Manipura :
Manipura means the ‘city of jewels’ (‘Mani’— gem, ‘pura’ — city). As the name indicates, this chakra is the fire centre, the focal point of heat, and is lustrous like a jewel, radiant with vitality and energy. It is like a bright yellow-coloured lotus with ten petals. The organs attached to this chakra are the organs of digestion like liver, pancreas, gall bladder, stomach etc. and also the glands present on the kidneys. The production & secretion of enzymes is very important for the proper digestion and absorption of food materials.
Manipura chakra is the subtle centre, which controls these activities. Adrenalin is an emergency hormone secreted by adrenal gland and its secretion is controlled by Manipura chakra. Adrenalin is secreted into the blood during emergency situations and has an effect of speeding up all the physiological processes, making the mind sharp and alert. It has a direct impact in increasing the heart beat, sugar levels, and the respiration rate. Those people who suffer from laziness, sluggishness and depression or malfunctioning of digestive system, such as indigestion, etc. should concentrate on Manipura chakra. The bija mantra is ‘RAM’.
In some schools, like the Zen Buddhism, Manipura chakra is the most important centre and is said to be the seat of Kundalini. This is true in the sense that Kundalini goes through a transformation by passing through Manipura and is revealed more in its true light. The Kundalini, that rises from Mooladhara, splits in the Swadhisthana and flows on either side of the spinal cord. Manipura chakra is the centre of vitality in the psychic and physical bodies. The upward moving vitality i.e.’prana’ and the downward moving vitality i.e. ‘aprana’ meet here and heat is produced which is necessary to support life.
That is the reason, the ruling element of Manipura is fire which is represented by bright yellow lotus. It is the centre of all emotions, both negative and positive. A person, whose Manipura is stimulated or activated, is free from negative emotions like jealousy, anger, fear, worry, hurry, hatred, intolerance. Between the age of 14 and 21 years, a person is ruled by Manipura chakra. Meditation on this chakra makes one realize one’s errors. The balance of Manipura gives one selfless service, i.e. serving without desire for the reward.
Anahata :
Anahata means unstruck (‘an’ — not, ‘ahata’ — struck). The physical organs associated with this chakra are heart and lungs, the circulatory and respiratory systems. Personswith weak Anahata chakra are sufferers of diseases like anaemia, hypertension, palpitations, tuberculosis, asthma and bronchitis. This is the chakra of love and compassion. The person with weak Anahata is unable to show his love towards the fellowbeings. He is equally unable to accept love from others.
By concentrating and energizing this chakra, one masters language, poetry, his sense organs, desires etc. He gains a lot of wisdom and inner strength and it also brings about a balance of action and joy. At the age of 21-28 years, a person is governed by Anahata chakra. Concentrating on this chakra makes one aware of his karma, his life activities etc. The bija mantra is ‘YAM’.