AAMJ / Vol. 2 / Issue 6 / November – December 2016

A A M J Anveshana Ayurveda Medical Journal

www.aamj.in ISSN: 2395-4159

Review Article

A study on Nāḍīs in Tantric literature with special reference to

Nervous system

Mini K V 1 H H Awasthi 2

A b s t r a c t

Ayurveda is a science of life, which imparts all the knowledge of Ayu (life) & is eternal. Tantra

is a kind of science, a way of knowledge both for understanding the outer world and the in-

ner psyche. Tantra is based on and closely allied with the various traditional sciences of India,

of which the two most notable are Ayurveda (Vedic medicine) & Astrology (Jyotish). In addi-

tion some modern scientists find the energetic concepts of Tantra to be similar to their own

discoveries. Tantra is closely associated with the tradition of Sanskrit poetry and the entire

tradition of Sanskrit learning and literature has a strong Tantric imprint. Stories of Siva and

Śakti (the Goddess), is popular in Tantric teachings. Today we need to recreate a more

Dharma-oriented artistic tradition and bring back the use of the image, icon and a way of sa-

cred art of living. Tantric art can show us how to do this. [i]

The term Nāḍī is one of the most controversial in Ayurveda. It is not an easy subject and can-

not be understood by studying the Ayurvedic texts only. To get into the depth, it is necessary

to consult text books on Tantra, Upanisads, Ayurveda Acupuncture, Nervous system, Psychol-

ogy, in addition to Yoga texts. Nāḍīs are channels through which, in traditional Indian medi-

cine & Spiritual science, the energies of the subtle body are said to flow.

Key words:-Tantra, Nāḍī, Neurone.

1 Ph.D Scholar, 2 Prof & Former Head, Dept. of Rachana Sharir, Faculty of Ayurveda, IMS BHU, Varanasi.

CORRESPONDING AUTHOR

Dr. MINI K V

Ph.D Scholar,

Dept. of Rachana Sharir,

Faculty of Ayurveda, IMS BHU,

Varanasi, (India).

Email: minikv69@gmail.com

Mini & Awasthi: A study on Nāḍīs in Tantric literature with special reference to Nervous system

AAMJ / Vol. 2 / Issue 6 / Novemberr – December 2016 1052

INTRODUCTION

he artistic side of Tantra has its discipline. It is not

a tradition without rules, or one that approves of

anything dramatic, sensational, novel or unconven-

tional. Tantra provides a structured and orderly concep-

tion of art based upon an understanding of the occult

and spiritual laws of the universe. [ii]

Ayurveda is an integrative Mind, Spirit & Body system

of life and health care. (Satvam Ātma Śarīram

Trayamedad Tridandavat). Ayurveda believes in the

unified field of consciousness but develops its own ap-

plied philosophy of life, health, disease & cure based

on its own applied biological theories. The ancient

Sages know how to control their body through mind &

Nāḍīs.

According to Tantrics the chief centers of consciousness

exists within the cerebrospinal axis. The system lays

stress on the instinct active power of Sounds & the pres-

ence of large number of minute channels or threads of

occult force in the human body, called Nāḍīs .Hence

arise the supra natural power of Mantras.[iii]

AIMS & OBJECTIVES

To fulfill the vision Pratici – Praci Ka Mela Sundar

(Amalgam of modern & ancient sciences) viewed by the

great visionary and founder of the great University,

Kashi Hindu Visvavidyalaya, Varanasi India, Bharat

Ratna Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohana Malaviya Ji,

in the present study “A study on Nāḍīs in Tantric litera-

ture with special reference to nervous system” research-

er had made full effort to expose all those aspects,

which need further clarification.

MATERIALS & METHODS

Material collected from Tantric literature, Yoga Grantas,

Upanishads, Purānās, available parts from Samhita

Granthas and modern books, national and international

journals, magazines, conferences, internet materials,

previous work done, presented papers etc. was includ-

ed in this studies .

