What is Kundalini?

Wikipedia defines Kundalini as a form of energy located in the base of the spine, which when woken moves up from its position. While it’s a technically correct definition it misses out on a lot of deeper knowledge that is essential for understanding Kundalini.

Next, I tried googling “What is Kundalini”, and while I got a lot of articles on topics like whether it is safe to awaken your Kundalini and the symptoms of a awakened Kundalini, I didn’t get one that outrightly explains what Kundalini basically is. So here I am.

Ancient Hindu texts like Kundalini Yoga and Atharvaveda describe Kundalini as a pool of primordial energy that exists within every human being. It is considered to be a manifestation of the Hindu goddess Shakti or Parvati. That is why the Kundalini concept is quite popular in Shaivism and Shaktism as well as fringe Shaivite sects like Nathpanthi and Aghoris. The Kundalini is said to be a small part of the primordial goddess who gave shape to this universe and resides within it in the form of nature.

While the base of the spine is in the vicinity, the exact position of the Kundalini reservoir is slightly above the Mooladhara or the Root Chakra. It exists in a form of colorless liquid stored in a tiny muscular reservoir. This reservoir is covered with a helix shaped muscle mass. While this helical mass is present in every human being, it is by default in a depressed state.

Directly above this depression is a hollow canal called Sushumna. Now anyone who knows anything about the ancient Indian knowledge of Yoga would know that according to the Ayurveda, the spinal cord is made up of two parts known as Ida and Pingala. These two canals are joined in the form of an eight and where they meet there is a hollow canal. This canal that joins Pingala and Ida is called Sushumna, and is highly significant in the transport of Kundalini liquid all over the body.

The next question that might arise in your mind will be “Why is there an empty canal inside our spinal cord?” This empty canal exists to facilitate the movement of the Kundalini liquid that we discussed previously. While the Kundalini and the mass covering it by default exists detached from the base of Sushumna, it can be connected to it. When Kundalini is awakened through Yoga or Dhyan (meditation), this mass rises slowly and gradually till its tip touches the base of Sushumna.

When the helical mass rises, the Kundalini liquid slowly rises in Sushumna and after going through the various Chakras reaches the base of the skull, below the Aagya Chakra. The relationship between the chakras and Kundalini is a highly complex one. When the Kundalini rises inside the Sushumna it encounters various nerve junctions where blood vessels and nerve bundles encounter the Sushumna. These places are called Chakras. All the way from Mooladhara and Swadishthana chakra the Kundalini rises to the Aagya Chakra which is right behind the third eye of Shiva i.e. our forehead.

Methods to Awaken Your Kundalini

There are many ways of awakening the Kundalini. The first and the most potent method is meditation or dhyana. While this is the slowest method of the three methods, it is the preferred and advisable one. This is because Dhyana makes sure the Kundalini rises gradually and not abruptly. An abrupt rise in the mass surrounding the Kundalini and the liquid within can cause unexpected changes and/or damages to the body. Common ailments related to an incorrect awakening are a perennial headache, sinus problems, palpitations, night sweat or convulsions, and in rare cases paralytic attacks. This is why the other methods of rousing the Kundalini i.e. Yoga and Sparsha method are strictly advised to be performed in the presence of a qualified teacher or Guru.

After reaching the brain, the Kundalini is circulated all over the body causing the formation of Anahata Naad or the music without any source. A person with an awakened Kundalini can hear that Anahata Naad in their ears, and with concentration find its origination right behind the navel.

The flow of Kundalini throughout the body gives the person newfound spiritual energy that can be used for spiritual as well as other purposes. Kundalini is in no way essential for a human being to exist or even perform any basic day-to-day functions. However, it is the first step towards spiritual enlightenment and as such can be treated as a reservoir of energy that can be utilized by a person to reach their goals. Whether that goal is attaining God, gaining knowledge, or trivial things like attaining a long-lost love or hurting an enemy, differs from man to man.

This is why unenlightened and people with incomplete knowledge of this sacred energy, use it for their selfish needs. There are many Tantric texts that describe how Kundalini can be used to destroy your enemy, gain material benefits like money or status, or even kill someone. While a person with an awakened Kundalini can do all this with great concentration and determination, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the consequences of such foolish and shortsighted endeavours.

As we know every action has its equal and opposite reaction. In the Shakti sect, it is said that if someone uses his/her Kundalini energy to hurt someone, the reaction of that attack returns after sometime and destroys the person who sent it out in the first place. Whatever you send unto the environment using your Kundalini will return unto you in due time. So it is in your benefit to use Kundalini for the betterment of society and not for your selfish goals. A true Guru will never teach you how to use Kundalini for evil deeds. If he does he has it coming, as do you.

Disclaimer: The information given in this article is as per the Kundalini Yoga practices and description given in Atharvaveda. The writer doesn’t claim the scientific or medical accuracy of these statements. The reader should consult medical experts as well as spiritual experts before trying to awaken their Kundalini or performing any activities mentioned in this article.