Definition
The word
bindu comes from the Sanskrit root
bind - 'to
split', 'to divide'. This means that the
bindu is
the origin of individuality; it is the
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point where
the oneness first divides itself to
produce
duality, the world of multiple forms.
This
division implies limitation in knowledge,
action and
so forth.
Bindu
implies a point without dimension - a
dimensionless
centre. In Sanskrit texts it is
often
called cliidghana, that which has its roots
in the
limitless consciousness. The word bindu
also means
zero or voiclness - the shoonya.
More
correctly, bindu is the gateway to the
shoonya.
This zero orvoidness is not, however,
a total
nothingness. It is a voiclness, an
emptiness
that contains the fullest potential.
In fact,
the word shoonya should be translated
not a
nothingness, but as no-thingness. There
is a vast
difference between these two words.
The state
of no-thingness is pure consciousness.
Bindu is
therefore a mysterious, ineffable
focal point
where the two opposites - infinity
and zero,
fullness and no-thingness - coexist.
Bindu is
widely called the bindu visarga - 'the
falling
drop'. This means that bindu is one of
many drops
of nectar that continually trickle
down from
sahasrara, the primal fountainhead.
This nectar
irrigates life. This nectar is the real
'water of
life'.
In summary
we can say that bindu literally
means seed,
small particle, semen or sperm, a
point, dot
and so forth. It represents to be focal
point of
individuality, whether animate or
inanimate.
It is the cosmic seed from which all
things
manifest and grow. It is an infinitesimally
Bindu, vishuddhi
chakra and amrit
When we described vishuddhi chakra we
pointed out that nectar or amrit trickles down
from bindu to vishuddhi2. This amrit is bliss
and the bindu is the abode of uninterrupted
bliss. This is symbolized in Indian mythology
by the river Ganges (nectar) coming from tbe
crescent moon (bindu).
This amrit or divine nectar Hows down
through the sushumna passage from bindu'.
In the Hatha Yoga Pradipika it says: "The
nectar
secreted from the bindu is indeed the consort
(Shakti) of Shiva (consciousness). It fills the
sushumna passage." (v. 4:46)
Symbolism
The bindu is symbolized by both a full moon
and a crescent moon. The full moon really
represents the infinitesimally small point we
have tried to describe in the preceding pages.
The crescent moon indicates that the bindu is
widely associated with the kalas (phases) of
the
moon. In the same way that the moon is
progressively revealed during the period from
new moon to full moon, so the immensity of
the sahasrara behind the bindu can be gradually
unveiled through all types of yoga
practices, if they are done regularly and
sincerely, and if one has burning aspiration
day and night to understand life and oneself.
This crescent moon implies that the spiritual
aspirant has some glimpses of sahasrara,
behind the bindu, but by no means a total
experience. The totality can never be known
while there is individuality.
The bindu is drawn on the background of
the night sky, indicating that the basis of
bindu,
the sahasrara, is infinite. Most people who
practise yoga are familiar with the symbol of
Aum: In the top right hand corner of the
symbol there is a small point and a crescent
moon. The point is called visarga (drop) and
represents bindu; the crescent moon also
represents bindu, as already explained. The
chakras exist in the realm of the main figure,
together with the qualities of tamas, rajas and
sattwa. These exist in the realm of nature -
prakriti. The bindu is shown separate from the
main body of Aum indicating that bindu is
transcendental and beyond the fetters of
nature.
