What do Scriptures tells us about Kundalini?

Question

People have been talking about kundalini shakti for a long time, Can anyone suggest to me which scripture should I refer to know more about kundalini and how to do "kundalini jagran"

Answer 1

Chandogya Upanishad 8.6.6 and Katha Upanishad  2.16 speak the same thing:

यदा सर्वे प्रभिद्यन्ते हृदयस्येह ग्रन्थयः ।
अथ मर्त्योऽमृतो भवत्येतावद्ध्यनुशासनम् ॥ १५॥

शतं चैका च हृदयस्य नाड्य-
    स्तासां मूर्धानमभिनिःसृतैका ।
तयोर्ध्वमायन्नमृतत्वमेति
    विष्वङ्ङन्या उत्क्रमणे भवन्ति ॥ १६॥

When all the knots of Hridaya Granthi are cut down, mortal becomes an immortal and attains Brahman there. There are one hundred and one Nadis which emerge from Hridaya (heart) one Nadi goes out piercing the head.  Going up through that, one attains immortality; the others serve for departing in different ways.

Now, a question comes here whether the Nadis mentioned here are Arteries of heart where blood moves or Nãdis of Yoga where Prana moves. Prashna Upanishad 3.6 makes it clear:

हृदि ह्येष आत्मा । अत्रैतदेकशतं नाडीनं तासां शतं शतमेकैकस्या द्वासप्ततिर्द्वासप्ततिः प्रतिशाखानाडीसहस्राणि भवन्त्यासु व्यानश्चरति ॥ ६॥

III-6: This self (i.e. the subtle body) is surely in the Hridaya (heart). There are a hundred and one Nãdis. Each of them has a hundred (division). Each branch is divided into seventy-two thousand sub-branches. Among them moves Vyana.

As the Prashna Upanishad clearly says 'among them moves the Vyana' so it is clear that Prana moves in these Nadis (and these are not Arteries).

Now, we have to find which is that one Nãdi which is such important. The Maitryaniya Upanishad makes it clear:

21. And thus it has been said elsewhere: The artery, called Sushumna, going upwards (from the heart to the Brahmarandhra), serving as the passage of the Prâna, is divided within the palate. Through that artery, when it has been joined by the breath (held in subjection), by the sacred syllable Om, and by the mind (absorbed in the contemplation of Brahman), let him proceed upwards, and after turning the tip of the tongue to the palate, without using any of the organs of sense, let greatness perceive greatness. From thence he goes to selflessness, and through selflessness he ceases to be an enjoyer of pleasure and pain, he obtains aloneness (kevalatva, final deliverance).

So, now it becomes clear that the 'Nãdi' which leads towards immortality is Sushumna.

What contains outside the world is also contained inside our body. Regarding this Chandogya Upanishad 8.1 states:

VIII-i-1: Om. Now, in this city of Brahman, there is a mansion in the shape of a small lotus; in it is a small inner Akasa. What is within that, that should be sought; that indeed, one should desire to understand.

VIII-i-2-3: If the disciples should say to him, ‘In this city of Brahman in which is a small mansion in the shape of a lotus and in the small inner Akasa within – what is it that lies there which should be sought, which one should desire to understand ?’ – he should say in reply, ‘As large indeed as is this Akasa, so large is that Akasa in the heart. Within it, indeed, are contained both heaven and earth, both fire and air, both the sun and the moon, lightning and the stars. Whatever there is of him in this world and whatever is not, all that is contained within it.’

Now, the Yoga Kundalini Upanishad states that the realisation of this is possible through Kundalini Yoga:

49. Then he sees the whole universe in his body as not being different from Atman. This path of the Urdhva-Kundalini (higher Kundalini), O chief of Kings, conquers the macrocosm. [Yoga Kundalini Upanishad]

These are some of the concepts of Kundalini Yoga. Regarding exactly what is Kundalini is, it is Shakti which is present in every Nadi of our body and in personified Form Kundalini is present in Muladhara Chakra (which I discuss here). Regarding this Lalita Sahasranama of Brahmanda Purana states:

तडिल्लता समरुचि: षट्चक्रोपरि संस्थिता ।
महासक्ति: कुण्डलिनी विसतन्तु तनीयसी ।।

Bright  like Lightning you reach above the Six chakras. You are Kundalini the great energy which is subtle in nerves.

