CONTEMPLATION ON UNDERSTANDING

Happy New Year 2015 to all my dgf Blog visitors.
  Let's welcome 2015, January 1st, with a solemn declaration that I shall make an untiring effort, steady and undeterred effort to "Realize my Self"- to know "Who am I" (naan yaar?). This needs a clear understanding about my ability to understand and also what understanding is since not all have the same ability to understand. A primary school child, a Higher Secondary school student and a College student have different capacities (developed over the years?) to grasp and truly realize what comes within its hold. A Post-Doctoral Research student's capacity is also limited in this sense of the terms! Sama Veda gives us an idea about understanding as follows:

   “Understanding is, verily, greater than meditation. Understanding makes one understand the Rks, the Rk Veda, the Yajur Veda, the Sama Veda, the Atharva Veda, the epics and the ancient lores as the fifth- the Upanishads- Veda of the Vedas, the rules of sacrifices by which the Manes are gratified, the science of numbers, the science of portents, the science of time, logic, ethics, etymology, Brahma-vidya, the science of elemental spirits, the science of weapons, astronomy, the science of serpents and the fine arts; heaven, earth, air, water, fire, gods, men, cattle, birds, herbs, trees; animals, together with worms, flies and ants; and also righteousness and unrighteousness, the true and the false, the good and the bad, the pleasant and the unpleasant, food and taste, this world and yonder world.

   Meditate on understanding.

    Narada said: Venerable Sir, is there anything greater than understanding?

   Of course there is something greater than understanding.

Please tell that to me, venerable Sir.”  

   “He who meditates on understanding as Brahman attains the worlds of understanding and knowledge and can, of his own free will, reach as far as understanding reaches- he who meditates on understanding as Brahman.”     [Sama Veda, Chandogya Upanishad VII, VII – Understanding as Brahman 1-2]

       Om || BrahmAdEvAnAm prathamah sambhabhuva |

      vishvasyakartA bhuvanasya goptA sa brahmavidyAm |

      sarvavidyApratishtAm AtharvAya jyEshtaputrAya prAha ||

      (Gopatha Brahmana of Atharva Veda, Mundakopanishad 1.1)

  Now, the verse quoted above from Atharva Veda, Mundaka Upanishad says there is only one Veda. But, everybody repeats like a parrot there are 4 vedas?

Second, This verse says, Brahma imparted Veda to his First son Atharvan. Is it ever possible Brahma to have a son and can there be a Saraswati/Vak Devi to him as wife when there are no physical entities at such a primordial beginning when not even the Stars and Planets were born? Why don't we understand that these are simple  stories told to children by Teachers in Gurukula?

  Then what is the truth? The Truth is very simple that everything is mental images, thoughts or creation; it is the Mind as a very powerful tool of creation that presents a world we wish to us in our self, on our own mind screen and nothing ever exists outside of it? Think it over....

  What ever see or visualize is due to our focused attention and the Mind like a mirror reflects what ever that comes in from of it. Nothing smears to it. However, the mind has a nasty habit of remembering everything? This is the problem. We carry lots of trash, unwanted memories, instructions, dictates and suffer.   Forget all you have learnt as memory, dead, trash and have clean mind and see! 

CONSCIOUSNESS

CONSCIOUSNESS

     "Prajnyanan Brahma"

    Child-like inquisitive nature has taken mankind beyond the frontiers of the known from time to time and has brought us to the world of the unknown. The universe is thus a mysterious one full of secrets.

  A group of learned men once assembled to discuss about the sun, the stars, the moon, and the earth we live on. Everyone looked at the Master whom they believed to be the most learned one amongst them. When there was no satisfactory answer from him, they all decided to retreat and contemplate on this problem and come back to share their knowledge. Some sat in contemplation for nine months and came to be known as the navaghvas; some sat for ten months and came to be known as the dashaghvas. when all assembled again the same question was put forth by the chief and there was total silence. It was then decided that these learned men have realized the truth and that truth was beyond words and expression y any other means. Some tried to explain the experience they gained in the process of contemplation but the words failed. Finally, it was concluded that "It was beyond mind and thought to comprehend and the words rebounded reaching there". It was also stated that "Whoever says, he knows knows not, and wheoever says knows not really knows".  The truth is that what these learned men were searching for was their own Self only. It was also concluded that "the Self knows all". Atmaivedgm sarvam|| Everything  is self and there is nothing but the Self. Sarvam khalvidam brahma ||

    'Knowledge in Samskrutam is 'vid'. it is also known as 'jnyan'. Knowledge concerning the material world is known as 'apara vidya', the knowledge concerning the spiritual world is 'para vidya'. as humans, we dwell here in the material world and we are more concerned with the material aspects that give us knowledge about food, shelter, clothing, and ways and means to live a comfortable life. But, this will not give any clue about where we come from and what is it we are doing here, or what is expected of us? We as humans, with a well developed intellect and capacity to know and discern have so far failed to answer the fundamental questions such why we suffer from hunger, diseases, ageing, and death, or for that matter what happens to us after death and where do we go from here?

Fortunately for us some learned men called Rishis have left us by way of spiritual and cultural heritage some information gained from their spiritual practices. This is intuitional knowledge  gained from transcendental meditation and transferred by word of mouth from generation to generation called 'shruti' and smruti, respectively. The Vedic texts are the 'shruti vakyas', held in high regard and sanctity; whatever said in the Veda is accepted as final and no question is raised further.

    Rk Veda speaks about creation and the forces that are involved in it. It eloquently speaks about God Agni, the Fire God. Fire is energy.it occurs in many a thousand forms including us, the living beings. Everything is Fire. Fire in the heavens (Sun/Hydrogen and Helium), Lightning, clouds and Thunder and the Moon  in the sky, and fire in many forms such as wood, charcoal, oil and natural gas, coal, and atomic energy, wind,water and atomic energy sources- radio-active minerals- are all energy forms. Bhu (Earth), Bhuvah (Sky) and Svar (Heaven) are the three levels that can be understand easily and the spheres above and below these are not easy to understand. The three forms of Fire God that govern these three worlds are called the 'tribandhu' (Asya vamiya sukta of Rk Veda).
.  

Nadi and Chakras

The Seven Plexus:The Diagrammatic Presenta- tion of the seven states of Consciousness and their salient features are given below.

  7. SAHASRAAR- (Brain Region)

       Brahmarandhra (above Head)

       Rudra Granthi   (Ajnyaa) (Om)

6. AJNYAA-(Bhru) between eye-brows

                                                                                                                                                            

         Vishnu Granthi   (ham)

   5. VISHUDDHA   (Pharyngeal)

          Throat Region   (yam)             

   4. ANAHATA-(Cardiac)–                                                 

       around the Heart             

       Brahma Granthi (Navel) (ram)

   3. MANIPURA-(Solar) - around Navel                                        

   2. SVADHISHTANA- (Sacral)–(vam)

   1.  MOOLADHARA (Basal)

        – at the end of the spine (lam)

 *The nadis and the major and minor chakras in our body are about 76000

THE MULADHARA AND KUNDALINI

   The so-called ‘Chakra’ is identified as ‘plexus of consciousness’ within our body is nothing but the centres within the Sushumna nadi where the air we breathe creates a swirling action and generate power (Shakti). This is just like the wind mills of different capacity. The air we breathe normally moves down from either ida or pingala at a time reversing in opposite direction in seven trip cycles. The sushumna nadi is closed at the bottom and thereby air cannot enter here (see diagrams). The air we breathe in and out is thereby not able to reach these centres or chakras. Thus we will not get any help of these in our normal life. Only those who know this secret of activating the Kundalini know the trick. They take to compulsive action hatha yoga and open up the sushumna nadi and force upward movement of the air we breathe out in a concerted effort. Thereby they become yogis, however, it is warned that this hatha yoga is only for those who are physically strong and capable of withstanding the terrific force of the gushing upward movement of air. It may even rupture the nerves and bleed within! It is advised not to do this without a teacher’s help. A yoga teacher well-versed in hatha yoga only can help in this matter. Kundalini will ultimately open up the sahasrar plexus where enlightenment takes place. This is an arduous task for even a well-trained yogi.

