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resolve the difficulties of the sadhak practising meditation under his supervision. Thirdly, the place of sadhana should be secluded. Because uninterrupted practice of sadhana is not possible in the midst of crowds and noise.
For one who wishes to enter the higher stages of meditation, it is necessary to have a sadhak-supervisor. Acharya Pushyamitra while preparing to go into mahaprana meditation, appointed a disciple as his sadhak supervisor. Although that disciple did not fully possess the virtues of an acharya, yet he was very capable, and was therefore appointed as sadhak-supervisor. The Acharya, while rapt in meditation, wanted no interference. Other pupils did not know of this. They enquired of the muni-supervisor about the Acharya. They wanted to see him. But the supervisor forbade them entry into the meditation cell where the Acharya was engaged in sadhana. The pupils mistook the muni's prohibition : they feared that the Acharya had been murdered. So they repaired to the king who was a devotee of the Acharya. The monks expressed their fear before the king. The king immediately reached the place where Acharya Pushyamitra was engaged in mahaprana-dhyana sadhana. The king expressed his desire to see the Acharya. The sadhak-supervisor said, "The Master is in meditation." On hearing this, the King's mind was also filled with misgiving. He pressed upon the muni-supervisor his demand. Gauging the seriousness of the situation, the muni-supervisor went into the meditation cell and pressed the thumb of the Acharya's foot. Consciousness returned to the Acharya. He got up and said, "Why did you prick me up before time?" The muni related the whole sequence of events. The King as well as other munis were relieved to find the Acharya alive. The Acharya's sadhana was nevertheless disturbed. There are
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