Detailed concepts of Kundalini is found in Yoga Upanishads like:

Mandala Brahmana Upanishad states:

Taraka is Brahman which being in the middle of the two eyebrows, is of the nature of the spiritual effulgence of Sachchidananda. The (spiritual) seeing through the three Lakshyas (or the three kinds of introvision) is the means to It (Brahman). Susumna which is from the Muladhara to Brahmarandhra has the radiance of the sun. In the centre of it, is Kundalini shining like Crores of lightning and subtle as the thread in the lotus-stalk. Tamas is destroyed there. (Mandala Brahmana Upanishad)

The Sandilya Upanishad states:

15. Then Sandilya questioned Atharvan thus: "By what means are the Nadis purified ? How many are they in number ? How do they arise ? What Vayus (vital airs) are located in them ? What are their seats? What are their functions? Whatever is worthy of being known in the body, please tell me". To that Atharvan replied (thus): "This body is ninety-six digits in length. Prana extends twelve digits beyond the body. He who through the practice of Yoga reduces his Prana within his body to make it equal to or not less than the fire in it becomes the greatest of the Yogins. In men, the region of fire which is triangular in form and brilliant as the molten gold is situated in the middle of the body. In four-footed animals, it (fire) is quadrangular. In birds, it is round. In its (the region of life’s) centre, the purifying, beneficial and subtle flame is situate. Two digits above the anus and two digits below the sexual organ is the centre of the body for men. For four-footed animals, it is the middle of the heart. For birds, it is the middle of the body. Nine digits from (or above) the centre of the body and four digits in length and breadth is situated an oval form. In its midst is the navel. In it, is situated the Chakra (viz., wheel) with twelve spokes. In the middle of the Chakra, the Jiva (Atman) wanders, driven by its good and bad deeds. As a spider flies to and fro within a web of fine threads, so Prana moves about here. In this body, the Jiva rides upon Prana. Lying in the middle of the navel and above it, is the seat of Kundalini. The Kundalini Sakti is of the form of eight Prakritis (matter) and coils itself eight ways or (times). The movement of Vayus (vital airs) checks duly the food and drink all round by the side of Skandha. It closes by its head (the opening of) the Brahmarandhra and during the time of (the practice of) Yoga is awakened by the fire (in the Apana); then it shines with great brilliancy in the Akasa of the heart in the shape of wisdom. Depending upon Kundalini which is situated in the centre, there are fourteen principal Nadis (viz.,) Ida, Pingala, Susumna, Sarasvati, Varuni, Pusha, Hastijihva, Yasasvini, Visvodhari, Kuhuh, Sankhini, Payasvini, Alambusa and Gandhari. Of them, Susumna is said to be the sustainer of the universe and the path of salvation. Situated at the back of the anus, it is attached to the spinal column and extends to the Brahmarandhra of the head and is invisible and subtle and is Vaishnavi (or has the Sakti force of Vishnu). On the left of Susumna is situated Ida and on the right is Pingala. The moon moves in Ida and the sun in Pingala. The moon is of the nature of Tamas and the sun of Rajas. The poison share is of the sun and the nectar of the moon. They both direct (or indicate) time and Susumna is the enjoyer (or consumer) of time. To the back and on the side of Susumna are situate Sarasvati and Kuhuh respectively. Between Yasasvini and Kuhuh stands Varuni. Between Pusha and Sarasvati lies Payasvini. Between Gandhari and Sarasvati is situated Yasasvini. In the centre of the navel is Alambusa. In front of Susumna there is Kuhuh, which proceeds as far as the genital organ. Above and below Kundalini is situated Varuni, which proceeds everywhere. Yasasvini which is beautiful (or belonging to the moon), proceeds to the great toes. Pingala goes upwards to the right nostril. Payasvini goes to right ear. Sarasvati goes to the upper part or the tongue and Sankhini to the left ear, (while) Gandhari goes from the back of Ida to the left eye. Alambusa goes upwards and downwards from the root of the anus. From these fourteen Nadis, other (minor) Nadis spring; from them springing others and from them springing others; so it should be known. As the leaf of the Asvattha tree (ficus religiosa) etc., is covered with minute fibres so also is this body
    permeated with Nadis.

