Layayoga: The Definitive Guide to the Chakras and Kundalini (62 page)

In the Pouranika accounts, we also find that the hrit lotus stands for the anahata. The order of the chakras as given here is: adhara (muladhara), manipura, hridaya (hrit lotus), wishuddhi and ajña (—Shiwapurana, 3.3.28). Here the swadhishthana has not been mentioned. But it is stated that hridaya, that is hrit lotus, stands between the manipura and wishuddhi. This hrit lotus is clearly anahata. Further, jiwatman which is situated in the hridaya (the padma in the heart region) is to be brought through the brahma nadi to the sahasrara which is above the twelve-petalled lotus (guru chakra) (—Shiwapurana, 3.5.52,53). This hrit padma is the anahata. Concentration should be done on the sun-coloured (red) lotus, with 12 petals which are decorated with the 12 letters from ka to tha, and is inside the heart (that is the hrit lotus) (—
ibid
., 5b.29. 136,137). This lotus is clearly anahata.

In the following verses, the hrit lotus stands for the anahata: concentration is to be done on the letter ‘a’ lying in the heart (hrit lotus) (—Brahmapurana, 61.4); Shiwa is situated in the sahasrara, the eyebrow region (ajña), the palatine region (talu chakra), the throat region (wishuddha chakra) and the heart region (hrit chakra) (-Liṅgapurana, 2.21.28); The nyasa of the mantra Hang should be done in the muladhara, of Rang in the hridaya (heart lotus), of
Ing
in the eyebrow region (ajña chakra), and Hring in the head region (sahasrara chakra) (—Dewibhagawata, 7.40.7). In this order—anal region, genital region, navel region, heart region (—Dewibhagawata, 11.1.43), the hrit lotus in the heart region is anahata.

We have to investigate farther to know whether the hrit is an independent chakra. It has been stated that mental worship should be done on Power situated in the hritpundarika (hrit lotus) (—Gandharwatantra, ch. 11, p. 48). Here the hritpundarika is hrit padma (hrit chakra). Concentration on Goddess Durga, who is in the hrit padma (hrit lotus), is to be done (—Mayatantra, ch. 8, p. 7). Most probably, here hrit chakra has been indicated. Hrit padma mentioned in the Wishwasaratantra, ch. 3, p. 39, may also be hrit chakra. Concentration should be done on Shiwa and Power in the hrit padma (—Mundamalatantra, ch. 6, p. 10), and on the Goddess Kalika in hridayambhoja (hrit padma) (—
ibid
., ch. 6, p. 12). Here the hrit padma and hridayambhoja may be hrit chakra. It has been stated that hrit padma should be given as a seat to the Goddess Kalika (in mental worship) (—Mahanirwanatantra, 5.143). Jaganmohana interprets the eight-petalled lotus in the heart as the seat. In this case it is the hrit lotus. But it can be interpreted as the anahata chakra. The term hridayambhuja (—
ibid
., 5.130) has been interpreted as hrit padma by the commentator Hariharananda, and hridaya padma by Jaganmohana. In both cases it means hrit chakra.

It has been stated more clearly in the Shrikrama (quoted in the Yogakalpalatika MS) that the hrit padma (lotus) has eight petals. More details have been given in the Gitasara in which it has been stated that the hrit padma has eight petals on which are situated eight deities, Indra and others; inside it (that is, inside the pericarp) is the sun, inside the sun is the moon, and inside the moon is the fire; inside the fire is radiance where a seat is located which is ornamented with jewels, and which is very bright; on this seat God Narayana is sitting (—Gitasara, 290–293, quoted in the Yogakalpalatika MS). It has been stated that in the heart region is the fourth lotus anahata with twelve petals, and the bright eight-petalled lotus with its face upwards lies in the interior of the anahata (—Yogaswarodaya, quoted in the Amarasanggraha MS). That the eight-petalled lotus (that is, hrit lotus) with its face downwards is within the shining fourth lotus with twelve petals (i.e., anahata) is also stated in the Tattwayogabindu MS. The eight-petalled lotus (i.e., the hrit chakra) which is within the anahata is of golden colour, and there is the celestial wishing-tree (kalpataru) shining red in the pericarp, and at the base of the tree is a gemmed seat (—Mridanritantra, quoted in the Amarasanggraha MS).

