KUNDALINI YOGA by Sri. Swami Sivananda, from the preface:

■Preface

Kundalini, the Divine Mother, the hidden Divine cosmic energy within man! You are Kali, Durga, Adishakti, Rajarajeshwari, Tripurasundari, Mahalakshmi, Mahasaraswati! You do not possess all these names and forms. You manifest as Prana, electricity, power, magnetism, cohesion, and gravity in this universe. This entire universe is within your heart. Countless salutations to you. O Mother of this world! Open the Sushumna Nadi and carry me along with you on the chakras to the Sahasrara chakra, and unite me with you and your consort, Lord Shiva.

Kundalini Yoga is the yoga that deals with Kundalini Shakti, which are the six centers of spiritual energy (shatchakras), and that awakens the dormant Kundalini Shakti and unites it with Lord Shiva in the Sahasrara chakra, at the crown of the head. This is a precise science. It is also known as Raja Yoga. The six centers are traversed by the Kundalini Shakti as it ascends to the crown (chakravidya). "Kundala" means "coiled." Her form is like a coiled serpent. Therefore, the name is Kundalini.

Everyone agrees that the one purpose of every being is to ensure their own happiness. Therefore, the highest and ultimate goal of human life must be to achieve eternal, infinite, uninterrupted, and supreme happiness. This happiness exists only in oneself or Atman. Therefore, search within to achieve this eternal bliss.

The power of thought exists only in humans. Humans can only judge, reflect, and act. Only humans can compare and contrast, consider pros and cons, and derive inferences and conclusions. This is why only they can attain God-consciousness. A man who simply eats and drinks, and does not exercise his mental faculties in self-realization, is merely a barbarian.

O worldly man! Awaken from the slumber of ignorance. Open your eyes. Arise to gain the knowledge of Atman. Practice spiritual sadhana, awaken the Kundalini Shakti, and attain its "unwakeable sleep" (samadhi). Immerse yourself in Atman.

The chitta is the mental substance. It takes various forms. These forms constitute Vrittis. These transformations or changes are thoughts, whirlpools, or Vrittis. When the mind thinks of a mango, a mango-vritti is formed in the lake of the chitta. When it thinks of milk, another vritti is formed. Countless Vrittis rise and fall in the ocean of the chitta. These Vrittis cause restlessness of the mind. Why do Vrittis arise from the chitta? Because of Samskaras and Vasanas. When all Vasanas are annihilated, all Vrittis subside by themselves.

When the Vrittis subside, a clear impression remains in the subconscious mind. It is known as a Samskara or latent impression. The sum total of all Samskaras is known as the "karmashaya" or the repository of actions. This is called Trikarana. When a person leaves the body, he carries with him the 17 Tatvas of the astral body and the karmashaya to the mental plane. This karmashaya is burned by the highest knowledge obtained through Asamprajnata Samadhi.

During concentration, you must carefully collect the scattered rays of the mind. Vrittis will arise from the ocean of the chitta. You must place the mind like a wave so that it does not move. When all the waves subside, the mind becomes calm and peaceful. Then the yogi enjoys peace and bliss. Therefore, true happiness is within. It must be obtained through control of the mind, not through money, women, children, name, fame, caste, power.

Purity of the mind leads to the perfection of yoga. When interacting with others, regulate your actions. Do not feel jealousy towards others. Be compassionate. Do not hate sinners. Be kind to everyone. Cultivate self-satisfaction towards superiors. When you devote maximum energy to the practice of yoga, success in yoga comes quickly. A desire for liberation and intense vairagya are also necessary. You must be sincere and serious. Intentional and consistent meditation is necessary to attain samadhi.

Have strong faith in the Srutis and Shastras, possess Sadachara (right conduct), always engage in the service of your Guru, and be free from desires, anger, moha, greed, and vanity, and you will easily cross this ocean of Samsara and attain samadhi. Just as fire burns a pile of dry leaves, the fire of yoga also burns all karma. The yogi attains Kaivalya. Through samadhi, the yogi gains intuition. True knowledge flashes within him in an instant.

