Gorakhshatakam

(“Gorakh’s Hundred”) Text attributed to
the sage Gorakhnath. Although his
authorship is ultimately unprovable, its
teachings are consistent with those of
the Nathpanthi ascetics who claim to be
his disciples. In at least one of its forms,
as translated by Briggs, the text has 101
verses, not 100 verses as the title suggests. The Gorakhshatakam gives
instruction on the type of yoga practiced by the Nathpanthi ascetics in
which the major motif is the union of
polar opposites. It begins with instruction on the structure of the subtle body,
an alternate physiological system that
resides on a different plane of existence
than gross matter, but possesses certain
correspondences to the material body.
The subtle body is visualized as a set of
six psychic centers (chakras) running
roughly along the course of the spine.
Above and below these centers are the
bodily abodes of the two divine principles, Shiva (awareness) and Shakti
(power). The aspirant aims to awaken a
latent spiritual energy residing in the
shakti called kundalini and move it to
union with the Shiva principle at the
crown of the head. The ultimate aim of
this practice is to gain control over the
forces that affect the body, allowing one
to become purified and immortal.