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(बिंदु) Bindu (Sanskrit: बिंदु) is a Sanskrit term meaning "point" or "dot." The feminine case ending is bindi, which denotes a small ornamental, devotional, and often mystical dot that in Hinduism is applied or affixed to the forehead.[1]
Philosophy
editIn metaphysics, Bindu is considered to be the point at which creation begins and may become unity. It is also described as "the sacred symbol of the cosmos in its unmanifested state."[2][3]
The Bindu is the point around which the mandala is created and it represents the manifestation of the universe.[4]
The Bindu is often merged with [seed], or sperm, and ova. The Yoga Chudamani Upanishad states that the bindu exists as a duality, with a white bindu representing shukla (sperm) and a red Bindu representing maharaj (menses). The white Bindu resides in the bindu visarga and is related to Shiva and the Moon, while the red Bindu resides in the muladhara chakra and is related to Shakti and the Sun.[5] In yoga, it is the joining of these two parts that results in the ascension of the kundalini to the sahasrara.[6]
The Bindu Chakra is situated beneath the whirl of hair at the tip of the head. In the picture of the Bindu is a Lotus with twenty-three petals. Its symbol is the moon, which supports the growing of vegetation. Lord Krishna said: “Becoming the nectarine moon I nourish all plants” (Bhagavad Gita XV/13). Its Divinity is Lord Shiva, who is always portrayed with the crescent moon in his hair. The Mantra is SHIVOHAM. This Chakra is colourless and transparent.
The Bindu Chakra is an important centre for health, giving us the power for physical and mental recuperation. This Chakra benefits eyesight, quietens the emotions and promotes inner harmony, clarity and balance. With the help of this Chakra we are capable of controlling hunger and thirst and gain the ability to overcome unhealthy eating habits. Concentration on the Bindu relieves anxiety and depression, nervousness and also feelings of oppression in the heart.[7]
The Bindu Chakra lies beneath the cowlick that most people have at the back of their head. Anatomically it is located where the bones of the back and sides of the skull meet (the occiput and the parietal). The direction of the stream of cosmic energy flowing into the Chakra can be seen quite clearly at this point. Some people have two cowlicks, indicating the existence of two energy centres. These people often possess exceptional vitality and creativity, but on the other hand can also be inclined towards hyperactivity and extreme nervousness. In these cases the method described later in this chapter can help to balance out the energy flow again.
In most Yoga books the Bindu Chakra is not mentioned, but in Tantra Yoga great importance is attached to the healing and rejuvenating effects of this Chakra.
Whilst this energy centre “sleeps” it is similar to a dot, but when awakened its energy begins to flow or to “drip”. The Bindu Chakra produces truly astonishing effects. It is a “health centre” that brings about improved physical, psychic and spiritual health, and is therefore a valuable aid on our spiritual journey. It also helps to quieten our emotions and brings harmony and a sense of wellbeing.
With the help of this Chakra we are able to control hunger and thirst and overcome unhealthy eating habits.
Concentration on the Bindu Chakra can also be beneficial for depression, nervousness, feelings of anxiety and an oppressive feeling within the heart. A slight pressure with the fingernail on the site of the Bindu Chakra gives rise to a spontaneous feeling of happiness that spreads to the heart. When a child is restless and will not go to sleep it helps to gently massage the Bindu Chakra with soft circular movements for a few minutes – the child will soon become quiet and sleepy.
But the most outstanding effect of the Bindu Chakra is the production of AMRITA, the nectar of immortality.[8]
Bindu Chakra
edit| Tantric chakras |
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In Tantra, Bindu or Bindu Visarga ("falling of the drop") is a point at the back of the head where Brahmins grow their tuft of hair.[9][10] This point exists below the sahasrara chakra and above the ajna chakra and is represented by a crescent moon with a white drop. It represents the manifestation of creations, such as consciousness.[11]
The Bindu visarga is said to be the source of Bindu fluid containing a nectar (amrita) and a poison.[12] The fluid is released from the bindu visarga where it can be stored in the lalana chakra and purified in the vishuddha chakra. When the vishuddha is inactive, the fluid flows to the manipura chakra, where it is consumed and leads to physical degeneration. According to the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, a hatha yoga practitioner can prolong his or her own life by controlling the flow of the fluid.[13] Through practice of the Khecari mudra, the practitioner can manipulate the flow of the fluid from the lalana into the vishuddha, where it is purified to amrita.
Bindu refers to an aspect of the anatomy known as the "subtle body" which is composed of "drops" (Tibetan: ཐིག་ལེ thig le) and "winds" (Tibetan: རླུང rLung).[14]
See also
editNotes
edit- Khanna, Madhu (1979). Yantra: The Tantric Symbol Of Cosmic Unity. Thames and Hudson.
- Kumar, Ravindra (2000). Kundalini for Beginners: The Shortest Path to Self-Realization. Llewellyn Worldwide.
- Rana, Deepak (2012). Yantra, Mantra and Tantrism: The Complete Guide. Neepradaka Press.
- Saraswati, Satyananda (1996). Kundalini Tantra. Bihar School of Yoga.
- Shakya, Milan (June 2000). "Basic Concepts of Mandala." Voices of History, Vol. XV, No. 1. pp. 81–87
References
edit- ^ OEDILF
- ^ Khanna 1979: p.171
- ^ Swami Ranganathananda (1991). Human Being in Depth: A Scientific Approach to Religion. SUNY Press. p. 21. ISBN 0791406792.
- ^ Shakya, p. 82-83
- ^ Saraswati, p. 144
- ^ Kumar, p. 94
- ^ http://www.yogaindailylife.org/esystem/yoga/en/180700/chakras/bindu-chakra/
- ^ http://www.chakras.net/energy-centers/bindu
- ^ Saraswati, p. 21
- ^ Kumar, p. 8-9
- ^ Saraswati, p. 143
- ^ Saraswati, p.141-142
- ^ Hatha Yoga Pradipika
- ^ http://www.berzinarchives.com/e-books/developing_balanced_sensitivity/sensitivity_17.html Grasping at Mind's Natural Functions for Security Alexander Berzin