Saturday, May 16, 2015

KUNDALINEE POWER--POWERFUL ENIGMATIC FORCE IN THE HUMAN BODY

Kundalinee  Power--Powerful Enigmatic Force in  the Human Body

(Compilation for a discourse by N.R. Srinivasan, Nashville, TN, USA, May 2015)


Bhagavdgeetaa in Chapter six, Slokas 10-15 explains to spiritual seekers step by step procedure to go into deep meditation. Essentially this prepares one for Raja Yoga.  Raja Yoga says spiritual power in man usually lies in a dormant state.  Like a coiled-up snake in a state of hibernation, this power usually remains asleep near the lower extremity of a person’s backbone. The upward coiled snakes represent the logo of the American Medical Association (AMA) in which almost all the physicians are the members.   Chakra worship and   Kundalinee power are part of Tantra form of worship in Hinduism. Most Tantra literature is still kept secret and the real meaning of much that is known is still enigma. Unhappily the Tantras also deal with black magic and sexy-yogic Tantrism between male and female devotees. Tantric devotees also follow the five “Ms”.  They are Madhya (wine), Mamas (meat), Matsya (Fish), Mudra (parched rice) and Maithuna (sexual intercourse). All these erotic rituals are against the basic Hinduism. But Tantrism exists today because of the tolerant philosophy of Hinduism. In any other religion thinking process of like Tantrism would have been suppressed by violent force. Evidence shows that Tantrism existed   during Vedic age. Its influence is seen in Sankara’s Soundarya Lahari. Mantras are the gift of the Tantras to Hinduism and other religions. Yantras, the geometrical figures and sketches associated with Mantras are also equally important gifts of Tantrism to Humanity. We can see the great influence of Tantrism in Yoga practices and contributions to Rajayoga described in Bhagavad Gita.

The principal of Siva, as the first evolute is differentiated from the ultimate principle of pure and transcendental consciousness. The principle of Sakti on the other hand evolving directly from the principle of Siva is the cosmic energy. The principle of Siva and Sakti occur in perfect harmony in the ultimate state of cosmic dissolution (Samhaara or Pralaya or simply Laya). During creation (Srishthi) these two principles tend to become maximized.  During preservation (Stithi) the dichotomy is steadily maintained. The twin functions of this polarity are Illumination (prakaasa) and Deliberation (Vimarsa).

Principally Deliberation signifies dichotomization in the act of self-awareness (ahamtaa), and object-awareness (idamtaa). Deliberation is taken to represent the central channel in the human constitution known as Sushumnaa. The concept of channel (nadee) in the gross and subtle body is not only visualized in Tantra and Yoga but also in the Vedic thought. We have already seen how Upanishads mention about 101 channels that originate in and ramify form, the very core of human existence, namely the spiritual heart (hridaya) as the seat of the soul. They are extremely subtle as thin as single hair being a split a thousand-fold. Each of these naadee carries and conveys the Vital Force or Praana. All of them together not only sustain life, but are also responsible for all psychological, mental and spiritual functions. One of them that incline upward is most important. It enables one to accomplish the highest objective of human existence (amritatva).  Nadees are generally translated as astral tubes.

The central ascending channel Sushumnaa occurs inside the most minute channel called Chitrini representing the lunar energy in the body enclosed in another channel known as Vajrini, representing the solar energy in the body which runs inside and along the back bone and is called Meru-Danda. It represents the principle of Agni (fire element) and constitute three gunas—Sattva, Rajas and Tamas. This originates in the basal center, Moolaadhaara also called Kandayoni or Adhara Kunda representing earth element in the body. It reaches up to the subtle opening on top of the head known as Brahmarandhra which represents the seat of pure elements—Svaadhishhaana (water), Manipoora (fire), Anaahata (Air), Visuddha (Ether) and Ajnya (mind). Thus the Sushumnaa is the most fundamental, chord in human existence, comprehending three Gunas (Sattva, Rajas  and  Tamas), three regions of Sun, Moon and Fire, and five elements (earth, water, air, fire and ether) and also  provides  the  possibility of pushing on to the highest goal. It symbolizes Prakriti (primordial nature) as particularized in human body of microcosm. 

