Kundalini.Tantra.by.Satyananda.Saraswati

of motivation and commitment in life. Therefore, the awakening of manipura is an
important precedent, not only for the sadhaka, but for anyone who wishes to enjoy life
more fully.
The location point
Manipura chakra is located directly behind the navel on the inner wall of the spinal
column. The kshetram is situated right at the navel. This chakra is anatomically related to
the solar plexus, which controls the digestive fire and heat regulation in the body.
Traditional symbology
Manipura is symbolized by a ten petalled bright yellow lotus. Some of the tantric
texts say the lotus petals are the color of heavily-laden rain clouds. On each petal one of
the ten letters: dam, dham, nam, tam, tham, dam, dham, nam, раm and pham is inscribed
in the color of the blue lotus. In the center of the lotus is the region of fire, symbolized by
an inverted fiery red triangle which shines like the rising sun. The triangle has a bhupura
or swastika in the shape of a T on each of its three sides. In the lower apex is the ram,
vehicle for manipura, symbolizing dynamism and indomitable endurance. Seated on the
ram is the bija mantra of manipura - ram. In the bindu reside the deva Rudra and the devi
Lakini. Rudra is of a pure vermilion hue and he is smeared with white ashes. He is threeeyed
and of an ancient aspect. Lakini, the benefactress of all, is four-armed, of dark
complexion and radiant body. She is clothed in yellow raiment, decked with various
ornaments and exalted from drinking nectar.
The tanmatra of manipura is sight. The gyanendriya or organ of knowledge is the
eyes, and the karmendriya or organ of action is the feet. These two organs are closely
linked in the sense that vision and willful action are interdependent processes.
Manipura belongs to swaha loka, the heavenly plane of existence. This is the last of
the mortal planes. Its guna is predominantly rajas (activity, intensity, acquisitiveness),
whereas the lower chakras are predominantly tamasic (lethargic and negative). The tattwa
is agni, the fire element, which is very important in kundalini yoga. Its vayu is samana,
which digests and distributes the essence of food to the entire system. Manipura and
swadhisthana chakras are the seat of pranamaya kosha.
In the yogic scriptures it is said that the moon at bindu secretes nectar which falls
down to manipura and is consumed by the sun. This results in the ongoing process of
degeneration which leads to old age, disease and death. This process can be reversed in
the human body by adopting certain yogic practices which send the pranic forces in
manipura back up to the brain. Otherwise the vitality is quickly dissipated and lost in the
mundane affairs of life.
It is said that meditation on manipura chakra leads to knowledge of the entire
physical system. When this center is purified and awakened, the body becomes diseasefree
and luminous, and the yogi's consciousness does not fall back into the lower states.