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Kundalini Yoga - Theory

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Chapter Two KUNDALINI YOGA—THEORY Yoga Nadis Nadis are the astral tubes made up of astral matter that carry psychic currents. The Sanskrit term ‘ Nadi comes from the root ‘ Nad’ which means ‘motion’. It is through these Nadis (Sukshma, subtle passages), that the vital force or Pranic current moves or flows. Since they are made up of subtle matter they cannot be seen by the naked physical eyes and you cannot make any testtube experiments in the physical plane. These Yoga Nadis are not the ordinary nerves, arteries and veins that are known to the Vaidya Shastra (Anatomy and Physiology). Yoga Nadis are quite different from these. The body is filled with innumerable Nadis that cannot be counted. Different authors state the number of Nadis in different ways, i.e., from 72,000 to 3,50,000. When you turn your attention to the internal structure of the body, you are struck with awe and wonder. Because the architect is the Divine Lord Himself who is assisted by skilled engineers and masons—Maya, Prakriti, Visva Karma, etc. Nadis play a vital part in this Yoga. Kundalini when awakened, will pass through Sushumna Nadi and this is possible only when the Nadis are pure. Therefore, the first step in Kundalini Yoga is the purification of Nadis. A detailed knowledge of the Nadis and Chakras, is absolutely essential. Their location, functions, nature, etc., should be thoroughly studied. The subtle lines, Yoga Nadis, have influence in the physical body. All the subtle (Sukshma) Prana, Nadis and Chakras have gross manifestation and operation in the physical body. The gross nerves and plexuses have close relationship with the subtle ones. You should understand this point well. Since the physical centres have close relationship with the astral centres, the vibrations that are produced in the physical centres by prescribed methods, have the desired effects in the astral centres. Whenever there is an interlacing of several nerves, arteries and veins, that centre is called “Plexus.” The physical material plexuses that are known to the Vaidya Shastra are:— Pampiniform, Cervical, Brachial,
Transcript
  • ChapterTwo

    KUNDALINIYOGATHEORY

    YogaNadis

    Nadisaretheastraltubesmadeupofastralmatterthatcarrypsychiccurrents.TheSanskrittermNadicomesfromtherootNadwhichmeansmotion.ItisthroughtheseNadis(Sukshma,subtlepassages),thatthevitalforceorPraniccurrentmovesorflows.Sincetheyaremadeupofsubtlemattertheycannotbeseenbythenakedphysicaleyesandyoucannotmakeanytesttubeexperimentsinthephysicalplane.TheseYogaNadisarenottheordinarynerves,arteriesandveinsthatareknowntotheVaidyaShastra(AnatomyandPhysiology).YogaNadisarequitedifferentfromthese.

    ThebodyisfilledwithinnumerableNadisthatcannotbecounted.DifferentauthorsstatethenumberofNadisindifferentways,i.e.,from72,000to3,50,000.Whenyouturnyourattentiontotheinternalstructureofthebody,youarestruckwithaweandwonder.BecausethearchitectistheDivineLordHimselfwhoisassistedbyskilledengineersandmasonsMaya,Prakriti,VisvaKarma,etc.

    NadisplayavitalpartinthisYoga.Kundaliniwhenawakened,willpassthroughSushumnaNadiandthisispossibleonlywhentheNadisarepure.Therefore,thefirststepinKundaliniYogaisthepurificationofNadis.AdetailedknowledgeoftheNadisandChakras,isabsolutelyessential.Theirlocation,functions,nature,etc.,shouldbethoroughlystudied.

    Thesubtlelines,YogaNadis,haveinfluenceinthephysicalbody.Allthesubtle(Sukshma)Prana,NadisandChakrashavegrossmanifestationandoperationinthephysicalbody.Thegrossnervesandplexuseshavecloserelationshipwiththesubtleones.Youshouldunderstandthispointwell.Sincethephysicalcentreshavecloserelationshipwiththeastralcentres,thevibrationsthatareproducedinthephysicalcentresbyprescribedmethods,havethedesiredeffectsintheastralcentres.

    Wheneverthereisaninterlacingofseveralnerves,arteriesandveins,thatcentreiscalledPlexus.ThephysicalmaterialplexusesthatareknowntotheVaidyaShastraare:Pampiniform,Cervical,Brachial,

  • Coccygeal,Lumbar,Sacral,Cardiac,Esophageal,HepaticPharyngeal,Pulmonary,LigualProstaticPlexus,etc.SimilarlythereareplexusesorcentresofvitalforcesintheSukshmaNadis.TheyareknownasPadma(lotus)orChakras.Detailedinstructionsonallthesecentresaregivenelsewhere.

    AlltheNadisspringfromtheKanda.ItisinthejunctionwheretheSushumnaNadiisconnectedwiththeMuladharaChakra.Somesay,thatthisKandais12inchesabovetheanus.OutoftheinnumerableNadis14aresaidtobeimportant.Theyare:

    1.Sushumna2.Ida3.Pingala4.Gandhari5.Hastajihva6.Kuhu7.Saraswati

    8.Pusha9.Sankhini10.Payasvini11.Varuni12.Alambusha13.Vishvodhara14.Yasasvini

    AgainIda,PingalaandSushumnaarethemostimportantoftheabove14Nadis,andSushumnaisthechief.ItisthehighestandmostsoughtbytheYogins.OtherNadisaresubordinatetothis.DetailedinstructionsoneachNadianditsfunctionsandthemethodofawakeningtheKundaliniandpassingitfromChakratoChakraaregiveninthefollowingpages.

    SpinalColumn

    BeforeproceedingtothestudyofNadisandChakrasyouwillhavetoknowsomethingabouttheSpinalColumn,asalltheChakrasareconnectedwithit.

    SpinalColumn

  • AAtlasboneAtoBCervicalregionBtoCDorsalregionCtoDLumbarregion

    DtoESacralregionEtotheendCoccygealregion.

    SpinalColumnisknownasMeruDanda.ThisistheaxisofthebodyjustasMountMeruistheaxisoftheearth.HencethespineiscalledMeru.Spinalcolumnisotherwiseknownasspine,axisstafforvertebralcolumn.Manismicrocosm.(PindaKshudraBrahmanda).Allthingsseenintheuniverse,mountains,rivers,Bhutas,etc.,existinthebodyalso.AlltheTattvasandLokas(worlds)arewithinthebody.

    Thebodymaybedividedintothreemainparts:head,trunkandthelimbs,andthecentreofthebodyisbetweentheheadandthelegs.Thespinalcolumnextendsfromthefirstvertebra,Atlasbone,totheendofthetrunk.

