A path to self-mastery through solitude and dedicated practice
The following are excerpts from Dr. S. P. Sabharathnam’s translation of the Sarvajnanottara Agama, chapter 1, verses 1-16.
O, Sanmukha! I will explain the disciplines of yoga as applicable to the one who is alone keeping himself dissociated from the company of worldly-minded persons, who is with settled mind, who is with deep sense of detachment by keeping his mind under control, who takes moderate food, who limits himself in his routine worldly activities and who sleeps moderately and keeps himself awake sufficiently. Listen to my instructions on yoga. 1.1
Only that person who has known well the nature of meditator, meditation and the fruit of meditation is fit enough to undertake the disciplines of yoga. The individual self is the meditator. Mind is meditation. The Great Lord Siva is the One to be meditated. The attainment of the supreme qualities of Siva, superior to which there is nothing, is the fruit of meditation. 1.2-3
Keeping the mind balanced well when honored or abused, and in the same way when delighted or distressed, and having completely freed himself from being subject to excessive delight, fearfulness and despondency, the sadhaka should repeatedly practice the disciplines of yoga. 1.4
In the places such as a solitary house, charming monastery, auspicious temple charged with divinity, bank of river not frequented by people, one’s own house, unapproachable dense forest, sequestered places hidden by trees, places free from disturbing sounds, and a quiet place free from the presence of humans, animals, insects and so forth; in places free from those who cause hindrances and disturbances to yoga practice, in places not owned by others, and in places well protected from the sun’s scorching heat—in such places the sadhaka should commence yoga practice. 1.5-6
Having taken the usual ceremonial bath, maintaining purity in body and mind, having performed the succeeding rites, such as being besmeared with vibhuti and sprinkled with consecrated water, having prostrated before Siva and his acharya who has initiated him into the discipline of yoga, the sadhaka should attentively involve himself in the disciplines of yoga. 1.7
There are many postures suitable to yoga practice, such as padmaka, svastika, ardha pitha, ardha chandra, sarvatobhadra and so forth. Having assumed a posture compatible to him and folding hands together in supplication, keeping his body upright, having well aligned his head and having dispelled all negative thoughts from his mind, O, Guha! the sadhaka should practice yoga with his mind well established within his own self. 1.8-9
Without allowing the upper row of teeth to touch the lower teeth and without allowing the tongue to touch the corners of the mouth, and keeping his eyes half-closed and raised, the sadhaka should repeat the mula mantra of Siva in a perfect way as instructed by his guru. 1.10
The systematic repetition of mula mantra illuminates and makes known all the tattvas—such as the subtle elements (tanmatras) and others—to the embodied self. O Shanmukha, the sadhaka then becomes capable of severing his bonds born of these tattvas through the particular repetition of astra mantra instructed to him by his guru. 1.11
The sadhaka who practices in this way need not repeat the hridaya mantra, siro mantra, shikha mantra, kavacha mantra and netra mantra separately at the completion of mula mantra japa, since all the six anga mantras originate from that mula mantra. 1.12
Having equalized the outbreath and inbreath (prana and apana) and having enabled the breath to flow through within the central channel (sushumna) and having arrested the workings of inbreath and outbreath, the well-skilled sadhaka should deeply meditate on Lord Siva. 1.13
Through the continued practice of such disciplines, the sadhaka becomes capable of establishing himself in unfailing and inseparable union with the luminous form, which is extremely subtle, pervasive, eternal and immutable. 1.14
The specific kind of pranayama known as sagarbha pranayama is of three kinds—the superior, intermediary and slow. The sadhaka should practice the control of breath through puraka (inbreath), kumbhaka (retention of breath) and rechaka (outbreath). 1.15
By the practice of pranayama, the sadhaka incinerates all defilements. By dharana, he annihilates all of his sinful effects. By pratyahara, he maintains himself completely free from negative thoughts and vices. And by dhyana, he becomes capable of nullifying the effects of even those qualities that do not decay. 1.16
About the Author
Dr. S. P. Sabharathnam Sivacharyar, of the Adisaiva priest lineage, is an expert in ancient Tamil and Sanskrit, specializing in the Vedas, Agamas and Silpa Shastras.