CHAPTER-36
GANADHIPATI TULSI
"KUNDALINI" IN JAIN-YOG"
Flowing for ever in the backbone,
tranquil Sushumna!
Pleasant Jnana Kendra above, boundless energy below;
Near the Centre of Power is ‘Kundalini’ located,
Also called Teloleshya or Tejas-tan.
Two forms has Kundalini: dormant and awake;
Only connoisseurs of Yoga know its true nature!
The worship of kundalini can becmne a curse;
Without proper guidance one only comes to grief.
But he who masters it, attains deep samadhi!
Hair and nails cease growing, all pains melt away.
Resplendent Kundalini is of two kinds! abundant and abridged;
Dormant power is brief, but when roused it's colossal!
Q.Whether one knows it or not, the field of yoga is a region
of many secrets. Those who have gone into it, have sought and discovered many
unknown secrets and through their sadhana have opened up new dimensions.
Kundalini, too, is a mysterious element of yoga. Jain Agamas are silent over it.
From the point of view of Jain Yoga, is kundahni a power or not? If yes, where
is it to be found?
Ans. In Jain Agamic literature, the word "Kundalini" finds no mention. However,
in subsequent literature influenced by Tantrism or Hatha-Yoga, this word has
been used. Kundalini is certainly a mystery; nevertheless, in Jain Agamas is to
be found a detailed description of its nature. The difference of name is there
of course, but there is no question of denying its existence. Among the
accomplishments of yoga, kundalini is recognised as a form of energy. In Jain
yoga it is established as a special power under the name of Tejoleshya or
Tejolabdhi.
In our body there are chiefly three kinds of vital currents. The central current
flows through Sushumna in the backbone. Below Sushumna is Shakti Kendra, the
Centre of Power. Above Sushumna is Jnana Kendra, the Centre of Knowledge. Both
these centres are connected with Sushumna. Without power or energy there can be
no development of knowledge and without knowledge, energy is not properly
utilised. Therefore, both these centres and the medial region between them
constitute an important part of the body. From the point of view of sadhana, all
the systems of sadhana have recognised the importance of this region. Near
Shakti Kendra, the Centre of Power, there is another storehouse of energy, which
can be taken as the location of kundalini. In the system of preksha dhyana:
Tejoleshya, Tejolabdhi and Tejas-body are three mysterious words. The secret of
kundalini is to be found in these.
Tejolabdhi has two forms--dormant or inactive and awakened or active. When this
energy is dormant or inactive, instincts remain unsublimated. The sublimation of
instincts too requires energy. A man without energy cannot perform even minor
tasks. How can he then accomplish such a great task as that of sublimation of
his nature. When the power of Tejas, bio-electricity, is awakened or activated,
utmost care must be exercised in its utilisation. As long as electricity is
conducted through insulated wires, it provides coolness in summer, warmth in
winter, light in darkness and it can run great engines. But when the insulation
of wires is not adequate, it can cause unimaginable harm. Similarly, the power
of bio-electricity when used in the right direction, proves to be a great boon,
but wrongly used it can turn into a curse. In view of this it is necessary to
awaken the Centre of Knowledge along with the Centre of Energy. Without the
awakening of the upper centres, the activation of the lower centres can pose a
great danger. Therefore, in this whole process, it is necessary to obtain
guidance from a guru. In the absence of proper guidance, difficulties are bound
to arise.
Q.From the point of view of sadhana, what kind of guru must one find? What is
the criterion? The guru's scholarship? His experience? Or his sadhana?
Ans. In this matter, the qualification of the guru cannot be measured on the
basis of book-knowledge. Only an accomplished and experienced person can
efficiently discharge the important functions of the guru. Just as treatment
done under the supervision of an experienced doctor proves successful,
similarly, sadhana practised tinder the care of an experienced guru produces the
right results. A doctor prescribes some medicine, and in the case of it
producing a reaction, a worsening of the disease, he also knows its antidote.
The unfavourable reaction produced by one drug he can neutralise by
administering another drug. Experienced gurus, too, keep assessing regularly a
sadhak's physical, mental and emotional condition. Their watchfulness is most
valuable since it prevents a sadhak from coming to harm in the case of an
experiment having gone wrong.
Q.In many yoga books, kundalini has been depicted as a coiled she-serpent. Is
the Tejas power (bio-electrical energy) mentioned by you in this context
similarly portrayed?
Ans. The she-serpent is a metaphor. Just as a serpent moves in a winding
fashion, similarly, our sushumna artery is shaped deviously, not straight. When
the she-serpent sits coiled, it is calm. Our bio-electricity energy too, while
inactive or dormant, is in the same condition. If the she-serpent is provoked
and infuriated, she becomes dangerous. Similarly, if energy starts moving,
upwards and does not find the right channel, it becomes troublesome. If the flow
of bio-electricity is miscarried to the right or the left, it produces fat at
diseases, like inflammation or burning-fever. Thus, a sadhak has to put up with
both physical and mental dangers. Sometimes it results in madness. Therefore,
while mastering the kundalini, or moving the bio-electricity upwards, it is
necessary to exercise utmost care.
Bio-electricity is a kind of energy. It evolves out of the food one takes. Tejas
Kendra, the Centre of Bio-electricity is also a producer of vital energy.
Radiations therefrom activate the life-force. The power of the body referred to
in Hatha-Yoga as kundalini, is the same as Tejas-Shakti.
Q.The awakening of kundalini or tejas-shakti is fraught with many risks. On
this there is complete unanimity. Why should one entertain so many dangers to
develop this power?
Ans. Just because it involves certain risks, an important task is not left
undone. Is there a task which involves no risk? Above, below, across--dangers
surround us on all sides. A valiant man passes through them
for high achievement. He who surrenders in the face of dangers, can never make
any progress. It may be the path of sadhana, or of business, of scientific
inventions or cooking food, dangers abound everywhere. The process of awakening
kundalini is also not free from danger, but without awakening this energy, the
state of samadhi or even the condition of total concentration and certainty is
not possible. The state of samadhi is attainable only through concentration of
attention. Otherwise the indiscriminate traffic of thoughts cannot be stopped.
With the awakening of tejas-shakti, life becomes rhythmical of itself. No
thoughts intrude upon one's consciousness then. Then, one may have to force
oneself out of samadhi, in case of need, but to go into the state of samadhi
requires little effort.
In ancient texts are mentioned some other results of the awakening of
tejas-shakti or kundalini. Normally, everyone's hair and nails grow. With the
growth of tejas shakti, this outgrowth is withheld. Physical and mental diseases
are cured. Such changes are not impossible, in view of the many chemical changes
taking place in the body.
In the marvellous tales of the omniscients (Tirthankars) all these things are
authenticated. The hair and nails of the omniscients cease growing This is a
fact, no exaggeration. The omniscients are also free from all kinds of pains and
diseases. Mental diseases do not touch them at all. Even physical diseases are
temporary visitors. They cause no defilement. So much electricity is active in
their body, that the atoms of disease are simply incinerated.
Bio-electrical energy is of two kinds--cool and hot. Cool energy is used for
favour, and hot for subdual. This energy which can act both as a boon and a
curse, is important from many points of view. That is why, despite the risks
involved, the sadhak continually makes efforts to develop and awaken this power.
