The Serpentine Power is called
Kundalini-Sakti on account of its spiral-like working in the body of the Yogi
developing the power in himself. It is an electric fiery occult power, the
mighty pristine force underlying all organic and inorganic matter. The Yoga
which treats of this Kundalini-Sakti is called Kundalini-Yoga (for detailed
particulars on the subject vide my book “Kundalini Yoga.”).
Kundalini is the Divine Cosmic
Energy in bodies. Siddhi or perfection in Yoga is achieved by arousing this
Supreme Force which is lying dormant in the Muladhara Chakra at the base of the
spinal column in the form of a serpent with 3 1/2 coils. That Yogi in whom the
Kundalini is awakened and taken towards the top of the head is the real King of
kings or Emperor of emperors. He has all divine powers. All Siddhis and Riddhis
(minor powers) roll under his feet. He can command Nature. He can command the
five elements. His glory is indescribable.
Before proceeding to know
something about the Chakras and the Kundalini-Sakti it is essential to know
something about the spinal column and the Nadis or nerve-currents. The spinal
column is called Meru-danda, and it extends from the Kanda
(situated between the anus and the root of the reproductory organ) to the base
of the skull. There are two Nadis on either side of the spinal column called Ida
and Pingala, and between these two runs a hollow canal called Sushumna
at the lower extremity of which lies the Kundalini-Sakti sleeping a
trance-sleep (Yoga Nidra). Ida starts from the right testicle and
Pingala from the left, and they both meet the Sushumna at the Muladhara Chakra.
Ida flows through the left nostril and Pingala through the right. Ida is
cooling, while Pingala is heating. Sushumna which originates at the Muladhara
Chakra runs right up to the top of the head. Ida and Pingala indicate time;
Sushumna is the devourer of time. When the Prana flows through the Sushumna,
“the most highly beloved of the Yogins”, the mind becomes quite steady. The
Yogi defies death by devitalising Ida and Pingala and taking the Prana through
the Sushumna to the crown of the head or Brahmarandhra (Seat of Brahman). When
the Kundalini is awakened, it forces its way through the Sushumna, and its
progress is characterized by supernatural visions, acquisition of various
special powers, knowledge, peace and bliss. When the Kundalini is taken to the
Sahasrara Chakra (at the top of the head). The Yogi enjoys Supreme Bliss.
When the Kundalini enters the
Sushumna Nadi, the Prana also enters the Sushumna of itself along with the
Kundalini. Regular practice of Uddiyana Bandha awakens the Kundalini and
enables it to rise upwards along the Sushumna. This is a powerful Yogic Kriya.
All Kundalini enthusiasts should practice this daily. The practice of
Yoga-Asanas, Pranayama, Mudras and Bandhas is prescribed only to awaken the
Kundalini. These are all potent practices in rousing this great pristine Force.
A detailed knowledge of Nadis
(psychic nerves or astral tubes for carrying Prana) and the Chakras (lotuses or
psychic nerve-currents) is of paramount importance for all students of
Kundalini-Yoga. The psychic nerve lodged in the hollow of the spinal column is
the chief or medium Nadi. It is called the Sushumna Nadi. Just as electricity
is stored up in dynamos, so also the vital force (Prana) is stored up in the
Chakras and the Sushumna Nadi. Prana plays a vital part in all psycho-physical
processes. The first attempt on the part of the young Kundalini-Yogi is the
purification of the Nadis which will lead to the opening of the Sushumna which
generally remains closed up in all worldly-minded people.
All students of Kundalini-Yoga
should possess a clear and sound knowledge of the six Chakras. Then only they
can contemplate on these Chakras. Meditation on these Chakras brings psychic
powers. A Chakra means a centre of spiritual energy. The different plexuses in
the human body correspond tentatively to the different Chakras in the astral
(Sukshma) body. Otherwise Hatha-Yoga is impossible. There is difference of
opinion as to where the Chakras are really located. Doctors dissect the
physical body. They are not able to find the centres, lotuses and so forth.
Some say that the Chakras are situated only in the astral body. Some others
maintain that the Chakras are developed during the course of meditation through
the force of Dhyana (contemplation), and that they are not in the astral body.
This is the real truth viz., that the Chakras are in a dormant state in the
Pranayama Kosha (vital air-sheath) of the astral body and that they become
opened owing to intense and deep meditation.
There are six subtle Chakras
or centres or lotuses in this Sushumna Nadi. These are Muladhara,
Svadhishthana, Manipura, Anahata, Vishuddha and Ajna. Above all
these there is the Sahasrara, the chief of all the centres. All the
Chakras are intimately connected with the Sahasrara Chakra. Hence it is not
included as one among the six Chakras. Sahasrara is situated above all the six
Chakras at the top of the head.
