PRELIMINARY

PatanjalivyasamukhangurunanyamschabhaktitahNatosmivangmanahkayairajnanadhvantabhaskaran
Weofferourobeisancebyword,mindandbodytoPatanjali,VyasaandtoallotherRishisandYogicMasters
whoarelikesomanySunstoremovethedarknessofAjnana(ignorance).
FoundationVairagya
Man,ignorantofhistrueDivinenature,vainlytriestosecurehappinessintheperishableobjectsofthis
illusorysenseuniverse.Everymaninthisworldisrestless,discontentedanddissatisfied.Hefeelsactually
thatheisinwantofsomething,thenatureofwhichhedoesnotreallyunderstand.Heseekstherestand
peacethathefeelsheisinneedof,intheaccomplishmentofambitiousprojects.Buthefindsthatworldly
greatnesswhensecuredisadelusionandasnare.Hedoubtlessdoesnotfindanyhappinessinit.Hegets
degrees,diplomas,titles,honours,powers,nameandfamehemarrieshebegetschildreninshort,he
getsallthatheimagineswouldgivehimhappiness.Butyet,hefindsnorestandpeace.
Areyounotashamedtorepeatthesameprocessofeating,sleepingandtalkingagainandagain?Areyou
notreallyfedupwiththeillusoryobjectscreatedbythejuggleryofMaya?Haveyougotasinglesincere
friendinthisuniverse?Isthereanydifferencebetweenananimalandthesocalleddignifiedhumanbeing
withboastedintellect,ifhedoesnotdoanyspiritualSadhanadaily,forSelfrealisation?Howlongdoyou
wanttoremainaslaveofpassion,Indriyas,womanandbody?Fieonthosemiserablewretcheswhorevelin
filthandwhohaveforgottentheirrealAtmicnatureandtheirhiddenpowers!
Thesocallededucatedpersonsarerefinedsensualistsonly.Sensualpleasureisnopleasureatall.Indriyas
aredeceivingyouateverymoment.Pleasuremixedwithpain,sorrow,fear,sin,diseasesisnopleasureat
all.Thehappinessthatdependsuponperishableobjectsisnohappiness.Ifyourwifedies,youweep.Ifyou
losemoneyorproperty,youaredrownedinsorrow.Howlongdoyouwanttoremaininthatabject,
degradedstate?Thosewhowastetheirpreciouslifeineating,sleepingandchattingwithoutdoingany
Sadhanaarebrutesonly.
YouhaveforgottenyourrealSvarupaorpurposeoflifeonaccountofAvidya,Maya,MohaandRaga.Youare

tosseduphitherandthitheraimlesslybythetwocurrentsofRagaandDvesha.Youarecaughtupin
SamsaraChakraonaccountofyouregoism,Vasanas,Trishnasandpassionsofvarioussorts.
YouwantaNitya(eternal),Nirupadhika(independent),Niratisaya(Infinite)Ananda.Thisyouwillfindinyour
realisationoftheSelfonly.Thenalonewillallyourmiseriesandtribulationsmeltaway.Youhavetakenthis
bodyonlytoachievethisend.DinnikebitejatehainThedaysarepassingawayquickly.Thedayhas
comeandgone.Willyouwastethenightalso?
Aashayabadhyatelokokarmanabahuchintaya
Ayukshinamnajanatitasmatjagratajagrata
Youareboundinthisworldbydesires,actionsandmanifoldanxieties.Thereforeyoudonotknowthatyour
lifeisslowlydecayingandiswasted.Thereforewakeup,wakeup.
Nowwakeup.Openyoureyes.ApplydiligentlytospiritualSadhana.Neverwasteevenaminute.Many
YoginsandJnanins,Dattatreya,Patanjali,Christ,Buddha,Gorakhnath,Matsyendranath,RamDasandothers
havealreadytroddenthespiritualpathandrealisedthroughSadhana.Followtheirteachingsandinstructions
implicitly.
Courage,Power,Strength,Wisdom,JoyandHappinessareyourDivineheritage,yourbirthright.Getthem
allthroughproperSadhana.ItwillbesimplypreposteroustothinkthatyourGuruwilldotheSadhanafor
you.Youareyourownredeemer.GurusandAcharyaswillshowyouthespiritualpath,removedoubtsand
troublesandgivesomeinspiration.YouwillhavetotreadtheSpiritualPath.Rememberthispointwell.You
willhavetoplaceeachstepyourselfintheSpiritualPath.ThereforedorealSadhana.Freeyourselffrom
deathandbirthandenjoytheHighestBliss.
WhatIsYoga?
ThewordYogacomesfromaSanskritrootYujwhichmeanstojoin.Initsspiritualsenseitisthatprocess
bywhichtheidentityoftheJivatmaandParamatmaisrealisedbytheYogins.Thehumansoulisbrought
intoconsciouscommunionwithGod.Yogaisrestrainingthementalmodifications.Yogaisthatinhibitionof
thefunctionsofthemindwhichleadstoabidanceofthespiritinhisrealnature.Theinhibitionofthese
functionsofthemindisbyAbhyasaandVairagya(YogaSutras).
