The 3rd chakra is Manipura Chakra or Solar Plexus Chakra.
Manipura, comes from the words Mani, which mean Jewel or Gem and
Pura, which mean Location, place, city.
Manipura Chakra and its Description
The Manipura Chakra is situated in the middle of the abdomen behind the navel. More precisely, its area of influence radiates out about 7cm above and below the navel. Its counterpart in the body is the Solar Plexus.
It rules our personal power, will, and autonomy, as well as our metabolism. This Chakra contains many precious jewels such as the qualities of clarity, self-confidence, bliss, self-assurance, knowledge, wisdom, and the ability to make correct decisions. With the realization of the Manipūra Chakra, the aspirant has reached an important stage on the spiritual path.
The color of the Manipura Chakra is yellow.
The Manipura Chakra is associated with the element Fire and the power of transformation. So, it is also known as the Fire or Sun Centre. The fire element manifests in the body as heat in the Solar Plexus.
Manipura is represented with a downward-pointing red triangle, signifying the tattva of fire, within a bright yellow circle, with 10 dark-blue or black petals like heavily laden rain clouds. On the petals are found the Sanskrit letters – Dam, Dham, Nam, Tam, Tham, Dam, Dham, Nam, Pam, and Pham written in a dark blue color.
These petals correspond to the vrittis of spiritual ignorance, thirst, jealousy, treachery, shame, fear, disgust, delusion, foolishness, and sadness.
The beej mantra of The Manipur Chakra is Ram.
Within the Bindu, above this mantra resides the deity Rudra. He is red or white, with three eyes, of ancient aspect with a silver beard, and is smeared with white ashes. Rudra makes the gestures of granting boons and dispelling fear and is seated either on a tiger skin or a bull.
Rudra’s Shakti is the goddess Lakini. She has a black or dark-blue vermilion color. She has three faces, each with three eyes; and is four-armed. Lakini holds a thunderbolt, the arrow shot from the bow of Kama, and fires. She makes the gestures of granting boons and dispelling fear. Lakini is seated on a red lotus
Sense Organ connected with Manipura Chakra
Manipura Chakra is related to the eyes and the sense of sight.
This Chakra has an effect like a magnet, attracting Prana from the Cosmos. The energies of Prana Vayu (upward flowing pranic energy) and Apana Vayu (downward flowing pranic energy) meet at this point.
As the seat of digestive fire and Saman Vayu, this Chakra regulates the function of the Pancreas and digestive organs.
It is responsible for the digestion and assimilation of food and it corresponds to the stomach, upper intestines, liver, gallbladder, kidneys, pancreas, adrenal glands, spleen, and mid-back.
When the Manipura chakra is healthy, this chakra brings us energy, effectiveness, spontaneity, and non-dominating power. We are confident and focused while possessing strength, fortitude, and determination.
The first three chakras – Muladhara, Swadhishthana, and Manipura – constitute the physical dimension of the body in many ways. Whether one wants to live well physically, mentally, emotionally, or energetically, or one wants to enhance one’s capabilities, Muladhara, Swadhishthana, and Manipura are most essential.
Manipura Chakra or Solar Plexus
| Location | Behind the Navel or in Solar Plexus |
| Petals | 10 |
| Color | Yellow |
| Element | Fire ( Agni Tattva) |
| Sense | Sense of Sight |
| Beej Mantra | Ram |
| Chakradhishthatri Devi | Lakini |
Manipura chakra (Solar Plexus) Properties
A person with a balanced Manipura chakra is strong and confident and even moves out of the comfort zone to meet the goals. He loves and respects himself and others and has good leadership qualities.
The 3rd chakra has the following properties or characteristics:
- Expression of will
- Intellectual abilities
- Personal power
- Power of Making decisions, setting the direction
- Clarity of judgments
- Personal identity, personality
- Self-assurance,
- Self-confidence
- Focused
- Ability to establish ideas and plans into reality
- Self-discipline
- Independence
- At higher levels, it conveys wisdom
How to know blocked or imbalanced Manipura chakra (Solar Plexus) Chakra
Imbalanced or Blocked Manipura chakra (Solar Plexus) has the following characteristics
- Excessive control and authority over your environment and people
- The feeling of helplessness, irresponsibility
- Difficulty seeing the “big picture” in life
- Lack of clear direction,
- Lack of purpose or ambition
- Low self-esteem
- Feelings of worthlessness
- Dreams that lack associated plans
- Unresolved guilt about the past
- Being manipulative
- Making plans or having a lot of ideas without finding efficient ways to realize them
Physical symptoms caused by a blocked solar plexus chakra also include the following:
- Difficulties with short-term memory
- Constipation
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Eating disorders
- Ulcers
- Diabetes
- Diseases of the Pancreas, Liver, and Colon
How to Activate The Manipura Chakra?
1. The best way to activate a chakra is to develop sattva tattva in yourself by doing
MANANA – To think about, reflect
SANKALPA – To have the right intentions, to make positive resolutions
VIKALPA – To remove doubts and discard false ideas
ATMA CHINTANA – To be conscious of the Divine Self (Atma)at all times.
2. Regular chanting the Beeja Mantra of the chakra. The Beeja Mantra of The Manipura Chakra is Ram. Chanting this seed mantra activates The Manipura Chakra. By chanting RAM, the vibrations will open and align this chakra. To get a quick and more beneficial chant Beeja Mantra at a specific time for a specific duration regularly.
3. Focusing around the navel region and visualizing the color yellow during meditation is helpful.
4. Regular practice of Uddiyana Bandha, Jalandhar bandha, Agnisara kriya, and Nauli kriya can also activate Manipura chakra.
5. Regular practice of specific Yogasana like Paschimottanasana ,Dhanurasana,Surya namaskar, Bhujangasana, Ardha Matsyendrasana helps to activate the Manipura Chakra.
6. Create a Yellow color environment (Wearing yellow color clothes or sitting in a yellow room) around you. This chakra can also be energized in the sunshine. Yellow food items including sunflower seeds, chamomile, turmeric, etc. balance the Solar Plexus Chakra.
7. Applying essential oils at specific places of Manipura Chakra.
8. Making the home Vaastu perfect and following the science of directions while sleeping, studying, working, etc. recharges the chakras.
9. Physical or energetic activities like walking, dancing, sports, exercises, etc. are also helpful.
10. Wearing yellow-colored gemstones or placing yellow crystals is another method to open this chakra. These stones include yellow citrine, topaz, Amber, Yellow tourmaline, etc.
11. Repeat positive affirmations about personal power.
By repeating affirmations, you can reverse negative thought patterns and replace them with constructive ones. Place your hand on the area of your solar plexus when you say your chakra-aligning affirmation. You can change, remove, and add words as you wish.
Set the intention by repeating affirmations like:
- I have high self-esteem and feel better about myself every day.
- I am calm, confident, and powerful.
- I am ready to face any challenges.
- I am powerful, and I am comfortable with that power.
- I feel motivated to pursue my purpose.
- I am ambitious and capable.
- I forgive myself for past mistakes, and I learn from them.
- The only thing I need to control is how I respond to situations.
- I can create positive change in my life.