The Sandilya Upanishad also states:

54. Having by contraction opened the door of Kundalini, one should force open the door of Moksha. Closing with her mouth the door through which one ought to go, the Kundalini sleeps spiral in form and coiled up like a serpent. He who causes this Kundalini to move - he is an emancipated person. If this Kundalini were to sleep in the upper part of the neck of any Yogin, it goes towards his emancipation. (If it were to sleep) in the lower part (of the body), it is for the bondage of the ignorant. Leaving the two Nadis, Ida and the other (Pingala), it (Prana) should move in the Susumna. That is the supreme seat of Vishnu. One should practise control of breath with the concentration of the mind. The mind should not be allowed by a clever man to rest on any other thing.

Similarly the Yoga Kundalini Upanishad states:

7. The Sakti (mentioned above) is only Kundalini. A wise man should take it up from its place (Viz., the navel, upwards) to the middle of the eyebrows. This is called Sakti-Chala.
   
   
8. In practising it, two things are necessary, Sarasvati-Chalana and the restraint of Prana (breath). Then through practice, Kundalini (which is spiral) becomes straightened.
   
   9-10(a). Of these two, I shall explain to you first Sarasvati-Chalana. It is said by the wise of old that Sarasvati is no other than Arundhati. It is only by rousing her up that Kundalini is roused.
   
   10(b)-11(a). When Prana breath is passing through (one’s) Ida (left nostril), he should assume firmly Padma-posture and should lengthen (inwards) 4 digits the Akasa of 12 digits.
   
   11(b)-13(a). Then the wise man should bind the (Sarasvati) Nadi by means of this lengthened (breath) and holding firmly together (both his ribs near the navel) by means of the forefingers and thumbs of both hands, (one hand on each side) should stir up Kundalini with all his might from right to left often and often; for a period of two Muhurtas (48 minutes), he should be stirring it up fearlessly.
   
   13(b)-14. Then he should draw up a little when Kundalini enters Susumna. By this means, Kundalini enters the mouth of Susumna. Prana (also) having left (that place) enters of itself the Susumna (along with Kundalini). (Yoga Kundalini Upanishad)

It further states:

43. When Apana is raised up and reaches the sphere of Agni (fire), then the flame of Agni grows long, being blown about by Vayu.
    
    44-45(a). Then Agni and Apana come to (or commingle with) Prana in a heated state. Through this Agni which is very fiery, there arises in the body the flaming (or the fire) which rouses the sleeping Kundalini through its heat.
    
    45(b)-46. Then this Kundalini makes a hissing noise, becomes erect like a serpent beaten with stick and enters the hole of Brahmanadi (Susumna). Therefore Yogins should daily practise Mulabandha often.

Similarly Devi also speaks about knowledge of Kundalini and Chakras in Devi Bhagvatam in this chapter.

Answer 2

Kundalini is the latent Shakti sleeping near the Muladhara region.The process of waking this sleeping force up and move it upwards is the first step in Yoga.

So,its natural to look into Yoga treatises like Hatha Yoga Pradeepika and Siva Samhita.

From Siva Samhita, chapter 5:

56-Two fingers above the rectum and two fingers below the linga , four fingers in width is a space like a bulbous root.

Between this space is the yoni having its face towards the back.That space is called the root;there dwells the Goddess Kundalini.It surrounds all the nadis and has three coils and a half;and catching its tail in its own mouth,it rests in the hole of the Sushumna[nadi].

58- It sleeps there like a serpent and its luminous by its own light. Like a serpent it lives between the joints;it is the Goddess of speech and is called the vija(seed).

And the process of how to activate this sleeping Shakti can not be learned by reading books.It can only be learned from a Siddha Guru(one who has mastered the process himself) as rightly said in one of the comments under your question.

But the first symptoms of an activated Kundalini are :

The brilliancy of the body is increased,the gastric fire becomes powerful,and freedom from disease,cleverness,and omniscience ensue.

BTW,this is also the place near which the physical Swayambhu Linga resides in our body.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

It is described in Swami Vivekananda's Raja Yoga which is available on line at here.

