DHYANAYOGA

DHYANA YOGA
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THE DTVINE LIFE SOCIETY
P. O. SHIVANANDANAGAR-24g L92
Distt. Tehri-Garhwal, Uttarakhand, Himalayas, India
www. sivanandaonline. org, www. dlshq. org
 First Edition : 1958
Second Edition : 1959
Third Edition : 1960
Fourth Edition : 1977
Fifth Edition : 1982
Sixth Edition : 1989
Seventh Edition : 1994
Eighth Edition : 2OOO
Ninth Edition : 2005
Tenth Edition : 2OL2
[ 1,OOO Copies ]

@The Divine Life Trust SocietY

ISBN 81-7052-036-3
ES33

PRICE: (85/-

Published by Swami Padmanabhananda for

The Divine Life Society, Shivanandanagar, and printed
by him at the Yoga-Vedanta Forest Academy Press,
P.O. Shivanandanagar, Distt. Tehri-Garhwal,
Uttarakhand, Himalayas, India
For online orders and Catalogue : visit dlsbooks.org
 SRI SWAMI SIVANANDA
Born on the Bth September, 1gg7, in the illustrious
family of Sage Appayya Dikshitar and several other
renowned saints and savants, Sri Swami Sivananda had
a natural flair for a life devoted to the study and practice
of Vedanta. Added to this was an inborn eagerness to
serve all and an innate feeling of unity with all mankind.
His passion for service drew him to the medical
career; and soon he gravitated to where he thought that
his service was most needed. Malaya claimed him. He
had earlier been editing a health journal and wrote
extensively on health problems. He discovered that
people needed right knowledge most of all; dissemination
of that knowledge he espoused as his own mission.
It was divine dispensation and the blessing of God
upon mankind that the doctor of body and mind
renounced his career and took to a life of renunciation to
qualify for ministering to the soul of man. He settled
down at Rishikesh in 1924, practised intense austerities
and shone as a great Yogi, saint, sage and Jivanmukta.
In 1932 Swami Sivananda started the
Sivanandashram. In 1936 was born The Divine Life
Society. In 1948 the Yoga-Vedanta Forest Academy was
organised. Dissemination of spiritual knowledge and
training of people in Yoga and Vedanta were their aim
and object. In 195O Swamiji undertook a lightning tour of
India and Ceylon. In 1953 Swamiji convened a World
Parliament of Religions'. Swamiji is the author of over
300 volumes and has disciples all over the world,
belonging to all nationalities, religions and creeds. To
read Swamiji's works is to drink at the Fountain of
Wisdom Supreme. On 14th July, 1963 Swamiji entered
Mahasamadhi.
 PUBLISHERS' NOTE
Meditation is the key which unlocks the
treasure-trove of the highest intelligence, of wisdom, of
divinity, of genius. No man who wishes to make a
success of his life can afford to neglect it.
The genius among scientists, the successful
businessmen, the best among philosophers, the Yogi and
the seeker after Truth, all of them meditate. Their
achievements are the fruits of their meditation.
The secrets of meditation have remained the close
preserve of Yogis, till the Sage of the Himalayas, Sri
Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj, in his supreme compassion
and all-consuming love for all mankind, came forward to
elucidate the phitosophical foundation, the method, the
experiences, the obstacles and the successful fulfrlment
of meditation.
His writings on this vital subject are presented by
him in this inspiring book.
_THE DIVINE LIFE SOCIETY

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 PREFACE
Dhyana or meditation is in the keepingup of the flow
of one idea with a continuity as unbroken as the flow of
oil. Meditation is of two kinds, viz., concrete and
abstract. If you meditate on any picture or concrete
object it is concrete meditation. If you meditate on an
abstract idea, on any quality such as mercy, tolerance, it
is abstract meditation. A beginner should practise
concrete meditation. For some aspirants, abstract
meditation is more easy than concrete meditation.
The practice of meditation must start only after one
is well established in pratyahara or abstraction of the
senses and concentration. If the senses are turbulent, if
the mind cannot be fixed on one point, no meditation is
possible even within hundreds of years. One should go
stage by stage, step by step. The mind should be
withdrawn again and again and fixed upon the object of
meditation. Its tendency to run and roam must be
checked. One should reduce one,s wants and renounce
all sorts of wild, vain desires from the mind. A desireless
man alone can sit quiet and practise meditation. Sattvic
and light diet and Brahmacharya are the prerequisites
for the practice of meditation.
Consciousness is of two kinds, viz., focussing
consciousness and marginal consciousness. When you
concentrate on Trikuti, the space midway between the
eyebrows, your focussing consciousness is on the
Trikuti. when some flies sit on your left hand during
meditation, you drive them with your right hand. When
you become conscious of the flies it is called marginal
consciousness. A seed which has remained in the frri for
a second will not undoubtedly sprout into leaves even
though sown in a fertile soil. Even so a mind that does
meditation for some time but runs towards sensual
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objects on account of unsteadiness will not bring in the
full fruits of Yoga.
Beginners on the spiritual path should remember
again and again some important and inspiring Vedantic
statements, every day. Only then can their doubts be
removed and they would find themselves established on
the path. Some of these statements are: "Being alone was
in the beginning, one without a second" Chhandorya
Upanishad VI-2-1; "[n the beginning all this was the one
Self alone" Aitareya Upanishad VI-2-1; "This is the
Brahman, without cause and without effect; this Self is
Brahman perceiving everything" Brihadaranyaka
Upanishad Il-5-19; "That immortal Brahman alone is"
Mandulrya Upanishad, ll-2-7. This immortal Atman
cannot be attained without constant practice of
meditation. Therefore he who wishes to attain
immortali$ and freedom should meditate on the Self or
the Brahman, for a long time.
The Self or the Atman is the fountain-source of all
enerry. Thinking on Atman as the Source of all Enerry, is
a dynamic method for augmenting one's own enerry,
strength and power. If you think even for a single second,
of the all-pervading pure, immortal Satchidananda
Atman or Brahman, it would be tantamount to taking
thousand and eight dips in the sacred Triveni-the
junction of three holy rivers at Prayag. This is the real
mental sacred bath. Physical bath is nothing when
compared to this internal bath of wisdom or knowledge.
Worship the Self or the Atman with the flowers of
Jnana or wisdom, contentment, peace, joy and equal
vision. This will constitute real worship. Offerings of
rose, jasmine, sandal paste, incense, sweetmeats and
fruits are nothing when compared to the offerings of
Jnana, contentment, peace, equal vision. These are the
offerings given by the ignorant persons. Try to identi$
yourself with the eternal, immortal, ever-pure Atman or
Soul that resides in the chambers of your heart. Think
and feel always: 'I am the very pure Atman." This one
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thought will remove ail troubles and fanciful thoughts.
The mind wants to delude you when it detracts you from
the central purpose of your life, viz., meditation on the
Atman. Therefore start an anti-current of thought
against the tendencies of the mind. Then, mind will lurk
like a thief and become submissive.
In the Yoga Vasishtha you will find: "The right
course to be adopted by one who is a novitiate is this:
Two parts of the mind must be filled with the objects of
enjoyments, one part with philosophy and the remaining
part with devotion to the teacher. Having advanced a
little, he should fill one part of the mind with the object of
enjoyment, two parts with devotion to the teacher and
the remaining one with getting an insight into the
meaning of philosophy. When one has attained
proficiency, he should every day fiIl two parts of his mind
with philosophy and supreme Renunciation, and the
remaining two parts with meditation and devoted service
to the Guru." This will eventually lead you on to
meditation for twenty-four hours. Meditate ceaselessly
upon that Satchidananda Brahman and attain the
Supreme immaculate seat in this very life.

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 INTRODUCTION
1. The Science of Meditation
Concentration is holding the mind on to some
particular object. An unbroken flow of knowledge in that
subject is meditation. Meditation is regular flow of
thought with regard to the object of concentration.
Meditation follows concentration. Concentration merges
in meditation. Meditation opens the doors of the mind to
intuitive knowledge and many powers. You can get
whatever you want through meditation. During
meditation all worldly thoughts are shut out from the
mind. Meditation is called Dhyana in Sanskrit and is the
seventh step in the Yogic ladder.
There should be a separate room for meditation and
other spiritual exercises and practices. The room should
be regarded as a temple of God. You should not allow
anybody into the room. You should enter the room with a
pious and reverent mind. Thoughts of jealousy, lust,
greed and anger should not be entertained within tlle
four walls of the room. All worldly talks also should not
be indulged in there. For every word that is uttered, every
thought that is cherished and every deed that is done is
not lost; they are reflected on the subtle layers of ether
encircling the room where they are done and hence affect
the mind, invariably.
Decorate the room with inspiring pictures of great
Saints, Sages, Prophets and World Teachers. In a
prominent place in the room keep a beautiful photo of
your tutelary Deity (Ishta-Devata), either Lord Krishna,
Lord Siva, Devi or Lord Jesus. Let the Deity face the East
or North. Spread your Asana (seat) in front of the Deity.
Keep some religious and philosophical books such as the
Bhagavad-Gita, the Upanishads, the Vedanta-Sutras,
the Ramayana, the Yogavasishtha, the Bible, etc., by
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your side. Wash your face, hands and legs before you
enter the room. Burn a piece of camphor and light some
scented sticks immediately after entering the room. Sit
on the Asana in front of the Deity and repeat the Name of
the Lord or sing some devotional hymns. Then take to the
practice of concentration and meditation.
We cannot seek for ideal places. Even if we wander
from pole to pole, we ca.nnot get an ideal place that will
satisfy us from every standpoint. Every place has some
advantages and some disadvantages as well. So you
should select a place that is more advantageous than the
others. Having once selected a place, you must stick to it
till the last. You must not think of changing the place,
when some difliculty stares you in the face. You must put
up with the difficulty by all means. Rishikesh
(Himalayas), Haridwar, Uttarkashi, Badrinarayan,
Gangotri, Mount Kailas, Brindavan, Banaras, Nasik and
Ayodhya are all excellent places for meditation in India.
The best and the most congenial time for the
practice of meditation is unquestionably the
Brahmamuhurta, i.e., from 4 to 6 a.m. That is the time
when the mind is quite refreshed after an agreeable
slumber, when the mind is calm and comparatively pure.
It is like a clean blank sheet of paper. Only such a mind
can be moulded into whatever shape you like. Moreover,
the atmosphere also is charged with purity and goodness
at this time.
In the beginning you can meditate twice daily, from
4 to 5 in the morning and 7 to 8 at night. As you advance
in your practices you can increase the duration of each
sitting little by little using your commonsense and
discretion, and also have a third sitting either in the
morning between 10 and 11 or in the evening between 4
and 5.
Sitting on your favourite meditative pose and
keeping the head, neck and trunk erect, close your eyes
and gently concentrate on either the tip of the nose,
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space between the eyebrows, the heart-lotus or the
crown of the head. When once you have selected one
centre of concentration, stick to it till the last with
leechlike te4acit5r. Never change it. Thus, if you have
chosen to concentrate on the heart-lotus after having
tried the other centres, stick to the heart-lotus alone.
Then only can you expect rapid advancement.
Meditation is of two kinds, viz., Saguna (with Gunas
or qualities) meditation and Nirguna (without Gunas or
qualities) meditation. Meditation on Lord Krishna, Lord
Siva, l,ord Rama or Lord Jesus is Saguna meditation. [t
is meditation with form and attributes. The Name of the
L,ord is also simultaneously repeated. This is the method
of the Bhaktas. Meditation on the reality of the Self is
Nirguna meditation. This is the method of the Vedantins.
Meditation on Om, Soham, Sivoham, Aham Brahma
Asmi and Tat T\uam Asi is Nirguna meditation.
Put an iron rod in the blaz;ing furnace. It becomes
red like fire. Remove it from the fire. It loses its red
colour. If you want to keep it always red, you must keep it
always in fire. Even so, if you want to keep the mind
charged with the fire of Brahmic Wisdom, you must keep
it always in contact with the Brahmic Fire of Knowledge
through constant and intense meditation. You must, in
other words, keep up an unceasing flow or Brahmic
consciousness.
Meditation is the most powerful mental and nervine
tonic. The holy vibrations penetrate all the cells of the
body and cure the various diseases that human flesh is
heir to. Those who regularly meditate save the doctor's
bills. The powerful soothing waves that arise during
meditation exercise a benign influence on the mind,
nerves, organs and cells of the body. The divine enerry
freely flows like the flow of oil from one vessel to another,
from the Feet of the Lord to the different systems of the
practitioner.
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 If you meditate for half an hour, you wiII be able to
face the daily battle of life with peace and spiritual
strength for one week through the force of meditation.
Such is the beneficial effect of meditation. As you have to
move with different minds of peculiar nature, get the
requisite strength and peace from meditation and be free
from w.orry and trouble.
The wise cut asunder the knot of egoism by the
sharp sword of constant meditation. Then draw supreme
Knowledge of the Self or full illumination or
Self-realisation. All bonds of Karma (action) are rent
asunder. Therefore be ever engaged in meditation. This is
the master-key to open the realms of eternal Bliss. It may
be disgusting and tiring in the beginning, because the
mind will be running away from the point (Lakshya)
every now and then. But after sometime it will be
focussed in the centre. You will be immersed in Divine
Bliss.
Regular meditation opens up the avenues of
intuitional knowledge, makes the mind calm and steady,
awakens an ecstatic feeling, and brings the Yogic student
in contact with the Supreme Purusha. If there are
doubts, they are all cleared by themselves, when you
march on the path of Dhyana-Yoga (meditation) steadily.
You willyourself feel the way to place your footstep in the
next higher rung of the Yogic ladder. A mysterious inner
voice will guide you. Hear thou this attentively, O
Aspirant!
When you get a flash of illumination, do not be
frightened. It will be a new experience of immense joy. Do
not turn back. Do not give up meditation. Do not stop
there. You will have to advance still further. This is only a
glimpse of truth. This is not the highest realisation. This
is only a new platform. Try to ascend further. Reach the
Bhuma or the Infinite. Now alone you are proof against
all temptations. You will drink deep the nectar of
Immortality. This is the acme or final stage. You will take
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eternal rest now. You need not meditate any further. This
is the final goal.
You have within yourself tremendous powers and
latent faculties of which you have really never had any
conception. You must awaken these dormant powers
and faculties by the practice of meditation and Yoga. You
must develop your will and control your senses and
mind. You must puri$r yourself and practise regular
meditation. Then only can you become a Superman or
God-man.
There is no such thing as miracle or Siddhi.
Ordinary man is quite ignorant of higher spiritual things.
He is sunk in oblivion. He is shut up from higher
transcendental knowledge. So he calls some
rextraordinar5r event a miracle. But for a Yogi who
understands things in the light of Yoga, there is no such
thing as miracle. Just as a villager is astonished at the
sight of an aeroplane or a talkie for the first time, so also
a qan of the world is stunned when he sees an
extraordinar5r spectacle for the first time.
Every human being has within himself various
potentialities and capacities. He is a magazine of power
and knowledge. As he evolves, he unfolds new powers,
new faculties, new qualities. Now he can change his
environments and influence others. He can subdue other
minds. He can conquer internal and external nature. He
can enter into superconscious state.
In a dark room if a pot containing a lamp inside it is
broken, the darkness of the room is dispelled and you see
light ever5rwhere in the room. Even so, if the body-pot is
broken through constant meditation on the Self, i.e., if
you destroy ignorance (Avidya) and its effects such as
identification with the body, and rise above
body-consciousness, you will cognise the supreme light
of the Atman everSrwhere.
Just as the water in the pot that is placed in the
ocean becomes one with the waters of the ocean, when
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the pot is broken, so also when the body-pot is broken by
meditation on the Atman, the individual soul becomes
one with the Supreme Soul.
Just as the light is burning within the hurricane
lamp, so also the Divine Flame is burning from the time
immemorial in the lamp of your heart. Close your eyes.
Merge yourself within the Divine Flame. Plunge deep into
the chambers of your heart. Meditate on this Divine
Flame and become one with the Flame of God.
If the wick within the lamp is small, the light will
also be small. If the wick is big, the light also will be
powerful. Similarly if the Jiva (individual soul) is pure, if
he practises meditation, the manifestation or expression
of the Self will be powerful. He wilt radiate a big light. If
he is unregenerate and impure, he will be like a burnt-up
charcoal. The bigger the wick, the greater the tight.
Likewise, the purer the soul, the greater the expression.
If the magnet is powerful, it will influence the iron
filings even when they are placed at a distance. Even so,
if the Yogi is an advanced person, he will have greater
influence over the persons with whom he comes in
contact. He can exert his influence on persons evenwhen
they live in distant places.
The fire of meditation annihilates all foulness due to
vice. Then suddenly there comes Knowledge of the Self or
Divine Wisdom which directly leads to Mukti or final
emancipation.
During the meditation note how long you can shut
out all worldly thoughts. Watch your mind. If it is for
twenty minutes, try to increase the period to thirty
minutes and so on. Fill the mind with thoughts of God
again and again.
In meditation do not strain your eyes. Do not
struggle or wrestle with the mind. Relax. Gently allow the
divine thoughts to flow. Steadily think of the Lakshya
(point of meditation). Do not voluntarily and violently
drive away the intruding thoughts. Have sublime Sattvic
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 thoughts. The vicious thoughts will by themselves
vanish.
If there is much strain in your meditation, reduce
the duration of each sitting for a few days. Do light
meditation only. When you have regained the normal
tone, again increase the period. Use your commonsense
throughout your Sadhana. I always reiterate on this
point.
'Though men perform Tapas standing on one leg, for
a period of 1,OOO years, it will not, in the least, be equal to
one-sixteenth part of Dhyana-Yoga (meditation).,,
Paingala Upanishad.
Those who meditate for four or five hours at a stretch
can have two meditative poses. Sometimes the blood
accumulates in one part of the legs or thighs and so gives
a little trouble. After two hours change the pose. Or
stretch the legs at full length and lean against a wall or
pillow. Keep the spine erect. This is the most comfortable
Asana. Orjoin two chairs. Sit in one chair and stretch the
legs on another chair. This is another contrivance.
You must daily increase your Vairoryd, meditation
and Sattvic virtues such as patience, perseverance,
mercy, love, forgiveness, etc. Vairagra and good qualities
help meditation. Meditation increases the Sattvic
qualities.
Considerable changes take place in the mind, brain
and nervous system by the practice of meditation. New
nerve- currents, new vibrations, new avenues, new
grooves, new cells, new channels are formed. The whole
mind an{ the neryous system are remodelled. you will
have a ndw heart, a new mind, new sensations; new
feelings, nbw mode of thinking and acting and a newview
of the universe (as God in manifestation).
During meditation you will get into rapture or
ecstasy. It is of five kinds, viz., the lesser thrill,
momentary rapture, flooding rapture, transporting
rapture and all-pervading rapture. The lesser thrill will
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raise the hairs of the body (like the goose skin). The
momentary rapture is like the productions of lightning
moment by moment. Like waves breaking on the
sea-shore, the flooding rapture descends rapidly on the
body and breaks. Transporting rapture is strong and lifts
the body up to the extent of launching it into the air.
When the all-pervading rapture arises, the whole body is
completely surcharged and blown like a full bladder.
"Whatever he (the Yogic practitioner) sees with his
eyes, let him consider as Atman. Whatever he hears with
his ears, let him consider as Atman. Whatever he smells
with his nose, let him consider as Atman. Whatever he
tastes with his tongue, let him consider as Atman.
Whatever the Yogi touches with his skin, let him consider
as Atman. The Yogi should thus unweariedly gratiff his
organs of sense for a period of one Yama (3 hours) every
day with great effort. The various wonderful powers are
attained by the Yogi, such as clairvoyance,
clairaudience, ability to transport himself to great
distances within a moment, great powers of speech,
ability to take any form, ability to become invisible and
the transmutation of iron into gold, when the former is
smeared over with his excretion." Yogatattva
Upanishad.
Just as a very skilful archer in shooting at a bird is
aware of the way in which he takes his steps, holds the
bow-string, and the arrow at the time when he pierces
the bird, thus "standing in this position, holding thus the
bow, thus the bow-string, and thus the arrow, I pierce
the bird," and ever afterwards would not fail to fulfil
these conditions that he might pierce the bird, even so
the aspirant should note the conditions such as suitable
food, thus "eating this kind of food, following such a
person, in such a dwelling, in this mode, at this time, I
attained, to this meditation and Samadhi."
As a clever cook in serving his master notes the kind
of food that his master relishes and thenceforward serves
it and gets gain, so the aspirant too notes the conditions
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such as nourishment, etc., at the moment of attaining
meditation and Samadhi and in fulfilling them gets
ecstasy again and again.
Leading a virtuous life is not by itself sufficient for
God-realisation. Concentration of mind is absolutely
necessary. A good virtuous life only prepares the mind as
a fit instrument for concentration and meditation. It is
concentration and meditation that eventually lead to
Self-realisation or God-realisation.
"A Yogi should always avoid fear, anger, laziness, too
much sleep or waking and too much food and fasting. If
the above rules be well strictly practised each day,
spiritual wisdom will arise of itself in three months
without doubt. In four months, he sees the Devas; in five
months, he knows (or becomes) Brahmanishtha; and
truly in six months, he attains Kaivalya at will. There is
no doubt." Amritananda Upanishad.
During meditation some of the visions that you see
are your own materialised thoughts, while some others
are real objective visions. In meditation new grooves are
formed in the brain and the mind moves upwards in the
new spiritual grooves. In meditation and concentration
you will have to train the mind in a variety of ways. Then
only the gross mind will become subtle.
When you first practise meditation, lights of various
colours such as red, white, blue, green, and a mixture of
red and green, etc., will appear in the forehead. These are
Tanmatric (elemental) lights. Every element has got its
own colour. Water has white colour. Fire has red colour.
Air has green colour. Ether has blue colour. So the
coloured lights are due to these Tattvds (elements) only.
Sometimes you may see a big blazing sun or moon or
lightning in front of the forehead. Do not mind these.
Shun them. Try to dive deep into the source of these
lights.
Sometimes Devatas, Nitya Siddhas (eternally
perfected Yogis) and Amarapurushas (immortal beings)
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will appear in meditation. Receive them all with due
honour. Bow down before them. Get advice from them.
Do not be frightened. They appear before you to give you
all spiritual help and encouragement.
"Having made Atman as the lower Arani (sacrificial
wood) and the Pranava as the upper Arani, one should
see God in secret through the practice of churning which
is Dhyana (meditation)." Dhyanabindu Upanishad.

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 EXERCISES
I
Place a picture of Lord Hari in front of you. Sit again
in your meditative posture. Concentrate gently on the
picture till you shed tears. Rotate the mind on His feet,
legs, yellow silken robes, golden garland set with
diamonds, Kaustubha gem, etc., on the chest, the
earrings, then the face, the crown of the head, the discus
cn the right upper hand, the conch on the left upper
hand, the mace on the right lower hand, and the lotus
flower on the left lower hand. Then close the eyes and try
to visualise the picture. Repeat the same process again
and again.
II
Place a picture of Lord Jesus in front of you. Sit in
your favourite meditative pose. Concentrate gently with
open eyes on the picture till tears trickle down your
cheeks'. Rotate the mind on the cross, on the chest, long
hairs, beautiful beard, round eyes, and the various other
limbs of His body; and the fine spiritual aura emanating
from his head, and so on. Think of the divine attributes
such as love, magnanimit5r, mercy and forbearance.
Think of the various phases of His interesting life and the
'miracles'He performed and the various 'extraordinary'
powers He possessed. Then close your eyes and try to
visualise the picture. Repeat the same process again and
againl
IU
Keep a picture of Lord Krishna with flute in hands in
front of you. Sit in your meditative pose and gently
concentrate on the picture till you shed tears. Think of
His feet adorned with anklets, yellow garment, various
ornaments round His neck, the necklace set with the
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Kaustubha gem, the long garland of beautiful flowers of
various colours, earrings, crown set with precious jewels
of priceless value, dark and long hairs, sparkling eyes,
the tilaka on the forehead, the magnetic aura round His
head, long hands adbrned with bracelets and armlets,
and the flute in the hands ready to be played upon. Then
close your eyes and visualise the iricture. Repeat the
same process again and again.
IV
This is one kind of meditation for beginners. Sit on
Padmasana in your meditation room. Close your eyes.
Meditate on the efhrlgence in the stln, or the splendour in
the moon or the glory in the stars.
v
Meditate on the magnanimity of the ocean and its
infinite nature. Then compare the ocean to the infinite
Brahman, and the waves, foams and icebergs to the
various names and forms. Identiff yourself with the
ocean. Become silent. Expand. Expand.
vl
This is another kind of meditation. Meditate on the
Himalayas. Imagine that the Ganga takes its origin in the
icy regions of Gangotri near Uttarakasi, flows through
Rishikesh, Haridwar, Benaras, and then enters into the
Bay of Bengal near Gangasagar. Himalayas, Ganga and
the Sea-these three thoughts only should occupy your
mind. First take your mind to the icy regions of Gangotri,
then along the Ganga and finally to the Sea. Rotate the
mind in this manner for ten minutes.
VII
There is a living Universal Power that underlies all
these names and forms. Meditate on this Power which is
formless. This will terminate in the realisation of the
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Absolute, Nirguna, Nirakara (formless) Consciousness
eventually.
VIII
Sit on Padmasana. Close your eyes. Gaze steadily on
the formless air only. Concentrate on the air. Meditate on
the all-pervading nature of the air. This will lead to the
realisation of the nameless and formless Brahman, the
One Living Truth.
D(
Sit on your meditative pose. Close your eyes.
Imagine that there is a supreme, infinite effulgence
hidden behind all these names and forms which is
tantamount to the effulgence of crores of srrns put
together. This is another form of Nirguna meditation.
x
Concentrate and meditate on the expansive blue
slry. This is another kind of Nirguna meditation. By the
previous methods of concentration the mind will cease
thinking of finite forms. It will slowly begin to melt in the
ocean of Peace, as it is deprived of its contents. The mind
will become subtler and subtler.
XI
Have the picture of OM in front of you. Concentrate
gently on this picture with open eyes till tears flow
profusely. Associate the ideas of eternity, infinity,
immortalitSr, etc., when you think of OM. The humming
of bees, the sweet notes of the nightingale, the seven
tunes in music and all sounds are emanations from OM
only. OM is the essence of the Vedas. Imagine that OM is
the bow, the mind is the arrow and Brahman (God) is the
target. Aim at the target with great care and then, like the
arrow becomes one with the target, you will become one
with Brahman. The short accent of OM burns all sins,
the long accent bestows all psychic powers (Siddhis). He
l22l
who chants and meditates upon this mono- syllable OM
chants and meditates upon all the Scriptures of the
world.
XII
Sit on Padmasana or Siddhasana in your meditation
room. Watch the flow of breath. You will hear the sound.
"SOHAM", SO during inhalation and HAM during
exhalation. SOHAM means I AM HE. The breath is
reminding you of your identity with the Supreme Soul.
You are unconsciously repeating Soham 2L,6OO times
daily at the rate of 15 Sohams per minute. Associate the
ideas of Existence, Knowledge, Bliss, Absolute, Purity,
Peace, Perfection, Love, etc., along with Soham. Negate
the body while repeating the Mantra and identiff yourself
with the Atman or the Supreme Soul.
xIII
Uddhava asked Lord Krishna: 'O Lotus-eyed! How to
meditate on Thee! Tell me what is the nature of that
meditation and what it is?" To which Lord Krishna
replied: "Be seated on the Asana that is neither high nor
low, with your hands on the lap. Fix yolur gaze on the tip
of the nose (in order to fix the mind). Purify the tracks of
Prana by Puraka, Kumbhaka and Rechaka, and then
again in the reverse way (i.e. first breathe in by the left
nostril with the right nostril closed by the tip of the
thumb, then close the nostril by the tips of the ring finger
and the little finger and retain the breath in both the
nostrils. Then remove the tip of the thumb and breathe
out through the right nostril. Reverse the process by
breathing in through the right nostril, then retaining the
breath through the left nostril). Practise this Pranayama
gradually with your senses controlled.
" Aum'with the sound of bell, extends all over, from
Muladhara upwards. Raise the Aum' in the heart by
means of Prana (twelve fingers upwards) as if it were the
thread of a lotus-stalk. There let Bindu (the fifteenth
{23)
vowel sound) be added to it. Thus practise pranayama
accompanied by the Pranava reciting the latter ten times.
Continue the practice, three times a day, and within a
month you shall be able to control the vital air. The lotus
of the heart has its stalk upwards and the flower
downwards facing below (and it is also closed, tike the
inflorescence with bracts of the banana). Meditate on it,
however, as facing upwards and full-blown, with eight
petals and with the pericarp. On the pericarp, think of
the sun, the moon, and fire one after another. First
meditate on all the limbs. Then let the mind withdraw the
senses from their objects. Then draw the concentrated
mind completely towards Me, by means of Buddhi
(intellect). Then give up all other limbs and concentrate
on one thing only, My smiling face. Do not meditate on
any thing else. Then withdraw the concentrated mind
from that and fix it on the Akasa (ether). Give up that also
and being fixed in Me (as Brahman) think of nothing at
all. You shdl see Me in Atman, as identical with all
Atmas."

(2+)
 CONTENTS
Publishers'Note (6)
Preface (7)
Introduction (10)
Exercises . (2Ol

Chapter One
DHYANA YOGA EXPLAINED
1. Meditation-Your Only Duty 33
2. Withdrawal from Multiplicity . 38
3. Concentration 45
4. Practice of Concentration . 46
5. Exercises in Concentration 51
6. The Key Stone in Sadhana 53
7. Meditation 58
8. Practice of Meditation. 64
9. Fruits of Meditation. 73
1O. Meditation on Om 74
1 1. Instructions on Meditation 76
12. Obstacles in Meditation. 77
13. Experiences in Meditation 79
14. Sleep and Samadhi. 80
15. Samadhi . 81
16. Dhyana Yoga According to Yogasara Upanishad 82
17. The Obstacles, According to
Vedantasara Upanishad 91
18. A Synoptic Survey of Dhyana Yoga 94

Chapter Two
THE ELIXIR OF BLISS
1. Ashtanga Yoga 108
(2s)
 2. The Steps and the Goal 109
3. Concentration 110
4. The Power of Concentration 110
5. Aids to Concentration. 111
6. Patience in Concentration. 111
7. Objects for Concentration. 112
8. Benefits of Concentration 113
9. Meditation 113
10. Meditate Regularly . 115
11. Four Kinds of Meditation 115
12. The Inverse Process. 116
13. Vedantic Enquiry of Vichara 116
14. Meditation on Virtues. 7L7
15. Dhyana Yoga (Saguna) L17
16. Dhyana Yoga (Nirguna) 118
17. Meditate on the Lord . 119
18. Meditate on the Eternal. L20
19. Objects of Meditation . L20
20. Obstacles in Meditation. 120
21. Be Vigilant . L2L
22. Discern and Discriminate. t22
23. Meditation and Knowledge t22
24. Samadhi . t23
25. Samskara Sesha r23
26. Mind Fuses in Samadhi t24
27. Nirvikalpa Samadhi. 124
28. Mysticism 126
29. All Is Akhanda Ekarasa Svaroopa. r26
30. Merging or Fusing 127
31. Spiritual Experiences . 127
32. I Drink the Nectar L28
(26],
33. Speechless Zone 129
34. That Exalted State \29
35. I Live in Silence! 13O
36. Blissful Am I Now. 130
37. My Heart Is Brimful of Joy! . 131
38. Welcome, Disease! Welcome! 131
39. I Am Full Now 132
4O. The Little 'I'Fused! 132
41. Samadhi . 133
42.1Have Become That 133
43. I Found Him Out . 134
44. Mysterious Experience 134
45. The Great Bhuma Experience. 135
46. Song of Om. 135

Chapter Three
FORMULAS FOR MEDITATION
1. I Am Life Eternal 136
2. Vedantic Meditation-l 136
3. I Am the Source 136
4. I Am the All. 137
5. I Am Existence 137
6. Formulas for Meditation 137
7. Vedantic Meditation-Il . 138
8. Nirguna Meditation . 143
9. Abstract Meditation. 143
10. Nirguna Dhyana 143
11. Realise the Unity of All Selves. 144
12. I Am 744
13. I Am One. 144
14. I Am That I Am. 145
(27)
 15. I Am Nectar. 145
16. Fbrmulae for Vedantic Meditation 145
"1'7.
Vedantic Affirmation 746
18. Formulae for Nirguna Meditation . 146
19. Who Am I? . t47
2O. How Free Am I! . 148
21. I Am the All. 148
22.1 Arn Nirmala Brahman. L49
23. I Am Vijnana Ghana Brahman l5O
24. I Arn Svatantra Brahman . l5O
25. I Am Omkara Svaroopa. 150
26. I Am Niravarana Brahma Svaroopa. 151
27. I kn Para Brahma Svaroopa 151

29. I Arn Chaitanya Svaroopa. L52

30. I Am Chinmatra Svaroopa L52
31. I Am Sukha Ghana Svaroopa. 153
32. I Am Ananda Ghana Svaroopa 153
33. I Am Maya-rahita Brahman. 154
34. I Am Formless, Attributeless Brahman 154
35. I Am Trigunatita Brahman 154

Chapter Four
DHYANA YOGA SUTRAS
1. Dharana 156
2. Dhyana. 156
3. Meditation L57
4. Enquiry and Meditation. 159
5. Light on Meditation 164
6. The Process of Meditation r66
7. Samadhi 170
(28)
B. Intuition 173
9. Samadhi and Divine Experience 174

Chapter Fiue
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. Easy Path to Concentration. 178
2. Benefits of Meditation in Brahmamuhurta 178
3. Worldly Thoughts and Meditation. L78
4. Entry Into Samadhi. : L79
5. Lord Hari and the Object of Concentration 179
6. Concentration 179
7. Meditation 181
8. Samadhi 186
9. Experience in Mantra Sadhana . 188
1O. The Method of Intuition. 188
11. Sahaja Samadhi and Nirvikalpa Samadhi. 189
12. States of Spiritual Experiences-
The Aroma of Sahaja Avastha. 190
13. Experiences in Samadhi 190
14. Contemplation and Superconscious Experience 191
15. Experiences and Mystics 192
16. Intuition As Eye of Wisdom . 192

APPENDI)(
100 Selected Aphorisms for Meditation . 794
Epistles on Dhyana Yoga . 200
Twenty Hints on Meditation. 206
Samadhi and Spiritual Experience 209
Concluding Notes. 209

(2el
DHVANAYOGA
 Chapter One

DHYANA YOGA EXPLAINED

1. Meditation-your Only Duty
Meditation is your only duty. you must realise the
goal of your life: God-Realisation. Then only would your
life be fruitful. There are several stages in the p"ih to
God-Realisation. Purification, concentration, reflection,
meditation, illumination, identification, absorption and
salvation. Through service you shoutd purify yourself
and then proceed through concentration, meditation,
etc.; finally you reach the goal of Salvation.

Time for Meditation

You must do Brahma Vichara in Brahmamuhurtha.
You must enquire "Who am I,, in Brahmamuhurtha.
Meditation performed for an hour in Brahmamuhurtha
is equal to meditation performed for six hours during
other periods of the day.
If you get up at 4 a.m. you will have time in the early
morning foryour prayers and meditation. you will charge
yourself with Sattva. You will get strength to face the
daily battle of life. Morning time is most suitable for
meditation. The mind then is not filled with Raga-Dvesha
as at other times. You can Iill it with Sattva, through
meditation, by recitation of Stotras and hymns, or of
Slokas llke "Ajo Nityah Sasuatoyampuraano Na Hangate
Hanyamaane Shareere." yo:u must ever dwell on these
thoughts.
It is only for beginners: the instruction to meditate a
little. You must meditate much. But you must increase
the period gradually. Particr_rlarly retired people shoutd
meditate more. But, if I at once say, ,Meclitate more,,
(33)
34 DHYANA YOGA

beginners witl be frightened. Therefore, I say 'Meditate a

little'. This is only to tempt people to meditate first of all.
Method. oJ Med.itation

The mind is duping you every moment. Therefore,

wake up now at least and cultivate this discrimination
through enquiry into the nature of the Self, through
Satsanga, study and meditation.
Meditate on OM.'Tad Japastadarthabhauanan\ OM
is Satchidananda. OM is infinity. Om is perfection and
freedom. Meditate on these divine attributes of Nirguna
Brahman.
Meditate on the nature of the Self. 'I am
Satchidananda- Existence-Knowledge-Bliss Absolute'.
Meditate on divine qualities. If you are not able to
practise this abstract meditation, then meditate on the
Sun, the light, or the all-pervading ether or air- Meditate
on the tight that is shining in your heart; meditate on
those dream pictures that you sometimes get. Meditate
on the form of your Guru or Saints. Meditate on anything
your mind likes best. Meditate on the form of your father,
on his qualities.
Do common meditation for a few minutes. From that
common meditation, You will know that real peace and
bliss are within. Collect all the rays of your
mind-Pratyagatmanam Aikshat Auita Chakshuh
your Ishta Mantra: the mind should not move
-repeat
towards the sense-objects, there is no Vritti; therefore,
you enjoy perfect peace and bliss. Regularly practise
such meditation.
No,mrr Rupann Na Te No. Me
Aham Atma Nirakara Saru aug api Suabhauata.
Again and again meditate on these formulae. They
will give you strength. Even if you meditate once, it gives
you some strength.
 DFIYANA YOGA EXPLAINED 35

You are not the bocly composed of the five elements.

