SRI MATA IN MOOLADHARA CHAKRA (Soundarya Lahari 41)

Continuing the description of Sri Mata’s passage through the various Chakras, Sri Lalita Sahasra Nama Stotra explains Her movement through Mooladhara Chakra. Stationing Herself in this Chakra She cuts the knot called ‘Brahma Granthi!’ She has five faces and resides in the bones! She wields ’ankusa’ and other arms! She is surrounded by Varadas and others! She is fond of “mudgaudana”-black gram rice and takes the form of “Sakinyamba.” “ Muladharaika nilaya Brahma Granthi vibhedini Muladharambujaruda panchavaktrasthi samsthta ankusadi praharana varadadi nishevita mudgaudanasaktha chitta  Sakinyamba swarupini.”

Sri Sankara offers his worship to the couple of Siva and Parvati that exhibit their prowess in dance or thandava and lasya respectively! Says Sankara “ O Devi! I consider Siva, as Ananda Bhairava, engrossed in dance in your Mooladhara Chakra depicting the nine different ‘rasas’ along with your Samayakala! It is a great fortune for the burnt and destroyed world to have  Ananda Bhairava and Ananda Bhairavi together as its father and mother through their great compassion!”

The form of worship in all the six centers or Chakras is indicated in this and other previous slokas. Adinata- the original dancer and Lasyeswari--the Queen of Lasya or dance have to be meditated upon in this Chakra! While engaging themselves in thandava and Lasya they come close and see each other. It is through their mutual looks that the universe has originated. The world lasts so long as these two mutually look at each other and comes to an end when the Thandava and Lasya stop! Male dance is called Thandava while Lasya is female dance!

Dance can be defined as the expression of various emotions or feelings through ‘ abhinaya’ or the movement of the ‘angas’ or the organs of the body.The dancer creates all the ‘rasas’ or emotions through his skillful and dynamic movements supplemented by the various ‘mudras’ which are part and parcel of Natya and Abhinaya'. The ‘rasas’ or emotions are nine in number like Sringara, Karuna, Hasya,Raudra, Bibhatsa, and others. The success of the dance depends on how truly he or she manages to bring out feelings through ‘Abhinaya' and ‘mudras'!

The passage of Sri Mata through all the Chakras concludes with Her movement in the Mooladhara Chakra! Sri Lalita Sahasra Nama Stotra continues to describe the innumerable and exquisite attributes of Devi! She is praised as the remover of all disease and the preventer of death even! Her mouth is full of 'Thambula’ a mixture of betel leaves, areca nut and chunam. She radiates the color of the flower of the pomegranate. She has the beautiful eyes of the deer, attracts one and all, is called ‘Mrudani’ and is friend to all. “ Sarva vyadhi prasamani sarvamrutyu nivarini Thambula purithamukhi dadimimikusuma prabha Mrugakshi Mohini mukhya Mrudani mithra rupini.”

Mooladhara Chakra or Root Chakra, one of the seven primary Chakras is symbolized by a lotus with four petals and the color red. Located between the perineum and the coccyx or the pelvic bone, it is associated with anus. It is the base from which the three main psychic channels or Nadis, Ida,Pingala and Sushumna emerge. it is the abode of Ganapathy. According to Ganapathy Adharva Sirsha one who worships Lord Ganapathy ”would easily grasp the concept and realize the Brahman”. This Chakra is represented by a red four petaled lotus with a yellow square at its center. Eight spears point out of the sides and corners of the squares. God Indra, Yellow and four armed’ holds the Vajra and  a blue lotus in his hands. He is on his Iravata, the White Elephant with seven trunks denoting the seven elements. The Chakra’s seed mantra is ‘lam.’ Within the Bindu is Brama seated on a swan. Dakini, his Sakthi is beautiful with three eyes and four arms. This Chakra is the bedrock of energy body Kundalini awakening that starts here. It is associated with the element of earth, the sense of smell and the action of excretion!