To the left side of   Sushumnaa is located Idaa Channel, originating from the same source as Sushumnaa but ends in left nostril. To Sushumnaa’s right and also outside Meru-danda is located another channel known as Pingalaa originating as Ida but ends in right nostril. While Sushumnaa represents the Fire Principle; Idaa which is masculine and white in color represents Lunar Principle and Pingalaa which is feminine and red in color is the Solar Principle.  


The three channels are united at their origin in the base center and are called Yukta—Triveni or three streams combined. They are presumed to be organismic microcosmic representatives of   the River Ganga (idaa), the River Yamunaa (Pingalaa) and the invisible River Saraswathi (Susshumnaa) celebrated in Prayaag as Triveni Sangamam in its Macrocosmic representation.

Prasnopanishad gives a Vedantic picture of Panchapraanas.  The five praanaas are: Praana (secondary) Apaana, Vyaana, Udaana and Samaana. Their respective functions are: Breathing and activating the eyes and the ears (praana); excretion (Apaana); general diffusing of the air inside the body (Vyaana); taking the Jeevaatman out of the body at the time of death (Udaana); equitable distribution of the essence of food all over the body (Samaana). Please also go through my detailed description of these five vital forces from the Ayurvedic point of view and also my discourse on Life’s Vital Forces.

Praana (primary) is born or manifested from the Aaatma (Paramaatma or Supreme Being). Praana comes into the body effortlessly like a shadow following an individual, when the Jeevaatman (the individual Self) enters it.  Praana appoints five functional Praanaas (its own   different functional aspects or parts) just like a king appoints his ministers and apportions their portfolios. Praana comes and gets itself housed as an active center within our own body. It has come to express itself in the body owing to willing or wishing or desiring, which are all activities of the mind.  

Prasnopanishad says this Praana   resides in the Spiritual heart. Here the heart should not be confused with the physical organ thudding in our bosom on the left side of the chest. Pure Consciousness reflected in the mind is the ego-center and that ego-center is in this heart. Upanishad further states that from this heart 101 nerves or Naadees branch off which I have often referred  earlier in my discourses. These nerves are not to be confused with the nerves of doctor’s Physiology conception. These are subtler than the finest capillaries in the circulatory systems in the body and they are therefore often designated as Astral Tubes.  From the mind 101 different astral tubes emerge out and each one of these primary nerves (Mukhya) divides into 100 subdivisions as Saakha Naadees forming themselves ten thousand and one hundred (10100) secondary Naadees. Now each one of these secondary Naadees again multiplies into seventy-two thousand branches, thus together forming a system of seventy-two crores, seventy two lakhs, ten thousand two hundred and one in all (72,72,10,201)

The idea of any factor, which itself is as subtle as thought, divided so minutely as to form over seventy-two crores, is a conception which has not yet been equaled even in these days of electron microscope. Today, magnifying a thing one or one and a half lakhs of times is considered to be a stupendous achievement of the brave new world.

In this network of astral tubes we are told the Vyaana Sakti moves like a permanent cyclone round the structure of an individual. Among many other functions of the Vyaana is to keep the circulation of blood always going in the minutest capillary where red and the white corpuscles will have to be on the move all the time.

Yoga as promoted by Vedanta talks about three types of space. The space in which we and the stars and planets are posited is called Mahaakaasa. Our dream world or the objects of our imagination exist in Chittaakaasa or in mental plane. All genuine spiritual experiences take place in Chidaakaasa or “Knowledge space”. A person gets access to Chidaakaasa only when his Kundalinee power has awakened and entered into the Sushumnaa channel. When the Kundalinee power reaches the    Sahasraara through the Sushumna channel the spiritual aspirant becomes spiritually illumined. He then reaches the goal of Yoga.

The human constitution being composed of several channels of Vital forces called naadee chakras. Here Chakra means vortex or plexus of forces, physical as well as psychic. They connect the subtle body with the physical body. Yoga manual mentions about 30 of them. Of these channels shat chakra (six channels) as already mentioned are important and are known by their collective name Brahma Chakras. These are:

1)      Moolaadhara or the foundational Chakra in the form of triangular space in the midmost portion of the body representing the earth element.  It is the source for physical desires.

2)      Svaadhishthaana—it is situated below the navel and in the region around the root of the penis (medhra). It represents water element.

3)      Manipoora—it is situated in the navel region. It represents fire element. Buddhists call them as Nirmaana Chakra.

