YOGAKUNDALINIUPANISHAD

Introduction

TheYogaKundaliniUpanishadistheeightysixthamongthe108Upanishads.ItformspartoftheKrishnaYajurveda.ItdealswithanexpositionofHathaandLambikaYogas.ItconcludeswithanaccountofthenonqualifiedBrahman.TheNondualBrahmanisthequestofallseekers.

ThoughgroupedamongtheminorUpanishads,theYogaKundaliniUpanishadisaveryimportantworkonKundaliniYoga.ItbeginswithananalysisofthenatureofChitta.ItmaintainsthatSamskarasandVasanasontheonehand,andPrana,ontheother,constitutethecausesfortheexistenceofChitta.IfVasanasarecontrolled,Pranaisautomaticallycontrolled.IfPranaiscontrolled,theVasanasareautomaticallycontrolled.

TheYogaKundaliniUpanishadpresentsmethodsforthecontrolofPrana.TheYogicstudentdoesnotdealwithVasanas.HeconcernshimselfwiththetechniquesofcontrollingthePrana.

ThethreemethodsgivenintheYogaKundaliniUpanishadforthecontrolofPranaare:Mitahara,AsanaandShaktiChalana.Thesethreemethodsarefullyexplainedinthefirstchapter.Light,sweetandnutritiousfoodformsthedisciplineofMitahara.ThePadmasanaandtheVajrasanaaretwoimportantAsanasusedbytheYogicstudent.ShaktiChalanaisarousingtheKundaliniandsendingittothecrownofthehead.

Kundalinicanbearousedbyatwofoldpractice.SaraswatiChalanaandtherestraintofPranaarethetwopractices.TherousingoftheSaraswatiNadiisSaraswatiChalana.

Theprocess,asdescribedintheYogaKundaliniUpanishad,forarousingKundaliniissimple.Whenapersonexhales,thePranagoesout16digits.Ininhalationitgoesinonly12digits,thuslosing4.TheKundaliniisarousedifonecaninhalePranafor16digits.ThisisdonebysittinginPadmasanaandwhenthePranaisflowingthroughtheleftnostril,andlengtheninginwards4digitsmore.

BymeansofthislengthenedbreaththeYogicstudentshouldmanipulatetheSaraswatiNadiandstiruptheKundaliniShaktiwithallhisstrength,fromrighttoleft,repeatedly.Thisprocessmayextendtothree

quartersofanhour.AllthishasbeenbrieflyandyetcomprehensivelydescribedintheYogaKundaliniUpanishad.

ThemostimportantresultofshakingtheSaraswatiNadiisthatitcurestheseveraldiseasesarisingwithinthebelly,andcleansesandpurifiesthesystem.AfterthepracticeoftheSahitaKumbhakatheYogicstudentisinitiatedintotheKevalaKumbhaka.ThesetwotypesofKumbhakabringaboutthecompleterestraintofthePrana.

SuryabhedaKumbhaka,UjjayiKumbhaka,SitaliandBhastrikaarethefourdivisionsoftheSahitaKumbhaka.SuryabhedaKumbhakadestroystheintestinalwormsandthefourkindsofevilscausedbyVayu.Ujjayipurifiesthebody,removesdiseasesandincreasesthegastricfire.Italsoremovestheheatcausedintheheadandthephlegminthethroat.Sitalicoolsthebody.Itdestroysgulma,dyspepsia,pliha,consumption,bile,fever,thirstandpoison.TheseformsofSahitaKumbhakapurifyandpreparetheentirephysiologicalorganismforthearousaloftheKundaliniSaktiandfortheexperienceofthenondualBrahman.

Apartfrombringinganumberofwholesomephysiologicalchanges,BhastrikaKumbhakapiercesthethreeknotsortheGranthis.TheYogaKundaliniUpanishadthenproceedstoprescribethepracticeofthethreeBandhas,fortheYogicstudent.TheprocessbywhichthedownwardtendencyoftheApana(breath)isforcedupbythespinctermusclesoftheanus,iscalledtheMulabandha.BythisBandhatheApanaisraisedup.ItreachesthesphereofAgniorfire.ThentheflameoftheAgnigrowslong,beingblownaboutbyVayu.Inaheatedstate,AgniandApanacomminglewiththePrana.ThisAgniisveryfierce.

ThroughthisfieryAgni,therearisesinthebodythefirethatawakensandarousestheKundalini,throughitsradiantheat.ThearousedKundalinimakesahissingnoise,becomeserectandenterstheholeofBrahmanadi.TheYoginspractisethisMulabandhadaily.

InthisaimofarousingtheSarasvatiNadiandtheKundaliniShakti,theothertwoBandhas,viz.,UddiyanaBandhaandtheJalandharaBandha,alsoplaythemostsignificantpart.

AftergivingdetailedknowledgeofthetechniquesoftheBandhas,theYogaKundaliniUpanishadexplainsthenumberofobstaclestheYogicstudentsencounter.Italsogivesthemethodsofovercomingtheseobstacles.

Thecausesofthediseasesinthebodyareseven.1.Sleepingduringthedaytime.2.Latevigilsovernight.3.Excessofsexualintercourse.4.Movingamidstcrowds.5.Theeffectofunwholesomefood.6.Checkingofthedischargeofurineandfaeces.7.LaboriousmentaloperationswiththePrana.

ThemistakethattheYogicstudentcommitsisthatwhendiseasesattackhim,heerroneouslyattributesthediseasestohispracticeofYoga.ThisisthefirstobstacleinYoga.

TheYogicstudentbeginstodoubtastotheefficacyoftheYogaSadhana.Thisisthesecondobstacle.Carelessnessorastateofconfusionisthethirdobstacle.Indifferenceorlazinessisthefourthobstacle.Sleepisthefifthobstacleandthesixthistheattachmenttosenseobjects.Theseventhobstacleiserroneousperceptionordelusion.Theeighthisconcernwithworldlyaffairs.Theninthiswantoffaith.Thetenth

obstacletoYogapracticeiswantofthenecessaryaptitudeforgraspingtheYogatruths.

Earnestspiritualaspirantsshouldavoidalltheseobstaclesbymeansofacloseinvestigationandgreatdeliberation.Furtheron,theUpanishadsdescribetheprocessandthemannerbywhichtheKundaliniisrousedandtakentotheSahasrarabypiercingthroughtheGranthis.

WhentheawakenedKundalinimovesupwards,theshowerofnectarflowscopiously.TheYogienjoysthiswhichkeepshimawayfromallsensualpleasures.TheYogitakeshisstandupontheInnerReality,theAtman.Heenjoysthehigheststateofspiritualexperience.HeattainspeaceandisdevotedonlytotheAtman.

BythewholeprocessoftheKundaliniYogaSadhana,thebodyoftheYogiattainsverysubtlestateofthespiritualConsciousness.TheYogiwhohasattainedtoSamadhiexperienceseverythingasConsciousness.TheYogirealisestheonenessofthemacrocosmandthemicrocosm.Because,theKundaliniShaktihasreachedtheSahasraraKamalaorthethousandpetalledlotusandhasbecomeunitedwithSiva,theYogienjoysthehighestAvastha.Thisisthefinalbeatitude.

TheChakrasarecentresofShaktiasvitalforce.ThesearethecentresofPranaShaktimanifestedbyPranavayuinthelivingbody.

ThoseaspirantswhoaspiretoarousetheKundaliniShaktitoenjoytheBlissofUnionofSivaandShakti,throughawakenedKundalini,andtogaintheaccompanyingPowersorSiddhis,shouldpractiseKundaliniYoga.Tothem,thisYogaKundaliniUpanishadisofgreatimportance.ItequipsthemwithacomprehensiveknowledgeofthemethodsandprocessesoftheKundaliniYogainwhichtheKhechariMudrastandsprominent.

TheKundaliniYogiseekstoobtainbothBhuktiandMukti.Heattainsliberationinandthroughtheworld.JnanaYogaisthepathofasceticismandliberation.KundaliniYogaisthepathofenjoymentandliberation.

TheHathaYogiseeksabodywhichshallbeasstrongassteel,healthy,freefromsufferingandtherefore,longlived.Masterofthebody,theYogiistheMasteroflifeanddeath.Hisshiningformenjoysthevitalityofyouth.Helivesaslongashehasthewilltoliveandenjoysintheworldofforms.Hisdeathisthedeathatwill(IchhaMrityu).TheYogishouldseektheguidanceofanexpertandskilledGuru.

TheSerpentPoweristhepowerwhichisthestaticsupportorAdharaofthewholebodyandallitsmovingPranicforces.Thepolarityasitexistsin,andas,thebodyisdestroyedbyYogawhichdisturbstheequilibriumofbodilyconsciousness,whichconsciousnessistheresultofthemaintenanceofthesetwopoles.

InthehumanbodythepotentialpoleofEnergywhichistheSupremePowerisstirredtoaction.TheShaktiismovedupwardtounitewiththeSiva,thequiescentConsciousnessintheSahasrara.

ByPranayamaandotherYogicprocessesthestaticShaktiisaffectedandbecomesdynamic.Whencompletelydynamic,whenKundaliniuniteswithSivaintheSahasrara,thepolarisationofthebodygives

way.ThetwopolesareunitedinoneandthereisthestateofconsciousnesscalledSamadhi.ThepolarisationtakesplaceintheConsciousness.Thebodyactuallycontinuestoexistasanobjectofobservationtoothers.

WhentheKundaliniascends,thebodyoftheYogiismaintainedbythenectarwhichflow,fromtheunionofSivaandShaktiinSahasrara.GlorytoMotherKundaliniwho,throughHerInfiniteGraceandPower,kindlyleadstheSadhakafromChakratoChakraandillumineshimandmakeshimrealisehisidentitywiththeSupremeBrahman!TheYogaKundaliniUpanishadattachesgreatimportancetothesearchforandfindingofrightGuru.ItinsistsuponreveringtheilluminedGuru,asGod.GuruisonewhohasfullSelfillumination.Heremovestheveilofignoranceinthedeludedindividuals.

ThenumberofrealisedGurusmaybelessinthisKaliYugawhencomparedwiththeSatyaYuga,buttheyarealwayspresenttohelptheaspirants.TheyarealwayssearchingfortheproperAdhikarins.

TheYogaKundaliniUpanishadgivesalistoftheobstaclestoYogapractice.SometaketothepracticeofYoga,andlateron,whentheycomeacrosssomeobstaclesintheway,theydonotknowhowtoproceedfurther.Theydonotknowhowtoobviatethem.Manyaretheobstacles,dangers,snaresandpitfallsonthespiritualpath.Sadhakasmaycommitmanymistakesonthepath.AGuruwhohasalreadytroddenthepathandreachedthegoal,isverynecessarytoguidethem.

