WHAT IS THE MYSTERY OF SWARODAY SHASTRA IN NUTSHELL ?BREATHING SCIENCE -03

THE SWARODAY SHASTRA & THREE BODIES;- 16 FACTS;- 1-"An astrologer without knowledge of the swaras, a house without an owner, a mouth without shastras, and a body without a head, one never acclaimed". "If one has the strength of swaras then he should attack his foe or meet his friend. Wealth, fame, pleasure and comfort are all obtained through the strength of swaras".According toLord Shiva Mahadeva (to Ma Parvati in "Shiva Svarodaya"). 2-"To everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under the heavens; A time to be born and a time to die; A time to plant and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill and a time to heal; A time to breakdown and a time to build up; A time to weep and a time to laugh; A time to mourn and a time to dance; A time to get and a time to lose; A time to keep and a time to cast away". 3-Almost all religions state that there is a time for everything in the natural order. When one does anything at the right moment, it certainly has to bear fruit. Going with the rhythm of nature, one learns to swim along the current. In fact, is not success due to the right effort at the right time? Such a time is ascertainable definitely. Such a time is ascertainable from one's own breath, the vital vibration governing the world, as revealed by the "Science of Breath" or "Swara Sastra" as taught by the Tantras. 4-It is said that Lord Shiva initially revealed this knowledge to his Divine consort Parvati (Shakti). Today this science is not very well known, and only a few persons still follow it. What is known about it is quite little as compared to the vastness of the subject. This post covers the basics of Swara Shastra with a touch of predictive usage.A theoretical discussion of the elements will not be of much practical value to the readers. 5-"This science is based on the nadis or the swaras . There are 72,000 nadis in the astral or energetic body. But we generally deal with the principal ten or fourteen only, and here only 3 of them." They are: 5-1. Ida, 5-2. Pingala, 5-3. Sushumna 6-But before we go further, let us acquaint with the Tantric/Yogic view of the human body. ;- According to the scriptures, man has three bodies or forms 6-1-Gross or physical body (sthula sarira), which is the visible, palpable, body. 6-2-Subtle body or Astral body (Sukshma sarira), which is comprised of the thoughts, feelings, impulses etc that animate the gross body. 6-3-Casual body (karana sarira), which is the seed body that is the cause and seed of next birth. This form lasts until liberation. 7-Beyond these three is the eternal Atman, the Self or Incorporeal spirit (Asarira atman) which is the Divine spark, that part of the Whole, the ever-blissful which is transcendental. 8-Corresponding to these three bodies and the real self, as the Mandukya Upanishad tells us, there are the three states of experience.The 3 bodies are the Vehicles of the soul. Yoga philosophy regards the body as the vehicle of the soul on its way to enlightenment and refers to not just one body, but to three bodies, each being more subtle than the other. 8-1- Gross /Physical body - Waking (Jagrat)part of the food cycle and is experienced only in the waking state. 8 2- Subtle body - Dream (Swapna)Contains life energy (prana) as well as the senses and the mind. It is experienced in the waking and dream states. 8-3- Causal body - Deep sleep (Sushupti)Sushupti is sometimes referred to as dreamless sleep, when the mind ceases activity, having withdrawn from both physical and mental activities, objects and desires. In sushupti, the mind has absorbed into itself. In the "Mandukya Upanishad," sushupti is associated with prajna, the ultimate understanding of the true nature of existence and reality.By entering sushupti, the yogi experiences the subtle, intuitive consciousness that is neither mental nor intellectual. Because of its separation from the world and worldly concerns, sushupti creates a state of bliss and happiness. It is one of the stages on the path to yoga's ultimate goal, union with the higher Self. 9-Transcending these three states of experience, there is the Turiya state, the state of Transcendent Reality, corresponding to the Atman.Turiya – the state of transcendental, or pure, consciousness in which the focus with both outward and inward at the same time. 10-The Astral body has within it, our psychic instrument, or Antahkarana, which is composed of mind, intellect and ego (or ahamkara). The casual body takes a physical body as a vehicle for each life. The five elements aid it in this process. Like everything else, the human body too, is made of the five elements. Each of the five elements is contained within another and thus the five elements exist with in us as the three doshas (humors). 