Kundalini Saraamsa Part 2

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Dear Shakthas,

 

Continuing from my last posting... This is part 2 of Kundalini Saraamsa...

 

 

 

(Muladhara Chakra)

 

The first chakra: also called "the root chakra", or “Muladhara”, is located at the base of the spine. It is linked to survival instincts and our ability to ground ourselves in the physical world. Blockage manifests as paranoia, and defensiveness.

Behavioral Characteristics

If a person with tightened jaws and fists refuses to live in accordance with the natural laws that govern his body, he will create further karma, or worldly entanglement. His sense and work organs will only serve to bring confusion and pain in exchange for temporary gratification. Once a person begins to act in harmony with these natural laws, he will no longer waste energy or pollute his sensory awareness with over-indulgence. Such a person will act wisely and with moderation, exploring his body and mind as vehicles of liberation from the lower realms.

Normally a child from the ages of one to seven years acts out of "first-chakra" motivations. The earth is being grasped as a new experience. The infant must ground himself and establish the laws of his world, learning to regulate his patterns of eating, drinking, and sleeping as the proper behavior necessary for securing his worldly identity. The young child will be self-centered and highly concerned with his own physical survival.

The main problem of the child, or adult, acting from first-chakra motivation is violent behavior based on insecurity. A fearful person may strike out blindly and senselessly, like a cornered animal, due to what is felt to be a loss of basic security.

The person dominated by the Muladhara Chakra generally sleeps between ten and twelve hours nightly, on his stomach. This chakra encompasses the planes of genesis, illusion, anger, greed, delusion, avarice, and sensuality. These aspects of the first chakra are fundamental to human existence. The desire for more experience and information acts as a motivating force, a basic impetus for individual development.

The Muladhara Chakra is the seat of the coiled Kundalini, the vital Shakti, or Female energy force. The Kundalini serpent is coiled around the Savayambhu Lingam. This foundation chakra is the root of all growth and awareness of the divinity of man.

Associated with Physical identity, oriented to self-preservation. This chakra forms our foundation. It represents the element earth, and is therefore related to our survival instincts, and to our sense of grounding and connection to our bodies and the physical plane. Ideally this chakra brings us health, prosperity, security, and dynamic presence. Survival.

Governs vigor, heredity ,survival, security ,passion , trust, feet, & legs. Your relationship with money, home, and job.

Known as: Root Chakra ,Muladhara , Kundalini

Muladhara = Base (mula - root adhara - support), Foundation.

Location: Base of Spine, at the tailbone base of spine

Colors: red, black

Earth Element, Mineral kingdom, Bones, Flesh, Skin, Nadis and Hairs of the Body.

Attributes: Patience and Greed.

Desire: Survival.

Activity: Collecting and Saving.

Sense: Smell

Deities: Each Chakra has a Manifestation of the Shiva and Shakti Deities. Baby Brahma - Ever watchful creator, brings peace of mind and calms fears. Dakini Shakti - Protectress, Creator, Preserver, Destroyer. Alravata the Elephant - Vehicle of the Bija Mantra-Lam, Searches for food and takes orders.

Symbol: Yellow Yantra Square, surrounded by Four Red Petals represents the Four Directions of Earth.

Mantra: Repetition of Bijan Mantra-Vam, opens up blocks in the lower body. Each petal has a Sanskrit letter (Varn, Sarn, Sharn, Sxarn). Kundalini Shakti lies coiled like a snake in a downward pointing triangle. Meditation of the 1st Chakra awakens the Kundalini and starts the upward flow.

 

 

 

 

Svadhishthana Chakra

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Second Chakra

The second chakra, located just beneath the navel, and related to our sexual and reproductive capacity. Blockage manifests as emotional problems or sexual guilt.

Behavioral Characteristics

Normally a person between the ages of eight and fourteen acts from second-chakra motivation. He will sleep eight to ten hours nightly, in a fetal position. In terms of the elements, the earth is dissolved into water. Instead of standing alone and defensive, as he did in first chakra, the child begins to reach out to his family and friends for physical contact. The imagination increases. Once the need for food and shelter is met, the person is free to visualize any environment or circumstance that he desires. Sensuality enters into relationships as a new awareness of the physical body evolves.

The desire for physical sensations and mental fantasies can be a problem for the person at this level. Gravity causes water to flow downward, and thus, the second chakra can have a downward, whirlpool effect on the psyche, causing a person to be restless and confused. The body and mind have natural limitations which must be respected and understood if the person is to remain healthy and balanced. Eating, sleeping, and sex must be regulated in order to attain a harmonious, peaceful state of body and mind.