OnemoreimportantthingwhichyouwouldfindinmanyplacesintheYogaKundaliniUpanishadistheSushumnaNadi.YoumusthaveacompleteknowledgeofthisNadi.

Now,awordonKundalini,thearousalofwhichistheimmediateaimoftheKundaliniYoga.Kundalini,theserpentpowerormysticfireistheprimordialenergyorShaktithatliesdormantorsleepingintheMuladharaChakra,thecentreofthebody.Itiscalledtheserpentineorannularpoweronaccountofserpentineform.Itisanelectricfieryoccultpower,thegreatpristineforcewhichunderliesallorganicandinorganicmatter.

ChittaAndTheControlOfPrana

1.ChittaistheSubconsciousmind.Itisthemindstuff.Itisthestorehouseofmemory.Samskarasorimpressionsofactionsareimbeddedhere.ItisoneofthefourpartsofAntahkaranaorinnerinstruments,viz.,mind,intellect,ChittaandAhankaraorego.

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

3.Chittahastwocausesforitsexistence,viz.,VasanasorsubtledesiresandthevibrationofPrana.

4.Ifoneofthemiscontrolled,theresultis,bothofthemarecontrolled.

Mitahara,AsanaAndShaktiChalana

5.Ofthesetwo,viz.,PranaandVasanas,thestudentofYogashouldcontrolPranabymoderatefood(Mitahara),byAsanasorYogicposturesandthirdlybyShaktiChalana.

6.OGautama!Ishallexplainthenatureofthesethreedisciplines.Listenwithraptattention.

7.TheYogishouldtakesweetandnutritiousfood.Heshouldfillhalfthestomachwithfood.Heshoulddrinkwater,onequarterofthestomach.HeshouldleavethefourthquarterofthestomachunfilledinordertopropitiateLordSiva,thepatronoftheYogins.Thisismoderationindiet.

ThePadmaAndVajraAsanas

8.Placingoftherightfootontheleftthighandtheleftfootontherightthigh,isPadmasana.Thispostureisthedestroyerofallsins.

9.PlacingoneheelbelowtheMuladharaandtheotheroveritandsittingwiththetrunk,neckandheadinonestraightlineistheadamantinepostureortheVajrasana.MulakandaistherootoftheKanda,thegenitalorgan.

TheRousingOfTheKundalini

10.AwiseYogishouldtaketheKundalinifromtheMuladharatotheSahasraraorthethousandpetalledLotusinthecrownofthehead.ThisprocessiscalledShaktiChalana.

11.TheKundalinishouldpassthroughtheSvadhishthanaChakra,theManipuraChakrainthenavel,theAnahataChakraintheheart,theVishuddhaChakrainthethroat,andtheAjnaChakrabetweentheeyebrowsortheTrikuti.

12.TwothingsarenecessaryforthepracticeofShaktiChalana.OneistheSarasvatiChalanaandtheotheristherestraintofPranaorthebreath.

TheSarasvatiChalana

13.SarasvatiChalanaistherousingoftheSarasvatiNadi.SarasvatiNadiissituatedonthewestofthenavelamongthefourteenNadis.SarasvatiiscalledArundhati.Literally,itmeansthatwhichhelpstheperformanceofgoodactions.

14.ThroughthispracticeofSarasvatiChalanaandtherestraintofthePrana,theKundaliniwhichisspiralbecomesstraightened.

15.TheKundaliniisrousedonlybyrousingtheSarasvati.

16.WhenPranaorthebreathispassingthroughonesIdaortheleftnostril,oneshouldsitfirmlyinPadmasanaandlengtheninwards4digitstheAkasaof12digits.InexhalationPranagoesout16digitsand

ininhalationitgoesinonly12digits,thuslosing4.Butifinhaledfor16digitsthentheKundaliniisaroused.

17.ThewiseYogishouldbringSarasvatiNadibymeansofthislengthenedbreathandholdingfirmlytogetherboththeribsnearthenavelbymeansoftheforefingerandthumbsofbothhandsonehandoneachside,shouldstirupKundaliniwithallhisstrength,fromrighttoleft,againandagain.Thisstirringmayextendoveraperiodof48minutes.

18.ThenheshoulddrawupalittlewhenKundalinifindsitsentryintoSushumna.ThisisthemeansbywhichtheKundalinientersthemouthofSushumna.

19.AlongwiththeKundalini,PranaalsoentersofitselftheSushumna.

20.TheYogicstudentshouldalsoexpandnavelbycompressingtheneck.Afterthis,byshakingSarasvati,thePranaissentabovetothechest.Bythecontractionoftheneck,Pranagoesabovefromthechest.

21.Sarasvatihassoundinherwomb.Sheshouldbethrownintovibrationorshakendaily.

22.MerelybyshakingSarasvationeiscuredofdropsyorJalodara,Gulma(adiseaseofthestomach),Pliha(adiseaseofthespleen)andallotherdiseasesrisingwithinthebelly.

VarietiesOfPranayama

23.Briefly,IwillnowdescribetoyouPranayama.PranaistheVayuthatmovesinthebody.TherestraintofPranawithinisknownasKumbhaka.

24.Kumbhakaisoftwokinds,namely,SahitaandKevala.

25.TillhegetsKevala,theYogicstudentshouldpractiseSahita.

26.TherearefourdivisionsorBhedas.Thesedivisionsare:Surya,Ujjayi,SitaliandBhastrika.SahitaKumbhakaistheKumbhakaassociatedwiththesefour.

SuryabhedaKumbhaka

27.Selectaplacewhichispure,beautifulandfreefrompebbles,thorns,etc.Itshouldbeofthelengthofabowfreefromcold,fireandwater.Tothisplace,takeapureandpleasantseatwhichisneithertoohighnortoolow.Uponit,sitinPadmasana.Now,shakeorthrowintovibrationSarasvati.Slowlyinhalethebreathfromoutside,throughtherightnostril,aslongasthisiscomfortable,andexhaleitthroughtheleftnostril.Exhaleafterpurifyingtheskullbyforcingthebreathup.ThisdestroysthefourkindsofevilscausedbyVayu.Itdestroysalsotheintestinalworms.Thisshouldberepeatedoften.ItiscalledSuryabheda.

UjjayiKumbhaka

28.Closethemouth.Drawupslowlythebreaththroughboththenostrils.Retainitinthespacebetweentheheartandtheneck.Thenexhalethroughtheleftnostril.

29.Thisremovesboththeheatcausedintheheadandthephlegminthethroat.Itremovesalldiseases.Itpurifiesthebodyandincreasesthegastricfire.ItremovesalltheevilsarisingintheNadis,Jalodaraordropsy,thatiswaterinthebelly,andDhatus.ThenameforthisKumbhakaisUjjayi.Itcanbepractisedevenwhenwalkingorstanding.

SitaliKumbhaka

30.DrawupthebreaththroughthetonguewiththehissingsoundSa.Retainitasbefore.Thenslowlyexhalethroughboththenostrils.ThisiscalledSitaliKumbhaka.

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

32.SitinPadmasanawithbellyandneckerect.Closethemouthandexhalethroughthenostrils.Theninhalealittleuptothenecksothatthebreathwillfillthespace,withnoise,betweentheneckandskull.Thenexhaleinthesamewayandinhaleoftenandoften.Evenasthebellowsofasmitharemovedstuffedwithinwithairandthenletout,soyoushouldmovetheairwithinthebody.Whenyougettired,inhalethroughtherightnostril.IfthebellyisfullofVayu,presswellthenostrilswithallyourfingersexcepttheforefinger.PerformKumbhakaandexhalethroughtheleftnostril.

33.Thisremovestheinflammationofthethroat.Itincreasesthedigestivegastricfirewithin.ItenablesonetoknowtheKundalini.Itproducespurity,removessins,givespleasureandhappinessanddestroysphlegmwhichistheboltorobstacletothedooratthemouthofBrahmanadiortheSushumna.

34.ItpiercesalsothethreeGranthisorknotsdifferentiatedthroughthethreemodesofNatureorGunas.ThethreeGranthisorknotsareVishnuGranthi,BrahmaGranthiandRudraGranthi.ThisKumbhakaiscalledBhastrika.ThisshouldbeespeciallypractisedbytheHathaYogicstudents.

TheThreeBandhas

35.TheYogicstudentshouldnowpractisethethreeBandhas.ThethreeBandhasare:theMulaBandha,theUddiyanaBandhaandtheJalandharaBandha.

36.MulaBandha:Apana(breath)whichhasadownwardtendencyisforcedupbythesphinctermusclesoftheanus.MulaBandhaisthenameofthisprocess.

37.WhenApanaisraisedupandreachesthesphereofAgni(fire)thentheflameofAgnigrowslong,beingblownaboutbyVayu.

38.Then,inaheatedstate,AgniandApanacomminglewiththePrana.ThisAgniisveryfiery.Throughthis

therearisesinthebodythefirethatrousesthesleepingKundalinithroughitsheat.

39.ThenthisKundalinimakesahissingnoise.ItbecomeserectlikeaserpentbeatenwithastickandenterstheholeofBrahmanadiortheSushumna.Therefore,theYoginsshouldpractisedailyMulabandhaoften.

40.TheUddiyanaBandha:AttheendoftheKumbhakaandatthebeginningofexpiration,UddiyanaBandhashouldbeperformed.BecausePranaUddiyate,orthePranagoesuptheSushumnainthisBandha,theYoginscallitUddiyana.

41.SitintheVajrasana.Holdfirmlythetwotoesbythetwohands.ThenpressattheKandaandattheplacesnearthetwoankles.ThengraduallyupbeartheTanaorthethreadortheNadiwhichisonthewesternsidefirsttoUdaraortheupperpartoftheabdomenabovethenavel,thentotheheartandthentotheneck.WhenthePranareachestheSandhiorthejunctionofthenavel,slowlyitremovestheimpuritiesanddiseasesinthenavel.Forthisreason,thisshouldbepractisedfrequently.

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

43.ThePranagoesthroughBrahmanadionthewesternTanainthemiddle,whentheneckiscontractedatoncebybendingdownwardssothatthechinmaytouchthebreast.Assumingthepostureasmentionedbefore,theYogishouldstirupSarasvatiandcontrolPrana.

HowManyTimesKumbhakaShouldBePractised

44.Onthefirstday,Kumbhakashouldbepractisedfourtimes.

