Abstract
Enlightenment has been the ultimate goal of all Shastra’s like martial art, Yoga, dance,
music, astrology, Tantra and Mantra. The great Rishi (sage) Valsyana say’s that " sex is also a
tool for realization". The science of Ayurveda is extensively used for healing, whereas
Panchakarma can be used as a catalyst for self-realization.
Interrelation between Ayurveda & Tantra
Life is a mysterious journey from birth to death and which continues even after that to form a vicious
circle, according to the law of karma (actions). In this journey, there were very few, who could come out of it and
travel in a different dimension towards enlightenment. They were the people, who knew the real essence of life,
their journey was not to escape from death, where as they were courageous to face death, in a different
dimension, which is the real death of ‘I’ the ‘ahamkara’ or ego. In this search of spiritual solace, they composed
Music, Astrology, Martial art, Yajna, Mantra, Tantra and Ayurveda. Where as today’s science is the science of
illusion. It can lead you only from birth to death and not beyond it. Every scientific achievement is made to lead
a luxurious life, to attain wealth and to conquer death, which is inevitable. The ancient teachings and selfrealization
were cognate and the people held the science in veneration. In the due course of time, it lost its innate
propensity and fell a pray to illusions. Here let us rediscover the ancient science of, Yajna, Mantra, Tantra,
Ayurveda etc and discuss their interrelation, designed at the unique aim of enlightenment.
According to the ‘Shastras’, the human body is made up of 72000 Nadis (channels or meridian) which
are inter connected by 7 Shakthi Chakras (spinal energy centers) and 3 knots. The 7 spinal energy centers are
Muladhara, Svadhisthana, Manipuraka, Anahata,Vishudha, Agna and Sahasrara Chakara. The three knots of the
body are Brahma Granthi (Brahmas knot), Vishnu Granthi (Vishnu’s knot) and Rudra Granthi (Rudras knot)
Kundalini:-
With in every human being lies a divine energy called Kundalini. In Japanese it is called as ‘Ki’ and
Chinese ‘Chi’. The scriptures of Christianity call it as ‘Holly spirit’.
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Dwelling at the center of the body, at the base of the spine (Muladhara) she controls and maintains our
whole physiological system, through the network of 72000 channels. The Kundalini1 is like a 3 ½ coiled serpent
around the ‘Linga’, with her tail in her mouth, looking down wards. The 3 ½ coil of Kundalini means, the 3
Gunas (qualities) and ½ cobra mouth the seat of ego. These 3 Gunas, the six taste (sweet, sour, salt, bitter,
pungent, astringent) and the five great elements make the body. The 3 Gunas control our mind, the five elements
shape our body and the world around us, and the taste controls our internal chemistry, which links our body and
mind together. So in an ordinary person, the flow of energy will be only towards down ward direction. When
Ida and Pingala channel work with equal force, only then the Prana is forced in to the Sushumna for the upward
movement of Kundalini. When she is awakened, her mouth opens and move upwards through the fire channel
piercing the six spinal energy centers and 3 knots to meet her Lord Kameshara at Sahasrara. The whole purpose
of Kundalini Yoga is to reunite Shiva and Shakthi or to create an eternal form of Shiva ie Sadashiva.
This energy has got two aspects, (1) to manifest this worldly existence, (2) the other leads us to the
highest truth. When the inner Kundalini is awakened, it sets of different aspects of combinations with in us. That
is why Kundalini has been described as ‘Vidud Latha’ or lightening creaper. The awakening of the inner
Kundalini is the true beginning of the spiritual journey. Kundalini can be aroused, through intense devotion to
God (ie Bhakthi Marga ), by the repetition of Mantra (ie Shakthi Marga ) and through various Yogic practices.
The essence of Tantra is purification of five elements, to awaken the Kundalini which is your own
personal power or energy. Once the element in the body has been purified then Kundalini can be awakened. The
Kundalini is the highest possible expansion of the individuals will power.
