ChapterFour

YOGAADDENDA
1.SadasivaBrahman
SriSadasivaBrahman,areputedYogi,livedinNerur,nearKarur,inTrichinopollydistrict,someonehundredand
twentyyearsago.HewastheauthorofAtmaVilas,BrahmaSutrasandvariousotherworks.Oncehewasin
Samadhi.ThefloodsintheCauveririvercoveredhimupwithmud.Forsomemonthshisbodyremainedburied
underneaththeearth.TheagriculturiststilledthelandandinjuredtheheadoftheYogi.Somebloodoozedout.
Theywerequiteastonished.Theydugouttheearth.SadasivaBrahmangotupfromhisSamadhiandwalkedaway.
Oncesomerudepeoplecamewithstickstobeathim.Theyraisedtheirhands,buttheywerenotabletomove
them.Theyremainedlikestatues.AtsomeothertimeheenteredtheZenanaofaNawabquitenakedwhilehewas
roamingaboutasanAvadhuta.TheNawabgotenragedandcutoffhishandwithabigknife.SadasivaBrahman
wentawaywithalaugh.TheNawabthoughtthatthemanshouldbeagreatSage.Hetookthemaimedhandand
followedtheSage.OnthethirddaytheNawabsaid:OmyLord!Icutoffyourhandduetomyfoolishness.
Kindlyforgiveme.Sadasivasimplytouchedthecutportionwiththeotherhand.Therewasanewhand.Sadasiva
forgavetheNawabandblessedhim.

2.Jnanadev
SriJnanadevisalsoknownasJnaneswar.HewasthegreatestYogintheworldhaseverproduced.Hewasbornin
Alandi,7milesfromPoona.HisSamadhiisthereevennow.IfanybodyreadstheGitawrittenbyhimbytheside
oftheSamadhiallthedoubtsarecleared.HeisregardedasanAvataraofLordKrishna.Whenhewasaboyhe
simplytouchedabuffalo.ItrepeatedtheVedas.Hehadfullcontrolovertheelements.Whentherewasnovessel
topreparefood,hissisterpreparedbreadonhisback.HeenteredSamadhiwhilealiveattheageof22.Hedrewup
allthePranatotheBrahmarandhraandgaveupthephysicalbody.Whenhewasaboyof14years,hebeganto
writecommentaryonGita.HiscommentaryonGitaisconsideredoneofthebest.InabigassemblyofSanskrit
PanditsinBenares,hewasselectedPresident.

3.TrilingaSwami
SriTrilingaSwamiofBenares,borninAndhraDesa,livedsomefiftyyearsago.Helivedfor280years.Hemade
hisTapasinManasarovar(Tibet).OnceRamakrishnaParamahamsaalsosawhimatBenares.Hebroughtsome
moneytoBenareswhenhefirstcameinforTapas.Heopenedamilkshopanddistributedmilkfreetopoor
persons,SadhusandSannyasins.HeusedtoliveunderneaththeGangawaterevenforsixmonthscontinuously.
HeusedtosleepinKashiVisvanathsTemplekeepinghisfeetovertheSivalinga.Oncehecaughtholdofthe
swordoftheGovernorandthrewitintotheGanges.WhentheGovernordemandeditback,hedivedintothewater
andbroughtbacktwoswordsandtheGovernorwasunabletofindouthisownsword.Somemischiefmakers
pouredsomelimewaterinhismouth.HeatoncepumpeditoutthroughtheanusbySangPacharKriya.

4.Gorakhnath
SriGorakhnathwasagreatYogilikeSriJnanadevofAlandi.InChandragirivillageonthebanksoftheGodavari,
therewasaBrahminnamedSuraj.HiswifesnamewasSarasvati.Theyhadnochildren.YogiMatsyendranath
wentforBhikshainthehouseofSuraj.SarasvatientertainedtheYogiwithgoodfood,withSraddha.Shewept
beforehimfornothavingachild.YogiMatsyendranathgaveherapinchofholyashwithblessingsforachild.
Sometimelater,shehadason.MatsyendranathcamebacktoSarasvatiandtooktheboywithhimwhenhewas
twelveyearsofage.HesenttheboytoBadrinarayanfordoingTapas.ApsarasandotherDevatascametomolest
him.Hestoodfirmandtidedoveralltemptations.HegottremendousSiddhis.Matsyendranathalsoimpartedall
hispowersandVidyastotheboy,hisdisciple,Gorakhnath.
SriGorakhnathinhis12thyearwenttoBadrinarayanandperformedTapasfor12longyears,livingonairalone.
GorakhnathhadtremendousYogicpowers.WhenhisGuruMatsyendranathenteredthedeadbodyofaRaja
(ParakayaPravesh)toobeytheordersofSriHanumantoproduceanoffspringforacertainRani,Gorakhnath
assumedtheformofaladythroughhisYogicpowersandenteredtheinnerapartmentsofthepalace(Kamarupa
Siddhi).Atsomeotherinstancehemadeatoychildoutofclayandgavethisasaplaymateforthechildrenofa
certainvillage.Heconvertedaportionofamountainintogoldandreconvertedittoitsformercondition.He
passedurineonarock.Itbecamegold.OnceinaKumbhamelaonthebanksoftheGodavari,hegavefoodtoall
byspreadingonlyleavesbutoffereddifferentrichmealstothelikingofeveryone.InthesameMelaheslowly
reducedhimselfinbulkandassumedtheformofamosquito(AnimaSiddhi).ThroughhisownYogicpowerhe
burnthimselftoashesandagainassumedhisoriginalform.HedidAkasagamanam(walkinginthesky).Inthis
wayheperformedmanySiddhis.RajaBhartrihariwashisdisciple.

5.SwamiKrishnaAshram

SwamiKrishnaAshramisalivingsaintatDarolivillage,14milesbelowGangotri,theoriginoftheGanges.He
hasbeenlivingthereforthelasteightyearsinanabsolutelynudestate,inanicyregion,whereanordinaryman
mayrequireawoollensweater,aGothmaandhalfadozenblankets.HewasaSivaBhakta.Hethrewawayallhis
Pujavessels,wenttoVaranasi,tookSannyasaandlivedthereforayear.ThenhewenttoHardwar,threwoffthe
DandaandbecameanAvadhuta.HewasinUttarkashialso.Whensharp,bigflieswerebitinghisbody,when
bloodwasemergingprofusely,hewouldneverdisturbtheflies.Suchwashispowerofendurance.Onceinthe
KshetraanarrogantservantinsultedhimfornotbringinganyvesselforDhalandpouredveryhotDhalonhis
hands.SwamiKrishnaAshramdranktheDhalthoughhislipsandhandswerescalded.ThereisanotherSwamiby
nameBhumaAshram,livingatDaroliinanudestate.HeisafriendofKrishnaAshram.
Titiksha,thepowerofendurance,isanessentialattributeofallSadhakas.Thisisoneofthesixfoldvirtuesof
SadhanaChatushtaya.ReadSlokas14andl5oftheGita,chapterII.Youwillunderstandtheimportanceofthis
virtue,Titiksha.

6.YogiBhusunda
YogiBhusundaisoneoftheChiranjivisamongsttheYogins.HewasthemasterinthescienceofPranayama.Itis
saidthatabignest,likeamountain,wasbuiltbyhimonthesouthernbranchoftheKalpaVriksha,situatedatthe
northernsummitoftheMahameru.Bhusundalivedinthisnest.HewasaTrikalaJnani.HecouldsitinSamadhi
foranylengthoftime.Hewasdesireless.HehadobtainedsupremeSantiandJnana.Hewasthereenjoyingthe
blissofhisownSelfandheisstilltherebeingaChiranjivi.HehadthefullknowledgeofthefiveDharanas.He
hadrenderedhimselfproofagainstthefiveelementsbypractisingthefivemethodsofconcentration.Itissaidthat
whenallthetwelveAdityasscorchtheworldwiththeirburningrays,hewould,throughhisApasDharana,reach
uptheAkasa.Whenfiercegalesarisesplinteringuptherockstopieces,hewouldbeintheAkasathroughAgni
Dharana.WhentheworldtogetherwiththeMahameruwouldbeunderwater,hewouldfloatonthemthrough
VayuDharana.

