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YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED: F.A.Q. 21
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The Centre of the World QUESTION: Does Yoga believe in a Spiritual Centre of
the World? ANSWER: All religions believe in a sacred place on
Earth which has a special connection with the Divine. In most cases, this
special place is identified with a mountain, hill, or rock. In Yoga, this
honour is accorded to the Himalaya, the World's highest mountain, and in
particular to Mount Kailasa of Tibet. The World Mountain The World is the Creation of the Supreme Being (Parama Shiva)
and a Manifestation of His Infinite Majesty and Glory. Therefore, all things
on Earth have a deeper meaning which needs to be adequately grasped if we want
to properly understand the World. Large terrestrial and celestial bodies such as Rivers, Seas,
Mountains, the Sun, the Moon, in particular, possess a symbolic meaning of
greatest importance to man. A Mountain is, by definition, an elevated ground
that stands out through its height. In Yogic symbolism, Mountain (Parvata,
That Which Reaches Beyond) signifies an elevated state of being, hence Mount
Meru, Mount Kailasa, etc., where Higher Beings reside. A Mountain exhibits a number of unique features that qualify
it as an ideal Spiritual symbol. First, it suggests strength, firmness and
stability which it appears to lend to its surroundings, for which reason it
is often said to support the Earth. Second, its valleys, forests and caves offer shelter from wind,
rain, Sun and cold and in spring (or summer), when the snow or ice that
covers its summit melts, it is a source of water in the form of lakes and
running streams making it a indispensable well-spring of life. Third, it extends from Earth to the Sky, thereby providing a
connection between the Lower and Higher Planes of existence. Fourth, through
its broad base and narrow top it suggests an upward motion symbolic of the
Soul's journey of ascent from the Lower to the Higher. And fifth, due to the fact that the Sun is often observed to
rise from behind it as well as through its proximity to the Sky and
brilliant, snow-capped peak, the Mountain is itself an abode of light and,
therefore, of Divinity. These are some of the reasons for which mountains all
over the World have been regarded as Seats of Divine Power since the
beginning of human life on Earth. It is noteworthy that each of the Seven Continents of Planet
Earth has one Great Mountain that dominates the landscape around it. Thus
there is Mont Blanc in Europe, Kilimanjaro in Africa, Carstensz Pyramid in
Australia, McKinley in North America, Aconcagua in South America, Mount
Vinson in Antarctica and Mount Kailasa in Asia, all of which range
between approximately 5,000 and 7,000 meters above sea level. Mount Kailasa (Kailash) itself is a true
jewel among mountains, indeed, it is known by that name (Snow Jewel) to the
locals. Rising to a height of over 6,000 meters, it is one of the highest
mountains in the World. It is also one of the oldest, being older even than
Himalaya itself. What distinguishes it from other mountains is that it is not
an isolated elevation rising straight from a low-level surface but stands on
the Tibetan Tableland, an immense high-altitude expanse of even land known as
The Roof of the World, which stretches over the whole of Tibet and
beyond. The sacred rivers that spring from the hills around it and the
vast lake at its foot - which is a unique sight of its own - make it a place
of extraordinary physical beauty and Spiritual power. It is not surprising,
therefore, that for millennia it has been a sacred place of pilgrimage to
millions of Yogis, Hindus, Jains, Tibetan Bon-pos and Buddhists. Indeed, it
has long been regarded as the Spiritual Centre of the World. Says the Shiva Rahasya: "Thus they all went on their way
and, after a long journey that seemed like seven days and seven nights, they
could see the Holy Mountain shining from afar. The closer they came the
brighter it shined. At the foot of the Mountain there lay a great Lake of
pure water stretching far and wide. Its shores were lined with fine sand of
gold-dust and precious gems. Rich grass and healing herbs grew in abundance
on the green pasture all round upon which deer, wild horses and oxen grazed
at will. Swans and geese swam gracefully across its mirror-like face.
The air was resonant with the sweet song of birds flying in and out of trees.
