JNANA
YOGA
By Swami Sivananda
1. There
is an Atman or soul independent of body and mind. This soul is immortal,
unchanging and infinite. Realise this Atman and be free.
2. This
Atman is Satchidananda (Existence-Absolute, Consciousness-Absolute,
Bliss-Absolute). It exists in the past, present and future. So it is Sat. It is
pure or Absolute Consciousness without any thought. So it is Chit. It is
absolute Bliss. So it is Ananda.
3. The
unreal body perishes, but the Atman or the indweller is Immortal. So, you
should not grieve when anyone dies. In essence everyone is Immortal Atman.
4. This
Atman cannot be hurt by anyone. It is subtle, all-pervading. It is the
Innermost Self of all.
5. This
Atman is birthless, deathless, changeless. When the body is killed, He is not
killed. Therefore grieve not, lament not, regret not. Be always cheerful.
6. Fire
cannot burn this Atman, sword cannot pierce this Atman, bomb cannot destroy
this Atman, machine-guns cannot kill this Atman.
7. This
Atman is eternal, immovable, secondless, self-existent, self-centred.
Therefore, knowing this to be such, thou shouldst not grieve, when your father,
mother, son, wife or relative dies.
8. This
perishable body will certainly pass away. Indweller can never perish. Thou art
the immortal soul. Therefore, over the inevitable thou shalt not grieve.
9.
Brahman or Atman (Consciousness) is beyond the reach of the mind and speech. He
is beyond logic, reason, mental process, science. He must be realized through
meditation.
10. You
cannot deny or doubt your existence. You always feel that you exist. This
existence is Atman or your own Self. The knower of the doubt or denier always
exists. That knower is your own Atman.
11. In
dream you are distinct from the physical body. In deep sleep, you are distinct
from the body and the mind. You enjoy peace and bliss in deep sleep. This
proves that you are neither body nor mind, but you are All-Blissful Soul.
12. There
is only one Reality or Truth. That is Brahman or Atman. All appearances are
unreal. They are the effects of Maya, the illusory power of Brahman.
13.
Behold the one Immortal Atman in all names and forms. This alone is correct
perception.
14.
Ignorance is the cause for pain and sorrow. Annihilate this ignorance through Knowledge
of the Self (Brahma Jnana). All miseries will come to an end.
15. This
Atman is beyond time, space, causation. Time, space, causation are mental
creation.
16. Just
as snake is superimposed on the rope, this world, and the body are superimposed
on Brahman.
17. Bring
a light, the snake vanishes; rope alone remains. Attain Illumination, this
world and this body vanish. Atman alone remains. That Atman thou art (Tat Tvam
Asi).
18.
I-ness and mine-ness, agency and enjoyership bind you to the Samsara. Destroy
these notions. Identify yourself with the Atman which is non-doer, non-enjoyer.
You will attain Immortality and eternal Bliss.
19.
Sensual pleasure is only pain. It is momentary mental excitement, momentary
sensation of flesh, momentary itching and scratching of the senses. You can
have eternal bliss in your own Inner Atman alone.
20.
Enquire ‘Who am I?’ Deny or sublate the limiting adjuncts (body, mind, etc.);
know the Self and be free.
21.
Constantly think of the Immortal, all-pervading Atman. Give up thinking of
body. You will attain Self-realization.
22. You
are ever free. You are already free. Freedom (Moksha) is not a thing to be
attained. You will have to know that you are Atman, that you are free.
23.
Destroy the subtle desires (Vasanas), and cravings (Trishnas). This will lead
to the annihilation of the mind. Destruction of the mind will lead to the
attainment of wisdom of the Self (Brahma Jnana).
24. This
world is illusory. Brahman alone is real. You are identical with Brahman.
Realise this and be free.
25. The
liberated sage is ever blissful. He rests in his own Satchidananda Svaroopa. He
is free from egoism, lust, hatred, greed, anger and the pairs of opposites. He
has equal vision and balanced mind. He is Brahman Himself.
26. OM is
the symbol of Brahman. OM is your real name. Meditate on Om with feeling (Bhava)
and its meaning. You will attain Self-realisation.
27. “I am
the All-pervading, Immortal Soul. I am Pure Consciousness. I am Satchidananda Svaroopa
(Existence-Absolute, Consciousness-Absolute, Bliss-Absolute). I am witness (Sakshi.)”—These
are the formulas for constant meditation and assertion.
28. Equip
yourself with the Four Means. Hear the Srutis (sacred texts), reflect and
meditate. You will attain Self-realisation.
29. Thou
art not this perishable body. Thou art not this changing mind. Thou art
all-pervading, immortal, infinite, changeless Soul or Atman. Realise this and
roam about happily.
30. Watch
the breath. It sings Soham, ‘So’ during inhalation and ‘Ham’, during
exhalation. It reminds you ‘I am He’. Meditate on ‘Soham’ and attain
Self-realisation.
31. ‘I am
body. I act. I enjoy. She is my wife. He is my son. This is mine.’—This is bondage.
‘I am Immortal Soul. I am non-actor, non-enjoyer. She is my soul. Nothing is
mine.’—This is freedom.
Peace love harmony