The Symbols Within Ajna Chakra
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 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.
Each petal contains a sanskrit symbol – हं (Ham) represents Shiva (pure consciousness, the masculine principle) and the pure jnana (knowledge) required to transcend illusion.
हं , ham is also the bija mantra of Vishuddha Chakra, representing Akasa (Space). The spiritual discipline of speaking your truth and the expansion of consciousness provided by the Vishuddha Chakra’s element are prerequisite steps for the clear intuition achieved at Ajna. You need the spaciousness of हं (Vishuddha) to contain the command of हं (Ajna). The purification and opening of the Vishuddha, activated by Ham and Shiva’s energy, are essential for the full awakening of Ajna Chakra. You need to be able to speak your truth, purify your energetic channels, and expand your consciousness (through Akasha – space or 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. When chanting 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”
– 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.
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