45.Itshouldbedonetentimes,onthesecondday,andthenfivetimesseparately.

46.Onthethirdday,twentytimeswillbeenough.AfterwardsKumbhakashouldbepractisedwiththethreeBandhasandwithanincreaseoffivetimeseachday.

TheObstaclesToThePracticeOfYogaAndHowToOvercomeThem

47.Sevenarethecausesofthediseasesinthebody.Sleepingduringthedaytimeisthefirst,latevigilsovernightisthesecond,excessofsexualintercoursethethird,movingamidstcrowdsthefourth.Thefifthcauseistheeffectofunwholesomefood.Thesixthisthecheckingofthedischargeofurineandfaeces.TheseventhisthelaboriousmentaloperationwithPrana.

48.Whenattackedbysuchdiseases,theYogiwhoisafraidofthemsays,MydiseaseshavearisenfrommypracticesofYoga.Thenhewilldiscontinuethispractice.ThisisthefirstobstacletoYoga.

49.ThesecondobstacletoYogaisthedoubtastotheefficacyofYogapractice.

50.Thirdobstacleiscarelessnessorastateofconfusion.

51.Thefourthisindifferenceorlaziness.

52.SleepconstitutesthefifthobstacletoYogapractice.

53.Thesixthisnotleavingtheobjectsofsensestheseventhistheerroneousperceptionordelusion.

54.Theeighthissensualobjectsorconcernwithworldlyaffairs.Theninthiswantoffaith.ThetenthisnonaptitudeforunderstandingofthetruthsofYoga.

TheRousingOfTheKundalini

55.TheintelligentpractitionerofYogashould,bymeansofcloseinvestigationandgreatdeliberation,avoidthesetenobstacles.

56.WiththemindfirmlyfixedontheTruth,thepracticeofPranayamashouldbeperformeddaily.ThenthemindtakesitsreposeintheSushumna.ThePranathereforenevermoves.

57.WhentheimpuritiesofthemindarethusremovedandPranaisabsorbedintheSushumna,onebecomesatrueYogin.

58.Whentheaccumulatedimpurity,cloggingtheSushumnaNadi,iscompletelyremovedandthepassageofvitalairthroughtheSushumnaiseffectedbyperformingKevalaKumbhaka,theYoginforciblycausestheApanawiththedownwardcoursetoriseupwardsbythecontractionoftheanus(MulaBandha).

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

60.HeatedbyAgniandstirredupbyVayu,KundalinistretchesitsbodyintheinteriorofthemouthoftheSushumna.

TheKundaliniReachesTheSahasraraByPiercingThroughTheThreeKnots

61.TheKundalinipiercesthroughtheBrahmagranthiformedofRajas.ItflashesatoncelikelightningatthemouthofSushumna.

62.ThenKundalinigoesupatoncethroughVishnugranthitotheheart.ThenitgoesupthroughtheRudragranthiandaboveittothemiddleoftheeyebrows.

63.Havingpiercedthisplace,theKundalinigoesuptotheMandala(sphere)ofthemoon.ItdriesupthemoistureproducedbythemoonintheAnahataChakrawhichhassixteenpetals.

64.ThroughthespeedofPrana,whenthebloodisagitated,itbecomesbilefromitscontactwiththesun.Thenitgoestothesphereofthemoon.Hereitbecomesofthenatureofpurephlegm.

65.Whenitflowsthere,howdoesthebloodwhichisverycoldbecomehot?

66.Sinceatthesametimetheintensewhiteformofmoonisrapidlyheated.TheagitatedKundalinimovesupwardsandtheshowerofnectarflowsmorecopiously.

67.Asaresultofswallowingthis,theChittaoftheYoginiskeptawayfromallsensualpleasures.TheYoginisexclusivelyabsorbedintheAtmapartakingofthesacrificialofferingcallednectar.HetakeshisstandinhisownSelf.

68.Heenjoysthishigheststate.HebecomesdevotedtotheAtmanandattainspeace.

TheDissolutionOfPranaAndOthers

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

70.Afterclaspingtheeye,themind,thePranaandtheothersinherembrace,theKundalinigoestoSivaandclaspingSivaaswell,dissolvesherselfintheSahasrara.

71.ThusRajasSuklaortheseminalfluidwhichrisesup,goestoSivaalongwithMarutortheVayu.PranaandApanawhicharealwaysproducedbecomeequal.

72.Pranaflowsinallthings,bigandsmall,describableorindescribable,asfireingold.Thebreathalsodissolvesitself.

73.Borntogetherofthesamequality,thePranaandtheApanaalsodissolvethemselvesinthepresenceofSivaintheSahasrara.Havingreachedanequipoisedcondition,theynolongergoupordown.

74.ThentheYogithriveswiththePranaspreadoutwardintheformofattenuatedelementsorinthemereremembranceofit,themindhavingbeenreducedtotheformoffaintimpressionsandthespeechhavingremainedonlyintheformofrecollection.

75.Allthevitalairsthenspreadthemselvesoutrightinhisbodyevenasgoldinacrucibleplacedonfire.

ExperiencingEverythingAsConsciousnessDuringSamadhi

76.ThebodyoftheYogiattainsverysubtlestateofthepureBrahman.BycausingthebodymadeoftheelementstobeabsorbedinasubtlestateintheformoftheParamatmanorthesupremeDeity,thebodyoftheYogigivesupitsimpurecorporalstate.

77.ThataloneistheTruthunderlyingallthings,whichisreleasedfromthestateofnonsentienceandisdevoidofimpurities.

78.ThatalonewhichisofthenatureoftheAbsoluteConsciousness,whichisofthecharacteroftheattributeIofallbeings,theBrahman,thesubtlestformofThataloneistheTruthunderlyingallthings.

79.ThereleasefromthenotionthattheBrahmanisqualified,thedelusionabouttheexistenceornonexistenceofanythingapartfromtheBrahman(whichshouldbeannihilated)andexperiencesuchasthesethatremain,theretheYogishouldknowastheBrahman.SimultaneouslywiththedrawingofsuchknowledgeoftheformoftheAtman,theliberationisattainedbyhim.

80.Whensuchisnotthecase,onlyallkindsofabsurdandimpossiblenotionsarise.Theropeserpentandsuchotherabsurdnotions,broughtaboutbydelusiontaketheirrise.Absurdnotionslikethenotionwhichmenandwomenhave,ofsilver,intheshellofthepearloyster,arise.

81.TheYogishouldrealisetheonenessoftheVisvatmanandothersuptotheTuriya.HeshouldrealisetheonenessofthemicrocosmwiththeViratAtmanandothers,uptotheTuriya,ofthemacrocosm,alsooftheLingawiththeSutratman,oftheSelfwiththeunmanifestedstate,oftheAtmanmanifestedinonesSelfwiththeAtmanofConsciousness.

TheSamadhiYoga

82.TheKundaliniSaktiislikeathreadintheLotus.Itisresplendent.Itisbitingwithitsmouth,theupperendofitsbody,attherootoftheLotus,theMulakandaortheMuladhara.

83.ItisincontactwiththeholeofBrahmanadiofSushumna,takingholdofitstailwithitsmouth.

84.SeatedinPadmasana,ifapersonwhohasaccustomedhimselftothecontractionofhisanus(MulaBandha),makestheVayugoupwardswiththemindintentonKumbhaka,theAgnicomestotheSvadhishthanaflaming,owingtotheblowingofVayu.

85.FromtheblowingofVayuandAgni,KundalinipiercesopentheBrahmagranthi.ItthenpiercesopentheVishnugranthi.

86.ThentheKundalinipiercestheRudragranthi.Afterthat,itpiercesallthesixlotusesortheplexus.ThentheKundaliniSaktiishappywithSivainSahasradalaKamala,thethousandpetalledlotus.ThisshouldbeknownasthehighestAvasthaorthestate.Thisaloneisthegiveroffinalbeatitude.Thusendsthefirstchapter.

TheKhechariVidya

1.Now,then,adescriptionofthesciencecalledKhechari.

2.Hewhohasdulymasteredthisscience,isfreedfromoldageanddeath,inthisworld.

3.Knowingthisscience,OSage,onewhoissubjecttothepainsofdeath,diseaseandoldage,shouldmakehismindfirmandpractiseKhechari.

4.HewhohasgainedaknowledgeoftheKhecharifrombooks,fromtheexpositionofthemeaningofthesame,andwhohasbyrecoursetoitspractice,gainedamasteryofthisscience,becomesthedestroyerofoldage,deathanddisease,inthisworld.

5.Suchamaster,oneshouldapproachforshelter.Fromallpointsofview,oneshouldlookuponhimashisGuru.

6.ThescienceofKhechariisnoteasilyaccessible.Itspracticeisnoteasilyattainable.ItspracticeandMelanaarenotaccomplishedsimultaneously.Literally,Melanaisjoining.

7.ThekeytothisscienceofKhechariiskeptaprofoundsecret.Thesecretisrevealedbyadeptsonlyatinitiation.

8.TheydonotgetMelana,whoarebentonlyuponpractice.OBrahman,onlysomegetthepracticeafterseveralbirths.But,evenafterhundredbirths,Melanaisnotobtained.

9.Asaresultofhavingundergonethepracticeforseveralbirths,someYogisgettheMelanainsomefuturebirth.

10.TheYogiattainstheSiddhimentionedinseveralbooks,whenhegetsthisMelanafromthemouthoftheGuru.

11.ThestateofSivafreedfromallrebirth,isachievedwhenthepractitionergetsthisMelanafromthegraspofthesignificancepresentedinthebooks.

12.Thisscienceis,therefore,verydifficulttomaster.Untilhegetsthisscience,theasceticshouldwanderoverearth.

13.TheascetichasphysicalpowersorSiddhisinhishand,themomentheobtainsthisscience.

14.OneshouldthereforeregardasAchyutaorVishnu,anypersonwhoimpartsthisMelana.HetooshouldberegardedasAchyuta,whogivesthisscience.Hewhoteachesthepractice,shouldberegardedasSiva.

15.Youhavegotthesciencefromme.Youshouldnotrevealittoothers.Onewhoknowsthisscience,shouldpractiseitwithallhisefforts.Excepttothosewhodeserveit,heshouldgiveittonone.

16.OnewhoisabletoteachtheDivineYoga,istheGuru.Totheplacewherehelives,oneshouldgo.Then,learnfromhimthescienceofKhechari.

17.Taughtwellbyhim,oneshouldatfirstpractiseitcarefully.ApersonwillthenattaintheSiddhiofKhechari,bymeansofthisscience.

