Muladhara has four red or vermilion petals and each petal contains the four goals of life and the four types of bliss:
Moksha: Spiritual liberation, enlightenment, and release
Artha: Wealth. The meaning, sense, goal, purpose or essence of life
Kama: Physical. Sensory enjoyment, emotional attraction and aesthetic pleasure such as from arts, dance, music, painting, sculpture and nature.
Dharma: Duty. Virtues and “right way of living”, include duties, laws, conduct.
These are the Purusharthas the four aims of human life (Purusharthas). They link the psychological state of Muladhara directly to how we live our lives.
Vrittis
Vritti means “whirlpool,” they are disturbances in the medium of consciousness. The mind is a flow or vibration of energy which is an expression of the dynamic flow of the cosmos. In order to express this flow, the mind adopts methods of expression (mental tendencies). To attain enlightenment a yogi must still the vrittis in meditation to reach Samadhi, or bliss. When the mind is strong enough, the Vrittis (thought-waves) become calm, but this is not an easy task.
Meditation on the vrittis
Muladhara is the home of Kula-Kundalini. When meditating, visualize a shining sun as the destination for the kundalini energy after it has become calm. You aren’t killing the whirlpools, you are stilling the water so the sun can finally be reflected clearly on the surface. When meditating, remember that Laṁ is the still water. The four blisses on the petals are like the different colours of the sunrise reflecting on that water. One is not better than the other; they are all necessary expressions of a balanced life. To use your breath as a foundation for the meditation, feel the stability of the Earth with every inhalation through the sound of Laṁ. With every exhalation, watch the ripples of the Vrittis settle, allowing the reflection of the inner sun to become unbroken.
The four petals represent four nadis (energy channels) that branch out from the central hub. Apana Vayu provides downward movement, elimination and grounding. When you are meditating you can imagine a golden cord connecting Muladhara chakra with a shining sun deep within the earth’s core.
Ida, Pingala, and Sushumna are the three “Grand Trunks” that meet at the Muladhara (the Yukta Triveni).
Vrittis of Muladhara
The centre symbol, or bija mantra of the Earth Element is LAM (pronounced luṁ) ( लं ) and each petal has a bija mantra, a Sanskrit letter: Vaṁ (Vum) ( वं ), śaṁ (schum) ( शं ), ṣaṁ (sham) ( षं ), Saṁ (sam) ( सं ) and one specific quality or vrittis. Bija mantras are sounds endowed with great spiritual powers. They work in the unseen planes of the universe and work out miracles in a profound way. Activation of the elements leads to quicker awakening of Kundalini.
| Petal (Bija) | The Bliss (Vritti) | The Life Goal | Meaning in Practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| लं Laṁ | N/A | The Earth | The Seed: The anchor. Stabilizes the nervous system. |
| वं Vaṁ | Paramananda (Supreme Bliss) |
Moksha | Highest Joy: Pure spiritual yearning and liberation. |
| शं śaṁ | Sahajananda (Innate Bliss) |
Artha | Natural Joy: The bliss of finding purpose and security. |
| षं ṣaṁ | Virananda (Heroic Bliss) |
Kama | Joy in Control: Healthy passion and mastery over senses. |
| सं Saṁ | Yogananda (Bliss of Union) |
Dharma | Joy of Right Living: Alignment with sacred duty. |
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Deep Dive
Laṁ (लं) is the sound of the Earth element and serves as the anchor for the entire chakra system. The four petals represent the four directions of the soul’s outward movement.
Laṁ (लं) is the vibrational core of your existence.
This vibration is the most solid seed sound, producing a deep, grounding vibration in the pelvic floor to release blockages related to survival, fear, and insecurity; synchronize your physical body with the stabilizing energy of the Earth; and establish the “root” foundation necessary for the Kundalini energy to eventually rise. Laṁ is the Earth upon which the four types of bliss grow. Without the stability of Laṁ, the pursuit of Supreme Bliss or Heroic Bliss becomes ungrounded and unstable.
Vaṁ (Vum) ( वं ) Supreme Bliss (Paramananda): Greatest Joy
Greatest Joy; pure spiritual yearning, desire for absolute liberation. Bliss of the divine union in meditation. The state of supreme bliss is reached through evenness of the mind with reference to all aspects of one’s life.
