Host:
Gurudev, my respects to you.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
My blessings to you.
Host:
In the previous episode, we were listening to you talk about Tantra Sadhana and Kula Kundalini. You were saying that one must know their own body and were discussing the various chakras. You also mentioned the presence of the "Hangsa" at the very top.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
When we take a breath, there is a deep philosophy behind it. One breath is divided into five elements or life-airs: Prana, Apana, Samana, Udana, and Vyana. You will notice that when Brahmins sit for a meal, they perform a ritual called Gondush, where they chant, "Om Pranaya Swaha, Om Apanaya Swaha, Om Samanaya Swaha, Om Vyanaya Swaha."
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
These five elements are powerful. That single breath provides for the Prana Vayu—the air that makes the heart beat. Then there is the Apana Vayu. While the Prana keeps you alive, the Apana makes you restless and active. If you feel unable to sit still and keep moving, that is the action of this air. Without this air, you wouldn't even be able to stand up from where you are sitting; you would perish. It is fascinating, yet most people do not know or try to understand the nature of their breath—why we take it, where it goes, and why we release it.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
As I said, one breath provides for these five. Samana Vayu is another—you might think your liver does everything, but it is actually this air that aids digestion and metabolism. If the air doesn't reach the liver properly, the liver malfunctions. Doctors might say the liver is bad, but it is often due to the lack of proper air flow, which reduces digestive power.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Then there is Udana Vayu. Sometimes, when we have an empty stomach, gas forms and we burp; that is the action of Udana. Finally, Vyana Vayu is the "death air." Just before a person passes away, there is a rattling sound in the throat—that is Vyana. It is always present, but we don't notice it while we are healthy and active.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
These five airs further divide into twenty-four elements (Tattva). When we perform Kumbhaka (breath retention), that single breath powers these twenty-four elements, including the eyes, nose, tongue, and skin. It is because of this "Vayu Kriya" (air action) that you can see, hear, and taste. We are alive entirely because of this air. Everyone knows that without air, a person dies, but they don't look deeper.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
In Kumbhaka, we visualize being in the middle of a body of water surrounded by fire. There is a chant: "Rang iti jaladharaye bonnipakaram." One must meditate on sitting in water with fire all around. You must elevate your mind and keep it pure, connecting with the Divine—the "Amritomoy Tejomoy Purush" (the Eternal Radiant Being) in the heavens.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The mantra "Hang-Sa" is used here. "Hang" and "Sa" represent inhalation and exhalation. You might not realize it, but you are performing two "japa" (chants) with every breath. Even when we offer water to the Sun (Surya Arghya), we say: "Hring Hah Sah Martanda Bhairaba Prokasho Shakti Sohitao Bhagabate Sri Suryaya Swaha." Those syllables "Hah" and "Sah" are the breath itself.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Usually, we don't think about what happens if we can't take a breath or can't release it. It happens automatically through the rhythm of the heart. We take in oxygen and release carbon dioxide, which plants then use for their food, and they give us oxygen in return—it's a cycle.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The chakras of the Kula Kundalini—Muladhara, Swadhisthana, and the others—open one by one, but it takes time. They rise through the pressure of the air. The more you can practice Kumbhaka, the better. Ramakrishna Paramahansa once said that calling out to God should be like the desperation for air you feel when someone holds your head underwater. That struggle for breath is what Kumbhaka feels like.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Initially, a person might only manage half a minute or a minute, but with practice, some can stay without breathing for ten minutes. During this, the heart continues its rhythm. This is the law of Kumbhaka.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
In Tarapith, there is a unique feature. If you look at the Dwaraka River there, it flows from bottom to top (South to North). Usually, rivers flow from high to low, but the Dwaraka is "Uttorbahini" (North-flowing). This makes Tarapith a significant place for Kumbhaka—it represents the upward flow of energy.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
You must practice this breath retention intensely. As you hold your breath, the heart's activity increases. While a normal pulse is 72, for a practitioner, the heart begins to pound loudly. You will eventually hear that "dhak-dhak" sound in your own ears. That is when you know Kumbhaka is happening. Your veins will swell, and your heart and lungs will expand because they are deprived of external air. The heart rate can go up to 120. It takes time to bring it back down.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yogiraj Shyama Charan Lahiri was a master of this "Vayu Kriya." He could establish and hold the breath. However, he also warned: do not practice Kumbhaka in polluted areas. When you hold your breath for several minutes, the air is stagnant inside your body. If that air is polluted, it can cause internal sores or health issues. He advised practicing only in pollution-free environments.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
According to Shyama Charan Lahiri, we have the Ida, Pingala, and Sushumna nerves. We call Ida "Gangotri" and Pingala "Yamunotri"—the Ganga and Yamuna. The Sushumna is the spinal cord. Through the action of air, a vibration occurs there, which we call "Mach Khela" (Fish Playing). It's a sensation of movement within the spinal cord. All the six chakras from the Muladhara upwards are linked to the spinal cord.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I must warn everyone: do not do this without a proper Guru. If the "Vayu Kriya" goes wrong, you might become excessively obese or excessively thin.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
There is also a sensation called "Sitkar" and "Bijjapato." When the air interacts with the chakras, a great energy is released. A transparent, jelly-like substance is sometimes produced, which carries immense power. We call this the "Sitkar."
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Everything depends on the Kula Kundalini. It must be awakened stage by stage. It's like climbing the Himalayas—you cannot reach the peak instantly. You must go from base camp to base camp. Each chakra is a base camp. You must awaken them using the correct methodology. I see many young people nowadays showing a great interest in this, which is good. This isn't just about "God"—it's about the body. The body itself is the temple.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I also believe in "Manas Puja" (Mental Worship). You don't need external rituals. Consider your body as the offering to the Mother. The heart, which is usually in darkness, should be lit like a lamp. The mind should be focused like the smoke of incense. The intellect is the tray of flowers, and the ego is the garland. This is how we perform "Kaibalya Puja." Ram Thakur practiced this.
Host:
Gurudev, we have learned so much about Tantra, Kula Kundalini, and the chakras. I am reminded of a song by Ramprasad: "Dub de re mon kali bole, hridi-ratnakaro agadh jole" (Dive deep, O mind, in the name of Kali, into the bottomless sea of the heart). He says that if you dive into the Kula Kundalini, you will find a treasury of jewels that never runs empty.
Host:
Friends, you are watching the "Gupto Sadhok Shyama Khyapa" YouTube channel. Many of you from all over India and abroad have been writing to us in the comments about your problems, especially health issues. Gurudev is very keen to speak with you and help, but we need a way to reach you. With Gurudev's permission, I request that when you share your problems, please leave a contact number so Gurudev can reach out to you when he has time.
Host:
Respects to you, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Blessings to all.