Yoga chakra

Svadhisthana Chakra: Seat of the Self

Dec 07, 2021

By Devendra Narayan, PhD.

Credit: MS Sanskrit 391. Authored by Svami Hamsasvarupa, 1900s. Wellcome Collection. The original image has been modified for use in this article.

Svadhisthana is the six-petalled lotus (chakra) located at the base of the genital organ.
Svadhisthana means one’s own place and therefore this chakra represents the seat of the self.
One who meditates on this chakra destroys internal enemies like ego and arrogance.

My previous article discussed the architecture of the muladhara chakra as portrayed in the 16th century text Sat Chakra Nirupana. This article continues our journey through the inner pilgrimage as we explore the architecture of the second sacred city, the Svadhisthana chakra.

Svadhisthana Chakra

Svadhisthana chakra is located at the base of the genital organ and above the four-petalled Muladhara chakra. The Svadhisthana chakra has six petals and is tied (braided) to the Chitrini Nadi, which in turn resides within the Sushumna Nadi.

Note that in modern images of hue-colored chakras, the Svadhisthana chakra is shown in orange color. However, the original Sanskrit verse in Sat Chakra Nirupana specifies that the color of Svadhisthana chakra is Sindooram, a traditional vermilion red or orange-red color. The letters bam, bham, mam, yam, ram, and lam appear on the six petals of the lotus in a shining silver color.

Credit: MS Sanskrit 391. Authored by Svami Hamsasvarupa, 1900s. Wellcome Collection. The original image has been modified for use in this article.

Within the Svadhisthana chakra is the clear and soft water element (Varun). Its bija mantra is Vam (pronounced Vum), which is bright like the autumn moon and carries a crescent moon on its head. The Vam bija mantra is said to ride on a crocodile (makara), which is also the vehicle of Varun.

In the lap of the Svadhisthana chakra lies the youthful Vishnu with four arms. Shiny blue skin and yellow clothes adorn his form, as well as the celebrated jewel at his center (kaustubha mani).

Devi Rakini, also known as Lakshmi, sits to Vishnu's left with superior weapons adorning her four hands, wearing divine ornaments and clad in celestial clothes. Rakini is depicted in an ecstatic state of mind (matchitta).

It is said that one who meditates on the Svadhisthana chakra destroys internal enemies like ego and arrogance, becoming a Yogisha or master of yoga. He who meditates on the Svadhisthana chakra dispels the darkness of illusion, shines like the bright sun and gains mastery over speech.

The next article will describe the architecture of Manipura chakra, the third of the seven inner sacred cities.

About the Author

Devendra Narayan is a scientist, yoga teacher, breathworker, scholar and founder of Cultivate Prana Academy. Cultivate Prana's mission is to empower modern day healers through education that integrates ancient wisdom and modern science.

Reference:

Svāmihaṃsasvarūpakr̥tam Ṣaṭcakranirūpaṇacitram : bhāṣyasamalaṃkr̥taṃ bhāṣāṭīkopetañ ca = Shatchakra niroopana chittra with bhashya and bhasha containing the pictures of the different nerves and plexuses of the human body with their full description showing the easiest method how to practise pranayam by the mental suspension of breath through meditation only ; by Shri Swami Hansa Swaroop.

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