Sri Agasteeshwara Panchakshari Maha Mantra Sat Chakra Yoga: Method

 

The Sadhana

Before we embark on any Sadhana, it is imperative that we are prepared for it. Especially when it is a powerful  technique like the one you will be embarking on.

After reading the Vazhipaadu, and understanding the path as shown by Sage Agastya, we have learnt what it means to go into the serious step of Sadhana. We are trying our best to walk on the path of righteousness. And we know that this is extremely important when practicing such a powerful technique.

We have learnt about location, attire, posture in preparation of meditation. Now, let us prepare for the Sadhana itself.

Set up a simple altar in a corner of where you can meditate without any disturbance. Find a time that is convenient for meditation every day and try to do it at the same time. The best time for meditation is between 3 am and 5.30 am in the morning and at dusk in the evening.

Now, let us prepare our body for this Sadhana, by practicing some preliminary exercises to help us prepare for practicing the actual technique.

The first step before we even begin the actual practice is to

1.      Learn to sit still.

2.      Learn to focus on breathing.

3.      Learn to become aware of our energy centers.

NATURAL BREATHING EXERCISE

We will begin with becoming aware of the inhalation and exhalation of breath. With your eyes focused on the Ajna Chakra, the area between the two eyebrows, watch as your body inhales and exhales. Do this for ten minutes every day. You will notice that as you do this, you begin to calm down. The world slows down for you.

NADI SHODANA PRANAYAMA

Breath is perceptible energy. It is the easiest energy in our body that we can become aware of. It is also the key to all Sadhana. Breathing can help us calm down, regulate, and balance our energy.

One very easy to follow method has been developed and used in India since the ancient times. It is called the Nadi Shodana Pranayama. It is a subtle energy clearing breathing technique. It is a well-known popular method, and you can look at some YouTube videos to learn this technique.

In this breathing technique, you are working with two main Nadis or energy conduits in the body. At this juncture let us learn a little bit about the energy flow in the body.

We have three main conduits of energy in the body. The central conduit through which the latent power of Kundalini rises to the Sahasrara is the Sushumna. On either side of this are located the Ida and Pingala Nadis. Breathing in through each nostril regulates the circulation of energy freely in the body.

Sitting in an upright position, with your spine straight, close your nostrils with thumb and ring finger. Exhale and with your right thumb close your right nostril. Inhale from left nostril, hold your breath and then close your left nostril, open right nostril, and exhale through it.

Reverse the same. Close the left nostril, inhale through right nostril, hold your breath, remove thumb from left nostril and exhale through it.

An important thing to remember is that each inhalation, retention, and exhalation of the breath should be on the same count of seven, nine, twelve etc. Find the count that works for you in terms of holding your breath use the same count for inhalation, retention, and exhalation. Do this about seven times ending this step by exhaling through the left nostril. This will help regulate and balance the flow of energy through your body. It also helps in relaxing and clearing your mind and opening up the energy channels.

PRACTICING CHAKRA AWARENESS

Once you are comfortable with doing that, let us add one more layer to our Sadhana. We will begin to learn to draw our attention to the energy centers in our body.

Place your hands palm up on your thighs. Here you are becoming aware of the physical body. Visualize all parts of the body. After 15-20 seconds, extend your awareness to the auric body. We are training our mind to become sensitive to the energy around us by moving from the grosser level to the subtle level. One to two inches away from physical body.

Then we start focusing on the Muladhara Chakra at the base of the spine. Remain there for seven seconds at each Chakra. Then we move to Svadhishthana, in the sacral region. Then move to the navel or Manipura charka. Then move to the Anahata, heart charka. Then to Vishuddha or throat Chakra. Then to Ajana Chakra in the middle of the eyebrows. Sahasrara is the final Chakra.

One easy way to remember the location of the Chakras is to associate it with the corresponding organ in the human body.

So focus your attention on each Chakra for seven seconds ascending from Muladhara to Sahasrara and back again. That completes one cycle. You can do seven such cycles. If you are able to do more, you can increase the cycles. The more we practice this, the more aware we become of the Chakras. This will take a long time but is a very important step.

Remember that this Yoga technique is based on four important factors that are listed below.

Six Step Sadhana

The actual Sri Agasteeshwara Panchakshari Maha Mantra Sat Chakra Yoga as a step by step method has been laid out below.

1.      Affirmation.

2.      Invocation.

3.      Manasa Pooja.

4.      Nadi Shodhana Pranayama

5.      Sri Agasteeshwara Panchakshari Maha Mantra Sat Chakra Yoga Sadhana with final stillness at the Sahasrara Chakra.

6.      Arathi or giving thanks to Sage Agastya, who is the Guru for all those who follow this yogic method.

In chanting or saying the affirmation, you are setting an intention and reiterating your goal before embarking on this path.

