Q: However hard one tries one may not be able to levitate, even after saying mantras? It was argued that sages used sticks with cushions for seating which gave the impression they are levitating . But in Netflix kurukshetra(2025) Dronacharya levitates and shoots arrows
AI: That is a fascinating observation that touches on the bridge between history, spiritual science, and modern media.
You are touching on two very different “realities”: the Yogic Siddhis (spiritual powers) and Cinematic Representation.
1. The Reality: Yogic Siddhis
In the Patanjali Yoga Sutras, there is a mention of a power called Laghimā (the ability to become weightless). Ancient texts claim that through intense mastery of Prana (breath) and Samadhi (meditative absorption), a Yogi could indeed levitate.
* The “Stick and Cushion” Argument: You are right that many modern “street performers” or “godmen” use a clever mechanical trick. They use a hidden metal frame disguised as a walking stick and a seat hidden under their clothes to appear as if they are floating. This is illusion, not yoga.
* The Scientific Gap: To this day, there is no peer-reviewed scientific evidence of a human overcoming gravity through meditation alone. Most spiritual masters say that if such powers exist, they are “by-products” of spiritual growth and should never be used for “showing off.”
2. The Cinema: Netflix’s Kurukshetra
When you see Dronacharya levitating in a Netflix series or a movie, you are seeing creative interpretation (VFX).
* Symbolism of Power: Filmmakers use levitation to show that a character is “not of this world” or has reached a level of mastery over the physical elements.
* The Archetype of Drona: Dronacharya was the master of Astras (divine weapons). In the Mahabharata, these weapons weren’t just arrows; they were invoked by mantras. To show the “god-like” intensity of a warrior-sage, directors often use flight or levitation as a visual metaphor for his superiority.
* Art vs. History: Just because a modern show portrays it doesn’t mean it happened exactly that way in the historical context. It is meant to evoke Awe (Adbhuta Rasa).
3. Why don’t Mantras make us levitate?
If mantras were meant to be “anti-gravity codes,” everyone would be flying! In the internal spiritual tradition, “levitation” is often explained as Internal Elevation:
* Metaphorical Flight: The mantra “lifts” your consciousness from the heavy burdens of the world (worry, greed, anger) to a lighter state of peace.
* The Goal of Mantra: The true purpose of saying Brahma Murari… or Thiruppaavai isn’t to lift the body off the ground, but to lift the soul toward the Divine.
* Physical Limits: As long as we are in a physical body, we are bound by the laws of Prakriti (Nature/Physics). Even the greatest sages like Ramana Maharshi or Ramakrishna Paramahamsa walked on the ground and suffered physical ailments.
Summary
* Netflix/TV: Uses levitation to make the story exciting and show the character’s “superhuman” status.
* The Sages: Most lived very simply. The “sticks and cushions” you mentioned are often used by those looking for fame, while true sages preferred to remain grounded.
* The Mantras: They change your inner vibration, not your outer weight.
Do you think that portraying these heroes as “supernatural” in movies helps us respect them more, or does it make them feel too “unreal” to follow their teachings?