Nadis

Nadis are the vehicle to move the vital energy in our body .This presentation emphasizes on the basic description of nadis in yog.

1. NADIS By :-Dr Anupma kumari (BNYS)

2. Nadi The word nadi (which is pronounced “ nardi ”) comes from the word nad, meaning movement. In the Rig Veda the term means “stream,” i.e stream of energy. Brihadaranyaka upanishad states thet the nadis are fine as hairs. Within the human body there is network of 72000 nadis which distribute the life force through the whole body. The subtle or nonmaterial nadis of the yogic tradition are channels of manas (mind) or chitta (the feeling self). The subtle nadis are further divided into the pranavaha nadis , which carry prana (vital force), and the manavaha nadis , which carry mental skakti (forces). acc.to katha upanishad the nadis nourishes the subtle as well as physical body as is signified by the verse 2.3.16 शतं चैका च हृदयस्य नाड्यस्तासां मूर्धानमभिनिःसृतैका । तयोर्ध्वमायन्नमृतत्वमेति विष्वङ्ङन्या उत्क्रमणे भवन्ति ॥ १६ ॥ i.e a hundred and one are the arteries of the heart, one of them leads up to the crown of the head. Going upward through that, one becomes immortal

3. NADI The source of the nadis in the astral body is an egg shaped centre of nerves called kanda-sthana & is located between the anus and the root of the reproductive organs just above the mooladhara chakra. From this source 72,000 naḍis with 14 main channels according to the Darsana Upaniṣad (or 350,000,with 14 main channels, according to the Siva Samhita ) flow out to the entire subtle circuitry of the astral body. Nadis channelize the flow of vital energy which is used by the soul and is manifested by the physical as well as astral bodies.

4. IMPORTANT NaDIS Out of 72000 nadis 14 nadis are considered the important one and out of these 14 major nadis are 3; ida , pingala and sushumna and rest 11 are the supportive one. Descriptions:- Sushumna :- it carries the kundalini shakti and is located in the centre of the spine.It runs through the 1 st to 7 th chakra and upto 6 th chakra it divides anteriorly and posteriorly .It controls most of our involuntary activities and is activated onlu when our breath comes through both the nostril . Ida :- (channel of moon ,feminine oriented,continuation of the vajrini nadi ) It starts and end to the left side of the sushumna .It terminate in the left nostril, activating the right side of the brain.It carries the mental energy .

5. NADIS Pingala :- (channel of sun , musculine oriented,continuation of chitrini nadi ) It starts and end at the right side of the sushumna,ending at the right nostril ,it activates the left side of the brain.It carries the pranic energy. Supportive nadis :- Gandhari – is situated by the side of ida and helps to support it.It extends from below the corner of the left eye to the big toe of the left foot. affects the excretory system. Hastijihva –it compliments the ida nadi , extends from below the corner of the right eye to the left big toe.Ida , gandhari and hastijihva together form the left channel. Kuhu - originates from the throat and terminates at the genitals. It helps the chitrini nadi to carry the bindu along with it.

6. NaDIS Sarasvati- this nadi also originate in the kanda-sthana .It rins parallel to the sushumna but it end at the tongue.It compliments the sushumna nadi. It is said that the upon maturity this nadi enables all whatever is said comes true Pusa - . extends from the left big toe to the right ear.This nadi along with yashashwini and pingala forms the right channel and is complimentary to pingala Sankhini- it originates from the throat and passes in between the sarasvati and gandhari on the left side of the sushumna and it helps in purifying the blood. Payasvini- it flows between the pusha & sarasvati and terminates in the right ear.In hindu scriptures it is said that ear lobe piercing and wearing of pure metal at that point can activate this nadi. Varuni . It is situated in between the yashashvini nadis and it end in the anus.It helps the apana vayu to get free from toxins .

7. Alambuṣa – begins at the anus and terminates at the mouth. It affects the mind and the metabolic system. This is an important nadi because all feelings of the senses are conveyed to the suṣhumna through it, and are then carried to the brain. Visvidhari – flows between kuhu and hastijihva nadis and is located in the area of the navel.Visvodhari , working together with varuni nadi , improves the distribution and flow of praṇa throughout the body, especially the praṇa rising through the suṣhumna . The yoga practices of uddiyana bandha and nauli kriya energize the vishvodhari nadi . Yashashvini – extends from the right big toe to the left ear. This nadi compliments the pingala

8. ASSOCIATION OF TEN GATES OF THE BODY WITH NADIS GATES NADIS BODY OPENINGS 1 st Sushumna fontanel 2 nd Ida Left nostril 3 rd Pingala Right nostril 4 th Gandhari Left eye 5 th Hastajihva Right eye 6 th Yashashvini Left ear 7 th Pusha Right ear 8 th Alambusha mouth 9 th Kuhu Genitals 10 th Sankhini Ear According to tantric theory, at death the soul or vital force exits from one of these ten gates.

9. NADIS WITHIN THE SUSHUMNA TheBrahma nadi , sometimes called “the nerve of God,” ends in the brahmarandhra . Brahmarandhra is frequently believed to be located in the anterior fontanelle . Vajra nadi and chitrini nadi is considered to be the continuation of ida and pingala respectively.

10. NADIS AND CHAKRAS Nadis and chakras are interwined together .according to katha-upanishad nadis nourishes the chakras. By clearing and balancing the ida and pingala and channelizing the flow of sushumna one can activate all the chakras . The ida and pingala actually cross five times,surrounding and stimulating the chakras through this serpentine undulation, until they meet in the sixth chakra and then adjoin with the kundalini in the sushumna,forming the mukta triveni , or threefold knot of liberation.

11. NADI ACTIVATION CAN BE DONE BY Pranayama Nadi shodhana Bhastrika kapalbhati Alternate nostril breathing Connected breathing technique Swara yoga technique- breathing through inactivated nostril,placing danda on the under arm to control the flow of prana on either side etc.. Mantra to purify the 3 nadis :- Ida – om idayai namah Pingala - om pingalayai namah Sushumna – om sushumna namah Mahamudra followed by mahabandha