11-This is our true individual constitution or nature - our prakriti. When we understand these primordial elements, we begin to see the interdependent and interconnected nature of the universe. As the five elements cycle and recycle, billions of atoms traveling throughout the universe become absorbed into billions of life forms. What was once a part of the earth goes into the plants and what was a part of the plants yesterday goes into the animal body today and the same will go into the human body, tomorrow. 12-This ever-changing cycle of the five elements goes on for a very long time, long enough for it to seem like an eternity. It is said that our entire body is totally renewed every seven years. The five elements continuously transmute into each other to create the mineral, plant and animal kingdoms. Our physical body reflects the element Earth and Water its fluid; the acids and enzymes of the body reflect the element of Fire; the element of Air is the breath and Prana, and Space is the vibration of our very existence. 13-Though every one of us has the same 5 elements within, each has a unique configuration. The Taittiriya upanishad describes man as consisting of five selves. Later Adi Sankaracharya changed it into the concept of five sheaths or kosas. They are also known as the five envelopes or wrappings. The concept of the five sheaths is not really relevant to our present discussion. But this background is necessary to appreciate what is going to discuss hereafter. 14- Most things at one level have a corresponding manifestation at the other level. So while the nadis are in the subtle body, corresponding to them, there are nerves in the physical or gross body. The astral body is somewhat like a template for the physical body. So more than the physical body, it is the astral body that shows signs and symptoms of any influence. 15-Diseases first start manifesting in the subtle body and take some time to reach a gross level. Most medical diagnosis is done only when the disease reaches a gross level, meaning the physical body. Some people make the futile attempt to scientifically prove the nadis and charkas in the physical body. The problem with such well meant attempts is that they are searching in the wrong place. 16- Every gross structure has a corresponding subtle counterpart in the astral or energetic body. Both the subtle and the gross affect each other. The Nadis actually exist in the subtle or energetic body that animates the physical body. With this brief background of the sukshma sarira (astral body), let us move on to the actual topic. THE SWARODAY SHASTRA & NADIS;- 05 FACTS;- 1-The word Nadi comes from the Sanskrit root meaning 'MOVEMENT'. In the Rigveda it has been used to mean, 'STREAM'. Thus the word Nadi literally means 'FLOW'. The concept of Nadis is based on the understanding that they are channels, channels for the flow of consciousness. Thus in a way, any channel through which anything flows is a Nadi.There are two types of Nadis: 1-1-GROSS NADIS:- Like blood vessels, nerves, cords, tubes etc. 1-2-SUBTLE NADIS :- Invisible channels of subtle energy. Subtle Nadis are again of two types: 2-1- Pranavaha Nadis(Pranashakthi-The Vital energy) :- Through which the pranic force (vital force) or prana shakti flows. 2-2- Manovaha Nadis(Manashakthi-The Mental energy) :- Through which the mental force (Manas Shakti) flows 2-These two kinds of forces flow through every part of our body via the Nadis. According to the Tantras there are seventy two thousand (there are variant schools like the Tibetan school of Astro Medicine that speaks of 84000) such channels, which cover the whole body and through them the inherent rhythm of activity in the different organs is maintained. 3-These nadis also correspond to the acupuncture meridians of the Chinese. Within this network of Nadis, there are ten main channels that are connected with the ten openings of the body. Of these ten, three are most important because they control the flow of Prana and consciousness within all the other Nadis of the body. 3-1-IDA - It is connected with the left nostril, controls all the mental processes and is ruled by the moon . Ida is like nectar and gives strength and nourishment to the soul and the body. Ida which is feminine represents Goddess Parvati. 3-2-PINGALA - which is connected with the right nostril, controls all the vital processes and is ruled by the sun. Pingala is responsible for the growth of the body. Pingala is masculine and represents Lord Siva. It is good for difficult jobs. 3-3-SUSHUMNA - It is connected to the Brahmarandhra corresponding to Bregma at a gross (sthula) level, through which spiritual force flows and is known as Saraswati. Sushumna is also called as soonya swara. It destroys all actions and is hence inauspicious to start any activity. It is good for Yogic practices. The Sushumna is supposed to be destructive for most purposes and all under takings should be avoided during its flow. Sushumna is good for liberation. 