Sukhasana
Any easy, comfortable posture for Japa and meditation is Sukhasana, the important point being the head, neck and trunk should be in a line without curve. People who begin Japa and meditation after 30 or 40 years of age generally are not able to sit in Padma, Siddha or Svastikasana for a long time. People sit in any wrong way and they call it 'Sukhasana'. The trouble is even without their knowledge the backbone forms a curve in a few minutes. Now I will describe to you a nice Sukhasana whereby...
Petals On Chakras
Each Chakra has a particular number of petals with a Sanskrit alphabet on each petal. The vibration that is produced at each petal is represented by the corresponding Sanskrit letter. Every letter denotes the Mantra of Devi Kundalini. The letters exist in the petals in a latent form. These can be manifested and the vibrations of the Nadis felt during concentration. The number of petals of the lotuses varies. Muladhara, Svadhishthana, Manipura, Anahata, Vishuddha and Ajna Chakras have 4, 6, 10,...
Asanas Importance Of Asanas
Four Asanas are prescribed for the purpose of Japa and meditation. They are Padmasana, Siddhasana, Svastikasana and Sukhasana. You must be able to sit in any one of these four Asanas at a stretch for full three hours without shaking the body. Then only you will get Asana-Jaya, mastery over the Asana. Without securing a steady Asana, you cannot further get on well in meditation. The steadier you are in your Asana, the more you will be able to concentrate and make your mind one-pointed. If you...
Spinal Column
Before proceeding to the study of Nadis and Chakras you will have to know something about the Spinal Column, as all the Chakras are connected with it. A Atlas bone A to B Cervical region B to C Dorsal region C to D Lumbar region D to E Sacrafregion E to the end Coccygeal region. A Atlas bone A to B Cervical region B to C Dorsal region C to D Lumbar region D to E Sacrafregion E to the end Coccygeal region. Spinal Column is known as Meru Danda. This is the axis of the body just as Mount Meru is...
Ajna Chakra
Ajna Chakra is situated within the Sushumna Nadi and its corresponding centre in the physical body is at the space between the two eye-brows. This is known as Trikuti. The presiding deity, Paramasiva Shambhu , is in the form of Hamsa. There is Goddess Hakini Sakti . Pranava xdvng Om is the Bijakshara for this Chakra. This is the seat of the mind. There are two petals Yoga Nadis on each side of the lotus Chakra and the vibrations of these Nadis are represented by the Sanskrit letters xdvng Ham...
Nadi Suddhi
Before commencing the practice of Pranayama however, you should clean the Nadis. Then only will you derive the maximum benefit from Pranayama. The cleansing of the Nadi Nadi-Suddhi is either Samanu or Nirmanu that is, with or without the use of Bija. According to the first form, the Yogi in Padmasana or Siddhasana offers his prayers to the Guru and meditates on him. Meditating on 'Yang' y he does Japa through Ida of the Bija 16 times, Kumbhaka with Japa of the Bija 64 times, and then exhalation...
Sarvangasana Allmembers Pose
This is a mysterious Asana which gives wonderful benefits. Spread a thick blanket on the floor and practise this Asana on the blanket. Lie on the back quite flat. Slowly raise the legs. Lift the trunk, hips, and legs quite vertically. Support the back with the two hands, one on either side. Rest the elbows on the ground. Press the chin against the chest Jalandhara Bandha . Allow the back-shoulder portion and neck to touch the ground closely. Do not allow the body to shake or move to and fro....
Padmasana Lotus Pose
Amongst the four poses prescribed for Japa and Dhyana, Padmasana comes foremost. It is the best Asana for contemplation. Rishis like Gheranda, Sandilya, speak very highly of this vital Asana. This is highly agreeable for householders. Even ladies can sit in this Asana. Padmasana is suitable for lean persons and for youths as well. Sit on the ground by spreading the legs forward. Then place the right foot on the left thigh and the left foot on the right thigh. Place the hands on the knee-joints....
Padmasana 2 Siddhasana The Perfect Pose
Next to Padmasana comes Siddhasana in importance. Some eulogise this Asana as even superior to Padmasana for purposes of Dhyana. If you get mastery over this Asana, you will acquire many Siddhis. Further it was being practised by many Siddhas of yore. Hence the name Siddhasana. Even fatty persons with big thighs can practise this Asana easily. In fact this is better to some persons than Padmasana. Young Brahmacharins who attempt to get established in celibacy should practise this Asana. This...
