The Symbols Within Ajna Chakra
The Anatomy and Symbolism of Ajna Chakra
The Primordial Sound of Creation
The Bija mantra of Ajna is AUM. Aum is in every sound around you. It is in the sound of the waves and the birds, the wind in the trees and music on the airwaves. Aum is the power of spirit within creation; it is the melody of love and the mantra of eternity. AUM holds the three vibrational energies of creation, preservation and destruction “A (Akaar)” represents the vibration that brings into manifestation the created universe; “U (Ukaar)” represents the vibration that preserves the creation; and “M (Makaar)” represents the destructive vibration that dissolves the manifested universe back into the Infinite Spirit.
The Gateway of Profound Stillness
The Bindu above Aum is called Makara Bindu. It is the gateway to Sahasrara chakra and profound serenity. It is the sound after the M of Aum, the profound stillness and brilliant white light within the mind. Its location above Susumna Nadi allows the ascent of the spirit to unite with the divine, a state of spiritual perfection. This is the vital point or concentration of subtle energy linked to the flow and potential of consciousness, the pinnacle within the Ajna Chakra.
The Sacred Duality of the Two Petals
Represents Shakti (creative energy, the feminine principle) providing the stability and containment necessary for safely wielding awakened energy.
The root Ksam means to be patient, to endure, to forgive. Chanting it invokes fortitude, compassion, and the ability to bear difficulties when Kundalini reaches Ajna.
Connects back to the Muladhara Chakra through its meaning “earth,” anchoring intense spiritual energy safely to the grounded stability of the physical realm.
Pronounce the “Ksha” followed by a drawn-out, nasal “m” sound sustained in the back of the throat and nasal cavity, like “ksham” or “kshung.”
Represents Shiva (pure consciousness, the masculine principle) and the pure jnana (knowledge) required to transcend illusion.
Reminds us that the spiritual discipline of speaking your truth and expanding your consciousness are prerequisites for clear intuition.
While Ham is the Bija of Vishuddha (Space), you need that energetic purification, emptiness, and opening to contain the higher cosmic command at Ajna.
Pronounce the “Ha” followed by a drawn-out, nasal “m” sound sustained in the back of the throat and nasal cavity, like “hang.”
Each petal contains a sacred Sanskrit symbol that embodies the ultimate duality of existence.
हं (Ham) represents Shiva (pure consciousness, the masculine principle) and the pure jnana (knowledge) required to transcend illusion.
क्षं (Ksam) represents Shakti (creative energy, the feminine principle).
Ham: The Spacious Command of Consciousness
While हं (Ham) is also the Bija mantra of the Vishuddha Chakra , where it represents Space (Akasa), its presence here at Ajna serves the purpose to remind us that the spiritual discipline of speaking your truth and expanding your consciousness are prerequisites for clear intuition. You need the spaciousness of हं (Vishuddha) to contain the command of हं (Ajna). The purification and opening of the Vishuddha, activated by हं (Ham) with Shiva’s energy, are essential for the full awakening of Ajna Chakra. You need to purify your energetic channels, and expand your consciousness through emptiness before fully stepping into the realm of higher intuition and cosmic command at Ajna. The qualities and deity (Shiva) associated with Ham are crucial for manifesting cosmic consciousness at Ajna.
Ksam: The Grounded Container of Forgiveness
क्षं (Ksam) represents Shakti (creative energy, the feminine principle). The root Ksam means to be patient, to endure, to forgive. It is a very powerful bija mantra that provides the stability and containment that is necessary for safely wielding the immense power of awakened energy when the mind reaches higher spiritual planes. Chanting Ksam can invoke qualities of fortitude, compassion, and the ability to bear difficulties when Kundalini Shakti reaches Ajna chakra. “Ksam” provides this energetic container and grounding force for the awakened spiritual power. It also connects to Muladhara Chakra, through its meaning ‘earth’ Muladhara anchors this intense spiritual energy to the grounded stability of the physical realm, as the Kundalini must be both awakened and safely contained.
The Practice of the Sounds
When chanting हं (Ham), you pronounce the ‘Ha’ followed by a drawn-out, nasal ‘m’ sound that is sustained in the back of the throat and nasal cavity, like “hang”. When chanting क्षं (Ksam), you pronounce the ‘Ksha’ followed by that same drawn-out, nasal ‘m’ sound sustained in the back of the throat, like “ksham” or “kshung”.
The Ultimate Merger at the Center
Together, हं Ham and क्षं Ksam embody the complete union of consciousness Siva and energy Sakti leading to the ultimate awareness represented by ॐ AUM in the centre of the chakra. This must occur at the Ajna before the ultimate merger in the Sahasrara. Their presence on the two petals signifies the place where the Ida and Pingala nadis (the psychic channels) meet and merge into the central Susumna Nadi just before rising to the Crown Chakra.
Ajna has the ability, not just to receive but also direct and integrate powerful spiritual energies as they move up to Sahasrara.
| Symbol | Transliteration | English Phonetics | Pronunciation Secret |
|---|---|---|---|
| हं | haṁ | Hum | Like “Humming.” Represents the “Shiva” or masculine energy aspect. |
| क्षं | kṣaṁ | Kshum | “Ksh” as in baksheish. Represents the “Shakti” or feminine energy aspect. |
🧠 The Dual Brain: Science Meets Yoga Anatomy
The human brain is divided into two distinct hemispheres. While they constantly communicate via a bridge of nerve fibers, they alternate dominance depending on what tasks we are performing. In yoga, this perfectly mirrors the shifting dominance between the Ida (lunar) and Pingala (solar) energy channels.
The Yoga Connection: This cross-wired connection is why yogis practice Nadi Shodhana (alternate nostril breathing). By consciously switching the breath from the right nostril (left brain) to the left nostril (right brain), you can actively shift your mental state from analytical execution to deep, intuitive creativity.
“X” marks the spot crossover
Imagine an invisible “X” sitting right at the base of your skull. Everything that passes through that point has to swap sides.
1. The Nose-to-Brain Cross
The nerves in your nose cross over at the base of the skull on their way up to the brain.
- Your Left Nostril breathes in air → the signal crosses the “X” → it wakes up the Right Brain.
- Your Right Nostril breathes in air → the signal crosses the “X” → it wakes up the Left Brain.
2. The Brain-to-Body Cross
The movement and energy nerves from your brain cross over at that exact same spot on their way down to the body.
- Your Right Brain sends energy down → it crosses the “X” → it controls the Left Side of the Body.
- Your Left Brain sends energy down → it crosses the “X” → it controls the Right Side of the Body.
🧭 The Cheat Sheet
Because the energy crosses over twice, the nostril and the body side actually end up matching!
- The Lunar / Creative Track: Left Nostril → Right Brain → Left Side of Body (Ida / Feminine)
- The Solar / Logical Track: Right Nostril → Left Brain → Right Side of Body (Pingala / Masculine)
Think of it this way: The Brain is the rebel in the middle that likes the opposite side. The Nostril and the Body are always on the same team.
