Yoga
is regarded as an Indian mystical science, mainly described
in Hatha Yoga and Ashtanga Yoga (Patanjali Yoga Sutras), both
this texts along with many other ancient Indian scriptures talk
about psychic powers. Yogi floating in the air, staying underwater
etc are some of the examples. Some of these texts even mention
the systematic practices to achieve these powers like clairvoyance,
clairaudience, telepathy, telekinesis, psychic spying etc. The
book "Autobiography of an Yogi" written by Paramhansa
Yogananda talks about many Gurus with these powers.
Now
whether to believe in or not is still a dilemma to many of us.
But in these texts, the other effects of Yoga and Pranayama
techniques can be seen and experienced with great benefits,
and for this reason one is compelled to believe that the description
of psychic powers may be true.
Mainly
eight types of psychic powers are described. The first is "Anima"
that is the ability to become as small as atom. There are some
stories of Lord Hanuman, the Monkey God who transformed himself
in to a small object and could enter in to the kingdom of Ravana,
the demon who captured wife of Lord Rama.
The
second power is "Laghima", the ability to become weightless.
Some people claim that they can walk on water, or fly in air
without any external help or floating in the air or a yogi levitating
during the meditation.
Third
power is "Mahima", ability to become as big as universe.
Again the story of Ramayana mentions that Hanuman, the monkey
God transformed himself in to a very big object while crossing
the sea and fighting with demons.
Fourth
is "Garima", the ability to become very heavy, Bhima,
one of the Pandavas in the story of Mahabharat, had this ability
to become very heavy at times and no one could beat him.
"Prapti"
is the fifth power. It is the ability to reach any place as
per will and within no time. There were some psychic spying
experiments carried out for getting more information of remote
place, and some of the experiments were proved to be 95 % correct.
"Prakamya"
is the ability to get the desired. It is like a Genie of Alladin,
what ever one wish for, it comes true. If one wishes for Youth
for ever, he will be young for ever.
"Vashitva"
is to control other objects, live as well as other objects.
And finally the last power is "Ishtatva" and this
is the ability to create and destroy the objects at will, it
equals the role of God, this is the ultimate power one can achieve
with dedicated practice of Yoga techniques.
Though
it is very difficult to achieve these powers, especially living
the life as a family man and in society, the texts say that
it is not impossible. But at the same time texts call these
powers as hurdles in the path of self realization. So there
are ways mentioned in the books to overcome these problems which
one may face after achieving the psychic power. There are examples
of Yogis who got fascinated by the powers they acquired and
ultimately were responsible for their downfall. So Patanjali
in his Yoga sutras talk about the powers as hurdles in the path
of self illumination.
So
now what should be the aim of practice of Yoga, whether it is
to achieve any of these or to realize the self & God. Undoubtedly
it is to realize the Atman, and not achieving these powers.
Lot
of practitioners of Yoga talk about extra sensorial powers,
Swami Niranjananda of Bihar school of yoga raised a very practical
point of view; one should be the master of his sensory organs
and mind first to talk about extra sensory powers. Mastering
your own mind and sense organs in it self is very difficult
to achieve. So the objectives of practice of yoga should be
to master your own mind first..
Hari
Om Tat Sat
References
-
Hatha
Yoga Pradipika
Patanjali Yoga Sutras
Gherand Samhita
Ramayana
Mahabharata
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