PANCHAGNI

[Guest guest]

Dear friends and devotees,

 

Bhakti is eternal.

 

PANCHAGNI

 

One of our friends has asked me to give some details on Panchagini.  I have

recollected my Guru’s words in this regard and taking into consideration of some

references I am giving some details. 

 

The word panchagni denotes five fires.  What are they?  Are they five types of

fires or five shapes of one fire?  No.  They are five pranas (five vital airs). 

This is clarified by sage Pippalada to Sauraayani the fourth disciple of Gargi

lineage.

 

Sauraayani once approached the sage Pippalada and asked: " Swami!

When living beings are asleep, who is it that sleeps? Who is it that is awake in

that state? Who is it that is oblivious to the mind that is immersed in bliss,

forgetting life itself, and is one with that Entity? Please reveal the mystery

about these and confer peace of mind on me. When a living being is asleep, what

happens to all the qualities of Prana (the Life-Force)? "

 

Pippalada replied: " Just as when the sun sets, the sun's rays are withdrawn into

his Tejas and are effulgent again the next morning, when a man is asleep; all

the activities of the sense organs are merged in the mind. Because of this, man

is unable to see the external world, is not able to speak or hear, or think. The

reason is all the operations of the senses are merged in the mind.

 

However, in this sleeping state, the Pancha Pranas (Prana, Apaana, Samaana,

Vyaana and Udaana---the five vital breaths) are active in the form of

Panchaagnis (five internal fire-principles). In that state, the processes of

inhaling and exhaling go on, with the help of the Prana (breath) and the Samaana

(vital air). Hence, what are awake in the sleeping state are the " five fires "

corresponding to the Pancha Pranas (five vital airs).

 

In the sleeping state it is the Jiva (the individual spirit) that enjoys the

rest and the bliss of that state. The occurrences in the past and the present,

the things seen in the past and now, past and present experiences, all these are

experienced by man in the form of dreams. Moreover, the consequences of

activities in previous lives, which have become part of his spirit but are not

known to him, are also experienced in dreams.

 

Hence, in the sleeping state, what is experienced relates to the panchabhutas

(the five physical elements). It is the Jiva who experiences the calmness and

happiness of the sleeping state. In the dream state, he creates all that he

experiences, including himself, and enjoys self-created experiences. For all

these, the mind is the root cause. The mind is responsible for the experiences

in the waking state and in dreams. "

 

The same word is clarified by Bhagavan Sathya Sai in his simple language as

under.

 

“There is an important section in dealing with the Panchagnis, the five fires. 

There are five kinds of fire-principle, Agni.  Udara-Agni, Manga-Agni,

Kaama-Agni, Soka-Agni and Badavaa-Agni.  Udara-Agni refers to the burning

sensation caused by hunger, fire in the stomach.  Manda-Agni refers to the

burning feeling caused by excessive eating resulting in indigestion.  Kaama-Agni

is the burning agony in the mind caused by numerous desires and passions. 

Soka-Agni does not refer only to consuming grief caused by worldly

disappointments and losses.  It pertains also to the burning sorrow felt by one

who is yearning for God, thirsting for experiencing oneness with the Divine”.

 

Bhagavan Sathya Sai further told “The dreams that are experienced are actually

the reactions of the food habits. There is an intricate and inseparable

relationship between food, head and God.  Food plays a vital role in the

spiritual path.  When we consume the right kind of food, it helps us in our

effort to understand Divinity.  As is the food, so is the mind.  Only one with

pure mind can understand Divinity.  In order to cultivate purity of mind, you

should partake of pure and Sathwic food.  You should consider food as God.  It

is said, “Yad Bhavam Tad Bhavati” (as you think so you become).  If you consider

food as mere Padartha (matter), it will remain so.  Depending on the feeling, it

undergoes change.  Take for instance, the magnetic power in the body.  It gets

transformed into electric power.  It gives rise to sound energy and develop

Tejas (effulgence).  Jewellery shines with added brilliance when it is polished.

Likewise every man is endowed with Tejas which is known as Chaitanya Shakti

(power of Consciousness).  Consider food as Parartha (God) and not mere Padartha

(matter).  Take care that the food that you eat helps you maintain good

health..  Do not consume stale food.  It is like poison”.

 

So let us maintain taking Sathwic food only.

 

With love and regards,

 

Sastry