Concept of Kundalini in Shiva Samhita: The Ancient Hatha Yogic Text

Abstract

The Shiva Samhita is one of the major texts on hatha yoga the other two being Hatha Yoga Pradipika and Gheranda Samhita. Written in Sanskrit, it is in form of an address by hindu deity Shiva to his consert Parvati. It is one of the most comprehensive as well as democratic text on hatha yoga. Some are of the opinion that it was composed in 17 th century whereas James Malinson opines that it was composed in or around Varanasi before 1500 CE. Divided in five chapters the Shiva Samhita covers information regarding Nadis, Prana, Types of Prana, Ways to attain success in yoga, Persons suitable for yoga, Symptoms of eligible yoga aspirants, Signs of a person whose nadis have been purified, Obstacles in yoga practice, Asanas, Nadi sodhana pranayama, Mantra yoga and Anahat sounds etc. In this article attempt has been made to describe the concept of kundalini, the serpent power, as depicted in this text.