Title: Chakras of Microcosm & Macrocosm
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3Jivatma is presently in a state of bondage.
Microcosm refers to the lowest Cosmic region
within which it is trapped, specifically, during
the present Kali-yuga.
4SYSTEMS OF THE HUMAN BODY
- The mechanism of the human body is composed of
six systems nervous system, respiratory
system, circulatory system, digestive system,
excretory system and endocrine system. The
most important and complicated is the central
nervous system with its stem and innumerable
branches spread out in all directions. This gives
it an appearance of the tree. The flowers that
blossom on this Tree of Life are the chakras
and plexuses. The fruits at various places are
the ductless glands. The fruit and flower are not
visible to the physical eye, only the bare tree
with its branches and branchlets is to be seen.
The fragrance of the flower and the sweetness of
the fruit can be enjoyed through Yoga. - The endocrine system consists of many glands
situated at various places in the body. The
Pituitary and the Pineal are in the head, the
thyroid and parathyroid are in the neck, thymus
in the thoracic cavity, the adrenals and gonads
are in the abdominal cavity. They are called
ductless glands because the hormones produced in
them are thrown directly in the blood stream. - The human brain has a fundamental resemblance to
the human embryo. It represents the component
parts of a bodily form, with the repetition of
the endocrine glandular pattern which is
hermaphrodite. The Pineal and Pituitary represent
the male and female elements. The Pineal gland is
connected with the posterior portion of the
Pituitary. The Pineal gland is the negative pole
being a counterpart of and complementary to the
Pituitary body which is the positive pole. - The function of the Pituitary is to control the
development of the body to suit the development
of the consciousness. It exercises this function
through the other ductless glands. The chief
change which it brings into organism is the
awakening of the genetic functions by stimulating
the sexual glands. But the Pineal gland is there
to prevent the Pituitary from awakening the
sexual functions too soon and acts as a check on
anterior lobe of the Pituitary. This is why the
Pineal is associated with the spiritual nature of
man.
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6The Inner Zodiac
7THE NADIS
- Na?is (meridians) are the channels through
which the Prana energies of the subtle body flow.
Nadi comes from the root nad meaning channel,
stream, or flow. Nadis connect at special points
of intensity called chakras. According to the
Tantras, there are 72,000 or more such channels
or networks through which the stimuli flow like
an electric current from one point to another.
All nadis originate from Kanda, located in the
space between origin of the reproductory organ
and the anus. - Of these, the chief ones are 10 Ida, Pingala,
Sushumna, Gandhari, Hastijihva, Pusha,
Yashasvini, Alambusha, Kuhuh and Shankhini. Of
these, 3 nadis are main and have Moon, Sun and
Agni as their Devatas Ida, Pingala
and Sushumna. Ida lies to the left of the spine,
whereas Pingala is to the right side of the
spine, mirroring the Ida. Sushumna runs along the
spinal cord in the center, through the 7 chakras.
Kundalini lies coiled in 3.1/2 coils in a dormant
or sleeping state at the base of Sushumna. - 12 pairs of cranial nerves proceed from both
hemispheres through the openings at the base of
the skull to different parts of the body
Olfactory Optic Motor Oculi Pathetic
Trifacial Abducens Facial Auditory
Glossopharyngeal Pneumogastric, Spinal
accessory and Hypoglossal. These nerves are
connected with the eye, ear, tongue, nose,
pharynx, thorax, etc. Nadis carry a life force
energy, Prana (or Qi). In particular, Prana (activ
e) circulates inside Pingala, while Apana (passive
) circulates inside Ida. Inside Sushumna, it
circulates kundalini when awakened. - Chakras affect nadis which affect the health and
functioning of the body. The two nadis are
stimulated through different Pranayama practices,
including Nadi Shodhana, which involves
alternate breathing through left and right
nostrils, which alternately stimulates
respectively the left and right sides of the
brain. By Pranayama practice, the purification of
the nadis, the brightening of the gastric fire,
hearing distinctly of spiritual sounds and good
health result. The breathing techniques purify
and develop the energetic currents and lead to
special breathing exercises whose goal is to
awake kundalini among the 7 nadi chakras in the
body.
