Fundamental of Ancient Indian Music and Dance

Author(s): Sureshchandra Benarji
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 85

APPENDIX
INFLUENCE OF TANTRA ON MUSIC
In certain works on music, we find mention of nādis (artery, vein), cakras (circles) etc. within the body in connexion with the genesis of nāda, śruti, svara etc. We briefly state below what Śărrigadeva says about these things. It may be added that the human body, regarded as a microcosm, has been the subject of vigorous dicussion in the Tantra. In fact, an important way of Tantric meditation is to look inward and to awaken the kulakundalini, the vital life-force fancied as a serpent coiling at the bottom of the upper part of the body.
CAKRA The following cakras are supposed to be within the human body:
Ādhāra---in between the anus and the penis. Supposed
to have four petals. Svadhisthāna-in the region of the navel. 10 petals. Anähata--in the heart. 12 petals. Visuddhi--in the throat. 16 petals. Lalanā--in the forehead. 12 petals Ājñā - in between the brows. 3 petals. Manas--above the ā isā-cakra. 6 petals. Soma---above the manas. 16 petals. Sudhādhara---in the Brahmarandhra, an aperture in
the crown of the head through which the soul is
said to escape at the time of death. 1000 petals. The Visuddhi-cakra is said to be the resort of the svaras sadja etc. śārnigadeva holds that tire soul, residing in the eighth and some other petals, desires; success in music. By the