Siddhi-s (powers) of a Yogi

Information regarding the 'Ashta Siddhi-s' (8 superhuman powers of yoga) and many other minor siddhi-s that can accrue further to attaining the status of an 'Urdhvaretha' (one whose Bindu (seed) does not flow downwards to become semen) are very easily available through any search engine on the internet. So it may not be of much use to reiterate the same.

Hence we will go into the elaboration of that information regarding these siddhi-s which is not well known and not well seen. These are the much more important aspects as regards to these siddhi-s which often escape the eye of the yogic aspirant and which invariably become an impediment to self-realization.

Siddhi-s (supernatural powers of yoga) are essentially by-products of advanced yogic meditation through performing 'Samyama' (Dharana, Dharana & Samadhi) on the different aspects of Prakrithi (nature). Siddhi-s are like the beautiful places of tourist attraction that come en-route while travelling to a destination. The destination city is self-realization. Siddhi-s come en-route the path to self-realization like these places of interest. They present themselves before the yogi with much color and allure. Just as the wise traveler is intent on his responsibility of reaching the destination and has no more than passing interest in the places of attraction, a wise yogi does not pay much attention to siddhi-s that appear through advancement but keeps his mind fixed on the final goal of liberation.

There is much sense and relevance behind such an approach. In the state of an Urdhvaretha, the Yogi has conquered his semen but has not yet attained to self-realization. He is still mid-way in his quest. The latent Samskaras (impressions) and Vasanas (tendencies) that tend him towards lower traits and emotions are still alive in his Karana Sharira (causal body) in a state of restrained dormancy. They have not yet been burnt & deactivated. So the danger of resurfacing of these negative qualities is still very real. The paranormal abilities that one acquires through siddhi-s makes the neophyte get a feeling of exhilaration, invincibility and excitement. He gets a feeling of being a cut above the rest and special. This immediately leads to blossoming of the Ahamkara (ego). Once this happens, his downfall begins. Being driven by his ego which has dwarfed the Buddhi shakthi & Vichara Shakthi (power of intellect and power of enquiry), he falls pray to the 'Arishatvargas' (six negative emotions) and gets a mind to misuse these powers. His Viveka (wisdom) has been subjugated by the sense of 'I'-ness or ego. He is now under the grip of 'Maya' (illusion). He will commit various blunders which increase his karma and lead to a break in Yoga and Brahmacharya if he misuses these powers.

In reality, the powers at his disposal are not his powers at all. They are the powers of the Almighty that are shining through the Yogi. The Yogi is only a medium and not the source of these powers. He has reached a state of purity where select powers of the Almighty come within his reach. But the underlying seeds of the 'Guna-s' (traits) in his causal body are not yet burnt and deactivated. Like seeds sprout into saplings when conditions are favorable, these seeds of past karma will manifest again if he is careless and gets goaded by his ego. He will commit serious mistakes and incur much karma in such a case and will have to restart his practice all over again. Such a possibility is very real and very, very dangerous, especially when we take into consideration the effort, sacrifice and sheer hardwork that has gone into bringing him to the state of an Urdhvareta. The chances of becoming a 'Yoga-bhrasta' (one who has fallen from Yoga) are very possible at this stage. If this world is Maya (an unreal illusion), then woman is 'Maha-Maya' (a much mightier & unreal illusion). Even very sane, intelligent and level headed men loose their sense of Viveka (wisdom) and Vichara (power of inquiry) when under the influence of Kama (desire) for a woman. This Maya of a woman makes men do strange things which is beyond the purview of sensibility. Under the grip of desire for a woman, man indulges in very foolish acts which even dull-brained people would not commit; thereby putting himself and those around him in great danger, leading to great sorrow. Siddhi-s, if not used judiciously are like the Maha-Maya described. They can become very dangerous.

For this reason, the wise Yogi does not take the initiative to use these powers for unwarranted reasons. They are never to be used for selfish purposes driven by questionable and dishonorable intentions. Neither are they to be used to display, prove or proclaim one's Yogic prowess to people. Only fools behave in this manner, not real Yogi-s. Using such abilities to gain name, fame, money or power always leads to downfall. The true Yogi uses them only on rare occasions for the betterment of mankind under the commands of the Almighty. He uses them as regards himself under a similar context, when God wills him to do so and not at his personal fancy.

After attaining to the state of self-realization, he becomes a 'Purna Yogi ' (full-blown Yogi) who is one with the Brahman. Then, he cannot make any mistakes, for his mind has united with that of the Lord's. His mind is now a representation of God's mind and God's will in totality. The scriptures say that such a realized sage is none other than the Almighty himself in the human form. He is no longer an ordinary mortal limited by right or wrong. He is then always right and unerring. All the superhuman powers are then nothing to him, for he risen much above them, attaining to the powers of the Almighty. He has become the Almighty himself through complete merger. The drop no longer exists, having merged into the ocean. Till such a state is reached, one should not give more than passing intrest as regards siddhi-s but maintain the state of undistractedness as regards the Almighty.

ॐ तत् सत्
(That Supreme being is the absolute truth)