The ''Yoga-kundalini Upanishad'' ( Sanskrit: योगकुण्डलिनी उपनिषत्

IAST The International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration (IAST) is a transliteration scheme that allows the lossless romanisation of Indic scripts as employed by Sanskrit and related Indic languages. It is based on a scheme that emerged during ...

: ), also called Yogakundali Upanishad (Sanskrit: योगकुण्डल्युपनिषत्,

: Yogakuṇḍalī Upaniṣad),Gerald James Larson (2008), The Encyclopedia of Indian Philosophies: Yoga: India's philosophy of meditation, Motilal Banarsidass, , pages 615–616 is a minor Upanishad of Hinduism. The Sanskrit text is one of the 20 Yoga Upanishads, and is one of 32 Upanishads attached to the Krishna Yajurveda. In the Muktika canon, narrated by Rama to Hanuman, it is listed at number 86 in the

anthology In book publishing, an anthology is a collection of literary works chosen by the compiler; it may be a collection of plays, poems, short stories, songs or excerpts by different authors. In genre fiction, the term ''anthology'' typically categ ...

of 108 Upanishads. It is a highly significant text related to the exposition of the

Kundalini Yoga Kundalini yoga () derives from ''kundalini'', defined in tantra as energy that lies within the body, frequently at the navel or the base of the spine. In normative tantric systems kundalini is considered to be dormant until it is activated (a ...

, describes Hatha and Lambika yoga, and the last chapter is primarily about the quest of self-knowledge,

Atman Atman or Ātman may refer to: Film * ''Ātman'' (1975 film), a Japanese experimental short film directed by Toshio Matsumoto * ''Atman'' (1997 film), a documentary film directed by Pirjo Honkasalo People * Pavel Atman (born 1987), Russian hand ...

, Brahman (the Non-dual Brahman) and living liberation. It is an important text in Tantra, to the Shakti tradition of Hinduism, and considered one of the most important texts on Kundalini Yoga. According to the ''Yoga-Kundalini Upanishad'', "even as fire in logs of wood will not rise without churning, so also without the practice of Yoga, the light of knowledge cannot be lit".

Chitta Chitta is one of the 32 villages located in the Soon Sakesar Valley in Khushab District of Pakistan. The population is around 4000. It is located 220 km south-west of Islamabad. The village sits on footsteps of the highest peak of Soon ...

, or mind, is explained in the text as a source for

Samskaras Samskara, saṃskāra, saṅskāra or sanskara may refer to: * Sanskara (rite of passage), Hindu and Jain rites of passage * Samskara (ayurvedic), a technique in ayurvedic medicine * Samskara (Indian philosophy), the concept of imprints or impres ...

and Vasanas (behavioural tendencies), as well as an effect of

Prana In yoga, Indian medicine and Indian martial arts, prana ( sa2, प्राण, ; the Sanskrit word for breath, " life force", or "vital principle") permeates reality on all levels including inanimate objects. In Hindu literature, prāṇa is ...

. Yoga techniques to become aware of and to control Prana are elaborated in the Upanishad. These techniques include Mitahara (moderate, balanced nutrition),

Asana An asana is a body posture, originally and still a general term for a sitting meditation pose,Verse 46, chapter II, "Patanjali Yoga sutras" by Swami Prabhavananda, published by the Sri Ramakrishna Math p. 111 and later extended in hatha yoga ...

(posture exercises), and ''shakti-chalana'' (awakening inner force) are asserted to be the means to arousing a yogin's Kundalini.

Etymology

''Yoga'' (from the root ') means "to add", "to join", "to unite", or "to attach" in its most common literal sense. According to Dasgupta, the term yoga can be derived from either of two roots, ''yujir yoga'' (to yoke) or ''yuj samādhau'' (to concentrate). ''Kundalini'', states James Lochtefeld, refers to "the latent spiritual power that exists in every person".James G Lochtefeld (2001), The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism: A-M, Rosen Publishing, , pages 381–382 It is a fundamental concept in tantra, and symbolizes an aspect of Shakti that is typically dormant in every person, and its awakening is a goal in tantra. The root of the word is ''kundala'' (coiled rope). The title "''Yoga-kundalini Upanishad''" literally means "the secret doctrine of Kundalini yoga".

Chronology

The ''Yoga-Kundalini Upanishad'' is a common era text, composed sometime after Yogasutras. Banerjea states that the Yoga-Kundalini text, like many late Yoga Upanishads, deals with yogic concepts and methods taught by Siddha Yogi teachers such as

Gorakhnath Gorakhnath (also known as Goraksanath, c. early 11th century) was a Hindu yogi, saint who was the influential founder of the Nath Hindu monastic movement in India He is considered one of the two notable disciples of Matsyendranath. His follower ...

, an 11th-century yogi.

