CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SEVEN CHAKRAS

MULADHARA CHAKRA

Muladhara, at the base of the spine, has a square yellow mandala, representing the Earth principle, with the bija Mantra lam. The sound vibrations of the four crimson-coloured petals, vam, bam, sham, and sam, are read clockwise from the upper right-hand petal. Brahma is the presiding deity. Here Kundalini lies dormant until the Brahma granthi (knot of Brahma), opened by rigorous sadhana and intense purification, and allows her to rise. Meditation on Muladhara confers knowledge of the Kundalini, as well as the means of awakening kundalini. It bestows breath and mind control. This chakra also holds the basic needs for survival, security and safety. If this chakra is blocked an individual may feel fearful, anxious, insecure and frustrated. Problems like obesity, anorexia nervosa, and knee troubles can occur. Root body parts include the hips, legs, lower back and sexual organs.

SWADHISHTHANA CHAKRA

Swadhishthana, in the genital area, controls the lower abdomen in the physical body. Its element, Water, in a white crescent moon, has vam as its bija. The six vermillion petals are represented by bam, bham, mam, yam, ram and lam. Vishnu is the presiding deity. Meditation on Swadhishtana's crescent moon gives control over the water element and confers psychic powers, intuitional knowledge and knowledge of astral entities. Many impure qualities are annihilated. This center holds the basic needs for sexuality, creativity, intuition, and self-worth. This chakra is also about friendliness, creativity, and emotions. It governs sense of self-worth, their confidence in their own creativity, and their ability to relate to others in an open and friendly way. If this chakra is blocked a person may feel emotionally explosive, manipulative, obsessed with thoughts of sex or may lack energy. Physical problems may include, kidney weakness, stiff lower back, constipation, and muscle spasms. Belly body parts include sexual organs (women), kidneys, bladder, and large intestine.

MANIPURA CHAKRA

Manipura, at the navel, corresponds to the solar plexus. The red triangular mandala in its centre contains the element Fire, with bija Mantra 'Ram'. The ten petals, dark purple like heavy rain clouds, contain dam, dham, nam, tarn, tham, dam, dham, nam, pam and pham. The presiding deity is Rudra. Concentration on Manipura removes fear of fire and gives freedom from disease.