the Equinox - The Hermetic Library

152
THE EQUINOX
It was on this day I got a broken-bell-sound* in my head when not doing
anything particular.
August
12th. Â’sana and Breathing 10 minutes. One fears to do Rechaka, so tremendous
and terrible is the Voice of the Universe. But with Puraka is a still small
Voice. Concerning which Mâitrânanda said to me: “Listen not to that
Great and terrible Voice: but penetrate and hear the subtle soul thereof.”
13th. Prânâyâma: Five cycles 5 minutes 15 seconds. Mantra (N.S.N.A.)† Half an
hour. Ears begin to sing at about the twentieth minute. Towards the
end I heard a soft sound as of a silver tube being struck very gently with a
soft mallet.
These sounds are known as the Voice of the Nada, and are
a sure sign that progress is being made. They, as already
mentioned, are the mystical inner sounds which proceed from
the Anahata Chakkra. According to the Hatha Yoga Pradipika
these sounds proceed from the Sushumnâ. “They are in all of
ten sorts; buzzing sound, sound of the lute, of bells, of waves,
of thunder, of falling rain, etc.”
Close the ears, the nose, the mouth and the eyes: then a clear sound is heard
distinctly in the Sushumnâ (which has been purified by Prânâyâma).‡
The “Pradipika” further states that in all Yogi practices
there are four stages/ Arambha, Ghata, Parichaya and Nishpatti.
In the first (Arambhâvasthâ) that is when the Anahata
Chakkra is pierced by Prânâyâma various sweet tinkling
sounds arise from the Âkâsa of the heart.
When the sound begins to be heard in the Shunya (Âkâsa), the Yogi possessed
of a body resplendent and giving out sweet odour, is free from all diseases and
his heart is filled (with Prâna).§
* These mystic sounds heard by the Yogi are supposed to proceed from the
Anahata Chakkra.
† Short for Namo Shivaya Namaha Aum.
‡ “Hath Yoga Pradipika,” p. 91. The description here is of the Shanmukhi
Murdra. § Ibid., p. 92.