Bindu = point, drop

The Bindu Chakra is situated beneath the whirl of hair at the tip of the head. In
the picture of the Bindu is a Lotus with twenty-three petals. Its symbol is the
moon, which supports the growing of vegetation. Lord Krishna said:
Becoming the nectarine moon I nourish all plants (Bhagavad Gita XV/13). Its
Divinity is Lord Shiva, who is always portrayed with the crescent moon in his
hair. The Mantra is SHIVOHAM. This Chakra is colourless and transparent.

The Bindu Chakra is an important centre for health, giving us the power for
physical and mental recuperation. This Chakra benefits eyesight, quietens the
emotions and promotes inner harmony, clarity and balance. With the help of
this Chakra we are capable of controlling hunger and thirst and gain the ability
to overcome unhealthy eating habits. Concentration on the Bindu relieves
anxiety and depression, nervousness and also feelings of oppression in the
heart.
The Bindu Chakra bestows physical and mental health, vitality and
youthfulness, because it produces the nectar of immortality (Amrita). This
nectar usually drops into the Manipura Chakra where it is burned by the
digestive fire without being fully utilised by the body. For this reason the Rishis
of ancient times sought a method to collect this valuable nectar and
discovered that the flow of nectar can be arrested with the help of the tongue
and Vishuddhi Chakra. The tongue contains subtle energy centres, each
corresponding to an organ or area of the body. In the Yoga techniques of
Ujjayi Pranayama and Khechari Mudra, the tongue curbs the flow of nectar
and stores it in the Vishuddhi Chakra. Like a homeopathic medicine it is then
redistributed throughout the whole body via the subtle energy channels, where
its healing effects unfold.

More about Exercises and Meditations for Bindu Chakra read here.

