Page 5 - Lesson 18.xps

Hatha Yog MODULE-5
Yogic Practices
iii. Hatha Yog Pradipika’ written by Swami Swatmarma. ( )

iv. Goraksha Samhita ‘ by great sage Gheranda. ( )

18.3 IMPORTANCE OF NADIS AND CHAKRAS

The word nadi is made of Nad which means flow or current. We generally take
nerve and nadis as synonymous but actually nadis are the subtle channels through
which the pranic forces flow. While nerves are gross in nature and manifest Note
physical body. According to Hatha Yog Pradipik a there are seventy two thousand
nadis in our psychic body. These are visible as currents of light to a person who
has developed psychic vision.

But some hatha yog texts differ about the number of the nerves. Shiv Samhita
says that there are three and half lakhs nadis in our psychic body. Out of the
large number of nadis in our psychic body, ten are major. The most important of
them are three nadis- ida, pingla and sushumna. All the nadis in our psychic
body are subordinates of shushumna . That is why shushumna nadi is the most
important among all.

Sushumna nadi is the spiritual channel. It is located in the centre of spinal cord.
Its origin point is mooladhar chakra and end point is sahasrara chakra. Ida nadi
symbolizes our mental body. It flows from the left side of mooladhara chakra in
spine, passing through each chakra in turn, forming a criss- cross path way which
terminates at the left side of ajna chakra.

On the other hand pingla nadi flow starts from the right side of mooladhar chakra,
passing though each chakra just opposite to ida nadi and ends or terminate at the
right side of the ajna chakra. While sushumna is just in the middle of these two
opposite forces and terminates at sahasrara chakra. Ida which is passive introvert,
feminine and cold in nature, is also known as Chandra or moon nadi. Pingala, on
the other hand is active, extrovert, masculine and warm in nature is called surya
or sun nadi. Thus, we can say that these two are just opposite forces flowing
within us.
We can co-relate pranic flow with our breathing. If at any point of time current
flowing is predominant from the left nostril, it shows that ida nadi is more active.
When the flow is greater in the right nostril, then pingala is predominant. It the
flow is equal then sushumna is predominant. It the right nostril flow is
predominant, it means there is more vital energy for physical work, digestion of
food, and activeness. It represents extrovert mind and body generates more heat.
On the other hand, when the left nostril flow is predominant, mental energy is in
excess. At this point of time mind is introvert and mental work is needed. During
sleep ida nadi flows and gives deep sleep. But if pingla is predominants at night,
sleep will be disturbed and restlessness will prevail. During intake of food, if ida

Physical Education and Yog
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