Sikha Prevents the Outflow of Sublime Energy

Sikh³ (hair knot, tied at the center of the upper head; also called topknot) is given prime importance in the Indian Culture. It symbolizes the presence of discerning intellect, farsightedness and the deity of knowledge upon our head. It is like a ‘flag’ of dignified values and virtues of humanity that constitute the core of the Indian Culture hoisted at the suture (the central junction of all major nerves) on the top of our head. It reminds us of the religious principles of morality, righteousness, responsibility, and dutiful awareness. It is so precious for the true followers of Vedic teachings that in the medieval times of slavery under foreign invaders, in response to the tyrant attempts of conversion (of their religion), they preferred letting their heads cut instead of their ïikh³.

Like several other symbols, disciplines, and values of the Indian Culture, the significance of ïikh³ was also discovered and propounded by the rishis (Indian sages of Vedic Age) who were accomplished yogis, and preeminent scientists of manifested as well as transcendent realms of Nature and life. The findings of some western researchers in modern times re-establish these facts in several respects. In particular, as cited below, the scientific importance of ïïikh³ reaffirmed by them is indeed remarkable. In the views of renowned German scholar of Indology and translator of the Vedas, Prof. Friedrich Max Müller [1] , ïikh³ enables efficient reception and flow of (vital) powers in the human brain. In his noted book [2] “Dharma Vigyan” Swami Dayanand Saraswati has mentioned about Dr. Victor E. Cromer’s comments, as — ïikh³ sharpens the power of knowledge-acquisition and energetic functioning of several vital components of the body. Swamiji has also quoted Dr. Cromer’s as — “[…] ever since I have discovered this science, I have myself started keeping a ïikh³ [….]”. Dr. Wilhelm Heymann, a German indologist and linguist (English), had stayed in India to study Indian Culture. Based on his study, he acknowledged his respect for the Hindu Philosophy; with regard to the tradition of keeping the topknot, he remarked – ‘ïikh³ is helpful in positive intellectual development.’ He also expressed his desire to tie such a hair knot on his head as well. Some eminent Indian scholars and experts of the deep science of yoga describe the SuÌumn³ N³Ãº as the core, the central channel for the flow of sublime vital spiritual energy that begins from the m¿l³dh³ra chakra 2 and ends in the brain; its inlets (for receiving extrasensory energy-currents) called the “brahmrandhra,” subliminally exist right beneath the location of ïikh³. This point is the core of discerning intelligence, wisdom. It is believed that as the heat of the body is thrown out (via perspiration) from the skin-pores, similarly, the extrasensory energy (which also accounts for the radiance of inner strength and mental trenchancy) flowing in the SuÌumn³ N³Ãº, also moves outward through the skin-pores and the hair above the brahmrandhra. This out-flow of extrasensory energy is prevented by making a knot of hair at the top of the head. This is unique importance of ïikh³. These views of the Indian scholars and yoga-experts are also supported by many western philosophers and scientists. For example, Dr. W. E. Clark, American Indologist, and Professor at Harvard had found that similar to the Indians, the Chinese also keep uncut hair (and tie them at the bottom) in the central part of the head; often, this portion covers almost half of the area of the skull-surface. His research concluded that maintaining Sikh³ is not a religious or cultural practice of the Hindus, but rather, it is an amazing scientific way, discovered by the rishis to protect the SuÌumn³ N³Ãº. Modern science has found that the Sun is the vital source of sustenance of life on the earth; the heat and light received from it is essential for vitality and (bio)energy in all living beings. It is also a scientifically proven fact that black colored substances attract and retain heat most effectively than other colors. So the energy and light received from the Sun are most likely to be preserved by a bunch of hair in the ïikh³. Thus ïikh³ is indeed a powerful source of retaining vital energy and alacrity. Ancient Indian texts regard that ïikh³ helps in the generation and protection of the sublime pr³ña 3 and mental radiance (trenchancy) essential to keeping the power of acquisition and generation of knowledge alive and active; it also helps to nurture of the wisdom-attribute by sadhan³ (spiritual endeavor). Sadhan³ of the divine radiance of Sun God with meditative chants of the Gayatri Mantra is recommended in Vedic Culture to activate, illuminate, and orient the

intellect in righteous direction. Our rishis had propounded the discipline of maintaining ïikh³ for all the aspirants of holistic well-being and intellectual and spiritual evolution, as it is indeed a powerful means to support the awakening, attainment, elevation, and growth of pr³ña 3 and wisdom by the spiritual endeavor of Gayatri S³dhan³.

