Astrological Bangle

The Astrological Bangle, was made popular by Paramhansa Yogananda, author of the Autobiography of a Yogi. Yogananda’s guru, Sri Yukteswar, created the Astrological Bangle formula based on very precise weights of three metals; pure silver, copper, and over a Troy Ounce 99.999%, of 24Kt, fine gold.

Swami Kriyananda, the founder of Ananda Sangha, was a direct disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda, and received the formula for the bangle from his teacher. 

 

This is what a bangle looks like. It's an open bracelet that can fit anyone. The ends are left simple (and not covered with a ball), as this is the way Yogananda had them made at Mt. Washington before he left the body.

The three metal astrological bangle is worn by many who follow the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda. But the Master and his student Swami Kriyananda have both said that the bangle will benefit anyone who wears it, not only those who follow Yogananda’s teachings or the path of Kriya Yoga.

 If you are considering buying one for yourself, please contact hari@anandaindia.org.

Yogananda & Sri Yukteswar Discuss Need for Bangle in Autobiography of a Yogi

“Then, dear Master, why do you want me to wear an astrological bangle?” I ventured this question after a long silence, during which I had tried to assimilate Sri Yukteswar’s noble exposition.

“It is only when a traveler has reached his goal that he is justified in discarding his maps. During the journey, he takes advantage of any convenient short cut. The ancient rishis discovered many ways to curtail the period of man’s exile in delusion. There are certain mechanical features in the law of karma which can be skillfully adjusted by the fingers of wisdom.



“All human ills arise from some transgression of universal law. The scriptures point out that man must satisfy the laws of nature, while not discrediting the divine omnipotence. He should say: ‘Lord, I trust in Thee, and know Thou canst help me, but I too will do my best to undo any wrong I have done.’ By a number of meansby prayer, by will power, by yoga meditation, by consultation with saints, by use of astrological banglesthe adverse effects of past wrongs can be minimized or nullified.

“Just as a house can be fitted with a copper rod to absorb the shock of lightning, so the bodily temple can be benefited by various protective measures. Ages ago our yogis discovered that pure metals emit an astral light which is powerfully counteractive to negative pulls of the planets. Subtle electrical and magnetic radiations are constantly circulating in the universe; when a man’s body is being aided, he does not know it; when it is being disintegrated, he is still in ignorance. Can he do anything about it?

“This problem received attention from our rishis; they found helpful not only a combination of metals, but also of plants and most effective of all faultless jewels of not less than two carats. The preventive uses of astrology have seldom been seriously studied outside of India. One little-known fact is that the proper jewels, metals, or plant preparations are valueless unless the required weight is secured, and unless these remedial agents are worn next to the skin.”

“Sir, of course I shall take your advice and get a bangle. I am intrigued at the thought of outwitting a planet!”

“For general purposes I counsel the use of an armlet made of gold, silver, and copper.”

“One little-known fact is that the proper jewels, metals, or plant preparations are valueless unless the required weight is secured, and unless these remedial agents are worn next to the skin.”

“This problem received attention from our rishis; they found helpful not only a combination of metals, but also of plants and—most effective of all—faultless jewels of not less than two carats. The preventive uses of astrology have seldom been seriously studied outside of India.”

“Just as a house can be fitted with a copper rod to absorb the shock of lightning, so the bodily temple can be benefited by various protective measures. Ages ago our yogis discovered that pure metals emit an astral light which is powerfully counteractive to negative pulls of the planets. Subtle electrical and magnetic radiations are constantly circulating in the universe; when a man’s body is being aided, he does not know it; when it is being disintegrated, he is still in ignorance.”

“By a number of means—by prayer, by will power, by yoga meditation, by consultation with saints, by use of astrological bangles—the adverse effects of past wrongs can be minimized or nullified.”

“It is only when a traveler has reached his goal that he is justified in discarding his maps. During the journey, he takes advantage of any convenient short cut. The ancient rishis discovered many ways to curtail the period of man’s exile in delusion. There are certain mechanical features in the law of karma which can be skillfully adjusted by the fingers of wisdom”

– From Chapter 16: Outwitting the Stars, Autobiography of a Yogi

From a letter written by Paramhansa Yogananda to his closest disciple, Rajarsi Janakananda:

“According to astrological laws to do away with all bad influences of planets, there is nothing better than a bangle. Each two bodies of the universe attract. When this adhesive power of the bodily cells becomes lax with the advance of age, the planetary pull becomes stronger, causing more laxity of cells, inviting disease and the mind to disturbance.

