miracles Yogi Miracles yogi
Sri Vishuddhananda Gandhbaba
contents
MahatapasviShriKumarswami2 MahatapasviShriKumarswami3
ParamhansaYogananda31 62 Dr.PaulBrunton39 77 Rishisinghgherwal56 111
Mahatapasvi Shri Kumarswamiji
Inhispreviouslife,HisHolinessMahatapasviShriKumarswamijiwasin Gyanganj(Jnanganj)AshramintheHimalayas.HisnamewasSwami KshemanandathenandhisGuruwasParamhansaSwamiNemananda Ji.InJnanganjAshramtherearetwobranches–YogaandScience. SwamiKshemanandaJiwasastudentinYogabranch.Inthislife,asShri Kumarswamiji,hewasincloseandcontinuouscontactwithGyanganj Ashram.GyanganjAshramhasmanyadeptsworkingforthebenefitof mankindandthewholeuniverse.Tomentionafewnamesofthe adeptsofGyanganjAshram–ParamhansaMahaTapaJiMaharaj, ParamhansaBhriguRamaJi,ParamhansaNemanandJi,Paramhansa AbhayanandJi,ParamhansaJnana-nandaJi,Paramhansa VishuddhanandaJi.TherearemanyBhairavis(womenadepts)too– UmaBhairavi,ShamaBhairavi,JnanaBhairavietc.WhileParamhansa MahaTapaJiMaharajisheadofJnangangAshram,UmaBhairaviishead ofmedicalunitofJnanganjAshram. ParamhansaVishuddhanandJiGandhababaisHisHolinessShri Kumarswamiji’sGuru-bandhu(brother-disciple)fromhispastlife. Towardstheendofhisthislife,ShriKumarswamijiconsultedwithhis GurudevaandtheadeptsfromGyanganjAshram;forhisSadhana (penanceandspiritualpractices)inthislifewasnotcompleteandasked themwhatshouldbenextcourseofactiontherefore.Theadeptsasked ShriKumarswamijitobuildatemplewithhisownmoneyandplacethe spiritualpowerwhichhehadaccumulatedinhis50-yearslong contents
penanace.AtthemandateoftheadeptsfromGyanganjAshram,Shri KumarswamijibuiltDivyaDevalaya,theDivineTemplein1995at Tapovan,Dharwad.TheDivineTempledoesnothaveanyimageoridol ordeity.Ithas7mantraswrittenonthewallwhichholdsShriSwamiji’s spiritualpower.TheadeptsalsotoldShriKumarswamijithatthey wouldsendoneoftheiradepts(Siddha-purush)fromJnanganjtoreside intheDivineTemple.AccordinglyShriKumarswamiji’selderGurubandhu,ParamhansaShriVishuddhanandJiGandhbabahascometo stayintheDivineTempleatDharwadinhissubtlebody. TheDivineTempleismaintainedinstrictaccordancewiththeruleslaid bytheadeptsfromJnanganjashram. Sri Gandhbabaji – birth and Childhood ThereisasmallvillagebythenameofBandulsituatedfourteenmiles north-eastofBurdwaninthestateofWestBengal(India)nearaplace calledBhandar-dihi.Therelived,sinceaverylongtime,a ChattopadhyayaBrahminfamily,well-knownfortheirpiety,areligious wayoflifeandhospitality.Inthisfamilywasborn,in1853,asontoShri AkhilChandraChattopadhyayaandhiswifeShrimatiRajRajeshwari Devi.Thewholeatmosphereatthetimeofhisbirthwassupremely calm,theairgentleandfragrantandeverythingaroundlookingatits bestsothatitappearedasifnaturetoowasrejoiningandextremely happyatthebirthofthisgreatsoul.Fromitsverybirth,thebaby exhibitedextraordinarymagneticattractionforhisparentsandvisitors throughhischaringfeatures,smileandgrace.Heimpressedeveryone contents
asasouldescendedfromthehigherworld.Inconsiderationofhisvery simpleinnocentnaturehisparentscalledhimBholaNath–Bholain Sanskritmeansinnocent. Baba’sbirthplaceatBondul Glimpses of Greatness FromhisverychildhoodBholanathgaveevidenceofuncommon spiritualandmoralgifts.Heexhibitedgreatstrengthofcharacter, determination,untiringstrengthandfearlessness.OnceBholanathwas severelyreprimandedbyhisuncleChandranathfornofault.This uncalled-forreprimandtouchedBholanath’ssensitivitytothecore.His self-consciousnesswasaroused.Hethoughtthatsinceamanisonlyan instrumentinthehandsofGod,therealdoerbeingGodhimself,sothe reprimandthathisunclehadgivenhimmustreallybethedoingofShri ShyamSunder,thedeity.Sothinking,hetookholdoftheidolofShyam SunderfromhisPuja-room,claspedittohischestandjumpedintothe house-pondwithaviewtocommitsuicidefortheinsultmetedoutto himbyGodthroughhisuncleChandranath. Butthewonderofwondershappened.Thepondwasfullofdeep water.NeverthelesswhicheverwayBholanathmoved,thewater contents
becameshallowandneverreachedabovehisknees.EvenBholanath wassurprised.Soonitwaseveningtimeandthelampinthepuja-room waslighted.ItwasdiscoveredthattheidolofShriShyamSunderwas missing.Asearchforitstarted.Whenthesearch-partycametothe pond,theywerewonderstrucktowithnessthescene.Theytook BholanathwiththeidolofShyamSundertothehousewithgreat jubilation.HerewasyetanotherexampleofBholanath’sbeliefthatGod alonewasthedoerofeverything. Complete change in the way of life Oneday,inabout1866A.D.orso,whenBholanathwasabout13years old,hewascomingdownthestepsfromtheroofofhishouse. Accidentallyhesteppeduponthedogsittingatthefootofthestairs. Thedoginstantlybithim.Itwasamaddoganditspoisonsoonspread throughoutthebodycausingexcruciatingpain.Thepainbecame intolerablesomuchsothatBholanathstartedcrying,hisbodytwisting, turningandsmarting.Notreatmentprovedtobeofanyavailand finallyeverybodylosthopeofBholanath’slife.Hindusbelievethatif onebreatheshislastonthebankofthepiousriverGangaorinits stream,hegetssalvation.AccordinglyBholanath,havingdespairedof hislife,oneeveningstartedtreadingtowardsthebankoftheGanga (Gangaghat)withaviewtoputanendtohislifethere,ashisendnow seemedcertain. Baba’sresidenceatBondul contents
ButtheAlmightyhadsomeotherplansforBholanath.Onreachingthe bankhesawaSanyasitakinghisbathintheriverGanga.Hewasstruck withwondertoseethatacolumnofwaterwouldriseupwhenthe Sanyasiwouldemergefromthewaterandwouldgodownwithhisdip underthewaterandcuriouslythephenomenonwasrepeatedwith everydip.TheSanyasispottedBholanathandcalledouttohimina deepsweetvoicesaying,”Mydearchild,whyareyousoupsetwiththe excrutiatingpain?Justwaitaminute.Iwillcureyouofthisinnotime.” Andsosaying,hegotoutofthewaterandcametotheboyonthebank andplacedhishandontheboy’shead.Bholanathfeltasifaslabofice hadbeenplacedonhisburninghead.Heexperiencedgreatrelief,all theunbearablepainvanishedandhopeofliferevivedinhimonce again.ThereaftertheSanyasipulledoutaherbfromtheshrubsonthe bankandgaveittoBholanathtochewandtoldhimthatthewhole poisonofthemad-dog-bitewillbenowexpelledfromhisbodywithhis urineandhewillbecomeperfectlyfitandhealthyonceagain.Healso assuredhimofalonglifeandtoldhimthathewill,induecourseof time,becomeafamousYogi.Thereafterhetoldhimtoreturnhome. BholanathfeltgreatreverenceandgratefulnessstowardstheSanyasi. ThethoughtoftakinginitiationfromtheSanyasiandlivingwithhim, theonewhohadbestowedanewlifeonhim,cametohismind. Apprehensively,Bholanathexpressedhisintensedesirebeforehis reverentmother.Surprisinglythemothergavehimpermissiontogo withtheSanyasi.TheSanyasitaughtoneYogasan(yogicposture)to Bholanathandgavehimabij-mantra.Healsotoldhimthathewasnot contents
hisGuru.Forthepresentheshouldstayathome,practicetheasanand mantra.Thesewillpurifyhismindandbody.Induetime,heshallcome andtakehimtohisGuru. ByandbytwoyearspassedyettherewasnotraceoftheSanyasi. BholanathusedtovisitashopinBurdwanmarketforpurchasingdayto-dayrequirements.OnedayheheardastoryaboutastrangeSanyasi andthisrevivedhisoldmemory.HelongedtogoandseetheSanyasi andheobtainedhismother’spermissionandwenttoBandulwithhis friendHaripada.OnreachingtheirdestinationtheymettheSanyasiin themorning.Bholanathreverentlymadeobeisanceandhisfriend Haripadadidthesame.BholanathrequestedtheSanyasitotakehim alongwithhimthistimeaspromisedearlier.OnenquiryBholanath explainedtotheSanyasithatHaripadawasanintimatefriendofhisand hetoowasveryearnesttostaywithandundertheguidanceofthe SanyasiwasnootherthanthegreatSiddhaYogiSwamiNimanand ParamahansaofthesecretGyanganjYogashraminTibet.Heasked thembothtocometohimintheevening.Itisonlythroughthe Almighty’sextremegraceandcompassionthatoneoutofamillion succeedintheirgoalofself-realizationwhichthesetwoyouths, BholanathandHaripada,setforthemselvesthatday. AllsetforthegreatjourneytoGyanganj,theSanyasiaskedthemto confirmiftheywerestillkeentoaccompanyhimwhichtheydid withouttheslightesthesitation.Heonceagainemphaticallyreiterated tothemallthepit-falls,difficultiesandsufferingslikelytobe encounteredontheway.Thereupon,SwamiNimanandtiedcloth contents
bandagesontheeyesofeachsothattheycouldnotseeanything. Holdingoneoneithersidebyeachhand,heletthemoverforestedhills andplainsbyairroute.Thetwofeltasiftheywerewalkingona smoothsilkencarpet.Bymorningthefirstlapofthejourneywas covered.Theirbandageswereremovedandtheyfoundthemselveson topofabarrenhillockonwhichstoodagrandtemple,surroundedby hillrangesonallitsfoursides.Theyrealizedthattheyhadreached someplacefarawayfromBengal.Onenquirytheyfoundthatthey wereatthetempleofVindhya-VasiniAhsta-BhujaDeviinVindhyachal towninthedistrictofMirzapurinUttarPradeshstateofIndia.From DhakainEastBengaltheyhadthustraversedthestatesofWestBengal andBiharandapartofUttarPradesh–astretchofaboutathousand kilometres–duringthecourseofasinglenight.Thisoccurrence enhancedtheiresteemandrespectforSwamiNimanandmanyfold. TheSanyasithenaskedthetwoboystostaytherefreefromfearasno wildbeastwouldharmthemandnottolosehearttillhisreturntotake themontotheAshram.Sosayinghesuddenlyvanishedbeforetheir veryeyes.AweekpassedbeforetheSanyasiarrivedagaintotake them.HedisclosedhisnametothemasSwamiNimananda paramahansa.Asbefore,hetiedbandagesovertheireyesandtook thembothwithhimtoanAshramsituatedamongstaclusterofhills abouttwentykilometresawayfromVindyachal,wheresomesaints wereresiding.HeleftthetwochildrenatthisAshramandhimselfwent awaytosomeotherplace.Hereturnedafteranotherfivedaysandthis timetookthechildrenwithhimbytheairroute.Onreachingthe destinationthebandagesweretakenofftheireyes.Theyfoundthatit wasmorningandtheyhadreachedacharmingcelestialplaceonaplain surroundedonallsidesbysnow-coverehighhillranges,calm,majestic contents
andpeaceful.Onenquiry,theyweretoldbySwamiNimanand,”Thisis thenormallyinaccessibleandsecretYogashramsituatedinthemidstof themid-asianhighlands,Tibet,knownbythenameofGyanganj Yogashram.AfterastayofninetotendaysattheAshram,Bholanath andHaripadawerebothpresentedbySwamiNimanandbeforeHis ReverentHolinessShriMahatapa,forinitiation.ShriMahatapafirst transmittedspiritualenergyintoeachoneofthembyplacinghishand ontheirheadsandthereaftergaveBij-mantratoeachofthem.Bothof themthusbecameGuruBhaisofSwamiNimanand,whowasanearlier discipleofMahatapaMaharaj.” Baba’s Personality ThePersonalityofYogirajVishuddhanandParamahansa-Shri VishuddhanandParamahansadeva’sphysicalbodywasextraordinary, hisspiritualpracticeswerewonderfulandhiswayoflifeexceptionalin manyways.Hischaracterwasspotless.Hehadastrictsenseof discipline,regularityandadherencetorulesandregulations.Hewas verykind-heartedandconsiderate.Hepossessedaverykeenintellect andwouldaccomplishjobswithdexterityandskill.Hehadan independentnatureandhisbehaviourwithallwasalwaysvery charmingandcourteous.Hewasaself-realizedYogiofexemplary character.Veryrarelyintheworldtoday,doyoucomeacrossapure andpioussoullikehim,inwhomyoufindaverybalancedmixtureof grandeurcoupledwithextremecompassion.Hehadreachedthevery climaxinallthreeYogasofKarma,Gyan&Bhaktiandfinallyattained Prem.Throughveryausterespiritualpracticesandtheextraordinary contents
graceofDeities,heacquiredcompleteknowledgeofallthetruthsand realitiesoftheinnerandouterworldsandthereafterattainedthe supremestateofself-realization. Baba’s body Asaresultofausterepractice,Babadidnotneedtoinhalethepolluted airfromtheoutsideatmosphere.Hewouldratherbreatheself-purified airfromwithinhisbodyandthattoothroughhisnavelandnotthrough thenoseaswehumansnormallydo.Hisbodyhadbeenhighlypurified andthatiswhytheairinsidehisbodywaspuretoo.Hisbodyalways emittedthePadmaGandha(lotusfragrance)continuously.Thisstageis reachedwhenoneattainstheabilitytoconfinethemovementofhis breaththroughSushumnaNadi.Thereafterone’sbody,breathand mindallgetpurifiedseriallyoneaftertheother.Baba’sperspiration andfaecesmatterwerealsofulloffragrance,unlikeours.Atthetime ofworshipthewholeworship-roomusedtogetfilledwithlotusfragrance.Hisbodywassurchargedwithelectromagneticcurrentof suchhighintensitythatpoisonousinsectslikewasps,hornets,blackbees,mosquitosetc.woulddieinstantlytheybithim.Onceadisciple putaquestiontoBaba,”Baba,isthereanydifferencebetweenaYogi’s bodyandthatofanordinaryperson?Seeminglytheylooksomuch alike.”Babajustpushedhishandthroughawallwhichwasquitea distanceaway,byjustelongatinghisarmandhishandwasvisibleon theothersideofthewall.Similarlyonanotheroccasion,adisciple, afterobtainingspecialpermission,waspressingBaba’slegs(Baba wouldnotnormallyallowanybodytotouchhisfeetorbody).Suddenly contents
quiteafew‘sphatics’,transparentcrystalballsoozedoutofBaba’slegs. Babapushedthesebigcrystalballsbackintohislegsthroughthetiny poresofhisbody. Baba’s Gaze Throughtheintensityofhisgaze,hesetablazethesilksheetlyingon theshouldersoftheastrologer-punditduringhisstayatBurdwan.Also aShiva-LingacrystalbroughtbyaSadhutotestBaba’sYoga-Shakti couldnotwithstandBaba’sgazeandwasblowntopieces.Onanother occasion,Babaextractedthechronicdiseaseofaverysickperson throughhisgaze.WhenhefixeditontoaBanalinga,theBanalinga couldnotwithstandtheintensityofBaba’sgazeandburst. Baba’sresidenceathisnativeplace,Bondul Baba’s Food Babausedtoeatonlyonceinaday,atabout10a.m.,afterthemorning BhogandAratioftheDeitieswasover.Ifforanyspecialreasonhe failedtotakehismealsbythistime,heusedtoforegohismeals altogetherforthatday.Hisfoodusuallyconsistedofrice,mungor chanadal,cookedalongwithrawpapayainit.Amongstvegetableshe contents
particularlypreferredochcha(verysmallkarela),zamikand,kashiphal orsitaphal,brinjal,patalorparwalandninuaortorai.Beforepartaking hisfood,hisfirstmorselwouldinvariablybeabitof‘KumariPrasad’. Thismightconsistofoneortwobatashas,oneortwopiecesofbanana, arasogullaorchamchamorabitofbundiorkhir–anyoneortwoof thesepickedoutofleftoverfromthepattal(plateformedofbigleaves oftrees)ofaKumariaftershehadfinishedeatingplusalittlehalwaof Gopalji’sBhog.Babaconsidereda‘Kumari’tobethetruemanifestation onthisearthofGodmother,‘Jagadamba’. Baba’s Sleep Babawouldgotosleepat9.00p.m.exactlybythewatchandgetupat 11.00p.m.Heusedtosaythatsleepduringthesetwohoursismost refreshingandsound.Itisequaltofourhourssleepfrom11.00p.m.to 3.00a.m.andequaltosixtoeighthourslaterduringdaytime.After awakingat11.00p.m.,hewouldattendthecallofnature,brushhis teeth,massageoilontohisbodyandtakeabath.Thereafterfrom 11.30p.m.till3.30a.m.hewouldsitonhisAsanandperformhisKriya worship.Thenhewouldtakeyetanotherhalfanhourormoreto descendfromthatexhaltedsupersensuousstateoftrancetothe normalhumanplane,whenhewouldbeinamoodandliketoconverse withdisciplesanddevotees. contents
