Chakras are in the Linga Sarira (astral body). Linga Sarira is of 17 Tattvas, viz., 5
Jnanendriyas (ears, skin, eyes, tongue and nose); 5 Karmendriyas (speech, hands, legs, genitals,
anus); 5 Pranas (Prana, Apana, Vyana, Udana, Samana); Manas (mind); and Buddhi (intellect).
These have corresponding centres in the spinal cord and the nerve-plexuses in the gross body. Each
Chakra has control and function over a particular centre in gross body. These cannot be seen by the
naked eyes. Some foolish doctors search for the Chakras in the physical body. They cannot find
them there. Since they cannot find any Chakra in a dead body, they lose faith in Shastras and Yogic
Kriyas.
Sukshma Prana moves in the nervous system of the Linga Sarira (astral body). Sthula Prana
moves in the nervous system of the gross physical body. The two courses are intimately connected.
They act and react upon each other. The Chakras are in the astral body even after the disintegration
of the physical organism to death. According to a school of thought, the Chakras are formed during
concentration and meditation only. This is not possible. The Chakras should exist there in a subtle
state, as the gross matter is the result of the subtle matter. Without the subtle body, the gross body is
impossible. The meaning of this sentence should be taken to be that one can feel and understand the
Sukshma Chakras during concentration and meditation only.
Wherever there is an interlacing of several nerves, arteries and veins, that centre is called
Plexuses. The physical gross plexuses that are known to the Vaidya Shastra are Hepatic, Cervical,
Brachial, Coccygeal, Lumbar, Sacral, Cardiac, Epigastric, Esophageal, Pharyngeal, Plumonary,
Lingual, Prostatic, etc. Similarly there are plexuses or centres of Sukshma Prana in the Sushumna
Nadi. All the functions of the body, nervous, digestive, circulatory, respiratory, genito-urinary and
all other systems of the body are under the control of these centres in Sushumna. These are subtle
centres of vital energy. These are the centres of consciousness (Chaitanya). These subtle centres of
Sushumna have their corresponding centres in the physical body. For example, Anahata Chakra which
is in the Sushumna Nadi has its corresponding centre in the physical body at the heart
(Cardiac Plexus).
The subtle centres in the Sushumna Nadi are otherwise known as Lotuses or Chakras. A
particular Tattva preponderates at every Chakra. There is a presiding deity in each Chakra. In every
Chakra a certain animal is represented. It denotes that the centre has the qualities, Tattvas or Gunas
of that particular animal. There are six important Chakras: Muladhara, Svadhisthana, Manipura,
Anahata, Vishuddha, and Ajna. Sahasrara is the chief Chakra. It is in the head. These 7 Chakras
correspond to the Lokas (Bhuh, Bhuvah, Svah, Maha, Jana, Tapa, and Satya Lokas). Muladhara to
Vishuddha are the centres of Pancha Bhutas (five elements): earth, water, fire, air and ether.
When Kundalini is awakened it passes on from Muladhara to Sahasrara through all the
Chakras. At every centre to which the Yogi directs the Kundalini, he experiences a special form of
Ananda (Bliss) and gains special Siddhis (psychic powers) and knowledge. He enjoys the Supreme
Bliss when Kundalini is taken to Sahasrara Chakra.
The following are some other Chakras: Adhara (another name of Muladhara Chakra),
Amrita, Ananda, Lalita, Balvana, Brahmadvara, Chandra, Dipaka, Karnamula, Gulhaha, Kuladipa,
Kundali, Galabaddha, Kaladaada, Kaladhvara, Karangaka, Kalabhedan, Lalana, Mahotsaha,
Manas, Talana, Mahapadma, Niradhara, Naukula, Prana, Soma, Triveni, Urdhvarandhra, Vajra,
etc. Some of these names refer to the six important Chakras only. There are also many minor
Chakras. Some Hathayogis say, that there are 21 minor Chakras besides 13 major Chakras and
some other Hathayogis hold that there are forty-nine Chakras while the ancient Yogis taught that
there are 144 Chakras. Talana Chakra with its twelve red petals is located near the base of the palate
and Manas Chakra with its six petals closely associated with sensations, dreams and astral
travelling. Detailed instructions of each Chakra are given in the foregoing chapters.
Chakras are subtle centres of vital energy and consciousness. They control all bodily functions including nervous, digestive, circulatory, and respiratory systems.
When Kundalini awakens and rises through these Chakras, the yogi experiences bliss, knowledge, and spiritual power.
Each Chakra has a specific number of petals with Sanskrit letters representing vibrations and mantras.
He who meditates on this Chakra has full control over Vayu Tattva. He gets (flying in air, entering the body of another). He gets cosmic love and all other divine Sattvic qualities. which gives all the desired things, is here. Anahata sound, the sound of Shabda Brahman, is heard at this centre. When you do Sirshasana for a long time, you can distinctly hear this sound. Vayu Tattva is full of Sattva Guna. Vishnu Granthi is in this Sthana.
Vishuddha Chakra is situated within the Sushumna Nadi at the base of the throat, Kantha-Mula Sthana. This corresponds to Janar Loka. It is the centre of Akasa Tattva (ether element). The Tattva is of pure blue colour. Above this, all other Chakras belong to Manas Tattva. The presiding deity is Sadasiva (Isvara Linga), and the Goddess is Shakini. From this centre emanate 16 Yoga Nadis which appear like the petals of a lotus. The vibrations that are produced by the Nadis are represented by the 16 Sanskrit vowels, Akasa Mandal (the region of ether) is round in shape like the fullmoon. The Bija of Akasa Tattva hö (haü) is in this centre. It is of white colour. This Chakra corresponds to Laryngeal plexus in the physical body.
Ajna Chakra is situated within the Sushumna Nadi and its corresponding centre in the
physical body is at the space between the two eye-brows. This is known as Trikuti. The presiding
deity, Paramasiva (Shambhu), is in the form of Hamsa. There is Goddess Hakini (Sakti}. Pranava
xdvng (Om) is the Bijakshara for this Chakra. This is the seat of the mind. There are two petals
(Yoga Nadis) on each side of the lotus (Chakra) and the vibrations of these Nadis are represented by
the Sanskrit letters:—xdvng (Ham) and (Ksham). This is the Granthi Sthana (Rudra Granthi). The
Chakra is of pure white colour or like that of the fullmoon (on the Purnima day). Bindu, Nada and
Sakti are in this Chakra. This Chakra corresponds to Tapo-Loka. The corresponding centre in the
physical body is at the Cavernous Plexus.
He who concentrates at this centre destroys all the Karmas of the past lives. The benefits that
are derived by meditation on this Chakra cannot be described in words. The practitioner becomes a
Jivanmukta (liberated man while living). He acquires all the 8 major and 32 minor Siddhis. All
Yogis and Jnanis too concentrate to this centre on the Bijakshara, Pranava ! (OM). This is called
Bhrumadya Drishti (gaze at the space between the two eye-brows). More details of this important
Chakra will be given in the subsequent lessons.