CHAKRAS & ENDOCRINE GLANDS

The word chakra literally means wheel, circle, vortex, or whirlpool. The
chakras are connected to a network of psychic channels called nadis, which
correspond to the nerves but are more subtle in nature. The major chakras
are seven in number and are located along the pathway of sushumna nadi
which flows through the centre of the spinal cord. Sushumna nadi originates
at the perineum and terminates at the top of the head. The chakras are
depicted symbolically as lotus flowers, each having a particular number of
petals and a characteristic colour. The lotus symbolizes the three stagesignorance, aspiration and illumination. It represents spiritual growth from the
lowest state of awareness to the highest state of' consciousness. The petals
of the lotus, inscribed with the beeja mantras or seed sounds of the Sanskrit
alphabet, represent the different manifestations of psychic energy connected
with the chakras and the nadis leading into and out of them. Within each
chakra is a yantra comprised of the geometrical symbol of its associated
element and beeja mantra. Within the yantra there is also a presiding deity,
which represents particular aspects of divinity, along with the corresponding
vahana or vehicle which is an animal form, representing other psychic
aspects related with the particular centre.

CHAKRAS ASSOCIATION WITH THE PHYSICAL BODY

On a physical level, chakras are associated with the major nerve plexuses
and endocrine glands in the body. Endocrine system is a system of glands
which secrete hormones directly into the blood stream rather than through a
duct to regulate activity in other parts of the body. It is instrumental in
regulating metabolism, growth, development, puberty, tissue function and
also plays a part in determining mood. The names of the glands & the
chakras are muladhara (testicles/ovaries), swadhisthana (Adrenals),
manipura (spleen/pancreas), anahata (thymus), vishudha
(thyroid/parathyroid), ajna (pituitary gland), sahasrara (pineal gland). The
ideal condition of chakras is that they all be open and active, and neither
underactive (closed) or overactive. If your chakras are closed, you can
perform meditations to open them again. Sit in meditation and focus on each
chakra for 30-40 seconds, one at a time going up, then focus on each one
going down, then again going up. This is one round. In this way you can
make one more round. While doing this, you will just be in a flow through all
your chakras, running both the upward and downward current. Once your

chakras are open and active, you should feel more balanced, happy and at
peace.

MULADHARA CHAKRA / testicles and ovaries

Location: Base of spine, between anus and genitals.
Color: Red
Element: Earth
Bij Mantra: Lam
Muladhara Chakra is the first Chakra in ascending order. It is just below the
junction where Ida, Pingala and Sushumna Nadis meet. Muladhara means
support or pillar to all the other chakras as the other chakras are above this.
This chakra is the seat or dwelling place of primal energy, kundalini Shakti.
Kundalini, which gives power and energy to all the chakras, lies dormant at
this chakra waiting to be released and merged with Shiva in the crown
center.
On the physical level, this chakra is related to testicles and ovaries .
Physically, muladhara governs sexuality, mentally it governs stability,
emotionally it governs sensuality, and spiritually it governs a sense of
security. When this chakra is underactive we get diseases like constipation,
piles, varicose veins problem, knee problem, body pain & jaundice. If this
chakra is over-active, we become materialistic, greedy, obsessed with being
secure and resist change. The concentration and meditation on Muladhara
chakra helps rectify disorders of these functions & enhance inner stability
and balance.
SWADHISTHANA CHAKRA / adrenal
Location: Slightly below the belly button
Color: Orange
Element: Water
Bij Mantra: Vam
The literal meaning of the word swadhisthana is one's own abode. The
Sanskrit word swa means self and sthana means dwelling place. Although
kundalini resides in the muladhara chakra, actually her home is not there.
When you begin to experience kundalini you will find her in her real nature

