Kriya Yoga has different stages, generally divided into seven main Kriyas.
Different Yogis/Sadhaks/Practitioners have different experiences during Sadhana (Kriya) and they might differ from one Sadhak to the other. I am sharing here my own experience, which occurred in 1986. I was practicing pranayam during the First Kriya. Suddenly Apana left its place and got attached to Prana. After being joined by Apana, Prana and Apana moved together (With the help of pranayama practiced in the First level of Kriya itself) up and down 4 to 5 times.
Till my fourth pranayama, my man (mind) was astonished to witness from my Navel Centre this phenomenon of integrated ascend and descend of Prana and Apana. Suddenly with a jolt, my man (mind) also got attached to them, and my breathing stopped. After that, I felt no hindrance in ascending to higher Chakras. I crossed all the chakra centers and reached my destination.
Although I am just a common Kriya Practitioner, but I believe whatever experiences I have attained are all because of the grace of Babaji and my Guru Baba. I must reiterate that the grace of the Guru is of utmost importance. A Kriya Practitioner (Kriyabaan) who diligently practices these kriyas will always find himself/herself under the watchful eyes of Gurus or masters. When there is need, the grace automatically reaches the practitioner. Through one’s own hard work and the Guru’s grace, a Sadhak attains his or her goal.
That is why it is my advice to all Kriyabans that they should diligently practice Kriya with full honesty. They should not become lethargic in practicing Kriya. Moreover, they must have full faith in Kriya. In Kriya Yoga, there is no such restriction in food habits for kriya practitioners or Kriyabaans, but if you could avoid non-vegetarian food, it would be good.
Alcohol is forbidden for Kriyabaans. If you were drinking earlier, then you should curtail the habit and give it up eventually. I am telling you this because to attain higher stages in Sadhana, one needs to have a calm mind, and non-vegetarian foods and alcohol stimulate the mind, which is not helpful for Sadhana.
Every Upanishad commences with a prayer, the Shanti Mantra; a formula for the invocation of peace, chanted at the beginning and close of study. The Shanti Mantra of the Katha Upanishad reads:
ॐ सह नाववतु सह नौ भुनक्तु सह वीर्यं करवावहै,
तेजस्वि नावधीतमस्तु मा विद्विषावहै ॥ ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥
auṁ saha nāvavatu, sahanau bhunaktu, saha vīryam karavāvahai,
tejasvi nav adhītam astu: mā vidviṣāvahai; auṁ śāntih, śāntih, śāntih ॥
It means that there should be proper attunement of spirit between the Guru and disciple before they begin the study, for only then will the teaching be fruitful:
Om. May Brahman protect us both! May Brahman bestow upon us both the fruit of Knowledge! May we both obtain the energy to acquire Knowledge! May what we both study reveal the Truth! May we cherish no ill feeling toward each other!
भवसागर तारण कारण हे ।
रविनन्दन बन्धन खण्डन हे ॥
शरणागत किंकर भीत मने ।
गुरुदेव दया करो दीनजने ॥१॥
हृदिकन्दर तामस भास्कर हे ।
तुमि विष्णु प्रजापति शंकर हे ॥
परब्रह्म परात्पर वेद भणे ।
गुरुदेव दया करो दीनजने ॥२॥
मनवारण शासन अंकुश हे ।
नरत्राण तरे हरि चाक्षुष हे ॥
गुणगान परायण देवगणे ।
गुरुदेव दया करो दीनजने ॥३॥
कुलकुण्डलिनी घुम भंजक हे ।
हृदिग्रन्थि विदारण कारक हे ॥
मम मानस चंचल रात्रदिने ।
गुरुदेव दया करो दीनजने ॥४॥
रिपुसूदन मंगलनायक हे ।
सुखशान्ति वराभय दायक हे ।
त्रयताप हरे तव नाम गुणे
गुरुदेव दया करो दीनजने ॥५॥
अभिमान प्रभाव विमर्दक हे ।
गतिहीन जने तुमि रक्षक हे ॥
चित शंकित वंचित भक्तिधने ।
गुरुदेव दया करो दीनजने ॥६॥
तव नाम सदा शुभसाधक हे ।
पतिताधम मानव पावक हे ॥
महिमा तव गोचर शुद्ध मने ।
गुरुदेव दया करो दीनजने ॥७॥
जय सद्गुरु ईश्वर प्रापक हे ।
भवरोग विकार विनाशक हे ॥
मन जेन रहे तव श्रीचरणे ।
गुरुदेव दया करो दीनजने ॥८॥
Bhava-Saagara Taaranna Kaaranna He |
Ravi-Nandana Bandhana Khannddana He ||
Sharannaagata Kinkara Bhiita Mane |
Gurudeva Dayaa Karo Diina-Jane ||1||
Hrdi-Kandara Taamasa Bhaaskara He |
Tumi Vissnnu Prajaapati Shankara He ||
Parabrahma Paraatpara Veda Bhanne |
Gurudeva Dayaa Karo Diina-Jane ||2||
Mana-Vaaranna Shaasana Ankusha He |
Nara-Traanna Tare Hari Caakssussa He ||
Gunna-Gaana Paraayanna Deva-Ganne |
Gurudeva Dayaa Karo Diina-Jane ||3||
Kulakunnddalinii Ghuma Bhanjaka He |
Hrdi-Granthi Vidaaranna Kaaraka He ||
Mama Maanasa Cancala Raatra-Dine |
Gurudeva Dayaa Karo Diina-Jane ||4||
Ripu-Suudana Mangala-Naayaka He |
Sukha-Shaanti Vara-Abhaya Daayaka He |
Traya-Taapa Hare Tava Naama Gunne
Gurudeva Dayaa Karo Diina-Jane ||5||
Abhimaana Prabhaava Vimardaka He |
Gatihiina Jane Tumi Rakssaka He ||
Cita Shankita Vancita Bhakti-Dhane |
Gurudeva Dayaa Karo Diina-Jane ||6||
Tava Naama Sadaa Shubha-Saadhaka He |
Patita-Adhama Maanava Paavaka He ||
Mahimaa Tava Gocara Shuddha Mane |
Gurudeva Dayaa Karo Diina-Jane ||7||
Jaya Sadguru Iishvara Praapaka He |
Bhava-Roga Vikaara Vinaashaka He ||
Mana Jena Rahe Tava Shriicaranne |
Gurudeva Dayaa Karo Diina-Jane ||8||
1.1: (I salute the Gurudeva) From this sea of worldly turbulence You are instrumental in rescuing the helpless,
1.2: You are the son of the light who tears apart the worldly ties
1.3: I have approached You as a Servant, for Your Refuge, with a Mind filled with the Fear (of the never-ending Samsara)
1.4: ... O Gurudeva, Please shower Your Mercy on me, (Please shower Your Grace on this) Helpless soul.
