The word ‘सिद्ध’ in sanskrit or ‘Siddha’ is taken from Himalayan Siddha dharm or tradition. Kula (कुल ) meaning a wisdom system that has its knowledge system and its own disciplines. Achara (आचार ) means disciplines. Pranam (प्रणाम ) refers to salutation. So Siddha Kulachara Pranam is the method of offering highest salutation to the God or the Kaulantak Nath.

In Siddha dharm there are several different kinds of pranam or salutations. For example if a bhairav or bharavi is studing the principals of Dev Guru Brihaspati then they will have to perform the Brihaspati Pranam. Similarly there are specific pranam for the different streams in Siddha dharm. By doing different Pranam the Siddhas get to know from which stream the student belongs to. But The Kaulachar pranaam is the highest. It is a compulsory salutation that everyone has to offer in Siddha dharm. Kaulachar pranam is the symbol of compassion and dedication of oneself towards the most ancient Himalayan Siddha dharm.

Kaulachar Pranaam is the basis of Yoga. It is a very special yogic practice. It has been formed by combining several yoga postures within the Siddha Dharma tradition. In fact, it is a deeply hidden and esoteric yogic kriya. A Bhairav or Bhairavi continues to perform Kaulachar Pranam throughout their life until they attain liberation or the state of Siddhatva (absolute spiritual perfection).

Origin

Once, when Bhagwan Swachchhanda Bhairav Shiv and Devi Kurukulla were engaged in a profound discussion, various Mahasiddhas and Shiv Ganas began arriving there, each offering their salutations to Bhagwan Swachchhanda Bhairav Shiv in their own unique manner. Some were performing pranam while lying down, some by touching their forehead to their knees, others by doing somersaults, and some by joining their hands in a pranam mudra and bowing their heads in reverence.

Devi Kurukulla observed this and found it deeply intriguing and beautiful. Curious, she asked Bhagwan Shiv why each being was performing pranaam (salutation) in a different way.

The Mahasiddhas present also posed a question to Bhagwan Shiv, asking whether there could be a universal method of salutation that could be adopted by all beings. To perform pranaam means to express one’s love and devotion to one’s Ishta (chosen deity). Pranaam can only be done by the person who has moved beyond ego and has surrendered to Bhagwaan. But the general people can not understand these different and difficult methods of salutations. So, is there a method of salutation that even ordinary people can use to convey their love and surrender.

In response, Bhagwan Shiv integrated elements from various yogic postures to create a unique and holistic form of salutation, which came to be known as Kul Aachaar Pranaam. Over time, this sacred pranaam acquired different names and is now referred to by many as Kaulachara Pranaam or Kulachara Pranaam.

MahaSiddhas offered this Pranaam to the first Kulant Nath Bhagwan Swachchhanda Bhairav Shiv and Kulant Shakti Bhagwati Kurukulla. MahaSiddhas then asked Bhagwan Swachchhanda Bhairav Shiv that to whom else can we offer this salutation to. Bhagwan Swachchhanda Bhairav Shiv then said that this Pranaam can be offered to one’s Ishta Dev.

But this Kul Aachaar Pranaam was also difficult to perform for many of the females and children. So later on Mahāsiddhas Koshira Nath ji modified it. He removed six of the difficult Asanas from it.

Pranaam Sequence 

Step 1 – Ātmakarani

First of all, join your both feet together. Then press the big toe over the other toe. Eyes should be half open and should be gazing upwards. Doing the pranam mudra; press the rib joint slightly with the thumbs. Then inhale in such a way that one breath should be completed in three circular motion of breath while inhaling one long breath. One should inhale by rotating the breath thrice in the lungs and also exhale by rotating the breathing thrice. This first posture given by Bhagwaan Swachchhanda Bhairav Shiv was used by Maharishi Lomesh for his penance. Through this posture Maharishi Lomesh became Siddha. This yoga kriya sequence is called Atmakarani.”

Step 2 – Virodhinikarni

Yogi takes both the hands above and slowly bends backwards as much as the backbone allows. In this state, prana air must be held in Aghora kumbhaka in the stomach. This is the second posture. Palms must be joined together during all this time. This state is extremely complex. While holding the breath in the stomach, one should rotate the breath through mental resolution in anti-clockwise and then clockwise direction. Because one is bending backwards while this kriya is to be performed, it seems impossible. But through practice one can achieve it.

