Sat-Chakra-Nirupana: Prnnanda a Brahmana of Kasyappa Gotra wrote Sat-Chakra-Nirupana
(1526 CE, Ska year 1448) and achieved Siddhi in Vasisthsrama, about seven miles from
Gauhati, Assam, India. He wrote many other Tantrik works. This work is part of Sri-Tattva-
Cintamani.
Author: Purnananda-Svami (1526 CE)
Commentary: Kalicarana in Sanskrit
English Translation: Sir John Woodroffe
Source: the Serpent Power
Depiction of Chakras: Swami Sivanada Radha
Flowcharts, illustrations, Commentary:

Sat-Chakra-Nirupana = Six-Chakra Investigation
Description of and Investigation into the Six Bodily Centers
By Tantrik Purnananda-Svami (1526 CE)
Sat-Chakra Nirupana is the Premier Composition on Kundalini Chakras.
The Commentary was by Kalicarana in Sanskrit.
This article is about Kundalini Chakras as described by Swami Purnananda.
Go to Kundalini Power for more details on Kundalini Yoga.
English translation by Woodroffe (Serpent Power) is full in some verses; short,
condensed in some verses; and modified in other verses. Some verses have
extensive commentaries and illustrations by me. This includes my comments,
additions, flowcharts, drawings, montages....
Translation of some Sanskrit words and phrases follows the Monier Williams dictionary and may
differ from that of Woodroffe. For your convenience, segments of the verses and their translation
are color-coded for easier identification by sight.
Preliminary verse:

Atha tantrnusrea a chakradi kramodvata
Ucyate paramnanda-nirvha-prathamkura
Now I speak of (the first step) sprouting shoot of the Yoga plant of complete realization of
the Brahman, which is to be achieved, according to the Tantras, by means of the six Cakras
and so forth in their proper order.
Ucyate ParamAnanda = Says Paramananda. Atha = Now. tantrAnusArena = following
the Tantras PrathamAnkurah = First step. nirvAha- = Complete realization Sat Cakradi
Kramodvatah = Achieved by means of the six Chakras and other things.
The six Chakras are Muladhara, Svadhisthana, Manipura, Anahata, Vissuddha and Ajna. The
accomplished Kundalini Yogi only can explain the principles of Kundalini Yoga. Neither the
best of the wise nor the most advanced in age can explain them without the mercy of the Guru. It
is full of the greatness of a, a, Ha ( the last three letters of the Sanskrit alphabet). a,
Sa, Ha point to Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva.
ParamAnanda is Supreme Bliss and Nityam, Vijananam and Anandam (Eternal, Knowledge, Bliss). Other
things refer to Nadis, Lingas, the five elements, Siva Sakti....
Verse 1


Merorbhyapradee ai mihirasire savyadake niae
Madhye ndi suuntritaya-guamayi candrasryagnirp
Dhattra-smera-pupagrathita-tamavapu kandamadyacchirahst
Vajrkhy mehrade cchirasi parigat madyamesy jvalanti
In the space outside the Meru, placed on the left and the right, are the two Siras, Sasi and
Mihira. The Nadi Susumna, whose substance is the threefold Gunas, is in the middle. She is
the form of Moon, Sun, and Fire; Her body, a string of blooming Dhatura flowers, extends
to the middle of the Kanda to the Head, and the Vajra inside Her extends, shining, from the
Medhra to the Head.
Commentary: Here is the mention of Nadis and Chakras, the knowledge of which is necessary
for Kundalini Yoga. Meru is literally a mountain, the central pole of the world; likewise Meru is
the vertebral column of the human body. Siras and Sasi are the Moon and the Sun, Ida and
Pingala Nadis of the left and right side. Gunas refers to the qualities of the central Susumna Nadi
as Sattva, Rajas and Tamas.
bhyapradee = in the space outside. ai-mihira-sire = Moon and Sun Nadis = Ida and
Pingala nadis. Meru = Meru mountain = spinal column from the Muladhara Chakra to
the neck. savyadake niae = placed on the left and right. Madhye-ndi-suun =
the central Nadi or canal = susumna Nadi. Remember these Nadis are subtle and not
anatomical. Susumna Nadi extends from Muladhara to Brahma Randhara-the anterior
fontanel area. tritaya-guamayi = whose substance is the three Gunas or modes: Sattva
Rajas and Tamas. There is a central Nadi which has three components, a tube within a
tube, three tubes in all: Citrini Nadi is Sattva; Vajra Nadi is Rajas; Susumna Nadi is
Tamas. Serpent Power: Page 150 lists Susumna Nadi, Vajrini Nadi, Citrini Nadi and the
central Brahma Nadi or canal. candrasryagnirp = Moon-Sun-Fire form. Citrini Nadi
is pale and of the form of Moon. Vajrini is of the form of Sun. Susumna is fiery red like
Fire. kandamadyacchirahst = Kanda-MadhyAt-SirahsthA = from the middle of the
Kanda to the head. Kanda means bulbous root, present in the Uro-genital Triangle in
man, the point being two fingers above the anus and two fingers below the root of the
phallus (medhra). 72K Nadis emerge from the Kanda, of which only three are the most
important: Ida, Pingala, and Susumna. Susumna goes to the neck, emerges from the
spine, goes to the forehead, passes between the eyebrows united with Kundali, goes
near the Brahma Randhra and ends near the 12-petalled lotus. Susumna clings on to
the stalk of Sankhini as it goes up the spinal cord. Sankhini is a Nadi that starts at
Kanda, reaches the throat, divides into two branches, one branch going to the left ear
and the other goes to the crown. madyamesy = Vajrah inside her = Inside Susumna
Nadi.
Verse 2

Tanmadhye citri s praavavilsit yoginm yogagamy
Lttantpamey sakalasarasijn merumadhyntarasthn
Bhittva dedipyate tad-grathana-racanay uddha-bodha-svarp
Tanamadhye brahman harakukha-kuharaddi-devntartm.
Inside her is Citrini, who is lustrous with the lustre of the Pranava and attainable in Yoga
by Yogis. She (Citrini) is subtle as a spider's thread, and pierces all the Lotuses which are
placed within the backbone, and is pure intelligence. She (Citrini) is beautiful by reason of
these (Lotuses) which are strung on her. Inside her (Citrini) is the Brahmanadi, which
extends from the orifice of the month of Hara to the place beyond, where Adi-deva is.
Tanmadhye = Inside Her (Vajra). praavavilsit = lustrous within the luster of Pranava
(om). She absorbs the luminosity from Pranava in Ajna Chakra as she passes through it.
Lttantpamey = like a spider's thread. She is fine like a spider's thread. sakalasarasijn
merumadhyntarasthn Bhittva dedipyate = She pierces all the lotuses. Tanamadhye =
inside Her. Within Citrini is Brahma Nadi, through which Kundalini goes from Muladhara to
Parama Siva. Kundalini is of the from of Sabda Brahman. harakukha-kuhara = The orifice of
mouth of Hara. It is the orifice at the top of the Svayambhu Linga in Muladhara. Adi Deva is the
Supreme Bindu in the pericarp of the 1000-petalled lotus.
Susumna = Su + Sumna = Excellent + musical hymn, happiness or joy = perfect
harmony. All these important Nadis are called Susumna. Essentially Susumna consists of the
substance of the spinal cord with the three Nadis inside it, placed one tube inside the other. There
is the central Nadi (Brahma Nadi), middle Nadi is Chitra Nadi (AKA Citrini) and the outer
Nadi (Vajra Nadi). Kundalini passes through the Central Brahma Nadi. Remember these are
subtle channels, canals or Nadis and not anatomical entities. Chitra Nadi = Citrini = The Nadi
is anthropomorphized and deified.
See the Diagram below

Figure 1 Prepared by Veeraswamy Krishnaraj
Verse 3

Vidyanml-vils manimanasilasat-tantu-rpa suskm
uddhajanaprabhodh sakala-sukha-may uddha-bodha-svabhv
Brahma-dvra tadsye pravilasati sudhdhragamya-pradea
Granthi-sthna tadetat vadanamiti suunkhya-nady lapanti.
She
1
is beautiful like a chain of lightning and fine like a (lotus) fibre, and shines in the
minds of sages. She is extremely subtle; the awakener of pure knowledge; the embodiment
of all Bliss, whose true nature is pure Consciousness. The Brahma-dvara shines in her
mouth. This place in the entrance to the region sprinkled by ambrosia, and is called the
Knot, as also the mouth of Susumna.
She
1 =
Citrini who ascends through Brahma Nadi, the innermost tube of Susumna Nadi. Also
known as Chitra Nadi.
lasat-tantu-rpa = Fine like a (lotus) fiber and shines (because of the presence of
Kundalini). sakala-sukha-may = Sukha is Ananda or Spiritual Bliss. She is the source of
all Bliss. Sukha = (literal meaning) pleasant, gentle, agreeable. uddha1-bodha2-
svabhv3 = Whose true nature is Pure Consciousness. Literal meaning = Pure1
Consciousness2 by natural constitution3. Brahma-dvra = Brahma's opening, gate,
entrance or exit for Kundalini and Her ascent to Siva or descent from Siva. tadsye =
her mouth. the mouth of Brahma Nadi. tadetat = the place near the entrance.
sudh1dhra2gamya3-pradea4 = literal meaning = Pure-containing- union of
[Parma-Siva and Sakti]-place = The place that contains Ambrosia (Suddha) which
comes from the union of Siva and Sakti. Here the union (StrIpum-yogAt = woman-man
union) is symbolic. Granthi-sthna = Knot-place = the place where there is a knot at
the root of all Nadis.
sva-bhv: Kalicarana says it means one's nature. Sankara says it means Jnana which
is Paramatma or divine or spiritual Jnana. Sankara reads uddha-bodha-svabhv as
uddha-bhv-svabhv.
Verse 4

Athdhrapadma suunkhya-lagna
Dhvajdho gudordhva catuh-oa-patra.
Adhovaktramudyat-suvarbhavraih
Vakardisntair yuta veda-varaih.
Next we come to the Adhara Lotus
1
. It is attached to the mouth of the Susumna, and is
placed below the genitals and above the anus. It has four petals of crimson hue. Its head
(mouth) hangs downwards. On its petals are the four letters from Va to Sa, of the shining
colour of gold.
From Verses 4 to 13, Paramanand describes the Muladhara Chakra. Adhara Lotus
1 =
Support-
Lotus = Muladhara Chakra Lotus at the base of the spine in the Uro-genital triangle.
suunkhya-lagna = It is attached to the mouth of Susumna. Four Petals of the
Muladhara Chakra are present at the junction of Kanda and Susumna. Dhvajdho
gudordhva = from below the root of the genitals to Susumna. catuh-oa-patra. =
four red petals. Red or crimpson. Vakardisntair yuta veda-varaih. = The four
letters are Va, a (palatal), (cerebral), and Sa. Vedavarna = Veda character = means
four Vedas. The letters on the petals are to be meditated upon in a clockwise fashion.
Here Veda stands to mean four.
The letters of the alphabet on each of the petals of the six lotuses are to be meditated
upon going round a circle from the right (Dakinvartena: Clock-wise direction).

Figure 2 diagram by Veeraswamy Krishnaraj




Verse 5

Amumin dharya-catukoa-cakra
Samudbhsi lakairvta tat.
Lasat pt-vara tadit-komalnga
Tadante samste dhary svabja
In this (Lotus) is the square region (Cakra) of Prthivi, surrounded by eight shining spears.
It is of a shining yellow colour and beautiful like lightening, as is also the Bija of Dhara
which is within.
Parts of the translation are not by Woodroffe.
Amumin dharya-catukoa-cakra = In this (Lotus), Earth's four-angle Chakra.
dhary svabja: Bija of Dhara: it is the Root mantra of Earth, Lam. Prithvi is Earth, which
is a Tattva, principle or building block of the world. la = Asta + Sula = 8 spears. Eight
spears meaning eight directions or points of compass. Lasat pt-vara tadit-
komalnga = shining yellow color, beautiful like a lightning, having a tender body.
Tadante samste dhary svabja= within it seated Bija of Dhara: it is the Root Mantra
of Earth, Lam. Prithvi is Earth, which is a Tattva, principle or building block of the world. Tad-
ante = inside the region of Prithvi (Dhara Mandala), which is the Bija of Earth: Lam. This
Bija is of shining yellow color (Lasat-pIta-varnam =
shining yellow color). lam is Aindra-BIja (Bija of
Indra) of yellow color possessed of four arms,
holding the thunder in one hand, mighty and seated
on the elephant Airavata.
The Kundalini Chakras from Sahasrara to Muladhara
centers are the home for the building blocks of the human
body. Ajna Chakra is the home for the mind, Vishuddha
for Ether, Anahata for air, Manipura for fire, Svadhistana
for water and Muladhara for earth. All the elements are
assigned a shape and color: Earth is yellow and square;
Water is translucent and crescent-shaped; Fire is red and
triangular; Air is blue and circular; Ether is smoky and
oval.
















In the pericarp of the lotus is present
the square Earth. Earth is round but
its representation here is a square and
of yellow color. The four angles and four side have the eight spears (see the arrows). The tips of
the spears are shaped like the breast of a woman or the mountain. Remember the name of
Wyoming's majestic mountains, 'Grand Tetons' of Grand Teton National park. Woodroffe
quotes Nirvana Tantra by saying that the eight spears are like the seven Kula Mountains:
Nilacala, Mandara, Chandr Sekhara, Himalaya, Suvela, Malaya, and Suparvata. The spears are
those of Deity Dakkini, one of the Bhairavis (Consort of Bhava--Siva) BHAIRAVI
The Bija Mantra (Lam) is right in the middle of the square earth. It is of yellow color. It is the
Bija of Indra (the god of thunder and lightning of the Indo-Aryans) who holds the thunderbolt in
one hand sitting on the elephant Airavata. The Bija of Earth and of Indra are the same. It is said
that Indra has mighty arms; the tips of the fingers reach the knees. Indra is the chief of gods and
his physiognomy and body habitus are different from human beings. Long hands reaching the
Figure 3 by Veeraswamy Krishnaraj
knee in a earth-bound person are characteristic of Marfan's syndrome.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marfan%27s_syndrome
Indra is MAhA-bAhu, possessed of great long arms--sign of prowess. AjAnu-lambita-bAhu =
Arms reaching the knees. The elephant of Indra in the Chakra denote qualities of Tattva and the
vehicles of the devata therein. The Chakra is inhabited by DAkinI, one of the great BhairavIs.
Prepared by Veeraswamy Krishnaraj

Cuturbhu-bha gajendrdhi-rha
tadake navnrka-tulya-praka.
iu skr lasadveda-bhu
mukhbhojalakmi-caturbhgabheda.
Ornamented with four arms and mounted on the King of Elephants, He carries on his lap
the child Creator, resplendent like the young Sun, who has four lustrous arms, and the
wealth of whose lotus-face is four-fold.
Cuturbhu-bha gajendrdhi-rha = Ornamented with four arms and mounted
on the king of elephants. tadake navnrka-tulya-praka. = on his lap (of Dhara Bija)
resplendant like the young sun. iu skr = the child creator = Brahma. lasad-veda-
bhu = glowing four arms. Veda = Vedas or four (as in four Vedas).
mukhbhojalakmi-caturbhgabheda. = The bounty of whose lotus-face is fourfold.
By this is meant the four-faced Brahma. here some replace Bhedah with Veda meaning
that Vedas emanated from the four lotus-faces of Brahma.
Dhara Bija (Earth Bija Mantra) is in Muladhara and Creator Brahma dwells in its Bindu which is
above Nada. The king of Immortals, Indra, is seated on the elephant.

Vasedatra dev ca kinyabhikhy
lasadeva b-hjjval rakta-netr
Samnoditneka-srya-prak
praka vahant sad uddha-buddhe
Here dwells the Devi Dakini by name; her four arms shine with beauty, and her eyes are
brilliant red. She is resplendent like the lustre of many Suns rising at one and the same
time. She is the carrier of the revelation of the ever-pure Intelligence.
Vasedatra dev ca kinyabhikhy lasadeva b-hjjval rakta-netr = Here dwells the
Devi Dakini by name; her four arms shine with beauty, and her eyes are brilliant
red. Samnoditneka-srya-prak = resplendent like the lustre of many Suns
rising at one and the same time. praka vahant sad uddha-buddhe =
She is the carrier of the revelation of the ever-pure Intelligence.
Dakini Sakti, the presiding deity, is in Adhara or Muladhara Chakra and enables the
Yogi to acquire knowledge of the Tattva (Tattva Jnana). Dakini is the queen of
Muladhara Chakra and also the door keeper. Dakini, Rakini, Kakini, Lakini,
Sakini and Hakini (all named after the initial Sanskrit letters, Da, Ra etc) are the
queens of the respective Chakras.
Meditation of Dakini is as follows: Meditate on her, the red, the red-eyed Dakini, in the
Muladhara, who strikes terror in the hearts of Pasus, who holds in her two right hands
the spear and the khatvanga and in her two left hands the sword and a drinking-cup
filled with wine. She is of fierce temper and shows her fierce teeth. She crushes the
whole host of enemies. She is plump of body, and is fond of Payasanna. It is thus that
she should be meditated upon by those who desire immortality. Prepared by
Veeraswamy Krishnaraj
She has Tilaka, forehead mark of vermilion, and eyes ornamented with collyrium, is clad
in black antelope skin and decked with varied jewels.
khatvanga = A staff with human skull at the upper end. Pasus = The unillumined ones.
sword = used in sacrifice of animals. Payasanna = a kind of milk pudding with
boiled milk, rice, butter, sugar, raisins, saffron. Tilaka is the red vermilion mark
worn on the forehead to indicate their life with a living husband.
The lotus is turned up in the path of renunciation (Nivrrti Marga) and return to Para
Brahman and turned down in life of action (Pravrrti Marga), as said by Siva to
Parvati.
We as earthlings are on the Pravrrti Marga, the path of Evolution, a path away from the
Supreme Consciousness. We are afflicted with impurities (mummalam: three
impurities, Anava, Maya and Kanma Malams. more on them at: Primer in Saiva
Siddhanta. Those on Nivrrti Marga are making the centripetal journey towards the
Supreme Consciousness and merge with Him. The are devoid of impurities.

Vajrkhy viaktradee vlasati satata karik-madhyasasha
koa tat traipurkhya taidiva vilasat-komala kmarpam
kandarpo nma vayur nivasati satata tasya madhye samantt
jveo bandhu-jva-prakaramabh-hasan koisrya-praka
Near the mouth of the Nadi called Vajra, and in the pericap (of the Adhara Lotus), there
constantly shines the beautifully luminous and soft, lightening-like triangle which is Karmarupa,
and known as Traipura. There is always and everywhere the Vayu called Kandarpa, who is of a
deeper red than the Bandhujiva flower, and is the Lord of Beings and resplendent like ten million
suns.
The Triangle of Mulachakra in the pericarp is described. The triangle according to Visvanatha
and Gautamiya Tantra is Iccha-Jnana-Kriyatmaka (the powers of the Will, Knowledge, and
Action). The Triangle is the charming Sakti Pitha, above DharA-Bija. The three lines are VAmA,
JyestA and Raudri. TANTRA7.gif shows the triangle under the verse 37.
Vajrkhy viaktradee = near the mouth of the Nadi called Vajra. koa tat
traipurkhya = Triangle is so called because of the presence of Devi Traipura within
the Ka inside the Triangle, the latter ka is the chief letter of KAma Bija. Tantraraja Siva
says to Devi, 'the letter Ka is thy form.' Thus Kam is the Bija of KAmini adn Klim is the
Mantra. Go to TANTRA to see the Triangle.
This Muladhara Triangle is the Sthula (gross) aspect of Suksma (subtle) Kamaraja Triangle in
Sahasrara Chakra.
komala = soft = oily and smooth. kmarpam = that by which KAma is caused to be
felt. It is the embodiment of the devotee's desire. It is MadanAgArAtmaka meaning
Chamber of Madana (Deva of Love)--the Yoni. kandarpa = This is the Kandarpa-Vayu
in the Triangle. jvea = Lord of Beings. Continuation of Life is dependent on kAma or
Kandarpa-Vayu. Vayu = air. PrAna dwells in the heart; ApAna in the anus; Kandarpa-
VAyu is part of the ApAna-VAyu. ApAna and PrAna draw each other, thus preventing
each other from leaving the body. When they are in accord, they leave the body.
Kandarpa, being part of ApAna is the Lord of Life and prevents the PrAna from leaving
the body. PrAna and ApAna are the maintainers of animate being. koisrya-praka =
resplendent like ten million suns. Go to BG04 for description of Airs or Vayus.
Tanmadhye lingarp druta-kanaka-kal-komala pacimsyah
Jna dhynapraksa prathamakisalaykrarpa svaybhu
Vidyuprdubimba-prakara-karacaya-snigdha-satnahs
Ksvs vils vilasati saridvartarpaprakra
Inside it (the triangle) is Svayambhhu in His Linga-form, beautiful like molten gold, with His
head downwards. He is revealed by Knowledge and Meditation, and is of the shape and colour of
a new leaf. As the cool rays of lightening and of the full moon charm, so does His beauty. The
Deva who resides happily here as in Kasi is in forms like a whirlpool.
Svayambhhu = Self-originated, Self-existent. Siva-Linga's other name. Svayambhu is both
Parabrahman and SabdaBrahman meaning by Jnana we realize His attributelessness (Brahman)
and by DhyAna the attributefulness (Isvara).
There are two kinds of Brahmans: ParamBrahman and SabdaBrahman (Supreme Brahman with
no attributes and Sound Brahman who is the creator of the universe. Parabrahman gives rise to
Sabda or Soundbrahman (Bindu, Kundalini) which is the origin of sounds, alphabets, syllables,
words, prose, poetry and the universe of beings and matter. By Spiritual Knowledge we
apprehend Parabrahman and by meditation the Sabdabrahman or Isvara. Simply put, we all
originated from thought, sound and word of Sabdabrahman or God (logos).
Tanmadhye lingarp svaybhu = Inside it (the triangle) is Svayambhhu in His Linga-
form. druta-kanaka-kal-komala = His body has the soft luster of molten gold.
pacimsyah = His head downwards. The ever-blissful Svayambhu being inactive
has his head down, ready to be moved by KAma-Bija. Jna- dhyna-praksa =
Revealed by Knowledge and Meditation. prathama-kisalay-kra-rpa = The
shape and color of new leaves. This refers to the Svayambhu Linga like the tapering
shape of the new unopened leaf-bud. (He is beautiful and blue-green Siva --Sivam-
SyAmala-Sundaram. Vidyut-prdu-bimba-prakara-karacaya-snigdha-
satna-hs = As the cool rays of lightning and of the full moon charm, so does His
beauty. Ksvs vils = The Deva who resides happily here as in KAsi. sarid-
varta-rpa-prakra = Like a whirlpool (Whirlpool is the depression on the top of the
Linga.

10. Tasyordhve bisatantu sodara-lasat skm jaganmohini
brahmavramukha mukhena madhura sachadayanti svaya
akvarta nibh navna capalml vilsspad
supt-sarpasa vopari last srdha-trivttkti

11. Kjant kulakudal ca madhura mattaliml-sphua
vc komalakvya-bandaracan bhdtibheda-kramai
vsocchvsa-vibhajanena jagat jvo yay dhryate
s mlmbuja gahvare vilasati proddma-dptvali
Over it shines the sleeping Kundalini, fine as the fibre of the lotus-stalk. She is the world-
bewilderer, gently covering the mouth of Brahma-dvara by Her own. Like the spiral of the
conch-shell, Her shining snake-like form goes three and a half times round Siva, and Her lustre is
as that of a strong flash of young strong lightning. Her sweet murmur is like the indistinct hum of
swarms of love-mad bees. She produces melodious poetry and Bandha and all other
compositions in prose or verse in sequence or otherwise in Samskrta, Prakrta and other
languages. It is she who maintains all beings of the world by means of inspiration and expiration,
and shines in the cavity of the root (Mula) Lotus like a chain of brilliant lights.
Purport: Kundlini Sakti is in the Svayambhu-Linga. Devi-Kundalini maintains the existence of
individual beings (Jiva and Jivatma) by functions of inspiration and expiration. She makes the
sound of humming bees and is the source of speech. She dwells in the triangular hollow in the
pericarp of the Muladhara Lotus resting on the svayambhu-Linga. Over it shines the sleeping
Kundalini and Her shining snake-like form goes three and a half times round Siva = She as the
snake wraps around the Linga three and half times and over it with Her head. world-bewilderer
= Siva says, "This Supreme Sakti is in me, and is Brahman Itself. This MAyA is dear to Me, by
which this world is bewildered." Her sweet murmur is like the indistinct hum of swarms of love-
mad bees = When She is awakened She makes this sound. This indicates, according to Sankara,
the Vaikhari state of Sound (Articulated sound). Go to Sabda or Sound for full description of
Sound. melodious poetry and Bandha = The composition of the verse (s) is arranged to look
alike a diagram or picture, example: A lotus (padma-Bandha), a horse (Asva-Bandha), Pictorial
appearance of the verse. inspiration and expiration, = It is said that man makes 21600 cycles of
inspiration and expiration. Without Her, there is no breathing.
10. Tasyordhve bisatantu sodara-lasat skm jaganmohini ---Verse 10 line 1
brahmavramukha mukhena madhura sachadayanti svaya ---Verse 10 line
2
akvarta nibh navna capalml vilsspad ---Verse 10 line 3
supt-sarpasa vopari last srdha-trivttkti ---Verse 10 line 4

vc komalakvya-bandaracan bhdtibheda-kramai Verse 11 line 2
bisatantu sodara-lasat skm = Shines fine as the fibers of the lotus stalk.
jaganmohini = World-bewilderer. madhura = Sweet. She drinks the nectar
coming by the sweet Brahma-dvara. navna- capal-ml vilsspad = A strong
flash of young lightning. Lit., 'possessed of the wealth of a strong flash of young
lightning.' komala-kvya-banda-racan-bhdtibheda-krama = She produces
melodious poetry.
Devi Kundalini is Srsti-rupa meaning she is of the form of Creation itself. She is Srsti-
Stithi-layatmika meaning She is Creation, Existence and Dissolution. She is VisvAtitA
meaning She is beyond the universe; She is Immanent and trascends the universe. She
is Jnana-Rupa meaning She is of the form of Consciousness. She is Urddhva-VAhini
meaning She goes upwards from Muladhara to Sahasrara Chakras. She is Ista-Deva-
SvarUpini, meaning that She is meditated upon as The Particular Devata. "She is a
damsel of sixteen in the full bloom of Her first youth, with very large and beautifully
formed breasts, decked with all the varied kinds of jewels, lustrous as the full moon, red
in color, with restless eyes." Kundalini is always meditated upon as red (RaktA) in
color. She is SyAma, a woman who is warm in winter and cool in summer and lustrous
like the molten gold. Before she pierces the Chakras, She, the Brahman Itself, is
resplendent like million of moons rising at the same time and has four arms and three
eyes. Her hands make the Vara and Abhaya Mudras (Granting Boons and Fear-Not
Pose of hands), and hold a book and a Vina--musical instrument. She sits on a lion and
as She passes to Her own abode (Muladhara Chakra) the Awe-inspiring One assumes
different forms.


Tanmadhye param kaltikual skmtiskm par
Nitynada parapartivigalat pya-dhrdhar
Brahmd kathameva sakala yadbhsay bhsate
seya r paramevar vijayate nityaprabhodhoday
Within it reigns dominant Para, the Sri-Paramesvari, the Awakener of eternal knowledge. She is
the Omnipotent Kala who is wonderfully skilful to create, and is subtler than the subtlest. She is
the receptacle of that continuous stream of ambrosia which flows from the Eternal Bliss. By Her
radiance it is that the whole of this Universe and this Cauldron is illumined.
Within it = Within Svayambhu-Linga. Para = AKA: Kundalini, Brahmani. In Kundalini is the
ParA state of Sabda or sound.
Verse: KalA: Cit-KalA is Devi who is Consciousness-Brahman and its part or fragment
is resident in the mind of humans; human consciousness is derived from Cit-KalA; so
She is Cit-KalA. It is the Brahman-Consciousness, a fragment of which is incorporated
in the human mind, which cannot function without Cit-KalA. In Bhagavad-Gita Bhagavan
says: 15.7: A fragment of My own Self becomes the eternal living soul in this world of
Jivatmas and draws the senses of material nature (Prakrti), of which the mind is the
sixth. Cit-kalA unites with Lakshmi and appears as a tapering flame. To relinquish all
sins, meditate upon Kundalini within, above, below the flame as Brahma, Siva, SUra
(Sun) and Paramesvara; Vishnu, Prana, KAlAgni (The destructive Fire at Dissolution)
and Chandra (moon). atikual = She is wonderfully skilful to create. Nitynada
parapartivigalat pya-dhrdhar = She is the receptacle of that continuous
stream of Ambrosia flowing from Eternal Bliss (Brahman). Nityananda = Eternal Bliss =
Nirguna Brahman = Attributeless Brahman = Unqualified Brahman. Parampara = linear
descent (connected step by step) as follows: Nirguna-Brahman Saguna-Brahman
Sakti NAda Bindu Kundalini. Cit-KalA is another form of Kundalini. The Ambrosia
trickles down step by step to Paramesvari AKA CitkalA, who is Nityananda-Parampara,
a descendant of the original Nirguna-Brahman. Another way of looking at this flow of
Ambrosia. From Nityananda, this nectar comes down to Para-Bindu, passes through
Ajna Chakra, Visuddhar Chakra, Anahata, Manipura, Svadhistana, and reaches
Muladhara. ativigalat pya-dhrdhar = She is the receptacle of the stream of
Ambrosia which flows copiously from Nityananda.
Cauldron = Cauldron shape of the lower half of Brahmanda (Brahma's egg =Universe).
Swami Paramananda talks about the Staff-like Para-Sakti, who is like a straight thread above
Kundalini, who is coiled round Svayambhu-Ling. Sri-Paramesvari, whose radiance illumines
this Universe and its cauldron, dwells in the Svayambhu-Linga above where Kundalini is coiled
and holds supreme sway.
param = Omnipotent. She is Supreme MAyA. kal = is a form of NAda-Sakti.

