CHAKRAS

THE VIBRATION CENTERS OF THE HUMAN BODY

Dr. Shamanthakamani Narendran

MD (Pead), PhD (Yoga Science)

 There are crucial points of energy that we use, whether consciously or unconsciously, to affect reality and allow us to fully experience and realize events that unfold before us. These focal points are called Chakras. Chakras are located in important parts of your body such as your head or heart. Any organs within the area of these Chakras are used to control the entire body and mind activities.

 There are seven Chakras in the human body, which are located along the spinal cord of a human being and they have unique attributes and characteristics.

Mooldhara, Swadhistana, Manipura, Anahata, Vishuddha, Ajna, and Sahasrara. Each Chakra influences a different endocrine gland and nerve plexus, and correlates to different energy bodies and higher realms.

 The main task of Chakras are absorb and distributing Prana (Life Force) to our physical bodies. When the Kundalini adds with the Prana, the Chakras become rapid, and insights of the Higher World become conscious. To get the peak Spiritual Potential the great mass of Kundalini energy locked in the Root Chakra must be released, to travel through all Chakras up to the Crown Chakra.

1. The Muladhara Chakra or Four Petal Lotus: it is situated at the base of the spine. The chakra controls our PHYSICAL energies. It is the root chakra that helps us in our everyday survival. 2. The Swadhisthana Chakra or Six Petal Lotus: it is located just below the navel; second chakra rules our emotional energies. 3. The Manipura Chakra, Ten Petal Lotus: it positioned at the solar plexus and it controls our ASTRAL energies. It is chakra of willpower and our connection to dream world.

4. The Anahata or Heart Chakra or Twelve Petal Lotus: it is located at the heart and it controls our MENTAL energies. It is a chakra of Love and Compassion, the posture of the Dharmakaya or Buddha-nature. 5. The Vishuddha Chakra or Sixteen Petal Lotus: it is situated at the throat and it rules our SPIRITUAL energies. It is a chakra of Creativity and Expression.

6. The Ajna Chakra or Ninety-six Petal Lotus: It is sited in between the eyes in the center of the forehead, the area is known as called Third Eye. The Ajna chakra controls our COSMIC body. It is a chakra of perception and Higher Knowledge. 7. The Sahasrara Chakra or Thousand Petal Lotus: It is positioned at the crown of the head and it rules our Nirvanic body, it is a chakra of the Highest Spiritual Consciousness, the center of Samadhi.

MULADHARA CHAKRA
Muladhara: 1st chakra or Lotus Tattva: Differentiating faculty 56 rays: Relate to the earth Brahma: Creative force Gandha: Smell Four Lotus Petals: Four concerns of the world Color of the Petals: Red of blood, life itself Letters on Petals: VAMSAM-SAM-SAM

 Circle: Completeness or perfection. Yantra: Square Symbol of the earth Arrows: Directions Yoni: Triangle - Symbol of the female sex Svyambhu Linga: Symbol of the male sex Citkala Crescent Moon: Symbol of the Divine Source of all Energy

 3 coils: Energy expressed in three different ways Airvata Elephant of Indra: White with seven trunks Sabda Sound: Represents speech, the means of selfexpression and communication Bija Seed sound: LAM LAM: The Bija or seed sound of the First Chakra Pingala: Nadi on the right side of the body IDA: Nadi on the left side of the body Susumna: Main Nadi in the very center of the spine Citrini: Three in one, inside Susumna God: Child Brahma Male aspect of Energy unmanifest Goddess: Dakini Female aspect of Energy manifest

SVADHISTHANA CHAKRA
Svadhisthana: 2nd chakra or Lotus Tattva: Differentiating faculty 52 rays: Relate to the water Rasa - Taste: Controls sense 6 lotus petals: Lotus is sacred Color of the Petals: Vermilion indicates impulses, imagination, ideas, which are stimulating to the mind Letters on Petals: BAM-BHAMMAM-YAM-RAM-LAM. Language increases LOTUS within the Lotus: Called the Kunda flower

 Ambhoja Mandala Crescent Moon: Luminous, white cool, negative (receptive, inactive), representing water Makara: Looks like combination of alligator and fish. Bija Seed Sound: VAM Pingala: Nadi on the right side of the body Citrini: 3 in 1 (sattva, rajas, tamas). Body, mind, speech God: Vishnu Male aspect of Energy unmanifest. Brahma with Vanamala (Hari Vishnu) Goddess: Sakti Rakini Female aspect of Energy manifest

MANIPURA CHAKRA
Manipura: 3rd chakra or Lotus Tattva: Differentiating faculty 62 rays: Relate to fire Agni Sight (emotions): Controls sense 10 lotus petals: Lotus is sacred Color of the Petals: Heavy rain clouds. Clouds prevent seeing clearly Letters on Petals: DAM-DHAM-NAM-TAM-THAM-DAMDHAM-NAM-PAM-PHAM