His Nature Babawasverysimple-hearted.Hisnaturewaslikethatofachild,fullof innocence,love,humility,straightforwardness,truthandhonesty. Therewasnotaniotaofdeceitorconceitinhim.Hewasevergentle andcourteousinbehaviourandfamiliarityalwaysbroughthimcloserto you.Hewasverykindandcompassionateparticularlytowardsthepoor andthoseindistress.Besidesbeingverygenerousathearthehada verycharitabledisposition. Baba’s truthfulness Babawasinflexibleinhisoppositiontountruth.Heisneverknownto havespokenaliethroughouthiswholelife.Headvisedhisdisciples alsonevertotakethelineofuntruth,irrespectiveoftheconsequences. Butifanytruthwasunpleasant,headvisedagainststatingit,suggesting silenceinsuchcases.If,however,afacthadtobestated,‘Truthand nothingbuttheTruth’washismotto.Hewouldsaythatonceonegot establishedinTruth,anything,thereaftercomingoutofhismouth, wouldhappenexactlyasuttered.Hischaracterwasspotlessandhis conductexemplary. contents
Simplicity of Nature Babarelatedastoryofhisownstupidityasfollows:”Iwasnoless foolishthanthepoetKalidas.Kalidaswascuttingthatverybranchof thetreeonwhichhewassitting;myperformancewasevenashade betterinstupidity.”Itwaslikethis:”OncequiteafewofusSanyasis hadgoneinagrouptoVindhyachalhills.Onedaywesawaripemango onthebranchofamangotree,ontopofthehill.Quiteafewofus spotteditsimultaneouslyandallrushedtothetreeandclimbedup. Withoutathoughtofconsequences,Iwasthefirsttoleapfromthe branchtocatchholdofthemango,butcamecrashingdownontothe rockyfloorfiftyfeetbelowandbecameunconscious.WhenIregained consciousness,IfoundmyselfbeingflownovertheVindhyachalhillsby myGuruSwamiBhriguramParamahansa.Seeinghim,Igotabit frightened.Heplacedmethereandcalledme‘astupidfool’fortheway Ihadbehaved.Ijustkeptquiet.Thenheaskedmetoeatthemango. OnfirstimpulseIrefused.Atthis,hesaid,”Butwhynot?Wasitnotfor thisverymangothatallthisuntowardincidenthastakenplace?Now eatitup.”IdidasIwastold.Owingtothefallfromthetreeontothe rocks,Ihadreceivedmanycutsandbruisesonmybodyandthighs. Afterapplyingointmentontomywounds,hesaid,”Nowpromisethat youwillnotrepeatsuchastupidthingagain.”Ireplied,”Butwhynot?I shalldosoagain.”Hewasaghastathearingmyreplyandjustkept staringatme.Seeinghimwonder-struck,Ijustsaid,”Sir,Icanaffordto bestupidagain.Afterall,nothinghashappenedtome.Andaslongas youaretheretoprotectme,Iseeabsolutelynoreasonformetobe afraidofanything.”DadaGurudeva,SwamiBhriguramlaughedand contents
afterplacinghishandofblessingovermyhead,heleft.Thisshowshow stupidlystraightforwardandsimple-mindedBabaVishuddhanandwas. Baba’s Devotion to Duty – Karma Babawasagreatexponentofextremeone-pointeddevotiontodutyas perthetenetsoftheShastras,andproperconductineverysphereof life.Hewasneversatisfiedwithmereshowmanshipbutwantedsincere serviceandunfailingapplicationtoone’sKarmaorKriya.Babausedto say,”Unlessyoudoyourdutyassiduously,noamountofreadingthe Shastras,evenforamillionofyears,isgoingtogiveyouGyan (knowledge).Scripturescanonlyshowyouthewaybutyoushallreach yourgoalonlybytreadingityourselfsincerelyandsteadily,bitbybit. Youcanchangeyourdestinyevenbydintofpersistentarduous practice.Unceasingeffortisofinestimablevalue.Yogabhyasisthereal purposeoflifeandcontinuouseffortinthatdirection,therealKarma.” Baba’s Non-Attachment AspertheordersofhisGuru,MaharshiMahatapa,Babaadoptedthe lifeofahouseholder.Butduringhiswholelifetimehenevergot engrossedinworldliness(materialism)andfalseattachment.Hekept himselfmentallyalooffromallattachmenttoworldlybeingsofthings. Hiswifeborehimtwosonsandadaughter.Theeldersonwasnamed DurgadasandtheyoungerHaridas.Intheyear1911,alittleafterthe contents
establishmentoftheAshramatBondul,Babalosthiswifeandthesame yearhismotheralso.Andsoonafter,helosthissonHaridasandthe daughteralso.Thedeathofasinglecloserelativecausessomuch mentalagonyandhereBabahadtofacethedeathofwife,mother,son anddaughter,fourofthem,inquicksuccession.Thiscouldhaveturned anyhumanbeinginsane,butBababorethelossesandgriefwithgreat fortitude.TakingitallveryphilosophicallyasthewilloftheCreator,he didnotallowhismentalequilibriumandtranquilityofmindtobe disturbedandkeptcalmandcomposed.Heprovedtothehilt,the dictumoftheShastrasthat”Onewhohasattainedself-realizationisno longeraffectedbythesadhappeningsandgriefsofthisworld.”Such wasBaba’snon-attachment. Baba’s Implicit Faith In the Veracity of the Shastras (scriptures) ShriBabahadimplicitfaithintheveracityoftheShastras.Heusedto emphaticallystatethateverywordofwhatwasstatedintheHindu Shastraswastrue.Itisonlytothosewhofailtointerpretthem accuratelyattimes,thatsomestatementsmadethereinappeartobe wrong.WheneveranybodybroughtanyapparentincongruitytoBaba’s notice,hewouldprovetheveracityoftheShastrasbypractical demonstrationandremovethelastiotaofdoubtfromhsimind. contents
Baba’s Compassion Oncewhenaskedabouthisrelationshipswithhisdisciples,i.e.,GuruShishya-Sambandh,Babasaid,”Itisthesameasbetweenfatherand son.Ikeepwatchoveryouatalltimes,saveyoufrompitfallsand accidents,cureyourdiseases,helpyououtfromdifficultsituationsand amallthetimeengagedinfortheringyourspiritualprogress.” Baba’s Main Teachings Onecannotattaindivinitywithoutdevotionandpurelove.Real devotiongivesrisetotruelove.Butpurpose-orienteddevotionforthe fulfillmentofadesirecanneverleadtotruelove.Infact,itiswrongto termitas‘devotion’.Everyaspirantshouldkeepawayfromthissortof devotion. Evolutionoftrueknowledgeisessentialfortheachievementofreal devotion.Theknowledgederivedfromthestudyofscriptureisempty purposelessknowledge.Trueknowledgeisnotacquiredtillthemind (Chitta)getspurifiedandmindpurificationdependsontheappropriate performanceofreligiousritesandKriya. OnewhoimplicitlyfollowstheKriyaprescribedbytheGuruwith devotion,steadiness,regularityandfaith,whilekeepinghisconduct contents
andcharacterpureandaboveboardatthesametime,isboundto achievetrueknowledge(Jnan).Yogiscallthisaforesaidactionitselfas yoga.Asagainstthis,toengageyourselfinothertypesofworkisnot YogaandthatdoesnotconducetoChittapurificationeither.Henceif onekeepshisconductandcharacterunblemishedandapplieshimself wholeheartedlyinthepracticeofYoga,steadfastlywithoutabreakfor alongtime,heisboundtoachievemind-purificationandselfrealization.Theknotintheheartgetsunfastened,alldoubtsvanishand aggregatedilleffectsofKarmasofinnumerablepreviousbirthsget anihilated. Some of Baba’s Teachings and Instructions 1.PerformtheKriya(religiouscommandment)givenbytheGuru regularlyandimplicitlyaccordingtohisinstructionsandallshallbe well.ThegraceofGodisboundtodescendonyouinduetime. 2.Giveupself-praiseandtalkingillofotherscompletely.Thesetraits areveryharmful.Neverwastetimeinthese. 3.Whentragediesandill-timesovertakeyou,increaseyourmantrajapa,bothintermsoftimeandnumber.
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4.Nevertrustanybodyinahurry.Testhimthoroughlyfirst,elseyou willbeduped. 5.Everybitandparticleofthisworldisagainstyourinterest.Youare youronlyfriendandwell-wisher.Sodependonyourowneffortsand donotlookuptoothersforhelpastheyarelikelytofailyouinyour timesofneedanddistress. 6.DuringyourSadhana(spiritualendeavour)constancyandregularity inpracticeareofprimeimportance.Readingofscripturesisonlydry intellectualgymnastics.DramatisedBhaktiisalsonotBhaktiinthereal sense.TrueJnanandrealBhaktiareveryprestigiousanddifficult-toattainstagesinspiritualadvancement.Thesedevelopautomatically oneaftertheother,onlyafterconstantandregularausterespiritual practiceoveralongperiod. 7.TodependsolelyonthegraceofGodisnotanactofwisdom.Grace isnodoubtverysublimeandisalsobeingshowereduponusby Mahashaktiallthetime.Withoutitthereisnohopeofour advancementtowardssalvationeither.Butthisgracecanonlybe attainedthroughconstantpracticeofYogicKriyawhichcanleadtothe attainmentofeventheunattainable. 8.Donotletanythingeverworryyou.”I(yourGuru)amalwaysthere withyou.”AfterperformingyourKriyaproperlyforsometime,youwill contents
yourselfrealizethetruthofmystatement.Ishallseethatallyour legitimatewishesarefulfilledandyouareneverinwant. 9.Tobringamoodofcalmreposeinthemindbeforeyoustartyour meditationfirstinvitethefollowingthought:”Theworldwasthere beforeIwasbornanditwillbethereevenafterIamgone.So,nothing reallydependsonme,hencewhyshouldIbeinastateoftension?Itis onlywithcalmconsciousnessthatIcanhelpmyselfandhelpothers. TheDivineremainscalmdespitealltheturmoilsintheworld.Itisthe Divinesparkinme,presentasmysoul,thatsustainsme.Letme concentrateonthat.Letmegetafewmomentsofleavefromthe demandsofmybody,fromthedesiresofmylifeandfromthe restlessnessofmindandenterintomysoul–mytrueSelf.Letpeace andcalmsustainme.” 10.Iamawareofeachandeverythingthatyoudo,sonevertryto deceivemebytellinglies. 11.Electricalenergygetsaccumulatedparticularlyinthefore-fingerof therighthand,whichshouldnotthereforebeusedforrubbingteethor pointingoutthedirection,elseitleadstounneccessarywasteofthe accumulatedelectricalenergy. 12.Spiritualprogressdependsupontheloftinessofcharacter.Never hurtanybody’sfeelings.Keepyoursensesundercontrolandfollowthe contents
truthinbody,mindandspeech.KeepunswervingfaithintheGuruand bepatient,compassionateandforgiving. 13.DearSon,allyourhappinessorsufferingisaresultofyourearlier deeds.Donotaddfurthertothese.Giveupdoingbadandunholy deedsnowatleast,sothatyoudonotcreatenewsins,the consequencesofwhichyouwillhavetosufferinfuture. 14.YoudevelopinterestintheKriyathroughconstantpractice,so muchsothatinduecourseoftimeyouwillnotbeabletogiveitup evenifyouwillwantto.Inthebeginning,youwillhavetoforceyourself tositforyourKriya,butlateryouwillstartfeelinggreatlyperturbed wheneveryouarenotabletodoso.TheGurucanonlyadviseyou, explaintoyouanddemonstratethetechniquetoyoubuttheactual performancewillhavetobedonebyyouandyoualone.So,foryour ownbenefit,getdowntothepracticeofKriyawholeheartedlyand arduously;onlytalkingwillnothelp.Onceyougetfirmlyestablishedin thepracticeofKriya,youwillnotbeabletoleaveitthereafter. 15.ThroughthepracticeofKriya,keepmeditatinguponthe‘Mother’in yourheartallthetime;theMotherwhoisthesourceofallCreation, directlyperceptible.Motherwhocannototherwisebeachievedeven throughYogaandissuperiorevento‘Brahma’andistherealitybehind thepsychologicalmanifestationoftheSupremeEmotion.Insteadof gettinginfluencedbyexternalemotions,alwayskeepyourmindin contents
communionwiththeMother.Onceyouareabletostayinthatstate, thereisnothingfurthertobedone. 16.Whileyouareinthephysicalbody,youcannotbutbedoingone thingorother.Thenwhynotengageyourselfinthepursuitofsuchan actaswillabsolveyourallbindingactionsforalltime.Attheexact momentsofsunriseandsunset,sitdownforyourKriyadailywithout fail.Evenifyourmindisnotsteady,donotbotheraboutit.Learnto dependsolelyonyourGuru,thennodemonwillbeabletodoany harmtoyou–becertainaboutit. 17.Mydiscipleswillnotbebornagainandthuswillnothaveto undergothesufferingsinamother’swombagain.MyelderGurudeva ShriBhriguramjiParamahansadevahascreatedanabodeforthem wheretheyshallallreside,aftertheirdeathinthisworld. 18.Thefirstrequirementforspiritualadvancementischaracterwhich mustbekeptunblemishedandnextcomelightmealsandlesssleep.As youprogressinyourKriyathelasttwocomebythemselves.Peaceand tranquilityisthenaturaloutcomeofspiritualpractice. 19.Youacquirerichesandpropertyasaresultofyourpastactions. Whatisordainedinyourdestiny,thatmuchyouwillcertainlyget.But evensoitisnotwisetositbackaboslutelyinactive.Youmustmakeall effortstoprocurethem. contents
20.Everythingiswithinyourveryself.Onlyithasbecomeoverladen withdirtandfilthasanoutcomeofundesirabletendenciesand associationsofpreviouslives.Onceyouareabletogetridofthat covering,youwillbeabletoseeandrecognizeyourrealself.Justas youcannotseeyourfaceinamirrorcoveredwithdirtandtodosoyou havetocleanthemirrorbyrubbing,wipingandwashing,soalsoonce youkeeprubbingoffthedirtofthemindthroughtheconstant repetitionoftheGuru-given-mantra,themindwillbecomepurifiedin duecourseandthenyouwillbeabletoseeyourrealselfonceagain. Theaforesaid‘rubbing,wipingandwashingofthemind’isreallythe YogabhyasKarmaviztheincessantfrictionbetweenthemantraandthe mindthroughconstantrepetitionoftheformer.Getupearlyinthe morningatabout3.30or4.00a.m.andtrytodoyourKriyaupto sunrisefortwotothreehoursatonestretchandsoalsointheevening, daily.Intheeveningstartabouthalfanhourbeforesunsetand continueforanhourandahalfbeyondit.Besidesthis,makeitahabit tomentallyrepeatthemantraatallothertimesalsowhileyouare workingwithyourhandsetc.inthecourseofyourjob.Donotwaste yourtimeonotheruselessthings.Yourjapashouldco-ordinatewith therhythmofexhalationandinhalationofbreathcalledAjapaJap. 21.ItisnotpropertotellanybodyaboutyourKriya,orvisionofany deity,oranyspiritualdream.Anydiscussiononthesesubjectsmay inhibitfurtherexpositionsofasimilarhealthyexperiencesandmay evenproveharmful.Theseindicationsareonlyprecursorstocoming eventsandstabilizationofcertaingoodatributesinaperson.Insuchan contents
event,youmustpreservethesemostsecretlywithinyourselfand intensifyyourspiritualpracticeswithgreatervigour.Bytalkingabout suchexperiencestheirfurtherrevelationmaygetstopped,itmaythen takeaverylongtimefortheirrevivalandevenneverrepeatinthislife. 22.Wheneveryouhaveto,speakthetruthandtruthonly.Ifanybody feelsdissatisfiedatyourspeakingthetruthlethimfeelso;ifyoulosea friendthereby,donotmindit;butneverbeafraidofspeakingthe truth.Tellthetruthandopenly.Ofcourse,thisdoesnotmeanthatyou shouldputanybodyintotroublebytellingthetruthunaskedand withoutanypurpose.Donottellthetruthevenifitisunpalatable unlesscompelledtodoso.Butifyouareforcedtorelate,tellthetruth onlyotherwisekeepquiet. 23.Nevergetsuddenlyagitatedoveranissue.Seeingawee-bitor hearingapartofanincident,toflareupsuddenlyisnotright.Firsttry tounderstandtheprosandconsofathingwhollyandproperly, investigatealltheaspectsofit,thinkoveritintelligently,trytogetto thebottomofthewholeaffair,beforelosingyourtemper.Otherwise manyatimeonehastorepentandeatthehumblepie. 24.Donotfeelastonishedatanyhappeninginthisworld.Difficulties ariseonlywhenyoufeelflabbergastedandupset.Householdershave todoandarrangeforallsortsofthingsforthesatisfactionoftheir relations–wife,sons,daughtersandwife’srelations.Youwillhaveto behavewithpeopledifferentlyaccordingtotherelationshipyouhave contents