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

TheKhechariMantra

19.KhecharicontainstheBijaortheseedletter.KhechariBijaisspokenofasAgniencircledwithwater.ItistheabodeoftheDevasortheKhecharas.ThemasteryoftheSiddhiisobtainedbythisYoga.

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

21.ThroughtheinitiationofaGuru,thiswhichtendstotheaccomplishmentofallYogas,shouldbelearnt.

22.OnewhorecitesthistwelvetimeseverydaywillnotgeteveninsleepthatMayaorillusionwhichisborninhisbodyandisthesourceofallviciousdeeds.

23.Totheonewhorecitesthisfivelakhsoftimeswithverygreatcare,thescienceofKhechariwillrevealitself.Forhim,allobstaclesvanish.TheDevasarepleased.Withoutdoubt,thedestructionofthegreynessofhairandwrinkles,Valipalita,willtakeplace.

24.Onewhohasacquiredthegreatscience,shouldpractiseitconstantly.Otherwise,hewillnotgetanySiddhiinthepathofKhechari.

25.Ifinthispractice,onedoesnotgetthisnectarlikescience,heshouldgetitinthebeginningofMelanaandreciteitalways.Otherwise,onewhoiswithoutitnevergetsSiddhi.

26.Nosooneronegetsthisscience,thanoneshouldpractiseit.ItisthenthatonewillsoongettheSiddhi.

27.ThesevensyllablesHRIM,BHAM,SAM,PAM,PHAM,SAMandKSHAMconstitutetheKhechariMantra.

TheCuttingOfFrenumLingui

28.AknoweroftheAtman,havingdrawnoutthetonguefromtherootofthepalate,shouldinaccordancewiththeadviceofhisGuru,cleartheimpuritiesofthetongueforsevendays.

29.Heshouldtakeasharp,oiledandcleansedknifewhichresemblestheleafoftheplantSnuhi,themilkhedgeplant,andshouldcutforthespaceofahair,thefrenumlingui.HeshouldpowderSaindhavaortherocksaltandPathyaortheseasaltandapplyittothatplace.

30.Ontheseventhday,heshouldagaincutforthespaceofahair.Thus,withgreatcare,heshouldcontinueitalways,forthespanofsixmonths.

31.Therootofthetongue,fixedwithveins,ceasestobeinsixmonths.ThentheYogiwhoknowstimelyactionshouldencirclewithcloththetipofthetongue,theabodeofVagIshvariorthedeitypresidingoverspeech,andshoulddrawitup.

TheTongueReachesTheBrahmarandhra

32.OSage,againbydailydrawingitupforsixmonths,itcomesasfarasthemiddleoftheeyebrowsandobliquelyuptotheopeningoftheears.Bygradualpractice,itgoesuptotherootofthechin.

33.Then,witheaseitgoesuptotheendofthehair(ofthehead)inthreeyears.ItgoesupobliquelytoSakha(somepartbelowtheskull)anddownwardstothewellofthethroat.

34.ItoccupiesBrahmarandhra,inanotherthreeyears.Withoutdoubt,itstopsthere.Crosswiseitgoesuptothetopoftheheadanddownwardstothewellofthethroat.Graduallyitopensthegreatadamantinedoorinthehead.

35.OneshouldperformthesixAngasorpartsoftheKhechariBijaMantrabypronouncingitinsixdifferentintonations.InordertoattainalltheSiddhis,oneshoulddothis.

36.KaranyasaorthemotionsofthefingersandhandsinthepronunciationoftheMantras,shouldbedonegradually.Karanyasashouldneverbedoneallatatime,becausethebodyofonewhodoesitallatoncewillsoondecay.ObestoftheSages,littlebylittleitshouldbepractised.

37.Oneshould,whenthetonguegoestotheBrahmarandhrathroughtheouterpath,placethetongueaftermovingtheboltofBrahma.TheboltofBrahmacannotbemasteredbytheDevas.

38.Ondoingthiswiththepointofthefingerforthreeyears,theYogishouldmakethetongueenterwithin.ItenterstheBrahmadvaraorhole.OnenteringtheBrahmadvara,oneshouldpractisewellMathanaorchurning.

39.EvenwithoutMathana,somewiseYogisattainSiddhi.HealsoaccomplishesitwithoutMathana,whoisversedinKhechariMantra.OnereapsthefruitsoonbydoingJapaandMathana.

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

41.TheStateofMathanabecomesnaturallikesleepinchildren,withinsixmonths.ItisnotadvisabletodoMathanaalways.Itshouldbedoneonceonlyineverymonth.

TheUrdhvakundaliniYoga

42.AYogishouldnotrevolvehistongueinthepath.Twelveyearsofthispractice,willsurelygivetheSiddhitotheYogi.ThentheYogiperceivestheentireuniverseinhisbodyasnotbeingdifferentfromtheAtman.

43.OChiefofKings,thispathoftheUrdhvaKundaliniorthehigherKundalini,conquersthemacrocosm.Hereendsthesecondchapter.

MelanaMantra

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

2.TheLotusbornBrahmasaid:Amongnewmoon,thefirstdayofthelunarfortnightandfullmoon,OShankara,whichisspokenofastheMantrassign?Inthefirstdayoflunarfortnightandduringnewmoonandfullmoondays,itshouldbemadefirm.Thereisnootherwayortime.

SenseObjects,ManasAndBandhana

3.Throughpassion,apersonlongsforanobject.Heisinfatuatedwithpassionforobjects.Thesetwooneshouldleave.TheNiranjanaortheStainlessshouldbesoughtafter.Allthatonethinksisfavourabletooneselfshouldbeabandoned.

4.TheYoginshouldkeeptheManasinthemidstofShakti,andtheShaktiinthemidstofManas.HeshouldlookintoManasbymeansofManas.Itisthenthatheleaveseventhehigheststage.

5.ManasaloneistheBindu.Itisthecauseofcreationandpreservation.

6.Likecurdfrommilk,itisonlythroughManasthatBinduisproduced.TheorganofManasisnotthatwhichissituatedinthemiddleofBandhana.BandhanaistherewhereShaktiisbetweentheSunandtheMoon.

TheEntryIntoTheSukhaMandala

7.TheYogishouldstandintheseatofBinduandclosethenostrils,havingknownSushumnaanditsBhedaorpiercingandmakingtheVayugointhemiddle.

8.AfterknowingVayu,theabovementionedBinduandtheSattvaPrakritiaswellasthesixChakras,oneshouldenterthesphereofhappiness,SahasraraortheSukhaMandala.

TheSixChakras

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

10.TheVishuddhiChakraisattherootoftheneck.ThesixthChakra,theAjnaisinthehead(betweenthetwoeyebrows).

11.AftergainingaknowledgeofthesesixMandalasorspheres,oneshouldentertheSukhamandala,drawinguptheVayuandsendingitupwards.

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

AbhyasaAndBrahmaJnana

13.ThroughSamadhialone,theYogisattainthenectarofequality.

14.WithoutthepracticeofYoga,thelampofwisdomdoesnotarise,evenasthefirelatentinthesacrificialwooddoesnotappearwithoutchurning.

15.Thefireinavesseldoesnotshedlightoutside.But,whenthevesselisbroken,itslightappearswithout.

16.Onesbodyiscalledthevessel.TheseatofThatisthelightorthefirewithin.When,throughthewordsofaGuru,thebodyisbroken,thelightofBrahmajnanabecomesresplendent.

17.OnecrossesthesubtlebodyandtheoceanofSamsara,withtheGuruasthehelmsman,andthroughtheaffinitiesofAbhyasa.

TheFourKindsOfVak

18.SproutinginPara,Vak(powerofspeech)givesforthtwoleavesinPasyanti,budsforthinMadhyamaandblossomsinVaikharithatVak,earlierdescribed,reachesthestageoftheabsorptionofsound,reversingtheaboveorder,viz.,beginningwithVaikhari,etc.

19.Para,Pasyanti,MadhyamaandVaikhari,arethefourkindsofVak.Paraisthehighestofsounds.Vaikhariisthelowestofsounds.

20.Vakbeginsfromthehighestofsoundstothelowest,inevolution.

21.IninvolutionittakesareverseorderinordertomergeinParaorthehighestsubtlesound.

22.AnyonewhothinksthattheOnewhoisthegreatLordofthatVak,theundifferentiated,theIlluminatorofthatVakistheSelfsuchapersonwhothinksoverthus,isnevereffectedbywords,highorlow,goodorbad.

TheAbsorptionInParamatman

23.ThroughtheabsorptionoftheirrespectiveUpadhisorvehiclesalltheseinturnareabsorbedinthePratyagatmathethreeaspectsofconsciousness,Visva,Taijasa,andPrajnainman,thethree,Virat,Hiranyagarbha,andIshvaraintheuniverse,theeggoftheuniverse,theeggofmanandthesevenworlds.

24.HeatedbythefireofJnana,theeggisabsorbedwithitsKaranaorcause,intoParamatmanortheuniversalSelf.ItbecomesonewithParabrahman.

25.Itisthenneithersteadinessnordepth,neitherlightnordarkness,neitherdescribablenordistinguishable.ThataloneremainswhichistheBenessortheSat.

TheEssentialNatureOfMan

26.Likealightinavessel,theAtmaniswithinthebodythusoneshouldthink.

27.Atmanisofthedimensionsofathumb.Itisalightwithoutsmoke.Itiswithoutform.Itisshiningwithinthebody.Itisundifferentiableandimmortal.

28.Thefirstthreeaspectsofconsciousnessrefertothegross,subtleandKaranabodiesofman.Thesecondthreeaspectsofconsciousnessrefertothethreebodiesoftheuniverse.

29.Inhisformation,manisandappearsasanegg,evenastheuniverseisandappearsasanegg.

30.Duringthestatesofwaking,dreaminganddreamlesssleep,theVijnanaAtmawhichdwellsinthisbodyisdeludedbyMaya.

31.But,aftermanybirths,owingtotheeffectofgoodKarma,itwishestoattainitsownessentialstate.

32.Theenquirysetsin.WhoamI?Howhasthisstainofmundaneexistencecometome?Inthedreamlesssleepwhatbecomesofmewhoamengagedinbusinessduringboththestates,wakinganddreaming?

33.TheChidabhasaistheresultofnonwisdom.Itisburntbythewisethoughts,evenasabaleofcottonisburntbyfire,andalsobyitsownsupremeillumination.

34.Theburningoftheouterbodyisnoburningatall.

