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Manipura
Manipura ( 'city of jewels' in sanskrit ) is the
third primary chakra according to the Hindu Tantric tradition (Shakta).
Description
It is positioned at the navel region and it has ten petals which
match the vrittis of spiritual ignorance, thirst, jealousy,
treachery, shame, fear, disgust, delusion, foolishness and sadness.
Manipura is associated with dyanamism, energy, and will-power. It is
associated with the power of fire, and digestion. Manipura is said
to radiate and distribute prana to the rest of the body. In this
sense, it is similar to the Chinese idea of the Dantian, in QiGong.
Symbolism
It is associated with the following:
* Deities: Vahni, Rudra, Lakini
* Element: Fire
* Animal: Ram
* Body Parts: Digestive system, Eyes, Feet
Practices
In kundalini yoga, different practices for arousing and balancing
the energies of Manipura include various asanas which work on that
part of the body, pranayama, Uddiyana bandha ( exhaling and pulling
back and up of the abdomen and diaphragm respectively ) and agnisara
kriya ( practising jalandhara bandha, and moving the abdomen in and
out ).
Other Associations
In the endocrine system, Manipura is said to be associated with the
pancreas, and the outer adrenal glands, the adrenal cortex. These
glands create important hormones involved in digestion, converting
food into energy for the body, in the same way that Manipura
radiates prana throughout the body. In chinese qigong, there exists
3 Dantians, which distribute and regulate Qi energy ( a concept
similar to Indian Prana ). The lower Dantian exists in the region of
the stomach.
Western occultists make different kabbalistic assocations with
Manipura. For some, it relates to the sephira of Hod and Netzach,
Netzach being that quality of energy to overcome different
obstacles, and Hod being the tendency to control and break down
energy into different forms, the two being contending and balancing
forces, like the forces of anabolism and catabolism in the human
body.
Alternative names
* Tantra: Dashachchada, Dashadala Padma, Dashapatra, Dashapatrambuja,
Manipura, Manipuraka, Nabhipadma, Nabhipankaja
* Vedas (late Upanishads): Manipura, Manipuraka, Nabhi Chakra
* Puranic: Manipura, Nabhi Chakra
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