The Three Granthis – Decoding The Mysteries

The more you find out in yoga, the more complex things seem to be. You will surely never be able to unearth all the secrets that the ancient holistic science hides in its womb. ‘Granthi’ is one of the terms that you will frequently come across when delving into this esoteric ocean of knowledge. Yoga science can be unnerving and exciting at the same time.

What is a Granthi?

‘Granthi’ is basically an energy knot that prevents the flow of energy through the central granthi, also called Sushumna nadi. While modern science does not recognize it, it is considered an important part of our aura in yoga philosophy. When dealing with Kundalini yoga, Kundalini shakti, or awakening, you will encounter ‘Prana’. These energy knots can interfere with the flow of Prana. To connect with higher consciousness, Prana must pass through all the chakras uninhibited and rise outwards from the crown chakra.

Location and Role of Granthis

The granthis are located at strategic positions in the Muladhara chakra, Anahata chakra, and Ajna chakra. If shakti can pierce these knots, energy is able to rise upward. You can think of these psychic knots as seats of various complexities of the mind. They house fears, fantasies, and mental reactions that your conscious mind may not even be aware of. These knots can create impulses that cause impediments in daily life and influence success or failure.

Granthis and Kundalini Yoga

Kundalini Yoga, part of Hatha Yoga, uses kriyas like pranayama and bandhas to remove these knots. By locking your energies at singular places through bandhas, you charge energy to pierce through the knots. Psychic activities can also help dissolve these knots, leaving you happier and more powerful. Alongside kriyas, adopting a healthy lifestyle and Sattvic food supports the unravelling of the granthis.

The Three Granthis Explained

1. Brahma Granthi

Located in the Muladhara and Svadhishthana chakras, the Brahma Granthi governs primal nature and survival strength. Blockage may lead to laziness, ignorance, unnecessary attachment to mundane things, greed, or shame. Practices like Mula Bandha and pranayama can help unblock this granthi.

2. Vishnu Granthi

Situated between the Manipura and Anahata chakras, the Vishnu Granthi governs love, relationships, and emotional patterns. Blockage may cause egoism, passion, selfishness, and attachment to material things. Uddhiyana Bandha (stomach lock) and other Hatha Yoga practices can help release this knot.

3. Rudra Granthi

Located between the Vishuddha and Ajna chakras, the Rudra Granthi governs intellect and mental balance. Blockage may disrupt creativity, purity, and mental clarity. Jalandhara Bandha and mudras like Khechari and Shambhavi can help dissolve this knot, allowing energy to reach the crown chakra and merge individual consciousness with the universe.

Correspondence to Shaivism Lingams

The three granthis correspond to three lingams of Shaivism:

• Swayambhu Lingam – Muladhara Chakra

• Bana Lingam – Anahata Chakra

• Itara Lingam – Ajna Chakra

These lingams, like the chakras and granthis, are part of the aura or astral body. According to Tantra Yoga, granthis guard the sheaths or auras of the astral body, absorbing shocks as Prana rises through the chakras.