Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Chidanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Krishnanandaya!

Namaste!

What is Samadhi?
by Sri Swami Sivananda

Mind and breath are like milk and water. Raja Yoga is control of mind. He who wants to become a perfect Yogi and to experience the wonderful Samadhi must control mind and breath. He must continuously practise Yoga and observe the rules. He must thoroughly overcome the five Tattvas.

Restraint of the mind (Nirodha) leads to Jnana. Nirodha is the culmination of Sankhya and Yoga. It is Nirodha which underlies all the Sadhanas or spiritual exercises. Restraint of the mind is the essence of all worship. This is Jnana and Dhyana. The highest end is attained by restraint of the mind. The mind should be completely restrained from the objects. The mind should be restrained till it attains dissolution in the heart.

Atman or Brahman is your immortal Self. It is the only blazing reality. If you know this Atman only you can attain perfection. Perfection can be yours in this very life. Atman is to be recognised, to be known as your innermost being through Samadhi. If you know this Atman, which is the Ultimate Reality, which is Perfection, then only your life becomes useful and real existence. The knower of the Atman, the inner perfection, crosses all sorrows and becomes free. If you do not know this Atman, then there is great loss for you.

Samadhi is not a mere emotional enthusiasm or an exhilaration of feeling. It is the direct unique intuitive experience of Truth or Absolute Consciousness or the Ultimate Reality. It is beyond all feeling, throbbing and thrill. There is perfect awareness in Samadhi which is beyond expression and feeling. The aspirant rests in his centre now—the goal of his search and realises the absolute freedom, independence and perfection.

Just as a man who anxiously seeks the means of escape from the midst of a burning house, so also the aspirant should have a burning desire to free himself from the fire of Samsara. Then only he will be able to enter into deep meditation and Samadhi.

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Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannirselvam

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BOOK SYNOPSIS

Samadhi Yoga
by Sri Swami Sivananda

It was in the year 1934 that a small pamphlet "Samadhi in Six Months" was written by Sri Swamiji Maharaj and printed and published at Madras. This booklet had a very warm reception and many enquiries poured in for a deeper understanding of the Ancient Secret contained in the Yoga Sastras. The subject was however touched upon in most of the later writings of the Swamiji, but still the revered author cherished a desire to bring out a profounder work on this subject. This work is thus the direct outcome of such a Sankalpa, and its appeal should be far-reaching in giving such Sadhakas, as are fit to enter the portals of the Blissful Union, many direct hints and instructions on practical experiences, and point out the way to the desired illumination.

In placing this book before all thirsty aspirants and seekers of Samadhi, we feel that a thorough understanding of the subject, after a perusal of the other writings of the Swamiji along with sincere spiritual practices and with the grace of the Guru and God, will surely lead them to the summum bonum of existence.

For more information, please see: Samadhi Yoga

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HOMAGE TO GANDHIJI: On the same day the Master addressed a huge gathering at the Gokhale Hall, paying tribute to Gandhiji.

“October 2nd is a great day in the annals of India’s history. It is the day on which people all over the country and in foreign lands, too, celebrate the birthday of a great soul, a Mahatma, a Maharishi—Gandhiji.

“The celebration of Gandhiji’s birthday should not end in merely holding public meetings and listening to lectures on his life. These celebrations afford us a golden opportunity of recalling to our minds the glorious life of Gandhiji and imbibing his teachings and ideals. On this day you should remind yourself of the great path he walked, in order that you, too, may attain the goal that he attained. What one man has done, everyone can do. What Gandhiji achieved, all of you can achieve. You should tread the path of divine life that was trodden by him. Merely wearing the khaddar and shouting, ‘Mahatma Gandhi Ki Jai’ cannot make you a real patriot or lover of Gandhiji. You must actually live the life of truth and Ahimsa that he lived. You must introspect daily and find out for yourself how far you have been able to adopt the Gandhian way of life. Are you doing this?

“Gandhiji was not only a patriot but a saint also. Even his political work, his patriotism and service to the cause of India’s freedom, were his Sadhana for Self-realisation. He was a Maharishi. He showed us the way to attain freedom and perfection. Non-co-operation was a mighty weapon in his hands, with which he led India to political freedom. Non-co-operation is the most ancient spiritual weapon that the sages of India taught to people for attaining spiritual independence.

“Do you know the technique of this non-co-operation? It is non-co-operation with the mind, with the impure, lower mind which prompts you to do all sorts of evil actions. If you wish to attain suzerainty over yourself, do not co-operate with this vicious mind. If it says, ‘Go and see a movie film,’ refuse to listen to it and go to the temple instead. If it says, ‘Read a novel,’ then take up the Gita and study it.

“Side by side with his non-co-operation in the political field, Gandhiji was diligently practising this spiritual non-co-operation. That is why he became a Maharishi. Are you practising this spiritual non-co-operation? Commence the practice from today, from this very moment and enjoy the power, peace and happiness that you derive from it. You will very soon be free from every kind of evil. You will grow rapidly in spirituality. You will attain peace, perfection and eternal freedom. You will become a master of yourself, an undaunted spiritual hero.

