Between Doctrine and Discernment: Reading The Holy Science in a Contemporary Light
In 1894, Sri Yukteswar Giri—a respected Kriya Yoga master, Vedantic scholar, and an astronomer—published The Holy Science, a slim, enigmatic book said to have been commissioned by Mahavatar Babaji. Its purpose? To demonstrate that the Bible and the Vedas, East and West, religion and science, all point to the same universal truth.
To say this book is dense is an understatement. Clocking in at fewer than 150 pages, it covers Vedic astronomy and jyotisha (the science of light), time cycles, human evolution, consciousness, morality, metaphysics, the inner anatomy of the soul, and the stages of realization.
And yet—behind this lofty synthesis lies a subtle danger: the spiritual caste system.
Let’s explore The Holy Science—its power, its beauty, its relevance—and the pitfalls we must avoid if we want to truly live its wisdom.
Part I: Cosmic Time and the Descent of Consciousness
To understand the depth of The Holy Science, we must begin where Sri Yukteswar begins: with time—not ordinary time, but cosmic time, measured in yugas (ages).
What Are the Yugas?
In ancient Indian cosmology, time is not linear—it is cyclical, like the seasons or the phases of the moon. The universe goes through great repeating cycles of rising and falling consciousness, known as Yuga Cycles. Each full cycle spans thousands of years and includes four major ages:
- Satya Yuga (Golden Age) – Humanity lives in perfect harmony with the Divine. Truth, peace, and wisdom prevail.
- Treta Yuga (Silver Age) – Spiritual wisdom remains, but ego and desire begin to stir.
- Dwapara Yuga (Bronze Age) – Energy and intellect grow, but spiritual vision dims.
- Kali Yuga (Iron Age) – The lowest point; ignorance, materialism, and disconnection from Spirit dominate.
Traditionally, it’s believed that humanity is deep in Kali Yuga, a time of moral decay and spiritual darkness. This view encourages pessimism and resignation—“everything is supposed to be corrupt right now.”
Sri Yukteswar’s Bold Correction
Sri Yukteswar challenged this view. Using astronomical calculations and yogic insight, he proposed a radical revision: we are not in Kali Yuga anymore.
According to him:
- Kali Yuga ended around 1700 AD.
- We are now in Dwapara Yuga, a rising age of energetic awareness and rediscovery of subtle truths.
This explains why:
- Discoveries about electricity, magnetism, atoms, and energy exploded in the last 300 years.
- There’s a global resurgence of yoga, meditation, and holistic health.
- Spirituality is moving from dogma to direct experience.
So Sri Yukteswar suggests that human consciousness is not locked in a permanent state of decline or confusion. Like the seasons of nature, it moves in vast, repeating cycles—sometimes falling into darkness, but always destined to rise again. Contrary to the popular belief that we are still trapped in an age of spiritual decay, The Holy Science offers a more hopeful view: the worst is behind us, and we are already on the path of return—ascending, slowly but surely, toward clarity, energy, and awakening.
A Dynamic View of Evolution
Sri Yukteswar’s vision is revolutionary because it rejects fatalism. Instead of preaching that we are spiraling into chaos, he argues that:
- We are on an ascending arc of spiritual evolution.
- The external world may still be chaotic, but there is a growing internal awakening.
- The purpose of this era is to understand the subtle forces (prana, consciousness, energy) that govern both the cosmos and the self.
This vision transforms The Holy Science from a mystical relic into something far more urgent and alive: a guide for how to live now. In a world of rapid change and rising complexity, the book invites us to evolve with awareness—to become active participants in the growth of consciousness, rather than passive victims of the times. It doesn’t just tell us what truth is; it shows us how to move with it.
In review of Part I, Sri Yukteswar opens his book by correcting the Hindu Yuga system, which he believed had been grossly misunderstood, explaining that we are already in Dwapara Yuga, an age of electrical, atomic, and energetic discovery (think: quantum physics, consciousness studies, and yes, yoga becoming mainstream). His yuga theory turns traditional Hindu pessimism on its head, offering hope that humanity is ascending—not declining.