not at the base of the spinal column but at swadhishthana chakra, her own
abode. Swadhistliana chakra is the chakra of creativity, pure attention and
pure knowledge. It is the one which connects us to the inner source of
inspiration, and enables us to experience the beauty around us. By purifying
this centre the animal nature is transcended.
On the physical level, swadhisthana chakra is related to the adrenal glands.
It looks after our liver, kidneys, and the lower abdomen. It is responsible for
assimilation, procreation, lymphatic system, and menstrual secretions.
Physically, Swadisthana governs reproduction, mentally it governs creativity,
emotionally it governs joy, and spiritually it governs enthusiasm. When this
chakra is underactive, we get diseases like diabetes, blood cancer & many
other diseases related to this gland can occur. If this chakra is over-active,
we tend to be emotional all the time. Well feel emotionally attached to
people and will tend to focus on sex too much. Visualization of this centre
can help rectify disorders of these functions & provide a channel for
projection of energy & more specifically thought energy.
MANIPURA CHAKRA / SPLEEN PANCREAS
Location: one hand-span above the belly button
Color: Golden bright yellow
Element: Fire
Bij Mantra: Ram
Mani means jewel, Puri means city. Manipura means the city of jewels. It is
so-called because, being the fire centre, it is lustrous like a jewel and radiant
with vitality and energy. Manipura is the centre of self-assertion, dynamism
and dominance. This chakra is the one that gives us the sense of generosity,
complete satisfaction and contentment. It represents expansive
consciousness, and the desire for power. The main quality of this center is
peace - clearing this chakra can relieve stress and tensions. When the
manipura chakra succumbs to stresses of any kind, the effects are
immediately felt both in the physical body and in the emotions.
On the physical level, this chakra is apparently related to the digestive
system, the spleen, the liver, the pancreas and the gall bladder which
produces and secretes enzymes, acids and juices necessary for the digestion
and absorption of nutrients. The adrenal glands located above the kidneys
are also related with manipura. They secrete adrenaline into the blood during
an emergency situation. This has the effect of speeding up all the
physiological processes, making the mind sharp and alert, the heart beat

faster, the respiration rate more rapid and so on. The body is then prepared
for a more intense level of activity than normal in what is commonly called
the 'fight or flight' reaction. Physically, manipura governs digestion, mentally
it governs personal power, emotionally it governs expansiveness, and
spiritually all matters of growth. If this chakra is under-active, people suffer
from sluggishness or malfunctions of the digestive system; can have
weakness in the body, indigestion, stomach, intestinal, and colon problems.
If this chakra is over-active, we are domineering and probably even
aggressive. Visualization of this centre can help rectify disorders of these
functions & brings us energy, effectiveness, spontaneity and non-dominating
power.
ANAHATA CHAKRA / THYMUS GLAND
Location: centre of the chest (in the area of the cardiac plexus).
Color: Green
Element: Air
Bij Mantra: yam
Anahata means unstuck. In the heart centre is the unstuck vibration of the
eternal nada (sound). It is where an internal, unborn and undying vibration,
the pulse of the universe and pulse of human existence can be experienced.
Anahata chakra is the centre of unconditional love, emotions, compassion,
selflessness and devotion. This is the place where resides our true Self,
which is eternally pure and unaffected by anything. It is from our heart that
the compassion and love manifests & the feelings of universal brotherhood
and tolerance begin to develop and all beings are accepted and loved for
what they are. The heart chakra gives us the sense of responsibility,
complete security, confidence and pure behaviour towards others.
On the physical level, this chakra is related to the heart, blood, lungs and the
circulatory system in general, along with the immune and endocrine
systems. Physically Anahata governs circulation, emotionally it governs
unconditional love for the self and others, mentally it governs passion and
spiritually it governs devotion. The disharmonious activation of Anahata
chakra leads to love-related problems that appear in some tragic cases
(divorce, death), perturbation of the endocrine gland corresponding to it - the
thymus gland. If this chakra is under-active, it can cause asthma or various
heart conditions. If this chakra is over-active, we are suffocating people with
our love and our love probably has quite selfish reasons. Visualization of this
centre can help rectify disorders of these functions. Then we get cosmic love