Chakras*:- (Spinal Energy centers)
The Chakras are the centers of activity of the subtle vital force termed subtle Prana. They are
interrelated with the parasympathetic, sympathetic and autonomous nervous system, and thus the gross body is
related to them. In general there are 6 Chakras, but some school of thought explains about 10 Chakras. Each
Chakra has got specific number of lotus petals, each petal has got a sound, a quality, a Mantra etc. Astrologically
each Chakra has got a ruling planet.
The lotus petals of the Chakra works only on the subtle body. A lotus opens only when touched by the
morning sun and closes just as the sunset. Like wise the lotus of the six Chakras open only when the Kundalini is
present with in them. So in an ordinary man all the lotus petals remain closed.
Yajna:
The Rigveda starts with the word Agni or fire. The worship of fire is ment to purify the fire element in the body
and to purify the consciousness, by amplifying the Mantras we repeat.
The Vedic worship of the fire is known as Yajna, which is extremely detailed and complicated. Its
simplified form is ‘Homa’. The colour of the light of the flame and the smoke produced during Homa by burning
of the herbs and offerings purifies the environment, and rejuvenates the body and mind. By doing Homa the fire
burns away all the bad ‘Karmas’ and there by helps in the progress of spiritual practice. Enlightenment means
burning of karmas through Tapas, which means heat or fire.
The Bhuthagni is the fire of the subtle body. It is the fire, that must be ignited for the purpose of the
spiritual practice. Homa is done to awaken the ‘Bhuthagni’.
Mantra:-
The Mantra2 is the essence of sound or it is the embodiment of truth, in the form of sound. The mind
rides on the subtle energy of the breath. The Prana is the factor, which purifies the subtle channels of the body.
So when you chant a Mantra, you are charging your breath and energy, with the energy of the Mantra and so
working directly on your mind and subtle body.
The ‘Guru’ or master who gives the Mantra has repeated it himself for a long time, during the course of
his spiritual practice. He also has realized the power of the Mantra and is able to charge it with a living conscious
force. When the ‘Guru’ has made his Mantra divine and alive that Mantra is perfect, it brings liberation, as well
as bestowing all types of powers. Through constant repetition of the Mantra the Kundalini is awakened.
Tantra :-
The whole purpose of Tantra is to free us from all limitations ie that of the five great elements which
make up the universe. Purifying the five great elements ie ‘Bhootha Shudhi is the essence of Tantra.
The science of Tantra explains three important types of initiation or Diksha as Anavam,
Shaktham and Sambhavam. After giving the ‘Purna Diksha’ – full initiation only; the master
will give his full knowledge about Tantra to his disciple .
Panchamakara Pooja:-
The Tantra explains five types of article like Madhya (alcohol), Matsya (fish), Mamsa (meat), Mudra
(posture) and Maidhuna (sex). In Panchamakara3 the fish represents water, posture to earth, alcohol to fire, flesh
to air, and sex to ether. In this way, the universe itself is made as a tool to worship. Normally these five articles
binds you more tightly to the world, but if you use the same substance in the Tantric way they can be the source
of liberation from bondage. In our body the tongue is the flesh, fish is the breath ie ‘Pranayama’, posture to
encourage free movement of energy. These postures make the body to form a circuit, hence the body electricity
cannot escape, there by the inner energy becomes balanced and silent. Alcohol is the nectar that flows from
‘Soma Chakra’. Sex is the ultimate union of Shiva and Shakthi. The Pooja in which Panchamakara is used is
called Chakra Pooja or Yantra Pooja. The ultimate Yantra is the ‘Sri Yantra’, which corresponds the whole
universe.
Since each Mantra is a deity, the entire human body is composed of Mantra. By repeating Mantra you
are continuously recreating yourself in a new image. Eventually when you are truly purified, your original
personality vanishes and only the image of your deity remains. I have personally seen this, on the practitioners
who do ‘Sri Yantra’ Pooja. In Yantra Pooja the ‘Japa’ purifies the air and ether element, Tarpana the water
element, Marjana the earth element and Bhojana the final offering which is made up of six tastes to the deity.