While Sri Yukteswar teaches that humanity is rising through cosmic cycles of consciousness, he also makes it clear: we are not passive witnesses to this turning. We are its unfolding. The change of the age begins within us. Spiritual evolution may follow a cosmic rhythm, but it unfolds one soul at a time. The so-called “Golden Age” isn’t something that arrives like a historical event—it’s something we cultivate within ourselves, intentionally, through awareness, cooperation, reverence for life, and love. In this way, The Holy Science reminds us that even amid confusion or decline in the world, it’s fully possible to awaken—to become a golden light in any age.
Part II: The Nature of Creation and Man
Next, Sri Yukteswar draws on an ancient yogic and vedantic framework to explain the three bodies that make up a human being. These are not separate body “shells” like a Russian Matryoshka doll, but interwoven layers of existence, each subtler and more pervasive than the last. This framework expands our perception beyond the physical body to include emotional, mental, and spiritual layers—and helps explain how we can evolve toward self-realization.
He also mirrors this threefold structure in his explanation of the cosmic design—how the soul, nature, and Spirit interrelate, all governed by the same principles that shape our inner bodies and the entire universe. In this way, the book becomes not just a study of the self, but an exploration of the architecture of reality itself.
Here’s my attempt at an explanation of each:
1. Gross Body (Sthūla Śarīra) — The Physical Form
Individual Level:
This is the most tangible layer—the body you can see, touch, and feel. It includes the flesh, bones, organs, and all physical systems. Governed by matter, it’s the vehicle through which we experience the external world with our five senses. While vital for living and acting, this body is impermanent, subject to birth, aging, and death. Sri Yukteswar teaches that understanding this body is important—but it’s only the surface of who we truly are.
Cosmic Level:
This corresponds to the physical universe (Sthūla Jagat), the visible world of form—planets, stars, elements, and biological life. Just as the gross body is shaped by food and matter, the gross universe is composed of the five physical elements (earth, water, fire, air, ether). It is the outermost layer of creation, manifesting divine intelligence in dense form.
2. Astral Body (Sūkṣma Śarīra) — The Energy, Mind, and Emotions
Individual Level:
Beneath the physical lies the astral body, a subtler layer made of life force (prāṇa), mind, emotions, and the subtle senses. It is the seat of our desires, attachments, dreams, and moods—the psychological “self” that shapes much of our daily experience. This body carries the impressions of our actions and habits (vasanas) and survives beyond physical death, influencing our future lives. Spiritual disciplines like breathwork, meditation, and mantra work directly on refining this energetic and mental field.
Cosmic Level:
This reflects the subtle or astral universe (Sūkṣma Jagat)—the energetic and mental plane that underlies and animates the physical world. It includes the cosmic mind (Mahat), intelligence (Buddhi), and cosmic life force (Prāṇa). This is the realm where divine begins to take shape as vibration, thought, and form, before condensing into physical matter.
3. Causal Body (Kāraṇa Śarīra) — The Root of Individuality and Karma
Individual Level:
The deepest layer is the causal body, the source from which the other two bodies arise. It holds the seed of ego—the sense of “I”—and the karmic impressions (samskāras) that determine the patterns of our existence. This is not the active mind but the storehouse of our soul’s memory and destiny. In the highest states of meditation, one transcends even this layer, realizing the eternal Self (Ātman) that lies beyond all forms and limitations.
Cosmic Level:
This aligns with the causal universe (Kāraṇa Jagat)—the primordial source of all creation, where undifferentiated Spirit (God) first conceives the cosmos. This is the realm of pure potential, where divine will (Icchā Śakti), knowledge (Jñāna Śakti), and action (Kriyā Śakti) originate. It is beyond time and space—creation in seed form. From this causal field, the subtle and gross universes emerge.
In essence, Sri Yukteswar teaches that the human being is a microcosm of the universe—a living reflection of the cosmic order. The aim is to transcend our identification with the three bodies (gross, astral, and causal) through conscious evolution. As we purify and refine these layers, we come to recognize that our true nature is Pure Spirit (Children of God). This path unfolds through the path of yoga which curriculum was designed to cultivate discrimination, detachment, love, and deep meditational states to help us channel Higher Universal wisdom—practices that dissolve illusion and return the soul to its original awareness.
Central to his message of this part of the book is the assertion that all sacred scriptures point to the same inner truth. When properly interpreted, the Bible and the Vedas are not in conflict. Jesus’ teaching that “the kingdom of God is within you” echoes the yogic revelation that Self-realization is the essence of yoga, union, the ultimate union with the divine which liberates us from the suffering of spiritual ignorance (Avidya) — the mistaken belief that the transient world is the ultimate reality.
