Nectar By Padma Ushas Suryananda

http://www.thedragonscave.org/archives/tdc/tantra/text_files/NECTAR.TXT NECTAR By Padma Ushas Suryananda, other sources as cited. NECTAR.TXT ******************************************************************* *** "Let the Yogi/Yogini contemplate the inner moon. Let him see the nectar-pouring moon and learn to drink the nectar flowing from it. By this practice, Drops of Wisdom are absorbed and Liberation quickly attained." --Siva Samhita. The "nectar" flowing from the inner moon referred to above is also known as SOMA. Soma is a Sanskrt word which literally translates as something similar to 'liquor.' In the earliest Vedas, Soma was called the 'god of plant and liquor,' and was one of two deities personifying sacrifice; the other being Agni, the god of fire. Sacrifice was the basic theme of the earliest Vedas, which were written in archaic Sanskrt, have been dated by modern scholars as originating from approximately the second millennium B.C., commonly thought to stem from Aryan (*original, Indo-European Aryan!*) beliefs. Modern Vedic scholars often say that the Rg-Veda and Atharva-Veda, the earliest of the four known or surviving Vedas, were written for 'Vedists rather than Vedantists.' In other words, the rituals were carefully followed to the letter, and sacrifices performed daily. The rituals were thought of as the be-all and end-all, rather than a means to evolve, or on a more allegorical or subtle level of understanding. The daily sacrifices prescribed by the Rg-Veda combined Agnipuja with Somapuja, by offering plant or drink to the fire. Most commonly, the *SOMA PLANT* was used, as it encompassed both--being a plant which, when distilled, produced an intoxicating liquid: liquor. Toward what has been called 'the end of the Vedic Age,' when other sacred texts were being composed to expand upon or explain the Vedas, Soma became a "lunar deity," the "brother of Surya," the sun-god, who did not supplant Agni, but took over his solar aspect. *SOMA THE LUNAR DEITY* was worshipped as the bestower of physical beauty, both masculine and feminine, and the giver of siddhi-gifts such as clairvoyance. *SOMA HERBS* are related variations of the original *Soma plant,* and included creeping vines, 'herbs' as traditionally thought of, and several types of psycho-active mushroom plants. 24 varieties of *Soma herbs* are described in the later Vedas, and it's been speculated that the later Vedas were composed by those under the influence of Soma--properly used, as sacrament, to attain heightened states of consciousness. *SOMA DROPS* refer to the Nectar of Ecstasy of the inner moon; including physical secretions produced by the human glandular system,

and spiritual 'drops' produced by the lunar-rain of Subtle body's inner-moon. *SOMA* is also the name given by Tantric Yogis/Yoginis to sexual energy. Kundalini is sometimes called Soma, or the drinker and provider of Soma. Kunda=pool Lini=consciousness. The above, admittedly lengthy, facts were given to illustrate again that in Tantra and other Yogic paths, a word or concept has many meanings at once; and that it is always crucial to bear in mind the literal, allegorical, and spiritual simultaneously when engaging in Tantric sexual activity, be it 'actively' sexual or not. Other than Indra, Protector of the Aryas, the God of War; the early Vedas recognized only two: fire and water. From this stems the emphasis upon solar and lunar forces within the body; although the Upanisads, Sutras, Samhitas, and Tantras view the subtle body as a complete microcosm of the universe, including planets, stars, etc., the solar and lunar forces are still given primary emphasis. Solar and lunar energy and forces have been described in detail in many previous texts; therefore, I will simply reiterate that the 'inner sun' is located at the solar-plexus or power chakra, visualized as a blazing sun with 64 up-turned rays; the 'inner moon' at the area of the hairline, between third-eye and crown chakras, a down-turned crescent which 'rains nectar day and night.' The solar flares represent the transforming power of the psyche, among other things; the lunar nectar, or Soma drops nourish the physical and Subtle bodies. Tantric texts refer to the Soma drops as *Drops of Wisdom,* which again must be understood on several different levels simultaneously. It's also important to understand that the *most ancient* chakra system recognized only four important wheels within the Subtle body: the inner sun and inner moon, and the throat and heart chakras. While more updated chakra systems provide versatility, expansion of knowledge, and a closer-to-the-truth sort of truth, the ancient chakra system, being quite basic, is quite useful for meditative purposes, especially for those just beginning their journeys. OK! Time to expound! The most mundane concept of Soma drops is that of salivation. Any physical desire, if intense enough, will produce an increase in saliva: food and sex being obvious examples. There is another, more profound physical base for Soma drops; the secretions produced by the glandular system, most notably, the pituitary and pineal glands. The pride of 'modern western science' is amusing when one considers the astonishing knowledge shown by ancient Yogic texts of the complexity of the human physical body, and its