The Yogis considered their whole body as a Yantra, which helped them in continuing their spiritual practice
internally.
Pulse reading :
Pulse reading4 was practiced in ancient days to diagnose the disease of the patient. In my experience, the
pulse always operates on a right patient, at the right place and right time. By feeling the pulse, we can construe
their disease, their character, the ailments of their parents, the environment where they live, the diseases which
they are to be affected etc. The above said is possible, only when the Kundalini of the patient interacts with the
Kundalini of the Physician. For this, the physician must be an Upasaka (Worshiper) of Kundalini. If we observe,
we could see that all the Ayurvedic practitioners were not merely physicians, where as they were Upasakas of
Kundalini, with the power of their penance they could heal chronic ailments. In the due course of time we lost
this practice and the old generation didn’t want to pass on this knowledge. All the great Enlightened masters like
Jesus Christ, Buddha were very good healers. They gave no medicine, just by their touch, word or look, they can
infuse the Prana on a patient there by, removing the negativity of their subtle body (Prana Prathishta5), because
they were positive spirits. Any individual could reach this stage, but their negativity and attachments is what that
prevents them. Once when the mind is focused inside, the desires will be limited, which prevents from creating
new actions (Karmas)
It is only when the Karma of the patient is exhausted, the physician can read his pulse. That is why in the
beginning I have mentioned the right patient for pulse examining. After reading the pulse the physician should
prescribe a decoction of drugs as Kashaya. As I don’t encourage the practice of prescribing prepared Kashaya,
since the level of Prana and the nine factors explained by Ayurvedic texts are different from one person to
another. This was the method practiced by ancient Ayurvedic Physicians. More over, this method doesn’t cure
the disease of the gross body, but it equalizes the energy of the subtle body, there by equalizing the 3 Dhoshas.
There by the flow of inward and outward breath in both nostrils will be equalized.
Panchakarma Treatment: -
The ultimate aim of Panchakarma treatment is for realization. All these treatments are basically meant
for a healthy man to lead a disease free life. Realization through Panchakarma, is not advisable for an individual
affected with chronic ailment because when the energy starts rising his body can’t with stand its intensity.
Initially the infusion of Prana ( Prana Prathishta ) is followed by the in take of ghee treatment ( Sneha
Pana ).
Oil Dhara:-Oil Dhara activates the five energy centers of the spine and there by, the energy can also be raised. I
have experienced many times the patients say that, they feel very light, thought less and blissful while doing the
oil Dhara.
Siro Vasthi:- Siro Vasthi and Siro Dhara can be performed to stimulate the Sahasrara .When the oil is kept on the
head for Siro Vasthi, then by feeling the pulse of the patient we can locate where the medicine acts in the system.
Nasyam:- The Agna Chakra and Lalana chakra can be stimulated by Nasyam.
Vamanam:-The channels of mind are cleansed by vomiting.
Purging:-The toxins of the body is removed by purging.
Vasthi:-Vasthi is the only treatment by which the energy can be activated instantly, hence it is called as the king
of all treatments in Ayurveda.
The aim of Ayurvedic treatments is the stimulation of Kayagni or the fire of the body, where as Tantra
aims in stimulating the Bhuthagni. Both the Bhuthagni and Kayagni can be stimulated by Panchakarma
treatment, which results in the generation of tremendous amount of energy, which can be used for healing or
raising the Kundalini.
The whole process of Panchakarma can be compared as ‘Homa’. Initially after Prana Prathishta, the fire
pit or Homakunda is considered as the body, the ‘Havis’ is the Snahapana. The offerings made of six tastes is the
medicines taken internally. The heat produced by the oil Dhara and other therapies stimulates the Bhutagni and
Kayagni, there by purifying the whole 72, 000 channels. In such a state no Prana is consumed nor Apana is
generated by the body. In that stage, the mind becomes thoughtless, whenever there is no mind the energy starts
rising, which is the ultimate aim of all Indian Shastras.