35.PratyagatmaisintheDahara(Akasaortheetheroftheheart).Itobtains,whentheworldlywisdomisdestroyed,Vijnana,anddiffusesitselfeverywhereandinaninstantburnsthetwosheaths,VijnanamayaandManomaya.Then,itisHeHimselfthatshinesalwayswithin.Itshineslikealightwithinavessel.

36.Tillsleepandtilldeath,theMuniwhocontemplatesthusshouldbeknownasaJivanmukta.

VidehaMukti

37.Hehasdonewhatoughttobedone.Therefore,heisafortunateperson.

38.SuchapersonattainsVidehamukti,havinggivenupeventhestateofJivanmukti.

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

NonDualBrahman

40.Afterthat,Thataloneremains.Thatisthesoundless,thetouchless,theformlessandthedeathless.

41.ThatistheRasaortheEssence.Itiseternalandodourless.Itisgreaterthanthegreatithasneitherbeginningnorend.Itisthepermanent,thestainlessandthedecayless.ThusendstheYogaKundaliniUpanishad.

KundaliniYoga

TheYoginwhoworksforliberationdoessothroughKundaliniYogawhichgivesbothenjoymentandliberation.AteverycentretowhichherousesKundaliniheexperiencesspecialformofblissandgainsspecialpowers.CarryingHertoSivaathiscerebralcentre,heenjoystheSupremeblisswhichinitsnatureisthatofLiberationandwhichwhenestablishedinpermanenceisLiberationitselfonthelooseningofspiritandbody.

Energy(Sakti)polarisesitselfintotwoformsnamely,staticorpotential(Kundalini)dynamic(theworkingforcesofthebodyasPrana).Behindallactivitythereisastaticbackground.ThisstaticcentreinthehumanbodyisthecentreserpentpowerintheMuladhara(rootsupport).

ThisstaticSaktiisaffectedbyPranayamaandotherYogicprocessesandbecomesdynamic.ThuswhencompletelydynamicthatiswhenKundaliniuniteswithSivaintheSahasrarathepolarisationofthebodygivesway.ThetwopolesareunitedinoneandthereisthestateofconsciousnesscalledSamadhi.Thepolarisation,ofcourse,takesplaceinconsciousness.Thebodyactuallycontinuestoexistasanobjectofobservationtoothers.Itcontinuesitsorganiclife.Butmansconsciousnessofhisbodyandallotherobjects,iswithdrawnbecausethemindhasceasedsofarashisconsciousnessisconcerned,thefunctionhavingbeenwithdrawnintoitsgroundwhichisConsciousness.

Whenawakened,KundaliniSakticeasestobeastaticpowerwhichsustainstheworldconsciousness,thecontentofwhichisheldonlysolongasshesleepsandwhenoncesetinmovementKundaliniisdrawntothatotherstaticcentreintheThousandpetalledLotus(Sahasrara)toattainunionwiththeSivaConsciousnessortheconsciousnessofecstasybeyondtheworldofforms.WhenKundalinisleepsmanisawaketothisworld.Whenshewakeshesleepsi.e.losesallconsciousnessoftheworldandentersthecausalbody.InYogahepassesbeyondtoformlessconsciousness.

PranayamaforAwakeningKundalini:Whenyoupracticethefollowing,concentrateontheMuladharaChakra

atthebaseofthespinalcolumnwhichistriangularinformandwhichistheseatoftheKundaliniSakti.Closetherightnostrilwithyourrightthumb.Inhalethroughtheleftnostriltillyoucount3Omsslowly.ImaginethatyouaredrawingthePranawiththeatmosphericair.Thenclosetheleftnostrilwithyourlittleandringfingersoftherighthand.Thenretainthebreathfor12Oms.Sendthecurrentdownthespinalcolumnstraightintothetriangularlotus,theMuladharaChakra.ImaginethatthenervecurrentisstrikingagainsttheLotusandawakeningtheKundalini.Thenslowlyexhalethroughtherightnostrilcounting6Oms.Repeattheprocessfromtherightnostrilasstatedaboveusingthesameunitsandhavingthesameimaginationandfeeling.ThisPranayamawillawakentheKundaliniquickly.Doit3timesinthemorningand3timesintheevening.Increasethenumberandtimegraduallyandcautiouslyaccordingtoyourstrengthandcapacity.InthisPranayamaconcentrationontheMuladharaChakraistheimportantthing,KundaliniwillbeawakenedquicklyifthedegreeofconcentrationisintenseandifthePranayamaispractisedregularly.

KundaliniPranayama

InthisPranayama,theBhavanaismoreimportantthantheratiobetweenPuraka,KumbhakaandRechaka.

SitinPadmaorSiddhaAsanafacingtheEastortheNorth.

AftermentallyprostratingtothelotusfeetoftheSatguruandrecitingStotrasinpraiseofGodandGuru,commencedoingthisPranayamawhichwilleasilyleadtotheawakeningoftheKundalini.

Inhaledeeplywithoutmakinganysound.Asyouinhale,feelthattheKundalinilyingdormantintheMuladharaChakraisawakenedandisgoingupfromChakratoChakra.AttheconclusionofthePuraka,havetheBhavanathattheKundalinihasreachedtheSahasrara.ThemorevividthevisualisationofChakraafterChakra,themorerapidwillbeyourprogressinthisSadhana.

Retainthebreathforashortwhile.RepeatthePranavaoryourIshtaMantra.ConcentrateontheSahasraraChakra.FeelthatbytheGraceofMotherKundalini,thedarknessofignoranceenvelopingyoursoulhasbeendispelled.Feelthatyourwholebeingispervadedbylight,powerandwisdom.

Slowlyexhalenow.And,asyouexhalefeelthattheKundaliniSaktiisgraduallydescendingfromtheSahasraraandfromChakratoChakra,totheMuladharaChakra.

Nowbegintheprocessagain.

ItisimpossibletoextolthiswonderfulPranayamaadequately.Itisthemagicwandforattainingperfectionveryquickly.Evenafewdayspracticewillconvinceyouofitsremarkableglory.Startfromtoday,thisverymoment.

MayGodblessyouwithjoy,blissandimmortality.

LambikaYoga

PracticeofKhechariMudraisLambikaYoga.ThetechniqueoftheMudraisexplainedbelow.HewhopractisesthisMudrawillhaveneitherhungernorthirst.Hecanwalkinthesky.ThisYogaisbesetwithdifficulties.

ThisisaverydifficultYoga.IthastobelearntunderadevelopedYogiGuruwhohaspractisedthisYogaforalongtimeandattainedfullsuccess.

ItiskeptsecretbyYogis.ItconfersgreatSiddhisorpowers.Itisagreathelptocontrolthemind.

HewhohasattainedsuccessinthisMudra,willhaveneitherhungernorthirst.HecancontrolhisPranaquiteeasily.

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

KhechariMudraconsistsoftwoimportantKriyasviz.,ChhedanandDohan.

Thelowerpartofthefrontportionofthetongue,thefrenumlingua,iscuttotheextentofahairsbreadthwithasharpknifeonceinaweek.Afterwardspowderofturmericisdustedoverit.Thisiscontinuedforsomemonths.ThisisChhedan.

AfterwardstheYogicstudentappliesbuttertothetongueandlengthensitdaily.Hedrawsthetongueinsuchawaythatitissimilartotheprocessofmilkingtheudderofacow.ThisisDohan.

Whenthetongueissufficientlylong(itshouldtouchthetipofthenose)thestudentfoldsit,takesitbackandclosestheposteriorportionofthenostrils.Nowhesitsandmeditates.Thebreathstopscompletely.

Forsomethecuttingandthelengtheningofthetongueisnotnecessary.Theyarebornwithalongtongue.

HewhohasattainedperfectioninthisMudrabecomesawalkerinthesky.QueenChudalahadthisSiddhiorpower.

Hewhohaspurityandotherdivinevirtues,whoisfreefromdesire,greedandlust,whoisendowedwithdispassion,discriminationandstrongaspirationorlongingforliberationwillbebenefitedbythepracticeofthisMudra.

TheMudrahelpstheYogitogethimselfburiedunderneaththeground.

YogaI

Yogaisaperfectpracticalsystemofselfculture.Yogaisanexactscience.Itaimsattheharmoniousdevelopmentofthebody,themindandthesoul.Yogaistheturningawayofthesensesfromtheobjective

universeandtheconcentrationofthemindwithin.Yogaiseternallifeinthesoulorspirit.Yogaaimsatcontrollingthemindanditsmodifications.ThepathofYogaisaninnerpathwhosegatewayisyourheart.

Yogaisthedisciplineofthemind,sensesandphysicalbody.Yogahelpsinthecoordinationandcontrolofthesubtleforceswithinthebody.Yogabringsinperfection,peaceandeverlastinghappiness.Yogacanhelpyouinyourbusinessandinyourdailylife.YoucanhavecalmnessofmindatalltimesbythepracticeofYoga.Youcanhaverestfulsleep.Youcanhaveincreasedenergy,vigour,vitality,longevityandahighstandardofhealth.Yogatransmutesanimalnatureintodivinenatureandraisesyoutothepinnacleofdivinegloryandsplendour.

ThepracticeofYogawillhelpyoutocontroltheemotionsandpassionsandwillgiveyoupowertoresisttemptationsandtoremovethedisturbingelementsfromthemind.Itwillenableyoutokeepabalancedmindalwaysandremovefatigue.Itwillconferonyouserenity,calmnessandwonderfulconcentration.ItwillenableyoutoholdcommunionwiththeLordandthusattainthesummumbonumofexistence.

IfyouwanttoattainsuccessinYoga,youwillhavetoabandonallworldlyenjoymentsandpractiseTapasandBrahmacharya.Youwillhavetocontrolthemindskilfullyandtactfully.Youwillhavetousejudiciousandintelligentmethodstocurbit.Ifyouuseforce,itwillbecomemoreturbulentandmischievous.Itcannotbecontrolledbyforce.Itwilljumpanddriftawaymoreandmore.Thosewhoattempttocontrolthemindbyforcearelikethosewhoendeavourtobindafuriouselephantwithathinsilkenthread.

AGuruorpreceptorisindispensableforthepracticeofYoga.TheaspirantinthepathofYogashouldbehumble,simple,gentle,refined,tolerant,mercifulandkind.IfyouhaveacuriositytogetpsychicpowersyoucannothavesuccessinYoga.Yogadoesnotconsistinsittingcrossleggedforsixhoursorstoppingthepulseorbeatingoftheheartorgettingoneselfburiedunderneaththegroundforaweekoramonth.

