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the Equinox - The Hermetic Library

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THE TEMPLE OF SOLOMON THE KING<br />

must be learnt from <strong>the</strong> Guru himself, and though, as we are<br />

told in <strong>the</strong> “Pradipika,” a <strong>the</strong>oretical study of crores of<br />

Shastras cannot throw any light upon it, yet never<strong>the</strong>less in<br />

<strong>the</strong> “Shiva Sanhita” <strong>the</strong> difficulty seems to be solved by<br />

standing on one's head.*<br />

10. Shakti Chalana Mudra.<br />

Let <strong>the</strong> wise Yogi forcibly and firmly draw up <strong>the</strong> goddess Kundalini<br />

sleeping in <strong>the</strong> Adhar lotus, by means of <strong>the</strong> Apana-Vâyu. This is Shakti-<br />

Chalan Mudra. . . .†<br />

<strong>The</strong> “Hatha Yoga Pradipika” is very obscure on this<br />

Mudra, it says:<br />

As one forces open a door with a key, so <strong>the</strong> Yogi should force open <strong>the</strong> door of<br />

Moksha (Deliverance) by <strong>the</strong> Kundalini.<br />

Between <strong>the</strong> Ganges and <strong>the</strong> Jamuna <strong>the</strong>re sits <strong>the</strong> young widow inspiring<br />

pity. He should despoil her forcibly, for it leads one to <strong>the</strong> supreme seat of<br />

Vishnu.<br />

You should awake <strong>the</strong> sleeping serpent (Kundalini) by taking hold of its<br />

tail. . . .‡<br />

As a special form of Kumbhaka is mentioned, most<br />

probably this Mudra is but one of <strong>the</strong> numerous Prânâyâma<br />

practices, which we shall deal with shortly.<br />

11. <strong>The</strong> Vajroli-Mudra.<br />

In <strong>the</strong> “Shiva Sanhita”§ <strong>the</strong>re is a long account of this<br />

Mudra in which <strong>the</strong> God says: “It is <strong>the</strong> most secret of all<br />

* “Hatha Yoga Pradipika,” p. 62; “Shiva Sanhita,” chap. iv, 45-47. Again<br />

this is <strong>the</strong> union of Shiva and Shakti, and that of <strong>the</strong> solar and lunar Pingala<br />

and Ida by means of <strong>the</strong> Sushumnâ—<strong>the</strong> path of <strong>the</strong> gods.<br />

† “Shiva Sanhita,” chap. iv, 76-81.<br />

‡ “Hatha Yoga Pradipika,” pp. 63, 69.<br />

§ “Shiva Sanhita,” chap. iv, 53-75.<br />

95

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