Chakras & kundalini

Aim of yoga is to awaken the kundalini situated in muladhara chakra.

1. Chakras & Kundalini Rajalekshmy.p.r Dept of Swathavritta Amrita School of Ayurveda

2. NADI Channels for the flow of consciousness. Pranashakti flows through every part of our body via nadis . 72,000 nadis cover the whole body. 10 main channels- out of 10, 3 nadis are most important, controls flow of prana and consciousness within all other nadis . Ida, Pingala & Sushumna

3. Ida Lunar energy Means comfort   moonlike nature female energy Cooling effect Courses from left testicle to left nostril Corresponds to Ganges river Refers to right hemisphere of brain Controls all mental process Pingala Solar energy Means tawny Sun like nature Male energy Temp is heating Courses from right testicle to right nostril Corresponds to river Yamuna Refers to left hemisphere Controls all vital process Sushumna Connects muladhara chakra to sahasrara chakra Channel for awakening of spiritual consciousness Corresponds to kundalini Refers to spinal cord Controls spiritual force Crosses over at each chakra

4. Kundalini Sleeping dormant potential force in the human organism. Situated at root of spinal coloumn . Musculine body- in perineum, between urinary and excretory organs. Female body- at root of uterus, in the cervix. सशैलवनधात्रीणां यथाधारोऽहिनायकः। सर्वेषां योगतन्त्राणां तथाधारो हि कुण्डली॥ (H.Y.P 3/1)

5. From kundal (coiled). Shakti after creating 36 tatwas , rest dormant at the lowest element, earth ( muladhara chakra). Coiled 3.5 times like a snake. 3 coils: 3 gunas ( satva , rajas, tamas ) or three states(waking, dreaming, deep sleep). Half coil- state of transcendence Kudalini & Yoga Kundalini has origins in tantric philosophy. No mention in PYS. kundalini yoga- process of bringing together two opposite poles of energy in body so that they meet in muladhara and release the inner kundalini shakti .

6. Kundalini awakening Active Passive Active S ystematic physical exercises and techniques of concentration, visualization,  pranayama   and meditation under the guidance of a competent teacher. सुप्ता गुरुप्रसादेन यदा जागार्ति कुण्डली। तदा सर्वाणि पद्मानि भिद्यते ग्रन्थयोऽपि च​॥ (H.Y.P 3/2) Guru’s guidance is needed to raise the consciousness otherwise psychological blocks manifest. Guru guides the sadhaka through all stages of physical, mental , emotional and psychic preparation. The sadhaka has to purify physical and pranic bodies, strengthen nervous system, harmonize mind and emotions and develop strong link with Guru. All chakras can then be activated and sushumna will awaken.

7. Passive  P ath of surrender where one lets go of all the impediments to the awakening rather than trying to actively awaken Kundalini . A chief part of the passive approach is  shaktipat  where one individual's Kundalini is awakened by another who already has the experience. Shaktipat only raises Kundalini temporarily but gives the student an experience to use as a basis .

8. If kundalini ascends through ida - may have fantastic experiences, become introverted and withdrawn and cannot function in external world. If kundalini ascends through pingala - they may become lost in pranic phenomena and experiences of external world. Ajna chakra Muladhara chakra

9. Practices for awakening kundalini Certain hatha yoga practices including  mula bandha , uddiyana bandha ,  jalandhara bandha and   kumbhaka  can awaken Kundalini . Kechari mudra also enables one to raise Kundalini and access various stores of  amrita in the head, which subsequently flood the body .

10. चतुर्दलं स्यादाधारं स्वाधिष्ठानं च षड्दलं नाभौ दशदलं पद्मं सूर्यसंख्यादलं हृदि। कण्ठे स्यात् षोडशदलं भ्रूमध्ये द्विदलं तथा। सहस्रदलमाख्यातं ब्रह्मरन्ध्रे महापथे॥ ( goraksha samhita )

11. Muladhara chakra Mula + adhara = muladhara (root) (support) “Supporting root of a tree” Location- at the base of spine आधाराख्य गुदसंस्थानं ” ( योगचिन्तामणि ) “ गुदमेढ्रात् नरलस्य मूलाधारं त्रिकोणकम्। ” (योगशिखोपनिषद् १।६८) KUNDALINI

12. Symbol Deep red lotus with four petals Centre- yellow square( prithwi tatwa ) In centre of square, inverted triangle with apex downwards. Within triangle, smoky coloured swayambhu linga (astral body) Kundalini coils around swayambu linga red triangle is supported by elephant with seven trunks Beeja mantra Mulam -Lam Tatwa - V a , Sa,Sha,Shha Element- earth sense- smell Meditation symbol Visualize the red inverted triangle or yellow square to enhance inner stability and balance.

