c§ra;§

 

ha+ha-tatva-kaumud$  is a voluminous text on ha+ha-yoga which provides exhaustive and also rare information on various hatha-yogic practices. The text of HTK has been authored by a very versatile Sanskrit scholar named sundaradeva who was also a physician of §yurveda and practical student of yoga.  sundaradeva acquired vast knowledge of yogic and other literature which is clearly reflected in his works of HTK and ha+ha-sa°keta-candrik§. sundaradeva was residing in Benares approximately 200 years ago.

            Definition of c§ra;§--While going through his works of HTK and HSC we come across many techniques of yoga which are not found mentioned in any other available ha+hayogic texts.  One such technique is c§ra;§ (sometimes written as j§ra;§) which the author quotes from siddh§nta-<ekhara. 

            anulomavidh§n§bhy§/ c§ra;§°gabhramo bhavet

            da<adh§ c§ra;§ mukhy§ jaghany§ny§ sm&t§ budhai# (HTK-IX.13)

            c§ra;§ is the movement of the limbs of the body. It is practised on both sides of the body.  Mainly there are ten c§ra;§s. 

Definition of jaghany§ c§ra;§--As per the experts of yoga other c§ra;§s  apart from  these ten are less important which are called as jaghany§ c§ra;§s.

            Ten practices of c§ra;§ involve head (1), abdomen (2), pair of hands (4), pair of legs (6), pair of thighs (8) and pair of knees (10).

n&tyar%pa/ <iva/ dhy§tv§ c§ra;§m§cared budha#

h&da/ sa/sp>+tyaspar<asahita/ hi vidh§ya ca

A wise practitioner should undertake the practice of c§ra;§ after offering obeisance to <iva in His dancing form.

Technique of c§ra;§--One rotates the head and the abdomen clockwise and anti-clockwise for ten times each direction.

Similarly, one moves the shoulders and the elbows.

Thighs and knees are also rotated in inverse and reverse manner.

If the practice of c§ra;§ is undertaken for hundred or more times it makes an effective practice.

jaghany§ c§ra;§--Practice of jaghany§ c§ra;§ involves wrist joins, feet, toes and other joints in the body.  jaghany§ c§ra;§ should be parctised twenty-five to fifty times for three times a month.

Wrist and feet are rotated for five times everyday.  In the same manner other joints of the body are also to be rotated.

Benefits of c§ra;§—The practice of c§ra;§ and jaghany§ prepares one for the purification of the n§*$s.  Bodily heat is increased.  This makes a very effective practice in removing the diseases.  Especially the minor bodily disorders are cured.

pranic flow in the body is stimulated. Therefore, one experiences lightness.  A regular practice of c§ra;§ enhances the life span.  Thus, one prevents premature death.

Comments and observations—The practice of c§ra;§ does not appear to very traditional in nature, though it appears only in the works of sundaradeva which is quite traditional in approach.  Since the practice of c§ra;§ involves some movement, it is not  included in the group of §sanas where stability, sustained and limited movement, comfort make the salient features.   

The practice of c§ra;§ seems to be introduced with a view to make a preparatory practice for other yoga practices like §sana and pr§;§y§ma.  The very objective of c§ra;§ is to provide much required mobility, suppleness and flexibility particularly to the major body joints. This consequently helps apparently in the proper and easy practice of the §sanas and as the bodily impurities are removed, also in the practice of pr§;§y§ma. The practice of c§ra;§ does not work for other muscles than those of the joints.  Nor do c§ra;§ work for the organic muscles.  It is observed that the joints play a very important role in performance of the yoga-§sanas. Therefore, practice of c§ra;§ might offer much help in attaining the desired results of §sana and pr§;§y§ma.  Here lies the significance of this practice.

 

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