________________ be over a thousand spots of intersections, thus creating more than a thousand chakras in our body, though all would not be important. Three Nadis are considered to be of special importance in terms of their energy quotient. These are the Ida, Pingala and the Susumna. * The Susumna runs through the centre along the spine and represents our consciousness. It is also referred to as Saraswati. * The Ida arises on the left of the spine and represents the Moon principle (coldness, calmness, emotions). It is also referred to as Ganga. * The Pingala arises on the right of the spine and represents the Sun principle (warmth, intellect, activation). It is also referred to as Yamuna. The Ida and the Pingala arise at the level of the brain (Ajnya Chakra) and travel downwards in a snake like pattern crossing each other and the Susumna five more times. The high energy quotient of these nadis leads to formation of the six important Chakras. The names and positions of these chakras are as follows; 1) Muladhara - the perineum area (between the anus and the genitals), or the area that touches the ground when we sit down. 2) Swadhishthana - area between the genitals and the umbilicus 3) Manipura - area between the rib cage and the navel or approximately a palm distance above the navel. 4) Anahat-area around the level of the heart 5) Vishuddhi - the throat area 6) Ajnya - area on the forehead between the eyebrows. The 7th Chakra (Brahmasahastra) lies above the Ajnya at the crown area where the Ida and the Pingala do not reach. Though there are various techniques, to awaken the Kundalini, four of them are considered important for the purpose; 224|| યોગમાર્ગની અંતર્દષ્ટિ 16-01-19 -Mantra Yoga which involves the chanting of certain Beej mantras specific to every chakra. -Laya Yoga - which involves deeper meditation on each chakra. -Hatha Yoga - which involves practice of certain Bandhas, Asanas and Mudras specific to each chakra and -Ashtanga Yoga (Patanjali) - besides the practice of asanas and meditation already included above, the practice of Kriya Yoga including Fortitude (Tapa), Self Study (Swadhyaya) and Ishwarpranidhana (Surrender to the will of God) is suggested. Emphasis is also on attitude training (Yamas, Niyamas and Parikarmas) before proceeding to the stage of meditation. The qualified yogi, as mentioned in the Shiv Samhita, will use all the four approaches whereas the lesser seeker would use only one or two of the approaches. The necessiry for such a Holistic approach : The Shiv Samhita, Brahma Purana and the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali have a mention of certain supernormal powers that can be achieved through meditation on certain areas of our body. Long life, eternal Health, the capacity to travel distances through thoughts, the strength of a thousand elephants, etc. are few examples of the powers that can be achieved through the awakening of this Kundalini. The Brahma Purana mentions the capacity of sentience towards the feelings, thoughts and emotions of other living beings that can be developed by meditating on the area corresponding to the Anahat Chakra. This power can be a boon when used to understand and help others through compassion. However, the power can also be used to manipulate or overpower others if reading others could mean getting to know their weaknesses or sensitivities. There is a high probability of developing an attachment towards these powers which are hence seen as an obstacle on the path of Yoga (read Liberation). યોગમાર્ગની અંતર્દષ્ટિ , 225 FINAL