Netti, dauti, basti, nauli, asana, and mudra help maintain the body's health, strength, and perfect control. However, these are only part of yoga, not all of it. These kriyas assist in the practice of dhyana, which culminates in samadhi, the ultimate realization of the self. One who practices only hatha yogic kriyas is not a true yogi. Only one who enters asamprajnata samadhi is a true yogi, a completely independent one.

There are two types of samadhi: jada samadhi and chaitanya samadhi. A hatha yogi can, through the practice of kecharimudra, enter a state where they are confined in a box and remain underground for months or even years. This type of samadhi does not involve any higher, supernatural knowledge; it is jada samadhi. Chaitanya samadhi, on the other hand, involves complete "awareness" and brings the yogi new, extrasensory wisdom.

As a man practices yogic kriyas, he naturally acquires various types of siddhis. These siddhis hinder realization. The yogi should not be concerned with these siddhis at all, if he wishes to progress further and attain the ultimate realization, the final goal. Pursuing siddhis makes one the greatest householder and a worldly person. Only self-realization is the goal. The entire sum of knowledge in this universe is nothing compared to the spiritual knowledge gained through self-realization.

Proceed carefully on the path of yoga. Remove the weeds, thorns, and sharp pebbles along the way. Fame and recognition are sharp pebbles. A slight inclination towards desire is a weed. Attachment to family, children, money, disciples, and the ashram is like thorns. These are forms of maya, and they do not allow the aspirant to progress further. They act as obstacles. The aspirant gains a false sense of satisfaction, stops their sadhana, and foolishly imagines that they have realized everything, trying to uplift others. This is like a blind man leading another blind man. When a yogic student starts an ashram, luxury slowly creeps in. The original vairagya gradually diminishes. He loses what he has gained, and he is unaware of his downfall. The ashram develops a spirit of begging and institutional egoism. He may be wearing the clothes of a renunciate, but he is the same householder in another form (lupantaraveda). Aspirant, be warned! I warn you seriously. Do not build an ashram. Remember the motto: "Renunciation, meditation, faith." Proceed directly towards the goal. Never give up the enthusiasm and vairagya until you realize the ultimate goal, Brahman. Do not get caught in the wheel of name, fame, and siddhis.

Nirvikalpa is a state of superconsciousness. In this state, there are no types of vikalpas. This is the goal of life. All mental activity ceases. The intellect and the functions of the ten indriyas are completely stopped. The aspirant is now in the Atman. There is no distinction between subject and object. The world and its opposite pairs are completely extinguished. This is a state beyond all relativity. The aspirant gains the knowledge of the self, the ultimate peace, the infinite, and the indescribable bliss. This is also called the Yogaroodha state.

When kundalini is taken to the Sahasrara and unites with Shiva, perfect samadhi occurs. The yogic student drinks the Nectar of Immortality. He has reached the goal. Mother Kundalini has now done her work. Glory to Mother Kundalini! May she bless us!

■The Experience of Kundalini Awakening

During meditation, you see the vision of God, experience the smell of God, the taste of God, the touch of God, and hear the sounds of God's orchestra. You receive instructions from God. These are signs that kundalini shakti has awakened. When you feel a throbbing sensation in the muladhara, when your hair stands on end, when uddiyana, jalandhara, and mula bandha happen spontaneously, know that kundalini has awakened.

When your breath stops without any effort, when kevala kumbhaka happens without any effort, know that kundalini shakti has become active. When you feel the flow of prana rising to the Sahasrara, when you experience bliss, when you automatically repeat Om, when there is no thought of the world in your mind, know that kundalini shakti has awakened.