YogaistheSciencethatteachesthemethodofjoiningthehumanspiritwithGod.YogaistheDivineScience
whichdisentanglestheJivafromthephenomenalworldofsenseobjectsandlinkshimwiththeAnanta
Ananda(InfiniteBliss),ParamaShanti(SupremePeace),joyofanAkhandacharacterandPowerthatare
inherentattributesoftheAbsolute.YogagivesMuktithroughAsamprajnataSamadhibydestroyingallthe
Sankalpasofallantecedentmentalfunctions.NoSamadhiispossiblewithoutawakeningtheKundalini.When
theYogiattainsthehigheststage,allhisKarmasareburntandhegetsliberationfromSamsaraChakra.
TheImportanceOfKundaliniYoga

InKundaliniYogathecreatingandsustainingSaktiofthewholebodyisactuallyandtrulyunitedwithLord
Siva.TheYogigoadsHertointroducehimtoHerLord.TherousingofKundaliniSaktiandHerUnionwith
LordSivaeffectsthestateofSamadhi(Ecstaticunion)andspiritualAnubhava(experience).ItisShewho
givesKnowledgeorJnana,forSheisHerselfThat.KundaliniHerself,whenawakenedbytheYogins,
achievesforthemtheJnana(illumination).
Kundalinicanbeawakenedbyvariousmeansandthesedifferentmethodsarecalledbydifferentnames,
viz.,RajaYoga,HathaYoga,etc.ThepractitionerofthisKundaliniYogaclaims,thatitishigherthanany
otherprocessandthatSamadhiattainedtherebyismoreperfect.Thereasonthattheyallege,isthis:In
DhyanaYoga,ecstasytakesplacethroughdetachmentfromtheworldandmentalconcentrationleadingthe
varietyofmentaloperation(Vritti)oftheuprisingofpureconsciousnessunhinderedbythelimitationsofthe
mind.Thedegreetowhichthisunveilingofconsciousnessiseffected,dependsuponthemeditativepower,
DhyanaSakti,oftheSadhakaandtheextentofdetachmentfromtheworld.Ontheotherhand,Kundaliniis
allSaktiandisthereforeJnanaSaktiHerselfbestowsJnanaandMukti,whenawakenedbytheYogins.
Secondly,inKundaliniYogathereisnotmerelyaSamadhithroughmeditation,butthecentralpowerofthe
Jiva,carrieswithittheformsofbothbodyandmind.Theunioninthatsenseisclaimedtobemore
completethanthatenactedthroughmethodsonly.Thoughinbothcasesthebodyconsciousnessislost,in
KundaliniYoganotonlythemindbutthebodyalso,insofarasitisrepresentedbyitscentralpower,is
actuallyunitedwithLordSivaattheSahasraraChakra.Thisunion(Samadhi)producesBhukti(enjoyment)
whichaDhyanaYogidoesnotpossess.AKundaliniYogihasbothBhukti(enjoyment)andMukti(liberation)
inthefullestandliteralsense.HencethisYogaisclaimedtobetheforemostofallYogas.Whenthesleeping
KundaliniisawakenedbyYogicKriyas,itforcesapassageupwardsthroughthedifferentChakras(Shat
ChakraBheda).Itexcitesorstimulatesthemintointenseactivity.Duringitsascent,layerafterlayerofthe
mindbecomesfullyopened.AllKleshas(afflictions)andthethreekindsofTaapawillvanish.TheYogi
experiencesvariousvisions,powers,blissandknowledge.WhenitreachesSahasraraChakrainthebrain,
theYogigetsthemaximumknowledge,Bliss,powerandSiddhis.HereachesthehighestrungintheYogic
ladder.Hegetsperfectlydetachedfrombodyandmind.Hebecomesfreeinallrespects.Heisafullblown
Yogi(PurnaYogi).
ImportantQualificationsOfASadhaka
WhenthewholevitalityissappedfromthebodyonecannotdoanyrigidSadhana.Youthisthebestperiod
forYogaAbhyasa.ThisisthefirstandtheforemostqualificationofaSadhakatheremustbevigourand
vitality.
Onewhohasacalmmind,whohasfaithinthewordsofhisGuruandSastras,whoismoderateineating
andsleepingandwhohastheintenselongingfordeliverancefromtheSamsaraChakraisaqualifiedperson
forthepracticeofYoga.
AhamkarambalamdarpamkamamkrodhamparigrahamVimuchyanirmamahsantobrahmabhuyaya
kalpate

Havingcastasideegoism,violence,arrogance,desire,wrath,covetousness,selflessandpeacefulheisfit
tobecomeETERNAL.
Thosewhoareaddictedtosensualpleasuresorthosewhoarearrogantandproud,dishonest,untruthful,
diplomatic,cunningandtreacherousandwhodisrespecttheGuru,Sadhusandeldersandtakepleasurein
vaincontroversiesandworldlyactions,canneverattainsuccessinYogicpractices.
Kama,Krodha,Lobha,Moha,Mada,andallotherimpuritiesshouldbecompletelyannihilated.Onecannot
becomepureandperfectwhenonehassomanyimpurequalities.
