Anāhata is a Sanskrit word that refers to the heart chakra, one of the primary chakras in the body according to various spiritual traditions. This article will take a closer look at anāhata within some Hindu and Tantric Buddhist belief systems. Chakras are an ancient concept, dating back to the 5th century. Since then, anāhata has been consistently associated with the colour green and is located in the centre of our chest. It is said to govern our hearts and lungs and is associated with emotions such as love and compassion. That being said, the concept is used widely by many different spiritual traditions, I hope this article tickles your curiosity to learn more.
The word "anāhata" comes from the Sanskrit language and is made up of two parts: "an" meaning "not" and "ahata" which means "struck." Together, the word can be translated as "unstruck" or "unbeaten." In the context of the heart chakra, it refers to the idea that the anāhata chakra is the source of an inner sound or vibration that is not created by any external force, always present within an individual.
Woven throughout Hindu scripture, the anāhata symbol is said to have originated from the Vedic tradition, where it is known as the Shatkona. The Shatkona is made up of two overlapping triangles, one pointing upwards and the other pointing downwards. This symbol is said to represent the union of masculine and feminine energies, and the balance between the individual self and the universe. The anāhata symbol consists of 12 petals that are often the associated bluish-green. These petals bear the Sanskrit letters kam, kham, gam, gham, ngam, cham, chham, jam, jham, nyam, tam, and tham. A bija is a one-syllable mantra sometimes called a seed. There is a bija is associated with each of our chakras, the Bija for anāhata is “yam”. Hindu texts Some of the oldest mentions of the anāhata chakra are in ancient Hindu texts such as the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita, which date back to the 3rd - 8th century BCE. The concept of chakras, including the anāhata chakra, is also within the tantric traditions of Buddhism, which developed around the 5th - 10th century CE. These texts describe the anāhata chakra as the fourth primary chakra and associate it with the colour green and the element of air. They also describe the anāhata chakra as being associated with the heart, lungs, and emotions, and as a focal point for meditation. "The one who perceives the soundless, touchless, formless, unchanging, and tasteless, the one who perceives the anāhata, the one who perceives the indestructible, that one, they say, has reached the highest goal." - Katha Upanishad "When the seeker of truth, the yogi, has stilled the mind and the senses, has withdrawn the mind from the external world and has become absorbed in the self, he hears the divine music of the anāhata." - Yoga Yajnavalkya Upanishad "When one is steadfast in yoga, having attained union with the self, and having become steadfast in the self, one attains the supreme joy which is in the self and in the anāhata." - Bhagavad Gita 6.20 Open Hearted Hanuman There is a famous story about Hanuman, the monkey god, who was a devotee of Lord Rama and was known for his strength and devotion. One day, while Hanuman was on a mission to find Lord Rama's wife Sita, who had been kidnapped by the demon king, Ravana, Hanuman was captured by the demons and taken before Ravana the king of an island called Lanka.
Ravana, knowing that Hanuman was a devotee of Lord Rama, wanted to prove to Hanuman that Rama was not as powerful as he believed. He ordered his demons to light Hanuman's tail on fire, and Hanuman was severely burnt. Hanuman, being the powerful devotee he was, did not let the pain show on his face, instead, he used his devotion to Lord Rama to extinguish the fire.
Ravana, unable to break Hanuman's spirit, ordered his demons to bring Hanuman before him. Hanuman, in front of Ravana and his army of demons, opened his chest with his own hands to reveal a powerful image of Lord Rama and Sita within. By doing this, he proved his devotion to Lord Rama and the strength of his anāhata chakra, which was the source of his devotion, strength, and power. The Tantric Tradition
The Tantric tradition is a complex field that encompasses a range of texts and practices. The exact origins of the tradition are not well-documented and are the subject of scholarly debate. However, some of the oldest known texts in the Tantric tradition include The Kalachakra Tantra, a text which covers teachings including cosmology, astrology, yoga, and meditation. The concept of chakras is an aspect of the Kalachakra Tantra, as it is in many other tantric traditions.
In the Kalachakra system, there are six main chakras, and the anāhata chakra is one of them. The Kalachakra tantra describes the anāhata chakra as being located in the heart region and associated with the element of air. It is said to govern the functions of the heart, lungs, and circulatory system, and to be associated with the colour green.
The Kalachakra tantra also describes practices and visualizations that are specific to the anāhata chakra. These include visualising the chakra as a lotus with 12 petals and reciting mantras associated with the chakra, such as the seed syllable ‘yam’.
The Kalachakra tantra is a multifaceted text, and the chakra system is just one aspect of it. The Kalachakra tantra also teaches other practices such as tantra, astrology, and cosmology, which are meant to be integrated into a yogi’s path of enlightenment. Additionally, the Kalachakra tantra is considered to be one of the most advanced tantras in the Buddhist tantra, it's not recommended to practice without guidance.
The concept of Anāhata is rooted in the spiritual and meditative practices of ancient Indian traditions such as yoga, tantra and Vedanta. Anahata, meaning "unstruck" or "unhurt" in Sanskrit, is considered to be one of the major chakras located in the heart region. It is associated with the element of air and governs the functions of the heart, lungs, and circulatory system. Anahata is considered to be the centre of love, compassion and devotion. It is also worth noting that the tantra, yoga, and Vedanta traditions are vast and diverse fields, and the concept of chakras and their associations vary depending on the tradition.
For further reading:
"The Serpent Power: The Secrets of Tantric and Shaktic Yoga" by Arthur Avalon
"The Nectar of Immortality: Sri Aurobindo's Interpretation of the Bhagavad Gita's Isvara Gita" by Sri Aurobindo
"Chakras and Their Archetypes: Uniting Energy Awareness and Spiritual Growth" by Ambika Wauters
"Tantra in Practice" edited by David Gordon White
"The Circle of Bliss: Buddhist Meditational Art" edited by John Huntington and Dina Bangdel
The Buddhist Theory of Self-Cognition" by Jikidō Takasaki
"Chakras in Tantra and Yoga" by Harish Johari
Comments