6

The Third Hindu Chakra

manipura

Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.

Abraham Lincoln

Shining like the sun, manipura constitutes the third step on kundalini’s climb toward the heavens. Here a burst of flame draws in prana and transforms it into vital energies that flow throughout the body. And here gather the nadis that control bodily functions and the digestive process.

We digest and assimilate more than food through this center. In manipura, the “brain of the body,” we incorporate wisdom and intuitive knowledge, learning to shape our thoughts according to our will—and ultimately to uphold the will of the Highest One. The result is a strong mind-body connection that enables us to reflect our beliefs in our physical body. As we work through our fears and prejudices, struggling with the ups and downs of ego, we eventually figure out that our inner light is one of brilliance. And what happens when we align our goals with our inner brilliance? Success, both personal and positional, or worldly, is ours.

Most Familiar Sanskrit Name and Meaning

The Sanskrit name for the third chakra can be broken into two parts. Mani means “jewel” or “gem”; pura means “dwelling place.” Thus it can be translated as “city of gems.”

Other Names

An additional name is nabhi, which means “navel.” Tantric names also include dashachchada, dashadala padma, dashapatra, dashapatrambuja, manipuraka, nabhipadma, and nabhipankaja.1

Location

This chakra is found in the solar or gastric plexus, in the part of the vertebral column behind our stomach area. Its effect radiates seven centimeters above and below the navel. If we are feeling stressed, we may be able to feel this nerve plexus as a tight knot just below the sternum.2

Manipura is often referred to as the solar plexus or navel chakra.

Purpose

Manipura is the energy center of personal power, mental activity, self-esteem, and willpower.

Does Kundalini Start in Manipura?

According to Buddhist theory, as well as many tantric texts, “real” kundalini activation starts in manipura, not in muladhara as is more commonly thought. The thinking is that the previous two chakra stopping points, the first and second chakras, are higher realms of our animal selves, while human consciousness actually begins at manipura and becomes refined as kundalini energy moves upward.

Because the third chakra is of a higher order than the ones below it, many practitioners believe that reaching the third chakra during a kundalini rising secures a fail-safe environment. The sincere aspirant cannot fall back down the ladder; his or her consciousness now can only rise. Still other practitioners believe that kundalini is more like a vertical accordion and can slip all the way back to muladhara from any perch, including the crown chakra.

Whether or not the manipura is truly fail-safe, it plays a significant role in kundalini’s rising. It is certain that several forms of prana—the cosmic collection of the five vital forces—use manipura as a conjunction point. For instance, according to some devotees of Swami Sivananda, a Hindu spiritual teacher who founded the Divine Light Society in 1936 and practiced many forms of yoga, when the prana of the first chakra rises to manipura, the prana of the solar plexus can ascend to the throat. When the prana falls from the throat back to manipura, so does the prana tumble to the first chakra. Basically, karmic issues can prevent these pranic forces from merging in manipura until they have been worked through.

Traditionally, breathing exercises (pranayama) serve as vital tools to assist with the control of the major pranas. When an aspirant’s issues are cleared—when higher consciousness is achieved—the vital force of manipura, samana, is able to move from the periphery of the body into the core. This “implosion” can spark an upward rise, like providing fuel for a rocket.3

Color

Manipura’s color is yellow, which represents wisdom and intellect.

Chakra Activation

Anodea Judith sees manipura’s activation taking place at between eighteen months and three years of age. The twelve-chakra system places activation a little later, at between two and a half and four and a half years of age.

The Hindu system sees activation taking place between the ages of fourteen and twenty-one, during which time a person is impelled to develop ego and worldly identity. This striving for personal power can lead to selfless service—or sorrow.4

Associated Gland

The gland that relates to manipura is the pancreas. See Illustration 8 and Illustration 11.

Illustration 11—The Pancreas: The pancreas (shaded in gray) is located near several digestive organs associated with the manipura. Although the esophagus is linked with the throat chakra, it provides entry into the digestive organs. illustration by mary ann zapalac

Body Parts Managed

The third chakra manages the digestive system and organs, skin, breath, upper abdomen, diaphragm, middle spine, small intestines, and parts of the kidneys and adrenals, particularly the adrenal cortex.

The Pancreas: Manipura’s Endocrine Energy

The pancreas is manipura’s companion hormone gland. It is an oblong, flat organ located deep in the abdomen and under the left rib cage. One part lies between the stomach and spine and another part lies nestled in the curve of the small intestine. The head of the pancreas is positioned at the third lumbar vertebra. Illustration 11 shows these parts of the body.

