Kuṇḍalinī is imagined as a serpent coiled at the base of the central channel. Awakened by practice or grace, she rises through the chakras to unite with Śiva at the crown of the head, bringing illumination. The tantric and haṭha traditions describe her ascent in detail and warn that it requires guidance.
Kuṇḍalinī
The coiled power: in tantric yoga, the divine energy lying dormant at the base of the spine.
Also: Kundalini