Again and again remember this. Meditate on this. you
must find the Atman through reflection and meditation.
"Atman knows everything else; and knows itself, too.,,
That is your real Svaroopa. There is no such object in this
world.
Meditate and sing: 'sivoham Sivoham Sivoham
Soham. Satchidananda Svaroopoham.,
Practise Yoga Asanas and pranayamas, which will
purify the body and mind, remove all diseases and help
in concentration and meditation.
You should get up in Brahmamuhurta and
meditate. This is the best time for divine contemplation.
The mind is calm. It is like a blank sheet of paper. you
can mould it in any way you like. The worldly cuirents of
Raga-Dvesha have not entered it at this time.
You can chant Om (long or Deergha pranava) 10 or
12 times. when you so repeat om all the Koshas will
begin to vibrate harmoniously.
Meditate intensely, ceaselessly. It will be difhcult to
meditate ceaselessly in the beginning. practise. you will
grow in cheerfulness and joy. Increase the period of
meditation. Gradually you will come to meditate
ceaselessly, intensely.
Meditate on the abstract qualities like Existence,
Knowledge and Bliss Absolute. Keep these thoughts
always before your mind. This is the abstract
background of thoughts. Or, you can meditate on the
form of the Lord: Saguna Upasana. Mentally visualise
the picture of the Lord. Now look at His Face, now at His
' Chakra, now at His Feet. The
mind will not run.
The mind must not run out. If you try to fix the mind
on the Lord dwelling in the chambers of your heart you
will be an introvert.
You can meditate on the Jyotis in the heart. you can
meditate on the divine objects seen in dreams or visions.
You can meditate on the form of a Saint who is free from
36 DHYANA YOGA

Raga-Dvesha. Yatha Abhimatha Dhyaanaad vaa.' Or,

meditate on anything you like best. An aspirant once
approached his Guru and asked for instruction on
meditation. The Guru asked him to meditate on Lord
Rama. The disciple said: 'I find itvery difficult to meditate
on Lord Rama.'Why?''Because I have got inordinate
affection for my buffalo.' Then the Guru said: 'Then
meditate on the picture of a buffalo.'The disciple sat in
deep meditation. One, two, three days passed. The Guru
called on the disciple to come out. The disciple said: 'I am
not able to come out. I am myself a buffalo. I cannot pass
through the door.'The Guru found out that the disciple
had p-rfect concentration of mind. He then gave him the
forrn-of Lord Vishnu to meditate upon. Then the disciple
entered into deeP Samadhi.
There are many obstacles on the path. All these
obstacles should be got over. Sleep always disturbs the
aspirant. Take light food at night; dash cold water on the
faCe when sleep tries to overpower you; stand up, and do
Japa standing for some time; practise Bhastrika-these
prictices
-Chant will drive off sleepiness during meditation'
OM 10 to 12 times' You will be fit for good
concentration. You can keep a bright light in your
meditation room. You can combine several of these
methods; then success is assured. There is another novel
method. Tie your tuft of hair to a nail on the wall with the
help of a thread. No',r' meditate. If you feel drowsy, this
nail will pull you uP.
The moment you sit for meditation all sorts of evil
ideas crop up in the mind. You need not be alarmed' You
gave them a long rope till now; they have come to fight
*itt yo, now, because you wish to annihilate them
in toto.This is itself a sign of spiritual growth. If you are
steady in your Sadhana, all these evil Samskaras will die
by thimselves. You will be established in meditation and
Samadhi.
What are these knots or Granthis? Avidya, Kama
and Karma. Original primordial ignorance is Avidya' On
 DHYANA YOGA EXPLAINED 37

account of this ignorance, there arose desire-Kama. In

that Pure Absolute, there is no desire. Through desire
came action- Karma. Desire is imperfection. you try to
seek your happiness in external things. When there is no
imperfection, when there is no desire, you will enjoy the
bliss of the Atman. If you can destroy these cravings and
desires through regular meditation, then you can cut
these Granthis in the twinkling of an eye.
You should meditate regularly at a particular hour
of the day. Then the meditating mood will come by itself
at that hour. Besides, you should keep up the meditative
Bhava throughout the day, by gradual extension. Then
you will be tranquil, peaceful, happy and balanced. you
will be able to turn more work more efficiently.
Glory of Med.itation
You have to meditate now. you have given a definite
promise when you were in the womb that you will
meditate and realise yourself. you have forgotten yo{ri
promise. If you practise meditation regularly, a litdle
sleep is quite sufficient. Meditation for a few minutes will
give you good sleep later on; meditation itself will refresh
you greatly. Keep up the current of meditation while at
work also.
If the mind runs towards an object and craves for
sense-enjoyment, tell it Wait, O Mindl I will give you the
bliss of meditation. Please, therefore, O Desire, leave me
now.'You can thus wean your mind away little by little.
Once you get real peace and bliss by regular meditation
in the early morning, then you will find it impossible to
take the mind away from the lotus feet of the Lord, and
you will not like to miss a day,s meditation. Meditate
now. Meditate a little now and see whether there is such
ineffable peace in meditation or not. Close your eyes and
meditate on Krishna, Rama, or Jesus, on OM, or your
father, or whatever you like.
38 DHYANA YOGA

Chant Om. Taste the bliss of the inner Atman. You

should be regular in meditation. Meditate in the early
morning; have another sitting after bath; another in the
evening; and one more before you go to bed.
If you are poor to have a separate meditation room,
set apart one corner of the room you have for meditation.
Every day side by side, along with your duties,
practise meditation. This is your foremost duty. This
should not be neglected on any account. Get up at 4 a.m.
Practise a little bit of meditation; a little of Kirtan; study
of the Gita or other sacred scriptures; and introspection.
Spiritualise all your daily activities. This is very
important. Meditating for half an hour in the morning
and then doing all sorts of evil actions during the rest of
the day will not help you; the Samskaras created by the
morning meditation will be wiped out during the day.
You must keep up the spiritual current throughout the
day.
If you are regular in your meditation, all doubts and
diffrculties will vanish by themselves.

2. Withdrawal from Multiplicity

Self-restraint is the opposite of self-expression. The
latter tends towards Pravritti or life in the variegated
Samsara, and the former leads to the Highest
Integration through Nivritti or stepping back to Truth.
The creative diversifying power is turned in and
sublimated into the spiritual splendour. The withdrawal
from multiplicity and centering oneself in Unity is
effected through Self-restraint which is the austere
transformation of the creative objective force into the
conscious Power that causes the blossoming of the sense
of individual finitude into the expanse of objectless
consciousness. Variety is the meaning of manifestation.
Every individual force is a copy of the limitless creative
force and the natural tendency of this ener5/ is to move
towards the creation of multiplicity. This is the reason
 DHYANA YOGA EXPLAINED 39

why the control of the action of creativity is found to be

difficult in the case of those who are tied to individual
physicality. An individual finds it hard to properly direct
the cosmic habit unless he takes recourse to process of
Spiritual Realisation. A spiritual Sadhaka goes to the
source of this objectified enerry and compels the force to
diffuse itself in the serene Ground-Noumenon. A person
who has let loose the flow of the creative force gets
entangled in the process of multiple-creation and ever
remains away from the knowledge of the Non-Dual Truth
of his Eternal Self. This is the root-the background of
the universal ethics that self-control is imperative to a
seeker after the Absolute Reality.
Those who have discriminatively grasped the
spiritual character of human tife refrain from the
instinctive practice of self-multiplication and devote
themselves to the glorious task of directing the potential
enerS/ of conscious contemplation on the Spiritual Ideal
through the triple transformation of the active, emotional
and intellectual aspects of the general human nature.
Such integrated persons possess a mighty power of
understanding, analysis and meditation. The
Chhandogra Upanishad says that when purity and
Sattva are increased, there is a generation of immense
memory which paves the way to the shattering open of
the knots of the Self. The most intricate technique of the
art of Self-realisation is mastered by the genius of an
austere person who has learnt to expand his formative
power into the plenitude of limitless life. Such austere
spiritual beings glow with the lustrous spiritual strength
which handles with ease even the most formidable of the
diversifying forces of nature. Fear is unknown to them
and their divinised ener$/ is centred in the Self to be
utilised in transcending the realm of the ego-sense. They
establish themselves in the unbroken vow of leaping over
phenomenon into the Heart of Existence. Such is the
glory of Self-restraint.
40 DHYANA YOGA

The control of the instincts for possessing the

objects is the preparation for world-renunciation in the
quest of the Ultimate Essence! An abandonment of
earthly nature effected by a distaste for particularities is
what marks the character of a true austere Sadhaka. He
should not enter the household, for, his path leads to
Unity and not to the creative social activity. Alone and
unfriended should he carry on the duty of
Self-integration through unceasing selflessness and
remembrance of the Divine Ideal. Selfless service
polishes the self and rubs the ego and renders the person
fit for the higher life of Dhyana and Brahma-Chintana. A
cutting off from association with relatives is necessary,
for, Niwitti-Marga does not allow of any transitory
connections.

Fitness tor Wisd.om

One who is fit for receiving Wisdom of the Self shall

receive it 'in due time.' Self-effort and passage of time
work simultaneously and one cannot be distinguished
from the other, for Providence and Personal exertion
cannot be separated as they both work simultaneously
and are interdependent. Rather these are only two
names for one and the same force of action.
Sri Sankaracharya had already exhorted that one
has to undergo the disciptinary stages of Viveka,
Vairarya, Sama, Dama, Uparati, Titiksha, Sraddha,
Samadhana and Mumukshutva before getting initiated
into the mystery of Existence. One should not be
initiated into the Truth of the Absolute unless he is found
well developed in all these qualities. Nowadays, generally
we find that aspirants do not have a strong desire for
liberation. They may have aray of Viveka and Vairarya of
a mitd variety. But it is very difficult to find an aspirant
who cares for nothing but final Emahcipation, who treats
the whole world and its contents as mere straw, who
meditates incessantly upon how to attain Salvation from
embodied existence. It is not easy to understand the
 DTIYANA YOGA EXPLAINED 41

meaning of Liberation. How can it be possible for raw

men of the world to realise the nullity of earthly existence
and of worldly activities? Even advanced aspirants
sometimes have got a strong desire for doing something
wonderful in this world, something which none has done
before. Such people cannot have a real desire for
liberation. And such people are unfit for receiving
Brahma Vidya. It is only the Uttama-Adhikari, the best
qualified-who cares for nothing, who is totally
indifferent to the ways of the world, who is ever silent and
serene due to the dawn of proper knowledge, who is ever
the same among the diveise men of the world, who is
undisturbed by the distracted activity of the world, who
is calm and peaceful, who has withdrawn himself from
the bustle of life, who cares not for either death or life,
who is unmindful of what is happening in the world, who
is careless towards either this or that-who is really fit to
receive the Ultimate wisdom of the Absolute. Even if
there is the slightest desire lurking inside other than that
for the Realisation of the Absolute, that man will not be
able to comprehend the true import of the Vedantic
instruction by the Spiritual Teacher (Preceptor). He will
have thousand doubts and distractions in the mind
which will entirely pull him down from Vedantic
Meditation. A person should desire for nothing other
than the Realisation of Brahman. There should be no
other thought throughout the day than of the way of
attaining Self-realisation. Every thought, every speech,
every action, nay, every breath of the person should
illustrate the method of realising the Absolute. Such a
person is fit to receive Vedantic Wisdom.

Guide to Meditation
Meditation is the centering of the force of thought on
the highest conception of the ideal to be attained. Hence
meditation starts with a belief in the reality of a dual
existence, for, without such a faith in duality, meditation
lapses into a state of the faculty of thinking and
42 DHYANA YOGA

contemplation becomes impossible. Meditation starts

with duality and ends in the Glorious Consciousness of
the Unity of life.
A belief in the degree of truth and reality in being is
necessitated by the fact that the whole universe is a
gradual materialisation of the Highest Brahman Itself. A
completely transcendent being unconnected with the
meditator is impossible to be reached. Truth is
immanent tool. The object of meditation is very closely
connected with the meditator and exists as his very
essence and hence the possibilit-y of the realisation of the
Infinite. The world is to be made use of as a step in the
ladder of ascent of the Glory of Transcendental Spiritual
Perfection.
The aspirant is, thus, led to the obvious fact that the
existing forces of nature are to be made friends with and
utilised as help in spiritual Meditation. One cannot easily
deny the differences existing between the hard earth, the
liquid water, the hot fire, the blowingwind and the empty
space, so long as one is conscious of his relational
individuality. The changes of weather, the degrees of
intelligence in marl, the respective demands of the
various sheaths of embodied consciousness, exertion,
feeling, will, the passions, the joys, the sorrows and iIls of
life point to the difference that exists in the process of
Truth-Manifestation. The Brahman does not manifest
Itself equally in all things. It manifests greatly in Divine
Beings, in Incarnations and in Sages, less in ordinary
human beings, lesser still in inanimate beings. A
complete knowledge of the scheme and the methods of
the working of Nature will accelerate the process of the
Realisation of the Brahman- consciousness through
intensified Meditation.
Tops of mountains, sombre cloudy weather and
places near vast expanses of water generate and attract
atmospheric electricity and, hence, are best suited for
meditation as they add to the enerry produced during
powerful meditation. Vast expanses of space also help
 DHYANA YOGA EXPLAINED 43

meditation. Cramped places obstruct the consciousness

of expanded existence and are not helpful to conscious
expansion.
The Uttarakhand is the region where sages and
divinities lived and meditated and is, therefore, the best
place suited for meditation. The sacred Ganga and the
Himalayas diffuse the most exalted spiritual currents
helpful for spiritual meditation. The land above Haridwar
(the Gateway to the Land of Hari) extending up to the
high Himalayan Peaks is the most blessed land meant for
meditation. Sages meditated in this region and have left
undying spiritual vibrations.
Facing the North or the East is best suited for
meditation. There is a powerful magnetic force. in the
Northern direction. All blessedness is in the Northern
direction.
The time from 12 midnight to 4 a.m. is best suited
for meditation. There is absolute calmness, coolness,
peace and an integrating vibration at that time.
Darkness makes existence appear as a one Whole Being,
whereas light compels one to perceive the multiplicity of
the world. Sunlight, or very bright artificial lights like
petromax light (gas light) etc., are not good for
meditation, for they distract the mind very much. Dark
places are most useful for meditation. Moonlight also is
useful for meditation.
During meditation powerful electric current is
produced in the body. If, while meditating, the hands and
legs are stretched out, the current generated is lost into
the air through the tips of fingers and toes. One should
lock the Iingers or be touching the knees and sit in
Padma, Siddha, Sukha or Svastika Asana, so that the
current may be circulating in the body itself.
The earth has got the power of absorbing and
draining away electric enerS/. Hence, during meditation,
44 DHYANA YOGA

one should sit on tiger skin or deer skin to avoid this

mishap and to generate more ener5/.
No concentration is possible when the spinal
cloumn is bent, because, the flow of the current of Prana
is thereby obstructed. Hence, one should sit erect for
meditation.
One should have either enlightened intelligence or
tenacious faith. If both of these are lacking in a person,
he cannot gain concentration on the Reality.
Except in very rare cases, no meditation on the
Reality is possible without Iirst deriving help from the
direct company of an advanced spiritual personage. The
exact technique of attuning the self with the Infinite
cannot be known except through the company of an
experienced saint or sage. Study of books may stimulate
activity but the strength to fight with evil comes only
through association with men of wisdom.
The most dreadful enemies of meditation are lust
and anger.'Those two shall destroy even the very vast
enerry accumulated through long practice. Hence, one
should be extremely circumspect about these two
negative forces.
When the eyes and the ears are shut, the whole
world is shut out from one's experience. Sound and
colour constitute the whole universe. When they are not,
nothing is.
Indifference to external happenings is the greatest
treasure of the meditator. He should not worry whether
the world goes on happily or otherwise.
The meditator should consider his individual
personalit5r as a mere insignihcant nothing. He should be
ever contemplating on the Infinite Fullness.
Desire for nothing but the Infinite alone. This is the
greatest of all instructions.
 DHYANA YOGA EXPLAINED 45

3. Concentration
Mokshapriya said:
O Beloved Master! Now teach me all about
concentration in a nutshell.
Swami Sivananda replied:
Concentration is Dharana or frxing the mind
steadily on any internal or external object or God or
Brahman the Absolute.
The mind is ever wandering. It ever runs towards
sensual objects. It ever thinks of sensual objects. It
jumps like a monkey from one object to another in the
twinkling of an eye. This is its habit or nature.
Steadying the mind through practice of Vairagza
(dispassion) and Abhyasa (concentration) is Dharana.
Dharana does not come in a day, a week or a month.
It should be practised with intense faith, fiery zeal for a
very long time.
Without Brahmach&ryo, dispassion or
non-attachment or desirelessness, no concentration is
possible. Enerry should not leak through the sensuous
holes.
The practice of Yama (Self-restraint) and Niyama
(observance) is also essential for attaining success in
concentration.
Be steady in your Asana. Regulate and restrain the
breath through the practice of Pranayama. Withdraw the
senses from the sensual objects (Pratyahara). Now you
will be able to practise concentration.
If you are established in concentration, O
Mokshapriya, meditation and Samadhi will come by
themselves.
Concentration is of two kinds, viz. concrete (gross)
and abstract (subtle). For a neophyte or a beginner
concrete concentration on a form is very necessary. Later
on he can take to concentration on an abstract idea such
as beauty, purity, peace, bliss, etc.
46 DHYANA YOGA

Concentrate on a black dot on a wall, candle flame,

stars, the picture of the Lord, on the Soham breath in the
nose, sun, moon, etc.
Regularity in concentration is of paramount
importance. O Mokshapriya! Do not miss a day in your
practice. Concentrate at a fixed hour, for a definite time.
Adjustyour diet. Take Sattvic and light diet. Be careful in
the selection of your companions. Give up evil company.
Have faith and devotion to your Guru and the Lord. You
will attain sure success in concentration, O lover of
Truth, O Sadhana Dheera!

4. Practice of Concentration
Fix the mind on some object either within the body
or without. Keep it there steadily for sometime. This is
concentration. You will have to practise this daily.
Puriff the mind first through the practice of right
conduct and then take to the practice of concentration.
Concentration without purity of mind is of no avail.
There are some occultists who have concentration; but
they have no good character. That is the reason why they
do not make any progress in the spiritual line. He who
has a steady posture and has purified his nerves and the
vital sheath by the constant practice of controlling the
breath will be able to concentrate easily. Concentration
will be intense if you remove all distractions. A true
celibate who has preserved his enerry will have
wonderful concentration.
Some foolish impatient students take to
concentration at once without undergoing, in any
manner, any preliminary training in ethics. This is a
serious blunder. Ethical perfection is a matter of
paramount importance.
A scientist concentrates his mind and invents many
new things. Through concentration he opens the layers
of the gross mind and penetrates deeply into the higher
regions of the mind and gets deeper knowledge. He
 DHYANA YOGA EXPLAINED 47

concentrates all the energies of his mind into one focus

and throws them out upon the materials he is analysing
and finds out their secrets.
He who has gained abstraction (withdrawing the
senses from the objects) will have good concentration.
You will have to march on the spiritual path step by step
and stage by stage. Lay the foundation of right conduct,
postures, regulation of breath and abstraction, to start
with. The superstructure of concentration and
meditation will be successful then only.
You should be able to visualise the object of
concentration very clearly even in its absence. You will
have to call up the mental picture at a moment's notice. If
you have good cbncentration you can do this without
much difficulty. In the beginning stage of practice, you
can concentrate on the tick-tick sound of a watch or on
the flame of a candle or any other object that is pleasing
to the mind. This is concrete concentration. There is no
concentration without something to rest the mind upon.
The mind can be fixed on any object in the beginning
which is pleasant. It is very, very difficult to fix the mind
in the beginning on an object which the mind dislikes.
Sit in lotus-pose (Padmasana) with crossed legs. Fix
the gaze on the tip of the nose. This is called the nasal
gaze. Do not make any violent effort. Gently look at the
tip of the nose. Practise for one minute in the beginning.
Gradually increase the time to half an hour or more. This
practice steadies the mind. It develops the power of
concentration. Even when you walk, you can keep up
this practice.
Sit in lotus-pose and practise fixing the mind
between the two eyebrows. Do this gently for half a
minute. Then gradually increase the time to half an hour
or more. There must not be the least violence in the
practice. This removes tossing of mind and develops
concentration. This is known as frontal gaze. The eyes
are directed towards the frontal bone of the forehead.
4B DHYANA YOGA

You can select either the nasal gaze or.the frontal gaze
according to your taste, temperament and capacity.
If you want to increase your power of concentration
you will have to reduce your worldly activities. You will
have to observe the vow of silence every day for two hours
or more.
Practise concentration till the mind is well
established on the object of concentration. When the
mind runs away from the object bring it back again.
When concentration is deep and intense all other
senses cannot operate. He who practises concentration
for three hours daily will have tremendous psychic
power-he will have a strong will power.
There was a workman who used to manufacture
arrows. Once he was very busy with his work. He was so
much absorbed in his work that he did not notice even a
big party of a Raja passing with his retinue in front of his
shop. Such must be the nature of your concentration
rvhen you fix your mind on God. You must have the one
idea of God and God alone. No doubt it takes some time
to complete concentration or one-pointedness of mind.
You will have to struggle hard to have single-minded
concentration.
Even if the mind runs outside during your practice
of meditation do not bother much. Allow it to run. Slowly
try to bring it to your object of concentration. By repeated
practice the mind will be frnally focused in your heart, in
the Self, the Indweller of your heart-the final goal of life.
In the beginning, the mind may run 80 times. Within six
months, it may run 70 times. Within a year, it may run
50 times; within two years, it may run 3O times; ',^rithin
five years, it will be completely Iixed in the divine
consciousness. Then it will not run out at all even if you
try your level best to bring it out like the wandering bull
which was in the habit of running to the gardens of
different landlords for eating grass but which now eats
 DHYANA YOGA EXPLAINED 49

fresh gram and extract of cotton seeds in its own resting

place.
Attention plays a prominent part in concentration.
He who has developed his power of attention will have
good concentration. A man who is filled with passion and
all sorts of fantastic desires can hardly concentrate on
any object even for a second. His mind will ever be
jumping like a monkey. If you want to increase your
power of concentration, you will first have to reduce your
worldly desires and worldly activities. You will have to
observe Mouna (silence) every day for two hours or even
more. You should be able to visualise very clearly the
object of concentration even in its absence. You must call
up the mental picture at a moment's notice. If you have
had a good practice in concentration, you can do this
without any difficulty.
He who has gained Pratyahara (withdrawing the
senses from the objects) will have good concentration.
You will have to march in the spiritual path step by step
and stage by stage. Lay the foundation of Yama, Niyama,
Asana, Pranayama and Pratyahara to start with. The
superstructure of Dharana and Dhyana will be
successful only then. In the beginning stage of
concentration, you can concentrate on the tick-tick
sound of a watch or on the flame of a candle or any other
object that is pleasing to the mind. This is called concrete
concentration. There can be no concentration without
something upon which the mind may rest. The mind can
be fixed upon a pleasant object. It is very difficult to fix
the mind on any object which the mind dislikes. Fix the
mind on some object either within the body or outside.
Keep it there steady for sometime. This is called
"Dharana". You will have to practise this daily. Laya Yoga
has its basis on Dharana.
Vedantins try to fix the mind on the Atman. This is
their Dharana. Hatha Yogis and Raja Yogis concentrate
their mind on the six Chakras. Bhaktas concentrate on
50 DHYANA YOGA

their Ishta Devata. Concentration is a great necessity for

all the aspirants.
Those who practise concentration evolve quickly.
They can do any kind of work with greater efficiency and
in no time. What others can do in six hours can be done
easily in half an hour by one who has concentrated his
mind. Concentration purifies and calms the surging
emotions, strengthens the current of thought and
clarifies the ideas. Concentration helps a man in his
material progress also. He will turn out very good work in
his oflice or business house. What was cloudy andhazy
before becomes clearer and definite; what was very
diffrcult before becomes easy now and what was complex,
bewildering and confusing before, comes easily within
the mental grasp. You can achieve anything by mental
concentration. Nothing is impossible for one who has
regularly practised concentration. Clairvoyance,
clairaudience, mesmerism, hypnotism, thought-reading,
music, mathematics and other sciences depend much
upon concentration. Just as the laws of gravitation,
cohesion, etc., operate in the physical plane, so also
definite laws of association, relativity, contiguit5r, etc.,
operate in the mental plane or thought-world. Those who
practise concentration should thoroughly understand
these laws.
When the mind thinks of an object, it may think of
its qualities and its parts also. When it thinks of a cause,
it may think of its effect also. If you read the sacred
scriptures like the Bhagavad Gita or good books like the
Vicar of Wakefield several times, you can get new ideas
each time. Through concentration you will get inside.
Subtle esoteric meaning will flash out in the field of
mental consciousness. You will understand the inner
depth of philosophical significance. Train the mind in
concentrating on various objects, gross and subtle, of
various sizes. In course of time, a strong habit will be
formed. The moment you sit for concentration the mood
will come at once, quite easily. When desires arise in the
 DHYANA YOGA EXPLAINED 51

mind do not try to fulfil them. Reject them as soon as

they arise. Thus by gradual practice, the desires can be
reduced. The modifications of the mind will also diminish
a lot. You must get rid of all sorts of mental weaknesses,
superstitions, false and wrong imaginations, false fears
and wrong Samskaras. Then only you will succeed in
your concentration.

5. Exercises in Concentration
I
Ask your friends to show you some playing cards.
Immediately after the exposure, describe the forms you
have seen. Give the number, name, etc., such as clubs
king, spade ten, diamond queen, heart's jack, and so on.
II
Read two or three pages of a book. Then close the
book. Now attend to what you have read. Abandon all
distracting thoughts. Focus your attention carefully.
Allow the mind to associate, classify, group, combine and
compare. You will get now a fund of knowledge and
information on the subject. Mere skipping over the pages
inadvertently is of no use. There are students who read a
book within a few hours. If you ask them to reproduce
some important points of the book, they will simply
blink. If you attend to the subject on hand very carefully,
you will receive clear, strong impressions. If the
impressions are strong, you will have good memory.
UI
Sit in your favourite meditative pose about one foot
from a watch. Concentrate on the tick-tick sound slowly;
whenever the mind runs, again and again try to hear the
sound. Just see how long the mind can be fixed
continuously on the sound.
52 DHYANA YOGA

ry
Sit in on your favourite Asana. Close your eyes.
Close the ears with your thumbs or plug the ears with
w€u( or cotton. Try to hear the Anahata sounds (mystic
sounds). You will hear various kinds of sounds such as
flute, violin, kettledrum, thunderstorm, conch, bells, the
humming of a bee, etc. Try to hear the gross sounds first.
Hear only one kind of sound. If the mind runs, you can
shift it from gross to subtle, or from subtle to gross.
Generally you will hear sounds in your right ear.
Occasionally you may hear in your left ear also. But try to
stick to the sound in one ear. You will get
one-pointedness of mind. This is an easy way to capture
the mind, because it is enchanted by the sweet sound
just as a snake is hypnotised by the note of the
snake-charmer.
v
Keep a candle flame in front of you and try to
concentrate on the flame. When you are tired of doing
this, close your eyes and try to visualise the flame. Do it
for half a minute and increase the time to five or ten
minutes according to your taste, temperament and
capacity. You will see Rishis and. Devatas, when you
enter into deep concentration.
vI
In a lyrrrg posture, concentrate on the moon.
Whenever the mind runs, again and again bring it back
to the image of the moon. This exercise is very beneficial
in the case of some persons having an emotional
temperament.

VII
In the above manner, you can concentrate on any
staryou may single out from the millions of stars shining
above your head.
 DHYANA YOGA EXPLAINED 53

vuI
Sit by the side of a river where you can hear a
roaring sound like "OM". Concentrate on that sound as
long as you like. This is very thrilling and inspiring.
u(
Lie on your bed in the open air and concentrate
upon the blue expansive sky above. Your mind will
expand immediately. You will be elevated. The blue slry
will remind you of the infinite nature of the Self.
x
Sit in a comfortable posture and concentrate on any
one of the numerous abstract virtues such as mercy.
Dwell upon this virtue as long as you can.

6. The Key Stone in Sadhana

Having checked all other operations of the mind,
bring it to bear upon a single point. This gathering
together and bringing to bear upon of a force at a given
point on any object, idea or act, forms the process of
concentration. The concentrated application of a force
makes for maximum results with minimum time and
effort.
This law is equally applicable to man in all branches
of his life's activities. With the utmost concentrated and
careful attention the surgeon executes minute
operations. The deepest absorption marks the mental
state of the technician, the engineer, the architect or the
expert painter, engaged in drawing the minute details of
a plan, chart or sketch where accuracy is of paramount
importance. A like concentration is displayed by the
skilled Swiss workman that fashions the delicate parts of
watches and other scientific instruments. Thus in every
art and science.
The tremendous power that any force develops when
collected and directed through a given point is fully
54 DHYANA YOGA

recognised. This is seen in the rush of the water at the

sluices of dams, in the impelling power of steam from a
railway boiler. As the sunlight when passed through a
lens emerges as a single fiery ray of intense power, the
whole mind attains a single-pointedness through
Dharana. Now experience has shown that interest and
attention of the mind is attracted by three distinct means
viz., sound, vision (physical or mental) and imagination
or idea. The Yogi enters into deep meditation by
concentrating his mind upon the mystic inner sound of
Pranava. This is the Anahata Nada which becomes
audible when the inner sheaths are perfectly purified
and harmony established; or again a Mantra is repeated
in a harmonious tone and the mind is concentrated on
the continuous unbroken sound. A concrete form of any
aspect of tl.e deity or the syllable OM is chosen for fixing
the mind. The rational and Vedantic type fills the mind
with some sublime idea or formula upon which the mind
is made to dwell intensely and continuously.
During concentration the mind becomes calm,
serene and steady. The various rays of the mind are
collected and focussed on the object of meditation. The
mind is centred on the Lakshya. There will be no tossing
of the mind. One idea occupies the mind. The whole
ener$/ of the mind is concentrated on that one idea. The
senses become still. They do not function. When there is
deep concentration, there is no consciousness of the
body and surroundings. He who has good concentration
can visualise the picture of the Lord very clearly within
the twinkling of the eye.
Manorajya (building castles in the air) is not
concentration. It is wild jumping of the mind in the air.
Do not mistake Manorajya for concentration or
meditation. Check this habit of the mind through
introspection and self-analysis.
 DHYANA YOGA EXPLAINED 55

Meditation in Dilferent Paths

There are different kinds of meditation. A particular
kind is best suited to a particular mind. The kind of
meditation varies according to taste, temperament,
capacity and type of mind of the individual. A devotee
meditates on his tutelary deity or Ishta Devata. A Raja
Yogi meditates on the special Purusha or Ishvara who is
not touched by the afflictions, desires and Karmas. A
Hatha Yogi meditates on the Chakras and their presiding
deities. A Jnani meditates on his own Self or Atman. You
yourself will have to find out the kind of meditation that
is suitable for you. If you are not able to do this, you will
have to consult a teacher or preceptor who has attained
Self-realisation. He will be able to know the nature of the
mind and the correct method of meditation for you.
A Raja Yogi enters into the meditative mood
deliberately by practising Yama, Niyama, Asana,
Pranayama, Prat5rahara and Dharana. A Bhakta enters
into the meditative mood by cultivating pure love for God.
A Vedantin or a Jnana Yogi enters into the meditative
mood by acquiring the four means and hearing the Srutis
and reflecting on what he has heard. A Hatha Yogi enters
into the meditative mood by practising deep and
constant Pranayama.
Regular meditation opens the avenues of intuitional
knowledge, makes the mind calm and steady, awakens
an ecstatic feeling and brings the Yogic student in
contact with the source or the Supreme Purusha. If there
are doubts, they are all cleared by themselves when you
march on the path of Dhyana Yoga steadily. You will
yourself feel the way to place your footstep on the next
rung of the spiritual ladder. A mysterious inner voice will
guide you. Hear this attentively.
When you enter into deep meditation, you will easily
rise above consciousness of your body and
surroundings. You will have equanimity of mind. You will
not be easily distracted. There will be stoppage of
56 DHYANA YOGA

up-going and down-going sensation. The consciousness

of egoism will also gradually vanish. You will experience
inexplicable joy and indescribable happiness. Gradually
reasoning and reflection also will cease.
Wheh you enter the silence through deep
meditation, the world outside and all your troubles will
drop away. You will enjoy supreme peace. In this silence
is supreme light. In this silence is undecaying bliss. In
this silence is real strength and joy. The entire system is
renewed and invigorated in the depths of Dhyana.
Faith (Shraddha) or confidence is the power of yoga.
Power (Veerya) for the concentration of mind, memory
(Smriti) for contemplation, Prajna, discernment, for the
direct perception brought about by meditation becomes
the means for the attainment of Samadhi, the final limb
ofYoga.

