THE SERPENTINE POWERS
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##
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.
34 For further details and particulars refer to my book “Practice of Bhakti-Yoga.”
35 For detailed particulars on the subject vide my book “Kundalini Yoga.”
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.
VISIT 7 CHAKRAS AT LEFT...
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.
Ascent of Kundalini
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.Ojoy 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!