With invocation, you are inviting Sage Agastya’s consciousness to guide you.

When you perform the Manasa puja you are adding Bhakti or devotion. Washing the feet of this great Rishi who has consented to be your Guru and feeling blessed to be in his great presence.

It is important to once again practice Nadi Shodhana Pranayama to ensure that there is free flow of energy in the body to facilitate the next steps.

Then as you practice the Sri Agasteeshwara Panchakshari Maha Mantra Sat Chakra Yoga Sadhana, you are taking the steps towards connecting your body, mind, and soul to the Absolute and the Creative Principle.

In moving beyond the Ajna Chakra, you are beginning to realize what it means to go beyond creation itself. In that absolute stillness, you will one day, realize the bliss of Brahman!

The Arati[1] at the end is giving thanks with a heart full of joy, praising the great Guru who is preserver of righteousness and knowledge!

Affirmation

Before embarking on any spiritual practice it is important to affirm why you are undertaking the practice. Here are two affirmations that I have composed. However, please feel free to use any other affirmation that has been composed by a God realized Guru that appeals to you.

“Invoking the primordial sound of AUM, I bow to the blessed feet of Sage Agastya. Chanting the primordial sound of AUM, I connect to the light within me. I connect to the Absolute, the Supreme being that sustains this creation. I connect to the Supreme energy that pervades this manifested creation. I connect to everything that is around me. Aum Tat Sat.”

In chanting this, we are affirming the power of the primordial sound. We are acknowledging Sage Agastya and his teachings. We are connecting to the source of everything that we know as the Supreme being and the supreme energy. And we understand that everything around you and in you is the Absolute. Aum Tat Sat is the epitome of everything that is in this affirmation.

“Chanting the primordial sound of AUM, I undertake this sacred journey of Gnana Yoga, as shown by Sage Agastya with the one goal of reaching self-realization. Aum.”

Once you are seated, invoke Appa Agastya with this invocation. Begin with invocation to Sage Agastya. Actual practice of meditation techniques incorporate Bhakti. We invoke the divine energy to help us progress quickly on the path.

Invocation 

This composition composed by Gajaraj Swamigal contains the very essence of Sage Agastya and his work. So we can use this to invoke or invite Sage Agastya’s consciousness to bless us as we begin this method of Yoga.

Agasthiya Munivar

Aum

‘Agara’maai ezhuthinil aagiya mudhalvanin

‘Ugara’maai uyirgalil uyarndha munivanaai

‘Magara’maam pirappenum maayaiyai neekki

Arul pagarndha Agathiyan padham niththam pattruvom.

Sage Agastya

AUM[2]

The One who is manifest as the foremost in the letter ‘Aa’

The Sage, who is the highest among the living beings manifested in the letter ‘U’

Dispelling the illusion of life as the letter ‘Ma’

He has blessed us,

That sacred feet of Agasthiyar

Let us touch every day.

This particular hymn composed by Gajaraj Swamigal[3] is the epitome of what Sage Agastya is and stands for. Below is the explanation of this hymn so that when you chant it, you do so with full awareness.

In Vazhipaadu Sage Agastya says, he is ‘born’ of the ‘fire’ from the third eye of Divine Mother. As we all know Divine Mother or Adhi Para Shakti is the primordial energy. The very first manifestation of creation. He (Sage Agastya) who emanates from that fire (of expression or the initial duality of creation) is the primordial soul. He is the representation of all the souls in the world.

That is the meaning behind the first line of the hymn above:

The One who is manifest as the foremost in the letter ‘Aa’

Now, what does the second line stand for?

“The Sage, who is the highest among the living beings manifested in the letter ‘U’

This line declares that Sage Agastya is the highest or the ‘foremost’ among the manifested! He precedes the trinity themselves!

The third line of the hymn reads,

“Dispelling the illusion of life as the letter ‘Ma,’

It tells us that in following the path shown by him and by surrendering to him, the ultimate truth is revealed to us, by dispelling the ‘illusion’ that is creation itself!

“He has blessed us”

Sage Agastya has blessed us by giving us the path to liberation through Gnana – Vazhipaadu.

Gajaraj Swamigal ends the hymn with,

“That sacred feet of Agasthiyar, let us touch every day.”

In doing so, he reminds us that we must hold on to the sacred feet of Appa Agastya who is the manifestation of the primordial energy in creation and who ultimately is our one refuge in dispelling the illusion of creation itself!

So, with this invocation you are invoking the primordial being, the Absolute himself through Sage Agastya. You can find this powerful invocation to Sage Agastya on YouTube titled ‘Invoke Sage Agastya’s Grace through this powerful Sri Agastya Mantra’ composed by Gajaraj Swamigal. It is sung by both Chi. Rohith Rajesh and Smt. Aparna Rajesh. Smt. Bhavani Ramamoorthy has rendered this four line verse in such a sublime way that it transports the listener to another level altogether! The video 'Epitome of Agastya: Composed by Gajaraj Swamigal' link is given below. 