The existence of the hrit chakra has been mentioned in the Waidika accounts. It has been stated that Atman is within the golden lotus (hemapundarika) (—Atmaprabodhopanishad, 1.3). This golden lotus is eight-petalled, subtle, stainless and untouched by physical impurities (—Taittiriya Aranyaka, 10.12). The lotus-like hridaya (that is, hrit-lotus) with its face downwards is situated both under (anahata) and above the navel (manipura), and at its boundary is a subtle hole (sushumna), within which all lies (the whole chakra system) (—Narayanopanishad, Mantras 50, 51). This means that the hrit chakra is situated above the manipura and below the anahata, and within the sushumna where all the other chakras lie. In fact, this hrit chakra belongs to the anahata and forms its lower part. The lotus-like hridaya in the sushumna also lies with its face downwards (—Brahmopanishad, Mantra 34). It is the hrit chakra. It has been stated that the lotus-like hridaya with its face downwards should be raised upwards by sitkara (pranayama); within the hridaya is superlight and within it lies the most subtle fire-flame and within that again is Purusha, who is the Supreme Being (—Mahopanishad, 1. 12–14). The hridaya is the hrit chakra, which remains usually with its face downwards. Its face should be turned upwards by special pranayama. In the pericarp of the raised hrit chakra is ‘seen’ the fire-flame-like Kundalini from which is radiated superlight. In deeper concentration Purusha—Supreme Consciousness—is revealed within Kundalini.

In the following mantras, the hrit chakra has been indicated: fully opened eight-petalled hrit (—Gopalatapinyupanishad, Part 2, Mantra 60); concentration on Supreme Being within the hritpundanka (hrit lotus) (—Maitreyyupanishad, 1.12); concentration on the universal form of God situated in the hridaya-amburuha (hrit lotus) (—Trishikhibrahmanopanishad, Mantra Section, 153); The imperishable Brahman light is within the hritpundarika (hrit lotus) (—
ibid
., Mantra Section 156); the divine existence in the hridayakamala (hrit lotus) as the internal sign (—Mandalabrahmanopanishad, 2.4.4); the lotus which is situated in the heart region (i.e., the hrit lotus) lies with its face downward (—Yogatattwopanishad, Mantra 137).

In the Pouranika accounts, hrit padma has also been accepted as a separate chakra. Krishna says: ‘Controlling the mind in the hridaya (heart)’ (—Bhagawadgita, 8.12), and Ishwara (God) is situated in the hrit desha (heart region)’ (—
ibid
., 18.61). Here, both ‘hridaya’ and ‘hrit desha’ possibly indicate hrit chakra. In the statements—the manifestation of lightning-like splendorous form of Supreme Being in the hritpadmakosha (—Bhagawata, 4.9.2) and the practice of concentration by Dhruwa by fixing the mind in the hridaya (—
ibid
., 4.8.77), the hrit chakra has been indicated.

In ‘the eight-petalled hritpundarika’ (—Shiwapurana, 3.3.59), the hrit chakra has also been indicated. Moreover, it shows that the hrit chakra has eight petals. More description of the hrit chakra has been given here: The excellent hritpankaja (hrit lotus), situated in the hridaya (the heart region) should be opened by pranayama with mantra; in the pericarp of the lotus, concentration should be done on the sun, moon and fire; a gemmed seat should be thought of in the pericarp; the lotus should be thought of as a delicate, beautiful, red like morning sun, in the form of the mantra-letters and with eight forms of superpower in its petals; concentration on God Wishu should be done in this lotus (—Skandapurana, 2.5.4.21–4). Here, the hrit chakra has been described as having 8 petals of red colour, in which are situated the eight forms of superpower; in its pericarp are the sun, moon and fire, and a gemmed seat; it is an excellent lotus for concentration.

