________________
types of materials things etc. These are impossible and only conjectures and superstitions. If even a few possessed such powers in this country any time in the past, no invader would have been able to conquer, enslave and torture the people. But history is witness that India suffered ignoble defeats, slavery and tortures repeatedly over and over again. It is unfortunate that an eminent sage Patanjali who has assiduously and systematically devised scientific steps of yoga, also succumbed to such superstitious conjectures which were prevalent during medieval era. However, he has wisely denounced such superhuman powers :
"HTTL4T YET
gy: 13711"
"These occult powers are hindrances in the path of progress and
uplift."
4.
Kevalyapad :
In this last section of yoga sutra there are 34 stanzas (sutras) which are almost an extension of previous section Vibhutipad. There is mention of more occult powers:
" T
ag: HIGT: RE: 11111"
"The yogi can have powers to know about previous births, to cure diseases, to meet his deity in person etc."
It appears that an enlightened person with scientific templer could not have mentioned such superstitions. Subsequent jealous followers might have added these to accommodate then prevailing concepts. This apprehension is not unfounded because several of canonical scriptures have been proved to be adulterated. For example Mahabharat according to scholars originally contained only about nine thousand aphorisms and now there are over a lakh. Likewise Gita could not have been as lengthy as now because it would not have been possible to deliver such lengthy sermons requiring a few hours when armies announced commencement of war by blowing respective conches. Krishna could have got hardly a few minutes to awaken Arjun from cowardice. So Patanjali could not be the author of superstitious fantasies, superhuman weird powers etc. The dilution of standards prescribed by Patanjali is continuing and are preponderant in present times also. After Patanjali sprang up several off-shoots. Subsequent yoga teachers are continuously modifying even the basic concepts and tenets, diluting and even abandoning the fundamentals.
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