8The Nadis
9THE PRINCIPAL NADIS
- Sushumna na?i This is the spine of the
energy-body. It is a hollow tube running from
Muladhara to Sahasrara chakra. Inside the
physical spinal cord, a hollow canal runs all
along the length called canalis centralis.
Sushumna nadi is situated inside this hollow
canal. It originates at muladhara and moves
inside the spinal cord through the canalis
centralis pierces the Talu (upper palate) and
divides itself into two branches- anterior and
posterior. The anterior branch goes to the Ajna
chakra and from there to Brahma-randhra. The
posterior branch passes from behind the head and
joins the Brahma-randhra. - The Sushumna nadi encloses within itself another
nadi called Vajra nadi. Within this is Chitra
nadi. Within Chitra nadi is the subtlest of all
nadis the Brahma nadi, made of Consciousness or
thought vibrations in the form of ideas. This
nadi has 7 chakras of consciousness, located
within this Brahma nadi. - The lower opening of the Sushumna nadi is called
Brahma-dwara' or the door to Brahman. The
kundalini energy has to pass through this opening
in its ascent upward. The kundalini resides just
below this opening and blocking this opening. - Brahma-randhra The cave of Brahman, Bhramara
Gufa' (cave of bumble bee) or Andha Koopa' (the
blind well or the 10th gate) refers to the hollow
space between the two hemispheres of the brain
and is situated at the top of the brain, or
anterior fontanel. Externally, this is the soft
spot' that is open when the child is born. In a
new born pulsation can be felt at this spot in
the first few weeks, after 6 months it hardens.
Thereafter, it is opened only through the
practices of Yoga. At the time of death, if the
soul leaves the body from this point, then it is
liberated and does not come back for a rebirth. - Ida Pingala nadis These are two major nadis
located on the left and the right side of the
Sushumna. Pingala is the extroverted
(active), solar nadi, while Ida is the
introverted, lunar nadi and correspond to right
left hemispheres of the brain. They correspond to
the Parasympathetic and Sympathetic nervous
system of the physical body. In the physical
body, Parasympathetic system retards or inhibits
all autonomic functions and Sympathetic system
stimulates or accelerates. The Ida group of
nerves has an inhibiting or cooling effect and
Pingala group of nerves has a stimulating or
heating effect.
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11THE CHAKRAS
- The concept of chakra features in tantric
and yogic traditions of Hinduism and Buddhism.
The chakras are described in the tantric texts
the Sat-Chakra-Nirupana, and the
Padaka-Panchaka. The word chakra in Sanskrit
means wheel, whirlpool or vortex as
circle it symbolizes endless dynamism of
Shakti. It is believed to be a center of activity
that receives, assimilates and expresses life
force energy, biophysical energy or Prana. - Chakras are energy centers along the spine
located at major branchings of the human nervous
system, beginning at the base of the spinal
column and moving upward to the top of the skull,
through which pass 3 major energy channels,
Sushumna, Ida and Pingala, which cross one
another several times at the chakras. They refer
to spinning spheres of bioenergetic activity
emanating from the major nerve ganglia branching
forward from the spinal column. - There are usually considered to be 7 primary
chakras, aligned along the central nervous system
from the tip of the spine to above the top of the
head. They are a part of our non-physical
anatomy. They are described as metaphysical
counterparts to the endocrine glands. The lower
six chakras are linked to specific nerve plexuses
along the spinal cord as well as glands. They
exist in and through the supra-physical body.
They appear to be transformers transforming
subtle non-physical energies into energies that
can be utilized by the body. - The following features are common in all chakra
systems They form part of a subtle energy
body, along with the energy channels, or nadis,
and the subtle winds, or pranas They are
located along a central nadi, Sushumna, which
runs inside the spine Two other nadis, Ida and
Pingala, also run through the chakras, and
alongside Sushumna. They cross Sushumna at the
location of the chakras They possess a number
of 'petals' or 'spokes They are generally
associated with a mantra seed-syllable, and with
a variety of colours and deities (an incarnation
of goddess Para-shakti).