The secret to accomplish this is to increase the distance between the feet. The big toe of each foot must be pressing on the long toe and the tongue should neither touch the upper palate nor the mouth below. Tongue should be in between. Tongue should be contracted back with force. This posture given by Bhagwan Shiv was used by Maharishi Shukracharya for his penance and samadhi. Through this Maharishi Shukracharya became Siddha. This Yog Kriya sequence is called Virodhinikarni. The Yogi one who performs this obtain strong body frame and will power. For this reason Siddhas called this poster the state of Hatha. It is important to know that the mouth will be open when one is bend backwards. While practicing one will feel force at the joining of the rib bones at the chest level which is to be taken slowly towards the navel centre. Then this posture fully becomes Virodhinikarni and starts to give benefits. But this practice should be done in the presence of a Guru in the initial stages by yogis.

Step 3 – Adhokarani

Now, please listen the third phase of Kaulachara Salutation: Slowly exhaling from the back, please come to the same “pranam gesture” and then inhaling from both nostrils and then exhaling, please bend forward towards your knees intending to touch your feet and then by touching the ground please try touching your knees with your head. As propounded by Lord Shiva, Maharishi Bibhandaka utilized this third phase precept in his Samadhi penance and became a perfected being.
This yoga action system is also called “Adhokarani” meaning “downward action.”

The yogis who perform it are endowed with acute intellect and full life force. The frequent practice of the third phase is also best for keeping the backbone healthy. In the backbone of a human, lot of nervous system lies hidden which when becomes healthy, the person is able to take full advantage of the body.

When practicing, the yogi should at this phase, exhale and then briskly keep the stomach contracted inside. Yogis should inhale little and then exhale again and then with breath held in, should try to maintain themselves at this phase and in doing so, this phase becomes “Adhokarani” phase and will start benefiting them. The yogi should learn this with acute awareness because the blood flow in the brain causes pain and the feeling of dizziness at the initial stage.

Step 4 – Dandakarini

After this the fourth stage of “Kaulachara Salutation” is very easy and simple.
Lay down on the ground with “Ashtanga Salutation” gesture with half restrained breath then slowly inhale and then exhale.
Maintaining the same breathing pattern, the yogi should fix the eye gaze at the centre of the eyebrow or meditate upon it.
To perform this phase with correct precision it is important for the yogi to rest oneself upon the fingers of the toe and on the palm and rest of the parts of the body should be kept little elevated above the ground.

As propounded by Lord Shiva, the constant practice of this fourth phase precept was utilized by Maharishi Hareet for his Samadhi penance to perfect it and then he became the perfected being.  This yoga action system is also known by the name “Dandakarini” meaning “stick like action”.
By the practice of this particular phase, there is an increment in the self restraint ability inside the yogi’s body.

Step 5 – Kampakarini

Lie down on the ground on full support of your stomach And by joining the hands in front in namaskar gesture, slowly slowly raise your hand and the tip of your feet or try rising to form half crescent moon. This phase is very complicated for the Yogi but with the constant practice the Yogi can maintain the posture for extended period. The Yogi by performing the half restrained breath should practice this phase. In the midst of it only inhale and exhale little. In the whole phase the Yogi should always fix the eye gaze at midst of the eyebrow. The yogi should practice this phase untill the whole body starts to vibrate and shake. As propounded by Bhagwan Shiv the practice of the fifth phase was utilised by Maharshi Aswalayana in his Samadhi and penance perfected it to become a perfect Being. Because of shaking and vibrating of the body this yoga series phase is also known as the Kampa Karini. With constant practice of this phase, the yogi develops the mind power and nervous system and also with it there is increment in power of digestion and the stomach function.

Step 6 – Kapakarini

After this, by exhaling please come back to the state of rest.
For the purpose of sixth phase of “Kaulachara Salutation”, inhale slowly then stand up slowly like any mountain and for some time please remain in the same position and then try to experience peace inside the mind. In this process, the heel of the feet should always be grounded on the floor. While breathing, the chest should raise and fall down in a very simple rhythm. Yogi should keep the eyes fully closed but inside the closed eyes, the focus and the eye gaze should always be on the middle of the eyes brows.

The important precept of this practice is that three nerves are visualized and the breath enters and exits it while inhaling and exhaling. While practicing it, long breath should be taken.

