KrishnadasanudasSuman

*Spiritual Philosophy & Modern Science* # The 8 Mystic Siddhis: What Ancient Yoga Mastered — and Why Modern Technology Still Leaves Us Restless

July 23, 2026

We built machines that outperform ancient yogic siddhis.
Shrinking to the atomic scale? Nanotechnology does it.
Traversing the globe in seconds? Fiber optics and satellites do it.
Controlling the minds of millions? Algorithms do it.
Every one of the 8 Ashta Siddhis that yogis spent lifetimes pursuing through austerity — modern technology now delivers through machinery.
And yet, humanity is more anxious, more restless, more unsatisfied than ever.
Why?
Because these powers — ancient or modern — only upgrade the container. They do nothing for the soul inside it.
In this article, I explore:
→ What the 8 mystic siddhis actually are
→ Their uncanny modern scientific parallels
→ Why Krishna warns even great yogis about this very trap (SB 11.15.33)
→ The one thing that actually brings fulfillment — devotional service (BG 18.55)

#krishnaconsciousness #bhagavadgita #srimadbhagavatam #spiritualphilosophy #bhakti #ancientwisdom #modernscience



please read below




Every culture carries stories of human beings stepping beyond physical limitation. In the ancient Indian tradition, these are not treated as fairy tales or unexplainable miracles — they are systematic attainments, known as the Ashta Siddhis, the eight primary mystic powers described in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras and the Srimad-Bhagavatam.

Through intense concentration (*samyama*) and mastery over the subtle laws of material nature, an accomplished yogi could command realities that sound like science fiction even today:

1. Anima (Shrinking to Subatomic Size)

What it means: The ability to reduce one's body to the microscopic or subatomic level, allowing the yogi to become invisible to the naked eye or pass through solid matter.
Classical Example: When Lord Hanuman entered the demon-infested city of Lanka in search of Sita, he assumed a tiny form (suksma rupa) no larger than a fly to slip past the city guards unnoticed.

2. Mahima (Expanding to Cosmic Dimensions)

What it means: The counterpart to Anima—the power to expand one's physical form to massive, colossal proportions, stretching across terrain or into the sky.
Classical Example: During his leap to the Sun, or when confronting the sea monster Surasa on his journey to Lanka, Hanuman repeatedly expanded his size until he towered over the ocean. Similarly, Vamana (an avatar of Vishnu) expanded his form to measure the entire universe in three steps.

3. Laghima (Becoming Weightless)

What it means: The mastery over gravity, allowing the yogi to render their body weightless as a feather. This is the power behind levitation and walking on water or air.
Classical Example: Advanced yogis are said to use Laghima to float off the ground or traverse mountain ranges effortfully without touching the earth. Hanuman utilized this ability to leap across the ocean effortlessly.

4. Garima (Becoming Immovably Heavy)

What it means: The ability to increase body mass and density to an infinite degree, making oneself completely immovable by any physical force.
Classical Example: In the Mahabharata, when the mighty Pandava prince Bhima met an old monkey resting on a trail (who was actually Hanuman in disguise), Bhima arrogantly asked him to move his tail. Hanuman challenged Bhima to lift it himself; despite all his legendary strength, Bhima could not budge the tail even a fraction of an inch due to Garima.

5. Prapti (Universal Access)

What it means: The capacity to instantly access any place, object, or dimension. Space and distance cease to act as barriers.
Classical Example: A master of Prapti can reach out and touch the moon, understand any language instantly, or manifest an object from thousands of miles away simply by willing it into existence.

6. Prakamya (Irresistible Will)

What it means: Total fulfilment of any desire and the ability to adapt one's body or consciousness to any environment (e.g., breathing underwater, remaining unharmed by extreme temperatures, or entering another person's body—Parakaya Pravesha).
Classical Example: King Janaka and legendary sages like Sankaracharya were said to possess Prakamya, allowing them to experience different realities or temporarily transfer their consciousness into other forms while retaining full awareness.

