The Nadis

As I have already mentioned in the previous blog about the Kundalini Shakti (Cosmic or Serpentine Power), the Shat-Chakras (6 Divine Plexus), the Merudanda (Spine) and the Prana (Vital-breath). Today, I will tell you about ten Nadis or Nerves/Chords.

External sensation of sound, touch, taste, form and smell is felt through nerves and 'All diseases are the result of accumulated impurities.' That’s why the real sadhakas first of all get their nerves purified before exercising Pranayama or any other Hathyogic actions like Shatkarmas (Dhouti, Vasti, Neti, Nouli or Lauliki, Trataka and Kapaalabhati; six yogic activities in Hathyoga). The Hathyogic Shatkarmas are tough but the Pranayama is an easier discipline for purifying the nerves. It has no complications.

Do you know what are the nerves? These are the blood vessels, the veins, the nerves or the channels or the tubular ducts in our body.

According to the Gorakshapaddhati there is a Kanda (the ganglion impar or a knot of veins like an egg) slightly below our navel, from where the widely extending 72000 nerves are sprouted, up and down in oblique manner. Only ten among them are the conveyance of the Pranavayu (the vital air) :

IDA (Left gangliated chord) : The Ida (Chandra Nadi) is the pathway of the vital air. It is a cool Nadi and called Amrita. Lord of this Nadi (Nerve) is the Moon. It extends from the oval triangle which is situated on Mooladhara chakra’s left side and terminates in the base of left nostril. Its flow is upwards.

PINGLA (Right gangliated chord) : The Pingla (Surya Nadi) is the pathway of the vital air. It is called Rudratmika. Lord of this Nadi is the Sun. This Nadi is full of heat like the Sun. It extends from the oval triangle which is situated on Mooladhara chakra’s right side and terminates in the base of right nostril. Its flow also is upwards.

SUSHUMNA (Spinal chord) : The Sushumna (Agni Nadi) is the pathway of the vital air; moreover of the ‘Parashakti Kundalini’. This is the most significant Nadi for the Yogis. They must know about it. Lord of this Nadi is the Fire. It extends from the oval triangle which is situated on Mooladhara chakra, connecting the entire spine like a thread to Brahmrandhra (centre of the head) like a fibre of a sublime lotus. All the six plexus are established within it.

The Agya Chakra (Third-eye or Medulla Plexus) behind the center of the eye-brows, is called Trikuti or the Yogic-heart. It's the exact point where Ida, Pingla, Sushumna-the three principal Nadis converge. Thus these 3 are the most important Nadis (Nerves/Chords) in a human body:

1. Ida (Left Gangliated Chord) Chandra Nadi ,

2. Pingla (right Gangliated Chord) Surya Nadi and

3. Sushumna (Spinal Chord) Agni Nadi :

The knowledge of these nerves is must so that not only the purification of nerves be done but the Kundalini could also be awakened. This wheel of Nadis can be known through constant practice of yoga. All the nerves are related to the heart as the branches connected to the Head-office. But only Sushumna Nadi (Spinal chord)

reaches and carries the Prana directly upto Sahasraradalkamala (cerebrum). So when the mind is connected with cerebrum through this Spinal chord yogis attain Mahayoga samadhi (super-conscious state) which leads to Moksha or salvation. When the vital air flows in the Sushumna Nadi the arousal of the Kundalini becomes possible. So the yogis retain the flow of the Pranavayu in the Ida Nadi (Left gangliated chord) and the Pingla Nadi (Right gangliated chord); so it could be passed and gone upward through the central or Sushumna Nadi, Spinal chord (the psychic nerve) for piercing Shatchakras (six plexuses). The Sushumna is the highest holy spot or the place of pilgrimage. It’s called Shambhavi (the nerve of consciousness), Brahmrandhri (the nerve of the absolute), Shamshani, Mahapatha (the path of great Kundalini), Madhya Nadi (the central channel) and shoonyapadwi. It goes directly to the Mokshdwara(door of salvation).

There are other three smaller Nadis within it which disappear after death- Vajjra (White portion), Chittra (Grey portion) and Brahmnadi (Empty canal or absolute channel).

GANDHARI (Left ocular motor nerve) : It’s situated within the left eye. It extends from the left eye to the left foot’s thumb. When it is connected with mind human beings see through the left eye.

HASTIJIHVA (Right ocular motor nerve) : It’s situated within the right eye. It extends from the right eye to the right foot’s thumb. When it is connected with mind human beings see through the right eye.

POOSHA (Right acoustic nerve) : It is situated within the right ear. It extends from the right eye to the stomach. When it is connected with mind one hears through the right ear.

YASHASWINI (Left acoustic nerve) : It is situated within the left ear. It extends from the right hand’s thumb to the left foot. When it is connected with mind one hears through the left ear.

ALAMBUSHA (Pharyngeal nerve) : It is situated within the mouth. When it is connected with mind one can smell and taste.

KUHU (Pubic nerve) : It is within the genital. When it is connected with mind one feels pleasant and blissful.

SHANKHINI (Perienum) : It is within the anus. When it is connected with mind one enjoys the sleep because there’s another small Nadi within it,named- ‘Puririt’ which causes sleeping and dreaming. In all 72000 Nerves or the channels the life-force is not circulated. Only above these ten principal nerves are full of Prana and carrying the pulse.

Among all these Nerves the principal Nadi (Chord) is the Sushumna (Spinal Chord) is the pathway of the vital breath; moreover of the Kundalini. This is the most significant Nadi for the Yogis. They must know about it. It extends from the Mooladhara chakra (Root or Pelvic or Perennial Plexus), connecting the entire spine like a thread to Brahmrandhra (the Converging Point, situated in center of the forehead). All six plexus are established within it. The last point, Brahmrandhra is called Dasamdwara or Mokshdwara (the Tenth gate or Gate of salvation).

The yogis perform Swadhyaya (self-study), Hathyogic kriyayain (Hathyogic activities), Pranayama (Breathing exercise) quite regularly and take very selective diet for the purification of Ida (Left Gangliated Chord), Pingla (right Gangliated Chord) and Sushumna (Spinal Chord) which is called Nadi-shodhan (purification of Chords).