Swami Sivananda - Yoga in Daily Life

YOGA IN DAILY LIFE

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: 1999 (2,000 Copies)

World Wide Web (WWW) Edition: 2000

WWW site: http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/

This WWW reprint is for free distribution

© The Divine Life Trust Society

ISBN 81-7052-055-X

Published By

PUBLISHERS’NOTE

Thatthisbookhasalreadyrunintoeighteditionsisinitselfthebesttributethatcanbepaid tothis,oneofthefirstbookswrittenbySriSwamijiMaharaj.

Aboutthebookanditsauthor,wecannotdobetterthantoquotefromthePublisher’sNote tothefirsteditionofthisbook,inwhichSriEm.Airiwrites:

“HisHolinessSriSwamiSivanandaSaraswatineedsscarcelyanyintroductiontothevast multitudesofreadingpublicthatpantsforspiritualunfoldmentandSelf-Realisation.Therevered Yogibelongstotheagesandranksamongsttheblessedsoulswhohavehadthegoodfortuneto tastetheNectarofCosmicConsciousness.Inclear,simpleandimpressivestyletheSwami addressestheyoungandyetinexperiencedspiritualaspirantsandlaysdownbeforethemthe fundamentalsofspiritualityandthevariousmeansessentiallyrequisiteforDivineWisdom.”

“ThisbookisamessagefromthegreatYogioftheHimalayastothehelplessand bewilderedseekersofTruth.Thisinspiringandsoul-stirringlittlevolumewill,weventuretosay, undoubtedlycontributeitsmitetothemoralandspiritualperfectionofthehumanraceingeneral andtheaspirantsinparticular.Aswewishtopresentthisvolumeinapopularandapresentable style,itisprintedongoodpaperandgotupexcellentlywell.Ifthisbookappealstothe broad-mindedandexpandedheartsamongstthereligiousreformersandalsoaspirants,the Publishers’labourswillhavebeensufficientlyrecompensed.”

WereiterateSriAiri’spiouswishasweofferthispricelesstreasuretotheblessed aspirant-world.

THEDIVINELIFESOCIETY

AUTHOR’SPREFACE

Manwantshappiness.Heshunspain.Hemakesvarioussortsofefforts(Pravritti)toget happinessfromobjectsandgetshimselfentangledinthemeshesorsnaresofMaya.Asthese objectsareperishable,finiteandconditionedintime,spaceandcausation,hefailstogetthedesired happinessfromtheobjects.ThisworldisApurna(imperfect)andthereisuncertaintyoflife.A barristertalksatthetelephone,ascendsthestaircasetotakehismealsupstairsanddiesonthe staircase.

ThereisnotaniotaofhappinessinobjectsandtheyareJada(insentient).Eventhesensual pleasureisareflectionofAtmicBlissonly.Justasadogwhichsucksadryboneinthestreets imaginesfoolishlythatthebloodcomesfromthedrybone,whereas,itreallyoozesfromitsown palate,soalsoworldly-mindedpersonsfoolishlyimaginethatthehappinesstheyenjoycomesfrom theobjectsonly.

Thereisamentaluneasiness,dissatisfaction,discontentandrestlessnessevenin multi-millionairesandkings.Somekindofsorrow,miseryorpainisalwayspresentevenwhenyou

areintheheightofenjoymentofworldlypleasures.Whenthemarriageofyoursecondsonis celebratedtheremembranceofyourfirstsonwhopassedaway,tormentsyourmind.Mindisso constitutedthattherhythmofpleasureandpainiskeptupliketherhythmofsystoleanddiastole (contractionanddilation)ofheart.Youentertaintheideathatthehappinesswillpassawaysoon. Thisaddspainwhenyouareintheenjoymentofsensualpleasure.

Youcanfindeternal,infinite,supremepeaceandbliss,onlyintheAtmanofyourheart.Itis anembodimentofbliss(AnandaSwarupa).

Allobjectsthatyouseeconsistoffiveparts,viz.Nama-Rupa-Asti-Bhati-Priya(name, form,existence,knowledge,bliss).NamaandRupaconstitutetheworld.Theyarethecausefor humanactivitiesandsufferings.Asti,BhatiandPriyaaretheSvarupasofAtmanorBrahmanor Moksha.

Amongstthethingsdesiredbyhumanbeingsofthisworld,Mokshaaloneisthebestand highestthing.Themeans(Sadhan)forMokshaisAtmaJnana(knowledgeoftheSelforAtman), Vicharaof“WhoamI?”orsignificanceof“TatTvamAsi”Mahavakya.Thisisthemeansfor attainmentofBrahmaJnana.

MokshaisdesiredinordertogetridofthepainsofSamsarawhichareintheformofbirth, death,disease,oldage,etc.MokshacanhardlybeattainedwithoutSadhana.

Somesay,thatKarmaistheSadhanforMoksha.Someothersay,thatKarmaandJnana combined(Samucchayavada)isthemeans.SriShankarahasrefutedtheKarmaandSamucchaya theoriesbystrong,sound,convincingargumentsandhasestablishedtheTruththatKevalaJnana (pureknowledgealone)isthemeansforMoksha.Justasfireisthedirectmeansforcookingfood, soalsoBrahmaJnanaistheSakshatSadhana(directmeans)forMoksha.ThefamousMandana Misra(Sureshwaracharya)discipleofSriSankarahasalsosaidinhisreputedbookNaishkarma SiddhithatKevalaJnanaaloneisthemeansforMoksha.

Donotsay:“Karma.Karma.MyKarmahasbroughtmelikethis.”Exert.Exert.Do Purushartha.DoTapas.Concentrate.Purify.Meditate.Donotbecomeafatalist.Donotyieldto inertia.Donotbleatlikealamb.RoarOM,OM,OMlikealionofVedanta.SeehowMarkandeya whowasdestinedtodieathissixteenthyearbecameaChiranjeevi,animmortalboyofsixteen yearsonaccountofhisTapas!AlsonotehowSavitribroughtbacktolifebyherTapasherdead husband;howBenjaminFranklinandlateSriT.MuthuswamyIyerofMadrasHighCourtelevated themselves.Remember,myfriends,thatmanisthemasterofhisowndestiny.VisvamitraRishi, whowasaKshatriyaRaja,becameaBrahmaRishilikeVasishthaandevencreatedathirdworldfor TrishankubyhispowerofTapas.RogueRatnakarbecamethesageValmikithroughTapas.Rogues JagaiandMadaiofBengalbecamehighlydevelopedSaints.TheybecamethedisciplesofLord Gauranga.Whatothershavedone,youalsocando.Thereisnodoubtofthis.

YoucanalsodowondersandmiraclesifyouapplyyourselftospiritualSadhana,Tapasand meditation.Readthebook‘PovertytoPower’?byJamesAllenwithinterestandattention.Youwill beinspired.Drawupaprogrammeofyourlife.FollowmyTwentySpiritualInstructionsandForty GoldenPrecepts.Adheretothe“SpiritualDailyRoutine”prescribedbyme.Applyyourselfwith

zealandenthusiasmtoSadhana.BecomeaNaishticBrahmachari.Besteadyandsystematicinyour Yogabhyasa.Assert.Affirm.Recognise.Realise.ShineinyournativepristineBrahmicGlory. BecomeaJivanmukta.Youarethechildrenoflightandimmortality.“TatTwamAsi—Thouart That,”mydearreaders.

Thisisabookwithamessageofhope,successinlife,ofpeace,ofblissandofthesecretof lifeitself.HereinwillbefoundtheWaytoPeace,toTruth,andtotheAbodeofImmortality,eternal sunshine,infiniteJoyandKnowledge(NirvanaorKaivalya)orthefinalbeatitude,thehighestgoal oflife.

YOGAINDAILYLIFE

Cultivateindomitablewill.Practiseself-controlandself-mastery.Haveself-confidence. Developindependentjudgment.Donotargue.StriveceaselesslyforSelf-realisation.Killthislittle ego.Developpurelove.Riseabovealldistinctionsofcaste,creedandcolour.Giveuptheideaof ‘I-ness’,‘Mine-ness’.Lookwithinforthehappinesswhichyouhavesoughtinvaininthesensual objects.

Mokshaisthe summumbonum oflife.Itisfreedomfrombirthsanddeaths.Itisnot annihilation.Itisannihilationofthislittle‘I’.ItisobtainedthroughknowledgeoftheSelf.Youwill havetoknowtheTruththroughdirectintuitiveexperience.Youwillhavetocutasundertheveilof ignorancebymeditationontheSelf.Thenyouwillshineinyourpristinepurityanddivineglory.

Donottrytodriveawaytheunimportantandirrelevantthoughts.Themoreyoutry,the morewilltheyreturnandthemorestrengthwilltheygain.Youwillonlytaxyourenergyandwill. Becomeindifferent.Fillthemindwithdivinethoughts.Theotherswillgraduallyvanish.Get yourselfestablishedinNirvikalpaSamadhithroughmeditation.

WithoutperfectBrahmacharya,youcannothavesubstantialspiritualprogress.Thereisno halfmeasureinthespiritualpath.Controlthebodyfirst.Thenpurifyyourthoughtsthroughprayer, Japa,Kirtan,Vicharaandmeditation.Makeafirmresolve,“IwillbeaperfectBrahmacharifrom today.”PraytotheLordtogiveyouspiritualstrengthtoresistthetemptationsoflifeandkilllust.

Constantstudyofthelivesofsaintswillenableyoutoleadavirtuouslife.Youwillimbibe verynoblequalities.Youwillbegraduallymouldedinthespiritualpath.Youwilldrawinspiration fromthem.TherewillbeaninnerurgeinyoutoattemptforGod-realisation.PraytotheLordthat youmaybecomeasaint.

SwamiSivananda

SwamiSivananda

SectionI

BASISOFYOGA

StriveCeaselessly

Haveself-confidence.Developindependentjudgment.Cultivatetheindomitablewill. Practiseself-controlandself-mastery.

Donotargue.StriveceaselesslyforSelf-realisation.Killthislittleego.Developpurelove. Riseabovealldistinctionofcaste,creedandcolour.

Giveuptheideaof“I-ness”and“mine-ness”.Lookwithinforthehappinesswhichyou havesoughtinvaininsensualobjects.

HappinessWithin

Oneannaofpleasureismixedwithfifteenannasofpain.Pleasurethatismixedwithpain andfearisnopleasureatall.Ifyoubegintoanalysethisoneannaofpleasure,youwillfindthatitis nopleasureatall.Itismereplayordelusionofthemind.Milkgivespleasuretosomeandpainto others.Milkbringsonretchinginfever.Thethirdcupofmilkinducesvomiting.Whatisthis?This isplayofMaya.ThisisIndra-JalaofAvidya-Shakti.TheIndriyasandmindaredeceivingyouat everymoment.Beware.Wakeup.Openyoureyes.DevelopViveka.Ifyousufferfromcancerof thestomach,canyouenjoyRasagullaandsweetseventhoughyouareamulti-millionaire?The doctorwillputyouonadietofpepper-wateronly.Ifyourwifedies,youaredrownedinsorrow. Youcannotexpecthappinessfromfinite,perishableobjectsthatareconditionedintime,spaceand causation.NityaNirupadhika,NiratisayaAnanda,eternal,independent,infiniteblisscanonlybe hadintheAtmanthatishiddeninyourheart.Search,understandandrealiseAtman.

NeedForAdhyatmicKnowledge

ThesecularknowledgethatyougetfromUniversitiesismerehuskonly.Itservesthe purposeofearningthebreadonly.Itcannotgiveyoupeaceofmindandsalvation.Itthickensthe veilofignoranceonly.Hewhosays,“IamspecialistinBiologyandvariouslogies”isonlyafool. OneMantra,oneSlokaoftheUpanishadswillblowuptheknowledgethatyouderivefrom colleges.StudythefirstMantraofIsaUpanishad:“Isavasyamidamsarvam—Thewholeworldis indweltbytheLord.”RejoiceinAtmanbyremovingthenamesandforms.Donotbecovetous. ImbibetheideasofthisMantra.Practise.Feeltheindwellingpresence.Liveinthespiritofthe Mantra.YouwillbecomeaKingofkings,Emperorofemperors,theSunofsuns,theLightof lights.DonotbepuffedupwithyourUniversitydegrees.Behumble.Destroyscientificatheism. HavefaithintheteachingofSrutis.DoKirtaninachoruswithharmonyandconcord,withone SvaraandoneTala.SingRamaNamafromthebottomofyourheartwithBhava.Iwillmakeyou realisetheinfinitepeaceandblissthisverymoment.

ImportanceOfGuru

Guru-Bhaktiisabsolutelynecessary.Guru-SevawithAtma-LakshyawilltakeyoutoGod immediately.Peoplegenerallycomplain:“WedonotgetgoodGurusthesedays.”Thisisalame excuse.YoucantakeeventheworstpossiblerogueasyourGuru.Youwillhavetochangeyour angleofvision.Whenyoulookatacoconutmadeofsugar,youhaveadoubleconsciousness.You knowprettywellthatitisnotcoconut.InyourheartthereisBhava,itissugarandsugaralone.Even thoughyouseetheworld,itisreallynot.ThisistheNischayaoftheVedanticstudent.Itisthe determination.Evenso,thedefectsofthe‘rogue-Guru’donotexistforthedisciplewhohastaken himashisGuruwithBhakti.Theaspirantshoulddeifyandsuperimposealltheattributesofthe Lordonthe‘rogue-Guru’.

YoushouldneverlookintothedefectsoftheGuru.YoumustdeifytheGuru.Guru,Ishvar, Brahman,Om,Truthareallone.Youmuststrictlyobeyandcarryouthisorders.Youmustthink thatunderneaththenameandformoftheGuru,thereistheall-pervadingpureconsciousness.In courseoftimethephysicalformwillvanishandyouwillrealiseyourownself,thepureBrahmic consciousnessthatliesatthebackofthephysicalformofyourGuru.Whenonceyouhavetakena manasyourGuru,youshouldneverchangeevenifyougetamanwithgreaterdevelopmentsor Siddhis.Thenonlyyouwillhavefaith.Throughstrongfaith,youwillrealisethenandthere, Brahman,theGodinthatGuru.YoumustbecomethefamousBhakta,Pipaofthewell-known Bhaktamala,whotookarogueNataashisGuruandwhenhesawhisNata-Gurudancingonthe bamboosintheopenmarket,hetookhimasGuru,theBrahma-incarnate,prostratedbeforehimand thuseventuallyhadhisSelf-realisationthroughtheformoftherogue-Guru,theNata.

ThreeRequisitesOfMukti

YogaiscommunionwithLord.ThegoaloflifeisSelf-realisation.Therearetwowaysfor attainingGod-consciousness.TheyarethePravritti-MargaandNivritti-Marga.Pravritti-Margais thepathofactivitywithdetachmentforattainingthecosmicvisioninandthroughthediverse experiencesofnormallife.Nivritti-MargaisthepathofabsoluterenunciationorJnana-Yoga. Karma-YogaisonlyJnana-Sadhana,i.e.,meansforattainingSelf-knowledge.Threethingsare indispensablyrequisiteforattainingSelf-realisation.Theyare:(1)Guru-Bhakti—devotionand Prematowardsthespiritualpreceptor,(2)Jijnasa—longingforliberationand(3)atastefor Satsanga.HealonewhoisendowedwiththesethreeattributescancrossthisoceanofSamsara (BhavaSager).

FourKindsOfTemperaments

Therearefourkindsoftemperaments,viz.,theactivetemperament,thedevotional temperament,themystictemperamentandtheintellectualtemperament.

TheFourYogas

TherearefourYogas,viz.,KarmaYoga,BhaktiYoga,RajaYogaandJnanaYoga.

Karmaissuitableforpeopleofactivetemperament,BhaktiYogaforpeopleofdevotional temperament,RajaYogaformenofmystictemperamentwithboldunderstandingandstrong will-power.BhaktiYogaissuitableforvastmajorityofpersonsastheyareemotional.JnanaYoga issuitableforamicroscopicminorityonly.LadiescanrealiseGodquicklyastheirheartsarefilled withdevotion,Premaandaffection.ButitisverydifficultforthemtogetVairagya.

YogicDiet

Foodplaysaveryimportantroleinexcitingthesensesandpassions.Anaspirantshouldbe verycarefulintheselectionofarticlesofdietofSattvicnatureinthebeginningofhisSadhana period.Laterondrasticdieteticrestrictionscanberemoved.HavisAnnam,whichisamixtureof boiledwhitericeandghee,isveryconducivetoYogicpractices.Whenwhitericeisboiledwith ghee,whitesugarandmilk,itiscalledCheru.Thisisawholesomecombinationsuitablefor Sadhakas.

Milk

Milkisaperfectfoodbyitself,containingthedifferentnutritiveconstituents,fats,proteins, carbohydrates,etc.,inwell-balancedproportions.Itleavesverylittleresidueinthebowels.Thisis anidealfoodforYoginsduringPranayamapractice.Freshmilkfromahealthycow,freefrom bovinetuberculosis,ispreferabletoscaldedmilk.Milkshouldbescaldedorpasteurisedbutnot boiled.Theprocessofscaldingisthatthemilkshouldbeimmediatelyremovedfromthefire,as soonastheboilingpointisreached.Toomuchboilingdestroysthevitamins,themysterious nutritiveprinciplesandrendersmilkquiteuselessasanarticleofdiet.

FruitDiet

Afruitdietexercisesabenign,soothinginfluenceontheconstitutionandisverydesirable dietforYogins.Thisisanaturalformofdiet.Bananas,grapes,sweetoranges,apples, pomegranatesarewholesomefruits.Bananasareverynutritious.Lemonspossessanti-scorbutic propertiesandactasrestorativestoblood.Fruitjuicecontainsaformofnutritiveprinciple,Vitamin C.

Mitahara

Takewholesome,Sattvicfoodhalf-stomachful;fillthequarter-stomachfulwithpurewater; andallowtheremainingquarterfreeforexpansionofgas.ThisisMitahara,theidealfoodfor Yogins.Thisistheidealforallwhowanttopreservehealth.Thisisquitehygienicandisin harmonywiththedieteticprinciplesofmodernmedicalscience.ThisisMitaharaprescribedfor Yogis.

“NathyasnatastuYogoastinachaikantamanasnatah Nachaathisvapnaseelasyajagrathonaivacharjuna”.

“Verily,Yogaisnotforhimwhoeatethtoomuch,norhewhoabstainethtoexcess,norwho istoomuchaddictedtosleep,noreventowakefulness,OArjuna.”(GitaVI-16).

“Aharasuddhau,sattvasuddhih;sattvasuddhau,dhruvasmritih; Smritilabhesarvagranthinamvipramokshah.”

ForspiritualpracticesSattvicfoodisabsolutelynecessary.Wheat,rice,barley,sugar, butter,sugar-candy,milk,ghee,greendhal,Panchasakhavegetables,cabbages,potatoes,etc.,are Sattvicarticlesofdiet.

ForbiddenArticles

Highlyseasoneddishes,hotcurriesandchutnies,meat,fish,etc.,areforbiddenfor Sadhakas.Meatcanmakeascientist,butrarelyaphilosopherandaTattvaJnani.Chillies,sour articles,tamarind,mustard,allkindsofoil,asafoetida,salt,onions,garlic,etc.,shouldbeavoided. Onionsareworsethanmeat.ToomuchfastingisinjuriousduringthepracticeofYoga.

NOTE:MyrobalanisabeautifulstuffforYogins.Theycanchewitveryfrequently.In Bhagavataitisrepresentedasevensuperiortonourishingmother.Ittakescareofthebodybetter thanamotherdoes.Evenamothergetsannoyedtowardsherchild;butmyrobalanhascontrolledits Krodha,alwayspossessesaneventemperamentandisalwayscheerfulandenthusiasticin attendingtothewell-beingofhumanbeings.

SectionII BHAKTIYOGA

BhavaisthemainbasisofRasa.TherelishofeternalBlisswhichthedevoteeenjoysduring hisecstaticstateofBhavaSamadhiiscalledRasa.

RasaisoftheessenceofLordKrishna.RasaisthenectarinetranscendentalBliss.Lord Krishnaistherepositoryorfountain-sourceofRasa.

TastetheKrishna-Bhakti-RasathroughRatiorPremaandattainimmortality.

BhaktiisintensedevotiontowardsGod.ItisPremaofPrabhu.SraddhaandVisvasarethe incipientstagesofdevotion.TheydevelopintoBhakti.Lateronfaithisthemostimportantthingin thepathofdevotion.

ThequalificationsfortheattainmentofBhaktiareapurelovingheart,faith,innocence, simplicity,truthfulness,Arjava,VairagyaandBrahmacharya.

Godlooksuponallwithanequaleye.WeallknowhowSriRamachandraatethefruits alreadytastedbytheBhiliniSabari.Sudama’sgrainsaremorewelcometoLordKrishnathanthe mostsumptuousfeastthatcanbeofferedbyamightypotentateonthisearth.WhatHewantsisyour lovingheart.Heneitherwantsabigtemplenorrichpresentsfromyou.

Bhakticanbeacquiredandcultivated.ConstantSatsangawithdevoteesandBhagavatas, repetitionofHisName,SriRam,SitaRam,HariOm,etc.,constantremembranceoftheLord, prayer,studyofreligiousbookssuchastheRamayana,theBhagavata,HariKirtan,serviceof Bhaktas,etc.,caninfuseBhaktiinyourheart.

Lust,anger,greed,Moha,pride,jealousy,hatred,egoism,desireforpower,nameandfame, hypocrisyareallobstaclesinthewayofBhaktiYoga.

Removelustbyentertainingpurethoughts;angerbylove,Kshama,etc.;greedbycharity, honesty,disinterestedness;MohabyViveka;pridebyhumility(Namrata,Vinaya);jealousyby magnanimity,nobilityandMudita;hatredbylove;andegoismbyunconditioned,unreservedand ungrudgingself-surrendertotheLord,AtmanivedanaorSaranagati.

PrayferventlylikePrahlada.SingHisNamelikeRadha.WeepinsolitudelikeMiraon accountofVirahaAgni.DoKirtanlikeLordGauranga.SingBhajanlikeRamPrasadofBengal. DanceinDivineecstasylikeChaitanyaMahaPrabhuandenterintoBhavaSamadhi.RepeatHis NamelikeValmiki,TukaramorRamDas.

Beupanddoing,mydearfriends,inspiritualSadhana,Bhajan,etc.Neverwasteasingle minute.Wastingtimeisthehighestsin.LordRamawillsurelycrownyoureffortswithsuccess.

Combinealltheloveyoucherishtowardsallworldlyobjects,wife,son,wealth,property, relatives,friendsandthenapplythiscombinedlovetowardsGod.Youwillrealiseinthisvery second.

RepeatHisname200Malasdaily(200x108=21,600times).SingHispraise.DoHari Kirtan.RepeatHisStotrasandhymns.LiveinAyodhya,Brindavan,Pandharpur,Mathuraforsome months.ControltheIndriyas.Eatsimplefood.Wearsimpleclothing.Leadasimple,naturallife. YouwilldevelopBhaktisoon.CultivateVairagyatowardssensualobjects.HaveMithyaand DoshaDrishtiforobjects.Objectsareunreal,perishable.Theyareattendedwithvarioussortsof painsandmiseries.Vairagyawillcomebyitself.RagaforobjectsisanenemyofBhakti.

Repeattheformulae“IamThine.AllisThine.ThyWillbedone.”Haveperfect self-surrender.ThenonlyyouwillhaveDarshanofGod.Donotkeepanydesiresforyou.Destroy egoismcompletely.ABhaktagetsSalokya,SameepyaandSayujyaMukti.HelivesnearGod.He servesGod.HeenjoysallHisAishvaryas.HegetsKramaMukti.IntheendhegetsJnana.

WhereIsGod?

WhereisGod?IsHeonlyinthetemples,churchesorMusjids?No.IsHeonlyinthefour VedasorUpavedasorsixVedangasorsixschoolsofphilosophyoreighteenPuranasorsixty-four sciences?‘No’.IsHeintheplacesofpilgrimageorTirthasalone?No.No.No.WhereisHethen?

“HridiSarvasyaTishthitam (GitaXIII-17)—Wisdom,theobjectofWisdom,seatedintheheartsof all.”Heisnotveryfar.Heisquiteclosetoyou. “Anoraniyanmahatomahianatmasyajantornihato guhayam.” Subtlerthanthesubtlest,greaterthanthegreatest,Heislocatedinthecavityofyour heart,intheinnermostrecessesorchambers,theHridayaKamala.

“Nayamatmapravachanenalabhyonamedhayanabahunasrutena” (KathaUpanishad).

Notbyarguments,notbyextremeintelligence,notbythevoraciousandwidestudyofscriptures, willyoureachGod.YoucanreachHimbysincereSadhanaorasceticspiritualpractices.Avoid wranglingandvainquibbling.Makegenuineefforts.

