supposed that simply because the Serpent Fire has been aroused that one has thereby become a Yogi or achieved the end of Yoga. There are other points of difference which the reader will discover for himself, but into which I do not enter, as my object in comparing the two accounts has been to establish a general contrast between this modern account and that of the Indian schools. I may, however, add that the differences are not only as to details. The style of thought differs in a way not easy shortly to describe, but which will be quickly recognised by those who have some familiarity with the Indian Scriptures and mode of thought. The latter is ever disposed to interpret all and their results from a subjective standpoint, though for the purposes of Sadhana the objective aspect is not ignored. The Indian theory is highly philosophical. Thus, to take but one instance, whilst Mr. Leadbeater attributes the power of becoming large or small at will (Anima and Mahima Siddhi) to a flexible tube or "microscopic snake" in the forehead, the Hindu says that all powers (Siddhi) are the attributes (Aishvaryya) of the Lord Ishvara, or Creative Consciousness, and that in the degree that

the Jiva realises that consciousness he shares the powers inherent in the degree of his attainment.

The above is an excerpt from Mr. Avalon's introduction to his book, "The Serpent Power". Every student of Yoga should read it.

-FINIS-

Om, Om. Om.

Footnotes

^153:1 This and the following notes compare his and the Indian theory. The Devi or Goddess is called Bhujangi or serpent because at the lowest centre (Muladhara) she lies "coiled" round the Linga. "Coiled"--at rest. The Cosmic Power in bodies is here at rest; when rouged it is felt as intense heat.

^153:2 Certain Siddhis or occult powers are acquired at each center as the practitioner works his way upwards.

^154:3 The petals of the lotus are Pranashakti manifested by Pranavayu or vital force. Each lotus is a centre of a different form of "matter" (Bhuta) there predominant--A .A.

^154:4 This a Western term--A. A.

^154:5a Not mentioned in the account here given.--A. A.

^154:6 See last note but three.

^155:5b Not mentioned in the account here given.--A. A.

^155:6a So little attention seems to be given to exactitude in this matter that one of the letters is dropped in order to make 1,000 petals--that is 60 * 20. "Thousand" is, here only symbolic of magnitude.--A. A.

^156:8 With the aid of bodily purification, certain Asans and Mudras (v. poet).

^157:9--In the first edition of my Mahanirvana Tantra. CXXIV.

^157:10 There are three 'knots" which have to be pierced or centres where the force of Maya is particular, strong.

^158:11 "The Apocalypse Unsealed," p. 62.