Path of Freedom [Vimuttimagga]

126 Vimuttimaggaplace, and is not able to grasp it in a non-prepared place. He follows whatis expedient in the practice of the yellow kasina. This yogin makes a mandalawith yellow of the colour of the Kariikdra flower, on cloth, plank or wall,in the shape of a triangle or square. He edges it with another colour. Thushe prepares the yellow sign. He grasps the sign through three ways: evengazing, skilfulness and the elimination of disturbance. The rest is as wasfully taught before.The yellow kasina has ended.THE RED KASINAQ. What is the red kasinal What is the practising of it? What are itssalient characteristic, function and near cause ? What are its benefits ? Howis the sign grasped?A. The thought that is produced relying on the red sign — this is calledthe red kasina. The training and the undisturbed dwelling of the mind —these are called the practising of it. Sending forth the mind into the red signis its salient characteristic. The non-abandoning of the perception of red isits function. Undivided thought is its near cause."What are its benefits?": There are four distinctive benefits. A man isable to attain to the emancipation of the beautiful in the red kasina. Heacquires the position of mastery of the red. 1 He is able to change things intothe colour of red. The other benefits are equal to those taught under the earthkasina. He who practises the red kasiria sees the colour of red prevailingeverywhere."How is the sign grasped?": A man who takes up the red kasina, graspsthe red sign either in a prepared place or in a natural place. The practisedyogin grasps the sign in a natural place, i.e., on seeing red flowers or redclothes anywhere. He sees always, in pleasure or in pain. Thus the afterimageof the red sign occurs to him. The new yogin is different. The newLean grey tree with outstretched hands,Your golden flow'r, a symbol, standsFor inward vision yoga-wrought,For lustrous power nobly bought.Upward flows life's current strong,Should it for cool, calm, clean bliss long,Should it, to sense the silence, throng,To sense the golden flower's song.Stem will you the outward flowOf mind caught fast in maya-glow!Illusion's lure will you lay lowlThen, let the golden flower blow.1. In the seventh abhibhdyatana, according to the sdstra quoted above, the flower associatedwith the red abhibhdyatana is the Bandhujivaka. D. II, 111 confirms: Seyyathdpi ndmabandhujivaka-puppham lohitakarh lohitaka-vannam lohitaka-nidassanam lohitaka-nibhasam.