Ajna Chakra :

Ajñā Chakra, Ajneya Chakra, Drikuti:

Ajñā Chakra:

Ajna ( आज्ञा) Agya, Ajneya, Brow chakra or third eye chakra, is the sixth primary chakra in the body . It is the mind center. It signifies the subconscious mind and it has the direct link to ultimate reality. 

Location:

 The Ajna chakra is located in the center of the forehead between the eyebrows.The location makes it a sacred spot where Hindus apply a tilak bindi to show reverence for it.

Ajñā Chakra appearance:

Ajna Chakra is described as a transparent lotus flower with two white petals, which represent the Ida nadi and Pingala nadi.The vibrations of these Nadis are represented by the  letters:- (Ham, हं) and (Ksham, क्षं).  They meet the central Sushmna nadi in the Ajñā Chakra. The Chakra is of pure white colour or like that of the full moon. This Chakra corresponds to Tapo-Loka. The corresponding centre in the physical body is at the Cavernous Plexus and pituitary gland. The letter "ham" (हं) written in white on the left petal represents Shiva, while the letter "ksham" (क्षं) written in white on the right petal represents Shakti.

Inside the pericarp of the flower is the Hakini Shakti.

Hakini Shakti:

Hākinī personifies the energy of the Ajna Chakra. Hakini Shakti is one form of Shakti, the divine mother goddess and consort of Shiva who represents the Creative energy and Power of the universe. As a symbol the goddess, Hakini Shakti is depicted with pale pink skin, six arms and six heads and sitting on a lotus flower. Three of her hands hold Shiva's drum or damaru, a skull and a Rudrakshi bead mala (prayer beads). Her fourth hand is raised in a gesture of dispelling fear.

Lotus represents Chakra. Shiva's drum(damaru) indicates continuous  process of creation; skull indicates process of dissolution; Rudrakshi bead mala represents Jnaana (knowledge) through which she functions; raised hand in varada pose indicates her blessings grace. Six heads represents five basic elements and mind through  which she creates Universe. In Shaivism she is also known as Cit- Shakti.

Cit-Shakti  is Cit, as Shakti or energy. Cit is not the mind. Mind is a medium through which Cit manifests. Cit is behind the  mind and creates or manifests through mind. Cit-Shakti  is internal spiritual mind power or creative power present in both Jeevatma(individual) and Paramatma(God). Using this inherent power of the mind one can create what one wants. Manifestation of Cit is intensely obscured by the tamoguna of Prakriti-Shakti. (Established in the End of the Sixteen, she pervades the Void and discerns reality in the Darkness of Māyā). 

At individual level of aspirant,

 Cit is "The Reality which remains after all thoughts are given up."( Varaha Upanishad (Chap. IV) . What it is in Itself is unknown but  it is fully realized only in the highest state of samadhi and in liberation when Spirit is free of its of mind and matter - "State of intense Awareness".

Logical thought is inherently dualistic and therefore pre-supposes a subject and object. "Cit" is Being or Reality itself. But in that ultimate state of experience or Anubhava the divergence has gone there is the Ekaatma (ಏಕಾತ್ಮ, Oneness), continuous mystic experience to be experienced. The self becomes its own object. To the exalted Yogi the whole universe is not different from himself. This is the path of the "upward-going Kundalini" (Urddhva-Kundalini).

Principle of veiling (Maya-Shakti) is the part of Prakruti Shakti, which ceaselessly works in preventing men from seeing the eternal truth of Ekatma or Oneness.

  Activating and balancing the Hakini Shakti energy  is associated with imagination, clairvoyance, intuition and  our inner knowledge(Arivu, ಅರಿವು). 

Mantra for Hakini : Om Hakini namaha.

 In the center of the lotus there is downward-facing triangle and OM syllable. Triangle along with the lotus flower represents Wisdom and  Enlightenment. Syllable OM  connects it to the Divine.

The downward-pointing triangle above Hākinī  contains a white lingam known as Ithera lingum.