SRI MATA IN MANIPURA CHAKRA (Soundarya Lahari 40)

Sri Lalita Sahasra Nama Stotra describes the steady progress of Sri Mata through the different Chakras of the human body! Remaining at Mooladhara Chakra She pierces the Brahma Granthi. While through Manipura Chakra She pierces through the Knot called Vishnu Grandhi. Mani purantha rudita Vishnu Granthi vibhedini” She has three faces during Her stay in Manipura Chakra. He is armed with ‘Vajrayudha’ and surrounded by drums and other instruments. She is of red color, fond of meat and sweet rice. She grants happiness to all her devotees and is in the form of Lakinyamba! “ Manipurabja nilaya vadanatraya samyutha Vajradikayudahapeta damaryadibi ravruta raktavarna mamsa nishta gudanna prita manasa samastha bhakta sukhada Lakinyamba swarupini”.

Sankara, in line with the description of Sri Mata in Sri Lalita Sahasra Nama Stotra offers his worship to the Devas in Manipura Chakra. Says Sankara, “ O Mother! I offer my worship to the indescribable Vishnu who resides in Manipura Chakra for ever! He is dark like the rain bearing clouds! His Sakthi adorns Him by Her darkness destroying effulgence as lightning does the cloud! He showers His mercy on the three worlds scorched by the sun of Hara!” Desire, the enemy of Peace, can be controlled by meditating on Siva in His aspect as Vishnu in Manipura Chakra. Thus everlasting peace and absence of desire can be attained! Consuming desires of the ordinary mortal get themselves extinguished through meditation on the Lord in Manipura Chakra and His grace!

Manipura Chakra is located above the navel slightly below the Solar Plexus. It is the “City of Jewels!” Mani means jewels or precious stones. Pura means city. The Chakra radiates ‘Prana’ throughout the entire human body. It is often associated with the colors yellow and blue. The Chakra is linked to fire and the power of transformation. It governs digestion and metabolism as the home of Agni and the vital wind “ Samana Vayu.” the energies of Prana and Apana Vayu meet at this point in a balanced system! In Chakra based medicine people work on this area to promote healthy digestion elimination, pancreas, kidneys and adrenal functions.

Weak Agni in Coelic Plexus leads to incompletely digested food, thoughts and emotions and is a source of toxicity! Manipura Chakra is represented with a downward pointing red triangle signifying the tattva of fire within a bright yellow circle with ten dark blue or black petals like heavily laden rain clouds. Fire region is depicted by God Vahni(fire) shining red with four arms holding a rosary and a spear! He is seated on a ram that represents Manipura.

Seed Mantra or Bijakshara of the Chakra is “Ram.” Within the Bindu or dot, above this mantra resides the deity Rudra in red or white with three eyes of ancient aspect with a silver beard smeared with white ashes seated either on a tiger skin or a bull! Rudra Sakthi is Lakini in black or dark blue vermilion color. She has three faces each with three eyes and four arms! She holds a thunderbolt, the arrow shot from the bow of Kama and fire! Lakini is seated on a red lotus!

SRI MATA IN SWADHISHTANA CHAKRA (Soundarya Lahari 39)

Vasinidevathas while extolling the Glory of Sri Mata describe Her progress in every Chakra of the body, Her nature, form and other attributes. In Swadhishtana Chakra She has four faces and is extremely attractive. She wields the trident or Trisula, is yellow in color and very proud. She is concentrating on the intellect and fond of nectar or Madhu! She is surrounded by Her followers! Curd rice Is her favorite dish and her form is Kakini! “ Swadhishtanambuja gatha chturvaktra manohara suladyayudha sampanna pitavarnati garvita medhonishta madhu prita vandinyadi samanvita dadyannasakta hridaya kakinirupa dharini”

Sri Sankara, in the thirty ninth sloka of Soundarya Lahari offers obeisance to Sri Mata and explains the significance of Swadhishtana Chakra and its nature. Says Sankara, “ O Mother! I offer my worship to the “ Pralayagni”- the terrible fire of the deluge stationed in your Swadhishtana Chakra. I praise “Mahati”, a form of the raging fire called “Samvartagni”, called “Samayakala”. While on one side the terrible effect of “Samaya kala” annihilates the entire universe, Your compassionate and cool looks bring comfort and consolation to the entire world! ! The raging fire based in the Anahata Chakra is the form of “Pralayagni” the very essence of Siva Sakthi that I worship!

