Of the 108 Upanishads, the Yoga-Kundalini Upanishad is the eighty-sixth. It is included in the Krishna Yajurveda. It discusses Hatha and Lambika Yogas in detail. It ends with a summary of a non-qualified Brahman. Both seekers are on a search for the Non-dual Brahman.
The Yoga-Kundalini Upanishad is a very important work on Kundalini Yoga, despite being classified as a minor Upanishad. It starts with an examination of Chitta's essence. Samskaras and Vasanas, on the one hand, and Prana, on the other, are said to be the causes of Chitta's life. Prana is automatically controlled if Vasanas are controlled. The Vasanas are automatically monitored if Prana is controlled.
Methods for controlling Prana are presented in the Yoga-Kundalini Upanishad. Vasanas are not dealt with by the Yogic practitioner. He is interested in the methods for monitoring Prana.
Mitahara, Asana, and Shakti-Chalana are the three methods for controlling Prana offered in the Yoga-Kundalini Upanishad. The first chapter covers all three approaches in detail.
Mitahara's diet consists of light, soft, and nutritious foods. Two popular Asanas used by Yogic students are Padmasana and Vajrasana. The Kundalini is being awoken and sent to the crown of the head by Shakti-Chalana.
A two-pronged approach can be used to awaken Kundalini. The two traditions are Saraswati Chalana and Prana Restraint. Saraswati Chalana is the rousing of the Saraswati Nadi.
The Yoga-Kundalini Upanishad describes a clear method for arousing Kundalini. The Prana goes out in 16 digits when a human exhales. Inhalation results in just 12 digits, resulting in a 4 digit loss. If one can inhale Prana for 16 digits, the Kundalini is aroused. This is achieved by sitting in Padmasana and lengthening inwards 4 digits further as Prana is streaming through the left nostril.
The Yogic student should exploit the Saraswati Nadi and stir up the Kundalini Shakti with all his might, from right to left, repeatedly, using this lengthened energy. This procedure could take up to three quarters of an hour to complete. All of this is outlined in the Yoga-Kundalini Upanishad in a concise yet thorough manner.
Shaking the Saraswati Nadi has many benefits, the most significant of which is that it cures various diseases that arise in the stomach and cleanses and purifies the system. The Yogic pupil is initiated into the Kevala Kumbhaka after doing the Sahita Kumbhaka. The Prana is fully restrained in these two forms of Kumbhaka.
The Sahita Kumbhaka is divided into four divisions: Suryabheda Kumbhaka, Ujjayi Kumbhaka, Sitali, and Bhastrika. Suryabheda Kumbhaka eliminates intestinal worms as well as Vayu's four types of evils. Ujjayi cleanses the body, eliminates pathogens, and boosts gastric fire.
It also reduces the heat in the head and the phlegm in the throat. Sitali is a body coolant. Gulma, dyspepsia, pliha, consumption, bile, fever, hunger, and poison are all destroyed by it. These ways of Sahita Kumbhaka cleanse and brace the entire physiological body for Kundalini Sakti stimulation and non-dual Brahman encounter.
Bhastrika Kumbhaka pierces the three knots, or Granthis, in addition to bringing about a host of beneficial physiological improvements. The Yoga-Kundalini Upanishad then instructs the Yogic student on how to do the three Bandhas. The Mulabandha is the mechanism by which the spincter muscles of the anus push up the downward inclination of the Apana (breath).
The Apana is raised by this Bandha. It hits the Agni, or fuel, sphere. The Agni's flame grows long and is blown about by Vayu. Agni and Apana mix with the Prana in a heated state. Agni is a ruthless being.
Via the radiant heat of this fiery Agni, the fire that awakens and arouses the Kundalini appears in the body. The awakened Kundalini makes a hissing noise, stands up, and enters Brahmanadi's hole. This Mulabandha is practiced by the Yogins on a regular basis.
The other two Bandhas, namely the Uddiyana Bandha and the Jalandhara Bandha, also play a significant role in arousing the Sarasvati Nadi and Kundalini Shakti.
The Yoga-Kundalini Upanishad outlines the many challenges that Yogic students face after providing extensive knowledge of the Bandha techniques. It also explains how to get through these roadblocks.
There are seven causes of illness in the human body.
1. Taking a nap during the day.
2. Midnight vigils at a late hour.
3. Excessive sexual activity.
4. Navigating around crowds.
5. The consequences of eating unhealthily.
6. Urine and feces discharge are examined.
7. Exhausting emotional operations involving the Prana.
Obstacles on the Yogic Path
- When diseases strike, the Yogic student makes the error of incorrectly attributing the illnesses to his Yoga practice. This is the first stumbling block in Yoga.
- The Yogic student starts to question the Yoga Sadhana's effectiveness. This is the second stumbling block.
- The third barrier is carelessness or a state of misunderstanding.
- The fourth barrier is indifference or laziness.
- The connection to sense-objects is the sixth barrier, and sleep is the seventh.
- The seventh stumbling block is false belief or illusion.
- The eighth is preoccupation with earthly matters.