Sadhakasshoulddevelopthefollowingvirtuousqualities:
Straightforwardness,servicetoGuru,thesickandoldpersons,Ahimsa,Brahmacharya,spontaneous
generosity,Titiksha,SamaDrishti,Samata,spiritofservice,selflessness,tolerance,Mitahara,humility,
honestyandothervirtuestoanenormousdegree.Aspirantswillnotatallbebenefitedinanywayinthe
absenceofthesevirtueseveniftheyexertmuchtoawakentheKundalinithroughYogicexercises.
AspirantsshouldfreelyopentheirheartstotheirGuru.Theymustbefrankandcandid.Theyshouldgiveup
theselfassertive,Rajasicvehemence,vanityandarrogance,andcarryouttheirmastersinstructionswith
SraddhaandPrem.ConstantselfjustificationisadangeroushabitforaSadhaka.
Energyiswastedintoomuchtalking,unnecessaryworryandvainfear.Gossipingandtalltalkshouldbe
givenupentirely.ArealSadhakaisamanoffewwords,tothepointandthattooonspiritualmattersonly.
Sadhakasshouldalwaysremainalone.Mounaisagreatdesideratum.Mixingwithhouseholdersishighly
dangerousforaSadhaka.Thecompanyofahouseholderisfarmoreinjuriousthanthecompanyofa
woman.Mindhasthepowertoimitate.
YogicDiet
ASadhakashouldobserveperfectdiscipline.Hemustbecivil,polite,courteous,gentle,nobleandgracious
inhisbehaviour.Hemusthaveperseverance,adamantinewill,asininepatienceandleechliketenacityin
Sadhana.Hemustbeperfectlyselfcontrolled,pureanddevotedtotheGuru.
Agluttonoronewhoisaslaveofhissenseswithseveralbadhabits,isunfitforthespiritualpath.
MitaharamvinayastuyogarambhamtukarayetNanarogobhavettasyakinchityogonasiddhyati
Withoutobservingmoderationofdiet,ifonetakestotheYogicpractices,hecannotobtainanybenefitbut
getsvariousdiseases(Ghe.Sam.V16).
FoodplaysaprominentplaceinYogaSadhana.Anaspirantshouldbeverycarefulintheselectionofarticles
ofSattvicnatureespeciallyinthebeginningofhisSadhanaperiod.LateronwhenSiddhiisattained,drastic
dieteticrestrictionscanberemoved.

Purityoffoodleadstopurityofmind.Sattvicfoodhelpsmeditation.Thedisciplineoffoodisveryvery
necessaryforYogicSadhana.Ifthetongueiscontrolled,alltheotherIndriyasarecontrolled.
Aharasuddhausattvasuddhih,sattvasuddhaudhruvasmritihSmritilambhesarvagranthinam
viprarnokshahBythepurityoffoodfollowsthepurificationoftheinnernature,bythepurificationofthe
nature,memorybecomesfirmandonstrengtheningthememory,followsthelooseningofalltiesandthe
wisegetMokshathereby.
SattvicArticles
IwillgiveyoualistofSattvicarticlesforaSadhaka.Milk,redrice,barley,wheat,Havishannam,Charu,
cream,cheese,butter,greendal(Moongdal),Badam(almonds),Misri(sugarcandy),Kismis(raisins),
Kichidi,PanchaShakhavegetables(Seendil,Chakravarty,Ponnangani,ChirukeeraiandVellaicharnai),Lowki
vegetable,plantainstem,Parwal,Bhindi(ladysfinger),pomegranates,sweetoranges,grapes,apples,
bananas,mangoes,dates,honey,driedginger,blackpepper,etc.,aretheSattvicarticlesofdietprescribed
fortheYogaAbhyasis.
Charu:Boilhalfaseerofmilkalongwithsomeboiledrice,gheeandsugar.Thisisanexcellentfoodfor
Yogins.Thisisforthedaytime.Forthenight,halfaseerofmilkwilldo.
Milkshouldnotbetoomuchboiled.Itshouldberemovedfromthefireassoonastheboilingpointis
reached.Toomuchboilingdestroysthenutritiousprinciplesandvitaminsandrendersitquiteuseless.Thisis
anidealfoodforSadhakas.Milkisaperfectfoodbyitself.
Afruitdietexercisesabenigninfluenceontheconstitution.Thisisanaturalformofdiet.Fruitsarevery
greatenergyproducers.Fruitsandmilkdiethelpconcentrationandeasymentalfocussing.Barley,wheat,
milkandgheepromotelongevityandincreasepowerandstrength.Fruitjuiceandthewaterwhereinsugar
candyisdissolved,areverygoodbeverages.Buttermixedwithsugarcandy,andalmondssoakedinwater
canbetaken.Thesewillcoolthesystem.
ForbiddenArticles
Sour,hot,pungentandbitterpreparations,salt,mustard,asafoetida,chillies,tamarind,sourcurd,chutnee,
meat,eggs,fish,garlic,onions,alcoholicliquors,acidicthings,stalefood,overripeorunripefruits,and
otherarticlesthatdisagreewithyoursystemshouldbeavoidedentirely.
