Even the new-age skeptics, flat-earthers and other conspiracy-hungry critics have realised that the concept of Chakras isn’t just a fancy notion. Chakras are real. They’re as real as our bodies, the ground we step on and the air we breathe in. As real as the swaying trees and the blooming flowers.
Chakras are the spiritual hubs or centres of energy that affect different parts of our body. The word “chakra” in Sanskrit means “disk” or “wheel”, however, it points to the circular vortexes of energy in the human body. The earliest traces of the discovery of Chakra dates back to sacred Vedic texts in Indian history between 1500 and 500 BC. So, it’s safe to say that the origins of Chakra are closely connected to early Hinduism. The use of Chakras is also commonly found in Buddhism and Ayurveda.
These energy centres are located in seven different points on the spinal column. Furthermore, all the seven chakras are connected to various organs and glands within the body. Their effect on our wellbeing is monumental and widespread.
The seven chakras are:
1) Mooladhara (Root Chakra)
2) Svadhisthana (Sacral Chakra)
3) Manipura (Solar Plexus Chakra)
4) Anahata (Heart Chakra)
5) Vishuddha (Throat Chakra)
6) Ajna (Third-Eye Chakra)
7) Sahasrara (Crown Chakra)
Disbalance of these chakras is also responsible for disturbing one’s Praana (Qi), the life energy. This disharmony can lead to various physical, mental and psychological ailments.
Let’s delve deeper into the breathtaking realm of chakras and the role they play in our lives:
1) Mooladhara (Root Chakra)
Associated Colour: Red
Associated Goddess: Sakini – the power of Mother Earth
Position of Chakra: Present at the base of the spine between the pelvic floor and the first three vertebrae
Significance: Mooladhara Chakra is often depicted as a swirling mass of red light or a four-petaled lotus. It primarily influences our basic survival instincts such as our relation with money, sexuality and the activation of the body’s natural flight-or-fight response.
2) Svadhisthana (Sacral Chakra)
Associated Colour: Orange
Associated Goddess: Kakini – the power of the ocean and thunderstorms
Position of Chakra: Between the navel and the pelvic bone
Significance: This chakra is fluid and fast due to its connection with water. It affects creativity, compassion and joy. Moreover, it influences sexuality, fertility and reproduction, especially in females as it impacts the female reproductive organs.
Svadhisthana Chakra is associated with our sense of taste in addition to other glands and organs like the lymphatic system and the large intestine.
3) Manipura (Solar Plexus Chakra)
Associated Colour: Yellow
Associated Goddess: Lakini – the power of fire, stars and the galaxies
Position of Chakra: In the navel
Significance: It is among the most powerful chakras as it influences our personal abilities and powers. It also impacts our professional choices and success. Manipura Chakra aptly translates to ‘City of Jewels’.
This chakra is connected with our sense of sight and the adrenal glands.
4) Anahata (Heart Chakra)
Associated Colour: Green
Associated Goddess: Rakini – the power of Sun
Position of Chakra: Centre of the chest, the heart, the thymus gland, the lungs and the breasts
Significance: Anahata Chakra has a mutually dependent and directly correlated bond with one’s environment. Surrounding yourself with positivity and openness helps the heart to feel loved. This makes an individual happy and capable of giving back love and affection.
This chakra is related to our sense of touch and connected to the lymph and thymus glands as well
5) Vishuddha (Throat Chakra)
Associated Colour: Blue
Associated Goddess: Dakini – the power of the Sky and the Earthly herbs
Position of Chakra: In the throat
Significance: Visuddha Chakra is your voice and it aids in self-expression – your right to speak and be heard. It is closely associated with your neck, windpipe, lungs and thyroid as well. Formation of opinions, resilience, willpower and expression take place through this chakra’s development
Blue symbolises, radiates and accentuates the throat chakra just like a sixteen-petaled lotus glows.
6) Ajna (Third-Eye Chakra)
Associated Colour: Indigo
Associated Goddess: Hakini – the power of chidaksha (consciousness)
Position of Chakra: Between the eyes
Significance: Ajna Chakra represents ‘the centre of knowledge or monitoring’. It is through our vision that we can analyse things, exercise the power of thought and come to rational conclusions supported by logic and observation.
A strong and balanced Ajna chakra helps us wash away the fear of death and suffering.
7) Sahasrara (Crown Chakra)
Associated Colour: Violet
Associated Goddess: Yakini – the power of divine energies
Position of Chakra: At the top of the head
Significance: This chakra is all about understanding deeper and divine things that transcend the conventional boundaries.
A well-balanced Sahasrara Chakra is fundamental to understanding and overcoming barriers created by nature and one’s very own spirit. This helps in fathoming concepts like nature’s laws and spirituality. It also generated awareness about age-old questions like mortality and eternity.
This chakra is also associated with the element of light.