The Distinguishing Features of this Path

(Some outstanding Features of the SIDDHA YOGA)

The Awakening of the Serpent Power (Divine Power) :

In the field of Spiritual disciple an aspirant may follow any path, but the awakening of the Serpent Power (Divine Power) is the most essential to achieve perfection. Efforts made for activating the Serpent Power by following various paths are strenuous. The Serpent Power (Kundalini) can be aroused by means of HATHA YOGA. In this yogic practice, various exercises like breath-control, (Pranayam) Bandhas, Mudras etc. are to be performed under the direct guidance of the expert Spiritual master. Any slightest error, in this practice may turn out harmful. Shri Swatmaram Yogi, the author of the book, ‘HATHA YOGA PRADIPIKA’ in the last verse of the fourth chapter states that ‘so long as the Life Force (Prana) doesn’t enter the sushumna nadi and as the sahajavastha (Self-Realisation) is not achieved, all efforts are futile.
As long as the Life Force (Prana) does not enter the middle path of Sushumna, the semen (Bindu) does not become steady by the practice of the restraint over breath and as long as the self-realisation is not achieved with ease in the meditation, the talk of the knowledge is futile.
Even in the MANTRA YOGA, if the mantra is not activated with the Spiritual power by the grace of a Spiritual master, all the efforts of recitation (chanting) are futile.

In the LAYA YOGA and RAJA YOGA the process of the awakening of the Serpent Power is necessary for the Spiritual progress. The activation of the Serpent Power (Divine Power) is not possible without its awakening. This path of SIDDHA YOGA which is advocated by the BHAGAWATGEETA, the scriptures and the Vedas gives immediate and direct results. Moreover, it is easy to perform, hence it is worth following.

  1. Some clarifications for the aspirant desirous of following the SIDDHA YOGA:

To attain the above mentioned stage some preliminary practice is administered for which some explanation is necessary. In order to enable the Serpent Power (Divine Power) to enter the Sushumna at the base of the Spinal Column (Mooladhara) some preliminary practice is to be followed. Sit down with closed eyes, keep your body completely relaxed and engage your mind watching automatic breathing. The work of removing all the layers covering the consciousness, (the Spirit) will start by the power of the will, transmitted from the Spiritual master after the initiation. It is stated in this short aphorism:

“the power is imparted by the Spiritual master to purify”

In the process of initiation, the transmission of power is imparted by the Spiritual master to purify the past deeds (sins) of the disciple. In the SIDDHA YOGA the initiation is a powerful remedy for the purification of the past deeds (sins) of the aspirants. During the practice of meditation there is no need to ask the mind to control breathing (Pranayam) but it is necessary to allow the automatic breathing freely which happens involuntarily. The practice of meditation is not the practice of breath-control, but is the concentration of mind on the automatic breathing which is important. For example, after keeping the body in a relaxed state and in a steady posture, if breath of its own accord, remains outside for a long time (not deliberately kept outside) it means that, an out ward kumbhak (breath control) has taken place; or if the breath remains inside for a long time by the grace of the Serpent Power (Divine Power) an internal kumbhaka (breath control) has taken place, since it was not performed deliberately. As the practice of meditation goes on, the aspirant is not able to make out whether his breathing is actually taking place or not, in which state, he should know that a kewal kumbhak (automatic breath-control) has been effected since it was not performed.  This time the mind should be free of thought The Lord Shree Krishna states the same thing in the sixth chapter of BHAGAWAT GEETA verse no. 25:

“fixing your mind on the Self (breath)= the Life Force, one should not think of anything else”.

Whatever happens of its own accord is to be allowed to happen. Do not think (contemplate) on any other things, LORD KRISHNA could have asked us to meditate on his image (face, idol) or on his Lotus Feet, but he suggested us ‘not to think of anything’ this supports the definition of meditation given by Kapil Muni in his aphorism:

“Meditation leads to the thoughtless state of mind”

Contemplation on any external object would mean thinking about worldly affairs. In order to make the mind free from the worldly objects, an aspirant should participate in the aforesaid group meditation. At that time if an aspirant is asked to open his eyes, he would not like to do so, owing to the blissful experience of automatic cool currents of the breath of the Divine Power. Each and every individual automatically becomes eager to achieve slowly the serenity of mind. Accordingly, even if this type of experience lasts only for three, five or ten minutes, it makes the aspirant extremely happy. This is the preliminary stage of this path leading to the supreme bliss. An experience of this type can be achieved by any person irrespective of age – from a child to an old man.

The theory and practice of the SIDDHA YOGA explained clearly in the                 BHAGAWAT GEETA:

The theory and practice of the SIDDHA YOGA have been stated in the following verse of the
sixth chapter of the GEETA:

“An aspirant should gradually cease from action by means of his intellect sustained by steadiness and by fixing the mind on the self (Life Force), he should think of nothing else” – (verse – 25):

In this verse the LORD KRISHNA advises aspirants that the slow and gradual pacing of the Spiritual practice is useful. For undue haste in this practice will not yield desired fruits.