Rajasicfooddistractsthemind.Itexcitespassion.Giveupsalt.Itexcitespassionandemotion.Givingupof
salthelpsincontrollingthetongueandtherebythemindandindevelopingwillpoweralso.Snakebiteand
scorpionstingswillhavenoinfluenceonamanwhohasgivenupsalt.Onionsandgarlicareworsethan
meat.
Liveanaturallife.Takesimplefoodthatisagreeable.Youshouldhaveyourownmenutosuityour

constitution.YouareyourselfthebestjudgetoselectaSattvicdiet.
TheproficientinYogashouldabandonarticlesoffooddetrimentaltothepracticeofYoga.Duringintense
Sadhana,milk(andgheealso)isordained.
IhavegivenaboveseveralarticlesofSattvicnature.Thatdoesnotmeanthatyoushouldtakeall.Youwill
havetoselectafewthingsthatareeasilyavailableandsuitabletoyou.MilkisthebestfoodforYogins.But
evenasmallquantityofmilkisharmfulforsomeandmaynotagreewithallconstitutions.Ifoneformof
dietisnotsuitableorifyoufeelconstipated,changethedietandtrysomeotherSattvicarticles.Thisis
Yukti.
Inthematteroffoodanddrinksyoushouldbeamaster.Youshouldnothavetheleastcravingorsense
hankeringforanyparticularfood.Youmustnotbecomeaslavetoanyparticularobject.
Mitahara
HeavyfoodleadstoTamasicstateandinducessleeponly.Thereisageneralmisapprehensionthatalarge
quantityoffoodisnecessaryforhealthandstrength.Muchdependsuponthepowerofassimilationand
absorption.Generally,inthevastmajorityofcases,mostofthefoodpassesawayundigestedalongwith
faeces.Takehalfstomachfulofwholesomefood.Fillaquarterwithpurewater.Leavetherestfree.Thisis
Mitahara.Mitaharaplaysavitalpartinkeepingupperfecthealth.Almostalldiseasesareduetoirregularity
ofmeals,overeatingandunwholesomefood.Eatingallthingsatalltimeslikeamonkeyishighlydangerous.
SuchamancanbecomeaRogi(sickman)easilybuthecanneverbecomeaYogi.Heartheemphatic
declarationofLordKrishna:SuccessinYogaisnotforhimwhoeatstoomuchortoolittlenorforhimwho
sleepstoomuchortoolittle(GitaVI16).AgainintheSloka18ofthesamechapter,Hesays:Tohimwho
istemperateineatingandinsleepandwakefulness,Yogabecomesadestroyerofmisery.
AgluttoncannotattheveryoutsethavedietregulationsandobserveMitahara.Hemustgraduallypractise
this.Firstlethimtakelessquantitytwiceasusual.Theninsteadoftheusualheavynightmeals,lethimtake
fruitsandmilkaloneforsomedays.Induecourseoftimehecancompletelyavoidthenightmealsandtry
totakefruitsandmilkinthedaytime.ThosewhodointenseSadhanamusttakemilkalone.Itisaperfect
foodbyitself.Ifnecessarytheycantakesomeeasilydigestiblefruits.Aglutton,ifheallonasuddentakes
tofruitormilkdiet,willdesireateverymomenttoeatsomethingorother.Thatisbad.OnceagainI
reiterate,gradualpracticeisnecessary.
Donotfastmuch.Itwillproduceweaknessinyou.Occasionalfastingonceamonthorwhenpassiontroubles
youmuch,willsuffice.Duringfastingyoushouldnoteventhinkofthevariousarticlesoffood.Constant
thinkingofthefoodwhenyoufastcannotbringyouthedesiredresult.Duringfasting,avoidcompany.Live
alone.UtiliseyourtimeinYogicSadhana.Afterafastdonottakeanyheavyfood.Milkorsomefruitjuiceis
beneficial.
Donotmakemuchfussaboutyourdiet.Youneednotadvertisetoeveryoneifyouareabletopullonwitha
particularformofdiet.TheobservanceofsuchNiyamasisforyouradvancementinthespiritualpathand

youwillnotbespirituallybenefitedbygivingpublicitytoyourSadhana.Therearemanynowadayswho
makeitaprofessiontoearnmoneyandtheirlivelihoodbyperformingsomeAsana,Pranayamaorbyhaving
somedietregulationsuchaseatingonlyrawarticlesorleavesorroots.Theycannothaveanyspiritual
growth.ThegoaloflifeisSelfrealisation.Sadhakasshouldkeepthegoalalwaysinviewanddointense
Sadhanawiththeprescribedmethods.
