Cakras: The Psychic Channels in the Body – A Study in Tantra Philosophy

Abstract: Chakras or plexus are the energy centres of the body through which life energy flows throughout the human body. The present work is an attempt to understand the Cakras and the psychic channels in the body form Tantra philosophical perspective. It was revealed that in Upanishads thousands of years ago that human body has highly developed energy field. In this article I have analysed the function of energy channels in the human body. The system of energy centres is called cakras – it literally means wheel of subtle power, which act as storehouse of energy. They are situated in the energy body and function as centres for receiving and assimilation the life force or Vital Energy. In Veda and Upanishads stated the human body is composed of five elements which are earth, water, air, fire and ether. In this sense the human body called Panchabhuta Sarir or Fivefold body. Almost all the system of Indian philosophy accepted human body categories into three parts, namely. Gross body (Sthula sarira), Subtle body (Suksma sarira) and Causal body (Karana sarira). The link between the physical body, subtle body and the casual body is the prana. The main centre of this pranic energy in each body are called Cakras.