Selfsufficiency,impertinence,pride,luxury,name,fame,selfassertivenature,obstinacy,ideaofsuperiority,sensualdesires,evilcompany,laziness,overeating,overwork,toomuchmixingandtoomuchtalkingaresomeoftheobstaclesinthepathofYoga.Admityourfaultsfreely.Whenyouarefreefromalltheseeviltraits,Samadhiorunionwillcomebyitself.

PractiseYamaandNiyama.SitcomfortablyinPadmaorSiddhasana.Restrainthebreath.Withdrawthesenses.Controlthethoughts.Concentrate.MeditateandattainAsamprajnataorNirvikalpaSamadhi(unionwiththeSupremeSelf).

MayyoushineasabrilliantYogibythepracticeofYoga.Mayyouenjoytheblissofeternal.

YogaII

Yogaisprimarilyaprocessofselfculture.ItsaimistheattainmentofspiritualperfectionorSelfrealisation.TheprocessofYogapertainstothecontrolofthephysicalorgans,thebreath,themindandthesenses.

PracticeofYogabestowsarichandfulllife.Itis,infact,thescienceoflivingapureandhealthylife.

Practiceofselfrestraint,mentalequipoise,truthfulness,compassion,purityandselflessnessconstitutestheprocessofYoga.

PracticeofAsana,Pranayama,BandhaandMudraalsoconstitutestheprocessofYoga.

Anationcomposedofphysicallystrongandmentallyhealthypeoplecansurelybegreat.

Physicalcultureshouldstartatanearlyage.Bothbodyandmindshouldbetrained.Exercisesshouldprovidebothrecreationandphysicalandmentaldevelopment.

Asanaskeepthemusclessupple,thespineelastic,developmentalfaculties,lungcapacity,strengthentheinternalorgansandbestowlongevity.

Sirshasanadevelopsthebrain,confersgoodmemoryandimproveseyesightandhearingcapacitythroughextracirculationofbloodinthebrainbox.

Sarvangasanadevelopsthethyroidgland,strengthensthelungsandtheheart,andmakesthespineelastic.

Bhujangasana,SalabhasanaandDhanurasanaincreasetheperistalticmovementofthebowels,removeconstipationandcurethediseasesoftheabdomen.

ViparitakaraniMudraandPaschimottanasanatoneupthepelvicmusclesandthepelvicorgans.Theyimprovethedigestivesystem.AgnisaraKriya,UddiyanaBandhaandMayurasanaalsohelpdigestionandgivegoodappetite.Ardhamatsyendrasanaisgoodforappetite.Ardhamatsyendrasanaisgoodfortheliverandthespleen.

RollingfromsidetosideinDhanurasanagivesverygoodabdominalmassage.Matsyasanaisgoodforthedevelopmentofthelungs,thebrainandtheeyesitalsostrengthenstheupperpartofthespine.Savasanarelaxesthebodyandthemindandgivesperfectpoiseandrest.

Womenandchildren(abovesevenyears)arenotexemptedfrompractisingAsanas.

EveryAsanashouldbepractisedonlyforaminuteortwo,buttheperiodcouldbegraduallyextendedtoalimiteddurationaspertheadviceofacompetentteacher.

Pranayamabestowsvigour,vitalityandlongevity.Itdevelopsthelungsandstrengthensthemusclesofthechest.

Firstpractisedeepinhalationandexhalation.Thentrytoholdthebreathasfarasitiscomfortablypossible.Practiseafewroundsofdeepbreathingintheearlyhoursofthemorning.

InwinterpractiseBhastrikaPranayamaandinsummerSitaliandSitkari.

MildpracticeOfPranayamaneedsnodieteticregulationoranyparticularconditionofliving.

Neverexertyourself.Useyourcommonsense.Ifyoufindanysubstantialbenefit,continueyourpractice.Ifthereisanydiscomfort,discontinuethepracticeandseekproperguidance.

Withdrawthemindfromtheexternalobjectsandtrytofixyourattentiononaparticularobjectorsubject.ConcentrateonthesymbolofOmoronthepictureofanAvataraorasaint.

Meditateonthedivinequalitiesofauspiciousness,holiness,peace,sanctity,grace,equanimity,nobility,sincerityandselflessness.Trytocultivatethesequalifiesinyourdaytodaylife.Speakthetruthalways.Bekindhearted.

Livethelifeofdetachmentandegolessness.Trytocontrolyouremotions.Trytorestrainyourimpulses.Donotbedomineering.Behumble,politeandcourteous.Donotbejealousofanothersprosperity.Donotbepessimistic.Donottrytobecomeprosperousorfamousattheexpenseofothers.

Analyseyourmotives.Scrutiniseyourthoughts.Enquireintothenatureofthings.Donotrunafterthefalseglitteroftheworld.Restrainyourself.Foregopersonalcomfortsandluxuriesiftherebyyoucouldbeofsomehelptoanother.Alwaysrememberyouressential,divinenature.

ThisistheprocessofYoga.

IdealYoga

SomeYogicstudentsthinkthatonlyhewhocanflyintheair,walkonthewater,anddosuchothermiracles,canbecalledaYogi.Itisasadmistake.Tobepeaceful,tobecalm,toradiatejoy,tohaveanintenseaspirationtorealiseGod,tohavethespiritofserviceanddevotion,tobeselfcontrolledthisisrealYoga.Flyingintheairisnotyoga.Whyshouldoneaspiretoflylikeabirdafterattainingthehumanbirth?Youmusthaveawillinghearttoserveeverybodyandadesiretopossessalldivinevirtues.ThisisYoga.

Youridealshouldbetobegood,andtodogood.Beeverwillingtosharewhatyouhavewithothers.

Youshouldhaveaknowledgeofthescriptures,devotiontoyourpreceptor,saintsandsages.EvenNirvikalpaSamadhiisnotnecessary.WhydoyouwanttogetyourselfmergedintheAbsolute?HaveasmallveilofindividualityandservehereasNityasiddhas.Possessdivinequalitiesandmoveasadivinebeingonthisearth.Aspirenotforpowers.Powerswillcomebythemselves.Possessallnoblevirtues.Befreefromhatredandmalice.Elevateothersbyyourownexample.

SpreadthemessageoftheRishis.Leadarighteouslife.Speakthetruth.WorshipmotherasGod,fatherasGod,teacherasGod,guestasGod.Givebutgivewithmodesty.Givewithgoodwill.Givewithlove.

ThereisoneeternalAtma,oneuniversalConsciousnessthatdwellsintheheartsofall.

Realizethisthroughaspiration,renunciation,concentration,purification.

Controlanger.Donotgetirritatedthroughmisunderstanding.Trytounderstandeverybody.Understandthefeelingsofothers.Bearinsult.Bearinjury.BeeverintentonthewelfareofallSarvabhutahiteratah.YoushouldpractisethesenotmerelystudytheBrahmasutrasandtheUpanishads.TheUpanishadsshouldcomefromyourheartthroughpurification,throughService.

Selflessserviceisthehighestthingonthisearth.Servicewillmakeyoudivine.Serviceisdivinelife.ServiceiseternallifeinGod.ServicewillgiveyouCosmicConsciousnessServicethatisselfless,withoutattachment.Butnobodywantstoserve!Everybodywantstobeservedbyothers.Youwillhavetokilltheego.Youwillhavetopulverizeit,makeitapowder.Youwillhavetoextractoilfromyourbonesandburnitforsixmonths.Suchisthetoil,asitwere,toprogressinthepathofselfrealisation.

Begooddogood.Thisistheessenceoftheteachingsofallscripturesandprophetsoftheworld.Thosewhowantinnerlifeareveryfew.Allarethirstingforhappiness,buttheydonotknowwheretheycangethappiness.Theysearchforitinwealthandmaterialpossessions.Mayaisclever.SheneverallowspeopletotastetheblissofaninnerlifeintheAtman.Deludedbyherpower,manthinksthatthereisnotranscendentalrealm,thatthereisnothingbeyondthesenses.Eat,drinkandbemerry,thishasbecomethemottooflife.ThepathtotherealmofGodisopenonlytothosewhohavegottheDivineGrace.

MayyouallknowthetrueimportofYoga,andbaseyourlifeonselflessservicetohumanitywithAtmaBhava,andthedevelopmentofalldivinevirtues.Mayyouallhavesustainedaspiration.PractisedeepmeditationandattainSelfrealisation.MayyouallshineasNityasiddhas,radiatingjoyandpeaceallround.

TenCommandmentsForYogaStudents

1.PractiseAsanasandPranayamaintheearlymorningorthreehoursafterfood.

2.OfferprayerstoGuruandGodbeforecommencingthepractice.

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

4.Keepacleanroomunderlockandkeyletitbewellventilated,cool,freefrominsectsandfromothersourcesofdisturbance.

5.ObservestrictBrahmacharyaavoidunnecessarytalks.

6.Reduceyourwants.Developcontentment.

7.Takebathbeforethepracticeifthatisnotpossible,haveawashbeforeandbathatleasthalfanhourafterthepractice.

8.SitfacingEastorNorth.

9.Beregularandsystematicinyourpractice.

10.ObeyyourGuruimplicitlyinallrespects.

YogaAndItsConsummation

YogaistheartofunitingtheindividualsoulwiththeSupremeSoul,ofunitingtheKundaliniSaktilyingdormantintheMuladharaChakrawithSivaintheSahasraraChakra.Byconvention,allpracticesthathelptheattainmentofthisgoalarealsocalledYoga.

VedantasaysthattheindividualsoulisenvelopedbyfivesheathsAnnamayaKosha(thegrossbody),PranamayaKosha(vitalsheath),ManomayaKosha(themind),VijnanamayaKosha(theintellect),andAnandamayaKosha(theblisssheathortheignorancethatimmediatelyveilstheSelf),andthatthegoaloflife,viz.,Selfrealisationisattainedbynegatingthefivesheathsandpiercingtheveilofignorance.

Whendoweregardaparticularpartororganofthebodyasperfectlyhealthy?Whenwearenotmadeawareofthatorgan.Theearisinperfecthealthwhenwearenotawarethatthatorganexistsifthereispainweareconsciousofitspresence.Inordertotranscendthefivesheaths,therefore,theymustallbefreefromafflictions.Yogahelpsyoutodothat.

ThepurificatoryKriyasofHathaYogaandAsanasensurehealthofthebodyandfreeitfromailments.Pranayamarevitalisesthevitalsheath.Pratyahara(withdrawaloftheraysofthemindandrestrainingthemfromflowingoutwards)andDharana(concentration)strengthenthemind.MeditationbringsaboutahappyblendingoftheintellectandintuitionandtheYogisintelligencebecomesintuitive.SamadhiilluminesthesoulandrevealstheSelf,bypiercingtheveilofignorance.ThisisYoga,theperfectsystemofallroundselfculture.

