{"collection":"Hinduism","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/hin/db/bk07ch35.htm","path":"hin/db/bk07ch35.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/hin/db/bk07ch35.htm","text":"THE SEVENTH BOOK\n1. Him\u00e2lay\u00e2 said :-- \"O Mahes'var\u00ee! Now tell me the Yoga with all its Amgas (limbs) giving the knowledge of the Supreme Consciousness so that, I may realise my Self, when I practise according to those instructions.\n2-10. S'r\u00ee Dev\u00ee said :-- \"The Yoga does not exist in the Heavens; nor does it exist on earth or in the nether regions (P\u00e2t\u00e2la). Those who are skilled in the Yogas say that the realisation of the identity between the Jiv\u00e2tma and the Param\u00e2tm\u00e2 is \"Yoga.\" O Sinless One! The enemies to this Yoga are six; and they are lust, anger, greed, ignorance, vanity and jealousy. The Yogis attain the Yoga when they become able to destroy these six enemies by practising the accompaniments to Yoga. Yama, Niyama, \u00c2sana, Pr\u00e2n\u00e2y\u00e2ma, Praty\u00e2h\u00e2ra, Dh\u00e2ran\u00e2, Dhy\u00e2na, and Sam\u00e2dhi, these are the eight limbs of Yoga. Yama includes Ahims\u00e2 (non-injuring; non- killing); truthfulness; Asteyam (non-stealing by mind or deed); Brahmacharya (continence); Day\u00e2 (mercy to all beings); Uprightness; forgiveness, steadiness; eating frugally, restrictedly and cleanliness (external and internal). These are ten in number. Niyama includes also ten qualities :-- (1) Tapasy\u00e2 (austerities and penances); (2) contentment; (3) \u00c2stikya (faith in the God and the Vedas, Devas, Dharma and Adharma); (4) Charity (in good causes); worship of God; hearing the Siddh\u00e2ntas (established sayings) of the Vedas; Hr\u00ee or modesty (not to do any irreligious or blameable acts); S'raddh\u00e2 (faith to go do good works that are sanctioned); (9) Japam (uttering silently the mantrams, G\u00e2yatr\u00ees or sayings of Pur\u00e2nas) and (10) Homam (offering oblations daily to the Sacred Fire). There are five kinds of Asanas (Postures) that are commendable: Padm\u00e2san, Svastik\u00e2san, Bhadr\u00e2san, Vajr\u00e2san and V\u00eer\u00e2san. Padm\u00e2san consists in crossing the legs and placing the feet on the opposite thighs (the right foot on the left thigh and the left foot on the right thigh) and catching by the right hand brought round the back, the toes of the right foot and catching by the left hand brought round the back the toes of the left foot; sitting then straight and with ease. This is recommended by the Yogis (and by this one can raise oneself in the air).\nN. B. -- The hands, according to some, need not be carried round the back; both the hands are crossed and placed similarly on the thighs.\n11-20. Place the soles of the feet completely under the thighs, keep\nthe body straight, and sit at ease. This is called the Svastik\u00e2san. Bhadr\u00e2san consists in placing well the two heels on the two sides of the two nerves of the testicle, near the anus and catching by the two hands the two heels at the lower part of the testicles and then sitting at ease. This is very much liked by the Yogis. Vajr\u00e2san (diamond seat) consists in placing the feet on the two thighs respectively and placing the fingers below the thighs with the hands also there, and then sitting at ease. V\u00eerasan consists in sitting cross on the hams in placing the right foot under the right thigh and the left foot under the left thigh and sitting at ease with body straight.\nTaking in the breath by the Id\u00e2 (the left nostril) so long as we count \"Om\" sixteen, retaining it in the Susumn\u00e2 so long as we count \"Om\" sixty-four times and then exhaling it slowly by the Pingal\u00e2 n\u00e2di (the right nostril) as long as we count \"Om\" thirty-two times. (The first process is called P\u00fbraka, the second is called Kumbhaka, and the third is called Rechaka). This is called one Pr\u00e2n\u00e2y\u00e2ma by those versed in the Yogas. Thus one should go on again and again with his Pr\u00e2n\u00e2y\u00e2ma. At the very beginning, try with the number twelve, i. e., as we count \"Om\" twelve times and then increase the number gradually to sixteen and so on. Pr\u00e2n\u00e2y\u00e2ma is of two kinds :-- Sagarbha and Vigarbha. It is called Sagarbha when Pr\u00e2n\u00e2y\u00e2ma is performed with repeating the Ista Mantra and Japam and meditation. It is called Vigarbha Pr\u00e2n\u00e2y\u00e2ma when \"Om\" is simply counted and no other Mantram. When this Pr\u00e2n\u00e2y\u00e2ma is practised repeatedly, perspiration comes first when it is called of the lowest order; when the body begins to tremble, it is called middling; and when one rises up in the air, leaving the ground, it is called the best Pr\u00e2n\u00e2y\u00e2ma. (Therefore one who practises Pr\u00e2n\u00e2y\u00e2ma ought to continue it till he becomes able to rise in the air).