Ajna

Ajna(Sanskrit:आज्ञा,IAST:Ājñā,IPA:[ˈaːd͡ʑɲaː]),brow^[1]orthird eye chakra,is the sixth primarychakrain the body according toHindutradition and signifies theunconscious mind,the direct link toBrahman(ultimate reality).^[2]The third eye is said to connect people to theirintuition,give them the ability tocommunicatewith the world, or help them receive messages from the past and the future.^[3]^[4]^[5]

Traditional Hindu diagram of third eye chakra

Location

The Ajna chakra is located in the center of the forehead between the eyebrows.^[6]It is not a part of the physical body but considered to be part of thepranicsystem. The location makes it a sacred spot where Hindus apply atilak bindito show reverence for it.^{[citation needed]}

Appearance

The Ajna chakra is described as "a diamond-like lotus of two petals, presided byHamsaDevata, andSusumna Sakti.It corresponds to theVijnanastate andAnupama Vak,and to the halfmatraof thePranava."^[7]

It is said to represent thenadis(psychic channels) Ida and Pingala, which meet the central Sushumna nadi before rising to the crown chakra,Sahasrara.The letter "ham" (हं) is written in white on the left petal and representsShiva,while the letter "ksham" (क्षं) is written in white on the right petal and representsShakti.^[8]^{[better source needed]}

Inside thepericarpof the flower is the Hakini shakti. It is depicted with a white moon, six faces, and six arms holding a book, a skull, a drum, and arosary,while making the gestures associated with granting boons and dispelling fears. The downward-pointing triangle above her contains a whitelingam.This triangle, along with the lotus flower, can represent wisdom.^[9]^{[better source needed]}

Seed syllable

The seed syllables of Ajna areksham^{[citation needed]}and the more well-knownOmorAum,^[10]which is believed to be the basic sound of the world and contains all other sounds. It is considered the supreme sound of the universe.^{[citation needed]}The mantras are monosyllabic seed sounds (bija) which, when spoken aloud, activate the energy of the respective chakras in order to purify and balance the mind and body. The energy resonates in the chakra associated with the mantra.^[11]

Function

Ajna translates as "authority" or "command" (or "perceive" ).^{[citation needed]}It is considered the eye of intuition and intellect. Its associated sense organ is the mind.^[6]

References

^Ritu Shukla (April 8, 2019)."Chaitra Navratri 2019: The do's and don'ts".Times of India.Retrieved2020-07-31.
^"The Ancient Powerful Practices of Hindu Meditation".The Way of Meditation.2015-05-05. Archived fromthe originalon 2018-09-22.Retrieved2017-03-31.
^wisdomlib.org (2014-02-27)."Ājñā, Ajna, Āgyā: 3 definitions".Wisdom Library.Retrieved2017-03-31.
^"The Seven Chakras and Their Significance".The Isha Blog.2013-01-21. Archived fromthe originalon 2015-05-26.Retrieved2017-03-31.
^"Ajna Chakra – SivaSakti".sivasakti.Retrieved2017-03-31.
^^a ^bVishnudevananda (1988),p.298.
^Kaviraj (1923).
^"Sixth Chakra Third Eye Chakra Ajna Chakra".My Chakras.2008-05-27.Retrieved2016-05-04.
^"The Third Eye Chakra".chakras.info.Retrieved2016-04-29.
^D'Angelo (2012),ch. 9.
^Vishnudevananda (1988),pp.292-99.

Works cited

D'Angelo, James (2012).Seed Sounds for Tuning the Chakras: Vowels, Consonants, and Syllables for Spiritual Transformation.Inner Traditions/Bear.ISBN 978-1594774607.
Kaviraj, Gopinath (1923).System of Chakras according to Gorakshanatha.Princess of Wales Sarasvati Bhavan Series. Vol. II.Retrieved2022-12-14– via Shivashakti.
Vishnudevananda, Swami (1988).The Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga.Harmony/Rodale.ISBN 978-0517884317.