Philosophical Writings

Author(s): Hemant Shah
Publisher: Academy of Philosophy

Page 70

Philosophy and Medicine : The Indian Standpoint
vibration (Mantra). Occultism (Tantra) is a sound pathology which attempts to cure different diseases by different sound formulas.
However, the nervous system according to occultism (Tantra) is different from that of the medical system of Caraka and Susruta. The most important feature of Tantra anatomy is its theory of nerve plexuses (Cakras). Of these, the first is the sacrococcygeal plexus (adhara Cakra), situated between the penis and the anus and there are eight elevations on it. They, in the upward order, are the Sacral Plexus (Swadhishana-Cakra), the Lumba Fluxes (Mani-Pura-Cakra) the Cardiac Plexus (Anahata-Cakra), the Laryngeal and Pharyngeal Plexus (Bharati Sthana), the plexus between the eye brows (AjnaCakra); above it is the plexus in the middle of cerebrum and finally the plexus in the upper cerebrum (Some-Cakra and Sahasra Cakra), the seat of the soul”. 19
"Indian occultism (Tantra) believes that there is a great power called Big Mysterious Power (Maha-Kundalini) which functions in the entire universe. The same Power in the form of mysterious centers (Kundalini) functions in the physical body. Leaving aside a great detail of occult philosophy, the purpose here is simply to show that the occult anatomy differs very much from Ayurved anatomy. Moreover, unlike Caraka who refers to the heart as the central seat of the soul, or authors who associate the head with sensory consciousness, the occult school considers the upper cerebrum as the seat of soul. It regards the spinal cord at its lower end as being of supreme importance for the vital functions of the body”.20 In a human being the mysterious power is located in the secret plexus (Muladhara-Cakra), near the root of the penis, where it lies in dormant condition. The occult science (Tantra) attempts to awaken that sleeping, dormant mysterious power. This is done through different sound formulas (Mantras) and make it to rise in the body which will result in energising a big body. All the centres are interconnected with the supreme bodily energy (Kundalini). Despite apparent differences in Ayurveda and the occult system, the goal is the same, viz. curing the disease and restoring health.