Shatkarma-2
Shatkarma-2
Shatkarma-2
Yogic Practices
19
SHATKARMA
Read the conversation between Neha and her teacher- Note
Neha : Madam, we have learnt about yog in the previous lesson. May I
also practise Yog?
Teacher : Sure, it is very necessary for all of us to practise yog to remain
physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually fit and healthy.
Neha : But I am very fat, I have sinusitis and acidity problem.
Teacher : Neha, you should start Shat Karma first to get rid of your physical
problem. Then you should do other parts of Hath yog and yog.
Neha : Madam, what is Shat Karma. Please elaborate it properly.
Without proper cleansing, our mind and body will never be ready to receive
maximum benefits from the yogic practices which are meant to propel the soul
towards a higher sense of consciousness. Hence, Shatkarma practices are useful
to purify subtle body through the cleansing of physical body. Let’s now know
about the Shat Karma i.e. meaning, types, precautions etc. in detail.
OBJECTIVES
‘Shat’ is a Sanskrit word representing a numeric term as ‘Six’ and Karma means-
‘action/procedure’. It means combination of six types of actions, which are done
primarily for purification process and cleansing practices of specific bodily organs
in yog.
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According to the Hath Yog and Ayurveda all our diseases occur due to the
imbalance of tri-dosha i.e Vata (air element), Pitta (fire element) and Kapha
(earth element). Hath Yog says that you need not take medicines to get rid of
your diseases as these may have many side-effects. In order to avoid these
medicines one can do Shat Karma as it balances all the five elements i.e. air,
fire, earth, water and space of our body and make us physically fit which enables
you to practise higher level of yog like Asana, Pranayam, Dharna and Dhyan
Note etc. Shat-Karma creates harmony between the two major pranic flows- Ida Nadi
(via left nostril) and Pingala Nadi (via right nostril). This way it helps in attaining
physical cleaning and also keeps a balance between these two Nadis, which in
turn helps to open the entry point of Sushumna Nadi- a gate way of Kundlini
Shakti-the ultimate aim of Hath yog. But, remember one thing that it should be
practised under guidance of expert.
Vahishkrit Kapalrandhra - -
In Hatha Yog Pardipika Vastra Dhauti and Gajkarni have been mentioned under
the Dhauti Karma.
In terms of practice here we will discuss Vaman Dhauti (Kunjal) in detail.
VAMAN DHAUTI (KUNJAL)
Vaman Dhauti is commonly known as Kunjal. This cleanses the mouth, food
pipe and stomach. It is the most commonly practised procedure. This practice
should be done in the early morning with empty stomach. In this Kriya drink
saline (salt) lukewarm water until the feeling of vomiting starts.
Pre and Post preparation and Discipline:
This kriya should be done after defecation (clearing the bowels).
The kunjal Kriya is carried out in the early morning with empty stomach.
Clean the hands and cut the nails before Kunjal.
Keep the jug and glass near to you.
Mix saindha namak (rock salt) into lukewarm water as told (procedure
given below).
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After Kunjal kriya one should eat Khichadi with ghee.
Do not use chilly-spices on the day of completion of Kunjal Kriya.
Method:
1) Sit in Kagasana.
2) Drink lukewarm saline water one by one glass continuously until the feeling
of vomiting starts. That means when one cannot drink water anymore.
Note
3) Then stand up and bend forward from the waist.
4) Then open the mouth and start rubbing root of the tongue by three fingers
of the right hand.
5) At the beginning of the practice the water can come in small quantity but
after repeat touching the root of the tongue, vomit starts. After long time
practice, vomit starts without putting fingers at the root of the tongue.
6) This kriya should be done once a week.
Benefits:
Kunjal Kriya is useful for maintaining the health of a healthy person.
It is useful to clear the acidity of the stomach.
Asthma patients also get relief from its practice.
It removes the foul smell of the breath and the phlegm of the throat.
Precautions:
Persons suffering from hypertension, stomach ulcers and cardiovascular
diseases should not practice it.
DO YOU KNOW?
How to prepare water for cleansing practice and what should be the
temperature of lukewarm water?
Take boiled water or heat sterile water to that extent so that the water becomes
lukewarm. To check the temperature of the water pour some water on the back
of the palm. It should be bearable to the skin.
• How much salt is to be added to make saline water?
Add the sufficient quantity of rock salt to the lukewarm water so that the taste of
water becomes similar to the taste of tears.
ACTIVITY 19.1
See how kunjal is performed and try to do it your-self under the guidance of
trainer.
2) BASTI KRIYA
Basti Kriya means the ‘Enema’ (cleansing of intestines through anal route). In
the ancient times Yogis stand in the river or the pond at the level of navel and Note
used to pull the water into the intestines through the anus and then used to remove
the water from the anus again.
