mula = root
adhara = base, foundation
The Muladhara Chakra is situated at the base of the coccyx, it is the first of the human Chakras. Its corresponding Mantra is LAM. The Muladhara Chakra forms the border between animal and human consciousness. It is linked to the unconscious mind, where our actions and experience from past lives are stored. Therefore according to Karmic Law, this Chakra contains the course of our future destiny. This Chakra is also the foundation for the development of our personality.
The positive attributes of the Muladhara Chakra are vitality, vigour and growth. The negative qualities are laziness, inertia, self-centredness and domination by one's physical desires.
The Divinity of this Chakra is Lord Shiva in his manifestation as “Master of the Animals” - Pashupati Mahadeva - meaning that the lower qualities have been overcome.
In the symbolic picture of the Muladhara Chakra there is a Lotus with four petals. These represent the four functions of the psyche: mind (Manas), intellect (Buddhi), consciousness (Chitta) and ego (Ahamkara) - all of which originate in this Chakra.
Life is consciousness and consciousness strives for evolution. The symbols of the Muladhara Chakra are characteristic of both energy and upward movement. The Chakra’s colour is red, the colour of Shakti. Shakti means energy, movement, awakening and development. Red symbolises awakening of the sleeping consciousness to active, alert consciousness. Another symbol of the Muladhara Chakra is the inverted triangle, which has two meanings. One meaning suggests that the Cosmic energy is pulled in and guided downwards, as if into a funnel. The other meaning indicates an upward expansion of consciousness. The downward-pointing tip of the triangle is the starting point, the seed, and the upward-moving sides of the triangle indicate the unfolding of consciousness towards human consciousness.
The animal designated to represent the Muladhara Chakra is an Elephant with seven trunks. The Elephant is a symbol of wisdom. The seven trunks symbolise the seven treasures of the earth (Saptdhatu). The element of the Muladhara Chakra is Earth, our base and “mother”, which provides us with energy and food.
More about Exercises and Meditations for Muladhara Chakra read here.