In one of his immortal verses, the same type of advice is given by the SAINT Shri Tukaram Maharaj:

“Undue haste in this path would not be fruitful; you have to wait till the proper time comes”

The progress of an aspirant in the Spiritual practice is gradual. Therefore the Spiritual practice of meditation should be performed daily and steadily. LORD SHIVA the founder, exponent of this path is still a pilgrim treading this path..” and always remains absorbed in the thoughtless state of mind. He persists in following this path even today. States Jnaneshwar in his book JNANESWARI chapter six, verse no. 153:

In the practice of meditation idleness should be avoided. After having initiated for a couple of years when the practice of meditation does not yield apparent result, one may naturally feel how long  he has to continue the meditation in the pursuit of Spiritual progress. The above description about the meditation of LORD SHIVA should always be borne in mind. Initially all the activities intended for purification work slowly. Aspirants with steadfast state of mind should watch patiently the actions which take place automatically by the influence of the Serpent Power (Divine Power). The iron-wired brush cannot be used for washing the clothes. Undue haste is harmful. The Spiritual practice (meditation) should be performed with great patience.

  1. Four stages attained by the followers of the SIDDHA YOGA; during their practice of meditation.
    1. The Initial Stage (Arambha-avastha)

 In the initial stage, the Serpent Power being awakened starts her work with physical movements of yogic postures which an aspirant involuntarily experiences during the meditation. These physical postures are in the form of Assanas, Bandhas, (Locking of certain limbs of the body preventing the movement of breath) and breath-control (Pranayam). They help to purify nerves. Yogic exercises in the form of physical postures bring steadiness in the body, while Bandhas and Mudras make the body firm. Bandha and breath-control (Pranayam) bring lightness in the body. Purification of the nerves maintains proper balance of the fluids and the elements of cough, gas and bile in the body.

    1. Second Stage  (Ghata-avastha):

In this second stage the worldly desires get slowly decreased (subdued) and an aspirant, who constantly remembers the Almighty, remains in the holy atmosphere and pleasant mood that leads him slowly towards a detachment from worldly attraction. As both of these stages are intermingled with each other, the path of the Serpent Power (Divine Power) towards the Sahasrara becomes easy and simple. This also brings automatic control over the breath and stability of mind.

    1. Third Stage (Parichaya-avastha)

In this stage the Serpent Power (Divine Power) making the Life Force (Prana) stable in the heart, remains herself merged with the LORD SHIVA in the Sahasrara. Therefore, the aspirant attains an extremely motionless state of the body. Consequently the seeker achieves the serenity of mind and slowly attains the stage of a siddha which enables him to possess extra ordinary powers. The yogi feels fulfilment of his life’s goal. Having attained this stage, the yogi can awaken the Serpent Power of other aspirants. The knots of his heart being unfolded, all his doubts are dispelled. The knowledge of such a yogi doesn’t remain by any means concealed. As he has seen the path of Brahmaloaka, he straightaway goes to the Satyaloka after his death.

    1. The Fourth Stage (Nishpati-avastha):

In this stage, the Serpent Power (Divine Power) merges into LORD SHIVA the real support. The yogi attains the stage of liberation, - the stage of perfection.

The SIDDHA YOGA for the Upliftment of the Nation and of the World at large.

 The SIDDHA YOGA which is capable of uplifting a person towards perfection is equally competent enough to elevate a nation and the world too.

Revered Shri Gulawani Maharaj the SAINT and adept in transmission of power, once delivered a lecture, the only one in his time on 26th May 1957. In his address he stated that the basic principles of the SIDDHA YOGA are beneficial to the nation and to the whole universe too. Following the practice of the SIDDHA YOGA, an aspirant can free himself from an incurable disease. In the same manner the process of inner purification of all the people can elevate the nation. He explicitly said “Even if the devout aspirants resort to this path for their self fulfilment, the invaluable knowledge of this path of the SIDDHA YOGA will certainly prove beneficial to India and through her to the whole world. It is the experience of many aspirants that their sinful tendencies have been diminished and their emotions have been purified. The inner purification is the real protecting and safeguarding power of the nation”. Only the righteous persons can achieve this power by the favourable grace of the able Spiritual master. He said further, “it is the prime duty of all torch bearers of the nation to concentrate on such a Spiritual path capable of increasing the strength of the nation. After much deliberation, it is concluded that the real prestige of India depends on their careful and sincere efforts on this line. He explicitly stated that by the awakening of the Serpent Power of each and every individual and by the grace and blessing of the Supreme Lord, this path of the SIDDHA YOGA which is beneficial to the whole world, will gradually be known to the people of the world.