MysteriousHelpFromTheLordToBhaktas

Ofaithlessones!Justhearthelife-historyofRoopkalaBhagavanofAyodhyaandthe soldier-BhaktaofPunjab.RoopkalaBhagavanwasafamousBhaktainAyodhya.Itwashewho startedtheAll-India-Kirtan.Hediedafewyearsago.HewasanativeofChapranearBenares.He wastheInspectorofSchools.HewasasinceredevoteeofSriRama.Onedayhewasabsorbedin meditation.Hedidnotvisitaschoolforinspection.LordRamaHimselfassumedtheformofthe inspectorthroughhisYoga-Maya-Sakti,inspectedtheschoolboys,signedintheregisterand disappeared.Whentheinspectorcametotheschoolnextmorning,theteacherssaidthathewas presentallalongintheschoolthepreviousdayandshowedhimhissignatureintheregister.Hewas verymuchastonished.Thisoneevidencegavehimmuchencouragement.Heinstantaneously resignedhispostandwenttoAyodhyatospendtherestofhislifeincommunionwithLordRama. HaveyounotheardofarecentPunjabincident?Asoldier,asincereRama-Bhakta,wasonpatrol dutyatnight.OnenightafineKirtan-partywasmovingaboutquiteclosetothesoldier.Thesoldier wasmuchmovedbydeepdevotion,lefthisdutyandjoinedtheKirtan-party.HeenjoyedtheKirtan tohisheart’scontent.Inthedepthofhigheremotions,heenteredintoBhava-Samadhi,theecstatic stateofBhaktas.Whenhereturnedat6a.m.heenquiredtheSubedar-Majorwhetheranything happenedduringhisabsence.TheSubedarsaid,“Nothinghappened.Isawyoualwaysonthepatrol duty.”TheBhaktasoldierwasextremelysurprisedtohearthestatementoftheSubedar.Hethought itwasalltheGraceofRama.RamaHimselftookchargeofpatroldutytoprotectHisdevotee.He assumedtheformofthesoldier.WhentheBhaktacametoknowofthisincident,heimmediately resignedhispostandwenttoAyodhyatospendhiswholelifeindevotion.Mydearbrother,donot becomeasceptic.Ifyouaresincereinyourdevotion,youwillhaveDarshanofGodfacetofacethis verymoment.

WhatIsJapa?

JapaistherepetitionofanyMantraorNameoftheLord.InthisKaliyuga,Japaisaneasy wayforGod-realisation.Tukaram,Dhruva,Valmiki,RamakrishnaParamahamsa,NarsiMehta, Gauranga,Ramdas,Mira—allhadattainedsalvationbyutteringthenameofGod.Whynotyou also,mydearfriends,myamiablecomrades?JapaisanimportantAngaofYoga.

AnyMantraispowerful.Itisamassofradiantenergy.Japaisofthreekinds:

(1) Vaikhari orverbalwithUcchara.

(2) Upamsu withhummingsound.

(3) Manasika whereinthelipsdonotmove.Itisdonewiththemindandmindalone.

UpamsubringsfruitsthousandtimesmorethanthatofVaikhari.Manasikabringsfruits croresoftimesthanVaikhari.

Mindwantsvarieties,newsensations.Itgetsdisgustedwithmonotony.Justasyouwant brinjalvegetabletoday,LaukitomorrowandParwaldayaftertomorrow,themindwantsvarieties inJapaalso;otherwiseitbecomesdull.Itrefusestowork.

DoVaikhariforsometime,thenUpamsuforsometimeandthenManasikaforsometime. TherepetitionofaMantraservesasagate-keeper.Whenthemindrunsaway,therepetitionofthe Mantrawillatoncetellyouthatsomeotherevil-intrudingthoughtshaveenteredthemind.

BenefitsOfJapa

ThereisMantraSaktiandMantraChaitanyaineveryMantra.Itchangesthemental substancefrompassiontopurity,fromRajasintoSattva.Itcalms,strengthensthemind.Itmakes themindAntarmukha,introspective.Itcheckstheoutgoingtendenciesofthemind.Iteradicatesall kindsofevilthoughtsandinclinations.ItdestroysVasanasandreducestheforceofthought. EventuallyitleadstothedirectDarshanofGodorIshtaDevata.Japapurifiesthemind,induces Vairagya,destroysVasanasandbringsyoufacetofacewithGod.

InstructionsOnJapa

HaveSuddha,SattvicBhavawhenyourepeattheMantra.RepeattheMantraatleast21,600 timesdaily,tocorrespondwiththe21,600Sohambreaths.

YoumustdotheJaparegularly.TheshortertheMantrathegreateristheconcentration.Of alltheMantras,Rama,Rama,Ramaisthebest.Itiseasytorepeatalso.Ifyouaretiredofrepeating theMantraatonestroke,havethreeormoresittings;frommorning4to7,evening4to5andnight6 to8.

RepeattheMantraveryquicklyforsometimeandwhenyoufindthatthemindiswandering muchthenrepeatitslowly.ThegoldenruleistorepeattheMantraneithertooslownortooquick. Observethehappymedium.

Everyoneofyoushouldhaveaseparatemeditationroom.Makeasmallenclosureina cornerofaroomwithscreenandsitforJapaifyoucannotmanagetogetaseparateroom.Donot allowanybodytofrequenttheplace.Bothmorningandnightsitthereregularlyfor10minutes. Graduallyincreasethetimeasmuchasyoucan.Thisisvery,veryimportant.

InthisKaliYugawhenrigidHathaYogaKriyasaredifficulttobeperformedowingtopoor physiqueofpeopleandwhenpeopledonotpossesssharpintellectandpowerofinflectionand ratiocination,JapaandKirtanareeasymethodsforSelf-realisation.RamPrasadofBengalhad DarshanofMotherKalithroughKirtanalone. “Na-ahamvasamiVaikuntheyoginamhridayena cha,madbhaktayatragayantitatratishthamiNarada—IdwellnotinVaikuntha,norinthehearts ofYogins;butIdwelltherewheremyBhaktassingofMe,ONarada!”

MantraForJapa

SelectanyoneofthefollowingMantras.Repeatitwithconcentrationfrom10to50Malas from4to6a.m.and6to8p.m.regularly,everyday.

MantrasDeities

OmGamGanapatayeNamah—Ganapati

OmNamassivaya—LordSiva

OmNamoNarayanaya—LordNarayana

OmNamoBhagavateVasudevaya—LordKrishna

OmKlingKrishnayaGovindayaGopijana

VallabhayaSvaha

—LordKrishna

OmSriRama,JayaRama,JayaJayaRam—LordRama

OmRamRamayaNamah—LordRama

HareRamaHareRama

RamaRamaHareHare

HareKrishnaHareKrishna

KrishnaKrishnaHareHare

JugalMantra

1.SitaRam

2.Radheshyam

3.SriSitaRamachandrabhyoNamah

SaranagatiMantra

1.SriRamaSaranamMama

2.SriSitaRamaSaranamMama

3.SriRamachandraSaranamPrapadye

4.SriKrishnaSaranamMama

—Mahamantra

BhaktiYogaSadhana

GodistheInnerRulerofyourheartandmind.Heisthesilentwitnessofyourthoughts.You cannothideanythingfromHim.Becomeguilelessandstraightforward.

AdevoteeofHariisalwaysmeekandhumble.NameofGod“Hari”isalwaysonhislips.He shedsprofusetearswhenheisalone.Heisverypious.Heisfriendlytowardsall.Hehas equal-vision.Hedoesgoodalways.Heneverhurtsthefeelingsofothers.Hehasaspotless character.Henevercovetsthepropertyofothers.HeseesHariinallbeings.

Bhakticanmovemountains.Nothingisimpossibletoit.ItwasthedevotionofMirathat convertedasnakeintoaflowergarland,poisonintonectarandabedofnailsintoabedofroses.It wasthedevotionofPrahladathatturnedfireintoice.

Adevoteeshouldbecomeanembodimentofgoodness.Hemustbeeverreadytodogoodto livingbeings.Thatdevoteewhoisintentuponthewelfareofallbeingsobtainsthepeaceofthe Eternal.Hewhorejoicesinthewelfareofall,getstheDarshanoftheLord.HedevelopsAdvaitic consciousnesseventually.

ServiceofBhagavatas,repetitionofGod’sname,Satsanga,singingHisname,studyofthe BhagavataortheRamayana,livinginBrindavan,Pandharpur,ChitrakutaorAyodhya,arethesix meansfordevelopingBhakti.

AngerandlustarethetwoinnerenemiesthatstandinthewayofdevelopingBhakti.From lustfollowthetenvicesthatarementionedinManusamhita—loveofhunting,gambling,sleeping byday,slandering,companywithbadwomen,drinking,singinglove-songs,vulgarmusic, dancing,aimlesslywanderingabout.

Angerbegetseightkindsofvices.Allevilqualitiesproceedfromanger.Ifyoucaneradicate angerallbadqualitieswilldieofthemselves.Theeightvicesare:Injustice,rashness,persecution, jealousy,takingpossessionofothers’property,harshwordsandcruelty.

HowareBhaktastobeknown?LordKrishnahasgivenadescriptionofthem.Youwillfind itinBhagavatam.“Theydonotcareforanything.TheirheartsarefixedonMe.Theyarevery humble.Theyhaveequalvision.Theyhavenoattachmenttowardsanybodyoranything.Theyare without‘mine-ness’.Theyhavenoegoism.Theymakenodistinctionbetweensorrowand happiness.Theydonottakeanythingfromothers.Theycanbearheat,coldandpain.Theyhave loveforalllivingbeings.Theyhavenoenemy.Theyareserene.Theypossessexemplary character.”

HereisaSadhanaforadvancedstudents.Thisishighlyusefulforgettingquick,solid progressinthespiritualpath.Getupat4a.m.StartyourJapaonanyAsanayouhavemastered.Do nottakefoodordrinkfor14hours.DonotgetupfromtheAsana.Controlpassingurinetillsunsetif youcanmanage.FinishtheJapaatsunset.Takemilkandfruitsaftersunset.Householderscan practisethisduringholidays.Practisethisonceafortnightoronceamonthoronceweekly.

HereisanotherSadhanafor10days.YoucandothisduringtheChristmasholidaysorPuja holidaysorsummervacation.Shutyourselfinanairyroom.Donottalktoanybody.Donotsee anybody.Donothearanything.Getupat4a.m.StartJapaoftheMantraofyourIshtaDevataor yourGuruMantraandfinishitatsunset.ThentakesomemilkandfruitsorKheer(milkandrice boiledwithsugar).Takerestforoneortwohours.ButcontinuetheJapa.ThenagainstarttheJapa seriously.Retiretobedat11inthenight.YoucancombinemeditationalongwithJapa.Makeall arrangementsforbath,food,etc.,insidetheroom.Havetworoomsifyoucanmanage,oneforbath andoneformeditation.Repeatthisfourtimesaday.Thispracticecanbekeptupevenfor40days. Youwillhavewonderfulresultandvariousexperiences.YouwillenterintoSamadhi.Youwill haveDarshanofyourIshtam.Iassureyou.

Hereisan Anushthana for40days.YouwillhavetodoJapaofRamaMantraoneLakhand twentyfivethousandtimesinthefollowingmannerfor40days,attherateof3000daily.Duringthe lastfivedaysdo4000daily.Getupat4.a.m.Writedowninathinpaper‘Rama,Rama’300times. Thencutitintosmallpieces.EachpiecewillcontainoneRamaNama.Thenrollitwithasmallball ofAtta(wheatflourpaste).Writingwilltaketwoorthreehoursaccordingtoyourstrengthand capacity.Thenyouwillhavetocutonebyone.Youwillhavetodothewholeprocessbysittingon oneAsana.IfyoufinditdifficulttositononeAsana,youcanhavechangeofAsana.Butyoushould notleaveyourseat.Someuseaspecialinkmadeofsaffron,musk,camphor,etc.,andspecial writingpenmadeupofasharp-pointedthin,Tulasi-stick.Youcanuseordinaryinkandpenifyou cannotgettheabovespecialinkandspecialpen.YouwillhavetodotheAnushthanaonthebanks ofGanga,Yamuna,Godavari,KaveriorNarmada,atRishikesh,Benares,Hardwar,orPrayag.You candoitathome,ifyoufinditdifficulttomovetotheseplaces.Takemilkandfruitsand Palahar duringthesedays.TwoPunjabis,astudentoflaw,andhisfather,arehavingthisAnushthanain Rishikesh.ThrowtheballsintheGangaoranyriverforfishes.Youwilldevelopwonderful patience.YouwillgetDivineGrace.

StudythewholeoftheRamayana108timeswithpurityandconcentration.Thiscanbedone withinthreeyearsifyoucandevotethreehoursdaily.Youcangothroughthebookthreetimesina month.YouwillacquireSiddhis.YouwillhaveDarshanofLordRama.

BhaktiYogaandJnanaYogaarenotincompatibleslikeacidsandalkalis.Onecancombine AnanyaBhakti(one-pointeddevotion)withJnanaYoga.ThefruitofBhaktiYogaisJnana.Highest love(ParaBhaktiandJnanaareone.Perfectknowledgeislove.Perfectloveisknowledge.Sri Sankara,theAdvaitaKevalaJnani,wasagreatBhaktaofLordHari,HaraandDevi.JnanaDevaof Alandi,Poona,agreatYogioflate,wasaBhaktaofLordKrishna.SriRamakrishnaParamahamsa worshippedKaliandgotJnanathroughSwamiTotapuri,hisAdvaitaGuru.LordChaitanyawasa fineAdvaitaVedanticScholar,andyethedancedinstreetsandmarketplaces,singingHari’s names.AppayaDikshitar,afamousJnaniofAdaipalam,NorthArcotDistrict,Madras,theauthor ofSiddhantaLeshaandvariousotherVedanticbookswasadevoteeofLordSiva.Itbehoves, therefore,thatBhakticanbecombinedwithmuchadvantagewithJnana.

Maywehearwithourearsandseewithoureyesnothingbutwhatispure,sothatwithour sensesunperturbed,rememberingGod,meditatingonHim,singingHispraiseandrepeatingHis name,wemayattainlifeasthatoftheGods.OmSanti.

KirtanAtHome

ThisisaneasywayforattainingGod-consciousness.Atnightallthemembersofthehouse shouldsitinacircleanddoKirtanforonehourbeforethepictureofLordKrishna.Theservantsof thehousealsoshouldbeincluded.SinganyNameoftheLordasSiva,HareRam,SitaRam, RaghupatiRaghavaRajaram,etc.,inachoruswithoneSvara,Talaharmoniously.NadaBrahman willbegenerated.Youwillforgetthebodyandtheworldandenterintoecstaticstate.Practise,try andfeelyourself.Meretalltalkwillnotdo.Justastheintoxicationthatyougetbytakingadoseof opiumlastsforhours,theDivineintoxicationthatyougetfromKirtanwilllastforsomehours duringthefollowingdayalso.Atnightyouwillbefreefrombaddreams.DuringKirtanaspecial spiritualwavecomesfromtheindwellerofyourheartandpurifiesthemindandPranamayaKosha.

Alldiseasesarecuredthereby.Doctor’sbillsaresaved.SattvaflowsfromtheLordtoyourmind, justasoilflowsfromonevesseltoanothervessel.Kirtangivesyoustrengthtofacethedifficulties inthebattleoflife.SingingtheNamesoftheLordisamentaltonic.

EveningKathaAtHome

IntheeveningfourpeoplecanjointogetherandreadregularlytheBhagavadGita,the RamayanaortheBhagavata.SvadhyayaorstudyofholyscripturesisKriyaYoga.Itisofimmense benefitforhouseholderswhodonotfindmuchtimeforseriousspiritualpracticesandconstant meditation.Thestudyitselfisaformofmeditation.WhenthemindisconcentratedonDivine thoughts,itisfilledwithpurity.Thegrossmindisrenderedsubtle.

WhatShouldLadiesDo

IwanttosayawordonthedevotionalnatureofHinduladies.InIndia,religionis maintainedbytheladiesonly.Thereispeculiarreligiousinstinctinthem.Hinduladiesarehighly devotional.Theyinfusethereligiousspiritinthemalesthroughtheirdailyconductandpractical life.Theygetupintheearlymorning,washthehouse,takebath,doJapa,makeasmalltemplein theirhouseandkeeptherepicturesoftheLordandPoojavessels,etc.Theykeeptheplacesacred andintheeveningdoAratiandprayer.Theatheisticmalemembersofthehouseareforcedtodo someprayerorotherthroughtheirinfluence,onaccountoffear.Inrealitytheladiesofthehouse governthehouse.TheyarethemanifestationsofSakti.Thehusbandisnotentitledtodoany religiousritewithoutherpresencebyhisside.

—ManuSmritiIII-56.

“Wherewomenarehonoured,thereDevasarepleased;butwheretheyarenothonoured, therenosacredriteisfruitful.”SuchisthegloryofHinduladies.Myearnestprayeristhatthey shouldsingtheNameoftheLordintheearlymorningassoonastheygetup.Theyshouldtraintheir childrenalsotosingtheNames.Thewholehousewillbechargedwithspiritualvibrations.Even whentheycookanddrawwaterfromthewells,theyshouldbesinginginmildtonetheNamesof theLord.AstronghabitofrepeatingtheNamesoftheLordwillbeformedintwomonths.This itselfisquitesufficientforattainingGod-consciousness.SingingtheNamesoftheLordisavery easymethodforgettingDarshanoftheLordinthisKali-Yuga.Evenwhenanyonedies,thehabitof singingtheNameoftheLordwillcometohisrescue.

DutiesOfWomanhood

FromtimeimmemorialSita,Savitri,Damayanti,Nalayani,AnasuyaandDraupadihave beenregardedassacredidealsofIndianWomanhood.Theyaresublimeandexemplarycharacters whohaveexaltedwomanhoodtotheheightofdivineperfection.

“Yatranaryastupujyanteramantetatradevatah, Yatraitastunapujyantesarvastatraphalahkriyah”

Modernwomenshoulddrawinspirationfromtheirlivesandtrytotreadtheirpath.Aslong assuchcharacterscontinuetoexercisetheirinfluenceuponthelivesandcharacterofIndianladies, solongtheywillbelookeduponwithadmirationandreverencebytheirsistersofothercountries.

Allofthemweresubjectedtoveryseveretestsinwhichtheirpurity,courage,patienceand othervirtueswereputtoandnoblydidtheycomeoutthroughthosetests.Hinduwomenare,since thedawnoftheearlycivilisation,distinguishedfortheirdisinterestedloveandself-abnegation.

WhatawifeistoaHinduhusbandiswellillustratedbyaverseintheRamayanawhereSri RamareferredtoSitasays:

KaryeshuMantree,KaraneshuDasee, DharmeshuPatnee,KshamayaDharitree, SneheshuMata,SayaneshuRambha, RangechaSakhi,LakshmanaSaPriyaMe.

“Incounselsheismycounsellor,inactionsheismyservant,inreligiousperformancesshe ismypartner,intolerancesheisliketheearth,inaffectionsheislikeuntomymother,inbedsheis likethecelestialRambhaandinplaysheismycompanion.Suchindeed,OLakshmana,ismy beloved...”ThisistheHinduidealofawife.

TheeternalfidelityofaHinduwomantoherhusbandmakesheranidealofthefeminine world.Itmakeshersublimeandlofty.Thissublimevirtuestillrunsdeepintheheartofheartsof everyHinduwomanofIndiasuperiortoanyoftheothercountriesinnationalintegrityandhonour.

Theinspiringforceofthehomeiswoman.Thehomeistheoriginandthebeginningof everyformofsocialorganisation.Itisthenurseryofthenation.Itisthesweetplaceorcentre whereinchildrenaretrainedforfuturecitizenship.Thewomanilluminesthehomethroughthe gloryofmotherhood.Manisincapableofdoingthedomesticdutiesincidentupontherearingupof thechildren.Goodhabits,rightconduct,formationofcharacterarecreatedinchildren spontaneouslyinawell-regulatedhomeunderthepersonalinfluenceofthemother.Theloving kindnessandtheculturedgentlenessofthemotherhelpthechildrentounfoldtheirnativetalents anddormantcapacitiesquickly.Childrenabsorbideasbysuggestionandimitation.Earlytraining andimpressionsarelastingformationofcharactercanbedonebyefficientlybymothersathome. Therefore,homeisthebeautifultraininggroundforthebuildingupofcharacterinchildrenunder thepersonalguidanceofthemother.

Womenarethebackboneorbedrockorthebasisforsustainingreligionandnational strengthandprosperity.ThereisnodifferencebetweenherandLakshmi,theGoddessofBeauty, GraceandProsperity.Manusays,“Thatwomanwhodoesalwaysgood,whoisefficientinwork, sweetinspeech,devotedtoherDharmasandservicetoherhusband,isreallynohumanbeingbuta Goddess.”Ifthemothertrainsherchildrenontherightlinessheisrenderingagreatserviceindeed tothenationandthenationalculture.

Womenhavegotampleopportunitiestoimproveandincreasethenationalhealthand prosperity.Theyreallybuildthenation.Theycanutilisetheirtalentsandabilitiesinmakingthe

homethecradleofculturecharacter,personalabilityandreligiousupheaval.Itisthereforewrong tosaythattheirlifeiscrampedorstuntedbyattendingtothedutiesathomeandthatnoscopeis givenforevolutionandfreedom.Thisisasadmistakeindeed!Thelifeofawomanisasnobleand seriousasthatofaman.Thereisnodoubtofthis.

Itisthewomenthatkeepupthelifeandhappinessofthehomethroughtheirsmile,tender affection,sweetspeech,charmingpersonality,graceandangelicpresence.Thehomewillbeareal voidwithoutthem.Itwillloseitspeculiarcharmandbeautywithouttheirpresence.

ItwillbeofgreatbenefittoknowwhattheGreatOneshavesaidabouttheidealofconduct anddeportmentthatawomanshouldtrytoliveupto.SriRamainstructsKausalya,hismother,as follows:“Toawomansolongassheisalive,thehusbandisindeedtheLordandGod.Thatwoman, who,thoughnoblestofallandgiventothepracticeofvowsandfasts,doesnotlookafterher husband,willindeedobtainanunmeritoriousfuture.EvenifawomanhasneverbowedtotheGods andhasceasedtoworshipthem,sheobtainsthehighestheavenbyservingherhusband.Awoman shouldbeabsorbedintheserviceofherhusband,takingdelightinhispleasureandhisgood.Thisis thepathoftheDharma,knownforlongages,revealedintheVedas,andrememberedbytheworld. Thereisnothingmorecruelforawomanthantodesertherhusband.Toattenduponandtoserve one’shusbandisnodoubtthehighestdutyofawoman.Solongasawomanlives,herhusbandis heronlymaster.”

ThenagainthereisKanvaRishi’sadvicetoSakuntalaontheeveofherdeparturefromhis AshramtoKingDushyanta’sresidence.KanvaRishisays:“Sakuntala!Serveallyourelders. ThoughyourLordisangrywithyouattimes,donotgoagainsthiswishes.Donotbetoomuch attachedinenjoyment.Treatyourdependantsandco-wiveswithmotherlyaffectionand tenderness.Beanaffectionatecompaniontoyoursisters-in-law.Beobedienttoyour mother-in-law.Theseattributeswillmakeyouthetruemistressofthehouse.Otherwise,youwill givepainandtroubletothewholefamily.”

Itisthedutyoftheladyofthehousetogetupbeforeherhusbandintheearlyhoursofthe dawn,takeherbathandperformthehouseholdwork.Tiruvalluvar’swifeshampooedthefeetofher husband,sleptafterherhusbandandroseupinthemorningbeforehegotupfrombed.Sheis regardedasamodelwoman.

Toaladythehusbandisindeedthehighestornamentofallornaments.Beingseparated fromhim,she,howeverbeautiful,doesnotshine.

TheHinduscripturessaythatthewifemustbeveryobedientandthatthehusbandisGodto her.Someignorantpersonstakeadvantageofthisandexerciseundueauthorityovertheirwivesand keepthemunderextremesubordination.Isthisnotasadmistake?Womanisinnowayinferiorto man.Thehomeisaco-operativeorganisation.Itflourishesontheprincipleofdivisionoflabour. Thehusbandshouldnotthinkthatheissuperiortohiswife,simplybecauseheistheearning memberofthefamily.Womenhaveadefinitefieldoftheirown.Theyaremothersofthehouse. Theextraordinaryabilitiesandintellectualattainments,andthemagneticpersonalityofthemodern womenareastandingmonumenttotheirundoubtedequalitywithmen.Thepersonalinfluenceof womenathomeisessentialtounifythevariousinterestsofthefamily.Itiswomenalonewhocan

rearandnursechildren.Hinduwivesarequeensintheirownhomes.Thehusbandsshouldtreat theirwiveswithintenseloveandrespect.Theyshouldberegardedasequalsinallrespectsandbe heldinthelightofpartnersinlife.Manusays,“Thehouseholdershouldfirstservehisrelativesand dependantswithfoodandthentaketheremainingfood alongwithhiswife,”hintingtherebyatthe positionofequalfootingonwhichsheistobetreated.Ifamanearnsandthewifestaysathome,it doesnotmeanthatthewomanisaparasiteandaslave.Sheisindeedthebuilderofthenation. Verily,womenexerciseanauthorityovertheirhusbandsthroughtheirlove,tenderness,affection, grace,beauty,selflessserviceandfidelity,purityandself-abnegation.

Inthewestthewomaniswife.InIndiathewomanisthemother.Motherisworshipped. MotherisconsideredastheGoddessLakshmiofthehouse.TheSrutisemphaticallydeclare,“Let thymotherbethyGod.”ThelateAshutoshMukherji,Vice-ChancelloroftheCalcuttaUniversity usedtowashthefeetofhismotheranddrinkthewaterbeforehewenttohisoffice.Thiswateris called‘Charanamrit’.Itisagreatpurifieroftheheart.IntheWestthewifegovernsthehome.Inan Indianhomethemotherrules.IntheWestthemotherhastobesubordinatetothewife.InIndiathe wifehastobesubordinatetothemother.

Ifwomanbepureshecansaveandpurifyman.Womancanpurifytherace.Womancan makeahomeasacredtemple.TheHinduwomenhavebeenthecustodiansoftheHindurace.The Hindureligion,theHinducultureandcivilisationstillsurviveinspiteofthemanyforeign invasions,whenothercivilisationshavecomeandgone,onaccountofthepurityoftheHindu women.Thewomenaretaughttoregardchastityastheirmostpricelesspossession,andthelossof itasequaltotheeternaldamnationoftheirsouls.ReligionisingrainedintheHinduwomenfrom theirverychildhood.Hinduwomenillumineandenliventhehousethroughthegloryoftheirpurity. ThisisthesecretoftheenduranceoftheHindureligion,civilisationandculture.