4)      Anaahata—it is situated in the region of the heart. It represents the element of Air. It is called Dharma Chakra by Buddhists.

5)      Visuddha—it is situated behind the throat. It is called Sambhoga Chakra by Buddhists.

6)      Ajnya –this is situated between the eye-brows. It represents the Sun and the Moon. It is called Parama-kula in Tantra. (You may recall here Siva’s one eye is moon and cool and the other eye is Sun and is hot.)

Sushumna, the central channel springs up at the foundational center Moolaadhara, runs along the backbone called Merudanda, and finally reaches the aperture leading to the thousand petal lotus.  All the above chakras are located along its course. These Chakras are so many open spaces within the organismic structure, for the descent of pure Consciousness into the system through the Brahmarandra (the fissure on the crown of the head), and for the ascent of the Kundalinee through the Brahmarandra, the gateway at the base of the Sushumnaa where the Chitrini channel opens up. The ascent of the Kundalinee which is the purpose of many yogic and tantric practices involves breaking through Granthis (knots) named after three principal divinities.--Brahma at the base Moolaadhara, Vishnu at the heart Anaahata, and Rudra between the eye brows. Then, the Kundalinee power passes out of Brahmarandra to reach the thousand petal lotus.

In microcosmic body,   Aakaasa or   the principle of open space   represent pure consciousness. Principle of energy (Kundalinee Power) represents Energy. Pure Consciousness is the male Principle or Siva.  Energy is the female principle or Sakti.   As all other entities in the Universe human body is manifestation of Siva Principle and the process involving Icchaa (intention), Jnana (cognition) and Kriya (behaviours) are manifestation of the Sakti Principle.

Pranayama for awakening Kundalinee

In Yoga Practice the following technique is prescribed to awaken the Kundalini Power which remains in a dormant coiled state: When you practice Pranayama, concentrate on the Muladhara Chakra at the base of the spinal column, which is triangular in form and which is the seat of the Kundalinee Sakti. Close the right nostril with your right thumb. Inhale through the left nostril till you count 3 OMs slowly. Imagine that you are drawing the Praana with the atmospheric air. Then close the left nostril with your little and ring fingers of the right hand. Then retain the breath for 12 OMs. Send the current down the spinal column straight into the triangular lotus, the Muladhara Chakra. Imagine that the nerve-current is striking against the lotus and awakening the Kundalinee. Then slowly exhale through the right nostril counting 6 OMs. Repeat the process from the right nostril as stated above, using the same units, and having the same imagination and feeling. This Pranayama will awaken the Kundalinee quickly. Do it 3 times in the morning and 3 times in the evening. Increase the number. Various Mantras and their benefits are described in the book “japa Yoga” and time gradually and cautiously according to your strength and capacity. In this Pranayama, concentration on the Moolaadhaara Chakra is the important thing. Kundalinee will be awakened quickly if the degree of concentration is intense and if the pranayama is practiced regularly. 

Our body consists of five elements—Earth, Water, Fire Air and Space. Each of these elements has a predominant part to play in a specific part of the body. The Vital force or Wind that springs forth from the Moolaadhara center is the foundation for both of the individual and of the universe organism. Our manner of breathing is influenced by the five elements of the body. In turn the five elements are influenced by the way we breathe. Normally an individual breathes 360 times in a unit of time called Naadikaa (around 24 minutes). The duration of the day consists of 60 such naadikas.  Therefore in a day an individual breathes 360x24=21600 times. The collection of all breaths within the body is deified as mother-goddess. This is called Naadeechakra. This is the distribution of the wind within the body. The distribution of the breaths within the seven body centers are as follows:

1)      Moolaadhaara                               600 breaths                             40 minutes
2)      Svaadhishthaana                           600 breaths                             6 hours, 40 minutes
3)      Manipoora                                     600 breaths                             6 hours, 40 minutes
4)      Anaahata                                       600 breaths                             6 hours, 40 minutes
5)      Visuddha                                       1000 breaths                           1hr., 6 min., 40 sec.
6)      Ajnyaa                                           1000 breaths                           1hr., 6min., 40 sec.
7)      Sahsraara                                      1000 breaths                           1hr., 6 min., 40 sec.

