Manipura Chakra / Solar Plexus / Third Chakra / Naval Chakra

Also known as the Solar-plexus or 3rd chakra, the Manipura chakra is located just above the naval and below the rib cage. It is our energy center and it radiates vital life energy (prana) through-out our entire body. The term Solar Plexus chakra or the Manipura chakra includes both the front and the back of the Solar Plexus chakra. The above mentioned chakra is situated at the hollow area between the ribs. And the back Solar Plexus chakra is located at the back of the front solar plexus.The Solar Plexus chakra/ Manipura chakra consists of 10 petals and contains red, yellow, green and blue pranas. A small amount of orange and yellow pranas is also present. It is where our Will Power comes from;  our ability to achieve, self-esteem, raw emotions, and self-discipline are all governed by the Manipura. It is where we can have a mental understanding of our emotional self. The Manipura chakra also controls metabolism and digestion.

The Manipura not only governs the emotional and mental aspect of your psyche but also your psychic experiences. Often a feeling of intuition or “gut feeling” in a certain situation will benefit you greatly if you listen to it. All aspects of the digestive tract, including the assimilation of nutrients, are controlled by the 3rd Chakra.

The Third Chakra, often referred to as the Navel Chakra or Manipura Chakra  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 dynamism, energy, and will-power (Itcha shakti.) 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 roughly similar to the Chinese idea of the dantian in qigong.

It is associated with the following:

• Deities: Vahni, Rudra, Lakini
• Element: Fire
• Color: Yellow
• Bija Mantra: Ram
• Body Parts: Pancreas, Stomach, Liver, Small Intestine, Digestion, Blood Sugar, Eyes, Feet
• Planet: Sun & Mars

When this Chakra is in balance

You will be in complete control over your emotions and thoughts.You will know without a doubt, and accept your place in the Universe, have self-love and, in turn, have a great appreciation for all the people in your life and the uniqueness that they bring to world. When in tune, your Solar-plexus will radiate warmth and joy through-out your entire being, and to others who come into contact with you.

Over-active Solar plexus Chakra
If your chakra is over-active you may be judgemental or critical – and you will easily find fault in others. You may be demanding and have extreme emotional problems, being very rigid or stubborn (it’s either your way or no way). Often anger, or aggressiveness result from an over-active chakra. You may always be planning to do things, but never doing, and your work or interests become a priority over things you have to do (a workaholic). You may also be a perfectionist and can’t settle on something that is already good enough, it always has to be better.

Under-active Solar plexus Chakra

If this chakra is under active it can cause severe emotional problems. You may have a lot of doubt and mistrust towards the people in your life, and worry too much about what other people might think about you. You may also run on “auto pilot” avoiding your feelings of depression or anxiety; you may feel afraid or alone when you start to look at what you have been avoiding. You also may feel that you are not good enough and be seeking a constant approval of others, this can lead to a need or dependency on the people in your life.

Physical Symptoms of a Solar-plexus imbalance: When energy is not flowing freely from this chakra we have problems with self-esteem and confidence, our sense of adequacy, issues around responsibility and feeling “caught in the middle” and deprived of the sweet things in life. It is the power center of the body. Will power, being perfectionistic and self critical is a problem with a third chakra imbalance. You may feel weighed down emotionally and physically (weight problems). You may have diseases associated with the stomach (eating disorders), upper bowel (Crohn’s disease, diverticulosis, malabsorption/ maldigestion), kidneys, gall bladder, liver (all three organs can have stones), addictions, pancreas (diabetes) and adrenal glands. Excessive yang can lead to aggressiveness or greed. Balance of this chakra will give self-motivation. In  general it leads to Poor digestion, weight problems, ulcers, diabetes, hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, arthritis, pancreas, liver or kidney problems, anorexia, bulimia, hepatitis, intestinal tumors, colon disease.

Balance

This chakra is fed by disengaging from responsibility, practicing loving and nurturing yourself- not depending on others to nurture you, doing things you are good at and that is rewarding to you. It is also fed by eating yellow and green vegetables, and daily exercise.

Practice acts of personal courage. Do what makes you happy, not what makes everyone else happy. When we fail to do so, we waste too much personal energy blaming others for not being able to do what we would rather be doing. Do it, be yourself! When you do so, others will recognize your individuality, and they will know what your limits are. They will respect you more because they will know what to expect of you. As long as you are allowing others to also be themselves, do not allow yourself to be swayed by accusation of “selfishness”.

Crystals and Gems

Crystals and/or gem elixirs which may help to balance the third chakra: Amber, Apatite, Aquamarine, Aragonite, Calcite (Yellow), Carnelian, Chrysoberyl, Citrine, Copper, Desert Rose, Diamonds (all chakras), Danburite (all chakras), Eilat Stone, Emerald, Gold, Golden Beryl, Goldstone, Hawk’s Eye (Falcon’s Eye), Hematite, Labradorite, Lepidolite, Malachite, Quartz-Clear (all chakras), Quartz (Smoky and Rutilated), Topaz, Yellow Onyx, Pearl (Gold), Peridot (Olivine), Pyrite (Fools Gold), Rhodochrosite, Sulphur, Tiger’s Eye (Yellow), Topaz (Golden), Variscite, Zircon (all chakras).

Planet

The Sun and Mars are co-rulers of the Third chakra; and very appropriately, it corresponds to the “solar” plexus. This is a chakra of personal “power” and indicates your ability to be “sovereign”. Think of the symbolic energies of the Sun and Mars. The Sun radiates its essence: it either blinds us (a negative expression of self-dominance), or it enables us to enjoy its presence by honouring our own inner essence (“Wasn’t it a beautiful day”?). Mars becomes the warrior principle that either enjoys shoving others around, or responding to life’s challenges with inner strength. People who lack courage to take a risk usually have a blocked Third Chakra; they are afraid to express themselves because they have not learned how to set limits. “This is who I am – and you can take it or leave it”! How many of us have the courage to let others know where we stand, especially when dealing with our families? We don’t want to be “I-sol-ated”. Where do you shine like the Sun, or do you hide your inner radiance?