Reaching for the divine

Hath yog practice involves intense concentration of the mind, yogic postures and breath control. The ultimate goal is to awaken the subtle spiritual energy called kundalini within oneself.

This energy rises from the base of the spine through the Sushumna situated between two nerves; it represents the Brahmn. In the Bhagavat Puran, there is a reference to these three channels and how life passes through any of these at the time of death.

Life/prana that passes out through pingala reaches the deva-yana, that through ida reaches pitru-yana and that which passes through the Brahma nadi, by piercing the head/sahasrara, reaches Brahmn/ultimate reality.


However, this three-pronged sadhana is impossible for most people as they lack the physical stamina, single-minded determination and necessary detachment needed for meditation. Followers of the bhakti cult believe that simply by focusing one's mind on Krishn and chanting His glorious names, the kundalini naturally rises as the Lord is present in the Sushumna nadi, full of compassion and mercy to those trying to reach Him.

In the Gita, Krishn says that yogic practices to reach Brahmn are difficult and time-consuming. But devotedly understanding Krishn through His divine lilas/pastimes will charge the inner consciousness or divine energy, facilitating our journey on the path to realisation of the Self.