The Fa,ctor of Grace

But the final leap across the barrier of relativity
piercing the evil between the individual and the Absolute
is ultimately a question of Divine Grace. Surrender
draws down grace. The individual becomes one with the
cosmic will through surrender. Grace makes the
surrender complete. Without grace perfect union is not
possible. Surrender and grace are interrelated. Grace
removes all obstacles, snares and pitfalls of the spiritual
path.
The Bhakta gets Bhava Samadhi and Mahabhava.
He enjoys the warm embrace of the Divine. He attains
Divine Aishvarya. All the spiritual wealth of the Lord
belongs to him. He is endowed with divine vision or Divya
Chakshu. He is endowed with Divya (lustrous) subtle
body and Dirlza (divine) senses. He does not like to have
complete absorption or merging in the Lord. He wants to
remain himself separate in front of Him and taste the
divine honey of Prema. The absorption in the Lord comes
to him temporarily in the intensity of his love and
 DHYANA YOGA EXPLAINED 57

experience in the beginning though he does not like it. He

attains similarity with God. He is God-like in the
beginning. Eventually he attains Sayujya or Oneness'
Srrrnr:'dhi and Deep SleeP
The difference between the non-dual resting and the
profound slumber consists in the merging of the mental
function in ignorance in the latter and the merging of the
same function in the extremely tangible Brahman in the
former; the felicity of the latter is enveloped in ignorance,
while the blissfulness of Brahman perceived in the
former is entirely devoid of covering.
Just as the fire is absorbed into its source when the
fuel is burnt ottt, so also is the mind absorbed into its
sorrrce, the Atman, when all Sankalpas or thoughts are
annihilated. Then only one attains Kaivalya or the state
of Absolute Independence. AII thoughts cannot be
destroyed in a day. The process of destruction of mental
modifications is a diff,rcult and long one. You should not
give up the practice of destroying the thoughts half-way,
when you come across some difficulties or stumbling
blocks. Your first attempt should be the reduction of
thoughts.
Reduce your wants and desires first. All thoughts
will decrease. Gradually all thoughts will be extirpated.
Thoughts are like the waves of the ocean. They are
countless. You may become desperate in the beginning.
Some thoughts will subside, while some others will gush
out like a stream. The same old thoughts that were once
suppressed may again show their faces after some time'
Never become despondent on any account at any stage of
the practice. You will surely get inner spiritual strength.
You are bound to succeed in the end. All the Yogis of yore
had to encounter the same difficulties that you are
experiencing now.
58 DHYANA YOGA

7. Meditation
Meditation is of two kinds viz. concrete meditation
and abstract meditation. In concrete meditation the
Yogic student meditates on the form of the Lord, Lord
Krishna, Lord Rama, Lord Siva, Lord Hari, Gayatri or
Devi. In abstract meditation he concentrates the whole
ener$/ of the mind on one idea of God or Atman and
avoids comparisons of memories and all other ideals. The
one idea fills the whole mind. Concentration is fixing the
mind on a point or object either internal (in the body) or
external (any outside subject). Meditation follows
concentration.
Practise meditation in the early morning from 4 to 6.
This is the best time for the practice of meditation.
Always choose that part of the day or night when your
mind is clear and when you are least likely to be
disturbed. You can also have a sitting just before retiring
to bed. The mind will be calm at this time. you can have
good meditation on Sundays, because this is a holiday
and the mind is free. Do vigorous meditation on
Sundays. You can have good meditation when you live on
milk and fruits or fruits alone or when you fast. Use your
commonsense always and try to bring a good turnout in
meditation.
You will be able to enter into deep meditation only if
you lead a moral life. When you have led the moral life,
you may try further to build up discrimination and the
other steps in your mind. You can cultivate the mind in
concentration and you c€rn finally devote y.ourself to
meditation. The more you lead the moral life the more
you meditate and the greater likelihood will then be for
you to enter into Nirvikalpa Samadhi which can liberate
you from the round of births and deaths and can confer
on you eternal Bliss and Immortality.
To practise meditation or contemplation in a mind
unprepared by non-adherence to the moral precepts is
like trying to build a house on rotten foundation. you
 DHYANA YOGA EXPLAINED 59

may build the house, but it will surely fall. You may
practise meditation for years, but you will not realise any
tangible result or fruit; if you have no ethical foundation,
you will fall down. Therefore, mental purity through
ethical training is of paramount importance if you wish
to achieve success in meditation and Samadhi. Before
you attempt to practise meditation, you must have the
necessary right understanding. Then only you will have
sanguine success in meditation. Much more time is
required in the preparation of the mind for meditation
than for the actual practice.
The mind is a mischievous imp. It is like a jumping
monkey. It must be disciplined daily. Then it will
gradually come under your control. It is only by the
practical training of your mind that you can prevent bad
thoughts and actions from arising and can prevent bad
thoughts and actions that have arisen from recurrence.
It is only by practical training of your mind that you can
encourage good thoughts and actions to arise and can
maintain good thoughts and actions when they have
arisen.
Just as you require food for the body, so also you
require in the shape of prayers, Japa, Kirtan, meditation,
etc., food for the soul. Just as you are agitated when you
do not get food in time, so also you will be agitated when
you do not pray in the morning and evening at the proper
time, if you keep up the practice of prayer and Japa for
some time. The soul also wants its food at the proper
time. The food for the soul is more essential than the food
for the body. Therefore do your prayers, Japa and
meditation regularly.
If you do not clean a plate daily, it will lose its lustre.
It is the same with the mind, too. The mind becomes
impure, if it is not kept clean by the regular practice of
meditation. Meditation removes the dross from the mind
in an effective manner. Therefore practise meditation in
the early morning regularly.
60 DHYANA YOGA

When you sit for meditation, thoughts of your

friends and office work, memory of the conversation that
took place the previous evening with your friends and
relatives will disturb your mind and cause distraction.
You will have to withdraw the mind again and again
cautiously from these extraneous worldly thoughts and
fix it again and again on your Lakshya or point. You will
have to disregard and ignore worldly thoughts. Be
indifferent. Do not welcome these thoughts. Do not
identify yourself with these thoughts or ideas. Say within
yourself, "I do not want these thoughts, I have nothing to
do with these thoughts". They will vanish gradually.
The external objects are continuously acting upon
the brain. The sense-impressions reach the brain
through the sense-avenues and produce mental stimuli.
Now you are conscious of the external objects.
Consciousness may be caused by an awakening either by
an external stimulus i.e. a stimulus from a
sense-impression or an internal stimulus through
memory. Each simple sense-impression is a highly
complex bundle of afferent stimuli. "Afferent stimuli"
means stimuli that are carried from outside towards the
brain. A stimulus is an awakening in the substratum of
the mind. The associations of awakenings which arise
from a single sense-impression are very complex.
When you meditate, disregard the substratum
awakenings in the mind that arise out of the senses.
Avoid carefully the comparisons with all other cross
references and memories of ideas. Concentrate the whole
ener$/ of the mind on the one idea of God or Atman itself
without any comparison with any other idea.
Avoid all other sense-impressions and ideas.
Prevent the complications that arise out of correlated
action in the substratum of the mind. Abstract the mind
on the one idea alone. Shut out all other processes of
mentation. Now the whole mind will be filled with the one
idea only. Nishtha will ensure. Just as the recurrence or
repetition of a thought or action leads to perfection of
 DHYANA YOGA EXPLAINED 61

that thought or action, so also does recurrence of the

same process, the same idea, leads to the perfection of
abstraction, concentration and meditation.
Watch your mind always very carefully. Be ever
vigilant. Be on the alert. Do not allow waves of irritability,
jealousy, anger, hatred and lust to arise from the mind.
These dark waves are enemies of meditation, peace and
wisdom. Suppress them immediately by entertaining
sublime divine thoughts. Evil thoughts that have arisen
may be destroyed by generating good thoughts and
maintaining them by repeating any Mantra or Name of
the Lord, by thinking on any form of the Lord, by practice
of Pranayama, by singing the Names of the Lord, by doing
good actions, by dwelling on the misery that arises from
evil thoughts, by abstracting the mind, by analysing the
origin of the thoughts, by enquiry of "Who am I?" or by
the force of the will resolving to suppress evil thoughts.
When you attain the state of purity, no evil thoughts will
arise in your mind. Just as it is easy to check the
intruder or enemy at the initial stage, so also it is easy to
overcome an evil thought as soon as it arises. Nip it in the
bud. Do not allow it to strike deep root.
Do not cause pain or suffering to any living being
from greed, selfishness, irritability or annoyance. Give
up anger or ill-will. Give up the spirit of fighting and
heated debates. Do not argue. If you quarrel with
somebody or if you have a heated debate with anybody,
you cannot meditate for three or four days. Your balance
of mind will be upset. Much energ/ will be wasted in
useless channels. The blood will become hot. The nerves
will be shattered. You must try your level best to keep a
serene mind always. Meditation can proceed from a
serene mind only. A serene mind is a valuable spiritual
asset for you.
You must practise austerity of speech if you really
want to attain quick progress in meditation. You must
always speak sweet and loving words. You must speak
the truth at any cost. You must not speak any harsh
62 DHYANA YOGA

word or any indecent word that is calculated to hurt the

feelings of others. You should weigh well your words
before they are spoken. You must speak a few words
only. This is austerity of speech or Vak-Tapas that will
conserve ener$/ and give you peace of mind and inner
strength.
There are manyvaluable methods about the training
of the mind which are essential to mental culture, for
instance, the training of memory, the cultivation of
reflection, discrimination, Vichara or enquiry of ,,Who
am I?" The practice of meditation itself is a potent
clarifier of the memory. The practice of memory-culture
powerfully helps meditation in the final attainment.
A Yogi who meditates regularly has a magnetic and
charming personality. Those who come in contact with
him are much influenced by his sweet voice, powerful
speech, lustrous eyes, brilliant complexion, strong
healthy body, good behaviour, virtuous qualities and
divine nature. Just as a grain of salt dropped in a basin of
water dissolves and becomes distributed throughout the
whole water, just as sweet fragrance ofjasmine pervades
the air, so also his spiritual aura becomes infiltrated into
the minds of others. People draw joy, peace and strength
from him. They are inspired by his speech and give
elevation of mind by mere contact with him.
You will have to pass through six stages of
meditation and finally you will enter into perfect
Nirvikalpa Samadhi, the superconscious state.
Form-perception will totally vanish. There is neither
meditation nor the meditated, now. The meditator and
the meditated have become one. You will attain now the
highest knowledge and the eternal supreme peace. This
is the goal of life. This is the aim of existence. This is the
final beatitude of life. You are an enlightened sage or the
illumined Jivanmukta now. You are liberated even while
living. Hence you are called a Jivanmukta. You are
absolutely free from pain, sorrow, fear, doubt and
delusion. You have become identical with Brahman. The
 DHYANA YOGA EXPLAINED 63

bubble has become the ocean. The river has joined the
ocean and has become the ocean. All differences and
distinctions will totally vanish. You will now experience:
"l am the Immortal Self. All indeed is Brahman. There is
nothing but Brahman."
There is a place where you will neither hear any
sound nor see any colour. That place is Param Dhama or
Padam Anamaya (painless seat). This is the realm of
peace and bliss. There is no body-consciousness here.
Here mind finds rest. All desires and cravings melt away.
The Indriyas remain quiet here. The intellect ceases
functioning. There is neither fight nor quarrel here. Will
you seek this silent abode through silent meditation?
Solemn stillness reigns supreme here. Rishis of yore
attained this place only by melting the mind in this
silence. Brahman shines here in His native effulgence.
Forget the body. Forget the surroundings.
Forgetting is the highest Sadhana. It helps meditation a
great deal. It makes the approach to God easier. By
remembering God, you can forget all these things.
Taste the spiritual consciousness by withdrawing
the mind from the sensual objects and fixing it at the
lotus feet of the. Lord, who is ever shining in the
chambers of your heart. Merge within by practising deep
silent meditation. Plunge deep. Swim freely in the ocean
of SAT-CHIT-ANANDA. Float in the Divine river of joy.
Tap the source. March direct towards the fountain-head
of Divine Consciousness and drink the Nectar. Feel the
thrill of Divine embrace and enjoy Divine Ecstasy. I shall
leave you here. You have attained the state of
immortality and fearlessness.
Practise regular systematic meditation in the same
hours daily. You will get the meditative mood easily. The
more you meditate the more you will have inner spiritual
life, wherein mind and Indriyas do not play; you will be
very close to the source Atman. You will enjoy the wave of
bliss and peace.
64 DHYANA YOGA

All sensual objects will have no attraction for you

now. The world wilt appear to you as a long d.ream.
Jnana will dawn on you by constant, deep
meditation. You will be fully illumined. The curtain of
ignorance will drop now, The sheaths will be torn. The
body idea will vanish. You will realise the significance of
the Mahava$a, ltat Twam Asi.' All differences,
distinctions, dualities will disappear. you will see
ever5rwhere one infinite, illimitable Atman, full of Bliss,
Light and Knowledge. This will be a rare experience,
indeed. Do not tremble with fear like Arjuna. Be bold.
You will be left alone now. There is nothing to see or hear
now. There are no senses. It is all pure consciousness
only.
Thou art the Atman. Thou art not this perishable
body. Destroy the Moha for this filthy body. Do not utter
in future "My body." S.y, "this instrument.,,The sun is
setting now. It is drawing within all the rays. Now sit for
meditation. Again have a dip in the sacred Atmic Triveni
within. Collect all the rays of the mind and plunge within,
quite deep, into the innermost recesses of the heart. Rest
in the ocean of silence. Enjoy the eternal peace. your old
Jivahood is gone now. All limitations have disappeared. If
the desires and old cravings try to hiss, destroy them by
the rod of Viveka and the sword of Vairagra.
Keep these two with you always for some time till
you get Brahmee-Sthiti (fully established in the Atman).
Om is Sat-Chit-Ananda. Om is Infinity, Eternity.
Sing OM. Feel OM. Chant OM. Live in OM. Meditate on
oM.

8. Practice of Meditation
Concentration is fixing the mind on one point. It is
called Dharana in Yoga philosophy. Concentration is
collectiveness of thought. It is said to be the placing,
setting of mind and mental properties fittingly and well,
on a single object. That state, by the strength of which
 DHYANA YOGA EXPLAINED 65

mind and mental properties are placed in one object

fittingly and well, without wavering, without scattering,
is known as concentration. Meditation follows
concentration. There is a continuous flow of one idea
only.
The characteristic of concentration is not
wandering.Its essence is to destroy wavering. Its
manifestation is not shaking. The mind of the happy man
is concentrated. Happiness or ease is its proximate
cause. Concentration is accompanied by ease,
even-mindedness and raptures.
You must be regular in your practice of meditation.
You must sit daily both morning'and night and at the
same hour. The meditative mood or Sattvic Bhava will
manifest by itself without any exertion. you must sit in
the same place, in the sEune room. Regularity in
meditation is a great desideratum and a sine qua non.
Rapid progress and great success can be attained if
regularity is maintained by the practitioner. Even if you
do not realise any tangible result in the practice, you
must plod on in the practice with sincerit5r, earnestness,
patience and perseverance. You will be crowned with
sanguine success after some time. There is no doubt of
this. Do not stop the practice even for a day, under any
circumstances, even if you are ailing. Meditation is a first
class tonic. The wave of meditation will remove all sorts
of diseases. It will infuse spiritual strength, new vigour
and vitality. It will renovate and completely overhaul the
different systems and constitutions. Meditation will give
real rest to the body. Be on the alert to catch the Sattvic
wave or the meditative mood. If the meditative mood
manifests, stop at once work of any kind, reading, etc. Sit
for meditation in right earnest.
Pride, self-sufficiency, arrogance, self-assertive
Rajasic nature, irritability, curiosity about the affairs of
other people, and hypocrisy are all obstacles in
meditation. Subtle forms of these Vrittis lurk in the
mind. They operate as oceanic undercurrents. Under
66 DHYANA YOGA

pressure of Yoga and meditation, various sorts of dirt in

the mind come out, just as dirt of a room that is shut up
for six months comes out when you carefully sweep.
Aspirants should introspect and watch their minds. They
should remove them, one by one, by applying suitable,
effective methods. Pride is inveterate. Its branches
ramify in all directions in the regions of the Rajasic mind.
Again and again it manifests, although the wave
subsides temporarily for some time. It asserts when
opportunities crop up.
If the aspirant has the nature of being offended
easily for trifling things, he cannot make any progress in
meditation. He should cultivate amiable, Ioving nature
and adaptability. Then this bad habit will vanish. Some
aspirants get easily offended if their bad qualities and
defects are pointed out. They become indignant and
scorn the man who indicates the defects. They think that
the man is concocting them out of jealousy and hatred.
This is bad. Other people can very easily find out our
defects. A man who has no life of introspection, whose
mind is of outgoing tendencies (Bahirmukha Vritti)
cannot recognise his own mistakes. The self-conceit acts
as a veil and blurs the mental vision. If an aspirant wants
to grow, he must admit his defects when pointed out by
others. He must try his level best to eradicate them and
must thank the man who points out his defects. Then
only he can grow in spirituality and meditation.
It becomes a difficult task to eradicate the
self-assertive nature. Every man has built his
personality from beginningless time. He has given a long
rope to the Rajasic mind to have its own ways. This
personality has grown very strong. It becomes difficult to
bend this personality and make it pliable and elastic. The
man of self-assertive nature wants to dominate over
others. He does not want to hear the opinions and the
reasons advanced by others, even though they are
sound, logical and tenable. He has a pair of jaundiced
eyes with Timira also. He will say: "Whatever I say is
 DHYANA YOGA EXPLAINED 67

correct, whatever I do is correct: the actions and views of

others are incorrect." He will never admit his mistakes.
He will try his level best to maintain his own whimsical
views by crooked arguments and reasonings. If
arguments fail he will take to vituperation and hand to
hand fight. If people fail to show respect and honour, he
is thrown into a state of fury. He is immensely pleased if
anybody begins to flatter him. He will tell any number of
lies to justify himself. Self-justifications go hand in hand
with self-assertive nature. This is a very dangerous
habit. He can never grow in meditation and spirituality
so long as he has self-assertive nature with the habit of
self-justification. The self-assertive man should change
his mental attitude. He must develop the habit of looking
at matters from the viewpoint of others. He must have a
new vision of righteousness and truthfulness. An
aspirant should treat respect and honour as offal and
censure and dishonour as ornament.
Man linds it difficult to adjust to the ways and habits
of others. His mind is filled with prejudice of caste, creed
and colour. He is quite intolerant. He thinks that only his
views, opinions and ways of living are right, and the
views of others are incorrect. The fault finding nature is
ingrained in him. He jumps at once to find the faults of
others. He has morbid eyes. He cannot see the good in
others. He cannot appreciate the meritorious actions of
others. He can brag of his own abilities and actions. That
is the reason why he has no peace of mind even for a
second. That is the reason why he disagrees with all
people and cannot keep up the friendship with others for
a long time. Aspirants do not make progress in the path,
because they too have these defects to a great degree.
They should eradicate them completely by developing
tolerance, pure love and other Sattvic qualities.
If there are hindrances or obstacles in the path of
Yoga, it is difficult. It is a little unpleasant to carry on the
practice of concentration and meditation. It is easy in
some aspirants as there are no such oppositions.
68 DHYANA YOGA

Obstacles can be removed by sincere prayer, Japa of Om

or any other Mantra, divine grace or the grace of Guru.
Patanjali Maharshi prescribes Japa of Om with Bhava
and meaning. Tajjapas tadarthabhauanam for the
removal of obstacles. Sri Krishna prescribes the remedy
"Macchittah saruadurgaani matprasaadaat tari,shyasi-
Fixing thy thought on Me, thou shalt surrnount every
difliculty by My grace." Gita: XVIII-S8.
If an aspirant in Kashmir meditates upon his Guru
or spiritual guide at Uttarkashi in the Himalayas, a
dehnite connection is established between him and the
teacher. The Guru radiates power, peace, joy and bliss to
the student in response to his thoughts. He is bathed in
the powerful current of magnetism. The stream of
spiritual electricity flows steadily from one vessel to
another. The student can imbibe or draw from his
teacher in proportion to his degree of faith in his master.
The more the faith, the greater the imbibing or drawing.
Whenever the student sincerely meditates upon his
teacher, the teacher also actually feels that a current of
prayer (sublime thoughts) proceeds from his student and
touches his heart. He who has the inner astral sight can
clearly visualise a thin line of bright light between the
disciple and the teacher, which is caused by the
movement of the vibration of Sattvic thoughts in the
ocean of Chitta (mental substance).
If you look upon the world from the higher spiritual
plane, you will have a clear vision of the world. In that
supreme cosmic consciousness, you will have a
knowledge of the whole universe. Arjuna describes thus:
"Into Thy gaping mouths they hurrying rush,
Tremendous toothed and terrible to see;
Some caught within the gaps between Thy teeth
Are seen, their heads to powder crushed
and ground.
On every side, all swallowing, fiery tongued,
Thou lickest up mankind, devouring all;
 DHYANA YOGA EXPLAINED 69

Thy glory filleth space; the universe

Is burning, Vishno, with Thy blazing rays."
Just as small insects or fishes move about here and
there in a small lake, just as ants crawl about in the wall
of a house, so also, all these little human beings move
about hither and thither within the body of the Lord. This
vision is thrilling and awe-inspiring. You will see millions
of undeveloped souls who run about with countless
selfish desires, just as the leucocytes and red corpuscles
move about in a drop of fresh blood when seen under the
microscope. Amidst this multitude of ignorant,
undeveloped human beings, you will find a few
fully-developed Jivanmuktas or Jnanins or Yogis,
scattered in different parts of the world, who stand out as
big divine flames or beacon lights or torch bearers to
guide the ignorant baby-souls and aspirants, just as the
lighthouse stands amidst darkness of the night to guide
the captain of a steamer. You will also find some sincere,
growing, and half-developed aspirants who emanate a
small divine flame, who glitter like the stars on a new
moon night. Wonderful is this vision. Magnanimous is
this inner Yogic sight, seeing with the new eye of
intuition.
Meditation is the keepingup of one idea of God alone
always like the continuous flow of oil (TailaDharaVatl.
Yogins call this Dhyana. Jnanins term this
'Nididhyasana'. Bhaktas style this 'Bhajan'.
Put a piece of iron rod in the blazing furnace. It
becomes red like fire. Remove it. It loses its red colour. If
you want to keep it always red, you must always keep it
in fire. Even so, if you want to keep the mind charged
with the fire of Brahmic wisdom, you must keep it always
in contact or touch with the Brahmic fire of Knowledge
through constant and intense meditation. You must
keep up an unceasing flow of the Brahmic
consciousness. Then you will have the Sahaja Avastha
(natural state).
70 DHYANA YOGA

Meditation acts as a powerful tonic. It is a mental

and nervine tonic as well. The holy vibrations penetrate
all the cells of the body and cure diseases of the body.
Those who meditate save the doctor's bills. The powerful
soothing waves that arise during meditation exercise a
benign influence on the mind, nerves, organs and cells of
the body. The Divine ener5r freely flows like Taila Dhara
(flow of oil from one vessel to another) from the feet of the
Lord to the different limbs of the Sadhaka's (Bhakta's)
body.
If you can meditate for half an hour, you will be able
to engage yourself with peace and spiritual strength in
the batfle of life for one week through the force of this
meditation. Such is the beneficial result of meditation.
As you have to move with different minds of a peculiar
nature in your daily life, get the strength and peace from
meditation and you will have no trouble and worry then.
You will find very often these terms in the Gita:
'Ananya Cheto-not thinking of another'; 'Matchittq'
'Nitya Yukta'; 'Manmand; 'Ekagra Mand; 'Sarua Bhaud.
These terms denote that you will have to give your fuIl
mind, entire 10O per cent mind to God. Then only you
will have Self-realisation. Even if one ray of mind runs
outside, it is impossible to attain God-consciousness.
Be silent. Know thyself. Know that. Melt the mind in
that. Truth is quite pure and simple.
Asana (posture) steadies the body, Bandhas and
Mudras make the body firm. Pranayama makes the body
light. Nadi Suddhi produces steadiness of the mind.
Having acquired these qualifications you will have to fix
the mind on Brahman. Then only meditation will go on
steadily with happiness.
The banks of the Ganga or Narmada, the Himalayan
scenery, a lovely flower garden, sacred temples-these
are the places which elevate the mind in concentration
and meditation. Have recourse to them.
 DHYANA YOGA EXPLAINED 7r

A solitary place, spiritual vibratory conditions as at

Uttarkasi, Rishikesh, Badri Narayan, a cool place and
temperate climate-these conditions are an
indispensable requisite for concentration of mind. Just
as the salt melts in water, even so the Sattvic mind melts
in silence during meditation on Brahman-its
Adhishthana (substratum) .

When you are a neophyte in meditation, start

repeating some Slokas-sublime Slokas or Stotras
(hymns) for ten minutes as soon as you sit for
meditation. This will elevate the mind. The mind can be
easily withdrawn from the worldly objects. Then stop this
kind of thinking also and fix the mind on one idea only by
repeated and strenuous efforts. Then Nishtha will ensue.
You must have a mental image of God or Brahman
(concrete or abstract) before you begin to meditate.
When you see the concrete figure of Lord Krishna
with open eyes and meditate, it is the concrete form of
meditation. When you reflect over the image of Lord
Krishna by closing your eyes, it is also concrete form of
meditation but it is more abstract. When you meditate on
the infinite abstract light, it is still more abstract
meditation. The former two types belong to Saguna forms
of meditation. The latter to Nirguna form. Even in
Nirguna meditation there is an abstract form in the
beginning for fixing the mind. Later oD, this form
vanishes and the meditator and the meditated become
one. Meditation proceeds from the mind.
Examine your character. Pick up some distinct
defects in it. Find out its opposite. Let us say that you
suffer from irritability. The opposite of irritability is
patience. Regularly every morning sit down at 4 in
Padma or Siddha Asana in a solitary room for half an
hour and begin to think on patience, its value,' its
practice under provocation, taking one point one day,
other on another day, and thinking as steadily as you
can, recalling the mind when it wanders. Think of
yourself as perfectly patient, a model of patience and end
72 DHYANA YOGA

with a vow, "this patience which is my true Self, I will feel

and show from today."
For a few days, probably, there will be no change
perceptible. You will still feel and show irritability. Go on
practising steadily every morning. Presently as you see
an irritable thing, the thought will flash into your mind
unbidden: "Should have been patient." Still go on in
practice. Soon the thought of patience will arise with the
irritable impulse and the outer manifestation will be
checked. Still go on practising. The irritable impulse will
grow feebler and feebler until you find that irritability has
disappeared and the patience has become your normal
attitude towards €rnnoyEmces. In this manner you cErn
develop various virtues as sympathy, self-restraint,
purity, humility, benevolence, nobility, generosity, etc.
It is the actions of the mind that are truly termed as
Karmas. True liberation results from the disenthralment
of the mind. Those who have freed themselves from the
fluctuation of their minds come into the possession of the
Supreme Nishtha (meditation). Should the mind be
purged of all its impurities then it will become very calm
and all the Samsaric delusion attended with its births
and deaths will soon be destroyed.
Concentration of the mind on God after purification
can giveyou real happiness and knowledge. You are born
for this purpose only. You are carried away to external
objects through Raga and Moha (attachment and
infatuated love). Concentrate upon God in the heart.
Dive deep. The Divine Flame, the Light of lights is
burning there. Plunge deep. Merge within.
If you place a big mirror in front of a dog and keep
some bread in front of the dog, it at once barks by looking
at its reflection in the mirror. It foolishly imagines that
there is another dog. Even So, man sees his owrr
reflection only through his mind mirror in all the people
but foolishly imagines like the dog that they are all
 DHYANA YOGA EXPLAINED 73

different from him and fights on account of hatred and

jealousy.
When you start a fire, you heap up some straw,
pieces of paper and thin pieces of wood. The fire
sometimes gets extinguished quickly. You blow it again
several times through the mouth or the blow pipe. After
sometime it becomes a small conflagration. You can
hardly extinguish it now even with great effort. Even so in
the beginning of meditation neoph5rtes fall down from
meditation into their old grooves. They will have to lift up
their minds again and again and fix on the Lakshya.
When the meditation becomes deep and steady, they get
established in God eventually. Then the meditation
becomes Sahaja (natural). It becomes habitual.

9. Fruits of Meditation
A neophyte should remember again and again some
important Vedantic Texts daily. Then only his doubts will
be removed. Then only he will be established in the path.
These texts are: "Being only was in the beginning, One
without a second" Chhandogra Upanishad VI-2-1; "In
the beginning all this was one Self on$ Aitareya
Upanishad VI-2-1; "This is the Brahman, without cause
and without effect; this Self is Brahman perceiving
ever5rthing" Brihadaranyaka Upanishad II-5-19; "That
immortal Brahman before" Mandukya Upanishad,
fi-2-7.
Concern yourself with the present only. Do not look
back upon the past or the future. Then alone you will be
really happy. You will be free from cares, worries and
anxieties. You will have a long life. Destroy the
Sankalpas through strenuous efforts. Meditate
ceaselessly upon that Satchidananda Brahman and
attain the Supreme immaculate state. May you prosper
gloriously! Mayyou live drowned in the ocean of Brahmic
bliss in an illumined state!
74 DHYANA YOGA

This immortal Atman cannot be attained without

constant practice. Therefore, he who wishes to attain
immortalit5r and freedom should meditate on the Self or
Brahman for a long time.
The real solitary place is Brahman who is one
without a second. There is neither sound nor colour here.
There is no disturbance of any sort here. The only
companion for you in the beginning of your practice is
Brahman. When you become That during deep
meditation, you are left alone (Sivah Kevaloham).
Atman is the fountain-source of enerry. Thinking on
Atman or the source for energr also is a dynamic method
for augmenting enerry, strength and power.
If you once think for even a second of the
all-pervading pure, immortal, Satchidananda Atman or
Brahman, this is tantamount to taking thousand and
eight dips in the sacred Triveni-the junction of holy
rivers at Prayag. This is the real mental sacred bath.
Physical bath is nothing when compared to this internal
bath of wisdom or knowledge.
Worship God or Atman with the flowers of Jnana,
contentment, peace, joy and equal vision. This will
constitute real worship. Offerings of rose, jasmine,
sandal paste, incense, sweetmeats and fruits are nothing
when compared to the offerings of Jnana, contentment,
etc. These are the offerings given by ignorant persons.
Try to identiff yourself with the eternal, immortal,
ever pure Atman or soul that resides in the chambers of
your heart. Think and feel always: "I am the very pure
Atman." This one thought will remove all troubles and
fanciful thoughts. The mind wants to delude you. Start
this anticurrent of thought. The mind will lurk like a
thief. Be careful.
10. Meditation on Om
Retire into the meditation chamber. Sit on Padma,
Siddha, Svastika or Sukha Asana to begin with. Relax
 DHYANA YOGA EXPLAINED 75

the muscles. Close the eyes. Concentrate the gaze on

Trikuti, the space between the two eyebrows. Repeat OM
mentally with Brahman Bhavana. This Bhavana is a
sine quanon,very, very important. Silence the conscious
mind.
Repeat mentally, feel constantly:
All-pervading Ocean of Light I am Om Om Om
Infinity I am Om Om Om
All-pervading infinite Light I am Om Om Om
Vyapaka Paripoorna Jyotirmaya Om Om Om
Brahman I am Om Om Om
Omnipotent I am Om Om Om
Omniscient I am Om Om Om
All bliss I am Om Om Om
Satchidananda I am Om Om Om
AII purity I am Om Om Om
AII glory I am Om Om Om
All Upadhis will be sublated. All Granthis
(heart-knots, ignorance) will be cut asunder. The thin
veil, Avarana, will be pierced. The Pancha Kosha
Adhyasa (superimposition) will be removed. You will rest
doubtless in Satchidananda state. You will get the
highest knowledge, highest bliss, highest realisation,
and highest end of life. "Brahmauit BrahmaiuaBhauatil'
You will become Suddha Satchidananda Vyapaka
Paripoorna Brahman. "lVasfl Atra Samsagd' there is no
doubt of that, here.
There is no difficulty at all in the Atma Darshan. You
can have this within the twinkling of an eye as Raja
Janaka had, before you can squeeze a flower with
fingers, within the time taken for a grain to fall when
rolled over a pot. You must do earnest, constant and
intense practice. You are bound to succeed in two or
three years.
Nowadays there are plenty of "Talking Brahmans."
No flowery talk or verbosity can make a man Brahman. It
is constant, intense, earnest Sadhanaalone that can give
76 DHYANA YOGA

a ma.n direct Aparoksha Brahma realisation

(Suanubhaua or Sakshatkarr{ wherein he sees the solid
Brahman just as he sees the solid white wall in front of
him, just as he feels the table behind him.

11. Instnrctions on Meditation

Mokshapriya said:
O Blessed Teacher, now instruct me on Meditation.
My mind is ever wandering despite my effort in the early
morning during Brahmamuhurta-4 a.m.
Swami Sivananda replied:
O Mokshapriya, hearken to me with rapt attention
and one-pointed mind. Dhyanam nirubhayam manah
meditation is freeing the mind from thoughts of
sense-objects. Mind dwells on God and God alone during
meditation.
All of a sudden you cannot jump to meditation and
Samadhi. You will fall down and break your legs. Can a
student of Third Form understand the "Theory of
Relativit5/, "Advanced Mathematics", etc. ?
Puri$r your heart first through selfless service,
recitation of Lord's Names, Pranayama, etc. Get yourself
established in Sadachara or right conduct. Have perfect
ethical perfection. Then alone will you be established in
deep meditation.
Meditation follows concentration and Samadhi
follows meditation.
A gross mind, O friend, O Mokshapriya, wants a
concrete object for meditation, in the beginning.
Meditation on a concrete form such as the form of Lord
Krishna with flute in hand, or the form of Lord Jesus or
Lord Buddha is very necessary in the beginning. This is
Saguna meditation or meditation on the form of the Lord
with attributes.
 DHYANA YOGA EXPLAINED 77

Think of His attributes such as Omnipresence,

Omniscience, Omnipotence, purity and perfection, etc.
when you meditate on His form.
Gradually the mind will be prepared and disciplined
to take up the higher Nirakara and Nirguna meditation,
formless and attributeless meditation on the Pure
Nirguna Brahman.
Deep meditation cannot come in a day or a week or a
month. You will have to struggle hard for a long time. Be
patient. Be persevering. Be vigilant and diligent. Get rid
of all Vasanas, cravings and ambitions. Cultivate
burning dispassion, burning aspiration or longing for
Self-realisation. Gradually you will enter into deep
meditation
Struggle, O Mokshapriya, struggle again. Strive
hard. Meditate. Meditate. Meditate. You will surely attain
success in the end. Mark my word, O spiritual hero!

12. Obstacles in Meditation

Mokshapriya said:
O Lord! Please tell me now what are the obstacles in
meditation.
Swami Sivananda replied:
O Mokshapriya! Just listen with rapt attention. The
chief obstacles are Laya (sleep), Vikshepa (tossing of
mind), Kashaya (Vasanas or subtle, hidden desires),
Rasasvada (bliss of Savikalpa Samadhi), lack of
Brahmachdrya., spiritual pride, laziness, disease,
company of worldlings, overeating, overwork, too much
mixing with people, and self-assertive Rajasic nature.
Conquer sleep through Pranayama, Asanas and
Iight diet.
Remove Vikshepa through Pranayama, Japa,
Upasana or worship, Trataka, etc.
78 DHYANA YOGA

Destroy Kashaya through dispassion,

discrimination, study of books which treat of dispassion,
meditation, enquiry, etc.
Rasasvada is the bliss which one gets during the
experience of lower Savikalpa Samadhi. This is also an
obstacle in meditation, because the Yogr gets false
contentment, imagines that he has reached the highest
Nirvikalpa state, stops his Sadhana and does not
attempt to attain the highest state. Rise above
Rasasvada; struggle and reach the Nirvikalpa Samadhi.
Failure in Brahmacharya fills the mind with
impurity, increases the lease of mundane life here and
strengthens the sexual Vasana. Therefore, observe
unbroken celibacy.
When the aspirant gets some spiritual progress, he
develops spiritual pride. He thinks that he is superior to
the householders. Maya assumes various forms. Destroy
the spiritual pride through self-analysis and enquiry.
Laziness is another obstacle. Practise Asanas and
Pranayamas. Do vigorous selfless service for two hours
daily. Run. Draw water from the well. Carry stones.
Laziness will disappear.
Observe the laws of health and hygiene. Practise
regular exercises, Asanas, Pranayamas. Be moderate in
eating and drinking, etc. You will enjoy good health.
Shun the company of worldly persons who always
talk on sexual matters, money and worldly things.
Do not overwork. This will produce fatigue. You
cannot meditate.
Do not mix much with people. Raga-Dvesha (likes
and dislikes) will increase. The mind will be perturbed.
Kill the self-assertive Rajasic nature through
humility, enqrliry, reflection and meditation. Be vigilant.
Fill the mind with Sattva.
 DHYANA YOGA EXPLAINED 79

O Mokshapriya! Remove the obstacles one by one.

March on boldly in the spiritual path and reach the goal
quickly.

13. Experiences in Meditation

Mokshapriya said:
Guru Maharaj! What will be the experiences in
meditation?
Swami Sivananda answered:
Experiences differ in Sadhakas according
to the
nature of their Sadhana and the Yoga they are
practising. The highest experience, Nirvikalpa Sd.madhi,
is the same in all aspirants.
Hatha Yogis and Laya Yogis hear Anahata Sounds.
They are gross and subtle. Sometimes they hear the
sounds of bells, the sounds of drums, the sound of flute,
lute, Vina. Sometimes they hear thunder, the sound of
Mridanga, etc.
Some Raja Yogis see brilliant lights during
meditation in the Ajna, the space between the two
eyebrows. They are like the sun, moon, stars, pin-points.
Sometimes they see coloured lights, green, blue, red, etc.
Sometimes they see rivers, mountains, landscapes,
blue sky. They get the vision of Rishis, Munis, etc. They
behold their own faces.
Advanced Yogis experience Cosmic Consciousness.
This is a rare experience.
Some float in the air. The subtle, astral body gets
detached from the physical body. They have astral
journey, and move about in the astral world.
Bhaktas get Darshan of their Ishta or tutelary deity.
Advanced Bhaktas go to Brahma Loka, Vaikuntha
and Kailas.
80 DHYANA YOGA

A Jnana Yogi passes through the stages ofdarkness,

light sleep and Moha and reach eventually the stage of
Nirvikalpa Samadhi.
The bliss of Nirvikalpa Samadhi cannot be expressed
in words O Mokshapriya! You will have to experience it
yourself in Samadhi. The bliss of Savikalpa Samadhi is
much inferior to that of Nirvikalpa Samadhi.
14. Sleep and Samadhi
Mokshapriya said:
O Purushottama, I have now understood the nature
and essence of Samadhi. May I know the difference
between sleep and Samadhi?
Swami Sivananda answered:
Well said, O Mokshapriya; this is indeed a beautiful
question. I shall give you the reply:
Sleep is a Jada or inert state. But Samadhi is a state
of pure awareness or pure consciousness.
When a man returns from sleep he has no
experience of the transcendental wisdom of the Self. He
is heavy and dull. But when the Yogi or Sage comes down
from his state of Samadhi he is full of supreme
transcendental wisdom of Atman. He can clear all your
doubts. He will inspire and elevate you. He is Brahman
Himself.
Samadhi is sleepless sleep. The sage has no
consciousness of external world. He is drowned in ttre
ocean of bliss and wisdom.
O Mokshapriya, in sleep there is deep Tamas. The
individual soul rests in Karana Sareera or causal body.
In Samadhi he rests in Brahman or Satchidananda
Svaroopa.
If you wake up, deep sleep state disappears.
Therefore a changing state is illusory or unreal. But the
Samadhi or the superconscious state is the witnessing
 DHYANA YOGA EXPLAINED 8l

Consciousness of the three states. It always exists.

Therefore it is the only real State.
In sleep the Vasanas and Samskaras are in a very
subtle state. But in Samadhi they are burnt in totoby the
fire of wisdom.
Burn the egoism and Vasanas, and the frve senses,
and enjoy the eternal Bliss of this sleepless Sleep, O
Mokshapriya.

