Chakra bheda is opening and activation of the lotuses in our body as per Hatha Yoga. It is part of advanced hatha yogic practices.
Chakra literally means a circle. In hatha yoga, it means a lotus.
Six lotuses are said to lie along the path of the spinal cord (Sushumna nadi), which extends from the genitals up to the head.
These lotuses are closed and inactive in most people. Chakra Bheda means their opening and becoming active.
This is achieved through an intense practice of hatha yoga, especially the second and the third parts, namely, pranayama and mudras thorugh the arousal of the dormant kundalini.
It is said in Hatha Yoga Pradipika (III 2-3) that “after its arousal, the kundalini pierces through the lotuses and knots, and rising up into the head, merges with Shiva in the thousand-petalled lotus.
As described in Hatha Yoga Pradipika, a prolonged practice of breath-control and mudras leads to kevala kumbhaka, which arouses the dormant kundalini.
The adept starts hearing subtle sounds and gradually his mind gets more and more absorbed in them. Ultimately, the kundalini merges with Paramashiva (the supreme lord), bringing emancipation from the cycle of rebirths.
The process of Chakra Bheda is mentioned at various places in traditional texts like
- Hatha Yoga Pradipika II 71-76;
- Sat Cakra Nirupana Verse 51 commentary
- Agam Rahasya VII 86
- Gandharva Tantra VI 120 – 224
Source –
Siva Mahadeva: The Great God (1966) by S. Vasudeva Agarwal published Veda Academy, Varanasi.
Tantras, Their Philosophy and Occult Secrets (1960) by D. N. Bose Oriental Publishers Co Kolkata.
Encyclopedia of Hinduism Volume III page 13 published by IHRF.