The term Chakra has its roots in the ancient Sanskrit word Chakram, which literally means ‘wheel’ and refers to the seven wheel like energy centers in a human body. Thus, these are whorls of energy located in the subtle body of an individual where reception and transmission of energies take place. It can be said that the state of each of the 7 chakra correlates to major nerve ganglia originating from our spinal cords and reflects the physical health and the psychological, emotional and spiritual wellbeing of a person.
The lowest on the vertical line of the 7 chakras, lie the Muladhar Chakra at the last bone in the spinal cord between the genitals and the anus. Symbolized by a red lotus with 4 petals, it is known as the Base or Root Chakra and it stands for identity, group force, survival and instinct. This chakra is about what a man is and where he belongs, his tribal or group identity. You can feel this group force when you see your country win the gold medal or while watching the national parade, hearing the national anthem and so on.
Second in line in the 7 chakras, lie the Swadhisthana Chakra symbolized by an orange lotus with 6 petals. Located in the sacrum and above the Muladhar Chakra, it is physically linked to the human reproduction system but more importantly it is all about relationship and partnerships. Becoming active around age 7, the key issues of this chakra are the aspects of the basic emotional needs of man, his pleasures and his choice making abilities.
The third of the 7 chakra is that of the Manipura Chakra, symbolized by a yellow lotus with 10 petals and is located near the pancreas region and thus physically relates to the digestive and metabolism process in man. While the Muladhar and the Swadhisthana chakras were about group/tribal power and the power between self and others respectively, this chakra completes the trilogy and stands for the personal power of the individual, the formation of individuality and the sense of ’self’ as against the external world. Thus, becoming distinct from the time of puberty, it is all about self respect, self esteem, ambition, personality characteristics, strength of character, etc.
The fourth of the 7 chakra is the Anahata Chakra located at the centre of the chakra system and being the center power house of the same. Symbolized by a green lotus with 12 petals, it is where the body meets the spirit and earth meets heaven. Seat to complex emotions towards spirituality it is all about unconditional love, trust, hope, inspiration and the like. Needless to say that it is located near the heart and thus is physically related to it and the entire immune system of man.
The fifth of the 7 chakras is the Vishuddha Chakra which is located at the base of one’s throat near the thyroid gland, it is also known as the power of will chakra. Symbolized by a pale blue or a turquoise blue lotus with 16 petals, it stands for communication, self expression, growth and maturity.
The sixth of the 7 chakras is the Ajna Chakra given by a white or an indigo lotus with 2 petals. Located in the eyebrow region of the forehead, it is physically linked to the pineal gland governing sleep and wakefulness of an individual. Known as the Wisdom Chakra, it is all about detachment of the subjective perceptions and embarking on a spiritual path towards development of one’s conscious and sub conscious psychological realms for enabling him to distinguish between truth and illusion.
The last and the final of the 7 Chakra is the Sahasrara Chakra of pure consciousness. A vivid violet lotus with a thousand petals, it is located at the crown of one’s head and stands for the final spiritual journey of man in realizing the ultimate truth. The inner aspects of this chakra involves the practice of meditation, release of one’s karma, realizing one’s true potential and the immortality and omnipotence of the soul.
The author Indari Dahl is one of the team of experts who writes for the popular chakra-balance.com site. To understand how knowledge of the 7 chakra can transform your whole life and how you can get free 7 chakras instant balancing and healing sound recordings.