and obtain all other divine qualities. All our worries, doubts and fears are
destroyed.
VISHUDDHI / VISHUDDHA / THYROID GLAND
Location: base of throat, above where it joins the chest
Color: Sky Blue
Element: Space
Bij Mantra: Ham
The word shuddhi means 'purification' and the prefix vi enhances this quality.
It is the centre of the pure consciousness, and creativity. Right understanding
and discrimination develop at vishuddhi chakra. Here the dualities of life are
accepted, allowing one to flow with life and let things happen as they will,
without distinguishing between good and bad. It is the chakra of pure
relationships with others, and of playful detachment.
On the physical level, vishuddhi chakra is apparently related to the thyroids,
the rate of metabolism, and the lungs in the physical body. It controls the
activity of the vocal cords, of the hearing, of the pharynx and esophagus.
Physically, vishuddha governs communication, emotionally it governs
independence, mentally it governs fluent thought, and spiritually, it governs
a sense of security. If this chakra is under-active, people will get cold, cough,
thyroid problem & lack of communication skill. If this chakra is over-active,
we tend to speak too much, usually to domineer and keep people at a
distance. Visualization of this centre can help rectify disorders of these
functions such as the feelings of superiority or inferiority, all jealousies & it
activates ability to telepathy, clairaudience. (Extra-sensory hearing)
enhances.
.
AJNA CHAKRA / PITUITARY GLAND
Location: exact centre of forehead
Color: Indigo or deep blue
Element: ultra sound
Bij Mantra: Aam
This centre is also known by various names such as: the third eye; jnana
chakshu (the eye of wisdom); triveni (the confluence of three rivers); guru
chakra and the eye of Shiva. The word ajna means command. In deeper
states of meditation the disciple receives commands and guidance from the

guru, and from the divine or higher self, through this chakra. Ida and pingala
nadis merge with sushumna nadi at ajna running all the way up from
muladhara to sahasrara. If Ida and pingala nadis are out of sequence, it
indicates that something is disturbed in the energy circuit between
mooladhara and ajna. It is a gate which opens the way for our consciousness
to ascend to its final destination, which is the seventh center.
On physical level, ajna is apparently related to the pituitary gland and the
small brain which secretes hormones to communicate to the rest of the
endocrine system and also connects to the central nervous system via the
hypothalamus. The hypophysis has a vital role in the physical basis of
consciousness. This is the centre where wisdom and intuition develop. If this
chakra is under-active, one will have negative thoughts, lack of energy,
making more bad karmas. If this chakra is over-active, one may live in a
world of fantasy too much; in excessive cases hallucinations are possible. 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 SAHASRARA / PITUITARY GLAND
Location: whole top of head above the hairline
Color: Violet
Element: ultra violet
Bij Mantra: Om
Sahasrara Chakra is not really a chakra but our connection to our
higherselves and to the divine, the abode of Lord Shiva. The word sahasrara
means one thousand. This chakra is visualized as a shining lotus of a
thousand petals. In the centre of the lotus is a shining jyotirlingal lingam of
light, symbol of pure consciousness. It is in sahasrara that the mystical union
of Shiva and Shakti takes place, the fusion of consciousness with matter and
energy, the individual soul with the supreme soul. When kundalini awakens,
it ascends through the chakras to sahasrara and merges into the source from
where it originated. Having attained this, the yogi attains the superconscious state and supreme knowledge and passes beyond birth and death.
It is like our umbilical / navel (um-BIL-i-kuhl) cord to "God."
On physical level, sahasrara charka is related to the pineal gland. The pineal
gland is a light sensitive gland that produces the hormone melatonin which
regulates sleep and awakening. Its proper functioning helps to improve
thinking power and intelligence. It is large in children, but shrinks at puberty.

This chakra gives us the direct, absolute perception of reality on our central
nervous system. It symbolizes detachment from illusion; an essential
element in obtaining supramental consciousness of the truth that one is all
and all is one. Sahasrara chakra integrates all the chakras with their
respective qualities. It is the last milestone of the evolution of human
awareness.