ThePlaceForYogaSadhana
Sadhanashouldbedoneinasecludedplace.Thereshouldbenointerruptionbyanyone.Whenyouliveina
house,awellventilatedroomshouldbereservedforSadhanapurposes.Donotallowanybodytoenterthe
room.Keepitunderlockandkey.Donotallowevenyourwife,childrenorintimatefriendstoenterthe
room.Itshouldbekeptpureandholy.Itshouldbefreefrommosquitoes,fliesandliceandabsolutelyfree
fromdampness.Donotkeeptoomanythingsintheroom.Theywilldistractyoueverynowandthen.No
surroundingnoisealsoshoulddisturbyou.Theroomshouldnotbetoobigastheeyeswillbegintowander.
PlacesofcoolortemperateclimatearerequiredforYogaAbhyasaasyouwillgeteasilyexhaustedinhot
place.Youmustselectsuchaplacewhereyoucancomfortablystayallthroughtheyearinwinter,summer
andrainyseason.YoumuststicktooneplacethroughoutSadhanaperiod.Selectabeautifulandpleasant
spotwherethereisnodisturbance,onthebanksofariver,lakeorseaortopofahillwherethereisanice
springandgroveoftreesandwheremilkandarticlesoffoodareeasilyprocurable.Youshouldselectsucha
placewheretherearesomeotherYogicpractitioners.WhenyouseeotherswhoaredevotedtoYogic
practicesyouwilldiligentlyapplyyourselftoyourpractices.Youcanconsultthemintimesofdifficulties.Do
notwanderhereandthereinsearchofaplacewhereyouwillgetallconveniences.Donotchangeyour
placeveryoftenwhenyoufindsomeinconvenience.Youmustputupwithit.Everyplacehassome
advantageanddisadvantage.Findoutaplacewhereyouhavemanyadvantagesandafewdisadvantages.
Thefollowingplacesarebestsuited.Theyareadmirablyadapted.Sceneryischarmingandspiritual
vibrationsaremarvellousandelevating.ThereareseveralKutirs(huts)toliveinforrealAbhyasis,oryou
canconstructyourownhut.Milkandotherrationsareavailableinalltheplacesfromtheneighbouring
villages.AnysolitaryvillageonthebanksofGanga,Narmada,Yamuna,Godavari,KrishnaandKaveriis
suitable.Iwilltellyousomeimportantplacesformeditation.
KuluValley,ChampaValleyandSrinagarinKashmirBanrughiGuhanearTehriBrahmavartanearKanpur
Joshi(Prayag)inAllahabadCanaryCavesnearBombayMussoorieMt.AbuNainitalBrindavanBanares
PuriUttaraBrindavan(14milesfromAlmora)Hardwar,Rishikesh(N.Rly.)Lakshmanjhula(*3),
BrahmapuriForest(*4),RamGuhainBrahmapuriForest,GarudaChatty(*4),Neelkant(*8),VasishthaGuha
(*14),UttarkashiDevaPrayagBadrinarayanGangotri,NasikandNandiHillsinMysore.(*Distancein
milesfromRishikesh)
IfyoubuildaKutirinacrowdedplace,peopleoutofcuriositywilldisturbyou.Youwillhavenospiritual
vibrationsthere.Therewillbealotofotherdisturbancesalso.Againyouwillbewithoutanyprotectionif
youconstructyourKutirinathickforest.Thievesandwildanimalswilltroubleyou.Thequestionoffoodwill

arise.YoumustconsiderallthesepointswellbeforeyouselectaplaceforyourSadhana.Ifyoucannotgoin
forsuchplaces,convertasolitaryroomintoaforest.
YourAsana(seat)fortheYogicpracticesshouldnotbetoohighortoolow.SpreadaseatofKushagrass,
tigerskinordeerskinandthensit.Burnincensedailyintheroom.IntheinitialperiodofyourSadhanayou
mustbeveryparticularaboutallthese.Whenyouhavesufficientlyadvancedinyourpractice,thenyouneed
notlaymuchstressonsuchrules.
TheTime
ItisstatedinGherandaSamhitathatYogicpracticesshouldnotbecommencedinwinter,summerandrainy
seasons,butonlyinspringandautumn.Thisdependsuponthetemperatureoftheparticularplaceandthe
strengthoftheindividual.Generallycoolhoursarebestsuited.Inhotplacesyoushouldnotpractiseduring
theday.EarlymorninghoursaresuitableforYogicpractices.YoushouldcompletelyavoidYogaAbhyasain
summerinthoseplaceswherethetemperatureishoteveninwinter.Ifyouliveincoolplaceslike
Kodaikanal,Ooty,Kashmir,Badrinarayan,Gangotri,etc.,youcanpractiseevenduringtheday.
Asinstructedinthepreviouslessonsyoushouldnotpractisewhenthestomachisloaded.GenerallyYogic
practicesshouldbedoneonlyafterabath.Abathisnotbeneficialimmediatelyafterthepractices.You
shouldnotsitforYogicpracticeswhenyourmindisrestlessorwhenyouareworriedmuch.
TheAge
Youngboysunder18yearsofagewhosebodiesareverytendershouldnothavetoomuchpractice.They
haveaverytenderbodywhichcannotstandtheexertionofYogicexercises.Further,ayouthsmindwillbe
wanderingandunsettledandso,inyouthonecannotconcentratewell,whereas,Yogicexercisesrequire
intenseanddeepconcentration.Inoldagewhenallvitalityissappedbyunnecessaryworry,anxieties,
troublesandotherworldlyVyavaharas,onecannotdoanyspiritualpractice.Yogarequiresfullvitality,
energy,powerandstrength.ThereforethebestperiodforYogaAbhyasaisfrom20to40yearsofage.
