course of the spine and connected by
three vertical channels. Each of these
chakras has important symbolic associ-
ations—with different human capaci-
ties, with different subtle elements (tan-
matras), and with different seed sylla-
bles (bijaksharas) formed from the let-
ters of the Sanskrit alphabet, thus
encompassing all sacred sound. Above
and below these centers are the bodily
abodes of Shiva(awareness) and Shakti
(power), the two divine principles
through which the entire universe has
come into being. The underlying
assumption behind this concept of the
subtle body is thus the homology of
macrocosm and microcosm, an essen-
tial Hindu idea since the time of the
mystical texts known as the Upanishads.
The sahasradalapadma is the site at
the apex of the subtle body, visualized
as a “thousand-petaled lotus” located in
the crown of the head. This is identified
as the bodily abode of Shiva, where he is
ever-present. In tantra, final liberation
(moksha) comes through the divine
union of Shiva and Shakti in one’s own
body. This is done through awakening
the kundalini, the bodily correlate of
Shakti that lies dormant at the base
of the spine, and drawing the kundalini
up to the sahasradalapadma to effect
the divine union. The sahasradalapadma
is identified with the seed syllable
Om, the symbol of completeness and
perfection. For further information see
Arthur Avalon (Sir John Woodroffe),
Shakti and Shakta, 1978; Philip S.
Rawson, The Art of Tantra, 1973; and
Douglas Renfrew Brooks, The Secret of
the Three Cities, 1990.
Sai Baba
Name used by two different charismatic
Hindu teachers, now distinguished by
the addition of other names. The earlier
of the two is Shirdi Sai Baba(d. 1918), so
named for the town in the state of
Maharashtrawhere he lived much of his
life. The latter figure, Sathya (“true”)Sai
Baba(b. 1926), is a modern Hindu
religious figure of the type known as a
godman, who claims to be the reincar-
nation of Shirdi Sai Baba.Sainhikeya
In Hindu mythology, demon who
appears in the story of churning the
Ocean of Milk. After the gods and
demons join forces to churn the Ocean
of Milk and obtain the nectar of immor-
tality (amrta), the gods succeed in trick-
ing the demons out of their share. As the
gods divide this nectar among them-
selves, the demon Sainhikeya slips into
the distribution line and is mistakenly
served some as well. As the demon
drinks it, the Sunand Moonalert the
god Vishnuto his presence and Vishnu
cuts off the demon’s head with his dis-
cus. Although the head and body are
separated, both parts become immortal
through their contact with the nectar.
The head becomes Rahu, while the
body becomes Ketu, both of which are
considered malevolent planets in
Indian astrology (jyotisha). According to
tradition, Rahu is also the cause of
eclipses: He roams the sky, chasing the
Sun and Moon, and tries to get revenge
by swallowing them, but the two planets
always pass unharmed out of his sev-
ered neck. See also Tortoise avatar.Sakata Chauth
Festival falling on the fourth day
(chauth) of the dark (waning) half
of the lunar monthof Magh( January–
February), which is celebrated as the
birthday of the god Ganesh. Those who
observe this festival are believed to gain
Ganesh’s blessings—wisdom, freedom
from troubles, and prosperity. The
fourth day of every lunar fortnight is
sacred to Ganesh, and vows marking
this day may be performed by his devo-
tees (bhakta). The biggest Ganesh festi-
val of the yearis not his birthday, but
Ganesh Chaturthi, which falls on the
fourth day of the bright (waxing) half of
the lunar month of Bhadrapada
(August–September).Sakata Chauth