Muladhara Chakra - First Energy Center

Chakra : Root
Location : Perineum (between anus and genitals)
Gland : Adrenal
Areas of Body : Spine, kidneys, feet, legs
Function : Survival, Groundedness, Physicality

The Muladhara Chakra is located at the base of the spine. Supporting the kundalini or serpent power, this chakra governs the physical existence. The Hindu tradition reveres Lord Ganesha as its presiding deity.

This is the center for vitality and physical energy. This instills the virtues of innocence and wisdom. It provides the being with attributes of survival, stability, and self-sufficiency. This center is the driving force behind the will to succeed in life, whether it is acquisition of material possessions or success in business endeavors.

It is important to balance the energy radiated from this chakra. A proper balance endows us with immense physical energy, hope, health, joy, self-discipline and an abundance of positive traits.

On the other hand, if there is an imbalance in the energy radiated, the result is a feeling of discouragement, hopelessness, impurity and confusion.

Highlights of Muladhara Chakra:

It has four petals or sub-plexuses.
It radiates the color red.
It affects the adrenals, kidneys.

The gemstones for this center are ruby, garnet, diamond, pearl, smoky quartz, and bloodstone.

Behavioral Characteristics

If a person with tightened jaws and fists refuses to live in accordance with the natural laws that govern his body, he will create further karma, or worldly entanglement. His sense and work organs will only serve to bring confusion and pain in exchange for temporary gratification. Once a person begins to act in harmony with these natural laws, he will no longer waste energy or pollute his sensory awareness with over-indulgence. Such a person will act wisely and with moderation, exploring his body and mind as vehicles of liberation from the lower realms.

Normally a child from the ages of one to seven years acts out of "first-chakra" motivations. The earth is being grasped as a new experience. The infant must ground himself and establish the laws of his world, learning to regulate his patterns of eating, drinking, and sleeping as the proper behavior necessary for securing his worldly identity. The young child will be self-centered and highly concerned with his own physical survival.

The main problem of the child, or adult, acting from first-chakra motivation is violent behavior based on insecurity. A fearful person may strike out blindly and senselessly, like a cornered animal, due to what is felt to be a loss of basic security.

The person dominated by the Muladhara Chakra generally sleeps between ten and twelve hours nightly, on his stomach. This chakra encompasses the planes of genesis, illusion, anger, greed, delusion, avarice, and sensuality. These aspects of the first chakra are fundamental to human existence. The desire for more experience and information acts as a motivating force, a basic impetus for individual development.

The Muladhara Chakra is the seat of the coiled Kundalini, the vital Shakti, or Female energy force. The Kundalini serpent is coiled around the Savayambhu Lingam. This foundation chakra is the root of all growth and awareness of the divinity of man.

Associated with Physical identity, oriented to self-preservation. This chakra forms our foundation. It represents the element earth, and is therefore related to our survival instincts, and to our sense of grounding and connection to our bodies and the physical plane. Ideally this chakra brings us health, prosperity, security, and dynamic presence. Survival.

Deities within the Muladhara Chakra

Counterclockwise from the bottom: Indra, Brahma, Dakini


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