Dhytvaitan-mlacakrntaravivaralasatkoisryaprak
Vcmo narendrah sa bhavati sahas sarvavidyvinod
rogya tasya nitya niravadhi ca mahnandaittntartm
Vkyai kvyaprabandhai sakalasuragurn sevate uddhaila.
By meditating thus on Her who shines within the Mula-Cakra, with the lustre of ten million
Suns, a man becomes Lord of speech and King among men, and an Adept in all kinds of
learning. He becomes ever free from all diseases, and his inmost Spirit becomes full of great
gladness. Pure of disposition by his deep and musical words, he serves the foremost of the
Devas.
Mula-Cakra = Root Chakra = Muladhara Chakra.
mla-cakra antara-vivara-lasat-koisrya-prak = She shines in the Muladhara
Chakra like ten million suns shining at one and the same time. Vkyai kvya-
prabandhai = His deep and musical words. sevate = He serves. He uses his words in
hymns of praise and for purpose of a like nature. He pleases them by words of
adoration. sakala-sura-gurn = all-devas-guru-like excellence. All the foremost of the
Deities. Sura-Gurun refers to Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva, the Trinity of Hinduism. GurUn
like Simha (lion), SArdUla (Tiger), NAga (serpent) are appended to male names to imply
excellence. Example: He is lion of a man.
Summary: Muladhara is a Lotus of four red petals having on them gold letters Va, a,
a, Sa. In the Pericarp is the DharA-mandala with eight spears and in the lower part is
the DharA-Bija (Lam) who has four arms and is seated on the elephant Airavata. He is
yellow, and holds Vajra (thunderbolt) in his hands. Inside the Bindu of DharA-Bija is the
four-faced child Brahma, who is red in color, and has four hands with Danda (staff),
Kamandalu (gourd), Rudraksa rosary and Abhaya-Mudra (Fear-not pose). In the
pericarp besides Brahma there is a red lotus on which is seated red-colored, four-armed
Sakti DAkini, the presiding deity of the Chakra (ChakrAdhisthAtrI), holding SUla (spear),
KhatvAnga (skull-mounted staff), Khadga (sword), and Casaka (drinking-cup). In the
pericarp, there is lightning-like triangle, inside which are kAma-VAyu and KAma-Bija,
both of which are red. Above this is the Svayambhu-Linga which is SyAma-Varna (black
color) and above and round this Linga is Kundalini coiled three and half times, and
above this last upstands, on the top of the Linga, CitkalA.
Figure 4 by Veeraswamy Krishnaraj




SVADHISTHANA

Figure 5 Diagram V.Krishnaraj. Chakra: Swami Sivanada Radha


(Svadhisthana)
Sindra-prarucirruapadmamanyat
sauuamadhyaghaita dhvajamladee
Agacchadai parivta taidbhavarai
bdyai sabindu-lasitaica Puradarntai
There is another Lotus
1
placed inside the Susumna at the root of the genitals, of a beautiful
vermilion colour. On its six petals are the letters from Ba to Puramdara
2
, with the Bindu
3

superposed, of the shining colour of lightening.
another Lotus
1 = Svadhisthana Chakra.
Puramdara
2 = the letter La.
Bindu
3 = The AnusvAra.

Svadhisthana: The place of Sva, meaning Para-Linga, or Supreme Linga. This is the seat of
Supreme Linga.
Five verses from 14 to 18 describes Svadhisthana Chakra of vermilion color.
Sindra-pra-rucir-rua = Of a beautiful vermilion color. sauua-madhya-ghaita
= Placed inside the Susumna. Svadhisthana Chakra is within Susumna NAdi. dhvaja-
mladee = At the root of the genitals. Aga-chadai = On its six petals. bdyai
sabindu-lasitaica Puradarntai = The letter La, being the Bija of Puramdara or
Indra. The lustrous letters Ba, Bha, Ma, Ya, Ra, La are the six letters, one placed on
each of the six Lotus petals.
Susumna = means that Susumna Nadi has three tubes one within the other. The
central Nadi or channel is Brahma Nadi, within which is the Svadhisthana Lotus.

(Svadhisthana)
Tasyntre pravilasadviadapraka-
mambhojamadalamatho varuasya tasya
Ardhendurpalasita saradinduubhra
vakrabijamamala makardhirha.
Within it
1
is the white, shining, watery region of Varuna, of the shape of a half-moon
2
, and
therein, seated on a Makara
3
, is the Bija Vam, stainless and white
as the autumnal moon.
Within it
1
= Within Svadhisthana Lotus Chakra. half-moon
2 = Half-
moon is the sign of Svadhisthana Chakra and water is the element of this chakra.
Makara
3 = A
legendary animal as seen on the plate.

ambhojamadalam = The pericarp of the Svadhisthana Lotus
Chakra contains the watery region (Ambhoja Mandalam) of
Varuna. Ardhendurpalasita = half-moon form shining. viadaprakam = luminously
white.
Varuna Bija is white and sits on Makara, the carrier of noose-holding Varuna. Above
Varuna is four-armed and blue-colored Hari (Vishnu), worthy of worship. The letter Va in
Vruna-Bija belongs to the semivowel group, Ya, Ra, La, Va.

(Svadhisthana)
Tasynkadeakalito harireva pyt
nlaprkasarucirariydadhna
Ptmbara prathamayauvanagarvadhr
rvatsakaustubhadharo dhtavedabhu.
May Hari, who is within it
1
, who is in the pride of early youth, whose body is of luminous blue
beautiful to behold, who is dressed in yellow raiment, is four armed and wears the Sri-vatsa
2
, and
the Kaustubha
3
, protect us!
May Hari, who is within it
1 =
This verse tells that Vishnu is the Varuna-Bija. Vishnu is within the
lap of the Bindu of VAm. Sri-vatsa
2 = the favorite of Sri or Lakshmi. This is the auspicious curl of hair on the chest of Vishnu
and His Avatara Krishna. It symbolizes Prakrti (the world of matter).
Kaustubha
3 = The gem worn by Vishnu symbolizes the souls that are
united with the Kaustubha gem.

anka-dea-kalita = Within it. In the Bindu above Varuna-Bija, in the same way as
Brahma is in the lap of DharA-BijA (Earth Bija) in Muladhara Chakra. nla-prkasa-
rucira-riyam = Blue effulgence lustrous splendor. He possesses the enchanting beauty
of His blue effulgence. His luminous effulgent blue body (Vishnu) is beautiful to behold.
rvatsakaustubha = (Vishnu wears) Srivatsa and Kaustubha gem. The gem shines like
ten thousand gems; His VanamAla (garland of forest flowers) shines like ten thousand
moons. The Srivatsa curl of hair on His right chest shines like ten thousand moons. All
these are chanted in eulogizing Vishnu. Meditate on dark-blue Hari (Vishnu) wearing
Pitambara (yellow garment) holds the Conch, Discus, Mace and Lotus in His four
hands. VanamAla (garland of forest flowers = All-season Forest flower garland of many
colors and hues comes down to the level of Vishnu's knees and has in it Kadamba
flowers in the middle. The garland symbolizes the elements, Earth, Water, Fire. Air and
Ether. prathama-yauvana-garvadhr : Of prime youth, proud Vishnu.
Vishnu's weapons: Mace or Club symbolizes Mahat (Adi-Buddhi, Universal Intelligence,
Divine Mind, Cosmic Intellect, Nous-Greek, Radiation from the Universal Absolute). the
Conch: Sattvic Ahamkara. Virtuous self-illumined I-doer. Sattva = Virtue, illumination,
enlightening Knowledge. Ahamkara = I-doer, the Universal Ego of Vishnu. The bow =
symbolizes Tamasic Ahamkara meaning absorption of the universe. Tamas = darkness. The
Sword: Divine Knowledge. Its Sheath: ignorance. Discus: the mind. the arrows: the senses.
In Muladhara, Brahma sits on his transport (Vahana) Hamsa and here Vishnu flies on Garuda ( a
mythical bird appearing like an Eagle.
(Svadhisthana)
Atraiva bhti satata khalu rki s
nlbujodarsahodarakntiobh
Nnyudhodyatakarairlasitgalakm-
divybarbharaabhitaattacitt
It is here that Rakini always dwells
1
. She is of the colour of a blue lotus. The beauty of Her body
is enhanced by Her uplifted arms holding various weapons. She is dressed in celestial raiment
and ornaments, and Her mind is exalted with the drinking of ambrosia.
Rakini always dwells
1 = Rakini shines (bhti) here in Svadhisthana Chakra.

nlbujodarsahodarakntiobh = Her radiant beauty equals the interior of the blue
lotus.
Rakini is the resident Devi of Svadhistana Chakra sitting on the double lotus with a
streak of blood running from her nostrils. Meditate of blue-colored Rakini with red eyes
and fierce teeth. She is the furious aspect and holds in Her hands a spear, a lotus, a
drum, and a battle-axe. She grants wished-for boons and is fond of rice.

(Svadhisthana)
Svdhihnkhyametatsarasijamamala cintayedyomanusya-
stasyhakradodiksakalarepu kyate tatkaena
yogasopiohdbhutatimiracayebhnutulyaprako
gadyaih padyai parabhandhairviracayati sudhvkyasandoha lakmi
He who meditates upon this stainless Lotus, which is named Svadisthana, is freed immediately
from all his enemies, such as the fault of Aha kara and so forth. He becomes a Lord among
Yogis, and is like the Sun illumining the dense darkness of ignorance. The wealth of his nectar-
like words flows in prose and verse in well-reasoned discourse.
enemies = Enemies of six passions: KAma = Lust. Lobha = Greed. Moha = delusion. Mada =
pride. MAtsaryya = envy. All these six enemies arise from Ahamkara, a sense of mineness. kara
= Egoism.
The benefits from contemplation of Svadhisthana Lotus Chakra are described.
Ahakra-dodi: the Ahamkara fault and so forth. See above for the six evil
predispositions. These six ennemies are destroyed by contemplating on Svadhisthana
Lotus Chakra. The darkness of MAyA and MohA are destroyed.
Summary of Verses 14 to 18: Svadhisthana Lotus Chakra of vermilion color has six letters (Ba,
Bha, Ma, Ya, Ra, La) of the color of lightning placed on the petals. In the pericarp of the Main
Lotus there is a white region with second 8-petalled Lotus with half-moon in its center. Inside
this region is the Varuna-Bija, VAM seated on Makara with a noose on hand. In the hollow of
Bindu is Vishnu sitting on Garuda holding in His four hands the Conch, the Discus, the Mace,
and the Lotus. Vishnu, of youth and pride, wears yellow raiment, a garland of forest flowers, the
mark of Srivatsa on His chest and a gem Kaustubha on His breast. Fierce looking Sakti Rakini
with three eyes, projecting fangs, and bleeding nostrils, sits in the pericarp of the red lotus, is of
syAma varna, holds in her four hands SUla, Abja, Damaru, and Tanaka (a spear, a lotus, a drum,
and a battleaxe) and is fond of white rice.
MANIPURA

Figure 6 Diagram: Veeraswamy Krishnaraj. Credit: Swami Sivananda Radha.

Figure 7 by Veeraswamy Krishnaraj

Tasyordhve nbhimle daadalalasite prameghaprake
nlmbhojaprakairrupahitajahare ddipntai sacandrai
Dhyedvaisvnarauamihirasama maalam tat trikoa
tadbhye svastikvyaistribhirabhilasita tatra vahne svabjam.
Above it
1
, at the root of the navel, is the shining Lotus of ten petals
2
, of the colour of heavy-laden
rain-clouds. Within it are the letters Da to Pha, of the colour of the blue lotus with the Nada and
Bindu above them. Meditate there on the region of Fire, triangular in form and shining like the
rising sun. Outside it are three Svastika marks
3
, and within, the Bija of Vahni himself
4
.
Above it
1 =
Above Svadhisthana Lotus Chakra. the shining Lotus of ten petals
2 =
The Manipura
Chakra, the seat of the element of Fire, the sign of which is a triangle.

three Svastika marks
3 =
It
is an auspicious mark In the Indian context, the svastika stands for universal welfare. "Swasti"
means well-being of one and all, "ka" means symbol. the Bija of
Vahni himself
4
. = Ram is the seed Mantra of Fire. Vahini = Fire.
Svastika (Ansate Cross) is derived from the Sanskrit svastika (in
Devanagari, ), meaning any lucky or auspicious object, and
in particular a mark made on persons and things to denote good
luck. It is composed of su- (cognate with Greek -, eu-), meaning
"good, well" and asti, a verbal abstract to the root as "to be"
(cognate with the Romance copula, coming ultimately from the
Proto-Indo European root *h1es-); svasti thus means "well-being."
The suffix -ka intensifies the verbal meaning or confers the sense of
'beneficial', and svastika might thus be translated literally as "that which associated with well-
being," corresponding to "lucky charm" or "thing that is auspicious."
[1]
The word first appears
in the Classical Sanskrit (in the Ramayana and Mahabharata epics)-Wikipedia.
Svastika sign is made by drawing a cross and then drawing lines that go in clockwise
direction at 90 angles.
Dasa-dala-Lasite = Shining Lotus of ten petals. The Lotus shines by reason of its ten petals.
Purna-megha-prakase: of the color of the heavy rain clouds. 2nd line. Nilambhoja-
prakasair-upahita-jathare-dadi-phantaihsancandraih = the color of the blue lotus, the ten
letters, a, ha, Na, Ta, Tha, Da, Dha, Na, Pa, Pha on ten petals as seen in the diagram.
Sacandraih = Moon dot. The letters have Bindu and NAda over them. Aruna-Mihira-
Samam: like the young sun.

20.Dyyenmedhirdham navatapanaibha vedabhjvalga
tatkroe rudramrtiirnivasat satata suddhasindrarga
Bhasmliptgabhbharaasitavapurvddhrp trietro
loknmiadtbhayalsitakara sstisahrakar.

Meditate upon him (Fire) seated on a ram, four-armed, radiant like the rising Sun. In his lap ever
dwells Rudra, who is of a pure vermilion hue. He (Rudra) is white with the ashes with which he
is smeared; of an ancient aspect and three-eyed. His hands are placed in the attitude of granting
boons and dispelling fear
1
. He is the destroyer of creation.
granting boons and dispelling fear
1 =
the deities exhibit hand poses that give boons (Vara) and
quell Fear (Abhaya Mudra)

Figure 8 Exoticindia.com

Meditation on Vahni (Fire): Seated on a ram, a Rudraksa rosary in one hand, and Sakti in the
other. The other two hands holding no weapons grant boons and quell fear. Rudra is never
meditated upon as seated on a bull.
Bhasmaliptanga-bhusabharana-sita-vapu = His body is smeared with ash; His ornaments
makes Him look white, though he is of red hue.

21. Atrste lkin s sakalaubhakar vedabhjjvalg
ym ptmbardyairvividhaviracanlakta mattacitt
Dhytvaitannbhipadma parabhavati nitar sahtau plane v
v tasynanbje nivasati satata jnasadohalakmi.
Here abides Lakini, the benefactress of all. She is four-armed, of radiant body, is dark (of
complexion), clothed in yellow raiment and decked with various ornaments, and exalted with the
drinking of ambrosia. By meditating on this Navel Lotus

the power to destroy and create (the
world) is acquired. Vani with all the wealth of knowledge ever abides in the lotus of His face.
Vani = Sarasvati , Devi or Goddess of speech.
lakini = lakini is meditated upon as follows. Let the excellent worshipper meditate upon the
Devi Lakini, who is blue and has three faces, and three eyes on each face, fierce aspect, and with
the teeth protruding I. Her right hand She holds the thunderbolt and the Sakti (the weapon of
Vahini (Fire) and in the left She makes gestures (mudra) of dispelling fear and of granting boons.
She is in the pericarp of the navel Lotus with ten petals. She is fond of meat (Mamasi) and Her
breast is ruddy with blood and fat which drop from Her mouth.
The navel lotus is called Mani-pura, the city of jewels because it is lustrous like a gem.
vividhaviracanlakta = Decked with various ornaments. All her ornamets (pearsls and
gems) are arranged in varied and beautiful designs.
Summary of Verses 19 to 21.
The Nabhi Padma--Navel Lotus--is rain-cloud-colored with ten lustrous blue petals having on
them the letters: a, ha, Na, Ta, Tha, Da, Dha, Na, Pa, Pha with Bindu above each of them.
Triangular-shaped red region of Fire with Svastika signs on its three sides is in the pericarp,
within which is the four-armed Bija of Fire, Ram, who is red in color, sits on a ram, holds in Hsi
hands the Vajra (thunderbolt) and the Sakti weapon and makes signs of Vara and Abhaya. Rudra
red in color sits on a bull on the lap of Vahni-Bija, is smeared with ash and appears old. Sakti
Lakini sits on a red lotus in the pericarp. She is blue, four-armed, three-faced with three eyes on
each face, holds the Vajra and Sakti weapons in her two hands and makes abhaya and Vara
mudras with the other two hands. She is fierce with protruding teeth, is fond of eating cooke rice
and dhal mixed with meat and blood. Here ends the third section.
ANAHATA

Figure 9 Veeraswamy Krishnaraj




22. Tasyordhve hdi pakaja sulalita bandhkakantyujjvala
kdyairdvdaavarakairupahita sndrarganvitai
Nnhatasamjaka surataru vcchtiriktaprada
vyormadalamatra dhmasada atkoaobhnvita
Above that, in the heart, is the charming Lotus, of the shining colour of the Bandhuka flower,
with the twelve letters beginning with Ka, of the colour of vermilion, placed therein. It is known
by the name of Anahata, and is like the celestial wishing-tree, bestowing even more than (the
supplicant's) desire. The Region of Vayu, beautiful and with six corners, which is like unto the
smoke in colour, is here.
charming Lotus: Verses 22 to 27 describes Anahata Lotus Chakra, which is meditated upon in
the heart. The 12 letters from Ka to Tha are on the petals: Ka, Kha, Ga, Gha, a, Ca, Cha,
Ja, Jha, Na, a, ha. wishing-tree = Kalpa-taru is a wish-tree in the garden (heaven) of the
chief of gods Indra. It grants all that is wished for and Moksa (liberation). six corners = see the
interlacing triangles with six corners (Sat-kona).

Figure 10. ExoticIndia.com Diagram:Veeraswamy Krishnaraj
hdi pakaja = Heart Lotus. dvdaavara= 20 letters. Nnhata-samjaka:
name Anahata it is known. Munis called the Lotus Anahata because they heard the sound of
sabdabrahman in the Heart Lotus; it is Unstruck Sound, meaning that the sound is not produced
by two clanging objects. vyormadala = Vayu Mandalam or Region of Air.

23. Tanmadhye pavankara ca madhura dhmvaldhsara
dhyayetpicatutayena lasita kndhirha para
Tanmadhye karunidnamamala hasbhamiabhidha
pibhymabhaya vara ca vidadhallokatraymapi
Meditate within it on the sweet and excellent Pavana Bija, grey as a mass of smoke, with four
arms, and seated on a black antelope. And within it also (meditate) upon the Abode of Mercy,
the Stainless Lord who is lustrous like the Sun, and whose two hands make the gestures which
grant boons and dispels the fears of three worlds.
Purnananda Svami says that VAyu Bija is in the Anahata Chakra. Pavana Bija = The Bija of
Yam, grey as a mass of smoke. the Abode of Mercy = Sankara opines that it is a Ocean of
Mercy (Kripa Sagar or KarunAvAridhi).Sun = Sun is Hamsa and also the name of the Supreme.
Ham means motion. It is Aditya (sun) because it is perpetual motion (SAyana). Hamsa is also
AntarAtmA (the Inner Atman or Soul, Paramatman). Hamsa is Mantra of every breath. This
chantless Mantra pervades the breath going in and out, the subtle sound sah going in and the
subtle sound ham going out. (Sa = Siva, Vishnu, Lakshmi, or Gauri [Parvati or Sakti]; Ham = I
am; so = Parvati.} As one chants this subtle-sound Mantra soham, a derivative of sah-ham,
Hamsa comes into being by inversion. Sa (Sah) is Sakti and Ha is Siva. Soham, Hamsa and
AUM (Pranava) are equipotent. Hamsah is the union of male and female and the universe is
Hamsah, according to Woodroffe. Tirumular says that AUM, though a three-letter word, is one-
letter Mantra. Soham is the unintonated sound of normal breathing, meaning I am He. Hamsa,
meaning Swan as in RamaKrishna Parma-Hamsa, stands for an ascetic --Hamsan. All of us
including all air-breathing living beings recite this Mantra Soham unknowingly for a lifetime.
This chantless Mantra (Ajapa Japa) is called Ajapa Gayatri. As you are breathing this chantless
Soham in and out, you are identifying your individual self with the Great Self of the Supreme
Being. Every breath (and the Mantra) that you take pervades the whole universe of your body.
This life giving force or Mantra has the Great Self as the basis. two hands = Bija has hands and
feet.
Verse Explanation: pavankara = the letter of Pavana (Air). It is Bija Yam. madhura =
sweet and excellent. dhmvaldhsara = Dhuma is smoke. Grey as a mass of smoke.
The black antelope, known for its fleetness is the Vahana (carrier) of Vayu (Air), whose carries
his Ankusa (goad) in the same way Varuna carries his PAsa (noose). Isa (Siva) is in Vayu Bija.

24. Atrste khalu kkin navataitpt trietr ubh
sarvlakaranvit htakari sayagjnn mud
hastai pakaplaobhanavarn sabibhrati cbhya
matt prasudhrasrdrahday kaklamldhar
Here dwells Kakini, who in colour is yellow like unto new lightning, exhilarated and auspicious;
three-eyed and the benefactress of all. She wears all kinds of ornaments, and in Her four hands
She carries the noose and the skull, and makes the sign of blessing and the sign which dispels
fear. Her heart is softened with the drinking of nectar.
Pandit Purnananda Svami says that there is Sakti Kakini in Anahata Chakra. matt =
exhilarated. Kakini is exhilarated. prasudhrasrdrahday = Totally Pure nectar softens
her heart. The nectar flows from Sahasrara Chakra. She wears the skin of a black antelope.
Meditate on Kakini, who is in the Fat holding in her hands a noose (PAsa), trident (SUla), skull
(KapAl), Drum (Damaru). She with a bending pose, is of yellow complexion, likes to eat
Dadhy-anna (curd and rice) drink VAruni (Rice wine). The Seven Saktis or Yoginis have each an
abode in one of the Dhatus (layer, stratum, constituent part , ingredient): chyle , blood , flesh , fat
, bone , marrow , semen of which sometimes 10 are given , the above 7 and hair , skin , sinews
(tendon).

25. Etannrajakarikntaralasacchaktistrikobhidha
vidyutkotisamnakomalavapu sste tadantargata
Bakhya ivalingakopi kanakkrgargojjvalo
maulau skma-vibheda-yu mairiva prollsalakmylaya
The Sakti whose tender body is like ten million flashes of lightening is in the pericarp of this
Lotus in the form of a triangle (Trikona). Inside the triangle is the Siva-Linga known by the
name of Bana. This Linga is like shining gold, and on his head is an orifice minute as that in a
gem. He is the resplendent abode of Laksmi.
Pandit Purnananda Svami tells of the triangle (Trikona) in the pericarp of Anahata Lotus.
trikobhidha = In the form of a triangle. Sakti appears as a down triangle with apex down. The
down Triangle is symbolic of female escutcheon or Yoni which also appears like an inverted
triangle, which is below Vayu-Bija. Within the Triangle is the BAna-Linga. maulau skma-
vibheda-yu mai = on his head is a minute orifice as that in a gem. vibheda = piercing.
skma = minute. mai = jewel. This is the description of Bna-Linga. The orifice is the
little space in the Bindu which is within the half-moon which is on the head of the Linga. The
Bindu is in the head of Siva-Linga. prollsalakmylaya = Resplendent abode of Lakshmi.
Alaya = temple, abode,

26. Dhyayedyo hdi pakaja surataru arvasya pthlaya
devasynila-hna-dpa-kalik-hasena sa-obhita
bhnormadala-maditntara-lasat kijalka-obhdhara
vcmvara avaropi jagat rakavine kama
He who meditates on this Heart Lotus becomes (like) the Lord of Speech, and (like) Isvara he is
able to protect and destroy the worlds. This Lotus is like the celestial wishing-tree, the abode and
seat of Sarva. It is beautified by the Hamsa, which is like unto the steady tapering flame of a
lamp in a windless place. The filaments which surround and adorn its pericarp, illumined by the
solar region, charm. Sarva = Maha-Deva = Siva. Hamsa = Here it stands for Jivatma.
Pandit Purnananda Svami talks about the good gained by meditating on the Heart Lotus.
Dhyayedyo hdi pakaja surataru arvasya pthlaya = He who meditates on this
Heart Lotus becomes (like) the Lord of Speech, and (like) Isvara he is able to protect and destroy
the worlds. anila-hna-dpa-kalik-hasena sa-obhita = Hamsa (Jivatma) is like the
steady flame of lamp in a widless place, and enhances the beaty of this Lotus. Surya Mandala is
in the pericarp of Anahata Lotus. bhnormadala-maditntara-lasat kijalka-
obhdhara = The filaments which surround and adorn its pericarp, illumined by the solar
region, charm. The filaments surrounding the pericarp tinged with the rays of the sun give beauty
and charm. Anahata Lotus filaments around the pericarp are the only ones thus tinged by the rays
of the sun and other filaments of other lotuses are not so touched by the Sun's rays. BhAnu
Mandala = Sun Mandala. The region of Vayu covers the whole pericarp. Above it is region of
Surya or sun. Above them are the Vayu-Bija and Trikona etc. One should meditate upon all
these. Mam is the Mantra of mental worship in the region of Fire with his ten KalAs. Kala =
digit, part, portion. The regions of Vahini (Fire), Arka (Sun), and Chandr (Moon) are placed one
above the other. avar = Creator. rakavine kama = Equally able to protect and destroy
the world. he can create, maintain and destroy the Universe.

27. Yogo bhavati priytpriyatama kntkulasynia
jnopi kti jitendriyagao dhynvadhnakama
Gadyai padyapaddibhica satata kavymbhudhrvaho
lakmiragaadaivata parapure akta pravetu kat.
Foremost among Yogis, he is ever dearer than the dearest to women, He is pre-eminently wise
and full of noble deeds. His senses are completely under control. His mind in its intense
concentration is engrossed in thoughts of the Braham. His inspired speech flows like a stream of
(clear) water. He is like the Devata who is the beloved of Laksmi and is able at will to enter
another's body. Laksmi = Lakshmi is the family Devata, meaning he is always prosperous.
priytpriyatama kntkulasya = dearer than the dearest to women (because he is skilful to
please them). Sankara says that he is dearer than their husbands. jitendriya-ga = His senses
are completely under control. dhynvadhna-kama = His mind in its intense concentration
is engrossed in thoughts of the Braham. Dhyana is meditation --Brahma-Cintana, and AvadhAna
means steady and intense concentration of the mind. The yogi is capable of both. kavymbhu-
dhr-vaha = His inspired speech flows like a stream of (clear) water. lakm-ragaa-
daivata = He is like the Devata who is the beloved of Laksmi. Slakshmi is the consort of
Vishnu. Rangana is good fortune. Having enjoyed in this world th best of pleasure, he in the end
goes to the abode of Liberation. parapure = another's body. He is able at will to enter another's
body. He gains power to render himself invisible, enter an enemy's fortress, and fly across the
sky.
Summary of Verses 22 to 27 on Anahata Chakra.
The Heart Lotus of the color of Bhaduka Flower has vermilion letters from Ka to Tha on its 12
petals with Bindu above them. Hexagonal Vayu Mandala of smoky color is in its pericarp; above
it is Surya Mandala with the Triangle shining like ten million flashes of lightning within it.
Above it is Vayu-Bija of smoky hue sitting on a black antelope, four armed and carrying a goad
(Ankusa). In the lap of Vayu-Bija abides three-eyed Isa who like Hamsa extends His two arms
in gestures of granting boons and dispelling fear. In the pericarp of the Anahata Lotus is another
red lotus wherein abides four-armed Sakti Kakini of golden hue, yellow raiment, many jewels
and garland of bones carrying PAsa (noose), the KapAla (skull), and making Vara (boons) and
Abhaya (fear-not) signs. Her heart is softened by the nectar. Golden-colored Siva in the form
Bana-Linga with crescent moon and Bindu on his forehead abides in the middle of the triangle.
He is joyous with a rush of desire. Hamsa Jivatma below him is like the steady tapering flame of
a lamp. Below the pericarp, there is a red lotus of 8 petals with its head turned upward which
contains the Kalpa tree, the jeweled altar surmounted with an awning, flags and the like and is
the place of mental worship.
VISUDDHA

Figure 11 Veeraswamy Krishnaraj



28. Viuddhkhya kahe sarasijamamala dhmadhmrvabhsa
svarai sarvai oairdalaparilasitairdpita dptabuddhe
Samste prneneduprathitatamanabhomaala vttarpa
himacchayangopari lasitatanoh suklavarnambarasya

29. Bhujai pbhtyakuavaralasitai obhitgasya tasya
manorake nitya nivasati girijbhinnadeho himbha
Trietra pacsyo lalitadaabhujo vyghracarammbarahya
sadprvo deva siva iti ca samkhynasiddha prasiddha

In the throat is the Lotus called Visuddha, which is pure and of a smoky purple hue. All the
(sixteen) shining vowels on its (sixteen) petals, of a crimson hue, are distinctly visible to him
whose mind (Buddhi) is illumined. In the pericarp of this lotus there is the Ethereal Region,
circular in shape, and white like the full Moon. On an elephant white as snow is seated the Bija
of Ambhara, who is white of colour.
Of His four arms, two hold the noose and goad, and the other two make the gestures of granting
boons and dispelling fear. These add to His beauty. In His lap there ever dwells the great snow-
white Deva, three-eyed and five-faced, with ten beautiful arms, and clothed in a tiger's skin. His
body is united with that of Girija, and He is known by what His name, Sada-Siva, signifies.
full Moon: Ether, whose Mandala is a circle (Vrrta-rupa), is the element of Visuddha Lotus
Chakra. Bija = Ham is the Bija of Visuddha. Ambhara = Ethereal region. also means raiment.
Ambhara, white in his Bija form wearing white raiment, sits on a elephant of the color of snow.
His lap: Ham (Nabho-Bija). Girija = Giri is mountain. Mountain-born Devi. Daughter of
Mountain King Himavat (Himalaya Mountains). This refers to Androgynous from of Siva-
Sakti. Sada-Siva = Ever-Beneficent One.
Four verses from 28 to 31 describes Visuddha Lotus Chakra. Hamsa (the Jiva) attains purity, so
this lotus is called Visuddha (pure), Ethereal, Great, and Excellent. Visuddha in the region of the
throat is called Visuddha: Pure (amala = without impurity) by reason of its being tejo-maya
(purified by Fire and its substance is Tejas) and hence free from impurity. svarai sarvai = all
the vowels, beginning from A-KAra (A) ending with Visarga, altogether 16 in number. dala-
parilasitai = shining on the petals, 16 in number and red in color with Bindu above them. Its
filaments are ruddy and it is adorned by Vyoma-Mandala. Vyoma = Ether. Mandala = region or
circle. dpitam= Distinctly visible. The letters are lighted up as it were for the enlightened mind
(Dpta-Buddhi). dptabuddheh = Whose mind (Buddhi = Intellect) is illumined. The intellect
has become free of impurities of worldly pursuits as a result of constant practice of Yoga.
prnenedu-prathita-tama-nabhomaala vtta-rpa = the Ethereal Region, circular in
shape, and white like the full Moon. purnenedu = Full-Moon. nabhomaala = Ethereal
Region. vtta-rpa = Circular in shape. Various texts have assigned different colors to
Ethereal region: white, smoky. hima-cchayangopari lasita-tanu = On an elephant white as
snow is seated. Nga is not a serpent but an elephant in this context.

