chakras

                                                                     chakras
The word chakra literally means ‘wheel’ or ‘circle’ but in the yogic context a better translation is ‘vortex’ or ‘whirlpool’. The chakras are vortices of pranic energy at specific areas in the body, which control the circulation of prana permeating the entire human structure. Each chakra is a switch, which turns on or opens up specific areas of the brain. In most people these psychic centers lie dormant and inactive. Concentration on the charkas while performing yogic practices stimulates the flow of energy through the charkas and helps to activate them.
                                                                                                                                 This in turns awakens the dormant areas in the brain and the corresponding faculties in the psychic and mental bodies, allowing one to experience higher planes of consciousness, which are normally inaccessible. The major charkas are seven in number and are located along the pathway sushumna, which flows through the center of the spinal cord.


1. Mooladhara Chakra
The lowest of the chakra is situated at the perineum in the male body and at the cervix in the female body. The word mool means ‘root’ anmd adhara means ‘place’. Therfore, it is known as the root center. Mooldhara Chakra is associated with the sense of smell. A deep red lotus with four petals symbolizes it. In the center are a yellow square, the yantra of prithvi tattva, the earth element, and the beeja mantra lam. In the center of the square is red triangle, the symbol of shakti or creative energy, with its apex pointing deep slumber around swayambhu linga. It is the source of all energy in mankind and the universe whether sexual, emotional, mental, psychic or spiritual. While this energy is one, it takes on various qualities and manifests. The aim of yoga is to awaken the dormant kundalini through self-purification and concentration of mind to lead it up through the charkas to sahasrara where, as pure energy or shakti, it unites with pure consciousness, shiva.


2. Swadhisthana Chakra
Approximately two fingers’ width above mooladhara chakra in the spine, directly behind the genital organs is swadhisthana chakra.. The literal meaning of the word swadhisthana is ‘one’s own abode’. The Sanskrit swa means ‘self’ and sthan means ‘dwelling place’. This chakra is symbolise4d by a crimson lotus with six petals. In the center is a white crescent moon, the yantra of apas tattva, the water element, and the beeja mantra vam. The crescent moon yantra and beeja mantra are riding on a crocodile, symbolizing the subterranean movement of the karmas.


It is associated with seeking pleasure through tongue and genital organs. Whereas material security is soughtr in mooladhara chakra, in swadhisthana the emphasis is on enjoyment, on the pleasurable sensations associated with food and drink and sexual interaction. On the physical level, swadhisthana is associated with the organs of excretion and reproduction. On a deeper level, swadhisthana chakra is the seat of the individual and collective unconscious; it is the storehouse of all samskaras, past mental impressions stored in the form of archetypes. By purifying this center the animal nature is transcended.


3. Manipura Chakra
Situated in the spine behind the navel is manipura chakra. The word mani means ‘gem’ and ‘pura’ means ‘city’, therefore, manipura means ‘city of jewels’. It is so called because, being with fire center, it is lustrous like a jewel and radiant with vitality and energy. This chakra is depicted as a bright yellow lotus with ten petals. Within the lotus are a fiery red triangle, the yantra of agni tattva, the fire element, and the beeja mantra ram. The animal, which serves as the vehicle for manipura, is the ram, the symbol of asservativeness and energy. Manipura is the center of self-assertion, dynamism and dominance. It is associated with ambition and the will and ability to rule. On the negative side, this may be expressed in despotism and in seeing things and people merely as a means to gain personal power or to satisfy personal needs.


The solar plexus is the center chiefly concerned with the vital process of digestion and food metabolism. It governs the functioning of the gastric glands, the pancreas, gall bladder and so on, which produce and secrete enzymes, acids and juices necessary for the digestion and absorption of nutrients. Manipura Chakra is the psychic center, which controls these activities.


The adrenal glands located above the kidneys are also related with manipura. They secrete adrenaline into the blood during an emergency situation. This has the effect of speeding up all the physiological processes, making the mind sharp and alert, the heart beat faster, the respiration rate more rapid and so on.


For concentration on this center, visualize the blazing sun or a ball of fire. Experience energy in the form of light radiating from this region and permeating the whole body.


4. Anahata Chakra
Situated in the spine, behind the sternum, level with the heart, is anahata chakra. The word anahata literally means ‘unstruck’. All sound in the manifested universe is produced by the striking together of two objects which sets up vibrations or sound waves. That sound, however, which issues from beyond this material world, the primordial sound, is the source of all sound and is known as anahadnada, psychic sound. The yogi as an internal, unborn and undying vibration, the pulse of the universe, may perceive it.


