Sahajayana and the point of overlap

[Full title: An insight into Mystical and Esoteric Aspects of Lakulisa-Pasupatas: Sahajayana and the point of overlap]

Siddhas were well known in literature of medieval Indian alchemy. Two main offshoots of Vajrayana which have been popularized by the Mahasiddhas are, Kalachakrayana and Sahajayana.

Table: 3 Comparision:

[Kalchakrayana and Sahajayana]

Kalachakrayana

Sahajayana

The theory explained by - Abhinavagupta as wheel of time and the process of keeping oneself above its vagaries - The process of controlling time possible by controlling vital winds in the nerves through yogic practices followed by siddhas

Against the prescribed codes of study,discipline,conduct worship and ritual - Dohas and songs of siddhas as the main source of inspiratiom…time and again hinting on uselessness of purely philosophical discussions and debates - Everything lies in human frame..denotes the easiest and most natural way by which human nature will itself lead the aspirant to the truth. - Conception of an internal female force in the navel region of a male corresponding to “kula-kundalini” Sakti of the non Buddhist tantras…similar to Natha tradition

In philosophy the term Sahaja denotes the ultimate inner nature of beings and elements and in a spiritual sense it denotes the easiest or the most natural way by which human nature itself can lead the aspirant to realize the truth. It believes that by suppressing desires and thereby straining the human body with the prescribed codes of study discipline conduct and worship and ritual truth can never be found.It considers the human body itself as the seat of all human experience including that of Sahaja-Mahasukha. According to the followers of Sahajayana everything, every mystery, every answer lies in human frame; and the human body is in essence a microcosm of the universe. All their effort is channelised at realizing the wonders of ones own body and its immense power.The aim is to develop the hidden powers of mind which when properly evolved were believed to be much more powerful than material forces.

All these three traditions lay a great emphasis on two major points

(a) The imperative necessity of making the body sufficiently strong and fit before starting the Yogic practices;

(b) Conception of an internal feminine force in the Nirmana cakra (cakra around navel region) corresponding to that of Kula-Kundilini of non Buddhisht tantras

The main aim of the Natha aspirants very much like a Sahajayana aspirant is to feel within his own self the ideal of non-duality which is possible by attainment of immortality and renovation of the body.^[1] According to the natha texts moon (soma) is the drug of immortality (amrta) which resides in the Sahasrara or cerebral region of the body. In a normal human being this amrta dropped from Soma is consumed by sun which resides in the navel region through a serpent like channel.The face of this channel from where the amrta is dropped is designated as 10^th door. Now according to these adepts the 10^th door can be closed and hence amrta can be saved in the body which ultimately leads to immortality. The feat can only be achieved through vigorous “KayaSadhana” or disciplining of the body. These methods and processes of Hatha Yoga have been explanined in detail by Briggs^[2], and are similar to ones followed by Siddhacaryas. Hence it is the cult of body that connects all these three esoteric sects.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Bhattacharya N.N; History of the Tantric Religion”,Delhi, 1982, p.269-270

[2]:

Briggs G.W., “Gorakhnath and Kanphata Yogis”,Calcutta, 1938