 Agni Mandala: Triangle, pointing down, with swastika marks on the 3 sides, which block clear sight. Bija: RAM Susumna: Central channel of the spine God: Vishnu Preserver of life (Rudhra) Goddess: Lakini (Lakshmi)

ANAHATA CHAKRA
Anahata: 4th chakra or Heart Lotus (Celestial Wishing Tree) Tattva: Differentiating faculty 54 rays: Relate to the air (vayu) Sparsa Touch (feeling): Abode of Mercy (spiritual experiences) 12 lotus petals: Lotus is sacred Color of the Petals: Vermilion Letters on Petals: KAM-KHAMGAM-GHAM-NAM-CAM-CHAMJAM-JHAM-NAM-TAM-THAM Satkona 2 triangles: 1 pointing up and 1 pointing down. 1 pointing up symbolizes the aspirants rise to the greater Power

 Antelope: Black similar to deer very shy, fast, graceful-moving animal Bija seed sound: YAM God: Isa. Hamsa, swan, also the sun Goddess: Kakini Intelligence on this level is symbolized by the goddess Kakini, also on a black antelope

VISUDDHA CHAKRA
Visuddha: 5th chakra or Lotus Tattva: Differentiating faculty 72 rays: Relate to ether (akasa) Hearing: Visuddha Chakra controls this sense 16 lotus petals: Lotus is sacred Color of the Petals: Smoky Purple Letters on Petals: A-AA-I-II-U-UURR-R-L-LL-E-AI-O-AU-AM-AH Akasamandala: Circle Ethereal region and gateway of Liberation

 Airavata: Elephant as white as snow Bija Seed sound: HAM (Mantra of Ambara, the bija of ether) God: Sadasiva Goddess: Gauri (Eternal)

AJNA CHAKRA

Visuddha: 6th chakra or Lotus Tattva: Differentiating faculty 64 rays: Relate to mind, ether (akasa) Dhyana - Meditation: Expressed at the Ajna Chakra

 2 lotus petals: Lotus is sacred Color of the Petals: White Letters on Petals: KSAM-HAM Circle: Perfection at its highest level Triangle: Golden Quarter Moon: Vortex of Energy. Consciousness manifests most subtly Bija Seed Sound: OM (Pranava). Mahanada. Supreme sound

 Bindu: Golden dot. Essence of Energy Presiding Deity: Paramasiva (Sambhu). Siva in His highest aspect God/Goddess: Sakti Hakini Intelligence on this level is symbolized in unity

NIRWANA CHAKRA
(CROWN CENTRE)

INDU OR BUDDHI CHAKRA

(MIDDLE FOREHEAD) CENTRE

GURU CHAKRA

SAHASRARA CHAKRA
Sahasrara: 7th chakra or Lotus Position: in void-region, as the upper part of the guru chakra 1000 lotus petals: Lotus is sacred Location: crown of the head Color of the Petals: white, red, yellow, golden, changing colours of white, red, yellow, black and green Deals with: intuitive knowing, connection to spirituality, duality, emotional feelings, integration of the whole, conscious awareness

 Governs: top center of the head and midline above the ears, brain, nervous system, pineal gland Element: thought Sense: empathy, unity Mantra: silence Related Gemstones: Amber, Diamond, Moldavite Related Essential Oils: Blilbanum or Lotus Physical Dysfunctions: chronic exhaustion, sensitivity to light and sound Psychological and Emotional Issues: lack of purpose, loss of identity, disbelief in any spiritual realities, trust, selflessness, apathy, devotion, inspiration, values, ethics, sense of fear, materialism

 Balanced Seventh Chakra: feeling at one with the universe, open-minded, intelligent, thoughtful, understand and learn information more easily Postures that Balance Seventh Chakra: Balancing poses that bring awareness to the body and the consciousness like Tree and Eagle, also sitting in Yoga Mudra

MEDITATION TECHNIQUES
Any technique that creates awareness along with relaxation is the right method. The technique is varied from person to person and one has to locate a suitable method for self. Different cultures have different mediation techniques, but one thing is certain - meditation is universal. The different techniques are suited to different personality types. While some techniques are concentrative, involving focusing, other techniques are expansive such as 'Vipassana' meditation which allows for the free flow of thoughts and their observation. There are several types of meditation techniques in Hinduism. Amongst some of the mediation methods include: Hatha yoga Bhakti Yoga Raja Yoga Chakras Meditation Vipassana Meditation Mantra Meditation (or) Japa Yoga

May you glow in Light with Chakras!!!