Figure 12 Credit: Swami Sivananda Radha- by permission
Bhujaih pasabhityankusa-vara-lasitaih sobhitangasya (Bhujai pbhtyakua-vara-lasitai
obhitgasya) = Of His four arms, two hold the noose and goad, and the other two make the
gestures of granting boons and dispelling fear. These add to His beauty. tasya manoh = His
Mantra = The Bija of Ambara or Ether = Ham. The Bija (root) of a thing is that thing in essence.
tasya manor anke = In the lap of His Bija. Ham is Bija of Ether in the pericarp of Visuddha
Lotus and we are to meditate on it. girijabhinna-deha (girijbhinna-deha) = the snow-white
Deva whose body is united with or inseparable from that of Girija. This means Siva-Sakti body
is androgynous, of golden color on the left (Sakti) and snow-white on the right (Siva). He,
Sadasiva with white garment, dwells in the lap of Nabho-Bija. Nirvana Tantra says: Within the
Yantra (AmA KalA) is the Half-Bull and half-Lion (Simhasana), on which sits the Eternal Gauri
(Sakti on half-lion) with Sada-Siva on Her right (on half-bull). Sadasiva has five faces, three
eyes in each face, a body smeared with ash, looks like a mountain of silver, and wears the skin of
a tiger and a garland of snakes as His ornaments. The Eternal Gauri (SadA-Gauri), half of Siva's
body, is the Mother of the Universe. lalita-dasa-bhuja (lalita-daa-bhuja) = beautiful-ten-
arms. Meditate on Him as Deva with ten arms carrying the following weapons, accouterments
and offering boons. Ten beautiful arms carry the following.
Sula
Tanka Krpana Vajra
Dahana Nagendra Ghanta Ankusa Pasa
Abhitikara
Trident
Battle-
axe
Sword Thunderbolt Fire
Snake-
King
Bell
Goad
Noose
no-fear
sign

30. Sudhsindho suddha nivasati kamale skin ptavastr
aram cpa pam simapi dadhat hastapadmacaturbh
sudh|mo sapra aaparirahita madala kariky
mahmokadvra riyambhimatalasya uddhendriyasya.
Purer than the Ocean of Nectar is the Sakti Sakini who dwells in this Lotus. Her raiment is
yellow, and in Her four lotus-hands She carries the bow, the arrow, the noose, and the goad. The
whole region of the Moon without the mark of the hare is in the pericarp of this Lotus. This
(region) is the gateway of great Liberation for him who desires the wealth of Yoga and whose
senses are pure and controlled. hare = hare on the moon, stain on the moon, man on the Moon.
Swami Purnananda says that Sakini abides in the pericarp of Visuddha Lotus Chakra.
Sudhasindhoh suddha ( Sudhsindho suddha) = Purer than the ocean of Nectar.
Sudhasindhu is Chandra or Moon according to Sankara. She is purer and whiter than
the nectar in the moon. Sakini who is of the form of light itself (Jyotih-svarupa) is white
and heatless. Meditation on Sahini is as follows: "Let the excellent Sadhaka meditate on
the Devi Sakini in the Throat Lotus. She is Light itself. She carries in Her Lotus hands
the noose, the goad, the sign of the book and makes Jnana-Mudra (thumb and pinky
touching at the tips). She makes the Pasus (the uninitiated people) mad and has her
abode in the bone (She is the Devata of Asthi-Dhatu. She is fond of milk food and gets
drunk and elated on the nectar." The Devi (Sakti Sakini) is the Lunar Region within the
pericarp. kamale = in this Lotus. in the pericarp of the Visuddha Chakra. sasa-pari-
rahita = In this pericarp is the spotless region of the Moon, without the mark of a hare.
maha-moksa-dvaram (mah-moka-dvra ) = Great-heaven-gate. The gateway to
Great liberation-- Nirvana Mukti (in the praise of this Mandala) for those who have
purified and conquered their senses, among other practices; by meditating in this in the
path of Yoga, they attain Liberation (mukti). sriyambhimata-silasya (riyambhimata-
lasya) = Who desires the wealth of Yoga. Sri is wealth (of Yoga). That nature is the
gateway to liberation. suddhendriya (uddhendriya) = Suddha + Indriya = Pure +
Senses. Whose senses are pure and controlled.
In the pericarp of the Lotus of Nabho-Mandala: inside the latter is the triangle, inside
which is the Chandra-mandala, inside which is Nabho-Bija (Ham). Think of the full-
moon in the triangle within the pericarp; there think of the snowy Akasa seated on the
elephant, whose raiment is while. There is the Deva Sada-Siva whose raiment is white--
qualifies Akasa.


31. Iha sthne cittam niravadhi vinidhytmasamprayoga
kavirvgam jn sa bhavati nitar sdaka ntacet
Trkln dar sakalahitakaro rogaokapramukta-
ciramjv jv niravadhivipad dhvasahasapraka.
He who has attained complete knowledge of the Atma (Brahman) becomes by constantly
concentrating his mind (Citta) on this Lotus a great Sage, eloquent and wise, and enjoys
uninterrupted peace of mind. He sees the three periods, and becomes the benefactor of all, free
from disease and sorrow and long-lived, and, like Hamsa, the destroyer of endless dangers.
Svami Purnananda speaks of the good gained by meditating on the Visuddha-Chakra.
atma-sampurna-yoga (tma-sampra-yoga) = who has attained complete knowledge of the
Atman (Brahman) by virtue of the fact that Brahman is all-pervading. Another meaning is One
who has obtained perfection Yoga. The one who has attained complete knowledge of Atma
reposes like the still waters of the deep. Such a person is a Knower (Jnani). He becomes
proficient of all Sastras without instruction therein. "He becomes merciful not looking for any
rewards; his Citta is peaceful; He is constant, gentle, modest, courageous, forgiving, self-
controlled, pure and the like, and free from greed, malice and pride." Bhagavad-Gita16.2 & 3.
Tri-kala darsi (Tri-kla dar )= three-periods-seer. he sees the three periods-Past,
present and future. He sees the Atma (Self) and all objects of knowledge therein. roga-
soka-pramuktah (roga-oka-pramuktah) = Disease-Sorrow-the Liberated. Free from
disease and sorrow--by having attained Siddhi (Spiritual perfection) in his Mantra. He is
free of MAyA and thus feels no sorrow. niravadhi-vipadam-dhvamsa-hamsa-prakasah
(niravadhi-vipad dhvasa-hasa-praka)_ = endless-dangers-destroying-Hamsa-
showing, shining. Like Hamsa, the destroyer of endless dangers. The Sadhaka
becomes Hamsa Which is the Antartma (Inner Soul) that dwells by the pericarp of the
Sahasrara for he can destroy all such dangers and in the result open the gate of
Liberation. Sankara calls Hamsa Sun. Hamsa is the 12-petalled Lotus below Sahasrara.
Summary of the Visuddha Chakra
Visuddha Chakra is in the base of the throat with ruddy filaments, and 16 petals of
smoky purple hue and 16 red Vowels on the petals with Bindu above them. Circular and
white Nabho-Mandala is in the pericarp inside which is Chandra Mandala with elephant-
mounted white, garmented and four-armed Bija Ham above it, which holds in four hands
noose and goad, and makes Vara and Abhaya Mudras. In his lap is Sada-Siva seated
on a great lion-seat placed on the back of the bull. He is in the form of Ardha-narisvara;
half the body snow-white Siva and the other half golden Sakti, with five faces, ten arms
holding trident, battle-axe, sacrificial sword, thunderbolt, the great snake, bell, goad,
noose, and making Abhaya-mudra. He wears a tiger's skin, ash all over His body, a
garland of snakes round His neck, and a down-turned digit of moon on His forehead
dropping the nectar. Within the pericarp and in the Lunar region and seated on bones, is
Sakti Sakini, white in color, four-armed, five-faced and three-eyed on each face, clothed
in yellow and carrying in Her hand a bow, an arrow, a noose, and a goad.

31. Iha Sthne citta niravadhi nidhyttapavano
yadi kruddho yog calayati samasta tribhuvana
Na ca brahm viur na ca hariharo naiva khama-
stadya smarthya amayatumala npi gaapa.
The Yogi, his mind constantly fixed on this Lotus, his breath controlled by Kumbhaka (retention
of breath), is in his wrath able to move all the three worlds. Neither Brahma nor Visnu, neither
Hari-Hara nor Surya (sun) nor Ganapa (Ganesa) is able to control his power (resist Him). wrath
= This is SturivAda = praise of his great powers. If He were to get angry, he could move the
three worlds.
Swami Purnannda speaks of the power of Yogi.
tta-pavana = his breath controlled by Kumbhaka (retention of breath in Pranayama--breath
control). harihara = The Yugala--combined--form of Vishnu and Siva. khamani = the
jewel of the sky = the sun.
End of 5th section.

AJNA
by Veeraswamy Krishnaraj

are the letters on the petals. !
Om is the Bija letter of Ajna Chakra.

32. janmmbuja taddhimakarasadam dhynadhmapraka
hakbhy vai kalbhy parilasitavapurnetrapatra suubhra
Tanmadhye hkin s aisamadhaval vaktraaka dadhn
vidy mudr kapla amarujapava bibhrt uddhacitt.
The Lotus named Ajna 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
(meditation). Inside it is the Sakti Hakini, whose six faces are like so many moons. She has six
arms, in one of which She holds a book; two others are lifted up in the gestures of dispelling fear
and granting boons, and with the rest She holds a skull, a small drum, and a rosary. Her mind is
pure (Suddha-Citta). Ajna = Command. Name of the Lotus between the eyebrows above
Visuddha Chakra. book = Pustaka-Mudra. A hand gesture of Vidya or knowledge.
Swami Purnananda talks about Ajna Chakra from Verse 32 to 38
Verses 32 to 38 describes Ajna Chakra. Ajnanama (ja-nm) = Ajna name. The Lotus
named Ajna. Ajna or Command of the Guru comes down (GurorAjneti) to this Lotus
between the eyebrows. Going upwards after entering the throat and palate, the white
and auspicious lotus (the place of manas, the mind) between the eyebrows is reached
by Kundali. Its 2 petals have Ha and Ksa on them. himakara-sadrsam (hima-kara-
sadam) = Like the moon, beautifully white. or Cool like the moonbeams. Hima-kara is
Moon. Hima means cool; Kara means causer. The moon is the receptacle of Ambrosial
nectar and cool and beautifully white. dhyana-dhama-prakasam (dhyna-dhma-
praka) = it shines with the glory of Dhyana. Its body shines like the glory of Dhyana
Sakti. netrapatra = two petals. Netra = eye. Ha-ksabhyam kalabhyam-
parilasitavapuh-susubhram = (Ha-kbhy kalbhy parilasitavapuh su-ubhra)
The letters Ha and Ksa which are also white. Hakini sa ( hkin s) = She is Hakini, the
resident Devata of the Ajna Chakra. mudram (mudr) = hand poses depicting granting
of boons and dispelling fear. vidyam-mudram = this may also mean the hand pose of
Knowledge.


Figure 13 by Swami Sivananda Radha
Meditate on Sakti Hakini who is white, abides in the marrow, and holds in her hands the
Damaru, the Rosary, the Skull, the Vidya (sign of the book) and the Mudra (hand pose of
granting boons and dispelling fear). She has six red faces with three eyes in each. See below. She
sits on a white lotus, and likes food cooked with Turmini and feels elated by drinking ambrosia.

33. Etatpadmntarle nivasati ca mana skmarpa prasiddha
yonau tatkaraikymitaivapada ligacihapraka
Vidyunmlvilsa paramakulapada brahmastraprabhoda
vednmdibja sthiratarahdayacintayettatkramea.
Within this Lotus dwells the subtle mind (Manas). It is well-known. Inside the Yoni in the
pericarp is the Siva called Itara, in His phallic form. He here shines like a chain of lightning
flashes. The first Bija of the Vedas, which is the abode of the most excellent Sakti and which by
its lustre makes visible the Brahma-sutra, is also here. The Sadhaka with steady mind should
meditate upon these according to the order (prescribed).
Swami speaks of the Manas, the Mind in Ajna Chakra. Swami Purnananda talks about Ajna
Chakra from Verse 32 to 38.
Etatpadmantarale nivasati ca manah suksmarupam prasiddham (Etatpadmntarle
nivasati ca mana skmarpa prasiddha) = Within this Lotus dwells the subtle mind
(Manas). The Manas is beyond the scope of the senses. What is the proof of its existence? It is
universally accepted (prasiddha) and handed down from AnAdi-Purusa as realized thing. Manas
is above the First Bija of the Vedas. linga-cihna-prakasam (liga-ciha-praka) = shining
Phallic form. Sivalinga is in the Yoni within the pericarp. The Itara-Siva in Linga form is
within the Yoni. Itara-Sivapada within the triangle in the pericarp is white and crystalline
with three eyes. Vidyun-mala-vilasam (Vidyun-ml-vilsa) = Linga resembles
continuous streaks of lightning flashes. parama-kula-padam = Excellent-Kula-place.
which is the abode of the most excellent Sakti. Kula is Sakti of Triangular form. Akula is
not Sakti but Siva. Atma is in the form of Pranava in the triangle in the pericarp. Above
it, the flaming lamp is the charming NAda and Bindu is MakAra (M of AUM). Manas
abode is above these. vedanam-adibijam (vednmdibja) = First Bija of the Vedas.
It refers to M of Pranava (AUM) in the pericarp pf the lotus. brahma-sutra-prabhodam
(brahma-stra-prabhoda)= makes visible the Brahma-sutra. Brahma Sutra is Brahma
thread or Citrini Nadi. Sutra is thread and cognate with suture. The luster of Pranava
makes the Sutra visible.
The SAdaka should meditate on all of these: Hakini in the pericarp, Manas, Itara Linga and
Pranava in the order prescribed.
The vertical linearity of the entities are from below up: First Hakini in the pericarp, Itara Linga
in the triangle above her, Pranava in the triangle above Him, Manas at the top.

34. Dhyntm sdhakendro bhavati prapure ighragm munindra
sarvajah sarvadar sakalahitakarah sarvastrarthavett
Advaitcravd vilasati paramprvasiddhipraiddho
drghyu sopi kart tribhuvanabhavane sahtau plane ca.
The excellent Sadhaka, whose Atma is nothing but a meditation on this Lotus, is able quickly to
enter another's body at will, and becomes the most excellent among Munis, and all-knowing and
all-seeing. He becomes the benefactor of all, and versed in all the Sastras. He realises his unity
with the Brahman and acquires excellent and unknown powers. Full of fame and long-lived, he
ever becomes the Creator, Destroyer, and Preserver, of the three worlds.
Swami Purnananda talks about the benefits of meditating on Ajna Lotus, from Verse 32 to 38.
munindrah = the most excellent among Munis. Muni literally means the silent one.
Maunam is silence. Muni, the silent Yogi is accomplished in meditation and Yoga. Muni-
indra = Muni-king = the king among Munis = excellent Muni. sarva-sastrarthavetta
(sarva-strarthavett)= versed in all the Sastras. Versed in the meaning of
Sastras.Proficient in sacred texts and Divine Knowledge. Advaitacara-vadi
(Advaitcra-vd )= He realizes. He knows that universe and beings are Brahman. The
universe is Brahman's amsa or fragment. he knows Brahman alone is Real (Sat),
everything else is unreal (Asat) and everything shines by the light of Brahman.
Advaitavadi is the one who has realized the identity of the individual soul with the
Supreme Spirit and preaches it to others. parama-purva-siddhi (paramprva-siddhi) =
excellent and unknown powers. prasiddha = full of fame for his excellence. sopi karta
tribhuvana-bhavane samhrtau palane ca. (so'pi kart tribhuvana-bhavane sahtau
plane ca.) = He ever becomes the Creator, Destroyer, and Preserver, of the three
worlds. This is Praas-Vda = Praise-statement = Eulogy. The Sadakha becomes
absorbed in the Supreme on the dissolution of his body and thus becomes the source of
Creation, Preservation and Destruction. (The generally held view is that the individual
soul does not merge literally with either Siva, or Vishnu in Vaikuntam, or Mother
Goddess. All keep their separate identities. Sayujya, a state of proximity and union is
the highest state an individual soul can attain in Vaikuntam or other heavens. It is not a
physical union. It is spiritual and yet it is not a fusion. It is like a family gathering; you
are all in one place and yet you are separate; the patriarch or matriarch is at the top of
the heap. Thus the ability to create, maintain, and destroy is the exclusive domain,
privilege and power of the Supreme Being.)

35. Tadantacakresminnivasati satata
uddhabuddhyantartm
Pradpbhajyoti praavaviracanrpavarnaprkaah
Tadrdve candrrdhastadupari vilasadbindurp makra
stadrdhve ndosau baladhavalasudhdhrasatanahs.

Within the triangle in this Cakra ever dwells the combination of letters which form the Pranava.
It is the inner Atma as pure mind (Buddhi), and resembles a flame in its radiance. Above it is the
half (crescent) moon, and above this, again, is Ma-kara, shining in its form of Bindu. Above this
is Nada, whose whiteness equals that of Balarama and diffuses the rays of the Moon.
Swami Purnananda talks about Ajna Chakra from Verse 32 to 38.
letters = That is, a and u, which by Samdhi becomes 0, and with anusvara (m) thus form the
Pranava, or mantra Om.
Ma-kara = The letter M in its Bindu form in Candra-bindu. .
Balarama = Samkara reads it as Jala-dhavala, etc., and explains it by "white like water". The last
portion may also mean" smiling whiteness equals that of the Moon ".
The author desires to speak of the presence of the Pranava in the Ajna-Cakra and says that in this
Cakra, and within the triangle which has already been spoken of, ever dwells the combination of
the letters A and U which by the rules of Sandhi make the thirteenth vowel O. This combination
of letters is Suddha-buddhyantaratma-i.e., the innermost Spirit manifesting as pure intelligence
(Buddhi). The question may be asked if the thirteenth vowel (O) is that. To obviate this the
author qualifies it by saying" above it is the half Moon, etc." It is by adding the half Moon
(Nada) and Bindu to O that the Pranava is formed.
He next gives its attributes:
Pradipabhajyotih (Pradpbhajyoti ) = "Resembles a flame in its radiance? But
how can this thirteenth vowel by itself be Suddha-buddhyantaratma ? He therefore says:
Tadurdve candrardhah (Tadrdve candrrdha) = " Above it is the crescent
moon" candrrdha = half-moon or crescent moon
tadupari vilasad-bindu-rupi ma-kara (tadupari vilasad-bindurp
makra)" And above this, again, is ma-kra, shining in its form of Bindu" it is thus shown
that by the placing of the crescent moon and the Bindu over the thirteenth vowel the Pranava is
completely formed. Bindu = AnusvAra = After-sound when AUM is intonated. au is the 13th
vowel and m is AnusvAra or the after-sound. AnusvAra is an m with a dot over or under it (eg.
)
The here-depicted AUM/Om shows the dot.

Figure 14 By Veeraswamy Krishnaraj
tadrdhve ndo'sau-" Above this is Nada " i.e., above the Pranava is the Avantara (final
or second) Nada, which challenges as it were the whiteness of Baladeva and the Moon (bala-
dhavala-sudh-dhra-sathana-hs), By this he means to say that it is extremely white,
excelling, in whiteness both Baladeva and the rays of the Moon (Visvanatha says, means
multitude of moons).
Some read Tadadye nado'sau (in the place of Tadurdhve nado'sau) and interpret it as, "Below
Bindu-rupi Ma-kara is Nada ". But that is incorrect. The text says: "Above this, again, is Ma-
kara, shining in its form of Bindu," and there is Nada below it; that being so, it is useless to
repeat that Nada is below.
Besides, this Nada is beyond the Nada, which forms part of the Pranava, and is part of the
differentiating (Bhidyamana) Para-bindu placed above the Pranava, If, however, it be urged that
it is necessary to state the details in describing the special Pranava (Visista-Pranava), and it is
asked, "Why do you say a second Nada is inappropriate? " then the reading Tadadye nado'sau
may be accepted.
But read. thus it should be interpreted in the manner following: " This Nada shown below the
Bindu-rupi Ma-kara is Bala-dhavala-sudhadhara-samthana-hasi (v. ante), and the Nada first
spoken of is also so described. Such repetition is free from blame on the authority of the maxim
that" the great are subject to no limitations."

36. Iha sthne lne susukhasdhane cetasi pura
nirlambm badhv paramagurusevsuvidit
Tadabhysd yg pavanasuhd payati ka
tatastanmadhynta pravilastarpnapi sad.

When the Yogi closes the house which hangs without support, the knowledge whereof he has
gained by the service of Parama-guru, and when the Cetas by repeated practice become dissolved
in this place which is the abode of uninterrupted bliss, he then sees within the middle of and in
the space above (the triangle) sparks of fire distinctly shining.
Swami Purnananda talks about Ajna Chakra from Verse 32 to 38.
COMMENTARY
Having described the Pranava, he now speaks of its union (with Cetas), i.e., Pranava-yoga.
The Yogi should close the house (Puram baddhva)-i.e., he should, with his mind set on the act,
close the inner house; or, in other words, he should make Yoni-Mudra in the manner prescribed
and thus effectually close the inner house. The use of the word Pur shows that the Yoni-Mudra is
meant. Then, when his Cetas by repeated practice (Abhyasa) or meditation on the Pranava
becomes dissolved (Lina) in this place (the Ajna-Cakra), he sees, within and in the space above
the triangle wherein the Pranava is, sparks of Fire (Pavana-suhrdarm kanan), or, to put it
plainly, sparks of light resembling sparks of fire appear before his mental vision above the
triangle on which the Pranava rests. It is by Yoni-Mudra that the inner self (Antah-pUr) is
restrained and detached from the outside world, the region of material sense. The Manas cannot
be purified and steadied unless it is completely detached from the material sphere. It is therefore
that the mind (Manas) should be completely detached by Yoni-Mudra,
without support = Niralarhba-puri. Niralamba (v. post) means that which has no support-viz.,
that by which the mind's connection with the world has been removed and realization of the
infinite established. Akasamamsi= whose flesh or substance is Akasa (Rajanighantu Dictionary.)
Yoni-Mudra: i.e., closes the avenues of the mind and concentrates it within itself.
sparks of Fire = Pavana-suhrd-" He whose friend is air "= Fire. When the wind blows, fire
spreads.
Yoni-Mudra, which detaches the Manas from the outside world, is thus defined: " Place the left
heel against the anus, and the right heel on the left foot, and sit erect with your body and neck
and head in a straight line. Then, with your lips formed to resemble a crow's beak
1
. draw in air
and fill therewith your belly. Next2 close tightly your earholes with the thumbs, with your
index-fingers the eyes, the nostrils by your middle fingers, and your mouth by the remaining
fingers. Retain the air3 within you, and with the senses controlled meditate on the Marttra
whereby you realize the unity (Ekatvam) of Prana and Manas4. This is Yoga, the favorite of
Yogis."
That steadiness of mind is produced by restraint of breath through the help of Mudra, has been
said by Sruti, "The mind under the influence of Hamsa5 moves to and fro, over different
subjects; by restraining Harnsa, the mind is restrained."
(pura badhv) ="Closes the house".-This may also mean Khecari Mudra6.' This latter also
produces steadiness of mind.
As has been said, "As by this the Citta roams in the Brahman (Kha7), and as the sound of
uttered word8 also roams the Ether (Kha) , therefore is Khecari Mudra honored by all the
Siddhas."
a crow's beak
1
: KAki = crow. That is, by Kaki-Mudra, Sruti says that when Vayu is drawn in
by this Mudra and stopped by Kurnbhaka, steadiness of mind is produced.
. Next2= These and following verses occur in Sarada-Tilaka, Ch. XXV, vv. 45, 46. The first
portion of this passage describes Siddhasana.
Retain the air3: That is, by Kumbhaka, Retaining the air in the lungs.
Manas4: 'That is, recite the Hamsa or Ajapa-mantra, or breathing in Kumbhaka.
Hamsa5 = The Jivatma manifesting as Prana.
Khecari Mudra6 = One of the Mudras of Hatha- Yoga. See Introduction.
Kha7 = has three meanings-viz." Ether, Brahman, and space between eyebrows (Ajna).
Brahmananda, the commentator of the Hatha-yogapradipika, adopts the last meaning in
interpreting this verse (Ch. III, v, 41), and in commenting on v. 55 of the Hatha-yoga-pradipika
gives it the meaning of Brahman.
uttered word8 = Lit., tongue.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prepared by Veeraswamy Krishnaraj
The Citta is Khecara
1
when, disunited from Manas and devoid of all attachment to all worldly
things, it becomes Unmani
2

As has been said
3
"the Yogi is united with Unmani; without Unmani there is no Yogi!'
Niralamba means that which has no support -namely, that from which the minds' connection with
the world has been removed.
" The knowledge whereof he has gained by the service of his Paramaguru parama-guru-
sev-suvidit (Parama-gutu-seva-suviditam).-Parama is excellent in the sense that he has
attained excellence in Yoga practice (by instructions) handed down along a series of spiritual
preceptors (Gurus), and not the result of book-learning
4

."Serving the Guru" .-Such knowledge is obtained from the Guru by pleasing him by personal
services (Seva). Cf." It can be attained by the instructions of the Guru, and not by ten million of
Sastras."
" The abode of uninterrupted bliss" su-sukha-sdhane (Su-sukha-sadhana-e-i,e. this is
the place where one enjoys happiness that nothing can interrupt. This word qualifies place (Iha-
sthane-e-i.e., Ajna-Cakra.)
"Sparks of fire distinctly shining" pavana-suhd pravilastarpn ka
(Pavana-suhrdam pravilasitarupan kanan).-These sparks of Fire shine quite distinctly.
Elsewhere it is clearly stated that the Pranava is surrounded by sparks of light: " Above it is the
flame-like Atma, auspicious and in shape like the Pranava, on all sides surrounded by sparks of
light."
Khecara
1
= What moves about in the sky or ether. It is Manas which deprives the Citta of
freedom by causing attachment to the world. On being disunited from Manas it moves freely in
the ether, going its own way.
Unmani
2
= Unmani is there where, to coin a word, the" Manasness " of Manas; ceases. See note
to v. 40. Ut = without, and mani is from Manas.
As has been said
3
= This is from Jnanarnava-Tantra, Ch, XXIV, v. 37.
book-learning
4
= Which is well recognized to be insufficient in these matters.

37.JvaladdIpkra tadanu ca navnrkabahula-
praka jyotirv gaganadharamadhyamilita
Iha sthne skad bhavati bhagav pravibhavo-
svyaya ski vane aimihirayormadala iva.

He then also sees the Light1 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
2
. It is here that the Bhagavan
manifests Himself in the fullness of His might
3
. He knows no decay, and witnesseth all, and is
here as He is in the region of Fire, Moon, and Sun
4
. Prepared by Veeraswamy Krishnaraj
Swami Purnananda talks about Ajna Chakra from Verse 32 to 38.
COMMENTARY
Yogis such as these see other visions beside the sparks of light, After seeing the fiery sparks they
see the light.
5

(tadanu)-i.e = "Then" after seeing the sparks spoken of in the preceding Sloka. He then
describes this Light (Jyotih).
gagana-dhara madhya-milita = " Glows between the Sky and the Earth".-This compound
adjective qualifies Jyotil) or Light.
Light1 = Jyotih
Earth
2
= See Commentary, post.
His might
3
= Purna-vibhava, which, however, as Kalicarana points out post, may be interpreted
in various ways. According to Visvanatha, the second chapter of the Kaivalya-Kalika-Tantra
contains a verse which says that the presence of the all-pervading Brahman is realized by His
action, as we realize the presence of Rahu by his action on the sun and moon.
Fire, Moon, and Sun
4
= That is, the triangle on Manipitha within the A-ka-tha triangle. See v. 4
of the Padukapancaka,
the light.
5
= The practicle va in the text is used in an inclusive sense. (Practicle = ? participle.)
More on A-Ka-Tha Triangle.
Sabdabrahman (Sound Brahman) is Clinical Brahman or God or Goddess, meaning that He or
She is not the impalpable, invisible entity but the palpable, visible entity which is the entire
breathing pulsating universe. Everything you see, hear, feel, taste, and touch, the forces of
nature, the universe beyond this earth are all goddess. Kamakala is that Sabdabrahman with
three saktis: creation, maintenance and destruction. It is the abode of power (Sakti--AbalAlayam
= AbalA + Alayam = Sakti + abode). This Sakti is represented by an inverted triangle, the sides
being Will, Action and Knowledge. These three entities cannot be put in any other form except a
triangle. They are distinct in its parts and yet parts of the whole. The triangle has three corners
occupied by three Bindus: VAhini Bindu, fire; Chandra Bindu, Moon; Surya Bindu (Sun). These
lines are also called Sakti Vama (creation), Sakti Jyesthi (maintenance) and Sakti Raudri
(destruction). The Saktis "sprout from three Bindus." The associated deities are Brahma, Vishnu
and Rudra with their respective spouses; gunas, Rajas, Sattva and Tamas; and related
portfolios. The lines of the triangle are formed by 48 letters of Sanskrit alphabet starting with
Vowels A. The 16 Vowels form one line; the 2nd line is that of 16 consonants starting with Ka;
the 3rd line is that of 16 Consonants starting with Tha; thus, the triangle is called A-Ka-Tha
Triangle. These lines are also called Vama line, Jyesta line, and Raudri line. The line of Fire is
Rajasic Vama line; the line of Moon is Sattvic Jyesta line; the line of Sun is Tamasic Raudri
line. This inverted triangle has A at its apex, Ka at the right corner and Tha at the left corner.
The remaining alphabets, ha, la, ksha are in the inside corners of the triangle. Sabdabrahman is
represented by this triagular kamakala (AbalAlaya = Abode of Sakti). See the diagram below.

