Patanjali (Yoga Sutras) by Samarth Yogi Arwind

A talk on Patanjali (Yoga Sutras) by Samarth Yogi Arwind as a part of Mahashivaratri Knowledge Festival organized at Yogi Arwind Ashram in Rishikesh from 18 to 20 Feb 2012.

Fearlessly I will sing...

Nirbhay Nirgun Gun re Gavunga...

Kabir is a fabulous teacher. He chooses such apt words and emotions to make us understand the complex of complex things. He explains how simple the spiritual journey is.

Saint Kabir weaving chadar...

In his one of the most mystic bhajans (Nirguni Bhajan) Nirbhay Nirgun Gun re Gavunga... Kabir says "O lord, I will sing your glory fearlessly. I will be fearless in singing your attributes O' the one without attributes (formless, colorless, odorless, can not be heard, tasted with tongue or be touched).

Spiritual journey is actually an inquiry into one's own existence. its an inquiry into existence and non-existence and the relationship between these two. Its realizing true existence. An inquiry has to be open without any fear in mind about the ability or outcome. So being fearless is the first step in the path of realization. We are always under the influence of some or other fear. The fear is an outcome of either illusion or weakness to understand and tackle the situation. Illusion can be overcome by acquiring knowledge while weakness can be overcome by acquiring strength. Fearlessness is prerequisite as well as an outcome of spiritual quest.

Hence, Kabir says be fearless to know god.

Once you are 'fearless' then further journey is simple. Merging with that ultimate "oneness' is easy. There are multiple ways, methods, techniques to achieve it. Sunk yourself into Bhakti and you are there. Acquire the pure knowledge and you are there. Do the karma without desire for the fruits from it and you are there...

Here Kabir explains about the path of Kundalini Yoga to reach the Truth.

"Mula Kamal Drudh Aasan Bandhu Ji Ulti Pawan Chadhaunga"

Which means I will sit firm with my back straight. Muladhar the base chakra is the first point for prana to travel upwards. Hence I will be firm in my sitting lotus posture (in padmasana) and then will pull the prana upwards from muladhara.

"Man Mamata ko dur karau ji pancho tatt milavunga"

Which means all the desires, affection arising in my mind, I will control them with efforts and will merge myself in all the five elements seamlessly. So the identity crisis is over. You feel part of a greater scheme. You experience the greater scheme. The ultimate one.

"Ingala Pingala Sukhaman naadi ji Tirveni pe ho nahavunga"

In my technique of pulling prana upwards, I will use ingala, Pingala and Sushumna naadi.I will enjoy the bliss where all these confluence.Ingala is the left naadi also called at Chandra Naadi. Pingala is the right naadi also known as surya Naadi. Sushumna is the central nadi around which the two other naadis intertwine.

"Panch Pacchiso pakad mangavu ji ek hi doh lagavunga"

Though the above few steps look simple, they require great understanding and effort in the beginning to master them. Hence Kabir says I will try it many times to achieve the result. And there will be one ultimate effort where I will experience the magic of upward movement of prana and meeting the confluence.

"Shunya Shikhar par anahat baje ji raag chattis sunavunga"

When I achieve this, I reach the summit point. The shunya shikhar. The point where there is nothing beyond or there is nothing within. That ultimate emptiness, void. At this point where I am slefless. I am the wider self My existence is so cosmic, so complete with knowledge, which I will continuously enjoy.

"Kahat Kabir Suno Bhai Saadho, jeet nishan ghuravunga"

Kabir says that this is the ultimate victory over desirous mind and I will wave the flag of victory from this summit point.

Wow Kabir - The Simple Buddha!


Samarth Yogi Arwind, Rishikesh

Who Am I?

During the recent travel from New Delhi to Haridwar in the train, a gentleman from Bhuvaneshwar, Odisha asked me a question, “ Who suffers? Whatever suffering happens, it is experienced by whom? Is it our body, our mind, our Atma or by the divine of which we are part of?”