7. Ishitva (Absolute Lordship over Creation)

What it means: Supreme command over the natural elements (earth, water, fire, air, ether) and cosmic order. It allows the yogi to alter the laws of nature or manifest and dissolve matter at will.
Classical Example: Deities and divine incarnations like Lord Krishna demonstrate Ishitva when calming storms, lifting mountains (like Govardhan), or controlling the underlying forces of creation.

8. Vashitva (Control & Mastery over Others)

What it means: The power to bring all living beings, wild beasts, and natural elements under one’s influence or hypnosis, inspiring spontaneous obedience without physical force.
Classical Example: Sages residing deep in dense jungles were able to live peacefully alongside apex predators like tigers and venomous snakes, as their field of Vashitva neutralized all hostility in their presence.

## The Modern Scientific Parallel:


Here's something worth sitting with: modern science and technology have effectively achieved all eight of these siddhis — externalized through machinery instead of internalized through yoga.



We manipulate matter at the atomic scale with nanotechnology and electron microscopes (**Anima**).

We raise skyscrapers and mega-structures that dwarf the human frame (**Mahima**).

We fly through the skies and orbit the earth in aircraft and spacecraft (**Laghima**).

We build super-dense hydraulic machinery and anchors that no human force could move (**Garima**).

Fiber-optic networks, satellites, and the internet let us reach information or send goods across the globe in seconds (**Prapti**).

Submarines, space suits, and VR headsets let us survive and "experience" the most extreme environments (**Prakamya**).

We seed clouds, split atoms, and engineer genetics to bend nature to our will (**Ishitva**).

And we use behavioral psychology, algorithms, and mass communication to quietly direct the choices of billions (**Vashitva**).



Every single mystic perfection the ancient yogis pursued through decades of austerity — we now hold in our pockets.



And yet humanity remains anxious. Unsatisfied. Restless.


Why?
Because mystic powers — whether won through yogic austerity or built through technological innovation — belong entirely to the material sphere. They upgrade the container. They do nothing for the inhabitant inside it.

In the Srimad-Bhagavatam, Lord Krishna Himself warns Uddhava not to be distracted by these very attainments:

> yo vai siddhīnāṁ prabhur īśvaro me...
\> "For a sage who seeks the highest perfection of yoga, these mystic accomplishments are considered obstacles and a waste of time, for they distract one from the supreme goal." — SB 11.15.33

The purpose of human life was never to master material energy — it is to transcend it and return to our eternal source, back to Godhead. That liberation cannot be purchased with scientific devices, nor won through mechanical yoga practice alone. It is unlocked only through Bhakti Yoga — unalloyed, loving devotional service.

As Krishna reveals in the Bhagavad-gita:

> bhaktyā mām abhijānāti yāvān yaś cāsmi tattvataḥ
> tato māṁ tattvato jñātvā viśate tadanantaram
> "One can understand Me as I am, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, only by devotional service. And when one becomes fully conscious of Me by such devotion, he can enter into the kingdom of God." — BG 18.55



## Where This Leaves Us


We have built machines that outperform every siddhi the ancient rishis strove for. We can shrink to the atomic level, expand across continents, move at the speed of light, and shape the minds of millions — and still, at the end of the day, the human heart searches for something none of it provides.



That restlessness is not a technology gap. It is a forgetting — a forgetting of who we actually are: not the body, not even the mind that operates all this machinery, but eternal spirit souls, parts and parcels of Krishna, whose real nature is loving service to Him.

Mystic accomplishments — ancient or modern — may grant temporary mastery over the physical world. But true peace, eternal life, and absolute fulfillment begin only when we stop trying to master the universe, and instead surrender to the Lord of the Universe through Bhakti.

---

Hare Krishna.

3 days ago (edited) | [YT] | 1

KrishnadasanudasSuman

Why did Duryodhana — the man who insulted Draupadi, poisoned Bhima, and refused to share even five villages with the Pandavas — reach heaven before Yudhishthira?