12Appearance of Chakras (Leadbeater)
13THE CHAKRAS
- The chakras may be metaphorically described as
buds of flowers, each with a certain number of
petals in relation to the 50 or 52 Devanagari
characters that are assigned to chakras and
petals. The number of petals corresponds to the
number of nadis or subtle energy connections
coming and going from each chakra, related to and
depending on a series of physical internal
components within the human body such as its
skeletal and peripheral nervous system parts, as
well as some specific physical structures within
the brain. They also pertain to the number of
phases of the moon (out of a total of 16), the
inner Lalana (or Talu/Talumula) chakra, between
2 petal Ajna and 16 petal Kantha, pertaining
to Amavasya (dark moon), i.e. 0 petals. - Shakti, the primordial female divine energy, is
said to lie sleeping in the root chakra like a
coiled serpent. Through both the buffeting of
physical plane experiences and later through the
conscious application of spiritual practices,
this sleeping kundalini energy arises through
the chakras, awakening them one by one from
bottom to top. - How does the awakening of the chakras take place
in Yoga? One concentrates directly upon the
location of the chakra. Visual meditation symbols
(Yantras) are looked upon and then visualized to
assist this process. Particular words (Mantras)
whose sound vibration is said to correspond to
the chakra are chanted aloud and then "listened
to" internally. Breathing exercises such as
Pranayama and the breath of fire are
practiced to fire up the process. - One needs to withdraw from worldly endeavors,
eat a vegetarian diet, avoid emotional stimuli,
practice celibacy, and have an advanced teacher
(Guru) who can see the chakras and can advise you
as to which practices to perform. The Guru will
see the movement of subtle energy within your
subtle bodies and change your daily practices
accordingly. Otherwise, great imbalances can
occur that can lead to mental/emotional imbalance
and even insanity.
14THE PRIMARY CHAKRAS
- 1st chakra (Guda or Mooladhara) This excretory
chakra has its physical location at the base of
the spine, in the perineum, the beginning point
of the central meridian. The basic issues of the
first chakra are survival, security, being
grounded, feeling safe. On this level, one seeks
pleasure and avoids pain. - 2nd chakra (Indri or Swadhishthana) This is
located about two inches below the navel at the
root of the genitals. Its main function is
urinary. Strong emotions are its expression. - 3rd chakra (Nabhi or Manipura) This is located
in the solar plexus area. The main issues of this
chakra are personal accomplishments and
dominance. It is characterized by a kind of
bodily knowing. The issues of the first three
chakras are those we, as humans, share with the
animals. - 4th chakra (Heart or Anahata) This is in the
middle between the three lower and the three
higher chakras. When this chakra begins to become
active, our concern shifts from "whats in it for
me?" to that which is for the good of the other. - 5th chakra (Kantha or Vishuddha) This has its
location in the area of the throat. The basic
physical function of this chakra is in verbal
communication. The higher function has to do with
the mystery of sound in the act of creation. - 6th chakra (3rd Eye or Ajna) This has its
physical location between and behind the eyebrows
(Bhru-madhya). - 7th chakra (false Astral Eye or Sahasrara or
1000-petalled) Its physical correspondence is
with the Thalamus, located between the four lobes
of the brain, marked at the middle of the
forehead. The chakra itself is said to be located
well above the head. When the highest chakra is
awake and functioning, time and space dissolve
into oneness. This is described as cosmic
consciousness.
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17Chakra Petals Color Glands Element Phase State
Crown (Sahasrara) 960, 972 (960 12) or 1000 Violet Pineal / /
Brow or 3rd Eye (Ajna) 96 (2 main lobes of 48 each) Indigo Pituitary / /
Throat (Vishuddha) 16 Cyan Thyroid Space /
Heart (Anahata) 12 Green Thymus/Heart/Lungs Air Gaseous
Solar Plexus or Navel (Manipura) 10 Yellow Digestive System glands Fire Plasmic
Sacral (Swadhisthana) 6 Orange Ovaries or Testes Water Liquid
Root or Base (Muladhara) 4 Red Adrenals Earth Solid
Coccyx 2 Magenta Coccygeal glomus / /
a little known chakra
THE CHAKRAS THEIR CORRSEPONDENCES
18Chakras with Devanagari Petal letters Bija
letters
19The Chakric Ladder
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21SAHASRARA CHAKRA
The 1000 petals of the Sahasrara, arranged in 20
layers, each containing 50 petals and the
arrangement of the petals giving (as a
cross-section) a bell-shaped appearance.
