THE MEANING OF CHAKRA :- The Sanskrit expression ‘chakra’ usually means a ‘wheel’. The etymology of the word would suggest ‘that by which anything is done’ (kriyate anena). The wheel of the cart, the wheel of the potter, the wheel-like weapon that is flung against the enemy are all called ‘chakras’. In its extended meaning, chakra also signifies a kingdom, & because the wheel of the King’s chariot can roll on there without hindrance. The king of the land is thus described as s ‘chakra-vartin’. The world also signifies an arrangement of the army (chakra-vyiiha), in order to fortify its position & secure victory. Sanskrit poets are found to employ characteriscally circular patterns of letters of words (chakra-bandha), to convey the meaning more forcefully (if also more tortuously) than usual. THE TANTRIK BACKGROUND (ATHARVA-VEDA):- Bhavanopanishad is a short text dealing with the symbolism of Sri-chakra & bringing out the importance of meditation on this symbolism. It is described as an upanishad in the sense of ‘secret doctrine’ & ‘higher wisdom’. It is described as an upanishad in the sense of ‘secret doctrine’ & higher ‘wisdom’. It is included in the classical collection of 108 upanishadic texts (enumerated in Muktikopanishad, 1,5), & more specifically in the collection of texts known as ‘Sakta—upanishads ’ viz., the upanisheds that emphasize the outlook & seek the toreconcile this outlook with traditional Vedantic approach.