Kundalini, Serpent Power
Swami Maheshwarananda Puri explains to R.C. Ganjoo some of the finest and
sensitive facets of yoga which help individuals to explore the path of "Light" within
and beyond.
Swami Maheshwarananda Puri
The term "Kundalini " is
based on several words,
and, therefore, has
several meanings. The
word ending "i" indicates
that it relates to the
feminine principle and deals with a
form of SHAKTI ( energy) and
PRAKRITI (Nature)
KUNDA is a hole or well into
which all debris and rubbish is thrown. In time the rubbish
loses its original form and
disintegrates into a formless
mush in which the individual
components are no longer
recognisable . In a similar way,
our impressions from earlier
lives lie like an amorphous
substance deep in the
unconscious ( Muladhra
Chakra).
KUNDALA means ring
(generally earring) . A ring or a
circle has neither a beginning
nor an end . It is infinite and
that is why it is a symbol of creation.
Cosmic energy is circling constantly;
we do not know when the Universe
began and how long it will last.
Two other roots of
"KUNDALINI" are KUNDALIN,
serpent , and KALA, time or death.
What is the connection between
these terms ? The symbol of the
snake has many meanings:
ignorance, energy, unhappiness or happiness, death, time and change.
In Indian mythology Lord Vishnu
rests on a thousand-headed snake
and sends out the first vibration
(Sphurna) , from which the entire
Universe evolves.
The symbol of the snake also
refers to the poison and danger that
lies in ignorance . Ignorance is an
poisonous and deadly as a cobra.
But poison can also heal and even
have a life-saving influence.
Knowledge about its correct
application and dosage is the
important thing. So just as the power
to heal is contained in poison,
supreme knowledge lies dormant in
the "ignorance " or the unconscious.
Just as a snakebite can suddenly
change our life, when the Kundalini
awakens our consciousness changes
fundamentally and we reach another
dimension of time and space. At this point I would like to correct
one common misconception about
the so-called "rising of the Kundalini." The translation
"serpent power" gives rise to a
frequent misunderstanding. The
concept that a feeling like snake
crawling along the spinal column
comes with the awakening of the
Kundalini is totally false.
Swami and his disciples
Rather, THE AWAKENING OF
THE KUNDALINI means the
AWAKENING OF THE INNER
KNOWLEDGE . The path of the
Kundalini proceeds from the
Muladhara Chakra at the lower
end of spinal column up to the
Sahasrara Chakra at the top of the head. But its awakening is not a
physical occurrence. It consists
exclusively of a development in
consciousness.
This becomes more noticable as
our perceptions of cosmic vibrations
and radiant energy (Tattvas)
become more sensitive, and our
understanding of the connections
and laws within the Universe
deepens.
We need to gain experience in
order to acquire knowledge . Each
experience , whether good or bad,
increases our understanding . Clarity
arises through knowledge . With the
awakening of the Kundalini our
consciousness expands and we
become aware of the truth. Its
awakening brings with it pure joy,
pure knowledge and pure love. An
enlightened one, a person whose
Kundalini has awakened ,radiates such an all-embracing love, purity,
power and goodness that everybody
feels drawn to such a person.
Occasionally in Yoga literature
Kundalinin is connected with
Tantra ( in Tantra the worship of
Shakti (the divine mother) is the
focal point ) and occult powers and is
considered as something dangerous.
Like every other form of energy
one must also learn to understand
spiritual energy. From childhood
onwards we learn how to deal with
internal and external energies.
Whenever we run into something new and unknown we always need
some time, as well as practice and
proper instruction, before we are
able to deal with it. And so it is with
the power of the Kundalini. In order
to be able to integrate this spiritual
energy, careful purification and
strengthening of the body and
nervous system are required
beforehand.
Sometimes an ambitious aspirant
may force the rising of this energy
through excessive an vigorous
practices without being properly
prepared for it. Instead of
"enlightenment "such and impatient
person more often than not brings
about considerable psychic
disturbances and, at times, even
permanent mental damage.
However, do not blame the
"Kundalini" but blame stupidity or
incorrect techniques. Whosoever faithfully follows the faith the Master
has given will certainly not suffer
such problems.
"Kundalini is the divine Mother.
A true mother never causes harm or
does anything bad to her children."
Kundalini Yoga is a pure
spiritual science that leads to
enlightenment and God-realisation
under the guidance of a spiritual
Master. Those people who write
about the supposed danger of this
path either do not have a master , or
do not follow his instructions. So if a
person expresses negative views
about Kundalini , ask that person
about his relationship with his
Master. Often it will be found that the
cause of the problem lies in the fact
that he has acted without
appropriate guidance or has ignored
the advice of his Master
Therefore do not allow such voices
to create uncertainty, Confidently
follow the advice of your Master. It is
important to be patient and
moderate , not to force, not to cling
on to ideas such as how "it will be", or
how "it" should be. When "it"
happens, perhaps you will not even
know how and when it has taken
place because the spiritual power
within you has unfolded so naturally
and imperceptibility !
His Holiness Vishwaguru
Mahamandaleshwar
Paramhans Sri Swami
Maheshwarananda Puri of
Panchayati Maha Nirvani
Akhara is the disciple and
successor of Hindu
Dharmsamrat Paramhans Sri
Swami Madhavananda.
Since 1970 he has been living
and working in Europe.
Through his long lasting
activities in the West, Swamiji
has become familiar with the
way of life and the problems
people face in the modern
world. Swami Ji can be
contacted at :
swamiji@vienna.at