ThosewhoarestrongandhealthycantaketoYogicpracticesevenafter50.
NecessityForAYogicGuru
InoldendaystheaspirantswererequiredtolivewiththeGuruforanumberofyears,sothattheGurucould
studythestudentsthoroughly.Thefoodduringpractice,whattopractiseandhow,whetherthestudentsare
qualifiedforthepathofYoga,andthetemperamentoftheaspirantsandotherimportantitemshavetobe
consideredandjudgedbytheGuru.ItistheGuruthatshoulddecidewhethertheaspirantsareofUttamai,
MadhyamaorAdhamatypeandfixdifferentkindsofexercises.Sadhanadiffersaccordingtothenature,
capacityandqualificationsoftheaspirants.AfterunderstandingthetheoryofYoga,youwillhavetolearn
thepracticefromanexperiencedYogicGuru.Solongasthereistheworld,therearebooksonYogaand
teachersalso.YouwillhavetosearchforthemwithSraddha,faith,devotionandearnestness.Youcanget

easylessonsfromtheGuruandpractisethemathomealsointheinitialstagesofpractice.Whenyou
advanceabit,foradvancedanddifficultexercisesyouwillhavetostaywiththeGuru.Thepersonalcontact
withtheGuruhasmanifoldadvantages.Youwillbehighlybenefitedbythespiritualmagneticauraofyour
Guru.ForthepracticeofBhaktiYogaandVedantayoudonotrequireaGurubyyourside.Afterlearningthe
SrutisforsometimefromaGuru,youwillhavetoreflectandmeditatealone,inentireseclusion,whereasin
KundaliniYogayouwillhavetobreakuptheGranthisandtaketheKundalinifromChakratoChakra.These
arealldifficultprocesses.ThemethodofunitingtheApanaandPranaandsendingitalongtheSushumna
andbreakingtheGranthisneedthehelpofaGuru.YouwillhavetositattheGurusfeetforaprettylong
time.YouwillhavetounderstandthoroughlythelocationoftheNadis,Chakrasandthedetailedtechniqueof
theseveralYogicKriyas.
LaybaretoyourGuruthesecretsofyourheartandthemoreyoudoso,thegreaterthesympathyandhelp
yougetfromyourGuru.Thissympathymeansaccessionofstrengthtoyouinthestraggleagainstsinand
temptation.
Learnthouthisbydiscipleship,byinvestigationandbyservice.Thewise,theseersoftheEssenceofthings
willinstructtheeinwisdom.(GitaIV34)
Somedomeditationforsomeyearsindependently.LaterontheyfeelactuallythenecessityforaGuru.They
comeacrosssomeobstaclesintheway.Theydonotknowhowtoproceedfurtherandtoobviatethese
impedimentsorstumblingblocks.Thentheybegintosearchforamaster.Astrangerinabigcityfindsit
difficulttogobacktohisresidenceinasmallavenuethoughhehaswalkedinthewayhalfadozentimes.
Whendifficultyariseseveninthecaseoffindingoutthewaythroughstreetsandroadshowmuchmore
difficultitshouldbeinthepathofspiritualitywhenonewalksalonewithclosedeyes!
Theaspirantgetsobstaclesorimpediments,dangers,snaresandpitfallsonthespiritualpath.Hemay
commiterrorsinSadhanaalso.AGuruwhohasalreadytroddenthepathandreachedthegoal,isvery
necessarytoguidehim.
WhoIsAGuru?
GuruisonewhohasfullSelfilluminationandwhoremovestheveilofignoranceindeludedJivas.Guru,
Truth,Brahman,Ishvara,Atman,God,Omareallone.ThenumberofrealisedsoulsmaybelessinthisKali
YugawhencomparedwiththeSatyaYuga,buttheyarealwayspresenttohelptheaspirants.Theyare
alwayssearchingfortheproperAdhikarins.
GuruisBrahmanHimself.GuruisIshvaraHimself.GuruisGod.AwordfromhimisawordfromGod.He
neednotteachany.Evenhismerepresenceorcompanyiselevating,inspiringandsoulstirring.Thevery
companyitselfisselfillumination.Livinginhiscompanyisspiritualeducation.Thatwhichcomesoutofhis
lipsisallVedasorgospeltruth.HisverylifeisanembodimentofVedas.Guruisyourguideorspiritual
preceptor,realfather,mother,brother,relativeandintimatefriend.Heisanembodimentofmercyand
love.Histendersmileradiateslight,bliss,joy,knowledgeandpeace.Heisablessingtothesuffering

humanity.WhateverhetalksisUpanishadicteaching.Heknowsthespiritualpath.Heknowsthepitfallsand
snaresontheway.Hegiveswarningtotheaspirants.Heremovesobstaclesonthepath.Heimparts
spiritualstrengthtothestudents.Heshowershisgraceontheirheads.HetakestheirPrarabdhaevenonhis
head.Heistheoceanofmercy.Allagonies,miseries,tribulations,taintsofworldliness,etc.,vanishinhis
presence.