“Next to Lord Buddha and Lord Jesus, Gandhiji was a great saint who showed us the way to non-violence and peace. He pointed to us the way to practise Ahimsa, Satyam and Brahmacharya. These three constitute the very foundation of Yoga and Vedanta. Gandhiji’s life itself was built on the strong foundation of these fundamental virtues. Even from his childhood, Gandhiji was endowed with a natural inclination to be truthful. This was his inborn trait. Later in life he imposed upon himself the great vow of lifelong Brahmacharya. Through various judicious methods he brought all his senses under perfect control. Ahimsa or non-violence characterised his daily life. With the help of the power that this bestowed on him he endured all the violence that his persecutors showered upon him. He had no attachment to the body, which is the most priceless possession of every man. Many times he risked his very life. He was a great spiritual hero.

“Gandhiji patiently endured all sorts of hardships. Are you cultivating such kind of patience? Patience is another fundamental virtue and is a prerequisite for success in spiritual life and in material life as well. Forgiveness and patience alone will make you a saint this very moment. Gandhiji had not the slightest against those who did him great harm. His forgiveness was indeed Christ-like. His forgiveness was Vishnu-like.

“You might have heard the story of Bhrigu and Lord Vishnu. Sage Bhrigu wanted to find out who among the Trinity—Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva and Lord Brahma—had the greatest amount of patience. He went to Brahma and insulted Him. Brahma at once flew into a rage. Sage Bhrigu then went to Shiva and scolded him. Shiva rushed with His trident to kill the sage. Then he went to Lord Vishnu who was then reclining on a great serpent. He abused Lord Vishnu and kicked Him on the chest.

“The Lord at once got up and began to shampoo the feet of the sage, saying, ‘O Maharishi! did I hurt your holy feet?’

“Can you shampoo the feet of one who kicks you and says, ‘My Lord, did it hurt you?’

“Gandhiji could do that. And that is why he became one of the greatest saints of the world. He was rigid and strict with himself but there was no limit to his indulgence with regard to the defects and weaknesses of others. How many of you have this mighty virtue? Everyone of you would gladly forgive your own defects. Nay, you would not even admit your own faults; and if someone pointed them out you would fight with him instead of thanking him. You are ever ready to superimpose all sorts of evil qualities on others. You find fault even with a saint and with God Himself. Gandhiji was just the opposite. That is why he is worshipped today.

“Gandhiji was a great votary of fasting. This word ‘fasting’ terrifies you. You cannot go without food even for a day in a month. You cannot abandon your snacks. You take food six times a day and if you do not get your coffee at bedtime one day you are greatly upset.

“Through fasting Gandhiji purified his body and mind, too. Fasting helps you to get full control over your senses. If you fast on a sacred day, the prayerful mood comes by itself. You should fast completely on Ekadasi. At first it looks forbidding. Later, when you enjoy the bliss of inner peace, the bliss of prayer, you eagerly look forward to the Ekadasi day. You then want to fast once a week.

“You should take saltless diet on Sundays. This will improve your eyesight. You will have good eyesight even in old age.

“Gandhiji was a great votary of other penances also. Through self-control, prayer and meditation he developed his will-power to a very great degree. It was this will-power that enabled him to stick tenaciously to the resolves he had imposed upon himself. Tenacity is the secret of success. It is the secret of God-realisation also. Once you make up your mind to lead the divine life and attain God, you should not relax your vigilance and allow faint-heartedness to overpower you. You should be tenacious in your Sadhana. Then your efforts will soon be crowned with success.

“You should be regular in your Kirtan, meditation and Japa. You should pray to Him daily. Gandhiji had absolute faith in the Lord’s Name. Ram-Nam was his life-breath. That is why he passed away with Ram-Nam on his lips. Your life-breath will depart only with that thought that is deep-rooted in your mind now. If you are fond of laddu, if you think of laddu often, you will only repeat, ‘Hey laddu’ at the time of death! If you are habituated to using snuff, you will have a vision of snuff and will hold an imaginary pinch of snuff in your hand at the last moment of your existence on this earth. But if your mind is wedded to Ram-Nam, if you make it a point of repeating it, if Japa becomes habitual with you, then your life-breath will depart with Ram-Nam and you will attain final liberation. Therefore, sing Kirtan daily. Waste not a single second. Do Japa of the Divine Name incessantly.

“If you follow the teachings of Mahatma Gandhiji, if you lead the life he led, you also will shine like him. It was because Gandhiji lived such an exemplary life that he lives in our hearts even today. Understand the sublime life of Gandhiji and follow his footsteps. The knower of Gandhiji will eventually become Gandhiji himself.”

Captain G. Srinivasamurti thanked the Master for his illuminating address.

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“Live to serve the Guru. You must watch for opportunities. Do not wait for invitation. Volunteer yourself for the Guru's service. Serve your Guru humbly, willingly, unquestioningly, unassumingly, ungrudgingly, untiringly, and lovingly. The more your energy you spend in serving your Guru, the more the divine energy will flow into you. He who serves the Guru serves the whole world. Serve the Guru without selfish ends. Scrutinise your inner motives while doing service to the Guru. Service must be done to the Guru without expectation of name, fame, power, wealth, etc.” – Swami Sivananda

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