Svadhisthana – Second primary chakra
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The Svadhisthana is the second primary chakra, located above the genitals. Svadhisthana is translated as where your being is established. The chakra is represented by the water element, the color orange, and the crocodile. The water and the crocodile symbolize the inherent danger of this chakra, when negative emotions seep from the subconscious mind and take control. The color orange demonstrates the positive side of the chakra, that promotes greater consciousness and awareness. In tantric traditions, the Svadhishthana is also called Adhishthana, Bhima or Padma.
Let’s take a closer look at the Svadhishthana chakra.
Design of the Svadhisthana Chakra
TheSvadhishthana chakra is a six petaled white lotus flower. The petals are engraved with the Sanskrit syllables: baṃ, bhaṃ, maṃ, yaṃ, raṃ and laṃ. These syllables predominantly represent our negative qualities and feelings, such as jealousy, anger, cruelty, and hatred.
In the midst of the Svadhishthana chakra is the mantra vaṃ. Chanting this mantra will assist the practitioner in expressing feelings of desire and pleasure.
Above the mantra, is a dot or bindu, that’s governed by lord Vishnu, the deity of preservation. This blue-skinned god holds a conch, a mace, a wheel and a lotus. He adorns the shrivatsa mark, one of the most ancient and holy symbols of Hinduism. Vishnu is either seated on a pink lotus, or on the eagle Garuda.
Vishnu’s female counterpart, or Shakthi, is the goddess Rakini. She’s a dark-skinned deity who’s seated on a red lotus. In her multiple arms she holds a trident, lotus, drum, skull, and axe.
The Svadhisthana chakra also contains a white crescent moon that symbolizes water.
Role of the Svadhisthana Chakra
The Svadhisthana chakra is associated with pleasure, relationships, sensuality and procreation. An active Svadhisthana chakra can instigate a greater confidence to express one’s pleasure and desire. Meditating upon the Svadhisthana charka can make an individual understand their true feelings. The Svadhisthana chakra’s closely associated with the unconscious mind and buried emotions.
In the Svadhisthana chakra, different samskaras or mental recollections are expressed. An individual’s Karma or actions are also expressed and activated. The Svadhisthana chakra also determines an individual’s dreams, desires, imagination, and creative potentials, and at the physical level, it controls procreation, and bodily secretions.
The Svadhisthana chakra’s one of the most powerful chakras. This chakra’s also associated with the sense of taste.
Activating the Svadhisthana Chakra
The Svadhisthana chakra can be activated through the use of incense and essential oils. Fragrant oils such as eucalyptus, chamomile, spearmint, or rose can be lighted to evoke feelings of sensuality and pleasure.
Practitioners can also state affirmations to activate the Svadhisthana chakra, such as, I am worthy enough to experience love and pleasure. These affirmations create a balance in the Svadhisthana chakra and enable the confidence that’s required to experience desire and pleasure.
Yoga practices such as the vajroli and ashvini mudra are used to stabilize and regulate the flow of energy in the genitals.
Factors that Hinder the Svadhisthana Chakra
The Svadhisthana chakra’s blocked by guilt and fear. An overly strong chakra can also lead to mental confusion and agitation since it holds an individual’s most basic instincts. Those who have a prominent Svadhisthana, are more prone to impulsive reactions and harmful decisions.
Due to this reason, practitioners do meditation and yoga to keep this chakra under control. A weak Svadhisthana chakra can also lead to sexual infertility, impotency, and menstrual problems.
The Associated Chakra for Svadhisthana
The Svadhisthana chakra’s in close proximity to the Muladhara chakra. The Muladhara chakra, also known as the root chakra, is located near the tail-bone. This four-petaled chakra’s a powerhouse of energy that contains the Kundalini, or divine energy.Â
The Svadhisthana Chakra in Other Traditions
The Svadhisthana chakra has been an important part of several other practices and traditions. Some of them will be explored below.
- Vajrayana tantra: In the Vajrayana tantra practices, the Svadhisthana chakra’s called the Secret Place. Its located below the navel and is believed to be the source of passion and pleasure.
- Sufism: In Sufism, the genital regions are both a source of pleasure and a danger zone. Individuals have to regulate these centres in order to become closer to god. It’s believed that God won’t communicate with mankind if there’s an overwhelming urge for pleasure and desire.
- Western occultists: Western occultists associate the Svadhisthana with the Sephirah Yesod, which is the region of sensuality, pleasure, and desire.
In Brief
The Svadhisthana chakra is vital to stimulate procreation and continue the race of humankind. The region of the Svadhisthana chakra is where we feel our most basic instincts. While emotions of passion and pleasure can never be replaced, the Svadhisthana chakra also teaches us the importance of balance, control, and regulation.