connections to mind and spirit. Yogic texts speak of the melting of the inner moon--the location of which ("above the palate") would seem obviously to refer to the pituitary gland; and of the opening of the third-eye--in front of the pituitary, approximately in the center of the forehead--the 'third eye chakra.' The pituitary gland (melting inner moon) produces hormones which regulate the production of semen, breast milk, ovulation, testosterone levels, and uterine contractions. The pituitary hormones also have direct effect upon the adrenal and thyroid glands. Western science, with all its superior knowledge, still has no exact understanding of the pineal gland's function; however, it contains structures very similar to those found within the human eye and produces secretions with high phosphorus levels. While not recognized by most western scientists, experiments on psychic phenomena have confirmed increased intuitive/psychic abilities among individuals with larger than normal, or more active than normal, pineal glands. The third-eye chakra being related to 'non- physical seeing,' or intuitive/psychic/precognitive functions is most interesting when considered in this light. The allegorical meaning of Soma drops refers to the emotional aspect of crying: tears shed out of joy, laughter, love, ecstasy and transcendence, NOT out of sorrow, fear, or pain. The saying 'loving communication' links the allegorical Soma drops with both throat and heart chakras and represents spontaneity, joy, and spiritual evolution. On a spiritual level, Soma drops represent a subtle communication with 'wisdom-spirits,' transcended individuals who have passed from the earthly realm, and guardian/guide spirits who assist Yogis and Yoginis through the unconscious or through Dream Yoga. Thus the term 'drops of wisdom.' While meditating on the basic four-center system, the unconscious is drawn out. Whether one accepts the 'spirits' as phenomenally real or as symbols for the wisdom of the inner Self is not really important: what *IS* important is that one be open to the reception of the wisdom, whatever its source. Transcended Yogis and Yoginis of ancient times ran into the same stumbling-block which stymies many more modern spiritual teachers or enlightened Selves: the inadequacy of language; be it Sanskrt, Tamil, Latin, or English, to explain insights which really defy explanation. Thus, as with many spiritual teachers, including Jesus and the various Buddhas, these Samadhis used symbolism and parables to attempt to convey their understanding. Techniques were developed to enable both physical and Subtle bodies to utilize the Soma drops on all levels, including nourishment of the