Structure

The text is set in verse, structured into three chapters, with a total of 171 verses. The first chapter has 87 verses, and discusses yoga practice. The second chapter with 49 verses discusses Khecari (Sanskrit: खेचरि) knowledge. The last chapter consists of 35 verses and discusses soul, Brahman, meditation and living liberation. The contents of ''Yoga-Kundalini Upanishad'' were influenced by

Hatha yoga Haṭha yoga is a branch of yoga which uses physical techniques to try to preserve and channel the vital force or energy. The Sanskrit word हठ ''haṭha'' literally means "force", alluding to a system of physical techniques. Some haṭha ...

and Mantra yoga, with the first two chapters structured in verses of Kundalini tantra, the third chapter structured in a chant genre (Mantra yoga).

Chapter 1: The practice

The first chapter opens with the statement that human mind is influenced by memories and ''Prana'' (vital breath, inner life-force). First and foremost, states the text, a yogin should begin by mastering ''Prana''. The verse 1,2 of the Upanishad assert that this can be achieved by Mitahara,

and "rousing of inner power (Kundalini)" ( Shakti-chalan).॥ योगकुण्डल्युपनिषत् ॥
Sanskrit text of Yogakundalini Upanishad, SanskritDocuments Archives (2009) ''Mitahara'' (Sanskrit: मिताहार, Mitāhāra) means moderation in food (light, sweet and nutritious food), and in the Yoga tradition, it is the concept of integrated awareness about food, drink, balanced diet and consumption habits and its effect on one's body and mind. It is one of the ten Yamas in ancient Indian texts.KN Aiyar (1914), Thirty Minor Upanishads, Kessinger Publishing, , Chapter 22, pages 173–176 Mitahara is neither eating too much nor eating too little quantity of food, and self-restraint from either eating too much or too little of certain qualities of food.Steven Rosen (2011), Food for the Soul: Vegetarianism and Yoga Traditions, Praeger, , pages 25–29 Verse 1.3 and 1.4 of the ''Yoga-kundalini Upanishad'' state that one must eat nourishing and sapient food. The Upanishad in verses 1.4 to 1.6 describes ''Asanas'' (postures) as a part of practice for the yogi and yogini. Asana ( sa, आसन) means "to sit down".

Monier-Williams Sir Monier Monier-Williams (; né Williams; 12 November 1819 – 11 April 1899) was a British scholar who was the second Boden Professor of Sanskrit at Oxford University, England. He studied, documented and taught Asian languages, especially S ...

, Sir Monier (1899). ''A Sanskrit-English Dictionary''. Oxford Clarendon Press, p. 159 The text lists just two ''asanas'' in these verses – '' Padmasana'' (lotus posture) and ''

Vajrasana Vajrasana (Sanskrit for "diamond seat" or "diamond throne") may refer to: * The Vajrasana, Bodh Gaya, India where Gautama Buddha achieved enlightenment * Vajrasana (yoga) Vajrasana (), Thunderbolt Pose, or Diamond Pose, is a kneeling asana in ...

'' (diamond or kneeling posture). Verses 1.7 to 1.18 of the text summarize the practice of Kundalini-arousing. The two steps include ''Arousing the Saraswati Nadi'', and breath control ('' Pranayama'' and '' Kumbhaka'').; the Kumbhakas cause total restraint of the Prana. The text in verses 1.18–1.39 details the breath control practice in several ways including Surya-Kumbhaka, Ujjayi-Kumbhaka, Sitali-Kumbhaka and Bhastra-Kumbhaka. Three types of ''Bandha'' are summarized in verses 1.40 to 1.53 –

Mula Bandha A bandha ( sa, बंध) is a kriyā in Hatha Yoga, being a kind of internal mudra described as a "body lock," to lock the vital energy into the body. ''Bandha'' literally means bond, fetter, or "catching hold of".Iyengar, 1976: pp.435–437 Mah ...

Uddiyana bandha A bandha ( sa, बंध) is a kriyā in Hatha Yoga, being a kind of internal mudra described as a "body lock," to lock the vital energy into the body. ''Bandha'' literally means bond, fetter, or "catching hold of".Iyengar, 1976: pp.435–437 Ma ...

and

Jalandhara Bandha A bandha ( sa, बंध) is a kriyā in Hatha Yoga, being a kind of internal mudra described as a "body lock," to lock the vital energy into the body. ''Bandha'' literally means bond, fetter, or "catching hold of".Iyengar, 1976: pp.435–437 Mah ...

. The text states that the ''Kumbhaka'' and ''Bandha'' practice arouses various

Nadi Nadi (pronounced ) is the third-largest conurbation in Fiji. It is located on the western side of the main island of Viti Levu, and had a population of 42,284 at the most recent census, in 2007. A 2012 estimate showed that the population had ...

