Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Surya and Chandra Nadis: Referred by Kamleshji, Elaborated by Dr. Kannan

From: Dr. K.S. Balasubramanian (Kannan), Preceptor of Sahaj Marg Meditation

Recently the bulletin for Sahaj Marg practitioners highlighted some thoughts of Shri. Kamlesh D. Patel, President, Shri Ram Chandra Mission, given when he was in Monroe Ashram, USA. He spoke about the Chandra (Moon) and Surya (Sun) Nadis and their functions in human activities. For those who are not familiar with these terms, here is a very brief introduction.

Nadi (pronounced as Naadi) literally means tubular vessel, especially that which carries or conveys the Prana (life energy) throughout the body. What we breathe needs to go to all parts of the body, otherwise those parts which do not receive this Prana would be affected.  

The Chandogya Upanishad gives an example of a tree with many parts like stem, branches, leaves etc.  If one part is cut off from the main stream it would become dry. Similarly in our body these Nadis are spread horizontally and vertically from top to toe. The Mahanarayana Upanishad also says the same. According to Yoga Yajnavalkya, an ancient text on Yoga, the Nadis are spread in the body like the nerves in the leaves of the Peepal tree.

There are different views regarding the number of Nadis in the human body. The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad and Chandogya Upanishad mention about 101, the Prasna Upanishad says there are more than 720 million Nadis.  Even in texts on Hatha Yoga, there is no unanimity in this regard. Siva Samhita says that there are 350,000 Nadis, whereas many other texts opine that there are 72,000 Nadis.  

But the popular view is that among them 10 or 14 are important, and among these, three are the most important. They are Ida (Chandra or Moon), Pingala (Surya or Sun) and Sushumna Nadis. The Sushumna Nadi is the most important of all and is considered to be the path of Brahman.

Regarding the positions of these Nadis, there are three different opinions
i) Mulaadhaara (Basic Plexus)
ii) the Kanda (literally means bulb like structure which is above the centre of the body)
iii) the Heart.

Ida is on the left side and the Pingala is on the right side. That is, when we are breathing through the left nostril, it is the Moon which is flowing and when we are breathing through the right nostril, it is the Sun which is flowing. If the air is flowing is through both the nostrils, which is rare and happens when the mind is calm or during meditation, it means the Sushumna is flowing.

The Svarodaya branch of Yoga describes the various functions of these Nadis, and what should one do and should not do when the Moon or Sun Nadi or the Sushumna is flowing. For example:
i) When the air is flowing through the Sun (Pingala or right nostril), one should do hard work or study of scriptures etc.
ii) All the auspicious acts can be done when the Moon (Ida or left nostril) is flowing.
iii) When Sushumna is flowing one should engage in meditation etc.

One can also change the flow of Prana from one side to the other. It is claimed that many diseases can be cured using this science. Also prognostication can be done with the knowledge in this science.

It is interesting to note that Rev. Master Kamleshji has talked about the importance of this aspect of Yoga. There are texts like Siva Svarodaya, Pavana Vijaya, Svara Chintamani etc. on this branch of Yoga.

It requires the combination of modern science, Yoga specialists and practitioners of Yoga who are adept in meditation to probe into this subject.

I may add that I am presently engaged in translation and a critical study of Siva Svarodaya.

78 comments:

  1. Nice article full of gems to help us in our journey!! It is fascinating to learn so much wealth is there in this system.

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  2. A very deep understanding article written in light of practical knowledge as well as blessings

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  3. Thank you Br.Kannan for the beautiful explanation.

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  4. Very informative and thanks a lot for sharing this.

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  5. This is for each one of us to feel the vibrations during meditation and find the nadis as it is. Very knoweldge sharing article

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  6. This is for each one of us to feel the vibrations during meditation and find the nadis as it is. Very knoweldge sharing article

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  7. Nice and at right time when Master Kamleshji spoke about

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  8. Nice and at right time when Master Kamleshji spoke about

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  9. Thank you for the clarification and the context in Upanishads. Though there are plenty of reference to these concepts in Internet, when it comes from a learned source, it makes a string impact. Thanks

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  10. Thank you for your simple and clear explanations. We, as Western people, are more used to the Chinese circulation of energy through the meridians. So we really gain by learning about the physical use of traditionnal yoga.
    Are there some simple practice we could teach to our clients regarding stress reduction using the breath and the nostrils?
    Are there any scientific studies in this area?

    Thank you for your help

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  11. Thank you, brother Kannan, it helps to have a better understanding of Kamlesh bhai's teaching.

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  12. Thank you brother for your simple and scientific illustrations on the naadi. Its very true I have experience of the both side air flow.