15. Samadhi
Mokshapriya said:
Blessed Swamin! I have a clear understanding now
of the previous Angas or limbs of Yoga. What is Samadhi,
then?
Swami Sivananda answered:
O Mokshapriya! This is the most difficult matter for
explanation. Words and language are imperfect to
describe this exalted state.
Samadhi is superconscious state or union with
Brahman or the Absolute. Mind, intellect and the senses
cease functioning. They are absorbed in Mula Prakriti or
the Primordial Matter.
It is a state of eternal Bliss and eternal Wisdom. All
dualities vanish in toto here.
You will have to experience this state yourself
through direct intuitive cognition. Can you explain the
taste of sugar-candy or the conjugal happiness to
anybody?
Samadhi is subjective consciousness of Brahman.
All visible objects merge in the invisible or the Unseen.
The individual soul becomes that which he
contemplates.
The experience of a Raja Yogi and a Bhakta is
dualistic in the beginning. Later on they too experience
the non-dual Bliss of Supreme Brahman.
82 DHYANA YOGA

There are two kinds of Samadhi, viz. Savikalpa and

Nirvikalpa. In Savikalpa Samadhi there is one idea, there
is the Triputi or the triad, knower, knowledge and
knowable. In Nirvikalpa Samadhi the triad vanishes.
There is not a single idea.
O Mokshapriya, some ignorant aspirants mistake
deep sleep and Tamas for the state of Samadhi. They
pose for Samadhists by closing their eyes. Samadhi is
perfect Self-awareness. It is extremely difficult to enter
the state of Samadhi.
Tossing of mind, sleep, cravings, carelessness,
indecision, subtle Vasanas, the happiness of Savikalpa
Samadhi, doubt, spiritual pride, institutional egoism,
etc. are all obstacles to the attainment of Nirvikalpa
Samadhi.
O Mokshapriya! Struggle hard. Obtain the Grace of
Guru and Ishvara. Live in seclusion. Meditate
ceaselessly. You will enjoy the Supreme Bliss of
Samadhi.

16. Dhyana Yoga According toYogasara Upanishad

Mantra
Dhrrrq.na or con'cetr,tro,tion is ftxing the mind. on an id.ea
or a point or object either internq.l or extenrq,l.
Notes and. Commentary
It is very difficult to say where concentration ends
and meditation begins. Meditation follows concentration.
Concentration is steadfastness of mind. If you
remove all causes of distraction, your power of
concentration will increase. A true Brahmachari who has
preserved his Veerya will have wonderful concentration.
Attention plays a prominent part in concentration. He
who has developed his power of attention will have good
concentration. You should be able to visualise very
clearly the object of concentration even in its absence.
 DHYANA YOGA EXPLAINED 83

You must call up the mental picture in a moment's

notice. If you have good practice in concentration you
can do this without difficulty. He who has gained success
in Pratyahara (abstraction) by withdrawing the Indriyas
from the various objects will have good concentration.
You will have to march in the spiritual path step by step,
stage by stage. Lay the foundation of Yama (right
conduct), Niyama, Asana (posture), Pranayama and
Pratyahara to start with. The superstructure of Dharana
(concentration), Dhyana (meditation) and Samadhi will
be successful then only.
Asana is Bahiranga Sadhana (external); Dhyana is
Antaranga Sadhana (internal). When compared with
Dhyana and Samadhi, even Dharana is Bahiranga
Sadhana. He who has steady Asana and has purified the
Yoga-Nadis and the Pranamaya Kosha (vital sheath)
through Pranayama will be able to concentrate easily.
You can concentrate internally on any of the seven
plexuses or Chakras or centres of spiritual energr viz.,
Muladhara, Svadhisthan7, Manipura, Anahata,
Visuddha, Ajna and Sahasrara, or at the tip of the nose
or tip of the tongue or externally on the picture of any
Devata, Hari, Hara, Krishna or Devi. You can
concentrate on the tick-tick sound of a watch or on the
flame of a candle or on a black point on a wall or a pencil
or rose flower or any pleasing object. This is concrete
concentration (Sthoola). There can be no concentration
without something upon which the mind may rest. The
mind can be fixed easily on a pleasing object such as
jasmine flower, mango or orange or a loving friend. It is
difficult to fix the mind in the beginning on any object
which it dislikes such as faecal matter, cobra, enemy,
ugly face, etc. Practise concentration till the mind is well
established on the object of concentration. When the
mind runs away from the object of concentration bring it
back again and again to the object. Lord Krishna says in
the Gita: "Yato gato nischarati manas chanchalam
asthiram Tatas tato niuamua etat atmanueua uasam
84 DHYANA YOGA

nayet-As often as the wavering and unsteady mind goes

forth, so often, reining it in, let him bring it under the
control of the Self."
If you want to increase your power of concentration
you will have to reduce yourworldly activities (Vyavahara
Kshaya). You will have to observe Mauna also (vow of
silence) for two hours daily. A man whose mind is filled
with passion and all sorts of fantastic desires can hardly
concentrate on any object even for a second. His mind
will be jumping like a balloon. Regulate and master the
breath. Subdue the senses and then fix the mind on any
pleasing object. Associate the ideas of holiness and
purity with the object.
You can concentrate on the space between the two
eyebrows (Trikuti). You can concentrate on the mystic
sounds (Anahata Dhvani) that you hear from your right
ear. You can concentratd on OM picture. The picture of
Lord Krishna with flute in hand and the picture of Lord
Vishnu with conch, discus, mace and lotus are very good
for conceritration. You can eoncentrate on the picture of
your Guru or any saint also. Vedantins try to fix the mind
on Atman, the inner Self. This is their Dharana.
Dharana is tJ.e sixth stage or limb of Ashtanga Yoga
or Raja Yoga of Patanjali Maharshi. In Dharana you will
have only one Vritti or wave in the mind-lake. The mind
assumes the form of only one object. All other operations
of the mind are suspended or stopped. He who can
practise real concentration for half or one hour will have
tremendous psychic powers. His will also will be very
powerful.
When Hatha Yogis concentrate their minds on
Shad-adhar or the six supports (the Shad-chakras), they
concentrate their minds on the respective presiding
Devatas also viz. Ganesha, Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra,
Ishvara and Sadasiva. Control the breath through
Pranayama. Subdue the Indriyas through Pratyahara.
And then fix the mind either on Saguna or Nirguna
 DHYANA YOGA EXPLAINED 85

Brahman. According to Hatha-Yogic school, a Yogi who

can suspend his breath by Kumbhaka for 20 minutes
can have very good Dharana. He will have a very tranquil
mind. Pranayama steadies the mind, removes Vikshepa
(distraction) and increases the power of concentration.
Those who practise Kechari Mudra by cutting the frenum
linguae and lengthening the tongue and fixing it in the
hole in the palate by taking upwards will have good
Dharana.
Those who practise concentration evolve quickly.
They can do any work with scientilic accuracy and great
efliciency. What others do in six hours can be done by
one who has concentration within half an hour. What
others can read in six hours, can be read by one who has
concentration within half an hour. Concentration
purifies and calms the surging emotions, strengthens
the current of thought and clarifies the ideas.
Concentration helps a man in his material progress also.
He will have a very good turnout of work in his oflice or
business house. What was cloudy and hazy before
becomes clear and definite. What was difficult before
becomes easy now and what was complex, bewildering
and confusing before comes easily within the mental
grasp. You can achieve anything through concentration.
Nothing is impossible to a man who practises regular
concentration. It is very difficult to practise
concentration when one is hungry and when one is
suffering from an acute disease. He who practises
concentration will possess very good health and very
clear mental vision.
Retire into a quiet room; sit on Padmasana. Close
your eyes. See what happens when you concentrate on
an apple. You may think of its colour, shape, size and its
different parts such as skin, pulp, seeds, etc. You may
think of the places (Australia or Kashmir)wherefrom it is
imported. You may think of its acidic or sweet taste and
its effects on the digestive system and blood. Through
law of association, ideas of some other fruits also may try
86 DHYANA YOGA

to enter. The mind may entertain some other extraneous

ideas. It may begin to wander about. It may think of
meeting a friend at the railway station at 4 p.m. It may
think of purchasing a towel or a tin of tea and biscuit. It
may ponder over some unpleasant happening that
occurred the previous day. You must try to have a
definite line of thought. There must not be any break in
the line of thinking. You must not allow other thoughts
which are not connected with the object on hand to
enter. You will have to struggle hard to get success in this
direction. The mind willtry its level best to run in the old
grooves and to take its old familiar road or old beaten
path. The attempt is somewhat like going uphill. You will
rejoice when you get even some success in
concentration. Just as laws of gravitation, cohesion, etc.
operate in the physical plane, so also definite laws of
thought such as law of association, law of relativit5r, law
of continuit5r, etc., operate in the mental plane or
thought-world. Those who practise concentration should
thoroughly understand these laws. When the mind
thinks of an object, it may think of its qualities and its
parts also. When it thinks of a cause, it may think of its
effects also.
If you read with concentration the Bhagavad Gita,
the Ramayana, or the eleventh Skandha of the
Bhagavata several times, you will get new ideas each
time. Through concentration you will get penetrative
insight. Subtle, esoteric meanings will flash out in the
field of mental consciousness. You will understand inner
depths of philosophical significance. When you
concentrate on any object do not wrestle with the mind.
Avoid tension anywhere in the body or mind. Think
gently of the object in a continuous manner. Do not allow
the mind to wander away.
If emotions disturb you during concentration, do not
mind them. They will pass away soon. If you try to drive
them, you will have to tax your will-force. Have an
indifferent attitude. The Vedantin uses the formulae:
 DHYANA YOGA EXPLAINED 87

"I do not care. Get out. I am a Sakshi (witness of mental

modifications)" to drive the emotions. The Bhakta simply
prays and help comes from God.
Train the mind in concentration on various subjects,
gross and subtle and of various sizes, small, medium and
big. In course of time a strong habit of concentration will
be formed. The moment you sit in concentration the
mood will come at once quite easily. When you read a
book, you must read it with concentration. There is no
use of skipping over the pages in a hurried manner. Read
one page in the Gita. Close the book. Concentrate on
what you have read. Find out parallel lines in the
Mahabharata, the Upanishads and the Bhagavata.
Compare and contrast.
For a neophyte, the practice of concentration is
disgusting and tiring in the beginning. He has to cut new
grooves in the mind and brain. After some months, he
will get great interest in concentration. He will enjoy a
new kind of happiness, the concentration-Ananda. He
will become restless if he fails to enjoy this new kind of
happiness even for one day. Concentration is the only
way to get rid of the worldly miseries and tribulations.
Your only duty is to practise concentration. You have
taken this physical body to practise concentration and
through concentration to realise the Self. Charity,
Rajasuya-Yajna are nothing when compared to
concentration. They are playthings only.
Through Vairagra, Pratyahara and practice of
concentration, the dissipated rays of wandering mind are
slowly collected. Through steady practice it is rendered
one-pointed. How happy and strong is that Yogi who has
one-pointed mind! He can turn out voluminous work in
the twinkling of an eye.
Those who practise concentration off and on will
have a steady mind only occasionally. Sometimes the
mind will begin to wander and will be quite unfit for
application. You must have a mind that will obey you at
88 DHYANA YOGA

all times sincerely and carry out all your commands in

the best possible manner at any time. Steady and
systematic practice of Raja Yoga will make the mind very
obedient and faithful.
There are five Yoga Bhumikas or five stpges of the
mind yb., Kshipa, Mudha (forgetfulness), Vikshipta
(gathering mind), Ekagra (one-pointed), Niruddha
(controlled or well restrained). By gradual and well
regulated practice of concentration daily, the rays of the
wandering mind are collected. It becomes one-pointed.
Eventually it is curbed properly. It comes under proper
control.
If the aspirant pursues, what is not fitting, his
progress is painful and sluggish. He who pursues what is
fitting gets easy progress and quick intuition. He who
has no past conditions or spiritual Samskaras of
previous births makes painful progress. One 1#fio has
such Samskaras makes easy progress. In one whose
nature is actually corrupt and whose controlling
faculties are weak, progress is painful and intuition is
sluggish. But to one of keen controlling faculties
progress is rapid and intuition is quick. In one overcome
by ignorance, intuition is sluggish; to one not so
overcome, intuition is rapid.

Dhgana or Meditation is the keeping up of tlout

of one id.ea like thetlout of oiL
Meditation is of two kinds viz., concrete and
abstract. If you meditate on any picture of concrete
object it is concrete meditation. If you rneditate on an
abstract idea, on any quality (such as mercy, tolerance) it
is abstract meditation. A beginner should practise
concrete meditation. For some, abstract meditation is
more easy than concrete.
The aspirant can take up the practice of meditation
after he is well up in Pratyahara (abstraction of Indriyas)
and concentration. If the Indriyas are turbulent, if the
mind cannot be fixed on the point, no meditation is
 DHYANA YOGA EXPLAINED B9

possible even within hundreds of years. One should go

stage by stage, step by step. The mind should be
withdrawn again and again to the point when it runs.
One should reduce his wants and renounce all sorts of
wild, vain desires of the mind. A desireless man only can
sit quiet and practise meditation. Sattvic light diet and
Brahmachraya are the prerequisites for the practice of
meditation.
Consciousness is of two kinds viz., focussing
consciousness and marginal consciousness. When you
concentrate on Trikuti, the space midway between the
two eyebrows, your focussing consciousness is on the
Trikuti. When some flies sit on your left hand during
meditation, you drive them with your right hand. When
you become conscious of the flies it is called marginal
consciousness.
A seed which has remained in fire for a second will
not sprout into leaves even though sown in a fertile soil.
Even so a mind that does meditation for some time but
runs towards sensual objects on account of
unsteadiness will not bring in the full fruits of Yoga.
So.mad.hi is of tuto lcinds,
S amp r aj n at a and. As c,mptu,jnata.
Samadhi means superconscious state, wherein the
Yogi gets supersensual experiences. Samadhi is of two
kinds viz., Samprajnata or Sabija or Savikalpa and
Asamprajnata or Nirbija or Nirvikalpa. In Savikalpa
Samadhi there are Triputi or triad-the knower,
knowledge and knowable. There is Alambana or support
for the mind to lean upon. The Samskaras are not fried.
In Nirvikalpa, there is neither Triputi nor Alambana. The
Samskaras are fried in toto. The Nirvikalpa Samadhi only
can destroy birth and death, and bring the highest
knowledge and bliss. Savikalpa Samadhi is of various
kinds-Savitarka and Nirvitarka, Savichara and
Nirvichara, Saananda and Asmita.
90 DHYANA YOGA

When you get fuIl success or perfection (Siddhi) in

Raja Yoga by entering into Asamprajnata Samadhi
(Nirvikalpa state) all the Samskaras and Vasanas which
bring on rebirths are totally fried up. All Vrittis or mental
modifications that arise from the mind-lake come under
restraint. The five afflictions viz., Avidya (ignorance)
Asmita (egoism), Raga-Dvesha (love and hatred), and
Abhinivesa (clinging to life) are destroyed and the bonds
of Karma are annihilated. Control the mind and the
senses, become desireless, develop the power of
endurance, contemplate, see the Self in the Self.
Samadhi brings on the highest good (Nisreyas) and
exaltation (Abhyudaya). It gives Moksha (deliverance
from the wheel of births and deaths). The afflictions,
egoism, etc., have their root in Avidya (ignorance). With
the advent of the knowledge of the Self, the ignorance
vanishes. With the disappearance of the loot cause viz.,
ignorance, egoism, etc., also disappear.
In the Asamprajnata Samadhi, all the modilications
of the mind are completely restrained. All the residual
Samaskaras also are totally fried up. This is the highest
Samadhi of Raja-Yoga. This is also known as Nirbija
Samadhi (without seeds) and Nirvikalpa Samadhi.
Dharma Megha in Raja-Yoga means "the cloud of
virtue". Just as clouds shower rain, so also this Dharma
Megha Samadhi showers on the Yogis omniscience and
all sorts of Siddhis or powers. Karma is the seed for life
state, life period and life experience. Nirbija Samadhi will
burn up all the seeds.
The Vision of a Sage
The Jnani who has full Self-realisation sees all
beings in the Self and the Self in all beings. There is
nothing other than Brahman for him. He moves about
fearlessly in the world.
This is the experience of a realised soul who is
resting in his own Svaroopa. This is the vision of an
 DHYANA YOGA EXPLAINED 91

Atma-Jnani. All water-tight compartments have

disappeared. He has neither prejudice nor dislike for
anything or €rny person. He is one who has transcended
the order and stage of life (Atiuarnasraml. He will take
food from anybody's hands and sleep wherever he likes.
He is not bound by the man-made rules of the society. He
is above public opinion. That does not mean he will
deviate himself from the rules of conduct. Whatever he
does will be in strict accordance with the injunctions of
the Sastras. If you ask a rnan who talked in the dream.
"Mr. Surajmal, did you talk anything last night in your
dream?" He will say, "No, I did not know anything. I did
not talk anything." Similar will be the experience of a
Jnani who does actions in the world. It will be like a
plaything of a boy. He has dual consciousness of
Brahman (like Choranari who does work in her house
but whose mind is on her sweet paramour or like the
crow which moves the one eye through the two
eye-sockets and has vision of this side and that side). He
sees the whole world within himself. There is nothing
outside for him. On account of the remnant of ignorance
(Lesha Avidya), he moves about, eats, drinks, sleeps, etc.
Just as the pot in which asafoetida or onion is kept emits
the smell a bit even when it is cleaned several times, so
also a small trace of ignorance still remains in the mind
(Antahkarana) of aJnani even. That is the reason why he
eats and drinks. This is called Lesha Avidya.

17. The Obstacles, According to

Vedantasara Upanishad
La.ga, Vikshepa, Kashaga, Rqsasuadq @re the Jour
important obstacles that stand, in the utag of attaining
Self-realisation.
Laya is sleep. The mind that is withdrawn from the
sensual objects enters into deep sleep through the force
of old Samskaras of deep sleep. The aspirant should try
to fix the mind on the Self by not allowing the mind to
pass into the state of deep sleep. He must be ever
92 DHYANA YOGA

vigilant. If the sleepy condition still persists despite your

vigorous efforts, you must find out the causes that
induce sleep and then you must remove those causes.
Then you should again practise meditation. Indigestion,
heavy food, too much walking, insufficient sleep at night
are the causes that produce sleep during meditation. If
you have disturbed sleep at night you can take a little
rest in the afternoon the following day. But do not
develop a habit of sleeping in the day. Do not take any
food till you get a very keen appetite. Indigestion can be
removed by this method. Do not overload the stomach.
Practise Mitahara. Get up when three quarters of your
stomach is full, when there is slight inclination to take
some more food. Train the stomach. Give up too much
walking also. Practice of Pranayama also will remove
Laya.
The mind that is withdrawn from sleep does not
enter into meditation. It again and again thinks of the
sensual enjo5rments through the force of Samskaras of
waking state and struggles hard to attain the desired
objects. This is Vikshepa or tossing of mind. You should
withdraw the mind again and again from the objects
through discrimination and enquiry (Vichara). You
should practise Bheda-Drishti, Mithya-Drishti and
Dosha-Drishti. You should feel again and again: "This
world is unreal (Mithya Drishti). This world never exists
(Bheda-Drishti). Sensual enjo5rment is the root cause for
human sufferings (Dosha-drishti)." You must eradicate
Vikshepa by the above method and then practise
meditation again and again. Just as a bird that is chased
by a hawk goes inside a house and comes out
immediately for want of a suitable resting place, so also
the mind comes outside to wander about in the sensual
objects as it finds it diflicult to rest in the very, very
subtle Atman. This outgoing tendency of the mind or
outgoing Vritti is called Vikshepa.
When the mind is turned inside after eradicating
Laya and Vikshepa it refuses to enter into deep
 DHYANA YOGA EXPLAINED 93

meditation. Through the force of strong hidden Vasanas,

and strong Raga, it gets attached to objects. It is drowned
in sorrow. There is one-pointedness of mind now. This
state must not be mistaken for Samadhi. This is
Kashaya. This is Manorajya or building castles in the air.
The mind thinks of the wife, son and wealth. This is
Bahya-Raga (external attachment). It thinks of the past
and plans for the future. This is internal attachment
(Antar-Raga). You can remove Kashaya by adopting the
same methods which you have used for eradicating
Vikshepa.
Bahya-Vishayakara Vritti is Vikshepa. That Vritti
arises from the force of Samskaras of Raga from within is
Kashaya. Kashaya simulates Samadhi. you must be very
careful in differentiating one from the other.
As soon as Vikshepa is removed, the bliss of
Savikalpa Samadhi manifests. This is Rasasvada. This is
an obstacle for the attainment of the supreme bliss of
Nirvikalpa Samadhi. The bliss of this Rasasvada is
tantamount to the pleasure enjoyed by a cooly when he
puts down a heavy load from his head, or the pleasure
enjoyed by a man when he has killed a serpent which is
guarding a vast hidden treasure. Only when he takes the
treasure he enjoys the highest bliss. Even so, when the
aspirant tastes the bliss of Nirvikalpa Samadhi, he has
reached the zenith or culminating point. Killing of the
serpent represents eradication of Vikshepa.
When meditation is practised, obstacles such as
absence of right enquiry, impatience, laziness,
inclination to enjoyment, absorption in sensual and
impure thoughts come. Remove them through right
enquiry and discrimination.
The Rajas and Tamas try their level best to re-enter
the mental factory and take possession of their lost seats.
They should be driven out by Viveka, Vichara and
Vairagza (discrimination, enquiry of "Who am I?" and
dispassion). Impatience should be eradicated by
94 DHYANA YOGA

practising patience. One should practise Sama, Dama

and Uparati again and again. Thoughts of Atman will
remove impure thoughts (substitution method). Asana,
Pranayama and light Sattvic diet will remove laziness.

18. A Synoptic Survey of Dhyana Yoga

What Is Dho,rana?
Dharana is concentration. It is fixing the mind on an
external object or an internal point.
Concentration is purely a mental process. It needs
an inward turning of the mind.
If you concentrate your mind on a point for 12
seconds, it is Dharana. TWelve such Dharanas will be a
Dhyana (meditation). Twelve such Dhyanas will be
Samadhi (superconsciousness) .
Aids to Concentration
Cultivate attention; you will have good
concentration.
A serene mind is fit for concentration. Keep the mind
serene.
Be cheerful always. Then alone can you concentrate.
Be regular in your concentration. Sit in the same
place, at the same time, 4 a.m.
Celibacy, Pranayama, reduction of wants and
activities, dispassion, silence, discipline of the senses,
Japa, control of anger, giving up the reading of novels,
newspapers and visiting cinemas are all aids to
concentration.
Japa (recitation of Lord's Name) and Kirtan (singing
of Lord's Name and His glory)will develop concentration.
Stick to one centre when you concentrate.
Concentration demands patient and protracted
practice.
 DHYANA YOGA EXPLAINED 95

Do not leave the practice even for a day. It is very

difficult to rise up again.
How to Concentrate?
Silence the bubbling thoughts. Calm the surging
emotions. Then alone will you be able to concentrate.
Concentrate on a concrete form in the beginning: on
a flower, on the form of Lord Buddha, on any dream
picture, on the effulgent light of the heart, on the picture
of any saint, or your Ishta Devata.
Have 3 or 4 sittings: early morning, 8 a.m., 4 p.m.
and 8 p.m.
Devotees concentrate on the heart, Raja Yogins on
Trikuti (the seat of mind), Vedantins on Sahasrara or top
of the head. Trikuti is the space between the eyebrows.
You can also concentrate on the tip of the nose, the
navel or the Muladhara (below the last vertebra of the
spinal column).
7. On Ishta Deuata
Sit on any comfortable pose. Place a picture of your
Ishta Devata in front of you. Look at the picture with
steady gaze. Then close your eyes and visualise the
picture in the centre of your heart or in the space
between the eyebrows.
When the picture fades out in your mental vision,
open the eyes and gaze at the picture again. Close your
eyes after a few seconds and repeat the process.
2. For Christians
Devotees of Lord Jesus can concentrate on the
picture of Lord Jesus or on the cross, in the same
manner as stated above.
3. Gross Forms
Concentrate on a black dot on the wall, a candle
flame, a bright star, the moon, on the picture of OM or
any other object pleasant to you.
96 DHYANA YOGA

When you feel strain in your eyes, then close them

for a minute and mentally visualise the object. When the
mind runs again and again bring it back to the object of
your concentration.
Concentration on the moon is beneficial to those of
emotional temperament. Concentration on candle flame
will give vision of Rishis and Devatas.
4. Srtbtle Methods
Concentrate on divine qualities such as love, mercy,
compassion, or any other abstract idea such as infinity,
omnipotence and omnipresence of the Lord, etc.
Read two or three pages of a book. Then close the
book. Focus your attention carefully on the subject you
have read. Abandon all other thoughts. Allow the mind to
associate, classiff, group, compare and combine the
subject. You will get now a fund of knowledge and
information on the subject. You will develop a good
memory.
Lie on your bed in the open air and concentrate
upon the blue expansive sky above. Your mind will
expand immediately. You will be elevated. The blue s}ry
will remind you of the inlinite nature of the Self.
5. On Sounds
Sit on any comfortable pose. Close your eyes. Plug
the ears with your index fingers or cotton plugs. Try to
hear the Anahata sounds such as the music of the flute
or violin, kettledrum, thunderstorm, chiming of bells,
blowing of conch, humming of bees, etc. Hear only one
kind of sound. Withdraw the mental rays from other
objects and merge them in the sound you are trying to
hear. You will get one-pointedness of mind. The mind
can be controlled easily because it is enchanted by sweet
notes.
Concentrate on the tick-tick sound of a watch.
Sit by the side of a river at a secluded spot.
Concentrate your mind on the rushing sound of the river.
 DHYANA YOGA EXPLAINED 97

You will hear the roaring of om. This is very thrilling and
inspiring.
6. The Sufi Method
Place a mirror in front of you. Concentrate on the
space between the eyebrows of your reflection in the
mirror.
7. On Trikuti
The mind can be easily controlled by concentrating
on the Trikuti, because it is the seat of the mind.
When there is deep concentration on Trikuti, you
will experience great joy and spirituar intoxication. iou
will forget the body and the surroundings. All the prana
will be taken up to your head.
Gazing on a crystal or a Saligram induces
concentration. You can concentrate on the breath in
your nostrils (Soham sound). There is ,.So,, during
inhalation and "Ham" during exhalation.
General llints
Do not concentrate when the mind is tired.
Do not wrestle with the mind when you concentrate.
When irrelevant thoughts enter the mind., be
indifferent. They will pass away.
Do not drive them forcibly. They will persist and
resist. It will tax your will. They will enter with redoubled
force. But substitute divine thoughts. Evil thoughts will
gradually fade out. .
Be slow and steady in the practice of concentration.
Apply Brahmi-Amla oil to the head if there is much
heat.
Take butter and sugar-candy. This will cool the
system.
If you want to succeed in any walk of life, you must
develop concentration. It is a source of spiritual strength.
 98 DHYANA YOGA

It is the master-key for opening the chamber of

knowledge.
Dhgana (Meditation)
Meditation is an unbroken flow of knowledge of the
object on which one meditates.
Meditation follows concentration. Concentration
merges in meditation.
Meditation is the seventh step in the ladder of Yoga.
Concentration, meditation and Samadhi are
internal Sadhanas.
When you practise concentration, meditation and
Samadhi at a time, it is called Samyama.
Meditation is freeing the mind from all thoughts of
sense-objects. The mind dwells on God alone during
meditation.
Benefits of M ed.itation

If you meditate for half an hour daily, you will be

able to face the battle of life with peace and spiritual
strength.
Meditation kills all pain, suffering and sorrow.
Meditation is the most powerful mental and nervine
tonic.
. The divine enerry freely flows to the Sadhaka during
meditation and exercises a benign, soothing influence on
the mind, nerves, sense organs and body.
Meditation is the mystic ladder which takes the
Yogic student from earth to heaven.
Meditation is the key to unlock many of the secrets
of life.
Meditation opens the door to intuitive knowledge
and realms of eternal bliss.
During meditation the mind becomes calm, serene
and steady. One idea occupies the mind.
 DHYANA YOGA EXPLAINED

Deep meditation cannot come in a day or a week or a

month. You will have to struggle hard for a long time. Be
patient. Be persevering. Be vigilant. Be diligent.
Cultivate burning dispassion, burning aspiration or
an intense longing for Self-realisation. Graduallyyou will
enter into deep meditation and Samadhi.
All doubts will be gradually cleared through
meditation.
A mysterious inner voice will guide you. you will
yourself feel the way to place your first step in the next
rung of the Yogic ladder.

How to Meditate?
Meditate regularly in the early morning between 4
and 6. The mind is calm and refreshed at that hour. The
atmosphere also is calm. you will get good meditation.
Have a separate meditation room, or convert by
means of screens a corner of a room into a meditation
chamber. If there is much strain in your meditation, for a
few days, reduce the duration of each sitting. Do tight
meditation.
Use your commonsense throughout your Sadhana.
Do not go to extremes. Stick to the golden medium or the
middle path.

Saguna Med.ito.tion
Mind wants a concrete object for meditation in the
beginning.
Meditate in the beginning on a concrete form such
as the image of your Ishta Devata, Lord Jesus, or Lord
Buddha. This is Saguna meditation, or meditation on the
form of the Lord with attributes.
Think of His attributes such as omrr-ipotence,
perfection, purity, freedom, when you meditate on His
form.
100 DHYANA YOGA

Rotate your mind on His form from head to foot or

from foot to head.
Meditation on Jesus
in front of you. Sit in your
Place a picture of Jesus
favourite meditative pose. Concentrate gently on the
picture, with eyes open till you feel strain. Rotate the
mind on His long hair, beautiful beard, round eyes, the
cross on His chest and other limbs of the body, on the
spiritual aura around the head, and so on.
Think of His divine attributes such as love,
magnanimity, mercy and forbearance. Think of the
various phases of His interesting life and the miracles He
performed and the various extraordinary powers He
possessed. Then close your eyes and try to visualise the
picture. Repeat the same process again and again.
Meditation on Lord Hari
Place a picture of Lord Hari in front of you. Sit in a
meditative posture. Concentrate gently on the picture.
Rotate the mind on His feet, legs, yellow silken robes,
golden garlands set with diamonds, Kaustubha gem, etc.
on His chest, then on the face, the ear-rings, the crown of
the head, the discus in the right upper hand, the conch
in the left upper hand, the mace in the right lower hand.
Then close the eyes and try to visualise the picture in the
same manner. Repeat the process again and again.
Devotees of Lord Buddha can meditate on His form
in a similar way, in association with His particular
attributes.
Meditation on Om
Have the picture of Om in front of you. Concentrate
gently on this picture with open eyes' Associate the ideas
of eternit5r, infinit5r, immortality, etc., when you think of
Om. The hummirig of bees, the sweet notes of the
nightingale, the seven notes of the scale in music-all
 DHYANA YOGA EXPLAINED 101

sounds are emanations of Om only. Om is the essence of

the Vedas. Imagine that Om is the bow, the mind is the
arrow and Brahman or God is the target. Aim at the
target with great care and then, like the arrow becoming
one with the target, you will become one with God. you
can also recite Om while meditating. The short accented
Om burns all sins, the long accented gives Moksha, and
the elongated bestows all psychic powers (Siddhis). He
who chants and meditates upon this monosyllable (OM),
meditates upon and chants all the scriptures of tJ:e
world.

Abstract Med.itations
Meditate on the effulgence in the sun, or the
splendour in the moon, or the glory in the stars.
Meditate on the magnificence of the ocean and its
infinite nature. Then compare the ocean to the infinite
Brahman, and the waves, foams and icebergs to the
various names and forms of the world. Identify yourself
with the ocean. Become silent. Expand. Expand.
Meditate on the Himalayas. Imagine that tJ.e Ganga
takes its origin in the icy regions of Gangotri, flows
through Rishikesh, Haridwar, Banaras, and then enters
the Bay of Bengal near Gangasagar. The Himalayas, the
Ganga and the sea: these three thoughts only should
occupy your mind. First, take the mind to the icy regions
of the Himalayas, then along the Ganga, and finally to
the sea. Rotate the mind in this manner.
Gaze steadily on the formless air. Concentrate on
the air. Meditate on the all-pervading nature of the air.
This will lead to the realisation of the nameless and
formless Brahman, the one, living Truth.
Watch the flow of breath. You will hear the sound
"Soham", "So" during inhalation and "Ham,, during
exhalation. Soham means "I am He." The breath is
reminding you of your identity with the Supreme Soul.
You are unconsciously repeating Soharn 21,6O0 times
r02 DHYANA YOGA

daity at the rate of 15 Sohams per minute' Associate the

ideas of Existence, Knowledge, Bliss, absolute purity,
peace, perfection, love, etc., along with Soham. Negate
the bodywhile repeating the Mantra and identiffyourself
with the Atman or the SuPreme Soul'
Meditate on Nirguna Brahman or the Absolute.
Think that there is a living, universal Power which
underlies all names and forms. Associate the attributes
of infinit5z, eternity, immortality,
existence-consciousness-bliss absolute. In due course
the attributes will merge in pure Nirguna meditation.

Experience s in Med.itation
The feeling of rising up during meditation is a sign
that you are going above body-consciousness.
When you practise concentration and meditation,
you are bound to get various Powers and Siddhis. Do not
use these powers for gaining some material end. Do not
misuse the powers. You wilt get a hopeless downfall.
Siddhis are obstacles in the path of Yoga. They are
temptations. They will prevent you from entering into
Samadhi or reaching the goal. Shun them ruthlessly and
march direct to the goal.
There is really no such thing as a miracle. When you
know the cause, the miracle becomes an ordinary event.
During meditation you will get rapture, ecstasy,
thrill.
When you get a flash of illumination, do not be
frightened. It will be a new experience of immense joy.
Do not be unnecessarily alarmed when you go above
body-consciousness. Do not stop your Sadhana. The
Lord will take care of you and guide you. Be bold. Do not
look back. March on, Hero!
A flash is a glimpse of Truth. It is Ritambhara
Prajna. This is not the whole experience. This is not the
highest experience.
 DHYANA YOGA EXPLAINED 103

Reach the Bhuma or the Infinite. This is the acme or

the final stage. You have reached the final destination.
Meditation stops here.
You will hear various sorts of Anahata sounds, viz.,
bell, flute, lute, Veena, Mridanga and drum sounds,
thunder, etc.
You will see brilliant tights in the space between the
two eyebrows. They are like pin points, or like the sun,
the moon or the stars. You will have vision of unity.
Sometimes you will behold coloured lights: green,
blue, red, etc. They are due to the presence of different
Tattvas at a particular time.
Prithvi or earth Tattva has yellow light; water Tattva
white light; fire Tattva red light; air, smok5r 1ight or green
light; Akasa, blue light. Ignore these lights and march
forward.
Sometimes you will have visions of Rishis, sages,
tutelary deity, Nitya Siddhas, astral entities, landscapes,
mountains, blue slgr, beautiful gardens.
Sometimes you may float in the air. your astral body
may get detached from the physical body. you will move
about in the astral world.
You may go to Brahma Loka, the realm of Brahma or
Hiranyagarbha.
Those who have entered the first degree of
meditation will have a light body, sweetness of voice,
beautiful complexion, clarity of mind and scanty urine
and defaecation.

So.mqdhi
What is Samadhi? Samadhi is superconscious state.
It is union with God or the Supreme Brahman.
The state of Samadhi is beyond description. There is
no means or language to give expression to it.
104 DHYANA YOGA

You will have to experience this yourself through

direct, intuitive cognition. Can you explain the taste of
sugar-candy?
The state of Samadhi is all-bliss, joy and peace. This
much only can be said. One has to feel this oneself.
In Samadhi the meditator loses his individuality and
becomes identical with the Supreme Self. Just as
camphor becomes identical with the fire, the meditator
and the meditated become one.
Just as the river joins the ocean, the individual soul
joins the Supreme Soul, the ocean of Absolute
Consciousness.
This blissful divine experience arises when the ego
and the mind are dissolved.
Samadhi is not like a stone-like inert state as many
foolish persons imagine.
This is a magnilicent experience of unity and
oneness.
It is an experience wholly beyond the orbit of the
senses. The seer and the sight become one.
In the state of Samadhi the aspirant is not conscious
of any external or internal objects. There is no thinking,
hearing, smelling or seeing.
Samadhi is the property of every human being.
Aids to Samo,dhi
Faith, power of concentration of mind, memory for
contemplation, celibacy and discernment (Prajna) are
the means for the attainment of Samadhi.
God's Grace alone can take you to the realms of
transcendental experience of Nirvikalpa Samadhi.

Jad.a and. Chaito;l,glr Samad,hl

The Samadhi of the Hatha Yogi who buries himself is
Jada Samadhi. It is like deep sleep. There is no
 DHYANA YOGA EXPLAINED 105

transcendental, divine wisdom for him. The Samskaras

are not burnt. He cannot have Moksha or final liberation.
In Chaitanya Samadhi there is perfect awareness.
There is no rebirth. The Yogi attains liberation and divine
wisdom.

