlyatthelefthip-joint,andtheleftfootsimilarlyattheright hip-joint.Keepthespineerect.Placetherighthandontherightknee-jointandthelefthandonthe leftknee-joint.11 Gazegentlyatthetipofthenose.ThisisPadmasana.PractisethisAsanafor5 minutestostartwithandgraduallyincreasethetimeto3hours.Padmasanadestroysalldiseases and bestows quick emancipation to the practitioner.

(2) Siddhasana

(THE PERFECT POSE)

SiddhasanaisnexttoPadmasanainimportance.Someeulogiseitasevensuperiorto Padmasanafromthepointofviewofmeditation.TheAsanaissocalledbecauseitiscapableof givingthepractitionerallSiddhis(psychicpowers).Moreoveritwasandisthefavourableposeof several Adepts in Yoga (Siddhas).

SitagainontheseatprescribedbyLordKrishnaasbefore.Stretchthelegsforward.Place theleftheelcarefullyattheanalapertureandtheotherheelontherootofthegenerativeorgan.Fix thechinonthechest.Gentlygazeatthespacebetweenthetwoeyebrowswithoutinanyway

11Oryoucanmakeafinger-lockandkeepthelockedhandsontheleftheel.Thisiscomfortableforsomepersons. Oryoucanplacetherighthandontherightknee-jointwithpalmfacingupwardsandtheindexfingertouching themiddleofthethumb;thelefthandalsoshouldbeplacedontheleftknee-jointwiththepalmfacingupwards and the index finger touching the middle of the thumb in a similar manner.

strainingyoureyes.12

Keepthespineerect.Youcankeepthehandsandfingersjustasin Padmasana.Startdoingthisfor5minutesandslowlyincreaseitto3hours.Youngaspirantswho wishtogetthemselvesestablishedinBrahmacharyashouldpracticethisAsana.“Throughthis posturetheYogi,leavingtheworld,attainsthehighestendandthroughouttheworldthereisno posturemoresacredthanthis.Byassumingandcontemplatinginthisposture,theYogiisfreed fromsin.”(Siva-Samhita:Ch.III-87).Personssufferingfromsyphilis,spermatorrhoea,piles, diabetes and gonorrhoea be greatly benefited by assuming this pose regularly for some time.

(3) Sirshasana

(THE TOPSY-TURVY POSE)

ThisiscalledSirshasanaasyouhavetostandonthehead.Itisconsideredtobethekingof all Asanas.

Spreadafourfoldblanket.Squatonthegroundandprepareafinger-lockbyknittingthe fingersofboththehandstogether.Makeaconvenientanglewiththeforearms.Letthefinger-lock servethepurposeofavertex.Keepthetopoftheheadonthevertex.Slowlyraisethelowerpartof thetrunk,andthenthelegs.Nowthewholebodywillstandatrightanglewiththeground.Remain inthisposefor5secondsinthebeginningandslowlyincreasethetimetohalfanhour.Letthe breathingbenormalthroughout.Bringthelegsagainslowlydownwithoutmakinganysuddenjerk. Relax the body. This is important.

Sirshasanaisapanaceaforallhumanills.Itisextremelyusefulinkeepingup BrahmacharyabecausetheseminalenergyistransmutedintoOjas-Saktiandstoredupinthebrain. Thisissex-sublimation.Personssufferingfromdiseasesoftheeye,nose,head,throat,stomach, genito-urinarysystem,liver,spleen,lungs,renalcolic,deafness,piles,asthma,consumption, pyorrhoea,constipation,andmanyothertroubleswillfindgreatreliefbyitspractice.Greyhairs andwrinkleswilldisappear.Itaugmentsthedigestivefireandincreasesappetite.Ladiesalsocan dothisAsana.Sterilityvanishes.Manyuterineandovarinediseasesarecured.IndeedSirshasanais ablessingandagifttohumanity.DuringthepracticeofthisAsanathebraindrawsplentyofblood andenergy.Memoryincreaseswonderfully.Pt.JawaharlalNehru,thePrimeMinisterofIndia,was an ardent votary of Sirshasana. He managed to practice this pose daily somehow or other.

(4) Sarvangasana

(ALL-MEMBERS POSE)

ThenextisSarvangasana.Itissocalledbecauseallpartsofthebodyfunctionduringits performance.

12ThisisknownastheFrontalGaze.Takeparticularcarenottostrainyoureyeinanymanner.Gazeveryvery gently.Ifyoufinditdifficulttodothisalso,simplycloseyoureyesandconcentrateontheheart-lotusorthespace betweenthetwoeye-brows.Thispracticeisdoublybeneficial.Itwillnotonlynotstrainyoureyes,butwillalso protect them from the risk of some foreign matter getting into them and causing unnecessary eye-trouble.

Spreadathickblanketontheground.Lieflatonyourback.Thenslowlyraisethelegsup, liftingthetrunkandthehipsvertically.Letthetwohandssupportthebackatthehips.Letthe elbowsrestontheground.Formachin-lockbyfirmlypressingthechinagainstthechest.Inthis posturethehinderpartoftheneckliesontheground,andthetrunkandlegsstandinastraightline. Concentratethemindatthethyroidglandthatissituatedattherootoftheneck.Dothisfor2 minutestostartwithandincreasethetimetohalfanhour.Letthebreathingbenormalduringthe whole process.

Sarvangasanawillbuildforyouahealthythyroid.Ahealthythyroidmeanshealthy functioningofallorgansofthebody.Thisposecentralisesthebloodinthespinalcolumnandfeeds itabundantly.Itkeepsthespinestrongandelastic.Youwillhaveeverlastingyouth.Ithelpsyounot alittleinkeepingupBrahmacharya.Itcheckswet-dreamsandrejuvenatestheimpotent.Itisa bloodandnervinetonictoo.Itremovesdyspepsia,constipationandseveralothergastro-intestinal disorders.ThebenefitsyouderivefromSirshasanaarealsoderivedfromSarvangasana.Acourseof Sirsha-Sarvangasanawillcureleprosy,powerfullyrejuvenatethebodyanddispensewith monkey-gland grafting.

(5) Matsyasana (THE FISH POSE)

ThisposeiscalledMatsyasanabecausebyassumingthispostureanddoingPlavini Pranayama you can float like the fish on water as long as you like.

Spreadathickblanketontheground.Sitonitwithlegsfullystretchedinfrontofyou.Do Padmasana.Thenlieflatontheback.Thenrestingthewholebodyontheelbowsraisethetrunkand head.Pressingtheheadwellonthegroundontheonesideandthebuttocksontheother,makean archorabridgeofthetrunk.Restthehandsonthethighsorcatchholdofthetoestherighthand holding the left toe and the left hand the right toe.

PractisethisAsanasoonafterSarvangasanaforonethirdofthetimeyoudevotetothelatter, ifyouwantthemaximumbenefits.SarvangasanaandMatsyasanagohandinhand.Theymust alwaysbepracticedoneaftertheother.WhenyouhavefinisheddoingthisAsana,slowlyrelease the head with the help of the hands, sit erect and unlock the foot-lock.

Matsyasanagivesasoothingmassagetotheneckandtheshoulders.Thestiffnessofthe neckisremoved.Matsyasanahelpsdeepbreathing.Thecervicalandupperdorsalnervesare abundantlynourishedwithbloodandtonedupnicely.Theendocrinethepituitaryandthepineal glandslocatedinthebrainarestimulatedandtoned.Theseglandsplayavitalpartintheproper functioningofthevarioussystemsofthehumanbody.Matsyasanaisalsothedestroyerofmany diseases.Itcuresconstipation,asthma,consumption,chronicbronchitis,epilepsy,acertaintypeof obesity,theevileffectsofmasturbation,excessivesexualindulgenceandwasteofseminalpowers, andissaidtohavecuredleprosyalso.Itdispenseswiththetransplantationofmonkey-thyroidsto humanbeingsforrejuvenation.Enlargementofthespleeniscured.Lostmanhood,wastedvitality andmisspentenergycouldbeeffectivelyregainedbytheassiduouspracticeofthisposture.The heart is also massaged and you feel new and young.

(6) Bhujangasana

(THE COBRA POSE)

Bhujanga meansacobrainSanskrit.ThisposeiscalledBhujangasanabecausewhenthe full pose is displayed, it lends one the appearance of a hooded cobra.

Spreadablanketontheground.Lieonitfacedownandthemusclesofthebodycompletely relaxed.Placethepalmsonthegroundjustbelowtheshoulders,bendingthemintheelbows.Touch thegroundwiththeforeheadandraisetheheadandtheupperpartofthebodyslowlyjustasacobra raisesitshood.Bendthespinebackwards.Letthelowerpartofthebodyfromthenaveldownwards rightuptothetoestouchtheground.Breathenormallythroughthenose.Retainthebreathtillthe headisraisedandthespinebentnicely.Thenagainexhale.Thenretainthebreathwhilebringing theheaddownandassoonastheheadtouchestheground,slowlyinhaleagain.Repeatthisprocess of raising the head and bringing it down half a dozen times or more.

Thisisanothergoodexerciseforthespine.Thespinebecomesflexibleandelastic.Rigidity andfatigueofthebackareremoved.Hunch-back,backpain,lumbagoandmyalgiaofthebackare relieved.Bhujangasanaincreasestheintra-abdominalpressureandremovesconstipation.It augmentsappetitebyincreasingbodilyheatanddestroysahostofotherailments.Thisposeis speciallyusefulforladiestotonetheovaryanduterus.Itisapowerfultonic.Absenceof menstruation(amenorrhoea),painfulmenstruation(dysmenorrhoea),whites(leucorrhoea)and various other utero-ovarine diseases are removed.

(7) Salabhasana

(THE LOCUST POSE)

Salabha meansalocustinSanskrit.Whenthisposeisdemonstrated,itgivesonethe appearance of a locust.

Lieontheblanketfacedownandthearmstouchingtheground.Letthepalmsfaceupwards withthefingersclenched.Inhaleslightly.Thenstiffenthewholebodyandraisethelegsthehips andthelowerabdomenup.puttingthewholeweightofthebodyonthechestandthehands.Raise theheadalsoslightly.13 Remaininthisposefor10secondsinthebeginningandprolongthetime littlebylittleaslongasyoucanretainthebreath.Bringthelegsdownslowly,relaxthemusclesof thewholebodyandexhale.Repeatthisposefourorfivetimestakingcaretoseethatthelungsare not unduly strained.

Thisposturebendsthespinebackwardsandgivesintra-abdominalpressure.While Bhujangasanaexercisestheupperpartofthebody,Salabhasanadevelopsthelowerhalfofthe

13SomespecialistsinHatha-Yogarecommendtherestingofthechin,mouthandnoseontheground,whilstsome others the chin alone.

body.Itrelievesconstipationandtonestheliver,pancreasandthekidneys.Severalotherdiseases ofthestomacharealsoremoved.Itishighlybeneficialtopersonssufferingfromlumbago.It increasesthedigestivefireremovesdyspepsiaandpromotesgoodappetite.Ahighstandardof vitality and strength is assured.

(8) Dhanurasana (THE BOW POSE)

Dhanus meansabowinSanskrit.ThisiscalledDhanurasanabecausewhenthefullposeis demonstrated,itresemblesabowwithastringinit.Thehandsandthelegsrepresentthestring, whereas the trunk and the thighs take the place of the bow.

Asyoudidintheprevioustwoposes,lieontheblanketfacedown.Relaxallthemusclesof thebody.Bendthelegsslowlyattheknee-jointuntilthehandscatchholdoftheankles.Raisethe head,chestandknees.Keepthearmsandtheforearmsstiffendstraight.Trytokeepthekneesclose together.NowthewholebodyrestsontheabdomenAgoodconvexarchisformedresemblinga bowwithastring.Youcaneitherbreatheasusualorretainthebreathaccordingtoyour convenience.Remaininthisposeaslongasyoucancomfortablydoso.DothisAsanafourtosix times.Whenyouhavedonethis,lowerthekneesandthechestfirst.Thenbringthehandsandlegs down and stretch flat on the ground.

ThisAsanagivesthefullbenefitsofbothBhujangasanaandSalabhasana.Theabdominal regiongetsagoodmassage.Byrockingandswingingthebow-shapedbodyfromsidetoside, forwardandbackward,athoroughmassageandexercisetotheabdomenisensured.Chronic constipation,dyspepsia,sluggishnessoftheliver,rheumatismofthelegs,knee-jointsandthe hands,gastro-intestinaldisordersareallpreventedandcured.Ladiesdesirousofundergoinga courseofslimmingwilldowelltotrythisAsanafirst.Dhanurasanakeepsthespinestrongand elastic. You will bubble with untiring energy, vigour and vitality. Everlasting youth is yours.

(9) Paschimottanasana

(THE ANTERIOR SPINAL BENDING POSE)

Lieflatontheblanketandstretchthearmsoverthehead.Slowlybreathein.Raisethearms, headandtrunk,exhaleandbendthemoverthelegs,stretchedtaut,withoutraisingtheknees.Catch holdofthetoeswiththefingers,contractingtheabdomenandgentlypressingtheheadagainstthe knees.Pullthetoeswiththearmsandlowertheelbows.Whilebendingthetrunkdown,donot makeanyviolentjerk.Doitvery,verycarefullyandslowly.Whileremaininginthisposebreathe normally.Remaininthisposefor2secondstostartwithandgraduallyincreasethetimeto10 minutes.

Paschimottanasanatonesupthethighandhamstringmuscles.Thisisanotherexcellent exerciseforslimmingpurposes.Thisisararespecificforobesity.Constipationisrelieved. Sluggishnessoftheliver,dyspepsia,belchingandgastritisareremoved.Lumbagoiscured.Thisis

prescribedforpilesanddiabetesalso.Hewhopracticesthispostureregularlyneednotbeafraidof old age. To him belongs eternal youth.

(10) Mayurasana

(THE

PEACOCK POSE)

MayurameansapeacockinSanskrit.ThisiscalledMayurasanabecausewhenthisAsanais performed, it imitates a peacock spreading out his bundle of feathers behind him.

Kneelonthegroundandsquatontheheels.Bringthetwoforearmstogetherandkeepthe palmsontheground.Thepalmsandfingersrepresentthefeetandclawsofthepeacock,exceptthat herethepalmsaredirectedbackward.Keeptheelbowjointsinclosecontactwitheachothersoasto provideanicefulcrumtosupportthehorizontalbodyduringthedisplayoftheposture.Thejoint elbowsareplacedontheabdomenjustbelowthenavel.Stretchthewholebodyfromheadtofoot up;sothatitstandsrunningparalleltotheground.Nowthewholebodylookslikeabarrestingona fulcrum. Raise the head up and throw out the chin to counter-balance the heavy legs.

Inthebeginningretainthebreathaslongasyoustandonthispose.Keepathickandsoft pilloworcushiononthegroundjustbelowyournosesoastoprotectincaseofanyslip.Whenyou becomeperfectinthisposeandthereisnofearoffallingdown,youcanbreatheasusualduringthe exercisealso.Beginnersmaypracticetheposturebybalancingthebodyatthesideofatableora raiseddais.Itwillbeeasy.Dothisfor3secondstobeginwithandgraduallyprolongthetimefor3 minutes.

Mayurasanapromotesdigestionandincreasesappetite.Itisverypotentincasesof dyspepsiaandchronicgastritis.Thebowelsaretonedup,andconstipationiscured.Alldiseasesof thestomach,liver,spleen,kidneysandtheintestinesaredispelled.Diabetes,haemorrhoidsand piles are removed. The arms and shoulders become strong and sinewy.

(11) Bandha Traya

(THE THREE BANDHAS)

Thatpostureorexercisewhichshutsthegateofthebodyataparticularplaceandthereby stopsinhalationandexhalationiscalledaBandha.WhenMulaBandha,JalandharaBandhaand Uddiyana Bandha are practiced at one and the same time, there ensues Bandha Traya.

SitonSiddhasanapressingtheperineumwiththeleftheelandtheotherheelontherootof thegenerativeorgan.Inhaledeeply.Contracttheanusanddrawitupwards.ThisisMulaBandha. Whileinthisstate.contractthethroatandpressthechintightlyagainstthechest.ThisisJalandhara Bandha.Thenemptyingthelungsbyacompleteexhalation,contractanddrawuptheintestines

aboveandbelowthenaveltowardsthespinalcolumn.Nowtheabdomenrestsagainstthebackof the body high up in the thoracic cavity. This is called Uddiyana Bandha.14

UddiyanaBandhacanalsobedoneseparatelywithoutmixingitwithanyotherexercise. Thoughonlythesittingpostureisshownintheillustration,UddiyanaBandhacanalsobedonein standing posture and various other postures as well.

ThepracticeofBandhaTrayaisextremelyhelpfulinestablishingyourselfin Brahmacharya.Itgivesvigourtothenerves,relievesconstipation,andaugmentsappetite. Bloominghealth,vigorousstrengthandahighstandardofvitalityareyoursbyright.The abdominalmusclesaremassagedandtonedup.Personssufferingfromchronicdiseasesofthe stomachandtheintestinesandhavinggivenupallhopesofrecoverywilldowelltotrythisnatural remedyasalastresort.Rapidandmarvellouscureisassured.BandhaTrayacanbepracticedduring Pranayama,concentrationandmeditationwithmuchadvantage.TheKundalini-Shaktiis awakenedandallpsychicpowersarebestoweduponthepractitioner.Hedrinksthenectarof immortality and gets final emancipation (Moksha).

(12) Nauli

(ISOLATION OF THE RECTUS ABDOMINIS)

Thecontraction,isolationandtherollingmanipulationoftherectusabdominisistermed Nauli.

Standup.Keepthelegsafootorsowideapart.Pressyourhandsagainstthethighsby slightlybendingthetrunk.ThendoUddiyanaBandhainthisstandingposture.Letgothecentreof theabdomenfreebycontractingtheleftandtherightsidesoftheabdomen.Nowallthemusclesof theabdomenstandoutbulginginthecentreformingaverticalline.ThisisNauli.15 Remaininthis pose as long as you can conveniently do so.

Constipation,dyspepsiaandgastrointestinaldisordersareallthoroughlyeradicated.The liverandthepancreas,thestomachandtheintestinesaretonedupnicely.Themusclesoftheback andtheintestinesarestrengthenedandregenerated.Nauliisararegifttohumanityrightfromthe land of the gods and is an ideal ‘pick-me-up.’

14UddiyanaBandhacanalsobedoneseparatelywithoutmixingitwithanyotherexercise.Thoughonlythesitting postureisshownintheillustration,UddiyanaBandhacanalsobedoneinstandingpostureandvariousother postures as well.

15TheisolationoftheabdominalmusclesinthecentreiscalledMadhyamaNauli.Theisolationoftheabdominal muscles on the left side is called Vamana Nauli and on the right side Dakshina Nauli.

Lesson VII

PRANAYAMA

Pranameans breath and Ayama means control.ByPranayamaismeantthecontrolofPrana andthevitalforcesofthebody.Pranayamabeginswiththeregulationofbreathandendsin establishingfullandperfectcontroloverthelife-currentsorinnervitalforces.Inotherwords, Pranayamaistheperfectcontrolofthelife-currentsthroughregulationofbreath.Breathlike electricityisgrossPrana.ByestablishingcontroloverthegrossPrana,youcaneasilygaincontrol overthesubtlePranainside.TheprocessbywhichsuchcontrolisestablishediscalledPranayama. Pranayama is the fourth limb of Ashtanga Yoga.

Pranaistheoldestfor,itstartsfunctioningfromtheverymomentthechildisconceived.On thecontrary,theorgansofthebodysuchashearing,andsoforth,begintofunctiononlywhentheir specialabodesviz.,theears,etc.,areformed.Pranaiscalledtheoldestandthebestinthe Upanishadsbecauseitgainedthevictoryinthefightbetweenmindandthefiveorgans.Intheend mindandthefiveorgansunanimouslydeclared:“OMaster!OPrana!thesupporterofthisuniverse andthesupporterofourverylives,thefirst-born!Adorationsuntothee!Thouartreallygreat.Do notdepartfromthisbody.Weshallservethee.Wedulyacknowledgethysuperiority.”Prana functions even while the mind is absent during deep sleep.

Pranaisthelinkbetweenthephysicalandtheastralbodies.Whentheslenderthread-like Pranaiscutoff,theastralbodyseparatesfromthephysicalbody.Deathistheresult.ThePranathat was working in the physical body is withdrawn into the astral body.

ThesumtotaloftheRajasicportionofthefivesubtleelementsformsthePranaswhichare fiveinnumber,16 andseparatelyformsthehandsandtheotherfourorgansofaction.Thefiveorgans of action are contained in the Pranamaya Kosha (vital air sheath).

Pranadigeststhefood,turnsitintochyleandbloodandsendsitintothebrainandmind.The mind is then able to think and do reflection (meditation) on the Self.

Pranaistheuniversalprincipleofenergyorforce.Itisvitalforce.Pranaisall-pervading.It maybeeitherinastaticordynamicstate.Itisfoundinallforms,fromthelowesttothehighest, fromtheanttotheelephant,fromtheunicellularamoebatoaman,fromtheelementaryformof plantlifetothedevelopedformofanimallife.ItisPranathatshinesinyoureyes.Itisthroughthe powerofPranathattheearhears,theeyesees,theskinfeels,thetonguetastes,thenosesmells,the brainandtheintellectperformtheirrespectivefunctions.Thesmileonthefaceofayounglady,the melodyinmusic,thepowerintheemphaticutterancesofanorator,thecharminthewordsofone’s ownbelovedwife—alltheseandmanymorehavetheirorigininPrana.FireburnsthroughPrana. WindblowsthroughPrana.RiversflowthroughPrana.Thesteamerandtheaeroplane,thetrainand themotor-carmoveaboutonlythroughthepowerofPrana.Radio-wavestravelthroughPrana.

16The five Pranas are: 1. Prana, 2. Apana, 3 Samana, 4. Vyana and 5. Udana.

Pranaiselectron.Pranaisproton.Pranaisforce.Pranaismagnetism.Pranaiselectricity.ItisPrana thatpumpsbloodfromtheheartintothearteries.ItisPranaagainthatdoesdigestion,excretionand secretion.

Pranaisexpendedbythinking,willing,acting,moving,talking,writingandsoon.Astrong andhealthymanhasanabundanceofPranaornerve-forceorvitality.ThePranaissuppliedby food,water,air,solarenergy,etc.ThesupplyofPranaisreceivedbythenervoussystem.ThePrana isabsorbedinbreathing.TheexcessofPranaisstoredupinthebrainandnerve-centres.Whenthe seminal energy is sublimated, it supplies abundance of Prana to the system.

AYogistoresupenoughandmoreofPranabyregularpracticeofPranayamajustasthe storagebatterystoresupelectricity.ThatYogiwhohasinhisstoreanamazinglylargesupplyof Pranaradiatesstrengthandvitalityallaround.Heisabigpower-house.Thosewhocomeincontact withhimimbibePranafromhim,andgetstrength,vigour,vitalityandexhilarationofspirits.Justas oilflowsfromonevesseltoanother,PranaalsoactuallyflowssteadilyfromadevelopedYogi towardsweakpersons.ThiscanbeseenactuallybytheYogiwhohasdevelopedhisinnerYogic vision.

IfyoucancontrolPrana,youcancontrolalltheforceoftheuniverse,physicalandmental. AYogicanalsocontroltheOmnipresentManifestingPowerfromwhichallenergieslike magnetism,electricity,gravitation,cohesion,nerve-currents,vitalforcesorthought-vibrations and, in fact, the total forces of the universe take their origin.

IfyoucancontrolthebreathorPrana,themindisalsoeasilycontrolled.Hewhohas controlledhismindhasalsocontrolledhisbreath.Iftheoneissuspended,theotheralsogets suspended.IfthemindandthePranaarebothcontrolled,yougetliberationfromtheroundofbirths and deaths and attain Immortality.

Thereisintimateconnectionbetweenmind,Pranaandsemen.Ifyoucancontrolyour seminal energy, you can also control your mind and Prana.

OwingtothevibrationofPranathetensenses(thefiveorgansofactionandthefiveorgans ofknowledge)dotheirrespectivefunctions.IfthePranaiscontrolled,allthesensescomeunder yourcontrol.GothroughtheparablesintheKaushitakiandtheChhandogyaUpanishads.Youwill findthatthesensesrecognisedintheendthesuperiorityofPrana.Youcanlivewithoutfoodand drinkfordaystogetherbutyoucannotlivewithoutairevenforafewminutes.Whattospeakof Prana then!

Aslongasyouspeak,youcannotbreathe;thenyouofferthebreathinthespeech.Aslongas youbreathe,solongyoucannotspeak;thenyouofferthespeechinthebreath.Thesearethetwo never-endingimmortaloblations.Whenyouwanttohearafaintsound,thebreathgetssuspended forawhile.Theportercarryingheavybagsofriceorwheatatthewharfinstinctivelyfillshislungs withairandpracticesunconsciousretentionofbreath(Pranayama)tillthebagisliftedontohis back.Thisretentionofbreathaugmentshisstrengthandvitality.Itimmediatelyprovideshimwith anabundanceofenergy.Itinducesgreatconcentrationofmind.Whenyoucrossasmallrivuletby

jumpingover,whenyoupracticelongjumpandhighjumpandvariousotherexercisesatthe parallel bar and trapezium, you practice retention of breath instinctively.

