CAKRAS or PADMAS (lotuses): [ಚಕ್ರ ಅಥವಾ ಪದ್ಮ]

Cakras or padmas are subtle forms of śakti. [ಶಕ್ತಿ] The Lingayats accept the śākta doctrine that there are seven cakras, five in the human spinal column and two in the head. Just because they are said to be ‘located’ in the seven places of the human body, it must not be assumed that they are accessible to empirical perception. However, they are considered as ‘places’, by training which, the seeker can become aware of his own consciousness as identical to Parashiva.

In the lowest part of spine in the region between the anus and the generative organ is the mūlādhāra-padma. [ಮೂಲಾಧಾರ ಚಕ್ರ] This lotus has four petals of crimson red colour on which are four gold coloured letters, va, ṣa, śa, and sa. [ವ, ಷ, ಶ, ಮತ್ತು ಸ]In the centre of this lies Acāra-Linga covered by the pṛuthvī [ಪೃಥ್ವಿ] (earth) element, which is a form of Kriyā-śakti. [ಕ್ರಿಯಾ ಶಕ್ತಿ]

The svādhisthāna [ಸ್ವಾಧಿಷ್ಠಾನ] which is believed to be in the region between the generative organ and naval has six petals of green colour on which six brilliant white letters, ba, bha, ma, ya, ra, and la [ಬ, ಭ, ಮ, ಯ, ರ, ಮತ್ತು ಲ] are written. In the centre of this lies Guru-Linga covered by the ap [ಆಪ್](water) element, which is a form of Jnyāna-śakti. [ಜ್ಞಾನ ಶಕ್ತಿ]

The maṇipūraka [ಮಣಿಪೂರಕ] which is believed to be in the naval region has ten petals of dark grey colour on which ten blue letters, ḍa, ḍha, ṇa, ta, tha, da, dha, na, pa and pha [ಡ, ಢ, ಣ, ತ, ಥ, ದ, ಧ, ನ, ಪ ಮತ್ತು ಫ] are written. In the centre of this lies Śhiva-Linga covered by the agni [ಅಗ್ನಿ] (fire) element, which is a form of Icchā-śakti. [ಇಚ್ಛಾ,ಶಕ್ತಿ] Since it is located near the naval region it is also called nābhī-padma [ನಾಭಿ ಪದ್ಮ] (naval lotus).

The anāhata [ಅನಾಹತ] which is believed to be in the region of heart has twelve petals of blood red colour on which twelve vermilion coloured letters, ka, kha, ga, gha, ṅ, ca, cha, ja, jha, ñ, ṭa and ṭha [ಕ, ಖ, ಗ, ಘ, ಙ, ಚ, ಛ, ಜ, ಝ, ಞ, ಟ ಮತ್ತು ಠ] are inscribed. In the centre of this lies Jangama-Linga covered by the vāyu [ವಾಯು] (air) element, which is a form of Ādi-śakti. [ಆದಿ ಶಕ್ತಿ]

The viśuddhi, [ವಿಶುದ್ಧಿ] which is believed to be in the region of throat has sixteen petals of smoke grey colour on which sixteen red letters, a, ā, i, ī, u, ū, ṛ, ṛū, lṛ, lṛū, ē, ai, ō, au, aṃ and āḥ [ಅ, ಆ, ಇ, ಈ, ಉ, ಊ, ಋ, ೠ, ೞ್, ೞು, ಏ, ಐ, ಓ, ಔ, ಅಂ, ಮತ್ತು ಅ:] are written. In the centre of this lies Prasāda-Linga [ಪ್ರಸಾದ ಲಿಂಗ] covered by the ākāsha [ಆಕಾಶ] (space) element, which is a form of Parā-śakti. [ಪರಾ ಶಕ್ತಿ]

The ājñā, [ಅಜ್ಞಾ] which is believed to be in the region between the eyebrows, has only two petals of white colour on which white letters, ha and kṣa [ಹ ಮತ್ತು ಕ್ಷ] written. In the centre of this lies Mahā-Linga [ಮಹಾಲಿಂಗ] covered by mind, which is a form of Cit-śakti. [ಚಿಚ್ಛಕ್ತಿ]

The sahasrāra padma [ಸಹಸ್ರಾರ] (the lotus with thousand petals) on which is written the syllable ‘oṃ’ [ಓಂ] is the place where Śūnya-Linga [ಶೂನ್ಯ ಲಿಂಗ] resides and the individual self is believed to unite with it. The union called Linga-anga-sāmarasya [ಲಿಂಗಾಂಗ ಸಾಮರಸ್ಯ]is the ultimate aim of every spiritual seeker.

Though seven Lingas are said to reside in the centres of the seven cakras (padmas), it does not follow that there are seven types or grades of consciousness. It only means that man can realise consciousness (Linga) in the seven centres of his body. In other words, the seven Lingas (such as Ācara-Linga, Guru-Linga, etc.) are but the seven names, which ultimately refer to only one consciousness residing everywhere and realised by man in seven places of his body.