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THE YOGA PHILOSOPHY
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ledge of the starry region is acquired.59 By contemplation on the pole star is produced the knowledge of the relative motions and positions of the stars and planets.60 Such are the powers which the contemplation on the external world brings to the yogi. 32. We now come to the powers which he obtains by contemplation on the parts of his body. In the Yoga philosophy the theory is that there are 495 or plexuses formed by nerves and ganglia at different places in the body. They are generally believed to be seven in number. The most important of these, so far as the arrangement of the nerves of the body is concerned, is the ata or the navel circle. It is the pivot of the whole system. Hence #47 on it leads to a knowledge of the conditions of the body.61 We will now come to the other parts of the body. And the first, the pit of the throat. This is the region about the pharynx where the breath from the mouth and the nostrils meets. It is said that the contact of 910 with this region produces hunger and thirst, which therefore may be checked by performing Fyn on this part to neutralize the effects of the contact.62 It may be remarked that the fifth nerve-circle called falta is situated somewhere about the same region and anyone who is able to concentrate his breath in that circle and upward easily acquires freedom from hunger and thirst besides other powers. Next we come to the कूर्मनाडी or the nerve wherein the breath called कूर्म resides, and #8 on this leads to such a fixity of the body as to make it completely steady and immoveable.63
59. YS 3.27 60. YS 3.28 61. YS 3.29 62. YS 3.30 63. YS 3.33
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