\n21-30. Now comes Praty\u00e2h\u00e2ra. The senses travel spontaneously towards their objects, as if they are without anyone to check. To curb them perforce and to make them turn backwards from those objects is called \"Praty\u00e2h\u00e2ra,\" To hold the Pr\u00e2na V\u00e2yu on toes, heels, knees, thighs, sacrum genital organs, navel, heart, neck, throat, the soft palate, nose, between the eyebrows, and on the top of the head, at these twelve places respectively is called the \"Dh\u00e2ran\u00e2.\" Concentrate the mind on the consciousness inside and then meditate the Ista Devat\u00e2 within the J\u00eev\u00e2tm\u00e2. This is the Dhy\u00e2na. Sam\u00e2dhi is identifying always the J\u00eev\u00e2tm\u00e2 and Param\u00e2tm\u00e2. Thus the sages say. (Sam\u00e2dhi is of two kinds (1) Sampraj\u00f1\u00e2ta, or Savikalpak and (2) Nirvikalpak. When the ideas\nthe Knower, Knowledge and the Thing Known, rernain separate in the consciousness and yet the mind feels the one Akhanda Sachchid\u00e2nanda Brahma and his heart remains, there, that is called Sampraj\u00f1\u00e2ta Sam\u00e2dhi; and when those three vanish away and the one Brahma remains, it is called Asampraj\u00f1\u00e2ta Sam\u00e2dhi). Thus I have described to you the Yoga with its eight limbs. O Mountain! This body composed of the five elements, and with J\u00eeva endowed with the essence of the Sun, the Moon, and the Fire and Brahma in it as one and the same, is denominated by the term \"Vis'va.\" There are the 350,000 n\u00e2dis in this body of man; of these, the principal are ten. Out of the ten again, the three are most prominent. The foremost and first of these three is Susumn\u00e2, of the nature of the Moon, Sun, and Fire, situated in the centre of the spinal cord (it extends from the sacral plexus below to the Brahmaradhra in the head at the top where it looks like a blown Dhust\u00fbra flower). On the left of this Susumn\u00e2 is the Id\u00e2 N\u00e2d\u00ee, white and looking like Moon; this N\u00e2d\u00ee is of the nature of Force, nectar-like. On the right side of the Susumn\u00e2 is the Pingal\u00e2 N\u00e2d\u00ee of the nature of a male; it represents the Sun. The Susumn\u00e2 comprises the nature of the all the Tejas (fires) and it represents Fire.\n31-41. The inmost of Susumn\u00e2 is Vichtr\u00e2 or Chitrin\u00ee Bh\u00fblingam n\u00e2d\u00ee (of the form of a cobweb) in the middle of which resides the Ichch\u00e2 (will), J\u00f1\u00e2na (knowledge) and Kriy\u00e2 (action) S'akt\u00ees, and resplendent like the Millions of Suns. Above Him is situated Hr\u00eem, the M\u00e2y\u00e2 V\u00eeja Har\u00e2tm\u00e2 with \"Ha\" and Chandravindu repesenting the Sound (N\u00e2da). Above this is the Flame, Kula Kundalin\u00ee (the Serpent Fire) of a red colour, and as it were, intoxicated. Outside Her is the \u00c2dh\u00e2ra Lotus of a yellow colour having a dimension of four digits and Comprising the four letters \"va\", \"s'a\", \"sa\", and \"sa\". The Yogis meditate on this. In its centre is the hexagonal space (P\u00eetham). This is called the M\u00fbl\u00e2dh\u00e2ra for it is the base and it supports all the six lotuses. Above it is the Sv\u00e2dhisth\u00e2na Chakra, fiery and emitting lustre like diamond and with six petals representing the six letters \"ba\", \"bha\", \"ma\", \"ya\", \"ra\", \"la\". The word \"Sva\" means \"Param Lingam\" (superior Male Symbol). Therefore the sages call this \"Sv\u00e2dhisth\u00e2n Chakram. Above it is situated the \"Manipura Chakram\" of the colour of lightning in clouds and very fiery; it comprises the ten Petals, comprising the 10 letters da, dha, na, ta, tha, da, dha, na, pa, pha. The lotus resembles a full blown pearl; hence it is \"Manipadma.\" Visnu dwells here. Meditation here leads to the sight of Visnu, Above it is \"An\u00e2hata\" Padma with the twelve petals representing, the twelve letters Ka, Kha, Gha, m###, (cha), (chha), (Ja), (Jha,) \u00ceya, ta, and tha. In the middle is B\u00e2nalingam, resplendent like\nthe Sun. This lotus emits the sound S'abda Brabma, without being struck; therefore it is called the An\u00e2hata Lotus. This is the source of joy. Here dwalls Rudra, the Highest Person.