AJNA CHAKRA

The Lotus named Aajna is like the moon, beautifully white. On its two petals are the letters Ha and Ksa, which are also white and enhance its beauty. It shines with the glory of Dhyana [the state of meditation]. Inside it is the Shakti Haakinii, whose six faces are like so many moons. She has six arms, in one of which She holds a book; two other hands are lifted in the gestures of dispelling fear and granting boons; and with the rest she holds skull, a small drum [damaru], and a rosary. Her mind is pure [shuddha-cittaa].

Within this lotus dwells the subtle mind [manas]. It is well- known. Inside the Yoni in the pericarp is the Shiva called Itara, in His phallic form. Here He shines like a chain of lightning flashes. The first Biija of the Vedas [i.e. Aum], which is the abode of the most excellent Shakti and which by its lustre makes visible the Brahma-suutra [i.e. the nadi Citrinii], is also there. Aspirants with steady minds should meditate upon these according to the prescribed order.

The excellent practitioner, whose Aatmaa is nothing but a meditation on this Lotus, is able to quickly enter another's body at will, and becomes most excellent among Muniis, and all-knowing and all-seeing. Such practitioners become the benefactor of all, and versed in all the Shaastras. They realize their unity with the Brahman and acquire excellent and unknown powers [siddhi]. Full of fame and long-lived, they ever become the Creator, Destroyer and Preserver of the three worlds.

Within the triangle in this Chakra ever dwells the combination of letters [Om, or Aum], which form the Pranava. It is the inner Aatma as pure mind [Buddhi], and resembles a flame in its radiance. Above it is the crescent moon, and above this, again, is Ma-kaara [i.e. M in its Bindu form], shining in its form as Bindu. Above this is Naada, whose whiteness equals that of Balaraama and diffuses the rays of the Moon.

When the Yogi closes the house which hangs without support [niraalamba-purii; i.e., when s/he forms the Yoni mudra], the knowledge of which has been gained by the service of Parama-Guru; and when the Cetas [i.e., the objective mind] by repeated practice becomes dissolved in this place of uninterrupted bliss, the Yogi then sees -- within the middle of and in the space above the triangle -- sparks of fire distinctly shining.

The Yogi then also sees the Light [Jyotih], which is in the form of a flaming lamp. It is lustrous like the clearly shining morning sun, and glows between the Sky and the Earth. It is here that the all-pervading Brahman is realized by its action. It knows no decay, and witnesses all, and is here as It is in the region of Fire, Moon and Sun.

This is the incomparable and delightful abode of Vishnu. Excellent Yogis, at the time of death, joyfully place their vital breath [praana] here, and after death enter that Supreme, Eternal, Birthless, Primevel Deity, the Brahman, who was before the three worlds, and who is known by the Vedaanta.

He who concentrates at this centre destroys all the Karmas of the past lives. The benefits that are derived by meditation on this Chakra cannot be described in words. The practitioner becomes a Jivanmukta (liberated man while living). He acquires all the 8 major and 32 minor Siddhis. All Yogis and Jnanis too concentrate to this centre on the Bijakshara, Pranava ! (OM). This is called Bhrumadya Drishti (gaze at the space between the two eye-brows). More details of this important Chakra will be given in the subsequent lessons.