Kundalini Shakti — The Serpent Power
Kundalini is the dormant spiritual energy coiled at the base of the spine, which when awakened rises through the chakras to unite with Shiva in the crown — the fundamental metaphor of the Tantric path of liberation through energy.
Kundalini (literally 'coiled one') is the supreme Shakti in her dormant form, coiled three and a half times around the Svayambhu Lingam (the self-existent Shiva) in the Muladhara chakra at the base of the spine. When awakened — through the guru's grace (shaktipata), intensive practice, or spontaneous arising — she ascends through the sushumna nadi (the central energy channel) piercing each chakra (energy center) in turn, dissolving the limitations associated with each level, until she unites with Shiva in the Sahasrara chakra at the crown. This union is Samadhi — the highest state of consciousness. The Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Shiva Samhita, and Sat Chakra Nirupana are the primary texts on kundalini.
She sleeps in the Muladhara, blocking the door to liberation. When awakened, she ascends to Shiva in the crown — this is liberation.
The Sat Chakra Nirupana, Shiva Samhita, and Hatha Yoga Pradipika map kundalini's ascent through the sushumna as she pierces each chakra in turn until she unites with Shiva at the Sahasrara.
Sat Chakra Nirupana