It has been stated in its further exposition that the eight-petalled lotus lying with its face downwards is within the lotus which forms its outer aspect; ‘in its pericarp is the (circular) sun region within which lies Shiwa in his most subtle aspect’ (—Skandapurana, 6.29. 153–4). The hrit lotus may have one thousand petals according to the mode of concentration. It has been stated that concentration on Ishtadewata is made in the hrit padma (hrit chakra) which is bright, white and with one thousand petals (—Brahmawaiwartapurana, 1.26.8). The thousand-petalled hritsaroruha ( = hrit padma, i.e. hrit chakra) has also been mentioned in the Brahmawaiwartapurana, 4.37.10. The hrit chakra has also been described as having sixteen petals. It has been stated that ‘the three nadis (sushumna, ida. and piṅgala) have been united in the heart where lies a sixteen-petalled chakra which is the seat for concentration and mantra-japa; as this chakra arises in the hridaya (that is, lying in the heart region) it is called the original sixteen-petalled chakra’ (—Kalikapurana, 55. 32–4).

In another description, it has been stated that ‘the pundarika in the hridaya (the heart region) is above the navel (manipura) which is in the nature of spiritual knowledge, and its pericarp is untouched by passion; this lotus has eight petals having superpowers, and is white, and the prana wayus are also there’ (—Liṅgapurana, 1.86.62–4). The order of the different chakras as given in the verse ( Skandapurana, 1.2.55.44) is as follows: in the navel (i.e., manipura), in the heart (i.e., hrit lotus), in the lungs lies the lotus with twelve petals (i.e., anahata). In this order the hrit lotus stands between the manipura and the anahata; it has been accepted as an individual chakra.

In the following passages, the hrit chakra has been indicated: the God Shiwa is situated in the hritpundarika (hrit padma) (Shiwapurana, 1.71.70); concentration on Shiwa and Shakti (Power) situated in the hritpaṅkaja (hrit padma) (—
ibid
., 3.3.54); the worship of Shiwa and Shakti on the seat within hrit padma by dhyana-yajña (concentration) (—
ibid
., 5b. 29.131); after concentrating on the shining bija-mantra Kshoung lying within the hrit-paṅkaja (hrit padma) burn all impurities by the directed flames of the bija radiating in all directions (—Agnipurana, 23.3); worship splendorous Atman situated in the hridabja (hrit padma) (—Garudapurana, 1.18.13); concentration on Deity Brahma situated in the pericarp of the hrit padma (—Padmapurana, 1.15.188); concentration on all-pervading attributeless Supreme Being situated in the hollow of the hrit padma (—Brahmapurana, 235.20); Brahma saw Krishna exteriorly in the same form in which he had ‘seen’ him in the hridayambhoja (hrit padma) (—Brahmawaiwartapurana, 4.20. 18); concentration on Supreme Power in the hridaya (hrit padma) (—Kalikapurana, 55.26); Shiwa is situated in the hritpundarika (hrit padma) (—Sourapurana, 41.81; Liṅgapurana, 1.98.96); concentration on Supreme Power in the hridambhoja (hrit padma) opened by pranayama (—Dewibhagawata, 7.40.9).

All the above statements indicate the existence of hrit padma as a separate chakra. Now our findings about the hrit chakra may be summarized as follows.

The hrit chakra, though not included in the six-chakra group, is the fourth chakra, above the manipara, and lies in the chitrini nadi.

