What do the Chakras and their Yantras mean?
(Compiled for a Discourse by N.R. Srinivasan at Sri Ganesha Temple, Nashville, USA)
What is a ‘Chakra’?
Originally a Sanskrit word, ‘Chakra’ means
‘wheel’. Universally known to represent the concept of ‘infinite’ in Hindu and
Buddhist scriptures, the chakra represents the circle of life as we know it.
The ebbs and flows in nature, birth, death, reincarnation, karma – all
represent the constant stream of energy to maintain the universal equilibrium.
The Chakras in our bodies represent energy
circles. Each chakra helps us connect with the mind, body and spirit
respectively.
‘Balanced Chakras’ denote a complete balance
of energy-flow through the body. This allows us to be in sync with ourselves,
our higher purpose, and in turn with other beings and the universe at large.
‘Unbalanced Chakras’ indicate the under or
over use of one energy center, vis-à-vis others, which could lead to
psychological or physiological blockages in the body and mind.
The seven Chakras begin at the base of your spine and continue upward to the crown of your head and each Chakra is connected to the other. Yantras are geometrical representations that have a consecrated sound called mantra. The yantras for chakras are linked to the bija or seed mantra of each chakra. Yantras are powerful tools used in meditation.
What is a ‘Yantra’?
Yantras play a significant role in
meditative practice. These geometric designs can be used as efficient tools for
contemplation and concentration. Yantras usually depict deities and aspects of
nature which we, as spiritual beings, want to access. According to the Hindu scriptures,
tuning into specific Yantras enables us to subconsciously interact with its
elements, giving us access to the strength of the symbol.
Each Chakra has a different Yantra with a
unique set of imagery and colors attributed to it.
Here is all you need to know about the seven
Chakras and their meaning along with the symbolism of their associated Yantras.
“Music
is the movement of sound to reach the soul for the education of its
virtue.” – Plato
Soul Sound – Bija Mantra (Seed Sound)
1. Root Mantra: LAM; 2. Sacral Mantra; VAM 3. Solar Plexus Mantra: RAM
4. Heart Mantra: YAM; 5. Throat Mantra: HAM; 6. Third Eye Mantra: SHAM;
7. Crown Mantra: AUM
The Root Chakra is considered the seat that
the other chakras rest on. Located at the base of the spine, it provides
stability to the system and in turn to your well-being. A balanced Muladhara manifests as a feeling of
security, stability and creates a positive connection to your position between
the physical world and your mind-state.
The symbol is a square within a four petals
lotus, with an inverted triangle representing energy grounded to the earth at
its base and to expanding awareness at the top.
The main focus of the Root Chakra is finding
pleasure in primal needs such as food, shelter and survival. It thus becomes
the foundation of our basic mental and emotional wellbeing.
An engaged family life and childhood
stability provide for a strong and balanced Root Chakra. This translates into a
person having great instincts, a strong sense of self, alongside reinstating
morals such as loyalty and integrity.
An unbalanced Root Chakra means something at
a primal level is disturbed or unfulfilled. Feelings of loneliness or being
unloved can lead to emotional issues and in turn manifest into physical
diseases. Many auto-immune diseases can be attributed to an unstable Root
Chakra.
2. Svadhishthana or Sacral Chakra
The Svadhshthana
or Sacral Chakra is located just above the Muldhara in the sacral region of the spine. It relates to personal
creativity and sexual energy due to its proximity to the reproductive organs.
The symbol of this chakra is two circles
fused at the upper quadrant within a six petals lotus, representing evolution
and the cyclical nature of life.
The foundation of a healthy ego, the Sacral
Chakra enables us to participate with the world on our terms and be ourselves
around different people and situations.
A balanced Sacral Chakra allows for feelings
of personal fulfillment, having intimacy in relationships and developing our
own interests, hobbies and identities.
An unbalanced Sacral Chakra can lead to one
being self-destructive and often misunderstood. Drug abuse, indulging in
negative relationships and gambling are all examples of the Sacral Chakra
needing nurturance. Common health problems that manifest from an imbalanced Sacral
Chakra are lower back pain and reproductive issues.
3. Manipura
or Solar Plexus Chakra
The
Manipura or the Solar Plexus Chakra is located above the navel, wherein
your personal life-energy is concentrated. It translates into determination,
will power and confidence.
The symbol is an inverted triangle within a
ten petals lotus, representing the funneling of energies between the physical
and astral planes. The ten petals are connected to the ten pranas in our body.
While the Root Chakra resonates with
familial relations and the Sacral with how we see ourselves vis-à-vis others,
the Solar Plexus Chakra helps us understand our personal power and uniqueness,
independent of each other.
A balanced Solar Plexus Chakra gives us a
steady voice of reason. It protects our vested interests and guides us
positively. Self-love and self-forgiveness are core when it comes to learning
how to balance this Chakra.