The pancreas is an important part of the digestive system, serving two functions at once. As an endocrine gland, it releases juices, including hormones and enzymes, directly into the bloodstream. It is also an exocrine gland because it releases juices into ducts. In fact, about 95 percent of the pancreas functions as an exocrine gland, producing enzymes that aid in digestion. The best-known pancreatic hormone is insulin, which is secreted into the bloodstream to regulate the body’s sugar levels.5

The link between the manipura chakra and the pancreas means that problems with the pancreas can cause imbalances in manipura (and vice versa). One way to assess the relationship between the two is to assess the placement of your pancreas. If it is in the right position, you will feel a pulse at the center of your navel. If you are experiencing headaches, diarrhea, abdominal pain, fatigue, anxiety, or certain other conditions, your pancreas might be displaced.

For instance, a pulse located above and to the left of the navel could indicate the potential for respiratory disorders; to the left, emotional problems; and to the right, energy blockages. Finding the pulse to the right and below the navel indicates digestive disorders.6

Interestingly, the mudra exercise of breathing through the right nostril, as indicated in the “Firing Up Your Manipura” exercise, can help rebalance or reposition your pancreas. The key is to restore the nada—the pulse beat of the universe—in the manipura, a home to this sacred sound. You can also chant mantras, as indicated in the following exercise.

Exercise: Sounding the Universe Through Your Manipura

The manipura is often considered the source of words, which makes it particularly responsive to sound. Check for the accuracy of this statement by conducting this exercise:

Place your thumb on your navel and say a word out loud. Pay attention and you will sense the vibration of the sound before it emanates from your lips. The vibration starts in the navel, rises to the larynx, and is then produced as audible sound.

Besides using the bija mantra ram, you can also repeat the mantra om shanti to clear your manipura and clear the messages you deliver to the world. Om is the original sound of the Divine, and shanti means “peace.” Yet another beautiful mantra is this one: om mani padme hum, which means “my adoration to the lotus feet of the master” or “my adoration to the master of the jeweled city.” The vibrations of this mantra free us from inner tensions and activate the potential of the manipura.7

Predominant Sense and Sense Organ

The sense associated with manipura is sight, and the sense organ is the eyes.

Action Organ

The action organ is the anus.

Vital Breath

The vital breath is samana, which controls the digestive fire.8

Related Diseases

Health issues of the third chakra can be related to the digestive system, diabetes, pancreatitis, kidney and adrenal imbalance, low blood pressure, certain colon diseases, stomach ulcers, certain food disorders (such as anorexia and bulimia), hepatitis, heartburn, hypoglycemia, chronic fatigue, muscular disorders, hypoglycemia, and “leaky gut” syndrome caused by bodily toxicity and leakage of toxins into the bloodstream through the walls of the small intestine.9

Psychological Functions

The psychological center point of the manipura is personal power, which is affected by beliefs and emotions related to our ego. Within this chakra space we determine our sense of value and our ability to carry out decisions, but only if we are able to shift from making decisions based on karma, or the consequences of our past, to dharma, or selfless service. By learning how to practice charity in all we do, we automatically feel successful, no matter our external circumstances.

Blockages often manifest as pride, anger, fear, prejudice, or victimization. We can become too sensitive to criticism or, conversely, critical of others. Similarly, we may be manipulated emotionally or become emotionally manipulative ourselves. While it’s important to realize we can manipulate others or even ideas, continuing down this path invariably leads to the development of control issues and a false sense of grandeur.

The core importance of manipura chakra is the development of personal beliefs, which are the product of thoughts strung together with observations. They are then cemented in place through inner dialogue. If we overindulge in our own mental constructs, we can fall prey to mental chatter and anxiety. If we ignore our intellect, our mind can become lethargic and we will lack conviction. Just as manipura digests food, so it also digests ideas. The beliefs formulated within the cauldron of this chakra will steer our thoughts and, therefore, our behaviors.10

The importance of beliefs and the third chakra was highlighted in my work with an “almost successful” jewelry designer. He had grown up being told that he was too effeminate in comparison to his football-playing older brothers; hence, every time he found himself about to sign a lucrative design contract, the situation fell apart. We discovered that he was unconsciously sabotaging himself in order to appear more “masculine.” Financial success was perceived as drawing attention to his too-creative faculties. Once he was able to dismantle the belief that his personality was “less manly” because he was creative, his third chakra became more balanced, and the next contract on the table went through.

