Our real essence or the truth of who we are is said to be covered by five sheaths or layers, and it is important to penetrate
these sheaths to arrive at the reality of who we are. These sheaths are said to correspond to the five elements and these in turn are said to correspond to five out of the seven yogic chakras (energy centers of the subtle body).
The first of these five layers include the annamaya kosha representing the earth element through food that symbolizes the
muladhara chakra located in the perineum. The second is the pranamaya kosha representing the water element through vitalbreath that symbolizes the svadhishthana chakra located behind the pubic region. The third is the manamaya kosha representing the fire element through the mind that symbolizes the manipura chakra located behind the navel. The fourth is the vijnanamaya
kosha representing the air element through the intellect that symbolizes the anahata chakra located behind the heart. And finally, the anandamaya kosha representing the space element 172 Who is Sadguru Murali Krishna? through the bliss of dreamless sleep that symbolizes the vishuddha chakra located at the back of the throat.Similarly, every human being is actually endowed with three bodies including the gross, subtle and causal. Physical experiences belong to the gross body, while dreams belong to the subtle body and the causal body is said to be the repository of our karmas (past actions). The ego is said to reside in the subtle body and moves within 72,000 nadis (ethereal nerves). The kundalini (shakti or feminine aspect) that lies at the base of the spine is often represented as a serpent having three and a half coils (the three coils stand for the three gunas and the half stands for the ego (shakti). For Shiva to awaken or manifest in an individual, the kundalini must rise from the base of the spine and merge with her lord. Sadashiva is Ardhanareeshwara (the Lord who is half male, half female). In order that He manifest, kundalini must rise fully.
Shiva is represented by the head; the highest part of the body. Devotees of Sadguru Murali Krishna have on several occasions been recipient to his assertion that Lord Shiva symbolizes the head.For this to happen, the storehouse of our karmas (the effects of both positive and negative actions from past lives, the present life and future lives) need to be completely exhausted.
The notion of manubandhana, first articulated by Sri Sai Baba of Shirdi,is perhaps one of the best ways of understanding the working of the law of karma, and it is worth exploring here as it will help us understand why Sadguru Murali Krishna constantly speaks of the need to perform positive actions to eliminate the effects of negative actions.
The sacred sayings of Samartha Sadguru Shri Ganpatrao Maharaj Kannur, compiled by Shyamarao B Kannur