Muladhara Chakra
The MULADHARA CHAKRA is
situated between the root of the reproductory organ and the anus at the base of
the spinal column. It is here, as I have already mentioned, that the two Nadis,
Ida and Pingala, meet the Sushumna. The Muladhara Chakra is two fingers above
the anus and two fingers below the genitals and four fingers in width. It has
four petals of crimson hue. In the pericarp of this Chakra there is a beautiful
triangle in which the sleeping Kundalini of the form of a coiled-up serpent
dwells. She holds her tail in her mouth and covers the mouth of the
Brahma-dvara (the gateway to the Seat of Brahman) with her head. The Yogi who
concentrates on the Muladhara Chakra gets full knowledge of the Kundalini and
the various means to rouse it to action. As soon as the Kundalini is roused,
the Yogi gets the power to rise up above the ground. He gets full control over
his breath, mind and semen. His Prana flows through the Sushumna and all his
sins are destroyed. He gets knowledge of the past, present and future. He is
immensely happy.
Svadhishthana Chakra
The SVADHISHITHANA CHAKRA is
located within the Sushumna at the root of the sexual organ. It has six petals
and is pure blood-like red (vermilion) in colour. Concentration on this Chakra
frees the Yogi from fear of water. He gets several other psychic powers,
intuitional knowledge and freedom from the faults of the mind and the senses.
He becomes an object of love and adoration to all beautiful goddesses, and
recites all the Sastras unknown to him before. He becomes the conqueror of
death and moves throughout the universe fearlessly.
Manipura Chakra
The MANIPURA CHAKRA is
situated within the Sushumna in the region of the navel and is the third Chakra
from the Muladhara. It is of the colour of dark clouds and has ten petals. It
is the solar-plexus or “city of gems” because it is very brilliant. Meditation
on this excellent Chakra bestows power to destroy and create worlds. The
Goddess of Speech, Saraswati, ever dwells in the face of the Yogi. He gets
knowledge of the hidden treasures and is freed from all kinds of diseases. He
has no fear at all from fire. He can make gold and see Siddhas or Adepts
clairvoyantly.
Anahata Chakra
The ANAHATA CHAKRA is located
in the Sushumna in the region of the heart. It is of deep red colour and has
twelve petals. The Anahata sound, the sound of Shabda-brahman, is heard at this
centre. You can clearly hear this sound if you concentrate silently at this
lotus. He who concentrates on this Chakra gets full control over air. He can
fly in the air, enter the body of another and become prosperous. He becomes
wise and does only noble deeds. He gets cosmic love and all other divine
virtues.
Visuddha Chakra
The VISUDDHA CHAKRA is
situated at the base of the throat within the Sushumna. Its colour is smoky
purple and has sixteen petals. Concentration on this Chakra enables the Yogi to
attain the highest success. He does not perish even during the Pralaya (Great
Deluge). He gets full knowledge of the four Vedas and becomes the knower of the
three periods of time (past, present and future). He becomes eloquent, wise,
enjoys peace of mind, and it is said that by his Yogic power he can move the
three worlds.
Ajna Chakra
The AJNA CHAKRA is situated in
the Sushumna between the eyebrows. This is also known as Trikuti. This is the
seat of the mind. This Chakra has two petals and is of beautiful white colour.
He who concentrates on this most excellent Chakra destroys all Karmas or
actions of the past lives and becomes a Jivanmukta (living liberated sage). He
gets all the eight major Siddhis and the thirty-two minor Siddhis.
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| The SAHASRARA CHAKRA |
The SAHASRARA CHAKRA is the
thousand-petalled lotus at the top of the head and is the Abode of Lord Siva.
When the Kundalini is awakened, it pierces one Chakra after another and finally
unites with Lord Siva and enjoys the Highest Bliss. Now the Yogi attains super
conscious state and becomes a full-blown Jnani. He drinks the Nectar of
Immortality. Illustration shows the ascent of the Kundalini to the top of the
head and its union with Lord Siva.
When the Kundalini is
awakened, it does not directly proceed all at once to the Sahasrara Chakra. You
will have to take it from one Chakra to another. You will certainly live even
after it is taken to the Sahasrara. But remember that even after it is taken to
the Sahasrara, it may drop down to the Muladhara at any moment! Only when you
are firmly established in Samadhi, when you have attained Kaivalya, the
Kundalini cannot and does not drop down. Illustration gives a rough idea as to
how the Kundalini, when aroused, reaches the top of the head after piercing one
Chakra after another.
