25th September, 1938

Talk 517.

There was some reference of two slokas in Yoga Vasishtha where spiritism in mlechcha desa is mentioned. Mr. MacIver said that black magic is more prevalent in the West than is ordinarily known to the observer. The writer then remembered how Mr. Paul Brunton had once said that he actually feared a woman for her association with black magic.

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Sri Bhagavan asked if the gentleman had read Devikalottaram. He then said that abhichara prayoga (black magic) is condemned there. He also added that by such practices one compasses one's own ruin.

Avidya ^[?] (ignorance) is itself bad and makes one commit suicide. Why should black magic be also added to it?
D.: What is the pratikriya ^[?] (remedy) open to the victim of black magic?
M.: Bhakti ^[?] (devotion to God).
D.: Non-resistance seems to be the only remedy for all kinds of evil such as slander.

M.: Quite so. If one abuses another or injures him the remedy does not lie in retort or resistance. Simply keep quiet. This quiet will bring peace to the injured but make the offender restless until he is driven to admit his error to the injured party. This black magic is said to have been used even against the greatest saints in India since time immemorial. The tapasvis of Daruka forest used it against Siva Himself. Then the conversation turned on Brahmaloka. Sri Bhagavan said Brahmaloka is the same as Atmaloka. Again Brahmaiva lokah = Brahmalokah (Brahma is Himself the region) and Brahma is Atma. So Brahmaloka is only the Self. Loka, aloka are both synonymous. It is the same as andamil akkan in Ulladu Narpadu. Lokyate iti lokah (That which is seen is loka ^[?]).