Review of Literature

In Tantra, Yoga & Upanishad books, we can see nu-

merous channels called Nāḍīs through which the vital

energy circulates all over the body.

In Yoga, Nāḍīs are channels of Kundalini energy.

Many Yogic texts such as Śiva Samhita, Gheranda

Samhita, Gorakśa Samhita, Hatha Yoga Pradipika,

Gorakśa Paddhati, Śat Chakra Nirūpana, Rudrayamal

Tantra, Śandilya Upanishad, Dhyānabindu Upanishad,

Śāradatilaka Tantra etc. have detailed explanation

about Nāḍīs.

The important Nāḍīs are explained in Śiva Samhita

Dvitiya Patala. 14 important Nāḍīs are given in Siva

Samhita. Most of the above Granthas gave the names

of most important as ‘Three Nāḍīs’Ida, Pingala and

Suśumna, The names of other Nāḍīs are given by dif-

ferent Granthās are as Gāndhāri, Hastijihva, Śankhini,

Vāruni, Alambuśa, Kuhu, Puśa, Visvodari, Sarasvati,

Yaśasvini, Payaśvini, Vajrini, Chitrini, Brahma Nāḍī,

etc.

So we consider that the whole body is supplied with

thread like wires with which the conduction of currents

taking place. [iv]

The main function of Nāḍī is to receive and convey the

Prāna in the body from one place to another. Nāḍī’s

are subtle cylindrical cords that branch out from centers

in the physical and astral bodies and transmit psychic

currents or impulses to different areas.

Nervous system

Nervous system is the most complex product of biologi-

cal evolution in the human being. Many thousands of

scientists and clinicians around the world, whether driv-

en by intellectual curiosity or the quest for better meth-

ods of disease prevention and treatment, have studied

nervous system in detail for many years. The constantly

changing pattern of activities of its billions of interactive

units represents the fundamental physical basis of every

aspect of human behavior & experience. Despite the

enormous amount of data available, our understanding

of complex neural organization & function is far from

complete, as is our ability to deal with its much Pathol-

ogy. [v]

There are things that are difficult to recognize, not be-

cause they are too small for our eyes, but because they

are too complex [vi].

DISCUSSION

Tantric literature

The earliest documented use of the word Tantra is in the

Rigveda (X.71.9). Tantrism originated in the early

1700-1100B.C, In Samaveda about 1700 BC, In

Atharvaveda X.71 1200-900 BC, In Yajurveda & in

Taittiriya Brahmana 1400-1000 BC, In Panini

Ashtadyayi 600-500 BC, In Satapatha Brahmana 600-

300 BC, In Chanakyas Arthasastras 350-283BC, In

Vishnu Purana 320 AD, In Abhijnana Sakunthalam poet

Kalidasa Quoted Tantra as a deep understanding or

Mastery of a topic in 320-400 AD, In Tantric Buddhism

(500-600 AD) explained as a set of Doctrines or Prac-

T

Mini & Awasthi: A study on Nāḍīs in Tantric literature with special reference to Nervous system

AAMJ / Vol. 2 / Issue 6 / Novemberr – December 2016 1053

tices for obtaining Spiritual enlightenment (including

Iconography of the body with the Chakras, Nāḍīs &

Mantras). In Kamikagama or KamikaTantra in 600AD,

explained as extensive knowledge of Principles of Reali-

ty. Tatva &Mantra are bearer of Liberation (Moksha).

According to Philosopher Sankara 788-820AD, Tantra

is explained as a system of thought or set of Doctrines &

Practices. [vii]

A few of the Tantra themselves say that there are 64

Tantra, or 64 Tantra each, in three different parts of the

world. However, the number of Tantra existing in man-

uscripts is far larger. Tantra literature thus comprises a

number of religious instructions and philosophical doc-

trines as well as a certain amount of occultism.

Prapancasara Tantra is a work of Tantra literature

which is Shivite in content and worship. Mahanirvana

Tantra, Pacharatra Samhita, Yoga, Samkhya, and

Vedantha comprise the tantric literature. The worship of

the mothers and the meditations on the Devi are of con-

siderable significance from the point of view of the his-

tory of religion.