Ifthebreathisunsteady,themindalsoisunsteady.Ifthebreathissteadyandcalm,themind isalsosteadyandcalm.AYogigetslongevityoflifebythepracticeofPranayama.Thereforethe practiceofPranayamaisindispensablerequisite.Justasittakesalongtime,patienceand perseverancetotamealion,anelephantoratiger,soalsoyouwillhavetotamethisPrana gradually. Then it will come under your perfect control.

Justasagoldsmithremovestheimpuritiesofgoldbyheatingitintheblazingfurnaceand blowingtheblow-pipevigorouslysoalsothestudentofYogashouldremovethevariousimpurities ofhisbodyandmindbyblowinghislungs,i.e.,bythepracticeofPranayama.Thefundamentalaim ofPranayamaistounitethePranaandtheApanaandtotaketheunitedPranapanaslowlyupwards towardsthecrownofthehead.ThefruitofPranayamaistheawakeningofthesleeping Kundalini-Shakti.

TheroominwhichyoupracticePranayamamustnotbedampandill-ventilated.Itmustbe dryandairy.Thepracticecanbecarriedonbythesideofariveroralake,atthetoporfootofahill orasecludedpartofapleasantandbeautifulgarden,oratanyplacewheretheunconcentratedmind getsconcentratedeasilyduetotheexceptionallygoodspiritualvibrations.Whateverplaceyoumay finallyselect,takeparticularcaretoseethatitisfreefromchillandstrongdraught,mosquitoes, bugs,antsandallotherfliesorcrawlinginsects.IfyouwishtopracticePranayamainyourown house,haveaseparateroomunderlockandkey.Donotallowanybodyintotheroom,no,noteven yourdearestandnearestfriendsandrelatives.Letitbefreefromallotherdisturbingelements. ThereseatedonyourfavouriteAsanawiththemindfirmlyfixedonTruth,performPranayama daily.ThentheChittaorthemind-stuffgetsabsorbedintheSushumna.17 ThePranabecomes steady;itdoesnotfluctuate.InIndiathebanksoftheGanga,theJumnaandtheKaveriare extremelyfavourableforthepracticeofPranayama,Rishikesh(Himalayas),Brindavan,Varanasi, Uttarakashi and Ayodhya are all very nice places for the purpose.

ThepracticeofPranayamashouldbecommencedinspringandautumnbecausesuccessis assured.Inthebeginningyoucanhavetwosittings,morningandeveningandasyouadvancein yourpractices,youcanhavefour:morning,midday,eveningandmidnight.Yourdietshouldbe lightandmoderate.Intheearlystages,foodofmilkandgheeisordained;alsofoodconsistingof wheat,greenpulseandredriceissaidtofavourtheprogress.AssumingyourfavouriteAsana, practiceregulationofbreathfirstforthepurificationofthenerves(Nadis).SriSankaracharya,the greatestexponentoftheAdvaitaphilosophy,thatIndiahaseverproducedsaysinhisfamous commentarytotheSvetasvataraUpanishad:“Themindwhosedrosshasbeenclearedawayby

17SushumnaisthemostimportantoftheNadis(nerve-currents).Situatedatthebackoftheanusitextendstothe crownofthehead(Brahmarandhra)andisinvisibleandsubtle.Itrunsalongthecentreofthespinalcolumnwith theIdaandPingalaNadisrunningtoitsleftandright.IfyousitformeditationwhenthePranamovesinthe Sushumna,youwillhavedeepmeditation.TheKundalini-SaktilyingdormantattheMuladharaChakra,when rousedbythepracticeofPranayama,passesthroughtheSushumnaNaditothecrownofthehead.Thisisthegoal of life. This is perfection.

Pranayama,becomesfixedinBrahman;thereforePranayamaisprescribed.Firstthenervesareto bepurified,thencomesthepowertopracticePranayama.Closingtherightnostrilwiththethumb, throughthelet’snostril,fillinairaccordingtocapacity;thenwithoutanyinterval,throwtheairout throughtherightnostril,closingtheleftone.Againinhalingthroughtherightnostril,ejectthrough theleft,accordingtocapacity;practicingthisthreeorfivetimesatintervalsoffourhoursoftheday, beforedawn,duringmidday,intheevening,andatmidnight,infifteendaysoramonthpurityofthe nervesisattained;thenbeginsPranayama.”ForcompletesuccessinPranayama,regularpersistent and systematic practice is essential.

PatanjaliMaharshidefinesPranayamaasfollows:“Regulationofbreathorthecontrolof Pranaisthestoppageofinhalationandexhalation,whichfollowsaftersecuringthatsteadinessof postureorseat.”ButyouneednotwaitforpracticingPranayamatillyougetfullmasteryoverthe posture.YoucanpracticeAsanaandPranayamasidebyside.Incourseoftimeyouwillacquire perfection in both. Pranayama can be practiced while sitting in the chair also by sitting erect.

EachPranayamaconsistsofthreedistinctprocessesviz.,Puraka(inhalationofbreath), Kumbhaka(retentionofbreath)andRechaka(exhalationofbreath).Kumbhakagiveslongevityof life.Ifyoucanretainthebreathfor10seconds,knowforcertainthatsomanysecondshavebeen addedtothespanofyourlife.Bytakingthebreathtothecrownoftheheadandkeepingitthere underhisfullandfirmcontrol,theYogidefiesandconquersdeathanddrinkstheNectarof Immortality.

Pranayamaisofthreekindsaccordingtothestrengthandcapacityofthepractitioner.The bestoneisthatwhereinPurakaisfor20seconds,18 Kumbhakafor80secondsandRechakafor40 seconds.ThemiddlingoneisthatwhereinPurakaisfor16seconds,Kumbhakafor64secondsand Rechakafor32seconds.ThelowestoneisthatwhereinPurakaisfor12seconds,Kumbhakafor48 secondsandRechakafor24seconds.Youshouldinhaleandexhalevery,veryslowly,without producing any sound all the while. The ratio between Puraka, Kumbhaka and Rechaka is 1:4:2.

Ifthereareimpuritiesinthenerve-currents(Nadis),thePranawillnotenterthemiddle Nadi,theSushumna.InordinarypeopletheSushumnaisclosedupatthelowerend,becauseofthe variousimpuritiesofthebody,mindandthenerves.Whenthenervesarepurified,theYogican performPranayamawithsuccess.BythepracticeofPranayamayoucanbecomeaveritablegod. CertainsymptomsmanifestwhentheNadisarepurified.Yourbodywillbecomelightandslender. Therewillbeapeculiarlustreinyoureyesandaremarkableglowinyourcountenance.Yourvoice willbecomesweetandmelodious.Thebreathcanberetainedforalongtime.Youcanhearthe Anahatasoundsemanatingfromyourheart-lotusquiteaudibly.Thedigestivefireisaugmented, you enjoy perfect health, and you are cheerful and happy.

ThepracticeofconcentrationandPranayamaareinterdependent.Ifyoupractice Pranayama,youwillhaveconcentration.NaturalPranayamafollowsthepracticeofconcentration. AHathaYogipracticesPranayamaandthencontrolsthemind.Herisesfromalowertoahigher

18Matra is the Sanskrit word for second. 1 Matra is equal to 1 second.

level;whereasaRajaYogipracticesconcentrationandthuscontrolsPrana.Hecomesdownfroma higherlevel.Theybothmeetonacommonplatformintheend.Therearedifferentpracticesfor differenttemperaments.ForsomethepracticeofPranayamaiseasiertostartwith,forothersthe practice of concentration.

Thereisneitherrhythmnorharmonyinthebreathingofworldly-mindedpersons.AYogi practicesregulationofbreathtoestablishharmony.Whenthebreathisregulated,whenthereis harmony,thebreathwillbemovingwithinthenostrils.Thefruitofregulationofbreathis Kumbhaka.ThebreathstopsbyitselfwhenKevalaKumbhaka(absoluteandpureretentionof breath)follows.Themindbecomesquitesteady.ThenSamadhi(superconsciousstate)supervenes. RegulationofbreathandKumbhakaareoftremendoushelpinthepracticeofconcentrationand meditation.

Dearchild!TakesolerefugeinPranayama.BeinterestedinthepracticeofKumbhaka alone,ifthemindissolelyturnedtowardsPranayama.TheBhagavad-Gitasays: “Pranayama-parayanah—solelyabsorbedinthecontrolofbreathing.”Takedueprecautionsat everystep.ThepracticeofKumbhakaproducestremendousheatinthebodyandtherebythe Kundalini is roused and sent upwards along the Sushumna to the crown of the head.

BeforeIbegintodealwiththevariousPranayamaexercises,Iproposetogivesome preliminaryinstructions,whichwouldenableyoutopracticethemwithoutanydifficultyandattain quick success in Yoga. The following are the most important:—

(1)Alltheinstructionsgiveninthelastlessonholdgoodherealso.Youwillhavetouse your common-sense and discretion throughout the practice of Yoga.

(2)Theruleofcelibacywillensurequickerandbetterresults.Thosewhocannotobserve this rule very strictly for one reason or another, should be very, very moderate in copulation.

(3) Be regular and systematic in your practices.

(4)Asmallcupofmilkorfruit-juicecanbetakenwithmuchadvantagebeforethe commencementofthepractice,andanothercupofmilkandsomelighttiffinhalfanhourafterthe practice.

(5) Donotmissyourpracticeevenasingledayexceptwhenyouareseriouslyailingfrom some disease.

(6)Tostartwith,domildPranayamawithPurakaandRechakaonlyforamonth.Arigid Pranayama-practitionershouldabstainfromallsolidfood.YoucanpracticePranayamawhile walking also. This will suit some busy persons who have not much time to spare.

(7)Practisethevariousexercisesprescribedbelowonebyone,stepbystep.Neverbeina hurry.Nevergobeyondyourcapacity.Donottakeupthehigherexercisebeforecompletely mastering the previous one. This is the master-key to achieve success in Pranayama.

(8) There should be a feeling of joy and exhilaration after the Pranayama is over.

(9) Do not twist the facial muscles while doing Kumbhaka.

(10) Do not take bath for at least half an hour after the Pranayama exercises are over.

(11)Avoidasmuchasyoucantoomuchtalking,eating,sleeping,mixingwithfriendsand all exertion.

(12)DonotexpectfruitafterdoingPranayamafor2or3minutesonlyforafewdays.At least you must practice for 15 minutes daily in the beginning for some months.

(13)SuccessinPranayamacanbegaugedbythedurationofKumbhaka.Byslowandsteady practiceyouwillbeabletoretainthebreathforatleast5minutes.Realconcentrationofmind ensues when the breath is suspended.

(14)IfyouwantrapidprogressinPranayama,youmusthavefoursittingsdaily,at4a.m.,at midday, at 4 p.m., and at midnight. You must do 4x80=320 Kumbhakas altogether.

(15)Asthereisalwayssomedrowsinessandlazinesswhenyougetupfrombed,doafew Kumbhakas just to drive off the drowsiness and to make yourself fit for meditation.

InthefirststageofPranayamayouwillhaveperspirationofthebody.Youwillexperiencea tremorofthebodyinthesecondstage.Inthethirdstagelevitationmanifests.Inthefinalstagethe PranagoestotheBrahmarandhra(theHoleofBrahma)atthetopofthehead.Sometimesthe practitionermayjumplikeafrog.Whenyouperspire,donotuseatoweltowipeoffthe perspiration.Rubitwellonthebodyitselfwithyourhands.Thiswillgivefirmnessandlightnessto the constitution.

Exercise I

(a)SitonyourfavouriteAsanabeforeyourBelovedDeityinyourmeditationroom.Close therightnostrilwiththerightthumbandslowlyinhalethroughtheleftnostrilaslongasyoucando witheaseandcomfort.Thenexhalethroughthesamenostril.19 Dothishalfadozentimes.Thiswill constituteoneround.Doonerounddailytobeginwithandgraduallyincreasethenumberofrounds to 12.

19Feelthatallthedivinequalitiessuchaslove,mercy,forgiveness,peace,joyandknowledgeenteryoursystem alongwiththeinspiredair,andthatallthedevilishqualitiessuchaslust,greed,angerandAvidyaarethrownout alongwiththeexpiredair.AlsorepeatmentallyOMorSOHAMoranyotherSacredWordgivenbyyourGuru duringPuraka,KumbhakaandRechaka.ThisisthetraditionalmethodofdoingPranayama.Thisisthebest method.

(b)Inhalethroughtherightnostrilbyclosingtheleftnostrilwiththelittleandringfingersof therighthandjustinthesamemannerasyoudidbefore.Thenexhalethroughthesamenostril.Do thishalfadozentimes.Thiswillconstituteoneround.Doonerounddailytobeginwithand gradually increase the number of rounds to 12.

II

Closetherightnostrilwiththerightthumbandinhalethroughtheleftnostril.Thenclosethe leftnostrilwiththelittleandringfingersoftherighthandandexhalethroughtherightnostrilafter removingthethumb.Inhalingagainthroughtherightnostrilandclosingitwiththethumb,exhale throughtheleftnostril.Dointhismannerhalfadozentimes.Thiswillconstituteoneround.Doone roundinthemorningandoneintheeveningtobeginwithandgraduallyincreasethenumberof rounds to 12 according to your capacity.

III

Inhalethroughboththenostrilsasmuchasyoucanandexhalethroughboththenostrilsin thesamemanner.Repeatthistwelvetimes.Thiswillconstituteoneround.Startwithoneroundand increase the number of rounds gradually to six.

IV

Drawtheairinthroughboththenostrilsasmuchasyoucan,retainitaslongasyoucan,and thenexhaleasmuchasyoucan.Repeatthisprocesstwelvetimes.Thiswillconstituteoneround. Start with one round and increase the number of rounds to six gradually.

V

Closetherightnostrilwiththerightthumbandinhalethroughtheleftnostril.Thenclosethe leftnostrilwiththeringandlittlefingersoftherighthand,retainthebreathaslongasyoucan comfortablydo,andexhalethroughtherightnostrilbyremovingthethumb.Nowhalftheprocess isover.Drawingagaintheairthroughtherightnostril,andretainingitasbefore.exhaleitthrough theleftnostrilbyremovingtheringandlittlefingers.Thesesixprocessesconstituteone Pranayama.Do20suchPranayamasinthemorningand20intheeveningtostartwithand gradually increase the number to 80.

Ifyouwishtohavetime-unit,inhaletillyoucount1OM;retainthebreathtillyoucount4 OMsandexhaletillyoucount2OMs.Observetheratio1:4:2.Youmayeitherusethelefthand fingersforcountingormentallyrememberthenumbers.Inthesecondweekincreasetheratioto 2:8:4;inthethirdto3:12:6,andsoonandsoforthuntilyoureachthemaximumof20:80:40.While increasingtheratio,ifyoufindithardtoretainthebreath,havethesamepracticefortwoorthree weeksmoreuntilthecapacityandstrengthtoincreasetheratiofurtheraregained. Lettherebeno suffocation during the practice.

Closetherightearwiththerightthumb,andtheleftearwiththeleftthumb.Presstheright eyewiththerightindexfingerandthelefteyewiththelet’sindexfinger.Placethemiddlefingerof therighthandontherightnostril,andthemiddlefingeroftheotherhandontheleft.Letthering fingersofthetwohandspressupontheupperlip,andthetwotinyfingersuponthelowerlip.Now inhalethroughboththenostrilsasmuchasyoucandowithcomfort;immediatelycloseboththe nostrilsandswallowthebreath.Retainthebreathinsideaslongasyoucandowithcomfortand exhaleitslowly.ThisisShanmukhiMudra.“TheYogi,byhavingthusfirmlyconfinedtheair,sees hissoulintheshapeoflight.Whenonesees,withoutobstructionthislightevenforamoment, becomingfreefromsin,hereachesthehighestend.TheYogi,freefromsin,andpractisingthis continually,forgetshisphysical,subtleandcausalbodies,andbecomesonewiththatSoul.Hewho practicesthisinsecrecy,isabsorbedintheBrahman,thoughhehadbeenengagedinsinfulworks. Thisshouldbekeptsecret;itatonceproducesconviction;itgives Nirvana tomankind.Thisismy most beloved Yoga.” (Siva Samhita: Ch. V-22, 23, 24, 25, 26).

VII

RHYTHMICAL BREATHING

Thebreathingofworldlypeopleisirregular.Inexhalationthebreathgoesout16digits,and ininhalationonly12digits,thuslosing4cleardigitsofbreathineveryactofinspirationand expiration.NowjustimaginehowmuchPranaiswastedeverydaybyyouatthisrate!Ifyoucan inhale16digitsofPranaasinexhalation,everythingisallright.Thereisabsolutelynolossthen. Youwillhaverhythmicalbreathing.TheKundaliniwillberoused.Moreover,bypracticingthis exerciseandmakingitpartandparcelofyourdailylife,youwillenjoyperfectrest,arestthatyou have never known or enjoyed even in your deep sleep.

Theonestrikingfeatureofrhythmicalbreathingisthatthetime-unitisthesamebothin inhalationandexhalation.Thisisdoneinthefollowingmanner:Inhaletillyoumentallycount6 OMsandexhaletillyoucountmentally6OMs.Thisisbreathinginandoutinameasuredand harmonious manner. This kind of breathing will harmonise the whole system.

Thereisanothervarietyinrhythmicalbreathing.Youinhalethroughboththenostrilstill youmentallycount4OMs,retainthebreathtillyoucount8OMsandexhalethroughboththe nostrilstillyoucount4OMs.Thenretainthebreathoutside(externalKumbhaka)tillyoucount8 OMs. These four processes constitute one Pranayama.

Dothisasmanytimesasyourstrengthandcapacitywouldallow.Graduallyincreasethe durationofinhalationandexhalationtillyoucount16OMs.Thereisnohurry.Enjoyeverybreath youinhaleandexhale.Enjoyalsotheretentionofbreath.Paygoodattentiontotherhythm throughout.Feeltherhythmthroughoutyoursystem.Byslowandgradualpracticewithzealand enthusiasm,youwillattainperfection.Weepnot!Grievenot!Youarenearingthegoalnow,my child!

PRACTICAL LESSONS IN YOGA

VIII KAPALABHATI

Kapalameans askull and Bhati meansto shine.Becausethisexercisemakesyourskull shine,itiscalledKapalabhati.Itisawonderfulexercisetocleansetheskullnicely.Thisexercise alsodoesnotcomeunderthecategoryofPranayama,butasitisabreathingexercise,itdeservesa place of honour.

Sittingonyourusualmeditative-pose,doPurakaandRechakasovigorouslythatyou perspireprofusely.ThereisnoKumbhakainthisexercise.ButRechakaplaysaprominentpart. Purakaismild,slowandlongandisbestdonebyreleasingtheabdominalmuscles,whileRechaka isforcefulandquickandisdonebycontractingtheabdominalmusclewithabackwardpush.The importantpointtorememberwhiledoingthisexerciseistokeepthebody,headandneckerect,and nottobendevenabit.Inthebeginningyoucanhaveoneroundonlyconsistingof10expulsionsin themorning.Thatwillsuffice.Inthesecondweekyoucandothesameintheeveningalso.Inthe thirdweekhavetworoundsinthemorningandtwointheevening.Inthismanneryoucan cautiously and slowly increase 10 expulsions to each round till you get 120 expulsions per round.

Thebenefitsofthisexerciseareevenmorealluring.Therespiratorysystemandthenasal passagesarethoroughlycleansed,thespasminthebronchialtubesisremoved,asthmaiscured,the apicesofthelungsarenicelyoxygenized,consumptioniscuredandtheimpuritiesofthebloodare eliminated.Thecirculatoryandtherespiratorysystemsaretonedupbeautifully,andthe practitioner enjoys blooming health and vigour.

IX SURYABHEDA

Sittingonyourfavouritemeditativeposeagainandclosingtheeyes,inhalethroughthe rightnostril,retainthebreathbyformingJalandharaBandhatillperspirationflowsfromthetipsof thenailsandthehairsofthebodystandonend,andthenexhalethroughtheleftnostrilslowly.Of courseinthisexerciseyoucannotreachthepointofperspirationattheveryoutset;butgradually increasingtheperiodofKumbhakayouwillbyallmeansattainit.Bytheconstantpracticeofthis Kumbhaka,cephalalgiaisrelieved,coryzaiscured,andthewormsinthefrontalsinusesare expelled.

UJJAYI

ThepracticeofthisKumbhakaenhancesthepersonalbeautyofthepractitioner.Assuming againyourfavouritepose,inhalethroughboththenostrilsinasmooth,methodicalanduniform mannertilltheinspiredbreathfillsthespacebetweenthethroatandthestomachwithanoise. Retainthebreathaslongasyoucancomfortablydoandthenexhaleslowlythroughtheleftnostril. Thestrikingfeatureofthisexerciseisthatamild,uniform,continuousandpeculiarsoundisheard due to the partial closure of the glottis.

ThisKumbhakaisalsopracticedwhilestandingorwalking.Theninsteadofexhaling throughtheleftnostrilonly,youcanexhalethroughboththenostrils.Inanycase,startwiththree rounds and add one round every week gradually.

ThepractitionerofthisKumbhakagetsridofpulmonary,cardiacanddropsicaldiseases. All diseases dependent upon deficient inhalation of oxygen are cured.

XI SITKARI

Foldingthetongueinsuchamannerthatthetipofthetonguetouchestheupperpalate,draw theairthroughthemouthproducingasoundofc.c.c.,retainthebreathaslongasyoucanwithout thefeelingofsuffocationandthenexhalethroughboththenostrils.Thesethreeprocessesconstitute one round. Start with three rounds and add one round every week.

ThisKumbhakaincreasesthebeautyandvigourofthebody,removeshungerandthirst, indolence and sleep and makes the whole body cool. Many diseases of the blood are cured.

XII SITALI

Contractthelipsandthrowoutthetongue.Foldthetonguelikeatubeanddrawintheair throughitmakingahissingsound.Fillthelungsandstomachslowlywiththeairdrawnin,and retainthesameaslongasyoucandowithcomfort.Thenexhalethroughboththenostrils.Practise this 10 to 20 times daily, morning and evening.

Thepractitioneracquiresgreattenacityoflifeandthepowertorepairtheeffectsofinjury. Heisfreedfromallfevers,splenitisandseveralotherorganicdiseases.Likecrabs,lobsters, serpentsandfrogs,hebecomesproofagainstallkindsofinflammations.Heacquiresthepowerto castoffhisskinandenduretheprivationofair,foodanddrink.Poisonsofallsortsinthebloodare thrownoutandthebloodispurified.Scorpion-stingsandserpent-bitescannotinjurehiminany way.Wheneveryoufeelthirsty,dothisPranayamaafewtimes.Atonceyourthirstwillbe quenched.

XIII BHASTRIKA

Bhastrika means bellows.Quicksuccessionofpowerfulexpulsionsofbreathisthechief characteristicofthisPranayama.Justasthevillagesmithblowsouthisbellowsquicklyandrapidly, soalsothepractitionerofthisexerciseblowsoutthebellowsofhislungsinquickandrapid succession.

SitonPadmasanaorSiddhasanawiththebody,neckandheaderect.Closethemouth. Inhaleandexhalequickly6to10timesinrapidsuccessionlikethebellowsofthevillage-smith. WhilepracticingthisPranayamaahissingsoundisloudlyheard.Ifyoucanexpel10timeslikethis,

thetenthexpulsionisfollowedbyadeepestinhalation,retainedaslongasitcanbedonewith comfort,andanotherdeepestexhalation.ThiscompletesoneroundofBhastrika.Takerestfora whileafteroneroundisover,anddoanotherround,andanotherround.Inthebeginningyoucan havethreeroundsinthemorningandthreeintheevening.Youmustbeabletoexpel120timesata stretch by cautious and gradual practice.

IfyoucandoKapalabhatiandUjjayinicely,youwillfindthisPranayamaquiteeasy.Some dothisexercisetilltheygetquitefatigued.Thenyouwillprofuselyperspire. Stopthepracticeeven ifthereistheslightestgiddiness.Takeafewnormalbreaths. Thenyoucanresumethepractice again after the giddiness is gone.

XIV PLAVINI

ThisPranayamarequiressomeskillonthepartofthepractitioner.Ifyoucandothis perfectly,youcanfloatonwaterforanylengthoftime,eventhoughyoudonotknowswimming.It enablesyoutolivepurelyonairforsomedays.Itisdoneasfollows:Drinktheairlikewater throughthemouthandfillyourstomachwithit.Thestomachbecomesinflated.Youwillheara tympanicsound,ifyoutapitwithyourfingers.PractisethePranayamaslowlyandgradually.The air is then expelled from the stomach by slow belching.

