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THE ANATOMY OF THE TANTRAS
“ The bony column that extends (from the coccyx) to the occiput is called the Brahmadanda (i.e., the vertical column). Within this is the thin cord Sushumna, which is also called Brahmanadi by the wise. This Sushumna is midway between the Ida and Pingala,
Another Tantric work named Shat-chakra-nirupanam has thus described the position of these three Nadis :
Outside the spinal canal, on the left is the Ida and on the right, is the Pingala, while within the canal and midway between the above two there is the Sushumna, whose structure is like a rope."
Professor Cowell identifies Sushumna with the coronal artery (vide his translation of Maitreyi Upanishad, p. 270, footnote. Published by the Asiatic Society of Bengal.)
While Pandit Rama Prasad Kashyapa, M.A., F.T.s., identifies Sushumna with trachea, and Ida and Pingala with right and left bronchi(Occult Science, the Scince of Breath, published at Lahore, 1884). But it is clear from the above description that these three sainous Nadis are the spinal cord and the two sympathetic cords)
We shall try now to identify some of the nervous structures described in the Tantras :---
“ CHITRA”,-From the description of this Nadi in the Tantras (Shiva Sanhita, Ch. II, verses 18 and 19), it may be identified with the grey matter of the spinal cord. For "in it is the subtlest of all hollows called “ Brahmarandhra,” which is nothing else save the central canal of the spinal cord-a structure whose functions remain as yet to be discovered by the physiolo.
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