witheachoneofthemsinceyouhavetoliveandworkamongstthem. Youneedmoneyallthetime,irrespectiveofyourfieldofactivity.To procurethisyouwillhavetoengageyourselfinsometypeofbusiness. Butbecarefulnottouseunfairmeansthereinandspoilyournameand famebyfallingintodishonestways.Doeverythinghonestly.Youwill havetoperformsomekindofworktoearnaliving,butyoumustnot loseyoursenseofjustice,honestyandfair-playduringitsperformance. Workinanunattachedmannerlikemercuryinavesselorwaterdrops onapetaloflotuswhichstaytherebutdonotstickandkeepquite unattached.Allthetimethatyouareworkingwithyourhands,feetor otherlimbsofthebody,youmustkeepyourmindfixedonGodandHis name.KeeprecitingHisnameandMantrauninterruptedlywitheach breath,Ajapajap. AsaGuru,YogirajShriVishuddhanandParamahansadevawassoul personified,theover-soul-incarnate,whileatthesametimesograceful andsurpassinglyhuman–aqualitythatattractedushumanssomuch tohim. Hecombinedaninscrutablemysterywithaninexhaustiblevariety.He enchantedandhaunted,soothedandsustained.Hislovingtouch chastenedandexalted,transmutedandexhilirated.Hewassimpleasa childandbafflingasthesphinx.Heheldeternityinthehollowofhis palm.Heraisedcreaturesofdusttotheheightsofemphyrean.Inhim indeed,incompatiblesautomaticallyreconciledthemselves.Suchaone wasYogirajadhirajShriVishuddhanandParamahansadeva,popularly contents
knownasGandhaBaba,PerfumeSaint,totheworldandas‘Baba’to hisdisciples. Yogisofhiscalibrehavebeenveryfewinthisworld,whocould transmitspiritualitywithjustatouchoralookandconverteventhe mostdegradedamongstmenintosaintsinamatterofmoments.Such Yogisaretheteachersofallteachers,thehighestmanifestationofGod inman.WecannotseeGodexceptthroughthemandhencewe worshipthem.SinceagesIndiahasbeenthehomeoftrueYogis,people whohavetranscendedthelowerselfandhaveattainedSiddhis(extrasensory-perceptions)andpsycho-kinesis,i.e.,thepowerofman’smind andwill,tomoveobjectsatadistance,whatincommonparlanceare called‘mirracles’. ParamhansaAbhayananadjifromJnanganjAshram Hisnumberlessmiraclesrelatetosubjectsliketravelthroughspace; bringingbackthedeadtolife;convertingoneformofmatterinto another;producingscents,sweetsandfruits;seeingthingsfardistant; multiplyingsmallamountsoffoodetc.intolargequantities;appearing simultaneouslyinseveraldistantplacesatthesameinstant;healingthe sickanddeformed;telepathy;clairvoyance;precognition;powerto readminds;toseethroughwallsandgoacrossthemwithout hindrance;toforetellfutureeventsandeventomentallycauseor changethemotionofphysicalobjects.Thesemiraclesgotoprovetous contents
mortalshissuper-humanpowersbywhichheinfused‘Confidencein Divinity’fortheupliftmentofsocietyandalleviateditssufferings. AccordingtoYogiraj,‘Religionconsistsofrealization;notofreason, theories,documents,doctrines,scripturesandrituals–whichallare onlyaidstoreligion.Wehavetorealizereligionthroughconstant practiceandthisrealizationisalongprocess.Therearenojumping steps,wehavetoworkuptheladderstepbystep.Toattain ‘realization’wehavetopassthroughtheconcreteandthencometo theabstract,likethechildrenlearnthealphabetthroughpictures. Fromtheageoffourteen,Babaspentthenexttwelveyearsunder rigoroustrainingin‘Yoga’and‘NaturalSciences’likeSurya-Vijnan,solar science,Chandra-vijnan,lunarscience,Vayu-vijnan,wind-science, Nakshatra-Vijnan,stellarscience,Shabda-Vijnan,soundscienceand Kohana-Vijnan,InstantofTimeScience,etc.,intheveryancientsecret GyanganjYogashraminTibet,andattainedexcellenceinallofthem. ShriVishuddhanandwasanexceptionamongstYogis.Throughhisyogic powerofIccha-shakti,heplantedgrapesonthebranchofaJamuntree andthatofacastortreeandtransformedanoldJawa-flower-treeinto oneofrose.WhileenunciatingtheprincipleofRishiPatanjali, ”Jatyantarparinamahprakrityapurat”,viz.thatonethingcanbe convertedintoanotherbytransplantingintoitthedeficientparticlesof thelatterafterattractingthesamefromnature,hepractically contents
demonstratedconversionofaroseflowerintojawa,ajawaflowerinto acoralandabelaflowerintoasphatik(crystalball). ParamhansaVishuddhanandJi’sLife-sizestatue(builtduringHISlifetime)atKali-ghat,Kolkata Babashunnedfruitlessgossip.Hewouldsitquietlyforhoursinthe presenceofhisdisciples,givingthemtimeandopportunityfor introspectionandnam-japa.Hewasverykind,compassionateand generousatheartandhelpfultooneandall.Hehaddevelopedthe feelingsoffriendshipandhappiness(insteadofjealousy)atseeingthe prosperityofothers,andindifferencetosininsteadofhateand repulsion.Hehadovercomehisegocompletely.Hewasneverafter nameandfameanddidnotlikemakingdisciplesindiscriminately.Baba wasagreatappreciatoroffinequalitiesandgoodcharacterinpeople. Heparticularlylovedchildrenandenjoyedtheircompany.Heplayed withthemandshowedthemlittletricksandmiracles.Heentertained themwithjokesandfunnystorieswithmorals. Ineffect,Baba’sgreatnesscomprisedofacombinationofsweetness, affability,greatsuper-naturalpowerstodothings,supremeknowledge, compassionforallandassistancetotheneedy.Babausedtosay, ”Attachmentisthecauseofunhappinessandthiscycleofbirthand death.Self-realizationthroughthecontrolofmindistheonlywayto contents
salvation.”Hismainaimwastowakeuphisdisciplesanddevoteesfrom theslumbercausedbytheindriyas,whichdeludeonefirstintothinking thattheygiveonerealhappiness,tofindlaterthatthehappinesswas onlytransientandunreal. Self-realizationispossibleonlythroughconstantpracticeofYoga-kriya. ThroughconstancyinKriya,onecanchangeevenhisdestiny.One’s ownsadhana(effort)andtheKripa(grace)ofMahashakti,bothare necessaryforsuccessinGod-realization.However,sadhanabyitselfwill begetKripaandprovidetheneededpropintheformofaGuru (preceptor).GodhimselfdescendsintheformofarealGuru,takeshold ofthe‘being’andhelpshiminhissalvation.Oneonlyneedsto surrendercompletelytotheGuruandactaccordingtohisinstructions. Thistotalunqualifiedsurrenderisthekeytosuccess. Baba’smainstresswasonKriya-karma.Hewouldsay,”Karmebhyo Namah‘i.e.,”Doit!Doit!Keepdoingit!” Babakeptaconstantvigiloverhisdisciples.Heknewfromday-to-day naymoment-to-moment,whattheywerethinking,talkinganddoing, evenwhenhundredsofmilesawayfromthem.Intimesofemergency hewouldevenappearbeforetheminphysicalorsubtleastralformas appropriateandhelpthemoutofadifficultsituation,e.g.,intheform ofarailwayporter,abeggaroramendicant,etc.Gurudevahadtaken totalresponsibilityforhisdisciples.Heusedtosay,”Iplaceeachoneof youinthestateandsituationneededforyouradvancement.Ialsogive contents
youanddoforyoujustasmuchasisreallynecessary.Thesoleaimof lifeistogetbacktoyourrealselfandgetestablishedpermanentlyin yourownconsciousself.Manissufferingbecausehehasgottornaway fromhismoorings–hisrealself,thesupremeself.Onceheisableto establishhiscontactwiththeselfagain,allhistroublesandmiseries willautomaticallycometoanend.” Yogisneverdie! ShriVishuddhanandParamahansadevapassedawayinJuly1937,but hepresentshimselfeventodayindifferentforms,atsomanyplaces simultaneouslybeforehisdisciplesanddevotees,tocurethemoftheir illnesses,protectthemagainstaccidentsandhelpthemoutoftheir predicamentsandtroubles. ItappearsonlyrelevanttogivehereafewfactsaboutBabafora properunderstandingofthepersonalityofthegreatsoulinthecorrect perspective. 1.Babamostfrequentlytaughtthroughactionsandself-examplewhat mostpreceptorstriedtoteachthroughwords. 2.Hecouldsometimesspeakinparables,leavinghisdevoteestowork outtheanswer. contents
3.Hehadthepeculiarartofgivinginformationtoparticularindividuals inthemidstofagroupinawaythattheyalonecouldunderstandand nottheothermembersofthegroup. 4.AnotherpeculiarityofBabawasthatinsteadofansweringaquestion directlyhewouldsometimessendthequestionertosomeonewhois foundtobereadingthesameverythinginascriptureandthusgetan answertohisquestion. 5.Babawaslivingandoperatinginotherworldsalsobesidesthisworld ininvisibleforms. 6.ShriBabahadthepowertoguidethedeadaswellasthoseliving. 7.Hebelongedtoahiddenspiritualhierarchy.Hetravelledatwillin subtlebodyandspokeofhistravelsovergreatdistancesofspaceand timetohisdisciplesattimes. 8.Evenwheninfleshinthisearthlylife,hewasnotconfinedtohis physicalbody.Itmaytrulybesaidofhimthatheisaliveevennow thoughhetookmahasamadhiin1937.
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9.Heneverspokeuntruthandmeaninglessjargon.Onlythosewho werefamiliarwithhiswayscouldmakeoutthemeaningofwhathe saidordidandthattooonlywhenitwasintendedfortheir understanding. 10.Hehadthemostdetailedknowledgeofdistanteventsand circumstances.Also,whetherhedirectedtheactionsofsomeother person,orhimselfmaterializedinadistantplacetoplayhispartthere, hecoulddosowithoutinterruptinghisnormalactivitiesathisashrams atKashi,BurdwanorCalcutta. 11.Babausedtosay,”Havingundertakenresponsibilityforyou,Iwill neverallowanyofyoudisciplestoescapefromme.Onlykeepfaithand Iwilldotherest.Iwillgiveyouwhatyouwantifitbetoyourbenefit andwishthatyouwillinduetimedesirewhatIwanttogiveyou. Whereveryoumaybe,thinkofmeandIwillbewithyou.” 12.Babaexertedatremendousinfluenceoverhisdevotees,causinga remarkablechangeintheirlife-stylefortheirspiritualupliftment. contents
P.Vishuddhanandji at Burdwan SwamiVishuddhanandParamahansawasaliberated,realizedYogiof idealcharacter,pureandpiousinhisday-to-dayliving,anidealinthe practiceandapplicationoftheprinciplesofKarma-yoga,Gyan-yogaand Bhakti-yoga,anextraordinaarycombinationofgrandeurand sweetness.Heattainedsalvation,thehigheststatebeyondallsenseperception,afterachievingknowledgeandmasteryoverallthe principlesandphilosophyoftheworldwithinandtheworldwithout throughstrenuousandausterespiritualpracticesandextraordinary graceofGod.Hehadcompletelyannihilatedhisegoandestablished stableandperpetualcommunion(yoga)withMaha-Shakti.Therewas nottheslightesttraceofself-egoleftinhim,itwasallpureperception only. Intheyear1911BabashiftedtoBurdwan.Manyextraordinary incidentstookplacefuringhisstaythere.InBurdwanpeoplerespected Babawithgreatdevotion.Butonewilypersongotobsessedbythe wickeddesiretofindoutthemethodandritualsofBaba’sPuja,even thoughhewasfullyawarethatBabaperformedhisPujainaclosed roomandnobodywaspermittedtoseehowandwhathedidthen.So onedaythisgentlemangotanopportunityandsurreptitiouslyslipped intoBaba’sprayerroomandhidhimselfinsidebeforeahniktime. Attheappropriatetime,BabaenteredthePuja-roomtoperformhis Puja-kriyaandboltedthedoorfrominside.Hefirststartedwiththe contents
Paranayam-kriyaasusual.Asheinhaledairfromtheatmosphereand retaineditwithinhimself,alltheairintheroomgottransfixedandit becameimpossibleforthehiddenpersontobreathe.Whenhisthroat gotalmostsuffocatedduetolackofair,heshouted,”BabaHe!”. HearingtheyellBabalookedinthatdirectionandonspottingthe fellow,understoodwhatthematterwas.Heimmediatelyreleasedthe airandestablishedtheequilibriumandbysodoingsavedthelifeof thatindividual. ThereafterBabascoldedthatpersonandsaid,”Look,neveragain shouldyoudaretotestaYogiortrytoseehisKriyastealthily.IfIhad notnoticedyouinstantly,yourbodywouldhavebeenchairedtoashes inajiffy.”Thatmanfeltveryashamed,humblybeggedpardonandgot outoftheroom. EstablishmentofAshrams,tomentiononlythreeoutofsixofthem 1.VishuddhashramatBurdwan Baba’sricefieldsatbeautifulBondul AsperdirectionofShriBhriguramParamahansa,thefirstAshramwas establishedbyBabainBurdwan.ItwasnamedafterBabaas contents
‘Vishuddhashram’.BhriguramSwamihadframedandsentasetofrules toregulatetheproperworkingofthisAshram,whichapplyequallyto theotherAshramsestablishedbyBaba.Outofthatsetofrules,twoare particularlyimportant:–WheneveranysubjectregardingYogaor scripturesorofaconfidentialnaturebeunderdiscussionwitha particulardisciple,nobodyelseshouldbethere,notevenanothercodisciple.Itshouldbeclearlyunderstoodandkeptinmindthatthe exposureofasecretsubjectcanresultinharmtothewhole congregation.–PermissionforentryandstayintheAshrammustnot begrantedtoanybodywhocomesonworldlybusiness,ormundane matterorforpleasureandrecreation. 2.TheAshramatBondul(distt.Burdwan) AshramatBondul ShriBabaestablishedthesecondAshramin1911athisnativevillage Bondul.AftertheconstructionoftheBondulAshramwascompleted, onedayBabareceivedaletterfromShriBhriguramParamahansawhich containedthefollowingdirectionsregardingtheAshrams:”These Ashramsdonotbelongtoyou.Theyarethepropertyofyourdisciples. ThisruleappliesnotonlytoBondulAshrambuttotheVishuddhashram atBurdwanandtoallotherAshram.’Babamerelyactedascustodian, withnoself-interestorattachmenttotheseAshrams.Duringhislifecontents
timealoneheformedatrustandsetofrulesfortheirproperworking admanagementafterhisdeath. 3.Vishuddhanand-Kanan-AshramatKashi(Varanasi) BabadesiredthatatthisAshramalso,thereshouldbeadequate provisionfortrainingandresearchinYogaandnaturalSciences,onthe samepatternasinGyanganjYogashram.Butduetosomeunknown reason(maybewitholdingofsanctionfromGyanganj)Babahadto finallyshelvethisscheme. TheNav-mundiAsan TheNav-MundiAsanatKashi HariharBanlingaBanduleshwaratBandul WhenShriBabafailedtogettheapprovalofhisproposaltosetup ‘CentrefortraininginYogaandsciences’atKashifromhissuperior authoritiesofGyanganj,thenhededicatedthefruitsofoverfortyyears ofhisarduouspenanceandausteritiesforthewell-beingand upliftmentofhisdisciplesanddevoteesbyestablishing‘Navmundi contents
Asan’on14thFebruary1935atKashiAshram.Butunlessoneis endowedwithpurityofbody,goodsamskaras(vasanascarriedover fromearlierbirths)andthespecialgraceoftheGuru,itisnotpossible tositonthisSiddhasanandperformKriya. Gyanganj (Jnan-ganj) Yogashram in Tibet TheGyanganj(Jnanganj)Yogashram–theancientnameofthis Yogashramwas‘IndraBhawan’.ThisancientAshramwasrenovated andrestoredtoitspristinegloryagainbySwamiGyananand Paramahans,adiscipleofMaharshiMahatapa.Underhisable administrationandresponsiblemanagementitstartedfunctioning properlyonceagainunderthenewnameGyanganj.