Once you invoke Sage Agastya’s presence with your deep devotion, it is time to offer him internal prayers.

Manasa Puja

This method was given by Sage Agastya himself in ‘Agasthiyar Vazhipaadu.’ Addressing Gajaraj Swamigal, Sage Agastya said, “normally, there are three areas in our body where we can establish a connection with higher knowledge.

The three are:

1.      Sahasrara Chakra

2.      Ajna Chakra

3.      Anahata Chakra

These three have a relationship with three different types of life forces. We get connected with our Guru in the life center which is the heart or in the middle of our chest.

When praying to the Guru, fold both hands in the form of prayer and place them at the center of the chest near the heart and looking a little down, bow to them.

With closed eyes we must look at the Guru from top to bottom with our inner eyes. Observe the clothes he is wearing, his ornaments, and the sacred ash on his forehead and with devotion, with a full heart start your worship at his feet.

If you want the water of Ganga to worship your Guru, with your inner eyes look at Parama Shiva and pray to Ganga who is sitting in his locks for the sacred water that comes because of her benevolence. Placing both his feet on a big brass plate, taking the Ganga water that is now contained in the brass pot, and with both hands gently pour it on your Guru’s feet.

After washing his feet, take the turmeric powder in the silver container to your right and apply it on his feet three times completely. Place a dot of Kumkum on his feet. Then take the jasmine flowers kept beside you, using both hands generously scoop them up and place them on his feet, bowing your head and placing it on his feet, shedding tears of joy, touch his feet with your blessed eyes. And as you are doing it, become aware that your Guru is joyfully blessing you with both his hands.

After performing this type of internal prayer and opening a mat in your heart, and creating light in your heart, look at your Guru, pray with devotion, and address him thus: “Father, my Guru, my Parama Guru, my God, the epitome of the Supreme God, I am praying to you, please enter my heart with love and gather within my heart.”

If you do this, your Guru’s form will become small, enter your inner self, and give you untold joy. He will give you the required knowledge when necessary. If you follow his guidance as he says without failing, you too will find a state like that of your Guru. People who see you in that state will want to bow to you. The power to help people lead a righteous life and walk on the righteous path will bubble from within you like a fountain.”

Sat Chakra Sadhana

So far, we have carefully examined and understood how the mantra combines several powerful elements. Now, let us begin the Sadhana.

The idea here is to chant each line of the mantra at its corresponding Chakra. Make sure you are focusing on this Chakra with complete awareness of the meaning of the three syllables.

Begin with the chanting of the primordial sound of AUM becoming aware of your whole body as the essence of the Cosmos. Then begin to focus on the Chakras starting from the base of the spine ascending to the crown of the head.

Let us begin:

Focus on the Muladhara Chakra, chant the first line of the mantra

Aa Na Aim,

Then move to the Svadhishthana Chakra and chant

Ee Ma Kleem,

Then move your attention to the Manipura Chakra and chant

Wu Shi Sauh,

Then to Anahata Chakra and chant

Ye Va Hreem,

Then move to the Vishuddha Chakra and chant

O Ya Shreem,

Now  you come to the most important part of the meditation. You are focusing on the Ajna Chakra, which is located between your eyebrows.

Ajna Chakra

 The Ajna Chakra is located in the place between the eyebrows. Chant ‘Aum Sri Agasteeshwara Maha Muni Prabhuve Namaha.’ You are connecting to the divine consciousness that is Sage Agastya! It is this great consciousness that will lead you on the spiritual path until you can arrive at the stage of finding that great light within yourself.

Ajna Chakra is the area of intuition. For this part of the Sadhana, close your eyes, and lift your internal gaze to your third eye. By this time, your breathing should be slow and relaxed. Focus on the space between your eyebrows, the Ajna Chakra. Imagine a glowing, powerful, indigo light radiating from that spot as you meditate.

After invoking Sage Agastya through the words, “Sri Agasteeshwara Maha Muni Prabhuve Namaha,” with full devotion, chant AUM. Slowly synchronize your breathing and concentrate on this point alone. As you practice, your consciousness will easily focus at the point between the eyebrows and rest there. Once you are there, remain still with your spine straight, for about five minutes.

As you practice this, you will begin to see a bright speck of light. Do not be discouraged if you do not see it right away. It takes many years of practice before one can see it. Advanced practitioners will naturally see the bright light manifesting there.

 Imagine the light expanding throughout your body and extending beyond the body. See yourself as the body of light. This is what Christ meant when he said, “if thine eyes be single, your body will be full of light.’