   The seven chakras re described below.

Muladhara Chakra : This chakra is located at the base of the spinal column. It lies between the origin of the reproductory organ and the anus. It is just below the Kanda and the junction where Ida, Pingala and Sushumna Nadis meet. Two fingers above the anus and about two fingers below the genitals, four fingers in width is the space where the Muladhara Chakra is situated. This is the Adhara Chakra (support) as the other Chakras are above this. Kundalini, which gives power and energy to all the Chakras, lies at this Chakra. Hence this, which is the support of all is called Muladhara or Adhara Chakra.

     From this Chakra four important Nadis emanate which appear as petals of a lotus. The subtle vibrations that are made by each Nadi are represented by the Sanskrit letters: v:ö S:ö \:ö and s:ö (vaü, ÷aü, ùaü, and saü.). The Yoni that is in the centre of this Chakra is called Kama and it is worshipped by Siddhas. Here Kundalini lies dormant. Ganesa is the Devata of this Chakra. The seven underworlds: Atala, Vitala, Sutala, Talatala, Rasatala, Mahatala and Patala Lokas are below this Chakra. This Chakra corresponds with Bhu Loka or Bhu-Mandal, physical plane (region of earth). Bhuvah, Svah or Svarga, Maha, Jana, Tapa and Satya Lokas are above this Chakra. All the underworlds refer to some minor Chakras in the limbs which are controlled by the Muladhara Chakra. That Yogi, who has penetrated this Chakra through Prithvi Dharan, has conquered the Prithvi Tattva. He has no fear of death from earth. Prithvi is of yellow colour. The golden Tripura (fire, sun and moon) is termed the ‘Bija’. It is also called the great energy (Param Tejas) which rests on the Muladhara Chakra and which is known as Svayambhu Linga. Near this Linga is the golden region known as Kula and the presiding deity is Dakini (Shakti). Brahma Granthi or the knot of Brahma is in this Chakra. Vishnu Granthi and Rudra Granthi are in the Anahata and Ajna Chakras. laM or l:ö (laü) is the Bija of Muladhara Chakra. The wise Yogi, who concentrates and meditates on the Muladhara Chakra, acquires the full knowledge of Kundalini and the means to awaken it. When Kundalini is awakened, he gets Darduri Siddhi, the power to rise from the ground. He can control the breath, mind and semen. His Prana enters the middle Brahma Nadi. All his sins are destroyed. He acquires knowledge of the past, present and future. He enjoys the natural Bliss (Sahaja Ananda).

SVADHISHTHANA CHAKRA

   Svadhishthana Chakra is located within the Sushumna Nadi at the root of the reproductory organ. This corresponds to Bhuvar Loka. This has control over the lower abdomen, kidneys, etc., in the physical body. Jala Mandal (region of water—Apa Tattva) is here. Within this Chakra there is a space like a crescent moon or the form of a conch or Kunda flower. The presiding deity is Lord Brahma and Devata is Goddess Rakini. Bijakshara v:ö (vaü), the Bija of Varuna, is in this Chakra. The colour of the Chakra is pure blood-like red or the colour of Sindura (vermilion). From this centre six Yoga Nadis emanate, which appear like the petals of a lotus. The vibrations that are produced by the Nadis are represented by the Sanskrit letters:—b:ö B:ö m:ö y:ö rö l:ö (baü bhaü maü yaü raü and laü).

He who concentrates at this Chakra and meditates on the Devata has no fear of water. He has perfect control over the water element. He gets many psychic powers, intuitional knowledge and a perfect control over his senses. He has full knowledge of the astral entities. Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Moha, Mada, Matsarya and other impure qualities are completely annihilated. The Yogi becomes the conqueror of death (Mrityunjaya).

MANIPURA CHAKRA

     Manipura is the third Chakra from the Muladhara. It is located within the Sushumna Nadi, in the Nabhi Sthana (region of navel). This has its corresponding centre in the physical body and has control over the liver, stomach, etc. This is a very important centre. From this Chakra emanate ten Yoga Nadis which appear like the petals of a lotus. The vibrations that are produced by the Nadis are represented by the Sanskrit letters:—Rö Zö N:ö t:ö T:ö dö D:ö n:ö p:ö Pö (óaü óhaü õaü taü thaü daü dhaü naü paü and phaü). The Chakra is of the colour of dark clouds. Within there is a space triangular in form. It is the Agni Mandala (region of fire—Agni Tattva). The Bijakshara rö (raü), the Bija of Agni, is here. The presiding deity is Vishnu and Goddess is Lakshmi. This Chakra corresponds to Svah or Svarga Loka and to Solar Plexus in the physical body.

     The Yogi who concentrates at this Chakra gets Patala Siddhi, can acquire hidden treasures and will be free from all diseases. He has no fear at all from Agni (fire). “Even if he is thrown into the burning fire, he remains alive without fear of death.”, (Gheranda Samhita).

ANAHATA CHAKRA

   Anahata Chakra is situated in the Sushumna Nadi (Sukshma centre). It has control over the heart. It corresponds to the Cardiac Plexus in the physical body. This corresponds to Mahar Loka. The Chakra is of deep red colour. Within this Chakra there is a hexagonal space of smoke or deep black colour or the colour of collyrium (used for the eyes). This chakra is the centre of Vayu Mandal (region of air, Vayu Tattva). From here 15 Yoga Nadis emanate. The sound that is produced by each Nadi is represented by the following Sanskrit letters:—kö K:ö g:ö G:ö {ö c:ö Cö j:ö J:ö W:ö Xö Yö (kaü khaü gaü ghaü ïaü caü chaü jaü jhaü ¤aü ñaü and ñhaü). The Bijakshara y:ö (yaü), the Bija of Vayu, is here. The presiding deity is Isha (Rudra) and Devata is Kakini. In the Muladhara Chakra there is Svayambhu Linga and in Anahata Chakra we have Bana Linga. Kalpa Vriksha, which gives all the desired things, is here. Anahata sound, the sound of Shabda Brahman, is heard at this centre. When you do Sirshasana for a long time, you can distinctly hear this sound. Vayu Tattva is full of Sattva Guna. Vishnu Granthi is in this Sthana. He who meditates on this Chakra has full control over Vayu Tattva. He gets Bhuchari Siddhi, Khechari Siddhi, Kaya Siddhi, etc., (flying in air, entering the body of another). He gets cosmic love and all other divine Sattvic qualities.

