muladhara chakra
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).
muni
A muni is a saint, sage, ascetic, or hermit. This
is a traditional term found in the epics and the
Puranas, superseding the earlier VEDIC term RISHI.
It is still used in modern Hinduism, although
somewhat less than the terms sadhu and swami.
The Jain tradition (see JAINISM) uses the term muni
for a respected monk.
Further reading: Patrick Olivelle, trans., Sannyasa Upa-
nishads: Hindu Scriptures on Asceticism and Renunciation
(New York: Oxford University Press, 1992).
Murugan See KARTTIKEYA.
myths of creation
The Hindu myths of creation are many and varied.
The VEDAS, the most ancient scriptures, include
several striking creation hymns. One hymn sees
creation as emerging from a divine person, the
PURUSHA, who is sacrificed in order for time to
begin; creation results directly from his body and
being. Another account, in the RIG VEDA, suggests
that no one knows what existed before this world;
only the one in the highest heaven knows, and
perhaps not even he! Still another hymn speaks of
a Golden Embryo that precedes all creation, out of
which everything emerges.
The UPANISHADS, part of the Vedas, contain
numerous cosmogonic (creation) stories. Several
of them relate that the world was emitted from the
supreme Self or ATMAN, which pervaded all reality.
Others speak of reality’s emerging from the one
BRAHMAN, or ultimate all. Still others speak of the
creation’s beginning with PRAJAPATI, a male creator
god or principle.
In the Puranas, written from about 400 C.E.
to 1000 C.E., the god BRAHMA is usually said to be
responsible for creation. He is depicted emerging
from a lotus in the navel of VISHNU, who is sleep-
ing on the primordial MILK OCEAN between eras.
However, worshippers of either Vishnu or SHIVA
often credited their chosen god with creating the
entire universe.Further reading: Cornelia Dimmitt and J. A. B. van
Buitenen, Classical Hindu Mythology: A Reader in the
Sanskrit Puranas (Philadelphia: Temple University
Press, 1978); F. B. J. Kuiper, Ancient Indian Cosmogony
(New Delhi: Vikas, 1983).myths of creation 297 J