Anahata Chakra – ‘unstruck’
Often called the heart center, the anahata chakra is located in the sushumna nadi in the region of the heart. It has twelve deep red petals with the vermilion letters kam, kham, gam, gham, ngam, cham, chham, jam, jham, nyam, tam, and tham. The bija mantra of the anahata chakra is the dark grey letter yam. The inner region represents the air element vayu. It is the color of smoke and hexagonal, like the Star of David. The two triangles symbolize the union of Siva and Shakti. Within the inverted triangle in the center burns the eternal flame (akhanda jyotir) which represents the individual soul or jivatma. The presiding deity is Isha (the Lord in His all-pervading form).
Anahata means “unstruck”; it is from the anahata that the unstruck sounds are sometimes heard during meditation.
This chakra is also connected with the part of the brain which is related to fine art and creativity such as painting, poetry, dance, singing and music.
“The anahata sound, the primal sound of Sabdabrahman [Brahman manifesting as sound], is heard at this center. Meditation on the anahata chakra bestows pure qualities, cosmic love and various psychic powers.” ~ Swami Vishnu-devananda, Meditation and Mantras
Within the anahata chakra is located the Vishnu granthi. This is the second of three psychic knots within the sushumna which must be opened, or pierced, in order for the kundalini to continue it’s ascent to sahasrara. The Vishnu granthi:
“Quote removed per request from Satyananda organization – copyright violation” ~ Swami Satyananda, Kundalini Tantra
The anahata chakra is associated with the sense of touch. The jnana-indriya or organ of knowledge is the skin. The karma-indriya or organ of activity is the hands. It is the seat of the manomaya kosha which controls the emotions and the mind.
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