Do not mistake, my dear Kundalini
brothers! O ye enthusiastic and emotional young Yogins! the movement of the
rheumatic winds in the back due to the chronic lumbago for the ascent of
Kundalini. Do your Sadhana with patience, perseverance, cheerfulness and
courage, till you get the Nirvikalpa Samadhi.
It is easy to awaken the
Kundalini, but it is very difficult to take it up to the navel, to the Ajna
Chakra, and thence to the Sahasrara in the head. It demands a great deal of
patience and persistence on the part of the practitioner. But there is nothing
impossible for a man of determination and iron-will. That Yogi who has taken
the Kundalini to the Sahasrara is the real master of the forces of Nature.
Generally Yogic students abandon their Sadhana on account of false satisfaction.
They foolishly imagine that they have reached the goal, when they get some
mystic experiences and powers. This is a mistake. Complete Asamprajnata Samadhi
(Nirvikalpa Samadhi) alone can give final emancipation.
Some Yogic students ask me:
“How long should one practice Sirshasana or Paschimottanasana or Kumbhaka or
Maha Mudra to awaken the Kundalini? Nothing is mentioned about this point in
any treatise on Yoga.” A student starts his Sadhana from the point or stage
where he left in his previous birth. That is the reason why Lord Krishna says
to Arjuna: “Or he may be born in a family of wise Yogins. There he recovereth
the characteristics belonging to his former body and with these he again
laboureth for perfection. O joy of the Kurus,” (Bhagavad-Gita Ch, VI-42, 43).
So it all depends upon the
degree of purity, stage of evolution, the amount of purification of the Nadis
and the Pranamaya Kosha, and above all the degree of Vairagya and yearning for
liberation.
Shat-Chakras, Ida, Pingala, and Sushumna Nadis
Develop virtues like
generosity, forgiveness and so forth. Mere Yogic Kriyas alone will not help you
much. Do self-analysis and eradicate your faults and evil habits. Rectify your
defects like selfishness, pride, jealousy, hatred, etc. Develop your heart.
Share what you have with others. Do selfless service. Then alone you will get
purity of mind.
In these days aspirants
neglect these things and jump at once to do Yogic Kriyas for getting Siddhis.
It is a serious Himalayan blunder. They have the hopeless downfall sooner or
later. Therefore be careful. Mere Yogic Kriyas cannot bring in much results.
Purification of the heart is very necessary. Without it no success in Yoga is
possible. You should free yourself from lust, anger, greed, jealousy, hatred,
egoism, vanity, attachment, delusion, etc. This is more difficult than the
control of the heart or the practice of Nauli or the uniting of Prana and
Apana.
Kundalini can be awakened by
various methods such as Japa, devotion, Vichara (enquiry of “Who am I”), Asana,
Kumbhaka, Bandhas, Mudras, and above all by the Grace of the Guru. You must
become perfectly desireless and free from all earthly longings.
Many persons jump with
curiosity and expectation of acquiring occult powers and rousing the Kundalini.
They do Sirshasana and various other Asanas and Pranayama. But no one sticks to
the practice for a sufficient length of time. They leave off the practice after
a few months. This is not good. Application and tenacity, patience and
perseverance are essential for sure success and acquisition of Siddhis.
My advice is: Never care for
Siddhis or quick awakening of the Kundalini. Have devotion to God. Have perfect
trust in Him. Have the spirit of service to humanity. The Kundalini will awaken
by itself.
Awakening of Kundalini is not
so easy as you may imagine. It is extremely difficult. When all desires die
out, when the mind becomes absolutely pure, when all the senses are subdued,
when you attain one-pointedness of mind to a considerable degree, when all the
ideas of egoism and “mine-ness” melt away, the Kundalini will awaken by itself.
Then alone awakening of the Kundalini is also beneficial. Therefore purify
yourself first. Have full trust and faith in the Mother. She will do the
needful for you at the proper time.
Be not troubled. Be not
anxious, my dear friends and brothers! A glorious day is waiting to dawn on
you. You will shine with full powers, nay, you will become God Himself. Laugh
at all troubles and obstacles and keep your eye on the Kundalini-Sakti all the
twenty-four hours. Do all you can in order to rouse her up. If purification is
ordained, purify you must. What other alternative is there? Therefore do purity
yourself.
O Mother Kundalini! Having
pierced the six Chakras, Thou sportest with Thy consort Paramasiva in the
thousand-petalled lotus of the Sahasrara Chakra all alone! Salutations unto
Thee! Guide me. Give me Light and Knowledge!
Peace love harmony