XV KEVALA KUMBHAKA

Kumbhakaisoftwosorts—Sahita and Kevala.TheKumbhakathatisassociatedwith PurakaandRechakaiscalledSahita;thatwhichisdevoidofthesetwoiscalledKevala(pureand absolute).KevalaKumbhakashouldbepracticedwhentheSahitaKumbhakahasbeencompletely mastered.IntheVasishthaSamhitayouwillfind:“Whenaftergivingupinhalationandexhalation, oneholdshisbreathwithease,itisabsoluteKumbhaka(KevalaKumbhaka).”InthisPranayama thepractitionercanretainhisbreathaslongashelikes.HeattainsthestageofRaja-Yoga.Practise thisthreetimesaday,morning,middayandevening.HeisarealYogiwhoknowsthisKumbhaka andPranayama.Nowthereisnothingunattainablebyhiminallthethreeworlds.ThisKumbhaka curesalldiseases,bestowslongevityoflifeandawakenstheKundalini-Sakti,whichpassesthrough the hollow Sushumna-Nadi to the crown of the head, after piercing one Chakra after another.

BENEFITS OF PRANAYAMA

PerfectioninPranayamagivesyouthemajoreightSiddhisviz., Anima,Mahima,Laghima, Garima,Prapti,Prakamya,Vasitvam and Isitvam.Animaisthepowertobecomeasminuteasyou like,whereasMahimamakesyouasbigasyoulike.ByLaghimayoucanmakeyourbodyaslight asafeatherandflyintheskythousandsofmilesinaminute.Garimacanmakeyourbodyasheavy asamountain.BythepowerofPraptiyoucanpredictallfutureevents,understandunknown languages,cureanydisease,heardistantsounds,seedistantobjects,smellmysticalfragrantodours, touchthesunandthemoonwiththetipofyourfingersfromwhereyoustand,andunderstandthe languageofbirdsandbeasts.Indeedyoucanattainalldesiredobjects.ByPrakamyayoucancast

awaytheoldskinandassumeayouth-likeappearanceforanunusuallengthoftime.Youcanalso enterthebodyofanotherperson.SriSankaracharyahadthispower.HeenteredthebodyoftheRaja ofBenares.Yayati,TirumulanarandRajaVikramadityahadalsothispower.Vasitvamisthepower totamewildbeastsandbringthemunderyourcontrol.Bytheexerciseofthispower,youcanmake anybodyobeyyourordersandwishes.Youcancontroltheelementsandbeamasterofpassionsand emotions.Isitvamistheattainmentofalldivinepowers.YounowbecometheLordoftheuniverse. Youcangivelifetoadeadman.Kabirdas,Tulasidas,AkalkotSwamiandmanyothershadthis power.Bypossessingthispoweryoucanpenetrateallsecretsofnature,knowtheeventsofthepast, present and future and become one with the Supreme Soul.

Youwillalsogetthethirty-sixotherminorSiddhissuchasfreedomfromhungerandthirst, heatandcold,pleasureandpain;deathatyourwill,playingwithgods,powertotransmutebaser metals into gold and so on.20

Lesson VIII CONCENTRATION

Hari Om! My speech is rooted in my mind, My mind is rooted in my speech; Brahman, reveal Thyself to me; Ye mind and speech enable me To grasp the truth the scriptures teach. Let what I have heard slip not from me; I join day with night in study, I think the truth, I speak the truth; May That protect me, May That protect the teacher, Protect me, protect the teacher, protect the teacher. Om Peace! Om Peace! Om Peace!

Desa-bandhas-chittasyadharana—Concentrationisfixingthemindonanexternalobject oraninternalpoint.OnceaSanskritscholarapproachedKabir21 andaskedhim:“OKabir!Whatare youdoingnow?”Kabirreplied:“OPandit!Iamdetachingthemindfromworldlyobjectsand attachingittotheLotusFeetoftheLord.”Thisisconcentration.Rightconduct,posture,Pranayama andabstractionfromsensualobjectswillpavealongwayinachievingrapidsuccessin

20For further details refer to my book “Science of Pranayama.” 21Kabir,aweaversaintoftheholycityofKasiissaidtohavelivedduringthereignofSikandarLodhianddiedin theyear1519A.D.Hewasadistinguisheddiscipleofthegreatreligiousreformer,Ramananda,andhad marvellous psychic powers.

concentration.Therecanbenoconcentrationwithoutsomethinguponwhichthemindmayrest. Concentration is the sixth step in the Yogic ladder.

Youmustevincegoodinterestinthepracticeofconcentration.Thenonlyyourwhole attentionwillbedirectedtowardstheobjectuponwhichyouwishtoconcentrate.Therecanbe reallynoconcentrationwithoutaremarkabledegreeof interest and attention shownbythe practitioner. You must therefore, know what these two words mean.

Attentionissteadyapplicationofthemind.Itisfocussingofconsciousnessonsomechosen object.Throughattentionyoucandevelopyourmentalfacultiesandcapacities.Wherethereis attention,thereisalsoconcentration.Attentionshouldbecultivatedgradually.Itisnotaspecial process. It is the whole mental process in one of its aspects.

Perceptionalwaysinvolvesattention.Toperceiveistoattend.Throughattentionyougeta clearanddistinctknowledgeofobjects.Theentireenergyisfocussedontheobjecttowardswhich attentionisdirected.Fullandcompleteinformationisgained.Duringattentionallthedissipated raysofthemindarecollected.Thereiseffortorstruggleinattention.Throughattentionadeeper impressionofanythingismadeinthemind.Ifyouhavegoodattention,youcanattendtothematter inhandexclusively.Anattentivemanhasverygoodmemory.Heisveryvigilantandcircumspect. He is nimble and alert.

Ifyouanalysecarefullythementalfunctionsoroperations,nooneprocesscanbesingled outandcalledattentionto.Itisnotpossibletoseparateattentionasadistinctfunction.Youobserve something; therefore you are attentive.

Attentionbelongstoeverystateofconsciousnessandispresentineveryfieldof consciousness.Anattentivestudentinthespiritualpathcandohearing(Sravana)oftheSrutis22 in anefficientmanner.Themilitaryofficersays:“ATTENTION”andthesoldierisreadywithhisgun tocarryouthisbehests.Anattentivesoldieralonecanhitthemark.Noonecangetsuccesseitherin temporal or spiritual pursuits without attention.

ThereareYoginswhocandoeightortenorevenhundredthingsatatime.23 Thisisnot strange.Thewholesecretliesinthefactthattheyhavedevelopedtheirattentiontoaremarkable degree. All the great men of the world do possess this faculty in varying degrees.

Attentionisoftwokindsviz.,externalattentionandinternalattention.Whentheattentionis directedtowardsexternalobjects,itiscalledexternalattention.Whenitisdirectedinternallywithin the mind upon mental objects and ideas, it is known as internal attention.

Thereareagaintwootherkindsofattentionviz,voluntaryattentionandinvoluntary attention.Whentheattentionisdirectedtowardssomeexternalobjectbyaneffort,ofthewill,itis calledvoluntaryattention.Whenyouhaveanexpressvolitiontoattendtothisorthat,itiscalled

22Hindu Scriptures such as the Upanishads Brahma-Sutras etc.

23Read my book “Mind, Its Mysteries and Control.”

involuntaryattention.Themanunderstandswhyheperceives.Somedeliberateintention,incentive, goalorpurposeisdefinitelyinvolved.Voluntaryattentionneedseffort,will,determinationand somementaltraining.Thisiscultivatedbypracticeandperseverance.Thebenefitsderivedbythe practiceofattentionareincalculable.Involuntaryattentionisquitecommon.Thisdoesnotdemand anypractice.Thereisnoeffortofthewill.Theattentionisinducedbythebeautyandattractive natureoftheobject.Individualsperceivewithoutknowingwhyandwithoutobservedinstruction. Youngchildrenpossessthispowerofinvoluntaryattentiontoagreaterdegreethangrown-up people.

Ifamanisnotobservant,heisnotattentive.Ifheobservessomething,heissaidtobe attentive.Intention,purpose,hope,expectation,desire,belief,wish,knowledge,aim,goaland needsservetodetermineattention.Youwillhavetonotecarefullythedegree,duration,range, forms, fluctuations and conflicts of attention.

Thereisgreatattention,iftheobjectisverypleasing.Youwillhavetocreateinterest.Then therewillbeattention.Iftheattentiongetsdiminished,changeyourattentiontoanotherpleasant object.Bypatienttrainingyoucandirectthemindtoattendtoanunpleasantobjectalsobycreating interest. Then your will will grow strong.

Ifyoucloselywatch,youwillnotethatyouobservedifferentobjectsatdifferenttimes.This perceptionofnowoneobjectandnowanotherwhenthephysicalconditionsareconstant,isknown asfluctuationofattention.Attentionischanging.Theobjectsthemselveschangeorfluctuatebut thereisnofluctuationintheobservingindividualhimself.Themindhasnotbeentrainedtobear prolongedvoluntaryattention.Itgetsdisgustedthroughmonotonyandwantstoruntowardssome otherpleasingobject.Youmaysay:“Iamgoingtoattendtoonethingonly,”butyouwillsoonfind thateventhoughyouattendveryhard,yousuddenlyperceivesomethingelse.Theattentionwavers.

Interestdevelopsattention.Itisdifficulttofixthemindonanuninterestingobject.Whena professorislecturing,whenthesubjectisabstractandmetaphysical,manypeopleleavethehall quietlybecausetheycannotattendtoasubjectwhichisnotinteresting.Butifthesameprofessor singsandtellssomeinterestingandthrillingstories,allpeoplehearhimwithraptattention.Thereis pindropsilence.Lecturersshouldknowtheartofattractingthemindsofthehearers.Theywillhave tochangethetonetotalkwithforceandemphasis.Theywillhavetowatchtheaudienceandsee whethertheyareattentiveornot.Theywillhavetochangethesubject-matterforashortwhileand bringinsomenicestoriesandsuitableillustrations.Theywillhavetolookatthehearersdirectlyin theireyes.Somanythingsarenecessaryifonewantstobecomeasuccessfullecturer,ifonewants to make the hearers attentive.

Napoleon,Gladstone,ArjunaandJnanadevahadallwonderfulpowersofattention.They couldfixtheirmindsonanyobject.Allscientistsandoccultistspossessattentiontoaremarkable degree.Theycultivateitbypatience,regularandsystematicpractice.Ajudgeandasurgeoncanget positivesuccessintheirrespectiveprofessionsonlyiftheyareendowedwiththepowerofattention to a high degree.

Whenyoudoanywork,plungeyourselfinit.Forgetyourself.Losetheself.Concentrate uponthework.Shutoutallotherthoughts.Whenyoudoonething,donotthinkofanyotherthing.

Whenyoustudyonebook,donotthinkofanyotherbook.Fixthemindtheresteadilylikethe arrow-maker24 whohadnoconsciousnessofhissurroundings.Eminentscientistsaresobusyand attentiveintheirexperimentsandresearchesintheirlaboratoriesthattheyforgettotakefoodeven fordaystogether.Onceascientistwasverybusyathiswork.Hiswifewhowaslivinginanother districthadaseriouscalamity.Shecamerunninguptohimtothelaboratorywithprofusetearsin hereyes.Strangetosay,thescientistwasnotabitagitated.Hewassoveryattentiveinhisworkthat heevenforgotthatshewashisownwife.Hereplied:“Madam!Weepforsomemoretime.Letme make chemical analysis of your tears.”

OncesomegentlemaninvitedSirIsaacNewtonfordinner.Newtonrepairedtohishost’s bungalowandtookhisseatinthedrawingroom.ThegentlemanforgotallaboutNewton,tookhis dinnerandproceededtohisoffice.Newtonwasamusingwithinhimselfveryabsorbedlyonsome importantpointofscience.Hedidnotstirfromhisseat.Heforgotallabouthisdinnerandremained inthesamechairlikeastatueforoverthirty-sixhours!ThenextmorningthehostsawNewtonin thedrawingroomandthenonlyrememberedofhavinginvitedhimfordinner.Hereallyfeltsorry forhisforgetfulnessandapologisedtoSirIsaacinameekvoice.Whatawonderfulpowerof attention Sir Isaac Newton had! All geniuses possess this power to an infinite degree.

AccordingtoProf.Jamesweattendtothingsbecausetheyareveryinteresting.ButProf. Pillsburyisoftheopinionthatthingsareinterestingbecauseweattendtothem,orbecauseweare likely to attend to them. We do not attend to them because they are interesting.

Bytheconstantpracticeandever-renewedeffortofattention,asubjectthatinthebeginning wasdryanduninterestingmaybecomefullofinterestwhenyoumasteritandlearnitsmeaningand its issues. The power of concentrating your attention on the subject may become stronger.

Whenagreatmisfortunehasbefallenyou,orwhenyoupassinreviewacertaincourseof conductinordertofindoutthecauseoffailure,itmaytakepossessionofyourmindtosucha degreethatnoeffortofthewillcanmakeyouceasefromthinkingoverit.Anarticlehastobe written,abookisintheprocessofpreparation;theworkiscarriedontothelossofsleepandyouare unabletotearyourselfawayfromit;theattentionwhichbeganvoluntarilyhastakenentireholdof the field of consciousness.

Ifyoupossessstrongpowerofattention,anythingthatthemindreceiveswillbedeeply impressed.Anattentivemanonlycandevelophiswill.Amixtureofattention,applicationand interestcanworkwonders.Thereisnodoubtofthis.Amanofordinaryintellectwithhighly developedattentioncanturnoutmoreworkthanahighlyintellectualmanwhohasapoorattention. Failureinanythingismainlyduetolackofattention.Ifyouattendtoonethingatatime,youwill getprofoundknowledgeofthatsubjectinitsvariousaspects.Theordinaryuntrainedmanofthe worldgenerallyattendstoseveralthingsatatime.Heallowsmanythingstoenterthegatesofhis

24Therewasaworkmanwhousedtomanufacturearrows.Oncehewasverybusyathiswork.Hewassomuch engrossedinhisworkthathedidnotnoticeaRajaandhisretinuepassinginfrontofhiswork-shop.Suchmustbe thenatureofyourconcentration,whenyoufixyourmindonGod.YoumusthavetheoneideaofGodandGod alone.

mentalfactory.Thatisthereasonwhyhehasacloudedorturbidmind.Thereisnoclarityof thought.Hecannotdotheprocessofanalysisandsynthesis.Heisbewildered.Hecannotexpress hisideasclearly,whereasthedisciplinedmancanattendtoasubjectexclusivelyaslongashelikes. Heextractsfullanddetailedinformationaboutonesubjectorobjectandthentakesupanother. Attention is an important faculty of a Yogi.

Youcannotattendtotwodifferentobjectsatatime.Mindcandoonlyonethingatatime. Becauseitmoveswithsuchtremendousvelocitybackwardsandforwards,youthinkthatthemind canattendtoseveralobjectsorthingsatatime.Youcanonlyseeorhearatatime.Youcannotsee andhearatthesametime.ButthislawisnotapplicabletoadevelopedYogi.AdevelopedYogican doseveralthingsatatimebecausehiswillisnotseparatefromtheCosmicWillwhichis all-powerful.PsychologyisonlyaproductoftheCosmicWill,andassuchithasnotgotthe strength to dominate over it.

Beforeyoubeginthepracticeofconcentration,youwilldowelltoknowsomethingabout thesubconsciousmindanditsfunctions.IntheVedantaphilosophythesubconsciousmindiscalled Chitta.WhentheChittaisconfinedandfixedtoacertainpointorobject,thisiscalled concentration.Agreatdealofyoursubconsciousnessisbutbundlesofsubmergedexperiences which can be brought to the surface of the conscious mind by means of concentration.

Itisanadmittedpsychologicalfactthatthementalprocessesbywhichyouobtain knowledgearenotmerelyconfinedtothefieldofconsciousnessbutalsocoverthefieldof subconsciousness.Ifyouknowthetechniqueofspeakingtoyoursubconsciousmindandtheartor scienceofextractingworkfromitjustasyouwouldspeaktoyourservantoradearoldfriend,then all knowledge will be yours. Yes, it is a question of practice, and practice will make you perfect.

Whenyouareunabletosolvesomepuzzleinmetaphysics,scienceorphilosophy,askyour subconsciousmindtodothebitofworkforyouwiththefulltrustandconfidencethatyouare boundtogettherightsolutionfromit.Commandyoursubconsciousmindinthefollowingmanner:

“Lookhere,yousubconsciousmind;Iwantthesolutiontothispuzzleorproblemveryurgently tomorrowmorning.Kindlydoitquickly.”Letyourcommandbegiveninveryclearterms,andlet therebenoambiguityaboutit.Youwillpositivelygettheanswerfromyoursubconsciousmindthe nextmorning.Butsometimesthesubconsciousmindmaybebusyotherwiseandinsuchcasesyou willhavetowaitforsomedays.Youwillhavetorepeatthecommandregularlyeverydayatafixed time.

Allthatyouhaveinherited,allthatyouhavebroughtwithyouthroughinnumerablecrores ofbirthsinthepast,allthatyouhaveseen,heard,enjoyed,tasted,readorknowneitherinthislifeor inpastlivesarehiddeninyoursubconsciousmind.Whydon’tyoumasterthetechniqueof concentrationandthewayofcommandingyoursubconsciousmindandmakefullandfreeuseof all that knowledge?

Thesubconsciousmindis,asyouhavealreadyknown,yourfaithfulservant.Whenatnight youretiretobedwiththethoughtthatyoushouldgetuppositivelyat4a.m.,toeithercatchatrainor practicemeditation,itisyoursubconsciousmindthatwakesyouupattheexacthour.Evenwhile

youarefastasleep,yoursubconsciousmindisatwork.Ithasnorestatall.Itarranges,analyses, compares, sorts all facts and figures, and finally carries out your commands.

Everyaction,everyenjoymentorsufferingand,infact,allexperiencesleaveinthe camera-plateofyoursubconsciousmindsubtleimpressionsorresidualpotencieswhicharetheroot causeoffuturebirths,experiencesofpleasureandpain,anddeathagain.Revivalorrepetitionof anyactiondoneinthislifeinducesmemory.ButinthecaseofadevelopedYogimemoryof previouslivesalsoisbroughtabout.Hedivesdeepwithinandcomesinactualcontactwiththe Samskaras(subtleimpressions)ofpastlives.HedirectlyperceivesthemthroughhisYogicVision. BymeansofYogicSamyama(concentration,meditationandSamadhipracticedatoneandthe sametime)theYogigetsfullknowledgeofpastlives.BydoingSamyamaontheSamskarasof others,hegetsknowledgeofthepastlivesofothersalso.Wonderfularethepowersof concentration.

MindisapowerbornofAtmanbecauseitisthroughmindthatGodmanifestsHimselfas thedifferentiateduniverseofnamesandforms.Mindisnothingbutabundleofthoughtsandhabits.

thought is the root of all thoughts, mind is only the thought “I”.

Thebrainistheseatofthemindinthewakingstate,thecerebelluminthedreamingstate; andtheheartinthedeepsleepstate.Allobjectsyouseeaboutyou,arenothingbutmindonlyin formandinsubstance.Mindcreates;minddestroys.Ahigherdevelopedmindinfluencesthelower minds.Telepathy,mind-reading,hypnotism,mesmerism,distanthealingandsomanyotherallied sciencesbeartestimonytothefact.Undoubtedlymindisthegreatestpoweronearth.Controlof mind bestows all powers.

Justasyoutakephysicalexercises,playgamessuchastennisandcricketinorderto maintainphysicalhealth,youwillhavetomaintainmentalhealthalsobytakingSattvicfood, mentalrecreationofinnocentandharmlessnature,changeofthought,relaxationofmindby entertaining good, ennobling and sublime thoughts and by cultivating the habit of cheerfulness.

Thenatureofthemindissuchthatitbecomesthatwhichitintenselythinksupon.Thus,if youthinkofthevicesanddefectsofanotherman,yourmindwillbechargedwiththosedefectsand vicesatleastforthetimebeing.Hewhoknowsthispsychologicallawwillneverindulgein censuringothersorinfindingfaultintheconductofothers.Hewillalwayspraiseothers.Hewill only see the good in others. That is the way to grow in concentration, Yoga and spirituality.

MindisatomicaccordingtotheIndianschooloflogic;all-pervadingaccordingtotheRaja Yoga philosophy; and is of the same size as that of the body according to the Vedantic school.

Deepsleepisnotastateofinactivity.Inthisstatethecausalbody(KaranaSarira)functions vigorously.TheassociatedconsciousnessPrajna,isalsopresent.TheJiva(individualsoul)is almostinclosecontactwiththeAbsolute.Justasathinlayerofmuslinveilsthefaceofaladyand rendersitinvisibletotheeyesofherhusband,soalsoathinlayerofignoranceseparatesthe individualsoulandtheSupremeSoul.StudentsofVedantastudythisstatedeeply.Ithasdeep philosophicalsignificance.ItgivesthecluetotracetheexistenceoftheAtman.Yourestinthe warmbosomoftheMotheroftheworld,Rajesvari,wholovinglybestowsuponyoupeace,

As the “I”

refreshingvigourandstrengthtofacetheensuingbattleofdailylife.Butforthisincomparablelove andkindnessofthemercifulMotherduringdeepsleep,lifewouldbewellnighimpossibleonthis physicalplane,wheresomanymiseries,diseases,cares,worries,anxietiesandfearsofallsorts tortureandtormentyoueverymoment.Howmiserablegloomyanddepressedyoufeel,ifyoudo notenjoysoundsleepevenforonenight,ifyouhappentoforgoyoursleepforthreeorfourhoursby attending a night’s theatrical entertainment!

GreatYoginslikeJnanadeva,BhartrihariandPatanjaliusedtosendandreceivemessagesto andfromdistantpersonsthroughmind-telepathy(mentalradio)andthought-transference. Telepathywasthefirstwirelesstelegraphandtelephoneserviceeverknowntotheworld.Thought travelswithtremendousvelocitythroughspace.Thoughtmoves.Ithasweight,shape,size,form and colour. It is a dynamic force.

Whatisthisworldafterall?Itisnothingbutthematerialisationofthethoughtformsof HiranyagarbhaorGod.Youhavegotwavesofheat,andlightandelectricityinscience.Thereare alsothought-wavesinYoga.Thoughthastremendouspower.Everybodyisexperiencingthepower ofthoughtunconsciouslytoagreaterorlesserdegree.Ifyouhaveacomprehensiveunderstanding oftheworkingofthought-vibrations,ifyouknowthetechniqueofcontrollingthethoughts,ifyou knowthemethodoftransmittingbeneficialthoughtstoothersatadistancebyformingclearcut, well-definedpowerfulthought-waves,youcanusethisthought-powerathousandfoldmore effectively.Thoughtworkswonders.Awrongthoughtbinds.Arightthoughtliberates.Therefore think rightly and attain freedom.

Dearchild!Unfoldtheoccultpowershiddenwithinyoubyunderstandingandrealisingthe powersofthemind.Closeyoureyes.Slowlyconcentrate.Youcanseedistantobjects,heardistant sounds,sendmessagestoanypartof,notonly,thisworldbuttootherplanetsaswell,healpersons thousandsofmilesofffromyou,andmoveabouttodistantplacesinnotime.Believeinthepowers ofthemind.Interest,attention,will,faithandconcentrationwillbringthedesiredfruit.Remember that mind is born of the Atman through His Maya (illusory Power).

Cosmicmindisuniversalmind.Cosmicmindisthesumtotalofallindividualminds. CosmicmindisHiranyagarbhaorIsvaraorKaryaBrahman.Man’smindisonlyafragmentofthe universalmind.LearntomergeyourlittlemindintheCosmicmindandgetOmniscienceand experience Cosmic Consciousness.

Keepabalancedmindalways.Thisisaveryimportantthing.Itis,nodoubt,adifficult practice,butyouwillhavetodoit,ifyouwishtosucceedinconcentration.Keepingthebalanceof mindinpleasureandinpain,inheatandincold,ingainandinloss,insuccessandinfailure,in praiseandincensure,inrespectandindisrespect,isrealwisdom.Thisisverytryingindeed,butif youareabletodothis,youareamightypotentateonearth.Youarefittobeadored.Youarethe mostwealthyman,thoughyouarecladinloin-cloth,thoughyouhavenothingtoeat.Youarevery strong,thoughyouhaveadilapidatedphysicalframe.Worldlypeoplelosetheirbalanceevenfor triflingthings.Theygetirritatedandlosetheirtemperquickly.Energyiswastedwhenoneloseshis temper.Thosewhowanttodevelopbalanceofmindshoulddevelopdiscriminationandpractice celibacyandconcentration.Thosewhowastetheirsemengetirritatedveryfrequently.Controland concentrationofmindisverydifficultofperformance,for,SaintThayumanavarinhisinimitable

poem“Tejomayanandam”haswrittenabeautifulverseonthedifficultyofcontrollingthemind.25 This untranslatable piece roughly and freely translated means:

“You can control a mad elephant; You can shut the mouth of the bear and the tiger; You can ride on a lion; You can play with the cobra; By alchemy you can eke out your livelihood; You can wander through the universe incognito; You can make vassals of the gods; You can ever be youthful; You can walk on water; You can live in fire; You can achieve all Siddhis, seated in your home; But to be restful by control of the mind is rare and difficult.”

