es sance of yoga

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ESSENCE OF YOGA

By

SRI SWAMI SIVANANDA

Sri Swami SivanandaFounder ofThe Divine Life Society6(59(/29(*,9(.385,)


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Thirteenth Edition: 1988(5000 Copies)World Wide Web (WWW) Edition : 1998

WWW site: http://www.rsl.ukans.edu/~pkanagar/divine/

This WWW reprint is for free distribution

The Divine Life Trust Society

ISBN 81-7052-024-x

Published By

THE DIVINE LIFE SOCIETYP.O. SHIVANANDANAGAR249 192Distt. Tehri-Garhwal, Uttar Pradesh,Himalayas, India.


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PUBLISHERSNOTE

EvenamongtheinspiringbooksofSriGurudev,thisisauniquebook.Itwaswrittenwiththespecial

intentionofhavingtheentirematterrecordedonthegramophonedisc.Forthis

purposeGurudevhadgiveninthisbooktheveryessenceofhisown

teachings.

Hence,thisbookwaschosenforbeing


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senttoeverynewmemberoftheDivineLifeSocietyonenrolment.Itis,asitwere,the.Beginner.sGuidetoDivineLife..

MembersoftheDivineLifeSocietyandspiritualaspirantshaveaddedthis

preciousvolumetothescriptureswhichtheystudydailyasSvadhyayaandhave

derivedincalculablebenefitbytheassimilationoftheseteachingsinto


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theirdailylife.

Thistextcontaining,avaluabletreasureofwisdomisplacedinthehandsofaspirantsallovertheworld

intheferventhopethatitwillguidethemtothegreatgoal

ofhumanlife,viz.,God-realisation.

.THEDIVINELIFESOCIETY

iii


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UNIVERSALPRAYER

Thouart,OLord!Thecreatorofthisuniverse.Thouarttheprotectorofthisworld.Thouartin

thegrassandtherose.Thouartinthesunandthestars.

SalutationsuntoThee!Obestowerofjoyandbliss!

OSweet

Lord!Letmebefreefromtheclutchesofdeath.


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Letmebeabletolookuponallbeingswithequalvision.Letmebefreefromimpurityandsin.Givemestrengthto

controlthemind.GivemestrengthtoserveTheeandthehumanityuntiringly.

MakemeThyfitinstrumentforThywork.Makemepureandstrong.

IbowtoThee,OIndwellerofmany


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hearts!OSecretofsecrets!Removemyweaknesses,defectsandevilthoughts.MakemepuresothatImaybeabletoreceiveThy

graceandblessings.OLord!Thouartthethread-soulthatconnectsallbeings.

Thoupervadestall,permeatestandinterpenetratestallthingsofthisuniverse.

Thouartlightdivine.Thouartthedispellerofignorance.


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earthsothatImayradiatejoy,peaceandblisstothewholeworld.Letmeutilisethisbody,mindandsensesinThy

serviceandtheserviceofThycreatures.BreatheintomeThybreathof

Immortality.Letmerecognisetheuniversalbrotherhoodofman.Letmeloveall

asmyownself.SalutationsuntoThee,OLordof


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compassion.

PRAYERTOTHEMOTHER

SalutationstotheDivineMotherwhoexistsinallbeingsintheformofintelligence,

mercyandbeauty.Salutations,OSweetMothertheconsortofLordSiva!O

MotherParvati!ThouartLakshmi.ThouartSarasvati.ThouartKali,Durgaand

Kundalini.Thouarttheembodimentofallpower.Thouart


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ParaSakti.Thouartintheformofallobjects.Thouartthesolerefugeofall.Thouhastenchantedtheworld.Thewhole

universeistheplayofThythreeGunas.HowcanIpraiseThee?

Thygloryisindescribable.Thysplendourisineffable.Protectme.Guideme,O

LovingMother!

OAdorableMother!Thouhastgenerated


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thisgreatillusionbywhichallpeoplewalkdeludedinthisworld.AllscienceshavecomefromThee.WithoutThygracenoonecan

getsuccessinspiritualSadhanaandsalvationintheend.Thouartthe

seedforthisworld.Thouhasttwoaspects,viz.,theunmanifestedaspector

Avyaktamandthemanifestedaspectorthegrossuniverse.The


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wholeworldgetsdissolvedinAvyaktamduringPralaya.Givemethedivineeye.LetmebeholdThyrealmajesticform.Helpmetocross

overthisillusion,OKindMother!

iv


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OCompassionateMother!IbowtoThee.Thouartmysaviour.Thouartmygoal.Thouartmysolesupport.Thouartmy

guideandtheremoverofallafflictions,troublesandmiseries.Thouartthe

embodimentofauspiciousness.Thoupervadeththewholeuniverse.Thewholeuniverseisfilled

withThee.Thouartthestorehouseofallqualities.Do


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Thouprotectme.IagainandagainsaluteThee;OgloriousMother!SalutationstoThee.AllwomenareThyparts.Mind,egoism,intellect,body,

PranaandsensesareThyforms.ThouartPara-PrakritiandApara-Prakriti.Thouart

electricity,magnetism,force,energy,powerandwill.AllformsareThyformsonly.

Revealtomethemysteryofcreation.Bestowonme


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thedivineknowledge.

OLovingMother!Thouarttheprimalenergy,Thouhasttwoaspects,viz.,theterribleandthepeaceful.Thou

artmodesty,gentleness,shyness,generosity,courage,forbearanceandpatience.Thouartfaithin

theheartofdevoteesandnobilityinnoblepeople,chivalryinwarriorsand

ferocityintigers.Givemestrengthtocontrolthemind


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andtheIndriyas.MakemeworthytodwellinThee!SalutationuntoThee!

OMotherSupreme!WhenshallIhaveequalvision

andaplacidstateofmind?WhenshallIbeestablishedinAhimsa,

SatyamandBrahmacharya?WhenshallIgetdeepabidingpeaceandperennialjoy?

WhenshallIenterindeepmeditationandSamadhi?


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amThymeeksupplicant.Removetheveilofignorance.

GraciousMother!ProstrationsuntoThee.WhereartThou?Donotforsakeme.I

amThychild.Takemetotheothershoreoffearlessnessandjoy.

WhenshallIbeholdThylotus-feetwithmyowneyes?Thouartthe

boundlessoceanofmercy.Whenthephilosopher.sstoneturnsiron


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intogoldbycontact,whentheGangaturnsimpurewaterintopurewater,can.stThounotturnme,OMotherDivine,intoapure

Soul?MaymytonguerepeatThyNamealways!

v


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PURPOSEOFLIFE

Thelifeofmanisanindicationofwhatisbeyondhimandwhatdeterminesthecourseof

histhoughts,feelingsandactions.Thewiderlifeisinvisible,andthevisible

isashadowcastbytheinvisiblewhichisthereal.Theshadow

givesanideaofthesubstance,andonecanpursue


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thepathtothetruesubstancebytheperceptionoftheshadow.Humanexistence,bythefactofitslimitations,wantsandvariousforms

ofrestlessness,discontentandsorrow,pointstoahigherdesiredend,incomprehensiblethough

thenatureofthisendbe.

Aslifeonthisearth

ischaracterisedbyincessantchange,andnothinghereseemsto


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Theuniverseisinconstant,anditisonlyafieldofexperienceprovidedtotheindividualssothattheymayevolvetowardstheexperience

oftheHighestTruth.ItisthegloryofthepeopleofBharatavarsha

(India)thattothemthevisibleuniverseisnotrealandtheinvisible

Eternalaloneisreal.Theyhavenofaithinwhat


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freedomfromthetrammelsofearth-boundlifeandrestinthebeatitudeoftheAbsolute,Brahman.Thistheyconsideredthetruelife,andthus

thewayoffulfillingthelawoftheEternal.

Thegreat

law-giverManu,afterdescribingthevarioustenetsofDharma,finallyasserts:.Ofall

theseDharmas,theKnowledgeoftheSelfisthehighest;


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itisverilytheforemostofallsciences;for,byit,oneattainsimmortality.ThepursuitofDharma,ArthaandKamahasitsmeaning

intheattainmentofMokshawhichisthegreatestofallthePurusharthas

(endofhumanlife).Dharmaistheethicalandmoralvalueoflife;

Arthaisitsmaterialvalue;andKamaisitsvital


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andtheUpanishadsaretheexhalationsoftheDivineBeing,andtheygiveanexhaustivecommentaryonspirituallife.Theyareexpositionsofthe

significanceandtheimportofhumanlifeandofthemethodofthe

transmutationofthemortalappearanceintotheImmortalEssence.Theinstanceofthe

greatNachiketasandthestoryofhisadventuroussearchfor


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TruthnarratedinthethrillingKathopanishadserveasexemplarstoallmencapableofthoughtandreflection.

Nothingoftheworldof

sensibilitycanbeofrealvalue.thisiswhatNachiketastaughtthroughhismemorable

actofrenunciation.Noteventhelongestlifeandtheimmensewealthoffered

tohimcouldtempthim.Heperseveredinhisquest


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theHighest.Nothingshortofitcouldsatisfyhim.Sucharethetrueheroes.Arealheroisnothewhostandsagainst

bulletsorriskshislifeinhazardousattempts,fightsbattles,divesintooceans

andclimbshighcliffs,buthewhosubdueshissensesandovercomeshis

mind,recognisesthesupremeunityoflifeandcastsaside


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fortheSelf.

Themessageoftheancientsagesisthatthelifeonelivesinthesense-worldisdeceptive,forit

hidestheExistenceunderlyingallthingsandmakesonefeelthattheparticular

presentationofformsbeforethesensesaloneisreal..Childrenrunafterexternal

pleasuresandfallintothenetofwide-spreaddeath.The


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PeacecanbehadonlytotheextentthatthesystemoftheDivineisadheredtoinlife.Andthispeaceisinversely

proportionaltotheloveofbody,individualityanditsrelationsintheworld,

inwhichhumanityisgenerallysteeped.An.awakeningofahigherconsciousnessis

necessarysothatdisorderanddiscontentmaybeabolished.