Butnoonecanembarkonthisnobleenterprisewithoutpreparingthevessel.YamaNiyamaorthecanonsofrightconduct,ensurethis.Onewhohasnotcontrolledhissenses,whoisnottruthful,kind,compassionateandpure,cannotmakeanyprogressinSadhana.Energyleaksoutthroughalltheavenuesofhisbody.Hisvitalsheathisdebilitated.Hismindiscompletelyextroverted.Hisintellectisdull.Hissoulisenvelopedindensedarkness.Meditationforsuchamanisonlyadream.ThereforeIinsistonallspiritualaspirantsthattheyshould:

1.EngagethemselvesinNishkamaKarmaYoga,forselfpurificationandcultivationofvirtuesand

2.PractiseasmuchJapaaspossible,inordertoearnHisGrace.

ThesetwoKarmaYogaandBhaktiYogacannotbeoveremphasised.

Oncethesensesarecontrolled,andtheheartpurified,controlofmind,concentrationofitsrays,andmeditationbecomeveryeasy.TheaspirantwoulddowelltorememberthetwogreatwatchwordsofSadhana

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

(b)Vairagya(dispassion,aversiontoallsensualenjoyments,nonattachmenttoobjectsofsenses).

Totheextenttowhichtheaspirantgrowsinthesetwo,tothatextentwillhismindwanttomeditate.Therewillbejoyinmeditation.Themindwilllookforwardtotheperiodofmeditation.Whenthisconditionbecomesintense,thenthemindwillbeinaconstantstateofmeditation.Asyourhandsareengagedintheworkoftheday,themindwillbeblissfullydetachedfromtheworld,peacefullywitnessingSakshiBhavatheplayofthesensesandthesenseobjects.Whenyouareestablishedinthisstate,youareaperfectedYogi.YouhaveonlytositandcloseyoureyesyouwillinstantlytranscendthefivesheathsandmergeintheSupremeSoul.YouractionswillbeintunewiththeDivineWill.Youwillhavethesuperhumanpowersofintellect,mindandbody.Youwillneverbetired,dullordepressed.Yourwordswillhavelifetransformingpower.Yourheartwillbefullofcompassionandloveforhumanity,andallhumanitywillbedrawntowardsyou.Youwillbecomeaspiritualmagnet.YouwillshineasaYogi,sageandJivanmukta.Youareliberated.ThisistheGoal.

MayGodblessyou.

TheGradationalAscentOfTheMind

TheChakrasarecentresofShaktiasvitalforceinotherwords,thesearecentresofPranashaktimanifestedbyPranavayuinthelivingbody,thepresidingDevatasofwhicharethenamesfortheUniversalConsciousnessasitmanifestsintheformofthesecentres.TheChakrasarenotperceptibleinthegrosssenses.Eveniftheywereperceptibleinthelivingbodywhichtheyhelptoorganisetheydisappearwiththedisintegrationoforganismatdeath.

PurityofmindleadstoperfectioninYoga.Regulateyourconductwhenyoudealwithothers.Havenofeelingofjealousytowardsothers.Becompassionate.Donothatesinners.Bekindtoall.SuccessinYogawillberapidifyouputyourmaximumenergyinyourYogapractice.YoumusthaveakeenlongingforliberationandintenseVairagyaalso.Youmustbesincereandearnest.IntenseandconstantmeditationisnecessaryforenteringintoSamadhi.

ThemindofaworldlymanwithbasedesiresandpassionsmovesintheMuladharaandSvadhishthanaChakrasorcentressituatedneartheanusandthereproductiveorganrespectively.

IfonesmindbecomespurifiedthemindrisestotheManipuraChakraorthecentreinthenavelandexperiencessomepowerandjoy.

Ifthemindbecomesmorepurified,itrisestotheAnahataChakraorcentreintheheart,experiencesblissandvisualisestheeffulgentformoftheIshtaDevataorthetutelarydeity.

Whenthemindgetshighlypurified,themeditationanddevotionbecomeintenseandprofound,themindrisestoVishuddhaChakraorthecentreinthethroatandexperiencesmoreandmorepowersandbliss.Evenwhenthemindhasreachedthiscentre,thereispossibilityforittocomedowntothelowercentres.

WhentheYogireachestheAjnaChakraorthecentrebetweenthetwoeyebrowsheattainsSamadhiandrealisesthesupremeSelforBrahman.ThereisaslightsenseofseparatenessbetweenthedevoteeandBrahman.

Ifhereachesthespiritualcentreinthebrain,theSahasraraChakra,thethousandpetalledlotustheYogiattainsNirvikalpaSamadhiorsuperconsciousstateHebecomesonewiththenondualBrahman.Allsenseofseparatenessdissolves.ThisisthehighestplaneofconsciousnessorSupremeAsamprajnataSamadhi.KundaliniuniteswithSiva.

TheYogimaycomedowntothecentreinthethroattogiveinstructionstothestudentsanddogoodtoothers(Lokasamgraha).

ExperiencesOnAwakeningOfKundalini

Duringmeditationyoubeholddivinevisions,experiencedivinesmell,divinetaste,divinetouch,heardivineAnahataSounds.YoureceiveinstructionsfromGod.TheseindicatethattheKundaliniShaktihasbeenawakened.WhenthereisthrobbinginMuladhara,whenhairstandsonitsroot,whenUddiyana,JalandharaandMulabandhacomeinvoluntarily,knowthatKundalinihasawakened.

Whenthebreathstopswithoutanyeffort,whenKevalaKumbhakacomesbyitselfwithoutanyexertion,knowthatKundaliniShaktihasbecomeactive.WhenyoufeelcurrentsofPranarisinguptotheSahasrara,whenyouexperiencebliss,whenyourepeatOmautomatically,whentherearenothoughtsoftheworldinthemind,knowthatKundaliniShaktihasawakened.

When,inyourmeditation,theeyesbecomefixedonTrikuti,themiddleoftheeyebrows,whentheSambhaviMudraoperates,knowthatKundaliniShaktihasbecomeactive.WhenyoufeelvibrationsofPranaindifferentpartsinsideyourbody,whenyouexperiencejerksliketheshocksofelectricity,knowthatKundalinihasbecomeactive.Duringmeditationwhenyoufeelasifthereisnobody,whenyoureyelidsbecomeclosedanddonotopeninspiteofyourexertion,whenelectriclikecurrentsflowupanddownthenerves,knowthatKundalinihasawakened.

Whenyoumeditate,whenyougetinspirationandinsight,whenthenatureunfoldsitssecretstoyou,alldoubtsdisappear,youunderstandclearlythemeaningoftheVedictexts,knowthatKundalinihasbecomeactive.Whenyourbodybecomeslightlikeair,whenyoupossessinexhaustibleenergyforwork,knowthatKundalinihasbecomeactive.

Whenyougetdivineintoxication,whenyoudeveloppoweroforation,knowthatKundalinihasawakened.WhenyouinvoluntarilyperformdifferentAsanasorposesofYogawithouttheleastpainorfatigue,knowthatKundalinihasbecomeactive.Whenyoucomposebeautifulsublimehymnsandpoetryinvoluntarily,knowthatKundalinihasbecomeactive.

TheQuintessenceOfYoga

YogaisunionwiththeinfinitethroughmeditationandSamadhi.

AYogiisfreedfromKarmaorthelawofcauseandeffect,frombirthsanddeathsandfromthetrammelsofmindandflesh.

TheYogihasperfectcontroloverhislifeforcesandmind.Hecandematerialiseatwill.

TheYogipractisesdisciplineofbodyandmind.Hehascontroloverhisbodyandmind.HemeditatesonOm.

Yogaillumines,renovatesandhelpstheYogitoattainthehighestpointofperfection.

Ifoneawakenshissuperconsciousness,therewillbenoproblemsatall.Therewillbeonlylove,peace,harmony,unityandhappinessinthisworld.

PractiseYogaToProlongLife

ThepracticeofYogalessensandpreventsthedecayoftissues,byincreasingthelifeforce,andfillsthesystemwithabundantenergy.

BythepracticeofYogathebloodischargedwithabundantoxygen.Thebrainandspinalcentresarerejuvenated.

BythepracticeofYoga,theaccumulationofvenousbloodisstopped.Thebodyisfilledwithabundantenergy.Thebraincentresandthespinalcordarestrengthenedandrenovated.Memoryisimproved.Intellectissharpened.Intuitionisdeveloped.

HowcanonewhodoesnotknowhisownbodyhopetoachievesuccessinYoga?Firsthaveastrong,firmandhealthybodythroughthepracticeofHathaYogaandthentaketoRajaYoga.

Breathingplaysanimportantroleinprolonginghumanlife.Therefore,practisePranayamaregularly.

Arabbitthatbreathesveryrapidlydoesnotliveverylong.Practiserhythmicbreathinganddeepbreathing.

TherearedetailedpracticesinYogaforcleansingofthefoodtube(Dhauti)andthestomach,assimpleandeffectiveascleansingoftheteeth.

TherearemethodsinYoga(Trataka)forstrengtheningtheeyesightandcleansingthenose.

Peoplewhosufferfromoverweight,constipationordyspepsiawillspeciallyfindthisYogapracticeveryuseful.

ThroughthepracticeofYoga,theevolutionofmanisquickened.Whathecangaininhundredsofbirths,hecangaininonebirththroughthepracticeofYoga,andattainfinalemancipation.Hecanattainlongevityandattainperfecthealth.Hecancompressinonelifetheexperiencesofseveralhundredsofbirths.

HewhopractisesBastiorYogaenemaneversuffersfromconstipationandotherabdominaldisorders.

PerfectionInYoga

AYogicanswitchhislifecurrents,toandfromthesenses.HetakesthePranaandthemindtotheSahasraraorthethousandpetalledlotusatthecrownofthehead.HeentersintoSamadhi.Heisdeadtotheworld.HeexperiencessuperconsciousnessorNirvikalpaSamadhi.HeisinblissfulunionwiththeLord.

SavikalpaSamadhiissubjecttotimeandchange.ThereisTriputi,theseer,sightandseenorknower,knowledgeandknowable.ThereissomelinkwithPrakritiormatter.SavikalpaSamadhicannotgivethefinalemancipation.ThisisalsoanobstacletoNirvikalpaSamadhi.TheaspirantgetsfalsecontentmentandstopshismeditationorSadhana.Hencethisisanobstacletothefinalorhigherrealisation.NirvikalpaSamadhialonecanburnallSamskarasandVasanasintoto.SavikalpaSamadhicannotdestroyallSamskarasandVasanas.InSavikalpaSamadhithelifeforceorPranaoftheYogiiswithdrawnfromthebody.Thebodyappearstobedead,motionlessandrigid.Breathingissuspended.Heisawareofhisbodilyconditionorsuspendedbreath.