4-The Kundalini ascends through the Sushumna when it awakens. The subtle nadi of Sushumna corresponds to the gross nadi of the central canal in the spinal cord. 4-1-Prana shakti (pranic force) - Pingala (right nostril) - Sun 4-2-Manas shakti (mental force) Ida (left nostril) - Moon 4-3-Atma Shakti (spiritual force) - Sushumna (Central canal) - Rahu/Ketu axis . 5-Ida and Pingala function in the body alternatively and not simultaneously. DURATION OF "SWARA RHYTHM" 05 FACTS;- 1-Researchers who have studied the circadian rhythm say that the nostrils alternate in dominance every 1 ½ to 2 hours. They also say that in children it is every one-hour. Whatever the duration of this "rise of swara" is, scientific researchers have also found that there is a correspondence or connection between the nostrils and brain hemispheres. In other words, when one nostril is dominating the opposite hemisphere is dominant. 2-For instance, if your left nostril is flowing freely now, it is your right hemisphere that is dominant now. We have already studied that each hemisphere is concerned with a particular mode of functioning. The left hemisphere for instance, controls the functions of analysis, logic, maths etc., while the right hemisphere controls artistic work, emotions etc., 3-Thus by ascertaining which Swara is rising, one can ascertain the dominant hemisphere and do activities that fall under that hemisphere's function so as to go along with the flow of the current . 4-The nostrils thus provide us a key to tune our behaviour according to the energy available in our body. If you observe your nostrils you will find that generally one is flowing freely and the other is blocked. 5-When the left nostril is open, it is the lunar energy, Ida Nadi that is flowing and when the right nostril is flowing, the solar energy or Pingala nadi flows. SWARA AND IT'S RISE: 06 FACTS;- 1-The act of breathing is called "Swara" while the switching over from one nostril to another reflects the "Rise of breath" in that nostril or "Udaya " meaning "rise" When the period of one nostril is over, automatically the breathing passes on to the other nostril for almost an equal time. It is performed with a fixed periodic rhythm through the left and right nostril alternately. This change of nostrils is periodic. Thus the name Svarodaya (Swara + Udaya) Sastra for this ancient science. 2-A person who practices this Yoga of swara is called a Swara Yogi and he can control the Prana through Pingala and mind through Ida.Investigations have shown that when the right nostril is flowing, the left hemisphere of the brain is activated. When the left nostril is flowing, the right hemisphere is activated. Thus the Nadis control the brain and events of life and consciousness. It is said that anything can be predicted, achieved and attained by one who is adept in this science. 3-The solar and lunar forces are the two great forces that affect Nature. Plants, animals, minerals and even the mighty oceans follow the order of solar and lunar influences. All of nature has a rhythm, a natural rhythm that it goes by. This is at a macrocosmic level . At a microcosmic level, this is reflected in our breath. 4-In the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad ,there is the metaphor of a spider sitting at the center of its web, issuing and reabsorbing its threads in concentric circles, all held at one point. This image recurs constantly in several Indian works, Vedic and Tantric. Even the Mandala(SRI YANTRA), which is a geometrical projection of the 'whole, universe in its essential plan, in its process of emanation and of re-absorption', has the same concept underlying it. All existence is governed by a single principle, the source from which everything is born and into which everything returns. 5-Exhalation itself is the microcosmic parallel of emanation of the universe while inhalation is the microcosmic equivalent of re-absorption of the universe into the Supreme Being. The emanation, maintenance and re-absorption of the universe are all seen as the exhalation, retention and inhalation, one cycle of breath or Swara of Maheswara, the Supreme Being. 