When you fix your eyes on the Trikuti, which is in the center of your eyebrows, when Shambhavi mudra is working, know that kundalini has become active. When you feel vibrations of prana in various parts of your body, when you experience a jolt like an electric shock, know that kundalini has become active. When you feel as if your body is not there during meditation, when your eyelids close and do not open, when an electric-like current flows up and down your nerves, know that kundalini has awakened.

When meditating, gaining inspiration and insights, or when nature reveals its secrets, all doubts disappear, and the meaning of the Vedic texts becomes clear, and you know that Kundalini has awakened. When your body feels as light as air, when your mind is balanced in a state of tranquility, when you have boundless energy for your work, know that Kundalini is active.

When you become addicted to the divine, when you develop the power of speech, know that Kundalini has awakened. If you minimize pain and fatigue and find yourself spontaneously performing various asanas and yoga poses, confirm that Kundalini is active. When you spontaneously compose beautiful and sublime hymns and poems, know that Kundalini is active.

■Stages of Mental Ascent

The chakras are centers of Shakti, the vital energy. In other words, they are centers of Prana Shakti revealed by Pranavayu within the body, and the deities that govern them are the names of the universal consciousness that manifests in the form of these centers. The chakras are not perceived in the overall sensory experience. Even if they were perceptible within the body as they help to organize, they disappear with the breakdown of the organism at the time of death.

Purity of mind leads to the completion of yoga. When interacting with others, regulate your actions. Do not feel jealousy towards others. Be compassionate. Do not hate sinners. Be kind to everything. The more energy you devote to yoga practice, the faster your success in yoga will be. Liberation and a strong desire for intense detachment are also necessary. You must be sincere and serious. Intense meditation is required to enter samadhi.

The mind of a worldly man with fundamental desires and passions moves to the Muladhara and Swadhisthana chakras or centers, which are located near the anus and genitals, respectively.

As the mind becomes purer, it rises to the Manipura chakra, or the center of the navel, and experiences power and joy.

As the mind becomes even more purified, it rises to the Anahata chakra, or the center of the heart, and experiences bliss, and visualizes the sacred form or the visual deity of the Ishta-deva.

When the mind becomes very pure, and meditation and devotion become intense and profound, the mind rises to the Visuddha chakra, or the center of the throat, and experiences even more power and bliss. Even when the mind reaches this center, it may descend to a lower center.

When the yogi reaches the Ajna chakra, or the center between the two eyebrows, he attains samadhi and realizes the ultimate self, or Brahman. There is a slight sense of separation between the devotee and Brahman.

When he reaches the Sahasrara chakra, the spiritual center of the brain (the lotus with a thousand petals), the yogi attains Nirvikalpa Samadhi, or a state of superconsciousness. He merges with the non-dual Brahman. All sense of separation is dissolved. This is the highest plane of consciousness or the highest Asamprajnata Samadhi. Kundalini unites with Shiva.

The yogi may descend to the center of the throat and give instructions to the disciple, or do good deeds for others (Lokasamgraha).

■Pranayama for Kundalini Awakening

When practicing the following, focus on the Muladhara chakra, which is located at the base of the spine. This is the triangular seat of Kundalini Shakti. Close the right nostril with the right thumb. Inhale through the left nostril, counting slowly up to 3. Imagine that you are drawing prana into the atmosphere. Then, close the left nostril with the little finger and ring finger of the right hand. Then, hold your breath for 12 counts. Send the current directly along the spine to the triangular lotus, the Muladhara Chakra. Imagine that the nerve current is striking the lotus and awakening Kundalini. Then, exhale slowly through the right nostril, counting 6. Repeat the process from the right nostril, using the same unit, with the same imagination and feeling, as described above. This pranayama quickly awakens Kundalini. Practice 3 times in the morning and 3 times in the evening. Gradually and carefully increase the number and duration as your strength and ability allow. It is important to focus on the Muladhara chakra during this pranayama. With strong concentration and regular practice of pranayama, Kundalini will awaken quickly.

