Examples of Urdhavareta Yogis
Question
Dear Sir,
In modern times, is there anyone alive who has successfully become an Urdhavareta Yogi i.e. one who has withdrawn his seed? Can you give me some examples?
What exactly is Sadhana and what does this practice entail? What does it include?
A quote from Swami Sivananda's book, Practice of Brahmacharya:
"That Yogi who has disciplined himself through ceaseless protracted Sadhana, continuous meditation, Pranayama and Atmic Vichara, the practice of Sama, Dama, Yama and Niyama, is also safe, although he has not attained the stage of perfect sex sublimation."
What is Sama and what is Dama?
Thank you in advance.
Answer
1. Those who are Urdhwarethas do not claim to be so. It is an internal phenomenon.
2. Detailed information on Sadhana is available in past answers.
3. 'Sama' refers to the control of the mind by displacing the desire induced from past Vasana-s through 'Vichara' (Inquiry) and 'Viveka' (Wisdom). 'Dama' refers to control of the sense organs through 'Vairagya' (dispassion for the sense objects - knowing them to bring nothing but suffering), further to 'Sama'.
ॐ तत् सत्
(That Supreme being is the absolute truth)