Liberation from:
- Attachment to the gross body (thinking we are the body and its conditions)
- Entrapment in desires and emotions housed in the astral body
- Karmic patterns and ego-identity rooted in the causal body
- The cycle of birth and death (samsara), which continues as long as we identify with these layers and remain bound by karma
While Sri Yukteswar doesn’t use the modern term “direct path” in the way contemporary Advaita Vedanta teachers like Rupert Spira do, his teaching resonates with the same core insight: the divine truth is not something distant to be believed in, but something immediate to be realized within. Religion and ritual may support us at different stages, but they are means—not ends. What matters most is the ongoing inner work—the purification of the heart, the quieting of the mind, and the steady practice that leads to direct recognition of the higher Self or the divine in one’s own essence.
Yet even this recognition is not a static endpoint. Human consciousness is evolving, and we are continually becoming more refined instruments of awareness—capable of perceiving, embodying, and expressing divine truth with greater depth over time.
Spirituality, then, is not blind obedience or dogma—it is the ongoing process of aligning ourselves with the divine reality at the core of our being. Again and again, in deeper, more integrated ways, we are invited to return inward—to awaken not only once, but continuously, as our awareness ripens.
Part III: The Five Hearts – Stages of Spiritual Maturity
Finally, Sri Yukteswar describes the evolution of the inner being through the concept of the five “hearts” or levels of consciousness:
1. Dark Heart
Key qualities: Spiritually asleep, unconscious, self-centered, bound by ignorance and conditioned patterns, resistant to growth.
This is the heart in its most dormant state—veiled by conditioning and unawareness. The individual lives primarily for immediate gratification, caught in conditioned habits, fears, and material desires. The soul is unaware of its deeper nature, lacking reflection or spiritual aspiration. This stage is when humans are the most disconnected from their true self and purpose. It is a state of spiritual sleep, where the heart is clouded and closed to higher truths.
2. Propelled Heart
Key qualities: Active, restless, ego-driven, externally focused, ambitious.
Here, the heart has awakened from dormancy and is propelled outward—seeking fulfillment in worldly achievements, status, and validation. It is marked by ambition, restlessness, and constant striving. While this activity can drive growth and transformation, it can also lead to moral confusion, anxiety, and attachment to fleeting successes. The propelled heart’s energy is intense but scattered, often driven by egoic desires rather than inner truth. Yet this phase is important—it pushes the seeker to experience the limitations of external pursuits, often sowing seeds of spiritual longing.
3. Steady Heart
Key qualities: Calm, morally grounded, sincere seeker of truth, balanced.
The steady heart reflects a maturing spiritual awareness. The seeker becomes more introspective, aligning actions with conscience and dharma (personal path or purpose). Restlessness subsides into steadiness and clarity. The individual seeks inner peace and deeper understanding rather than external validation. This heart is increasingly anchored in spiritual principles, capable of sustained meditation and reflection. It recognizes that true fulfillment comes from living in harmony with universal truths.
4. Devoted Heart
Key qualities: Deep love, humility, surrender to the divine.
At this stage, the heart moves beyond mere intellectual understanding or moral alignment—it opens fully in devotion. There is a profound love and surrender to God or universal Spirit. This devotion is not sentimental but a lived reality expressed through bhakti (loving surrender), prayer, or selfless service. The ego loosens its grip, and the seeker experiences intimate communion with the divine presence. The heart’s orientation shifts from self-centered seeking to God-centered being.
5. Clean (Pure) Heart
Key qualities: Unified with Spirit, free from ego-driven attachment and craving.
This is the culmination of the spiritual journey—a heart completely purified and illumined. The individual no longer identifies with ego, body, or mind but rests in the pure essence of Spirit. Actions arise spontaneously from compassion, wisdom, and unity consciousness. There is no striving or effort—only being. The pure heart is free, steady, and overflowing with divine love. It reflects the perfected state of self-realization and liberation that Sri Yukteswar describes as the goal of spiritual evolution.
The Usefulness of this Framework
Sri Yukteswar’s five hearts are markers on the spiritual path, not fixed labels. These levels are not meant to create spiritual status. They are descriptions of inner orientation, not badges of superiority. We might be working on different aspects of each at different times. It's not a linear path but a cyclical or spiral one They’re meant to help us see where we are—and where we can gently grow. Recognizing this guards us from spiritual complacency and invites continual evolution—from illusion into love, from love into union.