Savikalpa Satnadhi
There are two kinds of Samadhi viz., Savikalpa and
Nirvikalpa.
Savikalpa Samadhi is also known as Samprajnata
and Sabeeja Samadhi.
In Savikalpa Samadhi there is the Triputi or the
triad: the knower, knowledge and the knowable.
Samprajnata or Savikalpa Samadhi is possible when
there is Ekagrata or one-pointedness of mind.
There is only a partial inhibition of the mind.
The Samskaras or impressions are not burnt. Hence
the name Sabeeja.
When the Yogi meditates on the Sattvic mind itself,
devoid of Rajas and Tamas, he attains intense joy. So it is
known as Saananda Samadhi or blissful Samadhi.
The Yogi feels "Aham Asmi" or "I am", so, it is called
Asmita Samadhi.

Niruikalpa Samadhi
Nirvikalpa Samadhi is a condition of perfect
awareness.
The knowledge and the knowable become one.
In Nirvikalpa Samadhi the Yogi sees without eyes,
tastes without tongue, hears without ears, smells
without nose and touches without skin.
This is described as follows: The blind man pierced
the pearl; the fingerless put a thread into it; the neckless
wore it and the tongueless praised it.
106 DHYANA YOGA

Nirvikalpa Samadhi is also known as Asamprajnata

and Nirbeeja Samadhi.
There is complete inhibition of all mental functions.
Hence it is called Asamprajnata Samadhi.
It can be attained only when there is perfect Nirodha
or control of mind.
Here Samskaras are burnt in toto. Hence the name
Nirbeeja.
Nirvikalpa Samadhi alone can destroy rebirth.
But, a mere glimpse of Truth cannot free you from
birth and death.
You will. have to be perfectly established in
Nirvikalpa Samadhi. Then alone will the seed of rebirth
be burnt in toto.
When the Yogi has reached the highest stage of
Nirvikalpa Samadhi, the Yoga fire burns all the residue of
his actions. He at once gets liberation in this very life. He
attains immortality, the highest or transcendental
wisdom and eternal bliss.
The only Sadhana for attaining Nirvikalpa Samadhi
is Para Vairarya or supreme dispassion.
Here the Yogi completely disconnects himself from
Prakriti and its effects.
The mind, intellect and the senses entirely cease to
function.
There is neither sound nor touch nor form here.
All afflictions viz., ignorance, egoism, likes and
dislikes, clinging to mundane life are destroyed now.
The Gunas, having fulfilled their objects of
enjoyment, entirely cease to act now.
The Yogi has attained Kaivalya, or supreme
Independence, or Freedom.
He has simultaneous knowledge or omniscience
now.
 DHYANA YOGA EXPLAINED t07

The past and the future are blended into the

present. Ever5rthing is 'now'. Everything is ,here!,
The Yogi has transcended time and space.
All sorrows have ceased; all miseries have
disappeared; the seeds of actions are burnfi all doubts
are dispelled. There is eternal freedom.
It is a state like the ocean without waves.
 Chapterlfuo

THE ELIXIR OF BLISS

1. Ashtanga Yoga
Practise first Ahimsa or non-injury,
Let this be in thought, word and deed;
Practise perfect truth and celibacy;
Truth alone triumphs but not falsehood.
Convert sex-enerry into spiritual Ojas,
Never steal others' propert5l,
Covet not others' wealth;
Be pure within and without.
Lead a life of contentment,
Practise Tapas to puriff the heart,
And shine like the blazing fire;
Study the scriptures and roll the beads.
Surrender the fruits of actions unto the Lord,
Abandon agency and expectation of results;
Make your will one with the Cosmic Will,
Give up responsibilities and be at ease.
Sit harmonised with head, neck, trunk in a line,
Have God as your supreme goal;
Get mastery over the pose Padma or Siddha,
Sit adamant, like that yonder rock.
Do not shake or scratch the body,
Body is a mould prepared by the mind,
If you shake the body the mind will be agitated,
Have a seat of cloth, tiger skin and Kusa grass.
Regulate the incoming and outgoing breath,
Practise Rechak, Kumbhak and Purak;
(1o8)
 THE ELIKR OF BLISS 109

Retain not your breath beyond your capacit5r,

Puri$r thus the Nadis and steady the mind.
Now comes the withdrawal of the Indriyas;
This is Pratyahara or abstraction,
Which will check the outgoing senses
And keep thdm in their respective centres.
Fix the mind steadily on your point or Lakshya,
This is concentration which precedes meditation;
Allow the one thought of God to flow steadily,
This is meditation or divine contemplation.
Siddhis will manifest when there is concentration,
Shun them ruthlessly as they are obstacles;
Soar high in the realm of illimitable bliss,
Attain Kaivalya and achieve independence.
Samadhi will ensue after deep meditation
Samadhi is superconciousness that destroys
Samskaras, Samadhi will give you illumination and bliss,
Samadhi will free you from the round of births and deaths.

2. The Steps and the Goal

Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama
Prepare the Yogic student for concentration
and meditation.
Concentration is the beginning of inner Yogic life,
Meditation is the middle.
Samadhi is the culmination.
Concentration is the key of all Yogas.
Meditation is the continuation of concentration.
Samadhi is the continuation of meditation.
Samadhi is the acme or perfection of Yoga.
Samadhi is the fruit of meditation.
When you chant OM loudly
All other sounds are hushed and drowned in OM.
Even so when you raise the Brahmakara Vritti
All other sensual Vrittis perish.
They are fused in the one Brahmakara Vritti.
 110 DHYANA YOGA

3. Concentration
Real Raja Yoga starts from concentration.
Fixing the mind on one point is concentration.
Concentration or Dharana merges in meditation
(Dhyana). Concentration is a portion of meditation.
Concentration ends in meditation
And meditation ends in Samadhi.
It is diffrcult to say where Pratyahara ends
And concentration begins;
Where concentration ends
And meditation begins.
Concentration, meditation, Samadhi constitute
Samyama. Concentration for 2O seconds makes
one meditation.
Twent5z such meditations make one Samadhi.
This is for beginners.

4. The Power of Concentration

If you focus the rays of the sun through a lens
They can burn cotton or piece of paper.
But the scattered rays cannot do this act.
If you want to talk to a man at a distance
You make a funnel of your hand and speak.
The sound waves are collected at one point
And then directed towards the man.
, He can hear your speech very clearly.
The water is converted into steam
And the steam is converged at a point;
The Railway engine moves.
The steam in the cooking vessels moves the lid
and produces pat-pate sound.
All these are instances of concentrated waves.
Even so, if you collect the dissipated rays of the mind,
And focus them at a point,
You will have wonderful concentration.
The concentrated mind will serve as a potent
searchlight,
 THE ELIXIR OF BLISS 111

To find out the treasures of the Soul

And attain the supreme wealth of the Atman,
Eternal bliss, immortality and perennial joy.
Therefore practise concentration and meditation
regularly.
5. Aids to Concentration
Kumbhaka helps concentration
It checks the velocity of the mind
It makes the mind move in smaller circles
And ultimately curbs all its wanderings.
Trataka is a potent aid to concentration.
Fix the mind on the candle flame or a black dot
Or Sivalinga or Saligram.
Brahmachar5ra helps concentration.
Without Brahmacharya you cannot have definite
progress.
Sattvic food is another aid to concentration.
Seclusion, Mouna, Satsanga, Asana, Japa,
Practice of Yama, Niyama, fasting,
Moderation in diet, non-mixing with persons,
Little talking, little exertion, little walking
Are all aids to concentration.

6. Patience in Concentration
An impatient man cannot practise concentration,
He gets up from his seat within a few seconds,
He gives up the practice within a week or month.
Concentration demands assinine patience.
It is very disgusting and tiring in the beginning,
As you have to take up the mental current upwards,
Like taking the Ganga water to Badri Narayan.
Later on it bestows infinite peace and bliss.
To dress a wound, clean the puss, is disgusting
In the beginning, for the first year medical student.
Later on, when he becomes a surgeon, F.R.C.S.,
It is all intense pleasure for him to do operation daily.
tt2 DHYANA YOGA

A bird tried to empty the ocean with a blade of grass.

He who found M&B 693 times,
A doctor who found out a remedy for a certain disease
Made similar experiments C.D. 10,889 times.
You must have patience like the bird and the doctor.
Then alone you will succeed in Yoga.

7. Objects for Concentration

I
You can concentrate on a candle flame,
Black dot on the wall, early morning or setting sun,
moon, stars,
"Bhum" sound of Ganga, Anahat sounds,
Any one of the Chakras in the body,
Saguna Murtis or Nirguna Brahman,
Abstract ideas as Bliss, peace, purity,
Perfection, freedom, independence,
Sounds of Mantras, Soham-breath in the nose,
Blue slgr, all-pervading air or ether or light,
Effulgent light in the heart,
Sattvic, divine dream pictures,
Forms of saints, Mahavalryas as "Tat Tvam Asi,"
OM symbol, significance of OM,
Form of your Guru and his divine attributes,
Or any thing your mind likes best.
u
Practise various sorts of concentration.
This will train or discipline your mind wonderfully.
Now concentrate on the Himalayas, a very great object.
Then concentrate on a mustard or a pin point.
Now concentrate on a distant object.
Then concentrate on a near object.
Then concentrate on a colour, sound, touch, smell or taste.
Then concentrate on the "tick-tick" of a watch.
Now concentrate on the virtue, mercy.
Now concentrate on the virtue, patience.
 THE ELIKR OF BLISS t13

Now concentrate on the Sloka "Jyotishamapi Tat Joyti".

Then concentrate on "Satyam Jnanam Anantam".
Now concentrate on the Virat Purusha.
Then concentrate on Hiranyagarbha.
Now concentrate on the image of Lord Siva.
Then concentrate on "Aham Brahma Asmi" Mahavalgra.

8. Benefits of Concentration
It helps the scientists and professors
To do great research work.
It helps the doctor and the lawyer
To do much work and earn more money,
It develops will-power, memory,
Sharpens and brightens the intellect,
It bestows serenit5r or calmness of mind,
Inner spiritual strength, patience,
Great capacit5r to turn out tremendous work,
Alacrity, acumen, agility,
Beautiful complexion, sweet voice,
Brilliant eyes, powerful voice and speech,
Power to influence others and attract people,
Cheerfulness, joy, bliss of soul, supreme peace.
It removes restlessness, agitation of mind, laziness,
It makes you fearless and unattached,
It helps you to attain God-Realisation.
9. Meditation
Dhyana is meditation
Dhyanam Nirvishayam Manah-
Meditation is freeing the mind from all objects,
And thoughts of sensual enjoyment.
If this is done, God-Realisation will come by itself.
God will enthrone in your heart immediately.
Meditation will come by itself without any effort.
If you bring a light in a dark cave
Which is filled with darkness for thousands of years,
The darkness will vanish at once by itself.
tt4 DHYANA YOGA

You need not strive hard to drive the darkness away.

If you attempt to put your hand in a pot
Which is filled with various sorts of dust and dirt,
You cannot.
Empty the dust and dirt,
You can put your hand inside the pot quite easily.
Even so if you empty the mind of its dirt and Vishayas,
God will enter the mind in the twinkling of an eye.
II
Do not sit for meditation
When there is an urgent engagement.
The mind will be restless.
It \ rill be ever thinking of the engagement only.
You will have no concentration.
Lead the divine life daily.
Express it in your daily life.
Then alone meditation will bear fmit.
Sit on the Ganga bank or in the temple.
You will have good meditation.
Repeat Guru Stotra, Santipatha or some prayers
Before you start meditation.
Be patient, be dispassionate, persevere.
Be bold, be wise, be pure.
You will attain success in meditation.
You will enter into Nirvikalpa Samadhi,
Wherein all ideas perish.

UI
Salute Lord Ganesa and your Guru first.
Forget the past.
Old memories will trouble you during meditation.
Become indifferent; think of the object of meditation.
Control the emotions and impulses.
Be patient; do not try to get up soon
When you get pain in the legs.
Persevere, plod on, be courageous.
Sit and meditate in a solitary place.
 THE ELIXIR OF BLISS 115

Give up planning and building castles in the air.

Drive off sleepiness and Tandri by Kumbhaka and
Kirtan. Bring the mind in smaller circles first,
When it is fixed, do not disturb it.
Do not allow it to slip in the old grooves.

10. Meditate Regularly

Be contented, cheerful and serene:
Then alone you can practise meditation.
Meditation cannot arise in an agitated or restless mind.
Harbour not any grievance against anybody;
Excuse that man who speaks ill of you,
Pity him and say: "He is an ignorant, undeveloped
soul."
Sometime coax and cajole the mind just as you
do your child,
Sometime mock and ridicule it and put it in shame,
Sometime curb it but use not violent methods:
Thus control the mind skilfully and tactfully-
Meditate regularly and reach the goal quickly.

11. Four I{inds of Meditation

There are four kinds of Dhyana or meditation,
Viz., Sthoola (gross), Sookshma (subtle),
Sookshmatara (more subtle) and Sookshmatama
(most subtle)
Savitarka and Nirvitarka are gross meditation.
Savichara and Nirvichara are subtle meditation.
Sananda is more subtle meditation.
Sasmita is the most subtle meditation.
Meditation on the form of Lord Vishnu with four hands,
Is gross meditation.
Meditation on the virtues is subtle meditation.
Meditation on the light is also subtle meditation.
Meditation on beauty, bliss, peace is more subtle
meditation.
116 DHYANA YOGA

Meditation.on the formless Brahman is most

subtle meditation.
Sthoola or gross meditation is concrete meditation.
Sookshma or subtle meditation is abstract meditation.

12. The Inverse Process

Meditate on the Karana:
Negate the Karya.
The objects are the Kar5ra
Of the five elements which are the Karana.
The five elements are the Karya
Of Prakriti which is the Karana.
Like this go from the gross to the subtle.
This will lead you to Brahman,
The Causeless Cause of ever5rthing.
This is a potent method of meditation.

13. Vedantic Enquiry of Vichara

(I-aga Chintana)
This body is made up of five elements.
Now imagine, meditate and feel:
The earth-portion of this body
Gets dissolved into the Prithvi Tattva
The watery portion into the Apas Tattva
The frery portion into the Tejas Tattva
The airy portion into the Vayu Tattva
The ethereal portion into the Akasa Tattva.
The mind, Chitta, intellect and Ahamkara
Get dissolved into the Mula Prakriti.
Now what remains?
The residual (Sesha) is your own Atman
The All-pervading, Immortal Soul
That Thou Art, O Ram!
Tat Tvam Asi!
Feel this, realise this
And be free!
 THE ELIXIR OF BLISS tt7

14. Meditation on Virtues

Courage, temperance, justice,
Truthfulness, non-violence, purity, mercy,
Humility, tolerance, forbearance,
Are all important virtues.
Benevolence, charity, generosity,
Are other virtues.
Meditate constantly on these virtues,
Think of the benefit of possessing these virtues,
Eradicate evil qualities,
You will develop the above virtues.
Meditate on Atman, the source for ever5rthing,
Meditate on the l,ord
Who possesses all these virtues,
Who has Ananta Kalyana Gunas,
You will develop all virtues.

15. Dhyana Yoga (Sagunaf

Get steadiness in pose,
Keep the head, neck and trunk in a line;
Do not shake the body.
Remain like a statue.
By practice sit for three hours.
Meditate in Brahmamuhurta;
Close the eyes and meditate,
In the Trikuti or the heart;
Yogis concentrate in the Trikuti,
Bhaktas select the heart;
Visualise the picture of the Lord,
Rotate the mind from feet to head.
Face East or North,
Sit in Padma or Siddhasa.na;
You can have Sukha Asana too;
Repeat some prayers to begin with.
Have two or three sittings daily,
Have rigorous Sadhana in winter,
Meditation follows concentration,
118 DHYANA YOGA

Samadhi follows meditation.

Repeat the Name of the Lord,
Think of His attributes too;
Remember His Leelas also,
This will strengthen meditation.
Bring the mind again and again,
To the point, centre or Lakshya;
Be patient in your practice,
Then only you will attain success.
Meditation shuts worldly thoughts,
Meditation increases Sattva,
Meditation gives good health,
Meditation makes you divine.
Meditation kills pains and sorrows,
Meditation destroys rebirths,
Meditation gives peace and bliss;
Therefore meditate regularly.

16. Dhyana Yoga {Nirgunaf

This is meditation on Brahman,
Who is non-dual and attributeless,
Who is self-luminous and indivisible,
Who is pure and changeless.
Practise first the Neti Neti doctrine,
Negate the illusory Upadhis,
Sublate the Prana, mind and body,
Throw away the sheaths as non-self.
Just as you take the pith from the grass,
The butter from the milk,
Take the essence of Brahman,
Through the churning of meditation.
Enquire lMho am I?
Meditate'I am Sat-Chit-Ananda',
Feel'I am Sakshi',
Identiff with the Self.
Feel 'l am distinct from the bodies,
I am distinct from the sheaths,
I am witness of the three states,
 THE ELIXIR OF BLISS 119

I am Eternal Changeless Atman'.

Repeat mentally OM OM OM,
With Bhava and feeling,
Or associate 'So'with inhalation,
And'Ham' with exhalation.
Meditate on the Maha Vakya,
Aham Brahma Asmi'
Or 'Sivoham'formula,
And enter into Nirvikalpa Samadhi.
Assert, recognise, realise,
'I am Light of lights, OM OM OM'
'I am Immortal Self, OM OM OM'
'l am Consciousness, OM OM OM'
Feel 'l am not actor',
'I am not enjoyer',
'I am Akarta, Abhokta',
'l am Asanga, Unattached.'
Repeat'Soham Sivoham,
Aham Brahmasmi,
Sat-Chit-Ananda Svaroopoham.'
'Hamsa Soham, Soham Hamsa,
Hamsa Soham, Soham Hamsa,
Hamsa Soham, Soham Hamsa,
Hamsa Soham,.Soham Hamsa,'
'Brahmaivaham, Brahmaivaham,
Brahmaivaham, Brahmoham;'
'Sivaivaham, Sivaivaham,
Sivaivaham, Sivoham.'

17. Meditate on the Lord

Meditate on the Lord, the Inner Ruler,
The Indweller of your heart,
The lotus of your heart will blossom.
The sun of wisdom will shine,
The darkness of the heart will end,
The five Kleshas will be annihilated,
The three fires will be extinguished.
 r20 DHYANA YOGA

Sins and Samskaras will be burnt.

Vasanas and cravings will be fried.

18. Meditate on the Eternal

Meditate on the Eternal, free from pain,
From stain, from disease, from fear and delusion,
All-filling, pure, far yet near,
The birth place of five elements,
The final goal of Yogins and sages,
The source for mind, senses and the Vedas,
The place where silence reigns supreme,
Where there is immortal bliss beyond thought,
The supreme glorious splendour,
Where thought is dead,
The all-filling supreme Peace,
Where there is neither noise nor fight.

19. Objects of Meditation

Even Vedantic students have
The ideas of all-pervading ether
And Jyoti for their meditation in the beginning.
They get help from the external elements.
The Bhaktas cultivate one of the five Bhavas:
Sarita, Dasya, Sakhya, Vatsalya and Madhurya,
And meditate on their object of L,ove.

2O. Obstacles in Meditation

I
Vishayasakti or attachment to objects,
Dullness of intellect or understanding,
Kutarka or ill-directed argument
Leading to misinterpretation of texts,
Vipareeta Bhavana or clinging obstinately
To the belief that Atman is susceptible,
To suffering, grief and enjoying happiness,
Are the four chief obstacles in meditation.
Any one of these is quite sufficient
 THE ELIXIR OF BLISS t2t
To interfere with the attainment of real knowledge.
Therefore, cultivate Vairagra or dispassion.
Sharpen the intellect and give up
Kutarka and Vipareeta Bhavana
Identify yourself with the pure Atman,
You will soon attain knowledge of the Self.
u
The mind does two things
It ceaselessly thinks of sensual objects.
When it is tired of thinking of objects,
It goes to sleep and rests in Moola Avidya.
If sleep or Laya tries to overpower you during
meditation Awaken the mind, be on the alert.
If the mind is distracted on account of Vikshepa,
Calm it, render it serene.
If there is attachment to any object,
Wean the mind, make it unattached.
Again and again think of Brahman,
Start the Brahmachintana vigorously,
Abandon the bliss of Savikalpa Samadhi also.
It is also a hindrance to the highest realisation.
When the mind has become perfectly calm
Do not disturb it even a bit,
Continue the meditation vigorously.
You will soon enter into Nirvikalpa Samadhi,
And realise the supreme Universal bliss.

21. Be Vigilant
If you are careless and non-vigilant,
If you are irregular in meditation,
If you yield even a bit to sensual pleasure,
The mind will continue to go downward
Like a ball dropped upon a flight of stairs.
When sedge is displaced on the surface of a lake
It closes in again at once.
Even so, Maya closes in even upon a wise man,
t22 DHYANA YOGA

If he stops his meditation and Sadhana even for

a short time.
Therefore be careful, be alert,
Be regular in your meditation.

22. Discern and Discriminate

When the mind is sluggish or torpid, sleepy,
Rouse it by Kirtan, Japa, prayer, Pranayama,
Sarvanga, Sirshasana and long OM chanting.
When it is distracted,
Make it steady, one-pointed and calm
Through perseverance, dispassion,
Recourse to solitude, Japa, Trataka, Mauna or silence.
When it becomes attached,
Get it detached through dispassion,
Enquiry, vigilance, Dosha-drishti,
Or Finding out the defects of sensual life,
And Mithya-drishti, i.e. feeling that everything is unreal.
When it is controlled,
Do not disturb it any more.
When you enjoy the bliss of Savikalpa Samadhi
(Rasasvada)
Do not get attached to it.
Discern and discriminate
And strive for Nirvikalpa Samadhi.

23. Meditation and Knowledge

Meditation is the means,
Knowledge is the end,
Meditation is the process,
Knowledge is the culmination.
In meditation there is struggle, striving of effort,
In knowledge there is no striving.
So long as there is meditation,
The meditator is only an aspirant.
When meditation ceases and the goal is reached,
The meditator becomes the knower of Truth,
 THE ELIXIR OF BLISS r23

All meditation and effort cease.

He is a Jivanmukta or a liberated sage.
When you try to behold a tree,
There is an effort in the beginning of the perception.
Later on it becomes a continuous stream of
consciousness of the tree.
So is knowledge of Brahman.
In the beginning there is effort.
Later on the aspirant merges in the object of meditation.
There is no further struggle.

24. Samadhi
Samadhi is blissful union,
The Jiva unites with Brahman;
The third eye is opened,
The Indriyas are restrained,
The bubbling mind is stilled,
Names and forms vanish,
Brahman alone shines.
Vasanas he annihilates,
Thoughts he controls,
Cravings he crushes,
Attachments he cuts,
Egoism he kills,
Likes and dislikes he eradicates,
Knowledge of Self he attains.
The divine Nectar he now drinks,
Immortal he becomes,
In the Self he rejoices,
The Self he beholds ever5rwhere,
I-less, griefless he becomes,
As a beacon-light he shines,
And joy he radiates to all.

25. Samskara Sesha

Samskara means impressions of actions.
Sesha means remainder.
r24 DHYANA YOGA

Samskara Sesha means remainder of impressions.

Savikalpa Samadhi of a Raja Yogin,
Who practises Savitarka, Savichara,
Nirvitarka, Nirvichara, Sananda,
Sasmita Samadhis, leaves the impressions
Of Vichara feeling of bliss,
And the feeling of "Aham Asmi" or "I exist."
This is called Samskara Sesha.
This corresponds to the Lesha Avidya of sages.
Even after one attains Jivanmukti
He experiences a trace of Avidya.
On account of this he moves about,
Takes bath, answers calls of nature
And takes food and drinks.
The impression of Lesha Avidya is like that
Of the garlic smell which the pot emanates
Even after it is washed several times.

26. Mind Fuses in Samadhi

Camphor melts in the fire,
And assumes the form of fire;
When salt is dissolved in water,
It is no longer perceived separately;
The water alone remains.
Even so the mind that has assumed
The form of Brahman, which is secondless,
Is no longer perceived.
Brahman alone remains in its pristine glory.

27. Ninrikalpa Samadhi

In Nirvikalpa Samadhi
There is no ego-consciousness.
Ego and mind melt and fuse in Brahman.
The Triputi or the distinction of
Knower, knowledge and the object of knowing,
Vanishes in toto.
The pure mind assumes the form of Brahman.
 THE ELIXIR OF BLISS r25

This is known as Asamprajnata Samadhi,

Niralamba or Nirbija Samadhi.
There is no prop for the mind in this Samadhi,
Brahman rests in its own glory.
The Samskaras are fried in toto.
Savikalpa Samadhi deepens into Nirvikalpa Samadhi.
There is no idea of any kind in Nirvikalpa Samadhi.
It is thoughtless Absolute Consciousness.
u
Nirvikalpa means that in which
There is no Vikalpa.
That which is not associated
With any idea is Nirvikalpa.
In Nirvikalpa Samadhi there is no thought,
No imagination, no functioning of mind or intellect.
All Vrittis totally cease.
There is only Pure Consciousness or Awareness.
Att the Samskaras and Vasanas are fried in toto'
Egoism is burnt to ashes
The world of passion which is very charming
For the passionate worldlings
Is reduced to ashes.
All names and forms are burnt uP.
Asti-Bhati-Priya only remains.
Asti-Bhati-Priya is Sat-Chit-Anada.
That which ever exists is Asti;
That which shines is Bhati;
This is absolute consciousness;
That which gives happiness is Priya.
This is unalloyed, Immortal Bliss, Ananda.
In Nirvikalpa Samadhi the mind
Is freed from distraction, attachments,
Torpidity and all other defects.
It rests unmoved like the flame of a lamp
Sheltered from the wind.
 t26 DHYANA YOGA

UI
Nirvikalpa Samadhi is beyond all expressions.
All sense of duality is obliterated.
There is pure or Absolute Consciousness.
There is full illumination.
There is neither craving nor egoism.
The bliss of the sage is unending.
He is united with the Infinite.
He is free, perfect, independent.
He is freed from pain, sorrow and illusion.
He is an Apta Kama.
All his desires are gratified.
He has attained the state of Supreme peace.

28. Mysticism
Mysticism is intuitionalism.
Mysticism is transcendentalism.
Mysticism is Aparoksha Anubhuti.
Mysticism is direct Self-realisation.
Mysticism is Anubhava Advaita.
Mysticism is spiritual, intuitive experience,
Which is beyond the reach of intellect.
Mysticism is Nirvikalpa Samadhi.
Mysticism is direct Communion with God.
Mystic is one who is versed in mysticism.

29. All Is Akhanda Ekarasa Svaroopa

Para Brahman is Akhanda Ekarasa Svaroopa.
Guru is Akhanda Ekarasa Svaroopa.
The disciple is also Akhanda Ekarasa Svaroopa.
The Jiva is Akhanda Ekarasa Svaroopa.
The Sakshi is Akhanda Ekarasa Svaroopa.
Fire is Akhanda Ekarasa Svaroopa.
Water is Akhanda Ekarasa Svaroopa.
Air is Akhanda Ekarasa Svaroopa.
Akasa is Akhanda Ekarasa Svaroopa.
Mind is Akhanda Ekarasa Svaroopa.
 THE ELIXIR OF BLISS r27

Intellect is Akhanda Ekarasa Svaroopa.

The eye is Akhanda Ekarasa Svaroopa.
This world is Akhanda Ekarasa Svaroopa.
All is Akhanda Ekarasa Svaroopa.

3O. Merging or Fusing

When you have realised Oneness,
When you behold the One Brahman ever5rwhere,
Can there be a "here" or "there",
"This" or "That", "l" r "He" or ttYou"?
Can there be ttone" or "two" or "three"?
One homogeneous blissful essence alone exists.
There is only the Bhuma or the Infinite.
A1l dualities, distinctions, differences melt.
The seer and the seen become one,
The meditator and the meditated fuse.
The thinker and the thought blend.
The knower and the knowable merge.
It is a transcendental Experience Whole.
Of fullness, perfection, freedom and perennial joy.

3 1. Spiritual Experiences
More and more dispassion and discrimination,
More and more yearning for liberation,
Peace, cheerfulness, contentment,
Fearlessness, unruffled state of mind,
Lustre in the eyes, good smell from the body,
Beautiful complexion, sweet, powerful voice,
Passing of little urine and excretion,
Wonderful health, vim, vigour and vitality,
Freedom from disease, laziness and depression,
Lightness of body, alertness of mind,
Powerful Jatharagni or digestive fire,
Eagerness to sit and meditate for a long time,
Aversion to worldly talks and company of worldlings,
Feeling of the presence of God eveqrwhere,
Love for all creatures,
 t28 DHYANA YOGA

Feeling that all forms are of the Lord,

That the world is Lord Himself,
Absence of Ghrina or dislike to any creature,
Even to those who despise and insult you,
Strength of mind to bear insult and injury,
To meet dangers and calamities,
Are some of the preliminary spiritual experiences.
These indicate that you are steadily advancing
In the spiritual path.
II
Balls of white lights, coloured lights,
Sun, stars, during meditation
Drvya Gandha, Divya taste,
Vision of the Lord in the dream,
Extraordinary, superhuman experiences,
Vision of the Lord in the human form,
Sometime in the form of a Brahmin
Old man, leper, outcaste in rags,
Talking to the Lord,
Are the preliminary spiritual experiences.
Then comes cosmic consciousness or Savikalpa
Samadhi,
Which Arjuna experienced.
Eventually the aspirant enters
Into Nirvikalpa Samadhi,
Wherein there in neither seer nor seen,
Wherein one sees nothing, hears nothing,
He becomes one with the Eternal.

32.I Drink the Nectar

My Sat-Guru gave me a sword of wisdom.
He united me with the absolute.
He showed me the way to wipe my Karmas.
He removed many pitfalls and snares.
I realised the Supreme State of Changeless joy.
Wherein the seer, seen and sight are lost
I live in perfection ever5rwhere.
 THE ELIKR OF BLISS r29

I have nothing more to learn.

The disease of birth has left me.
I lost myself and became the mass of bliss.
I drink the nectar of Immortality,
Which is sweeter than all syrups.

33. Speechless Zone

In the perfect nameless, formless Void,
In the unlimited expanse of bliss,
In the region of matterless, mindless joy,
In the realm of timeless, spaceless stillness,
In the Infinite Zone of speechless, thoughtless peace,
In the transcendental abode of sweet Harmony,
I united with the Supreme Effulgence.
The thought that we are one or two vanished.
I crossed the sea of birth for ever.
This is all due to the grace of the Lord,
Who danced in Brindawan with rhythmic jingle,
Who raised Govardhan as umbrella for the cowherds.

34. That Exalted State

I searched God in the caves of the Himalayas,
In the pilgrim-centres, in river banks.
But I myself am Brahman, God of gods now!
I had once intense love for my sweet home;
Native village, district, and province.
But I am now the home of all worlds,
East and West, North and South,
Greece and India, Australia and France,
China and Russia have become one.
I loved Tamil once;
But I am "OM" now,
The source of all languages.
I had once great love for my body;
But now I have realised "All bodies are mine.,,
Once one hundred years was too big for me;
But I now abide in Eternity;
130 DHYANA YOGA

No time-piece, no calendar is necessary now.

Once five thousand miles was a great distance for me.
But now I feel "I am Infinity."
Time, space have vanished.
I have neither home nor house, address nor name!
35. I Live in Silencet
The world may call me good or abuse me,
I do not care now for criticism of the world.
Why should I? When my abode is transcendental!
I am now above good and evil; censure and praise.
I have no connection with body and mind.
I have neither hope, nor fear.
What have I to do with this world?
I am now swimming in the ocean of Brahmic bliss.
I do not want anybody's favour or recommendation.
I do not wish to interview anybody.
I care not for anybody's company or help.
I live in silence, enjoy silence. I am silence!
Chelas! Chelis! And all!
Friends! Leave me now please!
Goodbye!

36. Blissful Am I Now

Home have I left; the world have I abandoned.
All my mundane desires I have relinquished.
The shallow, hollow nature of this world
I have understood.
The worthlessness of all objects I realised.
Lust I have left, anger, pride I have given up.
Craving, longing for objects I overpowered.
I sat on the bank of the Ganga in the Himalayas.
I reflected, I contemplated deeply on Brahman,
Ignorance vanished;
My heart is healed.
All Trishnas were ousted from my heart.
All within is purity and peace,
 THE ELIXIR OF BLISS 131

Serene am I now; knowing the peace of the Eternal;

Blissful am I now; realising my essential nature.

37. My Heart Is Brimful of Joy!

The three heart-knots are cut;
All ties have been severed.
All bonds have been broken;
The three fires have been extinguished.
The live afflictions have been burnt.
Old ignorance has vanished.
Maya is hiding herself in shame.
Poverty, nescience, disease have disappeared.
I am floating in the ocean ofjoy.
I am light, bliss, peace and harmony.
I have realised the Bhuma, the Great Bliss.
All darkness has been dispelled.
The world has melted in me.
I am a mass of bliss and wisdom.
My heart is brimful ofjoy and bliss.

38. Welcome, Disease! Welcomet

Welcome disease! Welcome pain!
Welcome microbes! Welcome death!
Welcome malaria! Welcome pyorrhoea!
Welcome cholera! Welcome typhoid!
Welcome appendicitis! Welcome! Welcome!
I am not afraid of you all
Thou art my own manifestation.
The cataract of illusion has vanished;
I behold the light and Truth every,where.
You are all my beloved guests in the body.
Health and disease are two ripples
In the ocean of Bliss of Self.
Pain also is pleasure for me!
t32 DHYANA YOGA

39. I Am Full Now

I know the secret of Brahma VidYa.
I have realised my essential nature,
Maya is hiding herself,
She cannot show me Her face.
She is shy to appear before me.
Where shall I go now
When I am all-pervading and infrnite?
What shall I desire now?
What shall I take?
What shall I renounce?
What work shall I do now?
What is there to achieve?
What shall I seek?
When I am now an APtakama,
When I possess the whole,
When all my desires are satisfied,
By the experience whole,
When I am full, Poornam?
What shall I read now,
When I am a man of wisdom, Chidghana?
To whom shall I deliver lecture
When I alone exist?

40. The Little'I' Fused!

I sat alone on a block of stone
On the bank of the Ganga, of Bhagirathi.
Mother Ganga blessed me!
I meditated on OM and its meaning,
The Word that is the symbol of Brahman.
The little personalitY was lost.
The mortal timit of the Self was loosened!
But there was infinite extension,
I entered into the Nameless beyond.
I realised the quintessential unity of bliss.
No words can describe the thrill of joy,
The magnanimous mystic experience,
 THE ELIKR OF BLISS 133

The supremest and divinest height of felicity;

The little 'l'fused into the incandescent brilliance.
Two became one now,
It was all Tejomaya Ananda,
One mass of transcendental Light-Bliss.

41. Samadhi
I did Japa of OM.
I chanted OM, sang OM.
I meditated on OM.
The individuality slowly dissolved.
It faded away into the Infinite Being.
The loss of personality is no extinction.
It is the only true, whole, eternal life.
It is the Bhuma experience,
This exalted state is utterly beyond words.
It is not a confused state.
It is a state of ineffable bliss and joy.
It is the clearest of the clearest.
It is the surest of the surest.
It is like the apple in the palm of the hand.
Death here is a ridiculous impossibility.
Immortal elixir flows here perennially.
Wisdom shines in profound effulgence.
Perfect peace reigns supreme!

42. I Have Become That

The Maya-made world has vanished now!
Mind has totally perished.
The ego has been entirely powdered.
The water-tight compartments have been broken down.
Names and forms have disappeared.
All distinctions and differences have melted.
Old Jivahood has entirely fused;
The flood of Truth, Wisdom and Bliss
Has entered ever5rwhere in abundance.
Brahman alone shines ever5lwhere.
 t34 DHYANA YOGA

One homogeneous Joy essence pervades everJrwhere.

I have become That. I have become That!
Sivoham! Sivoham! Sivoham!

43. I Found Him Out

I wandered, searched
And then I found Him out at last-
In the silence of the mind.
He is the wonder of wonders;
He is the nectar that never satiates,
He is knowledge's End,
He is the great primal Being.
He is the sweet celestial honey
That destroys old age and death,
He is the endless primeval light,
He is the medicine sweet
That confers Immortality.
I call Him 'a Mass of Sweetness',
I call Him the Ocean of Bliss',
' I call Him the Old Man of the Upanishads',
I call Him the Silent sleeper in the Sea'.
44. Mysterious ExPerience
Brahman or the Eternal is far sweeter than honey,
Jam, sugar candy, Rasagulla or Laddu.
I meditated on Brahman the Immutable.
I attained the stage that transcends finite.
True light shone in me.
Avidya or ignorance vanished in toto.
The doors were totally shut;
The senses were withdrawn;
Breath and mind merged in their source.
I became one with the Supreme Light.
A mysterious experience beyond speech indeed.
Sivoham Sivoham Sivoham Soham.
Sat-Chit-Ananda Svaroopoham.
 THE ELIXIR OF BLISS 135

45. The Great Bhuma Experience

I merged myself in great unending joy,
I swam in the ocean of immortal bliss.
I floated in the sea of Infinite Peace.
Ego melted, thoughts subsided,
Intellect ceased functioning,
The senses were absorbed.
I remained unawakened to the world.
I saw myself ever5rwhere.
It was a homogeneous experience.
There was neither within nor without;
There was neither "this" nor "that";
There was neither "here" nor "there";
There was neither "he", '?ou" ot "l" or ..she,,,
There was neither time nor space;
There was neither subject nor object;
There was neither knower nor knowable nor knowledge;
There was neither seer nor seen nor sight;
How can one describe this transcendental experience?
Language is finite, words are impotent,
Realise this yourself and be free!

