Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana Book 11 Chapter 15:1-11

Book 11: Chapter 15

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Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 11: Chapter 15: Verses 1-11

The glorious Lord began again : Siddhis (mystic powers of various kinds) wait upon the Yogi of steady mind who has subdued his senses and controlled his breath (according to the procedure detailed in verses 32 to 35 of the foregoing discourse) and concentrates his mind on Me. Uddhava submitted : Kindly say through what mode of concentration which and what kind of Siddhi can be acquired and how many Siddhis (in all) are there, since You are the Bestower of (such) Siddhis on the Yogis, 0 immortal Lord Te glorious lLord replied : Eighteen (in all) are the siddhis as well as the modes of concentration (leading o them) taught by those thatt have attained perfection in yoga (the minor ones, such as inshight into the past,presendt and furturem being easily attainable by others too). O the former, eigh abide chiefly in me (and in a lesser degree in those that haveattained similarity of tform with me), (the other) ten being attainable through (mere development of) Sattvaguna.1-Anima (rducing one's body to the size of an atom), 2- mahima (magnifying it to a gigantic size) and 3 - laghima (extreme lightness of body)- these three pertain to the body; 4-Prapti consists in establishing contact with the senses off the entirecreation in form of the deities presiding over those senses. 5-Prakamya meas the capacity to enjoy pleasures heard of (through the scripturees as enjoyable in the other world alone) and capable of being seen (though enjoyed only in the subterranean regions); while 6-lsitaconsists in the capacity to impel Maya and other subordinate potencies to function (according to one's will). 7- Vasita means absence of attachment to the pleasures of sense; while the eighth Siddhi is kamavasayita (according to which one is able to enjoy in the ighest measure whatever pleasure one seeks to enjoy). These eight Siddis O gentle one. Are considered as natural to Me (and unsurpassed). the other ten Siddis are :-- - absenceof hunger and thirst. Old age etc.,in this (very) body; 2&3 the capacity to see and hear from an unusual distance ; 4-locomotion at a speed which can bbe increased according to one's will;5-takingany form at will ;6-(leaving one's own body and)entering any other (untenanted) bod;7-giving up the ghost at will ; 8 participation in the past times of gods (with Apsaras or celestial nymphs);9-attainment of one's desiredends; and 10-esercising authority unobstructe everywhere. The minor Siddhis (hinted at in verse 3 above) are :-- toknthings relating to the past,present and futue; to remain unaffected by pairs of opposites (likeheat and col, joy and sorrow, Liks and dislikes, etc.); to read others' mind etc; to neutralie the power of fire, the sun, water and poison etc., and to suffer no defeat 9at the hands of anyone whatsoever). These are the Siddhis following from Yogic concentration, typically mentioned by Me. (Now) hear from Me what Siddhi can be acquired through which mode of concentration and how . He who focusses his mind, identified with the subtle elements, on Me as ensouling the subtle elements and worships (Me in) That form alone acquires My power of assuming an atomic size (and thereby attaining the capacity to eenter even a slab of stone). (Even so) concentrating his mind, identified with mahat-tattva (the principle of cosmic intelligence), on me the Supreme ensouling the (said) Mahat-tattva he acquires the capacity to assume any magnitude (sought for by him); and, focussing his mind on me as ensouling any of the (five gross) elements individually, he attains the magnitude (ail. pervasive character) of that particular element.

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