Quoting some basic and useful information from Physic Prana:

CHAPTER IV

THE PSYCHIC PRANA

According to the Yogis, there are two nerve currents in the spinal column, called Pingalâ and Idâ, and a hollow canal called Sushumnâ running through the spinal cord. At the lower end of the hollow canal is what the Yogis call the "Lotus of the Kundalini". They describe it as triangular in form in which, in the symbolical language of the Yogis, there is a power called the Kundalini, coiled up. When that Kundalini awakes, it tries to force a passage through this hollow canal, and as it rises step by step, as it were, layer after layer of the mind becomes open and all the different visions and wonderful powers come to the Yogi. When it reaches the brain, the Yogi is perfectly detached from the body and mind; the soul finds itself free. We know that the spinal cord is composed in a peculiar manner. If we take the figure eight horizontally (¥) there are two parts which are connected in the middle. Suppose you add eight after eight, piled one on top of the other, that will represent the spinal cord. The left is the Ida, the right Pingala, and that hollow canal which runs through the centre of the spinal cord is the Sushumna. Where the spinal cord ends in some of the lumbar vertebrae, a fine fibre issues downwards, and the canal runs up even within that fibre, only much finer. The canal is closed at the lower end, which is situated near what is called the sacral plexus, which, according to modern physiology, is triangular in form. The different plexuses that have their centres in the spinal canal can very well stand for the different "lotuses" of the Yogi.

Answer 4

As with all the energy practices, it is always advisable to seek the guidance of a living Guru.

Having said that, a lot of theoretical synopses have been quoted here,but for a Sadhaka who is serious in practical application or arousing Kundalini, the best layman’s guide would be “Kundalini Yoga” by Sri Swami Sivananda.

And for more authority on the subject, one must dwell on Hathayoga Pradipika by Swami Swatmarama along with Kundalini Yoga Upanishad.

And for those who are already initiated and are in their early stages of transformation or for those who are coping with Kundalini syndrome, it is wise to read “The Kundalini Guide:A Companion For The Inward Journey”by Bonnie Greenwell along with Vasant Ladd’s “Ayurveda:The Science of Self-Healing.

For further occult reading, please try Spanda Karakas and Kashmir Shaivism.

Answer 5

From The Dhyanabindu Upanishad :-

Parameśvarī (viz., kundalinī śakti) sleeps shutting with her mouth that door which leads to the decayless Brahma-hole. Being aroused by the contact of agni with manas and prāṇa, she takes the form of a needle and pierces up through Suṣumnā. The yogin should open with great effort this door which is shut. Then he will pierce the door to salvation by means of kundalinī.

The Advayataraka Upanishad :-

In the middle of body there exists the Sushumna Nadi which is as bright as the sun and as cool as the moon. It starts from Mooladhara and goes up to Brahmarandra which is in the top middle of the skull. It is well known that in the middle of it there exists Kundalini which is as bright as crores of suns and as thin as the lotus thread. The man who sees that with his mind’s eye attains salvation by getting rid of all sins.

Varaha Upanishad Chapter 5:

गुदमेढ्रान्तरालस्थं मूलाधारं त्रिकोणकम् । शिवस्य बिन्दुरूपस्य स्थानं तद्धि प्रकाशकम् ॥ ५०॥ यत्र कुण्डलिनी नाम परा शक्तिः प्रतिष्ठिता । यस्मादुत्पद्यते वायुर्यस्माद्वह्निः प्रवर्धते ॥ ५१॥

In the centre of the anus and the genitals, there is the triangular Mūlādhāra. It illumines the seat of Śiva of the form of bindu. There is located the Parāśakti named kuṇḍalinī. From that seat, vāyu arises. From that seat, agni becomes increased

ब्रह्मग्रन्थिं ततो भित्त्वा विष्णुग्रन्थिं भिनत्त्यसौ । विष्णुग्रन्थिं ततो भित्त्वा रुद्रग्रन्थिं भिनत्त्यसौ ॥ ६५॥ रुद्रग्रन्थिं ततो भित्त्वा छित्वा मोहमलं तथा । अनेकजन्मसंस्कारगुरुदेवप्रसादतः ॥ ६६॥ योगाभ्यासात्ततो वेधो जायते तस्य योगिनः ।

At first in his Brahma-granthi, there is produced soon a hole (or passage). Then having pierced Brahma-granthi, he pierces Viṣṇu-granthi then he pierces Rudra-granthi. Then to the yogin comes vedha (piercing) through his liberation from the impurities of delusion, through the religious ceremonies (performed) in various births, through the grace of gurus and devatās and through the practice of yoga.