46. Song of Om
OM OM OM OM OM OM OM
OM OM OM OM OM OM OM
OM is the symbol of Brahman.
OM is the Pranava of Vedas.
OM is the Source of all languages.
I sing OM, I chant OM.
I meditate on OM.
I do Japa of OM.
Celestial music of sweet OM
Vibrates in my heart.
Divine rapture of eternal OM
Inspires and elevates me,
And opens the portals of oneness within.
 Chapter Threc

FORMULAS FOR MEDITATION

1. I Am Life Eternal
I am That I am.
I am absolute consciousness.
I am all joy.
I am all Bliss.
I am all intelligence.
I am life Eternal.
I am Infinit5r, Eternity, Immortality.
I am Truth, Wisdom and Light.

2. Vedantic Meditation
I am ageless
I am birthless
I am deathless
I am timeless
I am spaceless
I am causeless
I am formless
I am attributeless
I am fearless
I am changeless
I am nameless
3. I Am the Source
I am the Source for everything,
I am beginningless,
I am endless,
I am the Root for everything, .

I am present eve4rwhere,
I am the very Source of power and enerry,
(136)
 FORMULAS FOR MEDITATION r37

I am one, complete whole, perfect,

I am formless, changeless, indivisible,
I am the Law, the way, the life,
I am the source for life,
I am the vital principle,
I am wisdom, existence and bliss.
4. I Am the All
I am the Immortal Essence
I am the Infinite
All worlds are in me
I am the soul of all beings
I am timeless and spaceless
I am beginningless and endless
I am immutable
I am the all
I am All in A11
I am the one and the many.

5. I Am Existence
I am the All
I am All in All
I pervade and permeate all.

6. Formulas for Meditation

I am that I am
I am life universal
I am Soul universal
I have neither defeat
Nor failure nor loss
For I am the Eternal
Besides me there is none else.
Universes may appear and disappear
Suns may appear and vanish
I always remain
I am Existence Absolute.
138 DHYANA YOGA

7. Vedantic Meditation-Il
I am the Sat-Chit-Ananda Brahman OM OM OM
I am Nirakara Para-Brahman OM OM OM
I am Advaita Para-Brahman OM OM OM
I am Akhanda Paripoorna Brahman OM OM OM
I am Nitya, Suddha, Siddha, Buddha
and Mukta Brahman OM OM OM
I am Sat-Chit-Ananda Svaroopa
(Satchidananda Svaroopoham) OM OM OM
I am Bhumananda Svaroopa
(Bhumananda Svaroopoham) OM OM OM
I am Jyotih Svaroopa
(Jyotih Svaroopoham) OM OM OM
I am Santi Svaroopa
(Santi Svaroopoham) OM OM OM
I am Nitya-Suddha Svaroopa
(Nitya-Suddha Svaroopoham) OM OM OM
I am Nitya Bodha Svaroopa
(Nitya Bodha Svaroopoham) OM OM OM
I am Nitya-Mukta Svaroopa
(Nitya-Mukta Svaroopoham) OM OM OM
I am Nitya-Tripti Svaroopa
(Nitya-Tripti Svaroopoham) OM OM OM
I am Nitya-Vijnana Svaroopa
(Nitya-Vijnana Svaroopoham) OM OM OM
I am Nitya-Chaitanya Svaroopa
(Nitya-Chaitanya Svaroopoham) OM OM OM
I am the Atman of all OM OM OM
I am the all OM OM OM
I am the support of all OM OM OM
I am the transcendent OM OM OM
I am the Brahman without caste, creed or
colour OM OM OM
I am Nitya-Nishkala Brahman OM OM OM
I am Nirmala and Nishkriya Brahman OM OM OM
I am Akhanda-Ekarasa-Chinmatra Brahman
(Akhandaikarasa Chinmatroham) OM OM OM
I am Nirvisesha Chinmatra Brahman OM OM OM
 FORMULAS FOR MEDITATION 139

(Nirvisesha Chinmatroham) OM OM OM
I am Kevala Chinmatra Brahman
(Kevala Chinmatroham) OM OM OM
I am Kevala-Sat-Matra Brahman
(Kevala Sanmatroham) OM OM OM
I am Prajnana-ghana Brahman OM OM OM
I am Vijnana-ghana Brahman OM OM OM
I am Chit-ghana Brahman OM OM OM
I am Ananda-ghana Brahman OM OM OM
I am Chinmaya Brahman OM OM OM
I am Anandamaya Brahman OM OM OM
I am Jyotirmaya Brahman OM OM OM
I am Tejomaya Brahman OM OM OM
I am Nirakara, Nirguna, Nirvisesha Brahman OM OM OM
I am Nirupadika, Nishkala Brahman OM OM OM
I am Nirbhaya, Niravayava Brahman OM OM OM
I am verily that Brahm€ln, the One without
a second which is very, very subtle,
which illumines all things and which
is eternal, pure and immovable OM OM OM
I am Satyam-Jnanam-Anantam Brahman OM OM OM
I am Anadi-Ananta Brahman OM OM OM
I am Amrita-Avinasi Brahman OM OM OM
I am Adhishthana and Aparichhinna
Brahman OM OM OM
I am Mayatita Brahman OM OM OM
I am Dvandvatita Brahman OM OM OM
I am Trigunatita Brahman OM OM OM
I am Bhavatita Brahman OM OM OM
I am Nada Bindu Kalatita Brahman OM OM OM
I am Avyakta, Anusuta Brahman OM OM OM
I am Akasavat, Nit5ra Brahman OM OM OM
I am Desa-Kala-Vivarjita,
Gagana Sadrisha, Niralamba Brahman OM OM OM
I am Santa, Ajara, Amrita, Abhaya,
Para Brahman OM OM OM
I am Divya, Amurta, Aprana,
Amana Brahman OM OM OM
 t40 DHYANA YOGA

I am Sasvata, Svatantra, Kutashtha

Brahman OM OM OM
I am Asanga Brahman (Asangoham) OM OM OM
I am Niranjana Brahman (Niranjanoham) OM OM OM
I am Kutastha Brahman (Kutasthoham) OM OM OM
I am Kevala Brahman (Kevaloham) OM OM OM
I am the Source OM OM OM
I am the Supreme OM OM OM
I am Siva OM OM OM
IamHe OM OM OM
I am Chaitanya OM OM OM
I am Sakshi OM OM OM
I am Drashta and Upadrashta OM OM OM
I am the Vetta OM OM OM
I am without the number two OM OM OM
I am Akhanda Chidakasa Brahman OM OM OM
I am Adhishthana Brahman OM OM OM
I am Ar4yaya Akshara Brahman OM OM OM
I am Nirmala Brahman OM OM OM
I am Vijnana Vigraha Brahman OM OM OM
I am Atindriya Brahman (Atindriyoham) OM OM OM
I am Niramaya Brahman OM OM OM
I am Niravarana Brahman OM OM OM
I am Atisukshma Brahman OM OM OM
I am Nirdvandva Brahman OM OM OM
I am Nitya Nirupadhika Niratisaya
Ananda Brahman OM OM OM
I am Nirlipta Brahman OM OM OM
I am Asabda, Arupa and Agandha Brahman OM OM
OM
I am Nischala Brahman OM OM OM
I am Avangmanogochara Brahman OM OM OM
I am Nirdosha Nirvikalpa Brahman OM OM OM
I am Anirdeshya, Adrishya Brahman OM OM OM
, I am Kalatita, Desatita Brahman OM OM OM
I am Amala, Vimala, Nirmala Brahman OM OM OM
I am Achintya and Avyavahara Brahman OM OM OM
I am equal in all (Samana) OM OM OM
 FORMULAS FOR MEDITATION t4t
I am Purushottama OM OM OM
I am Isha OM OM OM
I am the Excellent OM OM OM
I am Siva OM OM OM
I am without language OM OM OM
I am without the "NO" OM OM OM
I have no place to travel OM OM OM
I am within the within OM OM OM
I am the manifested Brahman OM OM OM
I am the unmanifested Brahman OM OM OM
I am the immanent Qrahman OM OM OM
I am the transcendental, Trigunatita,
Ananta Brahman OM OM OM
I am Karana Brahman OM OM OM
I am Karya Brahman OM OM OM
I am the All OM OM OM
I am the AII in All OM OM OM
I am the One in All OM OM OM
I am the All in One OM OM OM
I am the Many OM OM OM
I am ever waking when all
living beings sleep at night OM OM OM
I shine even during the Cosmic Pralaya OM OM OM
I am the ancient One OM OM OM
I am alone OM OM OM
I am Single OM OM OM
I see now without eyes OM OM OM
I hear now without ears OM OM OM
I taste now without tongue OM OM OM
I feel now without skin OM OM OM
I smell now without nose OM OM OM
I walk now without feet OM OM OM
I grasp now without hands OM OM OM
I know now without mind OM OM OM
I am pure Consciousness OM OM OM
I am the womb for everything OM OM OM
I am the root for this world OM OM OM
I am the support for everything OM OM OM
t42 DHYANA YOGA

I am the supreme abode OM OM OM

I am the centre OM OM OM
I am the foundation OM OM OM
I am the origin OM OM OM
I am the place of dissolution OM OM OM
I am Agadha Brahman OM OM OM
I am Aprameya Brahman OM OM OM
I am Aparichhinna (illimitable) Brahman OM OM OM
I am A',ryapadesha (indescribable) Brahman OM OM OM
I am verily that Brahman which is
indicated by the "Neti-Neti" doctrine and
Bhaga-Tyaga-Lakshana of Vedanta OM OM OM
I am that Brahman that resides in the
Daharakasa or Hridaya-Guha of beings OM OM OM
I am that Brahman which aspirants
try to reach by Tapas, Brahmachdtyd,
Satyam, Dama and study of Srutis OM OM OM
I am full OM OM OM
I am the endless one OM OM OM
I am changeless and imperishable OM OM OM
I am of the form of wisdom OM OM OM
I am all alone OM OM OM
I am devoid of attachment OM OM OM
I am devoid of body OM OM OM
I am actionless OM OM OM
I am devoid of enjoyment OM OM OM
I am devoid of the symbol of sex OM OM OM
I am the Ancient One OM OM OM
I am an embodiment of peace OM OM OM
I am Hari OM OM OM
I am Sadasiva OM OM OM
I am untouched by the senses OM OM OM
I am without form, without limit OM OM OM
I am beyond space and time OM OM OM
I am in everything OM OM OM
I am the basis of the universe OM OM OM
I am ever5nvhere OM OM OM
I am existence absolute OM OM OM
 FORMULAS FOR MEDITATION 143

I am knowledge absolute OM OM OM
I am He, I am He, OM OM OM
I am the absolute One, OM OM OM
I am the entire whole OM OM OM
I am the liberated one OM OM OM
I am the passive witness OM OM OM
I am the subtle OM OM OM
I am the Imperishable OM OM OM
I am devoid of limbs OM OM OM
I am originless OM OM OM
I am peerless OM OM OM

8. Nirguna Meditation
Assert
I am pure spirit OM OM OM
I am pure Bliss OM OM OM
I am Immortal OM OM OM
I am Nameless, Formless OM OM OM
I am ocean of Peace and Bliss OM OM OM
I am infinity OM OM OM
I am Light of lights OM OM OM

9. Abstract Meditation
Meditate on Peace, Santi
Meditate on Bliss, Ananda
Meditate on love, bliss
Meditate on goodness
Meditate on Existence
Meditate on Consciousness
This is abstract meditation.
This is formless, attributeless meditation.
This is Nirakara, Nirguna meditation.
10. Nirguna Dhyana
I am the Truth OM OM OM
I am the secondless OM OM OM
I am the illuminator of all things OM OM OM
t44 DHYANA YOGA

I am Kutastha OM OM OM
I am pure consciousness OM OM OM
I am the only Essence full of Chit OM OM OM
I am the Essence of Vedanta OM OM OM
I am Chidakasa OM OM OM
I am stainless, immaculate OM OM OM
I am the unconditioned, the emancipated. OM OM OM

11. Realise the Unity of All Selves

I am one with the Universe OM OM OM
I am one with Brahman or the Absolute OM OM OM
I am one with every being OM OM OM
I am the Self-Immortal OM OM OM
I am in tune with the Infinite OM OM OM
I am one with friend and foe OM OM OM

12. I Am
I am, I exist.
I am Existence, Knowledge, Bliss, Absolute.
I am; therefore, I think.
I am the Immortal Soul.
I am the all-pervading, infinite spirit.
I am Atma Samrat, Self-king.
I am the Emperor of the Kingdom of Self.
I am the non-dual, blissful essence,
I am absolutely free, perfect and independent.
I am the Governor and Master of the Universe.
I am the Indweller of all beings.
I am self-luminous, self-existent.
I am self-knowledge, self-delight.
I am That I am, I am That I am,
Sivoham, Sivoham, Sivoham, Soham,
Satchidanada Svaroopoham.

13. I Am One
I am one.
I am the only one.
 FORMULAS FOR MEDITATION 145

I am alone.
I am secondless.
I am non-dual.
I am Advaita.
I am one without a second.

14. IAm.ThatIArn
Soham Asmi
Aham Asmi
I am That I am
I am That
I am.

15. I Am Nectar
I am the water of Immortality
I am nectar.
I am sweet Ambrosia.
I am bliss eternal.
I am unalloyed felicity.
I am infinite joy.
I am ocean ofpeace.
I am fountain of Happiness.
16. Formulae for Vedantic Meditation
Aham Atma Gudakesa (Gita, 10th Chapter).
Aham Atma Nirakara Sarvavyapi Svabhavat
I am Atma, formless and all-pervading
(Avadhoota Gita).
Aham Brahma Asmi
(l am Brahman),
Aham Bhuma Sadasiva
(I am Sadasiva the Infinite or the Unconditioned),
Aham Brahma Asmi, Sivoham, Soham,
Satchidananda Svaroopoham,
Hamsa Soham, Soham Hamsa
(He am I, I am He; I am He, He am I),
Aham Brahma Asmi, Brahmaivaham Asmi;
t46 DHYANA YOGA

I am Brahman, Brahman am I,
Sivoham, Sivah Kevaloham;
I am Siva, I am Siva the secondless.
17. Vedantic Aflirmation
I am immortal, all-pervading. Soul.
I am changless, deathless Atma.
I am ever free, free, free.
I am omnipotent and omniscient,
I am infinite, eternal, indivisible Brahman.
I am all-full, Self-contained Spirit.
I am self-luminous, self-existent hrrusha.
I am ever peaceful, all-blissful over-Soul.
I am Sat-Chit-Ananda Svaroopa.
18. Formulae for Nirguna Meditation
I
I am the one, subtle, immortal Reality.
I am the witness of the three states.
I am without parts and secondless.
I am pure, of the nature of knowledge,
I am eternal, self-luminous.
I am stainless, motionless and endless.
I am deathless, birthless and limitless.
I am attributeless and actionless.
I am eternally free and imperishable.
I am destitute of old age and decay.
Chidananda Rupah Sivoham Sivoham
I am Siva of the form of Knowledge Bliss.
u
I am all-strength, power and beauty.
I am life eternal.
I am boundless, limitless, everlasting.
I am ever free, free, free.
I am life glorious, wonderful.
I am perfect, pure,
 FORMULAS FOR MEDITATION T47

I am Infinite, Immortal.
I am all-courage.
I am embodiment of wisdom, peace and bliss.

19. Who Am I?
Sit calmly and enquire lVho am I?'
This will solve all life's problems
This will give you freedom and Immortality.
This will destroy all pain and sorrow.
This body of flesh and bone am I not,
It is inert, perishable, with parts,
The senses, eye, ear, nose am I not,
They are finite products of elements.
The five vital airs am I not,
They are inert products of Rajas,
The doubting mind am I not,
It is also inert, finite and perishable.
Satchidananda Brahman am I,
Nitya Mukta Suddha Buddha Brahman am I,
Nirakara, Nirguna, Nirvisesha Brahman am I,
Akhanda Paripoorna, Vyapaka Brahman am I.
Swords and weapons cut me not,
Fire and atomic bombs burn me not,
Water and deluge wet me not
Cyclone and wind dry me not.
Vedas, Bible, Koran, Avesta have sung of me,
Rishis, Sages and Yogis meditate on me,
Fire, wind, carry out My commands,
Intellect, senses, sun, get light from Me.
Infinite eternal, immortal soul am I,
All blissful, self-contained Atman am I,
All-pervading, self-luminous Purusha am I,
Birthless, deathless, Timeless, Brahman am I,
Unaffected, actionless, silent witness am I,
Source of Vedas, womb, substratum of this world am I,
Inner Ruler, Indwe1ler, Homogeneous Essence am I,
King of all Devas, Progenitor of Hiranyagarbha am I.
148 DHYANA YOGA

2O. How Free Am I!

O free, O gloriously free,
Am I in freedom from birth and death,
From pain, sorrow, Karma and nescience,
A11 that dragged me back is rent asunder.
How free.am I,
How thoroughly free from cares and anxieties,
It is the grace of the Lord
I am purged now of all impurities,
I dwell in the abode of silence,
Nothing can disturb or distract me.
I have won, I have won,
The wave of bliss sweeps over me now,
The breath of freedom sweeps over rne now,
Nityamukta Svaroopoham,
I am eternally free Rasa or essence.
No bending, no kneeling,
No 'good morning sir'
No Ui huzur, sir',
No 'obedient servant'
No 'I beg to remain'
But I am Emperor of the three worlds,
Atma Samrat, Svarat, Self-king.
Suddhoham, Buddhoham, Niranjanoham
Samsara Maya Parivarjitoham
Pure, fully illumined, spotless
Free from the taints of Samsara am L

2L. I Am the All

I
I give power to the Vitamins.
I am the stimulant in coffee and tea.
I am nutrition in food stuffs.
I am the intoxicant in liquors and opium.
I am the attraction in women,
Gold, dollars, notes and cheques,
I am the celestial manna in heaven.
 FORMULAS FOR MEDITATION 149

I am the essence in Vaccine injections.

I am the healing agent in all 'Pathies'
I am the power in Atom Bombs.
I am the strength of all Ministers and Dictators
I am the power in non-violence and truthfulness
I am the nectar in Sahasrara.
I am sound, language, OM and Vedas.
I am the universe, elements and Devas.
I am the goal, centre and ideal.
II
I am the all, I am all in all.
There is nothing besides myself.
I am the soul of the Universe, Visva Atman.
I am the Self of all beings, Antaratma,
I am the warp and woof of all,
I alone really exist.
I am here; I am there.
I am now, I was, I will be for ever.
There is neither distance nor space in Me.
I am the ocean of existence.
This world is a mere bubble in me.
A drop fell from me
And it became the universe.
My effulgence shines in the form of Brahma,
Vishnu, Siva, Devi, Vyasa and other Rishis.
My essential nature is amazingly wonderful.

22.[Am Nirmala Brahman

I am the Satya-Jnana Ananta Brahman.
I am the Nishprapancha, Nissamsara Brahman.
I am Nitya-Nishkala Brahman.
I am Akhanda-Paripoorna Brahman.
I am Sadananda Brahman.
I am Nirmala, Niranjana Brahman.
I am the Brahman without caste, creed.
I am the beginningless, endless Brahman.
I am the Brahman without differences.
150 DHYANA YOGA

I am the diseaseless, decayless Brahman.

I am the Brahman without'this", *that", 'I",
*He", ttYotl",
I am Amala, Asanga, Nischala Brahman.
23.1Arrr Vijnana Ghana Brahman
I am Atyanta Achala Brahman.
I am Atyanta Sasvata Brahman.
I am Kevala Sanmatra Brahman.
I am Kevala Chinmatra Brahman.
I am Kevala Nadanta Brahman.
I am Sankalpa-vikalpa-rahita Brahman.
I am nameless, formless Brahman.
I am Vijnanaghana Brahman.
I am Vilakshana, Sarva-adhisthana Brahman.
I am Pariccheda-rahita Brahman.
I am Svayamjyoti Brahman.
I am Dvandva Ahambhava-rahita Brahman.
I am Duhkha Soka Rahita Brahman.

24. 1 Am Svatantra Brahman

I am Chaitanyamatra Brahman.
I am Niramaya Brahman.
I am Niratisayananda Brahman.
I am Svatantra Brahman.
I am self-existent Brahman (Svayambhu).
I am Aparicchinna Brahman.
I am Aqyaya Ananta Brahman.
I am Suddha Vijnana Vigraha Brahman.
I am Tat Pada Lakshya Brahman.
I am Twam Pada Lakshya Brahman.
I am Nirbhaya Brahman.
I am Akshara Brahman.
25.. I Am Omkara Svaroopa
I am that Para Brahma Svaroopa,
Where there is neither ignorance nor knowledge,
 FORMULAS FOR MEDITATION 151

Where there is neither honour nor dishonour.

Where there is neither support nor the supported.
Where there are no limiting adjuncts of body, mind, etc.
I am the Pure Chaitanya,
Where there is neither bondage nor liberation!
I am the Absolute which the pure mind meditates upon!
I am Omkara Svaroopa----of the essence of OM!
26. I Am Niravarana Brahma Svaroopa
I am Advaita Para Brahma Svaroopa,
Which is beyond the reach of mind and speech,
I am the pure Satchidananda Brahman,
Where there is neither Subha nor Asubha,
Where there is neither sky nor air,
Neither fire nor water,
I am the pure Brahma Svaroopa,
Where there are neither Sankalpa nor Vasanas,
Where there are neither Vikshepa nor Avarana,
I am Satya-jnana-ananda Svaroopa,
Which is Sakshi for the whole world.
I am Chinmatra Svaroopa,
Where there are neither senses nor mind,
Where there is neither Drishya,
Nor the Triputi of Seer, Sight and Seen.

27. I Am Para Brahma Svaroopa

I am Para Brahma Svaroopa (the absolute)
without special attributes;
I am the Essence which all the Vedantic scriptures
investigate;
I am Anandaghana, embodiment of Bliss;
I am the fruit of Maha Mouna-the Great Silence;
I am the Svaroopa wherein there are
neither dualities nor opposites;
I am that Para Brahman wherein there is
neither pleasure nor pain;
r52 DHYANA YOGA

I am the Absolute wherein there is neither darkness

nor light;
I am the Pure Consciousness which cuts
the knots of the heart!

. 2A.I Am Satya Svaroopa

I am Satya Svaroopa.
I am Santa Svaroopa.
I am Suddha Sukshma Svaroopa.
I am Vijnana Svaroopa.
I am Nirvikara Svaroopa.
I am Akhanda Ekarasa Svaroopa.
I am Poorna Svaroopa.
I am Nivritti, Sannyasa Svaroopa.
I am Prajnana Ghana Svaroopa.
I am Nit5ra Chaitanya Svaroopa.
I am Nitya Tripti Svaroopa.
I am Mukti Svaroopa.
I am Santi Svaroopa.
I am Satchidananda Svaroopa.
29. I Am Chaitanya Svaroopa
I am the Truth, the only living Presence!
I am the Svaroopa-essence which is greater than the
greatest!
I am the One Homogeneous Essence without
distinctions!
I am Akhandaikarasa Svaroopa-One indivisible
Homogeneous Essence!
I am the Absolute which is beyond the reach of the Srutis!
I am Brahma Svaroopa without motion!
I am That which transcends everything!
I am Chaitanya Svaroopa without the six modifications!

30. I Am Chinmatra Svaroopa

I am Brahma Svaroopa, without the five sheaths!
I am the Absolute Consciousness which is within that
 FORMULAS FOR MEDITATION 153

within! I am Brahma Svaroopa, without time,

space and cause!
I am Chinmatra Svaroopa, which is the
essence of Wisdom alone!
I am taintless Chinmaya Svaroopa, full of
Consciousness;
where there is no ignorance.
I am Poorna Para Brahma Svaroopa which the
Akhandakara Vritti is illuminating!
I am Pure Consciousness which has neither cause
nor effect!

31. I Am Sukha Ghana Svaroopa

1 am the Brahman that moves the mind.
I am the Absolute without this world of names and forms.
I am the Eternity where there is no time.
I am the pure Brahman where there is
Neither egoism nor the formidable lust.
I am the Brahman which transcends Gunas,
Which is beyond Sat and Asat.
I am the ever-steady "Sukha Ghana Svaroopa."
I am the Svaroopa where there is
Neither coming nor going,
Neither waking nor dreaming,
Where there is no space to move about,
Where there is Supreme Peace for ever,
Which fills all space ever5nvhere.

32. I Am Ananda Ghana Svaroopa

I am Kevala Para Brahma Svaroopa,
Where there is neither two nor three,
Where there are neither parts nor divisions,
Where there is neither counting nor measuring;
I am Akhanda Chidakasa Ananda Ghana Svaroopa.
I am Nishkala, Nirdvandva Svaroopa.
I am Niramaya, Nishkriya Svaroopa.
I am Nirakara, Niravayava Svaroopa.
154 DHYANA YOGA

33. I Am Maya-rahita Brahman

I am Maya-rahita Brahman
I am Desa Kala Vastu Pariccheda Rahita Brahman
I am Svajateeya, Vijateeya, Svagatha Bheda Rahita
Brahman,
I am Vasana Sankalpa Rahita Brahman.
I am Brahman without Maya,
I am Brahman without country, time and object,
I am Brahman without intrinsic, extrinsic and
genus species differences,
I am Brahman without desires and thoughts.
34. I Am Formless, Attributeless Brahman
I am Nirakara, Nirguna, Nirvisesha Brahman,
I am Nirupadhika, Nishkala Brahman,
I am Nirvikara, Nirvikalpa Brahman,
I am Ajara, Amara, Avinashi Brahman,
I am Asanga, Akarta, Abhokta, Sakshi Brahman.
I am Niravayaya, Nirliptha Brahman,
I am Akhanda Paripoorna Brahman,
I am formless, attributeless special
characteristicless Brahman.
I am Brahman without limiting adjuncts and parts,
I am Brahman without change and imagination,
I am Brahman without decay and death,
I am Brahman without attachment, doership and
enjoyment.
I am Brahman without limbs and attachment,
I am indivisible and All-full Brahman.

35. I Am Trigunatita Brahman

I am Trigunatita Brahman.
I am Dvandvatita Brahman.
I am Nada Bindu Kalatita Brahman.
I am Bhavatita Brahman.
I am Kalatita Brahman.
I am Mayatita Brahman.
 FORMULAS FOR MEDITATION 155

I am.the Brahman beyond the three Gunas.

I am the Brahman beyond the pairs of opposites.
I am the Brahman beyond Nada, Bindu and Kala.
I am the Brahman beyond imagination.
I am the Brahman beyond time.
I am the Brahman beyond Maya.
 Chapter Four

DHYANA YOGA SUTRAS

1. Dharana
1. Dharana is concentration.
2. It is fixing the mind on an external object or an
internal point or an idea.
3. Concentration is fixing the mind; meditation is
allowing one idea to flow continuously.
4. Be serene. Be cheerful. Be patient. Be regular in
your practice. Observe celibacy. Reduce your wants and
activities. Mix little. Observe Mouna. These are aids to
concentration.
5. Concentrate on Trikuti or heart.
2. Dhyana
1. Dhyana is meditation.
2. When you practise concentration, meditation
and Samadhi at a time, it is called Samyama.
3. Meditation is the key to unlock the door of
Moksha.
4. Meditation bestows intuitive knowledge and
eternal bliss.
5. Cultivate burning dispassion, burning
aspiration or longing for God-realisation. You will have
wonderful meditation.
6. Shun Siddhis or psychic powers. They are
obstacles in the path of Yoga.
7. Too much sleep, Iack of Brahmachdtyd,
laziness, rising up of latent desires, company of worldly
(1s6)
 DHYANAYOGA SUTRAS 157

people, overwork, overeating are all obstacles in

meditation.
B. Meditate on the form of the Lord. This is
concrete meditation.
9. Meditate on His attributes. This is abstract
meditation.

3. Meditation
1. Dharana or concentration matures in due
course into Dhyana (meditation) and Samadhi
(superconscious state).
2. Meditation is prolonged concentration. The
process of meditation is like the pouring of oil from one
vessel into another in a steady unbroken stream.
3. Meditation is an effort in the beginning. Later on
it becomes habitual and gives bliss, joy and peace.
4. OnIy when you have practised preliminary
stages of Sadhana such as Yama, Niyama, you will
obtain the full benefit of meditation.
5. In the one-pointed state, there cannot be more
than one idea. One idea can go only if another idea enters
the mind.
6. However intellectual you may be, you cannot
concentrate without the help of some image or symbol in
the beginning.
7. Success in meditation is quick in those whose
practice and meditation are intense.
8. Meditation is a positive, vital, dynamic process.
It transforms man into divinity.
9. Through regular meditation you can build an
impregnable and invulnerable fortress. Maya cannot
assail you.
10. Meditation is the key to intuition.
1 1. Meditation is the key to unfold the divinity or
Atman, hidden in all names and forms.
158 DHYANA YOGA

12. Meditation is the key to spiritual illumination.

13. Meditation is the only passport to the
satisfaction of life.
14. Meditation is an antidote to death.
15. Meditation is a vital part of daily living.
Therefore meditate, meditate daily.
16. Even a little meditation daily will raise you a
little higher and a little nearer to God.
17. The mind is refined by devotion and meditation.
18. As gold purified in a crucible shines bright, so
constant meditation on the Atman makes the mind pure
and efhrlgent with spiritual lustre.
19. A purified mind can grasp anything. It can dive
deep into the subtlest subject, and understand even
transcendental things.
20. Meditation releases a great amount of spiritual
power. By constant meditation on the Self, one attains
liberation
21. Meditate upon purity and other similar qualities
associatedwith purity--qualities like simplicit5r,
guilelessness, frankness, truthfulness,
open-heartedness, innocence, good- ness, etc.
22. Attttne yourself with the Infinite by stilling the
mind, by silencing the thoughts and emotions.
23. Mind is the biggest radio. It is the receiving set.
Attune it with the Infinite. Enjoy the supreme bliss of the
Supreme Soul.
24. Meditate. Root yourself in Divinity.
25. Shut down in meditation the conscious
mind-that part of your mind which thinks of the
external world, your body and its wants.
26. Meditation on Brahman is the highest form of
religion.
27. Yolu can realise Brahman when you have
stillness or serenit5r of mind.
 DHYANA YOGA SUTRAS 159

28. O Ram, meditate regularly in the early hours of

the morning. Let the mind taste the bliss of the Self.
29. The meditative mood comes and goes. Restrain
the senses. Be eternally vigilant.
30. Be regular in your meditation and become more
positive.
31. Sit for meditation at fixed hours.
Brahmamuhurta, noon, evening, (dusk, twilight) and
night.
32. Your life and your meditation must become one.
33. In deep meditation there is the first divine thrill
in the heart with joy and bliss.
34. When you enter into deep meditation, you will
realise balance, composure, serenity, peace of mind,
steadiness, fearlessness, highest dispassion.
35. Inner spiritual strength, perfect peace,
knowledge and bliss are the fruits of meditation.
36. Meditate regularly. You will attain the goal,
God-Realisation.
37. Meditate. Have a glimpse of That. All dualities,
all sorrows, all pains will vanish in toto.
4. Enquiry and Meditation
1. Enquiry into Brahman leads to the Supreme
good of ma.n. Brahman alone is to be enquired into. Do
thou enquire into That. VerilyThat is Brahman. Thou art
That.
2. Brahman cannot be realised without Vichara or
enquiry. Enquiry consists in investigation into the
problem: "Who am I? What is bondage? How has the
Samsara come into existence? What is Moksha?"
3. Diseases like enemies besiege the citadel of
health. Kill these enemies by the sword of meditation and
Brahmavichara.
160 DHYANA YOGA

4. O Nectar's son! Stand up and proclaim: 'I am

Immortal Atman'. The nectar of life Eternal is flowing.
Hasten! Close your eyes, meditate and drink freely.
5. Do not rise from your seat even for one or two
minutes, until the mind has completely withdrawn itself
and gets fully merged in the Lord.
6. You want great strength. You can get this
strength only from within by meditating on: "I am the
Atman. I am pure, all-pervading, Immortal Soul."
7. Where are you now? Have you progressed any
further in the spiritual path? Or are you stationary? Or
are you retrogressing? Find this out at once and take
suitable measures for your spiritual advancement. Be
quick. Be on the alert.
8. Worldly thoughts alone cause the round of
births. Purify your thoughts. Entertain lofty Divine
thoughts. Have the one thought, "l am immortal,
all-pervading Soul." You will be freed from the wheel of
births and deaths.
9. Stand as a witness of your thoughts. Do not
identify with them. They will pass away soon. The mind
will divide into two. One portion of the mind will be the
witness. It will watch. It will remain quiet and
undisturbed. The other part of the mind will remain as
the object of study or observation.
10. You cannot have spiritual life if you have not
learnt to look within or introspect.
11. Emancipation is the final fruit of meditation. It
is the natural and eternal state of the Self. It has neither
beginning nor end.
12. You should strive by every means to make your
life better by ceaseless mental discipline and meditation.
Only by spiritual illumination you can obtain deliverance
from the wearisome round of birth after birth.
 DHYANA YOGA SUTRAS 161

13. Nothing short of knowledge of Brahman or the

Absolute can make you happy. Therefore, strive
ceaseless meditation on the Innermost Self.
14. Constantly repeat day and night, "l am
Satchidananda Brahman; I am ever-pure, ever-perfect,
all-powerful, all- pervading." Thought is all-important.
What you think, 5iou become.
15. Become silent and hear the whispers of God.
What a strange power there is in silence! Silence is more
eloquent than a silvery speech. Meditate and enjoy
silence. Hail silence! The harbinger of peace. O Silence!
Thou art Peace itself. Thou art Brahman. Adorations to
Silence.