A second chakra person often pretends to be a prince, lord, or hero. He changes roles, maintains high self-esteem, and is chivalrous. Every culture produces an abundance of stories and poems heralding these royal heroes, destroyers of evil.

Svadhisthana Chakra encompasses the astral plane as well as the planes of entertainment, fantasy, nullity, jealousy, mercy, envy, and joy. The astral plane is the space between heaven and earth. Here the earth becomes a jewel and the heavens are within reach. Fantasy may be used to advantage through the crafts and fine arts. Nullity is a state of emptiness and purposelessness. When the world is seen with a negative mind, nothing excites, nothing pleases, all is lost. Envy and jealousy arise from a desire to possess the time or qualities of another. This results in a destructive state of restless anxiety. The plane of joy brings a feeling of deep satisfaction. This joy penetrates the entire consciousness of the person who has evolved beyond the aspects of the second chakra

Emotional identity, oriented to self-gratification. The second chakra, located in the abdomen, lower back, and sexual organs, is related to the element water, and to emotions and sexuality. It connects us to others through feeling, desire, sensation, and movement. Ideally this chakra brings us fluidity and grace, depth of feeling, sexual fulfillment, and the ability to accept change. Sensation.

Governs sexuality, creativity, emotions, anger, fear instinct, to nurture, spleen, perceptions concerning food or sex.

Known as: Sacral Chakra, Svadistana

Svadhisthana = one's own base (sva - one's own) Dwelling Place of the Self.

Location: Genitals.

Colors: orange, brown

Water Element: Plant Kingdom, Semen, Blood, Fat, Urine and Mucus.

Attributes: Purity and Attachments.

Desire: Family and Friends.

Activity: Peaceful Jobs.

Sense: Taste

Deities: Each Chakra has a Manifestation of the Shiva and Shakti Deities. Vishnu - The Preserver, Embodiment of Right Living. Rakini Shakti - Inspiration to Worldly Art and Music. Crocodile - Vehicle of the Bija. Mantra-Vam. Sensuous and Tricky.

Symbol: Blue Crescent Moon, surrounded by 6 Red Petals and Water encircling the Earth.

Mantra: Repetition of Bijan Mantra-Lam, removes insecurities associated with this Chakra. Each petal has a Sanskrit letter (Bam, Bham, Mam, Yam, Lam and Ram).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Manipura Chakra

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Third Chakra

Located behind the solar plexus, which gives us a sense of our personal power in the world. Blockage manifests as anger or a sense of victimization.

Behavioral Characteristics

Between the ages of fourteen to twenty-one a person is ruled by Manipura Chakra. The motivation energy of this chakra impels the person to develop his ego, his identity in the world.

A person dominated by the third chakra will strive for personal power and recognition, even to the detriment of family and friends. Such a person will sleep from six to eight hours nightly, on his back.

The plane of Manipura Chakra encompasses karma, charity, atonement for one's errors, good company, bad company, selfless service, sorrow, the plane of dharma, and the celestial plane.

Dharma is the timeless law of nature that interconnects all that exists. By remaining true to one's nature, relationships with others will be more stable and clear. The balance for Manipura Chakra is selfless service, that is, serving without desire for reward. The practice of charity will clarify one's path of action, or karma. Every person must be aware of his actions in order to achieve a balance in his life. Once this balance is attained, the person may enter the celestial plane of illumination.

Fire, Ego identity, oriented to self-definition. This chakra is known as the power chakra, located in the solar plexus. It rules our personal power, will, and autonomy, as well as our metabolism. When healthy, this chakra brings us energy, effectiveness, spontaneity, and non-dominating power. Power.

Governs power, accomplishments, will, ego projections, vital energies, control, and your freedom to be yourself.

Known as: Solar Plexus Chakra, Manipura

Manipura = city (pur) of jewels (mani) City of Gems.

Location: Solar Plexus.

Color: yellow

Fire Element: Hunger, Thirst, Sleep, Lethargy and Digestion. Animal Kingdom.

Attributes: Anger.

Desire: Achievement and Supremacy.

Activity: Hard Labor.

Sense: Sight

Deities: Each Chakra has a Manifestation of the Shiva and Shakti Deities. Rudra - Old Shiva, God of Destruction. Powerful Angry and Detached. Lakini Shakti - Goddess of Independence and Fire. Ram - Carrier of the Bija Mantra-Ram. Strong, Proud and Charges Head First.

Symbol: Fiery Red Triangle, surrounded by 10 Blue Petals (like the hottest part of the flame).

Mantra: Repetition of Bijan Mantra-Ram, increases Absorption and longevity. Each petal has a Sanskrit letter (Damm, Dhamm, Namm, Tam, Tham, Dam, Dham, Nam, Pam and Pham).