Gyanganjisanextraordinaryspiritualtrainingcentre.The Brahmacharis,BrahmacharinisandParamahansasofthiscentre,after gettingestablishedinthestateAham-Brahmasmi,roamaboutinthe universeas,whenandwheretheylike. TheGyanganj(Jnanganj)Yogashramwithaperimeterofabout16 kilometres,issituatedinthewesternregionofTibet,anuplandinthe HimalayastothenorthofIndia.ThisancientAshramwasrenovated andrestoredtoitspristinegloryonceagainbySwamiGyananand Paramhans,adiscipleofMaharshiMahatapa.Underhisable administrationandresponsiblemanagementitstartedfunctioning contents
properlyonceagainunderthenewnameofGyanganj.Allthis renovationtookplaceaboutsevenhundredyearsearlier,i.e.,sayabout 1225A.D.YogirajShriVishuddhanandhadeulogisedaboutthe eminenceofGyanganjYogashraminbriefattimesaboutthe supernaturalexperiencesandpowersoftheYogisofthisAshram. About the name ‘Gyanganj’ Now‘Gyan’isaSanskritwordand‘Gan’jappearstobeaPersianword. Howcomethatthewordsofthesetwodifferentlanguageshavebeen joineduptoformthewordGyan-ganj?InactualfactGanjisaword,the rootofwhichisSanskritandittravelledfromBharat(India)toPersia: Ganj:Gaji(BhwadiganiyaDhatu)+Yan(Pratyaya)Theword‘Ganj’ means‘TreasuryofJewels’so‘Gyanganj’literallymeans‘Treasuryof KnowledgeofAllKinds’. A brief description of the Ashram
ThisextensiveYogashram,havingaperimeterof16kilometres,is situatedinthewesternpartoftheplateauofTibet,surroundedbyhillrangesonallsides.Ithasarampartallaroundit,withadeepditchfull ofwater,runningallalongtherampartontheoutside,havingarched bridgesacrossitforpurposesofcommunication.Everyblockofthe Ashramissuitablyfurnishedwithallmaterialsnecessaryforinstruction intheparticulardisciplinetobetaughtinthatblock.Thearrangements contents
forinstructioninYogaandScienceareindeedexquisite.Thetwo facultiesareindependent.TheYoga-facultyisunderthechargeof SwamiBhriguramParamahansaandthatofScienceunderSwami ShyamanandParamahansa.TheoverallinchargeortheChiefExecutive isSwamiGyananandParamahansa. Itseemsappropriatetogivehereabriefdescriptionofsomeofthe yogisintimatelyconnectedwiththisAshram. Maharshi Mahatapa HeistheHeadofthisorganization.AccordingtoSwamiVishuddhanand heisoveronethousandfourhundredyearsold.Hisbodyisbeyond materialrequirementsoffood,waterandairandhasbecomesublime anddivine.Hehastranscendedthelimitationsoftimeandspace.He cantravelunfetteredtoany‘loka’(world)asperhiswish.Hedoesnot stayintheAshramitself,butgenerallyinacaveamongstthehillsof Tibet.Anidolof‘Raj-RajeshwariDevi’isinstalledinthatcave,andthe caveisthereforeknownbythenameof‘Raj-RajeshwariMath’.There arenohutmentsintheneighbourhoodandtheyogiswhostayinthe Math(monastery)havealltranscendedthenecessityfordoorsor houses.InthatpartoftheHimalayastherearemanymonasteries similartoGyanganjYogashram.Alltheseareundertheadministrative jurisdictionofRaj-RajeshwariDevi.MaharshiMahatapadoesnot permanentlystayinanyparticularmonastery.Heoccasionallyvisitsthe GyanganjYogashramandsometimeshegoestoManohar-Tirthatopay contents
homagetohisGurumata‘Kshepa-Mai’.Heisallthetimeinasortof tranceandisnotusedtotalkingmuch.Amongsthisdisciples,whostay attheGyanganjYogashram,therearemanyoverhundredsofyearsof age.ThemainonesareParamanansasSwamiBhriguram,Nimanand, ShyamanandandGyananand. Swami Bhriguram Paramahansa Heisoverfivehundredyearsoldandistheforemostdiscipleof MaharshiMahatapainthelineofYoga.Heistheheadofthefacultyof YogaintheAshram.SwamiVishuddhanandgothisYogatraining directlyfromhim.Heisthechiefadministratorofallthemonasteries underthejurisdictionofRaj-RajeshwariDevi.Heiswhollyandsolely responsiblefortheirupkeep,maintenanceoflawandorder,inspection, conductingofexaminationsandsupervision.Theheartfeltprayerwavesfromthedistressedsoulsarecaughtbyhisearsimmediatelyand hehasthecapabilityofinstantlyappearingbeforetheminhuman form.SwamiBhriguramParamahansahadunobstructedaccesstothe innermostrecessesofthemindofthedisciples.Hismodeoftravelis ‘flyingthroughspace’.Hisfeetwouldnottouchtheground.Heisthe onlyoneYogionthefaceofthisearthwhocangoupto‘Surya-loka’.His bodyisnolongercomposedofthefiveelementsnorofthesixKoshas (Pranamaya,Gyanamayaetc.).Itisasupernaturaldivinebody. contents
Swami Nimanand Paramahansa ThisgreatSwami’sinsightwasresponsiblefordetectingthelatent spiritualgreatnessinBholanathandleadinghimupfinallytobecomea Paramahansa.WhenBholanathlostallhopeoflifeandhadexcruciating painduetothepoisonofamad-dog-biteandhadcomeoneeveningto theHooglyrivertogetdrowned,thiswastheSwamiwhohadsavedhis life.AgainaftertwoyearsBholanathandHaripadatravelledalltheway fromBurdwantoDaccaandmethim.Whentheyentreatedhimand showedgreatkeennesstotreadthepathofYogatobecomeYogis,it washewhobroughtthemalongtoGyanganj.SwamiNimanandJiis alsoamongsttheforemostdisciplesofMaharshiMahatapaandisa realisedYogiendowedwithsupernaturalpowers.ParamhansaSwami NemanandJiisalsoGuruofParamPoojyaMahatapsviShri Kumarswamiji. Swami Shyamanand Paramahansa SwamiShyamanandisanotherdiscipleofMaharshiMahatapawho excelledintheknowledgeofNaturalSciencesunderthetutelageofthe Maharshi.HeistheHeadofthefacultyofScienceintheYogashram.He impartstraininginSolarScience,AstronomyandAstrology,Etherial Science,LunarScienceetc.SolarScienceisthemostsuperiorprime scienceamongstallthesesciences.Afterattainingknowledgeand proficiencyinSolarScience,theotherSciencescanbelearnt comparativelyeasily.SwamiVishuddhanandlearntSurya-Vijnan(Solar contents
Science)thoroughlyunderthedirecttutelageofSwamiShyamanand Paramahansa.SwamiVishuddhanandwasthefirstonetothrowsome lightonSuryaVijnanandbringittothenoticeofourworldforthefirst time.Beforethis,nobodyonthisearthknewanythingaboutSuryaVijnan.Surya-VijnanhasaverycloseconnectionwithYoga.Onlyhe, whoisanadeptattheScienceofYogacanattainfulland comprehensiveknowledgeofSuryaVijnan.Soyouwillnowbeableto getanideaofthedepthofknowledgeandhighstatusofSwami ShyamanandParamahansawhoisalsooverfivehundredyearsold. Swami Gyananand Paramahansa AsaforesaidSwamiGyananandisoneoftheforemostdisciplesof MaharshiMahatapa.Itwasthroughhiseffortsthatalmostseven hundredyearsearliertheancientIndra-Bhawanwasresurrectedand namedGyanganjYogashram.SwamiGyananandhadalreadybecome ParamahansabeforeheresusciatedIndraBhawan.Atthattimehe shouldhavebeenoverahundredyearsold.Sohispresentagewillbe anywhereovereighthundredyears.ParamahansaGyananandisthe chiefadministratorinchargeofGyanganjYogashram.Heisendowed withsupremesupernaturalspiritualpowers. contents
Swami Abhayananda Paramahansa
ParamhansaAbhayanandJipicturedaboveatthetopofthiswebpage ParamhansaAbhayananadJi,abrother-disciple(Guru-bandhu)of ParamhansaVishuddhanandaJiisfromJnanganjashramanddiscipleof MahaTapaJiMaharaj.Heiscurrentlyindeepsamadhistate undergoingspiritualpenance. YogirajVishuddhanandParamhansadeva Paramhansa Vishuddhanand Ji Gandh-baba ShriVishuddhananda’schildhoodnamewasBholanath Chattopadhyaya.SiddhaYogiSwamiNimanandParamahansaofthe secretGyanganjYogashraminTibettookBholnathtoGyanganjashram. YogirajVishuddhanandParamhansadevawasthefirstYogi-Saintto introduceandpropagateSurya-Vijnan,solarscience,intotheworldfor thefirsttime.Uptillthenthissciencewasconfinedtotheprecintsof theancientsecretsofYogashramatGyanganjintheHimalayasinTibet andwasknownonlytotheancients.BabastayedinGyanganjAshram for12years.Suryai.e.,SunorSavitameans‘sourceofcreation’. AccordingtoSurya-Vijnanthereare360raysofthesunwhichgoto contents
formthewholecreationoftheUniverse.Babaconvertedcottonwool, flowersandleavesintostones,wood,etc.bytheincidenceof appropriateraysoftheSun.Hedemonstratedpracticallyhowminute particlesofingredientsofvariousobjectscouldbedispersedor assembledanddestroyedorcreatedthroughtheprocesofSuryaVijnan.Asaresultofhisadherencetothestrictrulesofthe Brahmacharyaperiod,Bholanathhadfreedhimselffromtheinfluence ofegoandhadalsodevelopedthespiritofsurrendertothewillofthe SupremePower. Matterisindestructible ShriBabademonstratedpracticallythatmatterisindestructible. 1st Instance HeaskedShriGopinathtowritesomethingonapieceofpaper,burnit andpulverizetheashesbyhishands.Thereafterheresurrectedfromits ashesthatverysamepaperwiththesentenceswrittenonitby Gopinath. contents
2nd Instance Anotherday,BabahadapailfullofmilkthrownintotheriverGangain VaranasiatoneGhat.Afteracoupleofdayshereclaimedthatpail-full ofmilkfromtheGangaatanotherghatofVaranasi. 3rd Instance Evenifapersonpassesawayfromtheworldofcurse(Mrityulok)to heaven(Brahmalok),ayogicanbringhimbackintheworld,throughhis yogicpower.Forexample,Bababroughtbackhisdeadfatherinbodily intothisworldatBondulattheearnestrequestofhiselderbrotherShri Bhutnath.Thisincidenthasbeendescribedlaterinchapter6ofthis book.Theaboveprovedbeyonddoubtthatnothingiseverlostor destroyedinNature. Materialization of the Dead Father in Physical Form OnceBhootnathtoldVishuddhanand,”Bholanath!Ihaveheardthat throughspiritualpracticeyouhaveacquiredextraordinarypowers.For alongtimeIhaveayetunfulfilleddesireinmyheart.Ifyoucouldfulfil thesame,Iwillconsidermyselfblessed.Iwanttoseeourlatefatherin physicalformjustforonce,Ihearthatthesouliseternalthoughmanis mortal.Thechangestakeplaceonlyinthephysicalformofthebody. contents
Buttheyogi,throughhisyogicpowers,canresurrectthesoulinits physicalbodilyform.Theyogi,throughhisyogicpowers,canresurrect thesameasitwereinthepastatanytime.Iknowyoucanfulfilmy desireifyousowish.Ihavenootherwish.”Bholanathsaid,”Dear brother,whatyouhavestatedisquitetrue.Thereisnothingthat cannotbeaccomplishedbyyogicpowerorsuper-science.Afterthe battleofMahabharatatKurukshetra,MaharshiVyasadevahad resurrected,herdeadrelativesbeforetheveryeyesofthegriefstrickenGandhari,infulfilmentofherwish.Ayogicandothisthrough hiswill-power.Thesamecanalsobeaccomplishedbytheapplicationof super-science.But,dearbrother,whatwillyougainbysimplyseeing ourlatefather?Onlyknowthatthesoulneverdies.Deathonlychanges theform.Youwillnotbeabletokeepyourequanimityatseeingour deadfathernow,inhisoldphysicalform.Therefore,itwillbebetter thatyouacceptthewillofGodinwhateverhasalreadycometopass anddonotpresstoseeourlatefatherinphyiscalformnow.”But Bhootnathpersistedandpressedhiswish.Bholanathwaswellaware thatanybody,onseeinghisdeadrelative,cannotnormallykeephis sanityintactanddevelopsinsanity.Hencehetriedveryhardindeedto dissuadehisbrother,butBhootnathwasinsistent.Intheend, Bholanathacceededtohisrequest.Aroomwassetasperinstructions ofBholanath.Initacotwasplacedandonitanewbeddingwas spread.Attheappointedhour,theirlatefatherappearedinhisusual physicalformandtookhisseatonthebed.Heevenrepliedtothe questionsputtohim.Hestayedthusforaboutfifteenminutesand thendeparted.Butthesightinbodilyformofthelatefatherleftadeep harmfulimpactonthemindofBhootnath. contents
Pre-Knowledge of Future Events Bholanath(nowSwamiVishuddhanand)usedtovisitBurdwannowand then.OncehefoundhiselderbrotherBhootnathsufferingfroma chronicdisease.Thetreatmenttherewasgivinghimnorelief. Bholanathcuredhimbyhisyogicpower,justbyasheergazeathim. Butbeforeleaving,hetoldBhootnathinnouncertaintermsthathe wasnotevertotakeonionsoreggs.Healsoimpressedthispointon Bhootnath’swifeandwarnedheroftheconsequences.ButBhootnath wasneverapersontofollowrulesorrestrictionsforanylengthoftime. Hestartedtakingonionsandeggsagain.Aftersometime,thedisease reappearedinBhootnathinavirulentform.Hebecameworsedayby dayandnomedicinewasabletoprovidehimanyrelief.Youcan imaginethefeelingsofthemotherundersuchcircumstances.Although Bholanathwasatthattimeinaverydistantplace,eventherehecould gettheinklingofhisbrother’sconditionandthestateofmentalagony ofhismother.Forayogi,distanceisofnoconsequenceand VishuddhanandappearedinstantlyathisvillageBondul.Therehe explicitlyexplainedtohismotherthatBhootnath,havingdisobeyedthe instructions,couldnotbecuredanymore.Simultaneouslyheindicated thedateandtimeofthedeathofBhootnathtothemotherand disappeared.NeedlesstosaythatBhootnathdiedexactlyonthesame dayandtimeashadbeenprophecisedbyBholanath.Themother becamemiserablygriefstricken.Bholanathagainappearedonthe scene.Herelievedthemotherofthegriefbyasimpletouchofhis hand.SwamiVishuddhanandhadacquiredmanysupernaturalpowers throughtheconstantpracticeofMantraJap(meditation),Tapasya (penance)andSamadhi(superconsciousness).Butheusedtoutilize contents
theseSiddhisonlyforthebenefitofmankind.Wheneverrequested,he usedtoproviderelieftoallrelativesornon-relativesintheirbodilyand mentalsufferingsandallkindsoftroubles.Manypeoplesufferingfrom chronicandvirulentdiseaseswerecuredjustbyasinglebenevolent gazefromhisorbyexerciseofhiswill-power.Therewasnoendtohis yogicpowersanditisimpossibletocomprehend,leavealonedescribe allofthem. Bholanath in Gyanganj (Jnanganj) Ashram BholanathembarkedonhisregulartraininginYogainGyanganj Yogashram,undertheexpertguidanceofShriBhriguramParamahansa. Hissharpintellectandrigorousapplicationenabledhimtoatain completemasteryovertheeightstagesofYoga,onebyone,inaperiod muchshorterthanotheraspirantswhoinspiteofhavingstartedearlier, hadnotyetattainedthesameproficiency. ShriBhriguramParamahansawasgreatlyimpressedbyBholanath’s intensityofpurposeanddedication.Inappreciationthereof,hegave awaythe‘‘HariharaBanalinga”–Shivalingamwhichwasinuseinthe Ashram,fortestingtheprogressoftrainees–toBholanathasaprize. ThiswasaShivalingainGyanganjYogashramwhichwasexceptionally powerful.ItwasusedfortestingtheprogressoftraineesinYogic Tratak.OrdinaryaspirantsofYogacouldnotfixtheirgazeatitsteadily contents
foranylengthoftime.OnlyBrahmacharisandYogisfullyestablishedin Yogatechniquewereabletofixtheirgazeuponitforawhile.Itscolour wouldchangeaftereverythreehoursintervalanditshuewouldthus changeeighttimesduringthetwenty-fourhoursofdayandnight. Manypeoplehavewitnessedthetwo-foldformsoftheLordviz.Hari (Vishnu)andHara(Shiva)initandhencethisShivalingahadbeen namedasHariharaBanalinga.ThisBanalingawasgreatlyinstrumental inBholanath’smeteoricriseinthepracticeofYoga.Theresidentsof theAshramtookstrongobjectiontothepresentationofthisBanalinga byShriBhriguramParamahansatoBholanath.Theyclaimedthatnot onlywasitthepropertyoftheAshram,butitwasinconstantusehere asaninstrumentfortestingtheprogressi.e.,thestageofattainmentof Yoga-aspirants.Henceitcouldnotbehandedovertoanindividual. BhriguramSwamiexplainedtothemthathehadtakenthedecisionto presentthisBanalingatoBholanathbecausehedeserveditfullyby virtueofhisexcellentperformanceandshowinginYoga-practice.Itwas alsoquitetruethatthisBanalingawouldnolongerbeavailableat GyanganjAshram,butitwouldsoonbeinstalledataveryauspicious placeinBengal.Andanyoneofyoucouldgothereandofferprayers andconcentrateonit,asdistancedoesnotpresentanyhindranceor obstacleandisthereforeofnoconsequencetoaYogi.Besides,its installationinBengalwouldbeofimmensepublic-benefit. Gurudeva,ShriMahatapaMaharaj,approvedtheactionofShri BhriguramandblessedBholanath.ThisBanalingacouldstandthegaze ofBholanathduringhismeditation.OrdinaryLingacouldnotnormally standhisgazeandwouldgetshatteredtopieces.Aftersometime BhriguramSwamidirectedBholanath(Vishuddhanand)toinstalthis contents