■Kundalini Pranayama

In this pranayama, the ratio of inhalation, retention, and exhalation is less important than the intention.

Sit in the Padmasana or Siddhasana posture, facing east or north.

Mentally prostrate yourself at the lotus feet of the Satguru, praise God and the Guru, chant a stotra, and then begin this pranayama, which easily leads to the awakening of Kundalini.

Inhale deeply without making a sound.

When you inhale, the Kundalini, which is dormant in the Muladhara Chakra, awakens and you feel it rising from Chakra to Chakra. At the end of the practice, tell your guru that the Kundalini has reached the Sahasrara. The more vivid your visualization of each Chakra, the faster your progress in this practice.

Hold your breath for a moment. Recite the Pranava or your Ishtamantra. Concentrate on the Sahasrara Chakra. Feel the darkness of ignorance that envelops your soul being dispelled by the grace of the Divine Mother Kundalini. Feel your entire being filled with light, power, and wisdom.

Now, slowly exhale. As you exhale, you feel the Kundalini Shakti gradually descending from the Sahasrara, through the Chakras, and back to the Muladhara Chakra.

Now, resume the process.

It is impossible to adequately praise this wonderful Pranayama. It is a magic wand for achieving perfection very quickly. Even a few days of practice will convince you of its amazing glory. Start today, right now.

May the Divine bless you with joy, bliss, and immortality.

■Kundalini and Tantra, Hatha Yoga, Raja Yoga, Vedanta

The word Kundalini is well known to all students of Yoga, as a power that resides in the first of the seven Chakras, the Muladhara Chakra, as well as a power. The other six are Svadhishthana, Manipuraka, Anahata, Visuddha, Ajna, and Sahasrara.

All practices in the form of Japa, meditation, Kirtan, and prayer, as well as all developments of virtue, and the observance of austerity such as truth, non-violence, and celibacy, are calculated only to awaken and pass this power of the serpent, from Svadhishthana to Sahasrara, through all the subsequent Chakras. The latter is the seat of Sadasiva or Parabrahman, or the thousand-petaled lotus, or Kundalini or Shakti, separated from the one who is in Muladhara, and as described above, Kundalini passes through all the Chakras, and the yogi who practices these or any techniques that unite with the Lord and achieves success in his efforts, is liberated.

In worldly people who enjoy sensual and sexual pleasures, this power of Kundalini remains dormant due to the lack of stimulation in the form of spiritual practice. Other powers are obtained by possessing worldly wealth and abundance. If the aspirant practices all that is forbidden by the Shastra and according to the instructions of the teacher, then Kundalini is already awakened, and has reached its abode or Sadashiva, and through any blessed achievement, a person is qualified to act as a guru or spiritual preceptor, who guides and helps others to achieve the same goal, and the veil or layer that envelops Kundalini begins to clear, and eventually is torn apart, and the power of the serpent is pushed or driven upwards.

Super-sensory visions appear before the aspirant's spiritual eyes, and a world of wonders and fascinating new worlds unfolds before the yogi, and the plane reveals its existence and grandeur to the practitioner, and the yogi gradually increases in knowledge, power, and bliss, as Kundalini passes through the Chakras, and they bloom in all their glory, and before Kundalini touches them, they are not endowed with their power, but emit the light and fragrance of the Divine, and reveal the secrets and phenomena of the Divine that are hidden from the eyes of the worldly person, who even refuses to believe in his own existence.