7.TirumulaNayanar
TirumulaNayanarwasagreatYogiinKailas.Hehadallthe8majorSiddhisthroughthegraceofNandi,the
VahanaofLordSiva.HewasafriendofAgastyaMuni.HecamefromKailasandstayedinVaranasi.Thenhe
wenttoChidambaramandTiruvavaduturaiandotherplacesnearMadras.HeworshippedLordSivainthetemple
atTiruvavaduturaiandstayedthereforsometime.OncehewenttoagardenonthebanksoftheriverCauveri.
Therehesawthedeadbodyofacaretakerofaherdofcows.Henoticedthatallthecowssurroundedthedead
bodyofthecowherdandwerecryingbitterly.ThistouchedtheheartofTirumular.Hepitiedthecowsverymuch.
Helefthisbodyinacertainplaceandenteredthedeadbodyofthecowherd.Helookedafterthecowsthroughout

thedayandsentthembacktotheirrespectivehouses.Thewifeofthecowherd,whowasnotawareofthedeathof
herhusband,invitedTirumularwhowaswearingthephysicalbodyofherhusband.Tirumularrefused.Hewanted
toenterhisownbody.Whenhesearchedforhisbody,itwasnotfoundintheoriginalplace.Thenhethoughtit
wasallthegraceofLordSiva.Thenwiththebodyofthecowherd,hewenttoAvaduturaiandsatunderneathan
AsvatthatreeonthewesternsideofthetempleandwroteavaluablebookcalledTirumantraminTamil.Itisa
bookof3000verseswhichcontaintheessenceoftheVedas.

8.Mansoor
MansoorwasaSufistBrahmaJnani.HelivedinPersia,somefourhundredyearsago.Hewasrepeatingalways
Analhaq!Analhaq!ThiscorrespondstoSohamorAhamBrahmaAsmioftheVedantins.Peoplereported
totheBadshahthatMansoorwasanatheist(Kafir)andthathewasalwaysutteringAnalhaq.TheBadshahwas
quiteenraged.HeorderedthatMansoormustbecutintopieces.Hisorderswereobeyed.Eventhenthepiecesof
fleshwereutteringAnalhaq.HefeltnopainashewasafullblownSamadhiJnaniandashehadfull
identificationwithBrahman.Hewasabovebodyconsciousness.Thentheyputthepiecesoffleshandbonesinthe
fireandreducedthemintoashes.EventhentheashesutteredAnalhaq.Duringhislifetimeheperformedmany
miracles.EvenJnaniscandomiraclesiftheydesireandiftheyfinditnecessaryfortheoccasion.Sadasiva
BrahmanandotherJnanisdidwonders.Rememberthelivesofgreatmendaily.Youwilladvanceinthespiritual
path.

9.Milarepa
Milarepawasonewhohadbeenprofoundlyimpressedfromhisyouthbythetransientandimpermanentnatureof
allconditionsofworldlyexistenceandbythesufferingsandwretchednessinwhichhesawallbeingsimmersed.
Tohimexistenceseemedlikeahugefurnacewherealllivingcreatureswereroasting.Withsuchpiercingsorrow
didthisfillhisheartthathewasunabletofeelevenanyofthecelestialfelicityenjoyedbyBrahmaandIndrain
theirheavens,muchlessoftheearthlyjoysanddelightsaffordedbyalifeofworldlygreatness.
Ontheotherhand,hewassocaptivatedbythevisionofimmaculatepurity,bythechastebeautyinthedescription
ofthestateofperfectfreedomandomniscienceassociatedwiththeattainmentofNirvana,thathecarednoteven
thoughhemightlosehisverylifeinthesearchonwhichhehadsetout,endowedashewaswithfullfaith,keen
intellectandaheartoverflowingwithallpervadingloveandsympathytoall.
Havingobtainedtranscendentalknowledgeinthecontroloftheetherealandspiritualnatureofthemind,hewas
enabledtofurnishdemonstrationthereofbyflyingthroughthesky,bywalking,restingandsleepingontheair.
Likewisehewasabletoproduceflamesoffireandspringsofwaterfromhisbodyandtotransformhisbodyat
willintoanyobjectdesired,therebyconvincingunbelieversandturningthemtowardsreligiouspursuits.

Hewasperfectinthepracticeofthefourstagesofmeditationandthushewasabletoprojecthissubtlebodysoas
tobepresentasthepresidingYogiintwentyfourholyplaceswheregodsandangelsassemble,likecloudsfor
spiritualcommunion.
Hewasabletodominategodsandelementalsandmakethemcarryouthiscommandsinstantaneously,inthe
fulfilmentofallduties.Hewasaperfectadeptinsupernaturalpowers.Hewasabletotransverseandvisitallthe
innumerablesacredparadisesandheavensoftheBuddhas,wherebyvirtueofhisallabsorbingactsofunsurpassed
devotiontheBuddhasandBodhisattvaspresidingthereinfavouredhimwithdiscoursesonDharmaandlistenedto
hisinreturn,sothathesanctifiedtheheavenworldsbyhisvisitsandsojournsthere.

10.NapoleonBonaparte
NapoleonBonapartewasamanofgreatconcentration.Hissuccesswasallduetothepowerofconcentration.He
sufferedfromvariousdiseasesasepilepticfits,Bradycardia,etc.Butforthesemaladies,hewouldhaveproved
stillmorepowerful.Hecouldsleepatanytimeheliked.Hewouldsnoretheverymomentheretiredtobed.He
wouldgetupattheverysecondoftheappointedtime.ThisisakindofSiddhi.HehadnoVikshepaorshilly
shallying.HehadthehighlydevelopedEkagrataofaYogi.Hecoulddraw,asitwere,anysinglethoughtfromthe
brainpigeonhole,dwellonitaslongashelikedandcouldshoveitbackwhenfinished.Hewouldsleepvery
soundlyatnightamidstbusywar,wouldneverworryabitatnight.Thiswasallduetohispowerofconcentration.
Concentrationcandoanything.Withoutconcentrationofmindnothingcanbeachieved.
Messrs.GladstoneandBalfourhadagreatdealofconcentrationofmind.Theverymomenttheyretiredtobed,
theywouldgetsleep.Markthewordverymoment.Theywouldnevertossaboutfor15or20minutesinthebed
asinthecaseoftheworldlypersons.Thinkhowdifficultitistoenterintodeepsleeptheverymomentyoulie
down.Theyhadperfectcontroloversleep.Theycouldalsogetupfrombedatanytimetheywishedwithoutany
alarmtimepiece.Sleepingandgettingupattheappointedsecondisonlyanexampletoshowthepowerof
concentrationtoacertaindegree.Therearepeoplewho,afteradayshardwork,cansleeptheverymomentthey
gotobedbuttheycannotgetupattheappointedtime.Thisisonlyanexampleonaveryordinarything.Peopleof
concentrationcanworkwondersandmiracles.

11.TeachingsOfKabir
OnceKabirtiedastoutpigtothefrontpostintheverandahofhishouse.AnorthodoxBrahminPunditcameto
Kabirshousefordiscussingaphilosophicalproblem.Hesawthepiginfrontofthehouse.Hewasmuchupset,
irritatedandannoyed.HeaskedKabir:DearSir,howisityouhavetiedanastyanimalthateatstheexcretaof
humanbeings,veryclosetoyourhouse.YouhavenoAchara.Youareadirtyman.YoudonotknowtheShastras.
Youareignorant.Kabirreplied:OShastriji,youaremoredirtythanmyself.Ihavetiedthepigtothefront

postoutsidemyhouse,whereasyouhavetiedthepigtothemind.TheBrahminwasverymuchvexedandwent
awaywithouttellingaword.Manchangakatoriemeganga:Ifthemindispure,youwillfindtheGangesinthe
cup.Purificationofmindisofparamountimportance.Withoutthisnothingcanbeachievedinthespiritualpath.