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Educationofhumanityintherightdirectionisthepreconditionofworldpeace.Materialism,atheism,scepticismandagnosticismwhicharerampantinthese

daysandwhichhaverobbedmanofhisreverencefortheSupremeAbsolute

aremainlyresponsiblefortheincreasingselfishness,craving,confusion,violenceandagitationof

mindthatareseethingintheworld.Manshouldlearn


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andanother,thenationsoftheworldseemtobeseparatedfromeachotherandthisvirulentnotionofdivisionandseparationisthe

motherofwaranddestruction.Deceivedbythespectacularadvancementofscientificknowledge,

modernmindinallcountriesandcontinentshasnotcaredtounderstandthe

fundamentalmeaningoflife,andsoughtitssatisfactionina


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limitationsofhumanexistence,venturedforthforasolutionintotherealmsofthatInfinitePowerthatisfound.feeblyinterpenetratingthisworldof

physics,physicalexperience,materialisticphilosophyand.sputniks,discoveredthatguiding,governingandsustaining

PermanentGrounduponwhichisplayedthetragi-comicdramaoflifeandthe

prideofmenthataredressedinbriefauthority.If


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InfiniteLifeDivine.TheidealoftheVedantaisnotmerelyauniversalbrotherhoodnormerelylivingaunitedandhappysociallifein

theworldofdifferentiatedindividuals,butthebeingoftheAbsoluteEssenceof

theHighestDivinitywhichistheLife,SourceandEndoftheUniverse.

TheVedantaisthemaster-techniqueoftransmutingthemanyinto


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attempttoacquire,thisisthefinalfruitionofthebestofhumanaspiration.

Theawe-inspiringgreatnessofIndiarestsmainlyupon

thebedrockofAbsolute-Experience,ofTruth-realisation,orapoisedawarenessoftheInfinite

hereonearth,inthislife,intheenvironmentofthedanceand

pageantryoffinitude,relativity,objectivity.Asthedwellingplaceof


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ofspiritualitythathavemademandivineandhaveshapedthespirituallifeofnationsandofthesavioursofmankind,firsttooktheir

originsinIndia,thelandofthosedaringspiritualindividualswhoenteredinto

theheartoftheAbsoluteandproclaimedtruthswhichhaveeternalvalues.With

itsspiritualhorizonslitupwiththedeathlesslightof


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KalisantaranaUpanishad.....................................18

CHAPTERIV

RajaYoga............................................20

MetaphysicsoftheInnerMan..................................20TametheSixWildBeasts....................................21Chitta...............................................22MindandItsMysteries......................................24

xii


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pinnacleofdivinegloryandsplendour.

ThepracticeofYogawillhelpyoutocontroltheemotionsandpassionsandwillgive

youpowertoresisttemptationsandtoremovethedisturbingelementsformmind.

Itwillenableyoutokeepabalancedmindalwaysandremovefatigue.

Itwillconferonyouserenity,calmnessandwonderfulconcentration.


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tocurbit.Ifyouuseforce,itwillbecomemoreturbulentandmischievous.Itcannotbecontrolledbyforce.Itwilljumpand

driftawaymoreandmore.Thosewhoattempttocontrolthemindby

forcearelikethosewhoendeavourtobindafuriouselephantwitha

thinsilkenthread.

AGuruorpreceptoris


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thespineelasticandcuringalldiseases.Paschimottasanwillreducefatinthebellyandhelpdigestion.RelaxallmusclesinSavasanainthe

end.

Asanasshouldbedoneonemptystomachinthemorning

oratleastthreehoursafterfood.Morningtimeisbestfordoing

Asanas.DonotwearspectacleswhenyoudoAsanas.Wear


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yourpractice.Donottakebathimmediatelyafterthepractice.DonotpractiseKumbhakaorretentionofbreathinthebeginning.Haveonlyslow

andmildPuraka(inhalation)andRechaka(exhalation).Donotstrainthebreathbeyond

yourcapacity.KeeptheratioforPuraka,KumbhakaandRechakaas1:4:2.Exhale

veryveryslowly.

SitonPadma,Siddhaor


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SukhaAsana.Keepthehead,neckandtrunkinastraightline.Inhaleslowlythroughtheleftnostrilandretainthebreathaccordingto

theratio,thenexhaleslowly

4


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eyebrows)andSahasrara(atthecrownofthehead).

NadisaretheastraltubesthatcarryPraniccurrents.Theycannotbeseen

bynakedeyes.Theyarenottheordinarynerves,arteriesandveins.There

are72,000Nadis.Amongthemthreeareimportant.TheyareIda,Pingalaand

Sushumna.Sushumnaisthemostimportantone,becauseKundalinipasses


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science.Itaimsatcontrollingallthought-wavesormentalmodifications.Itconcernswiththemind,itspurificationandcontrol.HenceitiscalledRaja

Yoga,i.e.,kingofallYogas.ItisotherwiseknownasAshtangaYoga

i.e.,Yogawitheightlimbs.

TheeightlimbsofAshtangaYoga

are:Yama(self-restraint),Niyama(religiousobservances),Asana(posture),Pranayama(restraint


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ofbreath),Pratyahara(abstractionofsenses),Dharana(concentration),Dhyana(meditation)andSamadhi(super-consciousstate).YamaispracticeofAhimsa(non-injury),Satya(truthfulness),Asteya(non-stealing),

Brahmacharya(celibacy)andAparigraha(non-covetousness)inthought,wordanddeed.Thisisthe

foundationofYoga.Niyamaisobservanceofthefivecanonsviz.,Saucha(internal

andexternalpurity),Santosha(contentment),Tapas(austerity).Svadhyaya(studyof


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thewaysofrightliving,rightthinking,rightspeakingandrightacting.YoumustpractisethefiverulesofYamaorrightconductor

Sadachara.Youmustknowhowtowithdrawthemindfromexternalobjectsand

fixitononepoint.Youmustknowthe

6


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ESSENCEOFYOGA

moretheevilthoughtswillreturnwithredoubledforce.Theywillreturnmorequicklyalso.Thethoughtswill

becomemorepowerful.Beindifferent.Keepquiet.Becomeasilentwitnessofthose

thoughts.Donotidentifyyourselfwiththem.Theywillvanishsoon.Substitutegood

thoughts.PrayandsingtheLord.sname.

Never


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studyofscriptures,meditation,VicharaorAtmicenquiry.allthesewillhelpyoutocontrolthemindandattaineternalblissandimmortality.

NADAYOGA

SitinPadmasanaorSiddhasanaorSukhasana.Closethe

earswiththethumbs.ThisisShanmukhiMudraorVaishnaviMudra.Hearthe

musicofAnahatasounds.Youwillhavewonderfulconcentration.


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DoJapa(AjapaJapa)ofSohamwithbreathorJapaofanyMantra.PractisePranayamaforoneortwomonths.Youwillhear

thetensoundsclearlyandenjoythemusicofthesoul.Thesound

thatyouhearwillmakeyoudeaftoallexternalsounds.

Abandonallworldlythoughts.Controlyourpassion.Becomeindifferentto


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KARMAYOGA

ChapterII

KARMAYOGA

KARMAYOGA

Haft-heartedserviceisnoserviceatall.

Giveyourwholeheart,mindandsoulwhenyouserve.Thisisvery

importantwhenyoupractiseKarmaYoga.

Somepeoplehavetheirbody

inoneplace,mindinanotherplace,andsoulin


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anotherplace.Thatisthereasonwhytheydonotrealiseanysubstantialprogressinthepath.

Forgetnotthegoalof

lifeamidstselfishactivities.ThegoaloflifeisSelf-realisation.Areyouattempting

toreachtheendandaimoflife?AreyoudoingJapa,Pranayama

andMeditation?Haveyoukeptuptheidealbeforethe


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mind.seye?ThatdayinwhichyoudonotpractiseanyspiritualSadhanaiswasted.GivethemindtoGodandthehandsto

work.Youwillhavetoanalyseandscrutiniseyourmotives.Itisthe

selfishmotiveandnottheworkitselfthatbindsamantoSamsara.

PreparethemindforKarmaYoga.Mereselfishworkcannot


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betakenasYogicactivity.Themindissoframedthatitalwaysexpectssomethingforasmallpieceofwork.Whenyousmile

youexpectareturnofsmilefromyourfriend.Whenyouraiseyour

handinsalutation,youwillexpectasalutefromotherpeople.Evenwhen

yougiveacupofwatertoanotherman,you


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expecthimtobegratefultoyou.Whensuchisthecase,howcanyouperformNishkamaKarmaYoga?

Lifeisvery

precious.LiveinthespiritoftheGitateachingandworkwithoutexpectation

offruitsandegoism.ThinkyouareNimittainthehandsofLord

Narayana.Ifyouworkwiththismentalattitudeyouwill


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becomeaYogisoon.Workneverdegradesaman.UnselfishworkisPujaofNarayana.Workisworship.Allworksaresacred.Thereis

nomenialworkfromthehighestview-pointoftheabsolute,fromtheview-point

ofKarmaYoga.Evenscavengingwhendonewiththerightspiritandmental

attitudeisYogicaction.EvenascavengercanrealiseGod


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inhisownstationoflifebyservice.Thefamousbutcher-SadhakaoftheMahahharatarealisedGodinhismeat-shop(throughservinghisparents).You

havegotinsideallmaterialsforwisdom.Thereisavastmagazineof

powerandknowledgewithinyou.Itwantskindling.Nowwakeup,OSaumya!

Whenyouworkdisinterestedlywithoutanyagencyand


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whenyousurrendertheworksandfruitsasIshvararpana,allKarmasaretransformedintoYogicKriyas.Walking,eating,sleeping,answeringthecallsofnature,

talking,etc.,becomeofferinguntotheLord.EverybitofworkisYoga

foryou.ThinkthatLordSivaisworkingthroughyourhands,andis

eatingthroughyourmouth.Thinkthatyourhandsarethe


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handsofLordSiva.Inthebeginningsomeofyouractionsmaybeselfishandsomemaybeunselfish.Inthelongrunyou

candoallactionsinanunselfishmanner.Scrutiniseyourmotivesalways.This

isthekey-noteforNishkamaKarmaYoga.Everyactcanbespiritualisedwhen

themotivebecomespure.Workismeditation.Serveeveryonewith


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intenselove,withoutanyideaofagency,withoutexpectationoffruitsorreward.IfyouadoptthepathofJnana,feelyouarea

silentSakshiandthePrakritidoeseverything.

9


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ESSENCEOFYOGA

Itisselfishnessthathasdeplorablycontractedyourheart.Selfishnessisthebaneofsociety.Selfishnesscloudsunderstanding.

