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the gaze concentrates on the iştalinga, our breathing is automatically regularised and by that the mind is able to think nothing else. As a result, the fire in the basic cakra, mūlādhāra, sparkles and the kundalini, which is sleeping in a coiled manner, with its head downward, is aroused.
There are three nādis (nerves) beginning from the brain and ending in the bottom of the spine. The right one is called pingalā, the left idā and the central suşumnā. The lower gate of the suşumnā (called brahma-randhra) is blocked by the tail of the sleeping kundalini in a man who is seeking sense-pleasure always because of ignorance. Once the kundalini is aroused the lower gate of the suşumnā is opened. It is said that the fire in the lowest cakra, mūlädhära, reaches the other end of the suşumná and heats up the pot of nectar in the sahasrāra. The same idea is expressed in other words. The kundalini, thus aroused, moves upwards through each of the six cakras, ultimately uniting with Śünya-linga abiding in the sahasråra (located in the top of the brain ). The upward movement of the kundalini brings about unmatched bliss, which is compared to amsta (nectar)".
One important consequence of becoming a prānalingi is destruction of ignorance and its attendant evils, selfishness and karmas. Since the aspirant regards his own body as Kailāsa or temple of Linga, he does not regard Linga as 'the other', and therefore, he does not worship the symbol, iştalingas,
5. Sarana-sthala:
The aspirant of the fifth stage is called sarana (one who has surrendered himself to Śiva). Like many mystics the world over, many of the Lingāyata saints, both men and women, who lose their selfishness, unhesitatingly regard themselves as wives of Linga"6. Their loss of jīvatva (selfishness and individuality) results in the gain of Lingatva (divinity). The loss of self is total such that a sarana regards his own thoughts, words and acts as those of Linga. Of such a sarana Cennabasavanna says,
Sarana does not touch anything before Linga which is at
the tip of the skin touches it; sarana does not see anything before Linga which is at
the tip of the eyes sees it; Sarana does not hear anything before Linga which is at
the tip of the ear hears it; ... Because sarana has Linga all over his body ...?
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