    Thespineisformedofaseriesof33bonescalledvertebraeaccordingtothepositiontheseoccupy,itisdividedintofiveregions:

    1.Cervicalregion(neck)7vertebrae2.Dorsalregion(back)12vertebrae3.Lumbarregion(waistorloins)5vertebrae.4.Sacralregion(buttocks,Sacrumorgluteal)5vertebrae.5.Coccygealregion(imperfectvertebraeCoccyx)4vertebrae.

  • Vertebrae

    Thevertebralbonesarepiledoneupontheotherthusformingapillarforthesupportofthecraniumandtrunk.Theyareconnectedtogetherbyspinous,transverseandarticularprocessesandbypadsoffibrocartilagebetweenthebones.Thearchesofthevertebraeformahollowcylinderorabonycoveringorapassageforthespinalcord.Thesizeofthevertebraediffersfromeachother.Forexample,thesizeofthevertebraeincervicalregionissmallerthanindorsalbutthearchesarebigger.Thebodyofthelumbarvertebraeisthelargestandbiggest.Thewholespineisnotlikeastiffrod,buthascurvaturesthatgiveaspringaction.Alltheotherbonesofthebodyareconnectedwiththisspine.

    Betweeneachpairofvertebraethereareaperturesthroughwhichthespinalnervespassfromthespinalcordtothedifferentportionsandorgansofthebody.ThefiveregionsofthespinecorrespondwiththeregionsofthefiveChakras:Muladhara,Svadhishthana,Manipura,AnahataandVishuddha.SushumnaNadipassesthroughthehollowcylindricalcavityofthevertebralcolumnandIdaisontheleftsideandPingalaontherightsideofthespine.

    SukshmaSarira

    Thephysicalbodyisshapedinaccordancewiththenatureoftheastralbody.Thephysicalbodyissomethinglikewater,Sthulaform.Whenwaterisheated,thesteamorvapourcorrespondstotheastralbody.InthesamewaytheastralorSukshmabodyiswithinthegrossorphysicalbody.Thegrossbodycannotdoanythingwithouttheastralbody.Everygrosscentreofthebodyhasitsastralcentre.AclearknowledgeofthegrossbodyisofutmostimportanceasthisYogadealswiththecentreoftheastralbody.Insubsequentchaptersyouwillfind,therefore,ashortdescriptionofthecentresofthegrossbodyandtheircorrespondingcentresintheSukshmaSarira.Youwillfindthedescriptionsoftheastralcentresandtheirconnectedfunctionsinthephysicalbody.

    Kanda

  • Thisissituatedbetweentheanusandtherootofthereproductoryorgan.Itisliketheshapeofaneggandiscoveredwithmembranes.ThisisjustabovetheMuladharaChakra.AlltheNadisofthebodyspringfromthisKanda.ItisinthejunctionwhereSushumnaisconnectedwithMuladharaChakra.ThefourpetalsoftheMuladharaChakraareonthesidesofthisKandaandthejunctioniscalledGranthiSthana,wheretheinfluenceofMayaisverystrong.InsomeUpanishadsyouwillfindthatKandais9digitsabovethegenitals.

    KandaisacentreoftheastralbodyfromwhereYogaNadis,subtlechannels,springandcarrytheSukshmaPrana(vitalenergy)tothedifferentpartsofthebody.Correspondingtothiscentre,youhaveCaudaequinainthegrossphysicalbody.Thespinalcordextendingfromthebraintotheendofthevertebralcolumntapersoffintoafinesilkenthread.Beforeitsterminationitgivesoffinnumerablefibres,crowdedintoabunchofnerves.ThisbunchofnervesisCaudaequinainthegrossbody.TheastralcentreofCaudaequinaisKanda.

    SpinalCord

    Thecentralnervoussystemconsistsofthebrainandthespinalcord,thecerebrospinalcentreoraxis.ThecontinuationoftheMedullaoblongataortheBulbisaconnectingmediumbetweenthebrainandthespinalcord.ThecentreintheMedullaoblongataiscloselyconnectedwiththeinvoluntaryfunctionsofbreathingandswallowing.Thespinalcordextendsfromthetopofthespinalcanaltothesecondvertebraofthecoccygealregionwhereittapersoffintoafinesilkenthread,calledFilumterminale.

    Thespinalcordisacolumnofverysoftgreyandwhitebrainmatter.Thewhitematterisarrangedonthesidesofthegreymatter.Thewhitematterisofmedullatednerveswhilethegreyisofnervecellsandfibres.Thisisnottightlyfittedwiththespinalcanal,butsuspendedordropped,asitwere,intothespinalcanaljustlikethebraininthecranialcavity.Thisisnourishedbythemembranes.Spinalcordandbrainfloatinthecerebrospinalfluid.Thefluidprevents,therefore,anyinjurydonetothem.Furtherthespinalcordisprotectedbyacoveringoffattytissue.Itisdividedintotwosymmetricalhalvesbyananteriorandposteriorfissure.Inthecentrethereisaminutecanal,calledcanaliscentralis.BrahmanadirunsalongthiscanalfromtheMuladharatoSahasraraChakra.ItisthroughthisNadi,Kundalini,whenawakened,passestoBrahmarandhra.

    Thespinalcordisnotdividedorseparatedfromthebrain.Itiscontinuouswiththebrain.Allthecranialandspinalnervesareconnectedwiththiscord.Everynerveofthebodyisconnectedwiththis.Theorgansofreproduction,micturition,digestion,bloodcirculation,respirationareallcontrolledbythisspinalcord.Spinalcordopensoutintothefourthventricleofthebraininthemedullaoblongata.Fromthefourthventricleitrunsalongthethird,thenthefifthventricleofthebrainandfinallyitreachesthecrownofthehead,SahasraraChakra.

  • SpinalCord

    SushumnaNadi

    Whenwestudytheconstruction,locationandfunctionoftheSpinalCordandtheSushumnaNadi,wecanreadilysaythattheSpinalCordwascalledSushumnaNadibytheYoginsofyore.TheWesternAnatomydealswiththegrossformandfunctionsoftheSpinalCord,whiletheYoginsofancienttimesdealtwithallaboutthesubtle(Sukshma)nature.NowinKundaliniYoga,youshouldhaveathoroughknowledgeofthisNadi.

    SushumnaextendsfromtheMuladharaChakra(secondvertebraofcoccygealregion)toBrahmarandhra.TheWesternAnatomyadmitsthatthereisacentralcanalintheSpinalCord,calledCanalisCentralisandthatthecordismadeupofgreyandwhitebrainmatter.SpinalCordisdroppedorsuspendedinthehollowofthespinalcolumn.Inthesameway,Sushumnaisdroppedwithinthespinalcanalandhassubtlesections.ItisofredcolourlikeAgni(fire).