(Total 21600 breaths in 24 hours)

The navel is the central point where building and body-breaking processes take place.  The two channels idaa and Pingla meet at the Moolaadhara close to the Kundaliniee, which is the source of the bodily energy, Vaayu, the life force Bindu and the expressive tendency Naada in the Tantric concept. The channel having Ida to the left and Pingala to the right is called Sushumnaa corresponding to the principle of fire.  This is the ladder through which Kundalini ascends to thousand petal lotus on to Sahasraara, the thousand petals on the crown of the head. In Tantra concept Mother Goddess is having her abode where the Kunadalini is imagined as a serpent with three coils and a half, asleep at the mouth of the Sushumnaa. Around this central channel is the network of 72000 astral tubes (Naadees) described earlier. Of them ten are most important because they carry the vital currents and thus sustain the Jeeva (soul-hood)—the efficient organization of the bodily functions, mental modalities and the sensory functions.

These are the Panchapraanas on which I have spoken a lot in the past in many discourses including in my discourse on Ayurveda and an exclusive discourse on the subject.  In the second Pentad are included minor vital currents: 1) Naaga—causes belching; 2) Koorma— causes movement  of eye lids; 3) Krikara—responsible for fatigue and Yawning; 4) Devadatta—causes fatigue and yawning and 5) Dhananjaya—causes various sounds in the bodily functions and which does not leave the body even at death.

The life principle that operates in the individual is in essence the life principle that is responsible for all phenomenal existence. Health as a mode of existence reflects the consonance of individual life-force (Praana) with the cosmic life-principle Energy (Sakti) and hence harmony and happiness. Ill health is the expression of dissonance and therefore stress. Health is an aid in the realization of the individual’s oneness with or belongingness to the universe. Hence Sanskrit word for Health is “Swaastya” which means,    “Abiding in one’s own true condition”.
Yoga Practice as described in Bhagavad Gita and Kaivalyopanishad calls for vertical and horizontal alignment of the body with Padmaasana, which is the traditional posture of meditation as descried by sages and Yoga practitioners since Vedic times. This posture helps the general well-being of the individual and creates balance. It awakens the primal force so that it can move upward and give relaxation. According to Pataanjali Yoga Saastra, it is at the base of the spine from where the 72000 naadees described above arise and connect the entire body with the primal source of energy. With the proper alignment of neck, head, and the lower back, the Sushumna Naadee is awakened. The proper alignment of spine prepares the individual for awakening of the Kundalinee. Sanskrit word Kundala means coiled state which we have dealt at length.

While meditating at Moolaadhara the root center of earth one feels charged with primal energy and also the elemental qualities of earth—firmness and steadiness and patience. On this chakra (disc) at this point there is a triangle emanating white and golden light. The energy at this point is visualized as the deep red lotus with four petals. Brahma, the Creator of the Universe,   presides over this psychic station. Daakini who controls the skin in the body is the deity. A golden color serpent with three and   a half coils encircles, the Sivalingam with all its tail tucked in the mouth. In meditation with the proper alignment of the spinal cord, the primal energy is aroused from the base and is directed to travel upward through all other stations along the Sushumnaa naadee.  

The second psychic center is   known as Swaadhishtaana Chakra. This is with six petals around a disc and with the symbol of crescent moon in the center. Lord Vishnu, the Sustainer presides over this psychic station.  It has also another presiding deity Raakini who controls the element of blood.  The color is deep orange and signifies the survival of the race.  The    elemental quality of this chakra is water. It is connected with the conscious and unconscious thoughts of the present and also with the latencies of the many previous lives. We all know that some people can remember their previous births in their sub-conscious mind. It is the storehouse of the most primitive and instinctive behavior which is related to the survival of the species. This station is associated with   sexual urge and related to the organs of reproduction and excretion. This chakra is located at the level of the pubic bone   or at the coccyx at a distance of about four inches in the front part of the body from the base Moolaadhaara.

The third Chakra is called Manipura. Mani-pura means Jewel-City. The element for this Chakra is fire and the presiding Lord Is Rudra.  The presiding deity is Lakini who controls the flesh of the body. It is visualized as bright deep yellow lotus with ten petals. It is at the level of the navel in the front of the body corresponding to a center on the spine.  Meditating at this point brings the benefits of quality of fire such as purity and vitality.