AdviceToHouseholders

StartthatpurelifeofaYogitheverydayonwhichyoureadtheselines.Noleniencyto mind.Self-relianceisindispensablyrequisite.Youcangetsuggestionsfromoutside.Butyouwill havetotreadthepathyourself,toplaceeachstepyourselfinthespiritualladder.

Youwillhavetotrainyourwifealso.ShealsowillhavetodorigidSadhana.Mere gossipingwillnotdo.Ifsheservesthehusbandnicelyandtakescareofhisbodywiththeright mentalattitudeandgiveshimthewantsoftheflesh,foodanddrinksassoonashecomesdownfrom meditation,shecanhaveSelf-realisationinandthroughtheformofherhusbandalone,likeLailain Majnu,SavitriinSatyavan,AnasuyainAtri.

Thathouseisamiserableplace,veritablehellonearthwhereinthehusbandmovesupin spiritualityandthewifepullshimdowninsensualgroovesandviceversa.Theyshouldbe harmoniouslyblendedorjoinedbythethreadoftheknowledgeoftheSelf,eachaspiringeagerly forattainingGod-consciousness.ThathouseisreallyaVaikunthawherethehusbandandwifelead anidealDivineLife,singingHari’sName,repeatingHisMantra200Malasdaily,studyingthe RamayanaandtheBhagavata,controllingtheIndriyasandservingBhaktasandSannyasins.

Renunciationismental.Renunciationbringspeace.Thereisnolossinrenunciation.You renouncetheillusorysensepleasuretogettheSupreme,EternalBlissandImmortality.Bearthisin mind.Donotbeguidedandinfluencedbypublicopinion.Marchboldlyandcheerfullyinthepath ofTruth,consultingyourinnerconscienceandhearingtheinner,small,shrill,sweetvoiceofthe soul.Donotbehastyindoinganyoutwardrenunciation.Theworldisthebestteacher.Unfoldthe Divinitybyremainingintheworldalone.NivrittiMargaisextremelydifficult.Ninetypercentfail inthispath.

Saveasmuchmoneyaspossible.Do200MalasofJapa.Cutoffsociety.Keepcompany withoneSattvicman.Spendeverysecondprofitably.Servesickpeople.Sharewhatyouhavea smallportionwithpoorpeople.

MaytheDivineGloryshineinyourface!

NilDesperandum

(Cheerupyourself—neverdespair)

SinisamistakecommittedbytheignorantJivaduringhisjourneytowards Sat-Chit-Anandaabode.Onceyoumakeupyourmindtotreadthepathoftruthallsinswillbe destroyed.LordKrishnagivesHisassurance:“EvenifthemostsinfulworshipMe,withundivided heart,hetoomustbeaccountedrighteousforhehathrightlyresolved.Speedilyhebecomethdutiful andgoethtoeternalpeace.KnowthouforcertainthatMydevoteeneverperisheth.”Therepetition ofeven ulta-nam (reversename)ofRamaMantra,transmutedrogueRatnakarintoasageValmiki. Whensuchisthepoweroftheinversename(Mara,Mara),whattospeakofthegloryofrepeating Rama,RamawithBhavafromthebottomoftheheart!Ajamilawhowasinadegradedandabject stateonaccountofhisbadcharacterattainedMuktibyrepeating‘Narayana’onceinhisdeath-bed bycallinghissonbyhisnameNarayana.LicentiousVemannaofAndhraDesabecameafull-blown YogibyhisdevotiontomotherKali.Grievenot,mydearfriends.Fearnot.Standup.Girdupthe loins.FightwiththeIndriyasandVasanas.BecomeaYogi.Forgetthepast.Aglorious,brilliant futureisawaitingyou.Cheerupyourself.Purify.Concentrate.DoJapaandKirtan.Meditate. RealisetheSat-Chit-AnandaAtman!

SectionIII KARMAYOGA

Half-heartedserviceisnoserviceatall.Giveyourwholeheart,mindandsoulwhenyou serve.ThisisveryimportantwhenyoupractiseKarmaYoga.

Somepeoplehavetheirbodyinoneplace,mindinanotherplace,andsoulinanotherplace. Thisisthereasonwhytheydonotrealiseanysubstantialprogressinthepath.

Forgetnotthegoaloflifeamidstselfishactivities.ThegoaloflifeisSelf-realisation.Are youattemptingtoreachtheendandaimoflife?AreyoudoingJapa,PranayamaandMeditation? Haveyoukeptuptheidealbeforethemind’seye?Thatdayinwhichyoudonotpractiseany spiritualSadhanaiswasted.GivethemindtoGodandthehandtowork.Youwillhavetoanalyse andscrutiniseyourmotives.Itistheselfishmotiveandnottheworkitselfthatbindsamanto Samsara.PreparethemindforKarmaYoga.MereselfishworkcannotbetakenasYogicactivity. Themindissoframedthatitalwaysexpectssomethingforasmallpieceofwork.Whenyousmile youexpectareturnofsmilefromyourfriend.Whenyouraiseyourhandinsalutation,youexpecta salutefromotherpeople.Evenwhenyougiveacupofwatertoanotherman,youexpecthimtobe gratefultoyou.WhensuchisthecasehowcanyouperformNishkamaKarmaYoga?

Lifeisveryprecious.LiveinthespiritoftheGita’steachingandworkwithoutexpectation offruitsandegoism.ThinkyouareNimittainthehandsofLordNarayana.Ifyouworkwiththis mentalattitudeyouwillbecomeaYogisoon.Workneverdegradesaman.UnselfishworkisPuja ofNarayana.Workisworship.Allworksaresacred.Thereisnomenialworkfromthehighestview point,fromtheviewpointoftheabsolute,fromtheviewpointofKarmaYoga.Evenscavenging whendonewiththerightspiritandmentalattitudeisYogicaction.Evenascavengercanrealise Godinhisownstationoflifebyservice.ThefamousbutcherDharmaVyadhaofMahabharata realisedGodinhismeatshop(throughservinghisparents).Youallhavegotinsideallmaterialsfor wisdom.Thereisavastmagazineofpowerandknowledgewithinyou.Itwantskindling.Now wakeup,OhSaumya!

Whenyouworkdisinterestedlywithoutanyagencyandwhenyousurrendertheworksand fruitsasIshvararpana,allKarmasaretransformedintoYogicKriyas.Walking,eating,sleeping, answeringthecallsofnature,talking,etc.,becomeofferinguntotheLord.Everybitofworkis Yogaforyou.ThinkthatLordSivaisworkingthroughyourhands,andiseatingthroughyour mouth.ThinkthatyourhandsarethehandsofLordSiva.Inthebeginningsomeofyouractionsmay beselfishandsomemaybeunselfish.Inthelongrunyoucandoallactionsinanunselfishmanner. Scrutiniseyourmotivesalways.ThisisthekeynoteforNishkamyaKarmaYoga.Everyactcanbe spiritualisedwhenthemotivebecomespure.Workismeditation.Serveeveryonewithintenselove withoutanyideaofagencywithoutexpectationoffruitsorreward.IfyouadoptthepathofJnana, feelyouareasilentSakshiandthePrakritidoeseverything.

Itisselfishnessthathasdeplorablycontractedyourheart.Selfishnessisthebaneofsociety. Selfishnesscloudsunderstanding.Selfishnessispetty-mindedness.Bhogaincreasesselfishness

andselfishPravritti.Itistherootcauseforhumansufferings.Realspiritualprogressstartsin selflessservice.ServetheSadhus,Sannyasins,Bhaktasandpoor,sickpersonswithBhava,Prema andBhakti.TheLordisseatedintheheartsofall.

Thespiritofservicemustdeeplyenterintoyourverybones,cells,tissues,nerves,etc.The rewardisinvaluable.PractiseandfeelthecosmicexpansionandinfiniteAnanda.Talltalkandidle gossipingwillnotdo,mydearfriends!Evinceintensezealandenthusiasminwork.Befieryinthe spiritofservice.

HaveNishtawithGodandCheshtawithhandsliketheBahurupiwhohastheNishtaofa maleandtheCheshtaofafemale.Youwillbeabletodotwothingsatatimebypractice.The manualworkwillbecomeautomatic,mechanicalorintuitive.Youwillhavetwominds.Aportion ofthemindwillbeatwork;threequartersofthemindwillbeintheserviceoftheLord,in meditation,inJapa.KarmaYogaisgenerallycombinedwithBhaktiYoga.AKarmaYoginoffers totheLordasanoblationwhateverhedoesthroughtheKarmaIndriyas.ThisisIshvaraPranidhana.

TrainingForKarmaYoga

Arawuntrainedaspirantfeels,“Mypreceptoristreatingmelikeaservantorapeon.Heis usingmeforpettyjobs.”HewhohasunderstoodtherightsignificanceofKarmaYogawilltake everyworkasYogicactivityorworshipoftheLord.Thereisnomenialworkinhisvision.Every workisPujaofNarayana.InthelightofKarmaYogaallactionsaresacred.Thataspirantwho alwaystakesimmensedelightindoingworkswhichareconsideredbytheworldlymanasmenial services,andwhoalwaysdoeswillinglysuchactsonlywillbecomeadynamicYogi.Hewillbe absolutelyfreefromconceitandegoism.Hewillhavenodownfall.Thecankerofpridecannot touchhim.

StudytheautobiographyofMahatmaGandhiji.Henevermakesanydifferencebetween menialserviceanddignifiedwork.ScavengingandcleaningofthelatrineisthehighestYogafor him.ThisisthehighestPujaforhim.Hehimselfhasdonecleaningoflatrines.Hehasannihilated thisillusorylittle‘I’throughserviceofvarioussorts.Manyhighlyeducatedpersonsjoinedhis AshramforlearningYogaunderhim.TheythoughtthatGandhijiwouldteachthemYogainsome mysteriousmannerinaprivateroomandwouldgivelessonsonPranayama,meditation, abstraction,awakeningKundalini,etc.Theyweredisappointedwhentheywereaskedtocleanthe latrineatfirst.TheylefttheAshramimmediately.Gandhijihimselfdoesrepairingofhisshoes.He himselfusedtogrindflourandtakeuponhisshoulderstheworkofothersalsowhentheywere unabletodotheirallottedportionofworkforthedayintheAshram.Whenaneducatedperson,a newAshramite,feltshytodogrindingwork,Gandhijihimselfwoulddohisworkinfrontofhim andthenthemanwoulddotheworkhimselffromthenextdaywillingly.

IntheWestcobblersandpeasantshaverisentoaverygreatpositioninsociety.Everywork isarespectableworkforthem.AboyappliespolishtothebootsinthestreetsofLondonfora penny,carriesnewspapersandjournalsintheafternoonforsaleandworksasanapprenticeundera journalistduringhisleisurehoursatnight.Hestudiesbooks,workshard,neverwastesaminuteand inafewyearsbecomesajournalistofgreatreputeandinternationalfame.InPunjabsomegraduates havetakentohair-dressingwork.Theyhaveunderstoodthedignityoflabour.

ArealYogidoesnotmakeanydifferencebetweenmenialandrespectablework.Itisonly anignorantmanwhomakessuchadifference.Someaspirantsarehumbleinthebeginningoftheir spiritualcareer.Whentheygetsomenameandfame,somefollowers,admirers,devoteesand disciples,theybecomevictimstopride.

Theycannotdoanyservice.Theycannotcarryanythingontheirheadsorhands.ThatYogi whocarriesthetrunkonhisheadwithouttheslightestfeelingintherailwayplatformamidsta multitudeofhisadmirers,disciplesanddevotees,withoutmakinganyoutwardshowofhumility mustbeadored.SageJadaBharatacarriedthepalanquinofKingRahuganaonhisshoulders withoutmurmuring.LordKrishnashampooedthelegsofaRajawhenhisbarberdevoteewason leave.SriRamacarriedapotofwaterfortheablutionofoneofhisdevotees.SriKrishnatookthe formofamenialservantasVithooandpaidthemoneytotheNawabonbehalfofhisdevotee, Dhamaji.Ifyoureallywanttogrowinthespiritualpathyoumustdoallsortsofservicedailytillthe endoflife.Thenonlyyouaresafe.Donotstopdoingservicewhenyouhavebecomeafamous Yogi.Thespiritofservicemustentereverynerve,cell,tissueandboneofyourbody.Itmustbe ingrainedinyou.Thenonlyyouwillbecomeareal,full-blownpracticalVedantin.

IsthereanygreaterVedantinorKarmaYoginthanLordBuddha?Hestilllivesinourhearts, becausethespiritofservicewasingrainedinhimandhespenthiswholelifeinservingothersin variousways.YoucanalsobecomeaBuddhaifyouapplyyourselfdiligentlytoselflessservice withtherightmentalattitude.

AttainNirliptaState

LordKrishnasaysinHisGita: “Tasmatsarveshukaleshumamanusmara yudhyacha—Therefore,atalltimesthinkofMeandfight.”GivethemindtoGodandthehandto work.Thetypistworksatthemachineandtalkswithhisfriends.Theplayerontheharmonium playsontheorganandtalksandjokeswithhisfriends;theladyknitsandtalkswithhercomrades. Themindofthegirlwhohasawaterpotonherheadisonthewaterpot,thoughsheistalkingand jokingwithhercompanionswhilesheiswalkingontheroad.Anursewhilesheisnursingthebaby ofanotherladyhashermindrivettedonherownbaby.Acowherdwhileheislookingafterthecows ofotherpeoplehashismindfixedonhisowncow.Evenso,haveyourmindfixedatthelotusfeetof theLord,whileyouaredoingyourhouseholddutiesandofficework.Youwillrealise Self-consciousnessquickly.Justasthewaterremainsunaffectedinthelotusleaf,justastheoil floatsuponthesurfaceofthewaterwithoutbeingaffectedinanyway,soalsoyoushouldremainin theworldamidstpleasuresanddifficulties.

Justasthetongueisnotaffectedbytakingghee,soalsoyoushouldremainunaffectedeven amidstworldlyactivitiesandtroubles.YoumustkeepuptheNirliptastate.ThisisJnana.Thisis balance(Samata).YoumayfailtokeepthebalanceandNirliptastateathousandandonetimes.But inthelongrunyouareboundtosucceedifyoupersistinyourpracticeandifyoudisciplinethemind properly.Everyfailureisapillarforfuturesuccess.Rememberthispointwell.

AKarmaYoginshouldnotexpectevenreturnoflove,appreciation,gratitude,admiration fromthepeoplewhomheisserving.

OnlyhewhohasreducedhiswantsandcontrolledtheIndriyascandoKarmaYoga.How canaluxuriousmanwithrevoltingIndriyasserveothers?Hewantseverythingforhimselfand wantstoexploitanddomineerothers.

Anotherqualificationisthatyoumustbebalancedinsuccessorfailure,gainorloss,victory ordefeat.YoumustbefreefromRagaandDvesha.“Anactionwhichisordained,donebyone undesirousoffruit,devoidofattachment,withoutloveorhate,thatiscalledpure.”(GitaXVIII-23)

WhatIsKarma

Karmameansworkoraction.AccordingtoJaimini,ritualslikeAgnihotra,Yajnas,etc.,are termedKarmas.ThereisahiddenpowerinKarmatermedAdrishtawhichbringsinfruitsof Karmasfortheindividual.KarmaisallforJaimini.KarmaiseverythingforastudentofMimamsic schoolofthought.JaiminiisthefounderofPurvaMimamsa.HewasstudentofMaharishiVyasa, thefounderofUttaraMimamsaorVedanta.TheMimamsaschooldenytheexistenceofIshvara whoawardsthefruitsofworks.

AccordingtotheGita,anyactionisKarma.Charity,sacrifice,TapasareallKarmas.Ina philosophicalsense,breathing,seeing,hearing,tasting,feeling,smelling,walking,talking,etc.,are allKarma.ThinkingistherealKarma.Raga-DveshaconstitutetherealKarma.

HowToFindRightOrWrongAction

Haverightthinking.Useyourreasonandcommonsense.Followtheinjunctionsofthe Sashtras.ConsultthecodeofManuorYajnavalkyaSmritiwheneveryouhavedoubts.Youwillbe abletofindoutwhetheryouaredoingrightorwrongaction.Ifyousay,“Sastrasarecountless.They areliketheocean.Icanhardlyunderstandthetruthsthatareinculcated.Icannotfathomandgauge theirdepths.Therearecontradictions.Iampuzzledandbewildered.”Thenstrictlyfollowthewords ofaGuruonwhomyouhaveabsolutefaithandconfidence.Thethirdwayis:HavefearinGod. Consultyourconscience.Theshrill,innervoicewillguideyou.Assoonasyouhearthevoice,do notdelayevenamoment.Starttheactiondiligentlywithoutconsultinganybody.Practisetohear theinnervoiceinthemorningat4a.m.Ifthereisfear,shame,orprickingofconscience,knowthat youaredoingawrongaction.Ifthereisjoy,exhilarationorsatisfactionunderstandthatyouare doingrightaction.

InnerVoice

Whenthediverse,confiningsheathsofAtmanhavebeendissolvedbySadhana,whenthe differentVrittisofthemindhavebeencontrolledbymentaldrillorgymnastics,whentheconscious mindisnotactive,youentertherealmofspiritlife,thesuperconsciousmindwhereBuddhiand purereasonandintuition,thefacultyofdirectcognitionofTruthmanifest.Youpassintothe kingdomofpeacewherethereisnonetospeak,youwillhearthevoiceofGodwhichisveryclear andpureandhasanupwardtendency.Listentothevoicewithattentionandinterest.Itwillguide you.ItisthevoiceofGod.

PrayerForAKarma-Yogin

(BySriSankaracharya)

Atmatvamgirijamatihsahacharapranahsareeramgriham Pujatevishayopabhogarachananidrasamadhisthitih Sancharahpadayohpradakshinavidhihstotranisarvagiro; YadyatkarmakaromitattatakhilamShambhotavaradhanam.

RepeattheSlokaattheendofyourmeditation.

“ThouartAtma;BuddhiisThyconsort,Parvathi(whoisbornofmountain);thePranasare Thyattendants;thisbodyisThyhouse;theactionofsensualenjoymentisThyworship;deepsleep istheestablishmentofSamadhi;walkingbymyfeetistheperambulationaroundThee;allmy speechesareThypraise;whateveractionsIperform,areallThyworship;OhShambhu!”

SectionIV RAJAYOGA

Mindismysterioussomethingwhichisreallynothingbutdoeseverything.

ItisbornofMaya.Itisaproductofignorance.ItisacompoundofVasanasandSankalpas. Itisamixtureofworryandfear.ItisasolutionofAhankara.Itisaconfection.

Absoluteandrelativemanifestations.

Relativemanifestations

Matter,PranaandMindarethethreerelativemanifestationsoftheAbsolute.Pranaisreally amodificationormanifestationofMind.PranaisKriyaSaktiorfacultyofactions.Matteremanates fromPrana.Pranaproceedsfrommind.MatterisbelowPrana.Pranaisabovematterbutbelow mind.Pranaispositivetomatterbutnegativetomind.MindispositivetobothPranaandMatter, butnegativetowill.WillisthecentreofEgo.WillistheGeneral-in-chiefwhichdirectsthemind andPranatoallpartsandinalldirections.Intuitionisabovereasonandisthechannelof communicationbetweenmanandspirit.DevelopmentoftheWill-PowerbyAuto-suggestionisthe basicprincipleofRajaYogaorVedanta.SuperconsciousMindistherealmorSpiritofLife.

MetaphysicsOfTheInnerMan

Thephysicalbody,theastralbody,Prana,intellectorBuddhi,theinstinctivemind,the spiritualmindandthespiritarethesevenprinciplesofman.Buddhiispurereason.Theseatof BuddhiisjustbelowthecrownoftheheadinthePinealGlandofthebrain.Buddhiismanifested onlyinthosepersonswhohavedevelopedrightintuitivediscriminationorViveka.Theordinary reasonoftheworldlypeopleistermedpracticalreason,whichisdenseandhaslimitations.

Pranaisthevitalforce,life-energyorJivaSakti.ItistheeternalsymbolofGod.Itisthelink HiranyagarbhaorGoldensonofGod.Itisthelinkbetweentheastralandphysicalbody.Pranais dividedintophysicalPranaandpsychicPrana.Breathingisexternalmanifestationofphysical Prana.AllthoughtsareduetothevibrationofpsychicPranaintheChitta.

ThecausalbodyorKaranaSariraisthesupportfortheastralandphysicalbodies.Willis ParaSakti.GetthisSakti—youwillgetSatorExistence.

Chittaisthesub-consciousmind.Ithastwolayers.Onelayerforemotionandtheotherfor passivememory.Theinstinctivemindisthelowernatureofhumanbeings.Itisthedesire-mindor KamaManas.ThespiritualmindisthehigherManas.Theseatofthemindistheheart.Themind connectedtotheSomachakraofthelowermostportionorunder-surfaceofthebrainistermedthe organofunderstanding.ByManonasaorannihilationofthemindismeantthedestructionor dissolutionofthelowernature,desire-mind.SankhyaBuddhiorBuddhiinthelightofSankhya philosophyiswillandintellectcombined.Mindismicrocosm.MindisMaya.Mindoccupiesan intermediatestatebetweenPrakritiandPurusha,matterandSpirit.

TameTheSixWildBeasts

Youhaveawholemenageriewithin,withthelion,thetiger,theserpent,theelephant,the ape,andthepeacock.Bringthemtosubjection.Thebeautyofthefleshisreallyduetothelife givingprinciplePrana.ThebeautyisattributabletothelightthatemanatesfromAtman.Thenasty bodywithoozingdischargesfromnineguttersiscomposedoffiveelements,isaJadaVasthuand Apavitra.Alwaysentertainthisidea.Haveaclear-cut,well-definedimage-picturelikethis.You willconquerlustbysuchamentaldrill.Ifyouunderstandthedoctrineof unityinvariety,ifyou knowthereisonlyonematter,oneEnergy,oneMind-substance,oneLife,oneExistence,Sat,one Reality,andifyouentertainalwayssuchathought,youcancontrolKrodha.Ifyourememberthat youareonlyaninstrumentinthehandsofGod,thatGodiseverything;Goddoeseverything;Godis just;thenyoucangetridofAhamkara.YoucanannihilateDveshabyPratipakshaBhavana.Look tothebrightersideofpersons.Ignorethedarkaspect.

Emotionisamotivepowerlikethesteamofanengine.Ithelpsyouinyourevolution.Hadit notbeenforthepresenceofemotion,youwouldhavepassedintoastateofpassivityorinertia.It givesapushforactionormotion.Itisablessing.Butyoumustnotbecomeapreytoemotion.You mustnotallowtheemotionstoruleyou.Youmustnotallowthemtobubbleout.Youmustpurify andcalmthesurgingemotions.Youmustallowittoriseslowlyandsubsidequietlyfromthe mind-ocean.Youmustkeeptheemotionunderperfectcontrol.Donotmistakephysicalsensations forhighersublimeemotions.Donotbecarriedawaybyemotions.Therearecertainpeoplewho

liketohearsomenewsensationaleventsjusttoarousetheiremotions.Theyliveonemotions otherwise,theyfeelquitedull.Thisisagreatweakness.Thismustbeeradicatediftheyliketohave acalm,quietlife.

Allevilqualitiesproceedfromanger.Ifyoucontrolanger,allevilqualitieswillvanishby themselves.Ahamkara,Sankalpa,Vasana,Pranahaveintimateconnectionwiththemind.There cannotbeanymindwithoutthesefour.Pranaisthelifeofthemind.Ahamkaraistherootofthe mind.Sankalpasarethebranchesofthetree,mind.Vasanaistheseedofmind.Thisdeeprooted treeofSamsaraofdireAjnanawhichramifiesinvariousdirectionswithbranchesfullofflowers, tendrils,etc.,hasthemindasitsroot.Ifthisroot-mindisdestroyed,treeofSamsara,thistreeof birthanddeathwillalsobedestroyed.Cutthisroot-mindwiththeaxeofBrahmaJnana.Chopoff thebranches—theSankalpas,withtheknifeofVichara-Viveka.

Theever-restlessmindbecomesquiescentwhenalldesiresvanish.DesireraisesSankalpas (thoughts).Manperformsactionsforacquiringthedesiredobjects.Thusheiscaughtupinthe wheelofSamsara.ThewheelstopswhentheVasanasperish.

Justastherearedoorsinabungalowbetweentheouterandinnerrooms,soalsothereare doorsbetweenthelowerandhighermind.WhenthemindispurifiedbythepracticeofKarma Yoga,Tapas,rightconductorthepracticeofYama,Niyama,Japa,meditation,etc.,thedoors betweenthelowerandthehighermindareopened.Discriminationbetweentherealandtheunreal dawns.Theeyeofintuitionisopened.Thepractitionergetsinspiration,revelationandhigher Divineknowledge.

Itisextremelydifficulttohaveacalmandpuremind.Butyoumusthavesuchamind,ifyou wanttohaveprogressinmeditation,ifyoudesiretodoNishkamyaKarmaYoga.Thenonlyyou willhaveaperfectinstrument,awellcontrolledmindatyourdisposal.Thisisoneofthemost importantqualificationsfortheaspirant.Youwillhavetostrugglehardforalongtimewith patienceandperseverance.NothingisimpossibleforaSadhakawhohasironwillandstrong determination.

JustassoapcleansesthephysicalbodysoalsoJapaofaMantra,Dhyana,Kirtanand practiceofYamacleansesthemindofitsimpurities.

Chitta

Thesubconsciousmindistermed“Chitta”inVedanta.Muchofyoursubconsciousconsists ofsubmergedexperiencesmemoriesthrownintothebackgroundbutrecoverable.