22PANCHA PADUKA
The letters forming the triangle and
the universe sprout from the Bindu.
- Pancha PAdukA (fivefold Footstool)
- consists of
- (1) The (twelve-petalled) lotus,
- (2) the triangle A-Ka-Tha in its pericarp,
- (3) the region of the Nada, Bindu, and
Mani-pieeha in it, - (4) the Ha?sa below and
- (5) the triangle on the Mani-pieeha.
Nº STAGES STAGES DURA-TIONin maa-traa(s) POINT OF EXPE-RIENCE TA-TTVA EXPE-RIENCE AC-TING AS A MILE-STONE OTHER ACHIEVE-MENTS AND FEATURES
1 AKAARA Grossutterance 1 In the navel The lowest ones The sound A is felt in the navel The journey back to Shivá starts from here.
2 UKAARA Grossutterance 1 In the heart Prakriti-13- The sound U is felt in the heart Realization of Prakriti or the undifferentiated source from which this "material" universe has arisen.
3 MAKAARA Grossutterance 1 In the mouth Maayaa-6- The sound M (really M or Anusvaara, or better Anunaasika) is felt in the mouth Realization of Maayaa as the matrix giving rise to all causes that will end up bringing about the whole aggregate of objects and subjects in lower tattva-s or categories.
4 BINDÚ Genericlight 1/2 In the spacebetween theeyebrows Sadvi-dyaa-5- The vision of a dot of light in the middle of the eyebrows Realization of the entire universe as compacted in the form of a dot of light (Bindú) symbolic of your present condition as the knower of that universe. Omnipotence dawns here.
5 ARDHA-CANDRA Formsassumedby Naadáor divineinarticulatesound 1/4 In the forehead Iishva-rá-4- The vision of a half-moon in the forehead, which results from the eclipse of Bindú You get to a state in which the objects stop being predominant and arises the predominance of the Supreme Subject. Omniscience dawns here.
6 NIRO-DHIKAAorNIRO-DHINII Formsassumedby Naadáor divineinarticulatesound 1/8 In the upper partof the forehead Sadaa-shiva-3- The vision of a straight line in the upper part of the forehead Objectivity is vanished and only remains the subjective aspect of the universal Manifestation. If you deserve to keep advancing, you will be able to do it, but if you do not deserve it, you will not be able to go beyond this stage... until you deserve it really. Nobody decides that but the Supreme Consciousness.
7 NAADÁ Formsassumedby Naadáor divineinarticulatesound 1/16 In Susumnaa Sadaa-shiva-3- A sound similar to the humming of bees or to the rippling produced by the rapids of a river, is heard You feel that sound fills up the entire universe. Naadá is in fact a form assumed by the Naadaanta stage itself.
8 NAADAANTA Formsassumedby Naadáor divineinarticulatesound 1/32 In Brahmarandhra Sadaa-shiva-3- The sound of a bell (a cowbell indeed) is heard in Brahmara-ndhra Perception of the first form taken by the Absolute Sound (Shabdabrahma) in his movement towards the universal Manifestation.
9 SHÁKTIorAAÑJANII Formsassumedby SamanaaHerself 1/64 In the skin Shákti-2- Waves after waves of sublime bliss are felt in the skin, along with a perception of all experiences (past, present and future) in one's own life as occurring right now in a kind of Eternal Present Cessation of the identification with the physical body and the subsequent expansion of knowledge. Omniscience that had merely dawned in the fifth stage of Ardhacandra, is now developed in the sphere of one's own individual life.
10 VYAAPIKAAorVYAAPINI Formsassumedby SamanaaHerself 1/128 At the root of theshíkhaa Shákti-2- Perception of all that existed, exists and will exist as existing right now in a sort of Eternal Present, simulta-neously All objects residing here as thoughts are withdrawn into the Supreme Shákti or Power. Omniscience is fully developed.
11 SAMANAA Formsassumedby SamanaaHerself 1/256 In the shíkhaa Shákti-2- Experience of an activity of thinking without any object of thought All temporal and spatial conditioning has been removed. Omnipotence, Omniscience and similar powers are at one's disposal.
