Ayurveda and yoga are The two sister alliances. many principles of both the systems are corresponding to each other. Ayurveda has adopted many yogic principles to achieve the goal of Ayurveda, स्वस्थस्य स्वास्थ्य रक्षणं II आतुरस्य विकार प्रशमनं च II (To maintain the health of healthy person and to treat the ailments of the sick person). As per Vedas, there are three types of sharira (body). Sthul Sharira (Physical body), Sukshma sharira (Subtle body which includes mind, body and intellect ) and Karana Sharira( Casual body, or Karmic body). Chakras are related to subtle body. Chakras are the energetic circles of our subtle body. The literal translation of Chakras can be wheels, but as per the yoga, meaning of Chkaras is whirlpool of energy. They are physiological as well as Psychic centers. Chakras are vertically aligned in the center of the body. Chakras are like a electric pole which supplies power (Prana) through the wires (Nadis) to the various parts of the body. In the physical body nadis are shrotoas (systems) and in subtle body nadis(chennels) . In Sanskrit “NA” means movement . so nadis are responsible for movement. All the subtle nadis, prana and chakras have close relationship with the gross nerves, veins, arteries and plexus. Chakras, physically corresponds to the organs and internally corresponds to enlightenment. Nadis emerging from the each chakras carries prana in both the directions. The outgoing communication and incoming reactions. Thus chakras control the prana throughout the human structure. Every individual is a microcosm of the universe and the universe is the macrocosm of the human. and for that the energy operating within us is a part of universal energy. The inner energy is nurtured by the energy of the universe. As per the yogic anatomy, There are seven chakras and three main nadis. Let us first look at the nadis. The three nadis are Shushumna, Ida and Pingala. Shushumna, strats from the Muladhara chakra (Root chakra) and travels up to Brahma Randhra. within Shushumna, there is a nadi known as Vajra, and within vajra there is one more nadi, that is known as chitta and within chitta nadi there is one minute nadi which is known as Brahmanadi nadi, when Kundalini awakens it travels from This Brahmanandi Nadi. Ida and Pingala, these two nadis travels to the both side of Shushumna. These are the two Nadis, which carries prana. Ida flows through the left nostril and Pingala flows through the right nostril.These two nadis meet shushumna at the Muladhara chakra and inter cross and make a knot here. These junction of the three nadis is known as Mukta triveni. Ida is called as a chandra (Moon) and Pingala is known as Surya (Sun) nadis. They have respectively cooling and heating properties. Now, let us go to the Chakras. There are six important chakras , Muladhara, Swadhisthana, Manipura, Anahata, Vishudhhi and Agna chakra. There is seventh and Main chakra , which is Shahastrahara Chakra , which is in head. There is also a refernce of eighth Chakras known as Bindu chakra in the texts. Awakened Kundalini travelles from Muladhara to shahastrahara Chakra, crossing all the chakras. at that time a practitioner experiences a very unique kind of happiness and joy and receives special kind of psychic power. When the kundalini reaches to the shahastrahara chakra, an yogi experiences real samadhi and joy. That is the ultimate goal of a real yogi.
पिंडम कुंडलिनी शक्ती, पदम् हमसमुदाहृतम्; रूपम बिन्दू रीति जिनाम, रोपयतेतम् निरंजनम्//
The gross body of every human being is called pindam and the Kundalini shakti remains in a latent form in the whole body. Until and unless you withdraw the senses from each Chakra to the next, you can not experience the indwelling divinity. Muladhara Chakra– Mula it means root adhara means support. It provides support to all the other chakras. It is located at the base of spine. two fingers above the Anus and two fingers below the root of genital organs. Actually it is described in the books that in female it is located at the back of the cervix, where the uterus and vagina connects. in the Kundalani which supplies power to all the chakras, resides here.This chakra is described as a lotus of four petals with red color. The four petals are four directions and that is related to the earth element. Strength, support and stability are related to the earth element. As we learnt, Kundalini resides here and when it rises , it starts to travel in upward direction from this chakra. In an optimum stage, Muladhara is associated with the sense of smell, and sense organ nose and action organ anus.It helps in building a proper structure, which is a sign of healthy bones, muscles, proper ejaculation, ovulation and elimination. Desire is the main subject of this chakra and natural urges of the body are influenced by this chakra. In this chakra a person is self oriented and always thinks to attain something for security. That is why it is suggested to start meditating from this chakra helps to become more grounded. Fear, anxiety, depressions, instability can be seen in imbalanced Muladhara chakra. Swadhisthana Chakra– Swadhisthana word is made of two words. Swa and Adhisthana. Swa means self and Adhisthana means Location. so The meaning of Swadhisthana is the location of self. This Chakra is regarded as the basis of our existence. Swadhisthana chakra is located below the navel and little above the genital organ, behind the pubic bone. This chakra is associated with unconscious mind and our samskaras. This samskaras can be seen as our desires for food, sex etc. It is the center of the deep rooted samsakaras. It is visualized as six petals and red-orange lotus. within this flower there is a moon. This chakra represents water element and associated with sense of taste. so it is associated with sense organ tongue. as we mentioned that swadhisthana is associated with desires and therefore the action organs are organs of reproduction and excretion organs.It governs the shukra dhatu, (sperm,ovum) kidneys, prostate, ovaries etc. In imbalance stage,excessive material desires and the organs related can be effected. Manipura Chakra– Mani pura chakra is