Selfishnessispetty-mindedness.BhogaincreasesselfishnessandselfishPravritti.Itistheroot-cause

forhumansufferings.Realspiritualprogressstartsinselflessservice.ServetheSadhus,

Sannyasins,BhaktasandpoorandsickpersonswithBhava,Prema


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andBhakti.TheLordisseatedintheheartsofall.

Thespiritofservicemustdeeplyenterintoyourverybones,

cells,tissues,nerves,etc.Therewardisinvaluable.Practiseandfeelthecosmic

expansionandinfiniteAnanda.Talltalesandidlegossipwillnotdo,my

dearfriends!Evinceintensezealandenthusiasminwork.Be


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fieryinthespiritofservice.

HaveNishthawithGodandCheshtawithhandsliketheBahurupiwhohastheNishthaof

amaleandtheCheshtaofafemale.Youwillbeableto

dotwothingsatatimebypractice.Themanualworkwillbecome

automatic,mechanicalorintuitive.Youwillhavetwominds.A


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portionofthemindwillbeatwork;threequartersofthemindwillbeintheserviceoftheLord,inmeditation,in

Japa.KarmaYogaisgenerallycombinedwithBhaktiYoga.AKarmaYoginoffers

totheLordasanoblationwhateverhedoesthroughtheKarma-Indriyas.This

isIshvaraPranidhana.

TRAININGOFKARMAYOGA


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Arawuntrainedaspirantfeels,.Mypreceptoristreatingmelikeaservantorapeon.Heisusingmeforpettyjobs.

HewhohasunderstoodtherightsignificanceofKarmaYogawilltakeevery

workasYogicactivityorworshipoftheLord.Thereisnomenial

workinhisvision.EveryworkisPujaofNarayana.


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InthelightofKarmaYogaallactionsaresacred.Thataspirantwhoalwaystakesimmensedelightindoingworkswhichareconsideredby

theworldlymanasmenialservices,andwhoalwaysdoeswillinglysuchacts

onlywillbecomeadynamicYogi.Hewillbeabsolutelyfreefromconceit

andegoism.Hewillhavenodownfall.Thecankerof


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pridecannottouchhim.

StudytheautobiographyofMahatmaGandhiji.Henevermadeanydifferencebetweenmenialserviceanddignifiedwork.Scavenging

andcleaningofthelatrinewasthehighestYogaforhim.Thiswas

thehighestPujaforhim.Hehimselfdidthecleaningoflatrines.He

annihilatedtheillusorylittle.Ithroughserviceofvarioussorts.


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ManyhighlyeducatedpersonsjoinedhisAshramforlearningYogaunderhim.TheythoughtthatGandhijiwouldteachthemYogainsomemysteriousmanner

inaprivateroomandwouldgivelessonsonPranayama,meditation,abstration,awakening

ofKundalini,etc.Theyweredisappointedwhentheywereaskedtocleanthe

latrinefirst.TheylefttheAshramimmediately.Gandhijihimselfrepaired


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hisshoes.Hehimselfusedtogrindflourandtakeuponhisshoulderstheworkofothersalsowhentheywereunabletodo

theirallottedportionofworkforthedayintheAshram.Whenan

educatedperson,anewAshramite,feltshytodothegrindingwork,Gandhiji

himselfwoulddohisworkinfrontofhimand


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thenthemanwoulddotheworkhimselffromthenextdaywillingly.

IntheWest,cobblersandpeasantshaverisento

averygreatpositioninsociety.Everyworkisarespectableworkfor

them.AboyappliespolishtothebootsinthestreetsofLondon

forapenny,carriesnewspapersandjournalsintheafternoon


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forsaleandworksasanapprenticeundera

10


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KARMAYOGA

journalistduringhisleisurehoursatnight.Hestudiesbooks,workshard,neverwastesaminuteandina

fewyearsbecomesajournalistofgreatreputeandinternationalfame.InPunjab

somegraduateshavetakentohair-dressingwork.Theyhaveunderstoodthedignityof

labour.

ArealYogidoesnotmakeany


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differencebetweenmenialandrespectablework.Itisonlyanignorantmanwhomakessuchadifference.Someaspirantsarehumbleinthebeginning

oftheirspiritualcareer.Whentheygetsomenameandfame,somefollowers,

admirers,devoteesanddisciples,theybecomevictimstopride.

Theycannot

doanyservice.Theycannotcarryanythingontheirheads


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orhands.ThatYogiwhocarriesthetrunkonhisheadwithouttheslightestfeelingintherailwayplatformamidstamultitudeofhis

admirers,disciplesanddevotees,withoutmakinganyoutwardshowofhumilitymustbe

adored.SageJadaBharatacarriedthepalanquinofKingRahuganaonhisshoulders

withoutmurmuring.LordKrishnashampooedthelegsofaRaja


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whenhisbarberdevoteewasonleave.SriRamacarriedapotofwaterfortheablutionofoneofhisdevotees.SriKrishna

tooktheformofamenialservantasVithooandpaidthemoney

totheNawabonbehalfofhisdevotee,Dhamaji.Ifyoureallywant

togrowinthespiritualpathyoumustdoall


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sortsofservicedailytilltheendoflife.Thenonlyyouaresafe.Donotstopdoingservicewhenyouhavebecomea

famousYogi.Thespiritofservicemustentereverynerve,cell,tissueand

boneofyourbody.Itmustbeingrainedinyou.Thenonlyyou

willbecomearealfullblownpracticalVedantin.

Is


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thereanygreaterVedantinorKarmaYogithanLordBuddha?Hestilllivesinourhearts,becausethespiritofservicewasingrainedin

himandhespenthiswholelifeinservingothersinavariety

ofways.Amagnanimoussoul,onewithoutasecond!Youcanalsobecome

aBuddhaifyouapplyyourselfdiligentlytoselflessservice


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withtherightmentalattitude.

ATTAINNIRLIPTASTATE

LordKrishnasaysinHisGita:.TasmatSarveshukaleshumamanusmarayudhya

cha"..ThereforeatalltimesthinkofMeandfight.Givethemind

toGodandthehandtowork.Thetypistworksatthemachine

andtalkswithhisfriends.Theplayerontheharmonium


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playsontheorganandtalksandjokeswithhisfriends.Theladyknitsandtalkswithhercomrades.Themindofthegirl

whohasawater-potonherheadisonthewater-pot,thoughshe

istalkingandjokingwithhercompanionswhilesheiswalkingonthe

road.Anursewhilesheisnursingthebabyof


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anotherladyhashermindrivettedonherownbaby.Acowherdwhileheislookingafterthecowsofotherpeoplehashis

mindfixedonhisowncow.Evenso,haveyourmindfixedat

thelotusfeetoftheLord,whileyouaredoingyourhouseholdduties

andofficework.YouwillrealiseSelf-consciousnessquickly.Justas


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thewaterremainsunaffectedinthelotusleaf,justastheoilfloatsuponthesurfaceofthewaterwithoutbeingaffectedinany

way,soalsoyoushouldremainintheworldamidsttroubles,pleasuresand

difficulties.

Justasthetongueisnotaffectedbytakingghee,

soalsoyoushouldremainunaffectedevenamidstworldlyactivities


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andtroubles.YoumustkeepuptheNirliptastate.ThisisJnana.Thisisbalance(Samata).Youmayfailtokeepthebalanceand

Nirliptastateinthousandandonetimes.Butinthelongrunyou

areboundtosucceedifyoupersistinyourpracticeandifyou

disciplinethemindproperly.Everyfailureisapillarfor


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futuresuccess.Rememberthispointwell.

11


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ESSENCEOFYOGA

AKarmaYoginshouldnotexpectevenreturnoflove,appreciation,gratitude,andadmirationfromthepeoplewhom

heisserving.

Onlyhewhohasreducedhiswantsand

controlledtheIndriyascandoKarmaYoga.Howcanaluxuriousmanwith

revoltingIndriyasserveothers?

Hewantseverythingfor


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himselfandwantstoexploitanddomineerothers.

Anotherqualificationisthatyoumustbebalancedinsuccessorfailure,gainor

loss,victoryordefeat.YoumustbefreefromRagaandDvesha..An

actionwhichisordained,donebyoneundesirousoffruit,devoidofattachment,

withoutloveorhate,iscalledpure..(GitaXVIII-23).


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WHATISKARMA

Karmameansworkoraction.AccordingtoJaimini,ritualslikeAgnihotra,Yajnas,etc.,aretermedKarmas.Thereis

ahiddenpowerinKarmatermedAdrishtawhichbringsinfruitsofKarmas

fortheindividual.KarmaisallforJaimini.Karmaiseverythingfora

studentofMimamsaschoolofthought.Jaiminiisthefounder


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ofPurvaMimamsa.HewasastudentofMaharshiVyasa,thefounderofUttaraMimamsaorVedanta.TheMimamsaschooldeniestheexistenceof

Ishvarawhoawardsthefruitsofworks.

AccordingtotheGita,

anyactionisKarma.Charity,sacrifice,TapasareallKarmas.Inaphilosophical

sense,breathing,seeing,hearing,tasting,feeling,smelling,walking,talking,etc.,


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areallKarmas.ThinkingistherealKarma.Raga-DveshaconstitutetherealKarma.

HOWTOFINDRIGHTORWRONGACTION

Haverightthinking.Useyourreasonandcommonsense.Followtheinjunctionsofthe

Sastras.ConsultthecodeofManuorYajnavalkyaSmritiwheneveryouhavedoubts.

Youwillbeabletofindoutwhetheryouare


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doingrightorwrongaction.Ifyousay,.Sastrasarecountless.Theyarelikeocean.Icanhardlyunderstandthetruthsthatareinculcated.

Icannotfathomandgaugetheirdepths.Therearecontradictions.Iampuzzled

andbewildered.ThenstrictlyfollowthewordsofaGuruonwhomyou

haveabsolutefaithandconfidence.Thethirdwayis:Have


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fearinGod.Consultyourconscience.Theshrill,innervoicewillguideyou.Assoonasyouhearthevoice,donotdelayeven

amoment.Starttheactiondiligentlywithoutconsultinganybody.Practisetohearthe

innervoiceinthemorningatfour.Ifthereisfear,shame,doubt

orprickingofconscience,knowthatyouaredoinga


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wrongaction.Ifthereisjoy,exhilarationorsatisfaction,understandthatyouaredoingtherightaction.