Such precise question from a so called semi-literate person was the best trigger for a beautiful conversation that followed upon. Ultimately the Vedantic  take on suffering (Hey Dukkha) and its experience and the measures or experience of the ‘state of non-suffering’ (Haanopaay) was discussed. What was impressive was the immense knowledge of such complex subject by this group of people from rural Odisha.

All these questions ultimately led to the famous quest we all subject ourselves to: 

Who am I?

In a day to day life, chat on internet, registration on any website / forum, filing a complaint in the office, serious debate about religion, international forums and so on. This question of establishing ones identity comes up. It starts from name, then surname, religion, caste, geography, state, nation, city, ethnic group, body type, education, profession so on and on. The list is unending. In the world of ‘Naam-Roop’ (the world that is seen and experienced) these constant engagements with the ones own identity is a continuous exercise in today’s world. This exercise of identifying with something itself gives rise to confusion, creates dilemma and takes the quest to the further level: Who really am I?

Identifying with something is a natural human tendency. I think some identities originate with the ‘sense of ego’. For example, an artiste starts considering himself larger than life or very special than others. It probably is reflection of his overgrown ego.

Some identities originate from the social compulsions/norms. Husband or wife of somebody obviously expects you to mould you in some social sanctions which approve you to be right or wrong. As a spouse you have a code of conduct to abide by. And in identifying with this role, one keeps himself / herself busy. When the role is demanding and encroaches upon personal wishes / ambitions then the ‘conflict’ starts. Then one goes into identity crisis. This crisis takes a toll in the form of end of that role or personal damage to an individual playing that role.

Religious identity is something that really keeps big population of the world engaged. People want to identify with a religion. A group following similar lifestyle. The interesting fact about this identity is it comes with birth. Very few in their lifetime, make it a matter of choice. Being born with some religious identity brings some sense of security / and insecurity to one. And both these feelings keep seriously engaged to the one who seriously identifies with a religious identity.

This ‘identity business’ with something, that our senses experience is a major determining factor of the worldly affairs. Some identify with something that is beyond senses. Something that is invisible, intangible still its authority can be experienced. And we hear terms like ‘one love’, 'peace', 'divine', 'Brahman' etc.

What to identify with, certainly has to do with ones intellectual, emotional, spiritual evolution. Some may find it easy to live with a religious identity as it suits his/her level of evolution. Some like to identify as ‘modern’ as it gives some sort of mileage / satisfaction to them. Not everybody in the world will understand or identify with the ‘Brahman’. Some chose identities, some follow identities they are born with, some don’t care about identities those have sanction. Some intentionally try to break away from given identities. 

Break Away to Pure Consciousness

In this world today, there are many identities and multiple sources keep adding. Also the vast, complex universal phenomenon creates conflict among identities. Many of my friends say they are not happy with the religion they are born in. Or with the caste they are born with or the economic situation to they identify with. I think these are superficial identities and if given sanction to, they will hardly give the experience of ultimate peace.

Then what identity will bring that peace?

It’s un-identifying!

Identity is a ‘conditioning’. And any conditioning brings its weight with it. So it brings stress or joy. Positive or negative conditioning. Best way to deal with this stress is to un-identify. Just not molding into something that adds layers of illusion on the core.

Any dialogue is a good opportunity to recognize what one identifies oneself with.

Dialogue with the self!

The Supreme Consciousness

Adi shankaracharya was once traveling in the Dakshin Bharat (South India). He reached a place Shri Veli. He met a dumb boy there. His name was Hastamalak.

Shri Adi Shankaracharya asked this boy, ‘O’ boy, who are you? From where are you coming? Where are you going? Who are your parents? Etc. All those questions which we face often.

Hastamalak replied,

“I am neither human, God, yaksha, brahmin, kshatriya,vaisya, sudra, brahmachari, householder, forest-dweller, nor sannyasi; but I am pure awareness alone. I am the eternal, single, conscious Self, reflected in various intellects, just as the sun is reflected on the surface of various sheets of water.”

I think this is a beautiful identity to live with. Pure awareness.

Or let's say it is a non-identity.

Let’s try to live with one such. Or without!

Shubham Bhavatu!

Samarth Yogi Arwind, Rishikesh

(Image Courtesy:  - Eric Pepin, psychedelic adventure)