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Spiritual experiments on Savitri and transmutation of vital power (Sävitrï Evam Kundalinï Tantra): Vangamaya Vol-15
The ancient Indian scriptures mention that Lord Brahma—- the omnipresent supreme creator had attained the supreme knowledge of Gäyatrï which is said to be the origin of all the spiritual, conscious, unconscious and super conscious faculties, cosmic energy and material existence. The cosmic power of Gäyatrï used for the creation and perceptible realization of this universe is named as Sävitrï. The philosophy and subtle science of Gäyatrï aims at the collective awakening of the righteous intellect, divine sentiments, altruist creativity and eminence. The science of Sävitrï deals with the origin and proper utilization of matter and energy.
Gurudev Shri Ram Sharma Acharya had successfully practiced the highest kind of spiritual endeavors (sädhanäs) of Gäyatrï and Sävitrï . He had performed 24 Mahä Purashcharanas each of 24 hundred thousands japa – anushthäna of Gäyatrï Mantra while observing ascetic disciplines for twenty four consecutive years. He also endeavored specific spiritual experiments of Sävitrï Sädhanä—- involving activation and extraction of the subtle power and vital energy of the Sun God along with the arduous sädhanäs of Gäyatrï anushthänas.
Details of the origin, knowledge and spiritual science of Gäyatrï and of Gurudev’s sädhanäs of Gäyatrï are presented in the volumes numbered 9 to 14 of this series. Volume 1 of this series presents a sketch of his life, his experiences in the Himalayas and the great mission accomplished by him after successful completion of these sädhanäs which are defined in the Indian scriptures as the supreme and ultimate endeavors of spiritual transmutation.
The present volume focuses on Gurudev’s Sävitrï Sädhanä which also incorporated his unique spiritual experiments on activation and transmutation of the grand vital force—- Kundalinï, the ‘serpentine power’. These sädhanäs, popularly known as Kundalinï Jägarana Sädhanäs, correspond to the time-testing, difficult spiritual practices of successive penetration of the shat chakras (extra sensory power centers in the endocrine system) and opening of the three granthis (subtle knots along the spinal column) to activate the eternal source of immense vital power and pull it upwards to charge the sahasträra. This sädhanä is supposed to be risky and is attempted only by experienced sädhakas under authentic guidance. The success of Kundalinï Jägarana sublimates the vital force into a source of supernatural potentials and opens up the ways of spiritual culmination of the self up to the highest realms of divinity.
Ancient scriptures of yoga describe the sushumnä nädi—- an extrasensory channel of vital energy which is considered to be spread latently in the inner core of the spinal column in the shape of a serpent having its ‘tail’ coiled in three and a half turns of a spiral inside the mülädhära chakra (the bottom most of the shat chakras) and has thousand ‘hoods’ in the sahasträra (extrasensory region in the reticular activating system of the human brain above the agyä chakra). The idä chakras and pinglä nädis—- subtle canals within the sensory and motor control columns parallel to the sushumnä nädi, along its left and right sides respectively, help harmonize and control the upward flow of the currents of präna (life force).
Three latent knots (granthis) of supernatural sources of power are also described to exist along the sushumnä nädi; these are—- Brahma Granthi near the mülädhära chakra (extra sensory power center in the inner region of pelvic plexus); Vishnu Granthi near the süärya chakra (extra sensory power center in the middle region, above the navel, of the spinal column); and the Rudra Granthi in the inner core of the central region of the brain.
There is also a mention of pancha mahäkosha—- five extrasensory ‘shells’ which cover the gross, subtle and astral bodies of an individual and bring the existence of the soul into being…. The six chakras (shata chakras), three granthis and the five (pancha) mahäkoshas together are the fourteen eternal sources of the streams of spiritual powers hidden in the gigantic ocean of consciousness; the arousal and activation of these is described in the scriptures as the discovery of fourteen eternal pearls after “Samudra Manthan”—- churning of the self-existing, limitless `ocean’ of absolute divine existence.
The success of Kundalinï Jägarana Sädhanä arouses the otherwise dormant source of vital force and also results in unwinding, refinement and activation of the two outermost layers of the pancha mahäkoshas namely, the annamaya kosha and the pränamaya kosha. Activation and illumination of the sahasträra by this sädhanä followed by specific sädhanäs of Gäyatrï to sublimate the remaining three koshas—- manomaya kosha, vigynamaya kosha and änandamaya kosha virutally transmutes the sädhaka (devotee) into an omnipotent, omniscient, perfect being and puts his soul in the liberated state of ultimate eternal bliss.
In this volume, the readers will find authentic information, illustrative explanation and guidance on the serpentine power—- Kundalinï and on the yoga sädhanäs of its arousal and corresponding sublimation of the vital force, illumination of intellect and empowering of the inner self up to supernatural levels. The details presented here would remove all illusions and misconceptions and provide clear answers to their queries on this‘much heard of but little understood’ topic of esoteric spiritual knowledge. Scientific interpretations in terms of the association of the shat chakras with the endocrine glands; bioelectrical flows and sex-element with präna shakti and hypothalamus and reticular activating system with the sahasträra etc, and highlights of the relevant research works are also presented here. Views and experiences of several great personalities, spiritual masters and modern scientists are cited for ready reference.