Thesensesareyourrealfoes.Theydrawyououtandperturbyourpeaceofmind.Donot keepcompanywiththem.Subduethem.Restrainthem.Curbthemjustasyouwouldcurbyour enemiesonthebattlefield.Thisisnotaday’swork.ItdemandspatientandprotractedSadhanafora verylongtime.Controlofthesensesisreallycontrolofthemind.Allthetensensesmustbe controlled.Starvethemtodeath.Donotgivethemwhattheywant.Thentheywillobeyyourorders quiteimplicitly.Allworldly-mindedpersonsareslavesoftheirsenses,thoughtheyareeducated, thoughtheypossessimmensewealth,thoughtheyholdjudicialandexecutivepowers.Ifyouarea slaveofmeat-eating,forinstance,youwillbegintoexercisecontroloveryourtonguethemoment yougiveupthemeat-eatinghabitentirelyforsixmonths.Youwillconsciouslyfeelthatyouhave gainedalittlesupremacyoverthistroublesomesenseoftastewhichbegantorevoltagainstyou sometime ago.

Becautious,vigilantandcircumspect.Watchyourmindanditsmodifications.LordJesus says:“Watchandpray”.Watchingthemindisintrospection.Oneinamilliondoesthisbeneficial andsoul-elevatingpractice.Peopleareimmersedinworldliness.Theymadlyrunaftermoneyand women.TheyhavenotimetothinkofGodandhigherspiritualthings.Thesundawnsandthemind runsagaininitsold,usual,sensualgroovesofeating,drinking,amusingandsleeping.Thedayhas passed.Inthiswaythewholelifepassesaway.Thereisneithermoraldevelopmentnorspiritual progress.Hewhodoesdailyintrospectioncanfindouthisowndefectsandremovethembysuitable methodsandcanhavegraduallyaperfectcontroloverthemind.Hewillnotallowthe intruders—lust,anger,greed,delusionandpride—toenterthementalfactory.Hecanpractise concentration uninterruptedly.

25Thayumanavarwasapoet-saintwholivedabout200yearsagointhedistrictofTanjore,SouthIndia.Hissongs onVedantaaresoul-inspiringandelevating.Allhissongsarenowavailableingramaphonerecords.They penetratedeepintotheheartsofthehearers.Theyarevery,verypopularinSouthIndia.Theyarepregnantwith deep, subtle, philosophical thoughts.

Dailyself-analysisandself-examinationisanotherindispensablepractice.Thenonlyyou canobviateyourdetectsandgrowrapidlyinconcentration.Whatdoesagardenerdo?Hewatches theyoungplantscarefullyremovestheweedsdaily,putsastrongfenceroundthemandwatersthem dailyatthepropertime;andsotheygrownicelyandyieldfruitsquickly.Evensoyoushouldfind outyourdefectsbyintrospectionandself-analysisanderadicatethemthroughsuitablemethods.If onemethodfails,youshouldtakerecoursetoanother.Thepracticedemandspatience, perseverance,leech-liketenacity,application,ironwill,subtleintellectandcourage.Butthereward is invaluable. It is Immortality, Supreme Peace and Infinite Bliss!

Youshouldtrytopossessaserenemind.Youshouldpracticeserenityeverymomentof yourYogiccareer.Ifyourmindisrestless,youcannotmakeaniotaofprogressinconcentration. Therefore,thefirstandforemostthingthatyoushouldpossessbyallmeansisserenityofmind. Silentmeditationinthemorning,renunciationofdesires,suitablediet,disciplineofthesensesand observanceofthevowofsilencedailyforaboutatleastanhourwillproduceserenity.Allvain, habitualthoughts,wildfancies,wrongfeelings,cares,worries,anxieties,confusedideas,andall kindsofimaginaryfearsmustbedoneawaywithintoto.Thenandthenonlyyoucanhopetogeta peacefulmind.ThefoundationinYogacanwellandtrulybelaidonlyiftheaspirantpossesses serenitytoamaximumdegree.Onlyacalmmindcangraspthetruth,canseeGodorAtman,can receivetheDivineLight.Thespiritualexperienceswillbepermanent,ifyouhaveaquietmind. Otherwise they will come and go.

Assoonasyouwakeupinthemorning,prayferventlytotheLord,singHisNames,and meditateuponHimwithallyourheartfrom4to6.Thenmakeafirmdetermination:“Iwillobserve celibacytoday.Iwillspeakthetruthtoday.Iwillnothurtthefeelingsofotherstoday.Iwillnotlose mytempertoday.”Watchyourmind.Beresolute.Youwillsurelysucceedthatday.Thencontinue thevowforthewholeweek.Youwillgainstrength.Yourwill-powerwilldevelop.Thencontinue thevowforthewholemonth.Evenifyoucommitsomemistakesinthebeginning;youneednotbe unnecessarilyalarmed.Mistakesareyourbestteachers.Youwillnotcommitthesamemistakes again.Ifyouareearnestandsincere,theLordwillshowerHisGraceuponyou.TheLordwillgive you strength to face the difficulties and troubles in the daily battle of life.

Hewhohascontrolledhismindisreallyhappyandfree.Physicalfreedomisnofreedomat all.Ifyouareeasilycarriedawaybysurgingemotionsandimpulses,ifyouareunderthegripof moods,cravingsandpassions,howcanyoubereallyhappy,Osweetbelovedchild!Youarelikea rudderlessboat.Youaretossedabouthitherandthitherlikeapieceofstrawinthevastexpanseof theocean.Youlaughforfiveminutesandweepforfivehours.Whatcanwife,son,friends,money, fameandpowerdoforyou,whenyouareundertheswayoftheimpulsesofyourmind?Heisthe trueherowhohascontrolledhismind.Thereisanadage:“Hewhohascontrolledhismindhas controlledtheworld.”Truevictoryisoverthemind.Thatisrealfreedom.Thoroughrigorous disciplineandself-imposedrestrictionswilleventuallyeradicatealldesires,thoughts,impulses cravingsandpassions.Onlythenandnotuntilthencanyouexpecttobefreefromthethraldomof themind.Youshouldnotgiveanyleniencytothemind.Themindisamischievousimp.Curbitby drasticmeasures.BecomeaperfectYogi.Moneycannotgiveyoufreedom.Freedomisnota commoditythatcanbepurchasedintheCrawfordMarket.Itisararehiddentreasureguardedbya five-hoodedserpent.Unlessyoukillortamethisserpent,youcannothaveaccesstothistreasure.

ThattreasureisSpiritualWealth,thatisFreedom,thatisBliss.Theserpentisyourmind.The five-hoods are the five senses through which the mind-serpent hisses.

Rajasicmindalwayswantsnewthings.Itwantsvariety.Itgetsdisgustedwithmonotony.It wantschangeofplace,changeoffood,change,inshort,ofeverything.Butyoushouldtrainthe mindtosticktoonething.Youshouldnotcomplainofmonotony.Youshouldhavepatience, adamantinewillanduntiringpersistence.ThenonlyyoucansucceedinYoga.Hewhowants somethingnewalwaysisquiteunfitforYoga.Youshouldsticktooneplace,onespiritual preceptor, one method and one system of Yoga. That is the way to positive success.

YoushouldhaverealandintensethirstforGod-realisation.Thenallobstacleswillbe obviated.Concentrationwillbequiteeasyforyouthen.Mereemotionalbubblingforthetimebeing out of sheer curiosity or for attaining psychic powers cannot bring any tangible result.

Ifyouarecareless,ifyouareirregularinconcentration,ifyourdispassion(Vairagva) wanes,ifyougiveupthepracticeforsomedaysonaccountoflaziness,theadverseforceswilltake youawayfromthetruepathofYoga.Youwillbestranded.Itwillbedifficultforyoutoriseup again to the original height. Therefore be regular in concentration.

Becheerfulandhappy.Awaywithdepressionandgloom.Thereisnothingmoreinfectious thandepression.Adepressedandgloomymancanradiateonlyunpleasantandmorbidvibrations allaround;hecannotradiatejoy,peaceandlove.Thereforenevercomeoutofyourroom,ifyouare depressedandgloomylestyoushouldspreadthecontagionallaroundyou.Liveonlytobea blessingtoothers.Radiatejoy,loveandpeace.Depressioneatstheverycoreofyourbeingand havocslikeacanker.Itisverilyadeadlyplague.Depressionmanifestsonaccountofsome disappointmentorfailure,severedyspepsiaorheateddebates,wrongthinkingorwrongfeeling. SeparateyourselffromthisnegativefeelingandidentifyyourselfwiththeSupremeBeing.Thenno externalinfluencecanaffectyou.Youwillbeinvulnerable.Drivethefeelingofdepressionand bloomatoncebyenquiry,singingdivinesongs,prayers,chantingofOM,Pranayamaabriskwalk intheopenair,thinkingoftheoppositequalityviz.,thefeelingofjoy.Trytobehappyinallstates and radiate joy only towards all around you.

Whydoyouweep,mychild?Removethebandagefromyoureyesandseenow.Youare surroundedbytruthandtruthalone.AllisLightandBlissonly.Thecataractofignorancehas blurredyourvision.Extractthecataractimmediately.Putonanewpairofglassesbydeveloping the inner eye of wisdom through regular practice of concentration.

Itisnotthoughtalonethatdeterminesaction.Therearesomeintelligentpeoplewhothink reasonablyontheprosandconsofathingbutwhenthetimecomestheyareledastrayby temptations.Theydowrongactionsandrepentlateron.Itisthefeelingthatreallygoadsmanto action.Somepsychologistslayspecialstressonimaginationandsaythatitisimaginationthat reallydeterminesaction.Theybringthefollowingillustrationinsupportoftheirview.Supposea longplank1footbroadisplacedbetweentwoturretseach20feethigh.Whenyoubegintowalkon thisplank,youimaginethatyouwillfalldownandsoyouactuallyfalldown.Whereasyouareable towalkonthesameplankwhenplacedontheground.Supposeyougoonabicyclealonganarrow lane.Youseeabigstoneontheway.Youimaginethatyouwillhitthecycleagainstthestone;and

soyouactuallyrunthecycleagainstthestone.Someotherpsychologistssaythatitisthewillthat determinesanaction.Willcandoeverything.Willissoul-force.Vedantinsareofthislatter opinion.

Nowtocomebacktothesubjectofconcentrationproper:Thewavesinthemindcausedby thought-formsarecalledVrittis.Thesewavesmustbestilledorstopped.Thenonlyyoucanrealise theSoul.Awell-trainedmindcanbefixedatwilluponanyobjecteitherinsideoroutsidetothe exclusionofallelse.Thepracticeofconcentrationisabitdisgustinginthebeginningbutitwill giveyouimmensehappinessaftersometime.Patienceandperseveranceareessential.Regularityis alsonecessary.ThemindiscomparedintheHinduSastrastoalakeorocean.Thethoughtsarising fromthemindarecomparedtothewavesoftheocean.Youcanseeyourreflectionclearlyonthe watersoftheoceanonlywhenallthewavesonthesurfacesubsidecompletelyandbecomestill.So alsoyoucanrealisetheSoul,theLightoflights,onlywhenallthethought-wavesinthemind-lake are stilled.

Ifyoutakeinterestinthepracticeofconcentration,andifyouhaveadefinitepurpose,you willhaveremarkableprogressinconcentration.Somemedicalstudentsleavethemedicalcollege soonafterjoiningastheyfinditdisgustingtowashthepusinulcersandwoundsanddissectdead bodies.Isitnotaseriousblunder?Inthebeginning,nodoubt,itisloathsome;butafterstudying pathology,medicine,operativesurgery,morbidanatomy,bacteriologyandsoon,thecourse becomesveryinterestinginthefinalyear.Whentheybegintogetsomeknowledgeofmedicine, diagnosisandtreatment,andwhentheybegintothinkoftheprospectsofearningmuchmoneyafter qualifying themselves as doctors, they begin to evince great interest in the line.

Manyspiritualaspirantsleaveoffthepracticeofconcentrationaftersometimeastheyfindit difficulttopracticeit.Inthistheycommitagraveblunderlikethemedicalstudents.Inthe beginningofthepractice,whenyoustrugglehardtogetoverbody-consciousness,itwillbe disgustingandtroublesome.Butinthethirdyearofthepracticethemindwillbecomecool,pure andstrong.Theneophytewillfindgreatinterestinthepractice,whenhegetssomepsychic experiencessuchasbrilliantlights,hearingofcelestialsounds,smellingofrarescents,andsoon, and when he begins to think of the prospects of becoming a fully developed Yogi.

Somepeoplecanconcentrateonpleasantorinterestingobjectsonly.Iftheycancreate interestinunpleasantthingsalsotheycandogoodconcentrationonuninterestingthingsaswell. Whentheraysofthemindaregatheredandcollectedbypractice,themindbecomesconcentrated andyougetAnandafromwithin.Whenyoumeetanoldfriendofyoursaftersixyears,the happinessyougetisnot,asisgenerallysupposedfromthefriend,butfromwithinyourself.The mindbecomesconcentratedforthetimebeingandyougethappinessfromwithinyourownself. Thesumtotalofpleasuresofthewholeworldisnothingwhencomparedtotheblissderived throughconcentrationandmeditation.Donotgiveupthepracticeofconcentrationatanycost.Plod on.Havepatience,perseverance,cheerfulness,tenacityandapplication.Youwilleventually succeed. Nildesperandum.SriSankaracharyawritesinhiscommentaryontheChhandogya Upanishad:“Aman’sdutyconsistsinthecontrolofthesensesandconcentrationofthemind.”(Ch. VII-x-xii).Findoutbyseriousintrospectionthevariousimpedimentsthatactasstumblingblocks inyourconcentrationandremovethemwitheffortonebyone.Donotallownewthoughts

(Sankalpas)anddesires(Vasanas)tocropup.Niptheminthebudthroughdiscrimination,enquiry, concentration and meditation.

Everybodypossessessomeabilitytoconcentrate.Everybodydoesconcentratetoacertain extentwhenhereadsabook,whenhewritesaletter,whenheplaystennisand,infact,whenhedoes anykindofwork.Butforspiritualpurposesconcentrationshouldbedevelopedtoaninfinite degree.Themindislikeanunchainedmonkey.Ithasthepowerofattendingtooneobjectonlyata time,althoughitisabletopassfromoneobjecttoanotherwithtremendousspeed,sorapidly,in fact,thatsomeholdthatitcouldgraspseveralthingsatatime.Butthebestphilosophersandseers, EasternandWestern,holdtothe“singleidea”theoryasbeingcorrect.Itagreeswithone’sdaily experienceaswell.Themindiseverrestless.ThisisduetotheforceofRajasorpassion. Concentrationisnecessaryforsuccessinmaterialaffairs.Amanwithanappreciabledegreeof concentrationhasmoreearningcapacityandturnsoutmoreworkinlesstime.NeedIsaythatthe Yogic student will be amply rewarded for his effort in concentration?

Whenyoustudyabook,focusyourwholemindonthesubjectinhand.Donotallowthe mindtoseeanyexternalobjectorhearanysound.Collectallthedissipatedraysofthemind. Developthepowerofattention.Attention,asIhavesaidsomewhereinthebeginning,playsno inconspicuouspartinconcentration.Concentrationis,infact,thenarrowingofthefieldof attention. It is one of the signs of trained will. It is found in men of strong personality.

Practiseattentiononunpleasanttasksfromwhichyouhavebeenshrinkingonaccountofits unpleasantness.Throwinterestuponuninterestingobjectsandideas.Holdthemonbeforeyour mind.Interestwillslowlymanifest.Manymentalweaknesseswillvanish.Themindwillbecome strongerandstronger.Theforcewherewithanythingstrikesthemindisgenerallyinproportionto thedegreeofattentionbestoweduponit.Moreover,thegreatartofmemoryisattentionand inattentive people have bad memories.

Thereisgreatconcentration,whenyouplaycardsorchess,butthemindisnotfilledwith pureanddivinethoughts.Thementalcontentsareofanundesirablenature.Youcanhardly experiencetheDivineThrill,ecstasyandelevationofmind,whenitisfilledwithimpurethoughts. Everyobjecthasitsownmentalassociations.Youwillhavetofillupthemindwithsublime spiritualthoughts.Thenonlythemindwillbeexpurgatedofallworldlythoughts.Thepictureof LordJesusorBuddhaorKrishnaisassociatedwithsublime,soulstirringideas;chessandcardsare associated with ideas of gambling, cheating and so forth.

Theinvocationofshadowgivestheobjectsseenaswellasunseen.Undoubtedlyaman becomespurebyitsverysight.Theshadowcanalsoansweranyquestionyoumaydesiretoask. TheYogicpractitionerwhoisabletoseehisownreflectionintheskywillbeabletoknowwhether hisundertakingswillbecrownedwithsuccessornot.ThoseYoginswhohaverealisedthebenefits ofconcentrationfullyhavedeclared:“Inaclearsunlitskybeholdwithasteadygazeyourown reflection;wheneverthisisseenforasinglesecondinthesky,youbeholdGodatonceinthesky.” Hewhodailyseeshisshadowintheskywillacquirelongevity.Hewillnevermeetwithaccidental death.Whentheshadowisseenfullyreflected,thentheYogicpractitionergetsvictoryandsuccess. HeconquersPranaandgoeseverywhere.Thepracticeissimpleenough.Onerealisethefruitsina shorttime.Somehaverealisedthefruitsinoneortwoweeks.Whenthesunrises,standinsucha

waythatyourbodycastsashadowuponthegroundandyouareabletoseeitwithoutdifficulty. Thensteadilyfixyourgazeontheneckoftheshadowforsometimeandthenlookupintothesky.If youseeafullgreyshadowinthesky,itisveryauspicious.Theshadowwillansweranyquestionfor you.Ifyoudonotgettheshadow,continuethepracticetillyougetit.Youcanpracticethisinthe moonlight also.

Somepeoplefeelintensepainandagonywhentheysufferfromsomediseaseinsomepart ofthebody.Thereasonisnotfartoseek.Theyalwaysthinkofthediseaseanddonotknowhowto takethemindawayfromtheaffectedpartofthebodybythepracticeofabstractionandfixingthe mindonsomeotherobject.Somepeoplefeellesspainthanothers.Suchpeopleknowhowtodivert themindfromtheseatofdisease.Wheneverthereispaininthebody,practiceconcentrationon your tutelary deity or study some philosophical books. The pain will vanish.

Concentrationispurelyamentalprocess.26 Itneedsaninwardturningofthemind.Itisnota muscularexercise.Thereshouldbenounduestrainonthebrain.Youshouldnotfightandwrestle with the mind violently.

Sitinacomfortablepose.Relaxallthemusclesofthebody.Thereshouldneitherbe muscularnoremotionalnornervousnormentalstrain.Keepatightholdonthementalfaculties. Stillthemind.Silencethebubblingthoughts.Calmtheemotions.Putabrakeonthe thought-process.Donotpayanyattentiontotheintrudingthoughts.Givethesuggestiontothe mind:“Idonotcarewhethertheyarethereornot.”Inotherwords,beindifferent.Theintruding thoughtswillquitthementalfactorysoon.Theywillnotcauseanytrouble.Thisisthesecretof mentaldiscipline.Improvementinconcentrationwillbevisibleonlylittlebylittle.Donotbe discouragedonanyaccount.Beregularinyourpractice.Stopnotthepracticeevenforasingleday. LordJesussays:“Emptythyself;Iwillfillthee.”Thisprocessofemptyingallthoughtsshouldbe attemptedafteryouhaveattainedsomepowerofconcentration.Keepyourselfinapositivestate always.Whenyouwishtoconcentrateonapieceofworktobedonewithcare,youcanuseallyour will and imagination also. Imagination helps even concentration.

Ifyoufinditdifficulttoconcentrateontheheart,onthetipofthenose,onthespacebetween theeyebrows,oronthecrownofthehead,youcanselectanyexternalobjectforthepurpose.You can,forinstance,concentrateonthebluesky,thelightofthesun,theall-pervadingair,ether,sun, moon,stars.Ifyouexperienceanyheadacheorpainintheskulloranypartofthebodyduetothe strainofconcentrationonaparticularplaceorobject,shiftthecentreofconcentrationorchangethe object.

ARaja-Yogiconcentratesonthespacebetweentheeyebrows(AjnaChakraorTrikuti) whichistheseatofthemindinthewakingstate.Youcaneasilycontrolthemind,ifyouconcentrate onthisregion.Lightisseenduringconcentrationonthisregionveryquickly.Hewhowantsto meditateonthemacrocosm(Virat)andhewhowantstohelptheworldshouldselectthisregionfor concentration.ABhaktaordevoteeshouldselecttheheart,theseatofemotionandfeeling.Hewho

26For full particulars vide my book “Sure Ways for success in Life and God-realisation”.

concentratesontheheartgetsimmensehappiness.Hewhowantstogetsomethingforhimself should concentrate on the heart.

Ascientistconcentrateshismindandinventsmanythings.Throughconcentrationheopens thelayersofthegrossmindandpenetratesdeeplyintohigherregionsofthemindandgetsdeeper knowledge.Heconcentratesallhisenergiesintoonefocusandthrowsthemuponthematerialsheis analysingandsofindsouttheirsecrets.Whenthereisfaith,themindcanbeeasilyconcentratedon thesubjecttobeunderstood;andthentheunderstandingquicklyfollows.Asmindevolves,you comeintoconsciousrelationwiththementalcurrents,withthemindsofothersnearanddistant, livinganddead.Hewhohaslearnttomanipulatethemindwillgetthewholenatureunderhis control.

Toomuchphysicalexertion,toomuchtalking,toomucheating,toomuchmixingwith ladiesandundesirablepersons,toomuchwalkingwillcausedistractionofmind.Thosewho practiceconcentrationmustabandonthesethings.Whateverworkyoudo,doitwithperfect concentration. Never leave the work without finishing it completely.

Celibacy,Pranayama,reductionofwantsandactivities,renunciationofobjects,solitude, silence,disciplineofthesenses,annihilationoflustandgreed,controlofanger,non-mixingwith undesirablepersons,givingupofnewspaper-reading-habitandvisitingcinemas—allthesepavea long way in increasing the power of concentration.

Evenifthemindrunsoutduringconcentration,donotbother.Letitrun.Slowlybringitto yourobjectofconcentration.Inthebeginningthemindmayrun50times,twoyearsofpracticewill reducethenumberto20;anotherthreeyearsofcontinuedandpersistentpracticewillreducethe numbertonil.ThemindthenwillbecompletelyfixedintheDivineconsciousness.Thenitwillnot runoutevenifyoutrytobringitout.Thisisthepracticalexperienceofthosewhohavegained complete mastery over their minds.

Arjunahadwonderfulconcentration.HelearntthescienceofarcheryfromDronacharya.A deadbirdwastiedtoapostinsuchawaythatitsreflectionwascastinabasinofwaterrightbeneath ontheground.Arjunasawthereflectionofthebirdinthebasinofwaterandaimedsuccessfullyin hitting at the right eye of the actual bird tied to the post above.

Napoleonalsohadremarkablepowerofconcentration.Itissaidthathehadfullcontrolover histhoughts.Hecoulddrawonethoughtfromapigeonholeofhisbrain,dwellonthatsingle thoughtaslongashelikedandthenshovethatthoughtbackintothatpigeon-hole.Hehadapeculiar brain with peculiar pigeon-holes!

Whenyoustudyabookwithprofoundinterest,youdonothearorseeamanshoutingor callingyoubyyourname.Youdonotsmellthesweetfragranceofflowerskeptonthetablebyyour side.Thisisconcentration.Thisisone-pointednessofmind(Chitta-Ekagrata).Themindisfixed firmlyononethingandonethingonly.Suchmustbethedepthandintensityofyourconcentration, whenyouthinkofGodorAtman.Itiseasytoconcentratethemindonworldlyobjectsbecausethe mindtakesinterestinitverynaturallythroughforceofhabit.Thegroovesarealreadycutinthe

brain.YouwillhavetocreatenewgroovesbyfixingthemindagainandagainonGod.After sometime the mind will not move to external objects, for it experiences joy and bliss within.

SomeWesternpsychologistshold:“Themindthatwandersaimlesslycanbemadetomove inasmalllimitedcircleonly,bythepracticeofconcentration.Itcannotbefixedononepointonly. Ifitisfixedononepointonly,theninhibitionofthemindwilltakeplace.Thereisdeathforthe mind.Nothingcanbeachievedwhenthereisinhibitionofthemind.Sothereisnouseofinhibiting themind.”Thisisnotright.Completecontrolofthemindcanbeattained,whenallthe thought-wavesareextirpatedthoroughly.TheYogiworkswondersbyhisone-pointednessof mind.HeknowsthehiddentreasuresoftheSoulwiththehelpofthemightyall-penetrating search-lightgeneratedbytheone-pointednessofmind.Afterone-pointedness(Ekagrata)is attained,youhavetoachievefullrestraint(Nirodha).Inthisstateallmodificationssubside completely.Themindbecomesquiteblank.ThentheYogidestroysthisblankmindalsoby identifyinghimselfwiththeSupremePurushaorSoulorBeingfromwhomthemindborrowsits light.ThenheobtainsOmniscienceandfinalemancipation(Kaivalya).Thesearemattersthatare GreekandLatintoourWesternpsychologists.Hencetheygropeindarkness.Theyhavenoideaof the Purusha who witnesses the activities of the mind.

Manisacomplexsocialanimal.Heisabiologicalorganismandsoheisdefinitely characterisedbythepossessionofcertainphysiologicalfunctionssuchascirculationofblood, digestion,respiration,excretion,etc.Heisalsodefinitelycharacterisedbythepossessionofcertain psychologicalfunctionssuchasthinking,perception,memory,imagination,etc.Hesees,thinks, tastes,smellsandfeels.Philosophicallyspeaking,heistheimageofGod,nayheisGodhimself.He losthisdivineglorybytastingthefruitoftheforbiddentree.Hecanregainhislostdivinityby mental discipline and the practice of concentration.

Exercises I

Askyourfriendtoshowyousomeplayingcards.Immediatelyaftertheexposure,describe theformsyouhaveseen.Givethenumber,name,etc.,suchasclubking,spadeten,diamondqueen, heart jack, and so on.

II

Readtwoorthreepagesofabook.Thenclosethebook.Nowattendtowhatyouhaveread. Abandonalldistractingthoughts.Focusyourattentioncarefully.Allowthemindtoassociate, classify,group,combineandcompare.Youwillgetnowafundofknowledgeandinformationon thesubject.Mereskippingoverthepagesinadvertentlyisofnouse.Therearestudentswhoreada bookwithinafewhours.Ifyouaskthemtoreproducesomeimportantpointsofthebook,theywill simplyblink.Ifyouattendtothesubjectonhandverycarefully,youwillreceiveclear,strong impressions. If the impressions are strong, you will have very good memory.

Sitonyourfavouritemeditativeposeaboutonefootfromawatch.Concentrateonthe tik-tiksoundslowly.Wheneverthemindruns,againandagaintrytohearthesound.Justseehow long the mind can be fixed continuously on the sound.

IV

SitagainonyourfavouriteAsana.Closeyoureyes.Closetheearswithyourthumbsorplug theearswithwaxorcotton.TrytoheartheAnahatasounds(mysticsounds).Youwillhearvarious kindsofsoundssuchasflute,violin,kettledrum,thunder-storm,conch,bells,thehummingofabee, etc.Trytohearthegrosssoundsfirst.Hearonlyonekindofsound.Ifthemindruns,youcanshiftit fromgrosstosubtle,orfromsubtletogross.Generallyyouwillhearsoundsinyourrightear. Occasionallyyoumayhearinyourleftearalso.Buttrytosticktothesoundofoneear.Youwillget one-pointednessofmind.Thisisaneasywaytocapturethemind,becauseitisenchantedbythe sweet sound just as a snake is hypnotised by the note of the snake-charmer.

Keepacandle-flameinfrontofyouandtrytoconcentrateontheflame.Whenyouaretired ofdoingthis,closeyoureyesandtrytovisualisetheflame.Doitforhalfaminuteandincreasethe timetofiveortenminutesaccordingtoyourtaste,temperamentandcapacity.YouwillseeRishis and Devatas, when you enter into deep concentration.

VI

Inalyingposture,concentrateonthemoon.Wheneverthemindruns,againandagainbring itbacktotheimageofthemoon.Thisexerciseisverybeneficialinthecaseofsomepersonshaving an emotional temperament.

VII

Intheabovemanner,youcanconcentrateonanystaryoumaysingleoutfromthemillions of stars, shining above your head.

VIII

SitbythesideofariverwhereyoucanheararoaringsoundlikeOM.Concentrateonthat sound as long as you like. This is very thrilling and inspiring.

IX

Lieonyourbedintheopenairandconcentrateupontheblueexpansiveskyabove.Your mindwillexpandimmediately.Youwillbeelevated.Theblueskywillremindyouoftheinfinite nature of the Self.

Sitinacomfortablepostureandconcentrateonanyoneofthenumerousabstractvirtues such as mercy. Dwell upon this virtue as long as you can.

Lesson IX MEDITATION

Meditationfollowsconcentration.Concentrationmergesintomeditation.Concentrationis holdingthemindontosomeparticularobject.Anunbrokenflowofknowledgeinthatsubjectis meditation.Meditationisregularflowofthoughtwithregardtotheobjectofconcentration. Meditationopensthedoorofthemindtointuitiveknowledgeandmanypowers.Youcanget whateveryouwantthroughmeditation.Duringmeditationallworldlythoughtsareshutoutfrom the mind. Meditation is called Dhyana in Sanskrit and is the seventh step in the Yogic ladder.

InLessonVIIyouwereadvisedtokeepaseparateroomforpracticingPranayama,isn’tit so?Well,thesameroomwillalsoservethepurposeofmeditation.Infact,oneroomwillbequite sufficientforallspiritualpractices—Asanas,Pranayama,Japa,27 Kirtan,28 concentration, meditation,andsoforth.TheroomshouldberegardedasatempleofGod.Youshouldnotallow anybodyintotheroom.Youshouldentertheroomwithapiousandreverentmind.Thoughtsof jealousy,lust,greedandangershouldnotbeentertainedwithinthefourwallsoftheroom.All worldlytalks,alsoshouldnotbeindulgedinthere.Foreverywordthatisuttered,everythoughtthat ischerishedandeverydeedthatisdoneisnotlost;theyarereflectedonthesubtlelayersofether encircling the room where they are done and hence affect the mind invariably.

DecoratetheroomwithinspiringpicturesofgreatSaints,Sages,ProphetsandWorld Teachers.InaprominentplaceintheroomkeepabeautifulphotoofyourtutelaryDeity (Ishta-Devata),eitherLordJesus,LordKrishna,LordSivaorDevi.LettheDeityfacetheEastor North.SpreadyourAsana(seat)infrontoftheDeity.Keepsomereligiousandphilosophicalbooks suchastheBhagavad-Gita,theUpanishads,theVedanta-Sutras,theRamayana,the Yoga-Vasishtha,theBible,etc.,byyourside.Washyourface,handsandlegsbeforeyouenterthe room.Burnapieceofcamphorandlightsomescentedsticksimmediatelyafterenteringtheroom. SitontheAsanainfrontoftheDeityandrepeattheNameoftheLordorsingsomedevotional hymns. Then take to the practice of concentration and meditation.

Ofcourse,evenifyouwanderfrompoletopole,youcannotgetanidealplacethatwill satisfyyoufromeverystandpoint.Everyplacehassomeadvantagesandsomedisadvantagesas well.Soyoushouldselectaplacethatismoreadvantageousthanothers.Havingoncehitupona place,youmuststicktoittillthelast.Youmustnotthinkofchangingtheplace,whensome difficultystaresyouintheface.Youmustputupwiththedifficultybyallmeans.Rishikesh

27Twirling the beads along with the repetition of a Mantra. 28Singing the Names of the Lord or other devotional songs.

(Himalayas),Haridwar,Uttarkashi,Badrinarayan,Gangotri,MountKailas,Brindavan,Varanasi, Nasik and Ayodhya are all excellent places for meditation in India.

Thebestandthemostcongenialtimeforthepracticeofmeditationisunquestionablythe Brahmamuhurta i.e.,from4to6a.m.Thatisthetimewhenthemindisquiterefreshedafteran agreeableslumber,whenthemindiscalmandcomparativelypure.Itislikeacleanblanksheetof paper.Onlysuchamindcanbemouldedintowhatevershapeyoulike.Moreover,theatmosphere also is charged with purity and goodness at this time.

Inthebeginningyoucanmeditatetwicedaily,from4to5inthemorningand7to8atnight. Asyouadvanceinyourpractices,youcanincreasethedurationofeachsittinglittlebylittleusing yourcommonsenseanddiscretion,andalsohaveathirdsittingeitherinthemorningbetween10 and 11 or in the evening between 4 and 5.

IntheYoga-Vasishthayouwillfind:“Therightcoursetobeadoptedbyonewhoisinhis novitiateisthis:TwopartsofthemindmustbefilledwiththeobjectsofEnjoyment,onepartwith PhilosophyandtheremainingpartwithDevotiontotheteacher.Havingadvancedalittle,heshould fillonepartofthemindwiththeobjectsofEnjoyment,twopartswithDevotiontotheteacherand theremainingonewithgettinganinsightintothemeaningofPhilosophy.Whenonehasattained proficiency,heshouldeverydayfilltwopartsofhismindwithPhilosophyandsupreme Renunciation,andtheremainingtwopartswithMeditationanddevotedServicetotheGuru.”This will eventually lead you on to meditation for twenty-four hours.

Sittingonyourfavouritemeditativeposeandkeepingthehead,neckandtrunkerect,close youreyesandgentlyconcentrateoneitherthetipofthenose,spacebetweentheeyebrows,the heart-lotusorthecrownofthehead.Whenonceyouhaveselectedonecentreofconcentration, sticktoittillthelastwithleech-liketenacity.Neverchangeit.Thus,ifyouhavechosento concentrateontheheart-lotusafterhavingtriedtheothercentres,sticktotheheart-lotusalone. Then only you can expect rapid advancement.

Meditationisoftwokindsviz.,Saguna(withGunasorqualities)meditationandNirguna (withoutGunasorqualities)meditation.MeditationonLordKrishna,LordSiva,LordRamaor LordJesusisSagunameditation.Itismeditationwithformandattributes.TheNameoftheLordis alsosimultaneouslyrepeated.ThisisthemethodoftheBhaktas.Meditationontherealityofthe SelfisNirgunameditation.ThisisthemethodoftheVedantins.Meditationon Om,Soham, Sivoham, Aham Brahma Asmi and Tat Tvam Asi is Nirguna meditation.

Putanironrodintheblazingfurnace.Itbecomesredlikefire.Removeitfromthefire.It losesitsredcolour.Ifyouwanttokeepitalwaysred,youmustkeepitalwaysinfire.Evenso,ifyou wanttokeepthemindchargedwiththefireofBrahmicWisdom,youmustkeepitalwaysincontact withtheBrahmicFireofKnowledgethroughconstantandintensemeditation.Youmust,inother words, keep up an unceasing flow of Brahmic Consciousness.

Meditationisthemostpowerfulmentalandnervinetonic.Theholyvibrationspenetrateall thecellsofthebodyandcurethevariousdiseasesthathumanfleshisheirto.Thosewhoregularly meditatesavethedoctor’sbills.Thepowerfulsoothingwavesthatariseduringmeditationexercise

abenigninfluenceonthemind,nerves,organsandcellsofthebody.Thedivineenergyfreelyflows liketheflowofoilfromonevesseltoanother,fromtheFeetoftheLordtothedifferentsystemsof the practitioner.

Ifyoumeditateforhalfanhour,youwillbeabletofacethedailybattleoflifewithpeace andspiritualstrengthforoneweekthroughtheforceofmeditation.Suchisthebeneficialeffectof meditation.Asyouhavetomovewithdifferentmindsofpeculiarnature,gettherequisitestrength and peace from meditation and be free from worry and trouble.

Thewisecutasundertheknotofegoismbythesharpswordofconstantmeditation.Then dawnssupremeKnowledgeoftheSelforfullIlluminationorSelf-realisation.Theliberatedsage hasneitherdoubtnordelusion.AllbondsofKarma(action)arerentasunder.Thereforebeever engagedinmeditation.Thisisthemaster-keytoopentherealmsofeternalBliss.Itmaybe disgustingandtiringinthebeginning,becausethemindwillberunningawayfromthepoint (Lakshya)everynowandthen.Butaftersometimeitwillbefocussedinthecentre.Youwillbe immersed in Divine Bliss.

Regularmeditationopensuptheavenuesofintuitionalknowledge,makesthemindcalm andsteady,awakensanecstaticfeeling,andbringstheYogicstudentincontactwiththeSupreme Purusha.Iftherearedoubts,theyareallclearedbythemselves,whenyoumarchonthepathof Dhyana-Yoga(meditation)steadily.Youwillyourselffeelthewaytoplaceyourfootstepinthe nexthigherrungoftheYogicladder.Amysteriousinnervoicewillguideyou.Hearthouthis attentively, O Yogananda!

Whenyougetaflashofillumination,donotbefrightened.Itwillbeanewexperienceof immensejoy.Donotturnback.Donotgiveupmeditation.Donotstopthere.Youwillhaveto advancestillfurther.Thisisonlyaglimpseoftruth.Thisisnotthewholeexperience.Thisisnotthe highestrealisation.Thisisonlyanewplatform.Trytoascendfurther.ReachtheBhumaorthe Infinite.Nowaloneyouareproofagainstalltemptations.Youwilldrinkdeepthenectarof Immortality.Thisistheacmeorfinalstage.Youcantakeeternalrestnow.Youneednotmeditate any further. This is the final goal.

Youhavewithinyourselftremendouspowersandlatentfacultiesofwhichyouhavereally neverhadanyconception.Youmustawakenthesedormantpowersandfacultiesbythepracticeof meditationandYoga.Youmustdevelopyourwillandcontrolyoursensesandmind.Youmust purifyyourselfandpracticeregularmeditation.ThenonlyyoucanbecomeaSupermanor God-man.

ThereisnosuchthingasmiracleorSiddhi.Ordinarymanisquiteignorantofhigher spiritualthings.Heissunkinoblivion.Heisshutupfromhighertranscendentalknowledge.Sohe callssomeextraordinaryeventamiracle.ButforaYogiwhounderstandsthingsinthelightof Yogasthereisnosuchthingasmiracle.Justasavillagerisastonishedatthesightofanaeroplaneor atalkieforthefirsttime,soalsoamanoftheworldisstunnedwhenheseesanextraordinary spectacle for the first time.

Everyhumanbeinghaswithinhimselfvariouspotentialitiesandcapacities.Heisa magazineofpowerandknowledge.Asheevolves,heunfoldsnewpowers,newfaculties,new qualities.Nowhecanchangehisenvironmentsandinfluenceothers.Hecansubdueotherminds. He can conquer internal and external nature. He can enter into super-conscious state.

Inadarkroomifapotcontainingalampinsideit,isbroken,thedarknessoftheroomis dispelledandyouseelighteverywhereintheroom.Evenso,ifthebody-potisbrokenthrough constantmeditationontheSelf,i.e.,ifyoudestroyignorance(Avidya)anditseffectssuchas identificationwiththebody,andriseabovebody-consciousness,youwillcognisethesupremelight of the Atman everywhere.

Justasthewaterinthepotthatisplacedintheoceanbecomesonewiththewatersofthe ocean,whenthepotisbroken,soalsowhenthebody-potisbrokenbymeditationontheAtman,the individual soul becomes one with the Supreme Soul.

Justasthelightisburningwithinthehurricanelamp,soalsotheDivineFlameisburning fromtimeimmemorialinthelampofyourheart.Closeyoureyes.MergeyourselfwithintheDivine Flame.Plungedeepintothechambersofyourheart.MeditateonthisDivineFlameandbecomeone with the Flame of God.

Ifthewickwithinthelampissmallthelightwillalsobesmall.Ifthewickisbig,thelight alsowillbepowerful.Similarly,iftheJiva(individualsoul)ispure,ifhepracticesmeditation,the manifestationorexpressionoftheSelfwillbepowerful.Hewillradiateabiglight.Ifheis unregenerateandimpure,hewillbelikeaburnt-upcharcoal.Thebiggerthewick,thegreaterthe light. Likewise, the purer the soul, the greater the expression.

Ifthemagnetispowerful,itwillinfluencetheironfillingsevenwhentheyareplacedata distance.Evenso,iftheYogiisanadvancedperson,hewillhavegreaterinfluenceoverthepersons withwhomhecomesincontact.Hecanexerthisinfluenceonpersonsevenwhentheylivein distant places.

Thefireofmeditationannihilatesallfoulnessduetovice.Thensuddenlytherecomes Knowledge of Self or Divine Wisdom which directly lends to Mukti or final emancipation.

Duringmeditationnotehowlongyoucanshutoutallworldlythoughts.Watchyourmind. Ifitisfortwentyminutes,trytoincreasetheperiodtothirtyminutesandsoon.Fillthemindwith thoughts of God again and again.

Inmeditationdonotstrainyoureyes.Donotstrainthebrain.Donotstruggleorwrestlewith themind.Relax.Gentlyallowthedivinethoughtstoflow.SteadilythinkoftheLakshya(pointof meditation).Donotvoluntarilyandviolentlydriveawaytheintrudingthoughts.Havesublime Sattvic thoughts. The vicious thoughts will by themselves vanish.

Ifthereismuchstraininyourmeditation,reducethedurationofeachsittingforafewdays. Dolightmeditationonly.Whenyouhaveregainedthenormaltone,againincreasetheperiod.Use your common-sense throughout your Sadhana. I always reiterate on this point.

“ThoughmenshouldperformTapasstandingononelegforaperiodof1,000years,itwill notintheleast,beequaltoone-sixteenthpartofDhyana-Yoga(meditation).” Pingala-Upanishad

Thosewhomeditateforfourorfivehoursatastretchcanhavetwomeditativeposes. Sometimesthebloodaccumulatesinonepartofthelegsorthighsandsogivesalittletrouble.After twohourschangethepose.Orstretchthelegsatfulllengthandleanagainstawallorpillow.Keep thespineerect.ThisisthemostcomfortableAsana.Orjointwochairs.Sitinonechairandstretch the legs on another chair. This is another contrivance.

YoumustdailyincreaseyourVairagya,meditationandSattvicvirtuessuchaspatience, perseverance,mercy,love,forgiveness,etc.Vairagyaandgoodqualitieshelpmeditation. Meditation increases the Sattvic qualities.

Considerablechangestakeplaceinthemind,brainandthenervoussystembythepractice ofmeditation.Newnerve-currents,newvibrations,newavenues,newgrooves,newcells,new channelsareformed.Thewholemindandthenervoussystemareremodelled.Youwillhaveanew heart,anewmind,newsensations,newfeelings,newmodeofthinkingandactingandanewview of the universe (as God in manifestation).

Duringmeditationyouwillgetintoraptureorecstasy.Itisoffivekindsviz.,thelesserthrill, momentaryrapture,floodingrapture,transportingrapture,andall-pervadingrapture.Thelesser thrillwillraisethehairsofthebody(likethegoose-skin).Themomentaryraptureislikethe productionsoflightningmomentbymoment.Likewavesbreakingontheseashore,theflooding rapturedescendsrapidlyonthebodyandbreaks.Transportingraptureisstrongandliftsthebodyup totheextentoflaunchingitintotheair.Whentheall-pervadingrapturearises,thewholebodyis completely surcharged and blown like a full bladder.

“Whateverhe(theYogicpractitioner)seeswithhiseyes,lethimconsiderasAtman. Whateverhehearswithhisears,lethimconsiderasAtman.Whateverhesmellswithhisnose,let himconsiderasAtman.Whateverhetasteswithhistongue,lethimconsiderasAtman.Whatever theYogitoucheswithhisskin,lethimconsiderasAtman.TheYogishouldthusunweariedgratify hisorgansofsenseforaperiodofoneYama(3hours)everydaywithgreateffort.Thevarious wonderfulpowersareattainedbytheYogi,suchasclairvoyance,clairaudience,abilitytotransport himselftogreatdistanceswithinamoment,greatpowerofspeech,abilitytotakeanyform,ability tobecomeinvisible,andthetransmutationofironintogold,whentheformerissmearedoverwith his excretion.”

Yogatattva-Upanishad.

Justasaveryskilfularcherinshootingatabirdisawareofthewayinwhichhetakeshis steps,holdsthebow,thebow-string,andthearrowatthetimewhenhepiercesthebird,thus “standinginthisposition,holdingthusthebow,thusthebow-string,andthusthearrow.Ipiercethe bird,”andeverafterwardswouldnotfailtofulfiltheseconditionsthathemightpiercethebird,even sotheaspirantshouldnotetheconditionssuchassuitablefood,thus“eatingthiskindoffood, followingsuchaperson,insuchadwellinginthismode,atthistime,Iattainedtothismeditation and Samadhi.”

Asaclevercookinservinghismasternotesthekindoffoodthathismasterrelishesand henceforwardservesitandgetsgain,sotheaspiranttoonotestheconditionssuchasnourishment, etc.,atthemomentofattainingmeditationandSamadhiandinfulfillingthemgetsecstasyagain and again.

LeadingavirtuouslifeisnotbyitselfsufficientforGod-realisation.Concentrationofmind isabsolutelynecessary.Agoodvirtuouslifeonlypreparesthemindasafitinstrumentfor concentrationandmeditation.Itisconcentrationandmeditationthateventuallyleadto Sell-realisation or God-realisation.

“AYogishouldalwaysavoidfear,anger,laziness,toomuchsleeporwakingandtoomuch foodandfasting.Iftheaboverulehewellandstrictlypracticedeachday,spiritualwisdomwill ariseofitselfinthreemonthswithoutdoubt.Infourmonths,heseestheDevatas;infivemonths,he knows(orbecomes)Brahmanishtha;andinsixmonths,heattainsKaivalyaatwill.Thereisno doubt.” Amritananda-Upanishad

Duringmeditationsomeofthevisionsthatyouseeareyourownmaterialisedthoughts whilesomeothersarerealobjectivevisions.Inmeditationnewgroovesareformedinthebrainand themindmovesupwardsinthenewspiritualgrooves.Inmeditationandconcentrationyouwill have to train the mind in a variety of ways. Then only the gross mind will become subtle.

Whenyoufirstpracticemeditation,lightsofvariouscolourssuchasred,white,blue,green andamixtureofredandgreen,etc.,willappearintheforehead.TheseareTanmatric(elemental) lights.Everyelementhasgotitsowncolour.Waterhaswhitecolour.Firehasredcolour.Airhas greencolour.Etherhasbluecolour.SothecolourfullightsareduetotheseTattvas(elements)only.

Sometimesyoumayseeabigblazingsunormoonorlightninginfrontoftheforehead.Do not mind these. Shun them. Try to dive deep into the source of these lights.

SometimesDevatas,NityaSiddhas(eternallyperfectedYogins)andAmarapurushas (immortalbeings)willappearinmeditation.Receivethemallwithduehonour.Bowdownbefore them.Getadvicefromthem.Donotbefrightened.Theyappearbeforeyoutogiveyouallspiritual help and encouragement.29

“HavingmadeAtmanasthelowerArani(sacrificialwood)andthePranavaastheupper Arani,oneshouldseetheGodinsecretthroughthepracticeofchurningwhichisDhyana (meditation).” Dhyanabindu-Upanishad.

29For further particulars vide my book “Practice of Yoga”.

Exercises I

PlaceapictureofLordJesusinfrontofyou.Sitinyourfavouritemeditativepose. Concentrategentlywithopeneyesonthepicturetilltearstrickledownyourcheeks.Rotatethe mindonthecross,onthechest,longhairs,beautifulbeard,roundeyes,andthevariousotherlimbs ofhisbody;thefinespiritualauraemanatingfromhishead,andsoon.Thinkofhisdivineattributes suchaslove,magnanimity,mercyandforbearance.Thinkofthevariousphasesofhisinteresting lifeandthe“miracles”heperformedandthevarious“extraordinary”powershepossessed.Then close your eyes and try to visualise the picture. Repeat the same process again and again.

II

PlaceapictureofLordHariinfrontofyou.Sitagaininyourmeditativeposture. Concentrategentlyonthepicturetillyoushedtears.RotatethemindonHisfeet,legs,yellowsilken robes,goldengarlandsetwithdiamonds,Koustubhagem,etc.,onthechest,theearrings,thenthe face,thecrownofthehead,thediscohtherightupperhand,theconchontheleftupperhand,the maceontherightlowerhand,andthelotus-flowerontheleftlowerhand.Thenclosetheeyesand try to visualise the picture. Repeat the same process again and again.

III

KeepapictureofLordKrishnawithfluteinhandsinfrontofyou.Sitinyourmeditative poseandgentlyconcentrateonthepicturetillyoushedtears.ThinkofHisfeetadornedwith anklets,yellowgarment,variousornamentsroundHisneck,thenecklacesetwiththeKoustubha gem,thelonggarlandofbeautifulflowersofvariouscolours,ear-rings,crownsetwithprecious jewelsofpricelessvalue,darkandlonghairs,sparklingeyes,the Tilaka30 ontheforehead,the magneticauraroundHishead,longhandsadornedwithbraceletsandarmlets,andthefluteinthe handsreadytobeplayedupon.Thencloseyoureyesandvisualisethepicture.Repeatthesame process again and again.