INNERVOICE

When

thediverse,confiningsheathsoftheAtmahavebeendissolvedbySadhana,when

thedifferentVrittisofthemindhavebeencontrolledbymentaldrillor

gymnastic,whentheconsciousmindisnotactive,youenter


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therealmofspiritlife,thesuper-consciousmindwhereBuddhiandpurereasonandintuition,thefacultyofdirectcognitionofTruth,manifest.You

passintothekingdomofpeacewherethereisnonetospeak,you

willhearthevoiceofGodwhichisveryclear

12


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KARMAYOGA

andpureandhasanupwardtendency.Listentothevoicewithattentionandinterest.Itwillguideyou.

ItisthevoiceofGod.

PRAYERFORAKARMAYOGIN

(BySriSankaracharya)Atmatvamgirijamitihsahacharahpranahsareeramgriham.

Pujatevishyopabhogarachananidrasamadhisthitih,Sancharahpadoyohpradakshinavidhihstotranisarva


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giro;Yadyatkarmakaromitattadakhilamsambhotavaradhanam.RepeattheSlokaattheendofyourmeditation..ThouartAtma:Buddhiisthyconsort,

Parvati(whoisbornofmountain);thePranasarethy

attendants;

thisbodyisthyhouse;theactionofsensualenjoymentisthyworship;

deepsleepistheestablishmentofSamadhi;walkingbymy


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feetistheperambulationaroundThee;allmyspeechesarethypraises;whateveractionsIperform,areallThyworship;OhSambho!

ChapterIII

BHAKTIYOGA

BRAHMANORGODEXISTS

ParaBrahmancannotbedemonstrated.Butitispossibletoinferthe

existencefromcertainempiricalfactors.TheexistenceofBrahmanis


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knownfromthefactofitsbeingtheSELFofeveryone.Foreveryoneisconsciousoftheexistenceofhisselfandneverthinks

.Iamnot.Iftheexistenceofhisselfwerenotknown,everyone

wouldthink:.Iamnot.Thisself,ofwhoseexistenceallareconscious,

isBrahman.Thereisaninherentfeelingineverybody:.I


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exist.AhamAsmi.

Youdreamsometimesthatyouaredeadandthatyourrelativesareweeping.Eveninthatsupposeddeathstate,you

seeandhearthemweeping.Thisclearlyindicatesthat,evenaftertheapparent

death,lifereallypersists.Youexistevenafterthephysicalsheathisthrown

out.ThatexistenceisAtmanorBrahmanortheSupreme


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Self.

Closeyoureyesandimagineforamomentthatyouaredead.Youcanneverdoso.Youcanneverthink

thatyouwillnotexistafterdeath.Youwillimaginethatyourdead

bodyislyingflatand

13


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ESSENCEOFYOGA

thatyouarewitnessingthedeadbody.Thisdefinitelyprovesthatyouarealwaysthewitnessingsubjector

Sakshi.

Whenyouareinthedark,whenyouarebehind

aveil,ifanybodyenquires:.Whoisthere?.,youwillunhesitatinglyanswer:.It

isI..Ifheagainasksyou:.Whoisthere?


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youwillsay:.IamSoandSo.This.IamSoandSoisamentalKalpnanaorfalsesuperimpositiononaccountof

ignorance.Atfirstyouhaveexpressedspontaneouslyyourinherentfeelingofexistence,the

biginfinite.I..Nothingcanresistthisinnatefeelingof.AhamAsmi.

Bywhosecommandaretheearthandthesky,


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thesunandthemoon,upheldintheirplaces?Bywhosecommanddotheseasnotoversteptheirlimits?Bywhosecommanddoesthe

sunrisepunctuallyinthemorningandsetintheevening?Bywhose

commanddotheseasons,solsticesandtheyearsnottransgress?Bywhosecommand

doKarmasandtheirperformersandtheirfruitsnotlikewise


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gobeyondtheirappointedtime?ItisbythecommandofBrahman.theInnerRuler,ControllerandGovernor.

Whatiscommonintrees,

ants,birds,stonesandman?Existence.Atreeexists.Abirdexists.A

stoneexists.Amanexists.ExistenceisBrahman.

Somearerich,

somearepoor.Somearehealthy,somearebornblind.


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Somedieateighty,somedieatten.Whatisthecauseforthisvariation?ThisclearlyprovesthetheoryofKarmathatthere

isoneOmniscientLord,whoisthedispenseroffruitsofactionsof

humanbeings,whofixesthespanoflifeinaccordancewiththenature

oftheiractions,whoknowstheexactrelationbetweenKarmas


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andtheirfruits.KarmaisJadaorinsentient.Itcertainlycannotdispensethefruitsoftheactions.

Insleepthereareno

senses,noobjects,nomindandyetyouexperiencethehighestbliss.Wherefrom

haveyouderivedthebliss?ThemindrestsinBrahmanduringsleepand

itisfromBrahmanthatthisBlissisderived.


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Cogito,ergosum."Ithink,therefore,Iam."ThisisDescartes.sfundamentalbasisofphilosophy.SriSankarasays:.ThisAtmancannotbeillusive,for,

hewhowoulddenyit,witnessesitsrealityevenindenyingit.

POWEROFPRAYER

Prayerelevatesthemind.Itfillsthe

mindwithpurity.ItisassociatedwithpraiseofGod.


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ItkeepsthemindintunewithGod.Prayercanreacharealmwherereasondarenotenter.Prayercanmovemountains.Itcan

workmiracles.Itfreesthedevoteefromthefearofdeath,bringshim

nearertoGodandmakeshimfeelthedivinepresenceeverywhere.Itawakens

inhimthedivineconsciousnessandmakeshimfeelhis


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essentialimmortalandblissfulnature.

ItwastheprayerofPrahladathatrenderedcooltheburningoilwhenitwaspouredon

hishead.ItwastheprayerofMirathatconvertedthebedof

nailsintoabedofrosesandthecobraintoaflower-garland.

14


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BHAKTIYOGA

Prayerhastremendousinfluence.MahatmaGandhiwasagreatvotaryofprayer.Iftheprayerissincereandif

itproceedsfromthebottomofyourheart(Antarika),itwillatonce

melttheheartoftheLord.SriKrishnahadtorunbare-footedfrom

Dvarakaonhearingtheheart-feltprayerofDraupadi.Youall


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knowthis.LordHari,themightyrulerofthisuniverse,apologisedbeforePrahladaforcomingalittlelatewhenthelatterprayed.Howmerciful

andlovingistheLord!

Sayevenoncefromthebottom

ofyourheart:.OLord,Iamthine.Thywillbedone.Have

mercyonme.IamThyservantanddevotee.Forgive.


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Guide.Protect.Enlighten.Trahi.Prachodayat.Haveameek,receptiveattitudeofmind.HaveBhavainyourheart.Theprayerisatonceheardand

respondedto.Dothisinthedailybattleoflifeandrealiseyourself

thehighefficacyofprayer.YoumusthavestrongAstikya-Buddhi(strongconvictionin

theexistenceofGod).

Christianshavedifferentprayers


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PraytoGodforpurity,devotion,lightandknowledge.Youwillgetthesethings.Getupearlyinthemorningandrepeatsomeprayers

forgettingmentalandphysicalBrahmacharya.Prayinanymanneryoulike.Become

assimpleasachild.Openfreelythechambersofyourheart.Sincere

Bhaktasknowprettywellaboutthehighefficacyofprayers.


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NaradaMuniisstillpraying.NamaDevaprayedandVittalcameoutoftheimagetoeathisfood.Ekanathprayed.LordHarishowed

HisChaturbhujform.SriKrishnaservedDamajiasaservantwhenheprayed;

Heplayedthepartofamenialinpayinghisduestothe

Badshah.Whatmoredoyouwant?Prayferventlyrightnow


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fromthisverysecond.Donotdelay,friend.That.to-morrowwillnevercome.

Thepowerofprayerisindescribable.Itsgloryis

ineffable.Onlysinceredevoteesrealiseitsusefulnessandsplendour.Itshouldbedone

withreverence,faithandNishkama-Bhava(non-expectationoffruits),andwithaheartwet

withdevotion.Oignorantman!Donotargueaboutthe


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efficacyofprayer.Youwillbedeluded.Thereisnoarguinginspiritualmatters.Intellectisafiniteandafrailinstrument.Donot

trustthis.Removenowthedarknessofyourignorancethroughthelightof

prayer.

BHAKTIYOGA

Theterm.Bhakticomesfromthe

root.Bhajwhichmeans.tobeattachedtoGod.Bhakti


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istheformofsupremelovetowardsGod.Itisloveforlove.ssake.ThedevoteewantsGodandGodalone.Thereisno

selfishexpectationhere.Bhaktiisofthenatureofnectar.Itisthe

spontaneousoutpouringoflovetowardsGod.ItispureunselfishloveorSuddha

Prem.Itisthesacredhigheremotionwithsublimesentiments


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thatunitesthedevoteewiththeLord.Ithastobeexperiencedbythedevotees.

Bhaktiisthebasisofallreligious

life.BhaktidestroysVasanasandegoism.Bhaktielevatesthemindtomagnanimousheights.

Bhaktiisthemaster-keytoopenthechambersofwisdom.Bhakticulminatesin

Jnana.Bhaktibeginsintwoandendsinone.Para


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BhaktiandJnanaareone.

15


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ESSENCEOFYOGA

Thereisnovirtuehigherthanlove;thereisnotreasurehigherthanlove;thereisnoDharma

higherthanlove;thereisnoreligionhigherthanlove;because,loveis

TruthandloveisGod.Love,PremandBhaktiaresynonymousterms.This

worldhascomeoutoflove.Thisworldexistsin


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loveandthisworldultimatelydissolvesinlove.Godisanembodimentoflove.IneveryinchofHiscreation,youcanverilyunderstand

Hislove.

Alifewithoutlove,faithanddevotionisa

drearywaste.Itisarealdeath.Loveisdivine.Loveisthe

greatestpoweronearth.Itisirresistible.Itislove


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alonethatcanreallyconquertheheartofaman.Lovesubduesanenemy.Lovecantamewildferociousanimals.Itspowerisinfinite.