12.AShamLatinScholar
AcertainmanwenttoaLatinteachertolearnLatin.Hestayedwiththeteacherforaweek.Henoticedthatmost
ofthewordsendedino.Hethoughtthathemustaddtheletterototheendofeachword.HeknewEnglish
well.HetoldtheteacherthatheknewLatinandwiththepermissionoftheteacher,hewentbacktohisnative
place.Hereachedhishouseandtappedthedoorutteringthesewords:O,dearo,wifeo,openo,dooro.He
thoughtthiswasallLatin.
ThereareverymanyscholarsinYogaandVedantaalsosimilartothelearnedLatinscholar,abovenarrated.They
stayforafewdaysinRamAshramLibraryorwithsomeSadhus,learnthenamesKundalini,MulaChakra,Nadi,
Pranayama,Maya,orPratibimbavadaandmovefromplacetoplace.YogaandVedantaarephilosophiesthatare
tobestudiedunderaGuruwithgreatinterestforaperiodof12years.Thenonlyonecanmasterthesubjects.
YogaandVedantashouldnotbeusedasameansforlivelihood.AfterlearningafewwordsinYogaandVedanta,
oneshouldnotgoaboutandmixwiththeworldlypeople.AttainingperfectioninYogarequiresalongpractical
experienceunderaperfectguide.

13.StoryOfAnAspirant
AnaspirantwenttoaMahantofGorakhnathPanth.Gorakhnathfollowersarethosewhoweareitherbigblack
celluloidorglassearrings.TheMahantboredtheaspirantsears,insertedbigearringsandgavehimabeautiful
namealso,YogiIshvarananda.HeremainedintheAshramforthreemonths.Hedidnotgetanyspiritualprogress.
Hethoughttohimself:Thisisnottheproperpath.Letmetryanotherpath.HelefttheAshramimmediately,
wanderedthroughthickjungles,cameacrossaFakirandimploredforinitiation.TheFakircircumcised,gavehim
aMantraandaskedhimtohavealongbeard.Thisalsodidnotsatisfyhim.Nowlookatthepitiableconditionof
thispooraspirant.Theulcersintheearshadnothealedupproperly.Hehadconsiderablepainthroughseptic
inflammation.Therewasprofusedischargeofpus.Hehadalreadyadisturbedstateofmindandthisstateofaffairs
augmentedhismentalworries.HeseriouslyreflectedthatthiswasnotthewayofseekingtheGuru.Hemadea
strongdeterminationthathemustnotroamabout,muststickfirmlytoonesolitaryplaceandmustperformthere
TapaswithconstantprayerstoGod.HeselectedaplaceandperformedTapaswithallsincerity.Thispurifiedhim
andmadehimfitforhighersteps.Afteraperiodoftwoyears,aGuruappearedbeforehim,initiatedhimintodeep
mysteriesofYoga.PresentdayaspirantsalsoarerunninglikethisfromplacetoplaceinsearchofaGuru.Itisof
nouse.TheyshouldpurifythemselvesforaYogiclife.Bychance,eveniftheycomeincontactwithanAvatara,

theywillnotbebenefitedmuchiftheyhavenotastrongfoundationforaYogiclife.

14.OtherYogins
Theyogibymeansofvariouspracticesestablishesaconsciouscontrolovertheorgansandfunctionsofthebody.
Hemouldshisbodylikesteel.OneSwamiinLondonhadademonstrationofstoppinghisheartbeforetheKing.
Manyablephysicianswerepresentontheoccasionandexaminedhim.Desabandhuin1926stoppedtheradialand
temporalpulsesonbothsidesatwillandstoppedthebeatingsoftheheartalsoforashorttime.Heshoweda
demonstrationintheBombayMedicalUnion.InMaharajahRanjitSinghsCourtinLahore,HathaYogiHariDas
whoburiedhimselfunderneaththegroundforfortydaysaftertightlyclosinghisnose,mouth,earsandeyeswith
waxcamebackalive.TheMohammedanYogi,GunangudiMastan,wasburiedinMadras.SomeYoginsflyinthe
air.ThisisduetoKhechariMudra.
YogiPratapwasinthepostureofdoingViparitakaraniMudra.Heaskedtheonlookerstocoverhisheadwithclay
onallsides.Heremainedinthatpositionforfull2hours.PaulDeussen,theGermantraveller,personally
witnessedthisinVaranasi.SriSwamiVishuddhanandaofVaranasioncegavelifetoadeadsparrow.Nothingis
impossibleforarealYogi.

MysticExperienceVisionsOfLights
Variouskindsoflightsmanifestduringmeditationowingtodeepconcentration.Inthebeginningabright,white
light,thesizeofapinspointwillappearintheforeheadatthespacebetweenthetwoeyebrowswhich
correspondstentativelytotheAjnaChakra.Youwillnotice,whentheeyesareclosed,differentcolouredlights,
white,yellow,red,smoky,blue,green,mixedlights,flasheslikelightning,fire,moon,sun,starsandsparks.These
areTanmatriclights.EachTanmatrahasitsownspecificcolour.Yellowandwhitelightsareverycommonlyseen.
Inthebeginningsmallballsofwhiteorredlightfloataboutbeforethemindseye.Whenyoufirstobservethisbe
assuredthatthemindisbecomingmoresteadyandthatyouareprogressinginconcentration.Aftersomemonths,
thesizeofthelightwillincreaseandyouwillseeafullblazeofwhitelight,biggerthanthesun.Inthebeginning
theselightsarenotsteady.Theycomeanddisappearimmediately.Whenyouhavesteadyandsystematicpractice
ofmeditationfor2or3hours,theselightsappearmorefrequentlyandremainsteadyforalongtime.Thevisionof
lightsisagreatencouragementinSadhana.ItimpelsyoutosticktoSadhanasteadily.Itgivesyoustrongfaithin
superphysicalmatter.Theappearanceofthelightsdenotesthatyouaretranscendingthephysicalconsciousness.
Youareinasemiconsciousstatewhenthelightappears.Youarebetweenthetwoplaces.Youmustnotshakethe
bodywhentheselightsmanifest.YoumustbeperfectlysteadyinyourAsanaandbreatheslowly.
AttimesyouwillseesomelustrousformsofDevatasorsomeotherphysicalforms.YouwillseeyourIshta
DevataoryourGuru.Siddhas,RishisandothersgivetheirDarshantoencourageyou.Youcanseebeautiful

gardens,palatialbuildings,rivers,mountains,goldentemples,sceneriessolovelyandpicturesqueascannotbe
adequatelydescribed.
Duringintenseconcentration,manyareabletofeelcertainpeculiarsensationasifsomeelectriccurrentpasses
fromtheMuladharaChakra.Theyimmediatelydisturbtheirbodyandcomedowntothephysicalconsciousness
outoffear.Theyneedhavenofearatall.Theyshouldkeepsteadyandwaitforfurtherexperiences.
Theexperiencesvaryindifferentindividuals.Theexperienceofonemanmaynotbethesameasthatofanother
man.ManyerroneouslybelievethattheyhaverealisedtheSelfwhentheygettheseexperiences,stoptheir
SadhanaandtrytomovewiththepublictopreachandtodoLokaSangraha.Thisisaseriousblunder.Thisisnot
realisationatall.TheseareallsimpleencouragementsfromyourIshtaDevatatoconvinceyouofahigherspiritual
lifeandpushyouinyoursystematicandincessantpracticewithzealandenthusiasm.Youwillhavetoignore
thesethingsanddrivethemawayjustasyoudidwithworldlyobjects.Youmustnotcareabitwhenyougetthese
visions.YoumusthaveyourLakshyaonthegoal.Thevisionsmayappearinsomepersonswithinafewdays,
whileinotherswithinsixorninemonths.Itdependsuponthestateofthemindanddegreeofconcentration.Some
personsmaynothavesuchexperiences,buttheywillbeprogressinginthespiritualpath.
Sometimesyouwillgetverypowerful,dazzlinglights,biggerthanthesun.Theyarewhite.Inthebeginning,they
comeanddisappearquickly.Laterontheybecomesteadyevenfor10or15minutesaccordingtothedegreeof
concentration.LightswillappearbeforetheeyesoratanyoneoftheChakras.Thelightissopowerfuland
dazzlingsometimesthatyouhavetowithdrawyourselffromlookingandbreakyourmeditation.Somepeopleare
afraidandtheydonotknowwhattodoandhowtoproceedfurther.Byconstantpractice,themindengagedin
concentrationwillvanish.ThebeingsandobjectswithwhomyouareintouchduringtheearlyperiodofSadhana
belongtotheastralworld.ThelustrousformsarehigherDevatasofmentalandhigherplanes,whocomedownto
giveDarshanandtoencouragetheSadhakas.VariousShaktismanifestinlustrousforms.Adorethem.Domental
Pujaassoonastheyappearbeforeyou.
Donotwasteyourtimeinlookingatthesevisions.Thisisonlyacuriosity.Theseareallencouragementsto
convinceyouoftheexistenceofsuperphysical,metaphysicalrealities.Visionsareeithersubjectiveorobjective,
yourownmentalcreationsorofrealitiesonfinerplanesofmatter.Universeconsistsofplanesofmatterofvarious
degreesofdensity.RhythmicalvibrationsofTanmatrasinvariousdegreesgiverisetotheformationofvarious
planes.Visionsmaybeofthesethingsorbeings.Orinmanycasestheymaybepurelyimaginary.Theymaybe
thecrystallisationofyourownintensethinking.Youmustdiscriminatewell.