13. On the physical level, this chakra is related to the adrenal glands, the kidneys and the spinal column. Physically , muladhara governs sexuality, mentally it governs stability, emotionally it governs sensuality, and spiritually it governs a sense of security. When this chakra is underactive we get diseases like constipation, piles, varicose veins problem,etc . If this chakra is over-active, we become materialistic, greedy, obsessed with being secure and resist change. The concentration and meditation on Muladhara chakra helps rectify disorders of these functions & enhance inner stability and balance.

14. Swadhishtana chakra Sva - "that which is its self; which belongs to itself" Adhisthana - "its actual place.” One’s own abode Location-approximately 2 fingers width above muladhara at the level of penis in men and at the level of upper end of vagina in women.

15. Symbol Crimson lotus with six petals In the centre, white crescent moon( yantra of apas tatwa ) Crescent moon yantra and bija mantra v am are riding on a crocodile Beeja mantra Mulam-vam Tatwa - Ba,Bha,Ma,Ya,Ra,La ) Element- water sense- tongue Meditation symbol Visualize a vast deep ocean with dark waves beneath a night sky.

16. On the physical level, swadhisthana chakra is related to the female ovaries and male testes . It looks after our liver, kidneys, and the lower abdomen. It is responsible for assimilation, procreation, lymphatic system, and menstrual secretions. Physically , Swadisthana governs reproduction, mentally it governs creativity, emotionally it governs joy, and spiritually it governs enthusiasm. When this chakra is underactive, we get diseases like diabetes, blood cancer & many other diseases related to this gland can occur. If this chakra is over-active, we tend to be emotional all the time. Storehouse of all samskaras and past mental impressions.

17. Manipura chakra Mani- gems Pura - city “city of jewels” It is lustruous like a jewel and radiant with vitality & energy. Location-in the spine behind the navel

18. Symbol Bright yellow lotus with 10 petals. Within lotus, is a fiery red triangle( yantra of agni tatwa ), beejamantra Ram Beeja mantra Mulam -Ram Tatwa - Ta,Tha,Da,Dha,Na,Pa,Fa,Dda , Dhha,Nna Element- fire sense- eyes Meditation symbol Visualize the blazing sun or ball of fire.

19. On the physical level, this chakra is related to the digestive system, the spleen, the liver, the pancreas and the gall bladder which produces and secretes enzymes, acids and juices necessary for the digestion and absorption of nutrients. 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. The body is then prepared for a more intense level of activity than normal in what is commonly called the 'fight or flight' reaction. Physically , manipura governs digestion, mentally it governs personal power, emotionally it governs expansiveness, and spiritually all matters of growth. If this chakra is under-active, people suffer from sluggishness or malfunctions of the digestive system; can have weakness in the body, indigestion, stomach, intestinal, and colon problems. If this chakra is over-active, we are domineering and probably even aggressive.

20. Anahata chakra Anahata -unstruck All sounds in the manifested universe is produced by striking of two objects which sets up sound waves. The primordial sound that issues from beyond this material world is the source of all sound- “ anahata nada(unstruck sound)” Location-in the spine, behind the sternum, level with heart

21. Symbol blue lotus with 12 petals. In centre of lotus, is a hexagon formed by two interlacing triangles( yantra of vayu tatwa ) Vehicle is swift black antelope, the symbol of alertness . Beeja mantra Mulam -yam Tatwa - Ka,Kha,Ga,Gha,Naa,Cha,Chha,Ja , Zaa,aaTa,Tha Element- air sense- touch Meditation symbol Visualize a blue lotus or a blue hexagon formed by 2 interlacing triangles with a bright flame at centre.

22. On the physical level, this chakra is related to the heart, blood, lungs and the circulatory system in general, along with the immune and endocrine systems. Physically Anahata governs circulation, emotionally it governs unconditional love for the self and others, mentally it governs passion and spiritually it governs devotion. If this chakra is under-active, it can cause asthma or various heart conditions. Visualization of this centre can help rectify disorders of these functions.