Whenyoushowsymptomsoflosingyourmemory,asyougrowold,thefirstsymptomis thatyoufinditdifficulttorememberthenamesofpersons.Thereasonisnotfartoseek.Allthe namesarearbitrary.Theyarelikelabels.Therearenoassociationsalongwiththenames.Themind generallyremembersthroughassociations,astheimpressionsbecomedeepthereby.Youcan rememberinoldagesomepassagesthatyouhavereadinschoolsandcolleges.Butyoufindit difficulttorememberintheeveningapassageyouhavereadinthemorning.Thereasonisthatthe mindhaslostitsDharanaSakti(powerofgraspingideas.)Thecellshavedegenerated.Thosewho

overwork,mentally,whodonotobservetherulesofBrahmacharyaandwhoareafflictedwith muchcares,worriesandanxieties,losetheirpowerofmemorysoon.Eveninoldageyoucan rememberoldeventsasthereareassociationswithevents.

Thementalprocessesarelimitedtothefieldorconsciousnessalone.Thefieldof subconsciousmentationisofamuchgreaterextentthanthatofconsciousmentation.Messages whenready,comeoutlikeaflashfromthesubconsciousmindorChittaoftheVedantins.Onlyten percentofmentalactivitiescomeintothefieldofconsciousness.Atleastninetypercentofour mentallifeissubconsciousness.Wesitandtrytosolveaproblem,andfail.Welookaround,try againandagainbutfail.Suddenlyanideadawnsandleadstothesolutionoftheproblem.The subconsciousprocesswasatwork.

Sometimesyougotosleepatnightwiththethought“Imustgetupveryearlyinthemorning tocatchatrain.”Thismessageistakenupbythesubconsciousmindanditisthissubconscious mindthatwakesyouupunfailinglyattheexacthour.Subconsciousmindisyourconstant companionandsincerefriend.Yourepeatedlyfailatnighttogetasolutionforaproblemin ArithmeticorGeometry.Inthemorningwhenyouwakeupyougetclearanswer.Thisanswer comeslikeaflashfromthesubconsciousmind.Eveninsleepitworkswithoutanyrestincessantly. Itarranges,classifies,sortsallfactsandworksoutapropersatisfactorysolution.Thisisalldueto subconsciousmind.

Withthehelpofthesubconsciousmindyoucanchangeyourviciousnaturebycultivating healthy,virtuousqualitiesthatareopposedtotheundesirableones.Ifyouwanttoovercomefear mentallydenythatyouhavefearandconcentrateyourattentionupontheoppositequality,theideal ofcourage.Whenthisisdevelopedfearvanishesawaybyitself.Thepositivealwaysoverpowers thenegative.Thisisaninfalliblelawofnature.ThisisPratipakshaBhavanaoftheRajaYogins. Youcanacquirealikingfordistastefultasksanddutiesbycultivatingadesireandtasteforthem. Youcanestablishnewhabits,newideals,newideasandnewtastesandnewcharacterinthe subconsciousmindbychangingtheoldones.

ThefunctionsofChittaareSmrittiorSmarana,Dharana(attention)andAnusandhana (inquiryorinvestigation).WhenyourepeataMantraitistheChittathatdoestheSmarana.Itdoesa lotofwork.ItturnsoutbetterworkthanthemindorBuddhi.

Allactions,enjoymentsandexperiencesleavetheirimpressionsinthesubconsciousmind intheformofsubtleimpressionsorresidualpotencies.TheSamskarasaretherootsofcausing againJati,lifeandexperiencesofpleasureandpain.RevivalofSamskarasinducesmemory.The YogidivesdeepinsideandcomesindirectcontactwiththeseSamskaras.Hedirectlyperceives themthroughtheinnerYogicVision.BySamyama(concentration,meditationandSamadhi)on theseSamskaras,heacquiresknowledgeofpreviouslives.BydoingSamyamaontheSamskarasof others,theYogigetstheknowledgeoftheirpastlivesalso.

Whenyoudesiretorememberathingyouwillhavetomakeapsychicexertion.Youwill havetogoupanddownthedepthsofthedifferentlevelsofthesubconsciousmindandthenpickup therightthingfromacuriousmixtureofmultifariousirrelevantmatter.Justasthemailsorterinthe RailwayMailServicetakesuptherightletterbymovingthehandupanddownalongthedifferent

pigeon-holes,soalsothesorterinthesubconsciousmindgoesupanddownalongthepigeon-holes inthesubconsciousmindandbringstherightthingtothelevelofnormalconsciousness.The subconsciousmindcanpicktherightthingoutfromaheapofvariousmatters.

ASamskaraofanexperienceisformedordevelopedintheChittatheverymomentwhen themindisexperiencingsomething.Thereisnogapbetweenthepresentexperienceandthe formationofaSamskarainthesubconsciousmind.

SmrithiormemoryisthefunctionofChitta(subconsciousmind).Itisaseparatefacultyor categoryinVedanta.SometimesitisAntarangata(comesunderthemind).InSankhyaphilosophy itisincludedinBuddhiorMahatTattva.TheChittaofPatanjaliRishi’sphilosophyofRajaYoga (YogaschittaVrittiNirodha)correspondstotheAntahkaranaofVedanta.

MindAndItsMysteries

Justasabusyofficerworksaloneinaroombyclosingallthedoors,soalsothebusymind worksaloneinadreambyshuttingoutallthedoorsofthesenses.

Mindisapowerbornofthesoul.ItisthroughmindthattheLordmanifestsHimselfasthe differentiateduniversewithheterogeneousobjects.

Mindismerelyabundleofthoughts.Ofallthoughtsthethought‘I’istheroot.Therefore, mindisonlythethought‘I’.

MindisnothingbutacollectionofSamskarasorimpressions.Itisnothingbutabundleof habits.Itisnothingbutacollectionofdesiresarisingfromcontactwithdifferentobjects.Itisalsoa collectionoffeelingsarousedbyworldlybotherations.Itiscollectionofideasgatheredfrom differentobjects.Nowthesedesires,ideasandfeelingsconstantlychange.Someoftheolddesires areconstantlydepartingfromtheirstorehouseofthemind,andnewonesarereplacingthem.

Inthewakingstate,theseatofthemindisthebrain;inthedreamingstatetheseatofthe mindisthecerebellum;inthedeepsleepstateitrestsintheheart.

Mindalwaysattachesitselftosomethingobjective.Itcannotstandbyitself.Itisonlythe mindthatassertsitselfas‘I’inthisbody.

Thethingsthatweperceiveallroundusareonlymindinformorsubstance.‘Manomatram Jagat—ManahKalpitamJagat.’Mindcreates.Minddestroys.

Theoccultphenomenathattakeplaceinthementalworldareallbasedonscientificlaws. OccultistsandRajaYoginsshouldhaveacomprehensive,intelligentunderstandingoftheselaws. Thenonlywilltheybeabletocontrolthepsychicforceseasily.

Practiceoftelepathy,thought-reading,hypnotism,mesmerism,distanthealing,psychic healing,etc.,clearlyprovethatmindexistsandthatahigherdevelopedmindcaninfluenceand subjugatethelowerminds.Fromtheautomaticwritingandtheexperiencesofahypnotisedperson,

wecanclearlyinfertheexistenceofsubconsciousmindwhichoperatesthroughoutthetwenty-four hours.

Ifanideaisplantedinthemind,itgrowsatnightthroughtheoperationofthesubconscious mind.Thesubconsciousmindnevertakesanyrest.Itworksvigorouslythroughoutthetwenty-four hours.Thosewhoknowhowtomanipulatethissubconsciousmindcanturnouttremendousmental work.Allgeniuseshavecontroloverthesubconsciousmind.Youmustunderstandthewaysof extractingworkfromthesubconsciousmind.Subconsciousmindisawonderfulunderground mentalfactory.

Mindisthegreatestforceonthisearth.Hewhohascontrolledhismindisfullofpowers.He canbringallmindsunderhisinfluence.Alldiseasescanbecuredbypsychichealing.Oneisstruck withaweandwonderatthemarvellousandmysteriouspowersofthemindofaman.Thesourceor homeorsupportofthismysteriousmindisGodorAtman.

Anyactionthatisdonebythephysicalbodyistheoutcomeofapreconceivedidea.The mindthinks,plansandschemesatfirst.Thentheactionmanifestsitself.Hewhoinventedawatchat firsthadallideasinhismindabouttheconstructionofthelever,variouswheels,dial,minute-hand, second-hand,hour-hand,etc.Theseideasmaterialisedlateronintoaction.

Asparkoflightpresentstheappearanceofacontinuouscircleoflightifitismadetorotate quickly.Evenso,thoughthemindcanattendbuttoonethingatatime,eitherhearingorsmelling, thoughitcanadmitofbutonekindofsensationatatime,weareledtobelievethatitdoesseveral actionsatatime,becauseitmovesfromoneobjecttoanotherwithtremendousvelocity,sorapidly thatitssuccessiveattentionandperceptionappearasasimultaneousactivity.

Thebestphilosophersandseers(Rishisandsages)areunanimouslyagreedthatthemind cannotactuallyattendtomorethanonethingatatime,butitappearstobedoingsoonlywhenitis shiftingwithprodigiousrapiditybackwardandforwardfromoneendtotheother.

Changeofthought,relaxationofmindbydwellingonthoughtsofpleasantobjects, cheerfulness,Sattvicfood,mentalrecreationofSattvicnaturearenecessaryformentalhealth.

Themindassumestheshapeofanyobjectitintentlythinksof.Ifitthinksofanorange,it assumestheshapeofanorange.IfitthinksofLordJesusontheCrossitassumestheshapeofLord JesusontheCross.Youmusttrainthemindproperlyandgiveitproper,purefoodforassimilation. HaveaDivinebackgroundofthoughtormentalimage.

Ifallthethoughtsareeliminated,thenthereremainsnothingwhichcanbecalledmind.So thoughtsarethemind.Againthereisnosuchthingasworld,independentofandapartfrom thoughts.Twothoughts,howevercloselyrelatedtooneanother,cannotexistatthesametime.

Themindbecomesthatonwhichitdwells.Thisisanimmutablepsychologicallaw.Ifyou begintothinkabouttheDoshaordefectsofaman,forthetimebeing,atleastyourminddwellson thebadqualitiesandbecomeschargedwiththesequalities,whetherthemanpossessesthesebad qualitiesornot.Thismaybeyourvainimaginationonlythroughyourwrongthinking,wrong

Samskarasorwrong(bad)habitsofthemind.Hemaynotpossessevenabitofthebadqualities whichyouhavesuperimposedonhimthroughill-willorsomeformofjealousyor petty-mindednessorhabitualDosha-drishtiorfault-findingnature.Therefore,giveupthe dangeroushabitofcensuringothersandfindingfaultinothers.

Praiseothers.Developthepowerorvisionoffindingonlygoodinothers.Donotbarklikea wilddogaboutthebadqualitiesofothers.Glorifyothers.Youwillgrowspiritually.Youwillbe liked,honouredandrespectedbyothers.

Sleep(Sushupti)isnotmerelyastateofinactivityorpassiverepose.Ithasdeep philosophicalsignificance.Vedantinsstudythisstateverydeeplyandcarefully.Itgivesthecluefor non-dualphilosopherstotrace,searchandfindoutthehidden,silentwitness.

Atmanwhoiseverawake,althoughallthemindsareatrest.Motherofthisworld, RajeshvaritakestheJivasbacktoHerandHerLordduringdeepsleep,hugsthemtoHerbosom, bestowsonthemrefreshingpeace,newvigour,vitalityandstrengthandmakesthemquitefitforthe ensuingbattleoflifeonthefollowingday.Butforthissleep,lifewouldhavebeenabsolutely impossibleinthisphysicalplanewhenmisery,diseases,cares,worries,fearsandanxietiesof variouskindstroublemaneverysecond.Ifamandoesnotgetsoundsleepevenforonenight,ifhe loseshissleeponenightforthreehoursbykeepingwatchoverasickpatientorattendingthe cinema,howmiserable,gloomy,depressedhefeelsthenextday!

MindisatomicaccordingtotheIndianschooloflogic.Itisall-pervadingaccordingtoRaja YogaschoolofPatanjaliMaharshi;isofthemiddlingsize(samesizeasthatofthebody)according totheVedanticschool.

Mindismaterial.Mindismadeupofsubtlematter.Thisdiscriminationismadeonthe principlethatthesoulistheonlysourceofintelligence;itisself-evident;itshinesbyitsownlight. Mindisformedoutofthesubtlestportionofthefood.

Mindcanbecomparedtowater.Waterexistsinfourstates,viz.,causalstateintheformof H2O,subtlestateintheformofwater,grossstateintheformoficeandgaseousstateintheformof vaporisedsteam.EvensothemindisinagrossstateduringJagratstatewhenitenjoyssensual objects,isinasubtlestatewhenitfunctionsinthedreamstate,isinacausalstatewhenitgets involvedintoitscause,Mula-Avidyaduringdeepsleepanditevaporatesasgaswhenitmeltsor dissolvesinBrahmanduringNirvikalpaSamadhi.

Justasthephysicalbodyiscomposedofsolid,liquidandgaseousmatter,soalsothemindis madeupofsubtlematterofvariousgradesofdensitywithdifferentratesofvibration.ARajaYogi penetratesthroughthelayersofthemindbyintensepractice.

Justasyounourishthephysicalbodywithfood,soalsoyouwillhavetogivefoodforthe mindandspiritualfoodforthesoul.

Whenyourbusinessfails,orwhenyouareinheavygriefbythedeathofyourownson,you getemaciationofbodyeventhoughyoueatnourishing,substantialfood.Youfeeltremendous internalweakness.Thisclearlyprovesthatmindexistsandcheerfulnessisagoodmentalfood.

Whenaladyisdeeplyengagedinthemanagementoftheaffairsofherdaughter’smarriage, sheforgetstotakeherfood.Sheisalwayshappy.Herheartisfullofjoy.Thejoyandcheerfulness arepowerfultonicsforhermind.Shegetsinnermentalstrengthalthoughshedoesnottakeany food.

ControlOfMind

Lifeinthisphysicalplaneisamerepreparationfortheeternallifeofeverlastingsunshine andjoywhichistocomewhenonegetstheknowledgeoftheSelfthroughintenseandconstant meditationafterpurifyingthemind.Thisimmortallifeofsupremejoyisdescribedasthe‘Kingdom ofHeaven’,intheBiblewhichiswithinyou,inyourheart.RealisethisImmortalLife.OSushil!by controllingthemind,enjoytheSupremeblissoftheSelf.

ThesecretsofYogaSastracanonlybeimpartedtothatstudentwhoisJitendriyaand Abhyasa-Sura,whohasdevotiontoGuru,whohasVairagya,discrimination,whoisfirminhis determinationandwhohasstrongconvictionintheexistenceofGod.

Themindissingle,butitappearsdualindreamingstateastheperceived,throughthepower ofMayaorIllusion.Theminditselftakestheformsofrose,mountain,elephant,river,ocean, enemy,etc.Justasheatisinseparablefromfire,soalsofluctuationisinseparablefrommind.It makesthemindrestless.ThisfluctuationiscausedbythepowerofRajas.Itisthefluctuationthat causesAsanthi(absenceofpeaceofmind).TheBhaktasremovethistossingbyJapa,Upasanaand worshipofIshta-devata.

Thepoweroffluctuationisitselfthemind.Thisfluctuatingmindaloneisthisworld.The mindbecomesnomindiffluctuationdisappears.Themindceasestoexist,ifitbecomesdestituteof thisfluctuation.WhatiscalledMayaisthisfluctuatingpotencyofthemind.Minddoeshavocs throughthepoweroffluctuation.FluctuationisMaraorSatanorVasanaorIshanaorTrishna.It wasthisfluctuationthattemptedVisvamitra.Itisthisfluctuationthatbringsaboutthedownfallofa strugglingaspirant.DestroythisfluctuationthroughstrongViveka,constantmeditationand ceaselessBrahmaVichara.

Assoonasfluctuationmanifestsitselfvarioussortsofimaginationscropup.Imagination co-existswithfluctuation.Imaginationisasmuchdangerousasfluctuation.Fluctuationmovesthe mind.Imaginationfattensthemind.Mind,minusfluctuationandimaginationisamerezero. Fluctuationandimaginationarethetwowingsofthemindbird.CuttherightwingthroughAtmic enquiryandtheleftwingthroughthepracticeofthoughtlessness.Thegreatbird—mind—willfall deadonthespotimmediately.

Theonedividingwallbetweenthesoulandbodyismind.Ifthiswallisbrokenbyceaseless Atmicenquiry,thentheJivamixeswiththeSupremeSouljustastherivermixeswiththeocean.

Closeyoureyes.Meditate.Openyourhearttotheinflowoftheinvisiblepower.Youwill findintheBible“Emptythyself,Iwillfillthee.”Thenyouwillhaveabundant,super-intuitional knowledgewhichisbeyondthereachofintellect.Justaswaterfreelyflowswhenthetapisturned, soalsoDivineWisdomwillflowfreelywhentheobstaclesofignorancethatstandinthewayof knowledgeareremoved.Youwillgetflashes,glimpsesoftheDivineinspiration,revelationand intuition.Youwillhavetoputyourselfinastateofquietudebysilencingallbubblingthoughtsand emotionsandconnectthemindwiththesourcebywithdrawingthemindfromsensualobjects,just asyoudointelephonebyturningtheswitchoffandconnectingthetwopersonswhowanttospeak.

Alldualityisofmind.Thewholeofdualityiscausedbytheimaginationofthemind.Ifall imaginationsarewithdrawnintotheminditselfbyconstantpracticeofdiscrimination,Vairagya (dispassion),Sama,DamaandSamadhana,youwillnotexperiencethedualuniverse.Themind willbecomenomind.Asithasnothingtocognise,itwillrestinthesource,theAtman.

“Mymindwaselsewhere,Ididnotsee.”“Mymindwaselsewhere,Ididnothear”;fora manseeswithhismindandhearswithhismind.

Theattractionforobjectsandthetiesofvarioussortsmakethemanboundtothisworld. RenunciationofallattractionsforobjectsandbreakingupthetiesconstituterealSannyasa.That SannyasiorYogiwhoisfreefromattractionandtiesenjoysinfinitebliss,supremejoyandeternal bliss.

ThemindshouldbeabsorbedinthewordOM(Pranava).ThatYogiorJnaniwhosemindis absorbedinOMhasnofearwhatsoever.Hehasreachedthegoaloflife.

Thefireofmeditationrapidlyconsumesallevilsandsins.Thentherefollowsthat knowledgeofTruthwhichconfersperfection,everlastingpeaceandimmortality.

StoptheVrittisthroughconstantandsteadypractice.Themindwillbecomenomind.You willattainYogarudhastate(theAbsolutestate).TheseedsofAvidyaintheformofpotential tendencieswhichareembeddedinthemindareallburnttoasheswhenthemindrestsintheTruth duringSamadhi.ThefirethatburnsisthefireofknowledgeofAtman(JnanaAgni,YogaAgni).

WhentheYogihasattainedthelaststageofmeditation,whenhehasenteredinto AsamprajnataSamadhi,hebecomesaJivanmuktainthisverylife.ThefireofYogicSamadhiburns allSamskarasintoto.Therearenownoseedsforrebirth.

Siddhis

Apowerfuloccultisthypnotisesthewholeaudiencecollectivelythroughhispowerof concentrationandwill,andperformstheropetrick.Hethrowsaredropeintheair,givesthe suggestiontotheonlookersthathewillclimbintheairthroughthisropeanddisappearsfromthe platform,inthetwinklingofaneye.But,whenaphotographistaken,nothingisrecorded.

YoginsofoldentimeslikeSriJnanaDev,Bhartrihari,PatanjaliMaharshiusedtosendand receivemessagestoandfromdistantpersonsthroughmind-telepathyandthoughttransference.

Telepathywasthefirstwirelesstelegraphandtelephoneserviceintheworld.Evennowthereare Yogiswhoareversedintelepathy.Thoughttravelswithtremendousvelocitythroughspace. Thoughtmoves.Thoughtisasmuchasolidmatterasapieceofstoneis.Itcanhitamanagainst whomitisdirected.

Understandandrealisethepowersofthemind.Unfoldthehiddenpowersoroccult faculties.Closetheeyes.Concentrate.Explorethehigherregionsofthemind.Youcanseedistant objects,heardistantvoices,sendmessagestodistant,parts,healpersonswhoareatadistance,and moveabouttoadistantplaceinthetwinklingofaneye.Believeinthepowerofthemind.Ifyou haveinterest,attention,will-power,faith,youareboundtosucceed.Thesourceforthemindis AtmanortheHighestSelf.ThismindisbornofAtmanthroughHisMayaorIllusoryPower. Cosmicmindisuniversalmind.Cosmicmindisthesumtotalofallindividualminds.Cosmicmind isHiranyagarbhaorIshvaraorKaryaBrahman.Man’smindisjustafragmentoftheuniversal mind.ARajaYogibecomesonewiththecosmicmindandknowstheworkingsofallminds.The Yogigetsomnisciencethroughthecosmicmind.TheYogiexperiencescosmicconsciousness throughthecosmicmind.

Taptheuniversalmind.Youwillgethigher,super-sensuousknowledge.Youwill experiencecosmicconsciousness.Youwillgetknowledgeofthepast,presentandfuture.Youwill acquireknowledgeoftheTanmatras(rootelements)andmentalplane.Youwillexperience clairvoyanceandclairaudience.Youcanknowwhatisgoingoninthemindsofothers.Youwillget DivineAisvaryaorVibhutisofGod.Therearescientificmeanstotapthisuniversalmind.Purity, concentration,dispassion,rightliving,rightthinking,rightconduct,rightaction,devotion, moderationineatingandsleeping,purityinfood,truthfulness,non-injury,austerities,havetobe regularlypractisedforaprotractedtime.

Lookatthemarvelsofmind!Oneisstruckwithaweandwonderwhenhewitnessesa hypnotisedpersonintranceandhearshisnarratives.Thehypnotisedpersonnarratesverylucidly thelifehistoryandincidentsofapersonwhomhehasnotseeninhislife.

Amaidservant(Jew)whowasattendingonaHebrewpriestusedtoheartheHebrewverses duringherservice.Shesuddenlydevelopedadouble-personalitywhenshewassickinthehospital andrepeatedHebrewverses.ShedidnotknowtheHebrewlanguage.AlltheSamskaras(ofhearing fromthepriest)wereinthesubconsciousmind,andsherepeatedtheverses.NoSamskarasarelost. TheyareindeliblyrecordedinthegramophonicmachineofChitta.

Apriestusedtoforgethisoldpersonalityandassumeanewpersonality,anewname,anew avocationforsixmonths.Whenhedevelopedadouble-personalityhecouldleavehisoldhouse, entirelyforgetallabouthisoldlifeandwouldreturntohisnativeplaceaftersixmonthsandwould entirelyforgetallaboutthesecondpersonalityheassumedforsixmonths.

SectionV JNANAYOGA

Mokshaisthesummumbonumoflife.Itisfreedomfrombirthsanddeaths.Itisnot annihilation.Itisannihilationofthislittle“I.”

ItisobtainedthroughKnowledgeoftheSelf.Youwillhavetoknowthetruththroughdirect intuitiveexperience.

YouwillhavetocutasundertheveilofignorancebymeditationontheSelf.Thenyouwill shineinyourpristinepurityandDivineglory.

AssertTheMajestyOfYourRealSelf

Youarenotthelittleself,Mr.JohnMurray.YouarenotMiss.X.Y.Banerjee.Youarenot Mr.S.R.Iyer.YouarenotMrs.A.M.Iyengar.Endeavourtoremovethisbodyidea.Attemptto eliminatethissexidea.Youareneitheramalenorafemale.Transmutethesexenergyor reproductiveenergyintospiritualenergyorOjasSaktibypiousthoughts,constantSatsanga, ceaselessAtmicenquiry,studyofAtmaJnanabooks,mentaldrillandmeditation.Remember always,“Iam.Iexist.Iamacentreofconsciousnessintheoceanoflife.Iamacentreofthought, influenceandpower.”

Courage,power,strength,wisdomandjoyareyourdivineheritage,yourbirthrightfromthe Absolute.Developyourwill-power.Willhasmadeintellectualandspiritualgiants.Youareequal toanyandeveryman.Youhaveemanatedfromthesamesource.Youareanexpressionofthesame onelife,oneExistence,oneSat,oneReality.Youarethereal“I”,therealAtman.Youare immortal.Youcanhardlybedestroyed.Youareinvincible.Youcanbynomeansbeinjured.Belief inthissense-worldaloneisdeath.YourrealnatureisSatchidananda,immortalityandbliss.The SeerofSelfseesnotdeathnordiseasenorsorrow.TheSeerseesallashisownSelf.Hepervadesall. Heknowseverything.Heisall-powerful.

WhatIsAtman?

AtmanorBrahmanisExistenceAbsolute,KnowledgeAbsolute,BlissAbsolute.Itis differentfromthegross,subtleandcausalbodies.Ittranscendsthefivesheaths(PanchaKoshas).It isthewitnessofthethreestates:waking,dreaminganddeepsleep.Itisthesupportofthe twenty-fourTattvas.ItisdistinctfromJivaandIshvarawhoareassociatedwithAvidyaandMaya respectively.

TheSelfappearstobefiniteonaccountofAvidya.Butwhentheignoranceisdispelled,that oneAtmanshinesbyitsownlight,likethesunwhencloudsaredispelled.ThisSamsarawhichis filledwithlove,hatred,etc.,isreallylikeadream.Itappearstobeallreal,solongasoneisinvolved init,butwhenoneawakesbyacquiringtrueknowledge,itbecomesunreal.Justasbubblesrise from,existanddissolveinthewater,soalsotheSupremeLordwhoisthematerialcausefor

everything,thepureAtman,bythecontactwiththefivesheaths,etc.,appearstoputontheir respectivequalities.Justasweattributebluecolourtothesky,soalsoweattributeonaccountof indiscrimination,thequalitiesandactivitiesofthebodyandtheorganstothepure,Satchidananda Atman.Passion,desires,happiness,misery,etc.,exercisetheirfunctionsonlyduringwakingand dreamingstateswhentheintellectispresentandarenotpresentinthedeepsleep,whenintellectis absent.They,therefore,belongtotheintellectandnottothePureNirvikaraAtman.Egoismandthe idea“Iknow”cropupbyindiscriminatelymixinguptheSatchidanandaaspectofAtmanwiththe functionsofBuddhi.