Humming bees fed on the sweet-scented nectar of lotuses and other aquatic
plants. Steps of blue stone led in and out of the cool water. Yogis and
Yoginis (female Yogis), some clad in tree-bark or deerskin, others wearing
nothing at all, novices with shaven heads and adepts wearing long matted
hair, bathed therein or fetched water in vessels made of coco-nut shell,
gourd or human skull. Others meditated sitting upon large rocks. Children with smiling faces played on the banks and gathered
flowers as offering to the Holy Gods. Blooming lotus-flowers shined like the
stars whilst sun-lit, white clouds glided over the water like waves so that
one could tell not whether the Sky had come down to Earth or the Earth had
risen up to the Sky. Indeed, the travellers thought that they had arrived in Heaven
and were exceedingly amazed at that wonderful sight. They marvelled greatly,
seeing the Holy Mount itself mirrored in the blue water: Heaven reflecting in
the Mirror of the Earth. And they knew not which was the more wonderful to
behold, the Radiant Mountain or its reflection in the Lake". A similar description of this Sacred Landscape (Shiva Kshetra)
is found in the Shiva Purana where the Holy Lake situated to the South of Mount
Kailasa is called Skandasaras, otherwise known as Lake Manasa.
Shiva's Own Manifestation as the Eternal Youth (Sanatkumara) is said
to be seated on the northern bank of the Lake, surrounded by Yogis and Sages
whom He instructs into the Highest Mysteries of the Universe. Concerning this Holy Place, the Supreme Lord Himself declared:
"At least once in a lifetime, My devotee shall visit the Sacred Places
of the Holy Land of India. Among these, the most auspicious is Holy Mount
Kailasa. It is set in the northernmost part of India, beyond the Abode of
Snow (Himalaya). Being a reflection of Mount Meru, My Celestial Abode,
it shines like a jewel among all Holy Places. "It illumines the Nine Continents on Earth. From the
hills round about it four mighty streams flow forth into the World like the
Four Rivers of Life and a lake of holy water lies at its feet. The journey
undertaken thereto is Yatra or Pilgrimage. Through the observance of this
excellent practice one becomes worthy of the Highest Heaven. I Myself whisper
the Secret Knowledge that leads to My Abode into the ear of those who with a
pure Soul visit this Holiest of holy places". The four holy rivers issuing from the slopes of Mount
Kailasa are: the Brahmaputra flowing eastwards, the Karnali flowing
southwards and into the Ganges, the Sutlej flowing westwards and the Indus
flowing northwards. When viewed from above, the four holy rivers are said to
resemble a Swastika or equal-armed cross the ends of which are bent at
a right angle to indicate the circular movement of the Four World Ages. When these are bent to the right, they indicate the
right-turning revolution of the Wheel of Creation and Establishment of Divine
Order on Earth. When bent to the left, they represent the opposite,
left-turning counter-movement of the Wheel of Destruction and Dissolution.
For this reason, in Indian ritual, right-turning (clock- or sunwise)
movements symbolise the Right Order of Things by following which man returns
to his true Self and attains Spiritual and material well-being. The four arms of the Swastika also represent the Four States
of Conciousness, Waking, Dreaming, Deep Sleep and Enlightenment issuing forth
from the Central Source of Divine Illumination or the Supreme Enlightenment
of Godhead. Furthermore, they represent the Four Streams of Divine
Intelligence manifested as Wisdom, Detachment, Charity and Compassion which
work together to uproot the Four Evils of the World: Ignorance, Greed, Envy
and Hatred. Indeed, Swastika or the Seal of Divine Order
literally means Well-Being as well as Being Oneself (from Sva, self and As,
to be). This refers to the Well-Being of the individual person as well as
that of the whole World. It is not surprising, therefore, that the World's
greatest faiths such as Yoga, Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism, have adopted
the Swastika as a symbol of World Order as well as personal Salvation
or Spiritual Fulfilment. Even the Christian Cross is just a modification of
this Eternal Seal of Universal Law. At the centre of the four holy Rivers of Life, at the very
