Muladhara Chakra

मूलाधार - mūlādhāra

The first chakra, located at the base of the spine. Supports an attitude of either perseverance or stubbornness. (1)

Function of the Chakra

Also known as the coccyx center, the muladhara chakra is the lowest of the seven chakras, located at the base of the spine. When our energy or consciousness is directed upward in a positive flow, the first chakra helps us to concentrate, persevere, and stay loyal to the truth.

When our energy goes in a negative direction however, these same qualities can make us stubborn and inflexible. It can also cause unhealthy attachment and give us fear of losing those attachments.

Techniques such as meditation and other spiritual practices can help us redirect our energy upward to receive the best aspects of the muladhara chakra. (1)

The muladhara chakra is one of the seven chakras, that store and distribute energy; the chakras also serve as the repositories of psychological or mental tendencies, habits, and desires, which descend from the subconscious mind. (2)

Qualities of the Chakra

The muladhara chakra correponds to the color red and the Earth element. (3) In deep meditation it produces a sound like the buzz of a honeybee. (4) The youngest of the Pandava sons, Sahadeva, symbolizes the muladhara chakra in its awakened energy state in the Bhagavad Gita. (5)

References
  1. a b Chakras for Starters, by Savitri Simpson. Chapter 4, “The Earth Element.”
  2. ↩ Chakras for Starters, by Savitri Simpson. Chapter 1, “The Seven Gates to Freedom.”
  3. ↩ Essence of the Bhagavad Gita, explained by Paramhansa Yogananda. Chapter 21, “Final Liberation.”
  4. ↩ Essence of the Bhagavad Gita, explained by Paramhansa Yogananda. Chapter 9, “Sanjaya Speaks.”
  5. ↩ Essence of the Bhagavad Gita, explained by Paramhansa Yogananda. Chapter 5, “The Genesis of the Story.”