Ritual

154
obstructing the chakras are lifted they open up more like flowers
from within.
The seven chakras and their symbolic interrelation with sound,
colour, form, significance and function have been described
extensively in the tantras:
(1) Muladhara Chakra, a major root centre of physical
experience, is conceived of as having four red petals on which
are inscribed in gold v, sh, s, s within a yellow square
representing the earth element with the bija mantra Lam. An
inverted triangle is placed in the centre of the square, enclosing
the unawakened and mysterious Kundalini, in trance-sleep and
lying in three and a half coils around the Svyambhu-linga. This
represents the unmanifested or quiescent form of the Kundalini.
This chakra is associated with the cohesive power of gross
matter and the element of inertia, the sense of smell, etc. The
presiding deity of the chakra is Brahma with the Sakti, Dakini.
The four letters represent the root variations and are related to
the power of speech.
(2) Svadishthana (pleasant) Chakra, the second centre in the
ascending order of the Kundalini, is situated at the base of the
genital organ with six vermilion petals bearing the letters b, bh,
m, y, r, and i. In the pericarp is represented the water element,
stainless and luminously white, in the shape of a half-moon with
the bija mantra Vam. On top of the bija mantra sits the presiding
deity Vishnu flanked by the Sakti, Rakini or Chakini. This
chakra governs the sense of taste.
(3) Manipura (gem-site) Chakra, near the navel (lumbar or
epigastric plexus), is a blue lotus with ten petals inscribed with
the letters d, dh, n, t, th, d, dh, n, p, ph. In the centre of the lotus,