    WithinthisSushumnathereisaNadibynameVajrawhichislustrousasSurya(sun)withRajasicqualities.AgainwithinthisVajraNadi,thereisanotherNadi,calledChitra.ItisofSattvicnatureandofpalecolour.ThequalitiesofAgni,SuryaandChandra(fire,sunandmoon)arethethreeaspectsofSabdaBrahman.HerewithinthisChitra,thereisaveryfineminutecanal(whichisknownasCanalisCentralis).ThiscanalisknownasBrahmanadithroughwhichKundalini,whenawakened,passesfromMuladharatoSahasraraChakra.InthiscentreexistallthesixChakras(lotuses,viz.,Muladhara,Svadhishthana,Manipura,Anahata,VishuddhaandAjna).

  • ThelowerextremityoftheChitraNadiiscalledBrahmadvara,thedoorofBrahman,asKundalinihastopassthroughthisdoortoBrahmarandhra.ThiscorrespondstoHaridwarwhichisthegateofHariofBadrinarayaninthemacrocosm(physicalplane).TheChitraterminatesintheCerebellum.

    InageneralsensetheSushumnaNadiitself(grossSpinalCord)iscalledBrahmaNadibecause,BrahmaNadiiswithintheSushumna.AgainthecanalwithintheChitraisalsocalledSushumna,becausethecanaliswithintheSushumna.IdaandPingalaNadisareontheleftandrightsidesofthespine.

    ChitraisthehighestandmostbelovedoftheYogins.Itislikeathinthreadoflotus.Brilliantwithfivecolours,itisinthecentreofSushumna.Itisthemostvitalpartofthebody.ThisiscalledtheHeavenlyway.ItisthegiverofImmortality.BycontemplatingontheChakrasthatexistinthisNadi,theYogidestroysallsinsandattainstheHighestBliss.ItisthegiverofMoksha.

    WhenthebreathflowsthroughSushumna,themindbecomessteady.ThissteadinessofthemindistermedUnmaniAvastha,thehigheststateofYoga.IfyousitformeditationwhenSushumnaisoperating,youwillhavewonderfulmeditation.WhentheNadisarefullofimpurities,thebreathcannotpassintothemiddleNadi.SooneshouldpractisePranayamaforthepurificationofNadis.

    ParaSympatheticAndSympatheticSystem

    Oneithersideofthespinalcordrunthesympatheticandparasympatheticcords,adoublechainofganglia.Gangliameansacollectionofnervecells.TheseconstitutetheAutonomicSystemwhichsuppliesnervestotheinvoluntaryorgans,suchasheart,lungs,intestines,kidneys,liver,etc.,andcontrolsthem.Vagusnervewhichplaysavitalpartinhumaneconomycomesoutofthissympatheticsystem.Sympatheticsystemstimulatesoraccelerates.Parasympatheticsystemretardsorinhibits.Therearenervestodilateorexpandthearterieswhichcarrypureoxygenatedbloodtonourishthetissues,organsandcellsofdifferentpartsofthebody.ThesearecalledVasodilators.Theleftandtherightsympatheticchainsareconnectedbyfilaments.Thesecrossfromtherighttotheleftsideandviceversa,buttheexactplaceswherethesecrossesarenotknown,thoughseveralhaveattemptedtofind.MKendrickandSnodgrassintheirPhysiologyoftheSenseswrite:Wherethesensoryfibrescrossfromonesidetotheotherisnotknown.....Insomepartsofthespinalcordthesensoryfibresdocrossfromtherighttoleftsideandviceversa.

    IdaAndPingalaNadis

    IdaandPingalaNadisarenotthegrosssympatheticchains.ThesearethesubtleNadisthatcarrytheSukshmaPrana.Inthephysicalbodythesetentativelycorrespondtotherightandleftsympatheticchains.

    IdastartsfromtherighttesticleandPingalafromthelefttesticle.TheymeetwithSushumnaNadiattheMuladharaChakraandmakeaknotthere.ThisjunctionofthreeNadisattheMuladharaChakraisknownasMuktaTriveni.Ganga,YamunaandSarasvatidwellinPingala,IdaandSushumnaNadisrespectively.ThismeetingplaceiscalledBrahmaGranthi.AgainthesemeetattheAnahataandAjnaChakra.InthemacrocosmalsoyouhaveaTriveniatPrayagwherethethreeriversGanga,YamunaandSarasvatimeet.

  • IdaflowsthroughtheleftnostrilandPingalathroughtherightnostril.IdaisalsocalledChandraNadi(moon)andPingalaasSuryaNadi(sun).IdaiscoolingandPingalaisheating.Pingaladigeststhefood.Idaisofpale,SaktiRupa.Itisthegreatnourisheroftheworld.Pingalaisoffieryred,RudraRupa.IdaandPingalaindicateKala(time)andSushumnaswallowstime.TheYogiknowsthetimeofhisdeathtakeshisPranaintoSushumnakeepsitinBrahmarandra,anddefiestime(Kaladeath).ThefamousYogiSriChangDevofMaharashtrafoughtagainstdeathseveraltimesbytakingthePranaintoSushumna.HewasacontemporaryofSriJnanadevofAlandi,nearPoona.ItwashewhohadBhutaSiddhi,controloverwildanimals,throughhisYogicpractices.HecameonthebackofatigertoseeSriJnanadev.

    ChakrasPadmas,

    LotusesoftheAstralbody

    MuladharaorAdharaChakra

    Swadhishthana Manipura Anahata Vishuddha Ajna Sahasrara

    Correspondingnerveplexusesinthephysicalbody

    (Sacral)Sacro

    CoccygealPlexus

    ProstaticPlexus

    SolarPlexus

    CardiacPlexus

    (Pharyngeal)LaryngealPlexus

    CavernousPlexus

    PinealGland

    LocationorPosition

    JustbelowKanda,

    betweentherootof

    reproductoryorganandanus.Atthe

    baseofspinalcolumn

    AttheLingaortheoriginof

    thereproductory

    organ.Between

    MuladharaandManipuraChakras

    NavelofNabhiSthana

    HeartAtthebaseofthethroatofKantha

    MulaSthana

    Atthespace

    betweenthetwo

    eyebrowsorBhruMadhya

    PetalsornumberofYogaNadis

    4 6 10 12 16 2

    LettersonthepetalsorthevibrationsoftheYoga

    v:S:\:s: b:B:m:y:rl:

    RZN:t:T:

    dD:n:

    kK:g:G:{c:

    Cj:J:

    AA:EIuU?@

    =OOA:A:A

    hx:

  • Nadis p:P W:XY AH

    MandalaortheregionofTattva

    PrithviorBhumandal.Regionofthe

    Earth

    ApasorJalaMandal.

    Regionofthewater

    TejasorAgni

    Mandal.Regionof

    Fire

    VayuMandal.Regionof

    Air

    AkasaMandal.RegionofEther

    AvyaktaAhankaraManasTattva.