Associated Archetypes

The positive archetype of the third chakra is the Warrior. This archetype provides a person with an unsurpassable source of power that can be used for achieving worthy causes and making a difference.11

The negative archetype is that of Servant. All too often, the Servant helps others to the exclusion of the self, perhaps secretly hoping for recognition or praise. If used beneficially, however, this approach can enable personal empowerment toward higher service and does not have to remain a negative symbol.12

Personality Profile

If you are strong in the third chakra energy center, you are a thinker. You revel in ideas, facts, information, and concepts and are driven to organize this information into understandable systems. Because of this you are a great organizer and administrator. You have the ability to set up the structures necessary to meet your own or others’ goals. Your spiritual destiny will, without a doubt, include working mindfully with knowledge to structure information processes.

Deficiencies and Excesses of the Third Chakra

Deficiencies in this energy center include low self-esteem, low self-confidence, contracted energy, unhappiness with one’s life situation, being easily manipulated, and having poor self-
discipline or poor digestion. It may also manifest as a victim mentality, unreliability, passivity, and a blaming attitude.

Excesses here include controlling, aggressive, dominating behavior; the need to be right, stubbornness, egotism, hyperactivity, pride, and competition.

When the Third Chakra Is Balanced

A balanced third chakra results in healthy assertiveness, cooperation, and dynamic energy; intelligence, decisiveness, productivity, and mental focus; a healthy digestive system and overall good physical health; and a healthy relationship with the greater world, especially in the realm of work.13

Manipura Symbols: The Third Chakra Yantra

The focal point of this yantra, or representative symbol, is a downward-pointing triangle within a circle. In many versions of the yantra (but not this one), a T-shape is depicted on each side of the triangle. Taken together, these Ts make up a form of swastika, a Sanskrit symbol for well-being and universal welfare. According to the Sat Chakra Purana, the swastika denotes good luck, whether the legs are bent clockwise or counterclockwise—or, in this case, are straight. In manipura, the swastikas emphasize the nature of fire, which is to rise and transform.14

Exercise: Firing Up Your Manipura

Your third chakra is like a sun, a center in which energy bursts into being as kundalini joins together various forms of prana. To enable this process, as well as reduce potential danger from the resulting combustion, I recommend using the mrigi mudra to breathe through the right nostril alone. This mudra is a companion to the chandra bhedana explored in our last chapter, which enables breathing through the left, lunar nostril.

The right nostril links with the pingala nadi, which is associated with the left-brain hemisphere and our rational, logical mind as well as masculine, verbal, and physical activities. This nostril is solar in nature, increasing bodily heat and acidic secretions. As I mentioned in the last chapter, we naturally switch between left and right nostrils during the day, with the most precise transition at dawn and dusk. To deliberately use only the right nostril is to emphasize chakras that are firelike in nature, such as the third. This exercise will also help you with activities related to the third chakra, such as working hard, writing, debating, and undergoing spiritual practices.15

To perform right nostril breathing, sit in a comfortable position and block your left nostril with one or two fingers and then inhale through your right nostril. Breathe in through the right nostril and exhale through the left for one to three minutes. (Avoid this exercise if you have high blood pressure or heart disease. Do not perform mrigi mudra and chandra bhedana on the same day.)16

Manipura’s Component Parts

Following are the major components of manipura:

Gross Element: Fire, which relates to the Hindu theory that digestion is accomplished through heat; here both food and ideas are burned to formulate vital energy.

Subtle Element: Form/sight

Color of the Element: Fire red

Sound of the Element: Ram

Attribute: Achievement and supremacy 17

Sound Carrier: Ram promotes the spiritual, imparting virtues such as strength, wisdom, and bravery. The vehicle of the fire god Agni, it depicts our third chakra qualities, promoting steadfastness: the refusal to give up.18

Petals: Manipura has ten blue petals—like the blue at the center of a super-hot flame. This makes the chakra both constructive and destructive. The letters on each of the petals (and the sounds of the nadis) are pham, dam, dham, nam, tam, tham, dam, dham, nam, and pam. These petals indicate the following obstacles to reform: spiritual ignorance, treachery, jealousy, shame, delusion, disgust, fear, foolishness, thirst, and sadness.19 The letters on the petals appear like this: 20

Cosmic Realm or Plane

The cosmic realm of manipura is svar loka: the celestial plane, or heaven.