Itsdepthisunfathomable.Itsnatureisineffable.Itsgloryisindescribable.The

essenceofreligionislove.Therefore,developpurelove.

Doyou

reallywantGod?DoyoureallythirstforHisDarshan?


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Haveyougotrealspiritualhunger?OnlyhewhothirstsfortheDarshanofGodwilldeveloplove.Untohimalone,Hewillreveal

Himself.Godisaquestionofsupplyanddemand.Ifthereisa

sinceredemandforGod,thesupplywillcomeatonce.

Develop

theninemodesofBhaktigradually.HeartheLilasof


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theLord:thisisSravana.SingHispraise:thisisKirtana.RememberHisNames:thisisSmarana.WorshipHislotus-feet:thisisPada-seva.Offer

flowers:thisisArchana.ProstrateyourselfbeforeHim:thisisVandana.Doservice

untoHim:thisisDasya-Bhava.MakefriendshipwithHim:thisisSakhya-Bhava.Do

totalunreservedself-surrenderuntoHim:thisisAtma-Nivedana.


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SitnotidlyprayingtoGodtohelpthee,butbeupanddoingasGodhelpsonlythosewhohelpthemselves.Dothe

bestyoucanandleavetheresttoGod.Servethedevotees.Remain

intheircompany.DoJapaandKirtan.StudyRamayanaandBhagavata.Livein

BrindavanorAyodhyaforsometime.Youwillsoondevelop


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devotion.

PrayferventlylikePrahlada.SinglikeRadha.RepeatHisnamesasValmiki,TukaramandTulsidasdid.DoKirtanlikeGauranga.Weep

insolitudelikeMirafortheseparationfromtheLord.Youwillhave

DarshanoftheLordthisverysecond.

Kindlethelightof

loveinyourheart.Loveall.Includeallcreaturesin


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thewarmembraceofyourlove.CultivateVisvaPremorall-embracing,all-inclusivecosmiclove.Loveisamysteriousdivinegluethatunitesthehearts

ofall.Itisadivinemagicalhealingbalmofveryhighpotency.

Chargeeveryactionwithpurelove.Killcunningness,greed,crookednessandselfishness.Immortality

canbeattainedonlybyperformingactsofkindnesscontinuously.


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Hatred,angerandjealousyareremovedbycontinuousservicewithlovingheart.Youwillgetmorestrength,morejoy,moresatisfactionbydoingkind

acts.Practiceofcompassion,charitableacts,kindservicespurifyandsoftentheheart,

turntheheart-lotusupwardsandpreparetheaspirantforthereceptionofdivine

light.

TheSastrasareendless.Thereismuch


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tobeknown.Timeisshort.Obstaclesaremany.Thatwhichisessenceshouldbegrasped,justastheswantakestheessenceof

milkalonefromamixtureofwaterandmilk.Thatessenceislove

orBhakti.DrinkthisessenceandattaintheeverlastingabodeofPeaceand

Immortality.

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BHAKTIYOGA

Liveinlove.Breatheinlove.Singinlove.Eatinlove.Drinkinlove.Walkinlove.Talk

inlove.Prayinlove.Meditateinlove.Thinkinlove.Movein

love.Writeinlove.Dieinlove.Tastethehoneyofdivinelove

andbecomeanembodimentoflove(Prema-VigrahaofPrema-Murti).


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Maythefireofdevotiongrowbrighterinyouall!Mayyourheartbefilledwithdevotion!Mayyoualllivedrownedin

theoceanofloveinanilluminedstate!MaytheblessingsofBhagavatas

beuponyouall!Peacebewithyouall!

JAPAYOGA

JapaistherepetitionofanyMantraor


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nameoftheLord.InthisIronAge,JapaisaneasywayforGod-realisation.Tukaram,Prahlada,Valmiki,Dhruvaandseveralothersattainedsalvation

byJapaalone.SriKrishnasaysintheGita,.YajnanamJapa-Yajnosmi..Amongthe

Yajnas,IamJapaYajna(Yaga)".

Therearethreekindsof

Japa,viz.,verbalorloudJapa(Vaikhari),semi-verbalJapaor


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humming(Upamsu),andmentalJapaorsilentrepetitionthroughmind(Mansic).MentalJapaismorepowerful.Itgivesarewardtenthousandtimesmore

thantheloudJapa.WhenthemindwandersaimlesslytaketoloudJapa.

Japamustbecomehabitual.ItmustbedonewithSattvicor

divineBhavaorfeeling,purity,PremaandSraddha.Thereis


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anindescribablepowerorAchintyaSaktiinthenamesofGodorMantra.EverynameisfilledwithcountlessSaktisorpotencies.

PracticeofJaparemovestheimpuritiesofthemind,justassoapcleanses

theclothofitsimpurities.BeregularinyourJapa.Japadestroysthe

sinsandbringsthedevoteefacetofacewithGod.


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ThenameofGodchantedcorrectlyorincorrectly,knowinglyorunknowingly,carefullyorcarelessly,withBhavaorwithoutBhavaissureto

givethedesiredfruit.TheBhavawillcomebyitselfaftersometime.

Getupat4a.m.anddotheJapafortwohours.You

willgetthemaximumbenefits.

Thegloryof


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thenameofGodcannotbeestablishedthroughreasoningandintellect.Itcancertainlybeexperiencedorrealisedonlythroughdevotion,faithandconstant

repetitionoftheName.HavereverenceandfaithforthenameofGod.

Donotargue.DevoteesofLordHaricanrepeattheMantras.HariOm

or.OmNamoNarayanaya..DevoteesofSriRamcanrepeat


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.SriRama.,or.Sitaram.,or.OmSriRam,JayaRam,JayaJayaRam.DevoteesofSriKrishnacanrepeat.OmNamoBhagavateVasudevaya.Devotees

ofLordSivacanrepeat.OmNamahSivaya.Perform200MalasofJapa

daily.WearaMalaonyourneck.Malaisawhiptogoad

themindtowardsGod.

Oman!Takerefuge


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intheName.NameandNamiareinseparable.InthisIronAge,Japaistheeasiest,quickest,safestandsurestwaytoreachGod

andattainimmortalityandperennialjoy.GlorytotheLord!GlorytoHis

Name!

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ESSENCEOFYOGA

SANKIRTANYOGA

SankirtanissingingGod.snamewithfeeling(Bhava),love(Prema)andfaith(Sraddha).In

SankirtanpeoplejointogetherandsingGod.snamecollectivelyinacommonplace.

SankirtanisoneoftheninemodesofBhakti.YoucanrealiseGod

throughKirtanalone.Thisistheeasiestmethodforattaining


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God-consciousnessinKaliYugaortheIronAge.KalauKesava-Kirtanat..

WhenseveralpeoplejointogetherandpractiseSankirtan,ahugespiritualcurrent

orMahasaktiisgenerated.Thispurifiestheheartoftheaspirantsandelevates

themtothesublimeheightsofdivineecstasyorSamadhi.Thepowerfulvibrations

arecarriedtodistantplaces.Theybringelevationofmind,


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solace,strengthtoallpeopleandworkasaharbingerofpeace,harmonyandconcord.Theyannihilatehostileforcesandquicklybringpeaceand

blisstothewholeworld.

LordHarisaystoNarada,.Naham

VasamiVaikuntheYoginamHridayenacha,Mad-BhaktaYatraGayantiTatraTishthamiNarada.,i.e.,

.IdwellnotinVaikunthanorintheheartsof


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theYogins,butIdwellwheremydevoteessingmyname,ONarada.

Kirtandestroyssins,VasanasandSamskaras,fillstheheart

withPremanddevotionandbringsthedevoteefacetofacewithGod.

AkhandaKirtanisverypowerful.Itpurifiestheheart.TheMahamantra:

.HareRama,HareRama,RamaRama,HareHare.HareKrishna,Hare


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Krishna,KrishnaKrishna,HareHareor.OmNamahSivayashouldbesungcontinuouslyfor3hoursor24hours,threedaysoraweek,

byformingbatches.Onewillleadandotherswillfollow.DoAkhandaKirtan

onSundaysorholidays.DoPrabhat-PheriKirtaninthemorningaroundthestreets.

Kirtanintheearlymorningismoreeffectivethanat


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night.

Atnight,sitbeforethepictureoftheLordalongwithyourchildren,family-membersandservants.DoKirtanforoneor

twohours.Beregularinthepractice.Youwillderiveimmensepeaceand

strength.

SingtheLord.sNamefromthebottomofyourheart.

BewhollyandsolelydevotedtoHim.DelayinGod-realisation


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isextremelypainful.MergeinHim.LiveinHim.BeestablishedinHim.

Maypeaceandprosperityabideinyouall!

KALISANTARANAUPANISHAD

AttheendofDvaparaYuga,Naradawent

toBrahmaandsaid:.OLord!HowcanIcrossKaliormundane

existenceeasily?Brahmareplied..Wellasked.Hearkentothatwhich


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allVedaskeepsecretandhidden,throughwhichonemaycrosstheSamsaraormundaneexistence.HedestroystheevileffectsofKalithrough

themereutteringoftheword.LordNarayana,whoistheprimevalPurusha!

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BHAKTIYOGA

NaradaaskedBrahma:.OvenerableLord!Whatisthename?Brahmareplied:.Thenamesare:HareRama,HareRama,

RamaRamaHareHare,HareKrishna,HareKrishna,KrishnaKrishnaHareHare.

ThesesixteennamesdestroytheevileffectsofKaliorsins.There

isnobettermeansthanthisinalltheVedas.


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ThesesixteennamesdestroytheAvaranaorveilofignorancethathasenvelopedtheJivasorthehumanbeings.Thenjustasthesun

shinesfullyafterthecloudsaredispersed,soalso,ParaBrahmanorSupreme

Selfaloneshinesaftertheveilisremoved."

Naradaasked..O

Lord!Whataretherulestobeobservedwhenone


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uttersthesenames?Brahmareplied:"ORishiNarada!Therearenorules.Whoeverrepeatsthesenamesthreeandahalfcroresor35millions

inapureoranimpurestate,isfreedatoncefromall

sins.Heisatoncereleasedfromallbondages.Hemergeshimselfin

theLordandattainsEternalBlissandImmortality".


