Kundalini

Hello Rupesh,

Hope you are keeping well. Coming to the reply,

The word 'Kundalini' (A derivative of the Sanskrit word 'Kundala' - meaning coil, denoting a three and half coiled snake) also called serpent power is a term that is used to denote potential energy of the realm of 'Prakriti' (creative principle of nature) present within man in the dormant form. Awakening of this creative energy to the state where it rises to higher planes and becomes available to the person for harnessing into productivity is referred to as 'Kundalini awakening'.

Yoga tells us that this enormous energy is present within all living beings including animals in a dormant and passive state. In man, the dormant resting place of Kundalini is the Mûlâdhâra chakra the region located near the basal end of the spinal column (coccygeal region). The ascent of Kundalini and its movement to higher planes occurs through the 'Sushumna Nâdi' (An important astral energy channel within the spinal chord) and hence this is possible only in the case of man who has an erect and vertical spine unlike animals who have a curved and horizontal spine (The reason why Yogi's sit erect with their spine straight during Prânayâma & while meditating).

The human birth thus signifies that stage of evolution where the Almighty Lord has given a chance for the Jivâtma (embodied soul) to rise above the animal senses and reclaim its original and default state of God-bliss through the process of self-realization. But for self-realization to fructify, man has to rise above his earthly senses, tendencies and take his vital power to higher planes and unearth his creative potential represented by 'Kundalini' in these higher regions.

Kundalini awakening and Brahmacharya are very intricately connected and complete awakening cannot take place without Brahmacharya. We must remember here that the word 'Kundalini' is only a symbolic representation of the dormant creative potential in man. The sleeping three and half coiled snake that is used to denote Kundalini is only a symbol of the sleeping and dormant creative power within man which he has not been properly harnessed. As a snake becomes active and powerful when aroused from slumber, man's creativity and genius shine further to the full use of his creative power represented by Kundalini. In a man rooted to the senses and losing much of his vital energy through base sexual activity and other earthly pleasures, there is no chance for his creative power to get conserved and transmuted into something higher beyond the material realm. Since by losing one's semen and thereby losing one's Prâna, all vitality and energy is lost, man becomes ineligible to get in touch with his higher powers and talents inherent within the Atman (soul) - A prerequisite for superlative achievements in both the materialistic and spiritual planes.

Conservation and transmutation of one's vital energy (represented by semen in the gross form) into 'Ojas' (divine astral power) continuously for a period of twelve years without break results in the complete and total awakening of the latent superpower present within under God's grace. The immense amount of conserved Prâna then helps Kundalini gradually ascend to higher planes (represented by the seven chakras, denoting the seven worlds) and brings out the more powerful and subtle powers represented by the soul in the form of 'Siddhis' (supernormal powers). If the Yogi ignores these powers and focuses this mammoth energy at realizing himself, it becomes possible to achieve the objective of self-realization and thus fructify the aim of human existence.

The Brahmachari Yogi concentrates on a life of absolute Brahmacharya through adequate physical activity, intellectual work and God-meditation, following which his Kundalini automatically gets awakened through God's grace in course of time and he becomes very eligible to realize his self. A Kundalini Yogi works towards awakening his dormant power through a variety of 'kriya-s' and also reaches the same goal. Both are like the two faces of the same coin.

The changes that occur by the complete awakening of Kundalini or the enlightenment that follows further to a life of unbroken Brahmacharya with God-meditation are one and the same. To put it short, all powers of the soul get manifest and man realizes his oneness with the Almighty creator, finally to merge into him and complete the purpose of the human existence, never to be reborn again.

God bless and have a nice day :-)
Dhananjay