Yoga Kundalini Upanishad is arranged in three parts. Chapter one contains the yogic physiology of kuṇḍalinī and the requisite disciplines necessary to undertake her activation and awakening. Chapter two contains an exposition of the important practices of khecarī mudrā and sūtra neti. Chapter three contains more specific instructions on how to maintain a higher sādhana, including meditation practices on sound and Soham, on the ātman, spontaneous jñāna yoga, and merging with the ātman. Finally the master tells how to become a supreme yogī.Included in the text are the original Sanskrit verses, transliteration, word meanings, translation and a comprehensive commentary by Swami Satyadharma Saraswati.
This Upaniṣad on Kuṇḍalinī Yoga belongs to Kriśna Yajurveda. There are three chapters in it. In the first chapter, the two causes of Citta Vṛtti, the three methods of controlling Prāna - moderation in diet, Āsana and Śakti Cālini Mudrā are described. Then Sarasvati Cālana, types of Prānāyāma - Sūryabhedi, Ujjāyi, Shītali, Bhastrikā, etc., three Bandhas - Moola Bandha, Uddiyāna Bandha and Jālandhara Bandha, obstacles in yoga and protection from them, awakening of Kuṇḍalinī through yoga practice, penetration of three Granthis Brahmagranthi, Viśṇugranthi and Rudragranthi, Kuṇḍalinī entering Sahasrāra Cakra (thousand petalled lotus), dissolution of Prāna, etc. into Śiva, realization of Self everywhere during Samādhi and subjects like Samādhi Yoga, etc. are described in detail.The second chapter begins with the lucid explanation of Khecari Mudrā. The features of Khecari, its results, perfection of Khecari by Mantra Japa, sequence of Khecari practice, etc., are described elaborately.In the beginning of third chapter the Khecari Melana Mantra for Khecari Siddhi is described specifically. The vision of a Sādhaka during his Sādhanā is described by giving examples of new moon, first lunar date and full moon. Then attaining perfection for the union with macrocosm through Prānāyāma, impossibility of Self-realization without practice, knowledge of the Brahman through the discourse of a Sadguru, manifestation of Brahma in the form of Vāk, Vṛtti and Vishva, etc., the nature of Parabrahma and at the end, means to attain Brahma - Dhyāna, Jīvanmukti and Videhamukti, etc., topics are explained.Thus, the major subjects of Yoga are presented in this Upaniṣad, which makes it unique and complete.
Aims to serve as a manual of higher sadhana for advanced and initiated aspirants. This title describes the ancient path of Kundalini awakening in its original form before the proliferation of modern Yogic literature.
The Path of the Rishi is one of the first and most detailed books published in the West on the ancient Vedic origins of Yoga, including all aspects of its philosophy and practice. The book reveals secrets of the Vedic Yoga from the teachings of Sri Aurobindo, Ganapati Muni, Brahmarshi Daivarat, and Swami Veda Bharati as well as Vamadevas own insights. It challenges popular ideas of the meaning of Yoga and brings Yoga back to the vision of the ancient Himalayan Rights.
Included is a foreword on the life and teachings of Swami Satyadharma, who passed away while writing the commentary on Dhyānabindu. Her commentary on Nādabindu is complete. The Dhyāna and Nādabindu Upaniṣads were probably composed between the ninth and fourteenth centuries CE. The bindu is a psychic centre located in the brain at the top back of the head. These upaniṣads focus on meditation on the bindu, the source point or origin of individual creation, where begins the primal sound or first vibration, the mantra Om. They define and describe in detail the mantra Om, the effects of meditating on it until one attains perfect liberation, merging with the Divine.Nādabindu describes the components of Om, that is, its three and a half measures (mātrā) which are the sounds a u m, and the half measure, the echo of m. Always meditating on Om, the yogin is liberated from worldly life, unaffected by his/her karmas. The nāda is first heard through the right ear, and many other inner sounds are heard. Eventually the yogin hears no other sounds and transcends duality.Dhyānabindu, an expansion of Nādabindu, confirms that meditation on Om can destroy all karmas. The yogin should meditate on the lotus of the heart, then at the eyebrow centre, then on the Sun, Moon and Agni, leading to the ātman. The six parts of yoga, the cakras, nāḍīs and prāṇas are described. Kuṇḍalinī Śakti can be awakened by the repetition of the mantra haṃsa, ham spontaneously accompanying the inhalation, and sa the exhalation, as well as uḍḍiyāna and jālandhara bandhas, khecarī mudrā and mahāmudrā. The ātman is described in detail. Finally, the teacher recommends meditating on the bija mantras of the five elements, the five prāṇas and the nāda.
