Gorakhnath and the Kanphata Yogis c19.95

c19.95

Svādhiṣṭhāna, is also called jalamaṇḍala, because its tattva or form of matter is water (jala). It is also known as meḍhrādhāra.¹ This centre is at the root of the male organ, some say that that organ itself. The lotus consists of six petals of a reddish colour bordering on orange, upon which are written in gold the letters बं, भं, मं, यं, रं, लं (b, bh, m, y, r, and l each with its bindu). Within this cakra is a white half-moon, luminous as the autumn moon, and within this the watery region of Varuṇa. Some say that the moon has an eight-petalled lotus on each side of it. The central bīja is वं (v vaṃ), the bīja-mantra of Varuṇa, in white, resting on a makara, a legendary creature, a fabulous sea-monster, resembling an aligator, the vehicle of Kāma. In the bindu sits the four-armed Viṣṇu, luminous, blue-coloured, dressed in yellow, wearing the svastika, a garland, and the great jewel, both luminous. He holds the conch, discus, mace and lotus in his hands and is seated on Garuḍa. Within the circle of the moon, and associated with Viṣṇu, is the Goddess Śākinī² seated on a red, double lotus. She is a demon attendant of Kālī, blue in colour. In her four hands she holds a trident, a lotus, a drum and a battle axe. She is three-eyed, ferocious in aspect, showing her teeth (fangs), while a streak of blood issues from one of her nostrils. She is a wish-granter, and is exalted with the nectar. Prāṇa, which arises with the syllable sva, rests in this cakra and represents the paraliṅga.