In this episode of Mahabharat Through the Lens of Bhakti, we explore one of the most overlooked moments in the entire epic — the Mahaprasthanika Parva and Swargarohanika Parva, where Yudhishthira finally reaches the gates of heaven and is shocked by who he finds there.

Drawing from the Bhagavad Gita (2.37, 8.6, 8.16) and Srimad Bhagavatam (1.9), we go beyond the surface story to understand what dharma, death, and final consciousness really mean — and why this ancient teaching still matters for how we live today.
🙏 If this perspective resonates with you please wit for my next Video i.e Episode 4 of Mahabharata through Lens Of Bhakti : Episode 4

1 month ago | [YT] | 2

KrishnadasanudasSuman

Interesting Mahabharata Video Topics from Srimad Bhagavatam:




The whole of Mahabharata narrated by Srila Vyasdeva to Lord Ganesha was again narrated by Vyasdev in a written form in Srimad Bhagavatam by Srila Vyasdeva. SrimadB Srimad Bhagavatam is mentioned as the Ripen fruit of Sastras as it has most matured contents of all scriptures.
Srila Vyasdeva even after writing Vedas,Upanishads, Puranas,Itihas was not content and feeling emptiness when Srila Narada Muni ,his spiritual master came forward and advised him to describe about Lord Sri Krishna directly. That is when he wrote Srimad Bhagavatam ,which is a Purana.


In continuation to our series of Lesser Known Stories of Mahabharata we are picking up a few topics from Mahabharat and seeing them through Lense of Srimad Bhagavatam

Please note the topics below and kindly check out our youtube channel.




1. Why Did Krishna Allow the Pandavas to Suffer?
Explore why pure devotees like the Pandavas underwent immense suffering despite Krishna’s protection. Includes Kunti’s famous prayers from Bhagavatam.


2. The Untold Spiritual Greatness of Bhishma
Bhishma’s final meditation on Krishna from the bed of arrows and why Krishna broke His own vow for him.


3. Why Did Duryodhana Reach Heaven First?
A shocking spiritual analysis of karma, kshatriya duty, and temporary heavenly rewards.


4. The Hidden Reason Krishna Chose Arjuna
Why Krishna revealed the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna and not to other powerful warriors.


5. Draupadi’s Final Cry and Krishna’s Protection
The spiritual meaning of complete surrender and why Krishna intervened only at the final moment.


6. Why Krishna Destroyed His Own Dynasty
Bhagavatam’s narration of the destruction of the Yadu dynasty and its spiritual significance.


7. Ashwatthama — The Darkest Character After the War
The Brahmastra episode, killing of sleeping children, and Krishna’s eternal curse.


8. Why Karna Lost Everything
The tragedy of Karna through the lens of association, ego, and dharma.


9. Vidura — The Wisest Forgotten Hero
Vidura’s deep spiritual wisdom and why Krishna loved him dearly.


10. Gandhari’s Curse on Krishna
Did Gandhari’s curse really affect Krishna? Understanding divine will and destiny.


11. Why Krishna Smiled During the War
The spiritual perspective of life, death, and divine consciousness.



12. Why Draupadi Fell First on the Final Journey
The symbolism behind each Pandava’s fall during their final ascent.


13. Barbarika — The Warrior Krishna Stopped
The mysterious story of the warrior powerful enough to change the war entirely.