VedanticSadhana

AbeginnerinVedantashouldstudyAtma-Bodha,Tattva-Bodha,LaghuVasudeva-Manana andVivekachudamani.Englishtranslationsareavailable.Heshouldhaveacomprehensive understandingoftheVedanticPrakriyas.Heshouldhaveanintelligentgraspofthethreebodies, thefivesheathsandtheirDharmasorfunctions,andthethreestatesofconsciousness,viz.,Jagrat, SvapnaandSushupti.HeshouldknowthevariousYuktissuchasAnvayaVyatireka, Adhyaropa-apavada,Neti-neti,LayaChintana,Bhaga-TyagaLakshana,etc.Heshouldhaveaclear knowledgeofVivartaVada,AdvaitaVada,Drishti-SrishtiVada,Sva-Prakash-VadaandAjati Vada.

AnadvancedstudentshouldstudyUpanishads,BrahmaSutras,Panchadasi,VicharaSagar, NaishkarmaSiddhi,ChitSukhiKhandanaKhadhyam,AdvaitaSiddhi,themonumentalworkson Vedanta.AdvancedbooksshouldbereadunderaBrahma-Srotri,Brahma-nishta.Heshouldrepeat mentallyPranava(OM)atleast21,600timesdaily.HeshouldstarthisSadhana,JapaandNirakara meditationearlyinthemorningat4a.m.Heshouldpossessthefourmeansofsalvation.

Meditation

1.Meditateontheall-pervadingair,ether,light,expansivesky,expansiveoceaninthe beginningtorenderthemindsubtleandfitforabstractmeditation.

2.Meditateonabstractvirtues,viz.,mercy,generosity,magnanimity,courage,patience, peace,balance,poise,etc.Possessthesevirtuesalsotothemaximumdegree.Becomean embodimentofthesevirtues.Havethementalimage‘OmCourage,OmMercy.’Repeatthese formulaeseveraltimesdaily.

3.Meditateonthefollowing.Takeuponeformulaeverymonth.Repeattheformulaseveral timesdaily.

VedanticFormulae

(a)Nothingexists(namesandforms).

(b)Theworldisalongdream.

(c)Nothingbelongstome(Wheneveranybodydiesinyourhouse,wheneveryouloseanything, repeatthisformulaseveraltimesdaily.Youwillhaverealpeaceofmind).

(d)Iamnotthebody(Iamdistinctfrombody).Iamnotthemind(Iamdistinctfromthemind).Iam notPrana(IamdistinctfromPrana).IamnotIndriyas(IamdistinctfromIndriyas).IamImmortal Atman.(Bodyideawilldisappear).

(e)IamSakshiOMOMOM

IamSakshiofmindOMOMOM

IamAkartaOMOMOM

IamAsangaOMOMOM

(f)IamImmortalAtmanOMOMOM

(g)IamSatchidanandaBrahmanOMOMOM

(h)IamBrahmanOMOMOM

Thosewhomeditateontheaboveideasandformulaewillbecomechanged.Theywill becomeveritableGodsonearth,radiatingjoyandpeaceeverywhere.Afterdoingsomepractice, sticktooneideaonly.ThisoneideawilldiebyitselfwhenyougetestablishedinBrahman,inpure NirvikalpaSamadhi.Takeanytripletwhichyoulikebestandmeditateonthatseriouslyinright earnest.

4.Meditateonthefollowing.Feelandidentifyyourselfwiththewholeworld.

FormulaeforMeditation

(a)Thewholeworldismybody.

(b)Thewholeworldismyhome.

(c)Isufferandenjoyinallbodies.

(d)Iworkthroughallhands.

(e)Ieatthroughalltongues.

(f)Iseethroughalleyes.

(g)Ihearthroughallears.

ThiswillresultinCosmicConsciousnessandonenessoflife.AllsortsofGhrina,hatred, envy,jealousy,willvanish.YouwillbecomeonewiththeViratandHiranyagarbha.

5.Meditateontheseideas:

(a)Allisgood.

(b)Allissacred.

(c)Allisone.

(d)AllisGod(Brahman).

(e)Allbodiesaremine.

6.PositiveNirgunaMeditation

(a)IamtheAll.

(b)Iamall-in-all.

(c)IamtheImmortalSelfinall. Feelthis.Feelthis.

VedanticAssertions

(ForSelf-Realisation)

1.Enquire“WhoamI?”

2.Findoutthe“Seer”ofsight.

3.Thouartneitherbodynormind,OSushil!ThouarttheImmortalAtman.Feelthis.Feel this.

4.Denybody,denyworld.Assert.Recognise.Realise.“IamthelivingTruth.Iamthe livingReality.IamSatchidanandaBrahman.“AhamBrahmaAsmi”—“IamtheImmortalSelf.”

5.Roar:OMOMOM,Soham,Soham,SohamSivoham,Sivoham,Sivoham,likealionof Vedantaandcomeoutofthiscageofflesh,mydearSushil,“TatTvamAsi!”

SohamDhyana

SohamandOMareoneandthesame.SohamDhyanaisNirguna,Nirakarameditationonly. Sohammeans“Iamhe”Thisisassociatedwiththebreath.Repeat“So”whenyouinhaleand “Ham”whenyouexhale.Thisiseasyforsome.Thisisknownas‘AjapaJapa’.Feelthatyouarethe all-pervadingpureconsciousnesswhenyouthinkofSoham.ThesourceforthisbreathisBrahman orAtman.Youareidenticalwiththatsourceandreality.

ProblemOfGoodAndEvil

Theuniversecontainstwodynamicforces,viz.,goodandevil.Goodandevilaretwin forces.Theyaretwinbornofthesamefather.Theyare“Dvandvas”orpairsofopposites.Theyhave noindependentexistence.Evilexiststoglorifygood.Evilisdestructiveforce.Goodisconstructive force.Thereisneitherabsolutegoodnorabsoluteevilinthisuniverse.Evilhasnoindependent existenceapartfromgood.Whereverthereisevil,thereisgood;whereverthereisgood,thereis evil.Youcannotexpectabsolutegoodinthisrelativeworld.Youcanfindabsolutegoodin Brahmanalone.FromtheviewpointofthebasicRealitywhichliesatthebackofevilandgood,evil andgooddwindleintoanairynothing.Evilandgoodarementalcreations.Transcendgoodandevil andreachtheabodeofSupremePeaceandImmortality.ForaJnaniwhohasknowledgeoftheSelf, thereisneithergoodnorevil.The‘Why’oftheevilcanonlybeunderstoodwhenyouget Atma-Jnana.Donotrackyourbrainnow.Itisatranscendentalmystery.OnlyBrahmanknows. Finiteintellectthatisconditionedintime,spaceandcausationcannotfindoutasolutionforthis problemofevil.WhenyouarefullyestablishedinyourSvarupa(AtmaNishta)evilandgood vanishaltogether.Donotputthecartbeforethehorse.Transmuteevilintogoodbychangingyour mentalattitudeorangleofvision.Outofevil,goodoftencometh.Destructionisnecessaryfor regeneration,renovationandreconstruction.Willapatientwithintensetypeofappendicularcolic trytofindouttheingredientsofapill,whenthedoctorgiveshimamedicine?Willhenottakethe pillimmediately?Willamanwhoseclothisonfiretrytofindoutthe“why”and“how”ofthefire? Willhenotruntowardswaterforcoolinghimself?

Tamasisevil.Sattvaisgood.ConvertTamasintoSattva.Thenevilistransmutedintogood. Selfishnessisevil.Selflessnessisgood.Lustisanevil.Brahmacharyaisgood.Greedisevil. Generosity,integrity,disinterestednessaregood.Prideisevil.Humilityisgood.

Outofevilgoodoftencometh.Ifthereisaheavytorrentofrainatthetimeofaharvest, peopleconsiderthisasevil.ButGodknowswhatisgoodforHischildren.Hehasbroughtthisrain towashofftheearththegerms,whichproduceseverediseases.Haditnotbeenforthisrain,there wouldhavebeenaseveretypeofpandemic,infectiousdiseaseswhichcouldhavesweptawaythe wholepopulationinthetwinklingofaneye.Markhere.Ofriends,themercifulnatureoftheLord! DonottrytoprobeintotheDivinemysteries.Itwillbaffleyourpoorintellect.

Thenagain,whataboutawar?Itisnodoubtanevil.Butgoodoftencomethoutofwar.A warcannotbreakoutwithoutthesanctionoftheLord.ItisHe,whogoadsthemindsoftheMinister, theKing,theDictator,thePresidentandtheCommander-in-chieftowagewar.Itiswarthat produceschivalrouswarriors,fearlesssoldiers,undauntedandintrepidstatesmen.Warmakesa manfearless.Fearlessnessisagreatqualificationforaspiritualaspirant.Onaccountofpassion, thereisanincreaseinthepopulation.Thesupplyoffoodstuffisnotsufficienttomeetthedemands ofthepeople.Warremovestheextrapopulationandpreventstheoutbreakofaseverefamine.War bringsdowntodusttheprideofarulingpower.Warcreatesmercy,generosityandcosmiclove,in theheartsofrichpersonswhoaremisers;andforcesthemtodonatetothehelplesswidows,orphans andthewoundedpersons.Theworldorsocietymustevolvethroughevil.UnderstandHis mysteriouswaysandbecomewise.

UnityAndDiversity

Thoughyouseevariegatedformswithdifferentshadesofcolours,yetthereisadefinite unitybehindthem.Aphilosopherorseriousthinkerisstruckwithwonder.Hehasadifferent, sensitivepairofeyestobeholdthemysteriousuniverseofsoundsandcolours.Hefeelsandsees unityeverywhere.Forascientisttheworldisamassofelectronsorforceorenergy.Forastudentof Kanada’sschoolofthought,theworldisabundleofatoms, anu and paramanu.Forapsychologist theworldisallmindonly.ForaVijnanavadinitisamereidea.ForaVedantinthisworldisnothing butBrahmanorAtman.

Allobjectsaretheproductsofthefiveelements.Thefiveelementsarereducibletoone element,Akasa.Earthisgrossformofwater.Earthgetsdissolvedorinvolvedinwater.Wateris grossformoffire.Watergetsinvolvedinfire.Watercomesoutoffire.Whenyoufeelintenseheat, yougetprofuseperspiration.FireisgrossformofVayu.Thereisheatwhenthereismotionof Vayu.FiregetsinvolvedinAir.VayuisgrossformofAkasa.VayuisreducedintotheAkasa.This wholeworldisprojectedoutofoneelementAkasaonly.

Thenagainallenergiessuchaselectricity,magnetism,etc.,canbereducedtoone energy—Prana.TheygetinvolvedintheCosmicPrana(Hiranyagarbha).Allmindscanbereduced toonecosmicmind.Thoughexpressedindifferentlanguages,thethought-imageisoneonly.The thought-imageforwaterorApasorPaniorJalisone.

Cowshavedifferentcolours.Butthecolourofmilkisone.Therearedifferentkindsof roses;butthescentisone.Theeyes,ears,tonguesaredifferentbutthepowerofsight,hearingand tasteisone.

Thefeelingofsincerityisonethoughnationsaredifferent.Whenmercy,love,friendship, feelingofbrotherhoodoperate,allareunitedatheart.Thereisonenesseverywhere.

Thereisonlyonelanguage,thelanguageoftheheart.ThereisonlyoneDharma,viz., SanatanaDharma.ThereisonlyoneLaw—theLawofCauseandEffect.Thereisonlyone religion—thereligionofloveorthereligionofVedanta.Thereisonlyonesun,onemoon,one Akasa,oneBrahman,oneAtman,onePurushottama,oneChaitanya.Feeltheonenesseverywhere. RealisetheSatchidanandaAtman,thecommonthreadofconsciousnessthatlinksallthesenames andforms.Alldiversities,alldifferences,allqualities,whichareMayaicormentalcreationswill nowtotallyvanish.Youwillnowrecognise,feelandrealisetheTruthofUpanishadicutterancesof sages,“AhamBrahmaAsmi.IamBrahman.SarvamKhalvidamBrahma.AllisBrahman.Atmaiva Idam—allisAtman.AllisOMonly.”

Unityiseternallife.Diversityisdeath.Unitybringsconcord,harmony,supremepeace. Diversitybringsdiscord,disharmonyandrestlessness.UnityisDivinelifeinspirit.Diversityis Asuriclifeinmatter.

Mayunitybeourcentre,idealandgoal!Mayweallattemptinrightearnesttosecurean immortallifeofsupremejoyinAdvaiticunityofconsciousness!MaythatBrahmanofUpanishads guideus,enlightenthepathofunityandremovetheobstaclesinthepathofourrealisationofthe

oneness!MaytheblessingsofBrahmanbeuponusall!Mayweallendeavourtobringaboutunity amongstmankind!

SectionVI HATHAYOGA

HathaYogaisaDivineBlessingforattainingsuccessinanyfield.BodyandMindare instrumentswhichthepracticeofHathaYogakeepssound,strong,andfullofenergy.

Itisauniquearmourofdefencetobattletheopposingforcesinthematerialandspiritual fields.ByitspracticeyoucancombatAdhi-VyadhiandattainradianthealthandGod-realisation.

Becomeaspiritualherofullofphysical,mentalandspiritualstrength.

Asana

AnysteadycomfortablepostureisanAsana.Thereare84Asanas.Sukha,Siddhaand PadmaAsanasareverygoodformeditationandJapa.IfyoupractiseSiddhasanaforaperiodof twelveyears,thisalonewillgiveyouMoksha.Youmustkeepthehead,neckandthetrunkina straightline.YoucancontroltheRajogunaandtheIndriyasbypracticeofAsana.Severalailments suchashaemorrhoidsorpiles,chronicconstipation,etc.,areremovedbyAsana.

Padmasana

Sitontheground.Placetherightfootontheleftthighandsimilarlytheleftoneontheright thigh.Placethehandsonthethighsnearthekneejoint.ClosetheeyesandconcentrateonTrikuti. ThisisPadmasana.

Siddhasana

Placeoneheelattheanus.Keeptheotherheelattherootofthegenerativeorgan.Closethe eyes.ConcentrateanddoJapaandmeditationonthisAsana.PadmasanaandSiddhasanaaremost suitableformeditation.Startpractisingforhalfanhourandgraduallyincreasetheperiodtothree hours.WhenyousitontheAsana,theremustnotbetheleastshakeinthebody.Youmustbecomea livemarblestatue.Inthebeginning,thebodyfeelsheavy.LateronwhenAsanaSiddhiisobtained, youwillfeelarealpleasureandthebodybecomesverylight.Thebodybecomesyourwilling servanttoobeyyourcommands.

Sukhasana

AnycomfortableAsanainwhichyoucansitforalongtimeisSukhasana.Youmustbe carefultokeepthehead,neckandthetrunkinonestraightline.

TheabovethreeAsanasareintendedforJapaandmeditation.Thereareseveralother AsanasthatareintendedforkeepingupBrahmacharyaandgoodhealthandforawakening Kundalini.

Sirshasana

SirshasanaisthekingofallAsanas.Spreadafour-foldblanket.Resttheheadinsidethe lockedfingersandslowlyraisethelegsup.Thenslowlybringdownthelegswithoutjerks.Takethe helpofawalloranyofyourfriends.Doitforaminuteandincreasetheperiodto5to10minutes.It removesdiseasesoftheeyes,nerves,blood,stomach,intestines,gonorrhoea,spermatorrhoea, dyspepsia,constipation.Itaugmentsthedigestivefire,andimprovesappetite.Ithelpsasbloodand nervinetonic.Intellectualfacultiesdevelop.IthelpsBrahmacharyaandmakesyouanOordhvareta Yogi.

Sarvangasana

Liedownflatontheback.Slowlyraisethelegstoverticalposition.Supportthetrunkwith thepalmsofyourhands.Thewholebodyrestsupontwoshoulders.Pressthechinagainstthechest. Concentrateonthethyroid-glandthatissituatedattherootoftheneck.Doitfrom3to10minutes. Slowlybringdownthelegs.AllthebenefitsofSirshasanaarederivedfromthisAsanaalso.

Matsyasana

DoPadmasana.Lieontheback.Holdtheheadbytwoelbows.Thisisonevariety.Stretch theheadbacksothatthecentreoftheheadrestsonthegroundandcatchholdofthetoes.Forman archofthetrunk.ThisisacontraryAsanatoSarvangasana.ThismustbedoneafterSarvangasana torealisethemaximumbenefits.

Mayurasana

Placethepalmofthetwohandsontheground.Placethenavelonthetwoelbows.Stand uponthehands,thelegsbeingraisedintheairplainorcrossedwithPadmasana.Thisdestroysthe effectofunwholesomefood.Takethehelpoftheendofatable.Practisehereinthebeginning.

Paschimottanasana

Sit.Stretchthelegsonthegroundstifflikeastick.Exhaleandthencatchthetoeswiththe hands.Bendslowlyandplacetheforeheadontheknees.Keepthelungsemptywhenyoubend.This willdriveoutalldiseasesofthestomach.Dothisfiveorsixtimesinthemorningandevening.

DoAsanaswithanemptystomach.

Pranayama

PranayamaorcontrolofPrana,isthemeanstoanend.Ithelpspurificationofthenervesand causesNadiSuddhi.Itawakensthemystic,serpentpower,KundaliniSakti.Purakaisinhalationof breath.Kumbhakaisretention.Rechakaisexhalationofbreath.ThepracticeofPranayamashould besystematicandwell-regulated.TheratiobetweenPuraka,KumbhakaandRechakais1:4:2.If youinhaleforaperiodof12Matras,youwillhavetodoKumbhakaforaperiodof48Matras,then theRechakaperiodis24Matras.YoumustdoRechakavery,veryslowly.Thisisimportant.Thisis a sinequanon ofthepractice.

EasyComfortablePranayama

(SukhaPurvaka)

SitonPadmaorSiddhaAsanawithanemptystomachinyourmeditationroombeforethe pictureofyourIshtaDevata.Closeyoureyes.Closetherightnostrilwiththerightthumb.Drawthe airinslowlythroughtheleftnostril.Thenclosetheleftnostrilwiththerightringandlittlefingers andretaintheairaslongasyoucancomfortablydo.Thenremovetherightthumbandexhale throughtherightnostrilvery,veryslowly.Nowhalftheprocessisover.Similarly,drawtheairin throughtherightnostril;retainthebreathandexhalethroughtheleftnostril.Thisisoneroundof Pranayama.Do20or30Pranayamasinthemorningandeveningtostartwithandslowlyincrease thenumberto80foreachsitting.Firsthavetwosittingsonly,inthemorningandevening.Afterdue

practiceyoucanhavefoursittings.HaveaBhavathatalltheDivinequalitiessuchasmercy,love, forgiveness,Santi,joy,enterintoyoursystemalongwiththeinspiredairandthatallAsuraSampat, devilishqualitiessuchaslust,anger,greed,arethrownoutalongwiththeexpiredair.RepeatOM, orGayatrimentallyduringPuraka,KumbhakaandRechaka.

Pranayamaremovesalldiseases,purifiestheNadis,steadiesthemindinconcentration, improvesdigestion,hardensBrahmacharyaandawakenstheKundalini.HardworkingSadhakas cando320Pranayamasdailyinfoursittingsattherateof80eachsitting.PurificationoftheNadis willsetinrapidly.ManySiddhisareobtainedbyPranayamapractice.

BhastrikaPranayama

ThisisoneoftheeightkindsofPranayamaofYogiSwatmaram.Asthebellowsofthe blacksmithconstantlydilateandcontract,similarly,slowlydrawinairbybothnostrilsandexpand thestomach;thenletoutairquicklymakingthesoundlikebellows.Inhaleandexhalequicklytento twentytimes.ThenperformKumbhakaafteradeepinhalation.Thenexpelitslowly.Dothisthree times.ThisisaverypowerfulPranayama.

Sitali

Drawairforcefullyinthroughthemouth(withlipscontractedandtonguethrustout) foldingthetonguelengthwisewithahissingsoundandfillthelungsslowly.Retainitforashort time,aslongasiscomfortable.Thenexhaleslowlythroughbothnostrils.Practisethisdaily. BhastrikaandSitaliPranayamascanbepractisedeveninstandingposture.[Forfullparticulars,see thebook:“ScienceofPranayama”.]

SectionVII

MINDANDMEDITATION

Donottrytodriveawaytheunimportantandirrelevantthoughts.Themoreyoutry,the morewilltheyreturn,themorestrengthwilltheygain.Youwillonlytaxyourenergyandwill.

Becomeindifferent.FillthemindwithDivinethoughts.Theotherswillgraduallyvanish.

GetyourselfestablishedinNirvikalpaSamadhithroughconstantmeditation.

ThreeDoshasOfTheMind

TherearethreeDoshasordefectsinthemindviz.,Malam,VikshepaandAvarana.The impuritiesofthemindsuchasKama,Krodha,Lobha,Moha,Mada,MatsaryaaretermedMalams. ThisisremovedbythepracticeofYama,NiyamaandNishkamaKarmaYoga.Vikshepaistossing ofthemind.ItisremovedbyUpasana,Trataka,YogaandPranayama.Avaranaistheveilof ignorance.ThisisremovedbythestudyofVedanticliterature,meditationandJnana.

Mind:ItsMysteriesAndControl

MindisAtmaSakti.ItisanillusorypowerofGodorBrahman.Theseatofthemindisheart. Itisformedoutofthesubtlestessenceoffood.AVrittiisawavethatarisesinthemind-lake.There arethreeGunasinthemind,viz.,Sattva(purity),Rajas(passion)andTamas(inertia,darkness). ControltheVrittis.IncreaseyourSattva.

Ifyouentertainthoughtsofhatredyouarereallyamurdererofthatmanagainstwhomyou fostersuchthoughts.Youarecommittingsuicide,becausethosethoughtsreboundupononlyyou. Hatredceasesonlybyloveandnotbyhatred.

Yourthoughts,sentiments,moodsandemotionsproducetheirstrongimpressionsonthe face.Thefaceislikeanadvertisementboardwhereiniswhatisgoinginthemindisspecified.

Asthefirstthoughtisthethought“I”andasthisthought“I”isatthebaseofallother thoughts.Ahamkaraistheseedforthemind.Buddhi(BhedaBuddhi)isthecauseforthis differentiation(thislittle“I”,theself-arrogatingfalsepersonality),andisagainthecauseof Ahamkara.DestroythisfalseegoismandtheBhedaBuddhibyBrahmaBhava,Vicharaandrestin yourownnaturalSatchidanandaSvarupa.

Trataka

TratakaisoneoftheShatKarmasinthelightofHathaYogaphilosophy.Tratakaalsoplays averyprominentpartinRajaYogaandJnanaYoga.Tratakaisfocussingofone’sownenergy towardsanobjectorthingoranideaandobservingeverydetailanddissecting,analysing, consciouslyandsubconsciouslydrawingtoitselfeverypossiblebitofinformationregardingitboth withinandwithout.Tratakaliesatthebaseofwill-power.ThisisapreliminarySadhanaforaYogic student.AJnaniconcentrateshisattentiononanabstractthought—“AhamBrahmaAsmi.Iamall purity.Iamallpower,”etc.Itisreallyanup-hillworkoratremendoustaskforpeopleofaverage intelligencetoconcentrateonanabstractthought.Tobeginwith,youwillhavetoconcentrateon concreteobject.

KeepthepictureofyourIshtaDevatainfrontofyou.IshalltellyounowhowtodoTrataka onLordVishnu. “Dhyeyasadasavitrimandalamadhyavarti,Narayanasarasijasanasannivishta; Keyuravan,Makarakundalavan,kirtiharihhiranmayavapuh;Dhritasankhachakragadapane dvarakanilayachyuta.”

FixthemindfirstonthefeetofLordVishnu,thenonlotusunderthelegs.Takeitroundthe yellowsilkencloththePitambara,thentothegoldenHara,thegemonthebreast,thenear-ring,then theface,thenthecrownonthehead,thenthebraceletsonthearm,thenthediscintherightupper hand,thentheconchintheleftupperhand,thentheGadaormaceintheleftlowerhand.Thisisthe order.Thencomedowntothefeetandstartagaintotheupperparts.Dolikethisagainandagain. Wheneverthemindrunsaway,fixitagainandagain,justasLordKrishnasaysintheGitaVI-25:

“Yatoyatonischaratimanaschanchalamasthiram Tatastatoniyamyaitadatmanyevavasamnayet.”

TheconchrepresentsOMorSabdhaBrahman.ThediskisthedestroyeroftheevilVrittisor Vasanas,themacerepresentstheemblemofsovereignty,thelotusatthefeetrepresentstheworld oruniverse.

Attheoutset,youcandoTrataka,aftertakingAsana,onafineblackpointonthewallin frontfor10minutes.Slowlyincreasethetime.Haveasteadyuninterruptedgazeonthedotwithout closingtheeyes.YoucanalsodoTratakaafterclosingthetwoearswithyourtwothumbs,onthe AnahatsoundthatrisesfromtheAkasaoftheheart.ThiswillleadtoactualLaya,inthelongrun. ThenyoucandoTratakaonLordVishnu,Siva,KrishnaoranyotherMurthy.Tratakapracticegives tremendouspowerandremovesahostofopthalmicailments(eyetroubles)andbestowsDivya Drishti.

