What is the Kundalini? Why is it so significant in life?
At the base of the spinal cord every human being has a powerful, yet dormant source of energy. This source is known as the Muladhar Chakra from which three subtle channels known as Naadis rise up through the spine and reach thew brain. The middle Naadi is known as Sushumna while on its either sides are the Ida and Pingla. At five other centres of highly concentrated energy, called Chakras, along the spinal column, these three Naadis come together and then again divide into three channels as they rise further.
Thus including the Muladhar there are various Chakras in which very powerful energy lies dormant and once they are activated a human gains amazing divine powers like Telepathy, Hypnotism, Clairvoyance. In fact complete success in life in any and every sphere can come only through the activation of all the Chakras and it is with this aim that true Yogis remain engaged in Sadhanas.
But this process can be very intricate and difficult unless one is helped by an enlightened Master who has his own Kundalini fully activated, who is aware of all the processes of activation and who can activate the Kundalini of others.
Benefits of Kundalini Activation:
Inside the vertebral column, there are seven lotuses located on the Brahma Nadi. These are known as Chakra (spinal centres). Each lotus possesses different number of petals and also a distinct colour.
Amazing powers devolve on a human on activation of the Kundalini and each Chakra is related to the following attainments.
1. Muladhar Chakra
This Chakra is situated in the basal region of the vertebral column at the mid spot between anus and penis. In meditation, this Chakra is visualised as a red lotus possessing four petals. This is the resting place of the Kundalini Shakti, which lies here as a snake having three and half coil. This Chakra is the symbol of Earth element.
Activation of this results in riddance from tensions, true happiness, beauty, perfect health and physical strength, magnetic persona.
2. Swadhishtthan Chakra
This Chakra is located in the vertebral column just opposite to the penial region. In meditation, this Chakra is visualised as a vermilion coloured lotus having six petals. This semilunar Chakra is the symbol of Water element.
Activation of this results in freedom from stomach ailments, increase in sex power, and cure of sexual debility, increase in courage and fearlessness and magnetism.
3. Manipur Chakra
Inside the vertebral column, this Chakra is situated just opposite to the naval region. This ten petalled lotus is of blue colour. The Yantra of this Chakra is triangular in shape and it represents the fire element.
Activation of this results in perfect digestion, riddance from ailments like kidney stones, diabetes, liver problems etc. Success in amazing Sadhanas like flying in the air, walking on water, telepathic contact with animals and plants, perfection in Prannayam and the highest achievement is success in Meditation.
4. Anahat Chakra
The relative position of this Chakra inside the vertebral column is just opposite to the cardiac region (heart). This red coloured lotus possesses twelve petals and it represents the Air element. Activation of this Chakra illuminates the entire body and the entire vertebral column starts vibrating.
Activation of this results in peace of mind, boundless divine joy, total freedom from tensions, power to look into future, power of hypnosis, entering into Samadhi (divine trance), riddance from problems related to heart, increase in soft emotions like love, affection and kindness.
5. Vishuddha Chakra
Inside the vertebral column this Chakra is located opposite the throat region. This lotus of smoky colour possesses sixteen petals and it represents the sky element.
Activation of this results in riddance from all ailments related to throat, thyroid etc., increase in knowledge, gain of power of eloquence, deeper Samadhi, perfection in the art of Hypnotism, gain of power to die when one wills, total material success like comforts, wealth, fame etc.
6. Aagya Chakra
In Brahma Nadi (enclosed by vertebral column) this Chakra is located just opposite the mid spot between the two eyebrows. This white lotus has only two petals.
Also called the Third Eye its activation brings wondrous powers like clairvoyance, telepathy, power of giving curses or blessings, instant fulfillment of anything one wishes, and gain of knowledge related to all subjects and sciences, power to control thoughts of others and interfere even in nature.
7. Sahastrar Chakra
Beyond these six Chakras at the upper termination of the spinal cord, is the thousand petalled lotus; the abode of Lord Shiva (supreme being). When the Kundalini Shakti unites itself with the supreme being, the aspirant gets engrossed in deep meditation during which he perceives infinite bliss.
This is a subtle centre in the brain. On activation of Sahastraar a very fine, elixir-like secretion is produced from it which permeates the whole body thus making the human forever free of all ailments.
Sahastrar Chakra is also termed as Dasham Dwar of Brahmarandhara. In my view, this Chakra is situated two inches deep inside both the temporal region and three inches deep from the midspot between the eyebrows that is in the middle portion of cerebral hemispheres. From the throat, it is located three inches above the palate and inside the brain it is located in a small hole above the 'Maha Vivar' foramen of cerebrum.
Awakening of Sahastrar renders the aspirant liberated from corporeal bondages and attachments. He is endowed with all kinds of divine attainments including 'Ashta Siddhi' and 'Nava Nidhi'. He becomes an omniscient Yogi. Being emancipated from the cycles of birth and death, he certainly achieves the final beatitude.
One is fully enlightened and can then envision any event going on anywhere in the universe with out entering into Samadhi. All natural elements come under one’s control.