14. Why Yudhishthira Regretted Victory
The psychological collapse of Yudhishthira after winning the Mahabharata war.


15. Mahabharata Lessons for Kali Yuga
How the Mahabharata reflects modern-day decline in morality and spirituality.


16. Why Queen Kunti Welcomed Suffering
The profound bhakti philosophy behind Kunti’s prayers in Srimad Bhagavatam.


17. Uttara’s Prayer to Krishna
The emotional moment when Krishna protected the unborn Parikshit Maharaj.


18. Why Krishna Became a Messenger
Understanding divine humility and servant leadership.


19. The Real Hero of Mahabharata
Why Krishna Himself is the hidden protagonist of the epic.


20. The Most Dangerous Weapon in Mahabharata
Not the Brahmastra—but anger, envy, pride, and uncontrolled speech.

2 months ago | [YT] | 1

KrishnadasanudasSuman

Misplaced Identity is devaluating Human Species Time to Wake up

ceo0495.wixsite.com/krishnadasanudas/post/misplace…

Care to ask who you are? the obvious answer will be I am Suman Basu/I am John /I am Abdul etc.. /I am Indian/I am US citizen, I am Hindu,Christian ,I am a software engineer ,Project Manager and numerous such. Have you ever thought which of these identities are permanent and eternal in nature. All these identities are possible to be changed. A Hindu can be a Muslim and Vice Versa ,an Indian can be US citizen or otherwise and so on and so forth. What may be the reason that we are running behind many causes which apparently are not ripe enough to care for. The single answer to all these questions are that we have forgot, who we are . We are identifying ourselves with the body we are living in.









As per Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2 we are all blissful souls and our only true Dharma is to Love and Serve Lord Krishna. But today since we are recognising us as our bodies, which is nothing but the dress of the soul, we are caring for causes which are suitable for our bodies. Imagine there is a cricket match between India and Pakistan. Both Indian and Pakistani are equally tensed but an American present in same room has got nothing to do with it. Imagine the Indian person starts believing that he is not the body and therefore not Indian rather in this life, with the body of Indian ,is playing this particular role will he or she be even feel that much tension in the cricket match?



Billions of USD are being spent on Beauty industry which through Ad campaign trying to propagate that the body is most important and we need to pamper the same. What will happen to this Industry if this new conception sinks in. While I am not saying caring for Body is bad .. by all means it is noble cause. Krishna has provided us this body to perform Devotional Service and without this we can not do that, but while we must take care of this body we should also take care of our soul.. who is made of Sat Chit and Ananda and when He leaves this body, in one moment the body become meaningless. It is good to take care of the Car we drive but more important to take care of the Driver who is driving the car.



Krishna Consciousness movement is working on preaching this idea world wide and convince each one of us that , this Absolute Truth and has potential to bring eternal harmony among different sects/religions/nations and can make this earth more beautiful and peaceful place to Live in. In 15th Chapter of Bhagavad Gita Lord again says that He who can find every living and non living entities as manifestation of Supreme God Head will make no discrimination between a tree ,an executioner, a Brahman or Scholar and will be equipoised at all situations.

How wonderful that world will be when as a Human Species we shall love every one and will work in collaboration for improvement of every one. How beautiful that world will be when, even if, some one does harm to us , we can still love them imagining that this part of act is just as temporary as our life and eventually an act on our material body only.Imagine an organisation where every one equates himself or herself as servant of Supreme God Head and do not hanker for any credit to the work done rather dedicate the fruit of the work done entirely to Krishna's lotus feet..how much progress that organisation will do when each of us will do our best for happiness of Lord only and will work only for spiritual progress and not for our own material progress .. this conception can stop War among neighbouring countries, unnecessary killing of animals and many other things. When we shall care for only our need our exploitation to Earth also will reduce and will make World a better habitable place.

Thus time has come for all of us to learn and spread the Happiness,Peace,Tranquility among every one of us by correcting our understanding of our identity and thereby stopping unnecessary war/competition/envy/jealousy and hatred. Our true Identity is we are eternal servant of Lord and that will remain same birth after birth in every life. " Jiber Swarup Hoy Krishner Nitya Das"..



Only Spirituality can provide ever lasting solution



Hare Krishna

2 months ago | [YT] | 1

KrishnadasanudasSuman

Hare Krishna!