Elementals
Sometimestheseelementalsappearduringmeditation.Theyarestrangefigures,somewithlongteeth,bigfaces,

somewiththreeheads,somewithfacesonthebelly,somewithoutfleshandskin,etc.Theyareinhabitantsof
BhuvarLoka.TheyareBhutas.TheyaresupposedtobetheattendantsofLordSiva.Theyhaveterrifyingforms.
Theydonotcauseanyharmatall.Theysimplyappearonthestage.Theycometotestyourstrengthandcourage.
Theycandonothing.Theycannotstandbeforeapure,ethicalaspirant.RepetitionofOmoryourGuruMantrawill
throwthematadistance.Wheneveryoungpeoplelookatadeadbodyorwhentheyseeabodyhangingorwhen
theyseeacruelmurder,theyalwaysbroodoverthisinstance.Evenduringmeditation,thesamethoughtwillcome
andtakepeculiarform.Againandagaintheywillseethesameformbeforetheireyes.Theyshouldnotfearatall.
Itisonlytheirmentalcreation.Acowardisabsolutelyunfitforthespiritualline.Destroyfear.Developcourage.
Bebold.

LifeInTheAstralPlane
Duringthecourseofpractice,onedayyouwillfeelthatyouhaveseparatedyourselffromthebody.Youwillhave
immensejoymixedwithfearjoyinthepossessionofanewlight,astralbodyandfearowingtotheentryina
foreign,unknownplane.Attheveryoutset,thenewconsciousnessisveryrudimentaryinthenewplane.Youwill
onlyfeelthatyouhavealight,airybodyandwillperceivearotating,vibrating,limitedastralatmospherewith
illuminationofgoldenlights,objectsandbeings.Youmayfeelthatyouarefloatingintheair.
Youwillneverfallbutthenewexperienceofsubtletygeneratesnovelfeelingsandsensationsinthebeginning.
Howyouleavethebodyandremain,isunknown.Youareunawareofhowyouhavecompletelyseparated
yourselffromthebody.Thenewjoyisinexpressible.Yourwillhavetoactuallyfeelandexperienceityourself.
Whenyoucomebacktobodyconsciousness,thereisanintensecravingtoregainthenewconsciousnessandto
remaininthatstatealways.Bychance,byrepeatedattempts,youareabletogobeyondthebodyconsciousness
onceinamonthorsointhecourseofSadhana.Ifyouplodonwithpatience,throughYogicpractices,youwillbe
abletoleavethebodyatwillandstayforalongtime.
Youcanbymerewillingtravelinanyplaceyoulikewiththeastralbodyandtherematerialisebydrawingthe
necessarymaterialseitherfromAhamkaraortheuniversalstorehouse.Theprocessisverysimpletooccultistsand
Yogiswhoknowtherationale,thedetailedtechniqueofthevariousoperations.Thoughtreading,thought
transference,psychichealing,distanthealing,etc.,canbeveryeasilyperformedbythosewhocanfunctionwith
theastralbody.Concentratedmentalrayscanpenetrateopaquewallsandtravelmilesandmiles.

HintsOnYoga
BrahmacharyaisveryveryessentialEvenindreamsyoumustbefreefromlustfulthoughts.Itrequireslong
practiceandcarefulwatchoverthemindandIndriyas.Foolishpeoplehastilyjumpuptothehighercoursesin
YogainvainwithouthavingthisimportantitemwhichisveryusefulforspiritualSadhana.

Wetdreamsgenerallyoccurinthelastquarterofthenight.Thosewhoareinthehabitofgettingupfrombed
between3and4a.m.(Brahmamuhurta)anddoingJapa,PranayamaandDhyana,canneverfallavictimto
nocturnalpollutions.
ThatmaninwhomthesexideaisdeeprootedcanneverdreamofunderstandingYogaandVedantaeveninone
hundredbirths.
Keepthemindfullyoccupied.ThisisthebestpanaceaorsovereignremedyforkeepingupBrahmacharya.Do
Japa,meditation,readingofreligiousbooks,walking,Kirtan,prayer,Satsanga,service,religiousdiscourse,
writing,etc.
AlwayswearaKaupeenorLangotee.Thisisscientificandspiritualtoo.Ifyouareamarriedman,sleepina
separateroomfromyourwife.Changeyourhabitimmediately.
Becarefulintheselectionofyourcompanions.Giveupdrama,talkies,readingnovelsandotherlovestories.Do
notusesoapsandflowers.ObserveMowna.Donotmixwithanyone.Readgoodinspiringreligiousbooks.When
desiresariseintheminddonotfulfilthem.Crushthemimmediately.Avoidthecompanyofwomen.Nojoking
andlaughing.Thesearealloutwardmanifestationsoflustonly.Whenyouwalkinthestreetdonotlookhitherand
thitherlikeamonkey.Donotlookatawomaneventhephotoorpictureofalady.Donottalkaboutwomen.
Whenyouadvanceinthespiritualpracticeitwillbeverydifficultforyoutodobothmeditationanddailyoffice
andhouseholdworkatthesametime,becausethemindwillundergoadoublestrain.Itfindsitverydifficultto
adjusttodifferentuncongenialactivities.Therefore,theadvancedGrihasthastudentswillhavetostopallworldly
activities.Whentheyadvanceinmeditation,iftheydesiretoadvancefurther,theyshouldtaketoseclusionand
mustdisconnectthemselvesfromtheworldlyactivitiesentirely.Workisahindranceinmeditationforadvanced
Yogicstudents.
Livealone.ObserveMownaandrecordinyourdiarythebenefitsyouderive.Donotmakegesturesandsignshu,
hu,hu.Thishu,hu,huistantamounttotalking.Thereismorewastageofenergyinthishu,hu,hubusiness.Utilise
thisconservedenergyinJapaandmeditation.
SadhakaswhotakeuptoNivrittiMargagenerallybecomelazyaftersometime,astheydonotknowhowtoutilise
thementalenergy,astheydonotkeepupanydailyroutineandastheydonotfollowtheinstructionsoftheir
Guru.TheygetVairagyaofcourse,buttheyhavenoexperienceinthespiritualline.Theydonotmakeany
spiritualprogressintheend.
ThosewhowanttotakeuptoseclusionandNivrittiMarga,shouldobserveMownaanddisciplinetheIndriyas,
mindandbodywhilelivingintheworld.Theyshouldtrainthemselvestohard,laboriouslife,coarsefood,walking