    RegionofMind

    ShapeofMandala Square Crescentmoon Triangle Hexagonal Round Round

    ColourofTattvas Yellow White Red Smoky Blue

    FunctionofTattva

    Gandhaorsmell Rasaortaste

    Rupaorsight

    Sparshaortouch

    Shabdaorhearing

    SankalpaVikalpa

    PresidingDeity

    Ganesha(Brahma4faced)

    Brahma(Narayanafour

    handed)

    Shankarathreeeyed

    (Vishnu)

    Shankarathreeeyed

    (Siva)

    MaheswaraSadasivaasBindurupa

    Sadasivaor

    ShambhuNada

    Goddess Dakini Rakini Lakini Kakini Shakini Hakini DevaorTattva Prithvi Varuna Agni Vayu Akasa Manas BijaAkshara l: v: r y: h !

    CorrespondingLokas BhuLoka BhuvarLoka

    SwahorSwargaLoka

    MaharLoka

    JanahorJanarLoka TapoLoka

    GranthiSthana

    BrahmaGranthi Vishnu Rudra

  • SvaraSadhana

    SvaraSadhana,practiceofbreath,istherevealerofSatya,BrahmanandbestoweroftheSupremeKnowledgeandBliss.PerformcalmactsduringtheflowofIdaandharshactsduringtheflowofPingala.Doactsresultingintheattainmentofpsychicpowers,Yoga,meditation,etc.,duringtheflowoftheSushumna.IfthebreathrisesbyIda(moon)atsunriseandflowsthroughouttheday,andPingala(sun)risesatsunsetandflowsthroughoutthenightitconfersconsiderablegoodresults.LetthebreathflowthroughIdathewholedayandthroughPingalathewholenight.HewhopractisesthusisverilyagreatYogi.

    HowToChangeTheFlowInNadis

    ThefollowingexercisesareforchangingtheflowfromIdatoPingala.Selectanyoneofthemethodsthatsuitsyoubest.ForchangingtheflowfromPingalatoIda,justdothesameexerciseontheoppositeside:

    1.Plugtheleftnostrilwithasmallpieceofcottonorfineclothforafewminutes.

    2.Liedownontheleftsidefortenminutes.

    3.Siterect.Drawtheleftkneeupandkeeptheleftheelneartheleftbuttock.Nowpresstheleftarmpit,Axilla,ontheknee.InafewsecondstheflowwillbethroughPingala.

    4.Keepthetwoheelstogetherneartherightbuttock.Therightkneewillbeovertheleftknee.Keeptheleftpalmonthegroundafootawayandlettheweightofthetrunkrestonthelefthand.Donotbendatthe

  • elbow.Turntheheadalsotowardstheleftside.Thisisaneffectivemethod.Catchholdoftheleftanklewiththerighthand.

    5.TheflowofbreathcanbechangedbyNauliKriyaalso.

    6.Therearesomewhoareabletochangetheflowbywill.

    7.PlacetheYogaDandaorHamsaDanda(awoodenstickofabout2feetinlengthwitharestoftheshapeofUatoneend)attheleftarmpitandleanonitbytheleftside.

    8.ThemosteffectiveandinstantaneousresultisproducedinchangingtheflowthroughKhechariMudra.TheYogiturnsthetongueinsideandblockstheairpassagebythetipofthetongue.

    Theaboveexerciseisintendedforgeneralregulationofbreath.ManyotherspecialexercisesforthepurificationofNadisandawakeningKundaliniwillbegiveninthesubsequentchapters.Aknowledgemoresecretthanthescienceofbreath,afriendmoretruethanthescienceofbreath,hasneverbeenseenorheardof.Friendsarebroughttogetherbythepowerofbreath.Wealthisobtainedwithcomfortandreputationthroughthepowerofbreath.Theknowledgeofthepast,presentandthefutureandallotherSiddhisareacquiredandamanreachesthehigheststate,bythepowerofbreath.

    IwantyoutopractiseeverydaytheSvaraSadhanasystematicallyandregularly,thatis,toallowtheflowofbreaththroughtheleftnostrilthroughoutthedayandthroughtherightnostrilthroughoutthenight.Thiswill,doubtless,bestowonyouwonderfulbenefits.WrongSvaraisthecauseofahostofailments.ObservanceofrightSvaraasdescribedaboveleadstohealthandlonglife.Verily,verily,Isaythisuntoyou,mydearchildren!Practisethis.Practisethisfromtoday.Shakeoffyourhabitualsloth,indolenceandinertia.Leaveoffyouridletalk.Dosomethingpractical.Beforeyoubeginthepractice,praytoLordSiva,whoisthegiverofthiswonderfulsciencebyutteringOmNamahSivayaandSriGanesha,theremoverofallobstacles.

    OtherNadis

    Gandhari,Hastajihva,Kuhu,Sarasvati,Pusha,Sankhini,Payasvini,Varuni,Alambusha,Vishvodhara,Yasasvini,etc.,aresomeotherimportantNadis.ThesehavetheirorigininKanda.AlltheseNadisareplacedonthesidesofSushumna,IdaandPingala,andproceedtodifferentpartsofthebodytoperformcertainspecialfunctions.TheseareallsubtleNadis.InnumerableminorNadisspringfromthese.AstheleafoftheAsvatthatreeiscoveredwithminutefibressoalso,thisbodyispermeatedwiththousandsofNadis.

    PadmasOrChakras

    ChakrasareintheLingaSarira(astralbody).LingaSariraisof17Tattvas,viz.,5Jnanendriyas(ears,skin,eyes,tongueandnose)5Karmendriyas(speech,hands,legs,genitals,anus)5Pranas(Prana,Apana,Vyana,Udana,Samana)Manas(mind)andBuddhi(intellect).Thesehavecorrespondingcentresinthespinalcordandthenerveplexusesinthegrossbody.EachChakrahascontrolandfunctionoveraparticular

  • centreingrossbody.Thesecannotbeseenbythenakedeyes.SomefoolishdoctorssearchfortheChakrasinthephysicalbody.Theycannotfindthemthere.SincetheycannotfindanyChakrainadeadbody,theylosefaithinShastrasandYogicKriyas.

    SukshmaPranamovesinthenervoussystemoftheLingaSarira(astralbody).SthulaPranamovesinthenervoussystemofthegrossphysicalbody.Thetwocoursesareintimatelyconnected.Theyactandreactuponeachother.TheChakrasareintheastralbodyevenafterthedisintegrationofthephysicalorganismtodeath.Accordingtoaschoolofthought,theChakrasareformedduringconcentrationandmeditationonly.Thisisnotpossible.TheChakrasshouldexistthereinasubtlestate,asthegrossmatteristheresultofthesubtlematter.Withoutthesubtlebody,thegrossbodyisimpossible.ThemeaningofthissentenceshouldbetakentobethatonecanfeelandunderstandtheSukshmaChakrasduringconcentrationandmeditationonly.

