Shakti and Shâkta : essays and addresses on the Shâkta Tantrashâstra

KUNDALINI SHAKTI

of Yoga proper. The Yoga here described is however also an application of these same principles in so far as it is claimed that thereby both Bhukti and Mukti are attained. Ordinarily it is said that where there is Yoga there is no Bhoga (enjoyment) but in Kaula teaching Yoga is Bhoga and Bhoga is Yoga and the world itself becomes the seat of Liberation ( Yogo bhogayate, mokshdyate sangs@rah).

By the lower processes of Hathayoga it is sought to attain a perfect physical body which will also be a wholly fit instrument by which the mind may function. A perfect mind again approaches, and in SamA&dhi passes into, Pure Consciousness itself. The Hathayogf thus seeks a body which shall be as strong as steel, healthy, free from suffering and therefore long-lived. Master of the body he is master of both life and death. His lustrous form enjoys the vitality of youth. He lives as long as he has the will to live and enjoy in the world of forms. His death is the “death at will” (lchchhé-mrityu) when making the great and wonderfully expressive gesture of dissolution (Sangharamudra) he grandly departs.. But it may be said the Hathayogis do get sick and die. In the first place the full discipline is one of difficulty and risk and can only be pursued under the guidance of a skilled Guru. As the Goraksha Sanghita says, unaided and unsuccessful practice may lead not only to disease but death. He who seeks to conquer the Lord of Death incurs the risk, on failure, of a more speedy conquest by Him. All who attempt this Yoga do not of course succeed or meet with the same measure of success; Those who fail not only incur the infirmities of ordinary men but others brought on by practices which have been ill pursued or for which they are not fit. Those again who do succeed, do so in varying degree. One may prolong his life to the sacred age of 84, others to 100, others yet further. In theory at least those who are perfected (Siddha) go from this plane when they will. All have not the same capacity or opportunity through want of will, bodily strength, or cir-

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