Book Title: Comparative and Critical Study of Mantrashastra
Author(s): Mohanlal Bhagwandas Jhaveri, K V Abhayankar
Publisher: Sarabhai Manilal Nawab
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KUNDALINI SHAKTI: SHATCHAKRA-VEDHA
43
We do not propose to enter into a detailed description of these six Chakras here. We would refer the readers interested therein to the scholarly work "The Serpent Power" by Arthur Avalon. Dr. Rele's 'The Mysterious Kundalini and C. W. Leadbeater's The Chakras' may also be referred to. Dr. Rale's identification of Kundalini, however, with 'Right Vagus Nerve' cannot be approved of.
Some books mention Lalanā Manas and Soma Chakras and others many more. But the chief ones are the said six Chakras. Sixteen Adharas are also mentioned as suitable points for concentration. In the spine the central Nādi is termed Sushumnā Nādi. On each side, respectively called Idā and Pingalā, are the left and right sympathetic cords. Crossing the central column from one side to the other they make with the Sushumnā a threefold knot called Triveni* which is the spot in the Medulla where the sympathetic cords join together and whence they take their origin.
SHATCHAKRA-VEDHA Sir John Woodroffe in his work 'Shakti and Shakta' has aptly described how Kundalini pierces the six centres-Chakras. We would therefore quote the relevant portion abridging the same.
"Shakti when manifestisg divides itself into two polar aspects — Static and dynamic-which implies that you cannot have it in a dynamic form without at the same time having it in a static form, much like the poles of a magnet. In any given sphere of activity of force you must have according to the cosmic principle a static back-ground Shakti at rest or 'coiled' as the Tantras say. In the living body there is, therefore, the same polarisation.*** Shakti is never exhausted, that is, emptied into any of its forms. Io the body Kundali is the static centre and round this centre the whole of the bodily forces move. The body may, therefore, be compared to a magnet with two poles. The Mülādhāra, in so far as it is the seat of Kundali Shakti, a comparitively gross form of Chit (being Chit-Shakti and Maya-Shakti) is the static pole in relation to the rest of the body which is dynamic".
This knot is called Rudragranthi. There are other two: Brahmagranthi in the Muladhara Chakra and Vişnugranthi in the Anahata Chakra. The force of Māyā Shakti is greater at this knots.
