The Times of India, March 31st, 2002: The word ‘Yog’ is derived
from the verb yuj which means to yoke, to join, to connect. The end of life is
to yoke oneself to the holy spirit i.e., the Paramchaitanya. Hindu scriptures
enlighten us on the various ways or margas of doing so. The union with the holy
spirit is possible through Gyan Yog, Karma Yog, Bhakti Marg, Mantra Yog, Raj Yog,
Sanyas Marg or Hath Yog.
The rishi-munis have particularly adopted the Gyan Yog which is possible only
through Dhyan. For the householder, Karma Yog and Bhakti Marg are the most practical
ways of attaining moksha. Ascetics have developed the knowledge of mantra-tantra.
Hath Yogis have evolved various Aasanas, postures and occult practices for awakening
the Kundalini. Shri Aadishakti Shri Mataji Nirmaladevi has advocated the Sahaj
Yog for householders to attain the Parmachaitanya through the raising of the
Kundalini.
Shri Markandeya Purana has prophesied the incarnation of the Adi Shakti for
the salvation of human beings. In Devi Bhagvatam we find the description of
Kundalini. Indian Jyotisha Acharya Kaka Bhujandar Tatvacharya noted in his renowned
Nadi Grantha, some 2,000 years ago, that a great yogi will appear on the earth
and this yogi will have all the powers (shaktis) of the Adi Shakti.
Shri Mataji rechristened awakening of Kundalini Yog as ‘Sahaj Yog’
and one can very easily practise it without renouncing one’s family life.
It does not require any special knowledge (of scriptures). Kundalini —
is the shakti of Jagat Guru, Jagat Pitha Sadashiv. She is in the form of a serpent
with 3-1/2 coils surrounding the Shiv linga and is in the dormant posture.
After its awakening it traverses through the body (Spinal cord) — cleansing
the six chakras and uniting with Shiv in the 7th chakra, Sahasrar. She is situated
in the sacrum bone of the spinal cord. Sacrum — a Latin word, means sacred.
It is the last bone of the spinal cord.
It is a known fact that there are seven chakras in the spinal cord. Every chakra
has its field of action. The modern-day medical science has proved that there
are seven plexuses which control the whole body. Kundalini while traversing
to sahasrar cleanses the chakras which are polluted by the Shadripus.
The Paramchaitanya is flowing incessantly throughout the universe in the form
of vibrations — waves — very similar to various other waves we receive
viz sound waves, light waves etc. Kundalini facilitates our union with the Paramchaitanya
by cleansing our chakras. Saint Gyaneshwar has very clearly described the whole
process. He has written, ‘‘Te kundalini Jagdaruba, je chaitanya chakravartichi
shobha...’’
Adishankaracharya in Saundarya Lahri has mentioned, ‘‘Salilam, Salilam
etc’’.
These saints have expressed their own experiences of Kundalini. Unfortunately
the knowledge of Kundalini and the experiences of these saints have gone into
oblivion. Ascetics have employed mantra shakti to raise the Kundalini.
Tantrik literature has described in detail the process of raising the Kundalini
for sexual prowess. Kundalini is trigunatmika. She is Mahalaxmi, Mahasaraswati
and Mahakali. She sanctifies one, thereby making one eligible to enter the empire
of the Lord Almighty. This is also known as salvation or moksha i.e., the union
with the Paramchaitanya.
Human body is controlled by the seven plexuses — chakras. When these are
cleansed, their performance is improved to its maximum, protecting the human
body from any disease or vice.
This fact is medically verified. Research done on the practice of Sahaj Yog
has found its conclusions to be consistent with the insights of modern medicine.
It is possible to awaken the Kundalini through Dhyan. But for this, one has
to take Jagriti — if possible, directly from the holy mother, Shri Mataji
— or from any other Sahaj Yogi. Controlling one’s mind seems to be
a very difficult task but following the example of Shri Mataji makes it a ‘sahaj’
exercise. To begin with one has to undertake dhyan regularly for 10-20 minutes
everyday. The meanings of the various verses and the padas written by the great
saints will then reveal to us their new meaning in the light of the Sahaj Yog
practice.
It is only then that one can submerge oneself in ‘‘thoughtless awareness’’
— with joy and peace.
N B SALUNKE
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