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TheJivahassixteenKalas,correspondingtowhichsixteenwordsornamesaregiveninthisMahamantra.Thisisverygoodforrepetitionduring

AkhandaKirtan.IfyourepeatthisMantra20,000timesperdayyouwill

finishthreeandahalfcroreswithin5years.Youcansingthis

MantraandcandoJapaalso.Youcanwritethis


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ofthenameonly.Thepowerofnameisineffable.Itsgloryisindescribable.TheefficacyandinherentSaktiofthenameofGod

isunfathomable.

MayyouattainGod-consciousnessbyrepetitionofthenames

ofGodasdescribedabove.Mayyouhaverealtasteforthenames

oftheLord!

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ESSENCEOFYOGA

ChapterIVRAJAYOGA

Mindisamysterioussomethingwhichisreallynothingbutdoeseverything.

ItisbornofMaya.Itisaproductofignorance.

ItisacompoundofVasanaandSankalpa.Itisamixtureof

worryandfear.ItisasolutionofAhamkara.It


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isaconfection.

AbsoluteandrelativeManifestations.

ATMA

orAbsoluteSPIRIT

INTUITIONALPlane

WILL

MIND

PRANARelativemanifestations

MATTER

Matter,PranaandMindarethethreerelativemanifestationsoftheAbsolute.Prana

isreallyamodificationormanifestationofMind.Pranais


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KriyaSaktiorfacultyofactions.MatteremanatesfromPrana.Pranaproceedsfrommind.MatterisbelowPrana.Pranaisabovematterbutbelow

mind.Pranaispositivetomatterbutnegativetomind.Mindispositive

tobothPranaandmatterbutnegativetowill.Willisthecentre

oftheego.WillistheGeneral-in-chiefwhichdirectsthe


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theastralbody,Prana,intellectorBuddhi,theinstinctivemind,thespiritualmindandthespiritarethesevenprinciplesofman.Buddhiis

purereason.TheseatofBuddhiisjustbelowthecrownofthe

headinthepinealglandofthebrain.Buddhiismanifestedonlyin

thosepersonswhohavedevelopedrightintuitivediscriminationorViveka.


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Theordinaryreasonoftheworldlypeopleistermedpracticalreason,whichisdenseandhaslimitations.

Pranaisthevitalforce,

life-energyorJiva-Sakti.ItistheeternalsymbolofGodorBrahman.It

isHiranyagarbhaorGoldenSonofGod.Itisthelinkbetweenthe

astralandphysicalbodies.

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RAJAYOGA

PranaisdividedintophysicalPranaandpsychicPrana.BreathingisexternalmanifestationofphysicalPrana.Allthoughtsare

duetothevibrationsofpsychicPranaintheChitta.

The

causalbodyorKaranaSariraisthesupportfortheastralandphysical

bodies.WillisParaSakti.GetthisSakti.youwillget


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SatorExistence.

Chittaisthesubconsciousmind.Ithastwolayers.Onelayerforemotionandtheotherforpassivememory.

Theinstinctivemindisthelowernatureofhumanbeings.Itisthe

desiremindorKamaManas.TheSpiritualmindisthehigherManas.The

seatofthemindistheheart.Themindconnected


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totheSomachakraofthelowermostportionorundersurfaceofthebrainistermedtheorganofunderstanding.ByManonasaorannihilationofthe

mindismeantthedestructionordissolutionofthelowernature,desire-mind.Sankhya

BuddhiorBuddhiinthelightofSankhyaphilosophyiswillandintellect

combined.Mindismicrocosm.MindisMaya.Mindoccupiesan


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intermediatestatebetweenPrakritiandPurusha,matterandSpirit.

TAMETHESIXWILDBEASTS

Youhaveawholemenageriewithin,

withthelion,thetiger,theserpent,theelephant,theape,andthe

peacock.Bringthemtosubjection.Thebeautyofthefleshisreallydue

tothelife-givingprinciplePrana.Thebeautyisattributableto


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thelightthatemanatesfromAtman.Thenastybodywithoozingdischargesfromnineguttersiscomposedoffiveelements,isJada-VastuandApavitra.

Alwaysentertainthisidea.Haveaclear-cut,well-definedimage-picturelikethis.Youwill

conquerlustbysuchamentaldrill.Ifyouunderstandthedoctrineof

unityinvariety,ifyouknowthereisonlyone


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Matter,oneEnergy,oneMind-substance,oneLife,oneExistence,Sat,oneReality,andifyouentertainalwayssuchathought,youcancontrolKrodha.

Ifyourememberthatyouareonlyaninstrumentinthehandsof

God,thatGodiseverything,Goddoeseverything,Godisjust,thenyou

cangetridofAhamkara.YoucanannihilateDveshaby


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PratipakshaBhavana.Looktothebrightersideofpersons.Ignorethedarkaspect.

Emotionisamotivepowerlikethesteamof

anengine.Ithelpsyouinyourevolution.Haditnotbeenfor

thepresenceofemotionyouwouldhavepassedintoastateofpassivity

orinertia.Itgivesapushforactionormotion.


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Itisablessing.Butyoumustnotbecomeapreytoemotions.Youmustnotallowtheemotionstoruleoveryou.You

mustnotallowthemtobubbleout.Youmustpurifyandcalmthe

surgingemotions.Youmustallowittoriseslowlyandsubsidequietlyfrom

themind-ocean.Youmustkeeptheemotionunderperfectcontrol.


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Donotmistakephysicalsensationsforhighersublimeemotions.Donotbecarriedawaybyemotions.Therearecertainpeoplewholiketohear

somenewsensationaleventsjusttoarousetheiremotions.Theyliveonemotions,

otherwisetheyfeelquitedull.Thisisagreatweakness.Thismustbe

eradicatediftheyliketohaveacalm,quietlife.


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Allevilqualitiesproceedfromanger.Ifyoucontrolanger,allevilqualitieswillvanishbythemselves.

Ahamkara,Sankalpa,Vasana,

Pranahaveintimateconnectionwiththemind.Therecannotbeanymindwithout

thesefour.Pranaisthelifeofthemind.Ahamkaraistheroot

ofthemind.Sankalpasarethebranchesofthetree


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mind.Vasanaistheseedofmind.Thisdeep-rootedtreeof

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ESSENCEOFYOGA

SamsaraofdireAjnanawhichramifiesinvariousdirectionswithbranchesfullofflowers,tendrils,fruits,etc.,has

themindasitsroot.Ifthisroot-mindisdestroyed,thetreeof

Samsara,thistreeofbirthanddeathwillbedestroyed.Cutthisroot-mind

withtheaxeofBrahma-Jnana.Chopoffthebranches.theSankalpas.with


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theknifeofVichara-Viveka.

Theever-restlessmindbecomesquiescentwhenalldesiresvanish.DesireraisesSankalpas(thoughts).Manperformsactionsforacquiring

thedesiredobjects.ThusheiscaughtupinthewheelofSamsara.

ThewheelstopswhentheVasanasperish.

Justasthereare

doorsinabungalowbetweentheouterandinnerrooms,


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soalsotherearedoorsbetweenthelowerandhigherminds.WhenthemindispurifiedbythepracticeofKarmaYoga,Tapas,right

conductorthepracticeofYama,Niyama,Japa,meditation,etc.,thedoorsbetween

thelowerandthehighermindareopened.Discriminationbetweentherealand

theunrealdawns.Theeyeofintuitionisopened.The


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practitionergetsinspiration,revelationandhigherDivineKnowledge.

Itisextremelydifficulttohaveacalmandpuremind.Butyoumust

havesuchamind,ifyouwanttohaveprogressinmeditation,if

youdesiretodoNishkamaKarmaYoga.Thenonlyyouwillhavea

perfectinstrument,awell-controlledmindatyourdisposal.Thisis


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oneofthemostimportantqualificationsfortheaspirant,youwillhavetostrugglehardforalongtimewithpatienceandperseverance.Nothing

isimpossibleforaSadhakawhohasiron-willandstrongdetermination.

JustassoapcleansesthephysicalbodysoalsoJapaofaMantra,

Dhyana,KirtanandpracticeofYamacleansethemindof


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itsimpurities.

CHITTA

Thesubconsciousmindistermed.ChittainVedanta.Muchofyoursubconsciousnessconsistsofsubmergedexperiences,memories-thrown

intothebackgroundbutrecoverable.

Whenyoushowsymptomsoflosing

yourmemory,asyougrowold,thefirstsymptomisthatyoufind

itdifficulttorememberthenamesofpersons.Thereason


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isnotfartoseek.Allthenamesarearbitrary.Theyarelikelabels.Therearenoassociationsalongwiththenames.Themind

generallyremembersthroughassociations,astheimpressionsbecomedeepthereby.Youcanremember

inoldagesomepassagesthatyouhavereadinschoolsandcolleges.

Butyoufinditdifficulttorememberintheevening


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apassageyouhavereadinthemorning.ThereasonisthatthemindhaslostitsDharana-Sakti(powerofgraspingideas).Thecells

havebeendegenerated.Thosewhooverworkmentally,whodonotobservetherules

ofBrahmacharyaandwhoareafflictedwithmuchcares,worriesandanxieties,lose

theirpowerofmemorysoon.Eveninoldageyou


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canrememberoldeventsasthereareassociationswithevents.

Thementalprocessesarelimitedtothefieldofconsciousnessalone.The

fieldofsubconsciousmentationisofamuchgreaterextentthanthatof

consciousmentation.Messageswhenready,comeoutlikeaflashfromthesubconscious

mindorChittaoftheVedantins.Onlytenpercent


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ofmentalactivitiescomeintothefieldoftheconsciousness.Atleastninetypercentorourmentallifeissubconscious.Wesitand

trytosolveaproblem,andfail.Welookaround,tryagain

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RAJAYOGA

andagainbutfail.Suddenlyanideadawnsandleadstothesolutionoftheproblem.Thesubconsciousprocesses

wereatwork.

Sometimesyougotosleepatnightwith

thethought.Imustgetupveryearlyinthemorningtocatch

atrain..Thismessageistakenupbythesubconscious


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mindanditisthissubconsciousmindthatwakesyouupunfailinglyattheexacthour.Subconsciousmindisyourconstantcompanionandsincere

friend.Yourepeatedlyfailatnighttogetasolutionforaproblem

inArithmeticorGeometry.Inthemorningwhenyouwakeupyouget

aclearanswer.Thisanswercomeslikeaflashfrom


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thesubconsciousmind.Eveninsleepitworksincessantlywithoutanyrest.Itarranges,classifies,compares,sortsallfactsandworksoutaproper

satisfactorysolution.Thisisallduetosubconsciousmind.

