The Solar Plexus Chakra is the third chakra of the seven main chakras system. The Sanskrit name for Solar Plexus chakra is Manipura where”Mani” means “jewel”, “gemstone” and “Pura” means “city”, “place”. So Solar Plexus Chakra means “The City of Gemstones”. This Chakra is so-called because the activation of this energy center brings out all inner talents.
The Solar Plexus chakra is a very significant chakra during the practice of kundalini awakening. This chakra is the center of vitality, liveliness, self-discipline, and activities.
This chakra is often compared with the power of the Sun because as Sun continually spreads out energy to the planets and is in charge of life on earth; in a similar way, Solar plexus chakra spreads out and allocates prana (the life force to the whole human) and is in charge for various activities of organs and other processes of life.
Characteristics of Solar Plexus Chakra
Manipura is the power center from which pranic energy is distributed throughout the entire body.
Number of Petals: 10 petals
Color: Yellow
Symbol: Red inverted triangle or tetrahedron
Sense: Sight
Element: Fire
Bija Mantra: Ram, Rung
Animal: Ram
God and Goddess: Rudra and Lakshmi
Location: Behind Solar Plexus region
Associated Nervous System Plexus: Solar lumbar plexus
Associated Endocrine Gland: Pancreas and Liver
Relationship to Body: digestive function and elimination, stomach, liver, pancreas, small intestines, kidneys, gall bladder, spleen, muscles in the torso, eyesight
Emotional Connection: Power, personality and self-esteem, honor, sensitivity
Solar Plexus Chakra Blockage Symptoms: Gastric and digestive disorders, hepatitis, ulcers, gallstones, anorexia, lethargy, lack of vitality and motivation
Other Names and Traditions
Other names for the Solar Plexus Chakra:
- Tantra: According to Tantra traditions other names of the Manipura chakra are Dashachchada, Dashadala Padma, Dashapatra, Dashapatrambuja, Manipura, Manipuraka, Nabhipadma, Nabhipankaja
- Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas: Manipura, Manipuraka, Nabhi Chakra
- Tibetan Vajrayana tradition: “red drop”
- Chinese Qigong: One of the Dantiems
- Sufi System Lataif-e-sitta: Nafs
- Kabbalah: The Sephiroth Hod and Netzach correspond to the navel chakra
Location of the Solar Plexus Chakra
The location of the Solar Plexus Chakra is the middle of the lumbar spine. The energy field of the Root Chakra radiates into the entire stomach area. This energy accumulates particularly in the umbilical region, which is why the Solar Plexus Chakra is also called the Navel Chakra, the Nabho Chakra, or the Nabhi Chakra. The entire upper and middle abdominal cavity is controlled by the Manipura Chakra.
Functions of the Solar Plexus Chakra
♦ The Solar Plexus Chakra is the Sun Chakra. Therefore, everything that has to do with solar energy corresponds to the Solar Plexus Chakra: self-confidence, courage, willpower.
♦ The Solar Plexus Chakra also controls Pingala Nadi, the solar energy channel. It is the main storage center of Prana, of life energy. A strong Manipura Chakra gives a strong charisma, the ability to do things.
A blocked Solar Plexus Chakra can lead to “burnout”. However, the expression “burnout” is incorrect. The inner fire never goes out – only access to this inner fire is blocked.
♦ The Solar Plexus Chakra also corresponds to Tejas, the fire element, or Agni, the inner fire as well as the angel of fire. A large part of the symbolism belongs to the fire element.
♦ The Manipura Chakra controls the adrenal glands and pancreas, as well as the entire digestion. It is related to the solar plexus, the plexus of the sun.
♦ Its inner color is orange-red, just like a fire. Its symbol ( yantra ) is an orange triangle, similar to a flame.
♦ The ruling deity is the three-eyed Shiva from which fire arises, sometimes Vishnu in its fiery form. Vahni is an angel. This is shown in bright red, with 4 arms, with a rosary and a spear, a hand in Abhaya Mudra, Mudra of Courage.
♦ Goddess is Lakshmi. This is shown with black or bright red skin color, three faces with three eyes each. She has four arms, a thunderbolt in her hands, and an arrow in the middle of a fire. With her other two hands, she grants gifts and gives courage.
♦ Solar Plexus Chakra animal is the ram, which is also full of dynamism and, if necessary, goes through the wall with its head.
♦ The Ayurveda Pitta element also corresponds to the Manipura Chakra.
♦ The bija mantras of the ten petals are Dam, Dham, Nam, Tam, Tham, Dam, Dham, Nam, Pam, Pham. If these are not open, people fall victim to the 10 negative thoughts: spiritual ignorance, greed, envy, betrayal, shamelessness, fear, disgust, confusion, stupidity, and sadness. The ten petals are shown in blue, sometimes in yellow.
♦ The navel chakra is dominated by Swarga Loka and the Manomaya Kosha, i.e. the spiritual-emotional shell in the Sukshma Sharira, i.e. the astral body.
♦ Positive qualities of solar plexus chakra opening symptoms are Assertiveness, inner fire temperament, passion, enthusiasm, truthfulness, creativity. Motivation on the Manipura level is self-expression, power, reputation.
♦ An active Solar Plexus Chakra helps for good digestion, a lot of energy and radiance, for enthusiasm. If the inner fire, solar energy, is strong, much can be achieved.