A blue lotus with twelve petals symbolizes this chakra. In the center of the lotus is a hexagon formed by two interlacing triangles. This is the yantra of vayu tattva, the air element. The beeja mantra is yam and vehicle is a swift black antelope, the symbol of alertness and compassion. Anahata chakra is the center of unconditional love. At this level the feelings of universal brotherhood and tolerance begin to develop and all beings are accepted and loved for what they are.


On the physical level, anahata is associated with the heart and lungs, and the circulatory and respiratory systems. Sufferers of diseases such as anemia, hypertension, palpitatations, tuberculosis, asthma and bronchitis may concentrate on anahata while performing asana and other yogic techniques.

5. Vishuddhi Chakra
Situated at the back of the neck, behind the throat pit, is vishuddhi chakra, the center of purification. The word shuddhi means ‘purification’ and the prefix vi enhances this quality. A violet lotus with sixteen petals symbolizes it. In the center of the lotus is a white circle\, the yantra of akasha tattva, the other element, and the beeja mantra is ham. The animal related to vishuddhi chakra is a white elephant. Right understanding and discrimination develop at vishuddhi chakra. Here the dualities of life are accepted, allowing one to flow with life and let things happen, as they will, without distinguishing between good and bad.


Vishuddhi Chakra governs the vocal cods, the region of the larynx and the thyroid and parathyroid glands. Disorders of this area of the physical body can be remedied by concentrating on this chakra. The throat center is the place where the divine nectar called amrita, the mystical elixir of immortality, is tasted. This nectar is a kind of sweet secretion, which is produced at bindu chakra and then falls down yo vishuddhi where it is purified and processed for further use throughout the body.


6. Ajna Chakra
Situated in the mid brain, behind the eyebrow center, at the top of the spine, is ajna chakra. This center is also known by various names such as:the third eye; jnana chakshu, the eye of wisdom; triveni, the confluence of three rivers; guru chakra and the eye of shiva. The word ajna means ‘command’. In deeper states of meditation the disciple receives commands and guidance from the guru, and from the divine or higher self, through this chakra.


Ajna Chakra is depicted as a silver lotus with two petals, which represent the sun and the moon or pingala, the positive force, and ida, the negative force. These two pranic flows, which are responsible for the experience of duality, converge at this center with sushumna, the spiritual force. In the center of the lotus is the sacred beeja mantra om. The element of this chakra is manas, mind. This is the cetre where wisdom and intuition develop. When ajna is awakened, the mind becomes steady and strong, and full control over prana is gained.


Ajna corresponds top the pineal gland that has almost atrophied bin the adult human being. On the psychic plane this point is the bridge between the mental and psychic dimensions. There fore, ajna chakra is responsible for supramerntal faculties such as clairvoyance, clairaudience and telepathy.
Thought is also a very subtle form of energy. When ajna chakra is awakened, it is possible to send and receive thought transmission through this center. It is like a psychic doorway opening into deeper and higher realms of awareness. Stimulating ajna chakra develops all the faculties of the mind, such as a intelligence, memory and concentration.


7. Bindu Visarga
At the top, back portion of the head, where the hindu Brahmins grow a small tuft of hair, is a point known as bindu. The word bindu means ‘point’ or ‘drop’ and visarga means ‘to pour drop by drop’. This psychic center is also known as soma chakra. Soma is the nectar of the gods and is also another name for the moon. A tiny crescent moon symbolizes Bindu Visaga on a dark night. It is also associated with the production of semen.


8. Sahasrara
Situated at the crown of the head is sahasrara. It is not really a chakra but the adobe of highest consciousness. The word sahasrara means ‘one thousand’. Sahasrara is visualized as a shining lotus of a thousand petals, containing the fifty-two beeja mantras of the Sanskrit alphabet twenty times over. In the center of the lotus is a shining jyotirlinga, lingam of light, symbol of pure conscious. It is in sahasrara that the mystical union of shiva and shakti takes place, the fusion of consciousness with matter and energy, the individual soul with the supreme soul. When kundalini awakens, it ascends through the chakras to sahasrara and merges into the source from when it originated. Matter and energy merge into pure consciousness in a state of intoxicating bliss, the goal of yoga. Having attained this, the yogi gains supreme knowledge and passes beyond birth and death.