Part 5.1 - Process of Attainment in Yogaśikhopaniṣad

Before dealing with the eighth limb of aṣṭāṅga yoga viz. Samādhi there is one important aspect of Yoga that needs to be death with, and that is the aspect of siddhis.

Mahaṛṣi Patañjali^[1] says what acquisition of power comes about in five different ways–

(i) Powers that come along with birth. For example it is natural for a bird to start flying only after a few days of its birth. It is natural for the fish to swim in water and this power comes along with its birth.

(ii) Powers that are obtained with the help of medicine. A medical practioner obtains a command over the diseases by acquiring proficiency in the efficacy of herbs and medicines.

(iii) Powers acquired by mastery over the mantra. A mantra consists of a combination of a specific words which are repeated orally (loudly or with lips without noise) or mentally.

(iv) Acquisition of powers through observance of austerities such as fasting etc. and lastly.

(v) Powers which come as a natural concomitant of the attainment beginning with dhāraṇā and culminating in samādhi.

The aim of Yoga is attainment of these unusual and sometimes extraordinary powers far from it. The correct position has been explained by Maharṣi Patañjali thus these can be called attainment only in the content of a state of mind which is at peace with itself. When the mind progress from a state of agitation and sickness to a state of comparative peace and tranquility, these attainments become indicators of that progress. But if the practitioner gets distracted by these powers and forgets his ultimate goal, then these attainments sense more as obstacles in the attainment of samādhi than otherwise.

No wonder, therefore, when the Yogaśikhopaniṣad 19enjoins that are should not engage ones mind in attainments, particularly because of the mind bickleness. For a practicing aspirant, even when not interested in these attainments, becomes free from all bondage one he has thoroughly grasped the reality.

The types of siddhis as enumerated by Yogaśikhoponiṣad. It says–“in this world there are two types of siddhis: (i) kalpita-artificial and (ii) akalpita-natural. The powers acquired through the artifice of medicine, mass of activity and mantra practice etc. are called kalpita. These powers which are get through material means are not of a permanent nature and are of a low potency.

But those powers which come about of their own and are not dependent upon material means are called akalpita. These, because of their independence are profusely prevalent amongst the seekers of self i.e. manipation and who are dear to God Almighty.^[2]

It further says–these powers, which are permanent are of great potency and bring spontaneous fulfillment of desires, are created through yoga practice for a long time amongst those who have become totally desire free.^[3]

According to this Upaniṣad (Yoga Śikhā) these siddhis work as a barometre in identified an emancipated soul.

The traveler looks at the sky for guidance and visits numerous holy places. If the same way a whole network of siddhis which lead to various paths, appears in the yoga path which is devoid of any consideration of profit and loss. Just as competent goldsmith is able to pronounce on the quality of gold. So also do these siddhis proclaim the level attained by a yogī. There is no doubt that a practicing yogī who has attained certain heights in yoga is proclaimed by these siddhis of extraordinary quality. And a person who does not exhibit any such siddhis is patently a man still bound by the illusory world.^[4]

Footnotes and references:

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[1]:

Patañjali Yogasūtra-IV-1.

[2]:

Ibid-I-151-154.

[3]:

Ibid-I-155.

[4]:

Ibid. I-157-160.