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Before going any further, it is necessary for one to
understand some of the ancient scientific factors related to
body, mind and soul.
Ancient seers and philosophers from their experience are
of the opinion that Brahmam is the one and the only one
without a second. Brahmam is indescribable with dazzling
light and everything emanated from it. It is truth, pure
light that is Sath, Chit, that is Intelligence and Ananda or
pleasure. This is to be read on the macro level. There are
differences at the micro level, though.
One opinion is that after realization, the personal Atma
become one with Paramatma, the Brahmam. A second opinion
says Atma becomes similar to Brahmam. Third opinion says
Atma is quite distinct. We are not concerned with this as
only very few go up and reach that level and it is no use to
deliberate on this here.
Despite the difference on the matter of the Soul,
everybody agrees without dissent that there is PRAKRITI, the
material part from which the world has come out, the world
as we see it. This Prakriti the seers say is both TRUTH AND
UNTRUTH. Truth because it remains in macro level and never
dissolves except becoming dissolved and remaining dormant in
realized people. Untruth because it dissolves itself,
melting its parts one by one during the practice of yoga in
advanced stage. It suffices to understand this much without
going into arguments.
Prakriti is called Mahat from which Ahankara emanated
firstly and this has three attributes called Trigunas. These
are Satva (good , light, fluorescence, white, etc.), Rajas
(Active and Red) and Tamas (ignorance and black). From the
three different attributed parts of Ego emanated the five
Tanmatras, the minutest matter considered more minute than
the present day concept of Atoms.
The combination of these Tanmatras in certain proportions
of the three Gunas resulted in Mind, Budhi , personal Ego
and Chitha. These are the four parts of the Human mind. This
is called Anthakarana Chathushtaya, which literally means
combination of the four parts of the internal organ, the
mind. The matters that emanated from the Mahat one by one in
descending order are called five elements which are
Tanmatras as said above.
Akasha, which cannot be equated to the present ETHER and
it is much more than that. From Akasha came Vayu, which is
mainly Prana but is AIR in the physical sense. From Air came
Agni or Fire again to be understood mainly as Heat and Cold.
From Agni came Apas which is water, which is also to be
understood as liquidity. And from Agni came Bhu which may be
understood as solidity.
The entire body structure as well as the mind structure
is made of a combination of these five elements, which are
minute in nature in certain proportions. For descriptions to
understand the body composition, one has to study Ayurveda,
a separate science. Similarly for understanding the genes,
one has to refer to Astrological science. Genes may not be
visible for normal persons through Astrology. For this, one
needs to go deep with intense devotion.
There is a saying in the Mythologies of India as follows:
THOSE DESTINED TO KNOW THE MEANING OF VEDAS (KNOWLEDGE)
AUTOMATICALLY COME TO KNOW. OTHERS, DESPITE REPEATED
INSTRUCTIONS WILL NEVER COME TO KNOW.
As such, there is no use delving into Vedas unless one is
destined for them. Also, the meaning will be revealed in
different aspects and angles to the persons according to
their devotion and practice. The meaning thus revealed will
be without much variation from main theme.
As per ancient science, Agni or the 'heat and cold' is
responsible for the conduct of the bodily functions. Vayu,
or the Air, is responsible for the conduct of the Pranic
functions. Aditya, also called Indra i.e. waves of light,
thunder, waves of sound etc. is responsible for the egoistic
soul of the human being.
Everybody knows physiology and therefore we are not
delving into this matter. Let us go further. Every science
student during his days of study in the school might have
seen the microscopic picture of the sperm. This is the major
aspect which takes its shape into body keeping itself in the
centre portion of the body as the brain and the spine. It is
here the entire mechanism of life is centered around and
expands out. For Yoga, this particular portion is extremely
important. Also important is the Pranic energy which
regulates the entire day to day operations of the body and
the mind. This energy is centered slightly above the root of
the spine remaining dormant till it is awakened by yogic
practice. As long it is not awakened, it just conducts the
normal functions. Once awakened, an enormous power can be
experienced by the practitioner.
Whatever yoga we practice, awakening of this energy is
the primary necessary corollary that needs to be achieved.
In our next article we will deal the normal functions of
this energy (To be continued.)
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