Śaṁ (schum) ( शं ) Innate bliss (Sahajananda): Natural Bliss
Wealth, desire for intellectual pleasure, meaning, sense, goal, purpose or essence of life. Society teaches that happiness comes from a big bank account, but material wealth brings only temporary satisfaction. You can be rich in many things, you can be rich in flowers or birds or butterflies, all of which are transient but make us feel happy. The spiritual path of Muladhara teaches that security comes from trust in your own resilience.
Ṣaṁ (sham) ( षं ) Heroic bliss (Virananda): delight in controlling passion
Kama: desire for physical pleasure: there are four basic physical desires or instincts:
🔴 Life – The fear of dying and the drive for self-preservation.
🔴 Sex – This represents the drive for procreation and creative energy.
🔴 Food – A natural drive for nourishment and physical fuel.
🔴 Sleep – The drive for restoration and rest.
Kama means all types of physical longings – wealth, opulence, name, fame and social position, as well as sex. None of these limited things can satisfy our infinite desires, so it is wise to moderate our desires and take the Supreme as our ultimate goal.
Saṁ (sam) ( सं ) Bliss of union (Yogananda dharma): desire for God
psycho-spiritual longing. Blissfulness in concentration “Divine bliss through union (yoga) with God,” or “Divine bliss through the practice of yoga techniques for achieving union.” … The highest state of divine ecstasy is revealed as ineffable bliss— “beyond imagination of expectancy,” Paramahansa Yogananda
Pronunciation
| Symbol | Transliteration | English Phonetics | Pronunciation Secret |
|---|---|---|---|
| लं | laṁ | Lum | Rhymes with “hum.” The grounding vibration that stabilises the nervous system. |
| वं | vaṁ | Vum | Rhymes with “hum.” |
| शं | śaṁ | Schum | Soft “sh” as in she. |
| षं | ṣaṁ | Shum | Retroflex: Tongue curled back (as in Vishnu), Harsh or marsh. |
| सं | saṁ | Sum | Dental: Tongue touches teeth (as in sun). |
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Uddiyana Bandha: The Upward Flying Lock
While Mula Bandha (the Root Lock) provides the foundation, Uddiyana Bandha is the key to moving energy upward from the sacral waters into the fire of the solar plexus. The name comes from the Sanskrit word uddiya, which means to “fly up” or “rise up.”
Uddiyana Bandha is the key to transforming and moving energy. It acts as the bridge that connects the fluid emotional energy of the Svadhishthana (Sacral) chakra to the dynamic power of the Manipura (Solar Plexus) chakra.
The name comes from the Sanskrit uddiya, meaning to “fly up” or “rise up.” In this practice, the abdominal organs are pulled in and up under the ribcage, creating a deep vacuum. This action encourages the Apana Vayu (downward energy) to reverse its flow and merge with Prana Vayu, fueling our internal transformation and spiritual ascent.
In this practice, the abdominal organs are pulled in and up, creating a vacuum that encourages the Apana Vayu (downward energy) to reverse its flow and merge with Prana Vayu, fueling our internal transformation.
Physical and Spiritual Benefits
- Emotional Flow: It helps move stagnant emotional energy out of the Svadhishthana chakra.
- Digestive Fire: It stimulates the Agni (fire) of the Manipura chakra, aiding digestion and metabolism.
- Core Strength: It tones the diaphragm and the deep abdominal muscles.
- Vitality: It massages the heart and the adrenal glands, helping to reduce stress and increase clarity.
How to Practice (The Basic Engagement)
Note: This should always be practiced on an empty stomach.
- Exhale Completely: Stand with your knees slightly bent and hands resting on your thighs. Breathe out every last bit of air through your mouth.
- The Mock Inhale: Without actually taking in any air, expand your ribcage as if you were breathing in. This action creates a suction that pulls the belly in and up under the ribs.
- Hold and Lock: Hold the breath out (Bahya Kumbhaka) for a few seconds, feeling the lift in the pelvic bowl.
- Release: Soften the belly first, then slowly inhale.
As you master this “Upward Lock,” visualize the energy of the Sacral chakra rising like steam, turning your raw emotions into the refined power of your will.
🐘 Master the Earth Element
From Greatest Joy to Longing—explore the four mental states of the Root.