The Panacea of all Diseases
By Paramahansa Atmananda
* It is dangerous to practice without direct initiation
It is needless to say that the aim of human life is to realize God or Self. And to be free from the greatest disease of fear of the vicious cycles of birth and death. For this, effort is needed. Our wise and liberated Sages and Gurus of Kriya Yoga order have rediscovered the scientific, easy and highly effective technique to realize the Self in this very Birth. It is also a fact that to make effort or to do Sadhana, we need a strong body, strong mind, power of understanding and ‘Dharana + Dhyana’ so that we can attain the stage of ‘Savikalpa’ and then "Nirvikalpa" Samadhi. This ‘Nirvikalpa Samadhi is the ultimate in spiritual Sadhana’, which gives the ‘Jivanmukta’ and the ‘Paramukta’ state. At this stage one gets mastery over death and life as the saying goes-
Brahmavid Brahmaiba bhabati
There is a beautiful sloka in the Upanishad-
Aatmaanam Rathinam Biddhi Shariram Rathamebatu
Buddhimtu Saarat Him Biddhi Manah Pragraha Mebacha
Indriyaanaam Hayarnahur Bishayaamstesu Gocharaan
Aatmendriya Manojuktam Bhoktaatyahur Manishinah
The above sloka means that the body is the chariot, the intellect or Buddhi is the charioteer, the sense organs are the horses, the mind is the rein, the sense objects are the different roads and the soul or “Atman” is the “Rathee” or the rider- Also it is mentioned that
“Na Ayam Aatma Balahinen Iabhya”
which means that the weak cannot realize God. If the body is strong, it will not break down on the road, if the mind is strong, it will control the senses, so that these will not rush down the wrong paths and the Buddhi should be wise and expert, so that it can guide the mind and horses and take the master to its destination, i.e., Self-realization.
It is obvious that a weak body and weak mind and unwise intellect can not realize the Self. So we have to make the body strong and free from disease, the mind healthy, pure and concentrated and the buddhi (intellect) wise, sharp and have the power of discrimination. Of all the yogic techniques it is the Mahamudra” alone, which can achieve all these simultaneously. At this stage it is necessary to discuss about constituent parts of a human being. First is the causal body, then the subtle body or the “Sukhma Sarir”, then the gross body or “Sthula Sarir”. The gross body is the visible one and the subtle and causal bodies are the invisible ones. The visible body has head (inside is the brain), neck which connects the head with the trunk (thorax, abdomen and pelvis) and the two upper limbs, the two lower limbs. This gross body houses the brain and spinal cord (the most important structures for God realization), the heart and vascular systems, the lungs and respiratory system, the gastrointestinal system, the hepato-biliary system, the hematological system, the endocrine system and the bones and joints. Of greatest importance is the Brain which contains cerebrum, cerebellum, mid-brain, Pons, medulla, pituitary, pineal, the limbic system and the
cranial nerves etc. And it is through the cranial nerves and the spinal cord, the brain controls and regulates the entire body and every point on it and in it. Now we will discuss how the “Mahamudra” during its three main postures exercises, energizes, vitalises, purifies and refines the different parts and systems of the entire gross body and the invisible body. It also burns up the seeds of sinful acts of prior births and prepares
the Susumna for the upward movements of the Kundalini.
Stage I: Sitting On The Left Leg posture
The body weight rests on the left leg which is folded under the left thigh and the heel pressing the ‘Toni’ or ‘Kanda’ (space between anus and root of penis or generative organ). The right leg is first folded and pressed firmly gainst the abdomen and chest, there is special breathing technique and movement of vital force along the ‘Susumna’. The results are: (I) All the muscles of legs, thigh, hands, arms, abdomen are contracted and pressed (II) All the big and small and smallest arteries, veins and lymphatic are pressed and squeezed. So there is no stagnation of blood and more blood is made available to heart, lungs, spinal cord and brain. This prevents varicose veins, myalgia, fibrositis, sciatica, lumbago etc. Muscles power also increases. By the pressure of right thigh over the pelvis, right half of abdomen and right lower chest, cecum, ascending colon, ileum, jejunum, Liver, gall bladder, stomach are pressed, massaged, exercised. The flow of bile and other digestive juices flow freely and there is good digestion and bowel movements. Constipation is cured. The right kidney, ureter, adrenal glands are exercised. So there is no stone formation in the Kidneys. High blood pressure is prevented and endocrine glands remain healthy. As the lower chest is pressed, toe pressed, the topmost of lungs open up and properly ventilated and lungs are remain healthy and powerful. T.B., Bronchitis and lung cancer are prevented. It can utilize more oxygen. In the next movement the leg is stretched and spine is bent forward. The pressure over abdomen is release and chest which become healthier and stronger. When we bend forward the spinal cord is stretched and massaged, the inter-vertebral spaces open up and tiny blood vessels get filled up with pure blood. When we become erect again, these contract to get pressed, pushed the pure blood into the spinal cord.
Stage II: Sitting On The Right Leg posture
Here the body weight rests on the right leg which is folded and pressed against the left pelvis, left abdomen, left chest. As a result, the rectum, sigmoid colon, descending colon, spleen, stomach, portal vein, left kidney and left adrenal gland are pressed, impure and stagnating blood is pushed out and when pressure is released, pure blood rushes in. All the benefits of stage one are repeated so that there is double benefit. In ladies, the ovaries, fallopian tubes and uterus are exercised. As a result menstrual disorders, sterility, painful periods and menopausal syndrome are prevented and cured. As the perineal muscles and abdominal muscles become stronger, delivery becomes smooth and youthful figure is maintained. In gents and particularly in young people it helps in Brahmacharya and celebacy. It prevents and cures wet dreams, premature ejaculation and impotency. It cures obesity and prevents protuberant abdomen.
Stage III: Both Legs Folding Stage
In this stage both legs and thighs are folded and pressed against the pelvis, abdomen and chest. There is three fold increase in the benefits of above two stages. Pancreas is exercised, so diabetes mellitus is prevented and in early tages cured. All the splancnic blood vessels in the abdominal cavity which keep the blood stagnated are pressed and the extra blood released is made available to the brain and spinal cord. In the Stage-I, Prana flows in Ida, in the Stage II, Prana flows in the Pingla and in Stage III, Prana flows in the Susumna nadi. Kundalini is roused and as the susumna path is opened by above practice, this divine power Kundalini ascends up the susumna. If this sufficient effort is made and contained at this stage, Kundalini (Shakti) rises upto Sahasrara in the brain and enters the Absolute (Siva) or the non-functioning column in the pineal. And the sadhak attains the stage of Nirbikalpa Samadhi and becomes Brahmavid and Jibanmukta.
In the Sastras it is mentioned about Mahamudra:
Sarbarogaupasanam jatharaagni bibarddhanam
Bapusa kantim ama/am jaraamrityu vinaashanam
Baanchitaarthaphalam soukhyam indriyaanaam chamaaranam
Etatuktaaani sarbaani yogaarudhasya yoginah
Bhabet Bhyaasatu avashyam Naatra Kaaryaa bichaaranam
It relieves all diseases, increases gastric fire, gives lustrous and glorious body. It destroys old age and death. It gives the Sadhak satisfaction of all virtuous desires. It subdues and destroys evil propensities. All these are acquired by the yogi when keeps on practising ‘Mahamudra’.
OM TAT SAT OM
May the practice of Mahamudra bless you with excellent quality and quantity of Life and Self-realisation.
God bless You.
Practical Kriya yoga © by Atmananda Paramahansa first published in 1999.
This material is copyrighted. Any Unauthorized use is strictly prohibited.