Healing The Solar Plexus Chakra
If your solar plexus chakra is blocked you face problems like gastric and digestive disorders, hepatitis, ulcers, gallstones, anorexia, lethargy, lack of vitality, and motivation. So in order to overcome these problems, you should heal this Manipura Chakra.
When you meditate on the solar plexus chakra, your understanding of the entire physical system will expand, your immune system will improve and if your kundalini energy reaches this chakra, your consciousness will not drop down into the lower chakras.
As indicated by Buddhist custom and furthermore as per numerous tantric writings, the genuine awakening of kundalini begins from Solar Plexus Chakra as they consider Sacral Chakra and Root chakra as the higher domains of the animal life while the higher man consciousness prevails from Manipura onwards. Up to point of Solar Plexus Chakra, kundalini energy may rise and fall back several times, but when this chakra is activated actual awakening of kundalini starts.
There are five types of prana (life force), the first two of the five Pranas are ‘Prana’ and ‘Apana’. The prana travels up and down in the region between navel and throat while apana travels up and down between perineum and navel. With the inhalation, prana travels up from navel to throat and with the exhalation, it goes down from throat to navel. For the most part, ‘prana and ‘apana’ works separately yet when the Manipura chakra activates, these prana and apana get united in the Manipura chakra.
As the prana and the redirected apana meet up in the navel region, Kundalini awakening in the Solar plexus happens like an explosion,. It is similar to the confrontation of two great forces in the Manipura region.
Benefits of Healing The Solar Plexus Chakra
The development of human awareness happens through seven planes as seven chakras. Generally, the seeker is not able to experience the higher planes of consciousness when kundalini energy resides in Root or Sacral chakra, but when this serpent energy reaches the Sacral chakra, he becomes able to experience these planes. He becomes able to visualize the infinite state of consciousness and his spiritual perception and all his past views and believes completely changes. The personal bigotry, complexes evaporate and an everlasting beauty and accomplishment of the higher worlds illuminate within his consciousness
When your spiritual development is in the planes of Sacral and Root Chakra, you will feel mental and emotional problems and you will see the world in that order but when your Solar Plexus Chakra healed, you will start seeing the world with dignified ideas and a superior perspective.
The different powers achieved by healing the Solar Plexus Chakra are the capability to build and destroy, self-protection, the awareness of hidden treasures, bravery, improved immunity, and the power to direct kundalini energy to Sahasrara Chakra.
The other benefits of Solar Plexus Chakra healing are inner transformation is achieved, increased energy and power, ego fades away and your relation to the outside world increases. While the second chakra deals mainly with personal relationships, this third chakra deals with your relationship with your surroundings and your world. Many powerful businessmen have balanced and active third chakra, and this is predominately from where they function.
How to Activate The Solar Plexus Chakra?
Solar Plexus Chakra can be activated by different methods:
- Special Manipura Chakra meditations. Especially sun, fire, volcano
- Affirmations like: “The fire of enthusiasm blazes in me”
- Special pranayamas; Abdominal breathing, Kapalabhati, Agni Sara, Uddhiyana Bandha, Nauli
- Mantras for Meditation, such as the Bija Mantras of the Manipura Chakra, Fire Mantras, various Surya Mantras (Sun Mantras)
- Rituals such as fire ceremony ( Arati, Yajna, Homa or Havan)
- Yoga poses for activation of Solar Plexus Chakra are Navasana, Paschimotthanasana, Matsyendrasana
Solar Plexus Chakra Balancing
In hatha yoga, there are several methods for the balancing of solar plexus chakra. In fact, the third eye chakra is very closely related to this chakra, therefore the practice of Tratak also brings the awakening of Manipura chakra.
Although it is not necessary, it is recommended to follow a pure diet and at certain stages, fasting may also be necessary for the healing of the Solar Plexus Chakra. If Manipura is awakened with an impure diet, it may be harmful to the practitioner.
Two major practices for healing the Solar Plexus chakra are “Nauli Kriya” (Abdominal Massaging) and “Uddiyana bandha” (Abdominal Lock). However, before practicing Uddiyana Bandha, “Agni Sara Kriya” (Activating Digestive Fire) must be perfected.
The practices of Solar Plexus chakra healing mainly involve muscles of abdominal walls, small and large intestine, and other digestive and visceral organs.
Preparatory Practices
Before commencing the main practices for Solar Plexus Chakra balancing, one should gain mastery in the following yoga poses:
- Pawanmuktasana (The anti-gastric asansa)
- Chakrasana
- Dhanurasana
- Matsyasana (The pose of Fish)
- Paschimottanasana
- Ushtrasana
Main Practices
1. Solar Plexus Location
You must be aware of the exact location of the Manipura Chakra in your body. Then you can use visualization meditation and concentrate on that point to activate Solar Plexus Chakra.
2. Agni Sara Kriya (Activating Digestive Fire)
Agni Sara is one of the very important kriyas in Hatha yoga, sometimes referred as a form of Pranayama also.
3. Uddiyana Bandha (Abdominal Lock)
Uddiyana Bandha is one of the three locks in hatha yoga philosophy and has a direct impact on the Manipura chakra.
4. Nauli (Abdominal Massaging)
Nauli is one of the six purification exercise i.e. Shatkarmas.
5. Union of Prana and Apana
Solar Plexus Chakra is the place where “Prana” and “Apana” (Two forms of Life Force) meets. The awareness of this fact helps in balancing of this chakra. It is a kind of meditation.