    Whereverthereisaninterlacingofseveralnerves,arteriesandveins,thatcentreiscalledPlexuses.ThephysicalgrossplexusesthatareknowntotheVaidyaShastraareHepatic,Cervical,Brachial,Coccygeal,Lumbar,Sacral,Cardiac,Epigastric,Esophageal,Pharyngeal,Plumonary,Lingual,Prostatic,etc.SimilarlythereareplexusesorcentresofSukshmaPranaintheSushumnaNadi.Allthefunctionsofthebody,nervous,digestive,circulatory,respiratory,genitourinaryandallothersystemsofthebodyareunderthecontrolofthesecentresinSushumna.Thesearesubtlecentresofvitalenergy.Thesearethecentresofconsciousness(Chaitanya).ThesesubtlecentresofSushumnahavetheircorrespondingcentresinthephysicalbody.Forexample,AnahataChakrawhichisintheSushumnaNadihasitscorrespondingcentreinthephysicalbodyattheheart(CardiacPlexus).

    ThesubtlecentresintheSushumnaNadiareotherwiseknownasLotusesorChakras.AparticularTattvapreponderatesateveryChakra.ThereisapresidingdeityineachChakra.IneveryChakraacertainanimalisrepresented.Itdenotesthatthecentrehasthequalities,TattvasorGunasofthatparticularanimal.TherearesiximportantChakras:Muladhara,Svadhisthana,Manipura,Anahata,Vishuddha,andAjna.SahasraraisthechiefChakra.Itisinthehead.These7ChakrascorrespondtotheLokas(Bhuh,Bhuvah,Svah,Maha,Jana,Tapa,andSatyaLokas).MuladharatoVishuddhaarethecentresofPanchaBhutas(fiveelements):earth,water,fire,airandether.

    WhenKundaliniisawakeneditpassesonfromMuladharatoSahasrarathroughalltheChakras.AteverycentretowhichtheYogidirectstheKundalini,heexperiencesaspecialformofAnanda(Bliss)andgainsspecialSiddhis(psychicpowers)andknowledge.HeenjoystheSupremeBlisswhenKundaliniistakentoSahasraraChakra.

    ThefollowingaresomeotherChakras:Adhara(anothernameofMuladharaChakra),Amrita,Ananda,Lalita,Balvana,Brahmadvara,Chandra,Dipaka,Karnamula,Gulhaha,Kuladipa,Kundali,Galabaddha,Kaladaada,Kaladhvara,Karangaka,Kalabhedan,Lalana,Mahotsaha,Manas,Talana,Mahapadma,Niradhara,Naukula,Prana,Soma,Triveni,Urdhvarandhra,Vajra,etc.SomeofthesenamesrefertothesiximportantChakrasonly.TherearealsomanyminorChakras.SomeHathayogissay,thatthereare21minorChakrasbesides13majorChakrasandsomeotherHathayogisholdthattherearefortynineChakraswhiletheancientYogistaughtthatthereare144Chakras.TalanaChakrawithitstwelveredpetalsislocatednearthebaseofthepalateandManasChakrawithitssixpetalscloselyassociatedwithsensations,dreamsandastraltravelling.

  • DetailedinstructionsofeachChakraaregivenintheforegoingchapters.

    PetalsOnChakras

    EachChakrahasaparticularnumberofpetalswithaSanskritalphabetoneachpetal.ThevibrationthatisproducedateachpetalisrepresentedbythecorrespondingSanskritletter.EveryletterdenotestheMantraofDeviKundalini.Thelettersexistinthepetalsinalatentform.ThesecanbemanifestedandthevibrationsoftheNadisfeltduringconcentration.

    Thenumberofpetalsofthelotusesvaries.Muladhara,Svadhishthana,Manipura,Anahata,VishuddhaandAjnaChakrashave4,6,10,12,16,and2petalsrespectively.Allthe50Sanskritlettersareonthe50petals.ThenumberofpetalsineachChakraisdeterminedbythenumberandpositionoftheYogaNadisaroundtheChakra.Iwillmakeitstillclear.FromeachChakraaparticularnumberofYogaNadiscropup.TheChakragivestheappearanceofalotuswiththeNadisasitspetals.ThesoundproducedbythevibrationsoftheYogaNadisisrepresentedbythecorrespondingSanskritletter.TheChakraswiththeirpetalshangdownwardswhenKundaliniisattheMuladharaChakra.Whenitisawakened,theyturntowardsBrahmarandhra.TheyalwaysfacethesideofKundalini.

    MuladharaChakra

    MuladharaChakraislocatedatthebaseofthespinalcolumn.Itliesbetweentheoriginofthereproductoryorganandtheanus.ItisjustbelowtheKandaandthejunctionwhereIda,PingalaandSushumnaNadismeet.Twofingersabovetheanusandabouttwofingersbelowthegenitals,fourfingersinwidthisthespacewheretheMuladharaChakraissituated.ThisistheAdharaChakra(support)astheotherChakrasareabovethis.Kundalini,whichgivespowerandenergytoalltheChakras,liesatthisChakra.Hencethis,whichisthesupportofalliscalledMuladharaorAdharaChakra.

  • THEMULADHARAANDKUNDALINI

    FromthisChakrafourimportantNadisemanatewhichappearaspetalsofalotus.ThesubtlevibrationsthataremadebyeachNadiarerepresentedbytheSanskritletters:v:S:\:ands:(va,a,a,andsa.).TheYonithatisinthecentreofthisChakraiscalledKamaanditisworshippedbySiddhas.HereKundaliniliesdormant.GanesaistheDevataofthisChakra.Thesevenunderworlds:Atala,Vitala,Sutala,Talatala,Rasatala,MahatalaandPatalaLokasarebelowthisChakra.ThisChakracorrespondswithBhuLokaorBhuMandal,physicalplane(regionofearth).Bhuvah,SvahorSvarga,Maha,Jana,TapaandSatyaLokasareabovethisChakra.AlltheunderworldsrefertosomeminorChakrasinthelimbswhicharecontrolledbytheMuladharaChakra.ThatYogi,whohaspenetratedthisChakrathroughPrithviDharan,hasconqueredthePrithviTattva.Hehasnofearofdeathfromearth.Prithviisofyellowcolour.ThegoldenTripura(fire,sunandmoon)istermedtheBija.Itisalsocalledthegreatenergy(ParamTejas)whichrestsontheMuladharaChakraandwhichisknownasSvayambhuLinga.NearthisLingaisthegoldenregionknownasKulaandthepresidingdeityisDakini(Shakti).BrahmaGranthiortheknotofBrahmaisinthisChakra.VishnuGranthiandRudraGranthiareintheAnahataandAjnaChakras.l:(la)istheBijaofMuladharaChakra.