heart of this giant Swastika, there stands Mount Kailasa
itself, the embodiment of Divine Order on Earth. For this reason, Mount
Kailasa is regarded as the Centre or Heart of the World upon which
the well-being of Mankind depends. According to an age-old prophecy, Mankind
shall prosper so long as Mount Kailasa stands and receives the honour
it deserves. Even geographically speaking, the concept of Mount Kailasa
as the Centre of the World is not altogether baseless. If we trace a
straight line from the North Pole down to Mount Kailasa it will
continue southwards all the way to Sri Lanka, dividing both India and
the Eurasian Continent (the largest in the World) into two equal halves. Moreover, in the same way as Mount Kailasa of North
India is regarded as the Spiritual Centre of the World, the Central-Indian
City of Ujjain also known as Avantika (Capital of the Kingdom of
Avanti) was the political, cultural and geographical centre of the World
being situated, like Mount Kailasa, midway between the Dark West and
the Bright East. As such, it was known as Ozene to the Ancient Greeks and as
Arin to the Arabs. To this day, the North-South line passing through Ujjain
and the terrestrial poles is still used in India as the basic meridian (or
central longitude) for astronomical calculations. In consequence, it is not
at all surprising that all mountains in the Holy Land of India are regarded
as manifestations of Mount Kailasa and even temples are said to be
images of the same. What becomes evident is that Mount Kailasa must have
provided the model for the sacred mountains - and temples - of the various
religions of the World: from Sumerian ziggurats and Egyptian pyramids to
Christian churches and Muslim mosques. Even the Bible speaks of an
unidentified "Mountain of God" as well as four rivers that issue
from the Garden of Eden (Paradise), etc. If we take into consideration that
the Transhimalayan regions were warmer several millennia ago than they are
today, Mount Kailasa clearly matches the biblical description of
Paradise. Thus it is written: "The enchanting summit of the Lord of
Mountains (Mount Kailasa, also known as Shiva Parvata or Mountain
of God), resplendent with all its various jewels, clad with many a tree
and many a creeper, melodious with the song of many a bird, scented with the
fragrance of all the seasons' flowers, most beautiful, fanned by soft, cool,
and perfumed breezes, shadowed by the still shade of stately trees,
etc." (Mahanirvana Tantra I 1-5). The Gate of Heaven Caves have been recognised as places of great
Spiritual power from the beginning of human life on Earth and all traditions
speak of caves where encounters with the Divine take place. Thus Shri
Ramana Maharshi, the celebrated Sage of South India, relates the
following in connection with a cave on Mount Arunachala: "I was
wandering about aimlessly when I found at one place a big cave. When I entered the cave, I saw a number of waterfalls,
beautiful gardens, water tanks within those gardens, well-lit paths, fine
lighting; everywhere there was most pleasing. As I went further and further I
saw a Perfected Soul (Siddha Purusha) seated like Lord Dakshina-Murti
(Shiva as World Teacher) under a tree on the banks of a water tank. Around him, a number of Saints (Munis) were seated. They were
asking something and he was replying to them. That place appeared very
familiar to me" (Letters from Sri Ramanasramam, p. 370). The 10th century
North-Indian Yoga Master, Mahamaheshvara Abhinava Gupta, is said to
have entered the Bhairava Cave (near Magam, Kashmir) along with twelve
hundred disciples, from where he ascended to the Higher Planes. The 3rd
century Persian Prophet, Mani, is also reported to have entered a cave where
he remained for one year during which time he ascended to Heaven. Similarly, the great Sage of Ancient Greece, Epimenides (6th
century BC), is said to have fallen asleep in a cave as a young man and to
have woken up 57 years later with the gift of prophecy. In the language of
Spiritual symbolism, a cave situated near the summit of a mountain represents
the highest state of consciousness by entering which man becomes Divine. The act of entering a cave therefore symbolises the entrance
into a Sacred, Divine Space that is not normally accessible to ordinary man.