 

 

Fourth Chakra

The heart chakra, which gives us the ability to express love. Blockage can manifest as immune system or heart problems, or a lack of compassion.

Behavioral Characteristics

From twenty-one to twenty-eight years of age one vibrates in Anahata Chakra. One becomes aware of his karma, his life's actions. Bhakti, or faith, is the motivating force as one strives to achieve balance on all levels. This person sleeps from four to six hours nightly, on his left side.

The deer of Anahata Chakra runs swiftly, changing direction often, with an angular path. Similarly, a person in love may have the qualities and tendencies of a deer, such as dreamy eyes, restless wandering, and swift flight. When these come under control all emotional disturbances cease.

Anahata Chakra encompasses *sudharma* (apt or right religion), good tendencies, and the planes of sanctity, balance, and fragrance. Purgatory may be experienced in Anahata Chakra when negative karmas are enacted. Clarity of conscience is the illumination of the pure one who has developed good tendencies and has sanctified his life to Jana Loka, the human plane.

Air, Social identity, oriented to self-acceptance. This chakra is called the heart chakra and is the middle chakra in a system of seven. It is related to love and is the integrator of opposites in the psyche: mind and body, male and female, persona and shadow, ego and unity. A healthy fourth chakra allows us to love deeply, feel compassion, have a deep sense of peace and centeredness. Our heart and our love.

Governs love, compassion, mediates between higher and lower planes of being, healing, lungs (breath, prana), sense of time ,and the area of relationships in your life.

Known as: Heart Chakra, Anahatha

Anahata means "unstruck". "Unstruck Sound": the place where the spiritual descends into the physical by the power of the "word" (shabdbrahman), the point of creation. Free from Constraint.

Location: Heart.

Colors: Green , pink

Air Element: Running, Hunting, Using Strength, Contraction and Expansion. Human kingdom.

Attributes: Restlessness.

Desire: Action.

Activity: Movement Within and Outside the Body.

Sense touch

Deities: Each Chakra has a Manifestation of the Shiva and Shakti Deities. Ishana - Detached from the World. Peaceful, Beneficient and Ever-Youthful. Kakini Shakti - Goddess of Spiritual Music, Poetry and Art. Antelope - Carrier of the Bija Mantra-Yam. Innocence, Purity and Sensitivity.

Symbol: Green-Gray Star (Smoky-Green as Smoke Pervades the Air), surrounded by 12 Red Petals.

Mantra: Repetition of Bijan Mantra-Yam, opens the Heart and helps control Vital Energy. Each petal has a Sanskrit letter (Kam, Kham, Gam, Gham, Nnam, Cam, Cham, Jam, Jham, Nyam, Ttam, and Ttham). The Spiritual Heart resides on the right side opposite the Physical Heart. Each of the 8 Petals of this Heart, the Ananda Kanda, represents an Emotion (Dullness, Anger, Evil, Joy, Movement, Sexuality, Charity and Holiness).

Fifth Chakra

Located in the throat, directly tied to creativity and communication. Blockage manifests as problems like laryngitis or sore throats, creative blocks or general problems communicating with others.

Behavioral Characteristics

One who enters Vishudda Chakra becomes master of his entire self. Here all elements (tattvas) dissolve into pure and self-luminous akasha. Only the tanmatras remain--the subtle frequencies of those elements.

Five work organs are employed in the creation of all karmas: hands, feet, mouth, sex organs, and anus. In addition, there are five koshas (sheaths) of consciousness: the gross, the moving, the sensory, the intellectual, and the feeling. Five is the number of balance, one with two on either side. Being an odd number, five is linked with the solar numbers. The ruling planet of Vishudda Chakra is Jupiter, which in Sanskrit is called Guru, the one who imparts knowledge.

Earth dissolves into water and remains in the second chakra as the essence of smell. Water evaporates in the fiery third chakra and remains as the essence of taste. The form of fire enters the fourth chakra and remains there as the essence of form and of vision. The air of the fourth chakra enters into akasha and becomes pure sound. Akasha embodies the essence of all five elements; it is without color, smell, taste, touch, or form--free of any gross elements.

Vishudda Chakra governs between the ages of twenty-eight and thirty-five. The person motivated by the fifth chakra sleeps from four to six hours nightly, changing sides.

The distracting nature of the world, the senses, and the mind ceases to be a problem. Supreme reasoning overcomes the elements and the emotions of the heart. The person will seek only that knowledge which is true, beyond the limitations of time, cultural conditioning, and heredity. The main problem encountered in the fifth chakra is negative intellect, which may occur through the ignorance of using knowledge unwisely.

