Manipura Chakra

मणिपूर - maṇipūra

The third chakra. Expresses as anger or fiery self-control. (1)

Function of the chakra

Also known as the lumbar center, the manipura chakra is located in the lumbar region opposite the navel. The nerves of the manipura chakra operate on the digestive system and all internal organs and glands, such as spleen, liver, kidneys, and adrenals, in the abdominal cavity. The manipura chakra is one of the seven chakras that store and distribute energy; the chakras also serve as the repositories of psychological or mental tendencies, habits, and desires, which descend from the subconscious mind. (2)

The energy that emanates from the manipura chakra is fiery. Outwardly, the chakra is expressed as dynamic enthusiasm for self improvement, sometimes in an overly aggressive or ruthless way. Inwardly, the lumbar center can express itself as the quality of self-control in the spiritual search. (1)

Qualities of the chakra

The manipura chakra corresponds to the element of fire. If misdirected, the fiery energy of the manipura chakra can augment one’s dictatorial or manipulative tendencies. For example, one may choose to override the wills of other people in the attempt to achieve one’s selfish ends. Especially if developed without the solidity of the first or muldhara chakra, or the easy-going qualities of the second or swadisthana chakra, the fire element leads one toward harshness and anger. (1)

But the fiery energy of the third chakra is necessary for the spiritual path. For example, the Energization Exercises of Paramhansa Yogananda teach one to cultivate both concentration and willpower in the direction of energy; without the intensity of the third chakra or its dynamic quality, one could not advance energetically in spiritual practices. On the spiritual path, one must develop both self-control to restrain oneself from detrimental habits, as well as vast amounts of energy to attain one’s purpose. (1)

The manipura chakra also corresponds to the color yellow. (3) Energy flows from it in ten rays. (4) It produces a sound like the sweet sound of a harp. (5) The character Arjuna symbolizes the manipura chakra in its aspect of fiery self-control in the Bhagavad Gita.(6)

References
  1. a b c d Chakras for Starters, by Savitri Simpson. Chapter 4, “The Fire Element.”
  2. ↩ Chakras for Starters, by Savitri Simpson. Chapter 1, “The Seven Gates to Freedom.”
  3. ↩ Essence of the Bhagavad Gita, explained by Paramhansa Yogananda. Chapter 21, “Final Liberation.”
  4. ↩ Essence of the Bhagavad Gita, explained by Paramhansa Yogananda. Chapter 18, “The True Yoga.”
  5. ↩ Essence of the Bhagavad Gita, explained by Paramhansa Yogananda. Chapter 9, “Sanjaya Speaks.”
  6. ↩ Essence of the Bhagavad Gita, explained by Paramhansa Yogananda. Chapter 5, “The Genesis of the Story.”