Ithera linga or Mahalinga:

In the Ajna Chakra there resides a two-petaled lotus, inside of which is found the Shakti Trikona or Yoni. Inside the trikona or triangle exists the Itara Shiva linga white in colour which shines with electrifying brilliance. Itara linga is located at the Ajna chakra in the kundalini passage in the Sushumna nadi.

It is linked with Rudra granthi one of the three Granthis or knots who pose a obstruction to the flow of Kundalini Shakti.

Deity:

The deity associated with the Ajna Chakra is Ardhanarishvara, symbolizes unity of both Shakti and Shiva (Shiva Shakti Samputa). In Shaivism, Ardhanarishvara is a symbol of Shiva's all-pervasive nature and a symbolism of creation of universe, by Shiva and Shakti. Ardhanarishvara represents the synthesis of masculine and feminine energies of the universe . Although depicated as male and female in sculptures, they are actually the masculine and feminine energies. They illustrates how Shakti, the female principle of God is inseparable from  Shiva, the male principle of God. The union of these principles is exalted as the root and womb of all creation. Hence Ardhanarishvar is the deity of Ajñā Chakra as from this point manifestation and creation of universe started. In a aspirant (Sadhaka) if the inner masculine and feminine are in balance and meet, he enters a higher level into unmani or a state of ecstasy.

 Ardhanarishvara or Shiva-Shakti, resides within the Lingam and symbolizes the uniity of Shiv and  Shakti.

Ardhanarishvar also symbolises seamless merging of two cultures Shaivism and Shaktism one worshipper of Shiva and other worshipper of Devi as equal half. This is depicated in Purana stories as Shakti becoming consort of Shiva.

In Shivayoga Ajna chakra is the chakra where Shiva and Sadhaka /Anga and Linga  merge connecting individual consciousness to the universal  consciousness. At Ajna chakra spiritual energy reveals portals that enfold time, space and aspirant merges  with Universal Consciousness of oneness, Truth, Pure awareness and Bliss (Sat-Chit-Ananda). Sadhaka' s  life becomes blissful and perfectly balanced in all spheres of life.

Shiva Shakti:

The two hemispheres of the brain are  controlled by 

 Shiva tatva and Shakti tatva. 

The left hemisphere where Shiva is seen  controls the rational logical thinking and right side of the body. Rational thinking means mental deductive planning and hypothesizing. These are considered  to be masculine vibrations or Yang,

 The right side of the brain where Shakti is seen is the source of intuition and creativity, instinct, feeling,  sense of joy and wonder and this controls left side of the body. These are the feminine vibrations or Yin. So the traditional Yogic science on both lobe theory and  crossing over by nerve fibres and controlling opposite side of body is well grounded in medical science.

Shiva known as Purusha, is aware consciousness or universal consciousness. Devi known as  Prakriti or Shakti, is the dynamic principle of the Universe in the unfolding action of life creation sustenence and laya.

The Ardhanarishwara, the masculine- feminine, Shiva Shakti merged, united, integral (Shiv Shakti samputa)has always been the ultimate goal and aspiration of the yogis.

Ajna chakra is connected with the sixth layer of our aura, known as the celestial layer in aura science.

 

Element: Mind

Color: Indigo, 

Energy: from Hakini Shakti.

Mantra:

Ajna chakra's  seed syllable is "Om". Pranava Om is the supreme sound of the universe. Om also helps to access the powers of intuition and insight and connect us to the Divine.

Bhrumadhya:

The  Bhru means 'eyebrow' and Madhya means 'centre'. Therefore, the meaning of bhrumadhya is 'eyebrow centre'. This exactly describes the location, of this point. It is also called Drikuti - 'the dwelling place at the eyebrows'.

The Ajñā chakra and bhrumadhya are really part of the same centre. Ajna chakra at the top of the spine is connected directly to the bhrumadhya between the two eyebrows by a psychic passage called Maha-nadi. Therefore, stimulation of bhrumadhya will also stimulate Ajñā chakra. Since the bhrumadhya is much easier to locate, it is widely used in yogic practices to awaken Ajna Chakra. 

 At Ajñā Chakra  Ida and Pingala end and merge with Sushumna nadi. These three nadis merge together to become Sushumna alone. For this reason, the bhrumadhya is also called "mukta triveni" ie the place of three strands meet and  from which  aspirant gains liberation.

