________________
the vital energy abides in other parts of the body, too, the front part of the nose is its principal centre. The moment consciousness is fixed there, the fundamental nerve is tensed and mulabandh materialises of itself. The tip of the nose is a typical point of consciousness. It is known as Prana Kendra, the Centre of Vitality. Many acharyas have advocated meditation on Prana Kendra, with articulation of 'Om' or of the aspirate. The centre there commands significance, along with the mantra. The nose-tip is the centre of vital electricity. Thus, the activation of this centre is very necessary for the invigoration of vital power. The vital power abiding in our body is all important. Only a man endowed with vital power can do something. He whose vital power languishes, can do nothing. A man devoid of vitality is sunk in despair and becomes frustrated. To remove despair and frustration, meditation on Prana Kendra, the Centre of Vitality, is very useful.
Q. What psychic centre should be meditated upon to conquer lust? What other ways are open to a sadhak in this context?
Ans. Brahmcharya is connected with Brahma Kendra. Brahma means the soul. For self-remembering, meditation on this centre is a must. It is located on the tongue. The tongue is not concerned only with eating and speaking, it is also connected with sexual desire. Sexual craving has two end-points-the tongue and the genitals. Only the sadhak who is capable of controlling these two sense organs, can conquer lust.
Some people are of the opinion that the control of the senses is not necessary for meditation, that this control inevitably comes into being in the practice of meditation. From one angle, this idea may be all right. Yet every sadhak is not so capable as to properly use the energy
176
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org