withoutshoesandumbrella.Thenonlytheycanbeartherigorouslifeofanascetic.Theyshouldentirelygiveup
timidity.
IfcircumstancespreventyoufromobservingMowna,strictlyavoidlongtalk,bigtalk,talltalkandallsortsofvain
discussionsandwithdrawyourselffromsocietyasmuchaspossible.Toomuchoftalkissimplywastageof
energy.IfthisenergyisconservedbyMowna,itwillbetransmutedintoOjasShaktiwhichwillhelpyouinyour
Sadhana.
Sadhakashouldalwaysremainalone.Thisisanimportantfactorinspiritualprogress.Mixingwithhouseholdersis
highlydangerous.SolitudeforSadhanaisagreatdesideratum.Allenergiesmustbecarefullypreserved.Aftera
shortstayinsolitude,aspirantsshouldnotentertheworld.Whattheyhavegainedinfiveyearsinseclusion
throughhardTapas,willbeirrecoverablylostinamonthbymixingwithworldlypeople.Severalpersonshave
complainedtomethattheyhavelostthepowerofconcentration.
AfterattainingperfectioninYoga,onecanenterworldifheisnotaffectedevenabitbyunfavourable,hostile
currentsoftheworld.ThereisnoharmifyoumixwithcongenialcompanywhichisalsodevotedtoYoga
Abhyasa.Youcandiscussvariousphilosophicalpoints.Youcanbeinthecompanyofhigherspiritualpersonages
whoenterintoSamadhi.ManypersonsentertheworldbeforeperfectioninYogatodemonstratetheirminor
powersinthenameofLokaSangrahaandforfame.Theyhavebeenreducedtoalevelworsethanaworldlyman.
Everythingmustbedonegradually.Itisverydifficultforamanwhowasintheworldtobeinentireseclusion.It
willbeverypainfulandtroublesomeforabeginner.HeshouldslowlytrainhimselfbyobservingMownaoften.
TheplacewhereinyoucangetconcentrationofmindissuitableforyourYogicpractices.Thisisageneralrule.
Therewillbenouseifyourunfromplacetoplace.
WhenyoudoKarmaYogayoumustbefreefromegoism.Youmustnotexpectanyrewardorappreciationforthe
workthatyoudo(Nishkama).Youmusthaveabalancedmindinsuccessandfailure.
ThemomenttheChittaShuddhiisattained,youmuststopdoingNishkamaKarmaandtaketopuremeditationin
seclusion.
Mostofthedifficultiesariseinyourdailylifeifyoudonothaveapropercontroloveryourmind.Forinstance,ifa
mandoeseviltoyou,instantlyyouwanttorevenge,toextracttoothfortooth,titfortatpolicy,toreturnangerfor
anger.Everyreactionofevilshowsthatthemindisnotundercontrol.Byangeroneloseshisenergy.Balanced
stateofmindisnotpossible.Fromangerallotherimpuritiesemanate.Angercontrolledproperly,becomes
transmutedintoanenergysopowerfulastomovethewholeworld.

Aslightoverloadinginthestomachwillupsetmeditation.Themindhasdirectconnectionwithgastricnervesof
thestomach.Youwillgetdrowsinessalso.YoumusttrainyourselftoMitahara.
Whenyouhavedietrestriction,inthebeginningyouwillimaginethatyouaregettingleanerandweaker.Toadd
tothisyourfriendsandrelativeswillfrightenyou.Donothearthem.Inafewdaysyouwillbequiteallright.
Incaseofindigestionandconstipation,takealongbriskwalkinthemorning.Assoonasyougetupfrombed
drinklargequantityofwater.DoPaschimottana,Mayura,TrikonaAsanas,NauliandUddiyana.Dophysical
exercisesalso.Incaseofchronicconstipationtryachangeindiet.Ifyoutakerice,thentakewheat,andsee.Ifyou
areinthesamestate,tryfruitsandmilkdiet.Thenyouwillbequiteallright.Changeofdietisasureremedy.
Ifyouhavetheevilhabitofdrinkingwine,toddy,coffee,etc.,andifyouwanttostopit,gotothemeditationroom
andpromisebeforethedeitythatyouwillstopthebadhabitfromthatmoment.Proclaimthisdeterminationto
yourfriends.Ifyourmindgoestothesamehabit,youwillnaturallybeashamedtocontinuethehabit.Several
timesyouwillfail.Stillstrugglehard.TaketoSatsanga.Studyreligiousbooks.Youcandestroyallimpurehabits.
Ifyoufinditverydifficulttogiveup,thelastremedyyouwillhavetotakeisinrunningawayfromthepresent
societyandyoumustfleetoaplacewhereyoucannotatallgetallthese.Outofcompulsionyoucanleavethebad
habit.
Ifyouwanttostoptakingmutton,fishetc.,justseewithyourowneyesthepitiable,strugglingconditionatthe
timeofkillingthesheeporfish.Nowmercyandsympathywillariseinyourheart.Thenyouwilldetermineto
giveupflesheatingsothatthepoorinnocentlivesmaybespared.Ifyoufailinthisattempt,justchangeyour
environmentsandliveinaBrahminhotelwhereyoucannotgetmuttonandfishandmovewiththatsocietywhere
thereisonlyvegetablediet.Alwaysthinkoftheevilsofflesheatingandthebenefitsofvegetablediet.Ifthisalso
cannotgiveyousufficientstrengthtostopthishabit,gototheslaughterhouseandbutchersshopandpersonally
seethedisgustingrottenmuscles,kidneysandothernastypartsoftheanimalandthebadsmell.Thiswillinduce
Vairagyainyouandastrongdisgustandhatredformuttoneating.
AMantraisamassofTejasorradiantenergy.Ittransformsthementalsubstancebyproducingaparticular
thoughtmovement.TherhythmicalvibrationsproducedbyMantraregulatetheunsteadyvibrationsofthefive
sheaths.Itchecksthenaturaltendencyofobjectivethoughtsofthemind.IthelpstheSadhanaShaktiand
reinforcesit.SadhanaShaktiisstrengthenedbyMantraShakti.Mantraawakenssuperhumanpowers.
OnlytheknowledgeimpartedbyaGuruthroughhislipsispowerfulandusefulotherwiseitbecomesfruitless,
weakandverypainful.
SiddhauvisvasahprathamalakshanamForsuccess,firmbeliefisthefirstcondition.

Developthepowerofendurance(Titiksha),learntobearhappinessandmiseryevenlyandtopassthroughall
phasesoflife,allexperiences.
Theenduranceofallpainandtorturewithpatienceandcontentmentmeanstheexerciseofadistinctforcewhich
spiritualisesthewholenature.Thegreaterthisforce,thespeedierthespiritualgrowth.Patienceandfaithshould
continueundiminishedallthroughtheSadhanaperiod.
ChittaShuddhiispurificationofmind.NadiShuddhiispurificationofNadis.BhutaShuddhiispurificationof
elements.AdharaShuddhiispurificationofAdhara.IfthereisShuddhi(purification),Siddhi(perfection)will
comebyitself.SiddhiisnotpossiblewithoutShuddhi.
Humilityisthehighestofallvirtues.Youcandestroyyouregoismbydevelopingthisvirtuealone.Youcan
influencethewholeworld.Youwillbecomeamagnettoattractthewholeworld.Itmustbegenuine.Feigned
humilityishypocrisy.
ControlangerbypracticeofKshama,Dhairya,patienceandNirabhimanata,absenceofegoism.
Whenangeriscontrolleditwillbetransmutedintoanenergybywhichyoucanmovethewholeworld.
Angerisamodificationofpassion.Ifyoucancontrollust,youhavealreadycontrolledanger.
Drinkalittlewaterwhenyoubecomeangry.Itwillcoolthebrainandcalmtheexcited,irritablenerves.
Counttwenty,onebyone.Bythetimeyoufinishcountingtwenty,angerwillsubside.
Watchthesmallirritableimpulseorthoughtwavecarefully.Thenitwillbecomemoreeasyforyoutocontrol
anger.Takeallprecautions.Donotallowittoburstoutandassumeawildform.
Ifyoufinditextremelydifficulttocontrolit,leavetheplaceatonceandwalkforhalfanhour.PraytoGod.Do
Japa.Meditate.Meditationgivesimmensestrength.
VeryoftendepressioncomesinmeditationinneophytesowingtotheinfluenceofSamskaras,influenceofastral
entities,evilspirits,badcompany,cloudydays,badstomachandloadedbowels.Itmustbequicklyremovedby
cheerfulthoughts,abriskwalk,singingHisName,andlaughing,prayer,Pranayama,purgativeandadoseof
carminativemixture.
IfyouwanttoenterintoSamadhiquickly,cutallconnectionswithfriends,relatives,andothers.ObserveAkhanda
Mowna,Liveonmilkalone.Plungeinmeditation.