    ThewiseYogi,whoconcentratesandmeditatesontheMuladharaChakra,acquiresthefullknowledgeofKundaliniandthemeanstoawakenit.WhenKundaliniisawakened,hegetsDarduriSiddhi,thepowertorisefromtheground.Hecancontrolthebreath,mindandsemen.HisPranaentersthemiddleBrahmaNadi.Allhissinsaredestroyed.Heacquiresknowledgeofthepast,presentandfuture.HeenjoysthenaturalBliss(SahajaAnanda).

  • SvadhishthanaChakra

    SvadhishthanaChakraislocatedwithintheSushumnaNadiattherootofthereproductoryorgan.ThiscorrespondstoBhuvarLoka.Thishascontroloverthelowerabdomen,kidneys,etc.,inthephysicalbody.JalaMandal(regionofwaterApaTattva)ishere.WithinthisChakrathereisaspacelikeacrescentmoonortheformofaconchorKundaflower.ThepresidingdeityisLordBrahmaandDevataisGoddessRakini.Bijaksharav:(va),theBijaofVaruna,isinthisChakra.ThecolouroftheChakraispurebloodlikeredorthecolourofSindura(vermilion).FromthiscentresixYogaNadisemanate,whichappearlikethepetalsofalotus.ThevibrationsthatareproducedbytheNadisarerepresentedbytheSanskritletters:b:B:m:y:rl:(babhamayaraandla).

    SVADHISHTHANACHAKRA

    HewhoconcentratesatthisChakraandmeditatesontheDevatahasnofearofwater.Hehasperfectcontroloverthewaterelement.Hegetsmanypsychicpowers,intuitionalknowledgeandaperfectcontroloverhissenses.Hehasfullknowledgeoftheastralentities.Kama,Krodha,Lobha,Moha,Mada,Matsaryaandotherimpurequalitiesarecompletelyannihilated.TheYogibecomestheconquerorofdeath(Mrityunjaya).

    ManipuraChakra

    ManipuraisthethirdChakrafromtheMuladhara.ItislocatedwithintheSushumnaNadi,intheNabhi

  • Sthana(regionofnavel).Thishasitscorrespondingcentreinthephysicalbodyandhascontrolovertheliver,stomach,etc.Thisisaveryimportantcentre.FromthisChakraemanatetenYogaNadiswhichappearlikethepetalsofalotus.ThevibrationsthatareproducedbytheNadisarerepresentedbytheSanskritletters:RZN:t:T:dD:n:p:P(ahaatathadadhanapaandpha).TheChakraisofthecolourofdarkclouds.Withinthereisaspacetriangularinform.ItistheAgniMandala(regionoffireAgniTattva).TheBijaksharar(ra),theBijaofAgni,ishere.ThepresidingdeityisVishnuandGoddessisLakshmi.ThisChakracorrespondstoSvahorSvargaLokaandtoSolarPlexusinthephysicalbody.

    MANIPURACHAKRA

    TheYogiwhoconcentratesatthisChakragetsPatalaSiddhi,canacquirehiddentreasuresandwillbefreefromalldiseases.HehasnofearatallfromAgni(fire).Evenifheisthrownintotheburningfire,heremainsalivewithoutfearofdeath.,(GherandaSamhita).

    AnahataChakra

    AnahataChakraissituatedintheSushumnaNadi(Sukshmacentre).Ithascontrolovertheheart.ItcorrespondstotheCardiacPlexusinthephysicalbody.ThiscorrespondstoMaharLoka.TheChakraisofdeepredcolour.WithinthisChakrathereisahexagonalspaceofsmokeordeepblackcolourorthecolourofcollyrium(usedfortheeyes).ThischakraisthecentreofVayuMandal(regionofair,VayuTattva).Fromhere15YogaNadisemanate.ThesoundthatisproducedbyeachNadiisrepresentedbythefollowingSanskritletters:kK:g:G:{c:Cj:J:W:XY(kakhagaghaacachajajhaaaandha).The

  • Bijaksharay:(ya),theBijaofVayu,ishere.ThepresidingdeityisIsha(Rudra)andDevataisKakini.IntheMuladharaChakrathereisSvayambhuLingaandinAnahataChakrawehaveBanaLinga.KalpaVriksha,whichgivesallthedesiredthings,ishere.Anahatasound,thesoundofShabdaBrahman,isheardatthiscentre.WhenyoudoSirshasanaforalongtime,youcandistinctlyhearthissound.VayuTattvaisfullofSattvaGuna.VishnuGranthiisinthisSthana.

    ANAHATACHAKRA

    HewhomeditatesonthisChakrahasfullcontroloverVayuTattva.HegetsBhuchariSiddhi,KhechariSiddhi,KayaSiddhi,etc.,(flyinginair,enteringthebodyofanother).HegetscosmicloveandallotherdivineSattvicqualities.

    VishuddhaChakra

    VishuddhaChakraissituatedwithintheSushumnaNadiatthebaseofthethroat,KanthaMulaSthana.ThiscorrespondstoJanarLoka.ItisthecentreofAkasaTattva(etherelement).TheTattvaisofpurebluecolour.Abovethis,allotherChakrasbelongtoManasTattva.ThepresidingdeityisSadasiva(IsvaraLinga),andtheGoddessisShakini.Fromthiscentreemanate16YogaNadiswhichappearlikethepetalsofalotus.ThevibrationsthatareproducedbytheNadisarerepresentedbythe16Sanskritvowels:AA:EIuU?@=OOA:A:AAH(aiueaioauaanda).AkasaMandal(theregionofether)isroundinshapelikethefullmoon.TheBijaofAkasaTattvah(ha)isinthiscentre.Itisofwhitecolour.ThisChakracorrespondstoLaryngealplexusinthephysicalbody.

  • TheconcentrationontheTattvaofthisChakraiscalledAkasaDharana.HewhopractisesthisDharanawillnotperisheveninPralaya.Heattainsthehighestsuccess.HegetsthefullknowledgeofthefourVedasbymeditatingonthisChakra.HebecomesaTrikalaJnani(whoknowsthepast,thepresentandthefuture).

    VISHUDDHACHAKRA

    AjnaChakra

    AjnaChakraissituatedwithintheSushumnaNadianditscorrespondingcentreinthephysicalbodyisatthespacebetweenthetwoeyebrows.ThisisknownasTrikuti.Thepresidingdeity,Paramasiva(Shambhu),isintheformofHamsa.ThereisGoddessHakini(Sakti}.Pranavaxdvng(Om)istheBijaksharaforthisChakra.Thisistheseatofthemind.Therearetwopetals(YogaNadis)oneachsideofthelotus(Chakra)andthevibrationsoftheseNadisarerepresentedbytheSanskritletters:xdvng(Ham)and(Ksham).ThisistheGranthiSthana(RudraGranthi).TheChakraisofpurewhitecolourorlikethatofthefullmoon(onthePurnimaday).Bindu,NadaandSaktiareinthisChakra.ThisChakracorrespondstoTapoLoka.ThecorrespondingcentreinthephysicalbodyisattheCavernousPlexus.