As propounded by Lord Shiva, Maharishi Sumedh utilised the sixth phase precept in his Samadhi penance and attained perfection and became a perfected being.
This yoga action system is also called as “Kapalkarini.”
Yogi by practicing meditation at this phase strengthens the nervous system of the mind and raises the consciousness towards the “Brahmarandhra.”
The mind that is situated inside the crown is the most vital organ which is the base of the human life and is also a mini universe.
That is for the reason, the importance of Kapalkarini also increases manifold.

Step 7 – Adhokarini

after you come reverse, by touching the feet again, touching the knees with the head, please perform the ‘Adhokarani’ stage as explained before.
The human body is like an instrument. The yogis and the vaidya doctors perform the incision deep in the body and then infers that the most of the vital organs are nothing but the “Natural instrument”.

To take proper care of these organs and to be the knower of vital changes inside the body and then perfecting them is the work of the adept hath yogi. This is for the reason, hath yoga wisdom inspires and aspires the yogi for body purification and self observation.
Therefore, let know yourself the time bounded and mortality of the human body and its instrument functionality by which yogi doesn’t indulge in unwanted blather and then becomes self motivated and moves forward in the search of the path of the truth.”

Step 8 – Aatmakarini

For the purpose of the “Eighth phase” of the Kaulachara Salutation, inhaling through both nostrils then again performing the hand gesture near your “heart chakra”, the yogi should again reverse the action gradually to the “Aatmakarani” stage.
Hath yogis should always abstain themselves from any sorts of conflicts because like the darkness of the night and brightness of the day are bitter rivals yet both have their own utilities, so the yogi should be indifferent and unaffected by both who follow or do not follow the siddha dharma and hath yoga and should try to introspect their own path.

The vital difference between a siddha yogi and a common person is that the common person eulogizes or condemns the action of any person without knowing the truth and by one’s own irrational and unjust mind immediately. But the very action is conducted by siddha yogi by knowing the truth and being logical based.
A person will be called as “yogi”, who starts practicing yoga with utmost love for the yoga wisdom. The yogi doesn’t need proof of anybody. This is the free path of hath yoga.

Step 9 – Virodhinikarni

for the purpose of ninth phase of the Kaulachara Salutation, inhale and exhale with half restrained breath. After exhalation of half the air, perform “half restrained breath” action and take your both hands backward and bend behind as further as you can such that the pressure again generates in the abdomen(navel centre). It also means to perform Virodhinikarni actions as explained before. This action is also eulogized by guru Shukracharya himself.
The idiots think that the practitioner of the yoga wisdom leaves the society and forever parts away, which is not true. Yogis after achieving perfection return to the society and impart the yoga wisdom so that others could also be yogi and then become perfected beings.
To achieve this particular state,Yogi should embrace solitude, restraint and perform penances. But after the yogi becomes constant practitioner, he/she is free to perform any action of the society.

The Siddha yogis through medication, business, education, agriculture, services, militancy and also through various ideas enjoy the freedom of earning money.
Therefore, never bring inferior feeling in your heart when you are trying to earn money etc and you perform worldly works. The jealous, illogical and envious people will always desire Siddha yogi to be power free but the Siddha yogi plays a very important role to take the nation, the government included and human civilisation forward.

Mahamatsyendra and guru Goraksha Nath etc also after achieving the siddhatva return to the world to impart wisdoms. Most of the siddhas used to conduct their daily work by themselves.

Step 10 – Goshakarani

for the purpose of the concluding Tenth phase of Kaulachara Salutation, please slowly exhale and come back to the front and slowly stand up. The hands should then loosely form the namaskar gesture and it should be brought to the front of the heart chakra. When both your hands reach back to the ‘salutation gesture’ in the front then by bending forward ‘Name Adesh’ is uttered.” This whole series is now called a Kaulachara Salutation.

“Namo” means salutation or to bow down, and the word Adesh is made of the word Aadisha which means Aadisha (Aadi meaning from time immemorial and Isha meaning Ishwara or Brahma) and the word literally means:
“I salute the most primitive, the first and the creator (even more primordial than Brahma), who is the first Brahma tatva, who is the Ishwara or who is the ultimate god.”
The summary of the above line is: “Aadisha” so name adesh means “salutation in the time immemorial Parabrahma, the supersoul.”