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Despite its modern popularity, the history of Kundalini is complex and not widely understood. The term "Kundalini" surfaced in various Hindu texts; it originally referred to deities within the Shaktism sect before being integrated into the Hatha Yoga system by the 9th century. Initially, the word described a circular or annular form, but by the 12th century, it began to acquire its iconic serpentine imagery in the Raja Tarangini text—with associations to ancient serpent deities found within the Mahabharata.
Later, during the 16th century, Kundalini evolved from being a mere energy force into a specific term used to describe particular practices aimed at awakening this dormant spiritual power.