The seven chakras or “psycho-energetic centers” (Georg Feuerstein) constitute an integral part of the tantric Yoga system. They are centers of energy arranged along the spine. They can also be seen as levels of consciousness, closely related to the kundalini, the serpent power, an aspect of divine power or shakti thought to be lying asleep at the base of the spine. If awakened, which usually happens through spiritual practice, the kundalini is believed to travel up the spine, thereby awakening the chakras leading to an awakening of higher consciousness and, ultimately, Samadhi or oneness. The concept of kundalini plays an important role in the tantric paths of hatha and kundalini yoga. It doesn’t play a major role in Vedic spiritual paths such as karma, bhakti or jnana yoga.
Muladhara Chakra
The first chakra is called muladhara chakra (root chakra). It is situated at the perineum and is associated with the earth element, the sense of smell and the mystic sound ‘lam’. It is related to instinct, security and survival. It is portrayed as a deep red four-petaled lotus.
Svadhisthana Chakra
The second chakra is called svadhisthana chakra (sacral chakra). It is located at the genitals and is associated with the water element, the sense of taste and the mystic sound ‘vam’. Its topic is pleasure, eroticism and reproduction. It is depicted as a crimson six-petaled lotus.
Manipura Chakra
The third chakra is called manipura chakra (solar plexus chakra). It is located at the navel and is associated with the fire element, the visual sense and the mystic sound ‘ram’. Its topic is personal power, dominance and assertiveness. It is portrayed as a yellow ten-petaled lotus.
Anahata Chakra
The fourth chakra is the anahata chakra (heart chakra). It is situated at the heart and is associated with air element, the sense of touch and the mystic sound ‘yam’. It is related to love and compassion. It is depicted as a blue twelve-petaled lotus.
Visuddha Chakra
The fifth chakra is called vishuddha chakra (throat chakra). It is situated at the throat and is associated with the element of space, the auditory sense and the mystic sound ‘ham’. Its topic is creativity, self-expression and communication. It is portrayed as a violet sixteen-petaled lotus.
Ajna Chakra
The sixth chakra is the ajna chakra (third eye). It is located between the eyebrows and is associated with the mind and the mystic sound ‘om’. Its attributes are higher consciousness and intuition. It is portrayed as a gray or white two-petaled lotus.
Sahasrara Chakra
The seventh and last chakra is the sahasrara chakra (thousand-petaled lotus or crown chakra). It is situated on the top of the head. It is associated with the pure spirit and the silence beyond all sounds. Its topic is enlightenment and cosmic consciousness. It is depicted as luminous thousand petaled-lotus.
References:
Feurstein, Georg. The Yoga Tradition. Hohm Press, 2001.
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