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  13. Very nice brother it's any realitive to spirituality and these nadies help in spritual journey plz explain

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  14. Very nice brother it's any realitive to spirituality and these nadies help in spritual journey plz explain

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  15. Thanks respected brother. Great to know the details. Please keep posting. Master also mentioned the change in breathing while we are awake and when we sleep in the youth seminar so that is also related to this.

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  16. Very nice article with diagram for detail understanding. Thank you brother Kannan

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  17. Very nice article with diagram for detail understanding. Thank you brother Kannan

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  18. Very Nice explanation thanks brother.

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  19. Thank you Br.Is it any connection with timings? How will it help in our meditation in early hours of the
    day,i.e. before dawn.

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  20. Excellent Article...Brother

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  21. YES, THIS IS VERY GOOD EXPLANATION ABOUT NADIS
    ANYBODY COULD CHECK THIS WITH THEIR OWN AND THEY COULD WATCH THE BREATHING VARIATIONS IN DIFFERENT TIME,DIFFERENT MENTAL SITUATIONS

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  22. Really nice article elucidating the essential aspects. Thanks to Kannan for adding authenticity to the subject

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  23. Nice explanation. Easy to understand. Thanks for sharing.

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  24. Thank you Br.Kannan. How to change the flow of prana.... left to right / right to left....

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  25. It is said (and one can experience also) that during day time Surya nadi is working, during night Chandra nadi and during sandhi (meeting of day and night) one can feel the change over from right (surya) to left (chandra) nostril breathing. This can be checked by putting finger below the nose and checking from which nostril breath is coming out by a sense of touch of breath on the finger.

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  26. For a few days I was Worried to know about these Moon and Sun Nadis .Now I am really obliged to Br.Kannan for this simple and comrehensive explanation.

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  27. For a few days I was Worried to know about these Moon and Sun Nadis .Now I am really obliged to Br.Kannan for this simple and comrehensive explanation.

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  28. very nice, every one should read this science- Thanks to our Master Kamleshji

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  29. What is the connexion with Cardiac Coherence ? In this pratice we breathe in order to made balance between sympatic and parasympatic :

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  30. Thank you brother,for clear explanation of naadi's with necessary vedic references.
    krishnareddy vv

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  31. Very nice explanation and easy to understand, Thank you.

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  32. During meditation ,awareness of breathing is gradually lost yet the knowledge is essential for clarity on breathing (pranayama).Thank you sir.

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  33. Good explanation. Thank you Brother.

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  34. Good explanation. Thank you Brother.

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  35. Dear all,
    I thank you all for your response and interest. We need not mix this with our Sahaj Marg system of Raja Yoga.
    What I have said pertains to Svarodaya science of Yoga. Only few books are available on this subject
    I have written an article on this,which has been published in the book " Sanskrit and Science ". Pub.By The Kuppuswami Sastri Research Institute, Chennai.
    I must say that the flow of air changes every one hour from left to right nostril and vice versa. There are very simple techniques to change the flow of prana. It can be done depending on occasions. But there is not spiritual benefit from this.
    However this science gives important tips for getting relieved from common diseases and fir general way of conducting our life.
    Reg. Sanskrit quotes, I am sorry that the fonts won't be readable to all.When it comes as book,all can read it.
    Thanks
    Kannan

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  36. Dear all,
    I thank you all for your response and interest. We need not mix this with our Sahaj Marg system of Raja Yoga.
    What I have said pertains to Svarodaya science of Yoga. Only few books are available on this subject
    I have written an article on this,which has been published in the book " Sanskrit and Science ". Pub.By The Kuppuswami Sastri Research Institute, Chennai.
    I must say that the flow of air changes every one hour from left to right nostril and vice versa. There are very simple techniques to change the flow of prana. It can be done depending on occasions. But there is not spiritual benefit from this.
    However this science gives important tips for getting relieved from common diseases and fir general way of conducting our life.
    Reg. Sanskrit quotes, I am sorry that the fonts won't be readable to all.When it comes as book,all can read it.
    Thanks
    Kannan

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  37. Thank you Br for your explanations in detail by an ABIYASI.

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  38. Thank you Br for your explanations in detail by an ABIYASI.

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  39. Dear sir, Thank you very much to make me understand the concept of the article. It will be very helpful to share with students during training programmes.

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  40. It seems St.Kabir has written in detail about this in his dohas (couplets) in simple language of his time. This is only what I saw in a TV documentary. Babuji said he was at 11th point.

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  41. It seems St.Kabir has written in detail about this in his dohas (couplets) in simple language of his time. This is only what I saw in a TV documentary. Babuji said he was at 11th point.