Withthe

helpofthesubconsciousmindyoucanchangeyourviciousnaturebycultivating

healthy,virtuousqualitiesthatareopposedtotheundesirableones.


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Ifyouwanttoovercomefearmentallydenythatyouhavefearandconcentrateyourattentionupontheoppositequality,theidealofcourage.

Whenthisisdevelopedfearvanishesbyitself.Thepositivealwaysoverpowersthe

negative.Thisisaninfalliblelawofnature.ThisisPratipakshaBhavanaof

theRajaYogins.Youcanacquirealikingfordistasteful


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tasksanddutiesbycultivatingadesireandtasteforthem.Youcanestablishnewhabits,newideals,newideasandnewtastesand

newcharacterinthesubconsciousmindbychangingtheoldones.

ThefunctionsofChittaareSmritiorSmarana,Dharana(retention)andAnusandhana(inquiry

orinvestigation).WhenyourepeataMantraitisthe


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ChittathatdoestheSmarana.Itdoesalotofwork.ItturnsoutbetterworkthanthemindorBuddhi.

All

actions,enjoymentsandexperiencesleavetheirimpressionsinthesubconsciousmindinthe

formofsubtleimpressionsorresidualpotencies.TheSamskarasaretherootof

causingagainJati,lifeandexperiencesofpleasureandpain.


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RevivalofSamskarasinducesmemory.TheYogidivesdeepinsideandcomesindirectcontactwiththeseSamskaras.Hedirectlyperceivesthemthroughthe

innerYogicVision.BySamyama(concentration,meditationandSamadhi)ontheseSamskaras,he

acquiresknowledgeofpreviouslives.BydoingSamyamaontheSamskarasofothers,

theYogigetstheknowledgeoftheirpastlivesalso.


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Whenyoudesiretorememberathingyouwillhavetomakeapsychicexertion.Youwillhavetogoupand

downthedepthsofthedifferentlevelsofthesubconsciousmindandthen

pickuptherightthingfromacuriousmixtureofmultifariousirrelevantmatter.

JustasthemailsorterintheRailwayMailService


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takesuptherightletterbymovingthehandupanddownalongthedifferentpigeon-holes,soalsothesorterinthesubconsciousmind

goesupanddownalongthepigeon-holesinthesubconsciousmindandbrings

therightthingtothelevelofnormalconsciousness.Thesubconsciousmindcan

picktherightthingoutfromaheapofvarious


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matters.

ASamskaraofanexperienceisformedordevelopedintheChittatheverymomentthemindisexperiencingsomething.There

isnogapbetweenthepresentexperienceandtheformationofaSamskara

inthesubconsciousmind.

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ESSENCEOFYOGA

SmritiofmemoryisthefunctionofChitta(subconsciousmind).Itisaseparatefacultyorcategoryin

Vedanta.SometimesitisAntarangata(comesunderthemind).InSankhyaphilosophyit

isincludedinBuddhiorMahatTattva.TheChittaofPatanjaliRishi.sphilosophy

ofRajaYoga(YogasChittavritti-Nirodhah)correspondstotheAntahkaranaof


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Vedanta.

MINDANDITSMYSTERIES

Justasabusyofficerworksaloneinaroombyclosingallthedoors,

soalsothebusymindworksaloneinadreambyshuttingout

allthedoorsofthesenses.

Mindisapowerborn

ofthesoul.ItisthroughmindthattheLord


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manifestsHimselfasthedifferentiateduniversewithheterogeneousobjects.

Mindismerelyabundleofthoughts.Ofallthoughtsthethought.I

istheroot.Therefore,mindisonlythethought.I..

Mind

isnothingbutacollectionofSamskarasorimpressions.Itisnothingbut

abundleofhabits.Itisnothingbutacollection


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ofdesiresarisingfromcontactwithdifferentobjects.Itisalsoacollectionoffeelingsarousedbyworldlybotherations.Itisacollectionof

ideasgatheredfromdifferentobjects.Nowthesedesires,ideasandfeelingsconstantlychange.

Someoftheolddesiresareconstantlydepartingfromtheirstorehouseofthe

mind,andnewonesarereplacingthem.

In


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thewakingstate,theseatofthemindisthebrain;inthedreamingstatetheseatofthemindisthecerebellum;in

thedeepsleepstateitrestsintheheart.

Mindalways

attachesitselftosomethingobjective.Itcannotstandbyitself.Itisonly

thismindthatassertsitselfas.Iinthisbody.


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Thethingsthatweperceiveallroundusareonlymindinformofsubstance.Manomatram-JagatManah-KalpitamJagat.Mindcreates.Minddestroys.

Theoccultphenomenathattakeplaceinthementalworldare

allbasedonscientificlaws.OccultistsandRajaYoginsshouldhaveacomprehensive

intelligentunderstandingoftheselaws.Thenonlywilltheybe


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abletocontrolthepsychicforceseasily.

Practiceoftelepathy,thought-reading,hypnotism,mesmerism,distanthealing,psychichealing,etc.,clearlyprovesthatmind

existsandthatahigherdevelopedmindcaninfluenceandsubjugatethelower

minds.Fromtheautomaticwritingandtheexperiencesofahypnotisedperson,we

canclearlyinfertheexistenceofsubconsciousmindwhichoperates


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throughoutthetwenty-fourhours.

Ifanideaisplantedinthemind,itgrowsatnightthroughtheoperationofthesubconscious

mind.Thesubconsciousmindnevertakesanyrest.Itworksvigorouslythroughoutthe

twenty-fourhours.Thosewhoknowhowtomanipulatethissubconsciousmindcanturn

outtremendousmentalwork.Allgeniuseshavecontrolovertheir


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subconsciousmind.Youmustunderstandthewaysof

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RAJAYOGA

extractingworkfromthesubconsciousmind.Subconsciousmindisawonderfulundergroundmentalfactory.

Mindisthe

greatestforceonthisearth.Hewhohascontrolledhismindisfull

ofpowers.Hecanbringallmindsunderhisinfluence.Alldiseasescan

becuredbypsychichealing.Oneisstruckwithawe


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andwonderatthemarvellousandmysteriouspowersofthemindofaman.Thesourceorhomeorsupportofthismysteriousmind

isGodorAtman.

Anyactionthatisdonebythe

physicalbodyistheoutcomeofapreconceivedidea.Themindthinks,plans

andschemesatfirst.Thentheactionmanifestsitself.He


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whoinventedawatchatfirsthadallideasinhismindabouttheconstructionofthelever,variouswheels,dial,minute-hand,second-hand,hour-hand,

etc.Theseideasmaterialisedlateronintoactuality.

Asparkof

lightpresentstheappearanceofacontinuouscircleoflightifitis

madetorotatequickly.Evenso,thoughthemindcan


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attendbuttoonethingatatime,eitherhearingorsmelling,thoughitcanadmitofbutonekindofsensationata

time,weareledtobelievethatitdoesseveralactionsata

time,becauseitmovesfromoneobjecttoanotherwithtremendousvelocity,so

rapidlythatitssuccessiveattentionandpreceptionappearasa


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simultaneousactivity.

Thebestphilosophersandseers(Rishisandsages)areunanimouslyagreedthatthemindcannotactuallyattendtomorethan

onethingatatime,butitonlyappearstobedoingso

whenitisshiftingwithprodigiousrapiditybackwardandforwardfromoneend

totheother.

Changeofthought,relaxationof


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mindbydwellingonthoughtsofpleasantobjects,cheerfulness,Sattvicfood,mentalrecreationofSattvicnaturearenecessaryformentalhealth.

The

mindassumestheshapeofanyobjectitintentlythinksof.Ifit

thinksofanorangeitassumestheshapeofanorange.Ifit

thinksofLordJesusontheCrossitassumesthe


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shapeofLordJesusontheCross.Youmusttrainthemindproperlyandgiveitproperpurefoodforassimilation.HaveaDivine

backgroundofthoughtormentalimage.

Ifallthethoughtsare

eliminated,thenthereremainsnothingwhichcanbecalledmind.Sothoughtsare

themind.Againthereisnosuchthingasworld,


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independentofandapartfromthoughts.Twothoughts,however,closelyrelatedtooneanother,cannotexistatthesametime.

Themind

becomesthatonwhichitdwells.Thisisanimmutablepsychologicallaw.If

youbegintothinkabouttheDoshaordefectsofaman,for

thetimebeingatleastyourminddwellsonthe


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badqualitiesandbecomeschargedwiththesequalities,whetherthemanpossessesthesebadqualitiesornot.Thismaybeyourvainimaginationonly

throughyourwrongthinking,wrongSamskarasorwrong(bad)habitsofthemind.

Hemaynotpossessevenabitofthebadqualitieswhichyou

havesuperimposedonhimthroughill-willorsomeformof


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jealousyorpetty-mindednessorhabitualDosha-Drishtiorfault-findingnature.Therefore,giveupthedangeroushabitofcensuringothersandfindingfaultinothers.Praise

others.Developthepowerorvisionoffindingonlygoodinothers.Do

notbarklikeawilddogaboutthebadqualitiesofothers.Glorify

others.Youwillgrowspiritually.Youwillbeliked,honoured


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andrespectedbyothers.

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ESSENCEOFYOGA

Deepsleep(Sushupti)isnotmerelyastateofinactivityorpassiverepose.Ithasdeepphilosophicalsignificance.

Vedantinsstudythisstateverydeeplyandcarefully.Itgivesthecluefor

non-dualphilosopherstotrace,searchandfindoutthehidden,silentwitness.

Atmaniseverawake,althoughallthemindsare


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atrest.Motherofthisworld,Rajesvari,takestheJivasbacktoHerandHerLordduringdeepsleep,hugsthemtoHerbosom,

bestowsonthemrefreshingpeace,newvigour,vitalityandstrengthandmakesthem

quitefitfortheensuingbattleoflifeonthefollowingday.But

forthissleep,lifewouldhavebeenabsolutelyimpossiblein


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thisphysicalplanewhenmiseries,diseases,cares,worries,fearsandanxietiesofvariouskindstroublemeneverysecond.Ifamandoesnotget

soundsleepevenforonenight,ifheloseshissleeponenight

forthreehoursbykeepingwatchoverasickpatientorattendingthe

cinema,howmiserable,gloomy,depressedhefeelsthenextday!


