The
power of spirituality is
inexplicable and infinite. The institute or individual that cannot obtain
this becomes animal. The power of spirituality can transform an animal into
man and man to a divine being. The paths of spirituality have sprung up to
lead man from human state to that of divine. Man tries to understand
everything. He has been trying to acquire many types of learning. However,
he has not yet made an effort to find out his real nature. All learning is
naught if it can not help one to realise one's own nature. Knowledge without
practical aspect is akin to a lamp in a blind man's hand.
Just as, Narada had skill in 64 types
of learning/sciences - 4 Vedas, 6 Sastras, 20 Upangas, Painting, Sculpture,
Dance, Music, Literature etc. None could surpass Narada in singing. In spite
of such accomplishments Narada could not overcome restlessness. Narada had
mastered Gaja Karna and Gokarna which could not be mastered by anyone in the
world. Seeking a solution for his restlessness, Narada came to Sanat Kumara.
He expressed his restlessness. Sanat Kumara asked Narada about his
qualifications. Narada explained that he had learnt everything. Sanat Kumara
asked Narada if he had known about his own self. "That alone I have not
learnt" said Narada. Sanat Kumara then pointed out that to be the reason for
his restlessness.
Today man desires to know about
everything that goes on in the world. From the moment he gets up, he desires
to know the news from all quarters of the world and does not pay heed to the
nuisance coming from within. If he were to understand the principle within
him, he could understand the world better. In Andhra region, there is a
proverb, "win over the self and win over the village." Unless one saves
oneself, one cannot save others. Philosophy and learning can get you food
but not liberation. "Therefore, Narada, when you desire to know yourself,
you have to awaken a dormant factor within you" said Sanat Kumara. Narasimha
Murthy stated that sleep played a chief role in Ramayana. Even in the
Ramayana of life, sleep is very important.
Every person has to awaken the
Kundalini that is asleep within one. Kundalini, Sanat Kumara taught, should
be led in a proper path towards the goal to fulfil one's life. In the
Bharat's Yoga Shastras, it has been mentioned that there are 7 types of
lotuses in the spinal column helping people to take to right path. They are
known as Naadi Mandalas/Chakras. (Nerve centres / disks) Kundalini power
starts at Muladhara disk at the beginning of the spinal column. This nerve
centre is situated at the place of excretion of faecal matter. It has 4
petals.
Swadhishtana is situated in the urinary
excretory point. It has 6 petals. Manipuraka - Naabhi/Navel point has 6
petals. From there to Anahata near heart with 16 petals. Thence to Visuddha
the power travels near throat - From there it comes to Agneya situated
between the brows. It has two petals. From there it goes to Sahasrara which
is situated on the crown of the head. It has 1000 petals.
Muladhara, Swadhishtana, Manipurakam,
Anahata, Agneya, Visuddha and Sahasrara are the seven Chakras. Each is at a
higher plane than the other. Behind these chakras, on either side of spinal
column Ida and Pingala nerves keep throbbing. In the centre of spinal column
there is a nerve by the name Sushumna. All these perform their duties in the
prescribed manner.
How does one awaken the Kundalini
power? All have believed it to be in the form of a dormant serpent near the
Muladhara Chakra. Snakes of the world are considered poisonous. The serpent
(Kundalini) dormant in man is that of worldly desires. These desires become
poison. Worldly snakes eat frogs, rats etc. Kundalini serpent consumes only
the life principle of man. To awaken this serpent, one has to control the
intake of this life principle. When we hold breath through Yogic practices,
the Kundalini power does not get food near Muladhara Chakra. In search of
food, it becomes active and continues to come up. During meditation when we
deny the food, it travels upwards from Muladhara to Manipuraka, Swadhishtana
and comes to throat. Even near the throat food is not available for it. Then
it reaches Agneya. Unable to find food even from there, it merges into
Sahasrara. Therefore, to awaken the life principle or consciousness from
Muladhara and let it merge in Sahasrara has been described as 'liberation'
by Vedanta. Dhyana, now-a-days, both in India and abroad has taken various
forms. They believe it to be concentration. But both are different. Right
from dawn to dusk whatever activities we perform, they are done with
concentration. To walk, to eat, to read a book, to write a letter - all need
concentration. Concentration is natural for man. Why should are spend/waste
time for such concentration by sitting separately. But one has to question
the source from which one derives concentration. We have held a book in hand.
We can see with our eyes. What has been seen is sent for enquiry to the
intelligence/Buddhi. After the enquiry, mind begins to recollect/reflect
upon it. It is an 'Indriya' (instrument/sense) that held a book. Again it is
another indriya that saw the matter. It is yet again another indriya that
reflected over the matter. It is due to the collective effort of all the
indriyas that we are able to perceive the matter. Therefore, concentration
is below senses. It is meaningless to call concentration which is below
senses as meditation. Meditation is beyond senses. There is a border between
concentration which is below senses and meditation which is beyond senses
known as contemplation. Contemplation is said to be the second stage of
intelligence. Intelligence is said to be the essence of Satwa. It can be
best illustrated with an example to make it clear to you.
