SrimadBhagawatam Episode 71: The supreme way in which a Yogi gives up his body

“At the time of death Yogis using the heel of their foot block the air hole at the rectum. Prana should not leave the body from that hole. This is why Yogis always give up their body in the sitting position.

They push the life-force (prana shakti) up towards the Brahmarandhra (aperture at the crown of the head), through the path of the six spiritual centers (shat chakras)”.

Try to find the meaning of shat chakras. What are they? Anyone who considers himself a Yogi takes the trouble to find out more about them. This is because he has placed his entire concentration upon the Supreme Lord. Hence he has understood their significance.

Even though the life force leaves the body of a Yogi through the Brahmarandhra (aperture at the top of the head), his skull is broken. This is to ensure that any small remnants of life-force left behind should also go away from there.

It is said that life force should not leave through the nostrils, eyes or ears.

“Life-force exists at the Manipura chakra near the navel. This is to be taken to the Anahata chakra located near the heart. From there, through the path of the Udāna vayu (upward moving wind), it should be directed towards the Vishuddha chakra located beneath the throat”.

This is the reason for which people are asked to learn about Yoga and about the Shat chakras. Many find it unnecessary. At the same time there are many who find it useful. They strive desperately for it. They go to the extreme of asking about Kundalini Shakti when they are old and infirm. Who can teach them about Kundalini Shakti at that time? Learn about the Kundalini Shakti when you are young. Try to practice meditation from that early stage.

Thereafter the Yogi, who has conquered his mind, investigates about this life-force thoroughly using his intelligence (buddhi) and gradually pushes the life-force into the uvula (the small fleshy mass of tissue located at the back of the palate, above the base of the tongue).

The Yogi, who had until then led his life as a true Karma-yogi, should close the 7 doorways in which the life- force travels viz., the two nostrils, two eyes, two ears and mouth. They should be closed using the inner Yogic power and not through external aids such as cotton etc”.

After a person dies we close all these holes by stuffing cotton. But of what use is it? The life-force would have already left the body.

“Even when he is alive, using his yogic power he closes all the possible exits so as to prevent the life-force from escaping through any of them. The life-force should now be taken from the uvula to the Ajna chakra, located at the junction between the two eyebrows”.

What a wonderful Yogic method this is! Maharishi Śuka is explaining this to Emperor Parikshit. We are so fortunate to be listening to this in detail.

“Thereafter, the Yogi has to fix the intellect (buddhi) firmly upon the Supreme Lord, who is the goal to be attained, and remain in that state for a few minutes. With this he breaks open the Brahma-randhra (aperture at the crown of the head) and merges totally into Paramātma”.

This is such a supreme method! Narayana!

“O Emperor! Instead of this, in case the Yogi who seeks to travel to the abode of Brahma (Brahmaloka) or to the enjoyable residences of Anima and other supernatural achievements or to any other plane, he has to take with him, his mind and his senses. In other words, he needs to travel in his subtle body (sookṣma śareera). He can travel anywhere he pleases along with them.

Only accomplished Yogis who have attained mastery through the strength of their austerities, adherence to righteousness, ashtānga yoga and transcendental knowledge (Jnana) are equipped with a subtle body (sookshma shareera). Using this subtle body, they can travel as they please”.

This is reason why it is said that accomplished saints, Yogis, Siddha-puruṣas and Mahatmas live eternally. It is not that they take a gross body and incarnate. They eternally travel in their subtle body. They would have merged into the five basic elements (pancha bhootas). For this reason it is said that we should never harm anybody. Never cheat anybody. Never commit any sin. The Yogis, who exist within the five elements, will be watching. They will know your deeds.

“Not just within this cosmos, such great Yogis can, out of their freewill, travel even outside of the cosmos.

The human being who is involved in frutitive actions can never reach this state. Such a state can be attained purely through Yoga. It can be attained only through the path of deep concentration, meditation.

O Emperor! The Sushumna nādi which is filled with radiance is the path that takes the being to Brahmaloka (abode of Brahma). Traveling on this path the Yogi releases himself from this body and travelling through the skies (ākāśa mārga) reaches the abode of the Lord of Fire. Here he is cleansed all of the remnants of sin that are attached to him. From here the Yogi travels still higher to the illuminating circle called Śinśumāra jyotirmandala, which is connected with Lord Srihari. This Śinśumāra jyotirmandala is like the navel in the Cosmic form of the Supreme Lord.

Only that Yogi, who is absolutely devoid of sin and who possesses a subtle body, alone can travel beyond this Śinsumāra mandala. He now reaches the Mahar loka. Even Supreme Mahatmas glorify and offer obeisance to this holy place.

Mahar loka is the supreme plane called Go-loka. This is the place where saguṇa Brahma upasana (worship of the Lord with attributes) is conducted. Here Devatas whose lifespan extends up to the end of the Kalpa (4.32 billion years) live happily.

At the end of the Kalpa, the Yogi observes all the universes being burnt and reduced totally into ashes due to the fumes emanating from the mouth of Adishesha (1000 headed snake). At that point, he travels from here to Brahmaloka (abode of Brahma).

In this loka, supremely accomplished eminent saints wander about happily in their celestial airplanes. They have a lifespan of 50 Brahma years. One Kalpa is 1000 Maha-yugas. 2 Kalpas equal one day of Brahma. Such Brahma has a lifespan of 100 years.

Om Namo Narayana!