The fourth Chakra of psychic station is Anaahuta whose element is Air. Anaahuta means that which is not struck.  This divides body into Northern and Southern hemisphere. This is the root spot for all sounds Individual is remade here spiritually, emotionally and ethically when focused on.   It is the focal point of emotional and psychological maturity.  It is visualized as dark green lotus with twelve petals by the meditator. The Lord of this center is Isha and the deity Kaakini. It is located within the spine corresponding to the point located behind the two breast bones. It is perceived and visualized in front of the chest and also inside the spine along the path of Susshumnaa. This Chakra can be noticed as Star of David shooting forth its rays all around.

The fifth chakra of the psychic station is Visudddha constitutes the element of ether (Aakaasa). Visuddha means purification.  In meditation it is perceived as a blue lotus with sixteen petals. Ardhanareesawara presides over this Chakra as the Lord and the deity is Saakini. It is located in the region of the throat along the route of Sushumnaa. One experiences dripping by the falling of drops of nectar from Sahasraara at this point. One feels exhilarated and also often intoxicated by the nectar. Some   Yogis can taste the nectar by rolling back their tongue to the very far end of the throat and get the nutrition from the blissful elixir.  It imparts peace and contentment.  The nectar originates from Sahsraara, cascades through Bindu and drips down from   Lalana Chakra at the point located in the upper palate, right at the base of tonsils.

The sixth Chakra of Psychic station Aajnya is the command center which has mind as its element. It is called Jnaana Chaksu or eye of Intuition. Intuition is not the knowledge we receive from teachers (called tuition). Intuition is the power by which the subjective mind can perceive the result without reasoning and without questioning as it happened to Buddha. This psychic station is experienced and visualized as silver-Indigo lotus with two petals. In meditation this station enables one to observe and experience almost all the events, past, present and future   simultaneously, at the physical as well as spiritual levels of Consciousness. Awakening at this center acquaints the meditator to realize one’s own potential. Meditation at this eye-brow center (Bruh-madhya) awakens the desire for moksha, liberation and salvation.

Sahasraara of thousand petals is the seat of consciousness whose element is pure consciousness. Its color is violet white.   Only a spark of the dormant energy from Moolaadhara can open up this entire passage along the Sushumnaa. It is the radiant dome at the crown of the head. Vedic sages used to have Sikha (growing of long hair) at this point to   protect the soft spot where the spiritual energy is stored. This is also prescribed in Chaula (Choti) samskaara of Hindus. They usually combed the hair upwards and rolled into a bundle. A Sivalinga is visualized by the yogis during meditation here.

Bhagavad Gita says while sitting in the upright position psychic current flows at various levels of Consciousness. As the primal energy moves, impurities are washed away and the feeling of peace and tranquility dawns. A feeling of relaxation and concentration is achieved. The mind calms down and rests into the blissful realm of Pure Consciousness. When a person learns to live in this transcendence of the divine Nature he attains the state of Samaadhi, the ultimate peace and tranquility leading to Liberation.

When the Kundalinee Power reaches Sahsraara through the Sushumnaa channel, the spiritual aspirant becomes spiritually illumined. He reaches the goal of Yoga—he attains Asamprajnataa Samaadhi. Rajayoga literally means King of all Yogas. But there is some hazard connected with its practice. Vivekananda, who is a master of raja Yoga says: “There must be perfect chastity, in thought, word and deed; without it the practice of Raja Yoga is dangerous and may lead to insanity”. The light of the inner surface is not visible on the surface   as   in   the cloudy water and numerous waves in the lake. If the lake is cleared of waves and its water from impurities, the light at the bottom can be seen shining forth. Similarly, Divine Self of the person will manifest itself in all its glory when the person’s mind becomes pure and free from all disturbing thoughts. This state is known as Asamprajnataa Sammadhi.  One who    attains such a Samaadhi has attained the highest level of saintliness.
[Please note the word Yoga used in this text only refers o Rajayoga]

 KUNDALINEE YOGA
Kundalinee Yoga   also known as Laya yoga is a  School of Yoga,    influenced by the Tantra and Sakta Schools of Hinduism. Kundalinee yoga derives its name through a focus on awakening Kundalinee energy lying in a coiled state through regular practice of meditation, praanaayaama, chanting mantra and yoga aasana.  Called by practitioners "the yoga of awareness", it aims to cultivate the creative spiritual potential of a human to uphold values, speak truth, and focus on the compassion and consciousness needed to serve and heal others.  The Yoga-Kundalinee Upanishad is listed in the  Mukrtika canon of 108 Upanishads.  The Yoga- Kundalinee and the Yogatattva are closely related texts from the school of Hatha yoga. They both draw heavily on the Yoga Yajnyavalkya.  The Yoga-Kundalinee Upanishad itself consists of three short chapters; it begins by stating that Chitta (consciousness) is controlled by Praana,  and it's controlled by moderate food, postures and  Sakti-Chala (moving  Sakti).

