SRI MATA IN MANIPURA CHAKRA (Soundarya Lahari 40)

Sri Lalita Sahasra Nama Stotra describes the steady progress of Sri Mata through the different Chakras of the human body! Remaining at Mooladhara Chakra She pierces the Brahma Granthi. While through Manipura Chakra She pierces through the Knot called Vishnu Grandhi. Mani purantha rudita Vishnu Granthi vibhedini” She has three faces during Her stay in Manipura Chakra. He is armed with ‘Vajrayudha’ and surrounded by drums and other instruments. She is of red color, fond of meat and sweet rice. She grants happiness to all her devotees and is in the form of Lakinyamba! “ Manipurabja nilaya vadanatraya samyutha Vajradikayudahapeta damaryadibi ravruta raktavarna mamsa nishta gudanna prita manasa samastha bhakta sukhada Lakinyamba swarupini”.

Sankara, in line with the description of Sri Mata in Sri Lalita Sahasra Nama Stotra offers his worship to the Devas in Manipura Chakra. Says Sankara, “ O Mother! I offer my worship to the indescribable Vishnu who resides in Manipura Chakra for ever! He is dark like the rain bearing clouds! His Sakthi adorns Him by Her darkness destroying effulgence as lightning does the cloud! He showers His mercy on the three worlds scorched by the sun of Hara!” Desire, the enemy of Peace, can be controlled by meditating on Siva in His aspect as Vishnu in Manipura Chakra. Thus everlasting peace and absence of desire can be attained! Consuming desires of the ordinary mortal get themselves extinguished through meditation on the Lord in Manipura Chakra and His grace!

Manipura Chakra is located above the navel slightly below the Solar Plexus. It is the “City of Jewels!” Mani means jewels or precious stones. Pura means city. The Chakra radiates ‘Prana’ throughout the entire human body. It is often associated with the colors yellow and blue. The Chakra is linked to fire and the power of transformation. It governs digestion and metabolism as the home of Agni and the vital wind “ Samana Vayu.” the energies of Prana and Apana Vayu meet at this point in a balanced system! In Chakra based medicine people work on this area to promote healthy digestion elimination, pancreas, kidneys and adrenal functions.

Weak Agni in Coelic Plexus leads to incompletely digested food, thoughts and emotions and is a source of toxicity! Manipura Chakra is represented with a downward pointing red triangle signifying the tattva of fire within a bright yellow circle with ten dark blue or black petals like heavily laden rain clouds. Fire region is depicted by God Vahni(fire) shining red with four arms holding a rosary and a spear! He is seated on a ram that represents Manipura.

Seed Mantra or Bijakshara of the Chakra is “Ram.” Within the Bindu or dot, above this mantra resides the deity Rudra in red or white with three eyes of ancient aspect with a silver beard smeared with white ashes seated either on a tiger skin or a bull! Rudra Sakthi is Lakini in black or dark blue vermilion color. She has three faces each with three eyes and four arms! She holds a thunderbolt, the arrow shot from the bow of Kama and fire! Lakini is seated on a red lotus!