On account of the great silence and stillness prevalent in caves, the word
cave also stands for the complete stillness and silence of the thought-free
awareness experienced in the higher Spiritual States known to Yogis. This Spiritual symbolism of the Mountain forms the basis of
the sacred architecture of all great traditions of the Ancient World. This is
reflected in the ziggurats of Sumer, the pyramids of Egypt and the great
temples of Central America and Asia. Traditional Indian temples are likewise
constructed in the shape of a majestic mountain peak (shikhara) towering over
the cave-like inner sanctum (garbhagriha) which contains an image of the
Deity. MYSTERIOUS SHAMBHALA On the peak of Mount Kailasa, there lies Shri
Shivapura (the Glorious City of God), which is the Capital of the Divine
Kingdom of Shambala. It can be entered by means of a secret gate the
exact location of which is known to the initiates into the mysteries of the Divine
Eternal Law (Shiva Dharma) only. Enlightened Yogis and Perfected
Souls can enter that sacred land at will. Wondrous legends about this holy place abound all round the
Himalaya region. Thus it is variously known as Shambhala from Shambha-Laya
(the Abode of the Supreme Wellspring of Peace) and Shangri-La (Land of
Sacredness and Peace). Ordinary mortals have so far been unable to locate
this mythical kingdom. Those who have found it, have either remained there or
are under oath not to divulge its secrets, for which reason it has been
called Agartha (the Ungraspable). However, the key for unlocking this enduring mystery lies in
the fact that this Sacred Land is situated on a different plane which is
parallel to the physical plane called Earth. This may be illustrated by means
of two persons, of which one is dreaming and the other is waking: they
physically inhabit the same World, yet mentally one is in this World and the
other in another World. This does not mean to say that Shambhala is just a
dream, for certain dreams are indisputably true. It simply means that not
every man can gain access to the higher (or Astral) planes, in the same way
as not every man can enjoy the same dream. This becomes clear if we carefully examine the Holy Scriptures.
Thus the Shiva Rahasya states that Mount Kailasa is a reflection or image of
Mount Meru (also known as Sumeru), the Mountain of Heaven which is God's
Heavenly Abode. Strictly speaking, therefore, Shambhala is not Earth but Paradise. This is why the Scriptures describe it as a place where Spring
reigns for ever. Lotuses and beautifully scented creepers, trees and other
plants are always in bloom. Flowers have stalks of gold and are studded with
gems. The air is resonant with the song of birds and the humming of
honey-bees echoed by Mount Meru itself. Even ferocious animals like tigers
are of a peaceful disposition. It is inhabited by Celestial Nymphs (Apsaras),
Saints, Gods and Immortals who know neither pain nor sorrow nor even death
and who can travel over long distances by the power of their thought. The
whole place is encircled by great walls of crystal, silver and gold. In
short, a true Garden of Paradise! At the same time, however, it is beyond dispute that the
climate of the Tibetan Tableland was much milder in former times. Scientific
studies have established that the entire area was much richer in vegetation
and animal life up to about 1500 BC. It is possible, therefore, that unknown,
ancient kingdoms were established in the region, no doubt under the
inspiration and guidance of the Divine Kingdom of Shambhala itself. Indeed, archaeological finds have revealed the presence of
ancient European settlements in Western China (North of Tibet) as well as a
bronze-age, non-Chinese kingdom to the East of Tibet. To the West, there was
the Ancient Kingdom of Kashmir while in the South, the Kingdom of Varanasi
was founded in ancient times. What becomes evident, is that the legend of
Shambhala is rooted in both material and Spiritual realities which are indisputable. Unfortunately, the policy of the Chinese Communist Authorities
who were responsible for the illegal invasion and occupation of Tibet, has
been to destroy or otherwise conceal and suppress all evidence of non-Chinese
presence in the area. The ongoing Communist (Atheist) occupation of Mount
Kailasa itself and the brutal suppression of the local religion and culture
do not bode well for the future of the World. India, the Guardian of Religion on Earth, could have protected
Tibet against the Chinese invasion of 1949-1951. Deplorably, this unique
opportunity was missed by a weak, incompetent and irresponsible government.
The only solution we have today, is to declare the entire area round Holy
Mountain Kailas a World Heritage Site and place it under the authority of the
relevant Spiritual leaders (Yogi, Hindu, Buddhist, etc.) that freedom of
worship may be upheld in perpetuity. We hereby urgently invite Spiritually-minded people from
all countries in the World to join us in our campaign for Peace, Freedom and
Justice. SAVE KAILASA TO SAVE THE WORLD! |