The scroll Manuscript is about 500 to 600 years old. It appears to
be on parchment - hand made paper (cellulose from plant) with cloth
backing. The manuscript is one of the many in series written on Yoga.
This one seems to be the first one in the series.
The document describes the origination of Yoga as lord
Brahma imparts knowledge of Yoga to Lord Shiva and how it was passed
on. Document further describes Chakras, the main seven in greater
detail. These Chakras are Muladhara, Swadhisthana (Above the root of
panis), Manipur (near naval), Anahat (Near heart), Vishuddhakshya
(throat), Agna (in between two eye brows), Sahasrar(top of brain). Each
of these chakras are further defined to describe their charactristics,
their color, their classification ("Varna"), how many petals it has,
which part of the body it controls and which physical ailments can be
cured by awakening which chakra.
Finally, Awakening of all Ckakras leads to Kundalini
awakening, which is in a serpentine shape. Kundalini awakening is one
of the many milestones of yoga. Even Moksha (Salvation) is NOT the
ultimate destination - it is only yet another milestone to infinite
journey.
In summary, this scroll is a very valuable
documentation of history of Yoga and the fundamentals of yoga. Although
it may look like a very basic documentation, it is not meant for any
novice. It is in-depth and is for someone who is beyond doing just
"Aasanaa".
The documentation also depicts Shesh-naga (The supreme
snake ) who is supposed to be carrying earth on his head. Also, as it
mentioned that earth has seven layers (worlds) called PATAL. Each one
has distinct name as listed in the document. It is said that when this
shesh-naga shakes his head, earth experiences "earth-quake" !
It is clearly written during Mughal
era evidenced by the artistic style, clothing and colors used in
paintings. The colors are from vegetable dyes which was typical in
Kishangarh style miniature paintings.
Check out the full manuscript on eBay
Check out the full manuscript on eBay
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