This book in English closely follows the Commentary of S'ri Upanishad-brahma-yogin, who is the only one so far known to have achieved the unique distinction of having written a commentary on all the One Hundred and Eight Upanishad-s and has presented, in an extremely lucid manner. This book is an original reprint from the edition of 1938.
Shandilya Upanishad is the sixth volume of the Yoga Upanishads series. The Śāṇḍilya Upaniṣad is connected with the Atharva Veda. It commences with the yogin invoking Rāma to guide him along the eightfold path of yoga to liberation.In the first verse of chapter one, Śāṇḍilya asks Atharvan to instruct him in the eight limbed path of yoga, with the aim of reaching the true Self. Śāṇḍilya himself was a Rishi with many disciples, and was the progenitor of the Śāṇḍilya lineage. Atharvan was a Vedic rishi, who, together with Angiras, is said to have revealed the Atharva Veda, and was the first to perform yagña, fire oblations. The first two sections describe the foundations of yoga, yama and niyama, external and internal restraints. Section three describes the eight āsanas, which, as well as having physical, mental and energic benefits, prepare the body for sitting still for a long time in meditation without discomfort.Later sections describe the fourteen main nāḍīs, ten vāyus, maṇipura cakra and kuṇḍalinī of the subtle or pranic body. The methods of purification of the nāḍīs are described in great detail, as purification is considered necessary for the higher stages of concentration (dhāraṇā) and meditation (dhyāna). The prerequisites for yoga practice are listed. A meditation on agni maṇḍala is given. Prāṇāyāma is defined as AUM, and the practice of nāḍī śodhana prāṇāyāma with emphasis on kumbhaka and the effects of the practice are described in detail.Teachings are then given on khecarī and vaiṣṇavī mudrā, control of prāṇa, awakening kuṇḍalinī, saṃyama, pratyāhāraḥ, dhāraṇā, dhyāna and samādhi. The necessity of both yoga and jñāna for liberation is emphasised.Chapter two has sections on knowledge of Brahman, creation of the universe, the names of Brahman, and Dattātreya.
The eruption of kundalini energy from its secret nest at the base of the spine has been revered by some as bringing ecstasy and enlightenment, and disparaged by others as simply disabling, terrifying and dangerous. Mystics may call it a method of transformation. Skeptics consider it imaginary. All who have experienced it know it as a mystery and a profound life-altering experience. This book, based on 25 years of interviews with over 2000 people who have had this awakening, describes seven categories of phenomena that may occur, tells the eastern perspective of kundalini science, offers guidance on coping with the erratic energies and shifts of consciousness that happen, and reveals the inward path to self-realization that follows the deconstruction initiated by a kundalini arising. If you think you might be in this awakening process, you engage in spiritual or energy practices, or you have activated energies following a near-death experience or trauma, this book is your companion and guide.
It is a common misconception that a spiritual seeker must have faith in a god or divine entity to achieve self-realization. When one understands the teachings of the Upanishads, enlightenment is possible here and now without the word "God." The Mandukya Upanishad is for those students who want to practice spirituality without resorting to unnecessary abstract concepts. The Mandukya Upanishad provides a comprehensive map for the inward journey that shows the individual the way from the mundane to the eternal. It describes this state as the ultimate reality and the goal of human existence. When one understands the teachings of the Upanishads, then one realizes that life itself is a sort of worship that can shine on the altar of infinity. --From Chapter 1, "Awakening"