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MindisatomicaccordingtotheIndianschooloflogic.Itisall-pervadingaccordingtoRajaYogaschoolofPatanjaliMaharshi;it

isofthemiddlingsize(samesizeasthatofthebody)according

totheVedanticschool.

Mindismaterial.Mindismadeup

ofsubtlematter.Thisdiscriminationismadeontheprinciple


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thatthesoulistheonlysourceofintelligence:itisself-evident;itshinesbyitsownlight.Mindisformedoutofthe

subtlestportionofthefood.

Mindcanbecomparedtowater.

Waterexistsinfourstates,viz.,causalstate,intheformofhydrogen

andoxygen;subtlestate,intheformofwater;grossstate,in


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theformofice:andgaseousstate,intheformofvaporisedsteam.EvensothemindisinagrossstateduringJagratstate

whenitenjoyssensualobjects,isinasubtlestatewhenitfunctions

inthedreamstate,isinacausalstatewhenitgetsinvolved

intoitscause,Mula-Avidya,duringdeepsleepanditevaporates


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asgaswhenitmeltsordissolvesinBrahmanduringNirvikalpaSamadhi.

Justasthephysicalbodyiscomposedofsolid,liquid

andgaseousmatter,soalsothemindismadeupofsubtlematter

ofvariousgradesofdensitywithdifferentratesofvibration.ARajaYogi

penetratesthroughthedifferentlayersofthemindbyintense


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practice.

Justasyounourishthephysicalbodywithfood,soalsowillyouhavetogivefoodforthemindand

spiritualfoodforthesoul.

Whenyourbusinessfails,orwhen

youareinheavygriefbythedeathofyouronlyson,you

getemaciationofbodyeventhoughyoueatnourishing,substantial


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food.Youfeeltremendousinternalweakness.Thisclearlyprovesthatmindexistsandcheerfulnessisagoodmentalfood.

Whenalady

isdeeplyengagedinthemanagementoftheaffairsofherdaughter.smarriage,

sheforgetstotakeherfood.Sheisalwayshappy.Herheartis

fullofjoy.Thejoyandcheerfulnessarepowerfultonics


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forhermind.Shegetsinnermentalstrengthalthoughshedoesnottakeanyfood.

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RAJAYOGA

CONTROLOFMIND

Lifeinthisphysicalplaneisamerepreparationfortheeternallifeof

everlastingsunshineandjoywhichistocomewhenonegetsknowledgeof

theSelfthroughintenseandconstantmeditationafterpurifyingthemind.Thisimmortal

lifeofsupremejoyisdescribedasthe.Kingdomof


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HeavenintheBible.ThatKingdomofHeaveniswithinyou,inyourheart.RealisethisImmortalLife,OSusil!bycontrollingthemind,

andenjoytheSupremeBlissoftheSelf.

Thesecretsof

YogaSastracanonlybeimpartedtothatstudentwhoisJita-Indriyaand

Abhyasa-sura,whohasdevotiontoGuru,whohasVairagya,discrimination,


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whoisfirminhisdeterminationandwhohasstrongconvictionintheexistenceofGod.

Themindissingle,butit

appearsdualindreamingstateastheperceiverandtheperceived,throughthe

powerofMayaorillusion.Theminditselftakestheformsofrose,

mountain,elephant,rivers,ocean,enemy,etc.Justasheatis


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inseparablefromfire,soalsofluctuationisinseparablefrommind.Itmakesthemindrestless.ThefluctuationiscausedbythepowerofRajas.

ItisthefluctuationthatcausesAsanti(absenceofpeaceofmind).The

BhaktasremovethistossingbyJapa,UpasanaandworshipofIshtadevata.

Thepoweroffluctuationisitselfthemind.Thisfluctuating


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mindaloneisthisworld.Themindbecomesnomindiffluctuationdisappears.Themindceasestoexist,ifitbecomesdestituteofthis

fluctuation.WhatiscalledMayaisthisfluctuatingpotencyofthemind.Mind

doeshavocsthroughthepoweroffluctuation.FluctuationisMaraorSatanor

VasanaorEshanaorTrishna.Itwasthisfluctuationthat


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temptedVisvamitra.Itisthisfluctuationthatbringsaboutthedownfallofastrugglingaspirant.DestroythisfluctuationthroughstrongViveka,constantmeditationand

ceaselessBrahma-Vichara.

Assoonasfluctuationmanifestsitselfvarioussortsof

imaginationscropup.Imaginationco-existswithfluctuation.Imaginationisasmuchdangerousas

fluctuation.Fluctuationmovesthemind.Imaginationfattensthemind.Mind


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minusfluctuationandimaginationisamerezero.Fluctuationandimaginationarethetwowingsofthemind-bird.CuttherightwingthroughAtmic

enquiryandtheleftwingthroughthepracticeofthoughtlessness.Thegreatbird.mind.will

falldeadonthespotimmediately.

Theonedividingwallbetween

thesoulandbodyismind.Ifthiswallis


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brokenbyceaselessAtmicenquiry,thentheJivamixeswiththeSupremeSouljustastherivermixeswiththeocean.

Close

youreyes.Meditate.Openyourhearttotheinflowoftheinvisiblepower.

YouwillfindintheBible.Emptythyself,Iwillfillthee..Then

youwillhaveabundant,superintuitionalknowledgewhichisbeyondthe


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reachofintellect.JustaswaterfreelyflowswhenthetapisturnedsoalsoDivineWisdomwillflowfreelywhentheobstaclesof

ignorancethatstandinthewayofknowledgeareremoved.Youwillget

flashes,glimpsesoftheDivineinspiration,revelationandintuition.Youwillhaveto

putyourselfinastateofquietudebysilencingall


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bubblingthoughtsandemotionsandconnectthemindwiththesourcebywithdrawingthemindfromsensualobjects,justasyoudointelephone

byturningtheswitchoffandconnectingthetwopersonswhowantto

speak.

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ESSENCEOFYOGA

Alldualityisofmind.Thewholeofdualityiscausedbytheimaginationofthemind.If

allimaginationsarewithdrawnintotheminditselfbyconstantpracticeofdiscrimination,

Vairagya(dispassion),Sama,Dama,andSamadhana,youwillnotexperiencethedualuniverse.

Themindwillbecomenomind.Asithasnothing


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tocognise,itwillrestinthesource,theAtman.

.Mymindwaselsewhere,Ididnotsee...Mymindwaselsewhere,

Ididnothear.;foramanseeswithhismindandhears

withhismind.

Theattractionforobjectsandthetiesof

varioussortsmakethemanboundtothisworld.Renunciation


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ofallattractionsforobjectsandbreakingupthetiesconstituterealSannyasa.ThatSannyasiorYogiwhoisfreefromattractionandties

enjoystheinfinitebliss,supremejoyandeternalbliss.

Themind

shouldbeabsorbedinthewordOm(Pranava).ThatYogiorJnaniwhose

mindisabsorbedinOmhasnofearwhatever.He


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hasreachedthegoaloflife.

Thefireofmeditationrapidlyconsumesallevilsandsins.Thentherefollowsthatknowledgeof

Truthwhichconfersperfections,everlastingpeaceandimmortality.

StoptheVrittis

throughconstantandsteadypractice.Themindwillbecomenomind.Youwill

attainYogarudhaState(theAbsolutestate).TheseedsofAvidya


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intheformofpotentialtendencieswhichareembeddedinthemindareallburnttoasheswhenthemindrestsintheTruth

duringSamadhi.ThefirethatburnsisthefireofknowledgeofAtman

(Jnana-Agni,Yoga-Agni).

WhentheYogihasattainedthelaststageof

meditation,whenhehasenteredintoAsamprajnataSamadhi,hebecomes


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aJivanmuktainthisverylife.

ThefireofYogicSamadhiburnsallSamskarasintoto.Therearenownoseedsfor

rebirth.

SIDDHIS

Apowerfuloccultisthypnotisesthewholeaudience

collectivelythroughhispowerofconcentrationandwill,andperformstherope-trick.He

throwsaredropeintheair,givesthesuggestion


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totheonlookersthathewillclimbintheairthroughthisropeanddisappearsfromtheplatform,inthetwinklingofaneye.

But,whenaphotographistaken,nothingisrecorded.

Yoginsof

oldentimes,likeSriJnanaDeva,Bhartrihari,PatanjaliMaharshi,usedtosendand

receivemessagestoandfromdistantpersonsthroughmind-telepathyand


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thought-transference.Telepathywasthefirstwirelesstelegraphandtelephoneserviceintheworld.EvennowthereareYoginswhoareversedintelepathy.Thought

travelswithtremendousvelocitythroughspace.Thoughtmoves.Thoughtisasmucha

solidmatterasapieceofstoneis.Itcanhitaman

againstwhomitisdirected.

Understandandrealise


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thepowersofthemind.Unfoldthehiddenpowersoroccultfaculties.Closetheeyes.Concentrate.Explorethehigherregionsofthemind.You

canseedistantobjects,heardistantvoices,sendmessagestodistantparts,heal

personswhoareatadistance,and

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RAJAYOGA

moveabouttoadistantplaceinthetwinklingofaneye.Believeinthepowersofthemind.

Ifyouhaveinterest,attention,will-power,faithyouareboundtosucceed.The

sourceforthemindisAtmanortheHigherSelf.Thismindis

bornofAtmanthroughHisMayaorillusorypower.Cosmic


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mindisuniversalmind.Cosmicmindisthesumtotalofallindividualminds.CosmicmindistheHiranyagarbhaorIshvaraorKarya-Brahman.Man.s

mindisjustafragmentoftheuniversalmind.ARajaYogibecomes

onewiththecosmicmindandknowstheworkingsofallminds.The

Yogigetsomnisciencethroughthecosmicmind.TheYogiexperiences


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cosmicconsciousnessthroughthecosmicmind.

Taptheuniversalmind.Youwillgethighersupersensuousknowledge.Youwillexperiencecosmicconsciousness.You

willgetknowledgeofthepast,presentandfuture.Youwillacquireknowledge

oftheTanmatras(rootelements)andmentalplane.Youwillexperienceclairvoyanceand

clairaudience.Youcank

es sance of yoga

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