The Process o.,f Supretne Corntnunion

16. Meditation is a stepping-stone for entrance into
the regions of spiritual btiss. Therefore, meditate
regularly and constantly with a pure heart.
17. There is a condition of the mind which is quite
independent of the external objects. This is termed as
natural state or indifference. Meditation is this state.
18. There is no other means of knowing the Truth
than one's own intuition. Vichara, enquiry of Who am I?,
and meditation open the door of intuition.
19. There is no other means to obtain a hidden
treasure except digging. Even so, there is no other means
except meditation on Brahman, the Supreme Self, to
attain the final beatitude.
20. Dhyana or meditation is a process by which one
attains mastery over the senses. Dhyana is the fixity of
mind on God, and then constantly dwelling on God to the
exclusion of all other objects.
21. Meditation includes all those spiritual exercises
which are best calculated to make the mind rest
peacefully in Brahman or the Eternal.
t62 DHYANA YOGA

22. Meditation tunes and harmonises the mind.

Meditation keeps the mind in tune with the Infinite.
23. The early stages of meditation are found fraught
with difficulties. The meditator loses interest after some
time and stops his Sadhana. It is a terrible mistake. Plod
on, friend! Seek the company of senior aspirants. Live
with your preceptor now.
24. The practice of meditation should become
habitual. You can achieve this through constant
practice. There is no other way.
25. You will attain even now the Supreme Bliss of
Moksha or freedom, if you practise constant meditation
on Atman with a pure heart.
26. Solitude, austerity, self-control, patience,
absence of jealousy and moderation in food are aids to
meditation.
The Med.itator qnd the Meditated Becotrrc One
27. Tine conscious mental repetition of the same
concept is Dhyana or meditation. When this becomes
perfect one will attain Samadhi, where the meditator and
meditated become one.
28. A thirsting aspirant is ever vigilant. His
thoughts day and night are always set on Brahman, the
Eternal. He ever delights in meditation.
29. Meditation releases great amount of spiritual
enerry. This spiritual enerry destroys all evil thoughts
and sublimates the sex-enerry.
30. Take a bath in the Jnana Ganga in the early
morning through meditation. Clothe yourself in the garb
of saintliness. Drink the cooling beverage of
contentment. Then take the breakfast of peace with the
spice of joy and the sauce of bliss.
31. Just as the river Ganga flows to the east, slopes
to the east, inclines to the east, so also the Yogi who
 DHYANA YOGA SUTRAS 163

;;il;';;;;;;l;;' ;iil';;;;#;;t;':i;;
Samadhi and inclines to Samadhi.
;;
32. lf an aspirant meditates regularly for a fairly
long period of time, he must surely develop higher states
of awareness. If he does not develop this, there must be
some error in Sadhana. He may not be meditating. He
may be building castles in the air or enjoying good sleep
or Tandra, a half-sleepy state.
33. Drink the tonic elixir of immortality by
practising regular meditation in the morning. Mix the
elixir with a generous proportion of bliss and peace by
doing Kirtan for half an hour.
34. The mind finds no rest anywhere. There is no
ultimate satisfaction of desires. The fire of desire burns
your heart intensely. cool this hre by the nectar of Atman
obtained through meditation.
35. The meditator sometimes gets stuck up
anywhere or even side-tracked. He will have to be very
vigilant and ever watchful.
36. The mind becomes serene and attains peace by
meditating on the unity of the Ultimate Reality.
37. Even if you practise Nirakara, Nirguna Dhyana,
meditation on formless, attributeless Brahman, you can
have meditation on your Ishta Devata or Saguna
Brahman. The grace of the Lord is necessary for
obtaining success in Nirguna meditation. The saguna
Brahman and the Nirguna Brahman are one.
38. The cause of birth and death and all sufferings
is ignorance. Knowledge of Brahman or the Absolute
brings it to an end. Therefore attain Brahma Jnana
through meditation on Brahman.
39. There is no greater gain than the gain of Atman,
the Inner Self. With a view to this gain, worship your own
self. Meditate on this constantly.
r64 DHYANA YOGA

40. Silence invigorates, energises and revivifies'

Meditate and enter the silence. Merge in silence. Silence
is Brahman.
5. Light on Meditation
What Is llleditation?
1. Meditation is the uninterrupted flow of one idea
of God.
2. Meditation is the royal road to everlasting peace
and bliss immortal.
3. Meditation is the key to intuition.
for MeditatTon
Pre'Reguisites
4. You cannot"practise meditation if your mind is
full of desires, and if your mind is diverted by any
external objects.
5. If your mind is unruly, uncontrolled, if your
heart is full of resentment and turbulence, there will be
no meditation for you.
6. He who has practised Yama-Niyama and
Pratyahara will obtain the full benefit of meditation.
7. Meditation is not successful without discipline
and devotion.
8. Concentration leads to meditation.
Useful Hints for Sure Success in Med.itation
9. When Sattva is predominant, the mind is calm
and serene. Meditation becomes calm and steady.
10. Meditation must be done with great faith and
great interest. You will feel enriched and encouraged in
the spiritual pursuit through regular meditation-
1 1. When you sit for meditation, take a resolve,
"nothing shall shake or move me. I will not get up until I
realise the Truth." This is the kind of determination, tJre
 DHYANA YOGA SUTRAS 165

faith in the ultimate achievement, which can bring the

goal nearer to you.
12. Meditate on the nature of God, on His attributes
viz. Omnipotence, Omniscience, Omnipresence, etc.
13. Meditate on that Brahman who is endless,
fearless, timeless, spaceless, birthless and deathless,
free from old age, supreme and self-luminous.
14. Meditate regularly.
15. Sit for meditation at fixed hours.
16. Meditation should form part of your daily
routine.

Coueted. Experiences in Med,itqtion

17. In deep meditation there is divine thrill in the
heart, with joy and bliss.
18. In deep meditation you merge in the innermost
Self or Atman and attain the inner core of Divine
Experience. The ego gets dissolved. The mind ceases
functioning.
19. In meditation the whole mind is wholly
absorbed in one thing or ideal to the exclusion of
everything else. The activity of the senses is totally
withdrawn by the very nature of the absorption of the
mind.
20. Meditation leads to Samadhi or superconscious
state.

Fruits of Meditation
21. Perfect peace, knowledge, serenity, steadiness,
fearlessness, dispassion, Samadhi, insight, illumination
are the fruits of meditation.
22. Meditation paves the way for perfection.
23. Meditation transforms man into divinity.
24. Meditation dissolves doubts.
r66 DHYANA YOGA

The Vital Secret

25. Meditation opens the door of Moksha.
26. Meditation flows in a pure heart.
6. The Process of Meditation
Method. of Meditatlon

1. Meditation is a process by which there arises

intuitive experience or spiritual Aparoksha (direct)
Anubhava or experience.
2. Practise silent meditation. Attain spiritual
development and Self-realisation.
3. Sit erect in a position of ease. Repeat OM,
meditating on its meaning. Free the mind from all
distracting thoughts and desires.
4. If your meditation is imperfect, examine your
heart. There may be still undercurrent of Vasanas or
desires, attachment and egoism. The senses may still be
turbulent. Still there may be craving for sense-pleasures.
5. The practice of meditation is the great scientific
method of knowledge.

Irmp o r tanc e of M e dltatio n

1. There is no knowledge without meditation. The
Yogi churns his own soul. Truth becomes manifest.
2. Meditation is the most important aspect of
religious life. Right meditation is very important. It is a
process of canalising the mind to take the form of the
object of meditation.
3. Meditation on Brahman bestows immortality.
There is no other way to Immortality.

Goal of Med.itation
1. The object of meditation is the realisation of the
transcendental consciousness through intuition.
 DHYANA YOGA SUTRAS t67

2. He who follows the path of meditation knows his

self as Divine and one with God.
3. Meditation brings you nearer to Truth than
anything else.
4. Meditation is Dhyana. It leads to the summit of
Samadhi or Superconscious state.
5. When the transcendence of the Gunas has
taken place through the evolution of intuition, the
meditation ceases.
6. After reaching the Goal, the yogi does not
meditate. There is no object to meditate upon, because
ever5rwhere he sees the all-perwasive Lord.

Benefits of Med.itation
1. Even a little meditation saves you from fear of
death.
2. Constant practice of meditation will bring
tranquillity and peace within.
3. Meditation fills the mind vidth cheerful,
powerful, Sattvic thoughts.
4. By sustained meditation on the form of the Lord,
the devotee will acquire the deepest love for the Lord.
5. In meditation you get directly an abundant
supply of Sattva from the Lord.
6. An aspirant who meditates regularly enjoys
peace, tranquillity, joy and a feeling of independence.
7. Meditation is a great tonic and revitaliser. Have
serene meditation in the calm hours of early dawn and
quiet hours of evening twilight.
8. By practice of meditation all the lower desires
vanish, all personal thoughts will cease. There is only
desire to be one with the Lord.

Obstacles in Med.itation
1. Thinking of the past and anxiety about the
future is a hindrance in meditation.
168 DHYANA YOGA

2. Memory or recollection is a great obstacle in

meditation.
3. Ignore psychic experience and keep the mind
alert and fixed in the object of meditation.
4. Meditation must be deep, regular, more serious
and continuous.
5. Through Vairarya and meditation the senses are
weakened and the mind merges itself in the Supreme.
6. Be moderate in food. Dwell in solitude. Meditate,
leave anger; abandon pride.
7. Yarna, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama become
preliminary to meditation.
Mlnd. in Medltation
1. In meditation the mind is turned back upon
itself. The mind stops all the thought-waves.
2. Tkre moment the mind is restrained for the
purpose of meditation, the impressions, the sensations
of the past, constantly disturb the meditation.
3. When the spiritual vision is developed through
Sattva and meditation you will be able to see the subtler
existence, the Devatas and the Soul.
4. When you develop intuition through meditation,
realisation of Atman takes Place.
Set/-Rectts atlon bg Meditation
1. Meditate on the innermost Self ceaselessly. The
mind will be absorbed in Brahman. You will attain
Self-realisation.
2. Slay the ego or the false self. Sit motionless and
calm. Meditate and realise the Atman.
3. When you have made considerable progress in
meditation, you lose the awareness of the process of
meditation. You even cease to be aware of yourself, what
 DHYANA YOGA SUTRAS 169

remains is only the object of meditation. There is only

awareness of pure consciousness.
4. Intuition merges the subject and object of
knowledge together with the process of knowing into the
supreme Brahman.
5. Learn to find eternal peace and everlasting bliss
in meditation on the Atman or the Self Supreme.
6. He who practises meditation regularly and
vigorously enters into Samadhi and attains a direct
cognition of the all-fullJnana or Wisdom. He attains the
supreme state of Jeevanmukti devoid of this illusory
universe though existent for others.
7. Meditate in silence regularly. you will get
inspiration, peace and spiritual strength. you will catch
the glory of God and the splendour of Truth. you will feel
the immanence of,Truth.

Meaning of Samadhi
1. Samadhi is a state of iull wisdom. It is union
with the Absolute.
2. ln Samadhi or the state where there are no
limitations, there is nothing like the knower and the
known. It is all a homogeneous experience.
3. In the state of Samadhi the mind merges with
the Absolute or Brahman. Individuality melts.
Everlasting Bliss is attained. The sage is free from pain,
sorrow, fear and delusion.
4. Samadhi is all unity or Atman alone.
5. The state where there is absolute
consciousness, where the mind does not seek or is at
perfect rest, where the knower and the known have
become one is Samadhi.
6. Through the annihilation of the modifications of
the mind, you can attain Samadhi.
170 DHYANA YOGA

Saaikalprr Samadhi
1. In Savikalpa Samadhi there is the
consciousness, 'I am meditating," "Brahman is the
object of meditation."
2. ln Savikalpa Samadhi, there is the
consciousness of the knower, knowledge and the known.
3. In the case of Savikalpa Samadhi there is the
consciousness of dualiff but it is superficial and only
apparent.
4. Savikalpa Samadhi is a state of preparation.
Nirvikalpa Samadhi is the goal.
Nirvikalpa So,tnqdhi
1. When the mind ceases functioning, when all
thoughts subside, when all consciousness of the body
and the outer world is effaced from the mind, the
individual soul merges in the supreme Soul. This is the
Nirvikalpa Samadhi.
2. Abandon all Sankalpas and become a
Nirvikalpa.
3. A man who is dreaming in his sleep experiences
many sufferings, but when he wakes, feels no concern
with any of them, even so, he who rests in Nirvikalpa
Samadhi or Atman will be beyond all the effects of
Prakriti.
4. In Nirvikalpa Samadhi no individual
consciousness remains, as the individual consciousness
is merged in the universal consciousness.
5. In Nirvikalpa Samadhi there is the absolute
absence of the triad of knower, knowledge and the
known.
7. Samadhi
1. Samadhi is direct knowledge of the Supreme
Self. It is super-consciousness.
 DHYANA YOGA SUTRAS t7l
2. Successful deep meditation will ultimately lead
you to Samadhi or the superconscious state.
3. Samadhi is not the abolition of personality. It is
the completion of the personality.
4. Experience of fullness is called Samadhi. It is
freedom from misery. It is Bliss Absolute.
5. During Samadhi there is no movement of prana.
There is neither inhalation nor exhalation.
6. Samadhi is where there is no birth, no death, no
decay, no disease, no pain, no sorrow
7. All names and forms vanish in deep meditation.
There is consciousness of infrnite space. This also
disappears. There is a state of nothingness. Suddenly
there dawns illumination, Nirvikalpa Samadhi.
8. Nirvikalpa Samadhi is the realisation of the
highest value.
9. During Nirvikalpa Samadhi the Reality is
intuited in all its wholeness. It is the experience of
oneness with the Absolute.
10. In Samadhi you attain illumination. you have
Brahmic Superconsciousness, in place of the still
Jiva-consciousness.
1 1. In Nirvikalpa Samadhi there is no object. There
is cessation of all mental modifications.
12. The Supreme being is actually realised by the
Yogi at the highest stage of his spiritual experience or
Nirvikalpa Samadhi.
13. When the Raja-Yogi attains Kaivalya, the Gunas
(qualities) go back to their origin, namely, the prakriti or
Pradhan.
14. Buddhi or intellect, Ahamkara or egoism,
Manas or mind, Indriyas or the elements, are only the
Parinamas or the modifications of the threefold Gunas
(qualities). These also merge into their original sources,
one after another.
172 DHYANA YOGA

15. Purusha alone is the seer, or Drashta. The

Gunas and their modifications are the Drishyam or the
seen.
16. During Kaivalya or Independence, Chitta,
egoism, and Buddhi get liberated.
17. During Kaivalya the Purusha is established in
his own state of freedom.
18. When the Purusha attains Kaivalya, the Gunas
and their modifications have no more purpose to serve
the Purusha.
L9. Na Ham, Na Tum, Daftar Gum: No "[", no "yoll",
the office of Prakriti is closed now for the liberated
Purusha.
2O. Sensual pleasure is nothing when compared
with the bliss of meditation and Samadhi.
2L. ln Sahaja Samadhi, the Soham Bhavana
becomes automatic, continuous and natural.
22. In Nirvikalpa Samadhi, there is not even the
Soham Bhavana, as there is no one to feel Soham.
23. The superconscious experience is Turiya or the
fourth state. It is Nirvikalpa Samadhi or the state of
perfect awareness of one's real Svaroopa of oneness with
the Supreme Being.
24. Close the door of the intellect; shut the windows
of the senses; retire into the chamber of the heart, and
enjoy the sleepless sleep of Samadhi.
25. Samadhi is superconscious state.
26. Samadhi is union with God.
27. The state of Samadhi is all bliss.
28. The meditator loses his -individuality and
becomes identical with the Supreme Self.
29. T}:re state of Samadhi is ineffable.
30. In Savikalpa Samadhi or Samprajnata Samadhi
there is Triputi or the triad, the knower, knowledge and
the known.
 DHYANA YOGA SUTRAS t73

31. In Savikalpa Samadhi the Samskaras or

impressions are not burnt.
32. ln Nirvikalpa Samadhi all the impressions are
totally burnt.
33. In Samprajnata Samadhi there is complete
inhibition of the functions of the mind.
34. The Yogi attains Kaivalya or Absolute
Independence, freedom, perfection now.
35. Samadhi is an awareness of Reality.
36. Samadhi is superconsciousness. It transcends
duality of all kinds.
37. ln Samadhi the triad, known, knowledge and
knowable disappear.
38. In Samadhi there is neither 'I'nor Jrou'neither
'he'nor 'she' neither 'here' nor 'there' neither 'this' nor
'that' neither'above' nor below'.
39. It is a state of fullness and eternal bliss,
everlasting joy and perennial peace.
40. In Samadhi there is no consciousness of
anything internal or external.

8. Intuition
1. Inner realisation or illumination transcends all
philosophy. It is one's own experience or spiritual
Anubhava.
2. You can attain Atma Jnana or knowledge of the
Self through intuition and intuition alone.
3. The immediate knowledge through intuition or
spiritual Anubhava unites the individual soul with the
Supreme Soul.
4. Sensing is false knowledge and intuition is right
knowledge.
5. Intuitive knowledge alone is the highest
knowledge. It is the imperishable, infinite knowledge of
Truth.
t74 DHYANA YOGA

6. Trust your intuition, which will never fail you.

7. Without developing intuition, the intellectual
man remains imperfect.
8. Intellect has not got that power to get into the
inner chamber of Truth.
9. Through intuition alone you can catch the vision
of the Real or Brahman.
10. He who has intuition attains immortality.
1 1. Sell your cleverness and argument and buy
intuition. You will rest peacefully. You will be blessed.
12. Vichara or enquiry opens the door of intuition.
13. Thought cannot reveal Truth or Absolute.
14. Without the philosophy of intuition, the
philosophy of the West is bound to remain imperfect.
15. The scientific attempts to prove the Infinite are
futile.
16. The only scientific method is intuitional.
17. The solution of the problem of religious
philosophy and science is the development of intuition.
18. Real cultural advance is not along the
intellectual side, but along the intuitional side.
19. Intuition or spiritual experience or Brahma
Jnana is never produced, because we do not know any
stage when it was not in existence.
20. Intuition is the only touch-stone of philosophy.

9. Samadhi and Divine Experience

1. That blessed state in which the mystery of life is
revealed, that serene, and blessed state in which the
meditator enters into sleepless sleep, is Nirvikalpa
Samadhi.
2. Samadhi is not a state of letharry. It is intense
awareness of the Realit5r, the highest intuition which
 DHYANA YOGA SUTRAS 175

reveals to the meditator things as they are in which

eternal peace is experienced.
3. There is a general spiritual anaesthetic which is
superior to chloroform, ether, etc. That is Nirvikalpa
Samadhi or the Superconscious state of a Yogi.
4. There is an absolute experience in the state of
Nirvikalpa Samadhi. Samadhi is not a state of idleness. It
is awareness of the Reality. It is the highest intuition.
5. He who has attained Nirvikalpa Samadhi or
Oneness with the Supreme can never be separated from
Him.
6. The experience of fullness is called Samadhi. It
transcends duality of all kinds and is undisturbed by the
ego. It is free from worry. There is complete satisfaction.
There is a feeling of having attained all that was to be
attained.
7. The perfection or culmination of Dhyana
(meditation) is Samadhi. In the state of Samadhi tl.e
meditator realises his identity with the Supreme Self.
8. Samadhi leaves a permanent mark on the
aspirant who experiences it. He who has experienced
Samadhi becomes wise and illumined.
9. Samadhi or Nirvana or God-vision is the
birthright of every human being. It is not the monopoly of
Sannyasins or ascetics alone.
10. The requisites for the attainment of Samadhi
are steadiness of posture, purity of heart, abstraction of
the senses and one-pointedness of the mind (Ekagrata).
11. Mere talk or discussion on Samadhi, any
amount of mere study of Yoga scriptures cannot help you
in the realisation of Samadhi. You will have to practise
Yoga with sincerity, earnestness and tenacity. Only
crying "food" will not appease your hunger. You must sit
down and take the food. Then alone your hunger will be
appeased.
176 DHYANA YOGA

The Dawn oJ Light Diuine

12. Absolute Ananda is the Supreme Reality. Rise
step by step from the sensuous place of experience to the
transcendental spiritual experience wherein all names
and forms vanish, self-delight alone exists.
13. For him who sees the all-pervading, tranquil,
secondless, blissful Atman there remains nothing to be
attained or known. Know this perfect Atman and attain
eternal satisfaction and perennial joy.
14. Even if you get a momentary glimpse of the
Supreme, a new element enters your heart. The whole
heart is revolutionised. The inner man is changed. A
wave of Supreme Joy sweeps over you.
15. If you taste even once the sweetness of spiritual
bliss in meditation, it will be irksome for you even to
think of mundane objects.
16. He who has realised Brahman becomes silent.
Discussions and argumentations exist so long as the
realisation of the Infinite is not attained.
17. He who has experienced the blissful nature of
Brahman or the Supreme Being does not suffer any
trouble from fears either physical or mental.
18. The satisfaction that results from sense-objects
is dependent and limited, whereas the satisfaction
consequent on knowledge of Brahman is limitless and
independent.
19. God-vision is a cosmic experience. It gives a new
orientation to life, a new perspective of Reality. It is an
experience as a whole. The Sairrt of God-vision beholds
the world of expression of divine glory ffibhuti).
20. God-vision leaves its lasting impression on the
meditator's consciousness. God-vision is not seeing or
sensing in any form. It is of the nature of an illumination
or direct Anubhava.
21. Turiya is the last door which opens into the
temple of the unspeakable Bliss of Brahman.
 DHYANA YOGA SUTRAS 177

22. T}:,e term "intuition" inadequately and

imperfectly expresses the Supreme Realisation. It is
Anubhava or Aparoksha Anubhuti.
23. You can really know Truth through intuition or
personal experience (Anubhava, Aparoksha Anubhuti).
24. The luminosity of intuition of Aparoksha
Anubhuti is self-luminosity. The luminosity of Sattva is
reflected luminosity.
25. Intuition of Brahman removes all miseries,
pains and sorrows and brings in its train unexcellable
bliss. Therefore, attain intuition through purity and
meditation.
26. The Bliss which results from union with
Brahman or the Eternal is ineffable. You will have to
realise it yourself.
27 . T}:,e feelings and thoughts are the same though
the languages are different. Even so, religious experience
is the same though religions are different.
 Chopter Fivc

QUESTTONS AND ANSWERS

1. Easy Path to Concentration
Q. What is the easiest way for concentration?
A. Japa of the Name of the Lord. And, a very
important point to bear in mind in this connection is that
perfect concentration is just not achieved in a day; you
should never despair and give up your efforts. Be calm.
Be patient. Do not worry yourself if the mind wanders. Be
regular in your Japa; stick to the meditation hour. Slowly
the mind will automatically turn God-ward. And, once it
tastes the bliss of the Lord nothing will be able to
shake it.

2. Benefits of Meditation.in Brahmamuhurta

Q. What are the advantages gained by a Sadhaka,
by meditating in Brahmamuhurta?
A. In Brahmamuhurta the mind is calm and serene.
It is free from worldly thoughts, worries and anxieties.
The mind is like a blank sheet of paper and
comparatively free from worldly Samskaras. It can be
very easily moulded at this time before worldly
distractions enter the mind. Further the atmosphere also
is charged with more Sattva at this particular time. There
is no bustle and much noise outside.

3. Worldly Thoughts and Meditation

Q. When I sit for meditation, I am assailed by
different thoughts. When will the agitation subside?
A. In a big city there is much bustle and sound at 8
p.m. At 9 p.m. there is not so much bustle and sound. At
1O p.m. it is still reduced and at 11 p.m. it is much less.
(178)
 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 179

At I a.m. there is peace ever5rwhere. Even so in the

beginning of Yogic practice there are countless Vrittis in
the mind. There is much agitation and tossing in the
mind. Gradually the thought-waves will subside. In the
end all mental modifications are controlled. The Yogi
enjoys perfect peace.

4. Entry Into Samadhi

Q. How to enter into Samadhi quickly?
A. Cut off all connections with friends, relatives etc.
Do not write letters to anybody. Observe Akhanda Mouna
(vow of continued silence). Live alone. Walk alone. Take
very little but nutritious food, live on milk alone, if you
can afford! Plunge in deep meditation. Dive deep. Have
constant practice. You will be immersed in Samadhi. Be
cautious. Use your commonsense. Do not make violent
struggle with the mind. Relax. Allow the Divine thoughts
to flow gently in the mind.

5. Lord Hari and the Object of Concentration

Q. How to do Dhyana of Hari?
A. Mentally fi* your mind at His Lotus Feet. Then
rotate the mind on His silk cloth (Peetambara), Srivatsa,
Kaustubha gem on His chest, bracelets on His arms,
earrings, crown on the head, then conch, discus, mace,
lotus in the hands and then come to His Feet. Repeat the
process again and again.
Q. Where to concentrate the mind?
A. In the lotus of the heart (Anahata Chakra) or the
space between the two eyebrows (Trikuti) according to
your taste and predilection.
6. Concentration
Q. On what can one concentrate?
A. Concentrate on a concrete form in the beginning,
on the form of Lord Krishna with flute in hand or on the
180 DHYANA YOGA

form of Lord Vishnu with conch, discus, mace and lotus

in the four hands respectively.
Q. One man told me to look constantly in a mirror
on a point in the midspace between the two eyebrows in
the reflection of my face. Can I do so?
A. You can. This is one way of concentration. But
stick to one method, to Rama's picture only. you can
spiritually grow when you concentrate on Divine forms
and meditate on His qualities.
Q. Why do people concentrate on Saligram?
" A. It has got a power to induce concentration easily.
Q. I am concentrating on Trikuti, on Om figure and
sound. Am I right in my concentration?
A. You are right. Associate the idea of purity, Sat,
Chit, Ananda, perfection etc., with Om. Feel that you are
all-pervading consciousness. This kind of Bhava is
necessary.
Q. What should I do to have deep concentration of
mind?
A. Develop intense mental Vairagra. Increase the
time of practice. Sit alone. Do not mix much with
undesirable persons. Observe Mouna for three hours.
Take milk and fruits at night. You will have deep
concentration of mind. I assure you.
Q. The disciple needs words of encouragement.
Often he wants to be in touch with his Guru. That is why
I disturb you always. May I enquire now how the power of
concentration increases?
A. You can write to me often. Disturbance concerns
with the mind. There is always peace for one who lives in
the Atman which transcends mind. Disturbances,
troubles and afflictions can hardly touch such a person,
who lives in the Spirit. Concentration increases by
curtailing your wants and desires, by observing Mouna
(keeping silence) for two hours daily, by remaining in
seclusion in a quiet room for one or two hours daily, by
 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 181

practising Pranayama, by prayer, by increasing the

number of sittings in meditation in the evening and at
night, by Vichara, etc.
Q. Can Japa bring about concentration?
A- Yes. Do Manasika Japa.
Q. When I try to concentrate on the Trikuti, I get a
slight headache. Is there any remedy?
A. Do not struggle with the mind. Do not make a
violent effort when you concentrate. Relax all nerves,
muscles and brain. Do gentle concentration in a natural
manner. This will remove undue strain and consequent
headache.
Q. The mind is still fickle in me and the flesh is
weak. Attempts at concentration are sometimes
successful, but often end in disappointment. The
purification of mind is not easy. What do you suggest?
A. Your Vairarya is not pure. Develop Vairarya. Do
intense Sadhana. Increase the period of meditation to 4
hours. Reduce your Vyavahara (activity). Go for
seclusion for 3 months either to Rishikesh or Uttarkasi.
Observe Mouna for full three months. You will have
wonderful concentration and meditation.
Q. Why does the Yogi who does the Sakti Sanchar
on his disciple ask him to give up all other kinds of
Sadhana?
A. To develop intense faith, steadiness on the path
and one-pointed or single minded devotion in one form of
Yoga.
Q. I am doing Japa for two hours daily and
Pranayama for half an hour. Can I have Ekagrata and
Tanmayata in 2 or 3 years?
A. Yes, You can, if you are pure and sincere in your
Sadhana.

7. Meditation
Q. What is Brahmamuhurta?
182 DHYANA YOGA

A. 4 a.m. in the morning is termed as

Brahmamuhurta.
Q. Why is it eulogised by Rishis?
A. Because it is favourable for meditation on God or
Brahman. Hence it is called Brahmamuhurta.
Q. What are the advantages gained by a Sadhaka by
meditating at this particular hour?
A. At this particular hour the mind is very calm and
serene. It is free from worldly thoughts, worries and
anxieties. The mind is like a blank sheet of paper and
comparatively free from worldly Samskaras.
It can be very easily moulded at this time before
worldly distractions enter the mind. Further the
atmosphere also is charged with more Sattva at this
particular time. There is no bustle and much noise
outside.
Q. Should I take bath before I start meditation?
A. If you are strong enough, if you are hale and
healthy, if the weather and season can permit, if you are
in the prime of youth, take a bath either in cold,
lukewarm or hot water as desired. Otherwise wash your
hands, feet and face witll cold water. Do Achamana
(sipping water with Mantra "Ach5rutaya Namaha Om,
Anantaya Namaha Om, Govindaya Namaha Om").
Q. How to take to meditation or concentrate the
mind (Ekagrata)?
A. First concentrate on the figure of Lord Hari with
four hands for one year. Then take to abstract meditation
on an idea. You can meditate on these: "Om Ekam,
Akhanda, Chidakasa, Sarva Bhuta, Antaratm4"-"Qns,
indivisible Atman, the Indweller of all creatures,
all-pervading, subtle corr"diorsness like ether."
Q. My greatest difficulty is about concentration of
the mind. The mind almost always is running away
during my meditation. What is the remedy?
 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS r83

A. Strengthen your Vairagra and Abhyasa. Again

and again you will have to bring the mind to the Lakshya.
If you can make it run 50 times instead of 55 times, that
is a great achievement for you. Mouna (vow of silence)
will help you a lot in winter: You have your sittings in
meditation in the morning, afternoon, evening and at
night.
Q. What can I do besides Pranayama to elevate the
mind when it gets dull, during meditation? May I use
counter suggestions?
A. Whenever the mind gets dull, assert: "l €un
Atman, I am full of knowledge. I am Jnana Svaroopa. I
am omnipotent- OM OM OM". The mind will be elevated
and fixed in your meditation.
Q. A Yogi told me that while meditating on God, I
can hear the sound of Sri Krishna's flute and the
Shankha Nada. Is it true? If so, how to hear it?
A. It is quite true. Concentrate upon Krishna's
picture. You will hear those two kinds of sound. Close the
ears with the two thumbs or a ball of yellow bees-wax
beaten with cotton and concentrate deeply on the sounds
you hear from the right ear. You will hear those sounds.
Practise this at night.
Q. I would pray to you to give me some more
instructions, some methods of Dhyana and some hints
for getting along the right path.
A. Visualise every part of Sri Krishna's body with
His ornaments, silk Peetambar, flute, etc., with closed
eyes and keep the image steady. If the mind runs, if you
cannot bring it back to the point, allow it to roam about
for a while. It will settle down by itself after some wild
jumping hither and thither.
Q. Why should we devote time for meditation? God
is not desirous of our prayers.
A. The goal of life is Self-realisation or God-
consciousness. All our miseries, birth, old age and death,
can end only by realisation of God. Realisation can be
184 DHYANA YOGA

had through meditation on God. There is no other way,

my dear Ram. Therefore one should practise meditation.
God prompts us to do prayers, Japa, etc., because, He is
the Preraka (He who inspires our minds).
Q. Can I get help from God during meditation?
A. Yes. The indwelling presence that shines in your
heart is awaiting with outstretched hands to embrace the
sincere devotees.
Q. Is it advisable to do meditation after meal at
night? A Grihastha is so much disturbed in the evening
that he scarcely gets time to meditate.
A. Meditation at night, a second sitting, is
absolutely necessarJr. If you have no suffrcient time at
night, you can meditate even for a few minutes say 10 or
15 before going to bed. By so doing the spiritual
Samskaras will increase. The spiritual Samskaras are
valuable assets or priceless treasures for you. Further
you will have no bad dreams at night. The divine thought
will be carried during sleep. The good impressions will be
there.
Q. What is the difference between Japa and
meditation?
A. Japa is the silent repetition of the Name of the
Lord. Meditation is constant flow of one idea of God.
When you repeat 'Om Namo Narayanaya', it is Japa of
Vishnu Mantra. You think of conch, discus, mace and
lotus flower in the hands of Vishnu, His ear rings, crown
on His head, His yellow silken Peetambar, etc., it is
meditation. When you think of the attributes of God such
as Omniscience, Omnipotence, etc., it is also meditation.
Q. Give me practical instructions on how to
meditate.
A. Sit on Padma or Siddha Asana in a solitary room,
keep the head, neck and trunk in one straight line. Close
your eyes. Imagine that a big, effulgent sun is shining in
the chambers of your heart. Place the picture of Lord
Vishnu in the centre of a lotus flower. Locate the picture
 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 185

now in the centre of the blazing sun. Repeat His Mantra

"Om Namo Narayanaya" mentally and see His image in
your heart mentally from foot to head, His weapons in
the hands, etc. Shut off all other worldly ideas.
Q. When I meditate, my head becomes heavy. How
to remove this?
A. ApplyAmalaka oil to the head and take cold bath.
Dash some cold water on the head before you sit for
meditation. You will be all right. Do not wrestle with the
mind.
Q. Is seclusion necessary?
A. Absolutely necessary. It is an indispensable
requisite.
Q. How long should I remain in seclusion?
A. For full three years.
Q. Can you suggest to me some solitary place for
meditation?
A. Rishikesh, Haridwar, Nasik, Uttarkasi, Badri
Narayan, Kankhal near Haridwar, Brindavan, Mathura,
Ayodhya or Kashmir.
a How shall I prepare myself for a contemplative
life?
A. Divide your property between your children.
Keep something for yourself to keep the life going.
Distribute a portion in charity. Build a Kutir in Rishikesh
and live there. Do not write letters to your children. Do
not enter into the plains. Then start meditation. Your
mind will rest in peace now. Do this at once. You must
hurry up.
Q. When I was living in Uttarkasi I had good
Nishtha, exalted Vrittis and good Dharana. I have lost
them now when I entered the plains even though I do
Sadhana. Why? How to raise myself as before?
A. Contact with the worldly-minded people at once
affects the mind. Vikshepa comes in. Mind imitates. Bad,
luxurious habits are developed. Bad environments and
186 DHYANA YOGA

bad association play a tremendous part and produce bad

influence in the mind of Sadhakas. Old Samskaras are
revived. I will ask you to run at once to Uttarkasi back
again. Do not delay even a single minute. As the mind is
formed out of the subtlest part of the food, it gets
attached to that man from whom it receives its food. Do
not be under obligation to anybody. Lead an independent
life. Rely on your own self.
Q. Why do I not get strccess in meditation even
though I am practising it for the last six years?
A. You have no Chitta Shuddhi.
Q. How can I find out that I have got Chitta Suddhi
or not?
A. Sexual thoughts, worldly desires, unholy ideas,
sexual Vasanas, anger, vanit5r, hypocrisy, egoism, greed,
jealousy, etc. will not arise in your mind if you have
Chitta Suddhi. You will have no attraction for sensual
objects. You will have sustained and lasting Vairarya.
Even in dreams you will not entertain evil thoughts. You
will possess all virtuous divine qualities such as mercy,
cosmic love, forgiveness, harmony and balance of mind.
These are the signs to indicate that you have attained
Chitta Suddhi.
Q. How long will it take for a man to have Chitta
Suddhi?
A. It depends upon the state of evolution of the man
and the degree of Sadhana. He can have purity of mind
within six months if he is a first class type of student. If
he is a mediocre student it may take for him six years.

8. Samadhi
Q. What is Samadhi?
A. It is oneness with God or Brahman.
Q. What kind of Samadhi did Tukaram, Ramdas,
Tulasidas and other Bhaktas have?
A. Savikalpa Samadhi.
 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS r87

Q. Can there be any Vasanas in those who have

attained Savikalpa Samadhi?
A. No.
Q. Describe their state?
A. These Bhaktas who had realisation had oneness
with Ishvara, but they kept up their individuality also
through a thin veil. They had all Divine Aisvarya. They
were absolutely free from all sorts of worldly miseries.
They were enjoying Divine bliss. They operated with their
subtle Karana Sarira (causal body).
Q. What is Nirvikalpa Samadhi?
A. It is the superconscious state wherein the
Jivatma dwells in oneness with Brahman.
Q. What is Maha Samadhi?
A. It is the same as the Nirvikalpa Samadhi.
Q. What is Turiya?
A. It is the state of Samadhi wherein one rests in his
own Svaroopa or Brahman. It is superconscious state
wherein one acquires knowledge of Brahman. It is the
fourth dimension according to a Russian Philosopher.
Q. How is it obtained?
A. Through Vichara, Vasana Kshaya or Manonasa
(annihilation of mind).
Q. How to enter Samadhi quickly?
A. If you want to enter Samadhi quickly, cut off all
connections with friends, relatives, etc. Do not write
letters to anybody. Observe Akhanda Mouna (vow of
continued silence) for one month. Live alone. Walk alone.
Take very little but nutritious food, live on milk alone if
you cErn afford. Plunge in deep meditation. Dive deep.
Have constant practice. You will be immersed in
Samadhi. Be cautious. Use your commonsense. Do not
make violent struggle with the mind. Relax. Allow the
divine thoughts to flow gently in the mind.
188 DHYANA YOGA

Q. Is it really possible to enter into Nirvikalpa

Samadhi and be free from worldly alfairs at that stage?
A. It is quite possible. If you can meditate for 6
hours daily you will get Nirvikalpa Samadhi. Introspect
and see that you are free from all sorts of subtle varieties
of pride, greed, lust, Moha and other attachments.
Q. Do you know any Yogi who can remain in
Samadhi for some months by the practice of Pranayama?
A. I do not know.

9. Experience in Mantra Sadhana

Q. What are the signs that indicate that the Mantra
is really benefiting the Sadhaka?
A. The Sadhaka who practises Mantra-Yoga will feel
the Presence of the Lord at all times. He will feel the
Divine Ecstasy and holy thrill in the heart. He will
possess all Divine qualities. He will have a pure mind and
a pure heart. He will feel horripilation. He will shed tears
of Prema. He will have holy communion with the Lord.

1O. The Method of Intuition

Q. Is it proper to trust the method of intuition for
the purpose of gaining philosophical knowledge?
A. The phrase "method of intuition" is misleading as
it may give rise to the opinion that intuition is only one
a.mong several methods of right knowledge. Intuition is
the only method of non-relational external experience
through which absolutely valid knowledge does not go
beyond the intellect or reason, and hence they are
inferior to intuition. Logical knowledge appears to be
supreme as long as intuition is not gained. Even in the
West where practical demonstrable knowledge alone is
counted, the clock has come a full round and more and
more philosophers are becoming alive to the importance
of intuition and a correct appraisement of the part it
plays in enabling man to obtain real knowledge.
 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 189

11. Sahaja Samadhi and Ninrikalpa Samadhi

Questions;
1. What is Sahaja Samadhi and what is its
relationship or connection with Ninzikalpa Samadhi?
2. What part does the Breath, Soham, play in
Sahaja Samadhi? Does the world exist in Sahaja
Samadhi?
3. God-men like Sri Ramakrishna said that man
lives only 21 days after entering into Nirvikalpa Samadhi.
4. Why struggle for Nirvikalpa State, when one is
happy and contented in Sahaja Samadhi?

