Yantra jaïn ou shivaïte d'un yogi et des chakras

India, Rajasthan, 19th century Gouache on paper. Dim. 30.5 x 20 cm This is a representation of a yogi seated in the "lotus posture" (padma asana). At the base of his spine are the serpent Ananta, the tortoise Kurma and a demon, Asura. Along its vertical axis is a diagrammatic panel with the names and symbols of the chakras, or energy centers of the subtle body (sukshma sharira). With Kundalini yoga, the energy in the subtle body at the base of the spinal column is activated and channelled upwards, engaging each chakra as a focal point for meditative visualizations aimed at achieving a spiritual goal. In ascending order, we find the four-petal root chakra (muladhara); the sacral chakra (svadhishthana), a six-petal orange lotus; the solar plexus chakra (manipura), a ten-petal pink lotus; heart chakra (anahata), a twelve-petal lotus; throat chakra (vishuddha), a sixteen-petal lotus; third eye chakra (ajna), a Shiva and a Parvati; and crown chakra (sahastrara). Comparable works Lacma, Los Angeles (M.85.283.10). National Museum, New Delhi (82.485). A Jain tantric diagram of a yogi and chakras, Western India, 19th century