2.1: (I salute the Gurudeva) Who dispels the darkness (of Ignorance) by illuminating the cave of the Heart (with Spiritual Knowledge)
2.2: (O my Lord) You are Vishnu, Prajapati (Brahma) and Shankara (in essence)
2.3: (And) the Vedas declare You as the Supreme Brahman greater than everything
2.4: O Gurudeva, Please shower Your Mercy on me, (Please shower Your Grace on this) Helpless soul.
3.1: (I salute the Gurudeva) Who is the Ankusha (Hook) restraining the Mind (from getting attached to the World)
3.2: Who is the visible Hari protecting Man (from getting immersed in the Ocean of Samsara) and carrying them across
3.3: The Devas are intent upon singing the praises of Your Divine Qualities
3.4: O Gurudeva, Please shower Your Mercy on me, (Please shower Your Grace on this) Helpless soul.
4.1: (I salute the Gurudeva) Who awakens the (dormant) Kundalini Shakti by breaking its (long) Sleep,
4.2: ... and tearing asunder the Knots of the Heart (makes that Kundalini rise),
4.3: My Mind is restless - Day and Night,
4.4: ... O Gurudeva, Please shower Your Mercy on me, (Please shower Your Grace on this) Helpless soul,
5.1: (I salute the Gurudeva) Who destroys the Enemies (of Lust and Greed) and acts as the great power bestowing Auspiciousness (in our lives),
5.2: Who bestows Happiness and Peace, and grants Boons and Fearlessness (during our life's journey),
5.3: The virtue of Your Name takes away the three-fold Miseries from our lives (Adhyatmika, Adidaivika and Adibhautika),
5.4: O Gurudeva, Please shower Your Mercy on me, (Please shower Your Grace on this) Helpless soul,
6.1: (I salute the Gurudeva) Who crushes the power of the Pride within us,
6.2: (O Lord) You protect the one without any refuge by giving them Your Refuge (mercifully),
6.3: My Mind is always alarmed, being bereft of the treasure of (steady) Devotion (to Your Lotus Feet),
6.4: O Gurudeva, Please shower Your Mercy on me, (Please shower Your Grace on this) Helpless soul,
7.1: (I salute the Gurudeva) (O Lord) Your Name always gives rise to Auspiciousness,
7.2: ... and purifies the Fallen and Lowly persons,
7.3: Your Glory is only perceptible to the Pure Mind (bereft of all worldly desires),
7.4: O Gurudeva, Please shower Your Mercy on me, (Please shower Your Grace on this) Helpless soul,
8.1: (I salute the Gurudeva) Victory to the Sadguru Who leads towards the attainment (realization) of God
8.2: ... by annihilating the diseases of the Worldly attachments,
8.3: May my Mind always abide on Your Lotus Feet,
8.4: O Gurudeva, Please shower Your Mercy on me, (Please shower Your Grace on this) Helpless soul.
In our comment section, many people have asked about the lyricist of ‘Gurudev Doya Koro’; many people believe Swami Vivekananda to be the author of this hymn, but this is not true.
Devendranath Majumdar, a devoted disciple of Thakur Sri Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa, wrote this masterpiece in an exalted state and offered it at the feet of his Guru. This prayer is one of the most popular prayers among Bengali devotees, and all Guru traditions include this composition to pay respect to the lotus feet of their Guru.
There are many different views and commentaries on Shrimad Bhagavad Gita. The new perspective followed by Lahiri Mahasaya and his wonderful direct disciples under his tutelage and mentoring is to treat this sacred book as the practical guide and art of living for the subject of Kriya Yoga, sadhana and spirituality.
This thought reflects in the writings of these two great commentaries…
“Surodhani Gita” commentary by Shri Panchanan Bhattacharyaji
“Yogiraj Shri Shyamacharan Lahiri Mahasaya Ki Adhyatmik Deepika” by Shri Bhupendranath Sanyalji
I had a query for a long time why was Shrimad Bhagavad Gita is presented in this manner, why there is word ‘Yoga’ in the name of each chapter?
All this appeared enigmatic and might look so to any individual who look or scan this wonderful book from a superficial perspective.
Shri Panchanan Bhattacharyaji, The ParamGurudev in our lineage of Gurus described the significance of the names of all chapters in the light of Kriya Yoga.
I do believe that you will go through this material by downloading this picture, keeping it in your PC or Cellphone and by reflecting upon this.
And this is a good manner to see all the subjects covered in Shrimad Bhagavad Gita in a broader and mountain top perspective.
AumGuruPrabhu!
Finally, your views and comments are respected and highly appreciated.