 Bhrumadhya is also called Prayaga after a town in India which lies at the junction of the rivers Ganges and Jamuna, and the mythical underground river Saraswati, which connects them. These three rivers represent ida, pingala and sushumna nadis respectively.

Bhrumadhya lies directly in front of Ajñā Chakra. In many yogic practices, bhrumadhya is utilized to awaken Ajna chakra. In kriya yoga, one must try to locate Ajñā directly.

Bhrumadhya can be regarded as the kshetram of Ajñā chakra, although actually the relationship is much more direct. Ajñā chakra is the bridge between the microcosm and the macrocosm, between the finite and the infinite and between man and Pure consciousness. Thus Ajñā Chakra is the means by which Consciousness manifests into sadhaka (aspirant) and and communs with the Source. If  the Ajñā Chakra or the door of subtle perception is balanced in aspirant everything would appear as it really is ie "Infinite". When the mind becomes quite, harmonized and one-pointed, then one can see through the Ajñā Chakra into the Infinite. Without awakening Ajñā Chakra it is impossible to gain wisdom and open up the deeper layers of one's being, to reach Oneness, experience Anubhava or to become Shivayogi.

Third eye in other cultures:

The mystics of ancient Greece knew of the Ajna chakra. Plato wrote: "In all men there is the eye of the soul, which can be re-awakened by the correct means. It is far more precious than ten thousand physical eyes." There are many methods of helping to open up the Ajna. Plato was initiated by a mystical sect and was the disciple of Socrates; he therefore utilized the appropriate methods that he was taught.

Many sects and traditions symbolize the Ajna Chakra by an open eye,  shown on the forehead of a deity, Adiyogi.

Many statues of Buddha indicate the Ajna Chakra by a jewel placed at the eyebrow centre. This is the divine eye of perception that Buddha awakened when he sat under the bodhi tree and was enlightened. This leads to the Sahasrara Chakra indicated by a large number of petals around the head of Buddha.

 Shiva and Dakshina Kali, have a third eye on the forehead. Many rituals of India involves placing a tilaka on the forehead of all people during a religious occasion. Hindu women wear a tilaka on their forehead at all times. This tilaka symbolizes the bhrumadhya and Ajna chakra.

Many people, such as the ancient Egyptians and the American Indians, wore special head garments that symbolized the third eye at the eyebrow centre. Often a snake is shown emerging from the forehead, indicating that the kundalini rises through Ajna via Sushumna.

Function:

Ajna translates as "authority" or "command" and is considered the third or inner eye of intuition, intellect,  insight, self-realization, inspiration and imagination. This Chakra guides the yogi towards self-realization and spiritual understanding. The energy of the Ajna Chakra allows us to not only see but to understand the inner and outer worlds. Its associated sense organ is "Mind" and is closely associated with the brain. When Ajna chakra is stimulated, both hemispheres of the brain work together and help us transcend dualistic thinking(Dvaita)and move to Oneness(Advaita). Spiritually, this chakra can lead to a higher level of consciousness and a realization that the Self and Universe are one. It can access clairvoyant abilities, and destroy the negative feelings.This chakra helps in merging the concept of “I” (the individual consciousness)with the whole(the universal consciousness).  This means this chakra helps you see the interconnectedness of everything and feel free from the self (aham)l)and see oneself as part of the whole.

Through yoga meditation breathing techniques and mantra chanting, the yogi focuses on directing life force energy from the Muladhara (root) chakra upward along the spine to the Ajna Chakra. At Ajna chakra, the Ida nadi (feminine energy channel) and the Pingala nadi (masculine energy channel) meet the central energy channel known as Sushumna nadi. The feminine energy of Shakti and the masculine energy of Shiva merge at Ajna Chakra, ending duality.

Imbalance of the Chakra:

An underactive Ajna Chakra can lead to confusion, lack of focus, lack of purpose, and depression. It leads to a feeling of monotony- like you’re stuck in routine.  This results in lack of clarity and perspective. 