In today’s world, we are surrounded by endless responsibilities, pressures, and distractions. Despite progress in technology and material comforts, many people still experience confusion about the deeper questions of life:
 
Who am I? Why am I here? What is the real purpose of life?

 
The ancient Vedic wisdom preserved in the Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam provides timeless answers to these questions. The Discover Yourself program is designed to help participants explore this wisdom in a practical and transformative way.

 

Understanding Our True Identity

 

The Bhagavad Gita (2.13) explains that we are not merely the temporary body but the eternal soul:

 

“As the embodied soul continually passes, in this body, from boyhood to youth to old age, similarly the soul passes into another body at death. The wise are not bewildered by this change.”

 

This knowledge helps us understand that our real identity is spiritual. When we reconnect with this truth, many anxieties and confusions of life begin to dissolve.

 

The Purpose of Human Life

 

The Srimad Bhagavatam (1.2.10) reminds us that human life is meant for a higher purpose:

 

“Life’s desires should never be directed toward sense gratification. One should desire only a healthy life for the purpose of spiritual inquiry.”

 

Human life is a rare opportunity to inquire about the absolute truth and rediscover our eternal relationship with the Supreme.

 

Transforming Daily Life

 

The teachings of the Bhagavad Gita guide us to live with clarity, purpose, and inner peace. They help us understand:





How to deal with stress and uncertainty



How to cultivate inner happiness



How to develop wisdom and compassion



How to live a balanced and meaningful life

 

Why Attend the Discover Yourself Program?

 

The program offers a structured way to explore these timeless teachings through discussions, reflection, and practical insights. Participants often find that it helps them:





Gain deeper clarity about life’s purpose



Develop spiritual wisdom in daily life



Experience inner peace and happiness



Connect with a like-minded spiritual community

 

A Journey Worth Taking

 

The Srimad Bhagavatam (1.2.6) beautifully summarizes the goal of spiritual practice:

 

“The supreme occupation for all humanity is that by which people can attain loving devotional service to the Supreme Lord.”

 

The Discover Yourself program is an invitation to begin this journey — a journey not outward into the world, but inward toward our true self.



✨ We warmly invite you to join this online session and explore the timeless wisdom that has guided seekers for thousands of years.

this will be a 90 min on line session on every weekend for 9-10 weeks.

For more detail please reach out to me at usabnamus@gmail.com.

YAS

3 months ago | [YT] | 1

KrishnadasanudasSuman

Hare Krishna ! In. the series of lesser known stories of Mahabharat we are now talking of Chandra Vanshis. In Episode 17 we have spoken of Descendants of Puru Maharaj.. In that dynasty in future videos we shall speak of Shantanu, Devabrata,Vichitravirya etc N ow in current video of Episode 18 we have started glorifying Yadu and his dynasty As in Yadu Dynasty the Supreme Personality of Godhead Lord Krishna took avatar we shall deal with their stories. Also in Episode 19 we shall discuss why Kamsa was so cruel inspite of being a Yadu vamshi

Please see the videos
YAS

11 months ago | [YT] | 1

KrishnadasanudasSuman

Hare Krishna in the series of Lesser Known stories of Mahabharata we are now describing the origin of all important characters of Pandava ,Kauravas and others. All Characters in Mahabharat are reincarnation of the demiGods ,Daityas and also associates of Lord Krishna. They all appeared as during this period of Dwapara Yuga supreme personality of Godhead Lord Krishna appeared in His own form to play the pastimes. So these elevated soul want to assist him in that

We all know Astabasu were eight brothers of Basu family and son of Prajapati who in tur was son of Brahma’s son Manu. Eighth one under curse from Vashistha rishi in the crime of stealing Kamdhenu the desire cow from his hermitage came as son of Ganga and played his part as Bhishma.