The practice of awakening Kundalini Shakti must be done only under the guidance of a competent Guru. Sometimes when the aspirant practices such exercises only after going through some books, he endangers his own life and there are chances of his becoming insane.
Really, fortunate is the person who attains his divine Guru. That person is fortunate who strives for awakening of the Kundalini Shakti and only that person is called God-illumined who after activating his Kundalini Shakti, gets the totality of life.
THE IMPORTANCE OF KUNDALINI YOGA
In Kundalini Yoga the creating and sustaining Sakti of the whole body is actually and truly
united with Lord Siva. The Yogi goads Her to introduce him to Her Lord. The rousing of Kundalini
Sakti and Her Union with Lord Siva effects the state of Samadhi (Ecstatic union) and spiritual
Anubhava (experience). It is She who gives Knowledge or Jnana, for She is Herself That. Kundalini
Herself, when awakened by the Yogins, achieves for them the Jnana (illumination).
Kundalini can be awakened by various means and these different methods are called by
different names, viz., Raja Yoga, Hatha Yoga, etc. The practitioner of this Kundalini Yoga claims,
that it is higher than any other process and that Samadhi attained thereby is more perfect. The reason
KUNDALINI YOGA
that they allege, is this:—In Dhyana Yoga, ecstasy takes place through detachment from the world
and mental concentration leading the variety of mental operation (Vritti) of the uprising of pure
consciousness unhindered by the limitations of the mind. The degree to which this unveiling of
consciousness is effected, depends upon the meditative power, Dhyana Sakti, of the Sadhaka and
the extent of detachment from the world. On the other hand, Kundalini is all Sakti and is therefore
Jnana Sakti Herself—bestows Jnana and Mukti, when awakened by the Yogins. Secondly, in
Kundalini Yoga there is not merely a Samadhi through meditation, but the central power of the Jiva,
carries with it the forms of both body and mind. The union in that sense is claimed to be more
complete than that enacted through methods only. Though in both cases the body-consciousness is
lost, in Kundalini Yoga not only the mind but the body also, in so far as it is represented by its
central power, is actually united with Lord Siva at the Sahasrara Chakra. This union (Samadhi)
produces Bhukti (enjoyment) which a Dhyana Yogi does not possess. A Kundalini Yogi has both
Bhukti (enjoyment) and Mukti (liberation) in the fullest and literal sense. Hence this Yoga is
claimed to be the foremost of all Yogas. When the sleeping Kundalini is awakened by Yogic
Kriyas, it forces a passage upwards through the different Chakras (Shat-Chakra Bheda). It excites
or stimulates them into intense activity. During its ascent, layer after layer of the mind becomes
fully opened. All Kleshas (afflictions) and the three kinds of Taapa will vanish. The Yogi
experiences various visions, powers, bliss and knowledge. When it reaches Sahasrara Chakra in the
brain, the Yogi gets the maximum knowledge, Bliss, power and Siddhis. He reaches the highest
rung in the Yogic ladder. He gets perfectly detached from body and mind. He becomes free in all
respects. He is a full-blown Yogi (Purna Yogi).
HOW TO AWAKEN THE KUNDALINI
One should become perfectly desireless and should be full of Vairagya before attempting to
awaken Kundalini. It can be awakened only when a man rises above Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Moha,
Mada and other impurities. Kundalini can be awakened through rising above desires of the senses.
The Yogi, who has got a pure heart and a mind free from passions and desires will be benefited by
awakening Kundalini. If a man with a lot of impurities in the mind awakens the Sakti by sheer force
through Asanas, Pranayamas and Mudras, he will break his legs and stumble down. He will not be
able to ascend the Yogic ladder. This is the chief reason for people going out of the way or getting
some bodily infirmities. There is nothing wrong in the Yoga. People must have purity first; then a
thorough knowledge of the Sadhana, a proper guide, and a steady, gradual practice. When
Kundalini is awakened there are many temptations on the way, and a Sadhaka without purity will
not have the strength to resist.
A thorough knowledge of the theory is as essential as the practice. Some are of opinion that
theory is not at all necessary. They bring one or two rare instances to prove that Kundalini has been
awakened even in those who do not know anything about Nadis, Chakras and Kundalini. It might be
due to the grace of a Guru or by mere chance. Everyone cannot expect this and neglect the
theoretical side. If you look at the man in whom Kundalini has been awakened through the grace of
a Guru, you will not at once begin to neglect the practical side and actually waste your time in
passing from one Guru to the other. The man who has a clear knowledge of the theory and a steady
practice, attains the desired goal quickly.
Kundalini can be awakened by Pranayama, Asanas and Mudras by Hatha Yogis; by
concentration and training of the mind by Raja Yogis; by devotion and perfect self-surrender by
Bhaktas; by analytical will by the Jnanis; by Mantras by the Tantrikas; and by the grace of the Guru
(Guru Kripa) through touch, sight or mere Sankalpa. Rousing of Kundalini and its union with Siva
KUNDALINI YOGA
at the Sahasrara Chakra effect the state of Samadhi and Mukti. No Samadhi is possible without
awakening the Kundalini.