Banalingainthevillageofhisbirthviz.Bondul,inatempleandhavean Ashrambuiltalongside.TheSwamimadeitclearthatitwastobe installedinBondulandBondulony.Heevenindicatedthespotforits installationsayingthatondiggingatthementionedspotTrishul (Trident)wouldbefoundabouttwometresbelowtheground.The HariharaBanalingawasinstalledduringauspiciousMuhurta(moment) underthenameofBonduleshwara. HariharJnanganjBanlinga(Banduleshwar)atBandul Inthisway,undertheinstructionsofSwamiBhriguramParamahansa, BholanathdevelopedintoaperfectYogi.Hesparednopainstolearn naturalsciencesunderthetutelageofSwamiShyamanand Paramahansa.HelearnedVayu-Vijnan(scienceofnaturalsciences), Nakshatra-Vijnan(astrology),Chandra-Vijnan(lunarscience),SwaraVijnan(scienceofsoundvibrations),Kshana-Vijnan(scienceofinstant oftime)andSurya-Vijnan(solarscience)etc.LikeinYoga,Bholanath attainedgreatprificiencyandmasteryinallabovesciencesalso. YogirajVishuddhanandParamhansadevawasthefirstYogi-Saintto introduceandpropagateSurya-Vijnan,solarscience,intotheworldfor thefirsttime.Uptillthenthissciencewasconfinedtotheprecintsof theancientsecretsofYogashramatGyanganjintheHimalayasinTibet andwasknownonlytotheancients.BabastayedinGyanganjAshram contents
for12years.Suryai.e.,SunorSavitameans‘sourceofcreation’. AccordingtoSurya-Vijnanthereare360raysofthesunwhichgoto formthewholecreationoftheUniverse.Babaconvertedcottonwool, flowersandleavesintostones,wood,etc.bytheincidenceof appropriateraysoftheSun.Hedemonstratedpracticallyhowminute particlesofingredientsofvariousobjectscouldbedispersedor assembledanddestroyedorcreatedthroughtheprocesofSuryaVijnan.Asaresultofhisadherencetothestrictrulesofthe Brahmacharyaperiod,Bholanathhadfreedhimselffromtheinfluence ofegoandhadalsodevelopedthespiritofsurrendertothewillofthe SupremePower. Bholanath,nowSwamiVishuddhanand,hadacquiredmanysupernaturalpowersthroughtheconstantpracticeofMantraJap (meditation),Tapasya(penance)andSamadhi(super-consciousness). ButheusedtoutilizetheseSiddhisonlyforthebenefitofmankind. Wheneverrequested,heusedtoproviderelieftoallrelativesornonrelativesintheirbodilyandmentalsufferingsandallkindsoftroubles. Manypeoplesufferingfromchronicandvirulentdiseaseswerecured justbyasinglebenevolentgazefromhimorbytheexerciseofhiswillpower. VishuddhanandhadunlimitedfaithinhisGuruandheacceptedthe commandofhisGurueventhoughitwasnottohisownliking.After havinglivedasaSanyasiforfouryears,SwamiVishuddhananddidnot liketheideaofmarriage.He,however,implicitybelievedinthedictum thattheGuru’scommands,deedsandthoughtsarealwaysdirected contents
towardpromotingthegoodofthedisciple.Hence,whenhisGuru, MahatapaMaharaj,askedhimtomarry,heboweddowntohis commandandagreedtoleadthelifeofahouseholder.Withall humility,heonlyenquiredofhisGuru,”Gurudeva,Ihopemymarriage willnotstandinthewayofmyprogressinTapa,i.e.,practiceof austerity.”TheGurureplied,”No,withmyblessingstheinfluenceof yourTapawillincreasedaybydayaftermarriageinsteadofdeclining” andthisprovedtobetrue.AfterhismarriageVishuddhanandpursued hisspiritualausteritieswithevengreatervigourandtenacity.Hesoon attainedthestageofTirth-Swamiandduringthatperiodheacquired manyadditionalYogicSiddhis. Paramhansa Ji with Mata Ji Aftermarriage,Vishuddhanandwenttohisin-laws’placeat Manteshwar.Therehewenttothepondforhisdailybath.Thepond wasoverladenwithwaterweeds.Whilebathing,hewasbittenonhis chestbyasnake.Heimmediatelycameoutofthepond.Bloodwas flowingoutofthebittenspot.VishuddhanandenteredtheShiva templeatthepondandtoldhisbrother-in-lawtoensurethatnobody enteredthetempletillsuchtimeasheprayedinsideit,irrespective howlonghetookinside,sonobodydisturbedhim.Thewholedaywent by,thewholenightpassed.Onlyontheseconddayinthemorning,the doorofthetemplewasopenedfrominsideandheemerged.Hiseyes wereblood-redandthewholebodywaswetwithperspiration,but contents
therewasnovisiblesignofsnake-bitepoison,exceptthedent’sof snakesfangsonhischest. Paramahansa Vishuddhanandji’s Siddhis Siddhis–super-naturalpowers TherewasnoendtoShriBaba’ssuper-naturalpowers.Buthedidnot considerthosetobeofmuchintrinsicvalue.Thesolepurposebehind hisexhibitingthemtohisdisciplesanddevoteeswastoincreasetheir faithinGodandworship,inreligionandintheunboundedand unlimitedpoweroftheMahashakti. Duringhislife-timehisdisciplesanddevoteeshadwitnessedmanyof hismiraclesatdifferenttimes,indifferentplacesandundervarying circumstancesandenvironments.Evenafterhisdemiseon14thJuly 1937,hisdisciplesanddevoteestilltodaycontinuetowitnessthem.It hasthusbeencorrectlystatedinourscripturesthataGuruneverdies. Helivesforeverinastralformandkeepsguidinghisdisciples. WithregardstothesemiraclesBabaonedaytoldhisdisciples,”Inmy childhoodIusedtothinkthatallthistalkaboutmiraclesandsupernaturalpowersinourscripturesisnothingbutafabricationof contents
imagination.ButaftergoingtoGyanganj,Iwasstunnedtoseewhatall waspossible.Thatplaceappearedtomelikeamagic-landfullof wonders.Everythingandeventseemedtocomewithinthescopeof possibility.” Babakeepsawatchoverhisdisciplesatalltimes OneSundayduringhisstayatVishuddhashram,Burdwan,Babawas stressingtheneedforregularpracticeofKriyaandthesuretyofgood outcometherefrom.Oneofthedisciples,anadvocateoftheHighCourt inCalcutta,whohadcometovisitBaba,complainedthathedidnot seemtobemakinganyprogressinthespiritualrealm. Babaenquired,”Areyouregularandsincereintheperformanceofyour Kriya?Hereplied,”Yes,Baba”.ThenBabasaid,‘Look,onlytheday before,asyouweregoingtositforyourKriyainyourPuja-roomin Calcutta,aclientcalledforyou.DidyounotinstantlywrapupyourPuja asanandcomeouttomeethim?Andthenyoukeptondiscussingthe client’slegalsuitwithhimforfulltwohoursandthereafterneverdid yourKriyathatnight?Now,ifthisisthewayyoudoyourKriyahowdo youexpectanyprogress?” Theadvocateadmittedthefactandfeltveryashamed.Anotherdisciple asked,”Baba,doyoukeepvigiloverouractionsallthewhile?”Baba said,”Yes,Ihaveto,beingyourGuru.” contents
ParamhansaVishuddhanandaJiGandhBaba(PerfumeSaint) The Attainment of Yogic Powers by Shri Vishuddhanand ManyoftheblesseddisciplesofYogirajShriVishuddhanandhave variouslydescribedmanywonderfulmiraclesbroughtaboutbyhim. Butitwouldbeinterestingandinstructivetoknowalsothepains-taking andsustainedpracticeundergonebyhimbeforehewasabletoattain thesemarvellouspowers.Bholanathspenttwelvelongyearsasa BrahmachariintheGyanganjYogashraminTibetundertrainingand strenuouspracticeofthevariousbranchesofScienceandYoga.After hisinitiationintotheYoga-technologyandappropriateinstructionand practice,aswascustomary,hehadtoundertakeapilgrimagetoallthe pilgrimcentresthroughoutthelengthandbreadthofIndiaandstayfor longperiodsallaloneinthemountaincaves,dependingsolelyonthe DivineMother–theforcewhichmotivatesthewholeuniverse.He stayedindenseforests,incavesbravingtheseverechillywindsand scorchingsunandamongstferrociousbeasts. Thepurposeofthesestringentruleswastoeducatetheaspirantsto learntodependonandhavefaithintheDivine.Bholanathwas subjectedtomanyphysicalobstructionsandimpedimentsbutwas alwayssavedfromthembythegraceofhisGuru.Hetranscendedall thegoodandevilcircumstances,obeyedallthestringentrulesandnot foronceevenswervedfromhischerishedpath.Beingbittenbyadog contents
duringhischildhoodorbyacobraafterhismarriagewerebothphysical impediments. AsaresultofhisadherencetothestrictrulesoftheBrahmacharyaperiod,Bholanathhadfreedhimseleffromtheinfluenceofegoandhad alsodevelopedthespiritofsurrendertothewilloftheSupremePower. Hedidnotnowsufferfromanykindoffearoranyformofagitationlike anger,hatred,jealousy.Godaloneusedtobehissilentguideinall matters. An Illustration of Vayu-Vijnan (Wind-Science)
OnceShriGopinath’sRudraksharosarybrokeup.Hetookthebeads andsilkthreadtoShriBabaforgettingitwreathedintheway prescribedintheShastras(scriptures)Babakeptthebeadsandthesilk threadintheGomukhi(silkbagforkeepingtherosary)andclaspedthe silkbaginhishand.HeturnedroundtheGomukhiinhishandacouple oftimesandhandeditbacktoGopinath.Thewholeprocesstook hardlyacoupleofminutes.Onexaminingtherosaryitwasfoundto havebeenbeautifullywreathedwiththesilkthread,withtheSumeru beadaffixedintheproperplaceandstyle.Theknotswerealsotiedin properscripturalfashion.Onenquiry,Babarepliedthatthejobhad beendonebythetechnologyofVayu-Vijnan(Wind-Science).Regarding theshorttimetaken,Babaexplainedthatonceyouenterintothestate ofsuper-concentration,evenlong-timeconsumingactscanbe accomplishedinminutes. contents
Inthisparticularcase,BabausedthetechniqueofVayu-Vijnanbutby andlargeBabawoulddisplayandtalkaboutSurya-Vijnanandproduce thingsbythatscience. Production of Lord Krishna’s Fragrance through Surya-Vijnan Onanotheroccasionin1920,ShriGopinathKavirajwassittingwith BabaattheAshramatPuri.Afewotherdiscipleswerealsopresent.He casuallymentionedthedescriptionofLordKrishna’sGandha (fragrance)giveninChaitanyaCharitamritandotherbooksand enquiredifthatwassoinrealityoritwasonlyanallegoryinthe Scriptures. BabatoldGopinathKavirajtostartnamingingredients,onebyone, whichformedtheKrishna-Gandha,asperdescriptiongiveninGovindLilamrit.Gopinathstartednamingthem:bluelotus,musk,etc.Aseach namewasbeingpronounced,soalsoShriBabamovedhishandeach timeinspace.BythetimeGopiDadanamedthelastingredient,Baba broughthishandclosetoGopinathandotherdisciplesandaskedthem tosmelltheKrishna-Gandha(LordKrishna’sfragrance).Babatold GopinaththatashekeptnamingeachingredientBabakeptattracting thesameoutoftheSun’sraysbytheprocessofSurya-Vijnanandby thetimethelastingredientwasaddedthefragrancewascreated. Gopinathandotherdisciplespresentsmelledthefragrancewhichwas marvellouslysweetandenchanting. contents
Immense Capabilities of Surya-Vijnan ShriGopinathKavirajandscoresofotherdisciplesweredirect witnessestothecreationofvaluablediamonds,gemsandpearlsof differenttypesandshades;ornamentsofgold;sweetsofvarious descriptionslikeChamshams,Rasogullas,Sandesetc.;fruitslikegrapes, pomegranates,applesandpine-applesetc;flowerslikelotus,rose, jasmine,pandanus(Kevra),Parijat(aflowerofparadise)etc.;cow’s ghee;coconutoilandnumerousotherarticles,throughSurya-Vijnan. Mahamahopadhya Pandit Gopinath Kaviraj Ji Babapresentedallthesearticles,preparedthroughSurya-Vijnan,tohis disciplessomeofwhomhavepreservedmanyoftheseintactintheir possessioneventilltoday,provingbeyonddoubttherebythatitwas notacaseofmagic,hypnotismorhallucinationbutoneofpure scientificknowledgeanditsapplication.Babaconvertedcottonwool, flowersandleavesintostones,wood,etc.byincidenceofappropriate raysoftheSun.Hedemonstratedpracticallyhowminuteparticlesof ingredientsofvariousobjectscouldbedispersedorassembledand destroyedorcreatedthroughtheprocessofSurya-Vijnan. contents
Transformation of one object into another
OncesomedisciplesrequestedBabatoelucidatebyactual demonstrationhowoneobjectisconvertedortransformedinto another. Babapickeduparoseoutoftheflowersofferedbydevotees,lying beforehimonthebedonwhichhewasseated,andenquired,”What doyouwantthisrosetobeconvertedinto?”Seeingnojawaflower roundabout,adisciplerequestedBabatoconverttheroseintoajawa flower.Babaheldtheroseinhislefthandandbymeansofmagnifying glassinhisrighthand,hefocussedtheraysoftheSunontotherose.A gradualchangestartedtakingplace.Firstareddishglowappearedand slowlytherosestarteddisappearingtillfinallyafullyblossomedjawa flowerappearedinitsplace.Tosatisfyhislingeringdoubt,Gopinathji tookthisjawaflowertohishomeanditremainedforquiteafewdays tillitgraduallyfadedawayinthenormalway.Onbeingaskedaboutthe processemployed,BabarepliedthathehadusedSurya-Vijnanforthis transformationalthoughthesametransformationcouldhavebeen achieved,thoughmoreslowly,throughtheagencyofanyothernatural sciencesuchasChandra-VijnanorVayu-Vijnan.Also,thisvery transformationfromaroseflowerintoajawaflowercouldhavebeen broughtaboutbytheexerciseofpureIchchaShakti(willpower)bya SiddhaYogi. contents
Thusanyandeverythinginthisworldispossibleasregardscreation, maintenanceanddestruction,eitherbyYogaorbyNaturalScience, both. www.shivayoga.net
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Parahamsa yogananda CHAPTER5.A“PERFUMESAINT”DISPLAYSHISWONDERS “Toeverythingthereisaseason,andatimetoeverypurposeunder theheaven.” IdidnothavethiswisdomofSolomontocomfortme;Igazed searchinglyaboutme,onanyexcursionfrom home,forthefaceofmydestinedguru.Butmypathdidnotcrosshis ownuntilafterthecompletionofmy highschoolstudies. TwoyearselapsedbetweenmyflightwithAmartowardtheHimalayas, andthegreatdayofSriYukteswar's arrivalintomylife.DuringthatinterimImetanumberofsages−the “PerfumeSaint,”the“TigerSwami,” NagendraNathBhaduri,MasterMahasaya,andthefamousBengali scientist,JagadisChandraBose. Myencounterwiththe“PerfumeSaint”hadtwopreambles,one harmoniousandtheotherhumorous. “Godissimple.Everythingelseiscomplex.Donotseekabsolutevalues intherelativeworldofnature.” ThesephilosophicalfinalitiesgentlyenteredmyearasIstoodsilently beforeatempleimageofKali.Turning, contents
Iconfrontedatallmanwhosegarb,orlackofit,revealedhima wanderingSADHU. “Youhaveindeedpenetratedthebewildermentofmythoughts!”I smiledgratefully.“Theconfusionof benignandterribleaspectsinnature,assymbolizedbyKali,{FN5−1} haspuzzledwiserheadsthanmine!” “Fewtherebewhosolvehermystery!Goodandevilisthechallenging riddlewhichlifeplacessphinxlike beforeeveryintelligence.Attemptingnosolution,mostmenpayforfeit withtheirlives,penaltynowevenas inthedaysofThebes.Hereandthere,atoweringlonelyfigurenever criesdefeat.FromtheMAYA ofdualityheplucksthecleavelesstruthofunity.” “Youspeakwithconviction,sir.” “Ihavelongexercisedanhonestintrospection,theexquisitelypainful approachtowisdom.Self−scrutiny, relentlessobservanceofone'sthoughts,isastarkandshattering experience.Itpulverizesthestoutestego.But trueself−analysismathematicallyoperatestoproduceseers.Theway of'self−expression,'individual acknowledgments,resultsinegotists,sureoftherighttotheirprivate interpretationsofGodandtheuniverse.”
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“Truthhumblyretires,nodoubt,beforesucharrogantoriginality.”Iwas enjoyingthediscussion. “Mancanunderstandnoeternalverityuntilhehasfreedhimselffrom pretensions.Thehumanmind,baredto acenturiedslime,isteemingwithrepulsivelifeofcountless world−delusions.Strugglesofthebattlefields paleintoinsignificancehere,whenmanfirstcontendswithinward enemies!Nomortalfoesthese,tobe overcomebyharrowingarrayofmight!Omnipresent,unresting, pursuingmaneveninsleep,subtlyequipped withamiasmicweapon,thesesoldiersofignorantlustsseektoslayus all.Thoughtlessisthemanwhoburies hisideals,surrenderingtothecommonfate.Canheseemotherthan impotent,wooden,ignominious?” “RespectedSir,haveyounosympathyforthebewilderedmasses?” Thesagewassilentforamoment,thenansweredobliquely. “ToloveboththeinvisibleGod,RepositoryofAllVirtues,andvisible man,apparentlypossessedofnone,is oftenbaffling!Butingenuityisequaltothemaze.Innerresearchsoon exposesaunityinallhumanminds−the stalwartkinshipofselfishmotive.Inonesenseatleast,the brotherhoodofmanstandsrevealed.Anaghast
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humilityfollowsthislevelingdiscovery.Itripensintocompassionfor one'sfellows,blindtothehealing potenciesofthesoulawaitingexploration.” “Thesaintsofeveryage,sir,havefeltlikeyourselfforthesorrowsof theworld.” “Onlytheshallowmanlosesresponsivenesstothewoesofothers' lives,ashesinksintonarrowsufferingof hisown.”TheSADHU'Sausterefacewasnoticeablysoftened.“Theone whopracticesascalpel self−dissectionwillknowanexpansionofuniversalpity.Releaseis givenhimfromthedeafeningdemandsof hisego.TheloveofGodflowersonsuchsoil.Thecreaturefinallyturns tohisCreator,iffornootherreason thantoaskinanguish:'Why,Lord,why?'Byignoblewhipsofpain,man isdrivenatlastintotheInfinite Presence,whosebeautyaloneshouldlurehim.” ThesageandIwerepresentinCalcutta'sKalighatTemple,whitherIhad gonetoviewitsfamed magnificence.Withasweepinggesture,mychancecompanion dismissedtheornatedignity. “Bricksandmortarsingusnoaudibletune;theheartopensonlytothe humanchantofbeing.”