Bindu Chakra
Bindu = point, drop
Who has not at some stage dreamt of the fountain of eternal youth, and wished to find
it? As in most sagas and myths there is also a kernel of truth in this. For this fountain of
youth, vitality and health is located in the Bindu Chakra one of the most mysterious
and remarkable energy centres in the human body.
The Bindu Chakra lies beneath the cowlick that most people have at the back of their
head. Anatomically it is located where the bones of the back and sides of the skull meet
(the occiput and the parietal). The direction of the stream of cosmic energy flowing into
the Chakra can be seen quite clearly at this point. Some people have two cowlicks,
indicating the existence of two energy centres. These people often possess exceptional
vitality and creativity, but on the other hand can also be inclined towards hyperactivity
and extreme nervousness. In these cases the method described later in this chapter can
help to balance out the energy flow again.
In most Yoga books the Bindu Chakra is not mentioned, but in Tantra Yoga great
importance is attached to the healing and rejuvenating effects of this Chakra.
Whilst this energy centre sleeps it is similar to a dot, but when awakened its energy
begins to flow or to drip. The Bindu Chakra produces truly astonishing effects. It is a
health centre that brings about improved physical, psychic and spiritual health, and is
therefore a valuable aid on our spiritual journey. It also helps to quieten our emotions
and brings harmony and a sense of wellbeing.
With the help of this Chakra we are able to control hunger and thirst and overcome
unhealthy eating habits.
Concentration on the Bindu Chakra can also be beneficial for depression, nervousness,
feelings of anxiety and an oppressive feeling within the heart. A slight pressure with the
fingernail on the site of the Bindu Chakra gives rise to a spontaneous feeling of
happiness that spreads to the heart. When a child is restless and will not go to sleep it
helps to gently massage the Bindu Chakra with soft circular movements for a few
minutes the child will soon become quiet and sleepy.
But the most outstanding effect of the Bindu Chakra is the production of AMRITA, the
nectar of immortality.
At the beginning of the Peace Mantra it is said:
ASATO M SAT GAMAYA
TAMASO M JYOTIR GAMAYA
MRITYOR M AMRITAM GAMAYA
Lead us from unreality to reality
Lead us from darkness into light
Lead us from death to immortality.
On the physical level this means that with the awakening of the Bindu Chakra the Pineal
Gland, which is connected to this centre, becomes active. This gland emits a hormone
that has a fountain of youth influence on both body and mind. This is why the Rishis
gave it the name Amrita, nectar of immortality. The more active the Bindu Chakra
becomes, the more plentifully this precious Amrita flows. It is said in the ancient
scriptures that just one concentrated drop is sufficient to make new shoots grow on a
piece of dry wood, and bring the deceased back to life.
In yurveda this life-giving nectar is known as Sanjvini Bhuti . There are Yogis who eat
no food and are nourished exclusively by the nectar from the Bindu Chakra. If we were
able to utilise this life elixir for our body we would not only prolong our life but also
enjoy perfect health. But, unfortunately, this precious nectar normally drips straight
down into the fire of the Manipra Chakra (Jatargni) and is burnt before its effects
develop. Through certain Yoga practices we can be successful in catching the drops of
nectar in the Vishuddhi Chakra and supplying the body. The Vishuddhi Chakra is
responsible for the purification and detoxification of the body if an imbalance occurs in
the body due to harmful substances.
In the Gheranda Samhit (Verses 28-30) it is written:
The Sun is in the navel and the moon in the head. The nectar that comes from the
moon is consumed by the sun, and the life force is gradually used up in this way.
Here the moon stands for the Bindu Chakra and the sun for the Manipra Chakra.
Because the nectar from the Bindu Chakra is constantly being destroyed in the fire of the
Manipra Chakra our body is susceptible to illness and continues to deteriorate with
advancing age.
In fact the tm is immortal, but in this earthly existence we are bound to the mortal
body. Only in this very fragile body can we attain spiritual realisation and liberation
(Moksha). Therefore Yogis endeavour to keep their body healthy for as long as possible
to enable them to complete their spiritual development in the current lifespan.
And this is why the Rishis, in ancient times, sought methods by which this valuable
nectar could be gathered within the body and its benefits utilised. They found that they
could control the flow of nectar with the help of the Vishuddhi Chakra and the tongue.
The tongue possesses subtle energy centres, each of which connects to a specific part of
the body or organ. Udna Prna, one of the five main Prnas (vital forces), works within
the Vishuddhi Chakra and this Prna Vayu activates the muscles in the throat that
control the swallowing of food. Udna Prna also directs energy to the head. When the
nectar is held firmly in the Vishuddhi Chakra and influenced by Udna Prna its effect is
set in motion. The way it works is similar to Homeopathy; and like homeopathic
medicine its beneficial effects are spread through the whole body via the outgoing
energy channels in the tongue.
But how are we able to catch this precious nectar with the tongue? Through a technique
known as Khechar Mudr , which is described in the Hatha Yoga Pradipik. In this the
tongue is rolled back as far as possible until the tip of the tongue reaches deeply into the
Pharyngeal cavity. Then the nectar that drips down from the Bindu Chakra can be
caught.
In order to be able to roll the tongue back far enough some practise is essential. Yogis
achieve this by carefully stretching the ligament beneath the tongue, gradually
lengthening it through gentle pulling. In this way the tip of the tongue can finally reach
the Uvula.
The benefits of Khechar Mudr are strengthened when it is performed together with
Ujjy Prnyma and Jlandhara Bandha (Chin Lock).
Ujjy Prnyma is a breathing technique with concentration on the process of
breathing in the throat. The throat is contracted slightly so that the air flowing through
it produces a soft sound, as in deep sleep. Through Jlandhara Bandha the flow of
energy is briefly interrupted and the Prna is held in the throat .
Another very effective practice is Viparitkaran Mudr , which has been translated as
The Energy Regeneration Pose in the system of Yoga in Daily Life. The reason for
this is that the nectar flows towards the throat in this inverted position and is therefore
prevented from being burnt in the Manipra Chakra.
The symbol of the Bindu Chakra is the MOON; therefore it is also known as Chandra
Chakra (Moon Centre). In the inner Cosmos, which is seen by our inner eye in
meditation, the Bindu Chakra appears to have a circular opening with a lid almost
completely covering it, and from this some light shines forth through a small gap. This
glimmer of light that is the emanation of the radiance of the Self in the Sahasrra
Chakra is similar in appearance to the slender crescent of the new moon. If the Bindu
Chakra is fully awake and open it shines brightly with a silvery sheen, like the Full
Moon.
The moon is a symbol of perfection, nectar and energy. Nature receives life-sustaining
Prna from the moon allowing everything to grow and thrive, as moonlight is also
essential for the growth of plants and the ripening of fruit not only sunlight.
In the Bhagavad Gita (15/13) Lord Krishna says:
When I come onto the earth, I preserve all beings through my life-giving power.
When I become the nectar-giving moon, I nourish the vegetation.
The moon is the symbol of Lord Shiva, and the Mantra of the Bindu Chakra is
AMRITAM I am immortal. At the end of the Peace Mantra we sing:
OM TRYAMBAKAM YAJMAHE SUGHANDHIM PUSHTIVARDHANAM
URVRUKAMIVA BHANDANN MRITYOR MUKSHYA MMRITT
OM my adored One, the three-eyed Lord Shiva , who is omnipresent
May He nurture us and bless us with health
May His blessings liberate us and lead to immortality.
This Mantra is known as MAH MRITYUN JAYA MANTRA the glorious Mantra
of victory over death.
May the light of Shiva fill our consciousness. May the nectar of immortality spread
through and expand our inner space (Chidksha). Through this nectar all Chakras are
brought into harmony. Fear, sadness, anger, resentment and other disease-producing
emotions are released in the healing vibration of this Mantra. May it spread fragrance,
melodiousness, love, happiness and contentment through the entire world.