Arthur AvalonThe Serpent Power: The Secrets of Tantric and Shaktic Yoga

This is a scholarly commentary and translation of two ancient Sanskrit texts: Shat Chakra Nirupana ("Discussion of the Six Chakras or Centers") and Paduka Panchaka ("Five-Fold Footstool").The texts concern the harnessing of the primordial energy of the universe - the Kundalini - metaphorically called "the serpent." This cosmic energy is psychospiritual and exists everywhere in the universe. But it is also dormant within you. Awakening it leads to unimaginable powers of clairvoyance and omniscience.There is a specific path to achieving this. One needs to awaken, one after another, six energy centers that reside vertically one above the other in our body. When the highest center is awakened, one has achieved the Ultimate. This point is way beyond clairvoyance and omniscience. This is oneness with the eternal consciousness of the universe - call that God, Self, nature, or anything else. The experience is beyond words and names. One becomes a liberated soul.In yoga, the seat of consciousness is the heart. However, the Tantras discussing the Kundalini extend this to the six centers which tend to lie along the spinal column and the brain.The whole Galaxy and its various physical and divine realms are represented by these centers within our body. The texts say that a human being can achieve whatever he or she wishes if she focuses her power. This power is the Kundalini Shakti.Extraordinarily, these texts are at least 1000 years old. This commentary by Avalon is from 1919. Yet, it contains some extraordinary science that was discovered much later.The ancient texts explain that creation appeared from a `bindu.' It is a mathematical point of no magnitude. It is unmanifest and incredibly dense. That is why it is called "ghanibhuta." The universe burgeons forth, "sphurana," from this point at the time of creation.This is exactly the Big Bang theory! It was known to ancient yogis thousands of years ago but only learned of by scientists in the 1950s.I highly recommend this book for those who want to understand the nitty-gritty of awakening their Kundalini.Full disclosure: I'm a peer-reviewed researcher of ancient yoga and modern discoveries in cosmology such as the Big Bang, paleontology, and oceanography. There are also emerging connections between ancient yoga and the Bible in ancient times. ~ Sanjay C Patel, SanjayCPatel.com

What I appreciated most about this book first published in 1919 is Arthur Avalon (Sir John Woodroffe) takes great pains to stay true to the sanskrit texts instead of reinventing them or overlaying them with his personal experiences, interpretations and thoughts. This book is a follow up/expansion on his previous book Shakti and Shakta and in retrospect I wish I had read it first, although it is not necessary as this book stands on its own. In the beginning of the book Avalon/Woodroffe takes to task some of the Westerners, most notably the Theosophical Society and Charles Leadbeater, which popularized their version/ideas about the 7 chakras in Western society. Avalon/Woodroffe felt they also popularized misconceptions or inaccuracies along with their ideas about the cakras/chakras. As the author prefers to let the texts speak for themselves most of the book is devoted to his translation of the texts and their description of the 6 cakras (chakras), their associations and powers. He also discusses kundalini and the rising of kundalini. Having said all this, the book is not an easy read. Avalon/Woodroffe uses many sanskrit terms and verses to keep to the actual text/meaning and while he does explain each and there are copius footnotes this will not be reading you can breeze through. I particularly enjoyed some of the verses.Verse 37He then also sees the Light which is in the form of a flaming lamp. It is lustrous like the clearly shining morning sun, and glows between the Sky and the Earth. It is here that the Bhagavan manifests Himself int he fullness of His might. He knows no decay, and witnesseth all, and is here as He is in the refion of Fire, Moon, and Sun.Perhaps not a book you might want to begin with, but for those interested in studying the cakras/chakras a must.

Lots of interesting information on Kundalini and chakras. Interesting to see this original source text on chakras translated

I bought the book four years ago. When I attempted to read it the first time I had to put it aside mainly because I found the Hindu word distracting. Though I still think there should be a updated version with English words to define the Hindu words, this second attempt to reading it is better mainly because I have been reading several books that define Kundalini yoga and the Chakras. This book is very informative, just have to meditate and allow it to speak to you as you read it. Great book on the subject.

I heard about this book from my guru Sri M and was very eager to devour it but it is extremely esoteric. To immerse yourself in any yoga, it is critical to get grounded on its philosophy and theory. The first chapter that I was able to make decent progress was the chapter on Practice (Yoga: Laya-Krama) and as my practice of Yoga expanded and I was able to connect the dots, other sections but still not all of them) slowly became relevant and interesting. Such a power packed book taking it roots from very ancient texts. A must have book for serious practitioners and you will keep going back to it. Very similar to Kashmiri Shaivism, these need to be learnt and practiced under careful guidance of a guru and incorrect practices could have wrong results - that is why the esoteric nature of the book.