LazinessandficklenessofmindarethetwogreatobstaclesinYoga.LightSattvicdietandPranayamaswill
removelaziness.Donotoverloadthestomach.Walkbrisklyinthecompoundhitherandthitherforhalfanhour.
Diseasesaregeneratedinonesbodythroughthefollowingcauses,viz.,sleepingindaytime,latevigilovernight,
excessofsexualintercourse,movingincrowd,checkingofurineandfaeces,takingofunwholesomefoodand
laboriousmentalwork.IfaYogiisaffectedbyanydiseaseduetothesecauses,hesaysthatthediseaseisdueto
hisYogicpractice.Thisisthefirstobstacleinyoga.
Disease,mentalinactivity,doubt,indifference,laziness,tendencytogoaftersenseenjoyments,stupor,false
perception,nonattainmentofconcentrationandfallingawayfromthatwhenattainedonaccountofrestlessness,
aretheobstructingdistractions.(YogaSutrasI30).
Ifapractitionerisgloomy,depressedandweak,surelythereissomeerrorinhisSadhana.Ifaspirantsthemselves
aregloomyandpeevishhowcantheyimpartjoy,peaceandstrengthtoothers?Acheerfulandeversmiling
countenanceisasuresignofspiritualityandDivinelife.
Oemotional,enthusiasticyoungaspirants!Donottakethemovementsofrheumaticwindsinthebackfrom
chroniclumbagoforascentofKundalini.DoyourSadhanawithpatience,perseverancetillyougetSamadhi.
MastereverystageinYoga.Donottakeupanyhighercoursesbeforeyoucompletelymasterthelowersteps.
Oimpatientaspirant!DonotbothermuchaboutawakeningKundalini.Prematureawakeningisnotdesirable.Do
yourSadhanaandTapassystematicallyandregularly.Justasthegardenerwhowatersthetreesdailygetsthefruits
whenthepropertimecomessoalsoyouwillenjoythefruitsofyourSadhanawhenthetimecomes.Purifyand
steadythemindnow.PurifytheNadis.ThenKundaliniwillbeawakenedspontaneously.
Theaspirant,eventhoughhewouldhaveawakenedtheKundalinibysomemeans,willnotbebenefitedatallifhe
hasnotdevelopedthenecessaryqualifications.Itisnotpossibleforhimtofeel,andmanifestallthebenefitsof
awakeningKundalini.
TherearesomedevelopedsoulswhoareinastateofSamadhinaturallyfromtheirverybirth.Theyhavenot
acquiredthisbyanyexertioninthisbirth.TheyarecalledbornSiddhas.TheyhavefinishedtheirSadhanaintheir
previousbirths.
Bycontinence,devotiontoGuruandsteadypractice,successcomesinYogaafteralongtime.Theaspirantshould
alwaysbepatientandpersevering.
Svastika,Gomukha,Padma,HamsathesearetheBrahmicpostures(Asanas).Vira,Mayura,VajraandSiddha
AsanasaretheRaudrapostures.YoniistheSaktaposture.PaschimottanasanaistheShaivaposture.

Controloverthefiveelements(Bhutas)maybegainedbypractisingDharanaontheirrespectiveseatsinthe
body.Theseatofearthextendsfromthefoottothekneetheseatofwaterextendsfromthekneetothenavelthe
seatoffire,fromnaveltothethroattheseatofair,fromthethroattotheregionbetweentheeyebrowsandthe
seatofAkasafromtheeyebrowstoBrahmarandhra.
NadaislikeapurecrystalextendingfromtheMuladharatoSahasraraChakra.Itisthatwhichisspokenofas
BrahmanorParamatman.
Inthebeginningofyourpractice,youmaygetjerksofhands,legs,trunkandwholebody.Sometimesthejerks
willbeterrible.Donotbeafraid.Donotbetroubled.Itisnothing.Itisduetosuddenmuscularcontractionfrom
newPranicinfluence.Thejerkswillpassoffaftersometime.Youwillhavetopassthroughthesestages.
AssoonasKundaliniisawakenedforthefirsttime,aYogigetsthesesixexperienceswhichlastforashorttime
Ananda(spiritualbliss),Kampana(tremorofthebodyandlimbs),Utthana(risingfromtheground),Ghurni
(divineintoxication),Murccha(fainting)andNidra(sleep).
Goodhealth,lightnessofthebody,shiningcomplexion,nottobeaffectedbythetipsofthorns,toendurehunger
andthirst,toeatanddrinkmuchandtofastforalongtime,toendureheatandcold,andtohavecontroloverthe
fiveelements,aresomeothersymptomsofYogiclife.
OnlyaYogileadingthelifeofaBrahmachariandobservingamoderateandnutritiousdiet,obtainsperfectionin
themanipulationofKundalini.(Ghe.Sam.III12).
ManypeopleareattractedtothepracticeofPranayamaandotherYogicexercises,asitisthroughYogathat
psychichealing,telepathy,thoughttransference,andothergreatSiddhisareobtained.Iftheyattainsuccess,they
shouldnotremaintherealone.TheGoaloflifeisnothealingandSiddhis.Theyshouldutilisetheirenergyin
attainingtheHighest.
Thosewhocandotelepathy,psychichealing,etc.,useonlythePranainadifferentway.Forproducingdifferent
results,thesamePranamustbeutilisedinadifferentmethod.Youshouldknowthetechniquetousethisfroma
Guru.Bylongpracticeyoualsocandoeverythingsuccessfully.
AYogiontheappearanceofcertainSiddhisthinksthathehasachievedthehighestgoal.Hemaygiveuphis
furtherSadhanathroughfalsecontentment.TheYogiwhoisbentupongettingthehighestSamadhi,mustreject
Siddhiswhenevertheycome.SiddhisareinvitationsfromDevatas.OnlybyrejectingtheseSiddhis,onecanattain
successinYoga.HewhocravesforSiddhisisaworldlymindedman.Heisaverybighouseholder.Thosewho
craveforSiddhiswillnevergetthem.IfaYogicstudentistemptedtoattainSiddhis,hisfurtherprogressis
seriouslyretarded.Hehaslosttheway.

DonotstopSadhanawhenyougetafewglimpsesandexperiences.Continuethepracticetillyouattainperfection.
Donotstopthepracticeandmoveaboutintheworld.Examplesarenotlacking.Numerouspersonshavebeen
ruined.Aglimpsecannotgiveyousafety.
Youcandonothingbyahappygoluckylife.Sticktooneplaceforthreeyears.Drawaprogrammeofdaily
routine.Thenfollowtotheveryletteratanycost.Thenyouaresuretosucceed.
ThereisnouseofdillydallyinghitherandthitherinsearchofaGuru.Ifyousearchforhim,youwillneverget
him.Ifyoumakeyourselfdeservingbythepracticeofallpreliminaryqualifications,hewilldoubtlesscometo
you.ItiswithinthepowerofeverybodytoattainsuccessinYoga.Whatiswantedissinceredevotion,constant
andsteadyAbhyasa.
Neverallowsentimenttoovercomeyouonewayorother.Wiselyutiliseeveryconditionfortheupliftofthesoul
andChittaSuddhi.
UnlessyouarepreparedtogiveupallyouhavefortheserviceoftheLordandmankind,youarequiteunfitforthe
spiritualpath.
Youfirstseparateyourselffromthebodythenyouidentifyyourselfwiththemindandthenyoufunctiononthe
mentalplane.Throughconcentration,youriseabovebodyconsciousnessthroughmeditationyouriseabove
mindandfinallythroughSamadhi,youreachthegoal.
AHathaYogibringsdownthePranabyJalandharaBandhabyMulaBandhahechecksthedownwardtendency
ofApanahavingaccustomedhimselftothepracticeofAsviniMudra,hemakestheApanagoupwardwiththe
mindintentonKumbhaka.ThroughUddiyanaBandha,heforcestheunitedPranaApanatoentertheSushumna
NadialongwithKundalini,andthroughSaktiChalanaMudra,hetakesKundalinifromChakratoChakra.Bythis
procedureaHathaYogimakesconquestoverDehaAdhyasa.
Eliminatefearaltogetherbyconstantlyraisinganoppositecurrentofthoughtinthemind.Constantlyandintently
thinkofcourage.FearisaVikara,unnatural,temporarymodificationonaccountofAvidya.Whenfeardisappears,
theattachmentforthebodygoesawayandthenitiseasyforyoutogoabovebodyconsciousness.
Donotbecarriedawaybynameandfame(Khyati).Ignoreallthesetrivialthings.Besteadyinyourpractice.
NeverstopSadhanatillthefinalbeatitudeisreached.
Justasthemanwhofoolishlyrunsaftertworabbitswillnotcatchholdofanyoneofthem,soalsoameditator
whorunsaftertwoconflictingthoughtswillnotgetsuccessinanyoneofthetwothoughts.Ifhehasdivine
thoughtsfortenminutesandthenworldlyconflictingthoughtsforthenexttenminuteshewillnotsucceedin