As you advance in your practice, you will experience your astral body of light and colors. Become aware of the astral body. As you practice, you will have many experiences. Enjoy the experiences, but do not remain there. That too will take you away from the final goal.

After spending as long as you can with deep devotion to Sage Agastya, move to the Sahasrara Chakra.

Sahasrara

Sahasrara, the highest chakra is located in the area of the crown of the head. This is the point beyond all existence once you arrive at the stage through meditation. This is the seat of divine perception.

This is the final realm. The area of divine perception. When you go to Sahasrara Chakra, become completely still. cease all activity – mental or physical. Remain in one pointed focus as long as you can. Again, when you become aware of your surroundings, chant AUM once with full concentration.

Then begin the cycle again with the Muladhara Chakra.

Unlike other practices, where devotees may reverse the process, by going back step by step down the Chakras, here, once you reach the Sahasrara Chakra, go straight to the Muladhara and begin the cycle again.

You can start doing this just one cycle at a time. Slowly increase it to 7 times and finally 14 times. Remember, that the number of times that you do chanting on the Chakras is not important. Even if you do it just once and you are able to stay at the Ajna and Sahasrara for a longer period of time, that is enough. But until you get to that point, you can practice seven or 14 times.

Now that you have completed the Sadhana, once again offer thanks to Sage Agastya who has been the guiding light within you on this great Yogic sadhana.

Sri Agastya Arathi Mantra

Sri Agastya Arathi Mantra

Aum Vedanta Purusha,

Gnana Gunashekara, Vande, Vande,

Vande, Gnana Palaka,

Aum, Dharma Palaka, Dharma Rakshaka!

Aum Sri Agastya Mahamuni Vande!

Sharanam! Sharanam! Sharanam!

The link to the YouTube video of this arati mantra is given below. 

In this hymn, we salute and give thanks to Sage Agastya describing him as Vedanta Purusha, the one who is the beginning and conclusion of all Vedas, as the first born of the primordial fire.

We praise him as the Dharma Palaka, the one who protects righteousness and brings balance to the world. As Sage Agastya has himself said, the puranas contain sacred truths hidden behind the seemingly entertaining stories. The story of Sage Agastya restoring balance to the world epitomizes this.

As Gnana Palaka, protector of wisdom, he is the one who has maintained his presence through the beginning of time, constantly protecting true knowledge. So much so, that he has given us verses in the Vedas, in the Upanishads, he appears in the Puranas and in the Tamil Sangam. He is also the one who has given Agasthiyar Vazhipaadu to the modern world.

As Dharma Rakshaka, he is the protector of righteousness. In the Ramayana, we find Sage Agastya helping the righteous by giving the Aditya Hrudayam mantra to Lord Rama himself! Through this we understand that he is the one who gives the necessary power to those who walk on the path                     of righteousness.

Summing up, you will notice that the practice also reflects the entire teachings of Sage Agastya as contained in Agasthiyar Vazhipaadu.

You begin with acquiring knowledge. Knowledge of creation, why creation, why were we created and what our purpose of life is. We begin to understand that our body as a microcosm of the macrocosm is divine in itself! Too often we do not understand what an important vehicle our physical body is. It is only when we reflect and become aware of the physical body do we begin to question and understand the why’s and what fore’s of life itself.

On that foundation of knowledge, or Gnana, we begin the second stage important step of becoming aware of what lies beyond our physical senses. We do this by contemplating and focusing on the Chakras and the subtle body. We begin to change our perception from the gross to the subtle level. Here, once again, as we chant the Sri Agasteeshwara Panchakshari Maha Mantra from Muladhara Chakra upwards, we reaffirm our understanding of the why’s and wherefores of creation.

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[1] Arati: In Indian culture, at the end of any devotional prayer or gathering, camphor light is offered to the deity by way of thanks. This involves, chanting a devotional song or mantras and moving the camphor light clockwise three times in front of the deity or altar.

[2] AUM: The cosmic word that contains the vibration of creation, preservation, and destruction. Aa in Tamil is ‘Agara’ and represents the vibration that brings about the creation of the universe; U (pronounced as ‘oo’) is ‘Ugara’ signifies the vibration that preserves creation and M is ‘Magara’ represents the destructive vibration. The word AUM is thus the beginning and the end. Through it the universe comes into manifestation and through it everything returns to the Absolute or the infinite spirit. AUM is universal to all Indian languages however, how each syllable is pronounced in its expanded form is based on that particular language. In the Hindu pantheon of Gods, these three attributes of creation, preservation and destruction are personified in the Trinity viz. Brahma, the creator, Vishnu the preserver and Shiva the destroyer.

[3] This hymn has been rendered beautifully by Rohith Rajesh and Aparna Rajesh on YouTube titled ‘Invoke Sage Agastya’s grace through this powerful; Sri Agastya Mantra’ composed by Gajaraj Swamigal.