Vishuddha, also known as Vishuddhi, is the fifth primary chakra according to Hindu tradition.
Associations
Vishuddha is positioned at the neck region and it has sixteen petals corresponding to the Sanskrit vowels.
Vishuddha is associated with the faculty of higher discrimination, between choosing what is right and wrong, and it is associated with creativity and self-expression. It is known as the 'poison and nectar' centre, closely related to the Bindu chakra, and the secret of immortality is said to reside there. When Vishuddha is closed, we undergo decay and death. When it is open, negative experience is transformed into wisdom and learning.
The Bija mantra (seed sound) for Vishuddha is हं haṃ. The petals correspond to the following sixteen vowels:
| अ a | आ ā | इ i | ई ī | उ u | ऊ ū | ऋ ṛ | ॠ ṝ |
| ऌ ḷ | ॡ ḹ | ए e | ऐ ai | ओ o | औ au | अः ḥ | अं ṃ |
NB: Some vowels listed above do not strictly correspond to the grammatical definition of a Sanskrit vowel, specifically ॡ ḹ, अः ḥ, and अं ṃ. See Sanskrit Phonology for details.
Symbolism
It is associated with the following:
Practices
In Kundalini yoga, Vishuddha can be opened and balanced through practices including asanas (such as shoulder-stand), pranayama, jalandhara bandha (throat lock), and Khecarī mudrā.
Other Associations
Vishuddha is often associated with the thyroid gland in the human endocrine system. This gland is in the neck, and produces hormones essential for growth and maturation.
Western occultists make various differing kabbalistic associations with Vishuddha. Some associate it with the hidden sephirah Da'at, where 'wisdom' and 'understanding' are balanced in the supernal realm by the aspect of 'knowledge', a tangible idea, which is then expressed, leading to the act of the Creation ( however, Swami Satyananda associates the act of the creation with the Bindu chakra ).
Others associate it with the sephirah Chesed and Geburah, mercy and strength, which are sephirah intimately associated with morality, and the concept that both expansion, as expressed by Chesed, and limitation, as expressed by Geburah, are necessary for the creation of individual beings. In terms of ethics, this is expressed by the yamas and niyamas ( do's and do nots ) of yoga.
Alternative names
- Tantra: Akasha, Dwyashtapatrambuja, Kantha, Kanthadesha, Kanthambhoja, Kanthambuja, Kanthapadma, Kanthapankaja, Nirmala-Padma, Shodasha, Shodasha-Dala, Shodasha-Patra, Shodashara, Shodashollasa-Dala, Vishuddha, Vishuddhi
- Vedas (late Upanishads): Kantha Chakra, Vishuddha, Vishuddhi
- Puranic: Vishuddha, Vishuddhi