The lotus flower is only a symbol in the olden times. One of
the names of the Lord used to be Kamal Nayana, meaning having eyes like
a blossomed lotus. In the same way, the kundalini has been represented
symbolically as a snake in the mythological stories. It is said that mother
Earth rests upon the hoods of the serpent sesha naag.
What does this actually mean? What does the sesha naag
mean? It symbolises the centripetal and the centrifugal forces. Our Earth is
supported by two kinds of forces. These forces do not move in a linear
direction. These forces act in a circular fashion. A snake also never travels
in a straight line.
The movement of the serpent is propelled by centripetal and
centrifugal forces. The sesha naag symbolizes the two forces that the
Earth is supported by. It does not literally mean that the Earth is resting
upon the hood of some giant serpent. No, it is not, so at all. The sesha naag
here is not some actual living being. It is actually a giant, supportive force
or power.
Similarly, when we say that there is a lotus flower within us, it means that when the mind blossoms and becomes soft, supple and refined, then we experience the subtle consciousness in us. When the mind is stuck in inertia, then we cannot experience any energy or power in us. That is why our scriptures advocate the practice of mitahara, meaning exercising balance and restraint while eating. They advocate proper rest for the body. Then the body becomes tuned and conducive to experience this subtle phenomenon.