IV

Thisisonekindofmeditationforbeginners.SitonPadmasanainyourmeditationroom. Closeyoureyes.Meditateontheeffulgenceinthesun,orthesplendourinthemoonorthegloryin the stars.

30Mark or symbol made with sandalwood or ungent.

Meditateonthemagnanimityoftheoceananditsinfinitenature.Thencomparetheoceanto theInfiniteBrahman,andthewaves,foamsandice-bergstothevariousnamesandforms.Identify yourself with the ocean. Become silent. Expand. Expand.

VI

Thisisanotherkindofmeditation.MeditateontheHimalayas.ImaginethattheGanga takesitsoriginintheicyregionsofGangotrinearUttarakasi,flowsthroughRishikesh.Haridwar, Benares,andthenentersintotheBayofBengalnearGangasagar.Himalayas,Gangaandthe sea—thesethreethoughtsonlyshouldoccupyyourmind.Firsttakeyourmindtotheicyregionsof Gangotri.ThenalongtheGangaandfinallytothesea.Rotatethemindinthismannerfor10 minutes.

VII

ThereisalivingUniversalPowerthatunderliesallthesenamesandforms.Meditateonthis Powerwhichisformless.ThiswillterminateintherealisationoftheAbsolute,Nirguna,Nirakara (formless) Consciousness eventually.

VIII

SitonPadmasana.Closeyoureyes.Gazesteadilyontheformlessaironly.Concentrateon theair.Meditateontheall-pervadingnatureoftheair.Thiswillleadtotherealisationofthe nameless and formless Brahman, the One Living Truth.

IX

Sitonyourmeditativepose.Closeyoureyes.Imaginethatthereisasupreme,infinite effulgencehiddenbehindallthesenamesandformswhichistantamounttotheeffulgenceofcrores of suns put together. This is another form of Nirguna meditation.

X

Concentrateandmeditateontheexpansivebluesky.ThisisanotherkindofNirguna meditation.Bythepreviousmethodsofconcentrationthemindwillceasethinkingoffiniteforms. ItwillslowlybegintomeltintheoceanofPeace,asitisdeprivedofitscontents.Themindwill become subtler and subtler.

XI

HavethepictureofOMinfrontofyou.Concentrategentlyonthispicturewithopeneyestill tearsflowprofusely.Associatetheideasofeternity,infinity,immortality,etc.,whenyouthinkof OM.Thehummingofbees,thesweetnotesofthenightingale,theseventunesinmusic,andall

soundsareemanatingfromOMonly.OMistheessenceoftheVedas.ImaginethatOMisthebow, themindisthearrowandBrahman(God)isthetarget.Aimatthetargetwithgreatcareandthen, likethearrowbecomesonewiththetarget,youwillbecomeonewithBrahman.Theshortaccentof OMburnsallsins,thelongaccentgivesMoksha,andtheelongatedaccentbestowsallpsychic powers(Siddhis).HewhochantsandmeditatesuponthismonosyllableOMchantsandmeditates upon all the Scriptures of the world.

XII

SitonPadmasanaorSiddhasanainyourmeditationroom.Watchtheflowofbreath.You willhearthesound“SOHAM”,Soduringinhalationand ham duringexhalation.SOHAMmeansI AMHE.ThebreathisremindingyouofyouridentitywiththeSupremeSoul.Youare unconsciouslyrepeatingSoham21,600timesdailyattherateof15Sohamsperminute.Associate theideasofExistence,Knowledge,Bliss,Absolute,Purity,Peace,Perfection,Love,etc.,along withSoham.NegatethebodywhilerepeatingtheMantraandidentifyyourselfwiththeAtmanor the Supreme Soul.

XIII

UddhavaaskedLordKrishna:“OLotus-eyed!HowtomeditateonThee!Tellmewhatis thenatureofthatmeditationandwhatitis?”TowhichLordKrishnareplied:“Beseatedonthe Asanathatisneitherhighnorlow,withyourbodyerectandinaneasyposture.Placeyourhandson thelap.Fixyourgazeonthetipofthenose(inordertofixthemind).PurifythetracksofPranaby Puraka,KumbhakaandRechaka,andthenagaininthereversewayi.e.,firstbreatheinbytheleft nostrilwiththerightnostrilclosedbythetipofthethumb,thenclosetheleftnostrilbythetipsofthe ringfingerandthelittlefingerandretainthebreathinboththenostrils.Thenremovethetipofthe thumbandbreatheoutthroughtherightnostril.Reversetheprocessbybreathinginthroughthe rightnostril,thenretainingthebreathinboththenostrilsandlettingoutthebreaththroughtheleft nostril. Practise this Pranayama gradually with your senses controlled.

“Aum”withthesoundofabell,extendsallover,fromMuladhara31 upwards.Raisethe

“Aum”intheheartbymeansofPrana(twelvefingersupwards)asifitwerethethreadofa lotus-stalk.ThereletBindu(thefifteenthvowelsound)beaddedtoit.ThuspracticePranayama accompaniedbythePranavarecitingthelattertentimes.Continuethepractice,threetimesaday, andwithinamonthyoushallbeabletocontrolthevitalair.Thelotusofthehearthasitsstalk upwardsandtheflowerdownwards,facingbelow(anditisalsoclosed,liketheinflorescencewith bractsofthebanana Sridhara).Meditateonit,however,asfacingupwardsandfull-blown,with eightpetalsandwiththepericap.Onthepericap,thinkofthesun,themoon,andfireoneafter another.Firstmeditateonallthelimbs.Thenletthemindwithdrawthesensesfromtheirobjects. ThendrawtheconcentratedmindcompletelytowardsMe,bymeansofBuddhi(intellect).Then giveupallotherlimbsandconcentrateononethingonly,Mysmilingface.Donotmeditateon anythingelse.ThenwithdrawtheconcentratedmindfromthatandfixitontheAkasa(ether).Give

upthatalsoandbeingfixedinMe(asBrahman)thinkofnothingatall.YoushallseeMeinAtman, asidenticalwithallAtmans,evenaslightisidenticalwithanotherlight.Thedelusionsabout objects,knowledgeandactionshallthencompletelydisappear.Thisisabeautifulexercisefor meditation prescribed by Lord Krishna Himself in the Bhagavata Purana.

Lesson X SAMADHI

“Whichhavingobtained,hethinkeththereisnogreatergainbeyondit,wherein, established, he is not shaken even by heavy sorrow

Ch. VI-22

ThefruitofmeditationisSamadhi.Samadhiissuperconsciousstate,whereintheYogigets superintuitionalorsupersensualknowledgeandSupersensualbliss.HegetsthevisionoftheLord. HeisinastateofcommunionwiththeLord.HeisinfullenjoymentoftheDivineEcstasyorDivine Thrill. He has seen the Light of lights now.

Thefiveafflictions,referencetowhichwasmadeinLessonI,havenowcometoanend.All sortsofimperfectionshavedisappeared.Justastheriverhasjoinedthesea,theindividualsoulhas joinedtheSupremeSoul.Alllimitationshavedroppednow.Thisstatecannotbedescribedin words:Ithastohefeltbyactualpractice.Thereareneitherwantsnordesireshere.Alldoubtsand delusions,allsorrowsandtribulations,allfears,differences,distinctionsanddualitieshave vanished entirely. This is the ultimate goal of all spiritual practices. This is the goal of life.

SamadhiistheeighthstepoftheYogicladder.Intuition,revelation,inspirationandecstasy areallsynonymousterms.Themeditatorandthemeditated,thethinkerandthethought,the worshipperandtheworshipped,thesubjectandtheobjecthavenowbecomeidentical.The meditatorhasmergedhimselfintheSoulortheall-pervadingSpirit.Allwatertightcompartments havedisappeared.TheYogifeelsonenessandunityeverywhere.Hefeels:“Ihavenothingmoreto learn. I have nothing more to do. I have nothing more to obtain.”

ThatwhichisnightofallbeingsisthetimeofwakingfortheilluminedYogi;whenother beingsarewaking,thenitisnightforhim.Yajnavalkya,thegreatestYogisays:“ByPranayama impuritiesofthebodyaredestroyed;byDharanaorconcentrationimpuritiesofthemind.By PratyaharatheimpuritiesofattachmentandbySamadhieverythingthathidestheSoulisremoved.”

Samadhiisoftwokindsviz., Savikalpa Samadhiand Nirvikalpa Samadhi.Savikalpaisa lowerSamadhi.IntheSavikalpaSamadhitheSamskarasorlatentimpressionsarenotfried intoto. Thereissupportforthemind.Thereisstillthetriadofsubtletypeviz.,theseer,sightandseen,or theknower,knowledgeandknowable.SoSavikalpaSamadhicannotgivefullsatisfaction,full freedom, full bliss and knowledge.

InNirvikalpaSamadhiallSamskarasareburnt intoto.Thereisnosupportforthemind.The mindhasmergedintotheall-pervadingSpirit.Thereisnotriadofseer,sightandseen,andsoforth. Nirvikalpa Samadhi gives full satisfaction, full freedom, full bliss and full knowledge.

Thereisalsoanotherclassificationviz., Jada SamadhiandChaitanyaSamadhi.InJada Samadhithereisnoawareness.Itismoreorlesslikedeepsleep.TheYogidoesnotreturnwith intuitionalknowledge.TheSamskarasanddesiresarenotdestroyed.ThisistheSamadhiofthe Hatha-YoginswhopracticeKhechariMudra.32 SomehowthePranaisfixedinsomelowerChakra orcentreofspiritualenergy,andtheYogiremainslikeadeadcorpse.TheYogicanevenbeburied inaboxunderneaththegroundforseveraldaysatastretch.JadaSamadhicannotgiveliberationor Mukti.Itismorelikeanacrobaticfeat.TheSamadhithatweoftenhearofpersonsenteringinto,in publicplacesisnothingbutJadaSamadhi.IntheothervarietyofSamadhiviz.,ChaitanyaSamadhi, there is “perfect awareness.” The Yogi has intuitional knowledge.

William Wordsworth, the great English poet, describes Samadhi as follows:—

“....That blessed mood, In which the burthen of the mystery, In which the heavy and the weary weight Of all this unintelligible world, Is lightened—That serene and blessed mood, In which the affections gently lead us on, Until the breath of this corporeal frame And even the motion of our human blood Almost suspended, we are laid asleep In body, and become a living soul; While with an eye made quiet by the power Of harmony, and the deep power of joy, We see into the life of things.”

Sankara,Dattatreya,Vamadeva,JadaBharata,MadalasaandYajnavalkyahadallthe experienceofsupercosmicconsciousness(NirvikalpaSamadhi),whileRamadas,Tulasidas,Kabir, Tukaram,Mira,Gouranga,Hafiz,MadhvaandRamanujahadtheexperienceofcosmic consciousness(SavikalpaSamadhi).Dr.MauriceBuckerthecelebratedauthorof“Cosmic Consciousness”believesthatSt.JohnoftheCross,Bacon,JacobBehman,Pascal,Spinoza, Swedenborg,WilliamWordsworth,AlexanderPushkin,HonoredeBalzac,Emerson,Tennyson, Thoreau,WaltWhitmanandEdwardCarpenterhadthegoodfortunetotastethenectarofcosmic consciousness.AsaHinduexamplehealsomentionsthenameofRamakrishnaParamahamsaof Bengal.

32Reversingthetonguebackwardsandupwards,fixingitattherootofthepalateandclosinguptheposteriornasal openings is Khechari Mudra.

HewhoposesforagreatYogibeforethepublicandadvertisesinnewspapersthatatsuch andsuchtimeonsuchandsuchdayheisgoingtoenterintoSamadhidoessowithaviewtomake moneyandalsoanameforhimself.Heisactuallydeceivingandswindlingthepublicinbroad daylight.ArealYogiwhohasreachedthegoaloflifeandisalwaysinSamadhithroughoutthe twenty-fourhourswillnevermakeaparadeofhisattainment.Hewillnevereventellothersthathe is enjoying the bliss of Samadhi. It is only the empty drum that maketh much sound.

Inthewakingstateyoudoconsciouswork,butyouarenotconsciousoftheworkingofthe heart,stomach,liver,etc.Justasthereisunconsciousworkbeneaththelevelofobjective consciousness,soalsothereissuperconsciousnessabovethelevelofphysicalconsciousness, whereinthereisplayofneitherthemindnorthesenses.Themanwhoreturnsfromsleepdoesnot possessanynewknowledge,whereashewhocomesdownfromSamadhipossessessupersensual knowledge. He can clear any doubt concerning the problems of life.

“TheYoginisonewhohasrealisedtheBrahmanthatisall-fullbeyondTuriya.33 They(the people)extolhimasBrahman;andbecomingtheobjectofthepraiseofthewholeworld,he wandersoverdifferentcountries....ThentheYoginbecomesimmersedintheoceanofbliss.When comparedtoit,theblissofIndraandothersisverylittle.Hewhogetsthisblissisthesupreme Yogin.” (Mandalabrahmana-Upanishad).

AgainintheYogatattva-Upanishaditissaid:“OnewhoisengagedinNirgunaDhyana attainsthestageofSamadhi.Withintwelvedaysatleast,heattainsthestageofSamadhi. Restrainingthebreath,thewiseonebecomesanemancipatedperson.Samadhiisthatstateinwhich theJivatman(LowerSelf)andtheParamatman(HigherSelf)aredifferenceless(orofequalstate). Ifhedesirestolayasidehisbody,hecandoso....Butifhedoesnotsodesire,andifhisbodyisdear tohim,helivesinalltheworldspossessingtheSiddhisofAnima,etc.Sometimeshebecomesa DevaandliveshonouredinSvarga;orhebecomesamanoraYakshathroughwill.Hecanalsotake theformofalion,tiger,elephant,orhorsethroughhisownwill.TheYoginbecomingthegreat Lord can

live as long as he likes.”

ThewordSamyamaisusedinYogicliteraturetodenotethetripleprocessofconcentration, meditationandSamadhipracticedatoneandthesametime.TheYogiacquiresvariouspowersby practicingthisSamyama.Samyamaonthethreekindsofchangesviz.,ofform,timeandstategives knowledgeofthepastandthefuture.Samyamaonword,meaningandknowledgebestows knowledgeofallanimalsounds.Oneacquirestheknowledgeoflifebyperceivingtheimpressions. Samyamaonthesignsofanother’sbody(suchasthecomplexion,voice,mole,oranysuchsignon thebody)revealstheknowledgeofyourownmind.Samyamaonfriendship,mercy,andlove enablesyoutoexcelothersinthosequalities.Samyamaonthestrengthofanelephantandothers givesyoutheirrespectivestrength.Samyamaonthenavelcirclegivesyoutheknowledgeofthe constitutionofyourbody.BydoingSamyamaonthelightemanatingfromthetopofthehead

33Therearefourstatesofconsciousnessviz.,waking(Jagrat)state,dreaming(Svapna)state,deepsleep(Sushupti) state,andsuperconscious(Turiya)state.Thereisastatestillhigher,orrusherthehighestofall,andthatits Turiyateeta state. In this state the Jivatman gets absorbed into Brahman. This is the goal of life.

(duringconcentrationandmeditation)youwillacquirethepowerofbeholdingtheSiddhas (perfected sages). You will also get clairvoyance, clairaudience, thought-reading, and so forth.

PatanjaliMaharshi,theholyAuthorofthe“Yoga-Sutras”givesadefinitewarningtothe studentsofYogainthisconnection.Heremarksthatthoughthesearetheaccompanimentsofthe outgoingmind,theyareallobstaclestofeelSamadhi.TherealYogiwillrejectthesepowers ruthlessly.Theseedsofbondagecanbedestroyedonlybynon-attachmentanddispassion.Then onlyyoucanattainKaivalyaorAbsoluteIndependence.TheseSiddhisare,nodoubt,verytempting andalluring.ManyYogicstudentsgetdeluded.Theybecomeslavesofthesepowers.Consequently theygetadownfall.Theybecomestranded.Theyarenotabletomarchonwardsandreachthegoal. TherealYogimarchesontowardsthegoalfearlessly.Hisaimistheattainmentoftheglorious FreedomorthestateofAsamprajnataSamadhi(sameasNirvikalpaSamadhi),whereinalltheseeds ofactionsareburnt.HethereforeshinesinhisactiveEffulgenceofeternallifeandfullillumination and perfection.

ThereisaninterestingstoryintheYoga-VasishthaillustratingtheblissofSamadhi.Kacha, thesonofBrihaspati,thepriestoftheDevas,cameoutfromhisSamadhiwithacheerfulmind,and soliloquisedthus,inwordsbubblingwithemotion:“WhatshallIdo,whereshallIgo,whatshallI takeandwhatshallIgiveup?ThewholeuniverseisfilledwiththeSelf,asifwiththewatersofthe GreatDeluge.Withinandwithoutthebody,below,above,andatallpointsofthecompass,here, thereandeverywhere,istheSelf;thereisnospotfilledwiththenot-selfanywhere.Thereisnothing whereinIdonotabide,noristhereanythingwhichisnotinme.WhatelseshallIdesire,when everythingispervadedbytheSupremeConsciousness!Thesevenmountainfabledtoholdupthe globeofthiseartharebutthefoamoverthewatersofthisvast,mightyandpureoceanofthe all-pervadingBrahman.BeforethegreatradianceoftheSunofthisSupremeConsciousness,allthe wealth and glory of the world are but so many mirages.”

TheTranceofPrahladaalsoillustratesinanequallyilluminatingandthrillingmannerthe gloryofSamadhi.Wraptinhisthought,PrahladalosthimselfintheSupremeBlissofEcstatic Trance.Whileremaininginthisblessedcondition,heappeared,asitwere,amerepictureorstatue ofhispaintedonacanvas.Hecontinuedinthisstatewithbodyeverfreshandbrightandwithhis eyesfilledononepoint,foraperiodoffivethousandyears.“Awake,yegreatsoul!”—addressing thus,theLordVishnublewHisconchPanchajanya,fillingthequarterswiththeechoofitssound. Bytheimpactofthismightysound,generatedbythevitalbreathofVishnu,theLordoftheAsuras (demons) was awakened, by slow degrees, to the life of the world.

AndthenthestoryofSikhidhvajaismostawe-inspiringofall!Chudalai,thequeenof Sikhidhvaja,sawherlordimmersedinthethought-suppressedvarietyoftranceandthoughtwithin herself;“Letmerousemylord,theKing,fromthisstateofEcstasy.”Sosaying,sheroaredmightily likealion,overandover,frighteningthebeastsoftheforest.Whenhecouldnotbemovedbythis terriblenoisethoughfrequentlyrepeatedsheshookhimoutofthetrancebyphysicalforce.But, thoughthusshakenandfelledtothegroundtheKingwouldnotawaketothelifeoftheordinary world!

WhenthePurushaisthuscompletelydisconnectedfromthethreeGunasandtheireffects, whenhehasrealisedhisownpristineglory,IsolationofAbsoluteIndependence,andwhenhefeels

hisAbsoluteFreedom,thenaloneheattainsKaivalya,thehighestgoalofaYogi.Thepastandthe futurearenowblendedintothe“PRESENT.”Everythingis“NOWandHERE”forhim.Thesum totalofallknowledgeofthethreeworldsisnothingwhencomparedtotheInfiniteKnowledgeofa YogiwhohasattainedKaivalya.GloryuntosuchblessedYogins!Maytheirblessingsbeuponus all!34

Lesson XI

THE SERPENTINE POWERS

TheSerpentinePoweriscalledKundalini-Saktionaccountofitsspiral-likeworkinginthe bodyoftheYogidevelopingthepowerinhimself.Itisanelectricfieryoccultpower,themighty pristineforceunderlyingallorganicandinorganicmatter.TheYogawhichtreatsofthis Kundalini-Sakti is called Kundalini-Yoga.35

KundaliniistheDivineCosmicEnergyinbodies.SiddhiorperfectioninYogaisachieved byarousingthisSupremeForcewhichislyingdormantintheMuladharaChakraatthebaseofthe spinalcolumnintheformofaserpentwith31/2coils.ThatYogiinwhomtheKundaliniis awakenedandtakentowardsthetopoftheheadistherealKingofkingsorEmperorofemperors. Hehasalldivinepowers.AllSiddhisandRiddhis(minorpowers)rollunderhisfeet.Hecan command Nature. He can command the five elements. His glory is indescribable.

BeforeproceedingtoknowsomethingabouttheChakrasandtheKundalini-Saktiitis essentialtoknowsomethingaboutthespinalcolumnandtheNadisornerve-currents.Thespinal columniscalled Meru-danda,anditextendsfromthe Kanda (situatedbetweentheanusandthe rootofthereproductoryorgan)tothebaseoftheskull.TherearetwoNadisoneithersideofthe spinalcolumncalled Ida and Pingala,andbetweenthesetworunsahollowcanalcalled Sushumna atthelowerextremityofwhichliestheKundalini-Saktisleepingatrance-sleep(YogaNidra).Ida startsfromtherighttesticleandPingalafromtheleft,andtheybothmeettheSushumnaatthe MuladharaChakra.IdaflowsthroughtheleftnostrilandPingalathroughtheright.Idaiscooling, whilePingalaisheating.SushumnawhichoriginatesattheMuladharaChakrarunsrightuptothe topofthehead.IdaandPingalaindicatetime;Sushumnaisthedevoureroftime.WhenthePrana flowsthroughtheSushumna,“themosthighlybelovedoftheYogins”,themindbecomesquite steady.TheYogidefiesdeathbydevitalisingIdaandPingalaandtakingthePranathroughthe SushumnatothecrownoftheheadorBrahmarandhra(SeatofBrahman).WhentheKundaliniis awakened,itforcesitswaythroughtheSushumna,anditsprogressischaracterizedbysupernatural visions,acquisitionofvariousspecialpowers,knowledge,peaceandbliss.WhentheKundaliniis taken to the Sahasrara Chakra (at the top of the head). The Yogi enjoys Supreme Bliss.

34For further details and particulars refer to my book “Practice of Bhakti-Yoga.”

35For detailed particulars on the subject vide my book “Kundalini Yoga.”

WhentheKundalinienterstheSushumnaNadi,thePranaalsoenterstheSushumnaofitself alongwiththeKundalini.RegularpracticeofUddiyanaBandhaawakenstheKundaliniandenables ittoriseupwardsalongtheSushumna.ThisisapowerfulYogicKriya.AllKundalinienthusiasts shouldpracticethisdaily.ThepracticeofYoga-Asanas,Pranayama,MudrasandBandhasis prescribedonlytoawakentheKundalini.Theseareallpotentpracticesinrousingthisgreatpristine Force.

AdetailedknowledgeofNadis(psychicnervesorastraltubesforcarryingPrana)andthe Chakras(lotusesorpsychicnerve-currents)isofparamountimportanceforallstudentsof Kundalini-Yoga.Thepsychicnervelodgedinthehollowofthespinalcolumnisthechiefor mediumNadi.ItiscalledtheSushumnaNadi.Justaselectricityisstoredupindynamos,soalsothe vitalforce(Prana)isstoredupintheChakrasandtheSushumnaNadi.Pranaplaysavitalpartinall psycho-physicalprocesses.ThefirstattemptonthepartoftheyoungKundalini-Yogiisthe purificationoftheNadiswhichwillleadtotheopeningoftheSushumnawhichgenerallyremains closed up in all worldly-minded people.

AllstudentsofKundalini-Yogashouldpossessaclearandsoundknowledgeofthesix Chakras.ThenonlytheycancontemplateontheseChakras.MeditationontheseChakrasbrings psychicpowers.AChakrameansacentreofspiritualenergy.Thedifferentplexusesinthehuman bodycorrespondtentativelytothedifferentChakrasintheastral(Sukshma)body.Otherwise Hatha-Yogaisimpossible.ThereisdifferenceofopinionastowheretheChakrasarereallylocated. Doctorsdissectthephysicalbody.Theyarenotabletofindthecentres,lotusesandsoforth.Some saythattheChakrasaresituatedonlyintheastralbody.SomeothersmaintainthattheChakrasare developedduringthecourseofmeditationthroughtheforceofDhyana(contemplation),andthat theyarenotintheastralbody.Thisistherealtruthviz., thattheChakrasareinadormantstatein thePranayamaKosha(vitalair-sheath)oftheastralbodyandthattheybecomeopenedowingto intense and deep meditation

TherearesixsubtleChakrasorcentresorlotusesinthisSushumnaNadi.Theseare Muladhara,Svadhishthana,Manipura,Anahata,Vishuddha and Ajna.Aboveallthesethereisthe Sahasrara,thechiefofallthecentres.AlltheChakrasareintimatelyconnectedwiththeSahasrara Chakra.HenceitisnotincludedasoneamongthesixChakras.Sahasraraissituatedaboveallthe six Chakras at the top of the head.