ItishewhotransmutesthelittleJivahoodintogreatBrahmanhood.Itishewhooverhaulstheold,wrong,
viciousSamskarasoftheaspirantsandawakensthemtotheattainmentoftheknowledgeofSelf.Itishe
whoupliftstheJivasfromthequagmireofbodyandSamsara,removestheveilofAvidya,alldoubts,Moha
andfear,awakensKundaliniandopenstheinnereyeofintuition.
TheGurumustnotonlybeaSrotriyabutaBrahmaNishthaalso.Merestudyofbookscannotmakeonea
Guru.OnewhohasstudiedVedasandwhohasdirectknowledgeofAtmanthroughAnubhavacanonlybe
consideredaGuru.IfyoucanfindpeaceinthepresenceofaMahatma,andifyourdoubtsareremovedby
hisverypresenceyoucantakehimasyourGuru.
AGurucanawakentheKundaliniofanaspirantthroughsight,touch,speechormereSankalpa(thought).He
cantransmitspiritualitytothestudentjustasonegivesanorangefruittoanother.WhentheGurugives
Mantratohisdisciples,hegivesitwithhisownpowerandSattvicBhava.
TheGuruteststhestudentsinvariousways.Somestudentsmisunderstandhimandlosetheirfaithinhim.
Hence,theyarenotbenefited.Thosewhostandthetestsboldlycomeoutsuccessfulintheend.The
periodicalexaminationsintheAdhyatmicUniversityofSagesareverystiffindeed.Indaysofyorethetests
wereverysevere.OnceGorakhnathaskedsomeofhisstudentstoclimbupatalltreeandthrowthemselves
headdownwardsonaverysharpTrident(Trishul).Manyfaithlessstudentskeptquiet.Butonefaithful
studentatonceclimbedupthetreewithlightningspeedandthrewhimselfdown.Hewasprotectedbythe
invisiblehandofGorakhnath.HehadimmediateSelfrealisation.HehadnoDehaadhyasa(attachmentfor
hisbody).TheotherfaithlessstudentshadstrongMohaandAjnana.
Thereisagooddealofheateddebatesandcontroversyamongstmanypeopleonthematterofthenecessity
ofaGuru.SomeofthemassertwithvehemenceandforcethatapreceptorisnotatallnecessaryforSelf
realisationandspiritualadvancementandthatonecanhavespiritualprogressandselfilluminationthrough
onesowneffortsonly.Theyquotevariouspassagesfromscripturesandassignargumentsandreasoningsto
supportthem.Othersboldlyassertwithgreateremphasisandforcethatnospiritualprogressispossiblefor
aman,howeverintelligenthemaybe,howeverhardhemayattemptandstruggleinthespiritualpath,
unlesshegetsthebenigngraceanddirectguidanceofaspiritualpreceptor.
Nowopenyoureyesandwatchcarefullywhatisgoingoninthisworldinallwalksoflife.Evenacookneeds
ateacher.Heservesunderaseniorcookforsomeyears.Heobeyshimimplicitly.Hepleaseshisteacherin
allpossibleways.Helearnsallthetechniquesincooking.Hegetsknowledgethroughthegraceofhissenior
cook,histeacher.Ajuniorlawyerwantsthehelpandguidanceofasenioradvocate.Studentsof
mathematicsandmedicineneedthehelpandguidanceofaProfessor.AstudentofScience,musicand
astronomywantstheguidanceofascientistandmusicianandanastronomer.Whensuchisthecasewith

ordinary,secularknowledge,then,whattospeakoftheinnerspiritualpath,whereinthestudenthastowalk
alonewithclosedeyes?Whenyouareinathickjungle,youcomeacrossseveralcrossfootpaths.Youarein
adilemma.Youdonotknowthedirectionsandbywhichpathyoushouldgo.Youarebewildered.Youwanta
guideheretodirectyouintherightpath.Itisuniversallyadmittedthatanefficientteacherisneededinall
branchesofknowledgeinthisphysicalplaneandthatphysical,mental,moralandculturalgrowthcanonly
behadthroughthehelpandguidanceofacapablemaster.Thisisauniversalinexorablelawofnature.Why
doyoudenythem,friend,theapplicationofthisuniversallyacceptedlawintherealmofspirituality?
SpiritualknowledgeisamatterofGuruparampara.ItishandeddownfromaGurutohisdisciple.Study
BrihadaranyakaUpanishad.Youwillhaveacomprehensiveunderstanding.GaudapadacharyaimpartedSelf
knowledgetohisdiscipleGovindapadacharyaGovindapadacharyatohisdiscipleSankaracharya
SankaracharyatohisdiscipleSuresvaracharya.GorakhnathtoNivrittinathNivrittinathtoJnanadev.Totapuri
impartedknowledgetoRamakrishnaRamakrishnatoVivekananda.ItwasDr.AnnieBesantwhomoulded
thecareerofSriKrishnamurthi.ItwasAshtavakrawhomouldedthelifeofRajaJanaka.ItwasGorakhnath
whoshapedthespiritualdestinyofRajaBhartrihari.ItwasLordKrishnawhomadeArjunaandUddhava
establishthemselvesinthespiritualpath,whentheirmindswereinanunsettledcondition.