Figure 15 by Veeraswamy Krishnaraj
37.JvaladdIpkra tadanu ca navnrkabahula-
praka jyotirv gaganadharamadhyamilita
Iha sthne skad bhavati bhagav pravibhavo-
svyaya ski vane aimihirayormadala iva. Continued
gagana (sky) is the sky or empty space above Sankhini-Nadi (see verse 40, post), and Dharani
(Earth) is the Dhara-mandala in the Muladhara. This light also extends from the Muladhara to the
Sahasrara.
He next speaks of the presence of Parama-Siva in the Ajna-Cakra.
" It is here" (Iha sthne)-i.e., in the Ajna-Cakra; Parama-Siva is here, as in the Sahasrara.
Bhagavan is Parama-Siva.
" Manifests Himself" (skad bhavati)-i.e., He is here1.== (He is seen here.)
"In the fullness of his might" (pra-vibhava)--This compound word which qualifies
Bhagavan is capable of various interpretations.
Purna-vibhava may also be interpreted in the following different ways:
(a) Purna may mean complete in Himself, and vibhava infinite powers, such as the power of
creation, etc. In that case the word would mean: "One who has in Him such powers, who is the
absolute Creator, Destroyer, and Supporter of the Universe."
(b) Vibhava, again, may mean" the diversified and limitless creation," and purna "all-spreading".
In this sense Purna-vibhava means "He from whom this all-spreading and endless (vast) creation
has emanated." Cj." From whom all these originated, and in whom having originated they live, to
whom they go and into whom they enter" (Sruti
2
).---> (Tait. Up., 3. 1. 1.)
(c) Vibhava, again, may mean: "omnipresence," and Purna "all-spreading". It would then mean:
" He who in His omnipresence pervades all things."
(d) Puma
3
may also mean the quality of one whose wish is not moved by the result and is not
attached to any object. Purna-vibhava would then mean one who is possessed of that quality.
Puma
3
= Phalanupahita-visayitanaspadecchakatvam: He whose wish is not moved by the result,
and is not attached to any object; or in other words, He whose ways are inscrutable to us, subject
as we are to limitations (Maya).
All things except Atma pass away. The omnipresence of the ethereal region (Akasa), etc., is not
ever-existent. The Nirvana-Tantra (Ch. IX) speaks of the presence of Parama-Siva in the Ajna-
Cakra in detail.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------
" Above this (i.e., Visuddha) Lotus is Jnana Lotus, which is very difficult to achieve; it is the
region1 of the full moon, and has two petals." Again: "Inside it, in the form of Hamsah, is the
Bija of Sambhu "; and again: "Thus is Hamsah in Mani-dvipa2 and in its lap is Parama-Siva,
with Siddha-Kali3 on his left. She is' the very self of eternal Bliss." By lap is meant the space
within the Bindus which form the Visarga at the end of Hamsah.4
So it has been said in describing the Sahasrara: "There are the two Bindus which make the
imperishable Visarga.5 In the space within is Parama-Siva." As It is in the Sahasrara so It is
represented here.
6

We are to understand that these two, Siva and Sakti, are here in union (Bandhana) in the form of
Parabindu, as the letter Ma (Makaratma), and that they are surrounded (Accadana) by Maya.
7

"She the Eternal One stays here (Ajna-Cakra) in the form of a grain of gram8," and creates
beings (Bhutani)." Here the Parama-Siva as in the form of a gram dwells, and according to the
Utkaladimata9 also creates.
" As He is in the region of Fire, Moon and Sun" vane aimihirayor madalamiva
(Vahneh sasimihirayor mandalamiva)-As the presence of Bhagavan in these regions is well
known, so is He here. Or it may be that the author means that as He in the shape of a grain of
gram dwells in the regions of Fire, Moon, and Sun, in the Sahasrara, so does He dwell here also.
We shall describe the Arka, Indu, and Agni Mandala in the Sahasrara later. In Pitha-puja the
Puja. of Paramatma and Jinanatma should be performed on the Mandalas of Sun (Arka) , Moon
(Indu), and Fire (Agni). By Paramatma ParamaSiva is meant, and by Jaanatma Jaana-Sakti. The
Bindu should be meditated upon as like the grain of gram, consisting of the inseparable couple
namely Siva and Sakti. (The grain referred to is divided in two under its encircling sheath--two
cotyledons.
it is the region1 = Purna-candrasya mandalam,
Mani-dvipa2 = The isle of gems in the Ocean of Ambrosia. The Rudra-Yamala says that it is in
the centre of the Ocean of nectar outside and beyond the countless myriads of world systems,
and that there is the Supreme abode of Sri-vidya.
Siddha-Kali3 = A form of Sakti.
Hamsah.4 =, the two dots which form the aspirate breathing at the end of Hamsah.
Visarga.5 = Imperishable visarga-Visargariipam avyayaril.
It is represented here.
6
= That is, the Para-bindu is represented in the Ajiia by the Bindu of the
Omkara, which is its Pratika.
Maya.
7 =
Bindu is the nasal sound of Ma, which is a male letter. Bindu is here the unmanifest
Ma.
grain of gram8 =CaI,lakakara-riipiI,li. See Introduction. Apparently a school of that name.
Utkaladimata9 = Apparently a school of that name.

38.Iha sthne vioratulaparammodamadhure
samropya pra pramuditaman pranidhane
Para nitya deva puruamajamdya trijagat
pura yogndra praviati ca vedntavidita.
This is the incomparable and delightful abode of Visnu. The excellent Yogi at the time of death
joyfully places his vital breath (Prana)
1
here and enters (after death) that Supreme, Eternal,
Birthless, Primeval Deva, the Purusa, who was before the three worlds, and who is known by the
Vedanta.
Swami Purnananda talks about Ajna Chakra from Verse 32 to 38.
(Prana)
1
= Compare, Bhagavad-Gita, Ch. VIII, vv, 9 and 10, and the commentary of
Samkaracarya and Madhusadana-Sarasvatl on those verses.
Bhagavad-Gita
8.10: At the time of departure, with the mind fixed (on the Lord) in devotion, by the strength of
yoga, with his prna fixed between the eyebrows, he attains to Purusam and Divyam.

Prna is life and breath; Purusum is the Supreme Person; Divyam is divine. This
particular moment in the life and times of a yogi is penultimate. He is in full control of himself
and concentrates his attention and life-breath on the glabellar locus. According to the Kundalini
yoga, the glabellar plane is the Ajna Chakra, which is the seat of the mind. The yogi who rises to
this level of attainment resolves (burns) all previous prrabda karmas, receives Vijnna or the
intuitional wisdom and knowledge, and earns liberation in this life: This is jivan mukti
(liberation while alive); and he becomes one with the divine. Such a person is Ramana
Maharishi.

Glabella = Trikuuti = bone of the forehead or protuberance.
Go to Kundalini Power for details. Glabella = spot in the forehead between the eyebrows.

8.11: I shall briefly explain to you the path, which the Veda Vidahs call Imperishable
(Aksaram), desiring which the ascetics practice bramacharya. They enter Aksaram by freeing
themselves from passion.

Veda Vidhas are those proficient in Vedas. Aksara is the imperishable word AUM.
Brahmacharya or celibacy is one of the angas, limbs, or steps that an ascetic has to climb, before
he can be called an ascetic.
The angas are eight in all:
(1) Yama, Abstinence (Donts)
(2) Niyama, Restraint (Dos)
(3) Asana, Body Postures
(4) Prnayama, Breath Control
(5) Pratyahara, Abrogation of contact with sense objects
(6) Dharana, Concentration
(7) Dyana, meditation
(8) Samdhi, Union or Absorption
38.Iha sthne vioratulaparammodamadhure
samropya pra pramuditaman pranidhane
Para nitya deva puruamajamdya trijagat
pura yogndra praviati ca vedntavidita.
COMMENTARY
He now speaks of the good to be gained by giving up the Prana by Yoga in the Ajna-Cakra.
This verse means: The excellent Yogi (Yogindra) at the time of death (pra-nidhane) joyfully
(pramudita-man) places his Prana (pra samropya) in the abode of Visnu in the Ajna-
Cakra (Iha sthne vioh--i.e., in the abode of Bhagavan in the Bindu already described), and
passes away, and then enters the Supreme Purusa.
" At the time of death" (pra-nidhane)., feeling the approach of death.
"Joyfully" (pramudita-man)-Glad in mind in the enjoyment of the blissful union with Atma.
(Atmanandena hrsta-cittah.)
" Visnu"=Bhagavan=Parama-Siva (see previous Sloka).
" Here" (Iha sthne-i.e., in the Bindu in the Ajna-Cakra spoken of above).
"Places the Priina here" (Iha sthne pra samropya)-i.e., he places it on the Bindu
already spoken of. He describes Purusa as Eternal.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
Para nitya deva puruamajamdya trijagat
pura yogndra praviati ca vedntavidita. (38)
" Eternal" (nityam).-Indestructible (VinaSarahitarm).
" Birthless" (aja).
" Primeval" (pura).-He is the one known as the pura Purusa1
" deva" means he whose play is Creation, Existence, and Destruction.
" Who was before the three worlds" (tri-jagat dya)2 -By this the implication is that He is
the Cause of all as He preceded all.
"Known by the Vedanta" (vednta-vidita)3 -Vedanta are sacred texts dealing with the inquiry
concerning the Brahman. He is known by a Knowledge (Jnana) of these.
The way the Prana is placed (Pranaropana-prakara) in the place of Visnu is described below:
Knowing that the time for the Prana to depart is approaching, and glad that he is about to be
absorbed into the Brahman, the Yogi sits in Yogasana and restrains his breath by Kumbhaka. He
then leads the Jivatma in the heart to the Muladhara, and by contracting the anus
4
and
following other prescribed processes rouses the Kundalini, He next meditates upon the lightning-
like, blissful Nada which is threadlike and whose substance is Kundali (Kundalini-maya), He
then merges the Hamsa which is the Paramatma in the form of Prana
5
in the Nada, and leads it
along with the Jiva through the different Cakras according to the rules of Cakra-bheda to Ajna-
Cakra. He there dissolves all the diverse elements from the gross to the subtle, beginning with
Prthivi, in Kundalini. Last of all, he unifies Her and the Jivatma with the Bindu whose substance
is Siva and Sakti (Siva-Sakti-maya); which having done, he pierces the Brahma-randhra and
leaves the body, and becomes merged in the Brahman.
1 Purana Purusa
1
According to Samkara, it is an adjective, and means "He who is the cause of
Creation," and the like.
2 tri-jagat dya)2 That is, the three spheres Bhuh, Bhuvah, Svah, the Vyahrtis of the
Gayatri.
3 vednta-vidita3 Samkara reads Vedanta-vihita, and explains the expression to mean "this is
the teaching of the Vedanta".
4 by contracting the anus
4
GudariI akuncya-that is, by Asvini-Mudra.
5 form of Prana
5
Pranarupa-svasa-paramatmakam. See Jnana-arnava- Tantra, Ch. XXI, "VV.
13-18.
SUMMARY OF THE AJNA CAKRA, VERSES 32 TO 38
The Ajna Cakra has two petals and is white. The letters Ha and Ksa, which are white,1 are on the
two petals. The presiding Sakti of the Cakra, Hakini, is in the pericarp. She is white, has six red-
coloured faces each with three eyes, and six arms, and is seated on a white lotus. With Her hands
She displays Vara-mudra and Abhaya-mudra,2 and holds a Rudraksa rosary, a human skull, a
small drum, and a book. Above Her, within a Trikona, is Itara-Linga, which is lightning-like, and
above this again, within another Trikona, is the inner Atma (Antar-atma), lustrous like a flame.
On its four sides, floating in air, are sparks surrounding a light which by its own lustre makes
visible all between Mula and the Brahmarandhra. Above this, again, is Manas, and above Manas,
in the region of the Moon, is Hamsah, within whom is Parama-Siva with His Sakti.
(Here ends the sixth section)
[Visvanatha,3 in the Commentary to the Satcakra, gives under this verse a description, taken
from the Svacchanda-samgraha, of the region beyond the Ajna-that is, beyond the Samasti or
collective or cosmic Ajna: " Within the Bindu is a space a hundred million Yojanas 4 in
expanse, and bright with the brightness of ten million suns. Here is the Lord of the State beyond
Santi (Santyatitesvara), with five heads and ten arms and lustrous as a mass of lightning flashes.
On His left is Santyatita Manonmani. Surrounding them are Nivrtti, Pratistha, Vidya, and
Santi.
5.
Each of these is adorned with a moon and has five heads and ten arms. This is Bindu-
Tattva. Above Bindu is Ardha-candra, with the Kalas of the latter-namely, Jyotsna, Jyotsnavati,
Kanti, Suprabha, Vimala. Above Ardha-candra is Nibodhika, with the Kalas of the latter-
Bandhati, Bodhini, Bodhii, Jnana-bodha, Tamo'paha. . Above Nibodhika is Nada and its five
KalAs-Indhika, Recika, Ordhvaga, Trasa, and Parama. On the lotus above this last is Isvara, in
extent a hundred million Yojanas, and lustrous as ten thousand moons. He is five-headed, and
each head has three eyes. His hair is matted, and he holds the trident (Sula). He is the one who
goeth upwards (Urdhva-gamini), and in His embrace (Utsanga) is the Kala Urdhva-gamini."]
white,1 = Karbura = white, and also means variegated.
Vara-mudra and Abhaya-mudra,2 = V. p. 337 ante.
Visvanatha,3The portion in brackets is my note.-A. A.
Within the Bindu is a space a hundred million Yojanas 4 = A Yojana is over eight miles.
Nivrtti, Pratistha, Vidya, and Santi.
5 =
See, as to the Kalas, Introduction to Vol. III, Tantrik
Texts, ed. Avalon. See also Introduction to this volume; and The Garlaruf of Letters.


39. Layasthna vyostadupari ca mahndarpam ivrdha
sirkra nta varadamabhaya uddhabuddhipraka
Yad yog payed gurucaraayugmbhjasevsulas-
tad vc siddhi karakamalatale tasya bhyt sadaiva.

When the actions of the Yogi are, through the service of the Lotus feet of his Guru, in all
respects good, then he will see above it (i.e., Ajna-Cakra) the form of Mahanada, and will ever
hold in the Lotus of his hand the Siddhi of Speech1. The Mahanada, which is the place of
dissolution of Vayu2 is the half of Siva, and like the plough in shape3, is tranquil and grants
boons and dispels fear, and makes manifest pure Intelligence (Buddhi)4.
Layasthanam vyostadupari ca mahndarupa ivrdha
sirkra anta varadamabhaya uddhabuddhipraksa
Yad yogi payed gurucaraayugmbhjasevsulas-
Tad vcm siddi karakamalatale tasya bhyt sadaiva.
WHEN the actions of the Yogi are, through the service of the Lotus feet of his Guru, in all
respects good, then he will see above it (i.e., Ajna-cakra) the form of the Mahanada, and will
ever hold in the Lotus of his hand the Siddhi of Speech.1 The Mahanada, which is the place of
dissolution of Vayu 2 is the half of Siva, and like the plough in shape, 3 is tranquil and grants
boons and dispels fear, and makes manifest pure Intelligence (Buddhi). 4
Siddhi of Speech.1 = That is, all powers of speech.
dissolution of Vayu 2 = Vayoh layasthanam. Samkara defines it by saying: Etat sthanam vayoh
virama-bhutam-this is the place where Vayu ceases to be.
the plough in shape, 3 = That is, Siva is Hakara; and if the upper part of Ha is removed, the
remaining portion of the letter has the form of an Indian plough.
pure Intelligence (Buddhi). 4 = Suddha-buddhi-prakasa.
pure Intelligence (Buddhi). 4 = Karanavantara-sarira, Karana=cause; Avantara = secondary or
intermediate or inclusive; Sarira=body. Body is so called because it wastes and fades. It is
derived from the root Sri, to wane. Karanavantara-sarira would thus mean" the intermediate
Sarira of the Cause ". The primary cause is the Great Cause. Its effects are also intermediate
causes of that which they themselves produce; they are thus secondary or intermediate causal
bodies. Taking the Sakala-Paramesvara to be the first cause, Mahanada is one of its effects and a
Karanavantara-sarira as regards that which it produces and which follows it.
COMMENTARY
He now wishes to describe the intermediate causal body (Karana-vantara-sarira) situate above
Ajna-Cakra and below Sahasrara and says: When the actions of the Yogi are, through the service
of the Lotus feet of his Guru, in all respects good-that is, when he excels by intense
concentration of the mind in Yoga practice-he then sees the image of Maha-nada above it (above
Ajna-Cakra), and he becomes accomplished in speech (Vak-siddha).
Kran-vntara-arra = Karana = cause; AvAntara = secondary or intermediate or inclusive;
Sarira = body. Body is so called because it wastes and fades. It is derived from the root SrI, to
wane. Kran-vntara-arra would thus mean "the intermediate sarira of the cause". The
primary cause is the Great Cause. Its effects are also intermediate cause of that which themselves
produce; tehy are thus secondary or intermediate causal bodies. Taking the sakala-paramesvara
to be the First Cause, Mahanada is one of its effects and a Kran-vntara-arra as regards
that which it produces and which follows it.
"Actions in all respects good" (sula).-The good inclination for Yoga practice rendered
admirable by strong and undivided application thereto. This result is obtained by serving the
Guru.
The author then qualifies Nada, and says it is the place of dissolution of Vayu (vyor-Laya-
sthanam). The Rule is "things dissolve into what they originate from." Hence, although in
Bhta-suddhi and other practices it has been seen that Vyu dissolves into Spara-tattva,l and
the latter in Vyoma:"2 Vayu dissolves in Nada also. We have the authority of Revelation (Sruti)
for this:
" Prthivi, the possessor of Rasa (Rasa-vati), originated from I-kara.
3
From Ka-kara,3 who is
Rasa, the waters and Tlrthas4 issued; from Repha (Ra-kara)3 originated Vahni-tattva5; from
Nada3 came Vayu6 which pervades all life (Sarva-Pranamaya). From Bindu3 originated the
Void7 which is empty of all things and is the Sound-container. And from all these8 Issued the
twenty-five Tattvas which are Guna-maya, All this Universe (Visva), which is the mundane egg
of Brahma, is pervaded by Kalika."
Sparsa-tattva,l = The "touch principle," also called Tvak-tattva. As to Bhutasuddhi, see the
same described in Author's "Introduction to TantraSastra ".
Vyoma2 Ether.
I-kara
3;
Ka-kara3; Repha (Ra-kara)3; Nada3: The Bija Krim is here being formed, Kakara =
Kali ; Ra-kara= Brahma as fire; Ikara= Mahamaya, Anusvara or Candra-bindu (m) is divided
into two-viz., Nada, which is Visvamata, or Mother of the Universe; and Bindu, which is
Duhkha-hara, or remover of pain (Bijakosa) .
Alpha is for A; likewise Ka-kara is for Ka.
Tlrthas4 = Places of pilgrimage where the devotees bathe. It also means sacred waters.
Vahni-tattva5 = Fire.
Vayu6 = Air.
Void7 = Gagana or Ether.
From all these8 That is, from KrIm as composed of Ka+Ra+I+m.
39. Layasthanam vyostadupari ca mahndarupa ivrdha
sirkra anta varadamabhaya uddhabuddhipraksa
Yad yogi payed gurucaraayugmbhjasevsulas-
Tad vcm siddi karakamalatale tasya bhyt sadaiva. --39
We should therefore realize in our mind that at the time the letters of the Kim-mantra1 are
merged into that which is subtle, VAyu is absorbed in Nda.
" Half of Siva" (ivrdha).-By this is meant that here Siva is in the form of Arddha-narisvara,
Half is Sakti which is Nda.
Like a Plough" (sirkra).-The word Sir is spelt here with a short i, and in Amara-Koa it is
spelt with a long but it is clearly the same word, as it begins with a dental s.
Cf. " Above it is Mahanda, in form like a plough, and lustrous" (Isvara-Kartikeya-Sarvda).2
If the text is read as "Sivkra instead of Sirkra," then the meaning would be that the Nda is
iva-aktimaya.3
Cf. Prayoga-sra: "That Sakti which tends towards seat of Liberation4 is called male (Purp-
that is, Bindu) when, quickened by Nda, She turns towards Siva5 (ivon-mukhi)," It is
therefore that RaghavaBhatta has said that " Nda and Bindu are the conditions under which She
creates ".6
It has elsewhere been said: "She is eternal7 existing as Cit (Cinmtr)8: when being near the
Light She is desirous of change, She becomes massive (Ghai-bhya) and Bindu."
1 Kim-mantra1 = Krn,
2 (Isvara-Kartikeya-Sarvda). i.e., Sammohana-Tantra. Ed., R. M. Chattopadhyaya,
3 Nda is iva-aktimaya.3 = That is, its substance is Siva and Sakti,
4 Liberation4 = Nirmaya-padnmukh = She who is turned to the place of Liberation: that is
Sakti in the supreme state.
5 She turns towards Siva5 = Tending towards, intent on, or with face uplifted to, Siva, that is
here tending to creation. That is, the first state is Cit. Nda is the Mithah-samavya of Sakti or
Bindu, The establishment of this relation quickens Her to turn to Siva for the purpose of creation
when She appears as male, or Bindu. Mithah-samvya = Mutual agreement or obligation.
6 She creates ".6 = Tasy eva shakter ndabind srityupayogyarpau (Upayoga is capacity
or fitness for creation).
7 She is eternal7 = According to another reading this part would mean "She who is the Tattva".
8 (Cinmtr)8: = She is there, existing as Cit, with whom she is completely unified. She"
measures Cit "-that is, co-exists with and as Cit, and is also formative activity. The above
translation is that of the text, but the verse has been quoted elsewhere as if it were
Cinmtrajyotiah, and not Cinmtr jyotiah, in which case the translation would be: "She who
when near Jyotih, which is mere consciousness, becomes desirous of change, becomes massive
and assumes the form of Bindu."
So in the word of the honoured (Srimat) Acarya: 1" Nada becomes massive and the Bindu."
Now, taking all these into consideration, the conclusion is that Sakti manifests Herself as Nada-
bindu, like gold in ear-rings made of gold.
2

Nada and Bindu again are one-that is the deduction.
1 Samkaracarya,
2 made of gold.
2
=That is, they are both gold in the form of an ear-ring. CJ. Chandogya Up., 6.
1. 4. "Gentle One, by one lump of clay all things made up of clay are known. The variation is in
the names given to it when spoken about. The clay alone is real."

40. Tadrdhve akhiny nivasati ikhare snyadee praka
visargdha padma daaatadala pracandrtiubhra
Adhvaktra kntam taruaravikalkntikijalkapuja
akrdyairvarai pravilasitavapu kevalnandarpa.
Above all these, in the vacant space
1
wherein is Sankhini Nadi, and below Visarga is the Lotus
of a thousand petals
2
. This Lotus, lustrous and whiter than the full moon, has its head turned
downward. It charms. Its clustered filaments are tinged with the colour of the Voung Sun. Its
body is luminous with the letters beginning with A, and it is the absolute bliss.
3

