Kundalini And Tantrik Sadhana
Kundalini Yoga actually belongs to Tantrik
Sadhana, which gives a detailed description about this serpent-power and the Chakras, as mentioned above. Mother Divine, the
active aspect of the Existence-Knowledge-Bliss Absolute, resides in the body of men and women in the form of Kundalini, and
the entire Tantrik Sadhana aims at awakening Her, and making Her to unite with the Lord, Sadasiva, in the Sahasrara, as described
in the beginning in detail. Methods adopted to achieve this end in Tantrik Sadhana are Japa of the name of the Mother, prayer
and various rituals.
Kundalini And Hatha Yoga
Hatha Yoga also builds up its philosophy
around this Kundalini and the methods adopted in it are different from Tantrik Sadhana. Hatha Yoga seeks to awaken this Kundalini
through the discipline of the physical body, purification of Nadis and controlling the Prana. Through a number of physical
poses called Yoga Asanas it tones up the entire nervous system, and brings it under the conscious control of the Yogi, through
Bandhas and Mudras it controls the Prana, regulates its movements and even blocks and seals it without allowing it to move,
through Kriyas it purifies the inner organs of physical body and, finally, through Pranayama it brings the mind itself under
the control of the Yogi. Kundalini is made to go upwards towards Sahasrara through these combined methods.
Kundalini And Raja Yoga
But Raja Yoga mentions nothing about this
Kundalini, but propounds a still subtle, higher path, philosophical and rational, and asks the aspirant to control the mind,
to withdraw all the senses and to plunge in meditation. Unlike Hatha Yoga which is mechanical and mystical, Raja Yoga teaches
a technique with eight limbs, appealing to the heart and intellect of aspirants. It advocates moral and ethical development
through its Yama and Niyama, helps the intellectual and cultural development through Svadhyaya or study of holy Scriptures,
satisfies the emotional and devotional aspect of human nature by enjoining to surrender oneself to the will of the Creator,
has an element of mysticism by including Pranayama also as one of the eight limbs and finally, prepares the aspirant for unbroken
meditation on the Absolute through a penultimate step of concentration. Neither in philosophy nor in its prescription of methods
of Raja Yoga mentions about Kundalini, but sets the human mind and Chitta as its targets to be destroyed as they alone make
the individual soul to forget its real nature and brings on it birth and death and all the woes of phenomenal existence.
Kundalini And Vedanta
But when we come to Vedanta, there is no question
about Kundalini or any type of mystical and mechanical methods. It is all enquiry and philosophical speculation. According
to Vedanta the only thing to be destroyed is ignorance about ones real nature, and this ignorance cannot be destroyed either
by study, or by Pranayama, or by work, or by any amount of physical twisting and torturing, but only by knowing ones real
nature, which is Sat-Chit-Ananda or Existence-Knowledge-Bliss. Man is divine, free and one with the Supreme Spirit always,
which he forgets and identifies himself with matter, which itself is an illusory appearance and a superimposition on the spirit.
Liberation is freedom from ignorance and the aspirant is advised to constantly dissociate himself from all limitations and
identify himself with the all-pervading, non-dual, blissful, peaceful, homogeneous spirit or Brahman. When meditation becomes
intensified, in the ocean of Existence or rather the individuality is blotted or blown out completely. Just as a drop of water
let on a frying pan is immediately sucked and vanishes from cognition, the individual consciousness is sucked in by the Universal
Consciousness and is absorbed in it. According to Vedanta there cannot be real liberation in a state of multiplicity, and
the state of complete Oneness is the goal to be aspired for, towards which alone the entire creation is slowly moving on.
Important Qualifications Of A Sadhaka
When the whole vitality is sapped from the body one cannot
do any rigid Sadhana. Youth is the best period for Yoga Abhyasa. This is the first and the foremost qualification of a Sadhaka;
there must be vigour and vitality.
One who has a calm mind, who has faith in the words of his
Guru and Sastras, who is moderate in eating and sleeping and who has the intense longing for deliverance from the Samsara-Chakra
is a qualified person for the practice of Yoga.
Ahamkaram balam darpam kamam krodham parigraham;
Vimuchya nirmamah santo brahmabhuyaya kalpate -
Having cast aside egoism, violence, arrogance, desire, wrath,
covetousness, selfless and peacefulhe is fit to become ETERNAL.
Those who are addicted to sensual pleasures or those who
are arrogant and proud, dishonest, untruthful, diplomatic, cunning and treacherous and who disrespect the Guru, Sadhus and
elders and take pleasure in vain controversies and worldly actions, can never attain success in Yogic practices.
Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Moha, Mada, and all other impurities
should be completely annihilated. One cannot become pure and perfect when one has so many impure qualities.
Sadhakas should develop the following virtuous qualities:
Straightforwardness, service to Guru, the sick and old persons,
Ahimsa, Brahmacharya, spontaneous generosity, Titiksha, Sama Drishti, Samata, spirit of service, selflessness, tolerance,
Mitahara, humility, honesty and other virtues to an enormous degree. Aspirants will not at all be benefited in any way in
the absence of these virtues even if they exert much to awaken the Kundalini through Yogic exercises.
Aspirants should freely open their hearts to their Guru.
They must be frank and candid. They should give up the self-assertive, Rajasic vehemence, vanity and arrogance, and carry
out their masters instructions with Sraddha and Prem. Constant self-justification is a dangerous habit for a Sadhaka.
Energy is wasted in too much talking, unnecessary worry and
vain fear. Gossiping and tall-talk should be given up entirely. A real Sadhaka is a man of few words, to the point and that
too on spiritual matters only. Sadhakas should always remain alone. Mouna is a great desideratum. Mixing with householders
is highly dangerous for a Sadhaka. The company of a householder is far more injurious than the company of a woman. Mind has
the power to imitate. Continued... Kundalini Shakti The Divine Force Of The Universe Part-3
KUNDALINI SHAKTI Part-1
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