VISHUDDHA CHAKRA: VishuddhaChakra also embodies those qualities which govern our relationship with other members of the human race. It is the key to our ability to feel and respond to our own vibrations as well as others, and deepens our spiritual awareness. It gives us a sense of oneness and harmony with the Great Circle of Life. As we become one with the Whole we begin to feel the direct evidence of the subtle system on our Chakras and those of others. This is what is meant by the actualization in Sahaja Yoga, this actual evidence of our enlightenment, which we experience on our fingertips and in our bodies. It is a fact that, as we become a collectively conscious person, we can work on the subtle system of others simply by recording the state of their Chakras on our fingers and directing our vibrations to these areas of need, as required. It is like acquiring a new perception, a natural new sense of subtle vibrations. This bond of humanity is the goal that seekers have been searching for over many lifetimes, and it is starting its manifestation at this point in time, not just through myth and conception, but through the direct evidence of personal experience. According to tradition, the deity for this centre is Shri Krishna. He represents God in His aspect as the ‘Eternal Witness’ with absolute detachment He watches the Play (Lila) of the cosmic drama.The Vishuddha Chakra has sixteen petals, each with different qualities and functions. We should avoid lying or swearing or talking excessively as this could affect the right centre. Likewise it benefits is we use the voice for praise rather than criticism, for dignity rather than coarse frivolity. We should never be harsh or sarcastic or witty at another’s expense. We should simply aim to speak from the heart. Another way this centre can suffer is in the indiscriminate use of mantras. This is especially true in regard to mantras sold as commercial commodities. These are simple sensory dulling toys which have no relationship with our Spirit. Undergoing this type of self-hypnosis is actually anti-consciousness. 

    Vishuddha Chakra is situated within the Sushumna Nadi at the base of the throat- Kantha-Mula Sthana. This corresponds to Janar Loka. It is the centre of Akasa Tattva (ether element). The Tattva is of pure blue colour. Above this, all other Chakras belong to Manas Tattva. The presiding deity is Sadasiva (Isvara Linga), and the Goddess is Shakini. From this centre emanate 16 Yoga Nadis which appear like the petals of a lotus. The vibrations that are produced by the Nadis are represented by the 16 Sanskrit vowels:—Aö A:ö Eö Iö uö Uö ?ö @ö ;ö =ö Oö Oðö A:ðö A:òö Aö AH (aü àü iü ãü uü åü çü éü ëü íü eü aiü oü auü aü and aþ). Akasa Mandal (the region of ether) is round in shape like the fullmoon. The Bija of Akasa Tattva hö (haü) is in this centre. It is of white colour. This Chakra corresponds to Laryngeal plexus in the physical body.

    The concentration on the tattva of this Chakra is called Akasa Dharana. He who practises this Dharana will not perish even in Pralaya. He attains the highest success. He gets the full knowledge of the four Vedas by meditating on this Chakra. He becomes a Trikala Jnani (who knows the past, the present and the future).

AJNA CHAKRA

  Ajna Chakra is situated within the Sushumna Nadi and its corresponding centre in the physical body is at the space between the two eye-brows. This is known as Trikuti. The presiding deity, Paramasiva (Shambhu), is in the form of Hamsa. There is Goddess Hakini (Sakti}. Pranava (Om) is the Bijakshara for this Chakra. This is the seat of the Mind.

    There are two petals (Yoga Nadis) on each side of the lotus (Chakra) and the vibrations of these Nadis are represented by the Sanskrit letters:—xdvng (Ham) and (Ksham). This is the Granthi Sthana (Rudra Granthi). The Chakra is of pure white colour or like that of the fullmoon (on the Purnima day). Bindu, Nada and Sakti are in this Chakra. This Chakra corresponds to Tapo-Loka. The corresponding centre in the physical body is at the Cavernous Plexus.

    He who concentrates at this centre destroys all the Karmas of the past lives. The benefits that are derived by meditation on this Chakra cannot be described in words. The practitioner becomes a Jivanmukta (liberated man while living). He acquires all the 8 major and 32 minor Siddhis. All Yogis and Jnanis too concentrate to this centre on the Bijakshara, Pranava ! (OM). This is called Bhrumadya Drishti (gaze at the space between the two eye-brows). More details of this important Chakra will be given in the subsequent lessons.

    Entering into the realm of Ajna, the Sixth Chakra evokes a certain reverence as we recall a time when the seers of antiquity were revered for their oracular wisdom and sought after for their ability to guide their people based on the ability to see into the future and align themselves with the implicate universal order. Her name is Ajna, meaning absolute, not in the sense of stasis; rather in the sense of dynamic order and integration. The colors usually associated with this chakra are purple and indigo. The third eye center is the seat of intuition and wisdom. The gift of clairvoyance, or clear seeing, is found here bringing movie-like visions to consciousness. Conscious awareness resides here as well as a healthy metabolism from the pituitary, the master gland. Clear thought and comprehension are functions of a balanced sixth chakra.

   Physically, Ajna is located in the center of the forehead just above the brow line. It relates to the pituitary (master gland), left brain hemisphere, left side of head and spinal cord. It is related to the perception of light, both on the physical and metaphysical planes. Manifestations of health and balance in the third eye chakra enable us to discern and respond to intuitive information, formulate ideas and initiate appropriate action causing materialization on a physical plane. Imbalances may present as disordered thought process, irrational fears, illusions, bewilderment and confusion, delusions and faulty judgment or an inability to translate ideas into manifest form ,and insomnia.  

     Ajna is the Sixth Chakra and entering into the realm of Ajna evokes a certain reverence as we recall a time when the seers of antiquity were revered for their oracular wisdom and sought after for their ability to guide their people based on the ability to see into the future and align themselves with the implicate universal order. Her name is Ajna, meaning absolute, not in the sense of stasis; rather in the sense of dynamic order and integration. The colors usually associated with this chakra are purple and indigo. The third eye center is the seat of intuition and wisdom. The gift of clairvoyance, or clear seeing, is found here bringing movie-like visions to consciousness. Conscious awareness resides here as well as a healthy metabolism from the pituitary, the master gland. Clear thought and comprehension are functions of a balanced sixth chakra.   Physically, Ajna is located in the center of the forehead just above the brow line. It relates to the pituitary (master gland), left brain hemisphere, left side of head and spinal cord. It is related to the perception of light, both on the physical and metaphysical planes. Manifestations of health and balance in the third eye chakra enable us to discern and respond to intuitive information, formulate ideas and initiate appropriate action causing materialization on a physical plane. Imbalances may present as disordered thought process, irrational fears, illusions, bewilderment and confusion, delusions and faulty judgment or an inability to translate ideas into manifest form and insomnia.  Manifestations of health and balance in the third eye chakra enable us to discern and respond to intuitive information, formulate ideas and initiate appropriate action causing materialization on a physical plane. Imbalances may present as disordered thought process, irrational fears, illusions, bewilderment and confusion, delusions and faulty judgment or an inability to translate ideas into manifest form ,and insomnia. Gemstones: Azurite, lapis lazuli, sodalite, blue sapphire, fluorite, sugilite, amethyst, and charoite.  

Sahasrara, The Seventh Chakra

Sahasrara is the Seventh Chakra. At the pinnacle of our journey, Sahasrara, one knows no separation from the source. One is complete, centered and grounded, even as one traverses the higher realms, realizing that, while we may access the divine, our place is on the earth plane. We are now completely comfortable with the fact that we have chosen a physical vehicle with which to learn our lessons during this incarnation; and we are able to face that fact with maturity, having conquered the frustrations of the earlier years. Our true home is recognized, but so is the value of this, our temporal dwelling. We no longer experience an inordinate longing for, nor an obsession with our spiritual life as it is now an inseparable and undeniable part of us. We are completely self assured in this respect. Ego dissolves, and a sense of wholeness pervades. Peace reigns in our hearts, and it is from this platform that we are able to interact with, and honor our fellow man; and fully adapt to the realities of linear time and containment.

Sahasrara Chakra is the abode of Lord Siva. This corresponds to Satya Loka. This is situated at the crown of the head. When Kundalini is united with Lord Siva at the Sahasrara Chakra, the Yogi enjoys the Supreme Bliss, Parama Ananda. When Kundalini is taken to this centre, the Yogi attains the superconscious state and the Highest Knowledge. He becomes a Brahmavidvarishtha or a full-blown Jnani.