Vishudda Chakra encompasses the five planes of jnana (awareness), thus bestowing bliss; prana (the vital force throughout the body), thus affecting a balance of all the elements; apana (air that cleanses the body); and vyana (air that regulates blood flow). Jana Loka (the human plane) becomes vital, for here one receives communication of divine wisdom with the sixteen-dimensional, experiential realms, thus bringing about the true birth of man.

One who enters the plane of Vishudda Chakra follows knowledge, the path that leads to man's true birth into the divine state. All the elements are transmuted into their refined essence, their purest manifestation. When this occurs, being is established in pure consciousness. A person becomes "chitta", free of the fetters of the world and the master of his total self. The Vishudda Chakra embodies *chit*, or cosmic consciousness.

Sound, Creative identity, oriented to self-expression. This is the chakra located in the throat and is thus related to communication and creativity. Here we experience the world symbolically through vibration, such as the vibration of sound representing language. Creative.

Governs speech, hearing ,communication self expression

Known as: Throat Chakra, Visshuda

Vishuddi = purity. Pure.

Location: Throat.

Color: Sky blue

Sound Element: Also know as Akasha. Love, Enmity, Shyness, Fear and Attachment. Ether, angelic realms.

Attributes: Ego.

Desire: Solitude.

Activity: Thoughts and Ideas.

Sense: Hearing

Deities: Each Chakra has a Manifestation of the Shiva and Shakti Deities. Panchavaktra - The Great Teacher, Eternal Knowledge, Balance and Non-Duality. Shakini Shakti - Bestower of Higher Knowledge and Powers. Memory, Will, Intuition and Improvisation. Gaja the Elephant - Carrier of the Bija Mantra-Ham. Confidence, Hearing and In Tune with Nature.

Symbol: White Circle (Lunar Circle - Pure Cosmic Sound) surrounded by 16 Purple-Gray Petals.

Mantra: Repetition of Bijan Mantra-Ham. Each petal has a Sanskrit letter (Am, Amm, Lm, Llm, Um, Uum, Rm, Rrm, Lm, Llm, Em, Alm, Om, Aum, Aam, and Ahm). These Mantras go straight to the voice. The speaker's words go straight to the Heart.

 

Sixth Chakra

"The third eye." Located between the eyebrows, this chakra is the seat of intuition and awareness. Blockage manifests as sinus or eye problems.

Identity and Effects of Meditation

One who meditates on this chakra and stops the downward flow of this amrita, or nectar--by performing khechari mudra (*khe*, the ether; *chari*, "moving")--becomes immortal in this physical body. He is able to stop the process of aging, and thus he remains ever young and full of vitality and stamina. He obtains victory over disease, decay, and death, and enjoys eternal bliss through the union of Shiva and Shakti--the ultimate goal of Kundalini yoga.

Khechari mudra enhances the upward flow of energy, and the yogi is able to stay in Gagana Mandala, or Shunya Mandala, "the void", that is the hollow space between the twin hemispheres, which is known as the tenth gate of the body. It is located within Sahasrara, the seventh chakra. Soma Chakra is located in alignment with the middle of the forehead and is the seat of soma (the moon), amrita (nectar), and Kamadhenu. The color of Kamadhenu is white; her face is of a crow; her forehead is ahamkara (ego); and her eyes are human, of Brahmic nature. She has the horns of a cow, the neck of a horse, the tail of a peacock, and the wings of a white swan (hamsa).

“Soma”, represented by the face with a chakra on the forehead, is sometimes considered a separate chakra, associated with the mental clarity to achieve enlightenment. It is located between the Ajna and Sahasrara chakras.

Located above the third eye in the center of the forehead, the soma chakra refers to the "nectar", *amrita*, of the lotus of twelve petals in the center of which rests the crescent moon, the source of nectar.

Light, Archetypal identity, oriented to self-reflection. This chakra is known as the brow chakra or third eye center. It is related to the act of seeing, both physically and intuitively. As such it opens our psychic faculties and our understanding of archetypal levels. When healthy it allows us to see clearly, in effect, letting us "see the big picture." Intuitive.

Governs intuition, thought ,inner and outer sight, visions ,dreams.

Known as: Brow Chakra, Ajna,

Ajna = knowing. Austerity.

Location: Between Eyebrows.

Color: Indigo

Beyond Element: Beyond. Spiritual vision, archangels

Attributes: Transcending Senses, Experiencing God-In-Self or Atman.

Desire: Becoming Non-Acquisitive, a neutral observer.

Activity: Mercy, Honesty and Forgiveness.