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  42. Really Impressive. Great article or to say described in a very understanding way. Thank you for sharing this.

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  43. I am amazed to learn that there are 720 million(!) nadis and there are so many references in the upanishad. Thank you sir!

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  44. I am amazed to learn that there are 720 million(!) nadis and there are so many references in the upanishad. Thank you sir!

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  45. Thanks Brother for enlightening us

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  46. Simple and clear explanation. Thank you.

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  47. Thank You Brother for the nice and informative article.

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  48. Thank You Brother for the nice and informative article.

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  49. Easy, simple knowledge shared .thanks

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  50. Easy, simple knowledge shared .thanks

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  51. nice and clear information knowledgeable article

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  52. Anjali Gujarathi srcm.December 18, 2015 at 11:19 PM

    Thanks for explaining the importance of the Naadis. It will surely help us improve our meditation.

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  53. Anjali Gujarathi srcm.December 18, 2015 at 11:20 PM

    Thanks for explaining the importance of the Naadis. It will surely help us improve our meditation.

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  54. Thanks 4 the nice article. Waiting 4 your book. Gomber, Bikaner

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  55. Thanks 4 the nice article. Waiting 4 your book. Gomber, Bikaner

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  56. Thank you sir for article

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  57. Thanks for elaborating on this subject

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  58. Thank you for the simple and effective explanation.

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  59. Thank you for sharing this explanation. Swami Vivekananda has also discussed this in his book on Raja Yoga where he describes "psychic prana". Here is the excerpt:
    "According to the Yogis, there are two nerve currents in the spinal column, called Pingalâ and Idâ, and a hollow canal called Sushumnâ running through the spinal cord. At the lower end of the hollow canal is what the Yogis call the "Lotus of the Kundalini". They describe it as triangular in form in which, in the symbolical language of the Yogis, there is a power called the Kundalini, coiled up. When that Kundalini awakes, it tries to force a passage through this hollow canal, and as it rises step by step, as it were, layer after layer of the mind becomes open and all the different visions and wonderful powers come to the Yogi. When it reaches the brain, the Yogi is perfectly detached from the body and mind; the soul finds itself free. We know that the spinal cord is composed in a peculiar manner. If we take the figure eight horizontally, there are two parts which are connected in the middle. Suppose you add eight after eight, piled one on top of the other, that will represent the spinal cord. The left is the Ida, the right Pingala, and that hollow canal which runs through the centre of the spinal cord is the Sushumna. Where the spinal cord ends in some of the lumbar vertebrae, a fine fibre issues downwards, and the canal runs up even within that fibre, only much finer. The canal is closed at the lower end, which is situated near what is called the sacral plexus, which, according to modern physiology, is triangular in form.

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    1. Thank you. Please see the book " Peep into Sahaj Marg " by Sri Ishwar Sahai for a picture of Kundalini according to Rev.Babuji Maharaj.
      Kannan

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    2. Thank you. Please see the book " Peep into Sahaj Marg " by Sri Ishwar Sahai for a picture of Kundalini according to Rev.Babuji Maharaj.
      Kannan

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  60. Dear brothers and sisters, it is true that a real seeker need not have knowledge of such scinetific truths. But it is also true that certain facts are revealed during the meditation and capable persons should take them for further research for the benefit to others,

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  61. Dear brothers and sisters, it is true that a real seeker need not have knowledge of such scinetific truths. But it is also true that certain facts are revealed during the meditation and capable persons should take them for further research for the benefit to others,

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  62. This article is a revelation on the science behind a supposedly mundane activity like breathing! Thank you, Mr. Kannan. Also offers a hint on the intent behind Pranayama, which I guess suggests inhaling through the left nostril and exhaling via the right.

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  63. Dear brother
    Pranayama is not just inhalation of breath through left and exhaling through right nostril. The opposite is also there. There are more than 60 varieties of Kumbhaka or retention of air within one self. These have to be learnt under a competent guru, say the texts on HATHA YOGA.
    Kannan

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  64. Dear brother
    Pranayama is not just inhalation of breath through left and exhaling through right nostril. The opposite is also there. There are more than 60 varieties of Kumbhaka or retention of air within one self. These have to be learnt under a competent guru, say the texts on HATHA YOGA.
    Kannan

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  65. Dear Brother, here is a brief blog I have written in response to this article...Thank you for this valuable insight and please keep writing...

    http://divedeepwithin.com/2015/12/29/observe-your-breathing-some-thoughts/

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  66. There is a good book" Swara Yog " by Munger Yog Vidhyalaya,which will also help in understanding Nadi Science.

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  67. There is a good book" Swara Yog " by Munger Yog Vidhyalaya,which will also help in understanding Nadi Science.

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