- The ninth reason is a lack of confidence.
- The tenth impediment to Yoga practice is a lack of aptitude for understanding Yoga realities.
Many of these stumbling blocks should be avoided by diligent investigation and deliberation by sincere spiritual aspirants. The Upanishads go on to explain the method of rousing the Kundalini and transporting it to the Sahasrara by piercing through the Granthis.
The Kundalini, once awakened, pushes upwards, releasing a torrent of nectar. This is something that the Yogi loves, as it takes him free from all sensual desires. On 104, the Yogi takes a decision.
The Atman (Inner Reality), he is in the best possible spiritual state. He achieves equilibrium and devotes himself solely to the Atman or Self.
The Yogi's body achieves a very delicate state of spiritual Consciousness through the whole Kundalini Yoga Sadhana phase.
All becomes Consciousness to the Yogi who has achieved Samadhi. The Yogi recognizes the macrocosm's and microcosm's oneness.
The Yogi enjoys the greatest Avastha since Kundalini Shakti has achieved the Sahasrara Kamala, or thousand-petalled lotus, and has been unified with Siva. This is the last of the beatitudes.
The Chakras are the essential energy centers of Shakti. Pranavayu manifests Prana Shakti in the living body through these centers.
Kundalini Yoga is for those who want to arouse the Kundalini Shakti in order to experience the Bliss of Union of Siva and Shakti through awakened Kundalini and receive the resulting Powers or Siddhis.
This Yoga-Kundalini Upanishad is extremely important to them. It provides them with a thorough understanding of the Kundalini Yoga practices and procedures, with a focus on the Khechari Mudra.
Both Bhukti and Mukti are sought by the Kundalini Yogi. In and around the universe, he achieves salvation. Jnana Yoga is an ascetic and liberating course. Kundalini Yoga is a path that leads to happiness and liberation.
The Hatha Yogi aspires to have a body that is as solid as stone, balanced, pain-free, and therefore long-lived. The Yogi is the master of the body, as well as of life and death. His gleaming form exudes the vigor of youth.
He loves the realm of shapes for as long as he has the will to survive. His death is a voluntary death (Ichha-Mrityu). The Yogi should follow the advice of a knowledgeable Guru.
The Serpent Power is the power that provides the entire body and all of its shifting Pranic powers with a static protection or Adhara.
Yoga disturbs the balance of bodily identity, whose consciousness is the product of the preservation of these two poles, and therefore destroys the polarity as it resides in and as the body.
The Supreme Power, which is the future pole of Energy in the human body, is roused to motion. In the Sahasrara, the Shakti is shifted upward to join with Siva, the quiescent Consciousness.
The static Shakti is influenced and becomes active by Pranayama and other Yogic processes. The polarization of the body gives way as Kundalini unites with Siva in the Sahasrara and becomes fully dynamic.
The two poles merge into one, resulting in the state of consciousness known as Samadhi. In the Consciousness, there is polarization. The body does, in fact, continue to exist as a subject of scrutiny from others.
The nectar that flows from the union of Siva and Shakti in Sahasrara sustains the Yogi's body as the Kundalini ascends. Glory to Mother Kundalini, who, through Her Infinite Grace and Strength, gently guides the Sadhaka from Chakra to Chakra, illuminating him and allowing him to realize his identity with the Supreme Brahman. The Yoga-Kundalini Upanishad places a high value on seeking out and finding the right Guru. It keeps on worshiping the enlightened Guru as God. Gurus have complete Self-illumination. In deluded people, he lifts the curtain of delusion.
While there are less realized Gurus in this Kali Yuga than in the Satya Yuga, they are still present to assist aspirants. They're still on the lookout for the right Adhikarins.
The Yoga-Kundalini Upanishad lists a number of challenges to Yoga practice. Some people begin doing Yoga, but as they run into difficulties, they are unsure how to continue. They have no idea how to get rid of them. On the spiritual route, there are many challenges, hazards, snares, and traps. Sadhakas will make a lot of mistakes on their way to enlightenment.
It is important that they be guided by a Guru who has already walked the journey and achieved the target.
There's one more thing you should know:
The Yoga-Kundalini Upanishad lists a number of challenges to Yoga practice.
Some people begin doing Yoga, but as they run into difficulties, they are unsure how to continue. They have no idea how to get rid of them. There are many challenges to overcome.
In the spiritual journey, there are many risks, traps, and obstacles to avoid.
- Sadhakas will make a lot of mistakes on their way to enlightenment.
- It is important that they be guided by a Guru who has already walked the journey and achieved the target.
- The Sushumna Nadi is another significant concept that can be found in the Yoga-Kundalini Upanishad. You must be fully familiar with this Nadi.
- Now, a word about Kundalini, whose stimulation is the primary goal of Kundalini Yoga.
- The primordial energy or Shakti that lies dormant or resting in the Muladhara Chakra, the body's core, is Kundalini, the serpent-power or sacred light.
- Because of its serpentine shape, it is known as the serpentine or annular force.
- It's an occult entity that's electric and fiery, the great pristine energy that underpins both organic and inorganic matter.