Ruling Goddess

Lakini Shakti, also known as Bhadra Kali, is the primary goddess associated with manipura and is a compassionate form of Kali, the ferocious goddess. Her three faces reflect the scope of vision employed by the third chakra. In her four arms she holds a thunderbolt, an arrow, fire, and a mudra that grants boons and cancels fear.21

Ruling God

Manipura’s associated god is Rudra, also called Old Shiva. This is the wrathful form of Shiva who represents the power of destruction. His name comes from the root rud, which means “crying,” signifying the lamentation of endings. He is red with anger but also white or gray, as his body is covered with ashes. He sits on a tiger skin and is dressed in one as well, also holding a trident and a drum. Adorned with snakes, he dispels both fear and anger.22

Exercise: Pit Pose for Manipura Chakra

One way to physically balance the manipura is to conduct the pit pose. Lie on your stomach and put your fists or hands, one atop the other, under your solar plexus and a few inches above your navel. Breathe long and deep, pressing your hands into your navel while allowing your breathing to massage your abdomen. After a minute, withdraw your hands and relax.23

Ruling Planet

Manipura is ruled by the sun, a force supportive of individuality and self-expression.

Granthi (Knot)

There is no granthi, or kundalini knot, associated with manipura.

Intuitive Abilities

siddhi

According to the Gheranda Samhita, the third chakra yogi is granted the patala siddi, acquiring hidden treasures and freedom from disease. They are released from the power of fire; even if thrown into fire, they will remain safe.24 This yogi conquers the ravages of times and can live an extraordinarily long life, discovering cures for illnesses and obtaining a deep understanding of physiology. The power to create and destroy becomes obvious, as well as the ability to make gold and find hidden treasures.25

contemporary gifts

The main contemporary ability is claircognizance, or mental empathy; another gift is pyrokenisis, or setting fires with the mind.

Subtle Body Partners

related auric field and its functions

The third auric layer is located atop the second auric field, about eight to ten inches away from the body, and is featured in chapters 20 and 32.

secondary chakras

There are two main secondary chakras associated with manipura. The first is the surya chakra, which is also called the hrit chakra and is described in the next chapter. Its relationship with manipura is mainly associated with its ability to provide manipura with the element of heat. In Tibetan Buddhism this chakra is called the “fire wheel.” This chakra is also mentioned in the following chapter.

The other chakra frequently associated in manipura is manas, or the mind chakra. It is usually located between the heart and the navel, close to surya and sometimes above the ajña chakra on the forehead. When found in the lower part of the body, it is linked to five sense objects plus the mind. On the forehead it is depicted with six petals. In Tibetan Buddhism it is found on the forehead, called the wind wheel, and has six spokes. (The Tibetan system is described in chapter 24.)26

Other chakras are often linked to manipura in different cultural systems. Besides those associated with the Kabbalah, which are covered in chapter 28, another is the Japanese energy center hara, our physical and energetic core. Sometimes hara is linked with all three lower chakras, not only the third. (Hara is further discussed in chapter 25.) The other center is found in Taoism and is called the Door of Life, or ming men. It is similar to manipura in that it has ten petals (although in Tibetan Buddhism it has sixty-four petals). These petals are black, dark green, or dark blue. Like manipura, it is a fire center, but it is associated with the kidneys rather than the pancreas. Considered a minor chakra, its placement on the body is found in Illustration 65.27

This bright yellow chakra is your center of personal power and willpower—and, appropriately, the home of the red fire element. Located in the solar plexus and linked to the solar plexus vertebrae, it is also associated with the pancreas and regulates the organs in that area. Its action organ is the anus, and it is also associated with the eyes and the sense of light. It is here that we indulge in svar loka, the celestial plane, and access hidden powers as well as gifts such as mental empathy.

Symbolized by a downward triangle within a circle, this ten-petalled chakra helps us gain achievement and defeat the inclination to be supreme. Its sound, ram, is carried by a ram and the goddess Lakini Shakti. Along with the god Rudra, this goddess uses the energy of the sun to help you manage your life. Activated while we’re young, this chakra assists us with deciding how to interact with the world.

It is now time to journey to the heart chakra, or anahata, where kundalini begins to transform into a being of love.

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