  • AJNACHAKRA

    HewhoconcentratesatthiscentredestroysalltheKarmasofthepastlives.ThebenefitsthatarederivedbymeditationonthisChakracannotbedescribedinwords.ThepractitionerbecomesaJivanmukta(liberatedmanwhileliving).Heacquiresallthe8majorand32minorSiddhis.AllYogisandJnanistooconcentratetothiscentreontheBijakshara,Pranava!(OM).ThisiscalledBhrumadyaDrishti(gazeatthespacebetweenthetwoeyebrows).MoredetailsofthisimportantChakrawillbegiveninthesubsequentlessons.

    TheBrain

    Brainandcranialnervesarethechiefpartsofthewholenervoussystem.Itisamassofnervoustissuesmadeupofsoftgreyandwhitematter.Itoccupiesthewholeofcranium.Craniumisliketheironsafetokeepupthetreasurebrain.ItissurroundedbythreemembranesorMeninges,viz.,(1)duramater,thefibrousconnectivetissuebythesideofthecranialbones(2)piamater,theconnectivetissuecontaininganetworkofbloodvessels,whichpenetratesandnourishesallthepartsofthebrainand(3)arachnoid,averyfinemembranearoundthebrain.Belowthearachnoidthereisthespacewhichcontainsthecerebrospinalfluidthatisintendedtopreventanyinjurytothebrain.Thebrainlooksasifitisfloatingonthisliquid.

  • THEBRAIN

    1.Cerebrum2.Cerebellum

    3.MedullaOblongata4.PonsVarolii

    Thebraincanbedividedintotwohalves,rightandlefthemispheres,byacentralSulcusortissue.Thereareseverallobesorsmallerportionsinthebrainsuchastheparietalandtemporallobesonthesides,theoccipitallobeattheposteriorportionofcerebellum,etc.TherearemanyconvolutionsorGyreineverylobe.Again,forthesakeofstudy,wecandividethebrainintofoursections.

    1.Cerebrum:Itistheanterior,ovalshapedlargerpartofthebrain.Itissituatedintheupperportionofthecranialcavity.Thiscontainstheimportantcentresofhearing,speech,sight,etc.ThepinealglandwhichisregardedastheseatofthesoulandwhichplaysaprominentpartinSamadhiandpsychicphenomenaissituatedhere.

    2.Cerebellum,thelittleorhindbrain:Thisisthemainportionofthebrain,oblongshaped,situatedjustabovethefourthventricleandbelowandbehindthebrain.Herethegreymatterisarrangedoverthewhitematter.Itregulatesthemuscularcoordination.Mindrestshereduringdreams.

    3.MedullaOblongata:Itisthebeginningplaceofthespinalcordatthecranialcavity,whereitisoblongshapedandwide.Itisbetweenthetwohemispheres.Herethewhitematterisplacedoverthegreymatter.

  • Thiscontainsthecentresofimportantfunctionssuchascirculatory,respiratory,etc.Thisportionmustbecarefullyprotected.

    4.PonsVarolii:ItisthebridgethatliesbeforetheMedullaOblongata.Itismadeofwhiteandgreyfibresthatcomefromcerebellumandmedulla.Thisisthejunctionwherecerebellumandmedullameet.

    Therearefiveventriclesofthebrain.Thefourthisthemostimportantone.ItissituatedinMedullaOblongata.Thefourthventricleisthenameofthecentralcanalofthespinalcord,CanalisCentraliswhenitentersthecranialcavity.Herethetinycanalbecomesbiggerinsize.

    Everynerveofthebodyiscloselyconnectedwiththebrain.The12pairsofcranialnervesproceedfrombothhemispheresthroughtheopeningsatthebaseoftheskulltodifferentpartsofthebody:OlfactoryOpticMotorOculiPatheticTrifacialAbducensFacialAuditoryGlossopharyngealPneumogastric,SpinalaccessoryandHypoglossal.Thesearethenervesthatareconnectedwiththeeye,ear,tongue,nose,pharynx,thorax,etc.Foradetailedstudyofthissectionrefertoanybookonanatomy.HereIhavegivenyouportionsthatareconnectedwithKundaliniYoga.

    Brahmarandhra

    BrahmarandhrameanstheholeofBrahman.Itisthedwellinghouseofthehumansoul.ThisisalsoknownasDasamadvara,thetenthopeningorthetenthdoor.ThehollowplaceinthecrownoftheheadknownasanteriorfontanelleinthenewbornchildistheBrahmarandhra.Thisisbetweenthetwoparietalandoccipitalbones.Thisportionisverysoftinababe.Whenthechildgrows,itgetsobliteratedbythegrowthofthebonesofthehead.Brahmacreatedthephysicalbodyandentered(Pravishat)thebodytogiveilluminationinsidethroughthisBrahmarandhra.InsomeoftheUpanishads,itisstatedlikethat.Thisisthemostimportantpart.ItisverysuitableforNirgunaDhyana(abstractmeditation).WhentheYogiseparateshimselffromthephysicalbodyatthetimeofdeath,thisBrahmarandhraburstsopenandPranacomesoutthroughthisopening(KapalaMoksha).Ahundredandonearethenervesoftheheart.Ofthemone(Sushumna)hasgoneoutpiercingtheheadgoingupthroughit,oneattainsimmortality(Kathopanishad).

    SahasraraChakra

    SahasraraChakraistheabodeofLordSiva.ThiscorrespondstoSatyaLoka.Thisissituatedatthecrownofthehead.WhenKundaliniisunitedwithLordSivaattheSahasraraChakra,theYogienjoystheSupremeBliss,ParamaAnanda.WhenKundaliniistakentothiscentre,theYogiattainsthesuperconsciousstateandtheHighestKnowledge.HebecomesaBrahmavidvarishthaorafullblownJnani.

    ThewordSahasradalaPadmadenotesthatthisPadmahas1000petals.Thatis,onethousandYogaNadisemanatefromthiscentre.Therearedifferentopinionsabouttheexactnumberofpetals.ItisquitesufficientifyouknowthatinnumerableNadisproceedfromthiscentre.AsinthecaseofotherChakras,thevibrationsthataremadebytheYogaNadisarerepresentedbytheSanskritletters.Allthe50lettersoftheSanskritalphabetarerepeatedhereagainandagainonallYogaNadis.ThisisaSukshmacentre.Thecorresponding

  • centreinthephysicalbodyisinthebrain.