The Acarya enjoins that Sadhakas who wish to practise Samadhi Yoga" should before such time
with every consideration and effort dissolve .all things in their order from the gross to the subtle
in Cidtm ".4 All things, both gross and subtle, which make up creation should first be medi-
tated upon. As the knowledge thereof is necessary, they are here described in detail.
1 in the vacant space
1:
This place is called the Supreme Ether (Parama-Vyoma) in the
Svacchanda-samgraha, cited by 'Visvanatha. Parama-vyoma is the name given in the Pancaratra
to the Highest Heaven or Vaikuntha, See Ahirbhudhnya, 49.
2 Lotus of a thousand petals
2:
The Sahasrra is called Akula, according to the Svacchanda-
samgraha, cited by Visvanatha.
3 the absolute bliss.
3
: Kevalananda-rupam, i.e., Brahman Bliss.
4 Cidtm ".4 :The Atm considered as Cit.
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--------
The five gross elements--Prthivi
0
and so forth--have been spoken of as being in the five Cakras
from Muladhara to Visuddha. In the Bhumandala1 in the Mladhara there are the following-viz.,
feet, sense , of smell, and Gandha-tattva,2 for this is their place. In the jala-mandala.3 similarly,
are the hands, sense of taste, and Rasa-tattva.4 In the Vahni-mandala5 are the anus, the sense of
sight, and Rupa-tattva.6 In the Vayumandala,7 are the penis, sense of touch, and Sparsa-tattva.8
In the Nabho-mandala9 are speech, the sense of hearing, and Sabda-tattva.10 These make fifteen
tattvas. Adding these fifteen to Prthivi and so forth we get twenty gross tattvas,
We next proceed to the subtle forms. In the Ajna-Cakra the subtle manas has been spoken of.
Others have been spoken of in the Kankalamalini-Tantra (Ch. II) when dealing with the Ajna-
Cakra: "Here constantly shines the excellent Manas, made beautiful by the presence of the Sakti
Hakini, It is lustrous, and has Buddhi11 Prakrti,12 and Ahamkara13 for its adornment."
From the above the presence of the three subtle forms-viz., Buddhi, Prakrti, and Ahamkara--in
this place becomes clear. We must, however, know that Ahamkara is not placed in the order
shown in the above quotation. We have seen that from the Mladhara upwards the generated is
below the generator; that which is dissolved is below what it is dissolved into, and we also know
that the Sabda-krama is stronger than Pta-krama.14 We must remember that Vyoma is dissolved
in Ahamkara, and hence the latter is next above Vyoma. Cf. " In Ahamkara, Vyoma with sound
should be dissolved, and Ahamkara again in Mahat." Ahamkara, being the place of dissolution,
comes first above Vyoma Ether), and above it are Buddhi and Prakrti.
The Sarada-tilaka (I. 17, 18) speaks of their connection as Janya (effect, generated, produced
substance) and Janaka (cause, generator, substrate).
"From the unmanifest (Avyakta) Mula-bhta, Para-vastu15 when Vikrta originated Mahat-
tattva.15 which consists of the Gunas and Antahkarana, From this (Mahat-tattva) originated
Ahamkara, which is of three kinds according to its source of generation."16 By Vikrti which
means change is here meant reflection or image (Prati-bimba)17 of the Para-vastu, and as such
reflection it is Vikrti ; but as it is the Prakrti of Mahat-tattva, etc., it is also called Prakrti.18 Cf."
Prakrti is the Param (Supreme) Sakti, and Vikrti is the product thereof."(Vikrtih pratibimbata--
in a mirror, one is seen but the image is not oneself.) It has also been shown before that the
Prakrti of the Para Brahman is but another aspect of Him (Pratibimba-svarupini).
0 Prthivi
0:
Earth,Water, Fire, Air, Ether.
1Bhumandala1 Region of the Earth Element, or Mladhara-Cakra.
2 Gandha-tattva,2 Smell principle or Tanmatra.
3 jala-mandala.3 Svadhistana, which is the region of Water (jala). ,
4 Rasa-tattva.4 Principle of taste.
5 Vahni-mandala5 Manipura, which is the region of Fire (Viihni).
6 Rupa-tattva.6 Principle of sight.
7 Vayumandala,7 Anahata, which is the region of Air (Vayu).
8 Sparsa-tattva.8 Principle of touch.
9 Nabho-mandala9 Visuddha, which is the region of Ether (Nabhas).
10 Sabda-tattva.10 Principle of sound.
11 Buddhi11 See next note. Intellect, discrimination
12 Prakrti,12 See Introduction, and post, Commentary. Sakti residing in Prakrti Tattva, creates
objects as separate existences. the Skhya view: according to it the state of equilibrium of
Sattva, Rajas and Tamas is Prakrti, which is also called Pradhana and Avyakta. This is the
Supreme (Para-vastu).
13 Ahamkara13 Egoism-self-consciousness.
14 Pta-krama.14 That is, the actual arrangement of things as compared with the order in which
they are stated.
15 Para-vastu15; Mahat-tattva.15. Mahat-tattva is a Vikrti of Prakrti, The Mlabhta avyakta
(unmanifested root-being) corresponds with the Samkhyan Mla-prakrti. Here, as Raghava-
Bhatta says, Tattvasrsti is indicated (Comm. to Ch. I, vv . 17,18 of Sarada) , and interprets (Ch. I.
vv. 17, 18) thus: Unmanifest Mlabhta Para-vastu may mean either the Bindu or Sabda
Brahman. By Vikrta is meant readiness or proneness to create (Srstyunmukha). From this Bindu
or Sabda-Brahman emanates Mahat-tattva by which is meant the Padartha Mahat: which is
known as Buddhi-tattva in Saivamata, This Mahat or Buddhi-tattva consists of the three Gunas--
Sattva, Rajas and Tamas. That is, it includes Manas, Buddhi, Ahakra and Citta. These four are
the product (Krya) of the Gunas as cause (Krana), and the cause (Krana) inheres (Upacra) in
the effect (Krya). After quoting the words of Isana-Siva, Raghava remarks that Vamakesvara-
Tantra also says that from the Unmanifest Sabda-Brahman originates Buddhi-tattva wherein
Sattva Guna is manifest. He then distinguishes the Skhya view according to which the state of
equilibrium of Sattva, Rajas and Tamas is Prakrti, which is also called Pradhana and Avyakta.
This is the Supreme (Para-vastu), From a disturbance in the equilibrium of the Gunas arises
Mahat. This Mahat consists of Gunas and is the cause of the Antahkaranas, By Gunas according
to this are meant the five Tanmatras, Sabda, Sparsa, etc. According to this view also from Prakrti
comes Mahat and from the latter Ahamkara.
Raghava thus shows the different ways in which the text of Sarada can be interpreted from the
Sakta, Saiva and Samkhya points of view.
16 its source of generation.16 Srsti-bheda---that is, one Ahamkara is the result of the
predominance of Sattva, another of Rajas, and a third of Tamas.
17 (Prati-bimba)17 That is in the sense of product. In Saiva-sakta-darsana, Mulaprakrti is itself a
product of the Siva-sakti-tattva, for the Self becomes object to itself.
18 Prakrti.18 That is, as regarded from the point of view of the Para-vastu it is an effect, but
regarded in relation to that which it produces it is a cause.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------
(Supreme) Sakti, and Vikrti is the product thereof."1 1 It has also been shown before that the
Prakrti of the Para Brahman is but another aspect of Him (Pratibimba-svarupini).
According to Sarad-tilaka, Mahat-tattva, is the same as Buddhi.2 Isna-Siva says: "The
objective Prakrti,3 which is evolved by Sakti, is, when associated with Sattva-Guna, Buddhi-
tattva. It is this Buddhi that is spoken of as Mahat in Samkhya."
Mahat-tattva consists of the Gunas and the Antah-karana, The Gunas are Sattva, Rajas and
Tamas. The Sarad-tilaka says: "Antahkarana is the Manas, Buddhi, Ahamkara and Citta, of the
Atma.4 All these are comprised in the term Mahat-tattva.
Now, a question may be raised--namely, if Manas be within Mahattattva, what of that which has
been said in v, 33, where Manas has been spoken of as having an independent existence? But the
answer to that is, that that Manas is the product of Ahamkara, and Raghava-Bhatta quotes a text
which says: "In so much as the other Manas is the one which selects and rejects (Sa-semkalpa-
vikalpaka),"5 it is known to be the product of Tejas."6 Thus it is that, as Manas and other Tattvas
in the Ajna-Cakra are placed in their order, Ahamkara and others should be known as being
placed above them. In the Ajna-Cakra are Hakini, Itara-Linga, Pranava, Manas, Ahamkara,
Buddhi, and Prakrti placed consecutively one above the other. No place being assigned to
Candra-mandala, which has been spoken of before, it should be taken to be placed above all
these. If it be asked, why is it not below all these? then the reply is that it has been said in the
Sammohana-Tantra: "Moon (Indu) is in the forehead, and above it is Bodhini Herself." From this
it would appear that Indu and Bodhini are above Ajna-Cakra, placed one above the other without
anything intervening between them. Bodhini is above all the rest.
1 product thereof."1 Vikrtih pratibimbatii-in a mirror one is seen but the image is not
oneself.
2 Buddhi.2 Raghava-Bhatta says that this is so according to Saiva doctrine.
3 objective Prakrti,3 Boddhavya-laksana---that is, that which can be known Jneya); the
objective or manifested Prakrti.
4 Atma.4 See Introduction.
5 (Sa-semkalpa-vikalpaka),"5 As to Sa-samkalpa-vikalpa, see Introduction.
6 Tejas6 That is, Taijasa ahamkara, which is the source of the Indriyas.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------
The Sammohana-Tantra speaks of the Cause (Karanarpa) as above Ajna-Cakra: "Indu (the
Moon, here-Bindu) is in the region of the forehead, and above it is Bodhini Herself. Above
Bodhini shines the excellent Nada, in form like the half (crescent) moon; above this is the
lustrous Maha-nada, in shape like a plough; above this is the Kal called Anji the beloved of
Yogis. Above this last is Unmani,1" which having reached, one does not return."
In the above passage, in the words "above it is Bodhini," the word " it " stands for the forehead
or Ajna-Cakra.
The Bhta-suddhi-Tantra speaks of the existence of the Bindu below Bodhini: "Devi, above
Bindu and Mtrrdh is Nada, and above this, again, is Maha-nada, which is 'the place of the
dissolution of Vayu." Mtrrdh is Mtrrdh-Sakti2.
The following passage from Brhat-trl-vikrama-samhit proves that the Ardha-mtr means Sakti:
"Lustrous like the young Sun is Aksara, which is Bindumat (Bindu itself); above it is Ardha-
mtr associated with the Gndhrarga3."
As both the above passages point to the same thing, we must take it that Ardha-mtr and
Bodhini are identical. Bindu, Bodhini, and Nada, are but different aspects of the Bindu-maya-
para-sakti,
1 Unmani,1 In this passage Ajni is Samani, The Bhta-suddhi (see post), makes a distinction too
between Ajni and Samani. These are the Avntarasarlras of the First Cause enumerated in Laya-
krama. The text quoted from the Srada gives the Srsti-krama.
2 Mtrrdh-Sakti2. Mtrrdh. In the Devi Bhigavata there occurs the expression Ardhamtr
(which is a name for Nada) in I, 1, v, 55, and III, 5, v, 29, and Nllakantha defines it to mean
Param padam = the supreme state, or the Brahman. The expression Ardha-matra also occurs in
Candi, I, 55, in practically the same sense. Gopila Chakravarti quotes a passage which says: "
Ardha-mtra is attributeless (Nirguna), and realizable by the Yogi." He quotes another passage
which says: "Om--this is the three Vedas, three Lokas, and after the three Lokas, Mtrrdh is
the fourth-the Supreme Tattva," See Candl "Tvamudgithe ardhamatrasi " and Devibhgavata, I,
5, v, 55. Sruti says: "Thou art the Ardhamatra of Pranava, Gyatri, and Vyhrti." Here the unity
of Devi and Brahman is shown. She is Brahman united with Mya (Mya-viita-brahmarpini).
The Nada-bindu Upanisad (v. 1) says: " A-kra is the right wing (of Om figured as a bird), U-
kara is the other (left) wing, Ma-kara the tail, and Ardhamtra the head. Sattva is its body, and
Rajas and Tamas are its two feet. Dharma is its right eye and Adharma is its left eye. The
Bhurloka is its feet; the Bhuvarloka its knees; the Svarloka is its middle; the Maharloka its navel;
Janaloka is the heart; Tapoloka its throat, and Satyaloka the place between the eyebrows." See
also Brahmavidya Up., v, 10.
3 Gndhrarga3 The third of the seven primary subtle tones.
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---------
The Sarada-tilaka says: "From the Sakala Paramesvara.1 who is Sat, Cit, and Ananda, Sakti
emanated; from Sakti, again, emanated Nada; and Bindu has its origin from Nada. He who is
Para-Sakti-maya manifests Himself in three different ways. Bindu and Nada and Bija are but His
different aspects. Bindu is Nadatmaka,2 Bija is Sakti, and Nada, again, is the union or relation of
the one to the other.3 This is spoken of by all who are versed in the Agamas4" ,
" Para-Sakti-maya ": Para=Siva; hence Siva-Sakti-maya = Bindu.
The Bindu who is above the forehead is Nadatmaka---that is, Sivatmaka5, Bija is Sakti as
Bodhini (Bodhint-rupam). Nada is the connection between the two whereby the one acts upon
the other; hence it is Kriya-Sakti. Above these three is Maha-nada. This has already been shown.
" Above this is Kal," etc.: Kal=Sakti. Anji is crooked, awry, bent, line. This is in shape like a
bent or crooked line over a letter. This Sakti appeared in the beginning of creation, Cf.
Pancaratra: "Having thus seen, the Supreme Male in the beginning of creation makes manifest
the eternal Prakrti who is the embodiment of Sat, Cit and Ananda, in whom 6 are all the Tattvas,
and who is the presiding (Adhisttri) Devi of creation.
Also elsewhere: "From the unmanifested (Avyakta) Paramesvara, the united Siva and Sakti,
emanated the Adya (first) Devi Bhagavati, who is Tripura-sundari, the Sakti from whom came
Nada, and thence came Bindu."
1 Paramesvara.1 Sarada, Ch. I, vv. 7-9, Sakala, as opposed to Niskala, or Nirguna, means united
with Kala, which according to Samkhya is Smyvasth of the Gunas which is Prakrti,
According to the Vedantists of the (MyaVda) , Kal is Avidya, in the Saiva-Tantra Kal is
Sakti (RaghavaBhatta),
2 Nadatmaka,2 Another text has Sivatmaka---that is, Bindu is the Siva aspect.
3 union or relation of the one to the other.3 Samavya ksobhya ksobhaka-sambandha---lit.,
connection which is the connection of reciprocity.
4 Agamas4 See Introduction.
5 Sivatmaka5 In the Benares edition as also in Rasika Mohana Chattopadhyaya's edition of the
Sarada-tilaka the text reads Sivtmaka, as if qualifying Bija, which seems erroneous.
6 Sat, Cit and Ananda, in whom 6 Raghava reads: "Samasta-tattva-samghatma-
spirtyadhisthatrirpinim "-which means" who is the Devi presiding over or directing the
evolution or manifestation of all the mass of Tattvas ".
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---------
" Above it is Unmani," etc.: Cf. 'By going where 'Manasness' (Manastva) of Manas ceases to be
called Unmani, the attainment of which is the secret teaching of all Tantras1."
The state of Unmani is the Tattva which means the dispelling of the attachment prompted by
Manas towards worldly objects.
Unmani, again, is of two kinds: (1) Nirvana-kala-rpa which also has its place in the Sahasrara2;
(2) Varnval-rpa, which also has its place in this region. Cf. Kankala-malini: " In the pericarp
of the Sahasrara, placed within the circle of the moon, is the seventeenth Kala, devoid of
attachments3. The name of this is Unmani, which cuts the bond of attachment to the world."
Cf. also: "By mental recitation of the Ml-varna (rosary of letters) is Unmani the granter of
Liberation (attained)." Ml-varna = Varnval-rpa.
The Bhta-suddhi speaks of the Samani below Unmani. "Next is the Vyapika-Sakti (Diffusive
Energy) which people know as j. Saman4 is over this, and Unmani is above all." This
(Samani) also is an intermediate aspect (Avntara-rpa) of Parasakti.
We now get the following:
Above Ajna-Cakra is the second Bindu-which is Siva (Siva-svarpa). Above Bindu is the Sakti
Bodhini in shape like an Ardhamtr; next is Nada which is the union of Siva and Sakti, in shape
like a half (crescent) moon; next (above this) is Mahanada, shaped like a plough; above
Mahanada is the Vyapika Sakti, crooked (j) in shape; above this last is Samani and highest of
these all is U nmani. This is the order in which the seven causal forms (Karana-rpa) are placed.
1Tantras1 Visvanatha, quoting Svacchanda-samgraha, which speaks of Unmani as above
Samana, says that in the Unmani stage there is no cognition of and no distinction is made
between Kla and Kal; there is no body, and no Devatas, and no cessation of continuity. It is the
pure and sweet mouth of Rudra. Cf. Vrttna manah in the Siva-Samhita, V, 219.
2 Sahasrara2 Sahasrrdhar, See introduction.
3 attachments3 Sarva-samkalpa-rahiti.e., who is free from all attachment, not prompted by
anything in any action. The passages quoted are from ch. v, Kankala-malini.
4 Saman4 Visvanatha speaks of it as Saman, and says that She is Cidnanda.svarpa (that is,
Cit and Ananda), and the cause of all causes (Sarva.kraa-kraam).
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40. Tadrdhve akhiny nivasati ikhare snyadee praka
visargdha padma daaatadala pracandrtiubhra
Adhvaktra kntam taruaravikalkntikijalkapuja
akrdyairvarai pravilasitavapu kevalnandarpa. 40
There is no need to go into further detail. Let us then follow the text.
Wishing to describe the Sahasrara he speaks of it in ten more verses.
"Above all these" (Tadrdhve).-Above every other that has been described or spoken before.
"Over the head of the Sankhini-Nadi "-a sight of which has been given to the disciple.
" Vacant space" (Snya-dea)-that is, the place where there are no Ndis; the implication is that
it is above where susumna ends. .
" Below Visarga is the lotus of a thousand petals."-This is the purport of the Sloka, Visarga is in
the upper part of the Brahma-randhra. Cf. " (Meditate) in that aperture on Visarga the ever
blissful and stainless." There are other similar passages.
" Its body is luminous with," etc. (Laltadyaih varnaih pravilasitavapuh).-The word Lalta
stands for the first vowel, A. By this we are to understand that the second Lakra (L) is to be left
out in counting the letters of the Alphabet. In counting the fifty letters, the second Lakra1 is
always left out.
If the text is read as " Lakrdyaih varaih," as is done by some, we must leave Ksa-kra out in
counting the letters. The fifty-one letters. cannot be taken to be in the petals of the Sahasrra2.
With fifty-one letters repeated twenty times, the number is 1,020, and repeated nineteen times is
969. By leaving out Ksakara we are freed of this difficulty. By "Lakrdyaih" is it not meant that
the letters are to be read Viloma.
3
The Kaklamlin in the following passage distinctly says
that it is to be read Anuloma4 "The Great Lotus Sahasra is white and has its head downward,
and the lustrous letters from A-kra (A), ending with the last letter before Ksakra (Ksa),
decorate it." Here it is distinctly stated that the letter Ksa is left out.
Akrdi-ksa-krntaih: This compound, ksa-krnta, if formed by Bahu-vrhi-samsa5 would
mean that Ksakra is left out of calculation.
1 Lakra1 Vaidika Lakra (La).
2Sahasrra2 fifty-one letters cannot be arranged in the Sahasrara,
3 Viloma.
3
i.e., from end to beginning.
4 Anuloma4 From beginning to end.
5 Bahu-vrhi-samsa5 A form of Sanskrit verbal compound.
There is nothing said of the colour of the letters, and, as the Mtrk (letters) are white, they are to
be taken as being white on the Sahasrara petals. These letters go round the Sahasrara from right
to left.1
Some read Pravilasita-tanuh in place of pravilasita-vapuh, and say that, as the word padma
alternatively becomes masculine in gender (v pumsi padmam), therefore the word Tanu, which
qualifies a word in the masculine gender, is itself masculine. That cannot be. The verb Nivasati
(=is, dwells) has for its nominative Padmam, and, as it ends with the Bindu (m), it is in the neuter
gender and not masculine. For in that case it would have ended with visarga (i.e., h), and its
adjective tanu, would also end with a visarga. The word tanu (if their reading is accepted) would
be in the neuter; therefore it cannot end with a Bindu. And if there is no Bindu the metre
becomes defective. Therefore the correct reading is Pravilasita-vapuh.
The rest is clear.
1from right to left.1 Daksinavarta---the opposite way to that in which the hands of a clock work.

41. Samste tasynta aaparirahita uddhasaprncandra
sphurajjyotsnjala paramarasacayasnigdhasatnahs.
Trikoa tasyntah sphurati ca satata vidyudkrarpam
tadantahanya tatsakala-suragaaih sevita ctigupta.
Within it (Sahasrara) is the full Moon, without the mark of the hare1, resplendent as in a clear
sky. It sheds its rays in profusion, and is moist and cool like nectar. Inside it (Candra-mandala),
constantly shining like lightening, is the Triangle2 and inside this, again, shines the Great Void3
which is served by all the Suras4.
COMMENTARY
He here speaks of the existence of the Candra-mandala in the pericarp of the Sahasrara.
resplendent as in a clear sky (Suddha)---seen in a cloudless sky (nirmalo-daya-viista)
" Is moist and cool," etc. (Parama-rasa-cya-snigdha-santna-hs). Snigdha which means
moist here implies the moisture of the nectar.
1 without the mark of the hare1 The man in the moon.
2 Triangle2 The A-ka-thdi triangle according to Visvanatha.
3 Great Void3 Snya=Bindu-that rs, the Para-bindu, or Isvara, having as its centre the abode of
Brahman (Brahmapada). In the northern Saiva and Sakta schools Sadasiva and Isvara are the
Nimesa and Unmesa aspects of the experience intermediate between Siva-Tattva and Suddha-
vidya, the former being called Snyatisnya. The positions of the Sun and Moon circles in the
Sahasrara and of the twelve-petalled lotus with the Kmakal are given in the Text.
4 Suras4 i.e., Devas.
Parama-rasa (Amrta) is free from heat. Hence the meaning of this compound word: Its rays are
cool and moist, and produce a feeling of smilinggladness.
The Kankala-malini speaks of the presence of Antartm, etc., in the upper portion of the space
below Candra-mandala. In dealing with the Sahasrra, it says: "In its pericarp; O Devesi, is the
Antartm. Above it is the Guru; The Mandalas of Srya and Candra are also there. Above this is
Mah-vyu, and then the Brahmarandhra. In this aperture (Randhra) is Visarga, the ever blissful
Brahman. Above this (Tadrdhve) last is the Devi Sankhin, who creates, maintains, and
destroys."
Samste tasynta aaparirahita uddhasaprncandra
sphurajjyotsnjala paramarasacayasnigdhasatnahs.
Trikoa tasyntah sphurati ca satata vidyudkrarpam
tadantahanya tatsakala-suragaaih sevita ctigupta. --41
" Within Candra-mandala constantly shines, like lightning, the triangle ,. (Trikonam tasyntah
vidyudkra-rpam).- That is, the shining triangle is there.
" Inside this shines the Great Void" (Tadantah snyam sphurati).That which as a void within
is, the body of the Para-bindu (Para-bindusarram). Within the triangle the excellent Bindu
(Snya) shines, or within the triangle the Snya which is the excellent Bindu shines.
Cf. Todala- Tantra, 6th Ullsa: "The Supreme Light is formless (Nirkara), and Bindu is
imperishable. Bindu means the void (Snya) and implies Guna also." 1
"Served in secret" (Sevitam ctiguptam).-The rule is, "Eating (hra), evacuation (Nirhara),
sexual intercourse (Vihra), and Yoga, should be done in secret by him who knows the Dharma."
Hence Suras (Devas) serve or worship It in secret.
1Guna also." 1 When it assumes the form of Bindu, It is with the operating Gunas, or then It is
Sakala.

Well concealed, and attainable only by great effort, is that subtle Bindu (Sunya) which is the
chief root of liberation and which manifests the pure Nirvana-kala with Ama-Kala1. Here is the
Deva who is known to all as Parama-Siva. He is the Brahman and the Atma of all beings. In Him
are united both Rasa and Virasa2 and He is the Sun which destroys the darkness of nescience3
and delusion4.
42. Sugupta tadyatndatiayaparammoda-satnare
param kanda skma sakalaikalasuddharpapraka
lha sthne deva paramaivasamkhynasiddha prasiddha
svarp sarvtm rasavirasanutoinamohndhahasa
This verse describes the ascendant course of liberation of the soul, after it shed all impurities.
The Yogi in his ascent from Muladhara Chakra goes to Bindu before he reaches other Saktis for
merger with Siva.
COMMENTARY
The sense is that the void (Snya) is very secret and subtle, being, as described later, like the ten
millionth part of the end of a hair. It is attainable only by great effort consisting of long and
incessant performance of Dhyana and like practices. It makes manifest the purity of the sixteenth
Kala of the moon along with Nirvna-Kal --i.e., the void (Antah-snya) along with the Am
Kal and Nirvna-Kal within the triangle is realized (Praksam bhavati) by meditation
(Dhyna), It is the source of all the mass of great Bliss, which is Liberation. Some, however, read
Sakalasasi-kal-suddha-rpa-praksam as qualifying the great Void within the triangle, and read
'sakala ' to mean with all the sixteen kals and say that the Para Bindu manifests the moon with
such kals. Prepared by Veeraswamy Krishnaraj
1 Ama-Kala1 There are seventeen Kals (digits) of the Moon, but the nectardropping Ama and
the Nirvana-kal are only at this stage revealed. The other Kals are mentioned in Skanda-Purana
Prabhsa-Khanda.
2 Rasa and Virasa2 The Bliss of liberation and that arising from the union of Siva and Sakti: vide
post.
3 darkness of nescience3 Ajnana.
4 delusion4 Moha. This verse occurs in Tripur-sra-samuccaya, ch. V. 40.
This requires consideration. When it was said that the Trikona (triangle) is within the full moon,
the repetition of it is useless. Furthermore, in the previous verse we have got "served by the
Suras ". The term "service" as applied to a void is inappropriate. The object of service is the
Bindu within the triangle. If it be said that the void should be worshipped by reason of the
presence of the Para-Bindu, then the Para-Bindu being there present there is no void.
42. Sugupta tadyatndatiayaparammoda-satnare
param kanda skma sakalaikalasuddharpapraka
" Well concealed" (Sugupta ).-By reason of its being like the ten millionth part of a hair.
" By great effort" (Yatnt)---i.e., by long-continued practice of meditation (Dhyana) and so
forth.
"Chief root" (Param kandam.l-e-Para usually means supreme, excellent; here chief, principal.
Kanda = Mla.
" Liberation," etc., (Atiaya-parammoda-samtna-ri).-The compound word means,
literally, continuity of all the mass of great and supreme bliss, and this is Liberation (Moksa),
"Manifests, etc., Am-kal " (sakala-ai-kal-suddha-rpa-prakam).-This compound word
is to be broken up as follows:
Sakala=with the Kal: Kal here meaning Nirvana- Kal, In the word Sasi- Kal the Kal means
Am- Kal, the sixteenth Kal, or digit, of the moon. Suddha=pure; the lustre is not obscured by
anything.
The sense is that the Para-bindu, though subtle and otherwise imperceptible, is seen by
meditation (Dhyana) with the Am- Kal and Nirvana- Kal in the Trikona, If Sugopyam be read
in place of Suguptarn, then it would be qualified by Yatnt.
Some read Sakala-sasi-kal-suddha-rpa-prakasam. to qualify Snya in the previous verse,
and say Snya means "vacant space" but that is absurd." 2
Next he speaks of the presence of Parama-Siva in the pericarp of the Sahasrra.
1 Kanda means bulb or root. The Yoginl-hrdaya says that this Kanda is the subtle Parananda-
kanda-bindu-rupa, or the root of supreme Bliss in Bindu form (Visvanatha).
2 According to the Commentator, it qualifies Kanda. Bindu is the circle O, the void is the
Brahmapada or space within.
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lha sthne deva paramaivasamkhynasiddha prasiddha
svarp sarvtm rasavirasanutoinamohndhahasa 42
" Paramasiva " 1 (Paramashiva-samkhyna-siddha).-He who is known by the name Parama
Siva.
" The Brahman" (Kharp).2-Kha=tm, the spirit.
" The Atma of all beings" (Sarvtm).-Sarva=all (beings). He is the Jivtma, but in fact there is
no distinction between Jivtma and Paramtm. The tm is the Jva. The Adhytma Rmyana
says:
"The Jivtma is merely another name, (Paryya) for the Paramtma, When by the instruction of
the Acrya and the Sastras their oneness is known, then the disciple possesses Mlavidy
concerning Jivtm and Parammt. "
The Sruti also, when it says" That thou art "-Tat tvam asi,' identifies the Tvam (Thou) with the
Tat (That).
" Rasa and Virasa" (Rasa-virasamita).-Rasa is Paramnandarasa -i.e., the experience of
Supreme Bliss4. Virasa is the bliss which is the product of the union of Siva and Sakti, He is
both. Or Rasa may mean the natural attachment to worldly enjoyment, and Virasa detachment
from it. The meaning would then be: in Him is the Supreme Bliss arising from his detachment
from worldly enjoyments5.
" The Sun " = Hamsa, As the sun dispels darkness, so does He
dispel nescience (Ajnna) and delusion (Moha).
1 Visvanatha says that this Siva is the Saguna-Siva,
2 Cf. Sruti " Kham Brahma " Chao 4-10-5; Br. -1-1. 3" That thou art." See Introduction.
4 i.e., Moksa.
5 That is, the Rasa in Him has become Virasa.



43. Sudhdhrsra niravadhi vimucannatitarm
yate svtmajna diati bhagavn nirmalamate.
Samaste sarvea sakalasukhasatnalahar
parivko hasa parama iti nimn paricita. 43
By shedding a constant and profuse stream of nectar-like essence,1 the Bhagavan2 instructs the
Yati3 of pure mind in the knowledge by which he realizes the oneness of the Jivatma and the
Paramatma. He pervades all things as their Lord, who is the ever-flowing and spreading current
of all manner of bliss known by the name of Harnsah Parama (Paramahamsah).
1Essence1 As appears from the Commentary post, this may be variously translated as follows:
"By shedding a constant and profuse stream of nectar resembling the silvery beam of the Moon,"
or" By unremitting and nectarlike words strong for the destruction of the darkness of delusion,"
or " By constant repetition of the word which is nectar-like in its mercy and contains the essence
of the Brahma-mantra."
2 Bhagavan2 That is, the Lord as the possessor of the six forms of Aisvarya,
3 Yati3 Self-controlled, whose mind is unified with the object of worship.
COMMENTARY
"Constant and profuse" (Niravadhi atitaram).
"By shedding a stream of nectar-like essence" (Sudh-dhrsram vimucan).-The compound
word can be made up and interpreted in four different ways:
1) Shedding a stream of nectar-like essence.
2) The Adhara (receptable) of Sudha (nectar) is Sudhadhara, by which is meant the Moon ;
Asara is what flows therefrom, a stream. Now, what flows from the Moon is Nectar, which is
silvery; hence the whole word means "the silvery beams of the moon". This adjective proves
that the qualified noun is white or transparent like the moon. Shedding = Vimuncan.
3. Asara may, again, mean" what is uttered," "word". Sudhadhara = receptacle of sweetness,
which is a quality of nectar; hence Sudhadharasaram=nectar-like or ambrosial word. The
meaning of Niravadhi would then be " at all times," and Atitaram would mean "powerful in
destroying the darkness, ignorance or delusion." Vimuncan should then mean " uttering".
4. Sudha, again, may mean "nectar of mercy," and Sare is essence "-i.e., the essence of Brahma-
mantra; and Dhara is a stream (continuous repetition) of the merciful word containing the
essence of the Brahma-mantra.
yate svtmajna diati bhagavn nirmalamate. (verse 43 line 2)
" Instructs the Yati," etc., (Bhagavn nirmala-mater yateh svtma-jnam diati),
" Yati."-He whose mind intently rests upon the Devata of his worship.
Knowledge by which, etc., Paramtm (svtma-jna): Svam= Jivatma and
Atma=Paramatma; and Jnana1 that by which one knows-namely, the Taraka-brahma-mantra,
which leads to a knowledge of the Paramatma, and thereby helps the worshipper to realize the
oneness of the Jivatma and Paramatma. Disati = Upadisati (instructs). The above qualifying
expressions imply that the qualified noun is the Guru, as instructions regarding Taraka-brahma-
mantra proceed from Him. So it qualifies " Parama-Siva " in the preceding verse, as He is the
Guru. Cf. Gurus-tattva-nirpana in Lalita-rahasya,
After describing Guru as "the well-known and excellent Purusa who is ever fond2 of enjoyment
with the Self (Atma-rati-priya)," it goes on to say: "His beloved is the lustrous One who may be
gained with difficulty by the Brahma-vartma (Brahman road). The Para-Brahman is but the
effulgence of Her lotus feet."
By the above passage is meant that the great beauty of Her lotus feet overspreads the heart-lotus
of Parama-Siva who is Para-Brahman.
1 Jnana1 Jnana is spiritual knowledge or wisdom, and Vijnana is the knowledge of the material
world (science).
2 who is ever fond2 i.e., who is engrossed in.
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The place for the feet of the lustrous (Tejo-rpa) Beloved (Sakti) of the Guru is on the breast of
the Guru1 and not on that of any other Purusa. Hence Parama-Siva and the Guru are one and the
same.
The Nirvana-Tantra also says 2: "In the Lotus in the head is Mahadeva---the Parama-Guru: there
is in the three worlds no one, O Devesi, who is so deserving of worship as He. O Devi, meditate
on His form3," which includes all the four Gurus."4
This Parama Siva is outside the triangle in the pericarp, and above the Hamsah of which we
speak below.
The kankla~mlini Tantra5 says: " In the pericarp of this Lotus, ,O Devesi, is the Antaratma,
and above it the Guru. The Mandalas of Sun and Moon are also there." And after having spoken
of the presence of different things in their order up to Maha-sankhinl, it then proceeds: " Below
it, O Devesi, is the Trikona (triangle), placed in the Mandala of Moon; and having meditated
there on the undecaying Kal, (one should meditate within upon the 17
th
KalA, by name NirvAna
which is like a crescent"(KutilA6).
1.Guru This is in praise of Sakti, without whom Siva is Sava (a corpse, and 'unable to move.)
2Nirvana-Tantra also says 2 This passage occurs in the 3rd Patala of the Nirvana-Tantra (Rasika
Mohana Chattopadhyaya's Edition, p. 3), and is in answer to the following question of the Devi:
"The Deva who is in the Turiyadhama (the fourth state) is unquestionably the Paramatma ; if he
be placed in the Lotus in the head, how can obeisance be made to him outwardly? " That is, How
can the Sadhaka bow to him who is in the head which is itself bowed?
3 meditate on His form3 The passage as quoted by the Commentator reads "Tadama" (his
part); in R. M. Chattopadhyaya's Edition it reads "Tadrpa" (his form), which reading is here
adopted.
4 Gurus."4 i.e., Guru, Parama-Guru, Parapara-Guru, and Paramesti-Guru.
5 The kankla~mlini Tantra5 This passage occurs in Patala II (p. 3 of R. M. Chattopadhyaya's
Edition), which in its entirety runs thus: "In it (Sahasrara), O Devesi, is the Antaratma, and above
it Vyu, and above Mahanada is Brahmarandhra. In the Brahmarandhra is Visarga, which is
Eternal Peace and Bliss. (Peace-Niranjana, which also means stainless, free from delusion).
Above it is Devi Sankhini, the Creatrix and Maintainer and Destructress . Having meditated on
the Triangle placed below; He thinks that Kailsa (the paradise of Siva) is there. O Mahadevi, by
placing the undisturbed Cetas (heart or mind) here one lives in bliss to the full term of one's life
(Jva-jvi) free from all ills, and for such a one there is no rebirth. Here constantly shines Am
Kal which knows neither increase nor decay, and within it, again is the seventeenth digit,
known as Nirvana-Kala. Within Nirvana-Kala is the flery Nibodhika. Above lt is unmanifested
Nada, effulgent as ten million suns. It is the excellent Nirvana Sakti, the cause of all. In this Sakti
it should be known that Siva who is changeless and free from illusion abides."
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6 KutilA: See Jnanarva-Tantra XXIV, 36.
Nirvana Sakti has two KalAs or Inner Force: NirvAna KalA and AmA KalA, the 17th and
16th KalAs respectively. Nirvana Sakti is both Unmani
1
and Samani
2
. Nirvana KalA is
Vyapini
3
or Sakti Svarupa and above the 16th KalA. Nirvana Sakti is Antargata (indweller) of
Nirvana KalA. Ananda is the Bliss or Joy which arises from the union of Para (Bindu-Rupa Siva)
and ParA (Sakti or Prakrti); from such union flows the nectar, of which AmA KalA is the
receptacle. --Woodroffe. AmA is the one that maintains the bodies. AmA is also the Sakti
(Urdhva Sakti-Rupa = Form of Sakti that moves [the soul] upwards); who propels the soul
towards (upwards to) Brahman.
AmA KalA is Creative Sakti and becomes Nirvana KalA of Pure Consciousness.
NirvAna KalA = 17th KalA = Vyapini Tattva = Sakti Svarupa = VyApini Tattva. It is the Supreme aspect of
VyApini Tattva as Vyapika. is more excellent than Ama KalA. It is the CinmAtra SvabhAvA or Pure
Consciousness aspect of AmA KalA. AmartAkArarUpini. VyApinI = Expansive. Nirvana Sakti is the
Antargata(Indweller) of Nirvana KalA.

