The Fourfold Yoga - Part VII
Yoga and Allied Sciences
Yoga & Tantra
Occult Vibratory Chemistry known as Tantra is a sister science of Yoga. While Vedanta focusses on Sat, the Existence aspect of Being, Tantra focusses on Chit, the Knowledge aspect of Being. The whole Universe is the play and display of this mighty Consciousness Force known as Chit Shakti in the Tantras. While Yoga talks about five sheaths or koshas, according to Tantra, life is an unfoldment of the Self through six energy centres called chakras. These six energy centres exist in our subtle physical body. The Serpentine Power known as the Kundalini (which lie coiled as a serpent in humans), can be awakened by Meditation. When awakened, She rises from the Root Chakra to the Crown Chakra to liberate Man.
O Infinite Power ! Thou art the Mind-principle in the Eye brow Chakra In the Throat Chakra , Thou sport as the Ether-principle In the Heart Chakra, Thou sportest as Air- principle In the Solar Plexus Chakra, Thou art Fire-principle In the Navel Chakra , Thou exist as Water-principle In the Root Chakra, Thou art the Earth _Principle, O Mighty Mother ! And in the Crown Chakra, Thou sportest blissfully with thy beloved Consort !
When She ( Kundalini ), the microcosmic power of the macrocosmic Shakti, rises from from the Root Chakra & reaches the other Chakras, siddhis or paranormal powers maniest. Clairvoyance, clairaudience, distant healing, the ability to see Auras & ultimately Trikala-jnana ( the power to know Past, Present & future ) all manifest in the aspirant. The aspirant should not be intoxicated by these siddhis. If he tries to exhibit the siddhis or paranormal powers, he may not reach the Goal of Life. Instead he should ignore these powers of the mind & continue his Tapas till he is liberated.
More quality information about Tantra & Yantras can be had from www.eastrovedica.com/html/yantra.htm
Yoga & Astrology.
Einstein's greatest moment of triumph was when stumbled across Time as the fourth dimension. Another physicist, Herman Minnowski described the Universe as a four-dimensional Space-Time Continuum, made up of the three dimensions of Space and the fourth dimension of Time. The Science of Time, Astrology, is a sister science of Yoga, and can be immense help in the Path Divine.
The grace of Saturn ( Mokshakaraka ) & Jupiter ( Jnanakaraka ) is needed for Liberation or Self-Actualisation. Jupiter, the divine planet, represents Yoga. Astrology is only a subsidiary science of Yoga, a main science. Astrology works as an aid to Yoga, because it can show the barriers which confront the Seeker of Truth. Now the path of Self-Actualisation is difficult with a lot of barriers, obstacles & impediments and the conspiracy of inner enemies.
The Wisdom of the Heavens can pinpoint the major enemy the aspirant has to confront and overcome that enemy's vicious attacks! Mars rules anger, Venus lust etc and by knowing the adverse planet's influence, the corresponding emotions can be controlled by Yoga and Meditation. Overcoming the inner enemies is the main theme of Yoga. But we have to know who are our dominant inner enemies. When Mars is afflicted in a horoscope, it is clear that the native is struggling against anger. If Saturn is afflicted, it is clear that the native is fighting Pride. If Venus, the horoscopian is battling with Lust. By these great Arts, Yoga and Astrology, these inner enemies can be controlled and conquered !
