Introduction:
Sapta Chakras: "Sapta" means Seven and Chakras means wheels (wheel is the English name for 'chakra' as it is the somewhat similar in shape). The Sapta chakras are the part of the subtle body which is divine. In every physical human body, there is a subtle energy body called as 'chaitanya' or divine body in which the soul resides. The sapta chakras are the part of this divine body along with the nadis(energy channels). The chakras are located along a central Sushumna nadi, which runs either alongside or inside the spine. There are two other nadis - Ida and Pingala, which run through the chakras, and alongside Sushumna. They occasionally cross Sushumna at the location of the chakras. The nadi act as a channel for the energy to pass through each chakra. The Sapta chakra possesses many petals or spokes, beautifully locates in the subtle body.
Each chakra in our spinal column governs bodily functions near its region of the spine. Chakras are energy centers along the spine located at major branching of the human nervous system, beginning at the base of the spinal column and moving upward to the top of the skull, through which pass 3 major energy channels, Sushumna, Ida and Pingala. Chakras are considered to be a point or nexus of biophysical energy or Prana of the human body. The prana is the basic component of our subtle body, our energy field, and the entire chakra system. It is the key to life and source of energy in the universe.>
Types of Sapt Chakra
As the name suggests there are seven sapta chakras.
1. Muladhara chakra
Location: Basal end of the spinal column, in the vicinity of the coccygeal plexus beneath thesacrum
Number of petals: Four (4)
Appearance: The chakra is in the form of a yellow, square lotus, surrounded by eight shining spears on the sides. It has four red petals at its corners.
Function: The muladhara chakra is the foundation of the energy body. The four petals of the Muladhara chakra are associated with greatest joy, natural pleasure, delight in controlling passion, and blissfulness in concentration. When you meditate for a long period of time, more than 12 years, heat is generated at the base of the spinal cord which helps to break the Muladhar chakra. Once the chakra is opened you can obtain various siddhis(One can fly, Sit on water, Jump high, control over earth's element, etc.) related to the chakra or proceed further to break another chakra.
2. Svadhishthana chakra
Location: This chakra is located in the sacrum. Itis located near the tailbone, two finger-widths above the Muladhara chakra.
Number of petals:Six(6)
Appearance: Svadhishthana chakra is symbolized by a white lotus within which is a crescent moon, with six orange petals.
Function:This chakra comes after the Muladhara chakra and is associated with the sense of taste, reproduction, emotions and intimacy. Also there are various Siddhi's associated with chakra. But using these siddhi's for acquiring material gains is not important than using this energy of the chakra for spiritual development.
3. Manipura chakra
Location: The Manipura Chakra is the third chakra which is located at the navel or slightly above the solar plexus.
Number of petals:Ten(10)
Appearance:Manipura Chakra is the third chakra that comes after Svadhishthana chakra. It consists of 10 dark-blue or black petals with a downward pointing red triangle, showing significance of fire, within a bright yellow circle.
Function:The Manipura chakra is related with spiritual ignorance, thirst, jealousy, treachery , shame, fear , disgust , delusion , foolishness and sadness. Manipura chakra is considered as the center of dynamism, energy, willpower, and achievement, which radiates prana(subtle wind) throughout the entire human body. It is associated with the power of fire and digestion, as well as with the sense of sight and the action of movement.
4. Anahata chakra
Location: Located in the central channel of the spine near the heart
Number of petals:Twelve(12)
Appearance:Anahata is the fourth chakra that comes after manipura. It is represented by a lotus flower with twelve petals. Inside there is a smokey region at the intersection of two triangles, creating a hexagon.
Function:Anahata is associated with the ability to make decisions outside the realm of karma. In Manipura and below, man is bound by the laws of karma and fate. In Anahata one makes decisions based on one's higher self, not the unfulfilled emotions and desires of lower nature. As such, it is known as the heart chakra. It is also associated with love and compassion, charity to others and psychic healing. Meditation on this chakra is said to bring about the following siddhis (abilities): He becomes a lord of speech, he is dear to women, his presence controls the senses of others, etc. It is also related to thoughts of lust, fraud, indecision, repentance, hope, anxiety, longing, impartiality, arrogance, competence, discrimination and defiance.
5. Vishuddha chakra
Location:Located at the throat region, near the spine.
Number of petals:Sixteen (16)
Appearance:The Vishuddha chakra is somewhat bluish white in color with sixteen purple petals. Within the pericarp is a sky-blue downward pointing triangle containing a circular white region like the full moon.
Function:It is associated with higher discrimination, creativity and self-expression. The petals correspond to the Vrittis of the mantra Ong [Aum], the Sama-mantras, the mantras Hung, Phat, Washat, Swadha, Swaha, and Namak, the nectar Amrita, and the seven musical tones. The success and failure in one's life are said to depend upon the state of this chakra, whether it is polluted or clean.
6. Agya chakra
Location:Located in the center of the forehead, is between the eyebrows at the position of the "third eye.
Number of petals:Two(2)
Appearance:Agya has two white petals and is transparent. It has a pecular shine. Our soul resides in the Agyna chakra.
Function:Agyna chakra or Adnya chakra is one of the important chakras as the main spiritual energy that is human soul resides in this chakra. It is in this chakra where the disciples of the spiritual path receive their initiation and may proceed further for self-realization. It is very difficult to break this chakra. After you have command over this chakra your soul has the freedom to traverse out of the body by passing the Sahasrara chakra. It is a major part of Spiritual divine.
7. Sahastradal/Sahasrara chakra
Location:Located on the top of the head, in the center.
Number of petals:Thousand (1,000)
Appearance:The Sahasrara chakra looks like a lotus flower with 1,000 petals of different colors. These petals are arranged in 20 layers, each layer with approximately 50 petals. The pericarp is golden and within it a circular moon region with petals covering all over.
Function:The Sahastradal chakra is the most complicated chakra among all the chakras. It is very difficult to pass through this chakra because of its complex structure. It is often referred to as a thousand-petaled lotus, which is the most subtle chakra in the system, relating to pure consciousness.
With meditation one may start realization of the sapta chakras which will help the soul to recognize that there is something more to live than the simple material needs. The Sapta chakra assists you to find the purpose of human life- Who are you? Where have you come from? and What do you want? Self-realization, realization of one's soul, realization that you are not this material body but the divine soul inside the body is important. Traversing any chakra starting from the Muladhara chakra to sahastradal chakra is not a very easy task. But as you keep on practicing after acquiring proper knowledge from your Guru, one may start experiencing happiness ('Parmananda') and emanate love towards god.