Ujjayi
Sit in your usual Asana. Close the mouth. Inhale slowly through both the nostrils in a smooth, uniform manner. Retain the breath as long as you can do it comfortably and then exhale slowly through the left nostril by closing the right nostril with your right thumb. Expand the chest when you inhale. During inhalation a peculiar sound is produced owing to the partial closing of glottis. The sound produced during inhalation should be of a mild and uniform pitch. It should be continuous also. This...
Padmas Or Chakras
Chakras are in the Linga Sarira astral body . Linga Sarira is of 17 Tattvas, viz., 5 Jnanendriyas ears, skin, eyes, tongue and nose 5 Karmendriyas speech, hands, legs, genitals, anus 5 Pranas Prana, Apana, Vyana, Udana, Samana Manas mind and Buddhi intellect . These have corresponding centres in the spinal cord and the nerve-plexuses in the gross body. Each Chakra has control and function over a particular centre in gross body. These cannot be seen by the naked eyes. Some foolish doctors search...
Kapalabhati
Kapalabhati is an exercise for the purification of skull and lungs. Though this is one of the Shat-Karmas six purificatory exercises , yet it is a variety of Pranayama exercises. Sit in Padmasana or Siddhasana. Keep the hands on the knees. Perform Puraka inhalation and Rechaka exhalation rapidly. Those who can do Bhastrika Pranayama can easily do this. In Bhastrika there is a Kumbhaka retention of breath for a long time at the end of the required rounds. But in Kapalabhati there is no Kumbhaka....
Siddhasana 3 Svastikasana Prosperous Pose
Svastikasana is sitting at ease with the body erect. Spread the legs forward. Fold the left leg and place the foot near the right thigh muscles. Similarly bend the right leg and push it in the space between the thigh and calf muscles. Now you will find the two feet between the thighs and calves of the legs. This is a very comfortable Asana. Those who find it difficult to do this, can sit in Samasana. Place the left heel at the beginning of right thigh and the right heel at the beginning of the...
Summary Of Shat Chakras
Chakras Padmas, Lotuses of the Astral body Corresponding nerve plexuses in the physical body Just below Kanda, between the root of reproductory organ and anus. At the base of spinal column origin of the reproductory organ. Between Muladhara and Manipura Chakras At the base of the throat of Kantha-Mula Sthana At the space between the two eyebrows or Bhru-Madhya Letters on the petals or the vibrations of the Yoga Nadis Prithvi or Bhumandal. Region of the Earth Apas or Jala Mandal. Region of the...
Matsyasana 8 Paschimottanasana
Sit on the ground and stretch the legs stiff like a stick. Catch the toes with the thumb and index and middle fingers. While catching, you have to bend the trunk forwards. Fatty persons will find it rather difficult to bend. Exhale. Slowly bend without jerks till your forehead touches your knees. You can keep the face even between the knees. When you bend down, draw the belly back. This facilitates the bending forward. Bend slowly by gradual degrees. Take your own time. There is no hurry. When...
Pranic Healing
Those who practise Pranayama, can impart their Prana for healing morbid diseases. They can also recharge themselves with Prana in no time by practising Kumbhaka. Never think that you will be depleted of your Prana by distributing it to others. The more you will give, the more it will flow to you from the cosmic source Hiranyagarbha . That is the law of Nature. Do not become a niggard. If there is a rheumatic patient, gently shampoo his legs with your hands. When you do shampooing massage , do...
Parasympathetic And Sympathetic System
On either side of the spinal cord run the sympathetic and para-sympathetic cords, a double chain of ganglia. Ganglia means a collection of nerve-cells. These constitute the Autonomic System which supplies nerves to the involuntary organs, such as heart, lungs, intestines, kidneys, liver, etc., and controls them. Vagus nerve which plays a vital part in human economy comes out of this sympathetic system. Sympathetic system stimulates or accelerates. Para-sympathetic system retards or inhibits....