Chandogya Upanishad (5-10-10) says: Anyone who knows how to meditate on five chakras (energy centers) becomes virtuous, pure and does not become besmeared with sin like lotus leaf which does not get wet by water. This is known as gradual emancipation of soul from the lower celestial controllers via Devayaana path through different celestial Devas at the Chakras in the body. The body represents both microcosm and macrocosm. The kingdom of   heavens is within all of us or God is within you.   Celestial controller  that govern the forces of nature also reside in these astral centers called Chakras of the body and control the force that work upon the body. According to Kriyaa yoga Kundalinee Sakti, the serpent power is the Super-being. Spiritual Consciousness is not possible without awakening of Kundalinee.  When the mind rises upward by the power of Kundalinee and reaches seventh Chakra it merges with Brahman in the eighth plane. According to Tantric scriptures   as long as Kundalinee Power lies dormant in the lower center, one cannot get success or liberation  through Japa, Meditation and Worship.




 REFERENCES:
     
1.      Swami Bhaskarananda, Essentials of Hinduism, Ramakrishna Math, Chennai, India.
2.      Prof. Ramachndra Rao, Srividya-Kosa, Sri Satguru publications, Delhi, India.
3.      Ed. Viswanathan, Am I a Hindu? Rupa & Co., Delhi, India.
4.      Prabhu Duneja,  Legacy of Yoga in Bhagavad Geeta, Govindram Hasanand, Delhi, India.
5.      Swami Chinmayananda, Prasnopanishad, Central Chinmaya mission Trust, Mumbai, India.
6.      IndiaDivine.org, Advanced Pranayama, Internet.
7.       Ramananda Prasad, The Bhagavad-Geetaa, American Gita Society, Fremont, CA, USA.





APPENDIX 1\
Gita   on   Rajayoga

Yogee yunjeeta satatam aatmaanam rahasi sthitaha   |
 Ekaakee yatachittaatmaa niraaseeraparigrahah || 6-10 ||
Suchau dese pratishthaapya sthiram-aasanam-aatmanah |
Naatyucchritam naatineecham chailaajina-kusottaram || 6-11 || 

The Yogee, with his mind and body subjugated, free from desire, destitute and living alone in solitude, should constantly concentrate his mind. In a clean spot fixing his seat firm,   neither too high nor too low, made of the Kusa grass, deer skin and cloth one on the top of other—sitting on that, with the activities of the mind and the sense controlled, concentrating his mind, he should practice Yoga for the purification of the mind.

Tatraikaagram manah kritvaa yatachitendriyakriyah |
Upavisyaasane yunjyaad-yogamaatma-visuddhaye || 6-12 ||

Sitting there in a comfortable position and concentrating the mind in God, controlling the thoughts activities of the senses one should practice meditation for self-purification.

Samam kaaya-siro-greevam dhaarayan achalam sthirah |
Samprekshya-naasikaagram svam disaschaan-avalokayan || 6-13 ||
Prasaantaatmaa vigatabheer brahmachaari-vrate sthitah |
Manah samyamya macchitto yukta aaseeta matparah || 6-14 ||

Holding the trunk, head and neck erect and steady, holding  firm, fixing the gaze on the tip of his nose and not looking around, tranquil in mind, fearless, practicing continence controlling the mind the Yogee, intent on Me, he should sit absorbed having Me as supreme goal.
Yunjann-evam sadaatmaanam yogee niyatamaanasah |
Saantim nirvana-paramam matsamsthaam  adhigacchati ||6- 15 ||
Thus by always practicing to keep the mind fixed on Me, the Yogee whose mind is subdued attains peace of Brahma-nirvaana (in final Beatitude in the form of abiding in Me) and comes to Me.