Figure 16 by Veeraswamy Krishnaraj

AmA KalA = 16th KalA = Vyapika Sakti = Paratpara = Receptacle of the Nectar that flows from the union
of Para (Bindurupa Siva) and ParA (Sakti). It is the Creative aspect (Anjani) of Vyapini Tattva. AmA is both
Srstyunmukhi (looking towards creation) and Urddhva-Saktirupa (looking upwards or towards liberation;
takes the soul to liberation upwards.) Ama is Creative Anjani and Adhomukhi, and Liberating.
Srstyunmukhi is Adhomukhi meaning downward-turned-mouth (petals). Petals turned down before Kundali
ascends.
AmA KalA and NirvAna KalA are two aspects (creative and supreme ) of VyApini Tattva as VyApikA
and Anjani. NirvAna KalA is more excellent or beyond AmA KalA.
NirvAna Sakti or Samani in Sakti Tattva is the abode of PAsajAla (bondage).
NirvAna KalA is CinmAtra SvabhAvA or Pure Consciousness aspect of what in the creative aspect is
called AmA KalA.
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The above passage speaks of the presence of Am-Kala, and so forth, within the triangle in the
Candra-Mandala, The Guru therefore is below them and above Antartma. Now, if it be asked
how it is that, the kankala-Malini having placed the Guru over the Antaratma, the Guru is spoken
of as placed above Hamsah, the answer is that the Antartma and the Hamsah are one and the
same.
Guru Dhyana in Kankala-malini1: "Meditate on your Guru seated on a shining throne
(Simhasana) placed on the excellent Antartma between Nada and Bindu," etc. Also elsewhere:
"Meditate on your' Guru, who is the image of Siva Himself, as seated on the Hamsa-pita which is
Mantramaya." Also cf the Annada-kalpa-Tantra2: "Meditate on your Guru in the white Lotus of
a thousand petals in the head; He is Parama-Siva seated on the Hamsa among the filaments."
On a careful consideration of the above authorities, the identity of Hamsa with Antaratma
becomes clear. By the expression" one's own Guru, who is Parama-Siva," it is to be understood
that Parama-Siva Himself is the Guru.
The following passage, which relates to the Sahasrara, shows that Parama-Siva is in the triangle:
"Within (or near) it (Sahasrara) is the lightning-like Triangle, and within the Triangle are the
two Bindus which make the imperishable Visarga-There in the empty void is Parama Siva.
These conflicting views lead to the conclusion that the Guru is within the triangle ill. the pericarp
of the upturned Lotus of twelve petals, below the pericarp of the Sahasrara and inseparable from
it. This has been made clear in the Paduka-pancaka-Stotra3. From these passages it is not to be
inferred that the Guru is within the triangle in the pericarp of the Sahasrara. The triangular
Hamsa is below the middle triangle; otherwise it would conflict with the authority of the
Kankala-maliniTantra.
1 Kankala-malini1 Patala III.
2 Annada-kalpa-Tantra2: This quotation is not traceable in Prasannakumara Siistri's Edition of
this Tantra.
3 Paduka-pancaka-Stotra3: See notes to v. 7 of the Paduka-Pancaka.
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Prepared by Veeraswamy Krishnaraj
Samaste sarvea sakalasukhasatnalahar
parivko hasa parama iti nimn paricita. Verse 43, line 3-4
" He pervades all things as their Lord "-(Samaste sarveah)-i.e., in this pericarp dwells He who
is the Lord of All. Now, by saying that Parama-Siva is there, it has been said that Isvara (Lord) is
there; then why this repetition? But there is an object in so doing, as the following qualifying
expressions will show. The Sarvesa (Lord of All) is the Hamsa--i.e., He is the Mantra" Ham-Sah
".
Cf. Prapaca-sara: "She whose name is Tattva is Cinmatra1: when by proximity to the Light she
wishes to create2 She becomes massive (Ghanibhya) and assumes the form of Bindu. Then in
time She divides Herself in two: the one on the right is Bindu and that on the left side is Visarga.
The right and the left are respectively distinguished as male and female. Ham is the Bindu, and
Sah is Visarga; Bindu is Purusa, and Visarga is Prakrti ; Hamsah. is the union of Prakrti and
Purusa, who
pervade the Universe."
The Mahakali-Tantra speaks clearly on the subject (PatalaI): "In the empty space3 in the Candra-
Mandala4 which is within the Sahasrara, adorned with a celestial gateway, are the letters Ham
and Sah, over which (meditate on) Him who is pure like rock crystal and dressed in pure white
silken raiment, and so forth." Here the letters Ham and Sah are explicitly spoken of.
Or if Hamsa and Parama be read separately as Hamsa and Parama it would mean" He who is
known as Hamsa and Parama ", The Author himself speaks of Him as Hamsa in the forty-ninth
verse. Or if the two words be read together, then the meaning would be "He who is known by the
name of Parama-hamsa," by one of the exceptional rules of Karmadhraya-Samsa this word
having been formed, the word 'antah ' being omitted. Cf. gama-kalpa-druma: He is called
Parama-hamsah, pervading all that is moving and motionless."
Samaste sarvea sakalasukhasatnalahar
parivko hasa parama iti nimn paricita. Verse 43, line 3-4
"Who is the ever flowing," etc., (Sakala-sukha-santna-lahar-parvha)-i.e., in Him becomes
manifest in every possible way all kinds of imperishable and increasing happiness; that is, He is,
as it were, an interminable chain of happiness.
It has previously been said that this Hamsa is below Parama-Siva.
1 Cinmatra1 Vide ante, v. 39. The text quoted here differs from that of the edition published by
me (See ch. I, vv. 41-44, Tantrik Texts, Vol. III).
2 create2 = Vicikrsu---" wishes to distort herself." Here" distortion," or stress, is creation. See
Introduction.
3 empty space3 = Snya. The Snya is the empty space within the Bindu.
4 Candra-Mandala4 = The locative is to be read Smpye-saptam---that is, the space is not in,
but near, the Candra-Mandala ; otherwise there appears to be a contradiction. End Verse 43.


44. ivasthnam aiv paramapurua vaiavaga
lapantti pryo hariharapadam kecidapare.
Paba devy devicaraayugalbhojarasik
munndr apyanye praktipuruasthnamamala.
The Saivas call it the abode of Siva1; the Vaisnavas call it Parama Purusa2; others again, call it
the place of Hari-Hara3. Those who are filled with a passion for the Lotus feet of the Devi4 call
it the excellent abode of the Devi; and other great sages (Munis) call it the pure place of Prakrti-
Purusa5.
1 Siva1 Siva-sthanam.
2 Purusa2 i.e., the place of Parama-Purusa---Visnu,
3 Hari-Hara3 Visnu and Siva.
4 Devi4 Sakti, or the Goddess.
5 Prakrti-Purusa5 Sakti-Siva,
COMMENTARY
As Hamsah, who has in Him all the Devats (Sarvadevatmaya) and others, are in this pericarp,
it is the place of the Devats of worship of all classes of worshippers, such as Saivas, Sktas, etc.
" The Saivas "-i.e., the worshippers of Siva-call it the place of Siva.
"The Vaisavas6 call it Parama-Purusa "-i.e., the place of the Parama-Purusa, or Visu
(Vishnu).
" Others, again" (Kecid apare)-i.e., others who are worshippers of Hari-Hara, or, in other words,
United Visu and Siva and not of Siva alone or Visu alone-call it the place of Hari-Hara7. They
do not call it either the place of Hari (Visnu) or of Siva (Hara) but the place of their united
selves.
6 Vaisavas6 Worshippers of Visnu,
7 Hari-Hara7 Hari-Hara-padam.
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44. ivasthnam aiv paramapurua vaiavaga
lapantti pryo hariharapadam kecidapare.
Paba devy devicaraayugalbhojarasik
munndr apyanye praktipuruasthnamamala. Verse 44
" Other great sages1" (Munndr apyanye).-By this the author here means the worshippers of
the "Hamsah" Mantra who call it the pure place of Prakrti-Purusa. Hamsah is the union of Prakrti
and Purusa2 hence it is the place of Prakrti and Purusa,
The above shows that, as this Lotus is the dwelling-place of the Para Bindu, in which are all the
Devatas, each worshipper calls it the place of the Devats of his own separate worship.
1 Other great sages1 Muni means "knower" and whose Mind is therefore always in a state of
Meditation.
2 Purusa2 Hamsasva prakrti-puruobhayarpatvt. Ham is the Purusa, and Sah is Prakrti.

45. Idam sthnam jtva niyatanijacitto naravaro
na bhyt sasre punarapi na baddhastribhuvane.
Samagr sakti synniya mamanasastasya krtina
sad kartu hartu khagatirapi vi suvimal.
That most excellent of men who has controlled his mind1 and known this place is never again
born in the Wandering2, as there is nothing in the three worlds which binds him. His mind being
controlled and his aim achieved, he possesses complete power to do all which he wishes, and to
prevent that which is contrary to his will. He ever moves towards the Brahman3. His speech,
whether in prose or verse, is ever pure and sweet.
COMMENTARY
In this verse he speaks of the fruit of a complete knowledge of the Sahasrara, The idea
sought to be conveyed is that a knowledge of this place should be gained as a whole
and in detail.
" Who has controlled his mind" (Niyata-nija-citta)-i.e., he who has controlled and
concentrated the inner faculties on this place. Such an one becomes free from
Samsara, or, in other words, he is released from bondage, as there is nothing to bind or
attract him in these worlds. By bondage is meant the Mayik bonds of virtue (Punya) and
sin (Papa).
1 mind1 Citta.
2 Wandering2 Samsra, the world of birth and rebirth to which men are impelled by their Karma.
3 Brahman3 The interpretation of Visvanatha is here adopted, according to which Kha = Brahman. As the term also
means the" air" or "ether," the text is capable of translation as " He is able to roam the sky".
Prepared by Veeraswamy Krishnaraj
The Bhgavata says: "If the action which is the product of the operation of the Gunas is
attributed to the self, then such (false) attribution is bondage and Samsara and
servitude." Also cf. Bhagavad-Gita: "O Son of Kunti, Man is bound by action which is the
product of his own nature (Sva-bhva),"1
To inhabit this body for the purpose of undergoing Papa (sin) and Punya (virtue) is
bondage. In heaven one enjoys (the fruit of) Punya, and in the nether world (Patala) one
suffers sorrow, and on earth man is subject to both Papa and Punya, For the Tattva-
jnanl (him who knows the truth) there is neither Punya nor Papa, which are the causes
of bondage; his accumulated (Sacita) Karma of merit (Punya) and demerit (Papa) is
also destroyed. He is in consequence under no bondage whether in heaven (Svarga),
earth (Martya), or nether world (Ptla), and he is not truly embodied.2 Such a one
stays on earth so long only as he has not worked out what he has begun. He is
liberated though living (Jivanmukta), and attains complete Liberation on the dissolution
of the body.
The Kularnava-Tantra says: "Those who have the Brahman in the heart can acquire
neither merit by performing a hundred horse sacrifices, nor demerit by killing a hundred
Brahmanas." The Gita (III, 18) also says: "For him there is nothing in this world that
should or should not be done. For such an one there is no dependence on any being."3
The Subodhini4 interprets this verse to mean that the " knower" (Tattvajnani) acquires
no merit by the performance of actions nor demerit by the omission thereof.
Sruti5 speaks of the destruction of accumulated (Samcita) Punya and Papa: "When
Manas, which is now selecting and now rejecting, is dissolved in That; when Papa and
Punya are destroyed (lit., burnt), Sadasiva, who is Sakti and Atma (if. Hamsah, ante), is
Santa." Cf: Bhagavad-Gita: " And so the fire of knowledge destroys all actions."
1 Sva-bhva),"1 Ch. XVIII, v. 60.
2 not truly embodied.2 Na sariri bhavati--though he has a body, he is not of it.
3 no dependence on any being."3 Telang's Translation: "He has no interest at all in what is done, and none whatever
in what is not done, in this world; nor is any interest of his dependent on any being" (p. 54, Sacred Books of the
East, Vol. VIII).
4 Subodhini4 That is, Sridhara-svami's Commentary on the Gita.
5 Sruti5 The text quoted is from Hamsa Upanisad but differs slightly from the published texts of that Upanisad.
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Prepared by Veeraswamy Krishnaraj
45. Idam sthnam jtva niyatanijacitto naravaro
na bhyt sasre punarapi na baddhastribhuvane.
Samagr sakti synniya mamanasastasya krtina
sad kartu hartu khagatirapi vi suvimal. Verse 45

Sruti5 speaks of the destruction of accumulated (Samcita) Punya and Papa: "When
Manas, which is now selecting and now rejecting, is dissolved in That; when Papa and
Punya are destroyed (lit., burnt), Sadasiva, who is Sakti and Atma (if. Hamsah, ante), is
Santa1." Cf: Bhagavad-Gita: " And so the fire of knowledge destroys all actions.2"
"Complete power" (Samagr-sakt) i.e., power which enables him to do everything. By
power, or Sakti, is meant ability to do all he desires to do3 and counteract all harm, to fly
across the air4,' and to become possessed of great powers of speech and of poetic
composition.
1Santa1 That is, peace and quietude like the still surface of an ocean characteristic of the Supreme State.
2 the fire of knowledge destroys all actions.2" IV, 37.
3 ability to do all he desires to do3 Such an one may have such a power but will not wrongly exercise it.
4 fly across the air4 Khagati; this is Kallcarana's interpretation.

46. Atrste isuryasodarakal candrasya s soda
uddh nirajaskmatantuatadhbhgaikararp par.
Vidyyutkotisamnakomalatanrvidyotitdhomukh
nitynandapararpartivigalat-pyadhrdhar.

Here is the excellent (supreme) sixteenth Kala of the Moon. She is pure, and resembles (in
colour) the young Sun. She is as thin as the hundredth part of a fibre in the stalk of lotus. She is
lustrous1 and soft like ten million lightening flashes, and is down-turned. From Her, whose
source is the Brahman, flows copiously the continuous stream of nectar2 (or, She is the
receptacle of the stream of excellent nectar which comes from the blissful union of Para and
Par).3
COMMENTARY
Verses 41 and 42 speak of the presence of Am-kala, Nirvna-kal, and Para-Bindu,
within the triangle in the pericarp of the Sahasrra, He now desires to describe them by
their distinctive attributes, and speaks in this verse of the distinctive features of Am-
kal.
1 lustrous1 Klcarana reads "Vidyotit," but Sakara reads "Nityodita, " " constantly shining".
2 nectar2 Alternative reading of Commentator: "Nityananda-pararhparativigalat-piyiisa-dhara-dhara." Parampara
may mean" in a continuous course," or Pararn may mean Siva and Para-Sakti, This difference in meaning is due to
the different ways in which these words may be read.
3 blissful union of Para and Par).3 Para, according to Samkara, may mean Para, Pasyanti, Madhyama, and
Vaikhari collectively. Para and Para are the Bindu-riipa Siva and Sakti.
46. Atrste isuryasodarakal candrasya s soda
uddh nirajaskmatantuatadhbhgaikararp par.
Vidyyutkotisamnakomalatanrvidyotitdhomukh
nitynandapararpartivigalat-pyadhrdhar. 46
"Excellent or supreme" (Para)-i.e., She is Cit-Sakti. In the Prabhasa-khanda occurs the following
passage: "The excellent Maya who maintains the bodies of all that have bodies." This is
attributive of Ama.
" The sixteenth Kala of the Moon" (candrasya soda ).-By this we are to understand that he is
speaking of Ama-kala1.
" Pure" (uddh)-i.e., stainless.
"She resembles," etc., (iu-srya-sodara-kal- (isuryasodarakal)-By this the
redness of this Kal is indicated.
" Thin as the hundredth part of a fibre in the stalk of the lotus" (Nrajaskma-tantu-
atadh-bhgaika-rpa). -Thin like a hundredth part of the fibre in the lotus-stalk split
length-wise.
" Whose source is the Brahman" (Nitynanda-parapara).-
Nityananda=Prananda=Brahman.
. "Flows," etc., (Ati-vigalat-pya-dhr-dhar).-If the last two compound words be read
as one long compound word, as follows, Prananda-paraparati-vigalat-pya-dhr-
dhar, the meaning, of it will be as given within brackets at the end of the verse. Ananda
will then mean the joy of union, and Para-Par will then mean Siva and Sakti,
Para = Bindu-rpa, Siva; Par = Prakrti, Sakti. nanda is the joy which arises from the
union of the two, and from such union flows the nectar of which Am-kal is the
receptacle.
1 Ama-kala1 Visvanatha says that this Am-kal is Urdhva-sakti-rupa, or the upward (towards the Brahman)
moving Sakti. Prepared by Veeraswamy Krishnaraj



47. Nirvkhyakal par paratpar sste tadantargat
Kegrasya sahasradh vibhajitasyaikmarp sat.
Bhutnmadhidaivata bhagavati nityaprabodhoday
Candrrdhngasamnabhaguravat sarvrkatulyaprabh

Inside it (Ama-Kala) is Nirvana-kala, more excellent than the excellent. She is as subtle as the
thousandth part of the end of a hair, and of the shape of the crescent moon. She is the ever-
existent Bhagavati, who is the Devata who pervades all beings. She grants divine knowledge,
and is as lustrous as the light of all the suns shining at one and the same time.
COMMENTARY
In this verse the Nirvana-kal is described.
47. Nirvkhyakal par paratpar sste tadantargat
Kegrasya sahasradh vibhajitasyaikmarp sat.
Bhutnmadhidaivata bhagavati nityaprabodhoday
Candrrdhngasamnabhaguravat sarvrkatulyaprabh-47

" Inside it" (Tadantargat)-i.e., placed in the lap1 of Ama-kal, The Kala has already
been described as the" crescent seventeenth Kal placed within Am, and known by
the name of Nirvana-kal."
" More excellent than the excellent" (Par-paratar).-The Am-Kal is excellent; this is
more excellent than Am, If" Partparatar " be accepted for ' Par-paratar,' then the
meaning will be that She is the most excellent.
" She is as subtle . . . hair" (Kegrasya sahasradh vibhajitasyaikma-rpa).-She is
equal in dimension to the thousandth part of the end of a hair, so very subtle is She.
_ " Of the shape of the crescent Moon" (Candrrdhnga-samna-bhangu- ravat)-like
Am-Kal she is in shape like the crescent,
1 placed in the lap1 of Ama-kal That is, within the curve of Am-Kal . Visvanatha says, not within Am-
Kal, but within the Candra-Mandala, of which the Am-Kal is one of the digits, Nirvana-Kal is, he says,
Vypin-tattva.
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Bhutnmadhidaivata bhagavati nityaprabodhoday, Verse 47 line 3
" That Devat who pervades all beings" (Bhtnm adhidaivata).Adhi-
daivata=Hrdda-caitanyam,l and this Kal is Hrdda-caitanyasvarpa of all beings.
"She grants divine knowledge" (Nitya-prabodhoday)i.e., She grants Tattva-jnana, or
knowledge of the Brahman.
Candrrdhngasamnabhaguravat sarvrkatulyaprabh- Verse 47 line 4
" And is lustrous," etc. (Sarvrka-tulya-prabh).-There are twelve suns (Dvdaditya).
"When all the twelve suns are shining "-such is Her lustre. This adjective also implies
that She is red.
1 Hrdda-caitanyam. Amara defines Hrdda to mean Prema, Sneha -i.e., affection, love. That is, the Istadevata
worshipped in the heart; the Sakti who is Herself the heart of the Lord. The word is derived from hd=heart. The
Devata also exists as what is called the Hardda-kal, See Introduction.

48. Etasy madhyadee vilasati paramprvanirvaakti
Kotydityaprak tribhuvanajanan koibhgaikarp.
Kegrasytiskm niravadhi vigalapremadhrdhar s
Sarveam jvabht munimanasi mud tattvabhodha vahanti.
Within its middle space (i.e., middle of the Nirvana-kala) shines the Supreme and Primordial
NirvAna-Sakti1; She is lustrous like ten million suns, and is the Mother of the three worlds. She
is extremely subtle, and like unto the ten-millionth part of the end of a hair. She contains within
her the constantly flowing stream of gladness2, and is the life of all beings. She graciously
carries the knowledge of the Truth (Tattva)3 to the mind of the sages.
COMMENTARY He now speaks of the Para-Bindu.
" Its" (Etasyah)-i.e., of the Nirvana-kala,
" Middle" (Madhya-dee).-Within the lap.4
Etasy madhyadee vilasati paramprvanirvaakti verse 48, line 1
" The Supreme and Primordial Nirvna-Sakti" (Param-prva-nirvna-akti= param
aprva-nirvna-sakti).-Parama5-i.e., the Supreme Brahman as sakti. Aprva-i.e., She
before whom there was nothing, She having appeared at the beginning of creation.
1NirvAna-Sakti1 This is, according to Visvanatha, the Samanapada or Samani Sakti, This state is not free from the
multitude of bonds (Pasajala).
2 flowing stream of gladness2 Prema. See notes, post.
3 knowledge of the Truth (Tattva)3 This word " Tattva " has by Visvanatha been said to be Sivabhedajnanam-i.e.,
the non-distinction between Siva and Sive.
4 Within the lap.4 That is, within the crescent. According to Visvanatha the locative indicates proximity and means
near the middle but slightly above it.
5 Parama5 This word has been defined by Samkara to mean "She who is as great as the Para or Supreme".
Visvanatha says it means "She who measures futurity (Para = Uttara-kla) "-that is, all future time is in Her control.
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Etasy madhyadee vilasati paramprvanirvaakti Verse 48 line 1
Kotydityaprak tribhuvanajanan koibhgaikarp. verse 48 line 2
Kegrasytiskm niravadhi vigalapremadhrdhar s verse 48 line 3
Sarveam jvabht munimanasi mud tattvabhodha vahanti. Verse 48 line 4
" Shines" (Vilasati parama)1 i.e., dwells resplendent.
" Mother of the three worlds" (Tri-bhuvana-janani)-i.e., She is the origin of the Universe
which comprises Svarga, Martya, and Patala and the like.2
"She is extremely subtle, like unto the ten-millionth part of the end of a hair"
(Kegrasya-koi-bhgaika-rpa-tiukm).-As She is like the tenmillionth part of the
end of a hair, She is extremely subtle.
"She contains within her the constantly flowing stream of gladness" (Niravadhi-vigalat-
prema-dhr-dhar).-Prema is the tenderness of mind produced by feeling of gladness;
that is, She holds within Her the stream of excellent nectar which has its origin in the
blissful union of Siva and Sakti, and which flows incessantly.
." Is the life of all beings " (Sarve jva-bhta)-i.e., animated being is but a part of
Her.
Cf. " O Devl, as sparks fly forth from a flame, so does the Parabindu (as Jiva) issue from
Her (Nirva-Sakti), and becomes knowing3 when it touches the Earth."4
By "Her" is meant the Sakti who is in the Para-bindu, who is both Siva and Sakti ; and
from Her emanates the Jiva.
Nirvana-Sakti is situated below Nirvana-kala, and over Nibodhika5, which is Nada-
rpa6, Cf. "Placed within Nirvana (Kal) is the fiery (Vahni-rpa) Nibodhika, who is
unmanifested Nada7; above it is the supreme Nirvana-Sakti, who is the cause of all and
is possessed of the lustre of ten million suns.
1 Parama--She who is co-existent or of equal degree with the Supreme(Para) or she who knows the Supreme. This is
as applied to Maya.
2 the like.
2
Heaven, Earth, and Netherworld.
3 knowing3 Samjyuktah, i.e., Jiva-consciousness. It may also mean' becomes endowed with a name '. Name and
form characterize the world as Sat, Cit and nanda do Brahman.
Cf. Asti bhati priyam rfipam nama cetyamsa-pancakam.
Adyam trayam Brahma-rupam jagadrupam tato dvayam,
4 the Earth."4 Yad bhmau patati tad sam yukto bhavati. The creation of Jiva is here spoken of. The Text
quoted is from Nirvana-tantra I.
5 Nibodhika5 See Introduction, and note to v. 40, particularly the portion dealing with Nada, Bodhini and Bindu.
6 Nada-rpa6 That is Sakti, as Nada,
7 unmanifested Nada Avyakta-nada-unmanifested sound.
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Prepared by Veeraswamy Krishnaraj
It is in Her that there is the Brahman1 who is the changeless Siva2; it is here that
Kundali-Sakti enjoys with Paramatma."
Nibodhik is a phase of Avyakta-nada (Avyakta-ndtmik), and is fire-like. Raghava-
bhatta says: "Nda exists in three states. When Tamo-guna is dominant, it is merely
sound unmanifest (Avyakta-nada)3 in the nature of Dhvani; when Rajo-guna is more
dominant, there is sound in which there is somewhat of a placing of the letters4; when
the Sattvaguna preponderates, Nada assumes the form of Bindu5." Hence Nada, Bindu,
and Nibodhika, are respectively the Sun, the Moon, and Fire6 and their activities are
Jnna, Iccha, and Kriya, Jnana, again, is Fire, Iccha the Moon, and Kriya the Sun. This
has been said in the Sarada. Therefore, insomuch as it has been said that Nirvana Sakti
is above the fiery (Vahni-rpa) Nibodhika, the wise should conclude that NirvnaSakti is
placed above the Mandalas of the Sun, the Moon, and Fire.
This has been clearly stated in the Kularnava-Tantra, in the ParaBrahma-dhyana, which
begins, "The Bindu-rpa Para-Brahma in the Sahasrra," and ends, "Beautified by the
three Mandalas within the triangle in the pericarp." By three Mandalas are meant the
Mandalas of Sun, Moon, and Fire. We shall show that the Nirvana-Sakti is in the form of
Para-bindu (Para-bindu-rp).
1 Brahman1 Nirajana. This word may either be equal to Nir+ajana (i.e.,. stainless) or Nih--ajana (unaffected by
pleasure or pain, unmoved). It is one of the aspects of the Brahman.
2 Siva2 Nirvikara. Some read Nirvikalpa, or of unconditioned, consciousness. Nirvikalpa is also the last stage of
Samadhi, in which there are no (Nir) specific distinctions (Vikalpa); and no "this" and" that".
3 (Avyakta-nada)3 Tamo-gundhikyena kevala-dhvanytmako'vyakta-ndah.
4 the letters4 Raja dhikyena kicidvara-baddha-nystmakah. The sense appears to be that the letters exist
anyhow together in massive undifferentiated form.
5 Bindu5 Sattvadhikyena bindu-rpah.
6 Fire6 Tatash cha nda-bindu-nibodhik arkendu-vahni-rpah. Jna is Fire, because it burns up all actions. When
the result of action is realized, action ceases (see note to v. 45). Icch is the Moon, because Icch is the precursor of
creation and is eternal. The Moon contains the Am-kal, which knows neither increase nor decay. Kriy is the Sun,
because like the Sun it makes everything visible. Unless there is striving there cannot be realization and
manifestation. Cf." As one Sun makes manifest all the Lokas " (Gt).
The Text will be made clearer if an arrangement be made in the following groups: (I) Nada, Sun, Kriy; (2) Bindu,
Moon, Icch; (3) Nibodhik, Fire, Jana. But see Introduction.

