Shatcakra, Ṣaṭcakra, Shash-cakra: 7 definitions

Introduction:

Shatcakra means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

The Sanskrit term Ṣaṭcakra can be transliterated into English as Satcakra or Shatcakra, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

Alternative spellings of this word include Shatchakra.

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In Hinduism

Shilpashastra (iconography)

Source: DSpace at Pondicherry: Siddha Cult in Tamilnadu (sculpture)

Ṣaṭcakra (षट्चक्र).—In the ceiling beam of the Puthumaṇḍapa of Tiruvotriyūr Śiva temple, the body of a standing human Figure the ṣaṭ-cakras are depicted in the respective places of his body starting from mūlādhāra to sahasrāra. To his left (iḍa) moon is depicted and to his right (piṅgala) Sun is depicted. Though it seems to be of a later period, this kind of sculpture is not found in any other temple.

Shilpashastra book cover
context information

Shilpashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, śilpaśāstra) represents the ancient Indian science (shastra) of creative arts (shilpa) such as sculpture, iconography and painting. Closely related to Vastushastra (architecture), they often share the same literature.

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Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

[«previous next»] — Shatcakra in Shaktism glossary
Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram

Ṣaṭcakra (षट्चक्र) [=Cakraṣaṭka?] refers to “six wheels” and represents an example of the ‘six parts’ (Ṣaṭprakārā, cf. Ṣaṭka) [of the Goddess], according to the Manthānabhairavatantra, a vast sprawling work that belongs to a corpus of Tantric texts concerned with the worship of the goddess Kubjikā.—The Six Wheels (ṣaṭcakra) are the six parts. The inner body of all living beings is modeled on that of the deity. Consisting of the Six Wheels, it is the Body of Thunder or the Self of Thunder and is said to be the “Kula with six parts” of all embodied beings. Also called the six sheaths, these six are “the great ocean of the six parts” (ṣaṭprakāra-mahārṇava). The Ciñcinīmatasārasamuccaya calls them collectively (the reality with) six parts (ṣaṭprakāra) and lists where they are located in the body.

Note: Various entities are coupled with projections of the six Wheels (ṣaṭcakra). These include six sacred seats with their six goddesses and Siddhas, six Liṅgas, six Yoginīs and the six lineages said to have been founded by Matsyendranātha through his six disciples. [...]

Shaktism book cover
context information

Shakta (शाक्त, śākta) or Shaktism (śāktism) represents a tradition of Hinduism where the Goddess (Devi) is revered and worshipped. Shakta literature includes a range of scriptures, including various Agamas and Tantras, although its roots may be traced back to the Vedas.

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Yoga (school of philosophy)

[«previous next»] — Shatcakra in Yoga glossary
Source: archive.org: Yoga Aphorisms of Patanjali with Bhoja Vritti

Ṣaṭcakra (षट्चक्र) is the name of a work dealing with the Yoga system of Philosophy. It deals with—The six principal parts of the body which should be meditated upon. Cf. Buhler’s Guzarat Catalogue. IV.

Yoga book cover
context information

Yoga is originally considered a branch of Hindu philosophy (astika), but both ancient and modern Yoga combine the physical, mental and spiritual. Yoga teaches various physical techniques also known as āsanas (postures), used for various purposes (eg., meditation, contemplation, relaxation).

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Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

[«previous next»] — Shatcakra in Sanskrit glossary
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Ṣaṭcakra (षट्चक्र).—n.

(-kraṃ) The six mystical circles of the body, (in Tantra.)

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Aufrecht Catalogus Catalogorum

Ṣaṭcakra (षट्चक्र) as mentioned in Aufrecht’s Catalogus Catalogorum:—on the six mystic centres or circles connected with particular parts of the body. The meditation on these procures transcendant power. These circles often represented as lotuses are called mūlādhāra, svādhiṣṭhāna, maṇipūra, anāhata, viśuddha, ājñā. Sometimes a seventh named sahasradala is added. B. 4, 6. Proceed. Asb. 1871, 282 (and—[commentary]).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

1) Ṣaṭcakra (षट्चक्र):—[=ṣaṭ-cakra] [from ṣaṭ > ṣaṣ] n. sg. the six mystical circles of the body (mūlādhāra, svādhiṣṭhāna, maṇipūra, an-āhata, viśuddha, ājñākhya), [Pañcarātra]

2) [v.s. ...] Name of [work]

[Sanskrit to German]

Shatcakra in German

context information

Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.

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Kannada-English dictionary

[«previous next»] — Shatcakra in Kannada glossary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Ṣaṭcakra (ಷಟ್ಚಕ್ರ):—[noun] (pl.) the six mystical circles in the human body, which has the latent energy, when aroused, passes through and reach the pinnacle at which it merges with the universal Energy.

context information

Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.

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