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Westrolledtotheinvitingsunshineattheentrance,wherethrongsof devoteeswerepassingtoandfro. “Youareyoung.”Thesagesurveyedmethoughtfully.“Indiatoois young.TheancientRISHIS{FN5−3}laid downineradicablepatternsofspiritualliving.Theirhoarydictums sufficeforthisdayandland.Not outmoded,notunsophisticatedagainsttheguilesofmaterialism,the disciplinarypreceptsmoldIndiastill.By millenniums−morethanembarrassedscholarscaretocompute!−the skepticTimehasvalidatedVedicworth. Takeitforyourheritage.” AsIwasreverentlybiddingfarewelltotheeloquentSADHU,he revealedaclairvoyantperception: “Afteryouleaveheretoday,anunusualexperiencewillcomeyour way.” Iquittedthetempleprecinctsandwanderedalongaimlessly.Turninga corner,Iranintoanold acquaintance−oneofthoselong−windedfellowswhoseconversational powersignoretimeandembrace eternity. “Iwillletyougoinaveryshortwhile,ifyouwilltellmeallthathas happenedduringthesixyearsofour separation.” contents
“Whataparadox!Imustleaveyounow.” Butheheldmebythehand,forcingouttidbitsofinformation.Hewas likearavenouswolf,Ithoughtin amusement;thelongerIspoke,themorehungrilyhesniffedfornews. InwardlyIpetitionedtheGoddessKali todeviseagracefulmeansofescape. Mycompanionleftmeabruptly.Isighedwithreliefanddoubledmy pace,dreadinganyrelapseintothe garrulousfever.Hearingrapidfootstepsbehindme,Iquickenedmy speed.Idarednotlookback.Butwitha bound,theyouthrejoinedme,joviallyclaspingmyshoulder. “IforgottotellyouofGandhaBaba(PerfumeSaint),whoisgracing yonderhouse.”Hepointedtoadwelling afewyardsdistant.“Domeethim;heisinteresting.Youmayhavean unusualexperience.Good−by,”andhe actuallyleftme. ThesimilarlywordedpredictionoftheSADHUatKalighatTemple flashedtomymind.Definitelyintrigued, Ienteredthehouseandwasusheredintoacommodiousparlor.A crowdofpeopleweresitting,Orient−wise, hereandthereonathickorange−coloredcarpet.Anawedwhisper reachedmyear:
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“BeholdGandhaBabaontheleopardskin.Hecangivethenatural perfumeofanyflowertoascentlessone, orreviveawiltedblossom,ormakeaperson'sskinexudedelightful fragrance.” Ilookeddirectlyatthesaint;hisquickgazerestedonmine.Hewas plumpandbearded,withdarkskinand large,gleamingeyes. “Son,Iamgladtoseeyou.Saywhatyouwant.Wouldyoulikesome perfume?” “Whatfor?”Ithoughthisremarkratherchildish. “Toexperiencethemiraculouswayofenjoyingperfumes.” “HarnessingGodtomakeodors?” “Whatofit?Godmakesperfumeanyway.” “Yes,butHefashionsfrailbottlesofpetalsforfreshuseanddiscard. Canyoumaterializeflowers?” “Imaterializeperfumes,littlefriend.” “Thenscentfactorieswillgooutofbusiness.” “Iwillpermitthemtokeeptheirtrade!Myownpurposeisto demonstratethepowerofGod.” “Sir,isitnecessarytoproveGod?Isn'tHeperformingmiraclesin everything,everywhere?” “Yes,butwetooshouldmanifestsomeofHisinfinitecreativevariety.” contents
“Howlongdidittaketomasteryourart?” “Twelveyears.” “Formanufacturingscentsbyastralmeans!Itseems,myhonoredsaint, youhavebeenwastingadozenyears forfragranceswhichyoucanobtainwithafewrupeesfromaflorist's shop.” “Perfumesfadewithflowers.” “Perfumesfadewithdeath.WhyshouldIdesirethatwhichpleasesthe bodyonly?” “Mr.Philosopher,youpleasemymind.Now,stretchforthyourright hand.”Hemadeagestureofblessing. IwasafewfeetawayfromGandhaBaba;nooneelsewasnearenough tocontactmybody.Iextendedmy hand,whichtheyogididnottouch. “Whatperfumedoyouwant?” “Rose.” “Beitso.” Tomygreatsurprise,thecharmingfragranceofrosewaswafted stronglyfromthecenterofmypalm.I smilinglytookalargewhitescentlessflowerfromanear−byvase. “Canthisodorlessblossombepermeatedwithjasmine?” “Beitso.” contents
Ajasminefragranceinstantlyshotfromthepetals.Ithankedthe wonder−workerandseatedmyselfbyoneof hisstudents.HeinformedmethatGandhaBaba,whosepropername wasVishudhananda,hadlearnedmany astonishingyogasecretsfromamasterinTibet.TheTibetanyogi,Iwas assured,hadattainedtheageofover athousandyears. “HisdiscipleGandhaBabadoesnotalwaysperformhisperfume−feats inthesimpleverbalmanneryouhave justwitnessed.”Thestudentspokewithobviousprideinhismaster. “Hisproceduredifferswidely,toaccord withdiversityintemperaments.Heismarvelous!Manymembersofthe Calcuttaintelligentsiaareamonghis followers.” Iinwardlyresolvednottoaddmyselftotheirnumber.Agurutoo literally“marvelous”wasnottomyliking. WithpolitethankstoGandhaBaba,Ideparted.Saunteringhome,I reflectedonthethreevariedencountersthe dayhadbroughtforth. MysisterUmametmeasIenteredourGurparRoaddoor. “Youaregettingquitestylish,usingperfumes!” Withoutaword,Imotionedhertosmellmyhand. contents
“Whatanattractiverosefragrance!Itisunusuallystrong!” Thinkingitwas“stronglyunusual,”Isilentlyplacedtheastrallyscented blossomunderhernostrils. “Oh,Ilovejasmine!”Sheseizedtheflower.Aludicrousbafflement passedoverherfaceassherepeatedly sniffedtheodorofjasminefromatypeofflowershewellknewtobe scentless.Herreactionsdisarmedmy suspicionthatGandhaBabahadinducedanauto−suggestivestate wherebyIalonecoulddetectthe fragrances. LaterIheardfromafriend,Alakananda,thatthe“PerfumeSaint"hada powerwhichIwishwerepossessed bythestarvingmillionsofAsiaand,today,ofEuropeaswell. “IwaspresentwithahundredotherguestsatGandhaBaba'shomein Burdwan,”Alakanandatoldme.“Itwas agalaoccasion.Becausetheyogiwasreputedtohavethepowerof extractingobjectsoutofthinair,I laughinglyrequestedhimtomaterializesomeout−of−season tangerines.ImmediatelytheLUCHIS{FN5−4} whichwerepresentonallthebanana−leafplatesbecamepuffedup. Eachofthebread−envelopesprovedto containapeeledtangerine.Ibitintomyownwithsometrepidation, butfounditdelicious.” contents
YearslaterIunderstoodbyinnerrealizationhowGandhaBaba accomplishedhismaterializations.The method,alas!isbeyondthereachoftheworld'shungryhordes. Thedifferentsensorystimulitowhichmanreacts−tactual,visual, gustatory,auditory,andolfactory−are producedbyvibratoryvariationsinelectronsandprotons.The vibrationsinturnareregulatedby“lifetrons,” subtlelifeforcesorfiner−than−atomicenergiesintelligentlycharged withthefivedistinctivesensory idea−substances. GandhaBaba,tuninghimselfwiththecosmicforcebycertainyogic practices,wasabletoguidethelifetrons torearrangetheirvibratorystructureandobjectivizethedesiredresult. Hisperfume,fruitandothermiracles wereactualmaterializationsofmundanevibrations,andnotinner sensationshypnoticallyproduced.{FN5−5} Performancesofmiraclessuchasshownbythe“PerfumeSaint”are spectacularbutspirituallyuseless. Havinglittlepurposebeyondentertainment,theyaredigressionsfrom aserioussearchforGod. Hypnotismhasbeenusedbyphysiciansinminoroperationsasasortof psychicalchloroformforpersonswho
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mightbeendangeredbyananesthetic.Butahypnoticstateisharmful tothoseoftensubjectedtoit;anegative psychologicaleffectensueswhichintimederangesthebraincells. Hypnotismistrespassintotheterritoryof another'sconsciousness.Itstemporaryphenomenahavenothingin commonwiththemiraclesperformedby menofdivinerealization.AwakeinGod,truesaintseffectchangesin thisdream−worldbymeansofawill harmoniouslyattunedtotheCreativeCosmicDreamer. Ostentatiousdisplayofunusualpowersaredecriedbymasters.The Persianmystic,AbuSaid,oncelaughedat certainFAKIRSwhowereproudoftheirmiraculouspowersoverwater, air,andspace. “Afrogisalsoathomeinthewater!”AbuSaidpointedoutingentle scorn.“Thecrowandthevultureeasily flyintheair;theDevilissimultaneouslypresentintheEastandinthe West!Atruemanishewhodwellsin righteousnessamonghisfellowmen,whobuysandsells,yetisnever forasingleinstantforgetfulofGod!” OnanotheroccasionthegreatPersianteachergavehisviewsonthe religiouslifethus:“Tolayasidewhatyou haveinyourhead(selfishdesiresandambitions);tofreelybestowwhat youhaveinyourhand;andneverto contents
flinchfromtheblowsofadversity!” NeithertheimpartialsageatKalighatTemplenortheTibetan−trained yogihadsatisfiedmyyearningfora guru.Myheartneedednotutorforitsrecognitions,andcrieditsown “Bravos!”themoreresoundingly becauseunoftensummonedfromsilence.WhenIfinallymetmy master,hetaughtmebysublimityof examplealonethemeasureofatrueman. {FN5−1}Kalirepresentstheeternalprincipleinnature.Sheis traditionallypicturedasafour−armedwoman, standingontheformoftheGodShivaortheInfinite,becausenatureor thephenomenalworldisrootedinthe Noumenon.Thefourarmssymbolizecardinalattributes,two beneficent,twodestructive,indicatingthe essentialdualityofmatterorcreation. Cosmicillusion;literally,“themeasurer.”MAYAisthemagicalpowerin creationbywhich limitationsanddivisionsareapparentlypresentintheImmeasurable andInseparable.Emersonwrotethe followingpoem,towhichhegavethetitleofMAYA: Illusionworksimpenetrable,Weavingwebsinnumerable,Hergay picturesneverfail,Crowdeachother,veil
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onveil,CharmerwhowillbebelievedBymanwhothirststobe deceived. TheRISHIS,literally“seers,”weretheauthorsoftheVEDASinan indeterminableantiquity.. Flat,roundIndianbread.. Laymenscarcelyrealizethevaststridesoftwentieth−centuryscience. Transmutationofmetalsand otheralchemicaldreamsareseeingfulfillmenteverydayincentersof scientificresearchovertheworld.The eminentFrenchchemist,M.GeorgesClaude,performed“miracles”at Fontainebleauin1928beforea scientificassemblagethroughhischemicalknowledgeofoxygen transformations.His“magician'swand”was simpleoxygen,bubblinginatubeonatable.Thescientist“turneda handfulofsandintopreciousstones,iron intoastateresemblingmeltedchocolateand,afterdeprivingflowersof theirtints,turnedthemintothe consistencyofglass. “M.Claudeexplainedhowtheseacouldbeturnedbyoxygen transformationsintomanymillionsofpounds ofhorsepower;howwaterwhichboilsisnotnecessarilyburning;how littlemoundsofsand,byasinglewhiff
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oftheoxygenblowpipe,couldbechangedintosapphires,rubies,and topazes;andhepredictedthetimewhen itwillbepossibleformentowalkonthebottomoftheoceanminus thediver'sequipment.Finallythe scientistamazedhisonlookersbyturningtheirfacesblackbytakingthe redoutofthesun'srays.” ThisnotedFrenchscientisthasproducedliquidairbyanexpansion methodinwhichhehasbeenableto separatethevariousgasesoftheair,andhasdiscoveredvariousmeans ofmechanicalutilizationof differencesoftemperatureinseawater. AutobiographyofaYogi
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Dr. Paul Brunton
CHAPTERXI THEWONDER-WORKEROFBENARES MYwanderingsinBengalmusthastenintothelimboof unrecordedexperience,andmyunexpectedcontacts nearBuddha-GayawiththreeTibetanlamas,who profferaninvitationtotheirmountainmonastery,mustlikewise followsuit,forIameagertoenterthesacredcityofBenares. Thetrainthundersacrossthegreatironbridgenearthecity, itsnoiseheralding,nodoubt,modernity'sfurtherinvasionof anantiquatedandstaticformofsociety.TheholyGangescan hardlyremainholymuchlongerwhenalienandinfidelmen sendsnortingfire-chariotsacrossitsgreyish-greenwaters. SothisisBenares! AhugecrowdofpilgrimsjostleeachotherwhileIpassout ofthestationandstepintoawaitingcarriage.Aswedrive alongthedustyroadIbecomeawareofanewelementinthe contents
atmosphere.Itrytoignoreitbut,withincreasinginsistence, itforcesitselfuponmyattention. SothisisIndia'sholiestcity!Well,itpossessesamost unholysmell!Benaresisreputedtobetheoldestpopulated towninIndia.Itsodourfullyconfirmsitsreputation.The unsavouryairseemsinsupportable.Ibegintolosecourage. ShallIorderthedrivertotakemebacktothestation?Isit notbettertobeanarrantinfidelandbreathecleanairthan acquirepietyatsuchamonstrousprice?AndthenIreflect thattimewillsomehowacclimatizeoneeventothisair,asit acclimatizesonetomoreunfamiliarthingsstillinthisstale land.ButBenares!youmaybethehubofHinduculture,yet pleaselearnsomethingfromtheinfidelwhitesandtemperyour holinesswithalittlehygiene! Ilearnthatthestencharisespartlybecausetheroadsare pavedwithamixtureofcow-dungandearth,andpartly becausetheoldmoatwhichsurroundsthecityhasbeenused bythepeopleofmanygenerationsasaconvenientrefuse heap. IfIndianchroniclescanbecredited,Benareswasanestablished contents
cityaslongagoastwelvehundredyearsbeforethe ChristianEra.JustaspiousEnglishmenjourneyedtotheholy cityofCanterburyintheMiddleAges,sohaveIndiansflocked fromeverypartoftheircountrytotheholycityofBenares. Hinduscomeintheirwealthystateorpoverty-stricken conditiontoreceiveitsblessing,whiletheailingcometoeke outtheirlastdays,fordeathherewilltakethesoulstraight intoParadise. ThenextdayIwanderafootthrougholdKashi-asthe Hindusprefertocalltheircity-andexplorethelabyrinthof crookedstreetswhichcomposeit.Thereisapurposebehind myaimlesswandering,forIbearinmypocketapaperwhich describesthelocationofthehouseofaYogiwonder-worker, whosediscipleImetinBombay. Ipassthroughstuffystreetsalongwhichacarriagewouldbe toowidetopass.Imakemywaythroughcrowdedbazaars, whereseethethepeopleofadozendifferentraces,andwhere mangydogsandinnumerablefliesaddtothebustle.Old womenwithgreyhairandshrunkenbreasts;youngwomen withsupplefiguresandsmooth,brownlimbs;pilgrimsfingering contents
theirrosariesandmutteringthesamesacredwordswhich theyhavealreadyrepeatedperhapsfiftythousandtimes;the gauntfiguresofash-besmearedelderlyascetics;alltheseand othertypesthrongthenarrowways.Amongatangleof streetswhicharefullofturmoil,noiseandcolour,Icome accidentallyupontheGoldenTemple,whichisfamedamong theorthodoxthroughoutIndia.Ash-bedabbledascetics,whose uncouthappearanceisrepellenttoWesterneyes,croucharound theentrance.Worshippersflowinandoutinanendless stream.Severalcarrylovelyflowergarlandsandthusgivea gaycolourtothescene.Thepioustouchthestonedoor-posts withtheirforeheadsastheyleavethetempleandthen,turning, startinmomentarysurpriseonbeholdingthewhiteinfidel.I becomeconsciousagainoftheinvisiblebarrierbetweenthese menandmyself,theprofoundbarrierbetweenwhiteandbrown skin. Twodomes,madeofthicksheetsofgold,glisteninthequivering sunlight;screechingparrotsswarmonthenearesttower. TheGoldenTempleisgivenovertothegodShiva.Whereis henow,Iwonder,thisgodtowhomtheseHinduscry,before contents
whomtheypray,andtowhosestonerepresentationsIhave seenthemofferscentedflowersandcookedrice? Imoveonandstandnearthethresholdofanothertemple, whereIwatchthegodKrishnabeingworshipped.Lighted camphorburnsbeforeagoldenidol;thetemplebellspealout theirinsistentcallsforhisattention;andthesoundsofconch hornsstrayuptohisunhearingears.Aleanandausterepriest comesoutandlooksquestioninglyatme,andIproceedupon myway. Whocancountthemultitudeofimagesandidolswhichteem withinthetemplesandhousesofBenares?Whocanexplain theseserious-lookingHindus-sooftenchildish,yetsometimes soprofoundlyphilosophical? ThroughthedarkalleysIthreadmyway,afootandalone, seekingthehouseofthewonder-worker.AtlengthIemerge fromtheswarmingstreetsintowiderroads.Astraggling, raggedcolumnoflittleboys,thinyouthsandafewmen,swing pastmeinsinglefile.Theirleadercarriesamakeshiftbanner, withsomethingindecipherableinscribedupontheflag.They shoutqueercatchwordsandoccasionalsnatchesofsong.They contents
