Third Eye Chakra Deities
by Kathleen Karlsen, Author of Vocal Medicine
The third eye is associated with several deities and combined forms of deities. For example, Shiva is often depicted as having three eyes because of his powerful development of this chakra. Other deities associated with the third eye include Vishnu and his incarnations as Krishna and Rama. The goddess Shakti is also associated with the third eye as the consort of Shiva.
Krishna: Third Eye Chakra God
Krishna, one of the Hindu gods most closely associated with the third eye chakra, is the son of Devaki and her consort Vasudeva, king of the Chandravanshi clan. Devaki’s brother was Kansa, an evil tyrant. He was told that a child of Devaki would kill him, so he set out to murder the young Krishna.
Childhood of Krishna
For his own protection, Krishna was sent to live in the country with Nanda and his wife Yasoda. Krishna’s childhood was spent among their cow herds. This is the origin of Krishna’s childhood names, Gopala and Govinda. Learn more and listen to a Krishna Mantra.
KRISHNA MANTRA: Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare; Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare
Shiva the Destroyer: Third Eye Chakra
Shiva is one of the three persons of the Hindu trinity. There are many forms of Shiva, including the one associated with the throat chakra (Sadashiva) and Nataraja (associated with the crown chakra). Shiva is the aspect of God that strips the devotee of all illusions.
Symbolism of the Third Eye
To be stripped of illusions clears both spiritual and physical vision. Thus, Shiva is the god of the third eye. The third eye chakra is a sacred spot is sometimes marked on the forehead by the red dot known as the bindu. Shiva is said to possess enough power in his third eye to send out a deadly beam at will.
SHIVA MANTRA: Shiva Shambo, Hare Hare Shambo
Rama the Healer: Third Eye Chakra
Rama is a god of protection, one of the nine incarnations of Vishnu. Rama is the most popular avatar of Vishnu, a paragon of virtue and chivalry. Rama is the central character in the Hindu epic the Ramayana. He is the consort of Sita. Rama, also known as Ram, and Sita have many adventures and trials together in this ancient story.
Eternal Lovers: Sita and Ram
Ram and Sita are sometimes viewed as symbolizing the unmanifest and the manifest minds or the pineal and pituitary glands. Sita and Ram are the ideal spouses. While Sita represents courage, dedication and purity, Ram (or Rama) represents truth, the soul and virtue. Learn more about Rama as well as his goddess Sita and listen to a Sita Ram Mantra.
RAMA MANTRA: Om Apadamapa Hateram Dateram Sarva Sampadam; Lokah Bhi Ramam Sri Ramam Bhuyo Bhuyo Namam Yaham
Shakti: Third Eye Chakra Goddess
The third eye chakra is symbolized by a central circle and a right and left lotus petal. The two petals of the 3rd eye symbol represent the ida and pingala (mystical spiritual channels). The petals also represent Shiva (a masculine deity) and Shakti (feminine form of God) on the left and right, respectively. In addition, the ida and pingala are sometimes viewed as the unconscious and conscious minds. Finally, the two petals represent the pineal and pituitary glands.
Balance of Shakti and Shiva
Shakti is the unformed energy of the universe much like the kundalini in the root chakra. However, the Goddess Shakti is uncontained and unbound where the Goddess Kundalini remains coiled at the base of the spine until awakened. It is Shiva or the masculine energy which provides a container or sets parameters for the expression of the Shakti energy. This is why the Goddess Shakti must be balanced by the intensity of Shiva.
SHAKTI MANTRA VIDEO: Kriya Shakti Uma Parvati, Kriya Shakti Parvati Ma
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.
Third Eye Chakra Deities Article Summary
This article covers the third eye chakra deities in the Hindu tradition. Pairing together the functions of the chakras and the personifications of the chakra energies helps to clarify the purpose of particular chakras. Each of the seven major energy centers are associated with one or more of the chakra gods and goddesses in the Hindu pantheon.