Krishna's Flute

Alluring sounds. In art, Krishna is often depicted as a young herdsman in a relaxed pose, playing the flute. He usually stands with one leg bent in front of the other with the flute raised to his lips, in a certain posture and accompanied by cows. The alluring sounds draw "girls and women" to dance in the woods and be near to the attracting Krishna.

Krishna's Flute and Nada Sound

told by Sri Shankaracharya

"When one's essential nature is contemplated upon for a moment . . ., then the (subtle) sound called Anahata is heard."

Anahata [the sound of the celestial realm] descends in the mind and body in the form of several pranas (energy). When such subtle energy (see Kundalini below) is activated, this subtle inner sound can be heard. The system is thereby charged.

"Subtle sound . . . like that of the flute, heard."

It is advised to stay with the sound, as subtle sound for a long time is a seat of bliss, many yogis affirm.

Shankaracharya considers that dhyana (meditation) on subtle sound (above the sub-sounds within) is superior and pleasing.

"The mind naturally alights on what is pleasant, and, in the course of the practice, subtler and subtler sounds are experienced until the mind is . . . in the Great Silence [where] Pure Awareness shines."

[Cf. ◦"Krishna's Flute"]

Going deep

Snake-bitten. Handling Kundalini well - fit and safe handling - leads to rise in consciousness we are told. One may ride it a little or go all the way. The latter is equalled to full enlightenment. (Satyananda 2001)

Kundalini, in yogic theory, is a primal energy . . . Different spiritual traditions teach methods of "awakening" kundalini for the purpose of reaching spiritual enlightenment. Kundalini awakening is said to result in deep meditation, enlightenment and bliss. Many systems of yoga focus on the awakening of Kundalini through meditation, pranayama, body postures and the use of mantras. (See WP, "Kundalini")

The snake of Vishnu, Ananta. (Hall 1996, 46)

Ananta is a Sanskrit term which means 'endless' or 'limitless', and also means 'eternal' or 'infinite' . . . Ananta is the Shesha-naga, the celestial snake.

In the Vedanta School, the term Ananta refers to the non-dual reality that manifests in space. [WP, "Ananta (infinite)"]

Allegoric talk. Some old texts may not say much if they are terse, or sutras (verses), or texts that make use of "masks", perhaps. In case, the masks are metaphoric or allegoric ways of presenting things.