6-The solar and lunar forces that work at a macrocosmic level are reflected at a microcosmic level in man as his Pingala nadi and Ida nadi. This principle of equivalence of the microcosm and macrocosm is a very important principle that all occult sciences share as a fundamental law. VARIATIONS IN THE RHYTHM & RELATION WITH THE AILMENTS;- 06 FACTS;- 1-A variation of 10 to 15 minutes, before or after sunrise might be acceptable though strictly speaking it is not. Any further variation for a longer duration of one Swara not operating reflects some kind of physiological or psychological problem. If the breath does not alternate between the nostrils and is continuous beyond the normal period of an hour and fifty minutes or two hours, it is symptomatic of impairments of health due to either excess of heat or cold. 2-If the breath moves in and out through a single nostril for almost 24 hours the derangement of the humours (doshas, meaning vata, pitta and kapha ) is serious; if it prevails for two or three days the illness is very grave. 3-Dr. I.N.Rige, ENT specialist, Bucharest , Rumania studied nearly 400 patients suffering from one-sided nasal obstructions due to distortion and deviation of the nasal septum. Of these, 89% of cases breathed more through the left nostril and were prone to certain respiratory disorders like chronic sinusitis, middle and inner ear infections, partial or total loss of the senses of smell, hearing and taste, recurrent pharyngitis, laryngitis and tonsillitis, chronic bronchitis. 4-They were more likely to be prone to a wide variety of distant disorders like amnesia, headaches, hyperthyroidism, heart failure, intellectual weakening, hypo functioning of liver, gastritis, colitis, peptic ulcer, constipation, decreased libido, ovarian irregularities. Right nostril breathers were predisposed to hypertension. He also found that correction of nasal deformities helped to relieve the disease situation. 5-Thus his research only reaffirms the Tantric-Yogic theory that the nostrils and the flow of breath have many neurological and psychic connections whose functions are not yet appreciated by Modern Science. Dr.Hiroshi Motoyama , Japan has also tried to prove that imbalance in nadis (which roughly correspond to the acupuncture meridians) is related to disease states. 6- As the Yogis have said, nostrils are the windows to the state of our body and mind . The nostrils are switches, which can do more than alleviating disease. By consciously changing the dominant nostril to the other, one can control his inner functions like brain hemisphere functioning etc., to do whatever he wants any time. METHOD OF KNOWING THE SWARA 04 FACTS;- 1-Close one nostril and breathe through the other. Now close the second nostril and breathe through the first. The one that is unobstructed is the dominant nostril. 2-A mirror can be used to check the same. Corresponding to the dominant nostril, the mirror will have a misty appearance when we breathe out. 3-Cotton fibrils also can be used to ascertain the same. But the simplest would be the first method. 4-You can also keep both the thumbs under the two nostrils to find out NOTE: - After a little practice, one can recognize the swara without using the thumbs or fingers also. It is quite easy if one develops AWARENESS. PRINCIPLE OF FLOW OF THE SWARA 06 FACTS;- 1-Usually the Swaras flow based on a natural order. On the 1 st , 2 nd , 3 rd , 7 th , 8 th , 9 th , 13 th , 14 th and 15 th days of the Bright fortnight (ascending cycle of moon), it should pass from sunrise onwards through left nostril and alternate according to the rule of the periodic rhythm . This is because the Moon or Lunar energy is dominant during the Bright fortnight. 2- Likewise the swara flows through the right nostril from sunrise onwards during the 4 th , 5 th , 6 th , 10 th , 11 th , and 12 th of the Bright half. It is reversed. Thus nine days during the Bright fortnight the left nostril is dominant at sunrise while nine days during the Dark fortnight, the right nostril is dominant. 3-During the first three days of the bright half, Ida flows first and then alternates. For the first three days of the dark half, Pingala flows first and then alternates (see table). 4-The Lunar or solar swara flows from sunrise for one hour each and then alternates for 24 hours. During the flow of Ida or Pingala for one hour, the tattwas become active in order. For a normal healthy person first air element flows for 8 minutes then fire for 4 minutes then earth for 12 minutes then water for 16 minutes and ether for 20 minutes. (This is used while predicting the sex of a child and some other methods of answering Prashnas. 5-Astrologers wishing to use this should carefully observe their flow regularly and try to study the subtleties of breath. Unwholesome lifestyles like smoking and use of stimulants should be avoided strictly if one wants to develop such awareness). 6-If opposite swara is active from the first three days of a fortnight then auspicious work should be avoided. Immediate steps should be taken to correct the flow, as it is a sign of imperfect health. The correction could be done through Hatha Yoga. NOTE : It should be pointed out that the lunar day is not equal to the solar day. This difference should be kept in mind.CONTD...

......SHIVOHAM.....