Preface
O Divine Mother Kundalini, the Divine Cosmic Energy that is hidden in men Thou art Kali, Durga, Adisakti, Rajarajeswari, Tripurasundari, Maha-Lakshmi, Maha-Sarasvati Thou hast put on all these names and forms. Thou hast manifested as Prana, electricity, force, magnetism, cohesion, gravitation in this universe. This whole universe rests in Thy bosom. Crores of salutations unto thee. O Mother of this world Lead me on to open the Sushumna Nadi and take Thee along the Chakras to Sahasrara Chakra...
Yogic Diet
A Sadhaka should observe perfect discipline. He must be civil, polite, courteous, gentle, noble and gracious in his behaviour. He must have perseverance, adamantine will, asinine patience and leech-like tenacity in Sadhana. He must be perfectly self-controlled, pure and devoted to the Guru. A glutton or one who is a slave of his senses with several bad habits, is unfit for the spiritual Mitaharam vina yastu yogarambham tu karayet Nanarogo bhavettasya kinchityogo na siddhyati Without observing...
Important Qualifications Of A Sadhaka
When the whole vitality is sapped from the body one cannot do any rigid Sadhana. Youth is the best period for Yoga Abhyasa. This is the first and the foremost qualification of a Sadhaka there must be vigour and vitality. One who has a calm mind, who has faith in the words of his Guru and Sastras, who is moderate in eating and sleeping and who has the intense longing for deliverance from the Samsara-Chakra is a qualified person for the practice of Yoga. Ahamkaram balam darpam kamam krodham...
The Importance Of Kundalini Yoga
In Kundalini Yoga the creating and sustaining Sakti of the whole body is actually and truly united with Lord Siva. The Yogi goads Her to introduce him to Her Lord. The rousing of Kundalini Sakti and Her Union with Lord Siva effects the state of Samadhi Ecstatic union and spiritual Anubhava experience . It is She who gives Knowledge or Jnana, for She is Herself That. Kundalini Herself, when awakened by the Yogins, achieves for them the Jnana illumination . Kundalini can be awakened by various...
Foundationvairagya
Man, ignorant of his true Divine nature, vainly tries to secure happiness in the perishable objects of this illusory sense-universe. Every man in this world is restless, discontented and dissatisfied. He feels actually that he is in want of something, the nature of which he does not really understand. He seeks the rest and peace that he feels he is in need of, in the accomplishment of ambitious projects. But he finds that worldly greatness when secured is a delusion and a snare. He doubtless...
Siva Stotra
i vU n y n j vt mrns cip riDm i fVfhtmfVfht vt s V m t t xmsr jy jy ibDi1m hid s BT 11 karacaranakrtam vakkayajam karmajam va sravananayanajam va manasam caparadham vihitamavihitam va sarvametat ksamasva jaya jaya karunabdhe srimahadeva sambho Sins committed in action with the hands and feet or by speech, or by the body, or by the ears and eyes, or by those done in thoughts, forgive all these sins whether of commission or omission. Glory be unto Thee, Thou ocean of mercy Glory be unto Thee O...
Spiritual Power
Just as you can give an orange to a man and take it back, so also spiritual power can be transmitted by one to another and taken back also. This method of transmitting spiritual power is termed Shakti Sanchara. Birds keep their eggs under their wings. Through heat the eggs are hatched. Fish lay their eggs and look at them. They are hatched. The tortoise lays its eggs and thinks of them. They are hatched. Even so the spiritual power is transmitted by the Guru to the disciple through touch...
Who Is A Guru
Guru is one who has full Self-illumination and who removes the veil of ignorance in deluded Jivas. Guru, Truth, Brahman, Ishvara, Atman, God, Om are all one. The number of realised souls may be less in this Kali Yuga when compared with the Satya Yuga, but they are always present to help the aspirants. They are always searching for the proper Adhikarins. Guru is Brahman Himself. Guru is Ishvara Himself. Guru is God. A word from him is a word from God. He need not teach any. Even his mere...
The Place For Yoga Sadhana
Sadhana should be done in a secluded place. There should be no interruption by anyone. When you live in a house, a well-ventilated room should be reserved for Sadhana purposes. Do not allow anybody to enter the room. Keep it under lock and key. Do not allow even your wife, children or intimate friends to enter the room. It should be kept pure and holy. It should be free from mosquitoes, flies and lice and absolutely free from dampness. Do not keep too many things in the room. They will distract...