As the Kundalini moves one Chakra or yogic center higher, the yogi also ascends one step or rung on the yogic ladder. With each page, the next page, he reads the book of the Divine. As the Kundalini moves upwards, so too does the yogi advance towards the goal or spiritual completion associated with it. When the Kundalini reaches the sixth center, the Ajna Chakra, the yogi obtains a vision of the personal God or Saguna Brahman, and when the power of the serpent reaches the last center, the Sahasrara Chakra, or the thousand-petaled lotus, the yogi loses his individuality in the ocean of Sat-Chit-Ananda, or existence-knowledge-bliss absolute, and merges with the Lord or the Supreme Soul. He is no longer an ordinary man, nor even a simple yogi, but an eternal and infinite God, a hero who has conquered the kingdom of illusion, a fully enlightened sage who has transcended the ocean of ignorance, and a Superman with the authority and ability to save other suffering souls from reincarnation, and the scriptures welcome him in the most glorified manner, and praise his achievements. The beings of the heavens envy him, excluding the Trinity, namely, Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.

■Kundalini and Tantra Sadhana

Kundalini Yoga is actually part of Tantrik Sadhana. As mentioned earlier, Tantrik Sadhana provides detailed explanations about the power of this serpent and the chakras. The active aspect of Existence-Knowledge-Bliss Absolute, the Mother Divine, exists in the male and female bodies in the form of Kundalini, and the entire Tantrik Sadhana aims to awaken her and unite her with the supreme Sadasiva, as explained earlier, in Sahasrara. To achieve this goal in Tantrik Sadhana, methods such as chanting the Mother's name, prayers, and various rituals are employed.

■Kundalini and Hatha Yoga

Hatha Yoga also builds its philosophy around this Kundalini, and the methods used in it differ from those in Tantrik Sadhana. Hatha Yoga aims to awaken this Kundalini through physical exercises, purification of nadis, and control of prana. Through several physical postures called Yoga Asanas, it tones up the entire nervous system, bringing it under the Yogi's conscious control. Through Bandhas and Mudras, prana is controlled, its movement is regulated, blocked, and prevented from moving, and through kriyas, the internal organs of the body are purified. Finally, through pranayama, the mind itself is brought under the Yogi's control. Kundalini is designed to move upwards towards Sahasrara through these combined methods.

■Kundalini and Raja Yoga

However, Raja Yoga does not mention Kundalini at all, but still presents a philosophical and rational path, urging the aspirant to control the mind, eliminate all sensations, and enter into meditation. Unlike the mechanical and mystical Hatha Yoga, Raja Yoga teaches eight limbs of practice, appealing to the mind and intelligence of the aspirant. It advocates for moral and ethical development through its yamas and niyamas, aids intellectual and cultural development through svadhyaya or the study of scriptures, fulfills the emotional and devotional aspects of human nature by participating in surrendering to the will of the creator, and incorporates elements of mysticism by including pranayama as one of the eight limbs, and finally, prepares for absolute and uninterrupted meditation in the second-to-last concentration stage. Neither in the philosophy nor in the prescription of methods, Raja Yoga mentions Kundalini, but sets the human mind and chitta as the object to be destroyed. It is they alone that make the individual soul forget its original nature and bring about birth and death and all the wonders of existence.

■Kundalini and Vedanta

However, when we come to Vedanta, there is no room for Kundalini or any kind of mystical and mechanical methods. It is all exploration and philosophical speculation. According to Vedanta, what is to be destroyed is only the ignorance about the true nature of the person, and this ignorance cannot be destroyed by study, by pranayama, or by work, or even by physical twists and tortures. The nature is Sat-Chit-Ananda, or Existence-Knowledge-Bliss. The human being is sacred and free, and always possesses the highest consciousness. It is forgotten and identifies itself with the material. It itself is a phenomenal appearance, an overlay on the spirit. Liberation is freedom from ignorance, and the aspirant is advised to constantly detach himself from all limitations, to permeate everything, to be non-dual, blissful, peaceful, and homogeneous spirit or Brahman. As meditation intensifies, the ocean of existence, or rather the individuality, completely vanishes or bursts. Just as a drop of water placed in a pan is quickly absorbed and disappears from cognition, the individual consciousness is absorbed into the universal consciousness. According to Vedanta, true liberation is not possible in the state of diversity, and the state of complete oneness is the goal to be desired, and towards that alone, the entire creation is slowly moving.