Krishjan

Chapter 5 — Fifth Khanda

Jabal Darshan

13 Shloka • Translation Only

O Brāhmaṇa, explain to me briefly the purification of the Nāḍīs. By knowing it, and by meditating constantly with the Nāḍīs purified, may I become liberated while still living (Jīvanmukta).

O Sāṅkṛti, listen. I shall explain the purification of the Nāḍīs in brief. One should be engaged in the duties prescribed by the scriptures and be free from desires and selfish intentions.

Endowed with the eight limbs of Yoga, beginning with Yama, peaceful in nature, devoted to truth, firmly established in the Self, and properly instructed by the wise and knowledgeable teachers.

On a mountain peak, on the bank of a river, beneath a Bilva tree, or in a forest— having established a hermitage in a pleasant and pure place, one should sit with a concentrated mind.

Then, assuming an Āsana, one should face either east or north. Keeping the body, neck, and head aligned and erect, with the mouth closed and the body perfectly steady.

With the mind well concentrated, one should gaze with both eyes at the tip of the nose. There, within the lunar orb marked by the hare, in its central point, one should behold the Turīya state, from which the nectar of immortality continually flows.

Drawing in the Prāṇa through Iḍā Nāḍī, one should fill the abdomen with the breath. Then, one should meditate upon the fire situated in the middle of the body, surrounded by a mass of blazing flames.

One should contemplate the Agni-bīja (the seed-mantra of fire), united with Bindu and Nāda. Thereafter, the wise practitioner should properly exhale the Prāṇa through Piṅgalā Nāḍī.

Again, inhaling through Piṅgalā Nāḍī, one should meditate upon the Agni-bīja. Then the wise practitioner should slowly exhale through Iḍā Nāḍī. This practice should be performed regularly for three or four days, or three or four times, repeating it six times daily in seclusion during the three junctions of the day (Tri-sandhyā).

One attains Nāḍī-śuddhi (purification of the nāḍīs), which is recognized by distinct signs. These signs include lightness of the body and the increased brilliance of the digestive fire (Jāṭharāgni).

The manifestation of the inner Nāda (mystic sound) is another sign. These are indications of success in the practice. Until these signs are perceived, one should continue practicing in this manner.

Or, setting aside all these practices, one may directly pursue the purification of one's understanding of the Self. The Ātman is ever pure, eternal, of the nature of bliss, and self-luminous.

Owing to ignorance, the Ātman appears impure; through knowledge, It shines forth as pure. He who washes away the mud of ignorance with the water of knowledge alone is truly purified at all times. Not so the one who remains merely engaged in external actions and rituals.