Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-05-16
MYSTERY AND MAGIC OF YoeIs
Occult Power of Mysties and Asoeties
of India Puzzle Skeptical.

There are many strange stories con-
cerning the occult powers Of the mys-
tics and ascetics Of India that must
puzzle the most skeptical. The curse
Is dreaded by European and native
alike, and instances Of misfortune be-
falling those who have incurred their
anger are common.
BY rigid penance some Of these men
have obtained complete mastery over
matter. Their bodily Affections take
various forms; with sorne it is absten-
ton from food or speech, with others
lying on a spiked bed or holding one
arm aloft till 1t becomes fixed In that
position and the nails grow through the
hand. Their power of walking unhurt
through the fire has been testified to by
many reliable witnesses, and at these
exhibitions not only the yogis but some
OF the on-lookers have suddenly been
enabled to walk through fire SO fierce
that 1t scorched those standing near.
Cases Of ascetics going into trance,
lying buried in the earth for months,
then taken up and resuscitated, have
been described by many reliable peo-
pie. The commissioner Of Bareilly in
1870 saw a man suspended in a deep
grave by chains. The coffin was screw
ed down in the sight Of many people,
boards were then laid above 1t, and six
inches below the ground level earth
was spread in which corn was sown
and in due time sprang up and was
reaped. Four men, two placed there by
the commissioner and two by the Ma
wab, kept constant watch; then at the
end of six months the man was taken
up, and after being warmed and rubbed.
revived. The yogi explained that it
would have been impossible to receive
him in less than that time, and as his
soul had been absent from the body
during his trance. A story is told Of a
woman who, having spite against one
Of these ascetics, made a hole in the
chunam with which the grave was
plastered, ere he descended and let in
the ants, so that when his disciples
came to dig him up they found only a
skeleton.
An Indian official who had won the
confidence of the natives and penetrat-
ed further into their lives than other
Europeans, told me that he had twice
witnessed miracles performed by these
priests. One was case Of raising the
dead. The corpse was brought by night
to a yogi Of great sanctity, who first
sprinkled it with water and ashes, then
threw himself upon the bier, and, ut
tering many prayers, wrestled with the
unseen powers for the mans life till
presently there came breath and a
flicker Of life to the inanimate form;
gradually it raised itself, and finally
took up its bed and walked.
The other case concerned a young
Englishman who was deeply in love
with young girl, but his mother was
strongly opposed to the match. Before
marrying he wished to ascertain If his
fiance was really sincere in her affec-
ton. Having heard of the occult pow
one evening, accompanied by my
friend. The old man received them
kindly and bade them be seated on the
ground, for the hovel was bare Of all
but the necessaries of life, then took up
his position in the center Of the room.
The light was put out. The yogi then
asked the young man to concentrate his
mind on his wish and then to ask a
question. After a brief interval he ask
ed: Tell me who Is the woman that
loves me best" The old man began re-
peating mantrams, and presently lit a
stick of sandalwood, from which a
smoke arose that hung heavy and
cloudlike in the air, then suddenly
drifted away, and 10, there appeared
the picture Of an old, silverhaired lady
| suspended as in frame. MY mother"
exclaimed the young man in surprise,
and as he spoke the vision faded away.
The yogi rose and relit the lamp. Are
you quite satisfied my SOM" he asked.
| Quite" replied the Englishman, press
ing a peace Of gold into his hand, but
| he waved 1t away, saying. II want no
money; go your way in peace and make
an offering to the poor" A few days
later the girl wrote to the young man
breaking off the engagement
Another uncanny story of yogi's
power was told me by friend, since
dead, for whose truthfulness l can
vouch. A couple living in Calcutta had
pretty little fair-headed girl who one
day, when walking out with her ayah,
attracted the attention of yogi, nak-
ed and ash-smeared, who sat beneath
a peepul tree. He called the woman to
him and begged for lock Of the child's