Chapter Two KUNDALINI YOGATHEORY YOGA NADIS
Nadis are the astral tubes made up of astral matter that carry psychic currents. The Sanskrit term 'Nadi' comes from the root 'Nad which means 'motion'. It is through these Nadis Sukshma, subtle passages , that the vital force or Pranic current moves or flows. Since they are made up of subtle matter they cannot be seen by the naked physical eyes and you cannot make any test-tube experiments in the physical plane. These Yoga Nadis are not the ordinary nerves, arteries and veins that are known to...
Kundalini Pranayama
In this Pranayama, the Bhavana is more important than the ratio between Puraka, Kumbhaka and Rechaka. Sit in Padma or Siddha Asana, facing the East or the North. After mentally prostrating to the lotus-feet of the Sat-guru and reciting Stotras in praise of God and Guru, commence doing this Pranayama which will easily lead to the awakening of the Kundalini. Inhale deeply, without making any sound. As you inhale, feel that the Kundalini lying dormant in the Muladhara Chakra is awakened and is...
Prayer To Mother Kundalini
Thou whose nature is Bliss Eternal The Bliss of Brahman. Thou dwelling like a serpent asleep at the lotus of Muladhara, Sore, affected and distressed am I in body and mind, Do thou bless me and leave thy place at the basic lotus. Consort of Siva the Self-caused Lord of Universe, Do thou take thy upward course through the central canal. Leaving behind Svadhishthana, Manipuraka, Anahata, Vishuddha, and Ajna. Be thou united with Siva, thy Lord the God. At Sahasrara the thousand-petalled-lotus in...
Necessity For A Yogic Guru
In olden days the aspirants were required to live with the Guru for a number of years, so that the Guru could study the students thoroughly. The food during practice, what to practise and how, whether the students are qualified for the path of Yoga, and the temperament of the aspirants and other important items have to be considered and judged by the Guru. It is the Guru that should decide whether the aspirants are of Uttamai, Madhyama or Adhama type and fix different kinds of exercises....
Pranayama For Awakening Kundalini
When you practise the following, concentrate on the Muladhara Chakra at the base of the spinal column, which is triangular in form and which is the seat of the Kundalini Shakti. Close the right nostril with your right thumb. Inhale through the left nostril till you count 3 Oms slowly. Imagine that you are drawing the Prana with the atmospheric air. Then close the left nostril with your little and ring fingers of the right hand. Then retain the breath for 12 Oms. Send the current down the spinal...
Devi Stotra
kn km p fsT t i s t t fs difm n Im i fv kc c ndCRim fN f p rs niOm ii y 11 kanakamandalopasthita.N satatasiddhasaudaminim I seek refuge in Tripurasundari, the wife of the three-eyed One, who lives in the Kadamba forest, who is seated on the golden disc and dwells in the six lotuses of the Yogins, ever flashing like lightning in the heart of the perfected ones, whose beauty excels that of the Japa flower and whose forehead is adorned by the full-moon. y fkfwct kv fcs ds ifK 1 iftmk I tsr sisy yi...
Experiences On Awakening Of Kundalini
During meditation you behold divine visions, experience divine smell, divine taste, divine touch, hear divine Anahata sounds. You receive instructions from God. These indicate that the Kundalini Shakti has been awakened. When there is throbbing in Muladhara, when hairs stand on their roots, when Uddiyana, Jalandhara and Mulabandha come involuntarily, know that Kundalini has awakened. When the breath stops without any effort, when Kevala Kumbhaka comes by itself without any exertion, know that...
The Four Stages Of Sound
The Vedas form the sound-manifestation of Ishvara. That sound has four divisions, Para which finds manifestation only in Prana, Pasyanti which finds manifestation in the mind, Madhyama which finds manifestation in the Indriyas, and Vaikhari which finds manifestation in articulate expression. Articulation is the last and grossest expression of divine sound-energy. The highest manifestation of sound-energy, the primal voice, the divine voice is Para. The Para voice becomes the root-ideas or...