This psychological framework is almost poetic profound. It reveals that yoga is a process of refining and purifying the heart until only truth and love remain
The Subtle Danger: Spiritual Castes and Hierarchies
Here's where the red flags start to wave.
Sri Yukteswar draws heavily on the ancient four-fold caste system (varna) as a symbol for spiritual maturity:
- Brahmana (Knower of God) – Spiritually realized
- Kshatriya (Warrior) – Morally disciplined, seeking truth
- Vaishya (Producer) – Driven by desire and effort
- Shudra (Servant) – Material, unawakened person
He said this system is not hereditary but based on qualities (gunas)—which is true in its original Vedic form.
However, in practice, this framework has been used historically—and even in modern spiritual communities—to:
- Label people based on life situation.
- Assume linearity in growth, as if everyone follows the same path.
- Reinforce elitism in yoga, where spiritual realization becomes a form of social capital.
⚠️ Caution: When we spiritualize hierarchy, we risk replacing external caste systems with internal ones—judging ourselves or others as “lesser” or “more evolved” based on subtle ego, not compassion.
Lessons for Modern Seekers
What to Embrace from The Holy Science:
- A vision of universal spiritual truth, beyond religion or dogma.
- A powerful, integrated body of spiritual anatomy and evolution.
- An insightful concept of spiritual progress as purification of the heart.
- A bridge between Western and Eastern spirituality.
What to Question or Outgrow:
- Any implication that spiritual growth makes one superior to others.
- The idea that suffering or ignorance is due to someone being in a “lower” caste or heart stage.
- The temptation to use spiritual maps to validate ego, status, or exclusion.
Where Love Begins, Hierarchy Ends
Sri Yukteswar taught:
“One cannot put one foot in front of the other on the spiritual path until one has developed the natural love of the heart.”
That’s it. That’s the takeaway.
Awakening is not marked by a spiritual hierarchy, but by purity of heart: a sincerity, a genuine reverence for truth that echoes the sacred ideal found throughout scripture. The open, humble heart responsive to divine guidance—a heart free from selfishness and hypocrisy. A heart that resists the pull of the unconscious crowd. That’s unafraid to question false authority in the name of truth. A heart that remembers what the world forgets.
It is this openness—this surrender to higher knowledge, wisdom, and understanding—that is the true threshold on the spiritual path.
Any teaching or system, no matter how ancient, revered, or intellectual, that fosters separation, inflates ego, or forgets the unity of all beings, misses the very essence of what yoga—and the teachings of all realized masters and sacred scriptures—calls us to embody.
In the light of the mystic cosmic view, there are no higher or lower beings—only differing degrees of self-recognition. As both ancient sages and modern mystics agree, love is what naturally arises when the illusion of separateness dissolves. In that space, the soul no longer seeks position or comparison, because it sees itself in all.
The more the heart opens to this fundamental oneness, the less it clings to surface identities—those roles, beliefs, or achievements that the ego uses to define itself. In this context, ego is not just arrogance; it's the false sense of a separate, isolated self that feels it must compete, compare, or control.
From this cosmic perspective, the spiritual journey is not a climb up some distant summit. It’s more like a shedding of layers of inherited beliefs, cultural programming, and unconscious patterns. These layers of conditioning, gathered over generations (maybe even lifetimes), veil the deeper truth of who we are.
What remains is not something new, but something timeless and immediate—blissful, familiar, fulfilling.
Conclusion: Read The Holy Science Discerningly
If you approach The Holy Science with sincere questions and curiosity like me—you're engaging with it as you should: not with blind belief, but with discernment, and a willingness to let its wisdom evolve alongside your own.
This quote by Phillips Brooks feels true to me of all spiritual teachings, “Preaching is truth through personality.”
Sri Yukteswar gave the world a diamond—dense, compact, and brilliant. But like any gem buried in the dark womb of the earth, its true radiance is revealed only when patiently unearthed and polished, clearing away the layers of circumstantial conditioning that obscure its natural beauty.
In the same way, ___ the layers of dense information and over intellectualizing, the essence of the holy science is unearthed:
It’s the revelation of love as ego dissolves.
And that? That’s a science anyone can master—accessible to every heart that dares to (listen inward).
