Root Chakra Deities
by Kathleen Karlsen, Author of Vocal Medicine
The gods Brahma, Indra, and Ganesha are the most well-known of the root chakra deities. These root chakra gods have significant parts to play in the cosmos: Brahma is the creative aspect of God, Indra is the god of the heavenly realm, and the elephant-headed god Ganesh or Ganesha helps us to overcome obstacles here on earth.
The feminine energy or goddess of the root chakra is known as Shakti or Kundalini. This is the Great Mother, source of all life. All of the goddesses in the cosmos stem from this energy. Accordingly, the root chakra establishes a foundation for the rest of the chakras.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Discover the connection between Indra, Brahma, Ganesha and the root chakra
- Gain a greater understanding of the kundalini energy
- Gain keys to mastering the root chakra energy
Indra: Root Chakra God
The Hindu god Indra is associated with the root chakra as well as lighting, thunder, storms, rain, and rivers. Indra rides on an elephant, symbolizing compassion, intelligence, and ancient wisdom.
Elephant Symbolism
The elephant is a perfect metaphor for the root chakra: large and heavy, the elephant is a grounding influence to keep us tethered to the earth.
Indra’s Weapons
Indra holds a thunderbolt (vajra) in one hand and a trident (threefold spear) in the other. The thunderbolt cleaves through ignorance, dividing the real from the unreal. The trident represents three divine powers: will, knowledge, and action.
Trunk Symbolism
Sometimes the elephant that Indra rides has seven trunks. These trunks represent all seven of the major chakras or energy centers in the body.
Role of Indra
Indra is the king of the devas or divine beings. He has defeated an evil being (asura) named Vrita. This ensures the prosperity and happiness of mankind.
Savior of the Age
Some sources say that Indra is a title rather than a name. This means that every age has a new Indra or savior-like god.
INDRA MANTRA: Om Namo Bhagavate Rajadevaya
Brahma: Root Chakra God
Brahma is the Hindu god known as the Self-Born, the Lord of Speech, and the creator of the four Vedas. Brahma is the consort of Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge and wisdom. He is traditionally depicted with four faces and four arms.
Brahma’s Four Faces & Hands
Each of Brahma’s four faces point to a cardinal direction. His hands hold symbols of knowledge and creation: sacred texts, mala beads, a ladle, and a lotus.
Brahma’s Symbols
The sacred texts represent all forms of truth. The mala beads symbolize time. The ladle is used to feed a a sacrificial fire. The lotus is a symbol of enlightenment and eternity.
Brahma’s Images
Brahma is often depicted with a white beard and a sage-like expression. He sits on a lotus flower, dressed in white, red or pink. He has a swan or goose nearby upon which he can ride.
BRAHMA MANTRA: Om Eim Hrim Shrim Klim Sauh Sat Chid Ekam Brahma
Ganesha: Root Chakra God
Ganesha, a beloved elephant-headed Hindu god, is another prominent figure connected to the root or base chakra. Ganesha is often invoked at the beginning of an undertaking or an event. This makes sense: the root chakra must be aligned and purified for the energy to rise to the other chakras. Thus, mastering the root chakra is the beginning of the spiritual path.
Role of Ganesha
Ganesha is the patron of writers and learning. He is also known as Ganapati. In Hindu mythology, Ganesha is the son of the goddess Parvati and the god Shiva. Ganesha became a popular deity in the 2nd to 5th centuries AD. He is found in various traditions including Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism.
Ganesha as the Remover of Obstacles
Ganesha symbolism gives a glimpse into the stories and spiritual meaning of this well-known Hindu god. Accordingly, many of the symbols associated with Ganesha relate to his role as the remover of obstacles and the patron of new beginnings.
Ganesha’s Symbols
Ganesha’s symbols include many aspects of his appearance. His large belly holds the universe. His large ears create success through listening. His powerful trunk represents mastery and strength. Learn more about Ganesha’s history, mantras and symbolism in the video below or in the article called Ganesha Meaning.
GANESHA MANTRA VIDEO: Om Gung Ganapataye Namaha
RELATED ARTICLE: For more info and music videos, see Ganesha Mantras.
Kundalini: Root Chakra Goddess
Shakti or the Goddess Kundalini is the energy that enlivens all of life. This is the unformed energy of the universe. The goddess Kundalini is a specific reference to the energy coiled at the root chakra. This energy is drawn upwards to the crown by spiritual practices.
The Sanskrit word “kundalini” means “coiled like a snake.” The snake is a common symbol of the kundalini, the energy curled at the base of the spine. As the kundalini moves upward, the energy flows through the seven major energy centers or chakras.
The Many Faces of the Goddess
The kundalini energy has been personified as a goddess in many different forms. The Goddess Kundalini is sometimes called Adi Parashakti. This literally means the “first and highest feminine energy.” Another goddess associated strongly with the kundalini energy is Durga. Learn more about Durga the Warrior Goddess.
Awakening the Kundalini
The awakening of the kundalini is viewed as one of the first steps on the spiritual path. Preliminary practices such as service, prayer, forgiveness, and purification are necessary to avoid becoming imbalanced as the kundalini energy surges.
Goddess Mantras
Goddess mantras are also effective in raising the Goddess Kundalini from her resting place. The goal of this goddess energy is to merge with the masculine energy in the upper chakras: throat, third eye and head.
KUNDALINI MANTRA: Kundalini Mata, Kundalini Mata
The Goddess Dakini and the Root Chakra
Dakini represents the divine potential for life. Dakini is often viewed as possessing a dual principle: the capability for both good and evil. Forms and references to Dakini varies from tradition to tradition.
RESOURCE: More information about the root chakra can be found in Root Chakra Symbol Meaning.
More Chakra Resources
Chakras and Musical Notes: Chakras and musical notes have been paired in a number of ways. Learn about both Western and Eastern systems.
Chakra Names: Chakra names reveal the roles of the chakras in the body on psychological, spiritual and emotional levels. Includes explanations of English and Sanskrit chakra names.
Chakra Flowers: Chakra flowers offer unique symbolic meaning for each of the seven major chakras. Flowers are among the oldest spiritual symbols, revealing the meaning of each chakra.
Kathleen Karlsen is an author, musician, artist, and composer. She has written three books (The Color-Music Connection, Flower Symbols, and Vocal Medicine) and over 200 articles. Her YouTube channel features over 600 videos. Kathleen and her family live in Bozeman, Montana, USA.
Root Chakra Deities Article Summary
This article covers the chakra gods and goddesses in the Hindu tradition that are associated with the root chakra. Pairing together the functions of the chakras and the personifications of the chakra energies as deities helps to clarify the purpose of particular chakras.
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