Validity (Pramanikata) of Cakras

What is the use of studying the Shastras?  Being engaged in hair-splitting debates, discussions and arguments as most of our Arsha Shastras do, what use? How to validate a point, any standpoint, and any suggestion coming from the Shastras? In addition, this is a must! We must not be carried away by sentiment and emotion (All religions have a very dark corner of sentiment and emotion based on belief and faith. This is the sole cause of communal conflicts and clashes). I cannot accept a stand to be valid just because ‘it has been espoused in my system of faith and belief (propagated through religion, religious texts, tradition and cult)’. To accept a religious dictum without judging it thoroughly has led to disaster. Therefore, all organized religions have become mere powerful political tools at the hands of cunning and clever people who know very well how to mobilize people emotionally.  This is how herds are raised!  We humans must behave differently. (Personally, I am seriously introspecting). If something is not coming to my experience, how can I consider it be valid?   

When it comes to experience, what are its layers? On how many levels may we be able to experience a particular thing? Say for example, the concept of Cakra (seven or more) as we see in the texts of Hatha Yoga.  Is this concept a rational one? Does it come to the path of experience? How to experience Cakras (and such other concepts, even of so-called god etc.)?

We must also be able to raise questions, examine and also discard any given concept which cannot be validated! Certainly, established principles and methodology must be thoroughly and very carefully employed before invalidation.

Here are the levels of human experiences (from finest to the gross):

i) Para (Ahankara: transcendental state of experience, state of Samadhi, state of Pure Consciousness),

ii) Pashyanti (Citta, awareness),     

iii)  Madhyama (Buddhi, logical and rational judgement and examination), and,

iv) Vaikhari (Manas, expression, mental plane, gross material plane).  

As regards Cakras, Muladhara (perineum, dominance of Prithvi element)), Svadhisthana (pelvic region, dominance of Jala Tatva), Manipura (navel, dominance of Agni), Anahata (heart region, dominated by Vayu), Kantha or Vishuddha (throat, dominated by Akasha), Aajna and Sahasrara (Aajna and Sahasrara are spiritual Cakras, hence these are free of elements) one can experience them in the gross body itself. They are very much in existence on mental plane and spiritual.

There is no dearth of material contents available on Cakras in the books of Yoga, and all of that is placed with abundance of explanation. Study of this material is enough to satisfy a rational and logical mind.

One or more examples may help us understand the concept of Cakra. Muladhara is placed at the perineum (in the middle of generative organ and anus. This Cakra is considered to be the grossest of all.  It is dominated by Prithvi Tatva. Prithvi Tatva is the grossest of all elements. ‘Mula’ means root. Life takes shape at this point through the act of intercourse. Therefore, it is just correct to say it is ‘Mula’. Moreover, gross food sustains the entire existence of life and all its expressions.    

Kantha or Vishuddha Cakra is located at the throat region. This Cakra has the dominance of Akasha element. This is the space (Akasha) where sound is produced with the help of Vayu located at the chest i.e. Anahata Cakra. 

Let us take up the finest of all Cakras, that is Sahasrara. This Cakra placed at the top of head adorned with a lotus which has thousands of petals. This Cakra, just as Ajna Cakra, is beyond the limits of five elements. To experience its existence one is required to undertake higher techniques of meditation. However, thousand petals symbolizes: a)  spiritual freedom, relief from material constrains; b) opening up of endless possibilities; and c) freedom from limitation of the physical body.  

This is a humble effort to state that Yoga is ‘scientific’ in modern sense of the term as well. Even though it is an age-old tradition, all of its contents can be tested and verified. All the ideas given in Yoga can be experienced. Therefore, one can adopt Yoga in day to day life.