When a devout s³dhaka meditates deeply, or sincerely practices japa 4 , tapa 5 , sw³dhy³ya 6 , etc. (as part of Gayatri S³dhana, or other spiritual endeavors) following the disciplines guided by the Vedic Scriptures of yogas³dhan³, a sublime element of divinity is activated in the crown chakra; as per its natural tendency, it rapidly rises/ radiates with the force of the devotee’s pr³ña to unite with its origin in the sublime roots in the transcendental core of the Sun God. If not naturally prevented, it would exit outward through the brahmrandhra. Unless the devotee is an adept s³dhaka of the advanced spiritual level, this subtle element will not rise with adequate force, and instead of reaching its destination, it will get spread arbitrarily in outer space. Ïikh³ (a bunch of hair tied above the brahmrandhra) naturally prevents the exit and loss of this nectar-element. This is why the Vedic Scriptures guide tying of the ïikh³ as an essential discipline of all

s³dhan³s and devotional and spiritual practices (e.g., see the following):

Sn³ne D³ne Jape Home, Sandhy³y³® Devat³rcane |

Ïikh³granthi Sad³ Kury³dityenmanu Rabrivºt ||

Indeed, as also affirmed by many researchers of the modern times, ïikh³ works as a powerful antenna to attract the positive energy from the sublime cores of divinity; this sublime energy enters in the s³dhaka through the brahmrandhra. It also works as a powerful shield to hinder the reverse flow. It thus marvelously serves the dual purpose of strengthening, elevation, and augmentation of pr³ña, and at the same time, preventing the drainage of this precious source of holistic wellbeing, mental brilliance, and spiritual evolution.

It is unfortunate to see that many people, especially the youths in India itself, are not aware of the importance of maintaining ïikh³. Because of their ignorance and extrovert outlook focused on physical appearance and westernized lifestyle, they even laugh and criticize it as a mindless tradition. “All World Gayatri Pariwar,” a sociospiritual organization with global outreach, has significantly attempted removing the smog of ignorance and spreading cultural awareness

by scientific explanations during the Vedic Sacraments— especially the thread-ceremony (yagyopavita samsak³ra, when the ïikh³ is tied for the first time with initiation of Gayatri S³dhan³), and through its unique mission of dissemination of the knowledge and practical applications of scientific spirituality in a rational way, and feasible in the present times.

Notes:1. Gokhur: The cloven hoof (toe) of a cow.

2. M¿l³dh³ra Chakra: One of the six extrasensory energy nuclei (referred as ÏaÚ Chakras in Yoga-Science) subliminally located in the channel of pr³ña along the endocrine column. This chakra (as experienced by accomplished yogis) subtly exists around the adrenal gland.

3. Pr³ña: Vital spiritual energy, source of life-force.

4. Japa: Repeated, rhythmic chanting (of a mantra) with mental and emotional engrossment.

5. Tapa (Tapa-S³dhan³): Introspection, penance and ascetic practices of self-restraint and self-discipline.

6. Sw³dhy³ya: Self-study and self-training in the light of sagacious thoughts/teachings and inspiring deeds of great personalities, and saints.

References:

1. Max Müller F. India: What Can it Teach Us? [A collection of lectures by Prof. Max Muller delivered in the Cambridge University; originally published (by Longmans, Green) in 1883]. Reprint Edition by Rupa Publishers. (2002) ISBN: 978-8171679201

2. Swami Dayanand Saraswati. Dharma Vigyan. Publ. Yogashram, Sanatan Dharma College, Kanpur. (1931)