For a selected few, any one of the above methods is quite sufficient to awaken the
Kundalini. Many will have to combine different methods. This is according to the growth and
position of the Sadhakas in the spiritual path. The Guru will find out the real position of the Sadhaka
and will prescribe a proper method that will successfully awaken the Kundalini in a short period.
This is something like the doctor prescribing a proper medicine to a patient to cure a particular
disease. One kind of medicine will not cure the diseases of different patients. So also, one kind of
Sadhana may not suit all.
There are many persons nowadays who foolishly imagine that they have attained purity,
commit errors in selecting some methods and neglect many important items of Sadhana. They are
poor, self-deluded souls. Self-assertive, Rajasic Sadhakas will select some exercises of their own
fancy in an irregular manner and leave all the exercises when they get some serious troubles.
After Kundalini is awakened, Prana passes upwards through Brahma Nadi along with mind
and Agni. You will have to take it up to Sahasrara Chakra through some special exercises such as
Mahabheda, Sakti Chalana, etc.
As soon as it is awakened, it pierces the Muladhara Chakra (Bheda). It should be taken to
Sahasrara through various Chakras. When Kundalini is at one Chakra, intense heat is felt there and
when it leaves that centre for another Chakra, the former Chakra becomes very cold and appears
lifeless.
Freedom from Kama, Krodha, Raga and Dvesha and possession of balance of mind, cosmic
love, astral vision, supreme fearlessness, desirelessness, Siddhis, divine intoxication and spiritual
Ananda are the signs to denote the awakening of Kundalini. When it is at rest, a man has full
consciousness of the world and its surroundings. When it is awakened he is dead to the world. He
has no body-consciousness. He attains Unmani state. When Kundalini travels from Chakra to
Chakra, layer after layer of the mind becomes opened and the Yogi acquires psychic powers. He
gets control over the five elements. When it reaches the Sahasrara Chakra, he is in the Chidakasa
(knowledge space).
Awakening of the Kundalini Sakti, its union with Siva, enjoying the nectar and other
functions of the Kundalini Yoga that are described in the Yoga Sastras are misrepresented and
taken in a literal sense by many. They think that they are Siva and ladies to be Sakti and that mere
sexual union is the aim of Kundalini Yoga. After having some wrong interpretation of the Yogic
texts, they begin to offer flowers and worship their wives with lustful propensities. The term
"Divine intoxication that is derived by drinking the nectar" is also misrepresented. They take a lot
of wine and other intoxicating drinks and imagine to have enjoyed the Divine ecstasy. It is mere
ignorance. They are utterly wrong. This sort of worship and union is not at all Kundalini Yoga.
They divert their concentration on sexual centres and ruin themselves. Some foolish young boys
practise one or two Asanas, Mudras and a little Pranayama too for a few days, in any way they like,
and imagine that the Kundalini has gone up to their neck. They pose as big Yogis. They are pitiable,
self-deluded souls. Even a Vedanti (a student of Jnana Yoga) can get Jnana Nishtha only through
YOGA SADHANA
awakening of the Kundalini Sakti that lies dormant at the Muladhara Chakra. No superconscious
state or Samadhi is possible without awakening this primordial energy, whether it is Raja Yoga,
Bhakti Yoga, Hatha Yoga or Jnana Yoga.
It is easy to awaken the Kundalini, but it is very difficult to take it to Sahasrara Chakra
through the different Chakras. It demands a great deal of patience, perseverance, purity and steady
practice. The Yogi who has taken it to Sahasrara Chakra, is the real master of all forces. Generally
Yogic students stop their Sadhana half-way on account of false Tushti (satisfaction). They imagine
that they have reached the goal when they get some mystic experiences and psychic powers. They
desire to demonstrate such powers to the public to get Khyati (reputation and fame) and to earn
some money. This is a sad mistake. Full realisation alone can give the final liberation, perfect peace
and Highest Bliss.
Different methods of awakening the Kundalini by Hatha Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Raja Yoga
and Jnana Yoga will be described one by one. Some aspirants will not get perfection by only one
method. A harmonious combination of all methods is necessary for the vast majority of persons. In
the following pages I will tell you the different exercises that are intended to awaken the Kundalini.
If you are wise enough, after a perusal of the different exercises, you can easily pick up the right
method of Sadhana that suits you best and attain success.
Rousing of Kundalini and its union with Siva at the Sahasrara Chakra effect the state of
Samadhi and Mukti. Before awakening the Kundalini, you must have Deha Suddhi (purity of
body), Nadi Suddhi (purification of Nadis), Manas-Suddhi (purity of mind) and Buddhi Suddhi
(purity of intellect). For the purification of the body, the following six exercises are prescribed:
Dhauti, Basti, Neti, Nauli, Tratak and Kapalabhati. These are known as Shat-Karma or the
six purificatory exercises in Hatha Yoga