NirvikalpaorNirbijaSamadhiistimeless,changeless.ThisisthehigheststateofSamadhi.

DoubleConsciousness

InNirvikalpaSamadhi,theYogisconsciousnessmergeswiththeabsoluteconsciousness.Thereisnobodilyfixation.Inhisordinarywakingconsciousness,eveninthemidstofworldlyduties,heisincommunionwiththesupremeconsciousness.Hehasdoubleconsciousness.

Thecrowhasoneeyeball,buttwosockets.Itturnstheeyeballs,nowtoonesocketandafterwardstotheothersocket.Evenso,theYogihasdoubleconsciousness.

WiseGuidanceForSureSuccess

ThepracticeofYogashouldbegradualandstepbystep.Extremesaretobeavoided.Nosuddenandviolentmethodsshouldbeemployed.CommonsenseisanessentialpartofYoga.Boldnessisalsoequallyessential.

FicklemindednesswillnotdoonthepathofYoga.Vacillationandoscillationwillretardprogressandresultinstagnation.

Reflectgraduallyandchooseamethodchooseamethodandsticktoitandpersevereinitcontinuously.ThisNishthaisnecessary.

Amanwhodigsawellshouldnotdigafoothere,afootthere,afewfeetinanotherplaceandthenafourth.Ifhedoesthis,hewillnotfindwaterevenafterdigginginfiftyplaces.Onceaspotischosen,hemustdigonandoninthesameplaceandlo,hewillreachthewater.EvensoinYoga,oneteacher,onepath,one

method,onemaster,oneideaandonepointedfaithanddevotionalltheabovemakeupthesecretofsuccessinspirituallife.

PracticeOfYogaAsanas

1.ThepracticeofYogaAsanashelpstopreventdiseaseandmaintainahighstandardofhealth,vigourandvitality.Itcuresmanydiseases.

2.Itisconducivetohigherintellectualandspiritualattainmentandprovidesacoordinatedsystemofhealthforallpeople.

3.ThereareasmanyAsanasastherearelivingcreatures.

4.Siddha,Padma,Svastika,Sukhaarethefourchiefmeditationpostures.

5.Sirshasana,Sarvangasana,Halasana,Paschimottanasanaconferwonderfulhealthandcuremanydiseases.

6.ThepracticeofAsanasisalwaysaccompaniedbyPranayamaandJapaofMantra.

7.ModerationindietandobservanceofBrahmacharyaarenecessaryforrealisingthemaximumbenefitsofthepracticeofAsanas.AYogishouldalwaysavoidfear,anger,laziness,toomuchsleeporwalking,andtoomuchfoodorfasting.

8.RegularityinthepracticeofAsanasisofparamountimportance.

9.LakhsofpeoplehavederivedrealbenefitfromthepracticeofYogaAsanas.

10.EveninEuropeandAmerica,manyhavetakentothepracticeofYogaAsanas.

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

12.IhavewrittenseveralbooksonYogaAsanas:1.YogaAsanas,2.HathaYoga,3.YogicHomeExercises,4.RadiantHealthThroughYoga,5.PracticalGuidetoStudentsofYogaandanumberofotherbookslike1.EasyStepstoYoga,2.YogainDailyLife,3.PracticalLessonsinYoga,etc.,containlessonsinYogaAsanasandPranayama.

13.Thissystemcostsnothing.Itisinexpensive.Itissimple.Itisspeciallysuitedforthepeopleofthewholeworldatlarge.

14.Evenwomencanpractiseitwithgreatadvantagetothemselves.Irrespectiveofage,allcanjoininthepracticeofYogaAsanas.

15.ThebenefitofYogaAsanasshouldbemadeavailabletoeveryfamilyinthewholeworld.Doctorsbillscanbesaved.

16.Ethicalculture,practiceofdivinevirtues,arigorousdisciplineofthemind,spiritualcultureandmeditationarealsoverynecessaryforattainingintegralperfection.AsanasandPranayamasareonlyapartofYoga.

GLOSSARY

ABHYASASpiritualpractice.AbhyasinPractitioner.AcharyaPreceptorTeacher.AdharaFoundationbasewhichsupports.AdhikarinQualifiedperson.AdhyatmicPertainingtoAtman.AgniFire.AhankaraEgoism.AjnaChakraSpiritualcentreattheeyebrows.AjnanaIgnorance.AkasaEther.AkhandaUnbroken.AnahataChakraCardiacplexus.AnandaBlisshappinesscomfort.AntahkaranaFourfoldinternalorgans,viz.,Manas,Chitta,BuddhiandAhankara.AnubhavaExperience.AsanaSeatposture.AvidyaIgnorance.

BAHIHOutwardexternal.BastiThepurificatoryexerciseforcongestedbowels.BhaktaDevotee.BhaktiDevotion.BhavaFeeling.BhedaDifferencepiercing.BhrumadhyaThespacebetweentheeyebrows.BhutaSiddhiControloverelements.BrahmachariCelibate.BrahmacharyaCelibacy.BrahmamuhurtaTheperiodfrom3to6a.m.intendedforYogaAbhyasa.BrahmarandhraAnapertureinthecrownofthehead.

CHAITANYAConsciousness.

ChakrasSpiritualcentresinSushumnaNadi.ChandraNadiMoonflowanothernameforIda.ChitKnowledge.ChittaConsciousness.

DANACharity.DarshanaInterview.DehaPhysicalbody.DharanaConcentration.DhautiTheexerciseforcleaningthestomach.DikshaInitiation.DoshaFaultimpurity.DrishtiVision.DuhkhaMiserypain.DveshaHatredrepulsion.

GRIHASTHAHouseholder.GranthiKnot.GulmaChronicgastritis.GuruSpiritualpreceptor.

ICCHADesire.IdaTheNadithatrunsontheleftsideofSushumna.IndriyasSenses.

JADAInsentientlifeless.JadaKriyaPhysicalexercise.JapaRepetitionofaMantra.JayaMastery.JivaIndividualsoul.JnanaIndriyasFiveorgansorsensesofKnowledge.viz.,ear,skin,eye,tongueandnose.

KAIVALYAIsolation.KamaPassion,desire.KandaThesourceofallNadis.KarmaIndriyasFiveorgansofaction,viz.,speech,hands,legs,genitalsandanus.KarmaActionduty.Kayabody.KayaSampatPerfectionofbody.KramaOrder.KripaGrace.KriyaPhysicalactionorexercises.

KrodhaAnger.KumbhakaRetentionofbreath.KundaliniThemysteriouspowerinthebody.

LAKSHYAObjectofconcentration.LayaDissolution.

MADHYAMAMiddlecentre.MananaReflectionorconcentration.ManasMind.MandalaRegion.ManipuraSolarplexussituatedatthenavel.MantraHolywords.MatsaryaEnvyjealousy.MayaIllusivepowerveilingShakti.MadaArrogancepride.MitaharaModerationofdiet.MohaAttachmentinfatuatedlove.MokshaLiberationemancipation.MounaVowofsilence.MrityunjayaConquerorofdeath.MuktiFinalbeatitude.MulaOriginrootbase.MuladharaChakraThespiritualcentreatthebaseofthespinalcolumn.

NABHINavel.NadaAnahataSound.NadiAstraltubethatcarriesPrana.NasikagraDrishtiVisionatthetipofthenose.NauliPurificatoryexerciseofabdominalregion.NetiTheexerciseforcleaningthenostrils.NididhyasanaProfoundmeditation.NirgunaFormlesswithoutattributes.NishkamaKarmaDisinterestedwork.NishthaFixitysteadiness.NivrittiMargaPathofrenunciation.NiyamaReligiousrulessecondstepinYoga.

OJASSpiritualenergy.OordhvaretoYogiTheYogiinwhomtheseminalenergyflowsupwards.

PADMALotusChakraanamefortheplexus.

ParamaSupreme.PingalaTheNadithatrunsontherightsideofSushumnaNadi.PoornaFull.PrakritiNatureundifferentiatedmatter.PranaVitalenergy.PranayamaRegulationofbreath.PratyaharaWithdrawingthesensesfromobjects.PratyakshatvaDirectperception.PremaDivinelove.PreranaInnergoading.PurakaInhalation.

RAGAAttachment.RajasPassionmotion.RajasicPassionate.RechakaExhalation.RupaForm.

SADHAKASpiritualaspirant.SadhanaSpiritualpractice.SagunaWithform.SahasraraThespiritualcentreatthehead.SakshatkaraDirectperception.SamaEqualbalancedstateofmind.SamadhiSuperconsciousstate.SamsaraChakraWheelofdeathandbirth.SamskaraImpression.SankalpaFormativewilldetermination.SattvaPurity.SattvicPure.SatyamTruthBrahman.ShaktiPower.ShatKarmasSixpurificatoryexercisesofHathaYoga,viz.,Dhauti,Basti,Neti,Nauli,TratakaandKapalabhati.SiddhasPerfectedYogins.SiddhiPerfectionpsychicpower.SindurVermilion.SparshaTouchfeeling.SraddhaFaith.SravanaHearingofSrutis.SthulaPhysicalgross.SukhaHappinesscomfortable.

SukshmaAstralsubtle.SuryaNadiAnothernameforPingala.SutraAphorism.SvaraSadhanaRegulationofbreath.

TAMASInertiadarkness.TamasicDulllazy.TattvaElementsfaculty.TitikshaForbearance.TratakaGazingataparticularspot.TrikalaJnaniOnewhoknowsthepast,presentandfuture.TrishnaCraving.TriveniTheplacewherethreeholyriversmeet.TushtiSatisfaction.

UNMANIAVASTHAMindlessstateofYogins.UttamaQualifiedperson.

VAIRAGYARenunciationdispassion.VajraAdamantinefirm.VakSpeech.VasanaImpressionofactionthatremainsinthemind.ViryaSeminalpowerenergy.VishuddhaLaryngealplexusatthebaseofthethroat.VrittiMentalfunction.

YAMAThefirststepinYoga.YatraPilgrimage.YogaSuperconsciousstateunionwithParamatma.YogicPertainingtoYoga.YoginOnewhoisdevotedtoYoga.YuktiCommonsense.

KUNDALINIYOGAindex|2|3|4|5|6|7|8|9|10

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