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Yogashikha Upanishad (critical study)

by Sujatarani Giri | 2015 | 72,044 words

This page relates ‘Location and power of cakras� of the English study on the Yogashikha Upanishad—a key text from the Krishna Yajurveda, focusing on the pinnacle of Yogic meditation. This essay presents Yoga as a crucial component of ancient Indian philosophy and spirituality and underscores its historical roots in Vedic literature—particularly the Upanishads and Vedant. The chapters of this study are devoted to the faculties of the mind and internal body mechanisms such as Chakras as well as the awakening of Kundalini.

Go directly to: Footnotes.

Part 2.2 - Location and power of cakras

The lower most cakra, with which ṇḍī forms a connection and through which it is able to send impulses, is the basic plexus called the ū-. It has four branches () and the shape of a triangle or, in the words of Garuḍa Purāṇa. This description of the pelvic plexus of the automatic system, which is situated near the sides of the rectum. It is a continuation of the hypogastric plexus which bifurcates below into lateral portions and assumes the shape of a triangle; by contemplation of this cakra the yogi obtains freedom from disease, knows the past and the future and gains all psychic powers. It also forms connections with the ṣṭԲ lotus or the cakra which is situated in plevie regim or ܳⲹś, just on a level with the roof of the pains. This is probably the hypogastric plexus and has six petals or branches.

By contemplation of this, freedom from death and disease is obtained. Higher up still, ṇḍī forms itself into a plexus, which is known as the ṇḍī-cakra or solar plexus and its location is in the region of the naval its extention upwards is called ṇiܰ-cakra, which we knows as the plexus of the coeliac-axis. In fact no distinction is made between the ṇḍ and maṇipūra cakras. It is supposed to be of a red colour and to have ten branches. It is called the lotus of happiness. By contemplation of this cakra a Dzī is able to enter into another person’s body; he obtains power of transmuting metals and of healing in sick and also of clairovoyance. After passing through these cakras, it forces its passage through the 󲹳ٲ-, which is locate in the ṛdⲹś i.e. the region of the heart and has twelve branches.

This description appears to identify with the cardiac plexus of the sympathetic system. By contemplating this lotus, a Dzī, becomes clairovoyant and clairaudient and is able to set adopts moving in the air and gains the power of travelling at will to any part of the world by the exercise of his volition. Of the six important lotuses or plexuses, the one situated in the region of the throat near 첹ṇṭ, known as śܻ-, has sixteen petals or branches. It is probably the pharyngeal plexus of sympathetic and it is said to be the lotus of purification, i.e. by contemplating this lotus, the whole body is purified of diseases and complaints and a Dzī is able to live for 1000 years in eternal youth; in fact, he is dead to all the outer world and becomes absorbed in his inner life. The power is the curse of a Dzī also depends on this lotus.

We as the men of science, are likely to laugh at the various powers assigned to the different plexuses. Still, we have read of things in the ancient vedic and classical literatures which have turned out to be true. There is nothing impossible under the sun.

ṇḍī then passes to ܰ첹-cakra i.e., the cavernous plexus of the sympathetic system which is situated at the base of the skull and hence joins the ñ-. It has two petals or branches and is situated between the eye-brows. It is the spot which contemplated while under going the process of ṇ峾. Here is found the great light, the third eye as it is called and by contemplation of this a Dzī gains most wonderful psychic powers. This cakra is called the plexus of command.[1]

Footnotes and references:

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[1]:

Vassant G. Rele, Mysterious ṇḍī, pp.34-35.

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