What are chakrās?
The chakrās are subtle energy centres that are aligned with the Sushumnā-nādī, that is, the central channel of the Kundalini system. There are seven main Kundalini chakrās that are distributed along the Sushumnā-nādī. They provide subtle energy to the functions of the body organs, mind and intellect. However, they are primarily associated with the subtle body of a person. Their names, in ascending order from below upwards, are as follows:
|
Number |
Sanskrit name of the Kundalini chakra |
Western name of Kundalini chakra |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Mūlādhār-chakra |
Base or Root chakra |
|
2 |
Swādhishthan-chakra |
Sacral chakra |
|
3 |
Manīpūr-chakra |
Solar plexus chakra |
|
4 |
Anāhat-chakra |
Heart chakra |
|
5 |
Vishuddha-chakra |
Throat chakra |
|
6 |
Ādnyā-chakra |
Brow chakra |
|
7 |
Sahasrār-chakra |
Crown chakra |
Below is a diagrammatic representation of the positions of the various chakrās.
The Brahmarandhra is a subtle opening (conduit) above the Sahasrār-chakra from which divine energy is received. The Kundalini passing the Brahmarandhra indicates the spiritually evolved merging with God. It is also the opening through which the spiritually evolved exit when leaving their body at the time of death.
