On Life and Liberation

Author(s): Mukesh Chhajer
Publisher: Mukesh Chhajer

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On Life and Liberation
abode of the sidhhas. Looking from this point of view, this description of body has a lot of similarity with the division of body as described in Tantra. According to the Tantra, there are seven main psychic centers in the body, called chakras, located along the human spine. The name, location and the characteristics associated with each of these chakras are as follows: Mooladhar at the base of the spine is associated with the material possessions, Swadhisthana near the genitals is associated with the passions and reproduction, Manipur near the navel is associated with desire for food and other personal needs and wants, Anahata near the heart is associated with emotions, Vishudhha at the throat is associated with knowledge and intellect, Ajna between the eyebrows is associated with the spirituality and the Sahastrahar at the top of the head signifies complete freedom. These seven are the main charkas; however, many more centers are alluded to in tantra scriptures. Each center controls certain human qualities, the lower charkas control base qualities and the higher charkas control more subtle qualities. For example, the mooladhar chakra controls the tendencies of material possessions and, therefore, by purifying this chakra, one will be able to overcome the desire for material possessions that will result in Aparigrah. Similarly, if vishuddha chakra is purified then one is able to let go of the ego due to the knowledge and intellect that will help overcome Jnana-varniya karma and lead to the dawn of Samyak Jnana (right knowledge). As these tendencies are reduced and dropped, a jiva stops suffering from the associated karma (i.e., associated karma drop off) and starts ascending the ladder of heavens. He experiences the joys of heavens even in this very life. More subtle a tendency, more difficult it is to overcome it and as a result higher level of heaven one experiences once it is overcome. Furthermore, those who have advanced far in meditation have described experiencing a vastness and emptiness pervading all around in a state of deep samadhi, a state very akin to the
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