lookatmewithhostilefacesandscowlingeyesastheygoby, sothatIsensethepoliticalnatureofthismotleyprocession. Lastnight,inapackedbazaar,withnoEuropeanorpoliceman anywhereinsight,someonebehindmehissesoutathreatto shootme.AtonceIwheelround-onlytobeholdacrowdof blandfaces,fortheyoungfanatic(Iguesshisyouthbythe soundofhisvoice)hasdisappearedaroundacornerintothe darkness.AndsoIgazewithpityuponthisraggedprocession whichnowdisappearsdowntheroad.Politics,thatdeceptive sirenwhopromiseseverybodyeverything,hasgatheredafew morevictimsintoherinsidiousarms. Icomeatlasttoastreetwherethehousesarelargeandwell builtandwherethecompoundsarespaciousandtrimlykept. IquickenmypaceuntilIreachagate,uponwhosepostthe nameVISHUDHANANDAisinscribedonastonetablet.I enterthecompound,forthisisthehousewhichIseek,and approachsomeonewholoungesontheveranda.Heisayoung manwithanunintelligentface.IaskhiminHindustani: "Whereistheteacher?"butheshakeshisheadandgivesme tounderstandthatnosuchpersonisknownhere.Iutterthe contents
teacher'sname,butagainreceiveanegativereply.Theresult isdisappointing,butIamdeterminednottobebeaten.An inwardmonitorwarnsmethattheyoungmanthinksno Europeancanpossiblyhaveanybusinesshere,andthathehas jumpedtotheconclusionIamreallyseekingsomeotherhouse. Ilookagainathisfaceandwritehimdownasstupid.Ignoring hisgesticulations,Iwalkstraightintothehouse. InaninnerroomIcomeuponasemicircleofdarkfaces. Agroupofwell-dressedIndianssquataroundthefloor.A beardedoldmanreclinesuponacouchatthefarendofthe room.Hisvenerableappearanceandseatofhonourareenough toinformmethathereistheobjectofmyquest.Iraisemy handsinsalutation,palmstouching. "Peace,master!"ImaketheconventionalHindustani greeting. Iproffermyintroductionandpresentmyselfasawriter travellinginIndia,yetwithalastudentoftheirnativephilosophy andmysticism.ImakeitclearthatthedisciplewhomI encounteredwascarefultoexplainthathisteachernevermadea publicexhibitionofhiswonderfulpowers,andthatevenunder contents
theshadowofprivacyherarelydisplayedthemtostrangers. Nevertheless,inviewofmydeepinterestintheirancientwisdom, Icravetheirindulgenceandbegtobetreatedasan exception. Thestudentsstareblanklyateachotherandthenturn towardstheteacher,asifinwondermentathisresponse. Vishudhanandaisamanofmorethanseventyyearsofage,I judge.Ashortnoseandalongbeardadornhisface.Iam struckbythelargesizeofhiseyes,whicharedeeplypouched. ThesacredthreadofaBrahminhangsaroundhisneck. Theoldmanfixeshiseyescoldlyuponme,asthoughIwerea specimentobestudiedunderamicroscope.Ifeelsomething weirdanduncannytouchmyheart.Indeed,somestrange forceseemstopervadethewholeroom,andIfeelslightly uneasy. Atlengthheaddressessomewords,inadialectwhichI recognizeasBengalee,toadisciple,whoturnsandinformsme thatnoaudiencecanbegrantedunlessIbringPunditKavirj, whoisPrincipaloftheGovernmentSanskritCollege,toactas interpreter.Thepundit'sperfectknowledgeofEnglish,combined contents
withhislongstandingasadiscipleofVishudhananda, perfectlyfitshimtoactasamediumbetweenus. "Comewithhimto-morrowafternoon,"saystheteacher. "Ishallexpectyouatthehouroffour." Iamforcedtoretreat.OntheroadIhailapassingcarriage anddrivethroughthewindingstreetstotheSanskritCollege. ThePrincipalisnotthere.Someonethinkshemaybeat home,soIdriveonforanotherhalf-houruntilIfindhimat lastinatall,ancienthousewithaprojectingupperstorey, whoseappearanceisstrangelylikethatofamedievalItalian building. Thepunditsitsonthefloorofatoproom,surroundedon everysidebysmallhillsofbooks,papersandscholasticparaphernalia. HehastheBrahmin'stypicalhighbrow,thinlong noseandlightercomplexion.Hisfaceisrefinedandscholarly. Iexplainmyerrand;thereisaslighthesitationonhispart; andthenheagreestoaccompanymenextday.Theappointment fixed,Iwithdraw. IridedowntotheGangesanddismissthecarriage.I saunteralongtheriverbankwhich,forthebenefitofbathing contents
pilgrims,isbuiltintolongrowsofstonesteps.Thefeetof manycenturieshaveworndownthestepsuntiltheyarerugged anduneven.Howuntidyandirregularisthewater-frontof Benares!Templestumbleintothewater;glisteningdomes areneighbourstosquat,square,decoratedpalaceswhichrise tovaryingheights;whilethewholehotch-potchofbuildings minglestheancientandthemodernindiscriminately. Priestsandpilgrimsswarmeverywhere.Icomeacrosssome punditsteachingtheirpupilsinsmall,openrooms.Thewalls areplainlywhitewashed;theteacherssitonrugs;andthe pupilssquatrespectfullyaround,absorbingthecobwebbed doctrinesoftheircreed. Abeardedascetic'sappearancecausesmetomakeenquiries. Hehasrolledoverandoverinthedustforfourhundredmiles. Astrangewaytomakeone'spilgrimagetoBenares!Farther onImeetanotherweird-lookingindividual.Hehasheldone armaloftforyears.Thesinewsandligamentsofhisunfortunate limbhavealmostwithered,whilethefleshwhichcovers ithasshrivelledtoparchment.Howaccountforsuchfutile austerities,unless,indeed,theunendingtropicalsunhasmade contents
themindsofthesemenatriflemad?Itmaybethatexistence inatemperatureofonehundredandtwentydegreesinthe shadehashelpedtounbalancetheseunfortunatemembersof aracewhichisalreadysopronetoreligioushysteria. Thenextday,preciselyatfouro'clock,PunditKavirjandI driveintothecourtyardoftheteacher'shouse.Weenterthe largeroomandgreethim.Aboutsixotherdisciplesare present. Vishudhanandaasksmetocomealittlecloser,soIsquat downafewfeetawayfromhiscouch. "Doyoudesiretoseeoneofmywonders?"ishisfirst question. "Ifthemasterwishestograntthisfavour,Ishallbe extremelypleased." "Givemeyourhandkerchief,then.Ifyouhaveasilkone, somuchthebetter,"translatesthePundit."Anyscentwhich youdesirewillbecreatedforyou,withnothingbutalensand thesun'sraysasequipment." FortunatelyIdocarryasilkhandkerchiefandpassittothe contents
wonder-worker.Hetakesoutasmallburninglensandthen explainsthathewishestoconcentratethesun'sraysbut,owing totheorb'spresentpositionandtheshelteredaspectofthe room,thatcannotbedonewithdirectness.Thedifficultywill easilybeovercome,however,bysendingoneofthedisciples outsideintothecourtyard.Themanwilluseahandmirror, catchtherays,andthenreflectthemthroughanopenwindow intotheroom. "Ishallnowcreateascentforyououtoftheair!" announcesVishudhananda."Whichwouldyoulike?" "Canyouproducewhitejasmine?" Hetakesupmyhandkerchiefinhislefthandandholdsthe burninglensaboveit.Forthebriefspaceoftwoseconds, agleamingrayofsunlighthoversuponthesilkenfabric; thenheputsdownthelensandhandsbackthehandkerchief. Iputittomynose,andamrewardedwiththedelightfulfragrance ofwhitejasmine! Iexaminethehandkerchiefbutcandiscovernotraceof moisture,noevidencethatsomeliquidperfumehasbeen droppedonit.Iampuzzledandlookhalf-suspiciouslyatthe contents
oldman.Heofferstorepeatthedemonstration. ThesecondtimeIchooseattarofroses.Iwatchhim narrowlyduringthefurtherexperiment.Everymovewhichhe makes,everybitofspacearoundhimisscrutinizedwithallthe careIcanmuster.Iexaminehispuffyhandsandhisspotless whiterobewithcriticaleyes,butcandetectnothingsuspicious. Herepeatshisformerprocedureandevokestheperfumeof attarofroses,whichstronglyimpregnatesanothercorner ofthehandkerchief. Mythirdchoiceisviolets.Hereagainheisequallysuccessful. Vishudhanandaisquiteemotionlessabouthistriumph. Hetreatsthewholedemonstrationasasortofeverydayaffair, asamereminorevent.Hisgravefaceneveroncerelaxes. "AndnowIshallchoosethescent,"heunexpectedly declares."Ishallcreatetheperfumeofaflowerwhichgrows onlyinTibet."Heconcentratessomesunlightuponthelast, unscentedcornerofthehandkerchiefandlo!itisdonehe hasevokedafourthperfume,whichIfailtorecognize. Slightlybewildered,Iputthepieceofwhitesilkintomy contents
pocket.Thefeatappearstoborderonthemiraculous.Has heconcealedtheperfumesuponhisperson?Hashehidden theminhisrobe?Thenhewouldneedtocarryaformidable stockbecause,untilIspoke,hecouldnotknowwhichscent Ishouldchoose.Hissimplerobecouldhardlycontainsuch anamplestockaswouldberequisite.Besides,notoncehas hishanddisappearedintothefoldsofhisrobe. Iaskforpermissiontoinspectthelens.Thelatterprovesto bequiteanordinarymagnifyingglass,setinawireframewith asmallwirehandle.Icanseenothingsuspiciousaboutit. Thereisanadditionalsafeguard,forwhatitisworth,inthe factthatVishudhanandaisbeingwatched,notonlybyme butalsobythehalf-dozendisciplesaroundus.ThePundit hasalreadyinformedmethat,withoutasingleexception,they areallmenofhighstanding,goodeducationandresponsibility. Hypnotismoffersapossibleexplanation.Thevalueofthis explanationcanbesimplytested.WhenIreturntomy quarters,Ishallshowthehandkerchieftootherpersons. Vishudhanandahasanotherandgreaterpieceofwonderworking toshowme.Itisoneheseldomperforms,though. contents
Hetellsmethatheneedsstrongsunlightforthissecondfeat; now,thesunissinkingandeveningisapproaching.SoIam tocomeagainathighnoonofalaterdayoftheweek.Hewill thendisplayhisamazingfeatoftemporarilyrestoringlifeto thedead! Ileavehimanddrivehome,whereIshowthehandkerchief tothreepersons.Eachonefindsthatitstillbearsstrongtraces oftheperfumes.Thefeat,therefore,cannotbeaccountedfor onthehypothesisofhypnotism.Norisitmucheasierto regardthewholeaffairasapieceoftrickery. OnceagainIaminthehouseofthemagician.Thelatter tellsmethathecanrestorelifeonlytoasmallanimal;usually heexperimentswithabird. Asparrowisstrangledandleftexposedtoourgazeforabout anhour,sothatwecanassureourselvesthatitisreallydead. Itseyesaremotionless,itsbodysadandstiff;Icannotdiscover asinglesignwhichmightbetraythepresenceoflifeinthelittle creature. Themagicianpicksuphismagnifyingglassandconcentrates contents
arayofsunlightintoaneyeofthebird.Iwaitwhileafew minutespassuneventfully.Theoldmansitsbentoverhis strangetask,hislargeeyesfixedinaglassystare,hisfacecold, emotionlessandnon-committal.Suddenly,hislipsopenand hisvoicebreaksoutintoaweird,crooningchantinsome languagewhichisunknowntome.Alittlelaterthebird's bodybeginstotwitch.Ihaveseenadogtwitchitssuffering frameinthesamemanner,whenthespasmsofapproaching deathhaveovertakenit.Thencomesaslightflutteringofthe feathersandwithinafewminutesthesparrowisonitslegs, hoppingaroundthefloor.Trulythedeadhavecometolife! Duringitsnextphaseofthisstrangeexistence,thebird gatherssufficientstrengthtoflyupintotheair,whereitbusies itselfforawhileinfindingnewperchingpointsasitflies aroundtheroom.ThethingseemssoincrediblethatIpull bodyandwitstogether,inanefforttoreassuremyselfthat everythingandeveryonesurroundingmeisreal,tangibleand nothallucinatory. Atensehalf-hourpasses,whileIwatchtheflutteringefforts oftherevivedcreature.Atlastasuddenclimaxprovidesme contents
withafreshsurprise.Thepoorsparrowfallsthroughtheair andliesmotionlessatourfeet.Itremainstherewithout stirring.Anexaminationrevealsitasbreathlessandquite dead. "Couldyouhaveprolongeditslifestillfurther?"Iask themagician. "ThatisthemostIcanshowyouatpresent,"hereplies, withaslightshrug.ThePunditwhispersthatgreaterthings arehopedforfromfutureexperiments.Thereareotherthings hismastercando,thoughImustnotover-usehisindulgence andmakehimplaythepartofastreetshowman.WhatIhave seenalreadymustsatisfyme.Ifeelonceagainthepervading senseofmysterywhichfillstheplace.ThestoriesofVishudhananda's otherpowersonlyheightenthisfeeling. Ilearnthathecanbringfreshgrapesseeminglyoutofthe airanddeliversweetmeatsoutofsheernothingness;thatif hetakesafadedflowerinhishanditwillsoonregainitspristine freshness. contents
Whatisthesecretoftheseapparentmiracles?Itryto elicitsomehintandreceiveanextraordinaryreply.Itisone ofthoseexplanationswhichdonotreallyexplain.Thereal secretstillremainshiddenbehindthesquareforeheadofthe Benareswonder-worker,andhehassofarnotrevealedit eventohisclosestdisciple. HetellsmethathisbirthplacewasinBengal.Attheage ofthirteenhewasbittenbyapoisonousanimal.Hiscondition becamesoseriousthathismotherdespairedofhislifeandtook himdowntotheGangestodie.AccordingtotheHindu religion,therecanbenoholierorhappierdeaththanbeside thisriver.Hewascarriedintothesacredstreamwhilethe mourningfamilygatheredonthebanksforthefuneralceremonies. Hewasloweredintothewater.Andthenamiracle happened.Thedeepertheydippedhim,themorethewater sankaroundhisbody.Whenhewasraisedagain,thewaterrose upwardinharmonyuntilitreacheditsnormallevel.Again andagainhewasdipped;againandagainthewaterssankof theirownaccord.Inshort,theGangesrefusedtoreceivethe boyasitsdyingguest! contents
AYogisatonthebanksoftheriverandwatchedtheproceedings. Hegotupandpredictedthattheboywasreserved toliveandachievegreatness,andthathisdestinywasmost fortunate,inasmuchashewouldbecomeafamousYogi. Themanthenrubbedsomeherbsonthepoisonedwoundand wentaway.Sevendayslaterhereturnedandtoldtheparents thattheboywasnowquitecured,andindeeditwasso.But, duringtheinterimastrangethinghadhappenedtothechild. Hisentirementalityandcharacterhadchanged,andinstead ofbeingcontenttoremainathomewithhisparents,hethirsted tobecomeawanderingYogi.Henceforthheworriedhis motherconstantlyuntil,afewyearslater,shegrantedhim permissiontoleavehome.HewentforthinquestoftheYoga adepts. HemadehiswaytoTibet,thattrans-Himalayanlandof mystery,inthehopeoffindinghisdestinedteacheramongits reputedmiracle-workinghermits.Foritisanideastrongly inherentintheIndianmindthattheaspirantmustbecomea personaldiscipleofsomeonewhohashimselfmasteredthe mysteriesofYoga,ifheistosucceedinthesamequest.The contents
youngBengaleesoughtforsuchamanamongthesolitary hermitswhodwellinhutsorcaves,sometimeswhenthe mountainsweresweptbyhowling,icyblizzards,buthe returnedhomedisappointed. Yearspasseduneventfully,yethisdesirefoundnoabatement. Oncemorehecrossedtheborderandwanderedthe bleakwastesofSouthernTibet.Inasimplehabitationamong themountainfastnesseshediscoveredamanwhoproved tobethelong-soughtteacher. Ihear,next,oneofthoseincrediblestatementswhichmight oncehavemovedmetosatiriclaughter,butnowactually startlesme.ForIamsolemnlyassuredthatthisTibetan masterisnolessthanonethousandtwohundredyearsold! TheassertionismadeascalmlyasaprosaicWesternermight mentionthatheisforty. Thisamazinglegendoflongevityhascroppedupatleast twicebefore.Brama,theYogioftheAdyarriver,oncetoldme thathismasterinNepalwasoverfourhundredyearsold, whileaholymanwhomIencounteredinWesternIndiasaid thattherewasaYogilivinginanalmostinaccessiblemountain contents
caveontheHimalayaswhowassoold-overonethousandyears, wasthefiguregivenme-thatthelidsofhiseyesactually droopedheavilywithage!Ihaddismissedboththeseassertions asbeingtoofantastic,butnowImustagainentertain arepetitionofthem,forthismanbeforemehintsatbeingon thetrackoftheelixiroflife. TheTibetanteacherinitiatedyoungVishudhanandaintothe principlesandpracticesoftheYogaofBodyControl.Under thisrigoroustraining,thediscipledevelopedpowersofbodyand mindwhichweresupernormal.Hewasalsoinitiatedintoa strangeartwhichhecallsSolarScience.Fortwelveyears, despitethehardshipsoflifeinasnow-boundregion,he continuedhispupilageatthefeetoftheTibetanpossessorof immortallife.Histrainingfinished,hewassentbackto India.Hecrossedthemountainpasses,descendedintothe plains,andinduecoursehimselfbecameateacherofYoga. HesettledforawhileatPuri,ontheBayofBengal,wherehe stillmaintainsalargebungalow.Theflockofdiscipleswhich gatheredaroundhimbelongexclusivelytothehigherclassof Hindus.Theycomprisewealthymerchants,richlandowners, contents
GovernmentofficialsandevenaRajah.Igettheimpression -perhapsIamwrong-thathumblerfolkarenotencouraged. Howdidyouperformthosewondersyoushowedme?" Iaskbluntly. Vishudhanandacrosseshisplumphands. "WhatyouhavebeenshownisnottheresultofYoga practice.ItistheresultofaknowledgeofSolarScience. TheessenceofYogaisthedevelopmentofwillpowerand mentalconcentrationonthepartoftheYogi,butinSolar Sciencepracticethosequalitiesarenotrequired.Solar Scienceismerelyacollectionofsecretsandnospecialtraining isnecessarytomakeuseofthem.Itcanbestudiedinexactly thesamewaythatanyofyourWesternmaterialsciencesare studied." PunditKavirjsupplementsthehintthatthisstrangeartis moreakintothescienceofelectricityandmagnetismthanto anyother. Ifeelasmuchinthedarkasbefore,sothemastervouchsafes somefurtherinformation. "ThisSolarSciencewhichnowcomesfromTibetisnothing contents