12 UNMANAA The HighestReality 1/512(but it is reallyamaatraa) In the last partof the shíkhaa Shivá-2- Experience of the Highest Conscious-ness... what else might one say about it? FINAL EMANCI-PATION
23A-Ka-Tha Triangle of Letters
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25 Agya Chakra situated within the medulla
oblongata of the hindbrain
AJNA CHAKRA
26PRACTICES FOR AWAKENING 3RD EYE
- Anuloma Viloma Pranayama It is also called the
Alternate Nostril Breathing Technique. In this
breathing technique or pranayama, you inhale
through one nostril, retain the breath, and
exhale through the other nostril. - Trataka It is an external concentration or
visualization practice in which one gazes
steadily at some small object or an image,
without blinking, while your eyelids are held
slightly more open than usual. The practice is
continued until your eyes strain and water. - Shambhavi Mudra with Om Mantra It is an
open-eye meditation technique used to perceive
the divine light. During Shambhavi Mudra, the
eyes are not kept in the normal position, but are
moved to a fixed gaze at the eyebrow centre and
this implies a peculiar coordination of the
eyeball muscles. Once one is comfortable with the
position of the eyes, then one chants the Om
mantra. - Samyama Meditation It is a combined
simultaneous practice of Dhara?a, Dhyana, and
Samadhi which belongs to the yoga primarily
concerned with the mind called Raja Yoga or
royal union. - Factors that augment the likelihood that the
kundalini will become concentrated to the point
where it will powerfully rise upwards as current
of light and fire include Observance of
celibacy Body purification, fasting, cleansing
the body through Hatha yogic kriyas Breathing
exercises (Pranayama) that do not directly
stimulate the kundalini, but that clear the
etheric meridians and nadis Concentration of
attention on chakras of inner vehicles Careful
control of diet, eating only pure sattvic foods
Practice of sustained, non-moving coitus
(maithuna) by those who do not observe celibacy
Performing selfless service for a kundalini
master, who grants Shaktipat or hearing the
discourses and sitting in the presence of a
kundalini master Powerful longing to achieve
God Realization and love for the master (Bhakti).
27MINOR CHAKRAS ABOVE AJNA
- There are several minor chakras that are all
closely related at the top of the head. Rising
from Ajna, we have the Manas chakra on the
forehead. Above Manas there are Bindu Visarga at
the back of the head, Mahanada, Nirvana, which is
located on the crown, Guru, and then Sahasrara
proper, located above the crown - Manas (mind) It is located either between the
navel and the heart, close to Surya, or is
located above Ajna on the forehead. The version
on the forehead has 6 petals, connected to the 5
sense objects plus the mind. - Bindu Visarga (Indu, Chandra or Soma chakra) 16
petalled Bindu Visarga is located at the back of
the head, in a place where many Brahmins keep a
tuft of hair. It is symbolised by a crescent moon
on a moonlit night, with a point or Bindu above
it. This is the white Bindu, with which yogis try
to unite the red Bindu below, and it is the
source of the divine nectar or Amrita which falls
down to Vishuddhi for distribution throughout the
entire bodily system. This white drop is
considered the essence of sperm, while the red
Bindu is considered the essence of the menstrual
fluid. - Mahanada It is in the shape of a plough. It
represents the primal sound from which emanates
all of creation. - Nirvana/Brahmarandhra This is located on the
crown of the head. It is white in colour and
possesses 100 white petals. It marks the end of
the Sushumna central channel. It is responsible
for Savikalpa Samadhi. - Guru (Shri) This is located above the head,
just below Sahasrara proper. It is white, with 12
white petals. It contains a circular moon region,
within which is a downward pointing triangle
containing a jewelled altar with the crescent
moon below and circular Bindu above. Inside the
Bindu is the seat, upon which are the gurus
footstools, upon which are the Gurus feet.