49. Tasy madhytarle ivapadamamala vata yogigamya
Nitynandbhidhnam sakalasukhamaya uddhabhodhasvarpa.
Kecidbrahmbhidhna padmiti sudhiyo vaiava tallapanti
Keciddhasakhyametatkimapi sukitno mokamtma-prabodha

Within her is the everlasting place called the abode of Siva1, which is free from Maya, attainable
only by Yogis, and known by the name of Nityananda. It is replete with every form of bliss2, and
is pure knowledge itself3. Some call it the Brahman; others call it the Hamsa. Wise men describe
it as the abode of Visnu, and righteous men4 speak of it as the ineffable place of knowledge of
the Atma, or the place of Liberation.
COMMENTARY
He speaks of the Para-Brahma-sthna (place of Para-Brahma) in the Void within
Nirvana-Sakti.
1 Siva1 Siva-padam or state of Siva. This, Visvanatha says, is the Unmani state of Sakti where there is
neither Kla nor Kal, time nor space. It is the body of Siva (Siva-tanu}. It is then said Unmanyante Para-
sivah, The following verse which occurs in Padma-Purana (Uttara-Khanda, ch. 78, v. 43) puts the idea in
a more popular form. It says:
Saivh Saursh ca Gneh Vainavas kti-pjakh.
Mmeva prpnuvant hi varsbhah sgara yath.
" Saivas, Sauras, Ganesas, Vaisnavas and Saktas, all verily come to me like rain water to the ocean."
2 bliss2 Sakala-sukhamayam. Visvanatha reads here Parama-kulapadarn, which he interprets as Param
Akula-pada, or the abode of the Supreme Siva, who is known as Akula, as Kula is Sakti, It is so called
because it is here that the universe finds its rest.
3 pure knowledge itself3 Suddha-bodha-svarpa
4 men4 Suktinah,
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Prepared by Veeraswamy Krishnaraj
49. Tasy madhytarle ivapadamamala vata yogigamya verse 49 line 1
Nitynandbhidhnam sakalasukhamaya uddhabhodhasvarpa. verse 49 line 2
Kecidbrahmbhidhna padmiti sudhiyo vaiava tallapanti verse 49 line 3
Keciddhasakhyametatkimapi sukitno mokamtma-prabodha verse 49 line 4
"Within Her" (Tasyh madhyntarale) i.e., within Nirvana1
Sakti in Her form of Param Bindu, i.e., the empty space within the Bindu.
" Abode of Siva" (Siva-pada).-This is the place of the Brahman.
" Free from Maya" (Amala)-i.e., free the impurity of Maya.
"Called "-i.e., called by those who know the Tattva.
"Attainable only by Yogis " (Yogi-gayam).-On account of its extreme subtlety, it is
beyond the scope of word and mind, is attainable by Yogis by pure jna2 only.
" Some call it "-i.e., the Vedntists (Vaidntikas) call it.
" Ineffable" (Kimapi)-i.e., wonder-inspiring.
"Place of the knowledge of the tm" (tm -prabodham).-The place where the tm is
seen or realized.
"Liberation." (Moka)-i.e., where one is liberated from My by which one is
surrounded.
Now be good enough to mark the following: the Para-bindu which is Prakrti and Purusa
is surrounded3 by Maya, and is within the triangle in the pericarp of the Lotus of a
thousand petals. So it has been said:
"In the Satya-Ioka is the formless and lustrous One; She has surrounded Herself by
My, and is like a grain of gram; devoid of hands, feet, and the like. She is Moon, Sun,
and Fire. When casting off (Utsjya) the covering (Bandhana) of My, She becomes of
two-fold aspect (Dvidh bhitv) and Unmukhi,4 then on the division or separation of
Siva and Sakti5 arises creative ideation."6
The word" Satya-Ioka " in the above passage means Sahasrra, Also if. " The
attributeless Bindu is without doubt the Cause (of the attainment) of Siddhis. Some say
that the Deva who is one, stainless
1 Nirvana1 Visvanatha says Samana,
2 jna2 Spiritual knowledge, as it is said: Mokse dhir jnanam anyatra vijnanam shilpa-sastrayoh. The knowledge
which gains Moksa (Liberation) is called Jnana, other forms of knowledge, such as fine arts, and the Sastras being
Vijnana.
3 Prakrti and Purusa is surrounded3 Maya- bandhana-cchadita- prakrti- purusatmaka-para, bindu.
4 Unmukhi,4 By Unmukhi is meant that She becomes intent on creation.
S Sakti5 iva-akti-vighgena. By division or separation is not meant that Siva is really divided or separated from
Sakti-for the two are ever one and the same-but that Sakti, who exists latently as one with the Brahman in
dissolution, appears to issue from It on creation as the manifested universe.
6 creative ideation."6 Si-kalpan, That is, the subject knows itself as object.
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Prepared by Veeraswamy Krishnaraj
(Nirajana), all-embracing (Mah-prna) and united with the primordial Sakti as in the form of a
grain of gram1 is Brahm, and by some, again, He is called Visnu : by others, again, He is called
the Deva Rudra."
The luminous empty space within the Nirvna-Sakti (i.e., the outer circle of the Para-bindu),
which is more minute than the ten-millionth part of the end of a hair, is according to the author,
the abode of Brahman (Brahma-pada). Cf." Within it2 is Para-bindu, whose nature it is to create,
maintain, and destroy. The space within is Siva Himself and Bindu3 is Parama-kundali."
Also: "The circumference (Vtta) is the Kundalini-Sakti, and She possesses the three Gunas, The
space within, O Beloved Maheni is both Siva and Sakti4."
This Bindu is, according to some, Isvara, the Cause of All. Some Paurnikas call Him Mah-
Visnu; others call Him Brahma Purusa,
. Cf." There was neither day nor night, neither the firmament nor the earth, neither darkness nor
any other light; there was That, the Brahma-Male.5 imperceptible to hearing, and the other
sources of knowledge united with Pradhana." 6
The Sarada7 says: "The eternal Siva should be known both as Nirguna (attributeless) and
Saguna (possessed of attributes). He is Nirguna when (considered as) dissociated from the
workings of Prakrti, but when Sakala (i.e., so associated with Prakrti) He is Saguna." 8
This shows that the Bindu is Saguna-Brahman. We should know that Saguna-Brahman is in
reality but one, though He is called by different names according to the inclinations of men.
There is no need to go into further details.
1 grain of gram1 Canaka, which under its outward sheath contains two undivided halves.
2 Within it2 Apparently NirvAna-kalA,
3 Bindu3 That is, the circumference as opposed to the inner space. '
4 Sakti4 Jnarava-Tantra, XXIV, 21.
5 Brahma-Male.5 Pradhnikam Brahma-pumn.
6 Pradhana." 6 Klik-Pura, XXIV, v, 125.
7 Sarada7 Ch. I.
8 Saguna." 8 And, so, also, the Saktnanda-taragin (Ch. I) says of the Devi that Maha-my without my is
Nirguna, and with my Saguna.
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SUMMARY OF VERSES 41 TO 49
Above (the end) of the Suumn-Nadi is the Lotus of a thousand petals; it is white and has its
head downward turned; its filaments are red. The fifty letters of the Alphabet from A to La,
which are also white, go round and round its thousand petals twenty times. On its pericarp is
Hamsah, and above it is the Guru who is Parama-Siva Himself. Above the Guru are the Srya-
and Candra-Mandalas, and above them Mahvyu. Over the latter is placed Brahmarandhra,
and above it Mahasankhini. In the Mandala of the Moon is' the lightning-like triangle within
which is the sixteenth Kal 1 of the Moon, which is as fine as the hundredth part of the lotus-
fibre, and of a red colour, with its mouth downward turned. In the lap of this Kala is the Nirvana-
Kala, subtle like the thousandth part of the end of a hair, also red and with the mouth downward
turned. Below Nirvana-Kala is the Fire called Nibodhika which is a form of Avyakta-nada.2
Above it (Nibodhika), and within Nirvanakala, is Para Bindu, which is both Siva and Sakti. The
Sakti of this ParaBindu is the Nirvana-Sakti, who is Light (Tejas) and exists in the form of
Hamsah (Hamsa-rupa), and is subtle like the ten-millionth part of the end of a hair. That Hamsah
is Jiva. Within the Bindu is the void (Snya) which is the Brahma-pada (place of the Brahman).
According to the view expressed in the fifth chapter of the Agamakalpa-druma and other works,
the triangle A-Ka-Tha3 is in the pericarp of the Sahasrara. At its three corners are three Bindus:
the lower Bindu at the apex of the triangle is Ha-kara4 and is male (Purusa}; and the two Bindus
at the corners constitute the Visarga in the form Sa 5 and represent Prakrti. Hamsah which is
Purusa and Prakrti thus shows itself in the form of three Bindus. In its middle is Ama-kala, and
in Her lap is NirvanaSakti, and the vacant space within Nirvana-Sakti is Para-brahman. It has
been said: "Within the Mandala of the moon in the white Lotus of a thousand petals shines like
lightning the triangle A-Ka- Tha united with
1 Kal 1 That is, Am-kal,
2 Avyakta-nada.2 Avyakta-nadatmaka-nibodhikikhya-vahni.
3 the triangle A-Ka-Tha3 That is, the letters arranged in the form of the triangle referred to in v, 4 of Paduka-
panchaka. The Devi is Matrka-mayi.
4 apex of the triangle is Ha-kara4 Viz., Ham representing the" Male" Bindu,
5 Sa 5 That is, literally" standing Sa," or Visarga, in the form Sa. The letter Sa, or more strictly Sa without the
vowel, changes into Visargah; thus, Tejas becomes Tejah, Rajas Rajah.
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Ha-La-Ksa1 Within it, is the excellent (Para) Bindu (Sunya), placed below Visarga. In this
region is the downward-turned sixteenth Kala (AmA KalA), of the colour of the rising sun, in
shape like the crescent moon who discharges a stream of nectar, and within Her is Para-Sakti,
possessing the effulgence of ten million suns. She is as subtle as the thousandth part of the Lotus
fibre, and is Cidtmik.2 Within Her is Bindu who is the Nirajana-Purusa, who is beyond mind
and speech and is Saccidananda, and Visarga (who is also there) is Prakrti. Hamsa who is both
Pum3 and Prakrti shines by His own effulgence."
Those who follow this view, place Sa-kra over the Bindu, and place the Guru above Visarga4
and Bindu which together make Hamsah, But this cannot be right. The Nirvana-Tantra speaks of
the Guru as worshipping the Para Bindu-rupa-Sakti, and as being close to Her and in the act of
worshipping Her. The worshipper should always sit at a .level lower than, and in front of the
object of worship, and never at a higher level than, and behind the object of worship. Cf.
Nirvana5: " Meditate upon the Niranjana Devi within the Satyaloka in the Cintmani-gha6 as
placed on the jewelled throne or lion-seat (Simhasana), and on your Guru as being near Her and
worshipping Her."
The Mahakali Tantra, moreover, speaks explicitly of the presence of the Guru over the two
letters Ham and Sah7. It is to be understood that if there be any texts which differ from, or add
to, those here adopted, then they must be taken to refer to different methods and opinions.
(This is the end of seventh section)
1 Ha-La-Ksa1 These Varnas are inside the triangle A-Ka-Tha.
2 Cidtmik.2 Of the nature of Cit. Cf. definition of Maya-Sakti in Tattvai Samdoha 14.
3 Pum3 The Male, Purusa,
4 Visarga4 Lit. Generator of Visarga, for from Sa Visarga comes.
5 Nirvana5 Nirvana- Tantra, Ch. X.
6 Cintmani-gha6 The room made of Cintmani stone which grants all desires, described in the Rudra-ymala and
Brahmnda-Purna, The Lalita refers to it as being the place or origin of all those Mantras which bestow all desired
objects (Cintita).
7 Ham and Sah7 In the Jnrnava Tantra (I, v. 13) it is said: ,. Prvati, in Hakra with Bindu (Ham) is Brahma and,
O Mahesvara, the two Bindus of Visarga (Sah) are Hari and Myself. By reason of this inseparable connection men in
this world speak of Hari-Hara,"
THE KUNDALINI

50. Hkreaiva devm yamaniyamasamabhysala sulo
Jtva rthavaktrt-kramamiti ca mahmokavartmapraka
Brahmadvrasya madye viracavati sa t uddhabuddhisvabhvo
Bhitv talligarpam pavanadahanayorkrameaiva gupta.
HE whose nature is purified by the practice of Yama, Niyama, and the like,1 learns from the
mouth of his Guru the process which opens the way to the discovery of the great Liberation. He
whose whole being is immersed in the Brahman then rouses the Devi by Hurh-kara, pierces the
centre of the Linga, the mouth of which is closed, and is therefore invisible, and by means of the
Air and Fire (within him) places Her within the Brahmadvara.2
COMMENTARY
Having described the Cakras ending with the Sahasrara, he now wishes to speak of the
union of Kundalini, and preliminary to that he refers to the mode of rousing Kundalini3.
The sense conveyed by this verse is that the man who has attained success in Yoga
learns from his Guru the process, which consists of contracting the heart, rousing
Kundalini by the power of the air and fire, and so forth4 and having learned it from the
mouth of his Guru, he rouses Kundalini, attacking Her with air and fire, and by uttering
the Krca
1 the like,1 See Introduction.
2 Brahmadvara.2 That is, within Citrii-Nadi.
3 Kundalini3 In the Yoga-process known as Satcakrabheda, generally described in the Introduction, but
which practically must be learned of the Guru.
4 so forth4 The Commentator Sarnkara, citing Goraksa Samhita, says that air makes the fire go upwards,
and the fire awakens Kundalini and She also goes upwards.
Prepared by Veeraswamy Krishnaraj
50. Hkreaiva devm yamaniyamasamabhysala sulo --Verse 50, line 1
Jtva rthavaktrt-kramamiti ca mahmokavartmapraka --Verse 50, line 2
Brahmadvrasya madye viracavati sa t uddhabuddhisvabhvo --Verse 50, line 3
Bhitv talligarpam pavanadahanayorkrameaiva gupta. --Verse 50, line 4

" Hum" and piercing the mouth of the Svayambhu-Linga places Kundalini within Brahmadvara,
or, in other words, within the mouth of the Ndi Citrinl,
" He whose nature is purified" (Suila)-i.e., the man who regularly practices Yama and so forth,
and has trained himself.
" By practicing Yama, Niyama," etc. (Yama-niyama-sama-bhysaila). -It must be observed
that it is not merely by the practice of Yama and Niyama that perfection in the preliminary Yoga
practices 1 is attained. But the Sadhaka has by practice to destroy such inclinations as lust, anger,
and the like which interfere with Yoga, and cultivate others, such as controlling the inner air,
steadiness of mind, and so forth, which are helpful in Yoga practice. It is because of this that in
verse 54 the Author has used the word" Yamdyaih " in the plural. Practicing Yama and the like
is necessary, however, for those whose minds are disturbed by lust and other propensities. If,
however, a man by reason of merit and good fortune acquired in a previous birth, and by his
nature, is free from anger, lust, and other passions, then he is capable of real Yoga without the
preliminary practices. This must be well understood.
Jtva rthavaktrt-kramamiti ca mahmokavartmapraka --Verse 50, line 2
"From the mouth of his Guru" (Sri-ntha-vaktrt).-The process cannot be learnt without the
instructions of the Guru. Hence it has been said: "It can be learnt from the Guru alone, and not
from ten million Sastras."
" Process" (Krama).-Steps, order.
" Which opens the way to the discovery of the great Liberation" (Mahamoksa-vartma-
praka)--By this is meant the 'process' by which the entrance into the channel of the Ndi
Citrinl is opened out. 'Way of Liberation ' (Moksa-vartma) is the way through the channel within
Citrini). The' discovery' (Praka) is made of this by making one's way through it.
" He" (Sah)-i.e., the man who has distinguished himself by his success in Yoga practices.
Brahmadvrasya madye viracavati sa t uddhabuddhisvabhvo --Verse 50, line 3
" Whose whole being is immersed in the Brahman" (uddha-buddhisvabhva 2) .-Suddha-buddhi
means the Brahman, and he whose Svabhava (own being) is in Him. This compound word may
also mean' He whose being (Bhava) by reason of the purity of his mind (Suddha-buddhi) is
immersed in the Spirit (Sva=Atma)."
1 Yoga practices 1 Anga-yoga. See Introduction, and Visvanatha citing GautamyaTantra (See post, p. 123.)
2 uddha-buddhisvabhva 2 Samkara reads prabhava, and renders the passage as "He whose power is due to the
purity of the Buddhi ".
Hkreaiva devm yamaniyamasamabhysala sulo --Verse 50, line 1
"Rouses the Devi by Hm-kra " (Hm-kreaiva Devm).-The Agama-kalpa-druma
says: "Then having mentally recited Hamsa, gently contract the anus."1 It therefore
follows that in moving Kualin the Hamsa-Mantra should be uttered. The Author of the
Lalita-rahasya, following this, says that in moving Kualin the Mantra" H Harsah "
should be employed. But from the fact that the part is to be contracted after the Hasa-
Mantra is recited, the intention appears to be that the Jvtm, which is of the shape of
the flame of a lamp, should by the recitation of the Hasa -Mantra be brought from the
heart to the Mldhara, and then moved along with Kualin.
The gama-kalpa-druma in a subsequent passage says: "Raising and again raising the
Sakti with the Atm from the abode of Brahm2 the excellent Sdhaka should (and so
forth)." This shows that She should be led away along with Atm or Jivtm. The Kl-
Kulmrta has: Having led Jva from the heart by the Hasa-Mantra to the Mla
Lotus3, and having roused the Paradevat Kualin by H-kra," The Kakala-malini
says: " O daughter of the King of Mountains, having drawn the Jvtm by the Pranava,
let the Sadhaka move Prana and Gandha4 with Kualin by the aid of the ' So' ham '
Mantra, and make the Devi enter the Svadhistna."
The wise should, from the above texts, understand that the Jvtm should be brought
from the heart by the aid of either the Pranava or Hasa Mantra, and then Kualin
should be roused by the Krcabija alone.
Bhitv talligarpam pavanadahanayorkrameaiva gupta. --Verse 50, line 4
" The mouth of which is closed," etc. (Guptam).-This word may be read either as an
adjective qualifying Linga, and mean unmanifested by reason of its mouth being
closed.5 or may be read as an adverb qualifying ." places" and then the word would
mean " imperceptibly".
In the Agama-kalpa-druma, Pacama-skh, the mode of rousing the Kualin is
described in detail thus: "Having seated oneself in the
1gently contract the anus."1 anair kucayed guda--that is, by Asvin-mudr.
2 Brahm2 Brahma is in Mldhra,
3 Mla Lotus3 Mukhmbhuja, This may be a mis-script for Mulmbuja.
4Gandha4 i.e., Prthivi.
6 closed.5 On the top of the Liga is Nda-bindu--i,e., Candra-Bindu, The mouth is the Bindu which
Kualin pierces. Prepared by Veeraswamy Krishnaraj

THE SIX CENTRES AND THE SERPENT POWER
Padmsana posture, the two hands should be placed in the lap. Thereafter, having
mentally recited the Harsa Mantra, the anus should be gently contracted. One should
then repeatedly raise the air by the same way,1. and having raised it let him pierce the
Cakra. I now speak of its processes. In the Mldhra Lotus is a very beautiful triangle.
Inside it is Kma2 (lustrous) like ten million young suns; above Him (Kma) and
surrounding Svayambhu-Linga, is Kundalinl-Sakti." Also cj. As the result of excitation by
the Kmgni and the action of the Krca-mantra on Her, She is seized with desire for
Para-Hasa."3
The Bhta-suddhi4 also says: "O Siva, the Sadhaka should contract the chest (lit.,
heart), letting his breath remain there,5 and he should control the base of the throat and
other parts of the body,6 and then suddenly opening the door by means of a key-like
motion (Kucik)7 and (the fire of desire) should be kindled, O Paramesvarl, by means
of the air (Pavana)." "Then the Serpent8 who is sleeping on the Linga in the Mldhra
and who is stung by the heat of the fire, should be awakened in the Linga at the mouth
of the Yoni and by the heat (of her desire) be led forcibly upwards9." "Move the air into
the Nadi according to the rules of Kumbhaka (retention of breath) and the method
shown by the Guru. Let the Jiva thus controlled be led by the concealed passage, and
by the upward breath make all the Lotuses turn their heads upwards. Having fully
awakened Her, let the wise one lead Her to Bhnu (the Sun) at the summit of the Meru
(i.e., the Sahasrra)."
1way,1Tena vartman--that by which Kundalinl is to go.
2 Kma2 The Kama-vayu, or Air of Kama.
3 Para-Hasa."3 Param Hasbhilsin---i.e., passion is excited in Her, and She is impelled by the fire
of Kma towards the Para Hasa in the Sahasrra.
4 Bhta-suddhi4 This passage is obscure, and cannot be traced in the only published edition of the
Tantra, but is similar to certain passages in the Hathayogapradpik which deal with Bhta-uddhi, It
seems to contain passages from various texts to illustrate the process of Bhta-uddhi. The Commentator
has, however, more clearly described the process in his own words.
5 there,5 He thus closes the passage of the upward breath.
6 the body,6 That is, the chest and the anus, thus closing the passage of the upward and downward airs.
7 (Kucik)7 That is, the motion of the Kma-vyu spoken of post.
8 Serpent8 Ngin; one of the names of Kundalinl.
9 upwards9 That is, the Trikona in the Muladhara which surrounds the Svayambhu-Linga.
Now pay attention to the procedure established by a careful consideration of the above
textI.: The Yogi should sit in the proper posture and place his two hands with palms
upwards in his lap and, steady his mind (Citta) by the Khechari Mudra. He should next
fill the interior of his body with air and hold it in by Kumbhaka2 and contract the heart3
By so doing the escape of the upward breath is stopped. Then, when he feels that the
air within him from the belly to the throat is tending downward through the channels in
the Nadis, he should contract the anus and stop the downward air (Apana); then, again
having raised the air, let him give the Kama4 within the triangle in the pericarp of the
Muladhara Lotus a turn from the left to the right (Vmvartena) ; by so doing the fire of
Kama there is kindled, and Kundalini gets heated (excited) thereby. He should then
pierce the mouth of the Svayambhu-Linga, and through its aperture with the aid of the"
H " Bija, lead Her who desires union5 with Parama-Siva, within the mouth of the
Citrini-Nadi. This is the clear sense of texts.
I. textI The passages in quotation marks are here cited from different books: on Hathayoga,
2 Kumbhaka2 Retention of breath in Pryma.
3 heart3 Hrdaya akcayet---that is, by Jladhara-Bandha, etc. See Introduction.
4 Kama4 Kma-vyu.
5 union5 Sma-rasya, a term used on the material plane to denote sexual union.

51. Bhitv lingatraya tatparamarasaive skmadhmi pradpe
S dev uddhasattv taidiva vilasattanturpasvarp.
Brahmkhyy siry sakalasarasija prpya dedpyate
Tanmokkhynandarpam ghaayati sahas skmatlakaena.

THE Devi who is Suddha-sattva1 pierces the three Lingas, and, having reached all the lotuses
which are known as the Brahma-nadi lotuses, shines therein in the fullness of Her lustre.
Thereafter in Her subtle state, lustrous like lightning and fine like the lotus fibre, She goes to the
gleaming flamelike Siva, the Supreme Bliss and of a sudden produces the bliss of Liberation.
COMMENTARY
Now he speaks of the mode of the Union of Kualin (with Siva). The meaning of this
verse, in brief, is that the Devi Kualin pierces the three Ligas--viz., Svayambhu,
Ba, and Itara2 and by so doing makes a passage for Herself; and when she reaches
the lotuses in (or appertaining to) the Nd called Brahma- Nd She shines in the
fullness of Her lustre in these lotuses. Then, when in Her subtle form, fine like the lotus
fibre, She approaches Siva, who is Supreme Bliss3 Itself, and who is in His Bindu form
in the pericarp of the Sahasrara, She brings to the Sadhaka the Bliss of eternal
Liberation4 when that is least expected. Prepared by Veeraswamy Krishnaraj
Pierces" (Bheda) means making a passage through that which is obstructed.
1 Suddha-sattva1 A form of embodied Caitanya. See Commentary, post. Caitanya: consciousness ;
intelligence , sensation , soul , spirit; the Universal Soul or Spirit.
2 Itara2 In the Mldhra, Anhata, and ja-Cakras respectively.
3 Supreme Bliss3 Paramarasa-Paramnanda.
4 Liberation4 Mokkhynandarpa=Nitynandarpa-mukti.
51. Bhitv lingatraya tatparamarasaive skmadhmi pradpe --Verse 51 line 1
S dev uddhasattv taidiva vilasattanturpasvarp. --Verse 51 line 2
Brahmkhyy siry sakalasarasija prpya dedpyate --Verse 51 line 3
Tanmokkhynandarpam ghaayati sahas skmatlakaena. --Verse 51 line 4
" uddha-sattv."-Sattva, Ati-sattva, Parama-sattva, Suddha-sattva, and Visuddha-
sattva are the five different degrees of Caitanya pervading the body1. Suddha-sattva is
therefore the fourth [Turiya) stage. By Brahmand is meant Citri. The Lotuses are the
six Lotuses which are strung upon Citri, (Ati = surpassing) Caitanya: Consciousness.
" The three Lingas " (Liga-traya).-The three Ligs already described. By this we are
to understand that the six Cakras and five Sivas are included. She pierces all these,
which altogether make fourteen knots (Granthi).
The Sktnanda-tarangi speaks of "Her who goes along the Channel of Brahman2
having pierced the fourteen knots3."
The Svatantra-Tantra speaks of the distinctive features of Liga and iva.
" The Devi goes to Brahman (Niskala)4 after having pierced the ivas placed in the six
Cakras. As She reaches each of the different Cakras, She acquires the beauty
characteristic of each and bewitches Mahena5; and having there repeatedly enjoyed
Him who is filled with joy, She reaches the Eternal One (Svata). He is said to be
transpierced (Bhinna), as He is bewitched by Par."
The My-Tantra says: "The Devi goes along the akti-mrga, piercing the three Lingas
in the Cakras in each of Her different forms6 (Tattadrpena), and having attained union
(in the Sahasrra) with Nikala (Brahman) She is satisfied." Tattadrpena i.e in the
forms Vaikhar, Madhyam, and Payant. Tatta(d) = belonging to. Tattad-rpena
belonging to forms.
It has been said that7 "The first state (Bhva) is Vaikharl, and Madhyama is placed in
the heart; between the eyebrows is the Pasyanti state, and the Para state is in the
Bindu8." The meaning of the above quotation is that the four sound-producing
(abdotpdik) aktis-viz., Para, Pasyanti, Madhyama, and Vaikhari--are identical with
Kualin (Kualinyabheda-rp).
1 Caitanya pervading the body1 arrvacchinna-Caitanya.
2 Brahman2 Brahma-randhra, the channel within Citrini is called Brahman and Brahma-randhra.
3 knots3 That is, 3 Lingas, 6 Cakras, and the 5 Sivas-viz., Brahma and the rest--in the 5 Cakras.
4 Brahman (Niskala)4 The supreme or Nirguna-Brahman.
5 Mahena5 That is, the iva in the particular Cakra.
6 Her different forms6 That is, She unites, in Her passage along the N, with each of the Lingas in that
form of Hers which is appropriate to such union.
7 that7 See Commentary on v. I I, ante.
8 Bindu8 According to v. I I, Para is in Mldhra, Payant in Svadhihna, Madhym in Anhat and
Vaikhar in the mouth. What is, however, here described is Layakrama.
Hence at the time when Kulin starts to go to Sahasrara She in Her form of Vaikhari
bewitches Svayabh-Liga; She then similarly bewitches Bna-Liga in the heart as
Madhyama, and Itara- Liga between the eyebrows as Pasyanti, and then when she
reaches Para-Bindu She attains the stage of Par (Parbhva},
The Method of Cakra-bheda is thus described: "O Paramesvart, let the Sadhaka carry
along with Her the Lotuses which are on the Citrini, and which have their origin in the
mud of blood and fat.1 Let him2 enter the channel (Nla)3 on the left, from below, and
in this way Cakrabheda (piercing the Cakra) is effected. After having thus pierced the
six Cakras, She along with Jiva should be led as the rider guides a trained mare by the
reins."
. Also if. "The Devi should be led by the Hamsa-Mantra to the Sahasrara through the
points of union of the six Cakras (with the Nadi along the road of Susurnna."
Bhitv lingatraya tatparamarasaive skmadhmi pradpe --Verse 51 line 1
"Gleaming flame-like" (Skma-dhmn-pradpe). The gleam is the Hamsa, which is the
luminous energy (Tejas) of the Para Bindu, in its aspect as Nirvana-Sakti (Nirva-
aktytmaka). The Parama-iva shines with it.
We now describe how the joy of Liberation is brought about.
The Devi by dissolving Kundalini in the Para-Bindu effects the Liberation of some
Sadhakas through their meditation upon the identity of Siva and Atma in the Bindu. She
does so in the case of others by a similar process, and by their meditation on Sakti4. In
other cases, again, this is done by the concentration of thought on the Parama-Purua,
and in other cases by the meditation of the Sadhaka on the bliss of union in the Bindu of
Siva and Sakti.
1 fat.1 Lotuses grow in the mud, and these Lotuses grow in the blood and fat of the body. The process
described is Kundlini-Yoga, or, as it is called in the Tippani of Sarnkara, Bhta-uddhi.
2 Let him2 As the Sadhaka, who has taken the Jivatma from the heart to the Mldhra, and thus
identifies himself with Kundalini, it is he who enters.
8 (Nla)3 That is, the Ndi.
4 Sakti4 Saktytmaka-cintana; or it may mean meditation on the union of Siva and Sakti.
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The My-Tantra says1: "Those who are learned in Yoga say that it is the union of Jiva
and Atma. According to others (i.e., Saivas) it is the experience of the identity of Siva
and Atma. The Agama-vdis proclaim that Yoga2 is the knowledge (Jna) relating to
Sakti. Otherwise men say that the knowledge of the Purna-Purusa is Yoga, and others
again, the Prakrti-vds, declare that the bliss of union of Siva and Sakti is Yoga."3 By"
union of Jiva and Atma " is meant Samadhi, By Yoga is meant that by which oneness is
attained with the Paramatma. Having spoken of Samadhi, he then deals with the
different kinds of Yoga in Dhyana, By" bliss of union (Samarasya) of Siva and Sakti " is
meant the sense of enjoyment arising from the union of male and female. 4
The Bhat-rkrama speaks of the manner in which this is to be meditated upon: "They
with the eye of knowledge5 see the stainless Kal, who is united with Cidnanda6 on
Nada. He is the Mahadeva, white like pure crystal, and is the effulgent First Cause
(Bimba-rpanidna7)." and She is Par, the lovely woman of beauteous body8, whose
limbs are listless by reason of Her great passion9."
By Kal in the above is meant Kundalinl, Bimba-rpa-nidna qualifies Para-iva or
Cidnanda. Cidnanda is the Bindu-rpa iva or Para-iva.
1 My-Tantra says1 These verses also occur in Ch. XXV, vv, 1, 2 of Sarada-Tilaka. By " union of Jiva
and Atma " is meant the realization of the identity of the individual with the supreme spirit as indicated in
the Mahavakya ," Tat tvam asi (That thou art)." By Pura-Purua the Purua in Smkhya-Darana is
meant; the Vaisnava understand by it. Narayana (collective humanity). By" knowledge of Sakti " is meant
the Knowledge that Sakti is inseparate from Siva. Prepared by Veeraswamy Krishnaraj

2 Yoga2 Saktyatmaka- jna.
3 union of Siva and Sakti is Yoga."3 Smarasytmaka jnam, Tantrntara says that Sma-rasya is the
Dhyna of a Kulayog.
4 union of male and female. 4 Strpumyogt yat saukhya smarasya praktam, In other words, the
bliss of Union of Siva and Sakti, of which sexual union is the material type.
5 knowledge5 jna -cakuh.
6 Cidnanda6 Cidnanda is Consciousness-Bliss.
7 Bimba-rpanidna7 A variant reading is Bindu-rpa-nidna the First Cause in the Bindu form.
8 beauteous body8 Vmoru--lit., beautiful thighs, the part being selected as an example of the whole.
9 passion9 Madlasa-vapuh.
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It has also been said elsewhere: " Having united Kundali with the Snya-rpa1 Para-
Siva, and having caused the Devi so united to drink the excellent nectar from their
union, She by the same way should be brought back to the Kula cavity2."
" Having brought them together and meditated upon Their union3,' let the Deha-devata4
be satisfied with the nectar which flows from such a union."
The Gandharva-mlik speaks of a different process: "The Sahasrara is the beautiful
and auspicious place of Sada-Siva, It is free from sorrow and divinely beautiful with
trees which always bear and are adorned by flowers and fruits. The Kalpa Tree5 adds
to its beauty. This tree contains all the five" elements," and is possessed of the three
Gunas. The four Vedas are its four branches. It is laden with beautiful unfading flowers
which are yellow, white, black, red, green, and of variegated colour. Having meditated
on the Kalpa Tree in this manner, then meditate upon the jewelled altar below it. O
Beauteous One, on it is a beautiful bed adorned with various kinds of cloth and
Mandara flowers, and scented with many kinds of scents. It is there that Mahadeva
constantly stays. Meditate upon Sadasiva, who is like the purest crystal, adorned with
all kinds of gems, long-armed6 and of enchanting beauty. He is ever gracious and
smiling. In His ears are ear-rings, and a chain of gems goes round His neck. A garland
of a thousand lotuses resting on His neck adorns His body. He has eight arms and three
eyes like the petals of the lotus. On His two feet He wears twinkling toe-ornaments, and
His body is Sabda-Brahma (Sabda-Brahma-maya). O lotus-eyed One, meditate thus on
His Gross Body (Sthula-vapuh), He is the quiescent, corpse-like7 Deva within the Lotus
who is void of all action."
Also: "Meditate upon the Devi-Kundalini who encircles the Svayambhu-Linga. Lead the
Devi, with the aid of the Hamsa-Mantra to the Sahasrara, where,O Paramesvari, is the
great Deva Sadasiva. Prepared by Veeraswamy Krishnaraj
1 Snya-rpa1 Snya-rpa. Snya means " the void" or space within the Bindu --the Siva who is That, the
Supreme Siva.
2 Kula cavity2 Kula-gahvara: the Muladhara.
3 union3 Samarasya : u. ante.
4 Deha-devata4 That is, the body of the Sadhaka considered as Devata.
5 The Kalpa Tree5 A celestial wishing-tree which grants all fruit.
6 long-armed6 Associated with the idea of strength.
7 corpse-like7 Siva without Sakti is Sava (corpse): Devi-bhagavatam, and v. I of the Anandalahari.
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And then place there the beautiful Kundalini, who is excited by Her desire. Kundalini, O
Beloved, then wakes up and kisses the lotus-mouth of Siva, who is gladdened by the
scent of Her lotus-like mouth, and O Devesi, She then enjoys Sadasiva but a very little
while when immediately, O Devi, O Paramesvarl, there issues nectar. This nectar
issuing from their union is of the colour of lac1. With this nectar, O Devesi should the
Para-Devata2 be satisfied. Having thus satisfied the Devatas in the six Cakras with that
ambrosial stream, the wise one should by the same way bring Her back to Muladhara,
The mind should in this process of going and coming be dissolved there3. O Parvatl, he
who practices this Yoga day by day is freed from decay and death, and is liberated from
the bondage of this world."
Other similar processes should be looked for in other Tantras.
1 lac1 Red which is the colour of lac, is also that of the Rajoguna,
2 Para-Devata2 Kundalini.
3 dissolved there3 In the Sivasthanam.