    The word Sahasradala-Padma denotes that this Padma has 1000 petals. That is, one thousand Yoga Nadis emanate from this centre. There are different opinions about the exact number of petals. It is quite sufficient if you know that innumerable Nadis proceed from this centre. As in the case of other Chakras, the vibrations that are made by the Yoga Nadis are represented by the Sanskrit letters. All the 50 letters of the Sanskrit alphabet are repeated here again and again on all Yoga Nadis. This is a Sukshma centre. The corresponding centre in the physical body is in the brain. Ida and Pingala Nadis

    Ida and Pingala Nadis are not the gross sympathetic chains. These are the subtle Nadis that carry the Sukshma Prana. In the physical body these tentatively correspond to the right and left sympathetic chains.

    Ida starts from the right testicle and Pingala from the left testicle. They meet with Sushumna Nadi at the Muladhara Chakra and make a knot there. This junction of three Nadis at the Muladhara Chakra is known as Mukta Triveni. Ganga, Yamuna and Sarasvati dwell in Pingala, Ida and Sushumna Nadis respectively. This meeting place is called Brahma Granthi. Again these meet at the Anahata and Ajna Chakra. In the macrocosm also you have a Triveni at Prayag where the three rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Sarasvati meet.

   Ida flows through the left nostril and Pingala through the right nostril. Ida is also called Chandra Nadi (moon) and Pingala as Surya Nadi (sun). Ida is cooling and Pingala is heating. Pingala digests the food. Ida is of pale, Sakti Rupa. It is the great nourisher of the world. Pingala is of fiery red, Rudra Rupa. Ida and Pingala indicate Kala (time) and Sushumna swallows time. The Yogi knows the time of his death; takes his Prana into Sushumna; keeps it in Brahmarandra, and defies time (Kala—death). The famous Yogi Sri Chang Dev of Maharashtra fought against death several times by taking the Prana into Sushumna. He was a contemporary of Sri Jnanadev of Alandi, near Poona. It was he who had Bhuta Siddhi, control over wild animals, through his Yogic practices. He came on the back of a tiger to see Sri Jnanadev. Svara Sadhana

    Svara Sadhana, practice of breath, is the revealer of Satya, Brahman and bestower of the Supreme Knowledge and Bliss. Perform calm acts during the flow of Ida and harsh acts during the flow of Pingala. Do acts resulting in the attainment of psychic powers, Yoga, meditation, etc., during the flow of the Sushumna. If the breath rises by Ida (moon) at sunrise and flows throughout the day, and Pingala (sun) rises at sunset and flows throughout the night it confers considerable good results. Let the breath flow through Ida the whole day and through Pingala the whole night. He who practises thus is verily a great Yogi.

How To Change The Flow In Nadis?

   The following exercises are for changing the flow from Ida to Pingala. Select any one of the methods that suits you best. For changing the flow from Pingala to Ida, just do the same exercise on the opposite side:

1. Plug the left nostril with a small piece of cotton or fine cloth for a few minutes.

2. Lie down on the left side for ten minutes.

3. Sit erect. Draw the left knee up and keep the left heel near the left buttock. Now press the left arm-pit, Axilla, on the knee. In a few seconds the flow will be through Pingala.

4. Keep the two heels together near the right buttock. The right knee will be over the left knee. Keep the left palm on the ground a foot away and let the weight of the trunk rest on the left hand. Do not bend at the elbow. Turn the head also towards the left side. This is an effective method. Catch hold of the left ankle with the right hand.

5. The flow of breath can be changed by Nauli Kriya also.

6. There are some who are able to change the flow by will.

7. Place the Yoga Danda or Hamsa Danda (a wooden stick of about 2 feet in length with a rest of the shape of U at one end) at the left arm-pit and lean on it by the left side.

8. The most effective and instantaneous result is produced in changing the flow through Khechari Mudra. The Yogi turns the tongue inside and blocks the air passage by the tip of the tongue.

The above exercise is intended for general regulation of breath. Many other special exercises for the purification of Nadis and awakening Kundalini will be given in the subsequent chapters. A knowledge more secret than the science of breath, a friend more true than the science of breath, has never been seen or heard of. Friends are brought together by the power of breath. Wealth is obtained with comfort and reputation through the power of breath. The knowledge of the past, present and the future and all other Siddhis are acquired and a man reaches the highest state, by the power of breath.

     I want you to practise every day the Svara Sadhana systematically and regularly, that is, to allow the flow of breath through the left nostril throughout the day and through the right nostril throughout the night. This will, doubtless, bestow on you wonderful benefits. Wrong Svara is the cause of a host of ailments. Observance of right Svara as described above leads to health and long life. Verily, verily, I say this unto you, my dear children! Practise this. Practise this from today. Shake off your habitual sloth, indolence and inertia. Leave off your idle talk. Do something practical. Before you begin the practice, pray to Lord Siva, who is the giver of this wonderful science by uttering Om Namah Sivaya and Sri Ganesha, the remover of all obstacles.

Other Nadis:

    Gandhari, Hastajihva, Kuhu, Sarasvati, Pusha, Sankhini, Payasvini, Varuni, Alambusha, Vishvodhara, Yasasvini, etc., are some other important Nadis. These have their origin in Kanda. All these Nadis are placed on the sides of Sushumna, Ida and Pingala, and proceed to different parts of the body to perform certain special functions. These are all subtle Nadis. Innumerable minor Nadis, almost a hundred from each one, spring from these. As the leaf of the Asvattha tree is covered with minute fibres so also, this body is permeated with thousands of Nadis.

The Mysterious Kundalini

    Manastvam Vyoma tvam Marudasi Marutsarathirasi,

   vamapastvam Bhumistvayi parinatayam nahi param|

   tvameva Svatmanam parinamayitum visvavapusha

   chidananda karam haramahishi- bhavena bibhrushe||

     “O Devi! Thou art the mind, the sky, the air, the fire, the water, and the earth. Nothing is outside Thee on Thy transformation. Thou hast become Siva’s consecrated queen to alter Thy own blissful conscious Form in the shape of the world”.

    Kundalini, the serpent power or mystic fire, is the primordial energy or Sakti that lies dormant or sleeping in the Muladhara Chakra, the centre of the body. It is called the serpentine or annular power on account of serpentine form. It is an electric fiery occult power, the great pristine force which underlies all organic and inorganic matter.

      Kundalini is the cosmic power in individual bodies. It is not a material force like electricity, magnetism, centripetal or centrifugal force. It is a spiritual potential Sakti or cosmic power. In reality it has no form. The Sthula Buddhi and mind have to follow a particular form in the beginning stage. From this gross form, one can easily, understand the subtle formless Kundalini. Prana, Ahamkara, Buddhi, Indriyas, mind, five gross elements, nerves, are all the products of Kundalini. It is the coiled-up, sleeping Divine Sakti that lies dormant in all beings. You have seen in the Muladhara Chakra that there is Svayambhu Linga. The head of the Linga is the space where Sushumna Nadi is attached to the Kanda. This mysterious force Kundalini, lies face downwards at the mouth of Sushumna Nadi on the head of Svayambhu Linga. It has three and a half coils like a serpent. When it is awakened, it makes a hissing sound like that of a serpent beaten with a stick, and proceeds to the other Chakra through the Brahma Nadi, which is also called Chitra Nadi within Sushumna. Hence Kundalini is also called Bhujangini, serpent power. The three coils represent the three Gunas of Prakriti: Sattva, Rajas and Tamas, and the half represent the Vikritis, the modification of Prakriti.

