KAIVALYA PADA - On Inner Freedom

The fourth Chapter: KAIVALYA PADA - On Inner Freedom

Verse 4.1 

जन्मौषणधभन्त्रतऩ्सभाणधजा् णसद्धम् ॥ १॥

janmaushadhimantratapahsamadhijah siddhayah

The Siddhis (powers) are attained by birth, chemical means, power of words, mortification or concentration.

There are five types of accomplished yogis (siddhayah) :

1 by birth with aspiration to become perfect (janma)

2 by spiritual experience gained through herbs, drugs or elixir (ausadha)

3 by incantation of the name of one's desired deity (mantra)

4 by ascetic devotional practice (tapas)

5 by profound meditation (samadhi)

There is an important distinction between these means of spiritual accomplishment.

Followers of the first three may fall from the grace of yoga through pride or negligence. 

The others, whose spiritual gains are through tapas and samadhi, do not. They become masters, standing alone as divine, liberated souls, shining examples to mankind.

Nandi, Ramakrishna Paramhansa, Sai Baba of Shirdi and Ramana Maharshi were accomplished yogis by birth.

PATANJALI YOGA SUTRAS