TheMULADHARACHAKRAissituatedbetweentherootofthereproductoryorganand theanusatthebaseofthespinalcolumn.Itishere,asIhavealreadymentioned,thatthetwoNadis, IdaandPingala,meettheSushumna.TheMuladharaChakraistwofingersabovetheanusandtwo fingersbelowthegenitalsandfourfingersinwidth.Ithasfourpetalsofcrimsonhue.Inthepericarp ofthisChakrathereisabeautifultriangleinwhichthesleepingKundalinioftheformofacoiled-up serpentdwells.SheholdshertailinhermouthandcoversthemouthoftheBrahma-dvara(the gatewaytotheSeatofBrahman)withherhead.TheYogiwhoconcentratesontheMuladhara ChakragetsfullknowledgeoftheKundaliniandthevariousmeanstorouseittoaction.Assoonas theKundaliniisroused,theYogigetsthepowertoriseupabovetheground.Hegetsfullcontrol overhisbreath,mindandsemen.HisPranaflowsthroughtheSushumnaandallhissinsare destroyed. He gets knowledge of the past, present and future. He is immensely happy.

TheSVADHISHITHANACHAKRAislocatedwithintheSushumnaattherootofthe sexualorgan.Ithassixpetalsandispureblood-likered(vermilion)incolour.Concentrationonthis ChakrafreestheYogifromfearofwater.Hegetsseveralotherpsychicpowers,intuitional knowledgeandfreedomfromthefaultsofthemindandthesenses.Hebecomesanobjectoflove andadorationtoallbeautifulgoddesses,andrecitesalltheSastrasunknowntohimbefore.He becomes the conqueror of death and moves throughout the universe fearlessly.

Muladhara Chakra

Svadhishthana Chakra

TheMANIPURACHAKRAissituatedwithintheSushumnaintheregionofthenaveland isthethirdChakrafromtheMuladhara.Itisofthecolourofdarkcloudsandhastenpetals.Itisthe solar-plexusor“cityofgems”becauseitisverybrilliant.MeditationonthisexcellentChakra bestowspowertodestroyandcreateworlds.TheGoddessofSpeech,Saraswati,everdwellsinthe faceoftheYogi.Hegetsknowledgeofthehiddentreasuresandisfreedfromallkindsofdiseases. He has no fear at all from fire. He can make gold and see Siddhas or Adepts clairvoyantly.

Manipura Chakra

TheANAHATACHAKRAislocatedintheSushumnaintheregionoftheheart.Itisof deepredcolourandhastwelvepetals.TheAnahatasound,thesoundofShabda-brahman,isheard atthiscentre.Youcanclearlyhearthissoundifyouconcentratesilentlyatthislotus.Hewho concentratesonthisChakragetsfullcontroloverair.Hecanflyintheair,enterthebodyofanother andbecomeprosperous.Hebecomeswiseanddoesonlynobledeeds.Hegetscosmicloveandall other divine virtues.

THE SERPENTINE POWERS

TheVISUDDHACHAKRAissituatedatthebaseofthethroatwithintheSushumna.Its colourissmokypurpleandhassixteenpetals.ConcentrationonthisChakraenablestheYogito attainthehighestsuccess.HedoesnotperishevenduringthePralaya(GreatDeluge).Hegetsfull knowledgeofthefourVedasandbecomestheknowerofthethreeperiodsoftime(past,presentand future).Hebecomeseloquent,wise,enjoyspeaceofmind,anditissaidthatbyhisYogicpowerhe can move the three worlds.

TheAJNACHAKRAissituatedintheSushumnabetweentheeyebrows.Thisisalso knownasTrikuti.Thisistheseatofthemind.ThisChakrahastwopetalsandisofbeautifulwhite

Anahata Chakra

Visuddha Chakra

colour.HewhoconcentratesonthismostexcellentChakradestroysallKarmasoractionsofthe pastlivesandbecomesaJivanmukta(livingliberatedsage).HegetsalltheeightmajorSiddhisand the thirty-two minor Siddhis.

TheSAHASRARACHAKRAisthethousand-petalledlotusatthetopoftheheadandisthe AbodeofLordSiva.WhentheKundaliniisawakened,itpiercesoneChakraafteranotherand finallyuniteswithLordSivaandenjoystheHighestBliss.NowtheYogiattainssuperconscious stateandbecomesafull-blownJnani.HedrinkstheNectarofImmortality.Illustrationshowsthe ascent of the Kundalini to the top of the head and its union with Lord Siva.

WhentheKundaliniisawakened,itdoesnotdirectlyproceedallatoncetotheSahasrara Chakra.YouwillhavetotakeitfromoneChakratoanother.Youwillcertainlyliveevenafteritis takentotheSahasrara.ButrememberthatevenafteritistakentotheSahasrara,itmaydropdownto theMuladharaatanymoment!OnlywhenyouarefirmlyestablishedinSamadhi,whenyouhave attainedKaivalya,theKundalinicannotanddoesnotdropdown.Illustrationgivesaroughideaas tohowtheKundalini,whenaroused,reachesthetopoftheheadafterpiercingoneChakraafter another.

Donotmistake,mydearKundalinibrothers!Oyeenthusiasticandemotionalyoung Yogins!themovementoftherheumaticwindsinthebackduetothechroniclumbagofortheascent ofKundalini.DoyourSadhanawithpatience,perseverance,cheerfulnessandcourage,tillyouget the Nirvikalpa Samadhi.

ItiseasytoawakentheKundalini,butitisverydifficulttotakeituptothenavel,totheAjna Chakra,andthencetotheSahasrarainthehead.Itdemandsagreatdealofpatienceandpersistence onthepartofthepractitioner.Butthereisnothingimpossibleforamanofdeterminationand iron-will.ThatYogiwhohastakentheKundalinitotheSahasraraistherealmasteroftheforcesof Nature.GenerallyYogicstudentsabandontheirSadhanaonaccountoffalsesatisfaction.They foolishlyimaginethattheyhavereachedthegoal,whentheygetsomemysticexperiencesand powers.Thisisamistake.CompleteAsamprajnataSamadhi(NirvikalpaSamadhi)alonecangive final emancipation.

Ajna Chakra

Ascent of Kundalini

SomeYogicstudentsaskme:“HowlongshouldonepracticeSirshasanaor PaschimottanasanaorKumbhakaorMahaMudratoawakentheKundalini?Nothingismentioned aboutthispointinanytreatiseonYoga.”AstudentstartshisSadhanafromthepointorstagewhere heleftinhispreviousbirth.ThatisthereasonwhyLordKrishnasaystoArjuna:“Orhemaybeborn inafamilyofwiseYogins.Thereherecovereththecharacteristicsbelongingtohisformerbodyand withtheseheagainlabourethforperfection.OjoyoftheKurus,”(Bhagavad-GitaCh,VI-42,43).

Soitalldependsuponthedegreeofpurity,stageofevolution,theamountofpurificationof theNadisandthePranamayaKosha,andaboveallthedegreeofVairagyaandyearningfor liberation.

Shat-Chakras, Ida, Pingala, and Sushumna Nadis

Developvirtueslikegenerosity,forgivenessandsoforth.MereYogicKriyasalonewillnot helpyoumuch.Doself-analysisanderadicateyourfaultsandevilhabits.Rectifyyourdefectslike selfishness,pride,jealousy,hatred,etc.Developyourheart.Sharewhatyouhavewithothers.Do selfless service. Then alone you will get purity of mind.

InthesedaysaspirantsneglectthesethingsandjumpatoncetodoYogicKriyasforgetting Siddhis.ItisaseriousHimalayanblunder.Theyhavethehopelessdownfallsoonerorlater. Thereforebecareful.MereYogicKriyascannotbringinmuchresults.Purificationoftheheartis verynecessary.WithoutitnosuccessinYogaispossible.Youshouldfreeyourselffromlust, anger,greed,jealousy,hatred,egoism,vanity,attachment,delusion,etc.Thisismoredifficultthan the control of the heart or the practice of Nauli or the uniting of Prana and Apana.

KundalinicanbeawakenedbyvariousmethodssuchasJapa,devotion,Vichara(enquiryof “WhoamI”),Asana,Kumbhaka,Bandhas,Mudras,andaboveallbytheGraceoftheGuru.You must become perfectly desireless and free from all earthly longings.

Manypersonsjumpwithcuriosityandexpectationofacquiringoccultpowersandrousing theKundalini.TheydoSirshasanaandvariousotherAsanasandPranayama.Butnoonesticksto thepracticeforasufficientlengthoftime.Theyleaveoffthepracticeafterafewmonths.Thisisnot good.Applicationandtenacity,patienceandperseveranceareessentialforsuresuccessand acquisition of Siddhis.

Myadviceis:NevercareforSiddhisorquickawakeningoftheKundalini.Havedevotionto God.HaveperfecttrustinHim.Havethespiritofservicetohumanity.TheKundaliniwillawaken by itself.

AwakeningofKundaliniisnotsoeasyasyoumayimagine.Itisextremelydifficult.When alldesiresdieout,whenthemindbecomesabsolutelypure,whenallthesensesaresubdued,when youattainone-pointednessofmindtoaconsiderabledegree,whenalltheideasofegoismand “mine-ness”meltaway,theKundaliniwillawakenbyitself.Thenaloneawakeningofthe Kundaliniisalsobeneficial.Thereforepurifyyourselffirst.HavefulltrustandfaithintheMother. She will do the needful for you at the proper time.

Benottroubled.Benotanxious,mydearfriendsandbrothers!Agloriousdayiswaitingto dawnonyou.Youwillshinewithfullpowers,nay,youwillbecomeGodHimself.Laughatall troublesandobstaclesandkeepyoureyeontheKundalini-Saktiallthetwenty-fourhours.Doall youcaninordertorouseherup.Ifpurificationisordained,purifyyoumust.Whatotheralternative is there? Therefore do purity yourself.

OMotherKundalini!HavingpiercedthesixChakras,ThousportestwithThyconsort Paramasivainthethousand-petalledlotusoftheSahasraraChakraallalone!SalutationsuntoThee! Guide me. Give me Light and Knowledge!

Lesson XII

SPIRITUAL VIBRATIONS AND AURA

Vibrationmeansmotion.TheLordwilledandtherewasavibration.Theworldwas projected.ThesoundOMemanated.Thethreequalitiesviz.,Sattva,RajasandTamas differentiatedthemselvesfromtheunmanifested.Therewasavibrationintheetherandtheother fourelementscameforth.Throughtheprocessofquintuplicationormixingupoftheelementsthe phenomenal world came into being.

Thewholeuniverseisfullofmolecularvibrations.AnywordorMantrautteredsilentlyor forciblyproducesmolecularwaves,gross,subtle,ormoresubtle.Thesewavesspreadthroughout the universe. It is said that the radiowaves move round the world seven times a second.

Everythinginthisworld,bothvisibleandinvisible,constantlyvibrates.Allparticlesof matterareinastateofvibration.Fromthetiniestatomtothemightiestplanetallthingsareinastate ofvibration.Theatomsofthehumanbodyareinconstantvibration.Differentratesofvibration balancedinthecosmicrhythmproduce,beforeusthemagnanimousworld.Matterisbeingacted uponbyenergyandinnumerableformsareproduced.Formsbreakdownincessantlyandnew formscomeintobeing.Thereisnothinginabsoluterestinnature.Theairisevervibrating.Rivers areeverflowing.Theearthiseverrevolving.Thestarsareevermoving.Formscomeandgobutthe reality that lies behind these forms is unchangeable.

Earthquakes,landslides,volcaniceruptions,thunder,lightningandsoforth,arethe outcomeofvibration.Electricityandmagnetismarevibrationsonly.Musicisvibration.Ifvarious kindsofmusicalinstrumentsarekeptinaroom,properlytuned,andifoneinstrumentiskeptin vibration,allotherinstrumentsalsowillvibratethemselves.Musicproducesharmoniousvibrations in the mind and soothes the nerves and the mind.

Everythought,everywordandeveryphysicalactionproducesamolecularvibrationinthe atmospherewhichaffecteveryobject.Anyevilthought,evilwordorevilactionimmediately createsabadvibrationintheatmosphereanddoesharmtomanypersons.Converselyanygood thought,goodwordorgoodactionimmediatelyproducesagoodvibrationanddoesgoodtomany persons.

Telepathyisthought-vibration.Themindisconstantlyvibrating.Themindisacteduponby thepsychicPranaorsubtleenergyandvariousthoughtformsareproduced.Thoughtvibrates.The trainedYogicansendathoughtintheethertoanydistancehelikes.Thoughtsareseparatedfrom eachotherbydifferentratesofvibration.Whereverandwheneveranyworkisdone,amotionor vibrationiscaused;whereverandwheneveramotionorvibrationisproducedasoundisproduced. ThesoundofthefirstmotionoftheequipoisedNatureintheactofcreationofPranavaorOM.The Lordwilledattheendofthedissolution(Maha-Pralaya):“MayIbecomemany.”Therearosea motion or vibration in the unmanifested Nature (Prakriti). It is Omkara or Pranava-Nada.

Theremustbeharmonyorconcordinvibration.Thenthereispeace.Theremustberhythm invibration.Thenthereisorder.Thereisrhythminthesystolicanddiastolicmovementsofthe

SPIRITUAL VIBRATIONS AND AURA

heartduringcontractionanddilation.Sothereisorderininternalharmonyinthecirculationof blood.Manenjoysgoodhealth.Thereisrhythminthevibrationorthemovementofthelungs.So manishaleandhearty.Ifthereisadisturbanceoftherhythminthemotionofeithertheheartorthe lungs, then man gets incurable diseases of the heart and the lungs and passes away soon.

Somevibrationscanbefeltordetectedbyordinaryphysicalandsensorymeans.Whenyou shakehandswithanotherman,adistinctvibrationcanbefeltpassingfromonehandtotheother.A manwhoisbothblindanddeafcaneasilyknowoneindividualfromanotherbecausenotwo persons have the same vibrations.

Youwillobserveadefiniterhythminallvibrations.Thelawofrhythmoperatesinthe workingofthishumanmachine.Thereisrhythmineverymovementinthisuniverse.Inhalation andexhalation,thesystoleanddiastoleoftheheart,theebbtideandthefloodtideinthesea,the movementsofthestarsandtheplanetsinthefirmament,daysandnights,seasonsand monsoons—all follow definite rhythmic laws.

Everythinghasadifferentrateofvibration.Varioussortsofwavesarepassingaboutinthis universe.Somewavesopposeeachotherandbringaboutdiscord,disharmonyandrupture.Some otherwavesmoveharmoniouslysidebyside.Thenthereispeaceandharmony.Youmustknow howtoharmoniseyourphysicalandmentalvibrationswiththosewithout.Thenonlyyoucanbe reallyhappy.Ifyoucanplaceyourselfintunewiththevibrationsofanotherman,youcanreally understandhim.Ifyouhaveimmenselikingforanotherman,itmeansyourvibrationsareintune withthevibrationsofthatman.Peopleofsimilarvibrationsareunitedbyfriendship.Ifthe vibrationsofonemanstrikeagainstthoseofanother,theycannotbeunited.Hatred,prejudice, dislike and jealousy will result.

Thefivesheaths36 shouldvibrateharmoniously.Thenonlyyouwillhavegoodhealthanda soundmind.Diseaseisnothingbutdisharmonyinthevibrationsofthehumanbody.Asanas, Pranayama,recitationoftheNamesoftheLord,singinghymnsandprayer,studyofphilosophical bookswillproduceharmoniousvibrationsinthephysical,vital,mental,intellectualandblissful sheaths respectively. Then only you can practice meditation nicely.

Colourshavevibrations.Somecoloursaresoothingandpleasing,whileothersarevery annoyingandirritating.Greencolourisverypleasing.Coloursthatirritateclashinvibrationswith those of the receptive subject.

ThevibrationssetupbythepronunciationofthemonosyllableOMaresopowerfulthat theywouldbringthestrongestbuildingtotheground,ifthepronunciationispersistentlyrepeated in the right way.

36Thefivesheathsofthehumanbodyare:Foodsheath,VitalsheathMentalsheath,IntellectualsheathandBlissful sheath.ThesesheathshaveconcealedtheAtmanorGodwithin.Youwillhavetopiercethroughthesefive sheaths, if you want to see God face to face.

Anoteontheviolin,ifsoundedrepeatedlyinrhythm,willgeneratevibrationswhichwillin timedestroyabridge.Thevibrationscausedbytherhythmicmovementsofthesoldiersonabridge maybringdownthebridge.AYogipracticesrhythmicbreathingtoabsorbPranaanddevelopwill. Hiswholesystemvibratesharmoniously.Thereisperfectharmonyinthevibrationsofhismind. ThroughrhythmicbreathinghetransmitsanincreasedcurrentofPranaornerve-forcetoanypartof thebodyforstimulatingandinvigoratingit.Herenovatesandvivifiesthewholesystemandheals anydiseasedpartbysupplyinganincreasedquantityofPrana.Hetransmitspowerfulthoughtsto otherstohealthemoftheirdiseaseandattractscountlesspersonslikeapowerfulmagnet.He becomes a mighty centre of spiritual force.

Whydotheplacesofpilgrimageattractpeople?BecauseSaints,Mahatmas,Yoginsand SannyasinshaddonetheirTapasandmeditationintheseplaces.Inotherwords,theseplaceshave beensaturatedwithpurevibrations.Thatisthereasonwhythepilgrimsfeelinexpressiblejoy, peaceandstrengthintheseplaces.Thepowerfulspiritualthoughtsofthosespiritualgiantsarestill floatingintheatmosphere.Theyexerciseabenignandsoothinginfluenceontheirminds.Places likeGangotri,Uttarkasi,Badrinarayan,Manasasarovar,MountKailas,Rishikesh,Amarnath,and KedarnathinIndiaarefilledwithholyvibrationsofsagesandRishisofyorewhodidsevereTapas there,andarethereforebestsuitedandhighlybeneficialtoaspirantsforthepracticeofmeditation. Aspirants can enter into the meditative mood in these places without any effort.

Evensomeplacesintheplainshavetheirowngoodvibrations.Sosomepeoplefeelhappy insomelocalitiesbutnotinothers.Happysurroundingswithharmoniousvibrationshelpamanto turnoutgood,substantialwork,whereasunpleasantsurroundingswithmorbidvibrationsretardthe work of man.

Theelementsdiffer,notinsubstance,butonlyintherateofvibrations.Thesubstanceinice, water,steamandvapouristhesame.Eachcontainstwoatomsofhydrogenandoneatomofoxygen, but the rate of vibration differs in ice, water and steam.

Ifyouarenotpowerfultoprotectyourself,viciousthoughtsofotherswillaffectyou,when youlivewiththeminthesameroom.Createaprotectivemagneticauraaroundyou.Feeland imaginethataprotectiveshellhasbeenactuallyformedaroundyourbody.PractisePranayamaand meditationregularly.Nowrongvibrationsfromwithoutcanaffectyou.Yourbodyandmindwill be proof against undesirable vibrations.

Ifyouhaveapuremind,ifyouarefreefromprejudice,intolerance,dislike,hatredand greed,ifyoupossesslove,sympathy,mercyandunbiasedneutralstateofconsciousness,youwill beabletofindoutatoncewhatsortofvibrationspeoplearoundyouradiate.Youwilldevelopanew spiritual sense or Yogic faculty.

Donotbecarriedawaybybubblingemotions.Bringthemunderyourcontrol.Useyour reason.Keepabalancebetweenreasonandfeeling.Developboththeheadandtheheart.Thenonly therewillbeharmoniousvibrationsinside.Regularmeditationwillpavealongwayinthe attainment of the balanced state.

SPIRITUAL VIBRATIONS AND AURA

Ifyouliveinthecompanyofadevelopedsaint,youwillbeimmenselybenefitedbyhis wonderfullypowerfulspiritualvibrationsandaura.Evenarankmaterialistandaconfirmedatheist will feel the presence of God in his company.

MandrawshisPranafromtheairhebreathes,fromthefoodheeats,andfromthebeverage hedrinks.Youcanimbibetheenergyfromthesolarenergyalso,ifyouknowtheYogictechnique. DeficiencyofPranainducesweakness,lowvitality,languorandinertia.Asufficientsupplyof Pranamakesamannimble,activeandenergetic.Hehasfulllifeineverylimb.Hejumpsand dances in joy.

Theauraisinfactanemanationorradiationoflife-forcefromthevehiclesorsheathsof man.TheauracanbeseenonlybytheYogiwhohasinnerYogicsightorclairvoyantvision.Each sheathradiatesitsownparticularaurawithaparticularrateofvibration.Sothereisnointerference. The auras of the different sheaths interpenetrate each other.

Theaurathatemanatesfromthephysicalbodyisgross.Thisisknownasthe“HealthAura.” Itscolourisfaintlybrilliantviolet-greyorbluish-whitemist.Itisalmostcolourless.Itisovoidin shape.Itextendsfromthebodytodistanceof2or3feet.The“HealthAura”isstriatedbycountless finelineswhichprojectfromthebodyevenlylikestiffbristles.Inperfecthealththeselinesare separateandparallel.Theyareinanorderlymanner.Inpoorhealthordiseasedconditionthey droopdownlikethesofthairofananimalorthestemsoffadedflowers.Thelineslieaboutinall directionsinastateofconfusion.Whenasickpersonrecoversfromhisillness,theradiationofthe magneticformofvitalenergyslowlybeginsandthelinesofthe“HealthAura”arebroughtback into order. They again become straight and parallel.

Justasbloodflowsalongarteriesandveins,soalsothevitalforceflowsalongthenervesin aconstantstream.Thisvitalforceispoureduponusfromthesun,whichisthesourceoflife.He whohasabundantvitalforceisahealthyman.Heradiatesabundant“HealthAura’’andbringsjoy, strength,healthandvitalitytocountlesspersonswithwhomhecomesincontact.Hebecomesa centreofenergy.Thevitalforceconstantlyradiatesfromhisbodyinalldirections.Amesmeriser actuallytransmitshisvitalforcethroughmagnetic“passes”tothesubject.Itisthroughthehelpof thisvitalforcethathepracticesvarioussortsofhealing.Hewhoisendowedwithabundant“Health Aura”andvitalforcecannotsuccumbeasilytoanydisease.The“HealthAura”andthevitalforce actaspowerfulgermicides.Theypreventtheentryofgermsintothebody.Evenifhesuccumbsto anykindofdisease,hewilltideoverthecrisisveryeasilyinashorttimeonaccountofhishigh standard of health and vitality. He will convalesce very quickly.

OnthecontraryaweakmanwhoisdeficientinvitalforceorPranaabsorbsthevitalityor Pranaofastrongmanwithwhomhehappenstocomeincontact.Ifyoufeelweak,uncomfortable andwearyafteraninterviewwithanyweakperson,rememberthattheweakmanhasdepletedyour energytosomeextent.Hehasactedthepartofavampire.Youmighthaveallexperiencedthisin your daily life.

Itisquitepossiblebyaneffortofthewilltoputachecktotheradiationofvitalityfromone’s bodybybuildingashellaroundthebody.Thiswillpreventtheentryofdisease-causinggermsinto thebody.Furtherthebodywillalsobeimpervioustoanykindofastralelementalinfluencefrom

without.Youmayrenderyourselfimmunefromanyformofvampirism.Therewillnotbeany leakageoflife-forcefromyourbody.Thedepressinginfluenceofthebasethoughtsoflow-minded people will be obviated. You can live quite comfortably with them in the same room.

Thisisthewaytodevelopaprotectingauricshell:Sitatease.Retainthebreathforahalfor oneminute.Imaginethatyouaresurroundedbyashellofthought-auratoadistanceof2or3feet fromthebodyonallsides.Formaclearmentalimage.Repeatthisprocess10to15times.Repeat OM mentally, when you retain the breath.

Thespiritualauraisofyellow.ItcentresroundtheheadsofSaints,Sages,Rishis,Prophets, andYogins.Thiscansometimesbeseenbyordinarypersonswithnakedeyes,whenthesaintstands onthepulpittopreach.Theyellowglowisintensified,whentheintellectualfacultiesareputtoan unusualstrain.Thefaceofthesaintwillpresentaglowingappearance.Thisisthenimbusorglory ofasaint.Thisisthehaloshowninpicturesofspiritualleaders.ThemagneticspiritualauraofLord Buddhaextendedtoadistanceof3milesallaround.Thosewhocamewithinthecompassof3miles weresubdued.Theybecamehisdisciples.ThemagneticdivineauraofYogiKakaBhusunda radiatedtoadistanceofeightmiles!Thespiritualauraofevenafirst-classaspirantradiatestoa distanceof400yards.Youcanalsodevelopthisspiritualaurabyregularandcontinuedpracticeof meditation with zeal and persistence.

Humanaurahasdifferentcoloursindifferentpeopleaccordingtotheirgrowthand developmentphysically,mentally,morallyandspiritually,andeachcolourhasgotitsownmeaning and significance. The meanings of some of these colours are set below:

Scarlet represents anger.

Crimson represents love.

Rose represents love.

Black denotes hatred and malice.

Red on a black background indicates anger.

Red on a green background shows jealousy.

Red independent of a background denotes “righteous indignation.”

Lurid Sanguinary Red indicates sensuality.

Grey represents selfishness when the colour is bright.