\"\n42-43. Above it is situated the Vis'uddha Chakra of the sixteen petals, comprising the sixteen letters a, \u00e2, i, \u00ee, u, \u00fb, ri, ri, li, lri, e, ai, o, ar, am, ah. This is of a smoky colour, highly lustrous, and is situated in the throat. The J\u00eev\u00e2tm\u00e2 sees the Param\u00e2tm\u00e2 (the Highest Self) here and it is purified; hence it is called Vis'uddha. This wonderful lotus is termed \u00c2k\u00e2s'a.\n44-45. Above that is situated betwixt the eyebrows the exceedingly beautiful Aj\u00f1\u00e2 Chakra with two petals comprising the two letters \"Ha,\" and Ksa. The Self resides in this lotus. When persons are stationed here, they can see everything and know of the present, past and future. There one gets the commands from the Highest Deity (e. g. now this is for you to do and so on); therefore it is called the Aj\u00f1\u00e2 Chakra.\n46-47. Above that is the Kail\u00e2s'a Chakra; over it is the Rodhin\u00ee Chikra. O One of good vows! Thus I have described to you all about the \u00c2dh\u00e2ra Chakras. The prominent Yogis say that above that again, is the Vindu Sth\u00e2n, the seat of the Supreme Deity with thousand petals. O Best of Mountains! Thus I declare the best of the paths leading to Yoga.\n48. Now hear what is the next thing to do. First by the \"P\u00fbraka\", Pr\u00e2n\u00e2y\u00e2ma, fix the mind on the Mul\u00e2dh\u00e2ra Lotus. Then contract and arouse the Kula Kundalin\u00ee S'akt\u00ee there, between the anus and the genital organs, by that V\u00e2yu.\n49. Pierce, then, the Lingams (the lustrous Svayambhu \u00c2di Lingam) in the several Chakras above-mentioned and transfer along with it the heart united with the S'akti to the Sahasr\u00e2ra (the Thousand petalled Lotus). Then meditate the S'akt\u00ee united with S'ambhu there.\n50-51. There is produced in the Vindu Chakra, out of the intercourse of S'iva and S'akt\u00ee, a kind of nectar-juice, resembling a sort of red-dye (lac). With that Nectar of Joy, the wise Yogis make the M\u00e2y\u00e2 S'akt\u00ee, yielding successes in Yoga, drink; then pleasing all the Devas in the six Chakras with the offerings of that Nectar, the Yogi brings the S'akt\u00ee down again on the M\u00fbl\u00e2dh\u00e2ra Lotus.\n52. Thus by daily practising this, all the above mantras will no doubt, be made to come to complete success.\n53-54. And one will be free from this Sams\u00e2ra, filled with old age and death, etc. O Lord of Mountains! I am the World Mother; My devotee will get all My qualities; there is no doubt in this. O Child! I have thus described to you the excellent Yoga, holding the V\u00e2yu (Pavana Dh\u00e2rana Yoga).\n55. Now hear from Me the Dh\u00e2r\u00e2n\u00e2 Yoga. To fix thoroughly one's heart on the Supremely Lustrous Force of Mine, pervading all the quarters, countries, and all time leads soon to the union of the J\u00eeva and the Brahma.\n56-58. If one does not quickly do this, owing to impurities of heart, then the Yogi ought to adopt what is called the \"Avayava Yoga.\" O Chief of Mountains! The S\u00e2dhaka should fix his heart on my gentle hands, feet and other limbs one by one and try to conquer each of these places. Thereby his heart would be purified. Then he should fix that purified heart on My Whole Body.\n59-62. The practiser must practise with Japam and Homam the Mantram till his mind be not dissolved in Me, My Consciousness. By the practice of meditating on the Mantra, the thing to be known (Brahma) is transformed into knowledge. Know this as certain, that the Mantra is futile without Yoga and the Yoga is futile without the Mantra. The Mantra and the Yoga are the two infallible means to realise Brahma. As the jar in a dark room is visible by a lamp, so this J\u00eev\u00e2tm\u00e2, surrounded by M\u00e2y\u00e2 is visible by means of Mantra to the Param\u00e2tm\u00e2 (the Highest Self). O Best of Mountains! Thus I have described to you the Yogas with their Angas (limbs). You should receive instructions about them from the mouth of a Guru; else millions of S'\u00e2stras will never be able to give you a true realisation of the meanings of the yogas.\nHere ends the Thirty-fifth Chapter of the Seventh Book on the Yoga and the Mantra Siddhi in the Mah\u00e2 Pur\u00e2nam S'ri Mad Dev\u00ee Bh\u00e2gavatam of 18,000 verses, by Maharsi Veda Vy\u00e2sa.","title":"The Devi Bhagavatam: The Seventh Book: Chapter 35","type":"page"}