The Energy Centres
The Chakras
While the physical body has been studied intensively and is still being understood by scientists, there are various intangible parts of the body that have been described in great detail in the scriptures.
While most remain unacknowledged by science, the energy centres or the Chakras have gained immense popularity and acceptance, and are now visible everywhere as posters, wall hangings, yoga mats, gem trees, coasters, etc.
It is also popularly propagated as a mystical concept that can be opened/ cleansed for healing and spiritual wellness through use of yogic poses, crystals, meditation, visualisation etc. While this is true and intense spiritual practices like pranayama (controlled breathing) and certain yogic postures do indeed aid in the opening of these chakras it is not as simple as it is made out to be.
The Spinning Seven
There are seven primary chakras or energy centres situated in a linear fashion from the base of the spine to the top of the head. They spin like a wheel and correspond to the ductless glands in the body.
These chakras may be closed or open, partially or fully. They have been called the ‘switch’ that turns on/off the glands, but they may also be likened to the regulator that controls the speed of a fan. The efficiency with which the gland functions is said to be dependent on the degree of the chakra’s activation.
These chakras are represented by different colours, mudras*, symbols, beeja sounds**, positions, their contents, their role in the human body, their influence on the mind.
*symbols created by various positions of the hands
**powerful syllabic representation
The invisible chakras are assigned anatomical locations along the spine.
| Name of the chakra | Anatomical location | What they are made of symbolically |
|---|---|---|
| Mooladhaara - the root chakra | Base of the spine | Salt water |
| Swaadishtaana – the sacral chakra | Between the navel and lower belly | Sugarcane juice (sweet water) |
| Manipura – the solar plexus chakra | Near the diaphragm | Toddy (fermented liquid) |
| Anahata – the heart chakra | Centre of the chest | Butter |
| Vishuddha – the throat chakra | Behind the uvula | Curd |
| Aagnya – the third eye chakra | Between the eyebrows | Milk |
| Sahasra – the crown chakra | 12” above the head | Nectar or amrutha |
The spiritual energy of a jeeva is described as a coiled serpent called Kundalini. As long as the head of this coiled serpent faces downwards, the jeeva remains enmeshed in the material world. The process of the serpent rising and energising the chakras, is called the awakening of the Kundalini.
The level of Kundalini and the associated spiritual level of the jeeva may be described thus:
When the Kundalini is turned downwards towards Mooladhaara (the root chakra), or rises slightly to Swaadishtaana (the sacral chakra), or even up to Manipura (the solar plexus chakra) the jeeva is mostly concerned about base bodily functions; remains interested in sex, has hedonistic desires, and is absorbed in gratification of the senses.
As the Kundalini rises upwards towards Anahata (the heart chakra) and further towards Vishuddha (the throat chakra) and Aagnya (the third eye chakra), the jeeva turns increasingly towards the lord with decreasing desire for mere sensory gratification.
When the Kundalini rises towards the ultimate Sahasra (the crown chakra), the jeeva experiences the bliss (nectar) found in the Sahasra, and may eventually be able to see the lord lying in the ocean of milk with the inner eye; and/or see Vaasudeva (who grants Moksha), present in the 1000 petalled lotus.