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SELF DISCIPLINE : THE SOURCE OF SPIRITUAL TREASURE - 1 ( Sadhana Se Siddhi - 1 )
Brief Introduction of Vangamaya Vol. 5
The methods of Sädhanäs (spiritual endeavors) devised, practised and advocated by the ancient Indian scientists of spirituality appear to most people as part of some kind of mystical knowledge and magical practices. More esoteric and adventurous seem to be the supernormal attainments (siddhis) associated with the success of these Sädhanäs. The detailed knowledge of the original philosophy and science of Sädhanäs and siddhis cannot be collected and accessed by people today because of the vast expansion of the field and the destruction and deformation of most scriptures that took place during the long span of intermediate periods of history—- especially the medieval era….
Gurudev Shriram Sharma is among the most revered spiritual masters and saintly social reformers of the modern times who have dedicated their lives for in-depth study and investigations of the ancient scriptures and who deciphered and explained the true meanings and important aspects of Sädhanä and siddhi. Acharya Sharma brought this knowledge into scientific light after conducting long term experiments on himself to experience the truth and the scientific basis of the claims of “Siddhis from Sädhanäs”. He had also devoted his sagacity and spiritual excellence to the noble purpose of presenting the essence of this ancient knowledge for the benefit of people across the world. Several volumes in the Vangamaya series have emerged as part of his endeavors in this regard.
The present volume focuses on the basic philosophy, meaning, origin and objectives of the Sädhanäs in a very simple and comprehensive way. The gamut of potential siddhis associated with different kinds of Sädhanäs is also elucidated here with the main objective of eliminating the misconceptions and suspicions and to appraise the reader of—- “What is a true Sädhanä and who is an authentic sädhaka who has been blessed by the siddhis and how….?”
The author explains the importance of Sädhanä as a natural necessity because it deals with refinement, control and ideal training of the mind and body in human life. Restraining the agility of mind is the most essential requirement for Sädhanä in any phase of life. But, as we all might have experienced, it is the most difficult task too. Acharya Sharma has meticulously analyzed the influence of inherent tendencies, internal desires, sentimental makeup, external environment and circumstances of life on the activities of the conscious and subconscious mind. He has identified four major methods of control and refinement of mental tendencies which are of specific relevance today. These also include adoption of swädhyäya and satsanga in day-to-day life to educe illuminating thoughts and piet sentiments. He has elaborated each method with live examples to illustrate how it helps purification of mind, cultivation of righteous tendencies and creative use of enormous mental powers…..
It is highlighted that, apart from the refinement of character, behavior and attitude and ascetic control over the agile mind, the purification of the inner self—- refinement and escalation at the levels of the subtle and astral bodies too, is important for the realization of siddhis from Sädhanäs. The importance of faith, devotion and impact of subtle vibrations of mantras has also been elucidated; special reference is also made to the nature and spiritual role of the unconscious mind…..
The influence of the impulses of consciousness pervaded in the surrounding environment has been described by the author as quite significant in the progress of specific Sädhanäs….. The atmosphere of a graveyard or crematory suits the low level täntirka Sädhanäs whereas the serene and spiritually charged atmosphere of the Himalayan region—- where great saints and sages of all ages have performed divinely high level Sädhanäs and offered altruist service to the Nature and to all beings——inspires immense peace and enlightenment which is most suitable for arousal of divine tendencies and hence for the performance of mantra based sacred Sädhanäs of spiritual elevation.
The institution named Shantikunj has been established by the author himself in Hardwar as a live example of—- what used to be the special nature of the Ashramas and Gurü-kuls of the ancient rishis; what could be regarded as an ideal environment for righteous and rapid progress of a pious Sädhanä. The cosmic vibrations, generated by the uncountably large number of japas (rhythmic enunciation with meditation) of the Gäyatrï Mantra ongoing for twenty four hours every day since past thirty-five years, have charged the atmosphere of Shantikunj with so much spiritual energy that the minds of the sädhakas automatically get divinely inspired here…. The Himalayan surrounding and vicinity of the holy Ganges add to the liveliness, beauty and purity of this place.
Yagya is also performed in Shantikunj everyday by thousands of devotees which offers multiple benefits of the Himalayan herbs sublimated in the sacrificial fire in terms of the cure of psychological disorders and expansion of the domain of influence of the vibrations of the mantras…. Detailed knowledge on Gäyatrï, Yagya, the Science of Mantras and associated higher level sadhana is presented in volume nos. 9 to 15 and 25 to 26 of this series. Some of these volumes also contain the information on the scientific experiments and sädhanä camps and training programs of Shantikunj, Hardwar.
How our mode of life, daily routine and quality of food-intake affects our physical, mental and spiritual health is also discussed in the present volume in the context of “Ähära Shuddhau—Satva Buddhi” with substantial practical guidance. Basic disciplines of Sädhanäs are presented here with focus on elementary Sädhanäs. Successively higher levels of tapa Sädhanäs and yoga Sädhanäs are dealt in the next volume.
Pt. Shriram Sharma has discussed here the significant role of the gurü (spiritual master) in any Sädhanä. While he emphasizes the importance of sacrifice of ego in the feet of a revered Gurü and describes how the blessings of a truly noble gurü ( satgurü) may help transmutation of the disciple’s personality and inculcation of siddhis in the latter, he has also warned against the fake gurüs who exploit the faith of innocent devotees in the name of yoga, sädhanä and spirituality. He has brought into light how the much populatized ‘siddhis’ like—- extracting specific material substances from air or empty space; or, producing desired items in the fist…., etc.—- are nothing better than magic shows which can be mastered by way of special effects of light, mesmerism or some täntrika practices…. Exposition of such ‘siddhis’ reflects the immature or mean mentality of the so-called ‘yogïs’ who are greedy for cheap popularity or driven by ego….
A person cannot reach high in spiritual progress or attain the true siddhis of a sädhanä unless he gets rid of ego, avarice, erogenous character and selfish attachments. Simplicity, integrity, chastity and purity of thoughts and sentiments coupled with serene love, compassion, generosity and qualities of industriousness and altruist attitude, etc, are first signs of the spiritual elevation of a sädhaka. No one should think of acquiring siddhis by some ‘shortcut path’ or ‘magical effects’…… This will lead to nothing more than disappointment, exploitation, illusions or loss of time and efforts….
Often people think of the täntrika sädhanäs as some kind of ‘black magic’ and get attracted towards unthinkable superstitions in that illusion. The scientific basis, purpose and other details of this class of sädhanäs are highlighted in the volume no. 15 of this series. In the present volume, the focus rests on giving the readers a glimpse of the vast domain of sädhanäs and introducing the fundamental principles and certainty of enormous attainments through success of righteous sädhanäs.
The supernormal siddhis of animä, mahimä, laghimä, ïshatva, etc are discussed by Acharya Sharma in a separate chapter of this volume. Here he has deciphered the limitless powers of consciousness existing in the subtle layers of human self and explained how the otherwise dormant potentials and talents could be aroused by stepwise consistent progress along the righteous path of sädhanä under the experienced guidance of a satgurü .
All people—- including those having blind faith in siddhis and those ‘rational’ thinkers or ‘scientific minded’ persons who discard the possibilities of siddhis as vague imaginations of lunatics—- should read this volume to know the facts in the light of reality and understand the meaning, mode of action, scientific basis and relevance of sädhanäs and siddhis in a truly progressive way of life.
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