Swadhishtana Chakra is the second of the seven primary Chakras in the human body. The name is composed of two words Swa and Adhishtana meaning one’s own abode or seat. Another meaning of Swad is ‘take pleasure in’. The Chakra is located at the lowest base of spine near the tailbone or Coccyx. It is often termed as a black lotus having six petals unfolding from within the center circle. It is in the Sacral Plexus area located in the lower abdominal. The Chakra is associated with the element of water. Swadhishtana Chakra signifies desire, pleasure, sexuality, and procreation. It is liquid, formless and ever changing water!

Swadhishtana Chakra represents change, fluctuation and movement. Its location in the body is related to movement. Sacral Plexus is a collection of nerves which control the movement in the legs and pelvis. It is associated with the color Orange. The bijakshara or Seed mantra is Vam. The Chakra is surrounded by five or six lotus petals.

Books on Hatha Yoga place Vishnu and water in the Swadhishtana Chakra. Sankara points out that while Rudra Sakthi as the great Samaya consumes the worlds with wrathful eyes, it is the Mother that assuages the suffering with her pitiful, compassionate eyes!

THE "HAMSAS" IN ANAHATA CHAKRA (Soundarya Lahari 38)

Sri Lalita Sahasra Nama Stotra describes the wonderful attributes of Sri Mata again and again. She is called Vajreswari,Vamadevi, and the One who is ageless! She is also called Siddheswari, Siddhamata as well as Siddhavidya! In addition, She is Yasiswini, the most renowned! Later the Stotra traces the progress of Sri Mata through the different Chakras in the body and

how She affects them with Her different forms and attributes. After her passage through the Visuddha Chakra She enters the “Anahata Chakra.” During Her stay in the “Anahata Chakra” she appears dark in color and has two faces. She has fierce protruding teeth, a rosary and drenched in blood! She is surrounded by Sakthis like Kalarathri! She is fond of thick rice food! She offers boons to  Mahavirendra and takes the form of “Rakinyamba!” “ Anahatabja nilaya syamabha vadanadwaya danstrojwalaksha maladidhara rudhira samsthitha Kalaratradi saktyaugha vrutha snigdaudana Priya Mahavirendra varada Rakiyamba Swarupini!”

Corresponding to this description in the Sahasranama Stotra, Sankara in the thirty eighth sloka of Soundarya Lahari explains the significance of Her stay and progress through the Chakra.  Says Sankara, “ O Mother! The words uttered by the couple ( Siva and Sakti) transform themselves into the Eighteen branches of knowledge! This couple is capable of drawing only the good from the evil like the Swan separating milk from water! I offer my obeisances to that Couple of  Siva and Sakthi that reside in the hearts of Yogis who drink deep the honey from the blossoms of knowledge and lose themselves in bliss! In the Anahata Chakra Siva is in the form of flame of Fire along with His Sakthi Sikhini! Anahata Chakra is the place where the unique pair of Swans Ham and Sah are meditated upon by the Yogis! Ham Sah when chanted repeatedly becomes So ham which means the Brahman!

Lotus of knowledge corresponds to spiritual consciousness. The Ashtadasa Vidyas (18) are 1 Siksha 2 Kalpa 3 Vyakarana 4 Nirukta 5 Jyotisha 6 Chandas 7 to 10 the Four Vedas, 11 Purva and Uttara Mimamsa 12 Nyaya 13 Dharma Sastra 14 Puranas 15 Ayurveda 16 Dhanurveda 17 Gandharva Veda and 18 Niti Sastra. Anahata Chakra or Heart Chakra is the fourth Chakra according to Hindu yogic and Shakta tantric traditions. The word Anahata means ‘ unstruck, unheard, unbeaten’. It also means ‘clean or pure or stainless’.  The Chakra is associated with balance, calmness and serenity. It indicates the state of freshness when we become detached and look at different contradictory experiences of life with a state of openness.The Chakra integrates the two opposite forces to obtain the effect without the two confronting each other!