   Kundalini is the Goddess of speech and is praised by all. She herself when awakened by the Yogin, achieves for him the illumination. It is She who gives Mukti and Jnana for She is Herself that. She is also called Sarasvati, as She is the form of Sabda Brahman. She is the source of all Knowledge and Bliss. She is pure consciousness itself. She is Brahman. She is Prana Sakti, the Supreme Force, Mother of Prana, Agni, Bindu, and Nada. It is by this Sakti that the world exists. Creation, preservation and dissolution are in Her, Devi. Only by her Sakti the world is kept up. It is through Her Sakti on subtle Prana, Nada is produced. While you utter a continuous sound or chant Dirgha Pranava!

   (OM), you will distinctly feel that the real vibration starts from the Muladhara Chakra. Through the vibration of this Nada, all the parts of the body function. She maintains the individual soul through the sound Om.

Yoga and Kundalini

     Here, we are not going to the details of Yoga or the Kundalini, or explain the method of activating the potent creative power hidden in us as the ‘serpent power’ since these are already discussed in my other book*. Besides, there are many Texts in Upanishads that explain these in great detail. It suffices here to state that it is very important to control the mind and use the power of creation that is inherent in the human body and mind to universal welfare. But, more important is to find out who really is this ‘Self’? Unfortunately, people are so intelligent that they use this divine gift to selfish ends or with ulterior motives that sometimes threatens the very existence of mankind. The so-called religious leaders have either divided people or disappeared *  It is this power of the mind that we are concerned here and we have to find appropriate ways and means of utilizing this great potential energy for human welfare and progressive evolution culminating in not the super human but the ‘divine’ existence possible on earth.

   Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra is an age-old guide or handbook of spiritual Sadhana. It helps to tap the hidden resources and attain perfection. It enhances the capacity of human beings and utilize the human potential to the maximum possible limit. The techniques are simple but extremely difficult to practice in our day-to-day life. In fact, no body will pass the

test of ‘yama’ and ‘niyama’ as enunciated in Patanjali’s Ashtanga Yoga Sutra. People talk of ‘Kriya Yoga’ without bothering to understand the implications of Yoga without these two basic requirements. Once again, it is reiterated here that no body can proceed further without strictly following the Rules prescribed in ‘yama’ and ‘niyama’ of the Yoga Sutra.

      Anyway, there are some great spiritual personalities who have successfully reached the state of ‘samadhi’ let us see their achievement and imbibe at least some, if possible.

   First, we have the Great Sages of our times in Sri Ramakrishna Parama Hamsa and Ramana Maharishi followed by Sri Aurobindo and __________________________________________________________* Rao TN Achuta: “The Future of Mankind- the Bhagavad-Gita Doctrine”- World Congress of Religions after 9/11 at Mc Gill University, Montreal, Canada Sep 11-16, 2006]

the Mother of Pondicherry and the Scientist-Yogi Mahashi Mahesh

Yogi. There is an expert analyst of Mind in Sri Jiddu Krishnamurthy. All these great men are our Revered Teachers (Gurujis) who help us to know our Self. Some Yogins have succeeded in reaching Sahasraar Prajnya through the rise of the

Kundalini shakti (the serpent power coiled up at the base of the spinal cord) they try to take the full advantage of this hidden potential energy and attain to yogic powers. Some of them are really magical!

   Sri Aurobindo differs from most of the Yogins in that the yogic powers are derived directly from the Sahasrar plexus, above the head rather than disturbing the Kundalini, at first. It was the firm opinion and desire to gain supreme power of the ‘Divine Consciousness’/”Divya Prajnye” from the Sahasrar plexus on a permanent basis by cleansing the entire body, mind and soul through the channel of force of Sahasrar directly into the mooladhaara plexus along with the use of Kundalini power. This can make a person a divine (God-man/super man?) of the status Shree Rama and Shree Krishna or of the status of the Buddha,

Mahavira, Jesus Christ,or even, who are considered to be divine personalities, ‘avatara Purusha’. Not only one can become a divine personality (divya purusha), but such a person can also influence the whole world with his divine powers and save mankind from all the present maladies. War, hunger, disease and scarcity can be eradicated from the earth and the divinity of Mother Earth and her capacity to support a more divine population is possible by such a “maha purusha”

and there is a need for one right now. Anybody can become that divine personality with sheer resolute spiritual practice.

Are we ready for this approach? Let us remember that Sri Aurobindo and the Mother have already shown the way.  But, the path is arduous and it needs a firm conviction, unswerving faith and hard and rigid practice. One has to take to Hatha yoga and

succeed or get Siddhi in it. Only persons who have universal peace and happiness as the ultimate goal can reach to the end of it. Most of the spiritual seekers seek to attain to higher spiritual powers through the ______________________________________________________________________ * see MANONIYANTRAN- the Vedic Ways and Views of Mind Control by the same author, Pub: Kalpaz Pblications, Delhi, 2004

practice of Kundalini. Kundalini is the coiled up energy at the base of the spinal cord and it is sealed after the Lord entered the elemental body through a hole in the head, the Brahma randhra, at the time of birth of the child. This central vein in the spinal cord is the sushumna nadi; and there is the ‘ida’ and the ‘pingala’ on its left and right side, respectively. (See Fig.).

 However, it is warned here that it is dangerous to arouse the sleeping giant powerhouse, serpent power, that surges high voltage power to the brain and this sudden surge may damage the nerves and brain cells leading to nervous break-down, brain hemorrhage.                

        Let us remember that we are making an attempt here to experience the universal Consciousness, a very difficult but not an impossible exercise. It is the most subtle and abstract aspect of the universe, the one that we can not reach, touch,  see, or smell that we are talking about. But we can feel and exhibit it in our nature and behavior once we attain it.  

    The human body is a bundle of nerves, knots, and plexus- the nara, naadi and granthi, respectively.  The nerves have nerve centers and plexus. It is the nerves that make us the ‘nara manushya’- ‘man’. Nerves are connected by subtler and subtler feelers that are connected to Brain at the one end and, at the other end we have minute nerve-ends like the tentacles that can feel and send the message of the feeling. The Brain cells receive and send messages to different parts of the body and thus the body activities are carried out by the Karmendriyas and the Jnyanendriyas. This is our general knowledge for all practical purposes. But we do not know much about the subtle energy aspect behind these.

    In brief, we have the physical (sthoola), the mental (sookshma or subtle), and the vital (ati-sookshma/the subtler or sookshmaati sookshma/the subtlest of the subtle) parts of the human body. There are: 1. the muscle and the muscle power which is sheer physical power; 2. the mental power or “thought force” called “manas shakti” that is much stronger; and, 3. the most strong one is the vital or the “Soul-power” called “adhyatma shakti”. It should be noted here that the solid food we eat is enough to provide strength to the physical body and the muscles. A little rest or sleep is also enough to recoup the lost energy. But the mental and the vital powers are strong energy currents that cannot be easily either generated or refurbished. The he Soul is a very large multi-MW power station and its energy cannot be measured. It can destroy the whole world or generate a whole new world. The source of this energy is Consciousness.

    Energy is generated by cells from Consciousness derived from divine source called “anant prajnya”. It is easier to experience this rather than explain in words. Just sit in Lotus position (padmasana), close your eyes, withdraw the senses and still the mind; half the job is done. Now open the third inner eye, activate the ajnyaa plexus of Consciousness. One can easily experience the divine Consciousness and thereby get access to “adhyatma shakti”, the power of the Self. One can become a divine being and sway the world by his divine thoughts. But no body can conquer the world or influence the people all over the world by terrorism or force, muscle or metal power. Brain wash or mental power too is useless before this supreme divine power. Yoga explains the technique of harnessing this power.

