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Siddhars: Masters of the Universe

Dr. Ramesh Kabade

The man who possesses a vigorous mind controlled by a well developed will with strong power of concentration can easily become the master of physical nature and in short time attain the realization of truth.

Through practice the power can be acquired by which all other forces in the universe may be controlled. The practice claims that whoever has gained mastery over his mind can govern all the phenomena of nature. It teaches that mind is the sovereign power of the universe and that when its forces are properly concentrated on any particular object, the true nature of the object will be revealed.

By throwing the converged rays of his mind toward a distant object whether gross or subtle, all the details of that object are illumined and made known to him. In the same way, if the mind can be concentrated upon internal objects or upon truths that exist in the realm of the universe, perfect knowledge of those things can be acquired.

Thus it becomes evident that the power of concentration is greater than sense power if we can develop it by controlling our mental faculties by making the mind introspective and by checking all distractions which draw the mind outside and can direct our concentrated mental energy toward our higher self, the true nature of the individual ego will be revealed and we shall realize that our immutable self is the soul of all, and that it is the ultimate reality of the universe.

Mental phenomenon

Mental phenomena are merely the effects of invisible forces that cannot be discovered by the senses or by any instrument, which the human mind can invent. We may try forever to know these finer forces through the medium of our sense perceptions, but we shall never arrive at any satisfactory results.

It explains clearly and scientifically the processes and methods by which concentration can be developed. It does not however ask the students to accept anything on hearsay or to believe anything on the mere authority of scriptures or of writers. But it states certain facts, requests the students to experiment experience the results and draw his own conclusions there is nothing mysterious in the practice, on the contrary it points out the laws which govern so called mysteries and explains practically under what conditions the phenomena of mysteries are produced.

It shows that so long as the real cause of an event is unknown it appears mysterious to us. Standing upon the solid ground of logic and reason this science unravels the riddles of the universe and directs the individual soul forward, the attainment of the final end of all religions.

Its principles are highly moral and uplifting. It helps the student to understand the true purpose of life and describe the way by which it may be fulfilled here and now.

It tells us that we should not think so much of what will happen after death but that we should make the best use of the present and unfold the latent powers which we already possess, while it reminds us again and again of the fact that advancement made in the life will be the foundation of future progress. If we gain or develop certain powers before we die, those powers will not be lost but will remain with us where ever we go after death, while external possessions, we know cannot accompany us in the grave.

The only things that we can carry out of life are our character our experience and the knowledge gained there from. They are our real possessions. The chief object is to mould the character and lead the student to the knowledge of divine nature of the soul.

The First Step

The methods, which it teaches, can be practiced without joining any secret organization but merely by following the directions of a true master who is pure and simple, whose mind is free from doubts and who is unattached to the objects of the phenomenal plane.

It includes all the ethical laws that govern our moral nature. The strict observance of these laws is necessary to the practice of the other higher steps.

All the fundamental principles of ethics expounded by our spiritual leaders are contained in these higher steps. A beginner in the practice should live a strictly moral and pure life, other wise he will not advance in this path nor will he reach the highest truth or realize the divinity that dwells within him.

A neophyte must remember that purity, chastity, morality is the very corner stones of the structure of the spiritual science. The character must be firm, for the student must persist in the face of all obstacles until spiritual perfection is reached.

He must not take up the study as a passing fad, only to satisfy his momentary curiosity but must continue with patience and perseverance until the highest ideal is realized.

What Next?

The next step includes austerities, forbearance, contentment, faith in the Supreme Being, charity study and self-surrender to the divine will.

In the third step heath is essential to the attainment of the highest knowledge. Those who are suffering from disease cannot make their mind steady, cannot fix their attention upon truths existing on the spiritual plane, because naturally their mind will be centered on the diseased parts of the body. A beginner who possess a healthy body and a well balanced mind should choose any posture of the body in which he can sit firmly for a long time without feeling pain in the limbs. The one need not be so particular regarding the posture of the body. The student should simply observe that the spinal column is kept perfectly straight while practicing in sitting posture.

Making the mind introspective is the most important step. If we can withdraw the mind from external objects, fix it on some inner object and bring it under the control of the will, we shall accomplish all that is required in this. Before the student is able to concentrate on any particular object he must learn to gather up his scattered mental powers. This process of collecting the powers of the mind and of restraining it from going out to external objects what the Siddha designate as "Sadhana" or "Practice".

It may be thought by many that revelation proceeds from some external source, either through the favour of some angel or bright spirit or the extra cosmic personal god but revelation or inspiration is the disclosure of the higher self within and that the realization of spiritual truth comes to that soul.

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