In the muladhara (basic foundation) CHAKRA at the base of the spine rests the coiled KUNDALINI serpent, who awaits her awakening through YOGA to begin the journey upward to meet her transcendent counterpart SHIVA at the SAHASRARA juncture above the head. This chakra is associ-ated with the most basic urge for survival and gross physicality. It is the site of the lower emo-tions, such as anger and greed. Its element is earth, the densest of the elements (see PANCHA BHUTAS). Its deity is BRAHMA and its ruler GANE-SHA. Its SHAKTI or energy power is dakini. It has 10 blue petals.
Further reading: Harish Johari, Chakras: Energy Cen-ters of Transformation (Rochester, Vt.: Destiny Books, 2000).
Encyclopedia of Hinduism. A. Jones and James D. Ryan. 2007.