Preface:

The hamsa yoga or soaham sadhana is crowned in the Indian scriptures as the paramount spiritual endeavor that enables natural conjunction of the individual consciousness and the Brahm. Despite being superior in terms of its culminated effects, this sadhana is easiest and free from the ascetic disciplines and difficult practices of yoga that are associated with other higher level spiritual sadhanas. The treatise of Sabda Brahm-Nada Brahm (volume 19 of "Pt. Shriram Sharma Acharya Vangmaya" Series) devotes one full chapter to this important topic. The present book is compiled from the English translation of this invaluable text.

Meditation on the sounds of "soa" and "ham" - produced continuously by the harmonized inhalation and exhalation in each breathing cycle during a pranayama - is practised in the initial phase of the hamsa yoga. The hakara (sound of "ha" ) is regarded as a manifestation of God Shiva in the cosmic energy currents of prana and sakara (the sound of "sa" ) represents the existence of the eternal power of thy super consciousness in the spiritual impulse of prana. The surya swara (through the solar nerve) is awakened by hakara and the candra swara (through the lunar nerve) by sakara. These swaras are harmonized in the higher level pranayama of the hamsa yoga. The contemplation phase of this sadhana involves total sacrifice of the ego and dissolution of the identity of the "Self" in the supreme consciousness-expression of the Brahm.

The soaham sadhana enables realization of theNada Yoga through Prana Yoga. The science and philosophy of this sadhana is also discussed here in the special context of the ajapa japa of the Gayatri Mantra and the Kundalini Sadhana. The author has been thorough, yet lucid in discussing this esoteric field of the science of spirituality and yoga. He also provides trenchant guidance for practising this prana-yoga in day-to-day life. The fundamental importance of the subject and the detailed and authentic knowledge presented in a perspicuous style make this book a precious asset in the scholarly disciplines and a milestone for all aspirants of the realization and illumination of the individual Self.

Dr. Pranav Pandya, MD

About the Author:

Shriram Sharma Acharya, a pioneer of spiritual renaissance was born on 20th September 1911, in Anwalkheda, Agra District. He scrupulously carried out the biddings of his Guru, a great Himalayan Yogi, when he was fifteen years of age.

He took part in the struggle for independence as a volunteer, went to jail a number of times and embarked upon the task of social and moral upliftment through spiritual means in 1935 with the blessings of Mahatma Gandhi.

A sage, a visionary and a reformer, the Acharya initiated Yug Nirman Yojna, a mass movement for transformation of Era, lived a disciplined life of devout austerity, visited the Himalayas several times and attained spiritual eminence.

The Gayatri Pariwar fraternity, Shantikunj Ashram-an academy for moral and spiritual awakening, Brahamvarchas Research Institute-which strives to synthesize science with spirituality and over 4000 social reform centres (Shaktipeeths) are his greatest contributions to the modern world.

He wrote commentary on entire Vedic Vangmaya and accomplished a feat of writing more than 3200 books on all aspects of life.

The Acharya, Great devotee of Gayatri lived an ideal life for 80 years and voluntarily shed his physical sheath on Gayatri Jayanti, 2nd June 1990.