Chapter 9 Devamati Shakti

Devatma
Shakti (Kundalini) Divine Power. by Swami Vishnu Tirtha
Maharaj, with Forward by Mahamahopadhyaya Gopinath Kaviraj,
J.A., Formerly Principal, Government Sanksrit College,
Varanasi,1962

His Holiness Shree Swami Vishnu Tirtha

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Chapter IX

(Prana Continued.)
SHAKTIPAT

Prana on the physical plane is a
very fine form of energy differing from the physical energy
in respect of its being lifeenergy and as such cannot be
created independently of human body by lifeless machines. It
is the motiveforce which keeps up the whole living organism
of animal life in working order. It works not only the body
but the mind and intellect as well, and manifests its
existence as life. It flows like an electric current through
the wirework of the nervous system, it connects the gross
body of flesh and blood with the finer forces of mind and
intellect In sanskrit it is called Prana, the nervous system
functioning with that energy is called prana mayakosha, and
the animate being is named Prani. All the functions of the
body, mind and. intellect depend for their working on the
energy of prana. Therefore by acquiring control over this
force a person is able to control the movements of his mind
and body at will, he can then suspend the activity of his
mind and even of the body if he likes and bring his mind and
breath under perfect control.

As prana in the ordinary persons, is
outflowing, it connects the mind with the senses of
perception and keeps it always outflowing, but when it is
made to rise up the spinal ‘cord to cerebrum, it detaches
the mind from the nervous centres in the brain, and mind
gradually soaring up through the different stages of
concentration loses itself ultimately in a trance of deep
meditation. According to yogis the seat of this force is in
the mooladhdra_which is figuratively named as Kundalini
Shakti or Serpent Power and is described as sleeping in an
ordinary person with three and half coils, closing with its.
hood the entrance to the spinal passage. When roused it
gives manifestation to many physical and mental signs and
various miraculous powers. It can be roused by various means
as selfless work, deep meditation and intense devotion to
God and also by the practice of certain physical
exercises.

This astral force can also be roused
by the magnetic influence of other persons. Such great
personalities have their prang and mind on a higher
potentiality and when approached they tend to raise the
prana of others from a lower potentiality to a higher one.
The process may be compared with the flow of an electric
current. But in this case the process is not an automatic
one, but depends wholly on the will of the master mind.
Among the Hindus the process is known as initiation by
Shaktipat Deeksha, and may be defined as the process of
spiritualizing a man with the charge of psychic force. When
psychic force is roused in this way the nerves of the person
so favoured are put to involuntary motion and in course of
time begin to act upon the mind bringing in peace and
calmness of higher concentration. Shaktipat is not to be
confused with mesmerism or hypnotism, because the effect of
Shaktipat is everlasting and elevating and thereby a person
acquires in him the power of rousing the same in others and
becomes himself by gradual development a magnetic
personality with a capacity to make others like himself by
touch, thus continuing the line of succession. Another
difference of importance is that it makes a person both
spiritual and talented, and acquire a capacity to work in
any sphere of life with competency. He is as it were,
permanently infused with an elixir of life elevating him
morally, intellectually and spiritually. Bhakti or Divine
love can also be acquired through shaktipat. The power of
kundalini is then called Allhadini Shakti. Shaktipat can be
affected by sight, touch, mantra, or simply by the will
power of the master ; in the last case it works at long
distances as well.

Shaktipat is in a way an injection
of Shakti. The master injects in the astral body of the
initiated a current of psychic power, or a doze of astral
fluid of a high potentiality by the touch or his hands, by
casting a look or by speaking. out tohim some word or words
called mantras, or any one of God’s holy names, or simply by
a mere thought. When the Divine Power is thus transmitted
She acts in the favoured in such a way that the dormant
power of kundalini is awakened, owe may say that the fire of
kundalini is ignited and. set into flames throughout the
nervous system, which ultimately, opens the door of Sushumna
and rises up to cerebrum (sahasrar) piercing through the six
centres of the spinal passage along with the nervous centres
in the medula oblangata. Shaktipat

Deeksha is also known as Vedha
Deeksha. The term vedha literally means piercing through,
because the Guru rouses the kundalini and makes Her pierce
through the six chakras. By touch, look and thought the
Shakti travels from one body to the other through the medium
of the all-pervading Astral fluid ; whereas in the case of
speech the words spoken serve as medium for carrying the
Shakti. Such words are called Shaktisamputitha mantras or in
other words mantras charged with Shakti.

As a rule all persons are not
capable of receiving this Shakti even if a Guru so desires,
but a person’s receptive capacity can be gradually developed
irrespective of sex, age, caste, creed, or nationality. A
person’s receptive capacity can be gradually raised by pious
deeds, pure thoughts, devotion to God and ardent prayers to
Him and selfless service of parents, spiritually advanced
persons, and Guru. Manifestation of shakti also varies with
different persons according to one’s habits, nature and way
of living. Householders too gain through Shaktipat, which in
fact knows no barriers.