52. Ntv t kulakual layavajjvena srdha sudhr
moke dhmani uddhapadmasadane aive pare svmini.
Dhyyediaphalaprad bhagavat caitanyarp par
Yogndro gurupdapadmayugallamb samdhau yata.
The wise and excellent Yogi rapt in ecstasy1, and devoted to the Lotus feet of his Guru, should
lead Kula-Kundali along with jiva to Her Lord the Para-siva in the abode of Liberation within the
pure Lotus and meditate upon Her who grants all desires as the Caitanya-rupa-Bhagavati2. When
he thus leads Kula-Kundalini, he should make all things absorb into Her.
COMMENTARY
Having spoken of the Dhyana-Yoga of Kundalinl, he now speaks of the Samadhi-Yoga
of Kundalini. The substance of this verse is that the wise (Sudhi) and excellent Yogi
(Yogindra) intent on the attainment of Samadhi should first of all lead Her who has been
roused, who then, taking with Her Jiva, reaches the Brahmadvara, causing the
absorption into Herself of everything as She moves along. When She who is the Ista-
devata and the giver of all good fruits is led up to Her Lord and is united with Him, the
Para Bindu, She should be meditated upon as the Supreme (Par, i.e., Para-Bindu,
Param-bindu-svarupam). When She has been led to Her Lord Siva, the Para-Bindu, and
has been united with Him, She should be meditated upon as the Ista-devata who grants
good fruit.
1 ecstasy1 Samadhi, Vide Introduction, and post, Commentary.
2 Caitanya-rupa-Bhagavati2 The Devi who is the Cit in all bodies.
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Prepared by Veeraswamy Krishnaraj
He should there (in the Sahasrara) dissolve the Para-Bindu in the Cidatma1 which is in
the void within the Bindu, and should meditate upon Her (Kundalini) as Suddha-
caitanya-rupa2. He thus realizes the identity of Jiva and Atma, being conscious within
himself that "I am He" (So'ham); and having dissolved the Citta he remains unmoved,
by reason of his full and all-pervading Knowledge.
The Revered Preceptor (Srimat-Acarya)3 has said: "The wise one should absorb the
Karana4 Ma-kara into the Cidatma, and realize: ' I am Cidatma, I am eternal, pure
(Suddha), enlightened (Buddha), liberated (Mukta); I am That which alone is (Sat),
without a second (Advaya); I am Supreme Bliss wherein is all bliss and Vasudeva's very
self, I amOm5 Having realized that the mind (Citta) is the discriminator, he absorbs it
into its witness6 Let not the mind (Citta) be distracted when it is absorbed into Cidatma.
Let him (the Sadhaka) rest in the fullness of his Illumination like a deep and motionless
ocean."
" Ma-kara7: This is said for those who are Sadhakas of the Pranava, By Karana is here
meant Para-Bindu. By "I am Vasudeva" (Vasudevo'ham) the Vaisnavas are alluded to
(vide ante, vv. 44, 49).
We thus see that the worshipper of any particular Devata should realize that Kundalini is
one with the object of his worship. In Pranava worship, for instance, the worshipper
realizes his identity with the Omkara; in other forms of worship he realizes his identity
with Kundalini, who is embodied by all the Mantras of different worshippers.
The Tantrantara says: "The King among Yogis becomes full of Brahma-bliss by making
his mind the abode of the great void which is set in the light of the Sun, Moon, and
Fire8." Prepared by Veeraswamy Krishnaraj
1 Cidatma1The Brahman as Cit. 2 Pure Cit.
2 Suddha-caitanya-rupa2 Pure Cit.
3 (Srimat-Acarya)3 That is, Samkaracarya,
4 Karana4 That is, the Bindu is Ma-kara. It is the Karana or Cause of all.
5 Om5
Cidtmha nitya-uddha-buddha-mukta-sadavaya
Paramnanda-sadoho'ham vsudevo'ha om iti.
6 witness6 That is, the Atm, of which it is said Atma ski ceta kevalo nirguaca.
7 Ma-kara7 The Bindu is the Ma-kara.
8 light of the Sun, Moon, and Fire8 That is, in the region of the Sahasrara. See v. 4 of the Pduk-
pancake.
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52. Ntv t kulakual layavajjvena srdha sudhr --Verse 52 Line 1
moke dhmani uddhapadmasadane aive pare svmini.-- Verse 52 Line 2
Dhyyediaphalaprad bhagavat caitanyarp par -- Verse 52 Line 3
Yogndro gurupdapadmayugallamb samdhau yata. --Verse 52 Line 4
"Lead Kundali along with Jiva" (Jvena srdham nitv).-The Jivatma which is the
Hamsa, in form like the tapering flame of a light, should be brought to the Muladhara
from its place in the heart, and then led along with Kundalini.
"Abode of Liberation" (Moke dhmani).-- This qualifies Pure Lotus (Suddha-padma1)..
It is here that Liberation is attained.
" Devoted to the two Lotus feet of his Guru" (Guru-pda-padma-yugallamb).-This
qualifies Yogindra (excellent yogi). The Author means that Siddhi can only be attained
by the instructions of the Guru. The Sadhaka should therefore seek shelter at his feet.
"Rapt in ecstasy" (Samdhau yata.).-The Kulrava-Tantra (ix, 9) defines Samadhi
thus: "Samadhi is that kind of contemplation2 a in which there is neither' here' nor' not
here' which is illumination and is still like the ocean, and which is the Void Itself3."
Also elsewhere: "The Munis declare that the constant realization of the identity of the
Jivatma with the Paramatma is Samadhi, which is, one of the eight limbs (Anga) of
Yoga4." Pataiijali defines" Yoga to be the control of the modifications (or functions) of
Citta (Yogas-citta-vrtti-nirodhah), "
Rapt (Yath.)-i.e., he who constantly and with undivided attention practises it.
Ntv t kulakual layavajjvena srdha sudhr --Verse 52 Line 1
" When he leads Kula-Kundalini he should make all things absorb into her" (Laya-vast-
nitv5).--Below is shown the process of absorption:
"O Deve, the La-kra6 should next be meditated upon in the Triangle; there should
also Brahma and then Kma-deva be contemplated. Having fixed Jiva there with the
utterance of the Pranava, let him lead the Woman, who is longing for the satisfaction of
Her passion7," to the place of Her husband8," O Queen of the Devas, O Great Queen,
O beloved of my life, let him think of Ghra (Prthivl) and meditate on the adorable Sakti
Dkin.
1 Suddha-padma1 Samkara reads it as Sukla-padma, white lotus.
2 contemplation2 Dhyana,
3 Void Itself3 Svarpa-snya.
4 Yoga4 This is from Sarada-Tilaka, Ch. XXV, v. 26.
5 Laya-vast-nitv5 Visvanatha reads it as Naya-vat,
6 La-kra6 Bija of Pthiv.
7 Her passion7 Visarga-na-kmin.
8 Her husband8 That is, the Bindu in Sahasrra.
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Prepared by Veeraswamy Krishnaraj
O Daughter of the Mountain, O Queen of the Ganas1, O Mother, all these should be led
into Prthivi."
Also: "Then, O Great Queen, the blessed Prthivi should be absorbed into Gandha, and
then, O Daughter of the Mountain King, the Jivatma should be drawn (from the heart)
with the Pranava (Mantra), and the Sadhaka should lead Pra2 Gandha3, and
Kundalini into Svadhisthana with the Mantra So'ham."
And also: "In its (Svadhisthana) pericarp should Varuna and Hari4 be meditated upon.
And, O Beauteous One, after meditating on Rkin5 all these and Gandha (smell) should
be absorbed into Rasa (taste), and Jivatma, Kundalinj, and Rasa, should be moved into
Manipura."
And again: "O thou of beautiful hips6 (Susroni}, in its7 pericarp the Sadhaka should
meditate upon Fire, and also on Rudra, who is the destroyer of all, as being in company
with the Sakti Lakini and beautiful to behold. And, O Sive, let him next meditate on the
lustrous sense of vision, and absorb all these and Rasa (taste) into Rupa (Sight), and
thereafter lead Jivatma, Kundalini, and Rupa, into Anahata."
And again: "Let him meditate in its8 pericarp on Vayu, who dwells in the region of Jiva,
as also on the Yoni-mandala, which is made beauteous by the presence of the Bana-
Linga. Let him there also meditate on Vayu9 as united with Rakini and touch
(Tvkindriya or Sparsa), and there, O Thou who purifiest, Jiva, Kundalini, and Rupa,
should be placed in Spara (Touch), and then Jiva, Kundalini, and Sparsa, should be
placed in the Visuddha."
And again: "Let him meditate in its10 pericarp on the Ethereal region11 and on Siva
accompanied by Sakinl, and having placed Speech (Vak) , and Hearing (Srotra), in
Ether, let him, O Daughter of the Mountain, place all these and Spada in Sabda
(Sound), and place Jiva Kundalinl, and Sabda, in the Ajna-Cakra."
The above passages are from Kankalamalini-Tantra.
1 Ganas1 Attendant (Upadevat) on Siva, of whom Gaea is the Lord.
2 Pra2 Sic in text: Quaere Ghra or Prna in sense of Hasa.
3 Gandha3 i.e., Gandha-Tanmtra.
4 Hari4 i.e., Visnu,
5 Rkin5 Purkari-one of her names.
6 i beautiful hips6.e., one who has a beautiful figure, the part being selected for the whole.
7 in its7 " Its "-i.e., of Maipura-padma.
8 in its8 " Its "-i.e., of Anhata-padma.
9 Vayu9 Vayu here is Ia the Lord of Air.
10 in its10 Viuddha-padma.
11 region11 Aka.
Prepared by Veeraswamy Krishnaraj
(Vak) , and Hearing (Srotra), in Ether, let him, O Daughter of the Mountain, place all
these and Spada in Sabda (Sound), and place Jiva Kundalinl, and Sabda, in the Ajiia-
Cakra."
The above passages are from Kankalamalini-Tantra.
" Triangle" in the above is the Triangle in the Muladhara, from which the
commencement is made. Lam-kara should be meditated upon as within this Triangle.
Leading of Jiva with the use of the Pranava is a variant practice. " Visarga-nsakmi";
by Visarga is meant the agitation caused by an excess of Kma (desire). The
compound word means She who is striving to satisfy Her desire (Kma). The bringing of
Jiva by the Hamsa-Mantra is, according to the teaching of some, "Place of her husband"
(Patyau pade): This is the Bindu, the Siva in the Lotus of a thousand petals. Sadhaka
should lead Her there.
The Bija Lam, Brahma, Kamadeva, Dakini-Sakti, and the sense of smell
(Ghrendriya)--all these are absorbed into Prthivi, and Prthivi is absorbed into the
Gandha-tattva. Jivatma, Kundalini, and Gandhatattva, are drawn upward by the
Pranava, and brought into the Svadhisthana by the So'harn Mantra. This is the process
to be applied right through. After leading Jiva, Kundalini, and Sabda-tattva, into Ajna-
Cakra, Sabda-tattva should be absorbed into Aharnkara which is there, and Ahamkara
into Mahat-tattva, and Mahat-tattva into Suksma-prakrti, whose name is Hiranya-
garbha, and Prakrti again into Para-Bindu,
The Mantra-tantra-prakasa says: " Let Vyoma (Ether) be absorbed into Ahamkara, and
the latter with Sabda into Mahat, and Mahat again, into the unmanifest (Avyakta),
supreme (Para), Cause (Karana), of all the Sakti, Let the Sadhaka think attentively that
all things beginning with Prthivi are absorbed into Visnu1 the Cause who is Sat, Cit, and
Ananda."
That is, Mahat, which is all Saktis (Sarva-Sakti), should be absorbed into Suksma-
prakrti, who is known by the name of Hiranya-garbha, and that Prakrti should be
absorbed into Para, by which is meant the Cause in the form of Para-Bindu. In this
connection the Acarya has laid down the rule that the gross should be dissolved into the
subtle2. Cj.:" It should be attentively considered and practiced that the gross is absorbed
into the subtle, and all into Cidatma."
1 Visnu1 Visnu is specified by this particular Tantra, but it may be any other Devata who is the Ista-devata
of the Sadhaka.
2 subtle2 Vide, v, 40 and Commentary under it.
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Prepared by Veeraswamy Krishnaraj
The absorption of all things, beginning with Prthivl and ending with Anahata1 ,takes
place in the aforesaid manner; that being so, the feet and the sense of Smell
(Ghranendriya) and all pertaining to Prthivi are dissolved in the place of Prthivi as they
inhere in Prthivi,
Similarly, the hands, the sense of Taste (Rasanendriya), and all that pertains to Water,
are dissolved in the region of Water. In the region of Fire (Vahni-sthana) are dissolved
the anus, the sense of Vision (Cakurindriya), and all that pertains to Fire. In the region
of Air (Vyusthna) the genitals, the sense of Touch (Tvkindriya), and all that pertains
to Vayu, are dissolved. In the place of Akasa are dissolved the sense of Speech (Vak)
and hearing (rotrendriya) and all that pertains to Akasa (Ether).
In the Ajna-Cakra the dissolution of Ahamkara, Mahat, Skmaprakrti, and so forth,
takes place, each dissolving into its own immediate cause. The letters of the alphabet
should then be absorbed in the reverse order (Viloma), beginning with Ksa-kara and
ending with Akara. By "all things" it is meant that "'Bindu," "Bodhini " and so forth, which
have been shown above to be causal bodies (Karana Sarira), should be dissolved in a
reversed order (Vilomena) into the Primordial Cause (Adi-krana)--the Para-Bindu,
Thus the Brahman alone remains.
The process is thus described: "The Sadhaka, having thus made his determination
(Samkalpa), should dissolve2 the letters of the Alphabet in the Nysa-sthna3 The
dissolution of Ksa is in La, and La in Ha; Ha, again, is dissolved into Sa, and Sa into a,
and thus it goes on till A is reached. This should be very carefully done."
Also4: "Dissolve the two letters into Bindu, and dissolve Bindu into Kal. Dissolve Kal
in Nda, and dissolve Nda in Ndnta5, and this into Unman, and Unman into Viu-
vaktra6 ; Continued on next page.
1 Anahata1 This seems an error, for the last Mahabhuta Akasa is dissolved in Visuddha,
2 dissolve2 Samharet,
3 Nysa-sthna3 The places where the Varnas have been placed in Matrkli-Nyasa.
4 Also4 Here is shown the Anuloma process. The two letters are Ha and Ka.
5 Ndnta5 i.e., that which is beyond Nada, See Introduction.
6 Viu-vaktra6 Pum-Bindu; v. post.
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Prepared by Veeraswamy Krishnaraj
Visnu-vaktra should be dissolved into Guru-vaktra1 Let the excellent Sadhaka then
realize that all the letters are dissolved in Parama-Siva."
By Visnu-vaktra is meant Pum-Bindu. "The Surya-Bindu is called the Face, and below
are Moon and Fire." "Bindu is said to be the Male, and Visarga is Prakrti2."
All these authorities imply the same thing, and go to prove that it is the" mouth of Visnu
" (Visnu-vaktra) where dissolution should take place. The following from Kesavacarya3
also leads to the same conclusion:
"Lead Her (Unmani) into the Male, which is the Bindu; lead Bindu into Partma, and
Partma into Kla-tattva, and this latter into Sakti, and Sakti into Cidtma, which is the
Supreme (Kevala), the tranquil (Snta), and effulgent."
We have seen that each dissolves into its own immediate cause.
Nadanta is therefore dissolved in Vyapika-Sakti, the Vyapika-Sakti in Unmani and
Unrnani in Samani4 and Samani in Visnu-vaktra. When the letters have been thus
dissolved, all the six Cakras are dissolved, as the petals of the Lotuses consist of
letters5.
The Visvasra-Tantra says: "The petals of the Lotuses are the letters of the Alphabet,
beginning with A6. The Sammohana-Tantra7 describes the dissolution8 of the Lotuses
and the petals thus: "Dissolve the letters from Va to Sa of the petals in Brahma,9 and
dissolve Brahma in the Lotus of six petals which contains the letters Ba to La, and which
is called Svadhisthana.
1 Guru-vaktra1 That is, the mouth of the Supreme Bindu (cited from Sarada-Tilaka, Ch. V, vv. l34-l3!1).
Also cf. Sarada, Ch. XII, 123, and Kularnava, IV, 76.
2 Prakrti2 Cf. Sarada, Ch. XXV, v, 51. Also Nitya-oaik, I, 201, and Kma- Kalvilsa.
3 Kesavacarya3 Also called Kesava-Bharati---a great Vaisnava teacher who initiated r-Caitanya the
greatest among latter-day Vaisnavas, into Samnyasa or the path of Renunciation.
4 Samani4 Sic. This is in conflict with other texts, according to which Unmani is above Samani,
5 letters5 Padma-daln vara-mayatvt,
6 A6 divartmaka patra padmanm prikrtita.
7 Sammohana-Tantra7 Ch. IV. The passage cited also occurs in Sarada-Tilaka, Ch. V, vv, 129-134.
8 dissolution8 Vilaya.
9 Brahma,9 That is, Muladhara where Brahma or Kamalsana is.
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Prepared by Veeraswamy Krishnaraj
Do this as the Guru directs." And so forth. And ending with:
" The wise one should then dissolve it (Visuddha) in the (Lotus of) two petals which
contains the two letters Ha and Ksa, and dissolve the two letters which are in the latter
lotus into Bindu, and dissolve Bindu into Kal." 1
We thus see that the four letters in the Muladhara are dissolved therein and Muladhara
is dissolved in Svadhisthana, Proceeding in this way till the Ajna-Cakra is reached, the
letters Ha and Ksa which are there are also dissolved at this place. Then the Lotus itself
is dissolved into Bindu, Bindu into Bodhini, and proceeding in this way as already shown
everything is dissolved, into Para-Bindu. When the Ajna-Cakra is dissolved, all that it
contains in its pericarp--Hkin, Itara-Linga, Pranava---are unable to exist without
support, and therefore after the dissolution into Prakrti these also are dissolved into
Para-Bindu.
1dissolve Bindu into Kal." 1 That is, the Bindu of the Ajna-Cakra is dissolved into
Kundalini.


53. Lkbha parammta paraivtptv Puna kual
Nitynandamahodayt kulapathnmle vietsundar.
Taddivymtadhray sthiramati satarpayeddaivata
Yog yogaparaparviditay brahmabhasthita.
THE beautiful Kundali drinks the excellent red1 nectar issuing from Para-Siva, and returns from
there where shines Eternal and Transcendent Bliss
2
in all its glory along the path of Kula,
3
and
again enters the Muladhara. The Yogi who has gained steadiness of mind makes offering
(Tarpana) to the Ista-devata and to the Devatas in the six centres (Cakra), Dkin and others, with
that stream of celestial nectar which is in the vessel
4
of Brahmanda, the knowledge whereof he
has gained through the tradition of the Gurus.
COMMENTARY
He now speaks of what should be done after all the different kinds of Yoga described
have been understood. The meaning of this verse is that the beautiful Kundali drinks the
excellent nectar issuing from ParaSiva, and having emerged from the place of Eternal
and Transcendental Bliss She passes along the path of Kula and re-enters Muladhara.
The' Yogi, after having understood the different matters mentioned (Tat-tad-dhyn-
nantaram), should think of the inseparate union5 of Siva and Sakti, and with the
excellent nectar produced from the bliss of such union with Para-Siva make offering
(Tarpana) to Kundalini.
1 red1 Samkara says it is so coloured because it is mixed with the menstrual fluid, which
is symbolic, like the rest of his erotic Imagery. Red IS the colour of the Rajo-Guna,
2 Transcendent Bliss2 Brahman is Eternity and Bliss.
3 path of Kula,3 The Channel in the Citrini-ndl.
4 the vessel4 The vessel is Kundalini,
5 inseparate union5 Smarasya,
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53. Lkbha parammta paraivtptv Puna kual....Verse 53 line 1
Nitynandamahodayt kulapathnmle vietsundar.....Verse 53 line 2
Taddivymtadhray sthiramati satarpayeddaivata ....Verse 53 line 3
Yog yogaparaparviditay brahmabhasthita. ....Verse 53 line 4

" Path of Kula" (kulapath).-The path of Brahman, the channel in Citrini,
Kundal drinks the nectar with which Tarpana is made to her. The following authority
says: "Having effected their union and having made (Her drink)," etc. It follows,
therefore, that She is made to drink. The nectar is red like the colour of lac.
" From there where shines Eternal and Transcendent Bliss" (Nitynandamahodayt)--
that is She, returns from the place where eternal and transcendental Bliss is enjoyed---
i.e., where the Brahman is clearly realized.
" Again enters Mldhra " (mle viet),-She has to be brought back in the same way
as She was led upward. As She passed through the different Linga and Cakras in their
order (Cakra-bheda-kramena) when going upward, so does She when returning to the
Muladhara.
The Revered Great Preceptor says: "Kundlin 1Thou sprinklest all things with the
stream of Nectar which flows from the tips of Thy two feet; and as Thou returneth to Thy
own place Thou vivifiest and makest visible all things that were aforetime invisible, and
on reaching Thy abode Thou dost resume Thy snake-like coil and sleep." 2
"As Thou returnest Thou vivifiest and makest visible." This describes the return of
Kual to Her own place. As She returns She infuses Rasa, into the various things She
had previously absorbed into Herself when going upward, and by the infusion of Rasa3,
She makes them all visible and manifest. Her passage was Laya-krama4 and Her return
Srsti-krama5 Hence it has been said: " Kual, who is Bliss,6 the Queen of the Suras,7
goes back in the same way to the Adhara8 Lotus."
1 Kundlin 1 Kuhara is a cavity; Kuharini would then be She whose abode is a cavity-
the cavity of the Muladhara.
2 Thy snake-like coil and sleep." 2 Cited from the celebrated Anandalahari-Stotra,
Wave of Bliss Hymn, attributed to Samkaracarya, See" Wave of Bliss," a translation, by
A. Avalon. Avalon, Arthur and Woodroffe, Sir John. Wave of Bliss. Madras:
Ganesh and Co., 1961.
3 Rasa3 Rasa: sap, sap of life-that is, She re-vitalizes them.
4 aya-krama4 See v. 52 and next note.
5 Srsti-krama5 That is, She recreates or revives as She returns to her own abode; just
as She" destroys" or absorbs all things on Her upward progress.
6 Bliss,6 Mudr-kr-s-rhar is Ananda-rpi; for Mudra=Ananda-dyin. Mudra is
derived from Mud = nanda (bliss)+Rti=dadati (gives): Mudra therefore means that
which gives bliss.
7 Suras,7Sura =Deva. Here the different Devas in the Cakras.
8 Adhara8 Lotus i.e., Muladhara.
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The Bhta-uddhi-prakaraa has the following: "Let the Tattvas Prthivi, etc., in their
order, as also Jiva and Kundalini, be led back from Paramatma and each placed in its
respective position." She is then particularly described: "She is lustrous when first She
goes, and She is ambrosial1 when She returns."
Taddivymtadhray sthiramati satarpayeddaivata ....Verse 53 line 3
" Stream of celestial nectar" (Divymtadhr)---This is the excellent nectar which, as
has already been shown, is produced by the union2 of Siva and Sakti, and runs in a
stream from the Brahma-randhra to the Muladhara. It is for this reason that the Author
says in v. 3 that" the Brahma-dvara which shines in Her mouth is the entrance to the
place sprinkled by ambrosia."
Yog yogaparaparviditay brahmabhasthita. ....Verse 53 line 4
" Knowledge whereof he has gained through the tradition of the Gurus" (Yoga-
parampar-viditay).-This qualifies "Stream of Nectar". It means that the knowledge is
gained from instructions (in Yoga practice) handed down traditionally through the
succession of Gurus.
" Which is in the vessel of Brahmda" (Brahmanda- Bha -sthitarn), -This qualifies
Amrta (nectar).3 The vessel or support (Bha) on which the Brahmanda (Universe)
rests is Kundalinl, Kundalini is the Bha as She is the Source (Yoni) of all.
By Daivatam4 ' is meant the Istadevata and Dakini and others in the six Cakras. It has
been said: "O Devesi, with this nectar should offering (Tarpana) be made to the Para-
devata, and then having done Tarpaa to the Devatas in the six Cakras," and so forth.
1 ambrosial1 Because ambrosia (Amrta) gives life.
2 union2 Samarasya.
3 Amrta (nectar).3 Visvanatha reads this as an adjective qualifying Daivatam, and this seems more in
consonance with the text. The Brahmanda is compared to a Bhanda, and the Devatas are in 'that. The
offering is then made with that stream of nectar to the Devatas who are in the Universe. Or, according to
Kallcarana, offering is made to the Devatas of the Amrta which Kundali has drunk.
4Daivatam4 Daivatam is the collective form of Devatas.


54. Jtvaitatkramamuttama yataman yogi yamdyair-yuta
rdkgurupdapadmayuglmodaprvhodayt.
Samare na hi janyate na hi kad sakyate sakaye
nitynandaparaparpramudita nta satmagra.
THE Yogi who has after practice of Yama, Niyama, and the like,
1
learnt this excellent method
from the two Lotus Feet of the auspicious Diksa-guru,
2
which are the source of uninterrupted
joy, and whose mind (Manas) is controlled, is never born again in this world (Samsara). For him
there is no dissolution even at the time of Final Dissolution
3
Gladdened by constant realization of
that which is the source of Eternal Bliss.
4
he becomes full of peace and foremost among all
Yogis.
5

COMMENTARY
He here speaks of the good to be gained by knowing the method of Yoga practice.
54. Jtvaitatkramamuttama yataman yogi yamdyair-yuta ---Verse 54 line 1
rdkgurupdapadmayuglmodaprvhodayt. ---Verse 54 line 2
Samare na hi janyate na hi kad sakyate sakaye ---Verse 54 line 3
nitynandaparaparpramudita nta satmagra. ---Verse 54 line 4
Prepared by Veeraswamy Krishnaraj
" From the lotus feet of his auspicious Diksa-guru, which are the source of uninterrupted
joy" (Sri-dk-guru-pda-padma-yugal-moda-pravhodayt). -Amoda means joy or
bliss; and by Pravaha is meant uninterrupted and continuous connection. Amoda
pravaha therefore means Nityananda, or "Eternal Bliss". Bliss such as this comes from
the Lotus feet of the Guru, which also lead to knowledge of Yoga practice.
1 like,1 See Introduction.
2 Diksa-guru,2 The Guru who has given him initiation.
3 Final Dissolution3 Sakaya = Pralaya.
4 Eternal Bliss.4 Nitynanda = Brahman.
5 all Yogis.5 Satm--lit., "of the Good".
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The Diksa-guru is here spoken of as he is the first to initiate, and also by reason of his
pre-eminence. But in his absence refuge may be sought with other Gurus. It has
therefore been said: " As a bee desirous of honey goes from one flower to another, so
does the disciple desirous of knowledge (Jnana) go from one Guru to another1."
nitynandaparaparpramudita nta satmagra. ---Verse 54 line 4
" Gladdened by constant realization of that which is the source of Eternal Bliss"
(Nitynanda-pararpar-pramudita)-i.e., who is united with the Stream of Eternal Bliss.
"Foremost among the good" (Satm agraii).)-i.e., he is counted to be foremost among
the good who are the Yogis.
1 go from one Guru to another1." This is from Ch. XII, of Niruttara-Tantra. This verse
also occurs in Kularnava (Tantrik Texts, Vol. V), Ch. XIII, 132.



55.Yosdhte nii sadhyayorathe div yog svabhvasthito
mokajnanidnametadamala uddha ca gupta para.
rmacchrgurupdapadmayugallamb yatntarman-
stasyavayamabhadaivatapade ceto narntyate.
IF the Yogi who is devoted to the Lotus Feet of his Guru, with heart unperturbed and
concentrated mind, reads this work which is the supreme source of the knowledge of Liberation,
and which is faultless, pure, and most secret, then of a very surety his mind
1
dances at the Feet
of his Ista-devata.
COMMENTARY
He here speaks of the good to be gained by the study of the verses relating to the six
Cakras,
55.Yosdhte nii sadhyayorathe div yog svabhvasthito---Verse 55 Line 1
mokajnanidnametadamala uddha ca gupta para. ---Verse 55 Line 2
rmacchrgurupdapadmayugallamb yatntarman- ---Verse 55 Line 3
stasyavayamabhadaivatapade ceto narntyate. ---Verse 55 Line 4

" Heart unperturbed" (Svabhva-sthitah).-i.e., engrossed in his own true spiritual being.
"Concentrated mind" (Yatntarmanh)-i.e., he who by practice of Yoga has steadied
and concentrated his mind on the inner spirit (Antartma),
The rest is clear.
Here ends the Eighth Section of the Explanation of the Verses descriptive of the Six
Cakras, forming part of the Sri-tattva-cintama, composed by Srl-Prnanandayati,
1 mind 1 Cetas or Citta.
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