By Yogi Ashwini

In this series we have been discussing the asans and beej mantras for the various chakras as entailed in the the Sanatan Kriya and how one can activate them and strengthen the corresponding body parts. After vishuddhi we now we move on to the Agya chakra.

Agya (Crown Chakra): This master chakra controls the brain, eyes, and nose, and pineal and pituitary glands. It also directly controls all other chakras. The beej mantra for this chakra is HAM THAM OM.

Take your awareness to your breath at the tip of the nostrils. Watch the rhythmic pattern of breath at this point and with every subsequent inhalation, make your breath longer and deeper. Maintaining the awareness of Agya chakra, start with the chant of HAM THAM OM. Keep the chant deep and slow. Continue with the chant as we graduate into the asans for Agya.

The Yogasutras talk about three very powerful techniques, the Mahabandha, the Mahamudra and the Mahavedha. According to Hatha Yoga Pradipika ‘aetatrayam mahagunghyam jaramrityuvinashanam vahnivriddhikaram chaiv hyanimaadigunapradam’. These are the three secrets which destroy old age and death, increase digestive fire and bestow the siddhis of anima etc.

Mahabandha: Mahabandha unites the three nadis at the agya chakra and helps the mind reach the seat of Lord Shiv, kedara. It helps arrest ageing and is a bestower of great siddhis. Sit down; bend the left knee, pressing the heel into the perineum/vagina. Place the right heel on the left thigh. Inhale from the right nostril and perform the Shambhavi (center yourself and fix your eyes at the center of the forehead between the two eyebrows) and Khechari Mudra (for this, the tongue is turned backwards into the cavity of the cranium). Holding your breath inside, perform Mool Bandha (keeping awareness at the perineum and contract the perineal muscle lifting it up towards the navel and holding the posture) followed by Jalandhar Bandha (retaining the breath, bend the head forward and press the chin tightly against the chest) Come back and release the bandhas, first Jalandhar and then Mool Bandha. Repeat the same on the other side.

Mahamudra: The Mahamudra incor porates the benefits of Kumbhak, Khechari Mudra, Mool Bandha and other practices, and so purifies the entire network of nadis, restores balance in all bodily functions and aids in absorption of rasa. Sit down, bend the left knee, pressing the heel into the perineum/vagina. Stretch the right leg out in front. Inhale from the right nostril and perform the Shambhavi and Khechari Mudra. Holding your breath inside and perform Mool Bandha followed by Jalandhar Bandha. Bend forward, resting your forehead on the knee. Continue as long as you can retain your breath without straining. Come back and release the bandhas, first Jalandhar and then Mool Bandha. Repeat the same on the other side.

Mahavedha: The final practice is Mahavedha which keeps all signs of ageing such as fatigue, wrinkles, grey hair and joint pains at bay. It is also an essential practice to reap the benefits of Mahabandha and Mahamudra, for these two practices generate enormous prana which needs to be channelized in the correct way. Mahavedha is hence done after performing Mahamudra or Mahabandha. Sit down; bend the left knee, pressing the heel into the perineum/vagina. Place the right heel on the left thigh. Inhale from the right nostril and perform the Shambhavi and Khechari Mudra. Holding your breath inside, perform Mool Bandha followed by Jalandhar Bandha. Lift your body, pushing your weight into the floor using your palms and descend such that the heel pierces into the Mooladhar. Repeat this up and down movement seven times. Come back and release the bandhas, first Jalandhar and then Mool Bandha. Repeat the same on the other side.

It is important to have a Guru to practice the above or it can damage the body.

After performing the mentioned asanas and bandhas, it is extremely important to relax the body and various energy points to distribute the energy so generated all through. In the next article we will discuss how to relax and rejuvenate the body with Yog Nidra.

Yogi Ashwini is the Guiding Light of Dhyan Foundation and an authority on the Vedic Sciences. His book, 'Sanatan Kriya, The Ageless Dimension' is an acclaimed thesis on anti-ageing. Log onto to www.dhyanfoundation.com or mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more .