An unbalanced Solar Plexus Chakra results in
lack of self-worth and expression. Fear of rejection, sensitivity to criticism
and inability to stand up for what we believe in are all signs of the Solar Plexus
Chakra needing attention. The imbalance physically manifests into digestive
problems.
4. Anahata or Heart Chakra
The Heart Chakra is the residence of love,
compassion and emotions. It strengthens the chords that connect us to
ourselves, our relationships and the world at large.
The symbol of two intersecting triangles
within a twelve petals lotus represents the duality of human existence and the
balance of forces that create an equilibrium in relationships. It also shows
the synergy between the male and female energies within each of us.
The core of this Chakra is about
understanding unconditional love and developing our emotional quotient. Like a
child, the Heart Chakra encourages us to receive, feel and provide pure emotion
knowing fully well that it is the only true connection we have with one another
and the universe at large.
A balanced Heart Chakra is able to show
compassion to all living creatures. Patience and encouragement also show a
mature Heart Chakra.
Signs of an unbalanced Heart Chakra are
excessive love for oneself that does not extend to others, jealousy and the
inability to forgive. The imbalance can manifest into physical problems such as
breast cancer, heart disease and blood circulation issues.
5. Visuddha
or Throat Chakra
The
Vishuddha is the Chakra located at the oat and is the center that controls
self-expression, communication and perception. The symbol is an inverted triangle
within a sixteen petals lotus and a circle within that triangle representing
complete consciousness encompassing the inward-outward flow of expression.
The Throat Chakra essentially represents how
we express ourselves. This Chakra emancipates us to have an awareness of the
power we possess, and in turn communicate it aptly.
A balanced Throat Chakra would enable us to
speak our truth effortlessly and nudges us to be authentic in our words.
Feelings of love and kindness communicated to others are also represent by this
balance.
An unbalanced Throat Chakra is when we feel
others have power over us and we are not able to communicate our thoughts and
desires effectively. Self-praise, criticism of others and negative opinions are
manifestations of an unbalanced Throat Chakra.
This Chakra is also considered as the
passage between the lower and higher Chakras. Therefore, it plays a vital role
in translating feelings and desires into expressions and thoughts – paving the
way for our needs to be verbalized into opinions which in turn move towards the
Third Eye Chakra and translate into objective insights.
6. Ajna
or Third Eye Chakra
The Ajna or Third Eye Chakra is located between the
eye-brows. It is the center of intuitive knowledge drawn from the combined
lower chakra experiences. Being the second last chakra before the highest
chakra, it embodies the connection between human consciousness and the Divine.
It upholds the seat of wisdom and discrimination.
The symbol of an inverted triangle within a
two petals lotus, represents the concentration and flow of lower energies
upward, to merge with our Divine consciousness and obliterate the duality of
the self and the Divine.
The Third Eye Chakra factors our conscious
and unconscious experiences allowing us to judge and interpret the world around
us discerningly. Our intuition comes from this Chakra – enabling us to see
beyond what is given, by channeling the universal knowledge pool we have access
to, at a psychic level.
A balanced Third Eye Chakra is all about
having an open mind and seeing the world objectively. It allows us to process
experiences from beyond our opinions, criticism, fears, etc., and just live in
the moment. An active Third Eye Chakra enables the human mind to see beyond the
‘Maya’ and understand one’s purpose and potential for what it truly is.
An unbalanced Third Eye Chakra leads to a
feeling rejection. Not willing to trust one’s own instincts and submit to the
fact that there is a higher plan leaves a person reactive and impulsive rather
than calm and objective. People with an unbalanced Third Eye Chakra find it
difficult to follow their dreams and live for their true purpose, hence feeling
unfulfilled.
Blockages of this Chakra can lead to
migraines and nightmares, which in turn manifest into psychological issues such
as depression, bipolar disorders etc.
7.
Sahasrara or Crown Chakra
The Sahasrara
is the Crown Chakra located at the top of the head. It sits at the throne of
the highest level of awareness possible in human existence - leading to
experiencing the Divine, and the difficult path to self-realization or Moksha.
The symbol of the Sahasrara is a circle within a thousand petals lotus representing
singularity of the Supreme through both infinity and nothingness.
The Crown Chakra allows the flow of
spirituality into our day to day life. An activated Crown Chakra enables the
human experience to be one with the Universe and creates the bond of
Enlightenment. This is the Chakra point that conjoins the human spirit with the
cosmos.
An individual with a balanced Crown Chakra
would live a life of inspiration and devotion. They would see God in every
activity they partake in, and commit to each action with joy and love. They
would not see themselves as better or different from the rest of humanity, but
instead, as one soul with a higher consciousness and drive to find
enlightenment and true happiness.
An unbalanced Crown Chakra would be
associated to practicing religious dogma as the end in itself and considering
one superior to the collective.
A blocked Crown Chakra manifests in us being disconnected from life. Frustrations developing from life’s lessons, instead of learning from them and being grateful, also show an unbalanced Crown Chakra.
--April 30, 2022
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