Gorakhnath and the Kanphata Yogis c19.100

c19.100

The manipūraka, also called nābhiṣṭhana, ravisthāna, sūrya-sthāna², is situated in the region of the navel. It contains ten blue petals, with the letters ḍ, ḍh, ṇ, t, th, d, dh, n, p, ph, (ḍ, ḍh, ṇ, t, th, d, dh, n, p, ph, also in blue, each with its bindu). It is the seat of the element fire, of the sun, and of the samāna. In the centre of the circle is a read triangle, bordered by three svastikas and containing the bīja-mantra रं (raṃ)³ also in red. This centre is also viewed as the seat of rajas, the menstrual fluid,⁴ and, as the sun, the cakra is said to soak up the nectar (bindu) from the moon. The bīja rests on a ram, radiant like the rising sun. Sitting above the triangle is Mahārudra, red in colour, but white with ashes, three-eyed, with hands extended to grant boons, or to dispel fear (vara- and abhyamudrās). He is the destroyer of creation. In one hand he holds a rudrākṣa rosary, in the other a weapon. He is seated on a bull. Beside him is Lākini Śakti, blue in colour, four-handed, seated on a red lotus. She carries in her hands a thunderbolt, and a weapon of fire, while the other two hands are in gesture as are Rudra's. Her breasts are ruddy with blood and fat which drip from her mouth. She is fond of meat and of rice and of dal cooked and mixed with meat and blood.