Kundalini Yoga : A Brief Study of Sir John Woodroff's "The Serpent Power"

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Every Jiva is in essence the Paramatma; each individual self is God. But this identity is veiled by Maya, Avidya-Ignorance, and the being appears to be separate from God. The process by which this sense of separativity is eliminated and the Jivātma regains his oneness with the Paramatma is Yoga.

The science of yoga includes many disciplines of power and realisation. Of these, none is perhaps more famous than the Kundalini Yoga. Kundalini Yoga introduces us to the idea that through various psycho-physical disciplines, we can actually begin to experience the inner truths of our being and life, and achieve realisation and oneness. The opportunity for growth, however, is guarded by numerous dangers, as we unlock the sacred mysteries of our life and its powers. It is therefore important to have a guide someone who can aid us in the search and warn us to the dangers.

The book, though brief in its compass, elucidates the main lines of the practice and the experience and helps to prepare us for the inner efforts which will aid us in achieving our long-sought goal of oneness and mastery in life.

M.P. PANDIT has authored more than a hundred books on various dimensions of spiritual life and is sought internationally as an inspired speaker with a global perspective. His work in the Veda, the Tantra and the other classical writings of India, help make the wisdom of the ancients accessible to those who aspire, even in our modern world, to some deeper or higher meaning for our lives.

IN the system of the Tantras there are recognised in the human body certain centres of consciousness, along the spinal column, with their respective spheres of activity. They are six, beginning from the lower end of the spine called the Mülädhära (foundational support) with an additional seventh at the crown of the head-the Sahasrara. In the lowest bodily centre at the base of the spine, there lies a fundamental Power due to the presence of which the entire organism is enlivened. This Power is described as lying coiled (kundali) in the Mülädhära; it is the Kundali or Kundalini S'akti. Coiled in form it is called Bujangi, the serpent. This S'akti is a Power of immense potentialities and when activised and set into full and overt operation it can lift man to pinnacles of liberation into Bliss and Know- ledge. The Process by which this is brought about by the awakening of the Kundalini S'akti is called the Kundalini Yoga. It is also called the Bhuta S'uddhi as all the elements of the body, the bhūtas, are purified as a result of this Yoga.

When roused from its state of rest, the Kundali raises its hood as it were and mounts upwards along the spinal column, piercing through all the centres situate in it, 'swallowing' them on its way and reaches its destination at the summit, at the highest centre where awaits her Lord, the S'iva. The effect of this union is an ineffable bliss which pours down into the whole being flooding it with delight.

To be sure, this knowledge of the Cakras or Centres in the body and the latent S'akti does not belong to the Tantras alone.

Book's Contents and Sample Pages