Sense: Telepathy

Deities: Each Chakra has a Manifestation of the Shiva and Shakti Deities. Ardhanarlshvara - Half-Male, Half-Female, Shiva-Shakti, No longer Separate. Hakini Shakti - Imparts Awareness of Non-Duality.

Symbol: White Circle, 2 Luminous Petals in which all the Elements are combined.

Mantra: Repetition of the powerful Bijan Mantra-Om. Elevates the speaker form everyday reality, through concentration, to the meditative state. Each Petal has a Sanskrit letter (Ham and Ksham).

 

Seventh Chakra

The seventh chakra: "the crown chakra", located at the top of the head. This is related to one's personal spiritual connection to the universe. Blockage manifests as psychological problems.

Meaning, Plane, Effects of Meditation

The thousand petalled lotus, which represents the plane of truth and reality, is like an umbrella of petals with all the colors of the rainbow, and the yogi identifies Self as the guru within.

Planes:

Radiation: Light, fire, or sight in it's finest essence. The yogi becomes illuminated like the sun. His aura of light is continually radiant.

Primal Vibrations: Om is the first sound, continuing infinitely. Here the frequency of AUM becomes manifest within the yogi.

Gaseous Plane: The yogi attains supremacy over prana, which becomes so subtle that all of the prana (life force) within his body is said to be thumb-sized; if one were to bring a piece of glass in front of the yogi's nose, no condensation would deposit on it (haole, ha a`ole--no breath)

Plane of Positive Intellect: All value judgments or dualistic perceptions must be balanced, or negative intellect, the negation of the divine, may arise within the mind.

Happiness: Arises when a proper balance in body, psyche, and mind is established.

Laziness: May occur when the yogi attains a state of bliss, only to stop all action: when he goes into a state of “Samadhi”, the physical body becomes totally inactive.

Effects of Meditation:

Immortality is attained within Sahasrara Chakra. Before attaining this chakra the yogi is unable to reach the unconscious-conscious state called “asama-prajnata-samadhi”. In this state there is no activity of the mind and no knower, no knowledge, nothing to be known: knowledge, knower, and known all become unified and liberated.

Samahdi is the pure bliss of total inactivity. Up to the sixth chakra the yogi may enter a trance in which activity or form still remains within the consciousness. In Sahasrara Chakra the prana moves upward and reaches the highest point. The mind establishes itself in the pure void of Shunya Mandala, the space between the two hemispheres. At this time all feelings, emotions, and desires which are the activities of the mind, are dissolved into their primary cause. The union is achieved. The yogi is “sat-chit-ananda”, truth-being-bliss. He is his own real self, and as long as he stays in his physical body, he retains non-dual consciousness, enjoying the play of “lila”, the temporal world, without becoming troubled by pleasure and pain, honors and humiliations.

When the Kundalini is raised up to Sahasrara Chakra, the illusion of "individual self" is dissolved. The yogi becomes realized, one with the cosmic principles that govern the entire universe within the body. He obtains all “siddhis”, powers, up to Soma Chakra, where he encounters Kamadhenu, the wish-fulfilling cow within himself. He is a “siddha”, but has transcended the desire to manifest those wishes.

According to the “shastras”, Sahasrara is the seat of the self-luminescent soul, or “chitta”, the essence of being. Here, chitta is like a screen upon which the reflection of the cosmic Self is seen, and through it the divine is reflected. In the presence of the cosmic Self it is possible for anyone to feel the divine and indeed to realize the divinity within himself.

Thought, Universal identity, oriented to self-knowledge. This is the crown chakra that relates to consciousness as pure awareness. It is our connection to the greater world beyond, to a timeless, spaceless place of all-knowing. When developed, this chakra brings us knowledge, wisdom, understanding, spiritual connection, and bliss. Spirit.

Lives in an Extended State of Consciousness and Attains Enlightenment.

Known as: Crown Chakra, Sehasara, Sahastrar

Sahasrara = thousand spoked, thousand-petalled.

Location: Top of the Head.

Colors: Violet, white

Element: Cosmic kingdom = THE SOURCE

Attributes: Kundalini Shakti rises up the spinal column to unite with Shiva here. One understands Non-Duality, Governs connection to cosmic consciousness ,spiritual, wisdom aspirations knowledge of truth.

Deities: The GURU Within.

Symbol: One Thousand Rainbow Colored Petals.

Mantra: Each of the 50 Sanskrit Letters Repeat on the Petals.

 

 

To be continued.....

 

Yours yogically,

 

Shreeram Balijepalli

 

 

 

 

Purity, Powers, Parabrahmam...

 

 

 

 

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