Chakras…quite a familiar term. Isn’t it! Well, these are a part of our body. The divine connection that resides within us, and only after true meditation and practice, we get to know them, feel them, use them. What are body chakras and what is it’s meaning? Chakras are wheels, which we all commonly know.
We all have energy flowing in our body, there are centers from which it flows. These centers are called chakras in the body. Chakra means ‘wheel’ and these energy wheels inside our spiritual bodies keep spinning. You must have heard about chakras unblocking, that straightaway means that when we are able to open the chakra, we are consciously allowing energy to disperse in our body, mind, soul, and spirit. Chakras are blissfulness and positive energy.
As we discussed in our article, beginners guide to kundalini yoga, we mentioned the seven chakras of the human body. In this article, we are going to describe the chakras. There are seven chakras in the human body, all with a different meaning. These chakras or energy vortex are special points where the two prominent Nadis, namely Ida and Pingala intersect each other. These two nadis take a crisscross way upwards, while Sushumana takes a straight vertical path from bottom to top. This is the reason why an erect Vertebral Column or MERU DAND in Sanskrit, is given so much importance in yogic practices.
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Understanding Human existence
Body Chakras have unique meaning and significance. If we have to understand it completely, we would need to know that human existence is divided into three main parts.
Gross /Physical Body – STHOOL Sharir, The body that we can see with naked eyes. The legs, the eyes, the tongue, nails, hair, intestine, heart, lung, etc.
Subtle Body- SUKSHM Sarir. A body that is an accumulation of our mental energies like thoughts, logic, emotions, imagination, intuition, memory perception, conditioning, etc.
Causal (not casual) Body- VAYAVI SARIR or ATMAN. Spirit is unchanging consciousness, that is witness to the movement of the other two body types and is our real SELF.
The first and second types of bodies are destructible while the third is not. Life energy or Prana flows through the first two types of bodies when the third type is physically manifested. Prana works through a network of Nadis. Out of 72000 nadis, Ida, Pingala, and Sushumna are the main. The intersection of these nadis form Chakras.
Meaning of body chakras
Atman when manifests in the physical world, carries a subtle body too. Chakras or energy wheels are even subtler than the subtle body. Just like it, they are invisible and their effect on the physical aspect cannot be denied. For example, if a person watching a horror movie notices his heart is beating faster due to fear. Similarly, the origin of a malfunctioning organ can be diagnosed back to a Low-Frequency Chakra. Stopping the movie and putting on the lights of theatre can bring a person back to normal, similarly, due to proper handling a CHAKRA, energy could be set right for physical attunement too.
Everything in the cosmos is continuously moving, so it’s mandatory to open the chakras also to keep the energy flowing. Energy shouldn’t be restricted and thus unblocking chakra is necessary. The meaning of opening the chakras is, enabling the body to stay calm, composed, and balanced. Yes, we agree that opening them isn’t an easy task, it is a bit complicated, but then the regular practice of yoga and meditation can easily make it possible. If a person needs to open the chakra, he/she has to follow a dedicated routine and strict discipline. Always remember, mind, soul, body are related to each other spiritually if one is touched through chakra, it will help to balance the others.
With every chakra, some Gods and Goddess reside and those are the symbols of the chakra. Each chakra has some Gods and Goddesses residing in them which are symbolic representations of the energy type. The form of these deities when meditated upon gives powers at a physiological level too. These chakras are denoted by some colors.
7 body Chakras & their meaning
Muladhara or Root Chakra
It is our base. It is located at the spine. Once we are able to open our root chakra the feeling of confidence enters. We confidently welcome every challenge in our lives and work hard to overcome it. On the other hand, when it is still blocked, we normally stay in diffidence and around uncertainties, as if it is unstable ground.
Where is it located- Tailbone, Spine base
What it is about- Sability, security, and basic needs. Cures diffidence, uncertainty
Color- Associated with Red
Element- Earth
Stone- Hematite
Deity-Lord Ganesha and Lord Brahma
Age of developing- develops between 1 to 7 years
Sacral Chakra (Swadhisthana)
Swadhisthana chakra is related to our emotions. Creativity comes out when it is unblocked. This chakra governs in terms of sexuality. People who aren’t able to unblock this chakra aren’t able to control their own life.
Where is it located: navel is 2 inches above this chakra
What it is about: Well-being, sexuality
Color- Associated with Orange
Element- Water
Stone- Tiger’s Eye
Deity- Lord Vishnu
Age of developing- develops between from 8 to 14 years
Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura)
Manipura chakra is the third chakra and is all about confidence in oneself. The control of life depends on Manipura or Solar Plexus Chakra. The blockage of Manipura leads the person in doubt or shame. If we want to be free in our thoughts and in our lives then we should work in the way of opening manipura chakra. It regains confidence.
Where is it located- Stomach area, upper abdomen
What it is about- Value of oneself, confidence
Color- Associated with Yellow
Element- Fire
Stone- Amber
Deity- Shiva
Age of developing- Develops between 15-21 years
Heart Chakra (Anahata)
The heart chakra comes in between the lower and upper chakra. That means it is in between the materiality and spirituality. Heart Chakra, as the name says is full of love. When the Anahata Chakra is blocked the person is not able to express the feelings or is not able to show love, it is important to open the Anahata Chakra . Once it is open, the expression of love and compassion will arise.
Where is it located- Above heart, the center of the chest
What it is about- Blissfulness, serenity and peace, love
Color- Associated with Green
Element- Air
Stone- Rose Quartz
Deity- Ishvara
Age of developing- develops between 21-28 years
Throat Chakra (Vishuddha)
The throat or vishudda chakra is related to communication and expression. This, when open, allows the person to communicate his heart out and allows him to express clear.
Where is it located- Throat
What it is about- Communication, self-expression, and truth
Color- Associated with Light Blue/Turquoise
Element- Sound/Music
Stone- Aquamarine
Deity- Sadashiva
Age of developing- develops 29-35 years
Third-Eye Chakra (Ajna)
Connection to divinity is possible as When we keep on opening chakras and slowly reach the above chakras. The ajna chakra which also means the third-eye, is related to seeing the unseen. Yes, when this chakra is opened the intuition work faster and clear.
Where is it located- right between the eyes on the forehead
What it is about- Creativity, power of imagination
Color- Associated with Dark Blue/Purple
Element- Light
Stone- Amethyst
Deity- Ardhnarishwar (Shiv and Shakti)
Age of developing- develops between 36-42 years old
Crown Chakra (Sahasrara)
This chakra is the highest one staying at the crown of the head. This directly is associated with spirituality. Opening crown chakra is a big achievement, and it’s very rare. Very few people are able to open this crown chakra, but once it is opened, life reaches to extreme bliss.
Where is it located- Head top
What it is about- beauty both inside out, spirituality
Color- Associated with Violet/White
Element- Divine Consciousness
Stone- Clear quartz
Deity- Shiva
Age of developing- develops between 43-49 years old
Sarvyoga Takeaway
When we know chakras, it is like we are knowing our existence. If we want to align our lives, we need to be aware of the chakras. It helps the imbalance to balance. Putting effort towards opening chakras is another level of loving life and soul, and opening the chakras is pure ecstasy. There are certain incidences in life when people come forward to dive into this vast subject.