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.