Grey represents fear when its shade is like a dead body.

Green denotes jealousy when the colour is dirty.

Red Flashes on a green background signifies anger mingled with jealousy.

Slimy Green signifies deceit and cunning.

Green when bright indicates tolerance, tact, adaptability, politeness and intelligence.

Orange when bright denotes pride and ambition.

Yellow denotesintellectuality.Itisagoodcolour.Whentheintellectrunsintolowchannels, theyellowisdeepanddull.Whenitisdirectedtowardshigherthings,itbecomesbrilliantlygolden or prim-rose yellow.

Blue whendarkandcleardenotesreligiousfeeling.Whentheblueamountstoarichviolet, it represents highest religious thought and feeling.

Blue when light and luminous represents spirituality.

White when pure and effulgent represents the Spirit or Brahman or GOD.

Dearfriend!Surroundyourselfwithharmoniousvibrationswithinandwithout.Regular meditationwillhelpyouinattainingthisend.Carrywithyouwhereveryoumaygo,vibrationsof power,strength,joy,bliss,peace,kindness,love,mercyandsympathy.Absorballgoodvibrations. Dispelalldiscordantvibrations.Learntoabsorbthevibrationsofgreatsagesofyorewhichare floatingintheetherealspace.Beintunewiththevibrationsofthelivingliberatedsages.Theywill allbackyouup.Maythevibrationsofpeaceandjoyflowthroughyoureyes,face,tongue,hands, feetandskin!Maywhoevercomesincontactwithyoufeelthis!MaytheEternal,ImmortalSpirit guideyouinyourattainmentofSelf-realisationbydevelopingharmoniousvibrations!OmPeace! Peace! Peace!

Sitali.

DAILY ROUTINE FOR ASPIRANTS

1. ELEMENTARY COURSE37

. . . . . . . .2 min.

37AspirantsoftheElementaryCourseshoulddevoteatleast31/2hoursdailyforYogicpractices.Theyshouldget upat4a.m.inthemorningandsitformeditationfor15minutes,andshouldalsohaveanothersittingfor15 minutes in the evening. The following books are recommended for study:—

1. Spiritual Lessons (Part I and II). By Swami Sivananda.

2. Practice of Karma-Yoga. By Swami Sivananda.

3. Practice of Bhakti-Yoga. By Swami Sivananda.

4. Sure Ways for Success in Life and God-realisation. By Swami Sivananda.

5. Yoga in Daily Life. By Swami Sivananda.

6. Bhagavad-Gita. By A. Mahadeva Sastri (Theosophical Publishing House, Madras)

38SelflessServiceconsistsinservingSociety,countryandhumanitywithAtma-Bhava,withouttheideaofagency, andwithoutexpectationoffruitsofaction.Allworksareselfless,whendoneintherightspirit,withaviewtohelp others.

39IntermediateCourseaspirantsshoulddevoteatleast6hoursdailyforYogicSadhana.Thefollowingarethe books specially recommended for their study:

1. Practice of Yoga. By Swami Sivananda Sarasvati.

2. Raja-Yoga (Theory and Practice). By Sivananda Sarasvati.

3. Sure Ways for Success in Life and God-realisation. By Swami Sivananda Sarasvati.

4. Dialogues from Upanishads. By Swami Sivananda Sarasvati.

5. Practice of Karma-Yoga. By Swami Sivananda Sarasvati.

6. Practice of Bhakti Yoga. By Swami Sivananda Saraswati.

7. Mind, Its Mysteries and Control. By Swami Sivananda Sarasvati.

8. Bhagavad-Gita. By A. Mahadeva Sastri (Theosophical Publishing House, Madras).

9. Vedanta in Daily Life. By Swami Sivananda Sarasvati

HOW TO MAINTAIN A SPIRITUAL DIARY

EveryoneofyoushouldmaintainaSpiritualDiary.TheimportanceofaSpiritualDiary cannotbeoverestimated.Thosestudentswhoarealreadyinthehabitofdoingso,knowits incalculableadvantages.ASpiritualDiaryisawhip,asitwere,togoadyouontowardsGod.The

40AdvancedYogicstudentsshoulddevote131/2hourspurelyforsolidspiritualSadhana.Theyshouldreadthe following books and master them thoroughly.

1. Principal Upanishads—Vol. I and II. By Swami Sivananda Sarasvati.

2. Brahma Sutras—Vol. I and II. By Swami Sivananda Sarasvati.

3. Bhagavad-Gita. By A. Mahadeva Sastri (Theosophical Publishing House, Madras).

4. Ten Classical Upanishads. (Published by G.A. Natesan Co., Madras.)

5. Yoga-Vasishtha. By Vihari Lala Mitra. (Taraporewala Sons & Co., Bombay)

6. Vedanta-Sutras. Translated by George Thibaut. (Taraporewala Sons & Co., Bombay)

7. Indian Philosophy. By Dr. S. Radhakrishnan. (Taraporewala Sons & Co., Bombay.)

8. Brihadaranyaka Upanishad. By Swami Madhavananda (Advaita Ashram, Mayavati, Almora.)

9. Mandukya Upanishad. By Manilal N. Trivedi. (Theosophical Publishing House, Adayar, Madras.)

Diaryisthereforeyourteacherandguide.Ifyouwishtogrowspirituallyandmorally,ifyouwishto evolve more rapidly, keep a daily record of all your actions.

Allgreatmenoftheworldkeepdiaries.ThelifeofBenjaminFranklinisknowntoyouall. Hekeptadailydiary.Henoteddownthenumberofuntruthsandwrongactionsforwhichhewas directlyorindirectlyresponsibleduringthecourseofthedayandendeavouredtoridhimselfof thosefaults.Bydoingsohebecameaperfectmanincourseoftime.Hehadfullandperfectcontrol over his mind.

YoushouldnotedowninyourDiarytheanswerstotheseveralquestionssetforthinthe foregoingtableafterhavingdoneorfulfilledtheparticularthingexpectedofyou.Youshouldturn overthepagesofyourDiaryonceinaweek.Ifyoucanmaintainarecordofyouractionsevery hour,needIsaythatyourprogresswillbeevenmorerapid?Youwilldevelopyourwillandwillin time be free from all defects and vices.

Thediaryhelpsyoutorectifyyourmistakesthenandthere.Youwillknowthevalueof time.Calculatethenumberofhoursyouspentforeachandeveryitemattheendofeverymonth. Youshouldnotutteranyfalsehoodinrecordingyourdailyactions.Youshould,onthecontrary, realisethattheDiaryismeantforyourowngrowthandadvancement.Youshouldrealisethatitis theDiaryofaspiritualaspiranttreadingthepathoftruthtorealiseTruth.Youshouldacceptyour faultsboldlyandfranklyandshouldendeavourtogetridofthem.Youshouldcomparetheprogress ofyourSadhanaofthepresentweekwiththatofthepreviousweek.Ifyouareunabletodothis,do itatleastonceinamonth.Thenyouwillbeinapositiontomakethevariousadjustmentsinthe variousitemsandincreasetheperiodofmeditationanddecreasethehoursofsleep.Blessedare those who maintain Spiritual Diaries for they shall realise God quickly.

THE SPIRITUAL DIARY (Weekly)

TheSpiritualDiaryisawhipforgoadingthemindtowardsrighteousnessandGod.Ifyou regularlymaintainthisdiaryyouwillgetsolace,peaceofmindandmakequickprogressinthe spiritual path. Maintain a daily diary and realise the marvellous results.

Questions

1. When did you get up from bed?

2. How many hours did you sleep?

3. How many Malas of Japa?

4. How long in Kirtan?

5. How many Pranayamas?

6. How long did you perform Asanas?

7. How long did you meditate in one Asana?

8.HowmanyGitaSlokasdidyoureadorgetby heart?

9.Howlonginthecompanyofthewise(Satsanga)?

10. How many hours did you observe Mouna?

11. How long in disinterested selfless service?

12. How much did you give in charity?

13. How many Mantras you wrote?

14. How long did you practice physical exercise?

15.Howmanyliesdidyoutellandwithwhat self-punishment?

16.Howmanytimesandhowlongofangerand with what self-punishment?

17.Howmanyhoursyouspentinuseless company?

18.HowmanytimesyoufailedinBrahmacharya?

19. How long in study of religious books?

20.Howmanytimesyoufailedinthecontrolofevil habits and with what self-punishment?

21.HowlongyouconcentratedonyourIshta Devata (Saguna or Nirguna Dhyana)?

22.Howmanydaysdidyouobservefastandvigil?

23. Were you regular in your meditation?

24. What virtue are you developing?

25. What evil quality are you trying to eradicate?

26. What Indriya is troubling you most?

27. When did you go to bed?

Date

APPENDIX II

YOGA AND SCIENCE

YogaandScienceareinseparable.ScienceandReligionareinseparable.Scienceispartof Religion.ScienceandReligionarenecessarycorrelatives.Scientistsarealsomonistsinonesense. Theyalsoemphaticallydeclarethatthereisonlyonethingviz.,Matterorenergy.AYogitriesto controlthementalforces,ascientistthephysicalforces.ThisisallthedifferencebetweenaYogi andascientist.AscientistisalsoanunconsciousRaja-Yogi,buthismindworksinexternal grooves.

Beforetheinventionofwatch,Yoginsusedtocalculatetimebymeasuringtheshadowin dayandbythestudyofthemovementofthestarsintheheavensatnight.Theywereperfectlyexact intheircalculations.Astronomyandmedicinereceivedtheirfirstimpulsefromtheexigenciesof religiousworship.YoginshaveasoundpracticalknowledgeofAyurveda.Onewhoendeavoursto qualifyhimselfashisowndoctorcanbecomeaYogi.Hehastolivesometimesinthejunglesand hastotreathimselffirst,wheneverdiseasesmanifest.OtherwisehisSadhanawillsufferandhe cannothaverapidprogressinYoga.YouwillfindinthebooksonAyurveda:“Ahealthybodyisa goodinstrumentfordoingvirtuousactionsandpracticingYoga.”Thosewhowrotethese Ayurvedic books were great Rishis and Yogins.

Scienceispartiallyunifiedknowledge.AscientistobservesthelawsofNature,experiments inhislaboratory,investigates,infersanddrawsexactconclusionsfromhisobservations.He understandsNature.ButheknowsnothingoftheoriginordestinyofNature!Whomadethesunand gavepowertoitsrays?Whocombinedfourpartsofnitrogenwithonepartofoxygen?Whogave powertoelectrons?Whogavepowertoatomstocombineintomolecules?Whoorwhatmadeand bestowedupontheultimateparticlesofmattertheirmarvellouspowerofvariedinteraction? Sciencedoesnotknowthisgreatmystery.Onthecontrary,Yogaiscompletelyunifiedknowledge. AYogigetsinnerdivinerealisation.HeclearlyseeswithhisinnerYogiceyesthesubtlerudiments ofmatter.HeidentifieshimselfwiththeSupremeBeingwhoistheLordofthePrakriti(matter).He getscontroloverthefiveelements.Heclearlyunderstandsthewholemysteryofcreationthrough directintuitionalknowledge.Thescientistlacksthissortofknowledge.Hehasonlyexperimental knowledge.

Inthematterofevidenceinpsychologicalquestion,thesense-perceptionswithwhich sciencenaturallydealsareonlysecond-ratecriteriaandthereforetobereceivedwithcaution.The closingoftheexternalchannelsofsensationisusuallythesignalfortheopeningofthepsychic,and fromallevidenceitwouldseemthatthepsychicsenseismoreextensive,acuteandineveryway more dependable than the physical.

Thebusinessofscienceisgeneralisationofphenomena;itisthefunctionofphilosophyand Yogatoexplain.Religionisthepracticalaspectofphilosophy.Philosophyistherationalaspectof religion.Thescientisttriestoanswerthe“How”oftheproblem;thephilosopherandtheYogithe “Why”ofit.Itisamistaketosaythatsuchandsuchaneventoccursbecauseofcertainlawsof Nature.ThelawsofNaturedonotgiveanyrealexplanationofthephenomena.Itissimplya statementintermsasgeneralaspossibleofwhathappensundergivencircumstancesinhis

expressionofanobservedorderoruniformityinanaturalphenomena.Scienceisconcernedonly withthephenomena.ItshowsamarvellousharmonyofNature.Butitistheproblemofphilosophy and Yoga to solve the “Why” of Nature’s harmony.

Scientistspossesspartialknowledgeoftheuniverse.Theyhavenotunderstoodthewhole codeofNature’slaws.Theyhavenoknowledgeoftheoccultsideofthings.Theyhaveno knowledgeoftheastral,mentalandhigherplanessuchasBrahma-Loka(worldofBrahma).The unseenworldisoffargreaterimportancethanthesense-universewhichisvisibletothenakedeye. AfullydevelopedYogicanfunctioninalltheplanesandsohehasfullknowledgeofthemanifested andunmanifestedNature.Thesensesbywhichyougetknowledgeoftheexternalobjectsarenot fullydeveloped.Thereforetheknowledgeobtainedispartial.Theexternalsensesareexact counterpartsoftheinternalastralsenses.Scientistshavenoknowledgeofthesubtlerudimentsof matter.Lifewillbecomefullerandricher,whenonedevelopsthisinnereye-sightbythepracticeof Yoga.Justasblood,whenseenunderthemicroscope,revealsmanymysteriousthingssuchas leucocytes,lymphocytes,nuclei,pigment,germs,bacilli,etc.,soalsotheinnerYogiceyereveals manymysteriesofthehiddensideofthings.Theknowledgeofthescientistsisonlyfragmentaryor partial whereas the knowledge of the Yogi is full and perfect.

Sciencediffersradicallyinitsoutlookfromphilosophicalmusings.Consequentlythemode ofapproachtoitsspecificproblemsisdifferentfromthatofphilosophy.Yetthereissomesimilarity in their findings, when some broad questions are discussed.

ScientistshavetolearnmanythingsfromtheSeersoftheEast.Whogavepowertothe electronstorevolve?Whogavelifetothecellortheprotoplasm?Whatisthatpowerthatunites atomsto,frommolecules?Whogaveintelligencetothecellstosecretemilkorbileorgastricjuice fromtheblood?Scientistsarestillobservingandexperimenting.Theyarestillgropingindarkness. Whatisthecauseoftheoriginofanimpulse?Whoisthedirectorofthemind?Whatisthecauseof theoriginofthought?Evenifallthelivingscientistsweretoputtheirheadstogethertosolvethese questions, they cannot give definite conclusive answers.

English-educatedpeopleareundulycarriedawaybyscientifictheoriesanddiscoveries. Anything,howeverstupiditmaybe,whenstampedbythesealofscience,isregardedasgospelof truth.Atheoryordoctrine,howeverfallaciousitmaybe,isacceptedastruewisdomforallages, whenitisproclaimedinthenameandontheauthorityofscience.Evenifsomefantasticand ludicrousstatementsaremadewiththestampofsciencebyaHaeckel,EinsteinorTyndel,people arequitereadytoswallowitwithgreatavidity.Suchisthefashionoftheday!Theyrejectasbase superstitionthesublimeteachingsoftheancientRishisandSages.Thebrainsoftheseso-called educatedandculturedpeopleneedaprompt,drasticandthoroughflushingforaprotractedlength of time. The poison has percolated into their very cells and tissues.

ButIdonotmeantocondemnthewonderfuldiscoveriesandinventionsthatmodern sciencehascontributedtothevaststoreofknowledgeandhappinesswhichthepresentgeneration enjoystoday.Theradio,theaeroplane,themicrophoneandothermarvelsofscienceareboundto bafflehumanintelligence.Scientistshavefoundwaystofertiliseanovumwithchemicals,without thehelpofsemen.Itisstupendoussuccess.Somechildrenarealsoborn.Theyinjectthesementhat isobtainedfromrenownedandculturedmenoftheworldinordertoimprovetherace.Theyare

attemptingtofixaradioinamatch-stick.Theyaretryingtogetthenecessarynutritiontothebody bypressinganelectricbutton,sothateatinganddefecationmaybeentirelyabandoned.Theyare endeavouringtomakethestreetsmovesothattherewillbenonecessityformotor-carsand carriages.TheyaretryingtoestablishmeansofcommunicationwiththeplanetMars.They may succeedinalltheirattempts.MayGodblessthemwithroaringsuccessinalltheirundertakings!But thequestionis:Canallthesecomfortsandscientificdiscoveriesandinventionsgiveimmortality, eternalsatisfactionandeverlastingpeace?Havethesematerialcomfortsenhancedhuman happiness?Isnotmanmorerestlesstodaythaneverbefore?Ishenotmoredissatisfiedand discontenteddespiteallthesecomforts?Lifehasbecomemorecomplexandintricate.Luxuriesare increasingdaybyday.Evenarichmanfindsitdifficulttomakebothendsmeet.Thereisonlyone remedyforalltheseills.Youwillhavetoabandonallluxuriesandgobacktosimplenaturalliving, ifyouwanttoenjoyrealandlastinghappiness.ImmortalitycanbeattainedbyrealisingtheSelf through simple living, practice of Yoga, self-control, mental discipline and meditation.

Matterexistsindifferentconditionsorstatesviz.,solid,liquidandgaseous.Theconditions maybemadetochangebyvariationofpressureandtemperature.Wateristurnedintoiceatalow temperatureandsteamatahighertemperature.Everysolidmaybecomealiquidorgasunder suitableconditions;everyliquidmayberenderedsolidorgaseous;everygasmaybemadeliquidor solid.Oneformofenergycanbealsotransmutedintoanotherformofenergy.Heatcanbe transmutedintolightandlightintoelectricity.Evenso,seminalenergyormuscularenergy,anger, etc., can be transmuted into spiritual energy (Ojas-Shakti).

Thereislifeinthemineralkingdom.Thishasbeenconclusivelyprovedbytheexperiments ofProf.VanSchronatNaples.Eventheelementsmanifestdistinctpreference.Oneelementhasa stronglikingforthecompanyofanother.Oneelementmayevengiveupthecompanyofone substanceinordertojoinanotherelement.Thisischemicalaffinity.Everychemistfullyknowsthis well.Hydrogenlikesthecompanyofoxygen.Twomoleculesofhydrogencombinewithone moleculeofoxygen.Waterisformed.Ifyouplacesodiuminthewater,youwillnoticethatoxygen likessodiumbetterthanhydrogenandimmediatelyabandonsthecompanyofhydrogenandjoins sodium.

Likesanddislikesaremoremarkedlypresentinthevegetablekingdomthaninthemineral. Many plants exhibit a remarkable degree of ingenuity in accomplishing their ends.

Youshouldnotthinkthatthedifferentplanesorrealmsarelyingoneaboveanotherlikethe trunksinashop.Thedifferentplanesfillupthesamespaceandinterpenetrateoneanotherlikethe lightofahurricanelamp,electriclight,gaslampandanordinarykerosenechimneyinaroom. Matterhasdifferentdegreesofdensityanddifferentplanesareconstitutedaccordingtothe differentdegreesofdensityofmatter.Thesedifferentplanesarenotseparatedinspace.Youare surroundedbytheseplanes.Youcanbeintouchwiththeseplanes,ifyoudeveloptheinnerastral eyeortheclairvoyantsight.Itisnotnecessaryforyoutotravelinspacetostudytheconditionof theseplanes.Withinthespaceoftheroomyouhavethesevenplanesinterpenetratingeachother. Thebeingsofahigherplanecannotbeseenbythebeingsofalowerplane.Butabeingofthehigher plane can see the beings of the lower plane.

AccordingtothetheoryofRelativitysomescientistsbelievethattheworldwillexpand aftersomeyearsandmanoffuturegenerationswillbeseveninchestallonly,becausematterwill havetoaccommodatenowtotheincreasedsizeoftheuniverse.Somematteristakenoutofthe bodiesofhumanbeingsanddistributedelsewheretoadjustthestateofaffairs.Thisisonlya speculationandguessworkofsomeadventurousscientists.Itmaynothappenatall.Soyouneed notbeafraidintheleast.Beboldandcheerful.Trytogetliberationinthisverybirthsothatthere willnotbeanychanceforyoutogetatinybodyofthesizementionedaboveevenifsuchanevent weretooccur.Onequestionstrikesmeveryprominently:Cantherebethepolicedepartmentthen? Cantherebemilitaryandnavalforcesandworld-wars?Howcanatinymanwieldamachinegun? Sotherewillbenoworld-wars.Therewillbeperfectpeaceeverywhere.Scientistswillalsohaveto closedowntheirlaboratories.Nomoreinventionsanddiscoveries.Nomoreradiosandaeroplanes. Nomoredictatorsandtyrants.NomoreHitlersandMussolinis.ButYoginstherewillalwaysbe. Yoginscanmaintaintheirusualsize.Theycanevenexpandtheirbodiesadinfinitumthroughtheir MahimaSiddhi.Theycanchangetheiratomsandmoleculesandrearrangethem.Theycancreate newminds,newbodiesbytheirYogicpowers.EvenduringtheCosmicDelugetheycanlive.Yogi KakaBhusundalivedduringmanydeluges.ThepositionofYoginsisalwayssafe.Yogaisthe SupremeDivineScience.ItistheScienceofsciences.Therewillbemorepeacethroughsimple living. Let us pray to have that new happy era soon.

GodisthegreatestMathematician.Allscientistsandastronomersarestunned.Theybow downtheirheadsandsay:“Wecannotproceedfurther.Thereissomethingbeyondintellect.Our knowledgeisimperfect.TheriddleoftheuniversecanbesolvedonlybyknowledgeoftheGreatest Mathematicianthroughintuition.Theintellectisafrailandfiniteinstrument.Thedeductionsfrom varioustheorieshavenotgivenusperfectillumination.Wearestillgropingindarkness.Weare opentocorrection.SalutationsandadorationstothatGreatestMathematician!Salutationstothe Lord of the Universe! May He soon open our inner eyes of intuition!”

Hewhodwellswithinthiselectronoratom,whoiswithinthiselectronoratom,whosebody thiselectronoratomis,whomthiselectronoratomdoesnotknow,whorulestheelectronoratom fromwithinisthySelf,InnerRuler,Immortal.ItisthisScienceofYogathatcanhelpmantounfold hislatentdivinityandrealisehisinnerSelf,thebasisorsourceofthisworld,body,mind,electron, atomandallsciences.LetusallpraytotheLordoftheUniverseandpracticeYogainrightearnest and commune with the Lord and obtain Immortality, Supreme Peace and Infinite Bliss!

Om Peace! Peace! Peace!

GLOSSARY

ABHYASA—Spiritual practice

AHAM BRAHMA ASMI—I am Brahman

ATMAN—The Self

AVIDYA—Nescience

BANDHA—exercise in Hatha Yoga

BHUMA—the Infinite; the unconditioned; Brahman

BINDU—point; seed

BRAHMAMUHURTA—auspicious time between 4 to 6 a.m.

CHAITANYA—Pure consciousness

CHAKRA—Centre of spiritual energy

CHITTA—Subconscious mind

DHARANA—Concentration

DHYANA—Meditation

EKAGRATA—One-pointedness of mind

GUNA—Quality

ISVARA—Lord, God

JADA—Insentient; non-intelligent

JAPA—Repetition of the Name of the Lord

JIVANMUKTI—Liberation in this life

KAIVALYA—Final emancipation

KAMANDAL—The holy vessel used by a Sannyasin for keeping water

KARMA—Action operating through the Law of Cause and Effect

KIRTAN—Singing the Lord’s Names

KRIYA—Hatha Yogic exercise

KUNDALINI—The primordial cosmic energy located in the individual

LAKSHYA—Goal

MAYA—The illusory power of Brahman

MOKSHA—Liberation

MUDRA—A type of exercise in Hatha Yoga

NADA—A mystic sound

NADIS—Nerve-currents

NIRGUNA—Without attributes

NIRVANA—Liberation

NIRVIKALPA—Without the modifications of the mind

OMKARA—The sacred syllable Om symbolising Brahman

PRAKRITI—Nature, the primitive non-intelligent principle

PRANAVA—Same as Om

PRATYAHARA—Abstraction or withdrawal of the senses from their objects

SABDA BRAHMAN—sound-form of Brahman

SAGUNA—With attributes

SAMADHI—The state of superconsciousness where Absoluteness is experienced

SAMSKARA—Impression in the subconscious mind

SATCHIDANANDA—ExistenceAbsolute—KnowledgeAbsolute—BlissAbsolute; Brahman

SAVIKALPA—With modifications

SOHAM—A Vedantic assertion meaning “I am He (Brahman)”

TAPAS—Penance

TAT TVAM ASI—That Thou Art

TATTVA—Principle, Reality

TRIKUTI—Space between the eyebrows

VEDANTA—(Lit.)EndoftheVedas;theschoolofthoughtbasedprimarilyontheVedic Upanishads

VIRAT—Macrocosm; the Lord in His form as the manifest universe

VRITTI—A wave of thought, a modification of the mind

YOGA—(Lit.)Union;unionoftheindividualsoulwiththeSupremeSoul;anycourse which makes for such union