Shat Chakra Nirupana (Description of the Six Chakras) is a foundational 16th-century Sanskrit text on Laya Yoga and Kundalini Yoga. Written by Swami Purnananda , it serves as the sixth chapter of his larger work, the Shritattvachintamani
This text is most famous in the West through Sir John Woodroffe's (Arthur Avalon) 1919 translation, The Serpent Power
, which introduced the concept of the chakra system to the English-speaking world. Core Structure of the Text
The manuscript consists of 55–56 verses that provide a detailed "map" of the subtle body, describing the appearance, sound, and presiding deities of each energy center: Muladhara (Root):
Located at the base of the spine; described as a four-petalled crimson lotus containing the "Kula-kundalini." Svadhisthana (Sacral):
A six-petalled vermilion lotus at the root of the genitals, associated with the element of water. Manipura (Solar Plexus):
A ten-petalled lotus of the color of heavy rain clouds, located at the navel. Anahata (Heart):
A twelve-petalled golden lotus containing the "Tree of Wishes" (Kalpa-taru). Vishuddha (Throat):
A sixteen-petalled smoky-purple lotus, the center of the ether element. Ajna (Third Eye):
A two-petalled white lotus located between the eyebrows, representing the seat of the mind. Sahasrara (Crown):
Though often called the seventh chakra, the text treats this "Thousand-Petalled Lotus" as the transcendent destination above the head where Shiva and Shakti unite. Where to Find the PDF
Because this text is in the public domain, you can find high-quality academic and traditional versions for free: Sacred Texts Archive
Offers the full English translation by Arthur Avalon, including the original Sanskrit commentary. Archive.org
Look for "The Serpent Power" to get the complete PDF scan including the original illustrations of the chakras. Wisdom Library
Provides a verse-by-verse breakdown with word-for-word meanings and commentaries.
Shat Chakra Nirupana (Description of and Investigation into the Six Bodily Centres) is widely considered the definitive foundational text on the chakra system and Kundalini Yoga. Originally written in 1526 CE by Swami Purnananda, it was introduced to the West through Sir John Woodroffe's (Arthur Avalon) monumental translation, The Serpent Power. Quick Verdict: A Must-Read for Spiritual Scholars
If you are looking for a "new age" guide to healing crystals or modern wellness, this text might feel overly dense and technical. However, if you want to understand the authentic origins of chakra theory—including the specific Sanskrit letters, presiding deities, and geometric symbols (yantras) for each centre—this is the primary source. Key Features & Insights
The Original "Map": It details the six major chakras (Muladhara to Ajna) and the Sahasrara (Thousand-Petalled Lotus), describing their colors, elements (Tattvas), and seed mantras (Bijakshara).
Kundalini Mechanics: The text provides specific instructions on the "Serpent Power" (Kundalini Shakti) and how it travels through the Sushumna nadi to achieve spiritual liberation (Moksha).
Commentary by Kalicharana: Most PDF versions include the Sanskrit commentary by Kalicharana, which is essential for decoding the highly symbolic and "twilight language" (Sandhya Bhasha) used in the original verses.
Symbolism & Deities: Each chakra is described with a specific presiding deity and a "Shakti" (energy goddess), such as Dakini or Kakini, which serve as focal points for meditation. Pros and Cons Study on the symbolic of Sat-Chakra-Nirupana - ResearchGate
Ṣaṭ-Cakra-Nirūpaṇa (Description of the Six Chakras) is a seminal 16th-century Tantric text written by Pūrṇānanda Giri
that serves as the foundation for modern understandings of the Kundalini energy system. It was famously introduced to the West in 1919 by Sir John Woodroffe (writing as Arthur Avalon) in his book, The Serpent Power Accessing the Full Text
Because this is a classic text, you can find the complete English translation and original Sanskrit verses through several open-access repositories: Standard English Translation:
The most authoritative version, including the Sanskrit commentary of Kalicharana, is available via The Serpent Power on Internet Archive Direct PDF Versions:
You can view or download formatted versions on community-driven sites like HolyBooks.com Sacred Texts Archive: A digital transcript of the translation is hosted on Sacred-Texts.com Key Contents of the Piece
The text details the "six wheels" (Shat Chakras) located along the subtle spinal column ( ), describing each with specific symbolic attributes: Seed Sound (Bija) Description Base of Spine The seat of the sleeping Kundalini Shakti. Svadhisthana Associated with the element of water. The center of fire and personal power. The "unstruck" sound; associated with air. The center of purification and wisdom. The "command" center of intuition.
Note: While it focuses on the six lower chakras, the text also describes the
(Thousand-petaled Lotus) at the crown of the head as the final destination for the rising Kundalini. from the text, or are you looking for meditation practices associated with these chakras? Understanding Shat Chakras in Yoga | PDF - Scribd
Reading this text requires patience. It is filled with complex Sanskrit terminology and symbolic imagery. Here are a few tips for studying the PDF:
Search for "The Serpent Power – Arthur Avalon (Woodroffe) PDF" .