7 Chakras: The 7 Major Energy Centers in Human Body

What does the term Chakra mean?

The original meaning of the word chakra as "wheel" refers to the chariot wheels of the rulers, called chakravartins. The term is defined as a spinning disk or wheel; a chakra on the human body is a spinning disk or wheel of energy that runs along the spine on the astral body. The health of one's chakras is directly connected to the health of the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of a person.

What are Chakras?

Our yogis and saints of ancient times have stated that besides the gross body (physical body) there exists a subtle body (shukshma sharira) that can’t be touched or seen. The Shukshma Sharira is the body of mind and vital energies. There are numerous energy centers in our subtle body through which our vital energy or prana shakti flows. These energy centers are called Chakras.

Where are the Chakras located?

Chakras have no exact position in the human body. Take for example the magnetic field and magnetic field lines. The magnet can be seen, but its field of strength can only be felt. Chakras too, like all energy forms, influence a whole region of the body. Therefore, the location of the chakras cannot be pinpointed. However, when properly aligned, their “epicenter” can be located along the spine.

More about Chakras: How many types of Chakras are there?

The Chakras are connected through nadis or channels of metaphysical energy through which prana flows. Although there are many Chakras and Nadis all in a human body, yet 72,000 nadis and 114 chakras are most prominent.

Out of 72000, there are three main nadis –

• Sushumna (runs through the spinal cord),

• Ida (runs through left nostril), and

• Pingala (runs through right nostril).

Out of 114 chakras, 112 are inside the body and 2 outside the body.

• Major Chakras – 7 (in which Crown Chakra is situated outside the body)

• Minor Chakras – 21

• Micro Chakras – 86

The 7 Major Chakras: 7 Key energy Centers of the body

The 7 key chakras or major chakras of the body are:

1. Muladhara Chakra
2. Swadhishthana Chakra
3. Manipur Chakra
4. Anahata Chakra
5. Vishuddha Chakra
6. Ajna Chakra
7. Sahastrara Chakra

Each of these seven major chakras (in Buddhism, four) is associated with a specific color, shape, sense organ, natural element, divine energy (form of kundalini shakti), and mantra (monosyllabic prayer formula)

1. Muladhara Chakra - Root Chakra

It is the center of survival and safety. Muladhara holds our most dominant but concealed power-house, Kundalini Shakti. It keeps us physically strong, secured, and grounded.

Location	Base of the spine between the anus and genitals
Element	Earth
Color	Red
Sense	Smell
Beej Mantra	Lam
Ayurvedic Dosha	Vata
Divine energy (kundalini)	Sakini
Gland it governs	Adrenals, prostate
Organs it governs	bones, teeth, anus, kidneys, lower digestive organs.

2. Swadhishthana Chakra - Sacral Chakra

The Swadishthana Chakra is the center of creativity and sexual energy. It deals with individual desires, pleasures, self-gratification, and personal relationships.

Location	Lower abdomen, 2 inches below the navel
Element	Water
Color	Orange
Sense	Taste
Beej Mantra	Vam
Ayurvedic Dosha	Vata-Pitta
Divine energy (Kundalini)	Kakini
Gland it governs	Gonads
Organs it governs	stomach, Intestine, lower back, pelvis, liver, and autoimmune system.

3. Manipur Chakra - Solar Plexus Chakra

Manipura Chakra is the center of self-esteem and courage. It deals with a sense of belonging, mental understanding of emotions, and determination in an individual.

Location	Upper abdomen near the navel
Element	Fire
Color	Yellow
Sense	Sight
Beej Mantra	Ram
Ayurvedic Dosha	Pitta
Divine energy (Kundalini)	Lakini
Gland it governs	Pituitary, Pineal
Organs it governs	Upper abdomen, gallbladder, liver, middle spine, kidney, small intestine, and the stomach.

4. Anahata Chakra - Heart Chakra

Anahata Chakra is the center of love and affection. It affects a person’s social identity and influences emotional behaviors like forgiveness and total faith in the Divine.  It can also radiate the feelings of insecurity, disappointment, loneliness, and despair.

It deals with the functioning of the heart, rib cage, blood, circulatory system, lungs and diaphragm, thymus gland, breasts, oesophagus, shoulders, arms, hands.

Location	Middle of the chest, over the sternum
Element	Air
Color	Green
Sense	Touch
Beej Mantra	Yam
Ayurvedic Dosha	Vata-Pitta-Kapha
Divine energy (Kundalini)	Rakini
Gland it governs	Thymus
Organs it governs	heart, rib cage, blood, circulatory system, lungs and diaphragm, oesophagus, shoulders, arms, hands.

5. Vishuddha Chakra - Throat Chakra

Throat Chakra is the center of communication. It deals with inspiration, creativity, faith, truthfulness, self-awareness, and expression. When one grieves or feels very grateful, the throat is choked. 

On a spiritual level, this chakra is all about expanding our conversation to the Divine.

Location	Throat region
Element	Space/Ether
Color	Blue
Sense	Hearing
Beej Mantra	Ham
Ayurvedic Dosha	Vata-Kapha
Divine energy (Kundalini)	Dakini
Gland it governs	Thyroid, and Parathyroid
Organs it governs	Throat, trachea, cervical vertebrae, vocal cords, neck and shoulders, arms, hands, esophagus, mouth, teeth, and gums.

6. Ajna Chakra - Third eye Chakra

Ajna Chakra/ Agya Chakra or Third eye Chakra is the center of intuition and vision. When the consciousness moves to the center of the forehead, it manifests as anger, self-awareness, and inner knowledge. The same point is also  said to be the region of the mystical Third Eye. ( Everybody must have read or heard the story of how Lord Shiva opened His ‘Third Eye’ and burnt Lord Kamadeva into ashes.)

Location	In the forehead between the eyebrows.
Element	Light
Color	Indigo blue
Sense	Pure intuition and insight
Beej Mantra	Om
Ayurvedic Dosha	Vata-Pitta
Divine energy (Kundalini)	Hakini
Gland it governs	Pituitary gland, Pineal gland
Organs it governs	Brain, eyes, ears, nose, and neurological system.

7. Sahasrara Chakra - Crown Chakra

Sahasrara Chakra is the center of spiritual awakening. It influences intuitive knowledge integration of mind-body-spirit, and conscious awareness.

Location	Top of the head or crown of the head
Element	Divine consciousness/thought
Color	Violet or White
Sense	Reflect
Beej Mantra	Aum
Ayurvedic Dosha	Vata
Divine energy (Kundalini)	Yakini
Gland it governs	Pineal gland
Organs it governs	Center of the head and midline above the ears, brain, nervous system

If you liked reading this article and want to explore more about chakras, check out these articles too.

• What are the signs of blocked Chakras?
• How to balance the chakras?

Reference:

1. A Brief History of the Chakras in Human body

Web-Story