The contents of this volume may be broadly classified into three parts. The first few Chapters deal with the knowledge of “Sävitrï” and its relation with “Gäyatrï” and the cosmic and spiritual powers of the Sun. The second part deals with “Kundalinï”. The author, Pt. Shri Ram Sharma, describes it as a “dynamite of spiritual energy”. Physical manifestation of this power is called pränägni—- vital energy, which makes possible all the activities of the physical body and the conscious mind. This is what is reflected in the ‘aura’ around the body and in the varieties of creative talents and sagacity of mind….. Volume no. 17 of the Vangamaya series is devoted to the topic of “Pränägni ….”. The serpentine power (Kundalinï) of the vital force is described in spiritual literature as a unique ‘vital electrical power’ of life-source. The hymn “Tadillatä Samarü- cirviddullekheva Bhäsvarä” defines it as “glowing like an electric spark”. Sublimated power of Kundalinï is considered to be the source of the grand vital force which is the medium of expression of the cosmic consciousness in the soul…., the reservoir of spiritual energy….. Excerpts from the treatises of yore and from the scholarly works of the saints and spiritual masters of the later times—- e.g., “Saundarya Lahari” of Adi Shankaracharya, are also cited here with excellent deliberations and logical interpretations of the rhetoric representations.
The third and the last part of the volume mentions about the täntrika methods. This branch of spiritual sädhanäs has been most misleading and ill-understood because of the maligned influences of the medieval era. The väma-märgï or täntrika sädhanäs are short-cut methods like…. ‘jumping from the top of the hill in order to come down’.... as compared to the ‘slow and time-testing walk’ of the dakshina-märgï or mäntrika yoga sädhanäs. The Indian scientists of yore—- the rishis had conceptualized the spiritual and cosmic dimensions of sound as Shabda. They had realized the gigantic expansion of consciousness and all forms of energies as originated from Shabda and hence developed the science of Mantra and tantra to discover and make ideal use to the powers of Shabda existing in the universe. The relationship between Shabda and Mantra or Tantra can be thought of as that of the soul and the body…. While Mantras deal with consciousness, sentiments, thoughts and subtle domains of life and nature, the science of tantras focuses at activity, motion and forces expressible in the physical world.
Literally, the word “tantra” refers to any system which possesses energy and activity. A tantra used for specific purpose in the täntrika sädhanäs may be described as a system encompassing the specific features and forces via extraction and active representation of the appropriate power currents of Shabda. Such a tantra is represented as a design or sonic tool made up of a combination of certain symbols and harsh sounds arranged to attract different streams of natural powers and superimpose different energy currents.
In täntrika sädhanäs, the hidden potentials within the living body and matter are awaken forcefully against the normal nature of the latter. Specific tantras are used for this purpose. Almost torturing postures and conditioning of the body are used before practising with a tantra …. This path of sädhanäs is usually chosen for magic like effects in the physical world or using tantra as a tool for selfish gains or demonstration of power.…. The täntrika sädhanäs are highly risky like ‘atomic bomb explosions’ and were therefore kept secrets by the inventors of yore. Only deserving disciples were taught these principles and practices after ensuring that the latter would use these with due care and only for noble altruist purposes.
The cultural corruption of the medieval era even brought the practices of ‘black magic’, ‘torturous exploitation of the weaker ones’, etc, under the banner of täntrika experiments. Such misdeeds and illusions spread during this dark period of human history had even maligned the image of spiritual sciences and yoga at large. In order to eliminate these misconceptions and fears, Acharya Sharma has clearly explained the difference between the mantra based yoga sädhanäs and the täntrika sädhanäs. He has also highlighted the nature, principles and disciplines of the täntrika sädhanäs of Gäyatrï and Sävitri to illustrate the vast dimension of research in the Science of Consciousness and Nature carried out in the ancient times. He has cited the excerpts from scriptures like “Sharda Tilaka” on these aspects with scrupulous comments and clear indications of the precautions and moral disciplines associated with the täntrika sädhanäs. Disobeying the disciplines or misusing a tantra brings back disastrous reactions and severe harms to the user himself which often lead to his tragic and torturous death.
Gurudev has clearly warned the eager or impatient aspirants of spiritual attainments that the täntrika way (väma-märga) is dangerous and should not be pursued without adept and authentic guidance and purity of purpose. He emphasizes that the mäntrika yoga sädhanäs (dakshina-märga) are compatible with nature and are safe and righteous. In-depth knowledge of the highest kind of mantra based yoga sädhanäs of spiritual transmutation is presented here by the most authentic and experienced spiritual master, dedicated saint, sagacious scholar and scientifically oriented social reformer of the modern age. His trenchant deliberations in this volume—- in particular and the Vangamaya series—- in general, also give new directions to experiments and research in the science of spirituality.
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