PracticeOfConcentration

Fixthemindonsomeobjecteitherinsideoroutsidethebody.Keepitsteadythereforsome time.Thisisconcentration.Youwillhavetopractisethisdaily.

Purifythemindfirstthroughthepracticeofrightconductandthentaketothepracticeof concentration.Concentrationwithoutpurityisofnouse.Therearesomeoccultistswhohave concentration;buttheyhavenogoodcharacter.Thisisthereasonwhytheydonotmakeany progressinthespiritualpath.

Hewhohasasteadypostureandhaspurifiedthenervesandthevitalsheathbytheconstant practiceofcontrolofbreathwillbeabletoconcentrateeasily.Concentrationwillbeintenseifyou removealldistractions.Acelibatewhohaspreservedhisenergywillhavewonderful concentration.

Somefoolish,impatientstudentstaketoconcentrationatoncewithoutanypreliminary ethicaltraining.Thisisaseriousblunder.Ethicalperfectionisofparamountimportance.

Youcanconcentrateinternallyonanyoneofthesevencentresofspiritualenergy.Attention playsaprominentpartinconcentration.Hewhohasdevelopedhispowersofattentionwillhave goodconcentration.Amanwhoisfullofpassionandallsortsofdesires,canneverconcentrateon anyobjectevenforashortperiod.Hismindwillberestlesslikethatofamonkey.

Ascientistconcentrateshismindandinventsmanythings.Throughconcentrationheopens thelayersofthegrossmindandpenetratesdeeplyintothehigherregionsofthemindandgets deeperknowledge.Heconcentratestheenergiesofhismindandfocusesthemonthematerialsheis analysingandfindsouttheirsecrets.

Hewhohasgainedabstraction(withdrawingthesensesfromtheobjects)willhavegood concentration.Youwillhavetopassonthespiritualpathstepbystep,stagebystage.Tostartwith, laythefoundationofrightconduct,postures,regulationofbreath,andabstraction.The superstructureofconcentrationandmeditationwillbesuccessfulonlythen.

Youshouldbeabletovisualisetheobjectofconcentrationveryclearlyeventhoughitisnot there.Youmustformthementalpictureatamoment’snotice.Ifyouhavegoodconcentrationyou candothiswithoutmuchdifficulty.

Attheinitialstageofpracticeyoucanconcentrateonthe tick-tick soundofawatch,the flameofacandleoranyotherobjectwhichispleasingtothemind.Thisisconcreteconcentration. Thereisnoconcentrationwithoutsomethingatwhichthemindmayrest.Themindcaneasilybe fixedonanyobjectwhichispleasing.Itisverydifficulttofixthemindinthebeginningonanobject whichitdislikes.

Sitonlotus-pose,Padmasana,withcrossedlegs.Fixthegazeonthetipofthenose.Thisis callednasalgaze.Donotmakeanystrainedeffort.Gentlylookatthetipofthenose.Practisefor oneminuteinthebeginning.Graduallyincreaseto30minutesoronehour.Thispracticesteadies themind.Itdevelopsthepowerofconcentration.Evenwhenyouwalkinthestreetskeepupthis practice.

Sitonlotus-posewithcrossedlegsorin“perfectedpose”(Siddhasana)inyourmeditation roomandpractisefixingthemindatthejunctionoftheeyebrowsgentlyforhalfaminute.Then graduallyincreasetheperiodtohalfanhour.Theremustnotbetheleaststraininthispractice.This practiceremovestherestlessnessofmindanddevelopsconcentration.Thisisknownasthefrontal gazebecausetheeyesaredirectedtowardsthefrontalboneoftheforehead.Youcanselecteither thenasalgazeorthefrontalgazeaccordingtoyourtemperamentandcapacity.

Ifyouwanttoincreaseyourpowerofconcentrationyouwillhavetoreduceyourworldly activities.Youwillhavetoobservethevowofsilenceeverydayfortwohoursormore.

Practiseconcentrationtillthemindiswellestablishedontheobjectofconcentration.When themindrunsawayfromtheobjectbringitbackagain.

Whenconcentrationisdeepandintense,thesensescannotoperate.Hewhopractisesperfect concentrationforthreehoursdailywillhavetremendouspsychicpowers.Hewillhaveastrong will-power.

Therewasaworkmanwhousedtomanufacturearrows.Oncehewasverybusyathiswork. HewassomuchabsorbedinhisworkthathecouldnotnoticeeventhebigpartyofaKingandhis retinuepassinginfrontofhisshop.Suchmustbethenatureofyourconcentrationwhenyoufix yourmindonGod.YoumusthavetheideaofGodandGodalone.Nodoubt,ittakessometimeto havecompleteconcentrationorattainone-pointednessofmind.Youwillhavetostruggleveryhard tohaveasingle-mindedconcentration.

Evenifthemindrunsoutsideduringyourpracticeinmeditationdonotbother.Allowitto run.Slowlytrytobringittoyourobjectofconcentration.Byrepeatedpracticethemindwillbe finallyfocussedonyourheart,ontheSelf,theIndwellerofyourheart—-thefinalgoaloflife.Inthe beginningthemindmayrunout80times.Aftersixmonthsitmayrun70times;withinayearitmay run50times;withintwoyearsitmayrun30times;infiveyearsitmaybecompletelyfixedinthe DivineConsciousness.Thenitwillnotrunoutatallevenifyoutryyourbesttobringitout.Itwill

belikeawanderingbullwhichusedtoruntothegardensofneighboursforgrazingbutwhichnow eatsfreshgrainandextractofcottonseedsinitsownrestingplace.

Meditation

Meditationisanunbrokenuninterruptedorincessantflowoftheideaoftheobjectthatis concentratedupon.IfyoucloseyoureyeswhenyoudoTratakaandmentallyvisualisethepictureof theobjectofTrataka,itisconcretemeditationorSagunameditation.Concretemeditationonan objectisnecessaryforanuntrainedmind,inthebeginning.Ifyoumeditateonanabstractidea,it willconstituteNirgunameditation.

Forbeginnerswhosemindsareengrossedinandfilledwithpassionsandimpurities, meditationonaformisabsolutelynecessary.AMurtyoranyconcreteformsuchasaPratimais indispensableduringmeditationorJapa.Withoutundergoingacourseofconcretemeditationinthe beginning,especiallyfortheordinarytypeofpeople,itisabsolutelyimpossibletostartNirguna meditationattheveryoutset.Thevastmajorityofaspirantscommitaseriousmistakeinjumpingto Nirgunameditationallatonce.Theywillonlybreaktheirlegs.Themindissoframedasitdemands aformtoclingto.MeditationonaMurty,i.e.,astone-imageremainsthestoneasitis,butthe devotionofthedevoteegoestotheLord.Heispleased.DivineGracewillsurelydescend.Youwill havetosuperimposetheattributesofGodonthestone-image.Youwillhavetoimaginethatthereis theAntaratmanhiddenintheimage,theall-pervading,indwellingpresence,thepure consciousness,theChaitanyaatthebackofit.

Achildmakesatoy-child(doll)ofrags,andplayswithitwithmotherlyinstinctsofnursing andprotection.Thedollremainsthesamebutthechilddevelopsthemotherlyinstinctsforfuture developmentandmanifestation.Evenso,aBhaktainworshippingaMurty,developsdevotion, Bhakti.Anugraha,Preeti,VirahaandMahabhavaandeventuallyParabhakti.

AnaspirantcanmeditateonthephysicalformofhisGuru.

SitonPadmasanaorSiddhasanainasolitaryroom.Closetheeyes.Concentrateonthe pictureofLordVishnuintheheart.ImaginethatLordVishnuisseatedtherewithHisfourhandsin thecentreofablazingsunoflight,withconch,disc,maceandlotus.Mentallyvisualisethepicture, fromheadtofootasyouhavedoneinTrataka.DomentalPujaalso.Offerflowers,Arghya,Sandal paste,incense;burncamphor,etc.,mentally.SimilarlyyoucanmeditateonLordSiva,Krishna, Devi.Insteadofconcentratingattheheart,youcanconcentrateatthespacebetweenthetwo eyebrows(Trikuti).PractisethisSagunameditationfortwoyearsandthentaketoNirguna meditation.Youcandomeditationwhilesittingorstandingorwalking.Forbeginnersasitting postureisnecessary.RepeatyourGuruMantraortheMantraoftheIshtaDevatamentally. Associatetheideasofpurity,infinity,eternity,immortality,Vyapaka,Paripurna,Sat-Chit-Ananda, Akhanda,Advaita,Chidakasa,etc.,withOmrepetition.

Samadhi

SamadhiisdeepsleepwiththefullknowledgeoftheSelf.Yougetthissleeplesssleepwhen youhaveburntthefiveJnanaIndriyasinthefireofWisdom,whenyouhaveextricatedyourself fromtheclutchesofAvidya,Mayaorignoranceandwhenyouhavecontrolledalldesires.

Tadevarthamatranirbhasam SvarupaSoonyamevaSamadhi —PatanjaliYogaSutra.

SamadhiSamathovasthaJeevatmaParamatmano —DattatreyaSamhita.

Thisisnotastateofnothingnessbutastateof“everythingness.”Youenterintoastateof AbsoluteAwareness,inwhichtimeandplacedisappear;everyplaceishere;everyperiodoftimeis ‘now’;andeverythingis“I”.InthisstateyouhaveobtainedBlissandEternalLife.

Duringcosmicconsciousness,youareintouchwithuniversalknowledgeandlife.The Divineprincipleflowsthroughyou.Yourlittle,individualpersonalityislost.Yourindividualwill hasbecomemergedinthecosmicwillorIshvara’swill.Youareawareoftheonenessoflife.You havetheoneconsciousness—CHINMAYA—thattheuniverseisfilledwithonelife,thatthe universeisfulloflife.

YouhaveTattvaJnanaandyouseetherealuniverse,whichistheessenceorbackgroundof theuniverseofMatter, EnergyandMind. YouareinastateofBlissandEcstasybeyond understandinganddescription.ThisisacognitivetraceorTuriyaAvasthawhereTriputi (knowledge,knowableandknower)exists.

PhilosophyOfSleep

StudytheconditionofSushuptiAvasthaorJadaNidra,thestateofdeepsleep.Thereis neithertheplayofthemindnortheplayoftheIndriyas.Therearenoobjects.Thereisneither attractionnorrepulsion(Raga,Dvesha).WherefromdoyouderivetheAnandainsleep?The experienceinsleepisuniversal.Thereisnodifferenceofopinionhere.Everyonesays:“Islept soundly.Iknewnothing.Iwasveryhappyinsleep.”DuringdeepsleepyourestinSat-Chit-Ananda AtmanandenjoytheAtmicblisswhichisindependentofobject.Thedifferencebetweendeepsleep andSamadhiisthatindeepsleepthereistheveilofignoranceandinSamadhithisveilisremoved. Youdrawfourconclusionsfromsleep:(1)Youexist.Thereisfeelingofcontinuityof consciousness.(2)ThereisAdvaita.(3)YouareAnandaSvarupa.(4)TheworldisMithya.Names andformsareillusory.Theworldisamereplayofthemind.Itisonlyaphenomenalappearance. Whenthereismind,thereisworld.IfyoucanproduceManonasa(destructionofthemind) consciouslythroughYogaSadhana,theworldwilldisappear.YouwillfeeltheAtmaneverywhere. Eveninthedaytime,youbecomeonewiththeAtmanwheneveradesireisgratified.Whenyou enjoyanobjectyoubecomemindless(Amana)forashorttime.YourestinyourownAtmanand enjoytheAtmicBliss(spiritualAnanda).Ignorantpersonsattributethehappinesstotheobjects. Justasthedogwhichsucksadrybone,foolishlyimaginesthatbloodcomesfromthedrybone,

whereasinrealitythebloodoozesoutofitsownpalate,soalsofoolishpersonsimaginethat thehappinesscomesfromexternalobjects,whiletheyactuallyderivethehappinessfromtheirown Atmanwithin.TheyaredeludedowingtotheforceofMayaandAvidya.

SectionVIII BRAHMACHARYA

WithoutperfectBrahmacharyayoucannothavesubstantialspiritualprogress.Thereisno half-measureinthespiritualpath.

Controlthebodyfirst.Thenpurifyyourthoughtsthroughprayer,Japa,Kirtan,Vicharaand meditation.

Makeafirmresolve“IwillbeaperfectBrahmacharifromtoday.”

MaytheLordgiveyouspiritualstrengthtoresisttemptationandkilllust!

Importance

Brahmacharya—thatistheDivineworld.ItisthesumandsubstanceofYoga.Through Avidyathatisforgotten.ItisthesupremeYogathatLordKrishnaemphasisesrepeatedlyinHis ImmortalSong—theGita.InChapterVI,Sloka14,itisveryclearlystatedthatthevowof Brahmacharyaisnecessaryformeditation(Brahmacharivratesthitah).AgaininChapterXVII Sloka14,HesaysthatBrahmacharyaisoneoftheausteritiesofthebody(sariratapas).Nowwe haveoneofthemostimportantstatementsmadeintheGita,thatYatispractiseBrahmacharyain ordertoattainthegoal,spokenofbytheknowersofVeda(ChapterVIIISloka11).Thisistaken fromKathaUpanishad(ChapterIIMantra15).ThereYamasaystoNachiketasthatthelifeof Brahmacharyaisnecessarytoreachthegoal:“ThatwhoseformandessentialnaturealltheVedas declare;inordertoattainwhichtheyprescribeausterities;desiringtoknowwhichthegreatones observeBrahmacharya;thatsymbolwillbrieflytellthee,itisOM.”

ChangeTheAngleOfVision

Forascientistawomanisamassofelectrons.ForaVaiseshicphilosopherofRishi Kanada’sschoolofthought,sheisaconglomerationofatoms,Paramanu.Dvianu,Trianu(two atoms,threeatoms).Foratigersheisaprey.Forthepassionatehusbandsheisanobjectof enjoyment.Foracryingchildsheisanaffectionatemother,whowillgiveitmilk,sweets,andother comforts.Forajealoussisterorsister-in-lawsheisanenemy.ForaVivekiorVairagi(amanof discriminationanddispassionatenature)sheisacombinationofflesh,bone,urine,faecalmatter, wool,pus,perspiration,blood,phlegm,etc.Forafull-blownJnanisheisSat-Chit-AnandaAtman.

“SarvamKhalvidamBrahma”—AllisBrahmanonly.Nameandformsareonlymentalcreations likesnakeintheropeormaninthepost.

Changethementalattitude(Bhava).Youwillhaveheavenonearth.Youwillbeestablished inBrahmacharya.ThisisanimportantmethodforbecomingatrueBrahmachari.SeeAtmaninall women.Rejectallnamesandformsandtakeonlytheunderlyingessence—Asti-Bhati-Priyaor Sat-Chit-Ananda.Allnamesandformsareunreal,liketheshadow,waterinthemirage,bluenessin thesky.

AssertionsForAndMeditationOnBrahmacharya

MantrasorFormulae

1.IamallPurity(Suddhoham)OMOMOM

2.SexlessAtmanIamOMOMOM

3.ThereisneitherlustnorsexualVasanainAtmanorBrahmanOMOMOM

4.LustisamentalVikara;IamSakshiofthismodificationOMOMOM

5.IamAsangaOMOMOM

6.Mywillispure,strongandirresistibleOMOMOM

7.IamfullyestablishedinphysicalandmentalBrahmacharyanowOMOMOM

8.IamfeelingthepuritynowOMOMOM

SitaloneinyourmeditationroominPadma,Siddha,SvastikaorSukhaAsana.Closeyour eyes.Slowlyrepeatagainandagaintheaboveformulaementally.Alsolettheminddwellonthe significanceoftheformulae.Saturatethemindwiththeaboveideas.Yourheart,mind,intellectand soulshouldfeelthepurity.HavethewordimageOMPurityclearlybeforethemind.Visualisethe mentalimage.Yourwholesystem,flesh,blood,bone,nerves,cells,molecules,atomsandelectrons shouldpowerfullyvibratewiththeaboveideas.

Youcanhaveasittingatnightalso.ThisisgeneralmeditationforSelf-realisation.Sitfor tenminutes.Increasetheperiodtohalfanhour.KeepuptheBhavaduringworkalso.Writedown onapieceofpaperinboldtypesOMPURITYsixtimes.Keepthepaperinyourpocket.Readit severaltimesduringthecourseoftheday.Fixitinaprominentplaceinyourhouse.Remember dailytheBrahmachari-SaintslikeSwamiVivekananda,SwamiDayanandaandtheirpowerful actions.ThinkaboutthemultifariousadvantagesofBrahmacharyaanddisadvantagesofimpure life.Neverleavethepractice.Beregularandsystematic.Graduallyyouwillbecomepurerand purerandultimatelyyouwillbecomeanUrdhvaretaYogi.Bepatient.

PrayerForPurity

“OLovingLordofCompassion!HeyPrabhu!theSoulofmysoul,theLifeofmylife,the Mindofmymind,theEarofmyear,Lightoflights,Sunofsuns!Givemelightandpurity.Letme getestablishedinphysicalandmentalBrahmacharya.Letmebepureinthought,wordanddeed. GivemestrengthtocontrolmyIndriyasandobservetheBrahmacharyaVrata.Protectmefromall sortsoftemptationsofthisworld.LetallmyIndriyasbeeverengagedinThysweetservice.Wipe outthesexualSamskarasandVasanas.Annihilatelustfrommymind.Makemeatrue Brahmachari,SadachariandanUrdhvaretaYogi.Letmebechasteinmylook.Letmealwayswalk inthepathofrighteousness.MakemeaspureasSwamiVivekananda,SwamiDayananda, BhishmaPitamaha,HanumanorLakshmana.Forgive.ForgiveallmyAparadham.IamThine.Iam

Thine. TrahiTrahi (protectprotect). PrachodayatPrachodayat (guideme).OMOMOM. EnlightenmyBuddhi.”

RecipesForBrahmacharya

PrescriptionsforCelibacy

1.Sirshasana5minutes

Sarvangasana10minutes

FastsOnEkadasidaysoronalternativeSundays.

Japaonehour

StudyoftheGitaonehour

Meditationhalfanhour

2.Siddhasana45minutes

Pranayamahalfanhour

Milkandfruitsatnight

UddiyanaBandhamorningandevening Keepthemindfullyoccupiedby:Reading,gardeningandKirtan.

3.Kirtanhalfanhour

Prayerhalfanhour

Satsangaonehour

Triphalawaterinthemorning

AtmaVichara,Meditation15minutes

4.Trataka(gazing)onOMorLordKrishna10minutes

MahaMantraBhajanhalfanhour

KrishnaMantraJapahalfanhour BadamandMisre(intheearlymorning).

Huxley’sNervigorSyrupwithformatesonetea-spoonfulwithfourtea-spoonfulofwater twicedailyafterfood.

(Youcancombinealltheaboveitemstoyourbestadvantage)

SectionIX

YOGAINANUTSHELL

TheSaltoflifeisselflessservice.Thebreadoflifeisuniversallove.Thewateroflifeis purity.

Thesweetnessoflifeisdevotion.Thefragranceoflifeisgenerosity.Thepivotoflifeis meditation.ThegoaloflifeisSelf-realisation.

Therefore,serve.Love.Bepureandgenerous.Meditateandrealise.

SpiritualLessons

IfonecanalwaysrememberthatGodiswatchingallhisthoughts,hewilldoveryfewevil actions.HewillrealiseGodquickly.ButheforgetsthispointowingtoforceofMayaorAvidya. ButaVivekiwhohasgotthepowerofdiscriminationremembersthisonaccountofthedescentof God’sgrace(Anugraha)andmarchesonthespiritualpathwithbold,steadyandquicksteps.The descentoftheDivinegraceisduetocountlessvirtuousactionsdonebyhimwithNishkamaBhava duringseveralbirths.

Thisworldisasunrealasashadow,bubbleorfroth.Whydoyourunafterwealth,woman andthetoysofnameandfame?

SomeBhaktasthinkthattheyhavemadeacompleteself-surrender.Buttheyhavetheirown wayssometimesandcherishsomedesires.Theywalkintheirownegoisticways.Thissurrenderis insincere.TheyarenotentitledtothedescentofDivineGrace.

Nooneisalwayspraised.Nooneisalsoalwayscensured.Alsothereisnooneonearthwho isnotblamed.Therefore,donotbotheraboutpraiseorcensure.Riseabovecensureandpraiseand identifyyourselfwiththeAbsolute,theGloryofglories,theHolyofholies,theLightoflights,the Sunofsuns,AtmanorSupremeSelf.

Thebodyisthesourceofallpains.Hungeristheworstofalldiseases.Thereisnofirelike lust.Santosha(contentment)isthebestofallvirtues.

GuideToSadhakas

1.Reduceyourwantstothebarestminimum.

2.Adaptyourselftocircumstances.

3.Neverbeattachedtoanythingoranybody.

4.Sharewhatyouhavewithothers.

5.Beeverreadytoserve.Losenoopportunity.ServewithAtmaBhava.

6.EntertainAkartaandSakshiBhava.

7.Speakmeasuredandsweetwords.

8.HaveaburningthirstforGod-realisation.

9.RenounceallyourbelongingsandsurrenderyourselfuntoGod.

10.Spiritualpathisasharp-edgedrazorpath.AGuruisabsolutelynecessary.

11.Havegreatpatienceandperseverance.

12.NeverleavetheAbhyasaevenforaday.

13.TheGuruwillonlyguideyou.Youshouldyourselftreadthepath.

14.Lifeisshort.Timeofdeathisuncertain.ApplyyourselfseriouslytoYogicSadhana.

15.Maintaindailyspiritualdiaryandrecordcorrectlyyourprogressandfailures.Stickto resolves.

16.DonotcomplainthatthereisnotimeforSadhana.Reducesleepandtalltalks.Stickto meditationinBrahmamuhurta.

17.LetthethoughtofGod(Reality)keepawaythethoughtoftheworld.

18.Forgetthefeelingthatyouaresoandso—amaleorafemale—byvigorous Brahma-chintana.

19.Neverpostponeathingfortomorrowifitispossibleforyoutodoittoday.

20.Donotboastormakeashowofyourabilities.Besimpleandhumble.

21.Becheerfulalways.Giveupworries.

22.Beindifferenttothingsthatdonotconcernyou.

23.Flyawayfromcompanyanddiscussion.

24.Bealoneforafewhoursdaily.

25.Giveupgreediness,jealousyandhoarding.

26.ControlyouremotionsbydiscriminationandVairagya.

27.Maintainequilibriumofmindalways.

28.Thinktwicebeforeyouspeakandthricebeforeyouact.

29.Giveupbackbiting,criticisingandfaultfinding.Bewareofreaction.

30.Findoutyourownfaultsandweaknesses.Seeonlygoodinothers.

31.Forgiveandforgettheharmdonebyothers.Dogoodtothosewhohateyou.

32.Shunlust,anger,egoism,MohaandLobhaasavenomouscobra.

33.Bepreparedtosufferanyamountofpain.

34.HaveasetofmaximsalwayswithyoutoinduceVairagya.

35.Treatsensualenjoymentaspoison,vomitedfood,Vishtaorurine.Theycannotgiveyou satisfaction.

36.PreserveyourVeeryacarefully.Sleepalwaysseparately.

37.RevereladiesasMotherDivine.Rootoutthesexidea.Prostratebeforeall.

38.Seegoodineveryface,ineverything.

39.TaketoSankirtan,Satsanga,prayerwhenthemindisoverpoweredbylowerinstincts.

40.Faceobstaclescoollyandboldly.

41.Carenotforcriticismwhenyouareinthepath.Yieldnottoflattery.

42.Respectroguesandscoundrels.Servethem.

43.Admityourfaultsopenly.

44.Takecareofyourhealth.DonotneglectdailyAsanasandexercises.

45.Beactiveandnimblealways.

46.Developyourheartbygiving.Beextraordinarilycharitable.Givemorethanone’s expectations.

47.Desiresmultiplymisery.Developcontentment.

48.Controlthesensesonebyone.

49.DevelopBrahmakaraVrittibyrepeatedthinking.

50.Haveacheckoverallyourthoughts.Keepthempureandsublime.

51.Donotlosetemperwhenanybodyinsults,tauntsorrebukesyou.Itisamereplayof wordsandavarietyofsound.

52.RestyourmindinGodandliveinTruth.

53.Beupanddoinginthepathofperfection.

54.Haveadefiniteaiminyourlifeandproceedcautiously.

55.BenefitsofMounaareincalculable.Nevergiveupthispractice.

56.Fourimportantgatesforpassiontoenterthemindaresound,touch,sightandthoughts. Bevigilant!

57.HaveintimateconnectionwithnonebutGod.Mixlittlewithothers.

58.Bemoderateineverything.Extremesarealwaysdangerous.

59.Everydayhaveself-analysisandintrospection.Knowtheamountofyourgrowth.

60.Giveupcuriositiesinspiritualpath.Conserveyourenergyandconcentrate.Thinklittle offood,bodyandrelatives.ThinkmoreofAtman.Youmustrealiseinthisverybirthitself!

SayingsOfSiva

NityaSukhaandParamaSanticanbehadonlyinGod.

Godisinyourheart.HeisinyouandyouareinHim.JustfeelHisPresence.

ThroughBhranticausedbythemind,painismistakenforpleasure.

Everyoneinthisworldrunsafterpleasureandtriestogetridofpain.

Sensualenjoymentisattendedwithvariousdefects.

Mayabindspeoplethroughaffection,love,tenderness,respect,present,etc.

Humanloveisselfishandhypocritical.

Aseverythingisunrealinthisworld,treatloveandrespectaspoison.

LivealoneandenjoytheAtmicBlissinyourheart.

OnlythemanwhoisspirituallythirstywilldrinktheNectarofImmortality.

