THE EQUINOX 58. It sleeps there like a serpent, and is luminous by its own light . . . it is the Goddess of speech, and is called the vija (seed). 59. Full of energy, and like burning gold, know this Kundalini to be the power (Shakti) of Vishnu; it is the mother of the three qualities—Satwa (good) Rajas (indifference), and Tamas (bad). 60. There, beautiful like the Bandhuk flower, is placed the seed of love; it is brilliant like burnished gold, and is described in Yoga as eternal. 61. The Sushumna also embraces it, and the beautiful seed is there; there it rests shining brilliantly like the autumnal moon, with the luminosity of millions of suns, and the coolness of millions of moons. O Goddess! These three (fire, sun and moon) taken together or collectively are called the vija. It is also called the great energy.* In the Mailddhara lotus there also dwells a sun between the four petals, which continuously exudes a poison. This venom (the sun-fluid of mortality) goes to the right nostril, as the moon-fluid of immortality goes to the left, by means of the Pingala which rises from the left side of the Ajna lotus. The Mdladhara is also the seat of the Apana. 2. The Svadisthéna Chakkra. This Chakkra is situated at the base of the sexual organ. It has six petals. The colour of this lotus is blood-red, its presiding adept is called Ba- lakhya and its goddess, Rakini.} He who daily contemplates on this lotus becomes an object of love and adoration to all beautiful goddesses. He fearlessly recites the various Shas- what is nigh inexpressible, and in phraseology is akin to Western Alchemy, the physiological terms taking the place of the chemical ones. * “Shiva Sanhita,” chap. v. + Ibid. chap. v, 107, 108, 109. This is probably wrong, as the sun is usually placed in the Manipdra Chakkra. In the body ofa man the Pingala is the solar current, the Ida the lunar. In a woman these are reversed. $ Lbid., chap. v, 75. 838