gettingattheDivineconsciousness.
SeveralaspirantsinthenameofTapasyaneglectthebody.Allpossiblecareshouldbetakentokeepthebodyina
healthycondition.ASadhakashouldtakemorecarethanaworldlymanbecauseitiswiththisinstrumentthathe
hastoreachtheGoal.Atthesametimehemustbequiteunattachedtothebodyandbepreparedtogiveitupat
anymoment.Thatistheproperideal.
Astothequalificationforrenunciation,amanshouldhaveattainedperfectpurityofmind,stabilityofintellect,
discrimination,disgusttowardssensualpleasuresandakeendesireforfreedom.Unlessamanhasattainedthese
qualifications,renunciationofactivedutiesoflifedoesnotproducethedesiredeffect.
IfyouwantSamadhi,youmustknowwelltheprocessofDhyana.IfyouwantDhyana,youmustknowaccurately
themethodofDharana.IfyouwantDharana,youmustknowperfectlythemethodofPratyahara.Ifyouwant
Pratyahara,youmustknowPranayama.IfyouwantPranayamayoumustknowAsanawell.Beforegoingtothe
practiceofAsana,youshouldhaveYamaandNiyama.ThereisnouseofjumpingintoDhyanawithouthavingthe
variouspreliminarypractices.
Someaspirants,whentheycannotgetmilkorghee,stoptheirYogicpractices.Ifyoucannotgetmilkorghee,you
willhavetotakealittlemorequantityofbreadandDal.Dalismorenutritiousthanmilk.Itisvery,very
substantial.Sadhakasshouldnotdevelopanyhabitatall.Habitmeansslavery.Peopleofslavishmentalityare
absolutelyunfitforthespiritualpath.Theyshouldnotbeaffectedatalleveniftheyareplacedundertheworst
circumstances.
VedantinsusedifferentmethodsforgettingLaya,viz.,(1)AntahkaranaLayaChintana,(2)PanchaBhutaLaya
Chintanaand(3)OmkaraLayaChintana.InAntahkaranaLaya,youmustthinkthatthemindismergedinBuddhi
BuddhiinAvyaktamandAvyaktaminBrahman.InPanchaBhutaLaya,youmustthinkthattheearthgets
mergedinwater,waterinfirefireinairairinAkasaAkasainAvyaktamandAvyaktaminBrahman.InOmkara
Laya,youmustthinkthatVisvagetsmergedinVirat(ViratintheletterA)TaijasainHiranyagarbha
(HiranyagarbhaintheletterU)PrajnainIshvara(IshvaraintheletterM).JivaSakshigetsmergedinIshvara
SakshiIshvaraSakshiinArdhamatraofOmkara.Thusyoucangobacktotheoriginalsource,Brahman,whois
theYoniforallmindsandPanchaBhutas.Brahmanaloneremains.
AnnamayaKoshaisthephysicalbody(SthulaSarira).PranamayaKosha,ManomayaKoshaandVijnanamaya
Koshaareintheastralbody(SukshmaSarira).AnandamayaKoshabelongstothecausalbody(KaranaSarira).
PranamayaKoshacontainsthefiveKarmaIndriyas.ManomayaandVijnanamayaKoshascontainthefiveJnana
Indriyas.
Priya,ModaandPramodaaretheattributesofAnandamayaKosha.HungerandthirstbelongtoPranamayaKosha.

BirthanddeathbelongtotheAnnamayaKosha.HarshaandSoka(exhilarationanddepression)belongto
ManomayaKosha.Passion,hunger,greed,SankalpaandVikalpaareDharmasoftheManomayaKosha.Sleepand
MohabelongtoAnandamayaKosha.Kartritva(agency)andBhoktritva(enjoyment)belongtoVijnanamaya
Kosha.
InManomayaKosha,IcchaShaktiisworking.InVijnanamayaKosha,JnanaShaktiisworking.Forotherdetailed
informationconsultmybookPracticeofVedanta.
WhenKundaliniisawakened,itdoesnotproceedatoncetoSahasraraChakra.ByfurtherYogicpractices,you
willhavetotakeitfromChakratoChakra,onebyone.
EvenafterKundalinihasreachedtheSahasraraitcandroptoMuladharaChakra.TheYogicanalsostopitata
particularChakra.WhentheYogiisestablishedinSamadhi,whenhehasattainedKaivalya,Kundaliniwillnot
comebacktoMuladhara.
ThebodywillexistevenafterKundalinihasreachedSahasraraChakra,buttheYogiwillhavenobody
consciousness.ItisonlywhenKaivalyaisattainedthatthebodybecomeslifeless.
TheSadhakasshouldhaveapureheartandshouldbefreefromDoshas.TheMantrashouldhavebeenobtained
fromagreatman.TheSadhakashouldhavefaithintheMantra.Inthiscase,Japaaloneisquitesufficientto
awakenKundalini.
JnanaYoga,MantraYoga,HathaYoga,RajaYogaandallothermethodshavethe8steps,viz.,Yama,Niyama,
Asana,Pranayama,Pratyahara,Dharana,Dhyana,andSamadhi.ThesearenottheexclusivepropertyofRajaYoga
alone.ThesearenecessaryforallSadhakas.
Youngboyshavenosettledmind.Manyhavenotthepowerofdiscrimination.Thereforeyoungageisnotsuitable
foradvancedcoursesinYoga.
Manyotherimportantdoubtsoftheaspirantshavebeenclearedinthetext.

SomePracticalHints
TheactualmethodofawakeningtheKundaliniShaktiandunitingHerwiththeLordintheSahasraracanonlybe
learntfromaGuru.IgivehereageneraloutlineoftheYogicpracticethatwillenabletheSadhakatorealisethe
Chit.
TheJivatmainthesubtlebody,thereceptacleofthefivevitalairs(PanchaPranas),mindinitsthreeaspectsof

