Pundalik

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Pundalik
Pundalik's temple at Pandharpur
Affiliation	Varkari

Pundalik (Marathi: पुंडलिक) or Pundarika (Sanskrit: पुण्डरीक, romanized: Puṇḍarīka) was an Indian saint and a devotee of the Hindu deity Vithoba.^[1] Vithoba is a Vaishnava deity, considered a reincarnation of Vishnu and Krishna. Pundalik is believed to have brought Vithoba to Pandharpur, where the deity's main shrine stands today. He is also regarded as the historical founder of the Varkari sect, which is centered on the worship of Vithoba.

Pundalik was one of the earliest practitioners of Kundalini Yoga. As he was considered a master of Kundalini Yoga, people used to call him "Kundalik." Over time, the name evolved into "Pundalik," symbolising Kundalini energy in the form of Vitthala (also known as Panduranga). Vitthala of Pandharpur is regarded as an incarnation of Vishnu or Krishna. According to legends, Vitthala also represents the symbol of Kundalini energy. However, in Hinduism, this energy is believed to spiritually reside within all beings.

The brick on which Vitthala stands represents the Muladhara Chakra, the foundation of Kundalini energy. His hands, positioned like bows, symbolise the Ida and Pingala nadis, which intersect at the central channel of the body, known as the Sushumna or Brahma nadi. His body represents Purusha, signifying Vishnu or Krishna, while the tilaka (the mark on his forehead) represents the Ajna Chakra (also known as the Guru Chakra or Third-Eye Chakra). This subtle energy centre, believed to be located between the eyebrows along the spinal column, is mentioned by Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita.