Svadhisthana Chakra-The Sacral Centre

CHAKRA 2

Above mooladhara in the spinal region directly behind the genital organ is swadhisthana chakra. The literal meaning of the work swadhisthana is ones own abode' (swa-seif, sthan- dwelling place).

This chakra is symbolized by a crimson lotus with six petals, upon which are written the letters barn, bharn, main, yam, ram, lam. In the center is a white crescent moon and the bija mantra yarn. They are riding on a crocodile representing the water element. The presiding deities are Lord Vishnu, the maintainer and preserver of the universe, and the goddess Rakini, controller of the blood element in the body. On the physical level, swadhisthana is mainly associated with the organs of excretion and reproduction. Vitalization of this center can therefore rectify any disorders in these functions.

On a deeper level, swadhisthana chakra is the seat of the unconscious mind, the collective consciousness, storehouse of all samskaras, remote ancestral memories. It is the center of man's most primitive and deep rooted instincts.

By purifying this center one can rise above the animal nature. For meditation on this center, one should visualize a deep vast ocean with restless, turbulent waves under a dark sky at night. The tides of the ocean represent the ebb and flow of our own awareness.

The sacral centre is at the level of the sacrum on the spine. At this level we have the experience of fluidity in ourselves. This is called the element of water. The idea of energy experienced as the principle of fluidity may seem a little mystifying at first sight to the student. We have to adjust to the idea of energy in ourselves at these different levels being experienced as different kinds of consciousness or elements.

For some, the idea of ripeness or smoothness may be a more understandable way of defining the watery quality of this chakra. For example, a fruit's ripeness will require the watery element to be strongly present in it. The same thing applies to people. For man and woman to be ripe from the sexual point of view, the fluid element must be strongly present in their systems. The sacral centre is thus connected with the fluid functions of the system such as the urine and the semen.

An insufficiency of the fluid element will lead naturally to aridity. This can cause hardening or drying out diseases such as arthritis. In the latter case the cartilaginous tissue which acts as a natural lubricant between the bones at the joints dries up and painful friction takes place. Ripeness and smoothness give the experience of flow, which is the fluidity of the watery tattwa.

The sense of taste is associated with this level. The English idiom speaks of the mouth watering, and it is the watery element which produces the saliva which makes this possible. The sense of taste is therefore only possible because of the element of water.

SECOND CHAKRA QUALITIES AND ATTRIBUTES