________________
THE TOLY TRINITY.
671
feeling. The ancients described this elevated state of feeling by the mystic symbolism of a rod, with a knob at its top, and a serpent entwined round it, the knob representing the point into which the Self has withdrawn itself, the rod standing for Power, and the serpent for the force of Kundalini, the all-conquering energy of Life, or Spirit. Somewhat similar is the sign of the caduceus of Mercury which contains such a lot of hidden significance that it is impossible to describe it here fully. Its figure also represents the human trunk and the nervous centres, seven in number, the book * which is sealed with seven seals, and written inside and at the back. The tivo interlacing serpents represent the Ida and the Pingala nadis (nerves), and the central tube is the symbol of the Sushumna (the hollow canal in the spinal column). The triangle formed at the lower end is the nervous plexus Muladhara, while the knob, or the head, at the top, is the Sahasrara, the plexus of the brain. The Muladhara is the abode of the spiritual energy known as Kundalini, or the serpent force, which is roused into activity in the course of advancement on the path of Yoga. The plexus Muladhara is also the seat of three spiritual currents, collectively called Tribeni, that is, the confluence of the three streams, the Ganges (Ida, whose colour is that of the Sun), the Jumna (Pingala, which is of the colour of the Moon), and the Saraswati (Spirituality, which becomes visible only in the heaven, i.e., the plexus of the heart). Now, in order that the individual should derive any real benefit from the confluence of these potent forces, they must touch his whole being from
* The book of Revelations, V. I.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org