The term “Nyasa” meaning “to place” or “to purify.” In the context of Hindu spirituality of yoga, and Tantra, “Nyasa” refers to a ritualistic practice of placing or consecrating specific parts of the body with particular mantras (sacred chants) and gestures. This practice is aimed at invoking and channeling divine energies, aligning oneself with the sacred, and purifying the mind, body, and spirit.
Kara Nyasa
“With Kara Nyasa, the mantras are like a compass, guiding your touch to awaken the sacred divinity of your 108 chakras—an odyssey of spiritual transformation.” – Sri Amit Ray
Nyasa is assocated with the 108 chakras in your body system. In 2005, Guruji, Sri Amit Ray introduced the 108 chakras to the world as a subset of the 114 chakras to cover the total neuropsychology, human mind, body, and spiritual experiences. He introduces the names, locations, functions, mantras, and awakenings of the 108 chakras.
To do proper kara nyasa, you need to activate your hand chakras with the core chakra mantra. The core chakra mantra varies from person to person, and it is given by Guruji, Sri Amit Ray during 114 chakra initiation.
The concept of 108 chakras offers a unique and innovative perspective on the traditional understanding of energy centers in the human body. Each of these chakras could have specific functions, including the regulation of emotions, the facilitation of physical well-being, and the enhancement of spiritual awareness.
Significance of Nyasa
The significance of Nyasa lies not only in the physical act of touching various body parts but also in the vibrational and spiritual impact of the associated mantras. To understand Nyasa properly, you need to understand the workings of the 108 chakras in your body.
Each mantra is believed to carry a specific frequency and energy, and by chanting it while performing Nyasa, the practitioner aims to activate the hand chakras and invoke and harmonize divine energies within themselves. The 108 chakras serve as a profound roadmap to self-discovery and inner transformation.
The purpose of Nyasa is to infuse or invoke divine chakra energy into various parts of the body, thereby aligning the practitioner with the divine forces and purifying the individual on physical, mental, and spiritual levels. The act of placing the fingers and palm on different body parts signifies a symbolic divine chakra connection with specific energies and deities associated with those regions.
Types of Nyasa
Nyasa rituals are diverse and can involve various body parts, elements, and deities depending on the specific tradition, lineage, or deity worshiped. Here are some common types of Nyasa:
- Anga Nyasa: Involves touching or placing the fingers on different chakras of the body, associated with specific mantras. This helps in consecrating and purifying the entire body.
- Kara Nyasa: As discussed earlier, this involves placing the finger chakras and the palm on different chakras of the hand, each associated with specific mantras. It is often done to invoke the energies of different deities and purify the practitioner’s being.
- Matrika Nyasa: Focuses on the placement of mantras on specific chakras of the body to invoke the energies of the Matrikas, a group of goddesses associated with the divine feminine.
Kara Nyasa Common Mantras
Visualize the divine energy associated with the thumb flowing into each finger, purifying and harmonizing the corresponding aspect of your being.
- Thumb (Angushtha): Mantra: “Om Angushta-bhyam namah” (Salutation to the thumbs)
- Index Finger (Tarjani): Mantra: “Om Tarjani-bhyam namah” (Salutation to the forefingers)
- Middle Finger (Madhyama): Mantra: “Om Madhyama-bhyam namah” (Salutation to the middle fingers)
- Ring Finger (Anamika): Mantra: “Om Anamika-bhyam namah” (Salutation to the ring fingers)
- Little Finger (Kanishthika): Mantra: “Om Kanishthika-bhyam namah” (Salutation to the little fingers)
- Palms and Dorsums: Mantra: “Om Kara-tala Kara-prshta bhyam namah” (Salutation to palms and dorsums).
Each mantra is chanted while performing the corresponding mudra (finger gesture) during the Kara Nyasa practice. These mantras serve to invoke the specific divine energies associated with each finger and aid in the purification and alignment of the practitioner’s being with the Divine.
Kara Nyasa Steps and Mudras
In Kara Nyasa, a specific form of ritualistic practice within Hindu Tantra, the term refers to the act of consecrating or placing specific mantras onto various parts of the hand (kara). The objective is to invoke divine energies and align oneself with the sacred through a series of symbolic gestures and mantras. For Kara Nyasa’s mastery, harmonize hand chakras with the sacred notes of the core chakra mantra— the initiation grace, echoing the soul’s journey
Let’s break down the steps:
Mantra Recitation:
You can start by reciting a mantra associated with the common mantra or the mantra of chosen deity or divine energy. The mantra serves as a sacred sound that invokes and resonates with specific vibrations.
Index Finger Movement Along Thumb:
Specifically for the movement along the thumb, the practitioner uses the index finger. This movement signifies a connection between the sense of self (index finger) and the divine force represented by the thumb. It can symbolize the surrender of the individual self to the divine.
Touching Each Finger with Thumb:
As the mantra is recited, the practitioner uses the thumb to touch each finger, moving from the base to the tip. This sequential movement symbolizes the infusion of the divine energy associated with the mantra into different aspects of the practitioner’s being, represented by each finger.
Final Swipe of Palms:
After consecrating each finger and completing the movements, the practitioner uses one palm to swipe across the other palm. This action symbolizes the distribution and integration of the invoked divine energy throughout the practitioner’s being.
Reversal of Palms:
The palms are then reversed, perhaps signifying a balance or exchange of energies. This step reinforces the alignment and integration of divine forces within the practitioner.
The entire sequence of Kara Nyasa is performed with the intention of purifying, aligning, and harmonizing the practitioner’s energy with the divine. The symbolic gestures, mantras, and movements aim to create a sacred connection between the individual and the divine forces invoked in the practice.
It’s important to note that the specific mantras and gestures used in Kara Nyasa may vary based on the tradition, deity, or lineage followed by the practitioner. This practice is typically learned under the guidance of a qualified teacher or guru within the context of a particular spiritual tradition.
Summary:
Overall, Nyasa practices are a form of embodied worship, where the body becomes a sacred vessel for divine energies. The act of placing the hands on specific parts of the body becomes a ritual of consecration, allowing the practitioner to connect with the divine within and without. These practices are often guided by specific traditions, lineages, or gurus within the broader framework of kundalini chakra yoga.