Manipura Chakra is a chakra located at the root of the navel
and is of prime importance in Yoga. Manipura Chakra is described in detail in
Shatchakra Nirupana of Purnanada (verse 19-21). Its name is derived from mani
(gem). Sage Patanjali has called it nabhi-chakra (Yogasutra III.29), as it is
located at the root of the navel, and has stated that by concentrating on its
one gets knowledge of the organs and their functions inside the body.
The manipura lotus has ten petals with the ten letter of the
Sanskrit alphabet from da to pha on them. The petals are of dark color, like
that of the rain cloud. The letters are of blue color. The letters are da, dha,
na, ta, tha, da, dha, na, pa and pha. Above the letters are the shining nada
and bindu.
Inside the lotus there is a triangle, which is the region of
fire. It has a golden hue like the rising sun.
Outside the triangle
there are three svastika figures. Agni (fire god) is seated on a ram. He has
four arms. In his lap there is Rudra with a pure vermillion hue. The Goddess of
the lotus is Lakini. She is furious and fearful in appearance. She has a dark
complexion. She has three faces with three eyes on each face. Her teeth protrude
outside her mouth. Of her four arms, two hold the thunderbolt and Shakti as
weapons and one hand makes the gesture of dispelling fear.
By concentrating on this lotus, many unusual powers of generation
and destruction can be gained.