Siddha Siddhanta Paddhati

Author(s): Kalyani Mallik
Publisher: Poona Oriental Book House Poona

Page 45

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The Avadhūta is equally unaffected by Tyag or Bhog. The Nătha Yogis adopted some mystic procedure in performing certain Mudrās (gestures) for spiritual realisation which consisted of Bhog and Tyag at the same time. These procedures, however, remain obscure to the uninitiated.
The beginnings of the Yoga system can be traced back to ancient times, but the path is not an easy one. It is only through self-discipline that one can rise above the empirical self and be one with Siva. A course of both physical austerities and mental discipline has to be followed to achieve this state of Bliss and forsake the outer world which binds us in its alluring snares. Mystic syllables such as OM help the Yogis to achieve this state by concentration on the Mantra (i. e., the sacred text or syllable). The Yogi forgets the outer world and is in Union with the Unseen. The Nātha Yogis advocate this practice as is seen from their works. The concentration and constant repetition of the Mantra leads one to the state of Ajapa jup which means that one has entered internal life. The mantra: is spontaneously repeated all the time. Such a Yogi with the help of Hatha Yoga gains controi over the vital airs, the Prüra and Apina and is able to perform miracles. It would be an injustice to say that the Nātha Yogis Hadipā, Gorakhnath etc. practised control over the vital airs to gain some occult powers only. Their final aim was higher. It was the attainment of Sivahood, with Hatha Yoga as the means. The vital airs are often termed as the Sun and the Moon. These terms have been used both in the Buddhist and Bramhinical texts of mysticism. There are other synonyms as found in the Caryāpadas. In Hatha yoga Candra (Moon ) is the nerve on the left of the body and is known as 'Ida' and Sûrya (Sun) is 'Pingala' on the right. They are also known as Ganga and Yamunā (the name of the two important rivers in India). An individual soul can altain Sivahood by abandoning the left and the right through Yogic practices and bringing them under control. Hacipa makes the Sun and Moon his earrings i. e., in other words, he has controlled them. The Sun and the Moon are the symbols of day and night, the Prāna and A pana or inspiration and expiration are the two important functions of the body, on which depend the notion of time. So when a Yogi controls