Goddesses in Kundalini Yoga
Kundalini yoga is a tantric yoga within the Shaktisim and Shaivism tradition that revolves around the concept of chakras within the human body. Chakras, which means “wheel”, are psychic or energy centers that lie along the spine represented as lotuses. They are the focal points of consciousness and are not materially real. The most commonly known system of chakras is dated to around the eighth century C.E. with the seven main chakras. In practices like yogas, mantras, and rituals, chakras are awakened as the path of liberation in Tantric tradition. Each of the seven chakras has a presiding female deity. They all are the aspect of Kundalini, the subtle energy or Shakti of chakras personified as a goddess.
Muladhara Chakra
It is the root chakra, which is situated beneath the sacrum near the coccygeal plexus. This chakra is represented by a four-petaled lotus and the syllable लं (laṃ). The chakra represents the Earth element, and hence elephant is the associated animal of the Chakra. Kundalini rests in this chakra as a snake wrapped around the Svayambhu linga. The presiding deity is Brahma, while the Shakti is known as Dakini. She has a pink complexion and four arms carrying a skull, sword, shield, and trident. Her mount is a red lotus.
Svadhisthana Chakra
It is the second chakra located in the genital region and is pictured with a six-petaled lotus and the syllable, वं (vaṃ). The chakra represents the water element and hence crocodile is the associated animal of the Chakra. The presiding deity is Vishnu and the shakti is Rakini. She is depicted seated on a red lotus, with two heads and four arms holding an arrow, skull, drum, and axe.
Manipura Chakra
It is the third chakra located above the navel and is pictured with a ten-petaled lotus and the syllable, रं (raṃ). The chakra represents the fire element and hence is associated with a ram. The presiding deity is Braddha Rudra and the shakti is called Lakini. She is depicted with three heads and four arms holding a bow, fire, vajra, and her one right hand in abhaya mudra.
Anahata Chakra
It is the fourth chakra located in the central channel of the spine near the heart and with a twelve-petaled lotus and the syllable, यं (yaṃ). The chakra represents the air element, and the related animal is the black antelope. In this chakra, Kundalini manifests as a goddess. She is shown sitting on a lotus. The presiding deity is Rudra Shiva and the shakti is called Kakini. She has four heads, a pink complexion, and is seated on a lotus. She carries a sword, shield, skull, and trident in each of her four arms.
Vishuddha Chakra
It is the fifth chakra located at the throat, near the spine. This chakra is pictured with a sixteen-petaled lotus and the syllable, हं (haṃ). The chakra represents the ether element and the elephant is the associated animal of the Chakra. The presiding deity is Panchavaktra Shiva and the Shakti is called Shakini. She is depicted with five heads, a pale complexion, and seated upon a lotus. She has four arms carrying an elephant staff, an ankusha, a rosary, and a skull.
Ajna Chakra
It is the sixth chakra located at the center of the forehead, between the eyebrows. This chakra is pictured with two-petaled lotus and the syllable, ॐ (auṃ). The presiding deity is Ardhanarishvara and the shakti is called Hakini. Hakini is depicted with six heads, a pale complexion, and is seated a lotus. She has four arms carrying an elephant staff, rosary, skull, and the lower right hand in abhaya mudra.
Sahasrara Chakra
It is the crown chakra located on top of the cranium. This chakra is pictured with 1,000 lotus petals. The chakra represents pure consciousness and when the Kundalini is raised up to this chakra, the delusion of the individual self is destroyed. This chakra doesn’t have any separate presiding deity.