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Sri Shivabalayogi
8.
Dhyana Yogi
by Prof. S. K. Ramachandra Rao
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Sri Shivabalayogi (1968)
When Tapaswiji Maharaj visited the Balayogi he said that the latter was the living embodiment of what is described in the VI Chapter of the Bhagavad Gita. This chapter deals with the union of the soul. It describes the qualities of a sage who is practising yoga. It deals about ascetics who try to redeem themselves by self-determination, by conquering the senses and with mental equipoise. The Chapter says that such an ascetic will be alone, sober in mind, conquering desires and disappointments; such a one will treat all alike. For such a person heat or cold, honour or humiliation, plenty or penury, are not different. Peace can be attained by yogi who sits undisturbed for the practice of yoga with the purpose of purifying the soul. Such a yogi becomes one with Brahman. The Gita considers such a person as Brahma, Shiva and Rudra. It describes the method to control the unbridled mental processes by practice and renunciation.
Photos (above and at the bottom of this page) taken of Shivabalayogi installing life into the Shiva lingam in Adivarapupeta which he named Ardhanarishwara Swami.
It can readily be seen that Balayogi’s life is in complete conformity with the description given in this Chapter of the Gita. The yogic life commenced in his 15th year and the climax was reached in his 27th year when he attained Swachanda Samadhi. Renunciation coupled with continuous and steady practice of yoga gripped him when he was very young. No specific external stimulus was responsible for his renunciation. It can be said that it was due to his past good deeds that he realised such spiritual powers. Among the many sages of mythological fame sage SHUKA is reputed to be a Balayogi like him. A whole chapter “Balayogibhava Cheritra” in the occult book Bhrigu Nadi describes in detail the early life of the Balayogi of Adivarapupeta. The sage, Bhrigu has described the yogi’s initiation into yogic life in the following terms:
“Omkaranandapoorvena Jyotirlingam Shivasrucha:
Darshanam Balakasyapi Tapomarga Prabhodhakam.”
This is exactly as it happened in his life. Renunciation, as a result of natural inner urge, combined with a rigorous practice of the yoga of self-restraint, enabled the yogi to attain the ultimate in yoga. He realised Brahman by getting into Samadhi in the process of uninterrupted meditation.
It is indeed very difficult for a common man to sit motionless even for a few hours. By the twelve-year tapas he achieved mastery over this posture which has now become natural to him. There is no trace of languor in his posture; alertness within him is unmistakably revealed. Timeless consciousness is vividly portrayed in him. This is said to be the distinguishing mark of those immersed in deep and total meditation. Sri Shivabalayogi is essentially a Dhyanayogi; his Samadhi is known as Dhyanasamadhi.
Being free from the trials and tribulations of the external world, though he is quiet and at ease with himself, an earnest desire to understand the sorrows of people and his eagerness to help them are evident. Uncompromising compassion is revealed in the yogi who has attained the ultimate in spiritual sadhana, his mind transcends languages, relationships, desires, or fears, disappointments and harshness, his mind is clear like the cleaned mirror; worldly instincts have been completely suppressed as a result of protracted tapas; selfish motives have no place in him; he maintains a steady mental equipoise; his mind is full of compassion and welfare of humanity is his mission. This description of a typical yogi is amply illustrated in the Balayogi of Adivarapupeta.
On completion of penance he is utilising Dhyanasamadhi for the benefit of humanity. Spiritual practices are essential for the attainment of peace and happiness and self-restraint is imperative for a happy family life. Hence Sri Shivabalayogi has resolved to spread the cult of devotion, power of tapas and meditation. He has dedicated all the powers of his twelve years of penance for the welfare of the world.
He is essentially a human being. Like others he had experienced the difficulties of life. Early in life he had become a Siddha Purushan without his effort as a result perhaps of past good deeds and penance. He is an example of God’s indescribable wonders. His life is a beacon light to demonstrate the existence of the Supernatural. May this enlighten our hearts.
Download printer-friendly PDF of Sri Shivabalayogi (1968)