Sahasrara is the highest primary chakra according to the Hindu Tantric tradition (Shakta).

Description

Sahasrara is positioned above the head or at the top of it and it has 1000 petals which are arranged in 20 layers each of them with 50 petals. For a discussion about the petal count see also petal (chakra)

Often referred as thousand-petaled lotus, it is said to be the most subtle chakra in the system, relating to pure consciousness, and it is from this chakra that all the other chakras emanate. When a yogi is able to raise his or her kundalini, energy of consciousness,

Practices

Some Asanas are said to help stimulate this chakra, such as 'head-stand'

Other Associations

In the West, it has been noted by many occultists that Sahasrara expresses a similar archetypal idea to that of Kether in the kabbalistic tree of life, which also rests at the head of the tree, and represents pure consciousness and union with god.

It is also believed by some that the chakras correspond to the human endocrine system, with Sahasrara corresponding to the pituitary gland, the master control gland, which connects the endocrine system to the nervous system through the hypothalamus and excretes the glands that control all the other glands, although others believe it may correspond to the pineal gland.

Alternative names

• Tantra: Adhomukha Mahapadma, Amlana Padma, Dashashatadala Padma, Pankaja, Sahasrabja, Sahasrachchada Panikaja,
  
  
  
  Sahasradala, Sahasradala Adhomukha Padma, Sahasradala Padma, Sahasrapatra, Sahasrara, Sahasrara Ambuja, Sahasrara Mahapadma, Sahasrara Padma, Sahasrara Saroruha, Shiras Padma, Shuddha Padma, Wyoma, Wyomambhoja
• Vedas (late Upanishads): Akasha Chakra, Kapalasamputa, Sahasradala, Sahasrara, Sahasrara Kamala (Pankaja or Padma), Sthana, Wyoma, Wyomambuja
• Puranic: Parama, Sahasradala, Sahasraparna Padma, Sahasrapatra, Sahasrara, Sahasrara Kamala (Parikaja or Padma), Shantyatita, Shantyatita Pada

See also

• Chakra
• SahajaYoga