Answers:
Sahaja Samadhi is, so to say, an "extension" of
Samadhi so that it covers all the twent5rfour hours of the
day and not only when one sits in meditation. The Reality
of God and the unreality of names and forms and the
inner realisation that the individual self is none other
than the Supreme Self that pervades ever5rwhere and
everything comes to stay in Sahaja Samadhi. The
Samadhi that the Sadhaka strives to experience through
Bahiranga and then Antaranga Sadhana comes to stay,
in other words, becomes natural (Sahaja). The ego, the
world, and one's own body appear like a glass-pane on
which has settled a thin coating of moisture; you are able
to see through it; yet you see the glass-pane itself on
account of its moisture; the glasspane is transparent
except for a slight opacity. The Yogi in Sahaja Samadhi
perceives the world in exactly the same manner as a man
who knows that a mirage is a mirage, admires one when
he sees it, he sees the water-like spectacle without being
deluded into believing it is actually water.
There is a slight Sattvic trace of ego in the Yogi who
enjoys Sahaja Samadhi, which enables him to live to
experience and to work. But, as he is rooted in the
consciousness of SOHAM, he is not affected by living, by
r90 DHYANA YOGA

experiencing and by working. Lord Krishna has given the

exact description of this state in the second Chapter
(Sthita Prajna description).

12. States of Spiritual Experiences-

The Aroma of Sahaja Avastha
No one need stnrggle to pass from Sahaja to
Nirvikalpa Samadhi; it is an automatic process. Even the
struggle that the Yogi puts forth (if it may be called
struggle) is intended only to maintain the Sahaja
Avastha. The slender thread of Sattvic ego should be
prevented from assuming Rajasic proportions. Though
such downfall is very rare, we do come across such
instances in our scriptures where a slight heedlessness
spoils the game. If, as Lord Krishna puts it in the Gita,
the Sahaja Avastha is maintained til the very end of life
(till the Prarabdha is exhausted), one attains
Brahma-Nirvana or Nirvikalpa Samadhi.
Sahaja being a God-conscious state, the Yogi
vigoiously engages himself in Lokasangraham. In
selfless service and cosmic love, Karma is rapidly worn
out, and the Supreme Culmination is hastened-at the
same time all chances of even the slightest descent from
the high Sahaja Avastha are prevented.

13. Experiences in Samadhi

Q. What are the experiences in Samadhi?
A. Experiences in Samadhi are beyond description.
Words are imperfect. Language is imperfect. Just as the
man who has eaten sugar-candy cannot describe its
taste to others, so also the Yogi cannot express his
experience to others. Samadhi is an experience that can
be felt intuitively by the Yogi. In Samadhi, the Yogi
experiences Infinite Bliss and attains Supreme
knowledge.
Q. Step by step what do we see or experience in
Samadhi?
 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 191

A. Steps in Samadhi differ according to the kind of

Yoga. A Bhakta gets Bhava Samadhi and Maha Bhava
Samadhi through purified mind and devotion. Sraddha,
Bhakti, Nishta, Ruchi, Rati, Stayibhava, and Mahabhava
(Premamaya) are the stages through which a devotee
passes. A Raja Yogr gets Savichara, Nirvichara,
Savitarka, Nirvitarka, Sasmita, Sananda and then
Asamprajnata Samadhi through suppression of
thoughts and Samyama. He gets Rithambara, Prajna,
Madhubhumika, Dharmamegha and Prasankhya, etc. A
Jnani or Vedanti experiences ecstasy, insight, intuition,
revelation, illumination and Paramananda. He passes
through the stages of Moha, darkness, void, stage of
infinite space, stage wherein there is neither perception
nor non-perception, stage of infinite consciousness and
bliss. Subhechha, Suvichara, Tanumanasi, Sattvapatti,
Asamsakti, Padarthabhavana, Turiya are the sevelt
stages through which the Vedanti passes. A Jnana yogi
is always in Samadhi. There is no "in Samadhi" or "out of
Saitradhi" for him.
14. Contemplation and Superconscious Experience
Q. What is the difference between contemplation
and meditation?
A. Contemplation is Manana or reflection on what
one has heard. Meditation is to keep one idea of God or
Brahman on the mind. Contemplation results in
meditation. Meditation results in Samadhi.
Q. Can one in Nirvikalpa Samadhi break it at will?
A. Yes.
Q. Whether a man in Samadhi cannot be
misunderstood by outsiders as dead and lost?
A. A Yogi in Nirvikalpa Samadhi will be
misunderstood by outsiders as dead and lost.
Q. Is there any difference between meditation and
worship?
r92 DHYANA YOGA

A. Offering of flowers, waving of camphor (Arati),

reciting h5rmns, etc., constitute worship. Meditation is
the keeping up of a continuous flow of one idea of God or
Atman.

15. Experiences and Mystics

Q. Some aspirants say they see lights and hear
Anahata sounds during meditation. Are these all
correct?
A. These are all the signs of the first stage in
concentration. They are correct.
Q. Can you describe the state of Nirvikalpa
Samadhi?
A. It is indescribable. It is the state of one's own
spiritual experience. There are no words to describe it. It
is an expcrience of supreme peace and bliss. Can anyone
describe the taste of sugar-candy or apple?
Q. Then how to attain this final Samadhi?
A. Puri$ your heart. Meditate. You witl attain
Samadhi.
Q. How can we know that the experience that
mystics or saints describe is true?
A. There is a Power in their words. Their contact is
elevating and inspiring. They are ever peaceful, joyful,
blissful. They are free from lust, greed, anger, likes and
dislikes. Their experiences tally with the experiences of
sages described in the Gita and the Upanishads.

16. Intuition As Eye of Wisdom

Q. Once again I refer to the thought force and your
experiences about it. Will you show that to me?
A. Please sit down with a concentrated mind. You
will experience the thought transference. Close your
eyes.
Q. How would you define Intuition?
 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 193

A. Intuition is spiritual Anubhava or experience. It

is the divine eye of wisdom.
Q. Suppose I wish to pay Rs. 100/- to somebody,
but I am poor. The heart cries to pay but the reason
declines.
A. This is not intuition.
Q. Do you believe that actions done with intuition
are always right and correct?
A. Yes. They are infallible, because the yogi is in
contact with the Divine or Supreme wisdom.
 APPENDIX
1OO Selected Aphorisms for Meditation
1. Wisdom can dawn only in a pure and steady
mind. Therefore purify your mind and be still.
2. The main obstacles to meditation are sleepiness,
lust, Iickleness and day-dreaming.
3. God is beyond the realm of gross thought but a
pure, subtle and concentrated mind can realise Him in
meditation.
4. The lives of saints are compasses on the way to
liberation.
5. Bitter pills have blessed effect.
6. The practice, which consists of meditation on
the Omnipresent God, remains the easiest, shortest and
surest way to get God-Realisation.
7. The salt of life is selfless service. The bread of life
is all embracing love. The water of life is purity.
8. The sweetness of life lies in devoted surrender.
The perfume of life is generosity, its support is
meditation and Self-realisation its goal.
9. The fruits of meditation are inner spiritual
strength, perfect peace, realisation and bliss.
1O. The man who becomes a victim to lust and
anger is inferior to animals.
1 1. Wrath is the daughter of ignorance, the sister of
jealousy and the mother of hard-heartedness.
12. Without surrender to the Lord, our life is empty.
Without surrender you live in vain.
(1e4)
 APPENDIX 195

13. Surrender is important. It is a great force. It is

the stream of life.
14. Self-surrender liberates. It destroys pain and
gives peace.
15. Spiritual growth is gradual. It is a step by step
development. Therefore do not try in great haste to do all
sorts of Yogic, heroic deeds, or strive for perfection within
2 of 3 months.
16. Step by step, you must climb the ladder of yoga.
Step by step you will have to advance on the spiritual
path.
17. There is a mysterious power in prayer. prayer
can work wonders.
18. Prayer can move mountains. But it must be
intense and it must come from the heart.
19. You are not the perishable body. Your being is of
the substance of Atman. Identify yourself with Atman.
20. The way which leads to saintliness is regular
meditation. The foundation of saintliness is self-control
(Yama) and Niyama.
21. All-embracing love is the light of saintliness. Its
robe is virtue, and to esteem all things alike is its sign.
22. No light of this world can be compared with
Self-realisation or the vision of God (Brahman).
23. There is no greater treasure than contentment.
24. There is no greater virtue than truthfulness.
25. There is no greater bliss than that of the Soul.
26. There is no better friend than the Atman.
27. E,at a little. Breathe deeply. Speak with
kindness. Work with energr.
28. Think useful thoughts. Remain faithful to your
resolutions. Be earnest, steadfast and quick at your job.
Be courteous. Pray whole-heartedly.
196 DHYANA YOGA

29. Be courageous in endurance. Bear patiently'

Concentrate with highest alertness. Meditate earnestly and
realise fast.
301sensuous pleasures are nothing compared with
the bliss of meditation and highest consciousness.
31. Close the doors of the intellect, shut the
windows of the senses, withdraw into the still chamber of
your heart and enjoy the sleepless sleep of highest
consciousness.
32. Without the control of the senses and tl.e
thoughts, spiritual growth is not possible.
33. Abuse and criticism is nothing but a play of
words, mere vibrations in the air.
34. Rise above any praise and identiff yourself with
the highest existence.
35. Meditation induces a fullness of spiritual power,
inner peace and life enerry.
36. Through prayer and meditation, continence and
non-violence, human nature is purified.
37. The fruits of meditation are inner power,
unalloyed peace, realisation and bliss.
38. Every set-back increases your power to rise to a
higher rung in the ladder of Yoga.
39. Ignorance begets unhappiness, moodiness and
destruction. Become Self-realised and be in harmony
with all.
40. Every obstacle is your opportunity to develop
will-power.
41. Be patient in troubles, dangers and grief; be
hard like a diamond and overcome the obstacles.
42. Lust destroys life, lustre, personaliqr, the
life-force, memory power and reputation, holiness,
peace, knowledge and devotion. Therefore kill lust.
43. Inexperienced students mistake their own
imagination and impulses for the inner voice.
 APPENDIX t97

44. T}:e secret of renunciation consists of

renouncing egoism and lust.
45. Live in the world, but be not worldly-minded. He
who lives in the world and reaches perfection in the
midst of all temptations is the real hero.
46. God will never forget you, even if you forget Him
through the power of ignorance.
47. Do not mix with evil company.
48. Within you is an immeasurable, inexhaustible
spring of knowledge and power. Learn to draw from this
well. Delve deep into yourself, and dive into the holy
waters of immortality.
49. Learn to understand the laws of the universe
and move in tune with the world.
5O. Every obstacle gives you an opportunity to
develop strong will and to grow in strength.
51. Grow. Expand yourself. Develop all positive and
good qualities, Daivi Sampat, like large-heartedness,
commonsense and courage. Step on the spiritual path
and recognise: I am the immortal Self.
52. Do not go against the laws of nature.
53. Comfort and console the unhappy.
54. Shun diplomacy and h5pocrisy.
55. Destroy your pleasure-centres.
56. Feel oneness with all.
57. Raise your mind by spiritual thoughts, expand
it by intensive one-pointed thoughts of Brahman.
58. Every work is a sacrifrce to the Lord. Feel that all
beings are His images (creation).
59. See God ever5r'where, in every face.
6O. God pervades the whole universe. He wears the
robe of a beggar. He aches in pain under the mask of the
sick. He wanders in rags through the forests. Open your
eyes. See Him in everybody. Serve all. Love all.
198 DHYANA YOGA

61. Three things you should acquire: Trust in God,

atonement and readiness to sacrifice.
62. Three things are admirable: Truthfulness,
honesty and large-heartedness.
63. Three things are to be controlled: Tongue, anger
and restless thoughts.
64. Three things are to be cultivated: Cosmic love,
kindness and patience.
65. Three things are loveable: The wish for
liberation, the company of saints and selfless service.
66. Three things are to be avoided: Covetousness,
brutality and triviality.
67. Three things are to be renounced: Lust, evil
company and fruits of actions.
68. Three things combine into one synthesis: The
Yoga of service, of surrender, and of knowledge.
69. To be childlike, is good. But to be childish, is not
good.
70. To be devotional, is good. To be emotional, is not
good.
71. To have strong will-power, is good. To be
stubborn, is not good.
72. To hold fast to one ideal, is good. To be
intolerant, is not good.
73. To be courageous, is good. To expose oneself to
danger is not good.
74. To be straightforward, is good. To expose other's
fault, is not good.
75. Be kind, but firm and decisive; be gentle, but
bold; be simple, but dignified.
76. The best way to get rid of some fault is to think
ten minutes of the opposite virtue, and to practise the
latter during the day.
77. Service is religion. Serve, Love, Give, Puriff.
 APPENDIX 199

78. Be good, do good, be kind, be pure.

79. Listen, reflect, meditate, realise.
80. Trust at every step in the grace of God. Speak to
the Lord like a child. Open to Him your heart. His grace
will immediately come to you.
81. Avoid unnecessary talk.
82. Gentle words break no bones, but they break
the hard heart.
83. There is but one caste, the caste of mankind.
84. First of all find peace within yourself through
discipline and meditation, then go and propagate peace
to the world.
85. Adapt, adjust, accommodate. Bear insult and
injury.
86. Pray for him who tries to harm you, and
persecute you.
87. Serve him who speaks ill of you.
88. Love him who wants to do injustice.
89. What purifres the heart-that is virtue, what
befouls the heart-that is sin.
90. That which brings you closer to God is virtue.
That which thrusts you into the dark abyss of ignorance
is sin.
91. Whatever gives you peace, joy, satisfaction and
cheerfulness that widens the heart, that is virtue. What
gives you restlessness, moodiness, depression, that is
sin.
92. Insatiable is lust. It is the source of pain, grief,
misery and unhappiness.
93. To be jealous is pitiable; to be selfish is
shameful; to be compassionate is divine; to be patient
and enduring is manly; to be without lust is profitable;
and to be calm and relaxed is admirable.
94. Evil thoughts are just as evil as evil deeds.
200 DHYANA YOGA

95. Real Yoga is grasping of higher truth through

conscious communion with God.
96. The more you run after sense-pleasures, the
more restless and agitated you will be.
97. Be fully awake in all parts of your being. Be
always alert and busy. Your presence should speak more
than your words.
98. The spiritual practices should give you rich
internal life, spiritual value of things, and the ability to
remain calm under all circumstances.
99. Have a soft heart, a generous hand, a kind
word, a balanced opinion, and an unprejudiced mind
and lead a life of service.
100. You are never alone. God is always with you
and in your heart. He is very close to you. He desires you
more than you Him. Therefore drop all fright and fears.

Epistles on Dhyana Yoga

Sri Pannalal, 8th January 1957
Behold. You must be diligent and vigilant always. Do
not give leniency to the mind.
Be regular in your meditation. Meditation is the very
essence and life of all spiritual Sadhanas.
Meditate on the form of Lord Krishna with flute in
His hand. Concentrate on Trikuti, the space between the
eyebrows. Repeat mentally 'Om Namo Bhagauate
Vaasudeuagd.

Sri Pannalal, 29th January 1957

It is better to practise concentration on one form of
God and to repeat one Mantra. Concentration will
thereby be greatly increased.
If the mind wanders, bring it back again and again to
the form. Practise a little Pranayama. This will steady the
 APPENDIX 201

mind. Observe Mouna oi silence for 2 hours. This will

conserve enerS/ and produce more concentration.

Sri Pannalal, 1st February 1957

Never leave your Sadhana, your meditation even for
a day. Constant practice and eternal vigilance are
indispensable, till God-realisation is attained.
As long as you do not realise the Truth, practise Self-
control and meditation.
Conscious attempt to unite oneself with God is
called Spiritual Sadhana.

Sri Pannalal, 4th February 7957

Meditation is a sound and safe method by which you
can unlockyour inner power and attain God-realisation.
When you are in meditation, you will touch the level
of cosmic consciousness in a flash of illumination.
You will know that Life is Eternal and that you are
Eternal.

Sri Pannalal, 4th February 1957

Samadhi is that state of pure consciousness, the
Supreme blissful state. It is the state where the Jivatma
becomes one with the Paramatma.
Samadhi leads to the direct intuitive realisation of
the Infinite. It is an inner divine experience which is
beyond the reach of speech and mind.
*
Sri Pannalal, u,n February rgs:
During meditation one enters into a half-sleepy
state. This is called Tandra.
 DHYANA YOGA

If one is really meditating, his body will be light and

his mind will be cheerful.
If he is sleeping, the body will be heavy, the mind will
be dull and the eye-lids will be heavy.

Sri Pannalal, 7th February 1957

During deep meditation you will forget the external
world first and then the body. You will feel that there is
no body. You will experience immense joy. You will enjoy
indescribable peace.
Kevala Kumbhaka or natural retention of breath
without inhalation and exhalation will come by itself.

Sri Pannalal, 8th February 1957

Light diet, dispassion, discrimination, contact with
a teacher are necessary for the practice of meditation.
Meditation when persisted in and perfected brings
about the experience of Super-consciousness or
Samadhi, the ultimate state of Self-awareness or
realisation.
Sri Pannalal, 26th February 1957
Be steady in your Asana. Gradually try to sit on one
Asana for 3 hours at a stretch. Regulate and restrain the
breath through the practice of Pranayama. Withdraw the
senses from the objects. Now you will be able to practise
concentration and meditation.
Regularity in the practice of concentration is of
paramount importance.

Sri Pannalal, 27th February L957

Meditation is freeing the mind from thoughts of
sense- objects. Mind dwells on God and God alone during
meditation.
 APPENDIX 203

Have perfect ethical perfection. Then alone you will

be established in deep meditation.
Meditation follows concentration and Samadhi
follows meditation.

Sri Pannalal, 28th February LSST

Meditate on a concrete form in the beginning.
Meditate on any form of the Lord. Think of His
attributes-Omnipotence, purity, perfection, etc.
Gradually the mind will be prepared to take up the
higher formless meditation.
Be patient. Be persevering. Cultivate burning
dispassion, burning longing for God-realisation.
Gradually you will enter into deep meditation and
Samadhi.

Sri Pannalal, 2nd March 1957

Spiritual experiences differ in Sadhakas according
to the nature of their Sadhana and the Yoga they are
practising.
Some hear Anahata sounds in the ear. Some see
brilliant lights. Some have vision of Rishis, mountains,
rivers, etc.
Some experience Cosmic consciousness. This is a
rare experience. The bliss of Nirvikalpa Samadhi cannot
be expressed in words.

Sri Pannalal, 3rd March 1957

Samadhi is union with God. It is a state of eternal
bliss and eternal wisdom. It cannot be described in
words. In Savikalpa Samadhi there is the Triputi or
triad-knower, knowledge and knowable.
In Samadhi mind, intellect and the senses cease
functioning; all dualities vanish in toto. Meditate
204 DHYANA YOGA

ceaselessly and enjoy the Supreme Bliss of Nirvikalpa

Samadhi.

Sri Pannalal, Sth March 1957

Please note the difference between sleep and
Samadhi. Sleep is an inert state. But Samadhi is a state
of ptrre awareness or pure consciousness.
When a man returns from sleep he is heavy and dull.
He has no experience of wisdom of Atman. But when the
Yogi comes down from Samadhi, he is full of wisdom of
Atman.

Sri Pannalal, lst April 1957

If you have contentment, cheerfulness, patience,
unruffled state of mind, sweet voice, one-pointedness of
mind, light body, fearlessness, desirelessness, disgust
for worldly things, know that you are advancing in the
spiritual path and that you are nearing God.
Sri Pannalal, 13th April 1957
Never miss a day in meditation. Regularity is of
paramount importance. When the mind is tired, do not
concentrate. Give it a little rest.
Do not take hea'ry food at night. It will disturb your
morning meditation.
If you are earnest and sincere, you will attain
Samadhi in six months. If evil thoughts enter, you must
substitute Divine thoughts.

Sri Pannalal, 17th Aprit 1957

Spiritual experience will come to you when you are
ready, but not before. There is inner unfolding from level
to level in your spiritual experience. Wait patiently. Plod
on in your Sadhana with purity and courage.
 APPENDIX 205

During meditation you will see various kinds of

lights, gods, Rishis, mountains, rivers, astral entities,
etc. You will have no idea of time. Gradually you will
experience cosmic consciousness. Ultimately you will
merge yourself in Brahman.

Sri Pannalal, 18th April 1957

Do not waste your time in looking at the visions
during meditation. Those are all encouragements to
convince you of the existence of superphysical realities.
Some will hear Anahata sounds. Some will levitate. Shun
Siddhis. Siddhis are hindrances in meditation. Inner joy,
peace, poise, freedom from fear-this is the real nature of
high spiritual experience.

Sri Pannalal, 23rd ApriL I9ST

Get up at 4 a.m. This period is very favourable for
meditation. The mind is refreshed now.
The external atmosphere is calm. Sit on padma
Asana or any comfortable pose. Salute to your Guru and
Lord Ganesha first.
Concentrate on the space between the two
eye-brows with closed eyes. Have a sitting for 1O minutes
and gradually increase the period to half or one hour.
Have another sitting at night. Recite your Guru Mantra
and meditate on the form of the Lord.

Dr. Padma, Nagpur, 24th February 1958

Om Namo Narayanaya
Glorious Immortal Atman,
Sometimes the progress of meditation stops on
account of entry of Rajas, overwork, undercurrent of
subtle Vasanas. Vigilance is necessary now.
206 DHYANA YOGA

Intensiff your Sadhana and meditation. Intensify

your Vairarya and aspiration. Meditate regularly.
Regularity is of paramount importance. Feed love of God
with oil of devotion. Watch and pray. Have more sittings.
March cautiously.
May you be established in deep meditation through
the grace of the Lord. Om Tat Sat.
Thy own Atman,

rt*"^>a "
I

-F--*-*e''

Twenty Hints on Meditation

1. Have a separate Meditation Room under lock
and key. Never allow anybody to enter the room. Burn
incense there. Or convert a corner into a room with a
screen. Wash your feet and then enter the room.
2. Retire to a quiet place or room where you do not
fear interruption so that your mind may feel secure and
at rest. Of course the ideal condition cannot always be
obtained in which case you should do the best you can.
You should be alone yourself in communion with God or
Brahman.
3. Get up at 4 a.m. (Brahmamuhurta) and
meditate from 4 to 6. Have another sitting at night frornT
to 8.
4. Keep a picture of your Ishtam in the room and
some religious and philosophical books such as the Gita,
the Upanishads, the Yoga-Vasishtha, the Bhagavata,
etc. Spread your Asana in front of the picture.
5. Sit on Padma, Siddha, Sukha, Svastika or Vira
Asana. Keep the head, neck and trunk erect. Do not bend
either forwards or backwards.
 APPENDIX 207

6. Close your eyes and concentrate gently on the

Trikuti, the space between the eye-brows, the lotus of the
heart, the tip of the nose or the crown of the head.
7. Never wrestle with the mind. Do not use any
violent efforts in concentration. Relax all the muscles
and nerves. Relax the brain. Gently think of your Ishtam.
Slowly repeat your Gurumantra with Bhava and
meaning. Still the bubbling thoughts.
8. Make no violent effort to control the mind, but
rather allow the mind to run along for a while and
exhaust its efforts. It will take advantage of the
opportunity and will jump around like an unchained
monkey at first, until it gradually slows down and looks
to you for orders. It may take some time to tame the
mind, but each time you try, it will come round to you in
a shorter time.
9. Have a background of thought, either a concrete
background of your Ishta-Murthy along with the Mantra
or an abstract background of the idea of Infinity with OM
if you are a student of Jnana Yoga. This will destroy all
other worldly thoughts and take you to the goal. Through
force of habit the mind will at once take shelter in this
background, the moment you release it from worldly
activities.
10. Again and again withdraw the mind from
worldly objects, when it runs away from the Lakshya and
fix it there. This sort of combatwill go on for some time.
1 l. When you meditate on Lord Hari in the
beginning, keep His picture in front of you. Look at it
with a steady gaze without winking the eye-lids. See His
Feet first, then the yellow silken robe, then the
ornaments around His neck, then His armlets, bracelets,
then His conch, disc, mace and lotus. Then come back
again to the Feet. Now start again the same process. Do
this again and again for half an hour. When you feel
tired, Iook steadily on the face only. Follow this routine
for three months.
 DHYANA YOGA

12. Then close your eyes and mentally visualise the

picture and rotate the mind in the different parts as you
did before.
13. You cart associate the attributes of God such as
Omnipotence, Omniscience, Purity, Perfection, etc.,
during the course of meditation.
14. If evil thoughts enter the mind, do not use your
will-force in driving them. You will lose your energ/ only.
You will tax your will only. You will fatigue yourself. The
greater the efforts you make, the more the evil thoughts
will return with redoubled force. They will return more
quickly also. The thoughts will become more powerful.
Be indifferent. Keep quiet. They will pass off soon. Or
substitute good counter-thoughts (Pratipaksha Bhavana
method). Or think of the picture of God and the Mantra
again and again forcibly. Pray.
15. Never miss a day in meditation. Be regular and
systematic. Take Sattvic food. Fruits and milk will help
mental focussing. Giye up meat, fish, eggs, smoking,
liquors, etc.
16. Dash cold water in the face to drive off
drowsiness. Stand erect for 15 minutes. Tie the tuft of
hair on the head with a piece of string to a nail above. As
soon as you begin to doze, the string will pull you up. It
will serve the part of a mother. Or lean upon €rn
improvised swing for 1O minutes and move to and fro. Do
10 or 20 mild Kumbhakas (Pranayama). Do Sirshasana
or Mayurasana. Take milk and fruits only at night. By
these methods you can combat against sleep.
L7 - Be careful in the selection of your companions.
Give up talkies. Talk little. Observe Mouna for two hours
daily. Do not mix with undesirable persons. Read good,
inspiring religious books. (This is indirect good company,
if you do not get positive good company). Have Satsanga.
These are all auxiliaries in meditation.
18. Do not shake the body. Keep it as firm as a rock.
Breathe slowly. Do not scratch the body every now and
 APPENDIX 209

then. Have the right mental Bhava as taught by your

Guru (Dasya Bhava or Sivoham Bhavana or any suitable
Bhava according to your temperament).
19. When the mind is tired, do not concentrate. Give
it a little rest.
2O. When an idea exclusively occupies the mind, it
is transformed into an actual physical or mental state.
Therefore, if you keep the mind fully occupied with the
thought of God and God alone, you will get into the
blissful Nirvikalpa Samadhi very quickly. Therefore
exert. Exert in right earnest.

Samadhi and Spiritual Experience

1. Detach the mind from the objects. Plunge
yourself in the depths of your heart and rest in Atman.
2. ln Samadhi all names and forms vanish. There
is a boundless infinite conscious ocean of light.
3. The forms appear unreal, like shadows or
pictures painted on canvas
4. Time and space vanish. Ego disappears. All
dualities vanish.
5. Subject and object relationship disappears.
6. There is an experience of inhnite void alone.
7. There is an experience of Aham Asmi', 'l exist.'
8. Later on comes the experience of Existence-
Consciousness-Bliss Absolute.
9. Then there is only existence (Kevala Asti). The
soul merges in Brahman.
10. There is intense bliss in Nirvikalpa Samadhi.

Concluding Notes
Ekanath, Raja Janaka and others realised by doing
spiritual Sadhana while remaining in the world. The
central teaching of the Gita is to realise in and through
2ro DHYANA YOGA

the world. This is plausible, sounds all right, but not

feasible in the vast majority.
It is easier said than done. How many Janakas and
Ekanaths you have had? These people were really Yoga
Bhrashtas. It is absolutely impossible for the vast
majority.
Lord Jesus was missing for eighteen years. Buddha
went to seclusion for eight years in the Uruvala forest.
Swami Rama Tirtha was a recluse in the Brahmapuri
forest (near Rishikesh, Himalayas) for two years. Sri
Aurobindo taught that one should realise amidst activity
but he has shut himself up in a room for many years.
Many had taken up seclusion during Sadhana period.
You can make a beginning in the world but when you
have some progress, you must shift yourself up for
advanced practices to a suitable place where you will find
spiritual vibrations and solitude.
As the will-power in many persons has become very
weak due to their having no religious discipline or
training in schools and colleges when they were young
and owing to the sway of materialistic influences, it is
necessary for them to go in for seclusion for some weeks,
months or years, to practise rigorous Japa and
undisturbed meditation.
Calm the bubbling emotions, sentiments, instincts
and impulses gradually through silent meditation. You
can give a new orientation to your feelings by gradual
and systematic practice. You can entirely transmute
your worldly nature into divine nature. You can exercise
supreme control over the nerve-centres, the nerves, the
nerve-currents, muscles, the five Koshas or sheaths,
emotions, impulses and instincts through meditation.
Those who have fixed up their children in life, who
have retired from service and those who have no ties or
attachment in the world can remain in seclusion for four
or five years and practise intense meditation and Tapas
for the purification and Self-realisation. This is like
 APPENDIX 2t1

entering a University for higher studies or postgraduate

course. When the Tapas is over, when they have attained
Self-knowledge, they should come out and share their
knowledge and bliss with others, they should
disseminate knowledge of the Self through lectures,
conversations, discourses or heart-to-heart talks
according to their capacity and disposition.
A householder (Grihasti) with Yogic tendencies and
spiritual inclinations can practise meditation in a
solitary and quiet room in his own house or in any
solitary place on the banks of any holy river during
holidays or throughout the year if he is a whole-time
aspirant or if he has retired from service.
If you want to retire into solitude for the practice of
meditation, if you are a householder with spiritual
thirsting for intense Sadhana, you cannot, all of a
sudden, sever your connection with your family people.
Sudden severance of worldly ties and possessions may
give you intense mental agony and induce shock on your
family people. You will have to break the ties gradually.
Stay for a week or a month in seclusion to begin with.
Then gradually prolong the period. Then they will not feel
the pangs of separation,
The aspirant should be free from hope, desire and
greed. Then only he will have a steady mind. Hope, desire
and greed make the mind ever restless and turbulent.
They are the enemies of peace and Self-knowledge. He
should not have much possessions also. He can oniy
keep those articles which are absolutely necessary for
the maintenance of his body. If there are much
possessions, the mind will be ever thinking of the articles
and attempting to protect them. Those who want quick
progress in meditation during seclusion should not keep
any connection with the world byway of correspondence,
reading newspapers or thinking of the family members,
friends and possessions.
2t2 DHYANA YOGA

He who has reduced his wants, who has not a bit of

attraction for the world, who has discrimination and
dispassion, burning yearning for liberation, who has
observed Mouna for months together, will be able to live
in seclusion.
The aspirant should possess serenity. The divine
light can only descend on a serene mind. Serenity is
attained by the eradication of Vasanas or desires and
cravings. He should be fearless also. This is the most
important qualification. A timid or coward aspirant is
very far from Self-realisation.
The aspirant need not bother about his bodily
wants. Everything is provided by God. Everything is
prearranged by Mother Prakriti. Prakriti looks after the
bodily wants of all very c€rrefully in a more efficient
manner than they themselves would do. She knows in a
better manner what the requirements are and provides
them then and there. Understand the mysterious ways of
Mother and become wise. Be grateful to Her for Her
unique kindness, grace and mercy.
Semen or vital juice tones the nerves and brain and
energises the system. He who has preserved his vital
force by the vow of celibacy and sublimated it into Ojas
Shakti can practise steady meditation for a long period.
He only ca.n ascend the ladder of Yoga. Without
Brahmacharya no iota of spiritual progress is possible.
Brahmacharya is the very foundation on which the super
structure of meditation and Samadhi can be built up.
Many persons waste this vital ener$/-a great spiritual
treasure indeed-when they become blind and lose their
power of reason under excitement. Pitiable is their lot!
They cannot make any substantid progress in Yoga.
You should have perfect control over the body
through regular practice of Asanas before you take to
serious and constant meditation. You cannot practise
meditation without a firm seat. If the body is unsteady,
the mind also will become unsteady. There is intimate
 APPENDIX 2r3

connection between the body and the mind. you should

not shake the body even a bit. You should attain mastery
over the Asana (Asana Jaya) by daily practice. you
should be as firm as a statue or rock. If you keep the
body, head and neck erect, the spinal cord also will be
erect; the Kundalini will rise up steadily through
Sushumna. You will not be overpowered by sleep.
If you are well established in the practice of
Pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses), if you have the
senses under your full control, you can find perfect
solitude and peace even in the most crowded and noisy
places of a big city. If the senses are turbulent, if you
have not got the power to withdraw the senses, you will
have no peace of mind even in a solitary cave in the
Himalayas. A disciplined Yogi who has controlled the
senses and the mind, only can enjoy peace of mind in a
solitary cave. A passionate man who has not controlled
the senses and the mind will be only building castles in
the air if he lives in the solitary cave in a mountain.
You should steadily direct your gaze towards the tip
of your nose (Nasikagra Drishti) and keep the mind fixed
on the Self only. In the Gita (VI-25) Lord Krishna says:
"Having made the mind abide in the Self, let him not
think of anything." The other gaze (Drishti) is
Bhrumadya Drishti or gazingbetween the two eye-brows
(Ajna Chakra). This is described in the Gita (Y-22). In this
Drishti, direct the gaze towards Ajna Chakra with closed
eyes. If you practise the Drishti with open eyes it may
produce headache. Foreign particles may fall into the
eyes. There may be distraction of the mind also. Do not
strain the eyes. Practise gently. When you practise
concentration at the tip of the nose, you will experience
Drvya Gandha (various sorts of fragrance). When you
concentrate at the Ajna Chakra, you will experience
Dwya Jyoti. This is an experience to give you
encouragement, to push you up in the spiritual path and
2t4 DHYANA YOGA

convince you of the existence of transcendental or

super-physical things. Do not stop your Sadhana now.
Yogis or those Bhaktas who meditate on Lord Siva,
concentrate on the Ajna Chakra. You can select that
Drishti which suits you best.
Make the mind one-pointed by collecting all the
dissipated rays of the mind. Withdraw the mind from all
sense-objects again and again and try to fix the mind on
your Lakshya or point of meditation or centre. Gradually
you will have concentration of mind or one-pointedness'
You must be patient and persevering. You must be very
regular in your practice. Then only you will succeed.
Regularity is of paramount importance.
You should know the ways and habits of the mind
through daily introspection, self-analysis or
self-examination. You should have knowledge of the laws
of mind. Then it will be easy for you to check the
mind-wandering. When you sit for meditation, when you
deliberately attempt to forget the worldly objects, all
sorts of worldly thoughts, irrelevant and nonsensical
thoughts, will crop up in your mind and disturb your
meditation. You will be quite astonished. Old thoughts
that you entertained several years ago, old memories of
past enjoyment, will bubble up and force the mind to
wander in all directions. You will find that the trap door
of the vast magazine of thoughts and memories within, in
the subconscious mind, is opened or the lid of the
store-house of thoughts within is iifted up and the
thoughts gush out in a continuous stream. The more you
attempt to still them, the more they will bubble up with
redoubled force and strength.
Be not discouraged. iVrl disperandum Never despair.
Through regular and constant meditation, you can purify
the sub-conscious mind and can control all thoughts
and memories. The fire of meditation will burn all
 APPENDIX 21,5

thoughts. Be sure of this. Meditation is a potent antidote

to annihilate the poisonous worldly thoughts. Be
assured of this.
During introspection you can clearly observe the
rapid shiftings of the mind from one line of thought to
another. Herein lies a chance for you to mould the mind
properly and direct the thoughts and the mental energr
in the divine channel. you can rearrange the thoughts
and make new associations on a new Sattvic basis. you
can throw out useless worldly thoughts just as you
remove the weeds and throw them out. you can cultivate
sublime, divine thoughts in the divine garden of your
mind or Antahkarana. This is a very patient work. This is
a stupendous task indeed. But for a yogi of
self-determination who has the Grace of the Lord and
iron will, it is nothing.
Meditation on the Immortal Self will act like a
dynamite and blow up all thoughts and old memories in
the sub-conscious mind. If the thoughts trouble you
much, do not suppress them by force. Be a silent witness
as in a bioscope. They will subside gradually. Then try to
root them out through regular silent meditation.
The practice must be constant. Then only one can
attain Self-realisation surely and quickly. He who
practises meditation by fits and starts and for a few
minutes daily will not be able to achieve any tangible
results in Yoga.
How can sense-control be tested in a lonely forest,
where there are no temptations? The yogic student of the
cave (seclusion) should test himself after he has
sufficiently grown up by entering the plains. But he
should not test himself every now and then like the man
who removed the young plant daily after watering, to see
whether it has struck deep roots or not.
2t6 DHYANA YOGA

May you all attain success in Yoga and enter into

Nirvikalpa Samadhi or the blissful union with the Lord
by controlling the senses and the mind and practising
regular and constant meditation.