Mystic Perfections (Siddhis)

Uddhava: "O Keshava, I have heard of yogis who possess extraordinary powers — who can become invisible, fly through the air, know the future. What are these siddhis, and how are they attained?"

Krishna: "Uddhava, the siddhis are powers that arise when the mind becomes perfectly concentrated. There are eight primary ones, and many secondary ones. They are real, not mere legend, and any dedicated practitioner can attain them."

Uddhava: "What are the eight primary siddhis?"

Krishna: "Anima — the power to become infinitely small, smaller than an atom. Mahima — the power to become infinitely large, to expand beyond all limits. Laghima — the power to become weightless, lighter than air. Garima — the power to become immensely heavy, immovable."

Uddhava: "These seem to defy all natural law!"

Krishna: "They transcend ordinary nature because they arise from concentration on the source of nature. The remaining four are: Prapti — the power to obtain anything desired, anywhere. Prakamya — the power to achieve any desire. Ishitva — the power of supreme control over material elements and beings. Vashitva — the power to control the minds of others."

Uddhava: "These are extraordinary powers! How does one attain them?"

Krishna: "Through intense concentration on specific aspects of My energy. One who meditates on the subtle elements with perfect focus gradually gains control over them. The mind that can hold a single thought without wavering for extended periods develops these capacities naturally."

Uddhava: "Are there other powers beyond these eight?"

Krishna: "Many. Some yogis can know the thoughts of others. Some can see events occurring at great distances. Some can travel to any location in an instant. Some can control their heartbeat and breath entirely, appearing dead yet remaining conscious. Some can transform their bodies or create multiple forms of themselves."

Uddhava: "These seem more valuable than any worldly treasure!"

Krishna: "Here I must caution you, Uddhava. These powers, though impressive, are obstacles on the spiritual path — not attainments. They are like gilded chains. The yogi who becomes enchanted by siddhis falls from the highest goal."

Uddhava: "How can something attained through spiritual practice be an obstacle?"

Krishna: "Because the goal is not power but freedom. Siddhis increase the ego's territory — they give it new realms to play in, new identities to assume. The yogi who can fly becomes attached to flying. The one who can read minds becomes entangled in the minds of others. These powers bind in subtle ways."

Uddhava: "Then should practitioners avoid siddhis entirely?"

Krishna: "They need not be avoided if they are not sought. When siddhis arise naturally during practice, the wise yogi acknowledges them and moves on. They do not display them, do not use them for personal gain, and do not identify with them. They see them as signs of progress, not destinations."

Uddhava: "What about using siddhis to help others?"

Krishna: "This can be legitimate, but even here, caution is needed. The temptation to be seen as special, to be worshipped as a miracle-worker, can corrupt even good intentions. The greatest service is to help others find their own connection to Me — this requires no siddhis, only love and wisdom."

Uddhava: "How do Your devotees view these powers?"

Krishna: "My true devotees are indifferent to them. They have tasted something sweeter than power — intimacy with Me. What is the value of controlling the elements to one who has found the Controller of all elements in their own heart? They would not trade one moment of My presence for all the siddhis in creation."

Uddhava: "Is there any siddhi that devotees seek?"

Krishna: "There is one power that devotees desire above all — the power of unbroken remembrance of Me. This is the supreme siddhi, greater than all others combined. The one who can think of Me constantly, who sees Me in everything and everyone, has achieved what the greatest yogis seek."

Uddhava: "How does one attain this power of constant remembrance?"

Krishna: "Through love, Uddhava. When you love someone, you think of them without effort. The mother does not struggle to remember her child. The lover does not force themselves to think of the beloved. Love makes remembrance natural. Cultivate love for Me, and constant remembrance will follow as naturally as your shadow follows your body."

Uddhava: "Krishna, this teaching clarifies much. I see now that seeking powers is seeking the wrong thing."

Krishna: "Seek Me, Uddhava, and everything else will be given — including any powers that might be useful for your service. But if you seek powers first, you may gain them and lose Me. The choice is yours: do you want to be powerful, or do you want to be Mine?"