Thu. Nov 7th, 2024

Heart, Anahata, Chakra

Within Hinduism, the sacred Mount Meru symbolizes the physical spinal column which is also called Sushumna or the Nadi of the astral body. Mount Meru is located within an ocean and surrounded by seven islands. The seven islands are a reference to the seven primary chakras. The sun is referred to as being at the bottom of Mount Meru and it is a reference to the kundalini. The heart and crown chakra are connected via the Chitta Nadi. This Nadi connects the crown- with the heart chakra. 
 
The heart, also called Anahata, is the 4th primary chakra. The Anahata refers to the Vedic concept of the sound of the celestial realm. It is associated with balance, calmness, and serenity. The Anahata chakra is accessible through the breath and is therefore related to the element of air. The Hindus call the breath Prana or life force, and it is the essence of all nourishment and vitality. By consciously using the breath you loosen up tensions that are blocking this chakra and it also opens the heart. 
 
Symptoms when the heart chakra is closed down
  • Shallow Breathing
  • Slow metabolism and physical energy
  • Feeling divided between the mind and body
  • Feeling withdrawn from life
Symptoms when the heart chakra is too open
  • Feeling drained
  • Too focused on others 
  • Refusal to look at yourself
When the heart chakra is balanced you radiate love, have self-acceptance, and have compassion towards others.
 
Symbolism
The Hexagram or six-pointed star is symbolic to the heart chakras qualities and it’s made of two interlaced triangles. One triangle is pointing up and the other one is pointing down. They are locked in a harmonious embrace. In Sanskrit these to triangles are referred to as AUM and HRIM. The two components symbolize mankind’s position between the earth and the sky.
 
AUM represents the wholeness of the universe and the eternal vibratory sound of the universal soul. AUM is the mantra of ascent and it causes our energy to rise upward into the infinite. It means yes and it affirms and energizes whatever we say after it. This is why all mantras begin with AUM. AUM increases the fire, air and ether elements; it also gives us strength, protection, and grace. It connects us with the guiding power of our soul. AUM represents the complete union between breath, body, mind, and spirit.
 

A” stands for creation
U” stands for preservation
M” indicates destruction or dissolution
The three letters forming AUM indicate the three planes of existence of this universe. Heaven, Earth, and Netherworld.

HRIM governs over the cosmic magnetic energy and the power of the soul and causal body. 

HRIM awakens us at a soul or heart level connecting us to Divine forces of love and attraction. It is charming and alluring, yet purifying. Through it we can control the illusion power (maya) of our own minds. 
HRIM is a mantra of the Sun, particularly in terms of illumination. It increases our aspiration and receptivity to divine light, wisdom, and truth. It opens the lotus of the heart to the inner Sun of consciousness. It is a mantra of the region of heaven or the consciousness space in which all the worlds exist.
 
The downward triangle symbolizes Shakti which is the sacred embodiment of femininity. Shakti is the concept or personification of divine feminine creative power and it is sometimes referred to as “The Great Divine Mother”.
The upward triangle symbolizes Shiva, representing the focused aspects of masculinity. Shiva is one of the principal deities of Hinduism. He is the Supreme Being within Shaivism, one of the major traditions within contemporary Hinduism.
 

The mystical union of the two triangles represents creation, occurring through the divine union of male and female. The two locked triangles are also known as “Shanmukha” (six-faced), representing the six faces of Shiva and Shakti’s progeny Kartikeya.

The twelve lotus petals of the heart chakra
Each petal is inscribed with a Sanskrit syllable: Kam, Kham, Gam, Gham, Ngam, Cham, Chham, Jam, Jham, Nyam, Tam and Tham. 

Energy flows in and out of the petals, carried by the syllable sound, in twelve directions. Each petal represents a plexus where the channels of energy, also called Nadis, converge. The syllables symbolically represent the vital energy that comes from these points. 
The petals correspond to twelve mental states: 
  • Fraud
  • Lustfulness
  • Indecision
  • Hope
  • Anxiety
  • Repentance
  • Possessiveness
  • Incompetence
  • Discrimination 
  • Impartiality
  • Arrogance
  • And defiance

The deer or antelope
The seed syllable of the heart chakra is “YAM”. It carries the meaning of the air or wind element. The sound or “mantra” is connected to the control of the air and the breath.
The deer or antelope is the carrier of the seed sound. The animal symbolizes the heart and its qualities. It mirrors the type of energy or process we go through in the matters of the heart. The spirit of the deer or antelope is characterized by gentleness, grace, and innocence.