The Mooladhara Chakra meaning the root chakra symbolizes the world. One can enter it from above only with reluctance. After experiencing all the sensual pleasures and passions, one is exhausted from the world. Yet as one tries to transcend it, he has to re-enter it. He is old in wisdom and the world is full of folly. The signposts for illuminating the base chakra are as follows:
Symbol: The symbol of the chakra is the four petals that remain on a flowering tree or on the dying lotus. Only four petals remain. They are symmetrically arranged that point in the four directions of the world. The petals are old and direct one to select one direction and proceed for it.
Location: The location of the chakra is at the perineum, base of spine or coccygeal plexus.
Colour: The colour of the chakra resembles the colour of autumn in a deciduous forest. The colour of the leaves is deep red and brown. The person here is surrounded by the death of the old. From death life is reborn.
Emotion: The emotion is contentment after fulfilment. It is like having a fight with a loved one and then reconciling.
Element: The element of the chakra is fertile earth. The earth is black and damp. It is warm, granular and rich in texture.
Function: The function of the chakra is survival and grounding.
Sound: The sound resembles beating of drums in some distant place. It is in perfect rhythm with the whole world. The people dancing get turned on by the drums. The mantra here is LAM. The L is like a beat on a drum, rounded and full.
Sense: The sense of the chakra is smell.
Animal: The animal of the chakra is an elephant. The elephant here is under complete control carrying out heavy labour, lifting logs and placing them in a neat stack. The only sound here is the dull sound of the elephant`s feet and the dull thump as the log goes down.
Material: The material of the chakra is sandstone. It colour is red because it has a high iron content. There are also many streaks which indicate water has run over it.
Texture: The texture of the chakra is that of the good earth.
Taste: The taste of the chakra is like that of the earth. It resembles a carrot that has been lightly cooked. The taste has all the earthy goodness of nature.
God: The god of the chakra is Lord Brahma who is the aspect of Lord Shiva. People are so considered about the sensuality of the earth that do not even bother to listen to him but still he goes on to preach them. He does not lose his patience and imparts education with much kindness and love. He uses many symbols and stories in teaching his wisdom to worldly people.