Kaivalyopanishad on meditation to arouse Kundalinee Power

Viviktadese cha sukhaasanasthah  Suchih samgrievasirah sareerah |
Atyaasramasthah sakalendriyaani nirudhya bhaktyaaa svagurum pranamya |
Hritpundareekam virajam visuddham vichintya madhye visadam visokam ||


In an undisturbed place, clean and pure, resting in a comfortable posture, with neck, head and body held erect in one line, in a mental attitude of Sanyaasa having controlled all the senses, saluting one’s own teacher mentally with reverence, meditate within the lotus of the heart on Brahman, the Untainted, the Pure, the Clear and the Griefless.



APPENDIX II
Muladhara: The Most Important Chakra
Posted by Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev | Oct 29, 2015 |  IndiaDivine.Org
New-agey types always talk of anahata, sahasrar or agna chakras. But what of the “lowest,” the muladhara? Isn’t it important at all? Sadhguru explains why this oft-overlooked chakra is of great consequence to a seeker.
If you look at the human body just after conception, it is just a tiny ball of meat. That tiny ball of meat has slowly arranged itself into what it is now. To arrange itself in this particular way, there is a kind of software which is known as pranamaya kosha or energy body. The energy body forms itself first and the physical body starts manifesting over that.
If there are any distortions in the energy body, they will also manifest in the physical body. It is because of this that in this culture, when a woman was pregnant, she used to go to the temple and get blessings from people – they were trying to influence the energy body. If a pregnant woman has a very vibrant, well-formed energy body, she will deliver a very capable human being.
Foundation Matters
The muladhara is the foundation of the energy body. Nowadays, people think the muladhara is the lowest chakra and not worth working upon. Anyone who thinks the foundation is something we needn’t take care of is living in a fool’s paradise. The foundation is the most important thing.
The muladhara is the most important thing. When we do Yoga, we are more focused on the muladhara than anything else because if you stabilize this, the rest is easy to create. If the foundation of the building is loose and we try to hold up the building, it will be a daily circus.
That is what has happened to human life – holding themselves in some state of balance and wellbeing every day is a circus for most human beings. But if your muladhara is stable, life or death, you will be stable because your foundation is good and we can fix the other things later. But if the foundation is unstable, anxiety is natural.
Perils of Experience-hunting
If Grace has to transmit itself, you need to have an appropriate body. If you do not have an appropriate body and Grace descends on you big time, you will only fuse out. Many people want big experiences but they are not willing to transform their body to be able to conduct those experiences. So many in the world have lost their minds or broken their bodies because they went experience-hunting.
In yoga, you don’t chase experience, you only prepare. That is how it was with the Saptarishis – the first seven disciples of Adiyogi. They simply prepared and prepared. They never asked for anything.
They simply prepared for eighty-four years and when Adiyogi saw that they were so prepared, he couldn’t hold back anything. He had to give it all. But today’s world has become like this – “Sadhguru, I am here for two days, can you enlighten me?”
The yogic systems always focused on the muladhara. It is only in recent times that non-practicing “yogis” have written books and say you must focus on higher chakras. This high and low business is too entrenched in book-reading minds but that is not how life works.
Some years ago, I used to conduct two or three-day programs in Hata Yoga. Just doing asanas, people would burst out laughing and crying. Most yogis just use a few simple postures to break the limitations of who they are. That is how Hata Yoga is. Hata Yoga means balance. Balance does not mean sanity. If you want your life to be exuberant, you need to have some madness in you. But if you become compulsively insane, you lost it.
When we talk about balance, we are not talking about sanity, we are talking about finding that perch between sanity and insanity where you can venture and adventure. Madness is an adventure. It is a most wonderful thing as long as it is in control. If you lose control it will become ugly.
Similarly, sanity is a beautiful thing but if you become perfectly sane, you are as good as dead. This ability to venture and adventure into whatever you want at any moment will come to you if your muladhara is well-established.


The 7 Chakras and Their Significance to Your Life
There has been so much talk about peace being the highest possibility. But for someone seeking their ultimate nature, peace is only the beginning; it is not the ultimate goal.