Someaspirantsdomeditationforsomeyearsindependently.Laterontheyfeelactuallythenecessityfora
Guru.Theycomeacrosssomeobstaclesintheway.Theydonotknowhowtoproceedfurtherandhowto
obviatetheseimpedimentsorstumblingblocks.ThentheybegintosearchforaGuru.
Thestudentandtheteachershouldlivetogetherasfatheranddevotedsonorasahusbandandwifewith
extremesincerityanddevotion.Theaspirantshouldhaveaneager,receptiveattitudetoimbibethe
teachingsofthemaster.Thenonlywilltheaspirantbespirituallybenefitedotherwise,thereisnottheleast
hopeofthespirituallifeoftheaspirantandcompleteregenerationofhisoldAsuricnature.
ItisagreatpitythatthepresentsystemofeducationinIndiaisnotfavourabletothespiritualgrowthof
Sadhakas.Themindsofthestudentsaresaturatedwithmaterialisticpoison.Aspirantsofthepresentday
havenotgotanyideaofthetruerelationshipofGuruandadisciple.Itisnotliketherelationshipofa
studentandteacherorprofessorinschoolsandcolleges.Spiritualrelationshipisentirelydifferent.It
involvesdedication.Itisverysacred.Itispurelydivine.TurnthepagesoftheUpanishads.Indaysofyore,
Brahmacharinsusedtoapproachtheirteacherswithprofoundhumility,sincerityandBhava.
SpiritualPower
Justasyoucangiveanorangetoamanandtakeitback,soalsospiritualpowercanbetransmittedbyone
toanotherandtakenbackalso.ThismethodoftransmittingspiritualpoweristermedShaktiSanchara.
Birdskeeptheireggsundertheirwings.Throughheattheeggsarehatched.Fishlaytheireggsandlookat
them.Theyarehatched.Thetortoiselaysitseggsandthinksofthem.Theyarehatched.Evensothe
spiritualpoweristransmittedbytheGurutothedisciplethroughtouch(Sparsha)likebirds,sight(Darshana)
likefish,andthinkingorwilling(Sankalpa)likethetortoise.

Thetransmitter,theYogiGuru,sometimesenterstheastralbodyofthestudentandelevateshismind
throughhispower.TheYogi(operator)makesthesubject(Chela)sitinfrontofhimandaskshimtoclose
hiseyesandthentransmitshisspiritualpower.Thesubjectfeelsthespiritualpoweractuallypassingfrom
MuladharaChakrahigheruptotheneckandtopofthehead.
ThediscipledoesvariousHathaYogicKriyas,Asanas,Pranayamas,Bandhas,Mudras,etc.,byhimself.The
studentmustnotrestrainhisIcchaSakti.HemustactaccordingtotheinnerPrerana(innergoadingor
stirring).Themindishighlyelevated.Themomenttheaspirantcloseshiseyes,meditationcomesbyitself.
ThroughSaktiSancharaKundaliniisawakenedbythegraceoftheGuruinthedisciple.SaktiSanchara
comesthroughParampara.Itisahiddenmysticscience.ItishandeddownfromtheGurutothedisciple.
ThediscipleshouldnotrestsatisfiedwiththetransmissionofpowerfromtheGuru.Hewillhavetostruggle
hardinSadhanaforfurtherperfectionandattainments.
SaktiSancharaisoftwokinds,viz.,lowerandhigher.TheloweroneisJadaKriyaonlywhereinone
automaticallydoesAsanas,BandhasandMudraswithoutanyinstructionswhentheGuruimpartsthepower
tothestudent.ThestudentwillhavetotakeupSravana,MananaandNididhyasanaforperfection.Hecannot
dependupontheKriyaalone.ThisKriyaisonlyanauxiliary.ItgivesapushtotheSadhaka.Afully
developedYogionlypossessesthehigherkindofShaktiSanchara.
LordJesus,throughtouch,transmittedhisspiritualpowertosomeofhisdisciples(MastersTouch).
SamarthaRamdastouchedaprostitute.SheenteredintoSamadhi.SriRamakrishnaParamahamsatouched
SwamiVivekananda.SwamiVivekanandahadsuperconsciousexperiences.Hestruggledhardforseven
yearsmoreevenafterthetouchforattainingperfection.LordKrishnatouchedtheblindeyesofVilvamangal
(Surdas).TheinnereyeofSurdaswasopened.HehadBhavaSamadhi.LordGouranga,throughhistouch,
producedDivineintoxicationinmanypeopleandconvertedthemtohisside.Evenatheistsdancedinecstasy
inthestreetsbyhistouchandsangsongsofHari.Glory,glorytosuchexaltedYogicGurus.

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