body, glandular regulation, emotional/mystic release, and wisdom pervading the mind/spirit. A few meditations were described in the Tantras to stimulate and channel the Soma drops. Pranayama virtually always precedes any such meditation: complete breaths and solar-lunar breaths being especially useful. (*See Prana.TXT on file herein for further detail.*) Then concentration on the power chakra evokes the inner sun. The rising solar rays build up pressure within physical and Subtle bodies, and 'melt the inner moon.' The Chakrasambhara Tantra (*Tantric text which focuses upon the transformative power of solar, rather than lunar forces; Chakrasambhara translates literally as 'Master of Chakras*) recommends the following process: "Meditate upon a brilliant, dazzling white AUM glyph in inverted position. Upon that first AH, the lunar disc emerges. The second, OO, is the rising steam from the heat of the inner sun; the final MM causes the lunar disc to drip nectar and emit rays of light. These nourish and transform the entire psycho-system." Once the moon rains her nectar, however, it is important that the liquid not be burnt by the inner sun, nor drown it! A highly respected Yogi, Goraksasta, writes: "In the region of the navel resides the burning sun, while at the base of the palate is an effulgent moon, full of nectar. The downward-turning moon showers nectar, and the sun, with his upturned greedy mouth, swallows it. So must those secret practices by which the nectar is obtained and preserved must be known. If one retains the nectar of the moon, avoiding the open mouths of the sun, then the body ceases its decay and is outside the reaches of death. Furthermore, the semen of a Yogi and the Lotus-honey of a Yogini when filled with this nectar move upward and give rise to many miraculous powers." --Goraksastakam. There are several 'secret practices,' most of which are not at all secret. The inverse postures of Hatha Yoga reverse the natural flow of solar and lunar energy, and activate many glandular and hormonal processes. Tantric Yoga calls all inverse Hatha postures *viparitakarani* literally, Reverse System. Sexual positions utilizing inverse postures are also contained within this system. Obvious and excellent examples would be headstand, shoulderstand, bound-plow, and include, to a lesser degree, standing postures in which the body is bent forward. The Gheranda Samhita recommends gradually stretching the tongue until it becomes elongated, then curling it back on itself and blocking the opening to the throat while retaining the breath and turning the eyes

upward toward the third-eye chakra. WARNING! DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME! ;> This process is usually undertaken with the guidance of an experienced teacher, and I have never attempted it personally, as their are far easier and no less effective methods. The Gheranda Samhita also lists a simple technique, which occurs naturally in such inverse postures as full shoulderstand and plough: known as Jalandhara Mudra (*liquid-holding gesture*), it consists of bending the head forward, tucking the chin firmly into the upper chest, and contracting the muscles inside the throat. This closes the channels through which the Soma drops are lost. The Nabho Mudra (*navel gesture*) is usually practiced along with Jalandhara Mudra: keeping the tongue pressed against the palate, behind the upper teeth, while the breath is restrained consistently and consciously. Several of the 'secret practices' are directly related to sexual union, and the secrets lie not so much within the techniques themselves, as with the beliefs that lie behind them. Taoist Tantric teachers recognize what, I *think* is a modernlyaccepted truth: that saliva produced during intense sexual arousal contains rich trace elements. The Chinese Tantrists emphasize the importance of saliva to spiritual lovemaking: it is said to contain a 'wisdom property.' The T'ang dynasty Fang-nei-pu-i states thusly: "In order to live long, maintain health, and attain the benefits of the heavenly realms, a man should excite the woman and drink in her saliva. He should divide his essence itself into a sun and a moon. When his Scepter is deep inside the Jade Gate, he should let it remain still, while above he drinks from the Fountain of her mouth, and below he absorbs the Fountains of her Jade Gate." While alone, the inner moon should be visualized as uniting, rather than drowning or being devoured by, with the inner sun, wakening the heart and throat chakras on its downward path, and infusing the body/mind/spirit. When practiced with a partner, before or during sexual union, both partners must maintain conscious focus, and thus shall both attain and confer the power of transcendence. I'll leave you with the greatest of all great secrets, one of my personal favorites as well: "There is a curved duct from the inner moon to a hollow in the region of the palate; this is the *shankini nerve* and it leads to the upper lip of woman. Through this curved duct the elixir of the moon doth pass. It is described as a serpent with mouths at both ends. The mouth of the shankini nerve, through which the Soma pours down from the moon, leads to the *tenth gate* of the body. It is a great secret."

--GORAKASAVIJAYA The "shankini" is one of the 'types of women' described in the Ananga-Ranga and Kama Sutra; she is also called the Conch Woman. Her yoni has a salty, musky scent, and she emanates from the realm of this world. The 'tenth gate' of woman's body, or the 'second mouth' of the serpent, refers to the clitoris. Not only is the shankini nerve important to the absorption of Soma drops, but it has been said that when the upper lip of a woman is gently nibbled and sucked, the 'second mouth' of the serpent is _extremely_ pleased. Stepping off my pedestal, all I have to say is: WORKS FOR ME! HUN HUN-PO YUN-YU HUN.