Gorakhnath and the Kanphata Yogis c19.107

c19.107

In the throat, or at its base, is the cakra called *Viśuddha*, *kaṇṭhadeśa*,² *candraṣṭhāna*, *jālandharapīṭha*, *bhāratiṣṭhāna*. Another name, derived from the fact that the *khecarimudrā* is performed there, is *vyomacakra*. It is also called the *nābho-maṇḍala*. It is the residence of udāna. Its element is ether. It is the seat of bindu. This lotus contains sixteen petals, of a smoky-purple colour, containing the crimson letters अं, आं, इं, ईं, उं, ऊं, ऋं, ऋं, लं, लूं, एं, ऐं, ओं, औं, अं, अः (a, ā, i, u, ū, ṛ, ḷ, e, ai, o, au, and the two breathings a, ā, each with its bindu). These are all the vowels. Within the circle of the petals is the blue field of *ākāśa*, space, and within this, again, a crystal-white triangle, within which is a pure circle of the moon which contains a white elephant. Upon the beast rests the bīja-mantra of this *cakra*, हं (*h*, *haṃ*, the symbol of ether, *ākāśa*). In the bindu of the bīja is Sadāśiva,¹ with body half silver, half gold, seated on a bull. He is five-faced, three-eyed in each, covered with ashes, having a tiger’s skin and a garland of snakes. He carries in his several hands a trident, an axe, a sword, a *vajra* (thunderbolt), dahana (fire?), a bell, a goad, a noose, and shows auspicious gestures. With him is Gāurī, Sadāgāurī, who is one-half of Śiva’s body, with ten beautiful arms, five faces each with three eyes. She has a noose, a goad and a book, and is in auspicious gesture. She is seated on bones. (Or, he is accompanied by Śākinī, in yellow raiment, carrying in her four hands a bow, an arrow, a noose and a goad.) She is ‘white.’