Dvadashanta

Dvadashanta

द्वादशान्त, dvādaśānta 

In translation from Sanskrit, "dvadashanta" means "completion of the twelve". In yoga practice – subtle levels in a person's energy space, measured by a distance equal to “dvādaśāṅgula” (twelve fingers). In its meaning, dvadashanta is an experience of revealing the awakened power of Kundalini, which passes through twelve levels.

The most mentions of dvadashanta are found in Tantrism and Shaktism, where it is described as part of the human energy system and as a system of practice. Sri Vidya Tantras, Trika, Kubjika tell about dvadashanta, "Siddha-siddhanta paddhati" contains a description of vadashanta archetypes. In Kashmiri Shaivism, dvadashanta is associated with Omkara – it is a group of sukshma-chakras in the head space and above the crown:

• अर्धचन्द्र, ardhacandra,

• बिन्दु, bindu,

• निरोधिका, nirodhikā,

• नादा, nādā,

• नादान्त, nādānta,

• शक्ति, śakti,

• व्यापिका, vyāpikā (व्यापिनी, vyāpinī),

• समन, samana,

• उन्मना, unmanā.

These chakras are comprehended by chanting Om sound, along with which consciousness is thinned. This dvadashanta is also called the "upper dvadashanta" and is connected with consciousness. The lower dvadashanta is described as such located twelve fingers below the nose tip, and is related to work with prana. Guru Gorakshanath in his text "Siddha-siddhanta paddhati" recommends focusing on the points located from the nose tip and below, combined with the practice of breathing coming from the heart and coming out of the nostrils. This leads to filling the whole breath with calmness and to dissolving into the breath as such.

"Dvadashanta is a means of transforming the lower self into a transcendent one that is able to see all points of the universe"

Guru Yogi Matsyendranath Maharaj