     Sri Aurobindo’s experiments with Consciousness are very interesting. There are: 1. the Physical and the Subconscient; 2. the Vital; 3. the Mental; and 4. the Superconscient Centers according to our ancient Tantric system. We have to pierce through the impregnable plexus, granthi or centers of Consciousness through meditation. There are the Rudra Granthi, the Vishnu Granthi and the Bhrahma Granthi that are to be pierced through before of reaches the Sahasraar plexus or center of Super Consciousness One can start from Mooladhara below or the Sahasraar above; but very few start from above. Whoever starts from below will have to be aware that they are disturbing the mire, dirt accumulated there and bring all dirt upwards.

     The First Center is located at the base or the Mooladhara plexus.

     The second one, the Vital, is located at three levels; starting from the lower one- at the Svadhishtaana, the Manipooraka, and the Anahata plexus.

    The Third one is the Mind or Mental Zone-located at the Vishuddha and the Ajnyaa plexus. The last one is the Sahasraar is located at a few inches (6”to be somewhat clear) above the head (but not exactly inside or on the head). The centers of Consciousness are the vibratory nodules each specialized in a particular type of vibration. Much depends on the degree of our silence and keenness of perceptions.

   The Granthi are very strong doors; they are almost impregnable and only extremely strong energy currents can break through and pass to higher levels. This is possible by particular Yogasanas and Pranayama (Breath Control) techniques as explained in the Yoga Upanishads [See VEDANTA, as also, MANONIYANTRAN Kalpaz Publications, Delhi, 2004. by the same author].

   The four zones mentioned above are called the Superconscient (governing the thinking mind); the Mental with two centers: between the eyebrows (Ajnya) that govern the will power and dynamism of all our thoughts and activity. It also includes the Third inner eye (antah chakshu)- the center of subtle vision; the Vital having three centers- one, around the heart ruling our emotions, two, around the navel (Manipura) governing all our negative feelings, impulses for domination, generating possessive instincts, and jealous, anger and hatred in the course of acquisition; and the third one, around the stomach (Svaadhishtaana) generating envy greed anger; and the Fourth one is the Physical or the Subconscient around the region of genitals (the Mooladhara) generating sexual impulses, raging harmones, that drives one mad till the sexual desire and thirst are satiated (but that is never satiable). This Subconscient region or zone below that cannot be easily understood by us but has great implications. All these plexus or centers of Consciousness are dormant and unless one activates them there is no harm or benefit from them. However, milder currents always exist and drive man into his shallow mean sub-human activities making him more a greedy hungry animal rather than an evolved human being.

     First, Sri Aurobindo recognizes these four levels of Consciousness. He goes through these centers or plexus one by one from above- starting from the Sahasraar level at the top instead of beginning at the base, Mooladhara plexus and tries to bring the current down to the base at Mooladhaara plexus to burn all the negative qualities and cleans the whole system full of animal propensities and enrich thereby divine qualities in man. He feels that by starting at the base, we are disturbing the dirt and mire accumulated there and distributing the same at higher levels, too. Our mind will not get focused.

     'Super consciousness' is the higher level, or the supra mental state and is the most important one in human life. Scarcely, we ever, reach this highest level of Super Consciousness in our life. It is difficult to rise to higher level of Consciousness without proper training and exercise. This higher level of Super Consciousness is the source of divine intuition, ‘Grace of the Lord’ and Supreme Bliss. To attain this State of Super Consciousness is the “goal of life’. Super Consciousness can be attained by pure mind and pure heart. It is this that makes a Man more Human and then, Divine. According to Patanjali Ashtanga Yoga Sutra, the state of Super consciousness is reached in 'Samadhi'. 'Samadhi' is attained in deep meditation when 'Dhyan' (worship), the 'Dhyata' (the worshipper), and the Subject of worship- 'Dhyeya' become 'One' (Yoga) in a state of Transcendental, i.e., the 'Turiyaateeta' ('Nirvikalpa Samadhi'). This state is also a state of 'Supreme Bliss' called "sat-chit-anand" for it is total 'enlightenment'; and, a person who attains this state of Super consciousness becomes a liberated soul, relieved of all blemishes- the desires of the soul, and he attains immortality. It is also true that none can stay in this state of supreme 'Bliss' forever. It is only a for a few seconds, or at the most minutes, that one can attain this state of Super Consciousness and will soon come back to deep meditation again But, this is enough to make a person a ‘Yogi'–or a self realized Soul.

     There are the Rishis who have made progress and reached certain stages. Sage Narada is Devarshi. Sage Bhrughu Muni is Maharshi, Sage Vishva Mitra is a Rishi who later attained the stages of Maharishi and Brahmarshi, Sage Vasishta is a Rajarshi. It all depends on their Siddhi, attainment. Nobody is anything at birth unless he is of the stature of Shuka Muni, a Jataveda (all-knower at birth). The attainment of yogic powers lies in their power of dharana and the effect of realization of the Supreme Consciousness.

    This Consciousness is a Force. Not only consciousness is a force, it is ‘conscious being, conscious joy, Ananada. It is Consciousness-Joy or Chit-Ananda (Chidananda). This again is vibration. That is absorbed in thousand ways in mental, vital or physical entities. The entire being is filled with a mass of living force; and we call it jeeva. The Rk Veda states that it is “like a well-shaped pillar” [V. 45. 2].  It is a solid joy- a vast and peaceful substance, anant, achyuta, sarvantaryami, omnipresent and omnipotent, causeless, beginningless, endless and the secret foundation of all substances and secret need to grow. In fact, no body wants to die or leave the earth because this joy is there. This joy is permanent and needs no support for its existence. It is ‘ekam’, the only ONE that exists and everything depends on it and it does not depend on anything. It is there in a smile; it is nothing as also everything. It is joy, Spirit, sat-chit-ananada; it is the ‘existence-conscience-joy triad’ it is sheer delight. Taittiriya Upanishat says:  “From Delight, ‘Ananda’ all beings are born and exist and grow and to Ananda, Delight they all return”.

   Consciousness that binds everything in a subtle way can be separated; since it is engaged in bodies subtle, vital, mental or physical it can also be disengaged. This is the secret of emancipation, Realization or Enlightenment. No boy is a  master of his vital, mental or physical or even the atomic force. The Force is its own master. When we at the Conscious stage we are disengaged and we are the masters. At this stage of mastery, disengaged state of Consciousness we can use this Force as we like. We can send it on errands, get things done. This is what God does. This is what we call “Shree Hari chitta”

   Sri Aurobindo says, “If one becomes aware of the inner Consciousness, one can do all sorts of things with it, send it out as a stream of force, erect a wall or circle of consciousness around oneself, direct an idea so that it shall enter somebody’s head in far off America, etc” He continues, “The Invisible Force producing tangible results both inward and outward is the whole meaning of yogic consciousness….. Feling it concretely and consequently being able to direct it, manipulate it, watch its movements, be conscious of its mass and intensity and in the same way as of other opposing forces” Consciousness can act on matter and transform it. This ultimate conversion of Matter into Consciousness and Consciousness into Matter, some day, is the aim of supramental yoga.”

       There are different stages involved in this highest spiritual attainment. There are many degrees of development of Consciousness-force.

Early doctrines regarding the chakras and Nadi

    The idea of the subtle vital force (prana) and the channels along which it flows (nadis) appear in the earliest Upanishads (7th-8th century b.c.e.).  The heart was said to be the centre of the 72,000 nadis or subtle channels, and the place into which the senses are withdrawn during sleep.  As with many ancient civilisations (e.g. Egypt, Homeric Greece), the heart was also considered the seat of waking consciousness. But it was only in the later Upanishads - the earlier of which were composed somewhere between the 2nd century b.c.e. and the 2nd century c.e. - reference is first made to basic Tantric concepts such as chakras, mantras, and so on.