“The bangle and its combination of metal as fixed by the Rishis emanate electronic ray (unseen to human eyes) which counteracts all planetary vibrations. Just as a lightning rod is affixed to a house to absorb the falling thunder and lightning, so the bangle is a lightning rod to absorb the ferocity of bad planetary rays falling on the body, when disease attacks as bad karma.

“Besides, I heard Master (Sri Yukteswar) say many times that satan creates in the mind of the bangle wearer the impulse to take the bangle off, so uninterruptedly he could punish them through the instrument of bad karma of past lives. I remember definite instances of cases who almost could not wear the bangle as the arm rotted under it.

“One person had to change the position of the bangle three or four times. He was cured of paralysis and some kind of fits. The bangle will also modify and lessen any wrong influence on business. Sometimes to take the bangle off when one needs to, even in that moment, it is also dangerous. I write this only to emphasize the laws of electronic vibrations which God created and the Rishis discovered to counteract the evil planetary influence on the human body.”

From the book A Paramhansa Yogananda Trilogy of Divine Love, by Sri Durga Mata

 

Swami Kriyananda's Comments

“All things are made of vibrations, and have their own magnetic properties. Certain pure gems and minerals emit radiations that are beneficial to the body of man. One such “bangle” made of gold,silver, and copper was recommended by Sri Yoganandaji for general use. He said that this bangle had more than physical value. (I remember his advising a disciple, who was prone to having accidents, to obtain and wear one of these bangles.)”

“A number of people who own these bangles have told me that, during times of physical illness (and, perhaps, of mental depression), their bangles have become so hot on one arm that they had to move them onto the other. I myself have felt a person’s bangle when he said that it felt hot. It was, in fact, much hotter than the arm itself–so hot that it almost hurt my fingers to hold it.”

—Swami Kriyananda, The Art & Science of Raja Yoga

Further FAQs

Where do I wear the bangle?

Swami Kriyananda recommends wearing it nearest the heart. The upper arm (just above the elbow) is best. Bhima Kent White to whom Swamiji gave the responsibility for making these bangles at Ananda VIillage tested the bangle’s effect on the size of the aura with dowsing rods. The largest aura comes from having the bangle on the upper arm. If wearing the bangle on the upper arm is uncomfortable for you, you may wish to wear it on your wrist.

The bangle must be worn in contact with the skin, to complete the electromagnetic circuit with the aura. It should be worn at all times, swimming, bathing, exercising, etc. If it’s not worn, it can’t protect you!

There has been a story circulating around for many years that women wear it on the left and men, on the right. However, Bhima asked Swami Kriyananda about this, and his reply was, “The male and female energies do not apply to bangles, for the bangle is neutral. Where these energies are important is if a man and woman are teaching together, then the man should stand to the woman’s right. And for instance, when a married couple is sleeping together, the husband should sleep on the woman’s right, as when they are both lying face up.”

There may be exceptions to this rule, so if you wish, take the time to intuit your answer or perhaps dowse for your answer with either a pendulum or a pair of rods.

 Fitting the bangle to your wrist

All new bangles are the same length (however some reconditioned or rebuilt bangles may be longer). Your own personal size and the location you will be wearing the bangle will determine how much you might need to bend the bangle to fit you properly.

When the bangle is new it is a bit softer and easier to bend. If the bangle is long for you or you are wearing the bangle around your wrist, be sure that the strands do not touch where they overlap. Testing with the dowsing rods shows that the aura diminishes very much when the bangle touches itself. Many people have even felt a better energy if the bangle does not touch itself.

We do not recommend taking the bangle off and on frequently, as each time you open and close the bangle you are “work-hardening” the metal or making it more brittle and more likely to break (think about bending a wire coat hanger back and forth a few times – eventually the wire will break). It is safe to open and close it occasionally, but try to avoid making this a frequent habit if you want your bangle to last a long time.

Why is the bangle so expensive?

The metals must be weighed into specifically-sized strands, and worked correctly to maintain accuracy to Sri Yukteswar’s formula and to his “careful directions.” The price of the bangle is largely determined by whatever the prevailing world market gold prices are.

For more questions and inquires please contact hari@anandaindia.org. Joy!