Kundalini-shakti

Kundalini-shakti (कुण्डलिनी-शक्ति) refers to the dormant spiritual energy coiled at the base of the spine — the creative power that, when awakened, rises through the chakras and leads to spiritual liberation.

Overview

Kundalini-shakti is depicted as a serpent (kundala = “coiled”) wrapped three and a half times around the muladhara chakra (root center). It is the feminine, creative aspect of the Absolute — Shakti in her most concentrated form. When awakened through yoga, mantra, or tantric practice, she rises through the central channel (sushumna nadi) and unites with Shiva (pure consciousness) at the sahasrara chakra (crown), producing samadhi (liberation).

Philosophical Context

Kundalini-shakti is the central concept of Kundalini Yoga, one of the six orthodox schools of Indian philosophy. The Shiva Samhita, Hatha Yoga Pradipika, and Shatkarma Padhathi describe practices for awakening kundalini. The Kundalini Upanishad states: “Kundalini is the power of the Supreme. When she is awakened, all the nadis (energy channels) are purified.” The concept connects Tantric cosmology (the universe as the play of Shiva and Shakti) with yogic psychology (the individual’s spiritual evolution).

Interpretations

The Siddha Siddhanta Paddhatiiddhanta Paddhati of Gorakshanath describes kundalini as the mula-prakriti (primordial matter) that binds the soul to the material world. The Kashmir Shaiva tradition interprets kundalini as chiti-shakti (the power of cosmic consciousness) that, when awakened, reveals the practitioner’s identity with the Absolute. The Nath Sampradaya (tradition of Gorakshanath) emphasizes the physical practices (hatha yoga, shatkarma) for awakening kundalini. Modern interpretations range from literal (the energy is a real, psycho-physical force) to metaphorical (kundalini represents the process of psychological transformation).

Verification Notes

• Kundalini Upanishad, Shiva Samhita, Hatha Yoga Pradipika are key sources.
• Yoga Kundalini Upanishad discusses the rising through chakras.
• Audited against Wikipedia and Tantric studies references (September 2026).