guide for the Sikh faith, which no longer recog-
nizes any human gurus.
Further reading: J. S. Grewal, From Guru Nanak to
Maharaja Ranjit Singh (Amritsar: Guru Nanak Univer-
sity, 1982); W. H. McLeod, The Evolution of the Sikh
Community: Five Essays (Delhi: Oxford University
Press, 1975).
anahata chakra
The anahata CHAKRA, or the “chakra of the
unsounded sound,” is the fourth chakra (energy
center) from the base of the spine in KUNDALINI
YOGA systems. It is located on the spine at the
heart. The anahata chakra is associated with
righteousness, sanctity, and an emerging clarity of
consciousness. Dedication, devotion, and calm-
ness are also linked to the anahata chakra. Its
deity is a form of SHIVA, Isana Shiva. Its SHAKTI is
Kakini. It has 12 deep red petals.Further reading: Harish Johari, Chakras: Energy Centers
of Transformation (Rochester, Vt.: Destiny Books, 2000);
Lilian Silburn, Kundalini: The Energy of the Depths: A
Comprehensive Study Based on the Scriptures of Nondu-
alistic Kasmir Saivism. Translated from the French by
Jacques Gontier (Albany: State University of New York
Press, 1988); Sir John Woodroffe, trans., The Serpent
Power (Madras: Ganesh, 1978).ananda
Ananda literally means “bliss.” In Hinduism,
ananda is the bliss beyond comprehension that is
experienced when one is in communion with or
has realized in totality the Godhead.
Ananda is seen as an aspect of the Divine
and is often mentioned together with sat (divine
being) and cit (divine consciousness). The term
SAT-CHIT-ANANDA (divine being, consciousness,
bliss) often appears in Vedantic contexts (see
VEDANTA) and has become a proper name for
SWAMIs or holy men.
Many teachers also have “ananda” appended
to their names, such as Nikhilananda, “He who
has realized total divine bliss,” or Satyananda,
“He who has realized the divine bliss of the One
Truth,” or Muktananda, “He who has realized
the divine bliss in liberation from birth and
rebirth.”Further reading: John Dudley Ball, Ananda—Where
Yoga Lives (Bowling Green, Ohio: Bowling Green Uni-
versity Popular Press, 1982); J. A. B. van Buitenen,
“Ananda, or All Desires Fulfilled,” in Studies in Indian
Literature and Philosophy: Collected Articles of J. A.
B. van Buitenen. Edited by L. Rocher (Delhi: Motilal
Banarsidass, 1988); Nalini Devdas, Ananda: The ConceptSikh devotees outside the Golden Temple in Amritsar, the
international center for Sikh spirituality. (www.shutterstock.
com/Paul Prescott)
K 28 anahata chakra