    ThetermShatChakrasrefersonlytothechiefsixChakras,viz.,Muladhara,Svadhishthana,Manipura,Anahata,VishuddhaandAjna.AboveallthesewehaveSahasraraChakra.ThisisthechiefofalltheChakras.AlltheChakrashavetheirintimateconnectionwiththiscentre.HencethisisnotincludedasoneamongtheShatChakras.ThisissituatedabovealltheChakras.

    LalanaChakra

    LalanaChakraissituatedatthespacejustaboveAjnaandbelowSahasraraChakra.TwelveYogaNadisemanatefromthiscentre.Thevibrationsthataremadebythe12NadisarerepresentedbytheSanskritletters:(Ha,Sa,Ksha,Ma,La,Va,Ra,Ya,Ha,Sa,KhaandPhrem).IthasOMasitsBija.AtthiscentretheYogiconcentratesontheformofhisGuruandobtainsallknowledge.Thishascontroloverthe12pairsofnervesthatproceedfromthebraintothedifferentsenseorgans.

    SummaryOfThePreviousLessons

    AspirantsmusthavealltheSattvicqualitiesandshouldbequitefreefromimpurities.Satsanga,seclusion,dieteticdiscipline,goodmanners,goodcharacter,Brahmacharya,Vairagya,etc.,formthestrongfoundationofYogiclife.ThehelpofaGuru,whohasalreadytroddenthepath,isabsolutelynecessaryforquickprogressinthespiritualpath.Placesofcool,temperateclimatearerequiredforYogaAbhyasa.

    NadisaretheSukshma(astral)channelsthroughwhichPrana(vitalenergy)flowstodifferentpartsofthebody.Ida,PingalaandSushumnaarethemostimportantoftheinnumerableNadis.AllNadisstartfromtheKanda.Kandaislocatedinthespacebetweentheoriginofthereproductoryorganandtheanus.SushumnaNadiissituatedwithintheSpinalColumn,inthespinalcanal.WithintheSushumnaNadithereisaNadibynameVajra.ChitraNadi,aminutecanal,whichisalsocalledBrahmanadi,iswithinthisVajraNadi.Kundalini,whenawakened,passesthroughChitraNadi.TheseareallSukshmacentresandyoucannothaveanylaboratorytestsandtesttubeexperiments.Withoutthesesubtlecentres,thegrossphysicalbodycannotexistandfunction.Muladhara,Svadhishthana,Manipura,Anahata,Vishuddha,AjnaandSahasraraaretheimportantChakras.WhenKundalinipassesonfromChakratoChakra,layerafterlayerofthemindbecomesopenedandtheSadhakaentersintohigherstatesofconsciousness.AteveryChakrahegetsvariousSiddhis.Ida,PingalaandotherNadisareonthesidesofthespine.IdaflowsthroughtheleftnostrilandPingalathroughtherightnostril.InSvaraSadhanathebreathshouldflowbytheleftnostrilthroughoutthedayandbytherightnostrilthroughoutthenight.

    TheMysteriousKundalini

    ManastvamVyomatvamMarudasiMarutsarathirasi,TvamapastvamBhumistvayiparinatayamnahiparam,TvamevaSvatmanamparinamayitumvisvavapusha

  • Chidanandakaramharamahishibhavenabibhrushe.

    ODevi!Thouartthemind,thesky,theair,thefire,thewater,andtheearth.NothingisoutsideTheeonThytransformation.ThouhastbecomeSivasconsecratedqueentoalterThyownblissfulconsciousFormintheshapeoftheworld.

    Kundalini,theserpentpowerormysticfire,istheprimordialenergyorSaktithatliesdormantorsleepingintheMuladharaChakra,thecentreofthebody.Itiscalledtheserpentineorannularpoweronaccountofserpentineform.Itisanelectricfieryoccultpower,thegreatpristineforcewhichunderliesallorganicandinorganicmatter.

    Kundaliniisthecosmicpowerinindividualbodies.Itisnotamaterialforcelikeelectricity,magnetism,centripetalorcentrifugalforce.ItisaspiritualpotentialSaktiorcosmicpower.Inrealityithasnoform.TheSthulaBuddhiandmindhavetofollowaparticularforminthebeginningstage.Fromthisgrossform,onecaneasily,understandthesubtleformlessKundalini.Prana,Ahamkara,Buddhi,Indriyas,mind,fivegrosselements,nervesarealltheproductsofKundalini.

    Itisthecoiledup,sleepingDivineSaktithatliesdormantinallbeings.YouhaveseenintheMuladharaChakrathatthereisSvayambhuLinga.TheheadoftheLingaisthespacewhereSushumnaNadiisattachedtotheKanda.ThismysteriousKundaliniliesfacedownwardsatthemouthofSushumnaNadiontheheadofSvayambhuLinga.Ithasthreeandahalfcoilslikeaserpent.Whenitisawakened,itmakesahissingsoundlikethatofaserpentbeatenwithastick,andproceedstotheotherChakrathroughtheBrahmaNadi,whichisalsocalledChitraNadiwithinSushumna.HenceKundaliniisalsocalledBhujangini,serpentpower.ThethreecoilsrepresentthethreeGunasofPrakriti:Sattva,RajasandTamas,andthehalfrepresentstheVikritis,themodificationofPrakriti.

    KundaliniistheGoddessofspeechandispraisedbyall.SheHerself,whenawakenedbytheYogin,achievesforhimtheillumination.ItisShewhogivesMuktiandJnanaforSheisHerselfthat.SheisalsocalledSarasvati,asSheistheformofSabdaBrahman.SheisthesourceofallKnowledgeandBliss.Sheispureconsciousnessitself.SheisBrahman.SheisPranaSakti,theSupremeForce,theMotherofPrana,Agni,Bindu,andNada.ItisbythisSaktithattheworldexists.Creation,preservationanddissolutionareinHer.OnlybyherSaktitheworldiskeptup.ItisthroughHerSaktionsubtlePrana,Nadaisproduced.WhileyouutteracontinuoussoundorchantDirghaPranava!(OM),youwilldistinctlyfeelthattherealvibrationstartsfromtheMuladharaChakra.ThroughthevibrationofthisNada,allthepartsofthebodyfunction.ShemaintainstheindividualsoulthroughthesubtlePrana.IneverykindofSadhanatheGoddessKundaliniistheobjectofworshipinsomeformortheother.

    KundalinihasconnectionwithsubtlePrana.SubtlePranahasconnectionwiththesubtleNadisandChakras.SubtleNadishaveconnectionwiththemind.Mindhasconnectionallthroughthebody.Youhaveheardthatthereismindineverycellofthebody.Pranaistheworkingforceofthebody.Itisdynamic.ThisstaticSaktiisaffectedbyPranayamaandotherYogicpracticesandbecomesdynamic.Thesetwofunctions,staticanddynamic,aretermedsleepingandawakeningoftheKundalini.

  • KUNDALINIYOGAindex|2|3|4|5|6|7|8|9|10

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