passes away and is lost
in a higher sense of equanimity, there comes the state known by the
remarkable name of Dharma-megha[669] in which the isolation of the soul
and its absolute distinctness from matter (which includes what we call
mind) is realized, and Karma is no more. After the state of Dharma-megha
comes that of unconscious Samadhi, in which the Yogi falls into a trance
and attains emancipation which is made permanent by death.

The methods of the Kriya-yoga can be employed for the attainment not
only of salvation but of miraculous powers[670]. This subject is
discussed in the third book of the Yoga Sutras where it is said that
such powers are obstructions in the contemplative and spiritual life,
though they may lead to success in waking or worldly life. This is the
same point of view as we meet in Buddhism, viz. that though the
miraculous powers resulting from meditation are real, they are not
essential to salvation and may become dangerous hindrances[671].

They are attained according to the Yoga Sutras by the exercise of
samyama which is the name given conjointly to the three states of
dharana, dhyana and samadhi when they are applied simultaneously or in
immediate succession to one object of thought[672]. The reader will
remember that this state of contemplation is to be preceded by
pratyahara, or direction of the senses inwards, in which ordinary
external stimuli are not felt. It is analogous to the hypnotic state in
which suggestions made by the hypnotizer have for the subject the
character of reality although he is not conscious of his surroundings,
and auto-suggestions--that is the expectations with which the Yogi begins
his meditation--apparently have the same effect. The trained Yogi is able
to exercise samyama with regard to any idea--that is to say his mind
becomes identified with that idea to the exclusion of all others.
Sometimes this samyama implies simply a thorough comprehension of the
object of meditation. Thus by making samyama on the samskaras or
predispositions existing in the mind, a knowledge of one's previous
births is obtained; by making samyama on sound, the language of animals
is understood. But in other cases a result is considered to be obtained
because the Yogi in his trance thinks it is obtained. Thus if samyama is
made on the throat, hunger and thirst are subdued; if on the strength of
an elephant, that strength is obtained: if on the sun, the knowledge of
all worlds is acquired