The Brahma-Upanishad mentions the four "places" occupied by the purusha (soul): the navel, heart, throat, and head.  Following common tradition, each place is characterised by a particular state of consciousness: the navel (or the eye) waking consciousness, the heart dreamless sleep, the throat dreaming, and the head the "fourth" or transcendent state (turyateeta).  These four states, originally referred to in the Mandukya Upanishad, are identified with the gods Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra (a derivative of Shiva) and Akshara (the indestructable). [Mircea Eliade, Yoga, Immortality, and Freedom, p.128]

The Yogatattva Upanishad speaks of the "five parts" of the body corresponding to the five great or cosmic elements - earth, water, fire, air, and space.  Each element corresponds to a particular mantra - a "seed-vibration" or mystical syllable - and a particular deity.  Emphasise is also given to siddhis (supernormal powers) that can be attained through mastery of yoga and of the different elements. [Eliade, Ibid, pp.130-1]

The Nadis

       Together with the chakras, the nadis - variously translated as "conduits", "nerves", "veins", "vessels" or "arteries" - constitute the composition of the subtle or yogic body in Tantra. Like the Chinese meridians, the nadis constitute channels of flow of subtle vital force (prana)

      The idea of nadis first appears in the earliest Upanishads (7th-8th century b.c.e.).  The heart for example was said to be the centre of the 72,000 nadis. The concept was developed in the later Upanishads - from 2nd century b.c.e. to the 2nd century c.e. and later - and the nascent Yoga and Tantric schools.  The Kshurika-Upanishad and later the Hathayogapradikpa mention the 72,000 nadis, especially the Ida, Pingala, and Sushumna channels. [Arthur Avalon, The Serpent Power, p.261 also see Sir John Woodrof’s Serpent Power]. Other figures have been proposed - 80,000 (Trisikhibramanopanishad), 200,000, or 300,000 (e.g. Siva Samhita, Goraksha Sataka, Goraksha Paddhati shown in Fig. P.83)

What is Kundalini?The name is Sanskrit in origin and is the name by which the process is currently known in the west as well as in India. The name is feminine and refers to a coil, so kundalini is sometimes likened to a coiled serpent and the process is sometimes called serpent power. Put simply, it is a release of energy that can result in spiritual transformation so that the recipient is more perceptive, and more in touch both with nature and with the divine. In this respect it ranks with (or more likely, out-ranks) other processes that have been recognized as having transformative effects, including near death experiences, revelations, channelled messages, encounters with extra-terrestrials, powerful dreams and other "religious experiences". Kundalini is generally reckoned to  a feminine force. As a release of energy in human bodies, it can be expected that the effects of kundalini can vary in intensity and in symptoms, from person to person. To judge from contemporary literature, this is indeed the case. Moreover the release often occurs spontaneously: not only when deliberately When and where does Kundalini start? Spontaneous Kundalini arousal whether full or partial is often associated with a history of meditation, yoga or prayer. Typically, the energy release begins in the lower part of the body and moves upwards. It often starts in the feet, but many say that it starts with the lower chakra, the mooladhara, that is located near the perineum. It does not necessarily originate in the lower parts of the body, however, and can start at the crown or heart chakra, for instance. The order and progression of the energy through the chakras varies with each initiated.individual. This internal transfer of energy, which can be extremely powerful, is accompanied by many different feelings, usually new to the recipient and is therefore bewildering or even frightening. Spontaneous arousal can occur at any age. The symbolism regarding the Ida, Pingala, and Sushumna nadis is especially richly developed in tantric texts. The Ida on the left is generally associated with the moon, white in colour, and with the prana or rising vital breath, semen and Shiva (male) ; the Pingala on the right with the sun, the colour red, blood or ovum and Shakti (female).

The Ida is also sometimes associated with the prana or rising vital breath, and the Pingala with the apana or descending breath. Clearly, the correspondences vary according to the school and the text. In the Laya Yoga tradition of the Sat-Cakra-Nirupana, the Padaka-Pancaka, and the commentary by Sir John Woodroffe (Arthur Avalon) (The Serpent Power), the Ida or lunar channel on the left is associated with Shakti-rupa or the female principle; the Pingala or solar channel on the right with the masculine principle (according to the Sammohana-tantra the purusha). The central channel or Sushumna is associated with fire and the union of the two.  Although it is generally agreed that the Ida terminates at the left nostril and the Pingala at the right nostril (so much so that the practitioner is advised to breathe alternately through each nostril to purify his or her nadis), there are two interpretations regarding the remaining position of these two primary nadis in the body.Perhaps the standard traditional interpretation is that they are strung like a double bow, the Ida wholly on the left, the Pingala completely on the right, and the Sushumna supporting the chakras in the center. A rival interpretation, and one that has become very popular in the West, is that the Ida and the Pingala alternate, crossing over the the Sushumna at various points, thus giving rise to the image of the Caudicus. (see the background grafic on these pages, and also the following image, showing the nadis and the chakras equated with the five elements).  In addition to the various primary and minor nadis, the Shakta Tantra and Kundalini/Laya Yoga traditions emphasis was placed on the central nadis which represented concentric (hence increasingly subtle) channels located vertically along or in front of the spine or backbone, and along which are strung the seven chakras. These four nadis are: Sushumna-nadi starts from the Kanda-mula, lying just below the Muladhara chakra, and goes upward centrally within the vertebral column. Vajra-nadi starts from the starting point of Sushumna and goes upward, lying within Sushumna.Chitrini-nadi starts at the starting point of the Vajra nadi and goes upward, lying within the Vajra nadi.

Padmas or Chakras:

    Chakras are in the Linga Sarira (astral body). Linga Sarira is of 17 Tattvas, viz., 5 Jnanendriyas (ears, skin, eyes, tongue and nose); 5 Karmendriyas (speech, hands, legs, genitals, anus); 5 Pranas (Prana, Apana, Vyana, Udana, Samana); Manas (mind); and Buddhi (intellect). These have corresponding centres in the spinal cord and the nerve-plexuses in the gross body. Each Chakra has control and function over a particular centre in gross body. These cannot be seen by the naked eyes. Some foolish doctors search for the Chakras in the physical body. They cannot find them there. Since they cannot find any Chakra in a dead body, they lose faith in Shastras and Yogic Kriyas.

     Sukshma Prana moves in the nervous system of the Linga Sarira (astral body). Sthula Prana moves in the nervous system of the gross physical body. The two courses are intimately connected. They act and react upon each other. The Chakras are in the astral body even after the disintegration of the physical organism to death. According to a school of thought, the Chakras are formed during concentration and meditation only. This is not possible. The Chakras should exist there in a subtle state, as the gross matter is the result of the subtle matter. Without the subtle body, the gross body is impossible. The meaning of this sentence should be taken to be that one can feel and understand the Sukshma Chakras during concentration and meditation only.

     Wherever there is an interlacing of several nerves, arteries and veins, that centre is called Plexuses. The physical gross plexuses that are known to the Vaidya Shastra are Hepatic, Cervical, Brachial, Coccygeal, Lumbar, Sacral, Cardiac, Epigastric, Esophageal, Pharyngeal, Plumonary, Lingual, Prostatic, etc. Similarly there are plexuses or centres of Sukshma Prana in the Sushumna Nadi. All the functions of the body, nervous, digestive, circulatory, respiratory, genito-urinary and all other systems of the body are under the control of these centres in Sushumna. These are subtle centres of vital energy. These are the centres of consciousness (Chaitanya). These subtle centres of Sushumna have their corresponding centres in the physical body. For example, Anahata Chakra which is in the Sushumna Nadi has its corresponding centre in the physical body at the heart (Cardiac Plexus).