An over-active Ajna Chakra can lead to living in a fantasy– a loss-of-touch with reality. It can lead to hallucinations and disassociation from the physical world.

Balancing the Chakra:

Practicing yoga and meditation can help balance the Ajna chakra. This chakra is particularly important in Kundalini yoga, Rajyoga and Linganga yoga. These aim to nourish the Ajna’s energies and cultivate one's intuition and insight.

In addition to yoga and 

meditation other strategies that can help unblock the Ajna chakra are stargazing,crystal gazing, Trataka yoga, listening to classical music.

Mudra: Hākinī mudra

Bring the hands together with the fingertips and thumb tips of both hands touching each other.

 Have the thumbs pointing towards the body, arms relaxed and elbows pointed out the the sides. Continue meditation.

Nadi Shodhana Pranayama : like Anuloma Viloma

Asanas: Balasana or child’s pose 

Meditation: Meditation with  Visualization of the third eye chakra as a radiant ball of indigo light swirling at the brow point spinning in a counter clockwise direction to cleanse and in a clockwise direction to balance.

Shambhavi Mudra is called as 'the eyebrow center gazing gesture'. Gazing  at the space between the two eye-brows is known as Shambhavi mudra or Bhrumadya drashti. Sadhaka acquires all the 8 major and 32 minor Siddhis.  It is very powerful gesture used in meditation. It is used to bring the mind into a state of balance and experience higher states of consciousness. By doing Shambhavi Mahamudra it was  found that in three months neuronal regeneration in the brain became 241% higher than normal.  

Trataka yoga :

Trataka yoga a tantric method of meditation that involves staring at a single point such as a small object, black dot or candle flame. It is said to bring energy to the "third eye" and promote various psychic abilities. 

Trataka yoga is practiced in Rajyoga and Lingaanga yoga.

Lingaanga yoga :

Shivayoga which combines all the yogas preached by Shiva to Saptarshis like Jnanayoga, Karmayoga, Bhaktiyoga, Kriyayoga, Hathayoga, Mantrayoga and Kundalini yoga is a process requiring great responsibility and it is beyond most people. Even to keep the energy at Ajna chakra is very difficult. 12th century Sharanas under the leadership of Guru Basavanna  found out a shorter version of Shivayoga using trataka yoga and Ishtalinga. They called it Lingaanga yoga. Sharanas preached and practiced this where sadhaka go to Ajñā chakra directly. Hence it is known as Rajayoga as the path is shorter and is a better path. (Brahmakumaris also use trataka yoga and call it Rajayoga and they use a  light source to gaze) In olden days it is prohibited for a seeker to share and reveal his  experiences. But Shivsharanas have shared their experiences through Vachanas. It is also known as Ishtalinga Shivayoga. It redefines Quantum mechanics and considered to be easiest way to activate 7 Chakras. 

Ishtalinga is made up of 

1) Chandrakant shile 

2)Suryakanta shile

3) Natural Magnet 

4) Anjana 

5) Ingalic

6) Aragu

7) Ghee Lamp black.

8) Guru oil ...etc  Total 14-16 components are present. 

When Ishtalinga is kept on plam due to body temperature electrons in the carbon of Istalinga are said to be activated resulting in chain of reactions which  activate pineal gland and secretion of melotonin.

*12 th century veera-veeraagini sharane Akka Mahadevi immersed in Lingaanga yoga.

As the result of steadfast gaze at the Ista-Linga, transmuted energies rise up the spinal nerve channel, into the Medulla oblongata  through the Pons and Mid brain,  then pass down into the Pituitary gland  which is at the same plane and posterior to the eyes. The increasing Pituitary radiations finally pass through the Third Ventricle  until they awaken the dormant Pineal gland and the  "Third Eye" lights up between them.

Aroma therapy - smelling patchouli, myrrh and frank incense essential oils.

 Stones - carrying or wearing amethyst, tourmaline and tanzanite gemstones.

Ajna system:

Ajna Chakra is associated with

Second Bindu, Manas Chakra, Indu Chakra, Itara Linga, Hakini Shakti. Together they constitute Ajñā System.

- to be continued...

-✍️Dr.Prema Pangi