Modern Enema
It is a refined form of this ancient Basti Kriya. No one will be ready today to
perform the Basti Kriya in the river. Therefore, instead of performing the Basti
Kriya in the river, the ‘Enema’ apparatus are being used. Lemon-water or salt
water is allowed to enter inside the intestines through an enema apparatus. If
there are any obstructed faeces present in the colon they get released and the
colon becomes clean. Person suffering from constipation gets benefit immediately
by giving enema. Periodically taking an enema keeps body healthy.
The best time to perform this practice is early in the morning with empty stomach.
3) NETI KRIYA
Neti means cleaning of the nose and its surrounding area. It also improves eye
sight and helps in treating disorders of nose. It is of two types:
1) Jal Neti
2) Sutra Neti
Jal Neti
In Sutra Neti, a waxed cotton thread is traditionally used to clean the nasal cavity.
This waxed cotton thread is inserted into the nose and then pulled out from the
mouth. Then both ends are held with the hands and nasal cleaning is done by to
and fro motion of the thread. Nowadays, a rubber catheter is used instead of the
thread and it is easily available in any medical store.
Note
Looking intently with blinkless gaze at a small point until tears are shed is known
as Tratak Kriya.
Tratak is practised to activate unknown powers of the mind. Tratak is extremely
powerful sadhna.
Method:
1) Light the Ghee lamp and keep it in front of the eye level at about 4 feet.
Candle can also be taken in the absence of Ghee. The lamp should be placed
in wind free area.
2) Sit in Padmasan or Sukhasan, keeping the back straight. Relax the whole
body and be calm and quiet.
3) Now open your eyes and gaze at the flame of the lamp without blinking.
4) Gaze for as long as possible without strain.
5) When the eyes begin to tire, burn or shed tear then gently close your eyes.
6) Again open the eyes and start with the same procedure.
7) Slowly increase the practice. With practice, one can go from few seconds
to few minutes without blinking. Do not extend it beyond 20 minutes.
Time: This kriya should be done regularly to get benefits.
This can also be done by drawing a black dot on the paper or on the symbol of
“Aum”, instead of ghee, candle can be used.
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Benefit: It helps in developing concentration. It strengthens the eye muscles.
ACTIVITY 19.2
Practise Tratak regularly for 15 days and write your results/ experience.
5) NAULI KRIYA
Note
It is the yogic exercise where the turning of the abdominal muscles take place.
Method
6) KAPAL BHARTI
The meaning of the ‘Kapal’ is ‘the brain’ and ‘Bhati’- to shine, i.e, kriya that
cleans and shines the brain is called Kapalbhati.
Method
1) Sit in Padmasan or Sukhasana with straight spine.
2) Keep both hands on the knees.
3) Take a deep breath normally by relaxing the abdominal muscles.
4) Exhalation should be rapid and forceful while the inhalation is normal.
5) Holding of breath is not done in Kapal bhati. Only exhalation and inhalation
is practiced.
6) Exhalataion is the main part of Kapalbhati.
Dhauti karma is the first procedure described in ShatKarma. There are many
types of Dhauti but in terms of practice we have described Vaman Dhauti
which is commonly known as Kunjal. This cleanses the mouth, food pipe
and stomach. It is the most commonly practised procedure.
Basti Kriya means the ‘Enema’ (cleansing of intestines through anal route).
Now a days it is done by Basti apparatus with lemon or salt water.
Neti means cleaning of the nasal passage and its surrounding area. It also
increases eye sight and helps in treating disorders of nose. It is of two
types- 1. Jal Neti- with lukewarm saline water. 2. Sutra Neti- with wax
coated cotton thread.
Tratak kriya- Looking intently with blinkless gaze at a small point until
tears are shed is known as Tratak Kriya. It helps in developing concentration
Nauli Kriya- the yogic exercise where the turning of the abdominal muscles
take place. Placing these emerged abdominal muscles at the center of the
abdomen is termed as “Madhya Nauli”, at the right side it is termed as
“Dakshin Nauli” and at the left side it is termed as “Vama Nauli”.
Kapal Bhati- kriya that cleans the brain is called Kapalbhati. Exhalation is
rapid and forceful while the inhalation is normal. Holding of breath is not
done in Kapal Bhati. Only exhalation and inhalation are practised.
TERMINAL QUESTIONS
19.1
1) a) Purification
b) Shat karma
c) Hath Yog, Tridosha
d) Shat karma, all five elements
e) Ida and Pingala Nadi
19.2 (A)
1) Dhauti, Basti, Neti, Tratak, Nauli and Kapal Bhati
2) Dhauti
3) Vaman Dhauti
4) Four
5) Enema
6) Neti
7) KapalBhati
19.3A
1) Blinkless, Tratak
2) Padmasan, Sukhasan
3) Concentration
4) Uddiyan Bandh
5) Kapal Bhati
6) Rapid, Forceful, Normal
7) Exhalation
B
1) True
2) True
3) False
4) False
5) False
6) False