the third Chakra. Meaning of Manipura is Mani + Pur, Mani means gems or jewel and pur means town or city . so literal translation is “The town or city of gems”. It is known as the city of gems because of the intensity of the pranaic energy at this center. Manipura chakra distributes prana throughout the human body and that is why it is very important chakra. It also burns up energy into food. This chakra is visualized as a yellow color lotus flower with ten petals. In the center of the lotus, is Sun , which symbolizes heat and energy. Physical trigger point of Mnaipura chakra is middle of the spine , behind the navel. The yogi who meditates on this Chakra achieves Patala sidhhi. Manipura chakra is associated with the element of fire and for there the sense organ is eye and action organ is feet.This chakra is associated with liver, spleen, small intestine, Adrenalin, digestive enzymes and eyes. In it’s balanced stage it keeps normal body temperature, supports digestive system, hormones and enzymes. imbalanced stage can have digestive issues, hormones imbalance, eyes issues. According to Budhhist Manipura chakra is the seat of Kundalini. Yoga says the seat of Kundalini is Muladhara chakra. So when Kundalini awakening starts , The Kundalini rises from the Muladhara to Swadhisthana and from there it goes to The Mnaipura. Kundalini can go up to swadhisthana for many time but real awakening will take place from the Manipura chakra. That is why Budhhist beleives Manipura as The seat of Kundalini. Anahata Chakra – Anahata Chakra is the fourth Chakra. Located in The heart region of the spine. Anahata word is made of the two words , Ana means Never and Hata means Hurt, so literal translation would be unhurt or unbeaten.so this chakra is considered as the center of the unbeaten cosmic sound. This Chakra is considered as the center of realization. Patanjali has mentioned in Yoga sutra that self realization can be achieved by meditating at Anahta Chakra.This chakra is associated with emotions and that is why it is very powerful as if the emotions are purified and centered , The emotions can be transformed into divine love which we can see in Bhakti yoga. Bhakti yoga , love of Bhakta (Devotee) is unconditional and without any expectations. Anahata Chakra is visualized as the blue color lotus with twelve petals and there are two triangles in opposite directions and candle flame (linga). The triangle pointing toward upward direction symbolizes awekening and downward direction symbolizes lower state of awakening. candle flame or linga which at the center symbolizes consciousness exist in all jivatma as akhanda jyoti(eternal light). Anahata Chakra is located in the spine at the heart behind the breast bone. Anahata Chakra is associated with heart, lungs , Thymus. In imbalanced state, the associated organs can be weak or functioning abnormally. The element associted with this chakra is air and the sense organ is skin, sense is touch and action organ is Hands. Vishudhhi Chakra– Vishudhhi Chakra is The fifth Chakra . The meaning of Vishudhhi is purification and That is why this Chakra is associated with purification or understandings. This is the center from where everything existing in the world becomes one and there is no difference between good and bad. everything and everyone becomes one. There is posibility to go back from below the vishudhhi chakra but from vishudhhi and above there is no possibility to go back to the below chakras. Vishudhhi Chakra is the gateway of moksha for the yogis who craves to know the real meaning of yoga. This Chakra symbolizes with violet color lotus with sixteen petals , in the center of the flower is a white color circle, in circle there is a drop of nectar. Vishudhhi chakra is located in the spine behind the throat. The element associated with this chakra is Akasha and the sense organ is ear, sense is sound and action organ is mouth. Visudhhi chakra is associated with Throat, larynx, pharynx, Thyroid gland, bronchus. Imbalanced vishudhhi chakra can be seen as thyroid disorder, asthma, allergies, hearing, speech and issues in decision making. If it is balanced and in harmony this organs functions properly. Agna Chakra– The Agna Chakra is the sixth chakra. The meaning of agna is order or command. which represents the level of awarness where two people’s mind can communicate. It is the center where guru guides his disciple and orders them to follow particular kriyas during the sadhana. This chakra also known as Third eye. It is located at the top of the spine between the eyebrows. By a psychic passage known as Maha nadi. stimulation of brimadhya stimulates Agna chakra. Brimadhya is the place where ida and pingala ends and merge with shushumna, which is known as mukta triveni. Agna chakra is related to pineal gland. Agna chakra is visualized as silver blue lotus flower with two petals. one petal associated with sun and the other one is associated with the moon. imbalance of agna chakra may have issues like sleep disorders, migraine headache and hormonal imbalance. There are other chakras like Bindu, Lalana, shastradhara, hridyaksha etc refereed in the yogik texts. Now a days, Chakra balancing is getting popularized. Though there is not any description we can find in Ayurvedic texts, regarding Chakra balancing. But if we look at the each Chakra and their element, their sense and action organs, an Ayurvedic physician can use various kind of techniques to balance the imbalanced chakras. First Two chakras Muladhara and Swadhisthana are associated with Tama( ignorance, inertia) , the other two Manipura and Anhata are related to Rajas (Passion, Desires) and the the other two or three related to Satva(purity,harmony). To Improve satva, nothing is better then yoga. So yoga can be the best answer to keep our chakras aligned. Practice of eight limbs of yoga, bandha, mudra, Japa, Trataka, can help in chakra balancing.Also, there are trigger points or chkrakshetram, stimulation of those trigger points can help to align the chakras. In Ayurvedic therapies various trigger points are stimulated. Thank you and see you in a month with onother intersting topic.