AATHMAALAYAM

Again Ida, Pingala and Sushumna are the most important of the above 14 Nadis, and Sushumna is the chief. It is the highest and most sought by the Yogins. Other Nadis are subordinate to this. Detailed instructions on each Nadi and its functions and the method of awakening the Kundalini and passing it from Chakra to Chakra are given in the following pages.

Spinal Column:

Before proceeding to the study of Nadis and Chakras you will have to know something about the Spinal Column, as all the Chakras are connected with it.

Spinal Column is known as Meru Danda. This is the axis of the body just as Mount Meru is the axis of the earth. Hence the spine is called ‘Meru’. Spinal column is otherwise known as spine, axis-staff or vertebral column. Man is microcosm. (Pinda - Kshudra-Brahmanda). All things seen in the universe,—mountains, rivers, Bhutas, etc., exist in the body also. All the Tattvas and Lokas (worlds) are within the body.

The body may be divided into three main parts:—head, trunk and the limbs, and the centre of the body is between the head and the legs. The spinal column extends from the first vertebra, Atlas bone, to the end of the trunk. The spine is formed of a series of 33 bones called vertebrae; according to the position these occupy, it is divided into five regions:—

1. Cervical region (neck) 7 vertebrae

2. Dorsal region (back) 12 vertebrae

3. Lumbar region (waist or loins) 5 vertebrae.

4. Sacral region (buttocks, Sacrum or gluteal) 5 vertebrae.

5. Coccygeal region (imperfect vertebrae Coccyx) 4 vertebrae.