Terminology

The following are the Tantrika terms for the hrit chakra:

1  Hrit padma, mentioned in the Mayatantra, ch. 8, p. 7; Wishwasaratantra, ch. 3, p. 39; Mundamalatantra, ch. 6, p. 10; Mahanirwanatantra, 5.143; Shrikramasanghita, quoted in the Yogakalpalatika MS; Griasara, quoted in the Yogakalpalatika MS.

2  Hritpundarika, mentioned in the Gandharwatantra, ch. 11, p. 48.

3  Hridayambhoja, mentioned in the Mundamalatantra, ch. 6, p. 12.

4  Eight-petalled padma, mentioned in the Yogaswarodaya, quoted in the Amarasanggraha MS; Mridanitantra, quoted in the Amarasanggraha MS.

5  Eight-petalled Kamala, mentioned in the Tattwayogabindu MS.

6  Sixteen-petalled padma, mentioned in the Tararahasya, ch. 4, p. 22.

Waidika terms:

1  Hridaya chakra, mentioned in the Soubhagyalakshmyupanishad, 3.4.

2  Hrit padma, mentioned in the Gopalatapinyupanishad, Part 2, Mantra 60.

3  Hridaya padma, mentioned in the Yogatattwopa nishad, Mantras 137–8.

4  Hridaya kamala, mentioned in the Mandalabrahmanopanishad, 2.4.4.

5  Hridaya-amburuha, mentioned in the Trishikhibrahmanopanishad, Mantra Section, Mantra 153.

6  Hridaya padmakosha, mentioned in the Narayanopanishad, Mantra 50; Brahmopanishad, Mantra 34; Mahopanishad, 1.12.

7  Hritpundarika, mentioned in the Maitreyyupanishad, 1.12; Trishikhibrahmanopanishad, Mantra Section, Mantra 156.

8  Hemapundarika, mentioned in the Atmaprabodhopanishad, 1.3.

Pouranika terms:

1  Hrit padma, mentioned in the Shiwapurana, 5b.29.131; Padmapurana, 1.15. 188; 3.31.41; Brahmapurana, 235.20; Brahmawaiwartapurana, 1.26.8; Kalikapurana, 18.76; Garudapurana, 1.23.35.

2  Hritpadmakosha, mentioned in the Bhagawata, 4.9.2.

3  Hritpuhdarika, mentioned in the Shiwapurana, 1.71.70; 3.3.59; Sourapurana, 34.59; 41.81; Liṅgapurana, 1.98.96.

4  Hritparikaja, mentioned in the Shiwapurana, 3.3.54; Agnipurana, 23.3; Skandapurana, 2.5.4.21.

5  Hritsaroruha, mentioned in the Brahmawaiwartapurana, 4.37.10.

6  Hridabja, mentioned in the Garudapurana, 1.18.13.

7  Hridambuja, mentioned in the Brahmawaiwartapurana, 4.20.30.

8  Hridambhoja, mentioned in the Dewibhagawata, 7.40.9.

9  Hridayambhoja, mentioned in the Brahmawaiwartapurana, 4.20.18; 4.20.32.

10  Hridaya Kamala, mentioned in the Liṅgapurana, 2.18.36.

11  Hridaya pundarika, mentioned in the Liṅgapurana, 1.86.63.

12  Hridaya (lotus in the heart region), mentioned in the Bhagawadgita, 8.12; Bhagawata, 4.8.77; Skandapurana, 1.2.55 44; Brahmawaiwartapurana, 4.20.38; Kalikapurana, 55.26.

13  Hrit desha (lotus in the heart region), mentioned in the Bhagawadgita, 18.61.

14  Ashta-patra (lotus with 8 petals), mentioned in the Skandapurana, 6.29.153.

15  Adi shodasha chakra (Primary sixteen-petalled chakra), mentioned in the Kalikapurana, 55.33.

Position

The hrit chakra is situated in the heart region above the manipura and just below the anahata, which is also in the heart region. The hrit chakra is, in fact, a part of the anahata, forming its inferior aspect. But the hrit chakra should be considered as an individual chakra.