Unlike the Mooladhara, Swadhishtana, and Manipuraka Chakras where there is confrontation between the two opposing forces, Anahata brings out the synergic effect of the interaction of energies at the level. Anahata Chakra is considered to be the seat of the Jivatma and Paramatma! In the Upanishads it is described as a tiny flame within the heart! “ Nila toyada madhyasta vidullekhena bhaswara nivarasukavattanvi pitabhasvatyanupama tasyas sikhaya madhye Paramatma vyavastitaha!” This Chakra is associated with the ability to take decisions outside the realm of Karma and fate and based on one’s higher Self. Hence it is called Heart Chakra!

Anahata Chakra is thus associated with love and compassion, charity to others and psychic healing. Meditation on this Chakra offers the following Siddhis: he becomes Lord of speech, he is dear to women,  his presence controls the senses of others and he can leave and enter the body at will! Because of its connections to touch (sense) and actions it is associated with the skin and hands. In the endocrine system it is associated with the thymus.

VISUDDHI CHAKRA AND SRI MATA (Soundarya Lahari 37)

What are the attributes of Sri Mata during Her stay in Visuddhi Chakra? During Her progress through the Chakra She has red eyes; she sports three eyes; she is armed with ‘ khatwanga’; she has only one face. She is very much fond of ‘payasanna’ or sweet rice. She is settled on the skin and looks terrible for all beings! She is surrounded by Shakthis like Amrutha and Dakiniswari! “ Visuddhi Chakra nilaya rakta varna trilochani khatwangadi praharana vadanaika samanvita payasanna priya twakstha pasuloka bhayankari Amruta mahasakthii samvrutha Dakiniswari”

In line with the description of Visuddha Chakra in Sri Lalita Sahasra Nama Stotra, Sri Sankara, in the thirty seventh sloka of Soundarya Lahari, offers his worship to the Siva and the Devi tattwas exhibited therein. Says Sankara, “ O Mother! I offer my worship to the pure and spotless Siva principle emerging from Akasa in your Visuddha Chakra! It is white and transparent as a crystal of ethereal form and the Devi is with Him! The entire universe is liberated from its internal darkness by their radiance similar to the ray's of the moon delighting the Chakori bird! The bird Chakori lives on moonlight! Similar to the Chakori bird, the aspirant or Sadhaka drinks deep the bliss of the Brahman by meditation on Siva and Devi. Sadhaka’s ignorance or avidya is thus dispelled! The form of Siva referred to is Ardhanareeswara!

The word Visuddha means “especially pure”. This Chakra is also called “Throat Chakra” and is the fifth primary Chakra according to Hindu tradition. It is located at the throat region near the Spine in the pit of the throat and hence called as “Throat Chakra.”The Chakra has a white color  with sixteen purple or smoke colored petals. Inside the pericap is a sky blue downward pointing triangle with a white region like the full moon! This is the element of akasha or ether. The deity Ambara represents this region! The deity is white in hue and depicted with four arms, holding a noose and a goad! The silver crescent is lunar symbol of NADA, pure cosmic sound! The crescent is a symbol of purity!  Purification is a vital aspect of Visuddha Chakra!

The seed letter or Bijakshara of Visuddhi Chakra is “Ham.” It is the purification center where the nectar Amruta drops down from Bindu Chakra and is split into a pure form and poison! It is believed that when the Chakra is closed the person undergoes decay and death! When open negative experiences are transformed into wisdom and learning! Success or failure in one’s life is said to depend on the state of Visuddhi Chakra!

Meditation on the Chakra brings about various Siddhis and occult powers, vision of the three periods, past, present and future, freedom from disease, old age, destruction of dangers and ability to move the three worlds! Visuddhi Chakra is related to the ear and mouth. It is associated with the Thyroid Gland in the human endocrine system! This gland is in the neck and produces hormones for growth and maturation!

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