VISHUDDHA CHAKRA

In the throat is the Lotus called Vishuddha, which is pure and of a smoky purple hue. All the 16 shining vowels on its 16 petals, of a crimson hue, are distinctly visible to those whose minds [buddhi] are illumined. In the pericarp of this lotus there is the Ethereal Region, circular in shape, and white like the full Moon [ether is the element governing this Chakra]. On an elephant white as snow is seated the Biija of Ambara [i.e. "Ham"], who is white in color.

Of His [i.e. the Biija's] four arms, two hold the noose [paasha] and goad [ankusha], and the other two make the gestures of granting boons and dispelling fear [i.e. the vara and abhaya mudras]. These add to His beauty. In his lap there ever dwells the great snow-white Deva [Shiva], three-eyed and five-faced, with ten beautiful arms, and clothed in a tiger's skin. His body is united with that of Giriijaa [Devi; i.e. the deity's form is the androgyne Ardhanareshwari], and He is known by what His name, Sadaa-Shiva [i.e. "The Ever-Beneficent One"], signifies.

Purer than the Ocean of Nectar is the Shakti Saakiinii, who dwells in this Lotus. Her raiment is yellow, and in Her four lotus- hands She carries the bow, the arrow, the noose and the goad. The whole region of the Moon without the mark of the hare [i.e. the "Man in the Moon"] is in the pericarp of this Lotus. This region is the gateway of great Liberation for those who desire the wealth of Yoga and whose senses are pure and controlled.

Those who have attained complete knowledge of the Aatmaa [Brahman] become great Sages [Kavi] -- eloquent and wise, enjoying uninterrupted peace of mind -- by concentrating their minds [Citta] upon this Lotus. They see the three periods [past, present and future], and become the benefactors of all, free from disease and sorrow and long-lived; and like Hamsa, the destroyer of endless dangers.

Yogis who fix their minds constantly on this Lotus, their breath controlled by Kumbhaka, would in their wrath be able to move all the three worlds. Neither Brahma nor Vishnu, neither Hari-Hara [the combined form of Shiva and Vishnu] nor Surya[the Sun] nor Ganapa [i.e., Ganesh, or Ganapati] would be able to resist them.

The concentration on the Tattva of this Chakra is called Akasa Dharana. He who practises this Dharana will not perish even in Pralaya. He attains the highest success. He gets the full knowledge of the four Vedas by meditating on this Chakra. He becomes a Trikala Jnani (who knows the past, the present and the future).