new.ItwaswellknowntothegreatYogisofIndiainvery ancienttimes.Butnow,exceptforararefew,ithasalmost beenlosttothiscountry.Therearelife-givingelementsin thesun'srays,andifyouknewthesecretofseparatingor selectingthoseelements,you,too,coulddowonders.And thereareethericforcesinsunlightwhichhaveamagicpower, onceyougetcontrolofthem." "AreyouteachingtheseSolarSciencesecretstoyour disciples?" "Notyet,butIampreparingtodoso.Certaindisciples willbeselectedandthesecretsimpartedtothem.Evennow wearebuildingalargelaboratorywherestudyclasses,demonstrations andexperimentswillbecarriedon." "Thenwhatareyourdiscipleslearningatpresent?" "TheyarebeinginitiatedintoYoga." Thepundittakesmetoinspectthelaboratory.Itisa modernstructureseveralstoreyshighanddistinctlyEuropean indesign.Thewallsarebuiltofredbrickandlargegapstake theplaceofwindows.Thesegapsawaitthecomingofhuge sheetsofplateglass,fortheresearchworktobeconducted contents
inthelaboratorywillinvolvethereflectionofsunlightthrough red,blue,green,yellowandcolourlessglass. ThepundittellsmethatnoIndianworkscanmakeglassof thesizerequiredtoformthegiantwindows,andthereforethe edificecannotbecompleted.Heasksmetomakeenquiries inEngland,butemphasizesthatVishudhanandawantshis specificationstobeadheredtocompletely.Theseincludethe conditionthatthemakersshouldguaranteetheirglasstobe absolutelyfreefromairbubbles,andthatthecolouredglass shouldbequitetransparent.Eachsheetistomeasure twelvefeetinlength,eightfeetinwidthandoneinchin thickness.1 Thelaboratorybuildingissurroundedbyspaciousgardens, whicharegirdledandscreenedfrompryingeyesbyrowsof feather-branchedpalmtrees. Ireturntothewonder-workerandsitdownbeforehim.The discipleshavethinnedout;onlytwoorthreeareleft.Pundit Kavirjsquatsbesideme,hisstudy-wornfacefixedindevoted regardofhismaster. contents
Vishudhanandamomentarilyglancesatmeandthenstudies thefloor.Dignityandreservemingleinhismanner;his faceispreternaturallysolemn,andthefacesofhisdisciples reflecthissolemnity.Iattempttopenetratebehindhismask ofgravity,butcanperceivenothing.Themindofthisman isasimpenetrabletomyWesternmentalityasistheinmost shrineoftheGoldenTempleinyondertown.Heissteeped inthestrangeloreofOrientalmagic.Ifeelstronglythat thoughhehasshownmehiswondersevenbeforeIexpress asecondrequest,neverthelesshehasputupapsychicbarrier betweenuswhichIshallnevercross.Mywelcomeisbut asurfaceone;WesterninvestigatorsandWesterndisciples arenotwantedhere. Hedropsanunexpectedremarkquitesuddenly. "IcouldnotinitiateyouasmyownpupilunlessIsecure permissionbeforehandfrommyTibetanmaster.Thisisa conditionunderwhichIhavetowork." Hashereadthethoughtswhichrunthroughmybrain? Igazeathim.Hisslightlybulgingforeheadbetraysafaint pucker.Anyway,Ihaveexpressednodesiretobecomehis contents
disciple.Iaminnounduehurrytobecomeanyone'sdisciple. ButofonethingIfeelsure-sucharequestwouldbringforth anegativeanswer. "Buthowcanyoucommunicatewithyourmasterifheis infar-offTibet?"Iquery. 1IwrotetothelargestmanufacturersofplateglassinGreat Britain,buttheyrefusedtoundertakethetaskbecausethetechnical conditionslaiddownbyVishudhanandawereimpossibleoffulfilment. Theydeclaredthatitwasbeyondthewitofanymanufacturerto deviseaprocesswhichwouldguaranteetheabsenceofanyairbubbles inthesheets;thattheglasscouldnotbecolouredwithoutdiminishing itstransparencytothesun'srays;thatplateglasscouldnotbemade satisfactorilythickerthanonequarterofaninch;andthatthesheets wouldhavetobemadeinhalvesifbreakageonthelongjourneyto Benareswastobeavoided. "Weareinperfecttouchupontheinnerplanes,"hereplies. Iamconsciousoflistening,butnotofcomprehending.Yet hisunexpectedremarkhasturnedmymindawayfromhis miraclesforawhile.Ifallintoapensivemood.Unwittingly Ifindmyselfasking: contents
"Master,howcanonefindenlightenment?" Vishudhanandadoesnotreply;instead,heputsmeanother question. "UnlessyoupractiseYoga,howcanyouobtainenlightenment?" Ithinkthematteroverforafewseconds. "YetIamtoldthatwithoutateacheritisextremely difficulttounderstandYoga,letalonepractiseitsuccessfully. Genuineteachersarehardtofind." Hisfaceremainsindifferentandimperturbable. "Whentheseekerisready,themasteralwaysappears." Iexpressmydoubts.Hespreadsoutaplumphand. "Amanmustfirstmakehimselfready;then,nomatter whereheis,hewilleventuallyfindateacher.Andifthe masterdoesnotcomeintheflesh,hewillappeartotheinward eyeoftheseeker." "Howshallonebegin,then?" "Markoffapartofyourtimeeverydaytositinthesimple posturewhichIshallshowyou.Thatwillhelptoprepare you.Takecarealsotocurbangerandcontrolpassion." VishudhanandaproceedstoshowmetheLotusposture, contents
withwhichIamalreadyfamiliar.Whyhecallsthisasimple posture,withitsintertwinedandfoldedlegs,Icannotunderstand. "WhatadultEuropeancanachievesuchacontortion!" Iexclaim. "Thedifficultyliesonlyintheearlyattempts.Itbecomes easyifpractisedeverymorningandevening.Theimportant thingistofixanexacttimeofthedayforthisYogapractice, andtokeepregularlytothattime.Atfirstfiveminutes' effortisenough.Afteronemonth,youcanlengthenthetime totenminutes;afterthreemonths,totwentyminutes,and soon.Takecaretokeepthespinestraight.Thisexercise willenableamantoacquirephysicalpoiseandmentalcalmness. CalmnessisnecessaryforthefurtherpracticeofYoga." "ThenyouteachtheYogaofBodyControl?" "Yes.DonotimaginethattheYogaofMindControlis superiortoit.Justaseveryhumanbeingboththinksand acts,sotheremustbetrainingforbothsidesofournature. Thebodyactsonthemind,andthemindinter-actsonthe body;theycannotbeseparatedinpracticaldevelopment." Ibecomeawareonceagainofaninnerreluctanceonthe contents
partofthismantosubmittofurtherquestioning.Amental coldnessfillstheatmosphere.Idecidetowithdrawsoon,but flingalastquestionathim. "Haveyoudiscoveredwhetherthereisanygoal,any purpose,inlife?" Thedisciplesbreaktheirgravityandsmileatmysimplicity. Onlyaninfidel,ignorantWesternercouldasksuchaquestion. DonotallthesacredHindubooks,withoutexception,indicate thatGodholdsthisworldinHishandforHisownpurpose? Theteacherdoesnotanswerme.Herelapsesintosilence, butglancesatKaviraj,whothereuponsuppliestheanswer. "Certainly,thereisapurpose.Wehavetoattainspiritual perfection,tounitewithGod." Andthen,forthenexthour,theroomremainssilent. Vishudhanandafingersthelargepagesofathickbook,whose papercoverisprintedinBengalee.Thedisciplesstare,sleep ormeditate.Asoothing,mesmericinfluencebeginstosteal overme.IfeelthatifIstaylongenough,Ishalleitherfall asleeporfallintosomekindofatrance,soIpullmyfaculties together,thanktheteacher,andtakemydeparture. contents
AfteralightmealIpickmywaythroughtortuousalleysin thismotleycity,whichseemstoattractsaintsandsinnersalike. Itluresthepiousfromalloverthelandintoitscrowdedhomes, butitalsodrawstheimpious,theruffianlyandthevicious,to saynothingofthepriestlyparasites. ThejinglingtemplebellsalongthebankoftheGanges pealouttheircalltoeveningworship.Nightisadvancing rapidlyonthegreyingsky.Sunsetaddsanothertoitsown sounds,forthemuezzinscalltothefollowersoftheProphet tocometoprayer. Isitonthebankofthisancientriver,thismuch-revered Ganges,andlistentotherustlingfrondsofpalms,whichsway slightlyinthetemporarybreeze. Anash-besmearedbeggarapproachesme.HehaltsandI gazeathim.Heissomesortofholyman,forsomethingthat isnotofthisworldglowsinhiseyes.IbegintorealizethatI havenotsucceededinunderstandingthisoldIndiasowellas Ithought.Igropeamongthefewcoinsinmypocket,wondering contents
thewhilewhetherwecanleapacrosstheabyssofcivilization whichseparatesus.Hetakesthealmswithaquietdignity, raiseshishandstohisash-coveredbrowinsalutation,and withdraws. Ihavemusedforlongoverthemysteryofthewonderworker, whoplaystrickswiththeetherandrestoresfleeting lifetodeadbirds.HisplausiblebutbriefexpositionofSolar Sciencedoesnotcaptureme.Onlyathoughtlessmanwould denythatmodernsciencehasnotfullyexploredthepossibilities latentinthesun'slight;buttherearefeaturesinthiscase whichinclinemetolookelsewhereforanexplanation. For,inWesternIndia,Ihadlearntoftheexistenceoftwo YogiswhocouldperformoneofVishudhananda'sfeats, namely,theextractionofdifferentscentsfromtheair.Unfortunately formyinvestigation,boththesepersonsdied towardsthecloseoflastcentury,butthesourceofmyinformation seemedreliableenough.Inbothcasesafragrant,oily essencewasmadetoappearonthepalmoftheYogi'shand, asthoughitexudedthroughtheskin.Sometimestheperfume wasstrongenoughtoscenttheroom. contents
Now,ifVishudhanandapossessesthesamestrangegift, hecaneasilytransfersomescentfromhispalmtothehandkerchief, whilstappearingtofumblewiththemagnifyinglens. Inshort,thewholeperformanceofconcentratingthesunlight maybenothingmorethanapieceofplay-actingtocoverthe transferenceofthemagicallyproducedscent.Anotherpoint whichfavoursthisviewisthefactthatthewonder-workerhas failedtorevealthesecrettoasingleoneofhisdisciplesso far.Theirhopeshavebeenkeptup,meanwhile,bythe protractedbuildingofcostlylaboratories.Eventhisworkhas cometoastandstillbecauseoftheimpossibilityofprocuring thegiantsheetsofglassinIndia.Andsotheywaitonand hope. WhatprocesshasVishudhanandareallyused,iftheconcentration ofsunlightismerelyablind?Itmaybethatthe productionoffragrantodoursisanotheroftheYogapowers whichcanbedevelopedbypersonaleffort,butIdonotknow. Nevertheless,thoughIcannotprovideatenabletheoryto accountforthewonder-worker'sfeats,Ineednotjumpat thetheoryofSolarSciencewhichheoffers.Whytroublemy contents
headfurtherMydutyisbuttoplaythescribeandrecord thesehappenings,nottoexplaintheinexplicable.Hereis asideofIndianlifewhichmustremainsealed,forevenifthe plumplittlewonder-worker,orsomechosendisciple,demonstrates thisstrangearttotheoutsideworldandengagesthe astoundedattentionofscientists,itisunlikelythatthesecret willbemadeknown.IthinkIhavereadsofarintohis character,atleast. Aninnervoiceasksme:Howhasherevivedthedeadbird AndwhataboutthislegendofaperfectedYogi'sabilityto extendindefinitelythedurationofhislife?Havesome Easternmenreallydiscoveredthesecretofprotractedage? Iturnmyheadawayfromtheinnerquestionerandwearily lookupattheheavens.Theimponderableimmensityofthe star-filledskyawesme.Nowherearethestarssobrightas inthetropicalsky.Icontinuetogazefixedlyatthetwinkling pointsoflight....WhenIlookaroundagainatmyfellowcreatures andattheamorphousmassofhouses,Ibegintofeel deeplythereconditemysteryofthisworld.Tangiblethings andordinaryobjectsrecedequicklyintounreality,andthe contents
blendofshadowy,movingfigures,slowlyglidingboatsand afewbrightlamps,turnbothnightandenvironmentinto someenchantedlandofthedreamworld.TheoldIndian philosophicaldoctrinethattheuniverseisbutphantom-like initsrealnaturedriftsintomymindandbeginstoabetthis destructionofmysenseofreality.Ibecomereadyforthe strangestexperiencesthatthisplanet,whichhurriessoswiftly throughtheabyssesofspace,canbringme. Butsomecreatureoftheearthworldbreaksrudelyintomy heavenlydreambygivingloudvoicetothemonotonous rhythmofanIndiansong,andIreturnrapidlytothatpotpourri ofuncertainpleasuresandunexpectedsorrowswhich mencalllife. ASEARCHINSECRETINDIA
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CHAPTER 11 FOOD AND SILVER MANIFESTED DIRECT FROM THE ATMOSPHERE BY YOGI VISUDDHANANDA TravelingthroughIndiaImetagainaverygood friendofmineofmanyyears'standing,YogiVisuddhananda. Itwasaround1900whenwefirstmet,andat thattimewetraveledtogetheragreatdeal.Hewasagreat Yogiandwouldoftensurpriseuswithhiswonderful powers.Forexample-oncewhenwewerehighinthe mountainswithnofoodandIwasextremelyhungry, Iturnedtohimandsaid,"Woulditdoanyharmifwe shouldtakesomemoneywithustobuyfoodfromthe villagers,thenIshouldnothavetofastunwillingly?" (Seeillustration.) "Youwantsomesilver?" "Yes."AlthoughIhadaskedforasmallamounthe handedmeabarofsilverweighingapproximatelyapound contents
andtoldme,''flowyoucaneatthat." Icarriedthatbarofsilveronaropethrownovermy shoulderforalongtime,anditsswingingagainstmyback gavememanyanacheandpain.ButboylikeIstubbornly keptitandaftermanymonthsIshowedittoasilversmith whouponminuteexaminationassuredmeofits genuinenessandpurchasedit.Thatwasmyfirstexperience inwitnessingtheextraordinarypowersofYogiVisuddhananda; after,thatIoftensawdisplaysofhismiraculous powersinproducingfood,clothingandmanyother articlesforouruse.Hismentaltelepathicpowersalso thrilledme,likewisehisunfailingabilitytolocatethe 'now-hiddencaveswherewerestedeachnight. OnedayIaskedhim,"Willyouproduceacoupleof rupeesforme?'' "No,"camethequickresponse,"therupeeismadeby Thegovernmentmint;ifyouwantanotherpieceofsilver Icangiveyouthat,butIamnotstartinganewmint here." EachtimewhenIqueriedhimastohismethodof contents
productionhisreplywas,"Simplyoutofthefinerelements containedintheatmospherewhichareinthesilver also.Icanconcentratetheelementsandproducesilver." Itwasoneoftheoutstandingjoysofmytriptomeet himagainin1936afterthesemanyyears,andheproved tobethesamemanofpowerwithhislovablepersonality andsenseofhumoraswhenIfirstknewhim.Hisfirst questiontomewastoinquireifIwantedanotherbarof silver."No,"Ireplied,"foodwillbemoresatisfactory thansilverrightnow."Hedemonstratedfortheother visitorsbyproducingmanyarticles,food,etc. Laterhesettleddownandfoundedanashrarnanear Calcutta.Iwasindeedsorrytoreadinthenewspapers sixmonthsaftermyreturntoAmericathatthisgreatYogi hadpassedontoheaven.AnyonevisitingCalcuttashould includeavisittohisashramaastherearemanyfinedisciples ofhislivingthere. Iamquotingbelowanarticlepertainingtothepassing ofthisgreatYogi: YogiVisuddhanandaParamhansaDev,therenowned contents
YogiofBandul(Burdwan)whohadhisashramain Calcuttaat6KunduRoad,Bhowanipurbreathedhislast yesterday.Thenewsquicklyspreadandhisnumerous disciplesandfollowersassembledattheashramaandcarried hisbodybedeckedwithwreathsandflowerstothe Keoratalaburningghatwherehislastriteswereperformed byhisson,Sj.DurapadaChatterjee. YogiVisuddhanandawasanenigmaticpersonalitythe likeofwhichcanrarelybeseenintheworld.He representedtheoldIndianschoolofthoughtandhad miraculouspowerswhichhemanifestedfromtimetotime tshisdiscipleswhenexplainingtheesotericsignificanceof IndianYogatothem.Thewriteroftheselineshasthus seenhimconvertingacoppercoinintoaflower,aflower intoacrystalandthingslikethatinthetwinklingofan eye.ThesewerebuttheABCofwhattheYogicould perform.Volumescouldbewrittenifhisdisciplesnarrated theirexperiencesconcerningtheYogicpowersof theirGuru.Histheorywasthatatomsofallthingswere floatingintheairandamancouldbywillpowercollect contents
themandconvertonethingintoanother.Thushehad transformedlumpsofcottonintopiecesofdiamond. TheearlylifeofYogiVisuddhanandawasspentin greatstruggleinthejunglesoftheHimalayaswherehe passedhisdaysinextremehardshipandmeditation.After finishinghisYogiccoursehereturnedtohisfamilyatthe instanceofhisGuruwhoinculcatedinhimtheduty ofteachinghisdisciplestheYogiclore. WiththepassingofthisgreatYogiavoidhasbeen createdinthereligiouslifeofIndiawhichcanhardlybe filledinthenearfuture.-A.B.Patrika LIVESANDTEACHINGSOFYOGISOFINDIA
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