Manas,BuddhiandAhankarathefiveorgansofaction(Karmendriyas)andthefiveorgansofperception
(Jnanendriyas),areunitedwiththeKulaKundalini.TheKandarpaorKamaVayuintheMuladharaaformofthe
ApanaVayuisgivenaleftwardrevolutionandthefirewhichisaroundKundaliniiskindled.BytheBija
Hung,andtheheatofthefirethuskindled,thecoiledandsleepingKundaliniisawakened.Shewholayasleep
aroundSvayambhulinga,withhercoilsthreecirclesandahalf,dosingtheentranceoftheBrahmadvara,willon
beingroused,enterthatdoorandmoveupwards,unitedwiththeJivatma.
Onthisupwardmovement,Brahma,Savitri,DakiniShakti,theDevas,BijaandVritti,aredissolvedinthebodyof
Kundalini.TheMaheemandalaorPrithviisconvertedintotheBijaLang,andisalsomergedinHerbody.When
KundalinileavestheMuladhara,thelotuswhich,ontheawakeningofKundalini,hadopenedandturneditsflower
upwards,againclosesandhangsdownwards.AsKundalinireachestheSvadhishthanaChakra,thatlotusopens
out,andliftsitsflowerupwards.UpontheentranceofKundalini,Mahavishnu,Mahalakshmi,Sarasvati,Rakini
Shakti,DevaMatrikasandVritti,Vaikunthadhama,Goloka,andtheDevaandDeviresidingthereinaredissolved
inthebodyofKundalini.ThePrithviorearthBijaLangisdissolvedinApah,andApahconvertedintotheBija
Vang,remainsinthebodyofKundalini.WhentheDevireachestheManipuraChakraallthatisintheChakra
mergesinHerbody.TheVarunaBijaVangisdissolvedinfire,whichremainsinthebodyoftheDeviasthe
BijaRang.ThisChakraiscalledtheBrahmagranthi(orknotofBrahma).ThepiercingofthisChakramay
involveconsiderablepain,physicaldisorder,andevendisease.Onthisaccount,thedirectionsofanexperienced
Guruarenecessary,andthereforealsoothermodesofYogahavebeenrecommendedforthosetowhomtheyare
applicableforinsuchmodesactivityisprovokeddirectlyinthehighercentreanditisnotnecessarythatthelower
Chakrasshouldbepierced.KundalininextreachestheAnahataChakrawhereallwhichisthereinismergedin
Her.TheBijaofTejas,RangdisappearsinVayuandVayuconvertedintoitsBijaYang,mergesintothebody
ofKundalini.ThisChakraisknownasVishnugranthi(knotofVishnu).Kundalinithenascendstotheabodeof
Bharati(orSarasvati)ortheVishuddhaChakra.UponHerentrance,ArdhaNarisvaraSiva,Sakini,thesixteen
vowels,Mantra,etc.,aredissolvedinthebodyofKundalini.TheBijaofVayu,YangisdissolvedinAkasa,
whichitselfbeingtransformedintotheBijaHangismergedinthebodyofKundalini.PiercingtheLalana
Chakra,theDevireachestheAjnaChakra,whereParamaShiva,SiddhaKali,theDevaGanaandallelsetherein
areabsorbedintoHerbody.TheBijaofAkasa,HangismergedintheManasChakraandminditselfinthebody
ofKundalini.TheAjnaChakraisknownasRudragranthi(ortheknotofRudraorShiva).AfterthisChakrahas
beenpierced,Kundalini,ofHerownmotion,uniteswithParamasiva.AsSheproceedsupwardsfromthetwo
petalledlotus,theNiralambaPuri,PranavaNadaetc.,aremergedinHer.
TheKundalinitheninherprogressupwards,absorbsherselfthetwentyfourTattvascommencingwiththegross
elements,andthenunitesHerselfandbecomesonewithParamasiva.Thenectarwhichflowsfromsuchunion
floodstheKshudrabrahmandaorhumanbody.ItisthenthattheSadhakaforgetfulofallinthisworldisimmersed
inineffablebliss.

ThereaftertheSadhaka,thinkingoftheVayuBijaYangasbeingintheleftnostril,inhalesthroughIda,making
JapaoftheBijasixteentimes.Thenclosingbothnostrils,hemakesJapaoftheBijasixtyfourtimes.Hethen
thinksthattheblackmanofsin(Papapurusha)intheleftcavityoftheabdomenisbeingdriedup,andso
thinking,heexhalesthroughtherightnostrilPingala,makingJapaoftheBijathirtytwotimes.ThePapapurusha
shouldbethoughtofasanangryblackmanintheleftsideofthecavityoftheabdomen,ofthesizeofthethumb,
withredbeardandeyes,holdingaswordandshield,withhisheadeverheldlow,theveryimageofallsins.The
SadhakathenmeditatingupontheredcolouredBijaRangintheManipura,inhales,makingsixteenJapasofthe
Bija,andthenclosesthenostrils,makingsixtyfourJapas.WhilemakingtheJapahethinksthatthebodyofthe
manofsinisbeingburntandreducedtoashes.HethenexhalesthroughtherightnostrilwiththirtytwoJapas.He
thenmeditatesuponthewhiteChandraBijaThang.HenextinhalesthroughIda,makingJapaoftheBijasixteen
times,closesbothnostrilswithJapadonesixtyfourtimes,andexhalesthroughPingalawiththirtytwoJapas.
Duringinhalation,holdingofbreathandexhalation,heshouldconsiderthatanewcelestialbodyisbeingformed
bythenectar(composedofallthelettersofthealphabet,Matrikavarna)droppingfromthemoon.Inasimilarway
withtheBijaVang,theformationofthebodyiscontinued,andwiththeBijaLangitiscompletedand
strengthened.Lastly,withtheMantraSoham,theSadhakaleadstheJivatmaintotheheart.ThusKundaliniwho
hasenjoyedHerunionwithParamashiva,setsoutonherreturnjourneythewayshecame.Asshepassesthrough
eachoftheChakrasallthatshehasabsorbedtherefromcomeoutfromherselfandtaketheirseveralplacesinthe
Chakra.
InthismannersheagainreachestheMuladhara,whenallthatisdescribedtobeintheChakrasareinthepositions
whichtheyoccupiedbeforeherawakening.

SpiritualDiary
Month:________________

Questions

Date

1.Whendidyougetupfrombed?

2.Howmanyhoursdidyousleep?

3.HowmanyMalasofJapa?

4.HowlonginKirtan?

5.HowmanyPranayamas?

6.HowlongdidyouperformAsanas?

7.HowlongdidyoumeditateinoneAsana?

8.HowmanyGitaSlokasdidyoureadorgetbyheart?

9.Howlonginthecompanyofthewise(Satsanga)?

10.HowmanyhoursdidyouobserveMouna?

11.Howlongindisinterestedselflessservice?

12.Howmuchdidyougiveincharity?

13.HowmanyMantrasyouwrote?

14.Howlongdidyoupracticephysicalexercise?

15.Howmanyliesdidyoutellandwithwhatselfpunishment?

16.Howmanytimesandhowlongofangerandwithwhatself
punishment?

17.Howmanyhoursyouspentinuselesscompany?

18.HowmanytimesyoufailedinBrahmacharya?

19.Howlonginstudyofreligiousbooks?

20.Howmanytimesyoufailedinthecontrolofevilhabitsand
withwhatselfpunishment?

21.HowlongyouconcentratedonyourIshtaDevata(Sagunaor
NirgunaDhyana)?

22.Howmanydaysdidyouobservefastandvigil?

23.Wereyouregularinyourmeditation?

24.Whatvirtueareyoudeveloping?

25.Whatevilqualityareyoutryingtoeradicate?

26.WhatIndriyaistroublingyoumost?

27.Whendidyougotobed?

TheSpiritualDiary
TheSpiritualDiaryisawhipforgoadingthemindtowardsrighteousnessandGod.Ifyouregularlymaintainthis
diaryyouwillgetsolace,peaceofmindandmakequickprogressinthespiritualpath.Maintainadailydiaryand
realisethemarvellousresults.
PrepareastatementofdailySpiritualDiaryforeverymonthasshownontheoppositepageandverifywhetheryou
areprogressingornot.Ifyouwantquickspiritualattainments,youshouldneverneglecttorecordeverythingin
yourdiary.TochangetheworldlynatureitneedsrigorousSadhana.Apartfromthesequestionsyoumustalso
mentionthefollowingintheremarkscolumn:
1.ThenameoftheAsanas.
2.Thekindofmeditation.
3.WhatbooksdoyoukeepforSvadhyaya?
4.Whatisyourspecialdiet?
5.DoyoukeepaJapaMala?
6.Haveyougotaseparatemeditationroom?
7.Howdoyoukeepthemeditationroom?
8.DoyoureadGitawithmeaning?
Donotbeashamedtomentionyourmistakes,vicesandfailures.Thisismeantforyourownprogressonly.Donot
wasteyourprecioushours.Itisenoughthatyouhavewastedsomanyyearsinidlegossiping.Enough,enoughof
thetroublesyouhadallthesedaysinsatisfyingyoursenses.Donotsay:fromtomorrowIwillberegular.That
tomorrowisfortheworthlessworldlymindedfools.BesincereandstartdoingSadhanafromthismoment.Be
sincere.TakeoutacopyoftheSpiritualDiaryandsenditontoyourGuru,whowillguideyou,removeallthe
obstaclesinyourSadhanaandgiveyoufurtherlessons.

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