Sahasrara, placed above the head crown, with 1000 petals. In the oriental literature, it is known "the supreme center of contact with God".
(Sanskrit: सहस्रार, Sahasrāra) is the seventh primary
chakra according to
Hindu tradition.
Description
Sahasrara is positioned above the
head or at the top of it and it has 1000 petals which are arranged in 20 layers each of them with 50 petals. For a discussion about the petal count see also
petal (chakra).
Sahasrara chakra symbolizes detachment from illusion; an essential element in obtaining supramental
higher consciousness of the truth that one is all and all is one.
Often referred as
thousand-petaled lotus, it is said to be the most subtle chakra in the system, relating to pure consciousness, and it is from this chakra that all the other chakras emanate. When a yogi is able to raise his or her
kundalini, energy of consciousness, up to this point, the state of
Samādhi, or union with God, is experienced. It is often related to the
pineal gland and the
violet colour.
There are several systems, such as some Tantric and Tibetan ones, that describe chakras in or connected closely above Sahasrara (but that are still part of it as a system.) One commonly described to be in it (sharing some of its petals) is Sri chakra.
Other associations
In the West, it has been noted by many (such as Charles Ponce' in his book
Kabbalah.) that Sahasrara expresses a similar archetypal idea to that of
Kether in the kabbalistic
tree of life, which also rests at the head of the tree, and represents pure consciousness and union with God.
Alternative names
- In Tantra: Adhomukha Mahapadma, Amlana Padma, Dashashatadala Padma, Pankaja, Sahasrabja, Sahasrachchada Panikaja, Sahasradala, Sahasradala Adhomukha Padma, Sahasradala Padma, Sahasrapatra, Sahasrara, Sahasrara Ambuja, Sahasrara Mahapadma, Sahasrara Padma, Sahasrara Saroruha, Shiras Padma, Shuddha Padma, Wyoma, Wyomambhoja
- In the Agni Yoga teaching, the Brahmarandhra is often referred to as "the bell" (Russian: колокол).
