CHAPTER XII

THE NADIS AND THE CHAKRAS :
The purification of the Nadis is the first process to be adopted in the Yoga Sadhana The number of these Nadis vary according to different schools.
But among these Nadis three have been specially dealt with by the Tantric scholars. According to them these three play an important part, as they are the principle channels of spiritual force in the human system. They are Ida, Pingala and Susumna, of these three Susumna is the chief and plays an important part in the transformation. It is through the Susumna that yogic power is forced to pass and to escape through the top of the head. So we will describe the Susumna first and then deal with the othér two.
The Susumna is the principle Nadi of the human being. It is _ situated inside the “Merudanda (the cerebro-spinal-axis. It begins from the Muladhar, the lowest centre of the human body, that is above the anus and behind the penis. It passes the other Chakras (centres) and ends at the last Chakra situated between the eye-brows. It is of subtile matter consisting of various forces,
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The three gunas are present in itin the form of three concentric Nadis« It is uniform, long, straight and erect. It passes through the six Chakras. Through it passes the Aundalini the divine sakti or force by which liberation is attained.
The Nadis Ida and Pingala also begin from the Muladhar and rise towards the Chakra in the forehead between the two eye-brows but in a serpentine movement from left to right in the case of the Ida and inversely from right to left in the case of the Pingala. They rise in a circular path surrounding each Chakra but without actually passing through it like the Swsumna. These two Nadis meet at the Chakra in the forehead and then separate again. The one proceeding from the left penetrates the left nostril, the other penetrates the © right nostril. These Nadis are subtile and absolutely invisible to the eyes of the physical body. It is the yogis who can actually see them and determine their position and direction.
CHAKRAS.
The Chakras are the centres of subtile forces. Their position is on the Merudanda (vertebral column). They are the centres of cosmic conscious- ness the generation of Prana or vital force and the openings on the macrocosm. There are six chief ones viz. (1) Muladhar (2) Swadisthan (3) Manipura (4) Anahata (5) Bisuddha and (6) Ajna.
The Muladhar Chakra is situated behind the penis and above the anus. It is the root of the Nadi Susumna where the kundalini rests closing the doors with its mouth. It is the real occult centre of the human body. Meditation on it awakens the sleeping goddess. The kundalini then sinks into the Nadi of which it covered the opening and because of this the divine force awakens in its turn the various centres on its way. Meditation on this awakens, the Sakti which is the key of liberation. The Swadisthan Chakra is situated above and behind
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the genital organs. The meditation on it leads to the mastery over yogis passions and selfishness. The Chakra Manipura is situated at the height of the heart, the Chakra Bisuddha is situated at the height of the throat and the sixth the Ajna Chakra is situated between the two eye-brows on the fore-
head.
Each Chakra has a subtile force peculiar to it as well as the sensation caused by its activity. Each has its particular presiding Deity. These Deities are not only symbolic, but the Tantricks actually see them during their meditation and these acts as Insingnia to the Tantric scholars by which they can judge the progress of their psychic development.
The Satchakranirupana enumerates the qualities acquired by concentration upon each of the six centres and indirectly by the passing of the Divine force the kundalini through them. The meditation on the Muladhar Chakra leads to the mastery of the yogis enemies, namely his passions and selfishness. The passions are luxary, anger, greediness, deception pride and envy which all proceed from Ahankara. This meditation brings victory over the physical elements. The meditation on this leads to the mastery of the subtile elements. That on the Anahata leads to the mastery of sound. The Tantrick student acquires the faculty of penetrating into the body of other man and animating it in their place. Other gifts are the power of becoming invisible of flying in the sky of walking on water etc. That is to say the mastery over the planes of creation. That on the Bisuddha Chakra brings one to the threshold of the great liberation. That on the Ajna Chakra is the way to the development of the qualities and possibilities of the preceeding Chakra. The disciple attains the state of Adaita- badi when he sees no duality. He becomes one with the supreme soul. He becomes the witness of the universe.
Position of the Chakras or Vital Centres.
(1) Muladhar Chakra (2) Swadisthana (3) Manipura (4) Anahata (5) Vishuddha (6) Ajna