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Nilakantha Mahadeva Joshi – Translated from the Tamil

Quoted in Immortality and Reincarnation – Alexandra David-Neel

Several spiritual masters, continuing efforts that have been pursued for thousands of years, have established five ways for attaining the primordial Light.

These are the five schools of philosophy and mental training that are known as: Sankya, Yoga, Pasupatam, Pancharatram and Smritimatam.

The creators of these five schools have all recognized the importance of Yoga.

Kumbaka, total ‘breath’ retention, is achieved through mastery of pranayama, and through kumbaka laya is achieved -  a state of consciousness in which one is plunged into the Supreme Principle at the expense of his or her own identity.

It is almost impossible to determine the era in which the various authors of the Yoga schools fundamental works lived, but it can be verified through personal experience the power to attain laya is a fact.