    The subtle centres in the Sushumna Nadi are otherwise known as Lotuses or Chakras. A particular Tattva preponderates at every Chakra. There is a presiding deity in each Chakra. In every Chakra a certain animal is represented. It denotes that the centre has the qualities, Tattvas or Gunas of that particular animal. There are six important Chakras: Muladhara, Svadhisthana, Manipura, Anahata, Vishuddha, and Ajna. Sahasrara is the chief Chakra. It is in the head. These 7 Chakras correspond to the Lokas (Bhuh, Bhuvah, Svah, Maha, Jana, Tapa, and Satya Lokas). Muladhara to Vishuddha are the centres of Pancha Bhutas (five elements): earth, water, fire, air and ether.

     When Kundalini is awakened it passes on from Muladhara to Sahasrara through all the Chakras. At every centre to which the Yogi directs the Kundalini, he experiences a special form of Ananda (Bliss) and gains special Siddhis (psychic powers) and knowledge. He enjoys the Supreme Bliss when Kundalini is taken to Sahasrara Chakra.

      The following are some other Chakras: Adhara (another name of Muladhara Chakra), Amrita, Ananda, Lalita, Balvana, Brahmadvara, Chandra, Dipaka, Karnamula, Gulhaha, Kuladipa, Kundali, Galabaddha, Kaladaada, Kaladhvara, Karangaka, Kalabhedan, Lalana, Mahotsaha, Manas, Talana, Mahapadma, Niradhara, Naukula, Prana, Soma, Triveni, Urdhvarandhra, Vajra, etc. Some of these names refer to the six important Chakras only. There are also many minor Chakras. Some Hathayogis say, that there are 21 minor Chakras besides 13 major Chakras and some other Hathayogis hold that there are forty-nine Chakras while the ancient Yogis taught that there are 144 Chakras. Talana Chakra with its twelve red petals is located near the base of the palate and Manas Chakra with its six petals closely associated with sensations, dreams and astral travelling. Detailed instructions of each Chakra are given in the foregoing chapters.

The Seven Spiritual Light Centers  [The Chakras]

Seven Chakras: It is said, “As the Christ becomes the light of the world of each chakra, so the energies of God and man meet in that chakra. And in this alchemical union—the balance of the triangles of Alpha and Omega and the converging of the energies of God and man—there is precipitated the law of perfection as the flame of living truth.”

     It is the goal within our four lower bodies, within our being, to have the fusion of the energies of the Father-Mother God because that fusion is the birth of the Christ consciousness in each chakra. It begins in the heart and proceeds through the chakras in succession above and below the heart.

    A chakra is a vortex of light—light flowing out and light flowing in. In the release of the action of Alpha, or Spirit, energy flows out, whereas the action of the Mother draws light into the chakras.

     The energy of the Mother comes from the base of the spine. The energy flowing in and out turns the wheels of the chakras and creates a basket-weave effect. Ultimately, with perfected chakras as vortices of light, man should be able to live on prana—that is where the atmosphere is not polluted.

    Drawing in ‘prana vayu’ is a means of sustaining life. Not many upon the planet have the attainment to do this and the Masters do not advocate that you pursue it in the present level of development on earth today. But that is how the Masters take in light as well as adepts and avatars of the Great White Brotherhood. They live on the energy of the Holy Spirit.

   In the immaculate vision for each chakra, you will see the highest depiction of what each chakra should be in its purified form in the ethereal body. Various New Age schools of thought as well as other teachings in the past century have described their colors for the chakras. The Ascended Masters have taught that the colors released from them are the purest colors as they should appear in the purified ethereal body, the highest vibrating of the four lower bodies and the natural envelope of the soul. The discrepancy in differing schools of thoughts could be attributed to the clairvoyants seeing the unpurified state of the human consciousness.

  On each individual chakra page (chakra links on left side panel) there is a visualization and mantra to expand the light of the Mother within each chakra. Each chakra page will have a meditation so that you may do your healing with your God Self I AM. As the- ‘I AM’ stands with you to lead the meditationhe will contact the chakra in you and will release the energies needed to balance and restore harmony in each chakra. As you meditate, he may release the energy to the chakra for the greatest amount of Light you may hold in your chakras. These chakras, which are spiritual centers of Light, step down energies or rays of God, as rings of fire around your Sun of Being I AM. Man is also given four lower bodies, ethereal, mental, emotional, and physical, to out picture in the world of form God as Mother through the Son, or Christ.

     There are seven major chakras that align with the spinal column and five minor chakras on the hands, feet and over the spleen area. There are a total of a hundred and forty-four chakras, with the remaining chakras lesser points for the release of light, associated with the points of contact healing or acupuncture. These lesser points can be contacted for a greater flow of energy in the body Each of your seven chakras is the focus of one of the seven rays that represents a plane of heaven corresponding to the sphere of your Causal Body of the same color and ray. Each energy center is to be a spinning light center, integrating the four lower bodies with the three upper bodies, the Holy Christ Self, I AM Presence and Causal bodies

    In order to master the flow of God’s energy through the seven chakras, the mastery of the four elements—of fire, air, water, and earth—as planes of God’s consciousness, ought to be considered. By gaining the mastery of the four elements, one may then gain the mastery of the flow of energy through the four lower bodies as these bodies serve as coordinates for the establishment of the aura of God around the soul. The mark of the attained one is the mark of attainment whereby the energies of the chakras below the heart are uplifted and integrated with the energies of the chakras above the heart. Those above the heart carry the masculine polarity of being, and those below the heart carry the feminine polarity. Depending on whether we are man or woman, we qualify these chakras differently. By the time we get the blending of the figure-eight pattern of Spirit and

    Matter right within our own body consciousness, we find that often the man comes out very active in life by earning the living and being the Father principle and we find that the woman becomes passive. But what it really comes down to is that if we are in the flow of the cosmic stream of energy, each time there is a flow of energy, like the rising of the caduceus or the flow of energy from the Great Central Sun, there is an exchange from active to passive and we have actually changed identity. The four elements, so-called, are merely word matrices used to define the planes of God’s Self-awareness that the individual is capable of realizing through the four lower bodies.

The ethereal body is the vehicle for the fire element and for man’s realization of God’s awareness of himself as the sacred fire through balancing and expanding the energies through the heart chakra. The mental body is the vehicle for the air element and God’s awareness of himself in the plane of the mind in and as the Logos. The mastery in the mental body is through the third eye and the seat-of-the-soul chakra. The frequency of this element is comparable to the wind that “blows where it listens” and to thinking and 'be'(-ness) whereby the soul affirms “I am,” as the expression of self-identity, drawing the conclusion “therefore I think”—or “I think, therefore I am.” 

The emotional body (sometimes called the desire body) is the mastery of the emotions—of God’s awareness of himself as energy in motion—through the water element. One has the opportunity to expand and balance the energies of life and their flow in the emotional body through the throat chakra and the solar plexus.

The physical body is the vehicle for mastery in the physical plane in the realm of time and space in Mater. One must gain the mastery of the flow of physical energies in the base-of-the-spine and the crown chakras. Mankind must raise the energies of consciousness through his threefold flame, locked in the secret chamber of the heart.

     The purified colors match the seven Rays of the Seven Elohim are: Base-of-the-Spine Chakra – White; Seat-of-the-Soul – Violet; Solar Plexus - Purple with flecks of gold; Heart Chakra - Pink;   Secret Chamber of the Heart – Peach; Throat Chakra – Blue;  Third Eye Chakra – Green; Crown Chakra – Yellow. See Diagrams on pages 30-31).

I am indebted to Great Saint Sri Aurobindo for giving me insight into this aspect that is presented in the above.