<p style="text-align:justify"><strong>Characteristics of chakras</strong>:</p>

<p style="text-align:justify">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="text-align:justify">They are related to the five elements from which the entire universe is formed, namely Earth, Water, Fire , Air and Space. By virtue of their relationship with these elements, they bear typical characteristics of these elements.</p>

<p style="text-align:justify">Each has a number of petals which have a specific significance.</p>

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<p style="text-align:justify">Each chakra controls the functioning of an endocrine gland (which produce hormones) and specific parts of our body.</p>

<p style="text-align:justify">Each chakra has a specific colour (the colours of the Rainbow&nbsp;<strong>VIBGYOR</strong>) and stores emotional memories, which is why we &ldquo;feel&rdquo; certain past memories in different parts of the body.</p>

<p style="text-align:justify">Each chakra can be activated by a mantra specific for it. The mantra brings it into balance as a result of its vibration.</p>

<p style="text-align:justify">Chakras also have a relationship with the&nbsp;<strong>Gunas of Prakriti</strong>, namely&nbsp;<strong>Sattva, Rajas and Tamas</strong>. The Vishudhi and Agya Chakras are related to a Sattvic pravriti, concerned with purity and virtue, and the consciousness is centered at the Third Eye Centre. The Anahat Chakra is responsible for Rajas, which is characterized by passion, and wordly activities etc. The lower chakras, namely Manipur, Svadisthan and Muladhar are related to Tamas, characterized by inertia, arrogance and pride. &nbsp;</p>

<p style="text-align:justify"><strong>Muladhar Chakra:</strong>&nbsp;&ldquo;Mula&rdquo; means root and &ldquo;dhara&rdquo; means vital part. Hence it is the foundation of all the other chakras. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p style="text-align:justify">It is&nbsp; known as the first chakra, Root or the coccygeal chakra since it lies at the base of the spine. It is also called the Saturn Chakra.</p>

<p style="text-align:justify">It is related to the&nbsp;<strong>Earth element</strong>, hence responsible for our&nbsp;<strong>foundation&nbsp;</strong>(just like Mother Earth is responsible for the foundation of the entire planet), grounding, stability, balance, and structure as it is responsible for our skeleton, blood production, hair skin, etc.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p style="text-align:justify">It is related to our sense of&nbsp;<strong>smell&nbsp;</strong>and to<strong>&nbsp;Apana Prana,&nbsp;</strong>therefore, responsible for elimination of wastes from our body.</p>

<p style="text-align:justify">Predominance of this chakra makes us hard working, determined, and also lead to attachment with our surroundings, people etc.</p>

<p style="text-align:justify">This chakra has&nbsp;<strong>four petals</strong>&nbsp;which denote the four psychic functions, namely Mind (Manas), Intellect (Budhi), Consciousness (Chitta), and Ego (Ahankar) which originate here.</p>

<p style="text-align:justify">It is related to the colour&nbsp;<strong>Red&nbsp;</strong>which signifies<strong>&nbsp;Shakti,&nbsp;</strong>symbolizing awakening of sleeping consciousness to alert consciousness.</p>

<p style="text-align:justify">The Mantra for this chakra is&nbsp;<strong>&ldquo;LAM&rdquo;&hellip;..Laaaaammm</strong></p>

<p style="text-align:justify">i Kriyananda, Deepak Chopra/ David Simon lecture series and the Internet.&nbsp;</p>