23. Vishuddhi chakra Shuddhi -purification Prefix vi enhances this quality Location-at the back of neck, behind throat pit कण्ठकूपे विशुद्धाख्यं यत् चक्रं षोडशारकम्। पीठं जलन्धरं नं तिष्ठतिऽत्र सुरेश्वरः॥ (योगशिखोपनिषद् १।१७४) Situated in throat, 16 branches, the jalandhara peetha where in the God of seven melodies dwells.

24. Symbol Violet lotus with 16 petals. In centre of lotus, is a white circle( yantra of akasha tatwa ) Animal is w hite elephant. Beeja mantra Mulam -ham Tatwa - A, Aa , I, Ii, U, Uu , Ru , Ruu , Rlu,Rluu,Ae,Ai,O,Au,Amm,Ahaha Element- ether sense- ears and vocal cords Meditation symbol Visualize a large white drop of nectar. Try to experience icy cold drops of sweet nectar falling down to vishuddhi,giving a feeling of blissful intoxication.

25. On the physical level, vishuddhi chakra is related to the thyroids, the rate of metabolism, and the lungs in the physical body. It controls the activity of the vocal cords, of the hearing, of the pharynx and oesophagus . Physically , vishuddha governs communication, emotionally it governs independence, mentally it governs fluent thought, and spiritually, it governs a sense of security. If this chakra is under-active, people will get cold, cough, thyroid problem & lack of communication skill . If this chakra is over-active, we tend to speak too much, usually to domineer and keep people at a distance. Visualization of this centre can help rectify disorders of these functions such as the feelings of superiority or inferiority, all jealousies & it activates ability to telepathy, clairaudience. (Extra-sensory hearing) enhances.

26. Vishuddhi chakra is the place where divine nectar , Amrita is tasted. It’s a kind of sweet secretion produced at the bindu chakra and then falls down to vishuddhi where it is purified and processed for further use throughout the body.

27. Ajna chakra Ajna - command Other names- third eye, jnana chakshu,triveni In deeper states of meditation, disciple receives commands from Guru through this chakra. Location-in the midbrain, behind the eyebrow centre at top of spine आञनता भ्रुवो मध्ये द्विदलं चक्रम्। ( योगशिखोपनिषद् १ ।१७५) Union of 3 important nerves called ida , pingala and sushumna occurs in ajna chakra . Indian yoga science advocates the practice of touching the inner soft palate with tongue and concentrating on the ajna chakra with kechari mudra for achieving self realization.

28. Symbol Silver lotus with 2 petals which represent sun and moon( pingala /positive force and ida /negative force) Beeja mantra Mulam-aum Tatwa -Ha, Ksha Element- mind Meditation symbol T he point of bhrumadhya at the eyebrow centre. Visualize a tiny point of light or an Aum symbol at this centre and let thoughts dwell on the inner Guru .

29. On physical level, ajna is related to the pituitary gland which secretes hormones to communicate to the rest of the endocrine system and also connects to the central nervous system via the hypothalamus. This is the centre where wisdom and intuition develop . If this chakra is under-active, one will have negative thoughts, lack of energy, making more bad karmas. If this chakra is over-active, one may live in a world of fantasy too much; in excessive cases hallucinations are possible. He who concentrates at this centre destroys all the karmas of the past lives. The benefits that are derived by meditation on this chakra cannot be described in words.

30. Bindu At top back of head Means point or drop Symbol- tiny crescent moon on a dark night Centre of nada, psychic sound. Bindu is the centre for concentration on psychic sounds that may manifest in bhramari and shanmukhi mudra.

31. Sahasrara chakra Sahasrara – one thousand “Abode of highest consciousness” Location-at the crown of head शस्त्रदलसंख्यातं ब्रह्मरन्ध्रे महापति। (अष्टाङ्ग योग सिद्धि)

32. Symbol Shining lotus of thousand letters containing 50 letters of Sanskrit 20 times over. In centre of a lotus, a shining jyothirlinga,lingam of light, symbol of pure consciousness. Beeja mantra Mulam-omkara Tatwa -A, Ka , Ttha , Ha,La,Ksha In sahasrara , the mystic union of shiva and shakti takes place, the fusion of consciousness with matter and energy,individual soul with supreme soul. When kundalini awakens, it ascends through chakras to sahasrara and merges into source from where it is originated.

33. On physical level, sahasrara charka is related to the pineal gland . The pineal gland is a light sensitive gland that produces the hormone melatonin which regulates sleep and awakening. Its proper functioning helps to improve thinking power and intelligence . This chakra gives us the direct, absolute perception of reality on our central nervous system. Sahasrara chakra integrates all the chakras with their respective qualities.

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