(blood vessels through which subtle and causal energies flow). ;Obstacles The Yogakundali Upanishad, in verses 1.54 to 1.66 recommends the progress steps and number of times yoga should be attempted, and obstacles to one's progress. In verses 1.56–1.61, it states that those who are ill or injured should not do this yoga, and those who are suffering from excretory obstructions should refrain as well. The text lists as obstacles to progress in a yogin as following: self doubts, confusion, indifference, abnormal sleep, habit of giving up, delusions, being caught up in worldly drama, failure to comprehend descriptions, suspicions regarding the truth of yoga. ;Chakras Chakra5

The verses 1.65 to 1.76 describe the process of progress and experience, with the text stating that the

Chakra Chakras (, ; sa , text=चक्र , translit=cakra , translit-std=IAST , lit=wheel, circle; pi, cakka) are various focal points used in a variety of ancient meditation practices, collectively denominated as Tantra, or the esoteric or ...

with sixteen petals called ''Anahata'' is awakened, linking vital fluids of the human body symbolically to moon and sun, that is arousing the awareness of cold and hot essence within respectively. The text lists six ''chakras'' as the ''Ajna'' is in the head (between the two eyebrows), ''Vishuddhi'' (root of the neck), ''Anahata'' (heart), ''Manipuraka'' (navel), ''Svadhishthana'' (near genital organ) and ''

Muladhara Muladhara ( sa, मूलाधार or मूलाधारा; IAST: , lit. ''"root of Existence." Mula'' means root and ''dhara'' means flux.) or the root chakra is one of the seven primary chakras according to Hindu tantrism. It is s ...

'' (base of spinal cord). These, states the text, are centers of Shakti (power, energy, subtle force). ;Goal The Yogakundali Upanishad, in verses 1.77 to 1.87, outlines the destination for the journey of Kundali-yoga practice to be the knowledge of Brahman (eternal, changeless reality),

(soul, self), and inner liberation. In verses 1.77 to 1.81, it cautions the yogin against having "absurd and impossible notions" such as rope serpent, delusions such as men and women expecting "silver in the shell of the pearl oyster" through yoga. The text states that the goal is for the yogin as: Inner self-awareness, from the body in lotus ''Asana'', in a mind absorbed in the ''Kumbhaka'', state the last verses of the first chapter, breaks through inner knots of Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra, then through six lotuses, unleashing the ''Kundalini Shakti'' in the thousand petalled lotus, delighting in the company of Shiva. It is then, asserts the text, that the yogin pierces through the phenomenal world of differences and reaches oneness, the cause of the manifestation of bliss.

Chapter 2: The Khecari Vidya

The Chapter 2 opens with a praise and wonders of ''Khechari'' knowledge, with the assertion that "one who has mastered this, is devoid of aging and mortality" and free from the suffering from diseases. The word ''Khechari'' means "transversing the ethereal regions", and the text dedicates first 16 verses of the chapter stating how difficult it is, how wonderful and miraculous it is, how even experts fail in it, how secret this knowledge is, how even a hundred rebirths are insufficient for mastering ''Khechari-Vidya''. But those who do, attain the state of Shiva, claims the text, and they are liberated from all attachments to the world. The verses 2.17 to 2.20 use a cryptic code to explain how to extract ''Khechari-Vidya'' bija (seed). These are then constituted into a Khechari-mantra in verse 2.20, as "Hrīṃ, Bham, Saṃ,Shaṃ, Phaṃ, Saṃ and Kshaṃ". The text, in verses 2.21–2.27 returns to praising the mantra, and then describes that the muttering the mantra and a variety of austere khechari-yoga practices over twelve years in verses 2.28 to 2.49. Success would be achieved, states the text in the closing verses of chapter 2, when the yogin sees in his body, the entire universe.

Chapter 3: The Jivanmukta

The third chapter of the Upanishad discusses the state of Samadhi and that is Jivanmukta (living liberation). It defines ''Samadhi'' as that state of Atman and pure consciousness in which "all is known as one" and the existence in the nectar of oneness. The verses 3.1 to 3.11 assert, translates Ayyangar, that this state is "assuming the attitude of I am the Brahman and giving up that also", eliminating all bondages of the mind, and awakening the Ishvara (god) within, through one's energized ''Kundalini'' and the six ''Chakras''. This state is one of entering bliss, asserts the Upanishad. According to verses 3.14 to 3.16, Yoga is essential for the light of knowledge to be lit, and the Atman (soul) is the lamp inside one's body. The precepts and guidance of a Guru (teacher) is essential for mastering Kundalini yoga and to cross the ocean of worldly existence, state verses 3.17 to 3.18.Yogakundali Upanishad
Sunder Hattangadi, Sanskritdocuments.org Archive (2015) Right knowledge leads to an existence of a tranquil and sublime state, where there is neither darkness nor radiance, it is indescribable asserts the Yogakundali Upanishad. A Yogin, deluded by Maya and exhausted, states the text in verses 3.25 to 3.32, questions "Who am I? How has the worldly existence been brought about? Where do I go when I sleep? Who functions when I am awake? Who functions when I dream in sleep?"KN Aiyar (1914), ''Thirty Minor Upanishads'', University of Toronto Archives, , page 271-272 This is a knowledge lost over one's rebirths. Meditation and Kundalini yoga helps one to realize the answers within, lit a light that shines within, reach the saintly state of Jivanmukta, who remains in eternal Brahman alone, states the Upanishad.

References

Bibliography

* * * {{Hindudharma Upanishads