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Shivabalayogi: Tapas Photos
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Shivabalayogi, some time towards the end or perhaps shortly after completing twelve
years of tapas.
For eight years he meditated at least twenty-three hours every day. Over
those eight years, he mastered meditation in all four directions: east,
north, west and south.
He continued to meditate in samadhi for another four years in order to
complete the twelve-year cycle of a complete tapas -- spiritual
penance. Shivabalayogi sat in tapas not for himself, not even to
attain realization. He did it because it was his duty. It was the direction of his Divine Guru.
After twelve years, the Divine Guru declared Shivabalayogi's tapas
complete. The twenty-six year old yogi was given the opportunity to obtain
any boon he desired. Swamiji's response, in his own words, was,
“I did not do this tapas on my own. You made me do this.
Tell me why you made me do this tapas. Tell me what you want me to do. If you do
not want me to do anything in particular, then I will return to my old life.”
Significantly, Shivabalayogi asked for nothing. He
had no desire for anything for himself. Such a selfless yogi, Swamiji explained,
can become an agent of God.
“If a person does tapas with a desire in mind and attains
God realization, then that person can become god. Swamiji did not do tapas with
any desire for himself. He was made to do tapas so he did not have any desire in
mind when he had God realization. Under such circumstances, the person who does
tapas becomes an agent of God and can serve all the people. Swamiji is an agent
of God. He was chosen by God to be His agent and God trained him to do God’s
work. Swamiji should remain an agent of God and serve the people.”
“If a person does tapas and declares that he or she is god, then that person’s
devotees will also declare that they are gods. If Swamiji declares himself to be
god, then those of you who are near him would say that you are the direct
devotees of Swamiji so you are also gods. You cannot do that now because Swamiji
does not declare himself to be god, but later on you will start doing it.
Swamiji should work within the culture of the guru and disciple instead of
declaring himself to be god. Otherwise all the spiritual leaders will become
gods. If everyone becomes a god, who will be left to serve the people?”
In other words,
Shivabalayogi completed an unusually difficult tapas for the sake of others.