Among others Danav king Viprachitti came as powerful king of Magahd and was named as Jarasandha.
Hiranyakshipu the most powerful Daitya King reincarnated as Shishupal
Sanhlad a powerful Gandharva king came as Shalya.
Anuhlad another powerful Gandharva took birth as Dhritaketu
Vaskal a king came as Bhagadatta
Kalnemi ,Ravan’s maternal uncle who was killed by Hanuman ji took birth as Kansa in Mathura
Daitya Sharav took birth a s Ugrasen and his family Kansa took birth
Maniman took birth as Vritrasur
A powerful Yaksha called Kalketu came as Rukmi and he was elder brother of Rukmini Devi ,first wife of Lord Krishna and Rukmi’s father was Bhishmak

...there are many such examples which I have described in the upcoming videoEpisode 10A.
Please see the video and let me know your opinion on the comment section

YAS

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1 year ago | [YT] | 1

KrishnadasanudasSuman

Hare Krishna/ After completing the birth story of Daityas in last episode,now in next episode of Lesser Kn own storoes of Mahabharat we shall take up a over all view of different dynasties. In reality in time like Mahabharat as we see most of the living beings came from spitritual world to take part with the pastimes of Sri Krishna who appears once in one day of Brahma. And then these personalities again return to Spiritual world. Like we see when Lord Ram disappeared He took the entire Ayodhya Dham Basis to His Saket Dham,similarly when Krishna completed His pastimes He took all YaduVanshis back by orchestarating the Mushal Parva

We shall also see in the next epsiode the origin of different dyansties. For instance we shall see the Duryodhan of Mahabhadrat was first incarnation of Kaly Yuga..So please visit the episode when it is released and do let me know your comments

As of now I am sharing the l;ast episode of Daitya Dynastry

YAS

1 year ago | [YT] | 0

KrishnadasanudasSuman

Appearance of Sura( Devata) and Asuras ( Daitya,Dano,Rakshas) in material world


Hare Krishna !
In the 8th chapter of Lesser Known Stories of Mahabharata our You Tube Video Series we shall discuss on the appearance of Demons and Demigods. Our discussion is with reference to Mahabharat, ,Shrimad Bhagavatam and Bhagavad Gita

Before going in details of the history we shall refer a few verses from Bhagavad Gita Chapter 16 – Verse 1-4

In 1-3 Lord Krishna has described the Daivi Gunas or divine qualities. They are mostly
Fearlessness, purification of one's existence, cultivation of spiritual knowledge, charity, self-control, performance of sacrifice, study of the Vedas, austerity and simplicity; nonviolence, truthfulness, freedom from anger; renunciation, tranquility, aversion to faultfinding, compassion and freedom from covetousness; gentleness, modesty and steady determination; vigor, forgiveness, fortitude, cleanliness, freedom from envy and the passion for honor-these transcendental qualities
In 1-4 Lord Krishna Described the Demoniac nature as Arrogance, pride, anger, conceit, harshness and ignorance-these qualities belong to those of demonic nature

In chapter 13,6,2 Lord stated further that the Living Beings with Divine quality takes shelter of lord and hails him for all good thing happen to them and accept the bad things as his own Karma and thanks Lord for giving him chance to purify .But the demoniac people will think “So much wealth do I have today, and I will gain more according to my schemes. So much is mine now, and it will increase in the future, more and more.


While in Satya,Treta,and to some extent Dwapar Yug we could identify the Demons and Demigods clearly different and unique in Kali Yug ( age of Quarrel) it is not possible. We all living beings have both the type of qualities inside us and it is important for us which qualities we pamper and the same will exhibit more.

In todays episode we shall discuss how it all started and why ? Let us begin

YAS

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1 year ago (edited) | [YT] | 0

KrishnadasanudasSuman

Hare Krishna ! In the series of Lesser Known Stories of Mahabharat we are now describing the story of two most powerful members of Sanke Dynasty: Seshnag and Nagraj Vasuki. Both of them special benediction from Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva and were aligned to the root cause of creation. This is very fascinating story please check the video YAS

1 year ago | [YT] | 0