28CHAKRAS ABOVE ANJA
29THE MINOR CHAKRAS
- Within the Sahasrara triangle are a series of
ever higher levels of consciousness chakras
Ama-kala, the first ring of Visarga is the
experience of Savikalpa samadhi. Nirvana-kala,
where kundalini absorbs even the experience of
samadhi, through the power of supreme control
(Nirodhika fire), and Nirvana shakti, which
contains the second ring of Visarga, where
kundalini passes into the supreme void, the
experience of Nirvikalpa samadhi, and becomes
Shankhini. Kundalini then wraps around and
absorbs the supreme Bindu, which is the Void, the
supreme Nada, and Shakti, and then unites with
and absorbs Sakala Shiva, before finally being
absorbed into Param Shiva, which is the final
stage of Nirvikalpa samadhi. Here, kundalini
becomes Shankhini with 3.1/2 coils The 1st coil
of Shankhini wraps around supreme Bindu, the 2nd
coil of Shankhini wraps around the supreme Nada,
the 3rd coil of Shankhini wraps around Shakti,
and the 1/2-coil of Shankhini enters into Shiva. - There are other minor chakras
- Lalana/Talu/Talana/Talumula It is situated in
the roof of the mouth, between Vishuddhi and
Ajna. 12 Yoga Nadis emanate from this centre. The
Lalana chakra on the roof of the mouth is related
to Bindu and Vishuddhi. When the nectar, Amrit
trickles down from Bindu, it is stored in Lalana.
This nectar can fall down to Manipura and be
burned up, causing gradual degeneration, or
through certain practices it can be passed to
Vishuddhi and purified, becoming a nectar of
immortality. - Hrit or Surya chakra This is located just below
the heart at the solar plexus, and is known as
the wish-fulfilling tree. It supports the actions
of Manipura chakra by providing it with the
element of heat, and is responsible for absorbing
energy from the sun. - Some models also have a series of 7 lower
chakras of Patalas below Muladhara that go down
the legs, but they do not appear to be correct.
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31Lalana or Talamula Chakra
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36GRANTHIS JADA SAMADHI
- Along the Sushumna channel there are three
knots (Granthis) of energy that will be broken or
untied along the upward journey of rising
kundalini, allowing the flow to go into and
through the various chakras above that
point Brahma granthi Blocking the flow from the
1st chakra upward to the others related to
bondage to desires. Vishnu granthi Blocking the
flow from the 3rd chakra upward to the 4th
chakra, Anahata, the heart related to bondage of
actions. Rudra granthi Blocking the flow beyond
the 6th chakra upwards towards Sahasrara related
to bondage of thoughts (compared to pure
knowing). All the three gods take the test of the
sadhaka before they give the way forward. - The area of the tuft on the head corresponds to
Bindu center inside the head. Inside Bindu, Moon
secretes Amrita or nectar and poison. This comes
down from Bindu Visarga and has its origin in
abode of Cosmic Consciousness, Sahasrara chakra
(Maha-Bindu). The Universal Pure Consciousness
becomes dilute as it comes down and individual
consciousness takes shape in Bindu Visarga. - Between Bindu and Vishuddha chakra, there is a
repository for the nectar in the vicinity of
nasopharynx. This reservoir, Lalana chakra or
Talumula is stimulated by the long tongue that
folds back into the nasopharnx and can occlude
the Ida and Pingala nadis. - The stimulation helps the Lalana chakra empty
the nectar into the Vishuddha chakra, which
processes the nectar and separates the pure form
from the poison. The pure form promotes health,
longevity, and regeneration of the body.
Vishuddha chakra neutralizes the poison. - Khechari Mudra involves folding back of the
tongue released from its anterior anchor by
cutting the frenulum at the bottom of the tongue
and pulling the tongue over many months to
elongate it so that it can fold back and reach
the openings at the back of the nose. This mudra
helps the tongue taste the nectar from Bindu to
Bindu Visarga and Lalana reservoir. Yogis can
live on air and nectar.
37The Caduceus
38ZOROASTRIANISM 16 Main Chakhras from Head to
Feet out of over 72 in the Aura
39Macrocosm refers to the entire creation. It is
only when a Jiva is graced by a Sant-Satguru or
Perfect Master, can he traverse it and merge with
the Creator
40PHYSICAL 0 Ajna, Third Eye, Teesra
Til ASTRAL 1 Sahans-dal-kanwal or
Sahasrara CAUSAL 2 Trikuti SUPRA-CAUSAL 3
Daswan Dwar 4 Bhanwar Gupha SPIRITUAL 5 Sat
Lok 6 Alakh Lok 7 Agam Lok 8 Anami Lok
CHAKRAS ACCORDING TO SANT-MAT?
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