And Last of All, Quoting from Chapter 214 of the Agni Purana:-

The foremost kuṇḍalinī (the energy coiled in one of the psychometric centres) is considered to be associated with the moon, fire and sun. It is known to remain in the heart in the form. of a sprout. The location of the creation should be therein because of its suspension from that. The foremost worshipper should contemplate therein the flowing ambrosia.

Answer 6

For Kundalini Jagran please try with Sahaja Yoga meditation,as it is an effortless meditation to awaken your Kundalini.Founder of Sahaja Yoga meditation is Smt Mataji Nirmal Devi and is practiced in more than 80 countries across the globe. Please visit a Sahaja Yoga meditation center near you to get your self realization free of cost.

Below are the references from scriptures on Kundalini and every word specified below is scientifically proven and experienced by Sahaja Yogis across the globe.

The word Kundalini is derived from a Sanskrit word „Kundal‟ meaning coiled up. It is the primordial dormant energy present in three-and-a-half, coils at the base of the spine in a triangular bone called the Sacrum. The Latin name „Os Sacrum‟ suggests that it is a holy or sacred part of the body. The ancient Greeks were aware of this and therefore they called it the „Hieron Osteon‟, noting that it was the last bone to be destroyed when the body is burnt, and also attributed supernatural powers to it. Egyptians also held this bone to be very valuable and considered it the seat of special power. In the West, Sacrum is symbolised by the sign of Aquarius and by the Holy Grail, container of the water of life. The Kundalini, which is to nourish the tree of life within us, is coiled up like a serpent and therefore it has been called, „The Serpent Power‟. It has been described in great detail in the Upanishads. Kundalini Yoga is supposed to be supreme in all the Yogas. Guru Vashistha asserted that Kundalini is the seat of absolute knowledge. The awareness of the presence of this primordial energy Kundalini within the human body was considered by the sages and saints to be the highest knowledge. The Kundalini and Chakras have been vividly described in Vedic and Tantric texts.

Adi Sankaracharya He lived in the 7th-8th century AD. and wrote: „Having filled the pathway of the Nadis with the streaming shower of nectar flowing from the Lotus feet, having resumed thine own position from out of the resplendent Lunar regions and Thyself assuming the form of a serpent of three and a half coils, sleepest thou, in the hollow of Kula Kunda (Kula Kunda means the hollow of Mooladhara Sacrum bone)‟.

„Saundarya Lahari‟: „Thou art residing in secrecy with Thy Lord (The spirit) in the thousand petalled Lotus, having pierced through the Earth situated in „Mooladhara‟, the Water in Manipura, the Fire abiding in the Svadhisthana, the Air in the Heart („Anahata‟), the Ether above (Visshuddhi) and „Manas‟ between the eyebrows („Agnya‟) and thus broken through the entire „Kula Path‟.‟

Gyaneshwara Gyaneshwara, another famous saint of Maharashtra born around 1275 AD, described Kundalini in the 6th chapter of his famous book „Gyaneshwari‟. He wrote: „Kundalini is one of the greatest energies. The whole body of the seeker starts glowing because of the rising of the Kundalini. Because of that, unwanted impurities in the body disappear. The body of the seeker suddenly looks very proportionate and the eyes look bright and attractive and the eyeballs glow.‟

• (Gyaneshwari, Chapter VI).

Guru Nanak Dev (born in 1496 AD) has made references to Kundalini awakening as mentioned below: “A pure heart is the golden vessel to fill the Divine Nectar which is to be sucked from the „Dasham Dwar‟ through the two channels „Ida‟ and „Pingala‟.” Dasham Dwar means Brahmarandhra. (Sahasrara Chakra). „God has made this human body a house with six Chakras and has established the light of spirit in it. Cross the ocean of Maya and meet the eternal God who does not come, who does not go,who neither takes birth nor dies. When your six Chakras meet in line, Surati (Kundalini) takes you beyond distortions.‟ (Sri Guru Granth). Note that the seventh Chakra was not open at this time.