Chakras are energy centers. Although most people have heard of seven chakras, there are actually 114 in the body. The human body is a complex energy form; in addition to the 114 chakras, it also has 72,000 "nadis," or energy channels, along which vital energy, or "prana," moves. When the nadis meet at different points in the body, they form a triangle. We call this triangle a chakra, which means "wheel." We call it a wheel because it symbolizes growth, dynamism and movement, so even though it is actually a triangle, we call it a chakra. Some of these centers are very powerful, while others are not as powerful. At different levels, these energy centers produce different qualities in a human being.

Fundamentally, any spiritual path can be described as a journey from the base chakra, called the "Mooladhara," which is located at the base of the spine, to the "Sahasrar," which located at the top of the head. This journey of movement from the Mooladhara to Sahasrar is from one dimension to another. It may happen in many different ways, and various yogic practices can effect this movement.

The essential guide to taking care of your mind and body

Mooladhara is really made up of two terms: "Moola" means the root or source, and "adhar" means the foundation. It is the very basic foundation of life. In the physical body, your energies need to be in the Mooladhara chakra to some extent. Otherwise, you cannot exist. If the Mooladhara chakra alone is dominant, food and sleep will be the predominant factors in your life.
We can speak in terms of lower and higher chakras, but such language is often and too easily misunderstood. It is like comparing the foundation of a building to the roof; the roof is not superior to the foundation. The foundation of the building is more basic to the building than the roof, and the quality, life span, stability and security of the building depends, to a large extent, on the foundation rather than the roof. But in terms of language, the roof is higher, and the foundation is lower.
The second chakra is "Swadhisthana." If your energies move into Swadhisthana, you are a pleasure seeker. The Swadhisthana chakra is located just above the genital organs. When this chakra is active, you enjoy the physical world in so many ways. If you look at a pleasure seeker, you will see that his life and his experience of life are just a little more intense compared with a person who is only about food and sleep.
If your energy moves into the "Manipuraka" chakra, located just below the navel, you are a doer in the world. You are all about action. You can do many, many things. If your energies move into the "Anahata" chakra, you are a creative person. A person who is creative in nature, like an artist or an actor, is someone who lives very intensely -- more intensely, perhaps, than a businessman, who is all action.
The Anahata literally means the "un-struck." If you want to make any sound, you have to strike two objects together. The un-struck sound is called "Anahata." Anahata is located in the heart area and is like a transition between your lower chakras and your higher chakras, between survival instincts and the instinct to liberate yourself. The lower three chakras are mainly concerned with your physical existence. Anahata is a combination; it is a meeting place for both the survival and the enlightenment chakras.
The next chakra is the "Vishuddhi," which literally means "filter." Vishuddhi is located in the area of your throat. If your energies move into Vishuddhi, you become a very powerful human being, but this power is not just political or administrative. A person can be powerful in many ways. A person can become so powerful that if he just sits in one place, things will happen for him. He can manifest life beyond the limitations of time and space.
If your energies move into the "Agna" chakra, located between your eyebrows, you are intellectually enlightened. You have attained to a new balance and peace within you. The outside no longer disturbs you, but you are still experientially not liberated.
If your energies move into "Sahasrar," at the crown of your head, you become ecstatic beyond all reason. You will simply burst with ecstasy for no reason whatsoever.
Chakras have more than one dimension to them. One dimension is their physical existence, but they also have a spiritual dimension. This means that they can be completely transformed into a new dimension. If you bring the right kind of awareness, the same Mooladhara that craves food and sleep can become absolutely free from the process of food and sleep. If one wants to go beyond food and sleep, one needs to transform the Mooladhara to an evolved state.
To move from Mooladhara to Agna, from the lowest of these seven chakras to the second highest, there are many procedures, methods and processes through which one can raise his energies. But from Agna to Sahasrar, the sixth chakra to the highest chakra, there is no path. You can only jump there. In a way, you have to fall upward. So, the question of going step by step to that dimension does not really arise. There is no way.
It is for this reason that spiritual traditions have emphasized the significance of a guru's role in one's realization; guru literally means "dispeller of darkness." You can only jump into an abyss -- the depth of which you do not know -- if you have an absolutely insane heart, or if your trust in someone is so deep that you are willing to do anything in their presence. Most people, due to a lack of either of these two aspects, just get stuck in the Agna chakra. When this happens, peacefulness is the highest state they will know. It is only from this limitation that there has been so much talk about peace being the highest possibility. But for someone seeking their ultimate nature, peace is only the beginning; it is not the ultimate goal.