Inthepresenceofsensualpleasures,AtmicBlisscannotbehad.

Thereisnowayofoverhaulingthevicious,worldlypersonsotherthanthepersonalcontact ofaGuru.

Workisahelpforbeginnersandhindranceforadvancedpersonsinmeditation.

MindisonlyabundleofSamskaras,ideas,habits,impulses,thoughtsandemotions.

ManyhavefallenfromYogabytheinfluenceofsubtledesires.

Themostdifficultthinginthisworldisconcentration.

MentalpurityisofparamountimportanceforSelf-realisation.

Memoryofthepastretardsanaspirant’sspiritualadvancement.

Agrossmindwithselfishnessandlustisabsolutelyunfitforaspirituallife.

ConversationsOnYoga

Q.Whatwillgivepeaceofmindtothosewhoaremateriallypoor.

A.PeaceofmindforoneandallcanbehadonlybyrealisingGod.Oneshouldnotidentify himselfwiththeperishablebody,butshouldfeelthatheisAtman.Thenandthenalone,hewill haveParamaSanti.

Q.WhatistherightwayofprayingtoGodandhowfarisitpossibleforanordinarymanto praylikethat?

A.ThemainthingtobelookedtowhileprayingtotheLordisone’smentalBhava.There shouldbenoselfishmotive.PraytoGodforpurity,devotion,lightandknowledge.Youwillget thesethings.Prayinanywayyoulike.Becomeassimpleasachild.Openfreelythechambersof yourheart.Havenocunningness.Everymancanandshouldadoptthisattitude.

Q.Whatistherealaimofeducation?

A.EducationshouldteachthepupilstoloveGodandman.Educationshouldinstructthe students,tobetruthful,morallysound,fearless,humble,andmerciful.Educationshouldteachthe studentstopractiserightconduct,rightthinking,rightliving,rightaction,self-sacrificeandto attainknowledgeoftheSelf.ThemainpurposeofeducationmustbetomakemanarealMANwith alldivineattributes.

Q.WhatisexpectedfromateacherintheElementarySchool?

A.Ateacherisexpectedtoimpartrealeducationtothestudents,asmentionedintheanswer above.

Q.DoyoureallybelievethatunlessIleavemywifeandchildrenIwillneverobtainMukti?

A.CelibacyisagreatdesideratumforthepathofYoga.Thoughitisinnowaynecessaryfor youtoabandonhome,wifeandchildren,yetyouwouldbewelladvisedtoreduceallcarnal relationshipwithyourpartnertotheminimum.Marriedlife,iflivedinaperfectidealmanner,isno bartotheattainmentofMukti.Muktiisaquestionofsincere,earnestSadhanaandtheGraceofthe Lord.

TenVitalInstructions

ThereisnouseoftalkingonabstruseVedanticPhilosophy.IfIbegintoexplain Adhyaropa-Apavada,Bhaga-TyagaLakshana,andtheNeti-Netidoctrines,theywillallbeGreek andLatintoyou.Iwanttobringhometoyourmindssomeimportantpointswhichyouwillbeable toputintodailypractice.Getupat4a.m.—Brahmamuhurtawhichisveryfavourablefor meditation.Answerthecallsofnature.Washyourface.DoJapaandmeditationfor1or2hours.In theearlymorningthemindisfreefromworldlySamskaras.Itismoreorlesslikeablanksheetof paper.Itcanbemouldedveryeasily.Haveyourownmeditationroom.Thenreadonechapterofthe Gita.ObserveMounafor2hoursdaily.Mounahelpsconcentrationandaffordspeaceofmind. Energyisconservedandwill-powerisdeveloped.TakeSattvicfoodandMithahara.Dosome AsanasandPranayamasregularlytokeepupyourhealthandtosteadythemind.Takemilkand fruitsonEkadasi.Spendonetenthofyourincomeincharity.Charitypurifiestheheart.Develop Sattvicvirtuessuchastolerance,mercy,forgiveness,nobility,etc.PreservetheVeerya.Keepa homeopathicchestoftwelvetissueremedies.ThisisaMaha-Yogaforyou.Givemedicinetoallthe sickpersons.Becomeamemberofsomesocialinstitutionanddosocialservicewholeheartedly withoutexpectationofrewardandwithoutegoism.ThisisabeautifulSadhanaforSelf-realisation.

PanchaMahaYajnas

IshallspeakawordonthePanchaMahaYajnaswhichareintendedtobeperformedbythe householdersforpurificationofheart.ThefivegreatYajnasare:

(1)DevaYajnaisofferingoblationstoDevataswithrecitationofVedicMantras.

(2)RishiYajnaconsistsofstudyofVedasandteachingofVedastostudentsandofferingof oblationstoRishis.

(3)PitruYajnaconsistsofTarpanaoroblationstodepartedsoulsandShraaddhaorannual religiousritesperformedforthem.

(4)BhutaYajnaisdistributionoffoodtocrows,cowsandotheranimals.Thisdevelops cosmicloveandAdvaiticBhava.

(5)AtithiYajnaisgivingfoodtoguestsandhonouringthem.

EveryhouseholdershouldperformthesefiveYajnas.Ifhefailstodo,hewillsufferfrom PratyayaDosha(thesinofomission).Thefireplace,thewaterpot,thecutting,grindingand sweepingapparatusesarethefiveplaceswhereinjurytolifeisdailybeingcommitted.Thesesins arewashedawaybythefiveMahaYajnaswhicheveryDvijaoughttoperform;theyareintendedto satisfytheBhutas,theRishis,themen,thegodsandthePitrus.

ThePitrusareforefatherswhodwellinthePitruloka.Theypossesspowersofclairvoyance andclairaudience.WhenMantrasarerecited,theyexerciseatremendousinfluencethroughtheir vibrationsoverthereciteroftheMantras,andhisforefatherstowhomtheyaredirected.ThePitrus heartheMantrasthroughtheirpowerofclairaudience,andarepleased.Theyblessthosewhooffer theoblation.InShraaddha,theessenceoffoodofferingsistakenupbySun’sraystoSuryalokaand thedepartedsoulsarepleasedwiththeofferingswhichreachthemthroughtheSun.Evenin Germany,manypersonsperformTarpanaandShraaddha.Theyhavescientificallyinvestigatedthe beneficialeffectsofsuchoblations.Itistheimperativedutyofallhouseholderstoperform ShraaddhaandTarpanatopropitiatetheRishisandPitrus.Itisonlydeludedsoulswithperverted intellectwhomisconstruethesethingsandneglecttoperformthesacredceremoniesandsufferasa consequence.

SankirtanDhvanis

1.JayaGanesaJayaGanesa,JayaGanesaPahiMam. SriGanesaSriGanesaSriGanesaRakshaMam.

2.JayaGuruSivaGuru,HariGuruRam; JagadGuruParamGuru,Sat-GuruShyam.

3.AdiGuruAdvaitaGuru,AnandaGuruOm; ChidGuruChidghanaGuru,ChinmayaGuruOm.

4.HareRamaHareRamaRamaRamaHareHare HareKrishnaHareKrishnaKrishnaKrishnaHareHare.

5.JayaSarasvatiJayaSarasvatiJayaSarasvatiSaranamOm. SriSarasvatiSriSarasvatiSriSarasvatiNamahOm.

6.GauriGauriGangeRajesvari. GauriGauriGangeBhuvanesvari GauriGauriGangeMahesvari, GauriGauriGangeMathesvari; GauriGauriGangeMahakali, GauriGauriGangeMahalakshmi; GauriGauriGangeParvati, GauriGauriGangeSarasvati.

7.GovindaJayaJaya,GopalaJayaJaya; RadhaRamanaHareGovindaJayaJaya.

8.RaghupathyRaghavaRajaram, PathithaPavanaSeethaRam.

9.SivayaNamahOmSivayaNamah, SivayaNamahOmNamahSivaya. SivaSiva,SivaSiva,SivayaNamah; HaraHara,HaraHaraNamahsivaya. Siva,Siva,SivaSiva,Sivayanamah; BhumBhum,BhumBhum,Namahsivaya. SivaSiva,Sankara,HaraHaraSankara, JayaJayaSankara,NamamiSankara. SambaSadasiva,SambaSadasiva; SambaSadasiva,SambaSivohamHara.

HowToLiveADivineLife

1.NityaSukha,ParamaSanti,eternalsatisfaction,InfiniteBliss,knowledgeand ImmortalitycanbehadonlyinGodorAtmanwhogiveslighttotheintellectandtheSun. Therefore,realisetheSatchidanandaAtmanthroughmeditationrightnowthisverysecondby purifyingthemind.

2.Samsara(world)isMithya,Asara,Apadramania,evanescent,impermanent,fullof miseries,untruth,hatredandselfishness,diseaseandpain.Itisalongdream.Benotworldly.

3.Timeismostprecious.Utiliseeverysecondprofitably.

4.ServeSadhus,Sannyasins,thesick,thepoorandthecountry.ThisisPada-SevaofGod.

5.Wheneveryourfriendisannoyedwithyou,speaktohimfirst,withasmile,andapologise sincerelywithtearsinyoureyeseventhoughyoumaybeintheright.ServehimnicelywithPrem. Vindictivespiritisadeadlyenemyofpeace,devotionandJnana.

6.ObserveMouna(silence)duringfood.ObserveMounaforsixhoursonSundays.

7.KeepthepictureofSaintsandSagesinthebedroomandthefrontroom.Donotkeepany obscenepicturesinthehouse.

8.Speakthetruth,preserveVeeryaandcontrolangerbyKshama,loveandservice.Repeat “OMSANTI”twelvetimesmentallyanddrinksomecoldwaterwhenyoudetecttheleastsymptom ofirritationinyourmind.

9.Sleepalwaysalone.TakeonemealandsomemilkatnightonSundays.Doonelakhof Rama-NamaJapaonSundays.

10.WritedailyforhalfanhourinanotebooktheMantraofyourIshtaDevataor“Rama Rama.”Writedowninboldtypesonaslipofpaper“SpeakTruth”,“OmCourage”,“OmPurity”,“I

amImmortalAtman”,“IamtorealiseGodnow”,“Timeismostprecious”,“Iwillbeatrue Brahmachari”,and“BrahmacharyaisDivineLife”andfixtheminthebedroom,frontroomsand verandah.Keepsomeslipsinyourpocket.

11.Keepalwaysafewpiesinyourpocketanddistributethemdailytothepoorandthe decrepit.

12.DoHari-Kirtanatnight.Sing“HareRamaHareRama,RamaRamaHareHare;Hare KrishnaHareKrishna,KrishnaKrishnaHareHare”alongwiththemembersofyourfamilyand servantsofyourhouseforonehour.

13.StudytheGitaortheUpanishads,theRamayana,theBhagavataortheYogaVasishtha foronehourintheeveningwithsomeofyourfriends.Theladiesofthehouseholdshouldalsodo this.

Epilogue

ThebeginningofsaintlinessiskillingofegoismorAhamkara.Theendofsaintlinessis EternalLife.Thekeytosaintlinessishumilityandselfmortification.Thelightofsaintlinessis silentmeditation.Thegarbofsaintlinessisvirtueandtolerance,nottheGeruaclothalone.

PravrittiandNivrittiarenottwodifferentpaths.Theyaretwoaspectsofoneandthesame path.ThereisPravrittiinNivrittiandNivrittiinPravritti.Itisthementalstatethatcounts.Lookat Janaka,thekingofVidehas.Inhim,therewasabsoluteNivrittiinPravritti.Alwaysremember: “YogasthahkurukarmanisangamtyaktvaDhananjaya.”

Manisthemasterofhisowndestiny.Hesowsanactionandreapsahabit;sowsahabitand reapsacharacter;sowsacharacterandreapsadestiny.Soheisentirelyresponsibleforhis PrarabdhaKarma.PrarabdhaisunderhisAdheenaorcontrol.Hewillbecomeanabsolutefatalist andaslothful,inactiveman,ifheattributeseverythingtoapre-ordaineddestinyorPrarabdha.Let himawakenhisfreeWill.LethimavailhimselfofhisParamartha(Will).Godhasendowedman withBuddhi,independentfreethinkingprinciple,rationalreasoningandallsortsoffaculties.He cancontrolatoms;hecancontrolelements;hecanflyinair;hecanforwardathoughtfromone cornertoanothercorneroftheworld;hecancommandelectricitytopumpoutwaterfromawell;he canwalkoverwater,hecansitonfire;hecanpassfromonebodytoanother;hecanroamaboutthe worldwithoutbeingseenbyanyone.

Infactthereisnothingimpossibleforhimunderthesun.Insteadofrealisinghisrealnature byintrospectionwithinhimselforAtmicenquiry,hedwellsinaninstinctiveplane,wandersabout invainhereandthereinthisphenomenalworldofmerementalcreationandforgetsthe magnanimityofhisrealSelf.HeworshipsmaninsteadofworshippingGod.Heisa man-worshipper.Hesigns“Ibegtoremain.Yourobedientservant.”Insteadofassertinghisdivine natureasacentreofconsciousnessintheoceanoflife—insteadofstylinghimselfasaDirector, ControllerandSupporterofUniverse.Wakeupimmediatelytorectifythislamentablecondition; otherwiseitwillbetoolatetogatherhoneyinwinter!Awake!Arise,DearReaders!

ForsincerespiritualaspirantsmarchingboldlyintheAdhyatmicfield,thishandy publicationprovides,succinctly,innumerablepracticalhints.Everypageaboundsinmuch valuableinformationinacondensedform.Thelaconiclessonscontainedinthisbookshouldspeak forthemselves.IfthisprovesinanywayusefultotheardentMumukshus,theauthor’ssincere endeavourtohelpthemwillbemorethanamplyfulfilled.

SectionX

STORIESOFSAINTS

Constantstudyoflivesofsaintswillenableyoutoleadavirtuouslife.Youwillimbibe noblequalities.

Youwillbegraduallymouldedinthespiritualpath.Youwilldrawinspirationfromthem.

TherewillbeaninnerurgeinyoutoattemptforGod-realisation.

MayyoubecomeaSaint!

Milarepa

Tibet’sGreatYogi:Itwasinthefirstautumnmonth,onthetwentyfifthdayofA.D.1052 undertheinfluenceofanauspiciousstarthatMilarepawasborn.Hisfathergavehimthename Thopaga(whichmeans“delightfultohear”).HehadonesisterbynamePeta.Milarepa’sfatherwas Mila-Sherab-Gyaltsen.Milarepawasborninarichfamily.Hishairwasplaitedwithgoldand turquoiseswhenhewasyoung.WhenMilarepareachedtheageofseven,hisfatherdied.Hisuncle wasinchargeoftheestateofMilarepa.HedeceivedMilarepaandhismotherandill-treatedthem. Milarepawasablack-magicianinthebeginning.Hedestroyedhisenemiesbylaunchinga hailstormjusttopleasehismother.Thenherepentedverymuchandturnedtothe“whitepath”or thepathofvirtue.

MarapawastheGuruofMilarepa.MilarepawasalsoknownbythenameofJetsun.Marapa testedJetsunverymuchinvariousways.

WithgreatdifficultyMilarepagotthehighestinitiationfromhisGuru,andbecamehispet disciple.Hepractisedsevereausteritiesandmeditationinsolitarycaves.Demema,thewifeof Marapa,treatedMilarepawithkindnessandtenderaffection,becauseMilarepawasenergetic, sincere,hardworkingandintelligent.Hewasshutupinacave.Foodwaspassedinsidebythe servantofMarapathroughasmallapertureintheside.Milarepausedtositinarigidposturewitha lighted-lamponhishead,withoutmovingtillthelightwasout,wereitnightorday.

Milarepameditatedinvariouscaves.Hisbodywasreducedtoaskeletonowingtosevere austerities.Helivedonnettlesonlyforseveralmonths.HefollowedtheinstructionsofhisGuruto theveryletter.HedevelopedvariousSiddhis.JustasLordKrishnamultipliedhimselfandappeared

inthehouseofalltheGopis,soalsoMilarepahadthepowertotakeasmanyformsasheliked.He playedwithhisdisciplesbymultiplyinghimself.

Milarepaoncetransferredhispaintothedoorofhismeditationroom.Thedoorbeganto emitsoundsofcrackingandsplitting.Itthrobbedandvibratedandwasonthepointofcrumbling down.

MilarepaattainedthestateofBuddha-hood.Thecaveswherehepractiseddevotionand meditationareevennowplacesofpilgrimageandworship.Hehadalargenumberoffollowers. EvennowtherearepeopleinTibetwhobelongtohisschool.HediedinA.D.1135attheageof eighty-four.Thosewhodesiretohaveadetailedstudyofhislifecangetacopyofthebook“Tibet’s GreatYogi—Milarepa”(byW.Y.EvansWentz,JesusCollegeOxford)fromtheOxfordUniversity Press,London.

YogiJaigisavya

TherewasagreatYogibynameJaigisavya.Hehadfullknowledgeofallhispreviousbirths continuouslyfortenMahaPralayas.RishiAvatyaapproachedJaigisavyaandaskedhim,“You haveexperiencedthetroublesoflifeinhells,amonganimalsandinvariouswombs.Youhavebeen bornagainamongmenandGods.Whatareyourexperiencesofpaininhells;whatareyour experiencesofpleasuresinheaven?Whichisgreater:pleasureorpaininhumanbirth?”

YogiJaigisavyagavethefollowinganswer:“IhavelivedthroughtenMahakalpas.Ihave experiencedthetroublesofhellsandanimallife.Ihavebeenbornagainandagainamongmenand Gods.Thereisnopleasureatallinanything,anywhereinthisworldorheaven.IconsiderallthatI haveexperiencedasonlypain.”

Avatyaagainquestioned“OhYogi,doyouthinkthatthejoyandcontentmentobtained duringthestateofPrakriti-layaalsocomesunderthecategoryofpain?”

YogiJaigisavyareplied,“ThejoyofPrakritilayaisnodoubtsuperiortothesensualpleasure thatisderivedfromobjectsbutitisonlypainwhencomparedtothepureBlissofabsolutefreedom (Kaivalya).ThejoyofPrakritilayaisonlyaneffectofGuna.Thereisstillthethreadofdesire (Trishnatantu)here.WhentheYogibecomesabsolutelydesireless,thenonlydoesheenjoypure, unalloyed,infinite,eternalbliss.”

Sabari

Truedevotion: SabariwasawomanoftheforesttribeofBhils.ShepresentedSriRamawith somefruitswhichshehadbittentoknowiftheyweresweet.Ramaacceptedtheofferingwith intensedelightonaccountofthetruespiritofdevotioninwhichitwasmade.

WhatiswantedisalovingheartoftheBhakta.Goddoesnotwantpreciousgifts.Theprayer mustbeAntarika(fromthebottomoftheheart).Lovewithoutattachmentisneeded.The self-surrendermustbesincere,perfect,ungrudgingandunreserved.Whenthisiseffectedyouneed notdoanySadhanaatall.DivineSaktiwilldoeverythingforyou.

KarunaisthehighestSadhana: SibiwasaSolarkingfamousforhisgenerosity.Onedaya doveflewintohiscourtpursuedbyahawk.Sibiofferedthehawkapieceofhisownfleshinorderto savethedove.Whenthiswascutoff,boththehawkandthedovemanifestedtheirowntrueDivine formsandconferredonhimmanyboons.

LordBuddhaofferedhisbodytoatigertoappeaseitsappetite.ThereisnoSadhanagreater thanKaruna(compassion).

SundaramoorthyNayanar

TrueDevotion,Inactioninaction: ParvatiaskedLordSiva;“Oh!JagatPathi.Oh!Lordof theUniverse.HowisityoulikeverymuchSundaramoorthy,whenheisleadingalasciviouslife. Thisseemstomeamystery.Kindlyexplainthis,myLord.”

[SundaramoorthywasaTamilsaintwhowroteseveralTevaramsongsinTamil.Hehada concubine.Hewaslivingalwaysinherhouse.Buthismind,the Choranari wasimmersedin Brahman.AChoranariwhileengagedintheaffairsofherhouse,thinksofherparamour.Similarly, aJnanialwaysdwellsinBrahman,whileheusestheinstrumentmindforvariousworldlyactivities. SundaramoorthywasaperfectJnani.]

LordSivareplied“OhParvathi!SivaMaya!LookattheBhaktiofSundaramoorthy.Heisa Jnanialso.HeisAsakta,Asanga,Nirlipta,(unattached).Heisnotaffectedbyactions.Iwill demonstratethistoyou.”LordSivaassumedtheformofanoldmanandpretendedtogethimself drownedinatank.Parvathiwasstandingontheshore.Ifanybodycametorescuetheoldman, Parvathiwouldsay;“Ifyouareasinner,donottouchmyhusband.”Manyofferedtorescuetheold manbutnonedaredtogonearhimwhentheyheardParvathi’swords—“Ifyouareasinner...”. Theirheartsweretaintedwiththeinveterateideaof“sinandvice”astrongideaofimpurity,a hauntingideaindeed.Sundaramoorthycamestraightfromtheconcubine’shousewithdishevelled hair.Hesawahugecrowdnearthetankandtheoldmaninadrowningstate,—thepretenderLord Sivawithheadcomingup,andgoingdown.Hepreparedhimselftorescuetheoldman.Parvathi interposed“Ifyouareasinner,donotattempttorescuemydrowninghusband.”Sundaramoorthy remarked“Ohfoolishwoman!Theoldmanisinacriticaljuncture.Whatissin?Whatisvirtue?Itis allfoolish,creativeimaginationorSrishtiSankalpaofthemind.Shutupyourmouth.Icarenotajot aboutthoserelativeterms,sinandvirtue.Iambeyondsinandvirtue.Getaway,O!preposterous lady!Iwilljumpintothewaternow.”Sundaramoorthyplungedintothewater,swamafewyards, broughttheoldmantotheshore,gavehimartificialrespiration,broughtbacktolife,andwentback totheconcubine’shouse.

LordSivasaid,“OhParvathi!LookatSundaramoorthy’swisdomandKaruna,hismental attitudeof‘inactioninaction.’Areyousatisfiednow?ThatisthereasonwhyIlove Sundaramoorthy.”Parvathinowunderstoodthesecretofactionandinactionandeulogisedher Lord,Siva.

AkalkotSwami

AkalkotSwamiwasaJnani.HelivedinAkalkotinMaharastra.Inthelaterperiodoflife,he becameaJnaniofthe BrahmaVarishta typebywithdrawingtheexternalconsciousnessandliving inthepureNirvishesha,NirgunaBrahmanofSriSankara.Heshutoutthephenomenal consciousness.Hehadtobespoon-fedwithmilkjustasamanisfedinthecomatosestate.Heused topassmotionsinanunconsciousstate.Peopleusedtocleanhim.Thesamewasthecasewiththe mostfamousKumbakonamMouniSwamiofSouthernIndia.ThisSwamilivedfor25yearsinan unconsciousstate.Hewasfedallalongonaneasychair.

ApoorBrahminperformedTapasforthesakeofgettingmoneyforthecelebrationofhis daughter’smarriage.HepropitiatedGodGanesha.Ganeshaappearedinhisdreamandtoldthepoor mantogotoAkalkotSwami.ThepoorBrahminwenttoAkalkotSwami.Swamijiaskedthe orthodoxBrahmintocollectsomebones.ThepoorBrahminwasverymuchperplexed.Anyhow,as hewasinbadneedofmoney,heobeyedthewordsofSwamijiandcollectedsomebones.Swamiji toldtheBrahmintotakethistohishouse.TheBrahminwasgreatlyembarrassed.Whenhereached thehouse,hedidnottakethebonesinsidebutkepttheminacorneroftheverandah.Afterthree days,hewantedtothrowthebonesaway.Whenheliftedthebundle,hefounditwasveryheavy.He openedit,andfoundtohisastonishmentitwasfullofgold.TheBrahminsaidtohimself:“Imadea seriousmistake.Ioughttohavecollectedsomemorebones.”Suchisthepowerofgreedwhich keepsyouboundtothisSamsara.Destroygreed,whichdisturbspeace.HavefaithinSaints.

StoryOfAnOldManAndADonkey

Youcannotpleasetheworld: Anoldmanwasridingadonkey,whilehewasreturningfrom aSundayfair.Hisyoungsonwaswalking.Thepassers-bysawthisandremarked:“Lookatthis cruelfellow.Theyoungboyiswalkingallalong.Thisstoutmanisridingonthedonkey.Merciless wretch!”Assoonastheoldmanheardtheseharshwords,hegotdownfromthedonkeyandputhis boyonthedonkey.Someotherpeoplewhowerepassingalongtheroadsawthisandremarked: “Lootatthiscruelboy.Theold,weakmaniswalking.Cheeky,arrogant,young,stoutboyis enjoyingaride.Cruelboy!”Thentheoldmanalsogotuponthedonkey.Theybothrodetheold animal.Someotherpeoplecriticised:“Lookatthesetwocruelfellows.Theanimalisoldandweak. Thesetwostoutfellowsareriding.Botharevery,verycruelandheartlessindeed!”Theybothgot downandallowedtheanimaltowalkfreely.Someotherpassers-byremarked:“Lookatthesetwo fools.Theyhavenobrains.Thereisagoodanimal.Theycanquiteeasilyrideandenjoy.Theyare walkingnow.”Thustheoldmanwaskickedandtossedaboutfrombothsides,likeadrum.Ifyou marry,peoplewillsaythatyouareapassionateman.Ifyouremainunmarried,peoplewillsaythat youareaeunuchorimpotentman.IfyouperformJapa,Sandhya,peoplewillremarkthatyouarea greatreligioushypocrite.IfyoudonotperformSandhyatheywillstillcriticiseyouandsaythatyou areanatheist.Youcanneverpleasetheworld.BhimaadvisedYudhishthira:“ODharmaputra,you canneverpleasetheworld.”BeabovetheDvandvaof Ninda and Stuthi, censureandpraise.Donot botheryourself.Havenofearofpublicopinion.RestinSamata.”

