You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
154<br />
obstructing the chakras are lifted they open up more like flowers<br />
from within.<br />
The seven chakras and their symbolic interrelation with sound,<br />
colour, form, significance and function have been described<br />
extensively in the tantras:<br />
(1) Muladhara Chakra, a major root centre of physical<br />
experience, is conceived of as having four red petals on which<br />
are inscribed in gold v, sh, s, s within a yellow square<br />
representing the earth element with the bija mantra Lam. An<br />
inverted triangle is placed in the centre of the square, enclosing<br />
the unawakened and mysterious Kundalini, in trance-sleep and<br />
lying in three and a half coils around the Svyambhu-linga. This<br />
represents the unmanifested or quiescent form of the Kundalini.<br />
This chakra is associated with the cohesive power of gross<br />
matter and the element of inertia, the sense of smell, etc. The<br />
presiding deity of the chakra is Brahma with the Sakti, Dakini.<br />
The four letters represent the root variations and are related to<br />
the power of speech.<br />
(2) Svadishthana (pleasant) Chakra, the second centre in the<br />
ascending order of the Kundalini, is situated at the base of the<br />
genital organ with six vermilion petals bearing the letters b, bh,<br />
m, y, r, and i. In the pericarp is represented the water element,<br />
stainless and luminously white, in the shape of a half-moon with<br />
the bija mantra Vam. On top of the bija mantra sits the presiding<br />
deity Vishnu flanked by the Sakti, Rakini or Chakini. This<br />
chakra governs the sense of taste.<br />
(3) Manipura (gem-site) Chakra, near the navel (lumbar or<br />
epigastric plexus), is a blue lotus with ten petals inscribed with<br />
the letters d, dh, n, t, th, d, dh, n, p, ph. In the centre of the lotus,