Significance
of the subtle sound- Antarnad
By Sri Shankaracharya
By Sri Shankaracharya
"When
one's essential nature is contemplated upon for a moment or half a moment, then
the (subtle) sound called Anahata is heard in the right ear."
Note:
Anahata (literally 'unstruck') is the subtle sound produced by the vibrations
of Prana or bio-energy within the body through the nerve channels and is
recognised as sound by the brain, though there is no external source of
vibration causing it. In his Yogataravali, Sri Shankaracharya mentions
Pranayama or breath control with the three neuro-muscular "locks" of
Hatha Yoga viz., Uddiyana, Jalandhara and Mula Bandha as the direct means of
activating the Kundalini (the potential bio-energy in all beings), and
manifesting this subtle inner sound.
"The
excellent contemplation on the subtle sound is indeed the characteristic of the
beginning of success (in Yogic contemplation), steadiness, repose, confidence
and the purity of the source, of the mind."
Note:
The manifestation of the subtle sound is the precursor of success in Yogic
practice. Here, the 'source' indicates the accumulated mental impressions or
Vasanas in the sub-conscious mind which continually cause thought waves in the
mind. The sub-conscious mind is purged of all impurities by Yogic contemplation
and only when the mind is so purified, does the subtle sound manifest within.
"The
more the mind goes to the state of immovableness (or stillness) on account of
abstaining from sense-objects, the more is the subtle sound of long duration
like that of the flute, heard."
"
Although there are various other means of absorption of the mind, this
dissolution of thoughts on account of contemplation on the subtle sound for a
long time is most excellent because of the experience of great bliss."
Note:
Such psychic experiences as the hearing of subtle sounds, the inner vision of
lights or form patterns and subtle tactile sensations of a vibratory nature in
the spinal column and elsewhere, during deep meditative states, are established
facts repeatedly confirmed by advanced Yogis.
There
are many recognised methods of stilling the mind and getting established in
Pure Awareness which is our essential nature. Sri Shankaracharya considers the
absorption of the mind through contemplation on the subtle sounds within as
superior to other methods since the mind easily gets attached to the pure,
continuous and pleasing sounds heard within.
"The
mind naturally alights on what is pleasant, and, in the course of the practice,
subtler and subtler sounds are experienced until the mind is transcended and
the yogi gets established in the Great Silence where only Pure Awareness
shines."
Note:
It should be remembered that the ultimate goal is to transcend even these
subtle 'experiences' and be one with the source of all experiences, the pure
undifferentiated Existence-Consciousness- Bliss absolute.
______________
From
other sources
O Lord,
make me an instrument of Thy will!
We humans are the instruments of the Lord.
Human being is the flute.
The Lord fills the instrument with the breath of life,
and makes the inanimate instrument (made from the
five elements) come alive with huge range of possibilities.
______________
We humans are the instruments of the Lord.
Human being is the flute.
The Lord fills the instrument with the breath of life,
and makes the inanimate instrument (made from the
five elements) come alive with huge range of possibilities.
______________
"At
the time of (bestowing His) Grace, the Divine Lord does not consider thus:
'This one is foremost by birth, appearance, wealth and age; this one is the
lowest; this one is praiseworthy and this one is not praiseworthy'."
"Therefore,
Krishna, the inner Self of all is the enjoyer
(or lover) of the sincerity (or devotion) existing within the devotee. Does a
great cloud, when raining , consider whether it is a Khadira (a tree of little
use) or a Champaka (a tree bearing fragrant flowers) that benefits
thereby?"
Om Tat Sat
(My humble salutations to the lotus feet of H H Sri Sankaracharya for the collection)
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