Supernormal Benefits of Gayatri Sadhana -18
Siddhis (Supernormal Powers)
should never be misused
Gayatrisadhaks get glimpses of several divine powers as a result of this sadhana. Siddhis (supernormal powers), which can be achievedby yoga or any other Sadhanascan be equally achievedby Gayatrisadhana. Sadhak’s spiritual awareness increases with the progress in sadhana done with faith, devotion and humility. Impurities covering the soul are removed, internal purity develops and sadhak’s soul begins to shine in its original amplitude and brilliance.
When a thick layer of ash envelops a burning piece of coal, it loses its burning power. It can be touched. But when this covering of ash is removed, blazing heat flares up from the burning charcoal. This fact applies to the soul also. Ordinarily, people are overwhelmed by worldly attachments. They are deeply engrossed in carnal tendencies. This is like a curtain of illusion on account of which the heat, light, brilliance of the soul cannot shine forth. When a person becomes self-introspective, removes inner impurities and cultivates inner piety he is ready for self-realisation. Individual soul is part and parcel of the universal and transcendental Divine. It contains all the elements, virtues and powers which are found in God. All the characteristics of fire are found in a spark. A spark has the potentiality to flare up and become all-engulfing fire. When impurities covering the soul are removed, divine light shines through the soul.
Eight siddhis and nine riddhisare famous. In addition to these there are innumerable big and small riddhis-siddhis which manifest and develop as soon as sadhak’ssadhana attains maturity. Although no separate efforts are needed for the attainment of a particular siddhi, they automatically manifest just as on attaining the age of youthfulness its symptoms manifest themselves. Gayatrisadhak attains the state of a siddhi gradually. The following signs are clearly perceptible in persons who are engaged in Gayatrisadhana with faith and devotion for a long time.
These are some tangible signs of advanced progress in sadhana. Besides, there are some indirect indications of siddhis like anima,laghima, mahima etc., which are described in yogashastras. Such a person is sometimes capable of performing acts which appear marvellous, supernatural and amazing.
One has to be very careful during the delicate period of appearance and development of siddhis. When the period of adolescence comes to an end and youthfulness sets in, new vigour is born in the body. The mind becomes enthusiastic, playful and passionate during this period. If this mentality is not controlled, raw energy or vigour starts dissipating and the person becomes devoid of youthfulness, weak and useless. In sadhana, too, the stage of beginning of siddhi is such a stage when the sadhakfeels within him an upsurge of divine energy and in his enthusiasm, he wants to flaunt his superiority before others by exhibition. If this happens and the raw energy is mis-spent before it obtains maturity, the sadhak, on account of misuse of siddhi, becomes hollow and empty.
This world is being regulated by the principle of Karma of sowing and reaping. Living beings entangled in the ties of their actions lead a life according to well-settled principles of nature. True service of humanity lies in inspiring people towards righteous actions, in encouraging them to learn fortitude in the face of disaster. This is spiritual service. Material help should be extended to solve immediate difficulties. If people who have deviated from the path of their duties are made prosperous by using spiritual power, such people will become all the more idle and indolent. Therefore, best service lies in inspiring them to imbibe virtues and wisdom. To divert one’s spiritual power for enhancing material prosperity of others amounts to exhausting one’s spiritual powers in cheap exhibitionism. Far-sighted spiritual masters do not crave for cheap worldly respect and praise.
But the trend in the society these days is almost the opposite. People have made worship, spiritual pursuits, meditation etc. as a means of gaining worldly power and pelf. They worship and make pledges and offerings to God for getting success in gambling, lottery etc. Their only object is to get money by hook or by crook. Such persons do not acquire spiritual enlightenment and power. Even if they get it, it is soon lost on account of its misuse in improper acts and their future is bleak. An incompetent person can never be endowed with powers by which he can do harm to others.
It is altogether prohibited in spiritual sadhana to use tantrik methods of using mantra power for killing an adversary (maran), for sorcery (mohan), for bringing distraction in man’s mind by incantations (uchchatan) or for bringing a person under complete sway (vashikaran). It is also prohibited to know secret conduct and ideas of a person and to make them public and thus bring him into disrepute. Displaying wonderful feats and make people believe that he is a divine soul (siddha) is strictly prohibited for a Gayatrisadhak. Nothing can serve the people at large better than the work of disseminating true knowledge which alone is important and by which a sadhak, rendering service with least resources, can feel celestial joy and make his life a blessing for himself and others. If, on the other hand, he indulges in exhibition of miracles, the source of his power will dry up; he will lose spiritual wealth and become empty in a short time. Such persons do more disservice than service to the people, because, although they are able to attract people towards them, this does not last very long.
Keeping these facts in view, I strongly caution all my readers and followers not to disclose their siddhis and keep them strictly secret. They should not disclose their miraculous experiences to anybody except their most reliable bosom friends. If necessary, guidance in such matters can also be sought from the author of this book. It is the utmost responsibility of Gayatrisadhaks not to misuse in the least the divine powers which they have achieved. I caution with all the emphasis at my command that no sadhak should commit violation of this injunction.
[Excerpts from ‘Superscience of Gayatri’ (English abridged version of ‘Gayatri Mahavigyan’ in Hindiby Pt Shriram Sharma Acharya), revised edition, 2004, Published by Yug Nirman Yojana, Gayatri Tapobhoomi, Mathura]
“A friend is someone who knows all about you and still loves you.”
- Elbert Hubbard
“The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.”
- Socrates
“The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, nor to worry about the future, but to live the present moment wisely and earnestly.” - Lord Buddha