Fearofpublicopinionisagreatweakness.Onemaynotbeafraidoftheknifeofsurgeons. Hemaysubmithimselffearlesslytoextractionofastrongtoothwithoutcocaine-injectionortoan operationwithoutchloroform.Onemaynothavetheleastfearforwildanimalsinthickforests;he

maymoveaboutfearlesslyinforests.Onemaynotbeafraidofthemachineguninthebattlefield; hemayfearlesslyexposehischesttothebullets.Suchfearlesspeoplemaybeafraidofslightpublic criticisms!Theymayevendieofsuchcriticisms.Hewhoisleadingaspirituallife,whohas outgrownsociety’sfragileman-maderules,mustbeabovepublicopinionandcriticisms.Hewill havetoheartheshrillpure,innervoicewithin,thevoiceofthesoulandfollowthisvoiceatallcosts, despitepubliccriticismsofallsorts.Manyspirituallygreatmenhavegivenuptheirlivestokeepup theirconvictionsinthepathofTruth.Youcangrowspirituallyifyouareabovepublicopinion. MarkhowGandhijistucktenaciouslytohisprinciplesdespitepubliccriticisms.Evenifthewhole worldopposesyou,youwillhavetosticktoyourprinciplesandfightout,single-handed,evenifit be.

TayumanaSwami

TayumanaSwamiwasaverydistinguishedSaintofTrichinopolyonthebankoftheKaveri RiverinTamilNadu.HisSamadhiisonafamousmountain,RockFortHills.Thehillockalsogoes byhisname,Tayumanaswami’sRockFortHill.HewasaSaintofinfiniterealisation.Hissongsof realisationaresungbyeverybodythroughoutSouthIndia.Theycontainsoul-stirring,thrilling, soul-elevating,sublimethoughts.Hissongsarewonderfulindeed.Theyaremarvellous.Hissongs areinperfectharmonywiththephysicalscience.Evenamarkedatheistwillbeconvertedintoa theistifhehearshissongs.ManysongsaregoodforthepurposeofNididhyasana,likeAvadhoota Gita.HewasanembodimentoftheVedas.HewasalivingassuranceofGod-realisation.Henever preachedonplatforms.HewasaperfectJnani,whowasonewithBrahmanthoughhisessential nature,andbeingabsorbedprimarilyinthequalifiedGod,Saguna-AparaBrahmanofSriSankara, hepossessedalltheeightDivineattributes.AsaJnani,heworkedinallthebodies,heworkedwith theverybreathofNature.Heworkedalongwiththewindthatblew,withtherainthatdroppedfrom heaven,andwiththesunshine.IfaJnanielevatestenpersonsbyremovingtheirAvidya,theroot causeofallevils,thatistherealLokaSangraha.SocialandpoliticalworkconcernsnotaJnanior realSannyasi.

Akha

FamousGujarati: AkhawasacelebratedSaintofGujarat.Hewasagoldsmithby profession.HewenttoBenaras.SwamiBrahmanandawasholdingVedanticclassesatnight.Akha couldnotgetadmission.Hehidhimselfatnightinadustbin,behindSwamiBrahmananda’s residenceandwasattentivelyhearingthelessonsforoneyear.Oneday,whenoneofthestudents wasnotabletoansweroneofthequestionsputbySwamiji,Akhagaveananswerloudlyfrom behindthewall.SwamiBrahmanandaaskedwhoitwasthatgavethebeautifulanswer?“IamAkha fromGujarat”wasthereply.Swamijisaid:“ComeinsideAkha.”Akhawentinsideandprostrated. Swamijiasked:“Whoareyou,Akha?Howdidyoumanagetocomehereatthishour?”Akhasaid, “Swami,Iamagoldsmith.IamastrongMumukshu.Ihavebeenhidinginthisdustbinforthelast 12monthsandhearingyourinstructionsattentively.Kindlyinitiateme.”SwamiBrahmananda foundhimasuitableAdhikariandinitiatedhimintothemysteriesofKaivalya.Hebecamea full-blownJnani.Hissongsofwisdomarecollectedandpublishedinabookform.Itisprescribed forM.A.classstudentsintheBombayUniversity.

God’sTest: Inthosedayswhentherewasnorailwaycommunication,Ekanathwentonfoot onapilgrimagetoGangotri.HestockedwaterfromthesourceofGangainvesselsandcarriedthem ina Kavadi ofbamboosonhisshoulder.Thevesselsshouldnottouchtheground.Hence,the bambooKavadicontrivance.HewenttoBenarasandperformedPuja-Abhishekaofonevesselof GangotriwateronKasiVisvanath.HeproceededtoRameswaramtoperformAbhishekamthereon Ramalingeshwar.Ontheway,afewmilesfromRameshwaram,Ekanathsawanemaciated, diseasedassdyingofthirst.Thesunwasveryscorching;EkanaththoughtthatGodwantedtotest him.HewasaSaintofParabhakti.Hesawandfeltgodineverything,ineverymovement,inevery action.Hecouldneverbedeceived.Hethought,that,thatwasthebestopportunitytoserve Ramalingeshwarintheass.Henevertookthisbeingforanass.HeforgottheNama-rupa.Hesaw theessence,Sat-Chit-Ananda,Asti,Bhati,Priyaintheass.HerememberedthewordsofLord KrishnatoUddhava:“Seemeineverything.Makeprostrationtoasses,etc.,for,Iamthe Antaryamininthem.”Ekanathnevergrievedabitthathehadlostthechanceofserving Ramalingeshwar.Hethought,“Thisisthebestopportunity.Thisistantamounttothefeedingone lakhBrahmins.”Hebrokethetopofthevesselandgavetheassallthewatertodrink.Thenand therehehadDarshanofRamalingeshwar.FollowEkanath’sexample.DevelopKarunato perfection.KarunaisthebasisforMoksha.

GandhaBaba(Benaras)

GandhaBabaisalsoknownasSwamiVishuddhananda.HehasgotaSiddhitobringinany kindofscentyouwant.Hewilltakeasmallpieceofpaper,squeezeitandproducelavenderscentor anyscentyouwant.Healsodemonstratedthepowerofthesun’sraysofgivingsweetscentto ordinaryoilkeptinaphialinthesun.Healsoshowedhowbytheraysofthesunordinarycotton couldbeconvertedintosweets(Rasagullas).Hedemonstratedattherequestofsomeofthe Europeantouriststhepowerofthesun’sraysofgivingsweetscentstotheoilinthepresenceof BrahmachariKaliMohan,retiredDeputyMagistrate.HeinformedtheBrahmacharithathe acquiredtheknowledgeofthesun’srays(SuryaRishiniJnana)inTibet,wheretheLamasteach theirdisciplesthepowerofthedifferentconstituentsofthesun’srays.GandhaBabaisnowliving inBenares.Hehasconstructedaspecialbuildingforthispurposewhichisconsiderablyhigh.

StoryOfVomitingACrow

Donotbecredulous: TherewasawildrumourinHardwarthataSadhuvomitedacrowin Rishikesh.So,manypeoplecamefromHardwartoseethefun.TheywenttotheKutiroftheSadhu andenquiredwhatthematterwasandasked:“Didyouvomitthecrow,OhSantji”TheSadhusaid: “Isufferedfromfeverforthelasttendays.ItooksomeAyurvedicmedicinefromKali Kambiliwala’sAyurvedicDispensary.Iamverybiliousowingtotheimproperfunctioningofthe liver.Ivomitedyesterdaymorningandbroughtforthsomeblackmatter.Theymighthavespreada falserumour.Thatisall.Inevervomitedablackcrow.”Donotbecredulous.Alwaysuse commonsenseandreasons.TheSadhuvomited.Thatmuchiscertain.Hebroughtforthsomeblack matter.Thatisalsothetruth.Thisturnedintothewildrumourthathevomitedablackcrow!Such instancesarequitecommon.Theyareallcockandbullstories.Theyarebazaar“gupsandgossips”.

Neverbelievethem.Thesegupsandgossipsbringaboutmisunderstanding,unrest,quarrelsand

disputes.Allowthemtopassatoncethroughtheotherear.Youmustnotbecredulous.Youmust alwaysreasonout.TheprocessofratiocinationisindispensableforJnanaYoga.Credulousmenare quiteunfitforthepathofillumination.

StoryOfAPailwan

Admityourfault: “Nosandonthemoustache!”

APailwanisonewhoknowswrestlinganddoesKusti.TwoPailwanswantedtohaveatrial oftheirstrength.OneofthemwasaPunjabi,theotheraMaharashtra.TheyenteredtheTalimor Gothamorarenawhichwasspreadwithsandorredearth.Wrestlingstarted.Bothdemonstrateda varietyoffeatsandmanipulations.TheMaharattaputon‘scissors’totheneckofthePunjabi—a kindoffeatwherethekneesareappliedtotheopponent’sshoulderstoturnthemanonhisback,‘to showbeat’.‘Toshowbeat’isawrestlingterminology.Ifamanisputonhisback,heisdefeated,he is‘shown’beat.WithgreatdifficultytheMaharattashowed‘beat’tothePunjabi,andwontheday. ButthePunjabi,neveradmittedhisdefeator‘beat’.Heloudlyremarked“Iamnotatalldefeated. Ohspectators!justsee,thereisnosandonmymoustache.”

DonotbehavelikethisPunjabi,“Withnosandonmoustache.”Youwillberuined.You mustalwaysadmityourfaultsandweaknesses.Ifyouareself-sufficient,withstubbornpride, arroganceandegoism,youwillneverevolve.Youmustalwaysanalyseyourmind,scrutiniseand findoutallyourdefectsandweaknessesandemploysuitablemethodstoeschewthem.Purification ofthemindisthefirstpartofYoga(ChittaSuddhi).

StoryOfASadhu

WaytoSanti—Godiseverything:

ASadhuwasseverelybeatenbyahouseholderandwaslyingunconsciousontheground.A virtuous,piousGrihasthapitiedthisSadhuandtookhiminaTongatohishouse.Hefedhimslowly withalittlewarmmilk.TheSadhuwasgraduallyrecoveringhislostsenses.Afteracoupleofhours hewasbroughtbacktofullobjectiveconsciousness.

ThepiousGrihasthaaskedtheSadhu,“Whobeatyou?”

Sadhureplied:“He,whoisgivingmemilk,beatme.”

TheGrihasthawasgreatlyastonishedatthesewords.Hewasratherperplexed.Hecouldnot properlygraspthesense.

ThentheSadhuexplainedtotheGrihastha,thelawsofdestiny,thelawsofPrarabdha,the lawsofactionandreaction.Hesaid,“Godiseverything;Goddoeseverything;Godisjust;God doeseverythingforourgood.Godistheproperjudge.Godgivesproperrewardandpunishment. Weshouldbeareverythingcoolly.”

TheGrihasthafollowedtheexampleoftheSadhu,becameadevoutdevoteeandattained peaceandMukti.

Wheneveryouhavedifficulties,wheneveryouarepuzzled,wheneveryouareinadilemma, repeatmentallytheformulae:

“Godiseverything Goddoeseverything

Goddoesjust Goddoesformyowngood.”

Yourworrieswillvanish.Youwillfindpeaceinstantaneously.Practiseandfeel.

StoryOfASugar-EatingBoy

AcertainoldmantookhisboywhowasaddictedtoeatingmuchblacksugartoaSaintand addressedhim,“OSantji,myboyeatsmuchblacksugar.Kindlyadvisehimtogiveupeatingblack sugar.”TheSaintsaid,“Comeafterfifteendays.”TheSainthimselfusedtotakemuchblacksugar liketheboy.Hegaveupatonceeatingsugarforfifteendays.Hefoundnotroubleormental disturbance.Whentheoldmancameonthefifteenthdaywiththeboy,theSaintaddressedtheboy withgreatforce,“Mydearboy!Giveupthishabitofeatingsugaratonce.”Theoldmanaskedthe Saint,“OSadhuMaharaj!Whydidyounotadvisetheboyonthefirstday?”TheSaintreplied:“I wasmyselfavictimofthesugar-eatinghabit.HowcouldIthenbeabletoadviseothers?Igaveitup forfifteendays.Icorrectedmyselffirst.HowcanIpreachtootherswhenIammyselffilledwith Doshas?”TheadviceoftheSainthadverygreateffectonthemindoftheboy.Hegaveupeating sugarfromthatday.

Themoralofthisstoryisthatyoumustputathingintoactualpractiseyourselfbeforeyou begintopreachittoothers.Thenonlywillitproducealastingimpression.Exampleisbetterthan precept.Itiseasiertopreachtotwentythantobeoneofthetwentyinfollowingthepreaching.

SectionXI

MANTRAYOGASADHANA

MantraYogaisanexactscience.“Mananattrayateitimantrah”—bytheManana(constant thinkingorrecollection)ofwhichoneisreleasedfromtheroundofbirthsanddeaths,isMantra.

EveryMantrahasaRishiwhogaveittotheworld;aMantra,aDevata,theBijaorseed whichgivesitaspecialpower,theSaktiandtheKilakamorthepillar.

AMantraisDivinity.MantraanditspresidingDevataareone.TheMantraitselfisDevata. Mantraisdivinepower,DaiviSakti,manifestinginasoundbody.ConstantrepetitionofaMantra withfaith,devotionandpurityaugmentstheSaktiorpoweroftheaspirant,purifiesandawakens theMantraChaitanyalatentintheMantraandbestowsontheSadhakaMantraSiddhi,illumination, freedom,peace,eternalbliss,immortality.

ByconstantrepetitionoftheMantratheSadhakaimbibesthevirtuesandpoweroftheDeity thatpresidesovertheMantra.RepetitionofSuryaMantrabestowshealth,longlife,vigour,vitality, Tejasorbrilliance.Itremovesalldiseasesofthebodyandthediseasesoftheeye.Noenemycando anyharm.RepetitionofAditya-hridayamintheearlymorning,ishighlybeneficial.LordRama conqueredRavanathroughtherepetitionofAditya-hridayamimpartedbyAgastyaRishi.

Mantrasareintheformofpraiseandappealtothedeities,cravingforhelpandmercy.Some Mantrascontrolandcommandtheevilspirits.Rhythmicalvibrationsofsoundgiverisetoforms. RecitationofMantrasgivesrisetotheformationoftheparticularfigureofthedeity.

RepetitionofSarasvatiMantraOMSarasvatyaiNamahwillbestowonyouwisdomand goodintelligence.Youwillgetinspirationandcomposepoems.Repetitionof‘OmSri MahalakshmyaiNamah’willconferwealthandremovepoverty.GaneshaMantrawillremoveany obstacleinanyundertaking.MahaMrityunjayaMantrawillremoveaccidents,incurablediseases andbestowlonglifeandimmortality.ItisaMokshaMantratoo.

RepetitionofSubramanyaMatra‘OmSaravanabhavayaNamah’willgiveyousuccessin anyundertakingandmakeyouglorious.Itwilldriveofftheevilinfluencesandevilspirits.

RepetitionofSriHanumanMantra,‘OmHanumanthayaNamah’willbestowvictoryandstrength. RepetitionofPanchaksharaandShodasakshara(SriVidya)willgiveyouwhateveryouwant.You mustlearnthisVidyafromaGurualone.

RepetitionofGayatriorPranava,‘OmNamahSivaya’,‘OmNamoNarayanaya’,‘Om NamoBhagavateVasudevaya’,oneandaquarterlakhoftimeswithBhava,faithanddevotionwill conferonyouMantraSiddhi.

‘Om’,‘Soham’,‘Sivoham’,‘AhamBrahmasmi’areMokshaMantras.Theywillhelpyouto attainSelf-realisation.‘OmSriRamayaNamah’,‘OmNamoBhagavateVasudevaya’areSaguna

MantraswhichwillenableyoutoattainSagunarealisationfirstandthenNirgunarealisationinthe end.

Mantraforcuringscorpionstingsandcobrabitesshouldberepeatedoneclipsedaysfor gettingMantraSiddhiquickly.YoushouldstandinwaterandrepeatMantras.Thisismore powerfulandeffective.ThesecanberecitedonordinarydaysalsoforattainingMantraSiddhi.

MantraSiddhiforcuringscorpionsting,cobrabites,etc.,canbeattainedwithin40days. RepeattheMantrawithfaithanddevotionregularly.Haveasittingintheearlymorningaftertaking bath.ObserveBrahmacharyaandliveonmilkandfruitsfor40daysortakerestricteddiet.

ChronicdiseasescanbecuredbyMantras.ChantingofMantrasgeneratepotentspiritual wavesordivinevibrations.Theypenetratethephysicalandastralbodiesofthepatientsandremove therootcausesofsufferings.TheyfillthecellswithpureSattvaordivineenergy.Theydestroythe microbesandvivifythecellsandtissues.Theyarebest,mostpotentantisepticsandgermicides. Theyaremorepotentthanultra-violetraysorRountgenrays.

MantraSiddhishouldnotbemisusedforthedestructionofothers.Thosewhomisuse Mantrapowerfordestroyingothersarethemselvesdestroyedintheend.

ThosewhoutiliseMantrapowerincuringsnakebites,scorpionstingsandchronicdiseases shouldnotacceptanykindofpresentsormoney.Theymustbeabsolutelyunselfish.Theyshould notacceptevenfruitsorclothes.Theywilllosethepoweriftheyutilisethepowerforselfish purposes.Iftheyareabsolutelyunselfish,iftheyservehumanitywithSarvatmaBhava,theirpower willincreasethroughthegraceoftheLord.

HewhohasattainedMantraSiddhicancurecobrabiteorscorpionstingoranychronic diseasebyameretouchontheaffectedpart.Whenamanisbittenbyacobraatelegramissentto theMantraSiddha.TheMantraSiddharecitestheMantraandthemanwhoisbittenbyacobrais cured.Whatagrandmarvel!DoesthisnotprovethetremendouspowerofMantra?

GettheMantrainitiationfromyourGuruorpraytoyourIshtaDevataandstartdoingJapa oftheparticularMantra,ifyoufinditdifficulttogetaGuru.

MayyouallbecomeMantraYogiswithMantraSiddhi!Mayyouallbecomereal benefactorsoftheworldbybecomingdivinehealersthroughMantracure!MayMantra-Cure, divinehealingcentresbestartedallovertheworld!

SectionXII

COURSEOFSADHANA

1.BRAHMAMUHURTA

Getupat4a.m.Answercallsofnature.Cleanyourteethandwashyourmouth.Takebath wherepossible.ArrangetositforDhyanaasquicklyaspossible,forBrahmaMuhurtaisextremely favourableformeditationonGod.

2.ASANA

PractisetositinoneAsanaonly,preferablyPadmasanaoranyconvenientposeinwhich youwillbeabletositforlonghourswithoutphysicalstrain.Siterectwithbody,headandneckina straightline.Sitforatleastonehourfrom5to6a.m.atastretchwithoutanyphysicalmovement.

3.PRAYER

OffermentalprostrationstoAcharyas,yourownGuruandIshtaDevata.Praythatallbeings behappy,peacefulandblissful.ReciteafewprayerSlokasthatwillproducesublimethoughts.Pray forknowledgeanddevotiononly.

4.JAPA

DoJapaofIshtaMantra mentally from5to10Malas(of108beads)daily.

5.DHYANA

Beforegoingtoactualmeditation,practisesimplePranayamafortwominutes.Feelthe indwellingpresenceoftheLordandhisforminyou.ThinkoftheattributesoftheLord,suchas purity,love,perfection,all-pervadingintelligence,bliss-absolute,omnipresence,omnipotence, omniscienceofHiminandaroundyou.MeditatenowontheformofIshtaDevata.Whenthemind runsawayfromtheobjectofmeditation,repeatIshtaMantra.Thiswillsteadythemind.Have anothersittingformeditationatnight.Donotneglectmeditationasitismostimportant.Regularity inthepracticeofmeditationisdivinisingofoneselfforGod-realisation.

6.SVADHYAYA

ReadonechapterortenversesoftheBhagavadGitawith meaning andanyholytextwhich willincreaseyourpsychicandspiritualculture,daily.

7.PHYSICALEXERCISE

PractiseAsanas,SuryaNamaskaraoranyusefulexerciseforphysicalmovementofthe bodyinanyformbestsuitedtoyou.

8.FOOD

Takelightsimplefood.Haveabalanceddiet.FastonEkadasidaysortakemilkandfruitsor rootonly.OffertoGodeveryfoodyoutake.

9.SEVA

DosomeselflessserviceforonehourdailyorforoneormorehoursonSundaysand holidays.

10.ENERGY

Practiseabstinencefromspeechandalsobefreefromworldlythoughtsfortwohoursdaily andfourtoeighthoursonSundaysandholidays.Observecelibacyaccordingtoyourageand circumstances.Restricttheindulgencetoonceamonth.Decreaseitgraduallytoonceayear. Finallytakeavowofabstinenceforwholelife.

11.SLEEP

Gotobedearlyornotlaterthan10p.m.Arestformorethansixhoursisnotnecessary.

12.SPIRITUALDIARY

MaintainaregulardiaryfromthedayyoubeginSadhana.Sticktoyourdailyroutineatany cost,neversay tomorrow, forthat tomorrow nevercomes.InyourpracticeofSadhanainseclusion, thespiritualdiarymaintained,takestheplaceofanabsenteeGuru,for,itremindsyoutoberegular inyourdailyhabitsandspiritualpractices.

TWENTYIMPORTANTSPIRITUALINSTRUCTIONS

By H.H.SriSwamiSivanandajiMaharaj

1.Getupat4a.m.daily.ThisisBrahmamuhurtawhichisextremelyfavourablefor meditationonGod.

2. ASANA: SitonPadma,SiddhaorSukhaAsanaforJapaandmeditationforhalfanhour, facingtheeastorthenorth.Increasetheperiodgraduallytothreehours.DoSirshasanaand SarvangasanaforkeepingupBrahmacharyaandhealth.Takelightphysicalexercisesaswalking, etc.,regularly.DotwentyPranayamas.

3. JAPA: RepeatanyMantraaspureOmorOmNamoNarayanaya,OmNamahSivaya, OmNamoBhagavateVasudevaya,OmSaravanabhavayaNamah,SitaRam,SriRam,HariOm,or Gayatri,accordingtoyourtasteorinclination,from108to21,600timesdaily.

4. DIETETICDISCIPLINE: TakeSattvicfood,SuddhaAhara.Giveupchillies, tamarind,garlic,onion,sourarticles,oil,mustard,asafoetida.Observemoderationindiet (Mitahara).Donotoverloadthestomach.Giveupthosethingswhichthemindlikesbestfora fortnightinayear.Eatsimplefood.Milkandfruitshelpconcentration.Takefoodasmedicineto keepthelifegoing.Eatingforenjoymentissin.Giveupsaltandsugarforamonth.Youmustbe abletoliveonrice,Dhalandbreadwithoutanychutni.DonotaskforextrasaltforDhalandsugar fortea,coffeeormilk.

5.Haveaseparatemeditation-roomunderlockandkey.

6. CHARITY: Docharityregularly,everymonth,orevendailyaccordingtoyourmeans, saysixpaiseperrupee.

7. SVADHYAYA: StudysystematicallytheGita,theRamayana,theBhagavata,Sri Vishnu-Sahasranama,Lalita-Sahasranama,AdityaHridaya,UpanishadsorYogaVasishtha,the Bible,ZendAvesta,theKoran,theTripitakas,theGranthSahib,etc.,fromhalfanhourtoonehour dailyandhaveSuddhaVichara.

8. BRAHMACHARYA: Preservethevitalforce(Veerya)very,verycarefully.Veeryais Godinmotionormanifestation—Vibhuti.Veeryaisallpower.Veeryaisallmoney.Veeryaisthe essenceoflife,thoughtandintelligence.

9. PRAYERSLOKAS: Getbyheartsomeprayer-Slokas,Stotrasandrepeatthemassoon asyousitintheAsanabeforestartingJapaormeditation.Thiswillelevatethemindquickly.

10. SATSANGA: HaveSatsanga.Giveupbadcompany,smoking,meatandalcoholic liquorsentirely.Donotdevelopanyevilhabits.

11. FASTONEKADASI: FastonEkadasiorliveonmilkandfruitsonly.

12. JAPAMAALA: HaveJapaMaala(rosary)roundyourneckorinyourpocketor underneathyourpillowatnight.

13. MOUNA: ObserveMouna(vowofsilence)foracoupleofhoursdaily.

14. SPEAKTHETRUTH: Speakthetruthatallcost.Speakalittle.Speaksweetly.

15.Reduceyourwants.Ifyouhavefourshirts,reducethenumbertothreeortwo.Leada happy,contentedlife.Avoidunnecessaryworry.Haveplainlivingandhighthinking.

16. NEVERHURTANYBODY: Neverhurtanybody(AhimsaParamoDharmah). Controlangerbylove,Kshama(forgiveness)andDaya(compassion).

17. DONOTDEPENDUPONSERVANTS: Donotdependuponservants.Self-reliance isthehighestofallvirtues.

18. SELF-ANALYSIS: Thinkofthemistakesyouhavecommittedduringthecourseofthe day,justbeforeretiringtobed(self-analysis).Keepdailydiaryandself-correctionregister.Donot broodoverpastmistakes.

19. FULFILDUTIES: Rememberthatdeathisawaitingyouateverymoment.Neverfail tofulfilyourduties.Havepureconduct(Sadachara).

20. SURRENDERTOGOD: ThinkofGodassoonasyouwakeupandjustbeforeyougo tosleep.SurrenderyourselfcompletelytoGod(Saranagati).

OmSantihSantihSantih! ThisistheessenceofallspiritualSadhanas. ThiswillleadyoutoMoksha. AlltheseNiyamasorspiritualcanonsmustberigidlyobserved. Youmustnotgiveleniencytothemind.