Nāḍīs

The structure we met with dissection along with the Ves-

sels (Arteries,Veins) are termed as

Nerves according to Modern Science, What is the

name given to those structures in Ayurveda ? The an-

swer to this question is being answered with different

names. Tantrika, Nāḍī, Dhamani, Sira, Vasa, Tantuki,

Jivitajnya etc.[viii]. To understand these words in

Granthas, first of all we want to understand Śaktism

and Saivism, in which Lord Siva clears the doubts of

Parvati Devi about that disease, prevailed at that time.

As this was a secret medicine, the knowledge did not

flourish among common people. The knowledge

spreads among Yogis and by doing the Yoga in proper

way they attain a higher energy level which gives them

all types of satisfaction.

Nāḍīs are the fibers of a lotus & being supported by the

vertebral column, spread downwards. [ix]

To understand the anatomical structure & location of

Nāḍīs, the study was enriched with the addition of

Meanings of the terminologies related with nervous sys-

tem Greek/Latin terminology was converted into English

language to get the clear meaning. Terminologies used

in Yoga, Tantra and Upanishads such as the words like

Vāma, Dakśina, Hridaya, Guda, Linga, Yoni, Medra,

Nābhi etc. needs more clarification, but we tried our

level best to interpret these terminologies into a very

simple form. For example, the meaning of Nābhi,

means not only Navel (umbilicus) but also center, cen-

tral, nucleus, middle. Etc. Sanskrit is a technical lan-

guage and we know that to study Ayurveda, Tantra,

Yoga, Upanishads we need the help of Sanskrit. All

these works are written in this technical language and

we people are not even try to understand the different

meanings for a single word used in the Ancient times.

One word one meaning brought us to such a state that

we lost our Power of Imagination and we think only

Heart for Hridaya. All the epics are in front of us, but

we cannot understand for what they stand for. What

these Ramayana and Mahabharata for new genera-

tion? When we incorporate these literatures to identify

the reality in human beings, makes a vast change in the

thinking process of new generation.

Meanings

1. Arachnoid (G) =Arachne = Spider, Cobweb, eido’s

= resembling a cobweb. Denoting specifically the

arachnoidea, a membrane or middle layer of

membranes cover the brain & spinal cord.

2. Nerve cell (Ganglion cell) = The cell body of the

neuron, a nerve cell of the 1st type or Dieter’s cell

has one neuroaxon continue with the axis cylinder

of a nerve fiber, a nerve cell of the second type or

Golgi’s cell has one neuroaxon which does not

form the axis cylinder of a nerve fiber, but divides

into numerous branches forming dendraxon, a

nerve of the third type or Cajal’s cell, has two or

more neuron axons.

3. Mitral cell = One of the cells of the Olfactory lobe

of the brain whose dendrites synapses (in the glo-

meruli) with axons of the olfactory cells of the nasal

mucous membrane & whose axons pass centrally in

the olfactory tract. [11]

Guda, Majjaka = Medullar Jambu, Jaitunjaisa =

Olivary. Galiya Ardhachakram = Pharyngeal arches

Pancha Kosa = Five pouches.

All meanings are collected from Sanskrit Hindi English

dictionary along with the help of Brihat shariram and

PratyakshaŚarīram.[12]

After the thorough review of Literature we understood

that the Moon is Śakti, the Sun is Siva. The complexion

of the Moon is fair, White and that of the Sun is dark,

Grey. During the flow of left nostril works Chandra

Mini & Awasthi: A study on Nāḍīs in Tantric literature with special reference to Nervous system

AAMJ / Vol. 2 / Issue 6 / Novemberr – December 2016 1054

Nāḍī (Ida) and the flow of right nostril Surya, works

Pingala Nāḍī. Ida is the feminine part on the left side of

the body and the right hemisphere. Pingala Nāḍī is on

the right side of the body and the left hemisphere.

(Contra lateralization) was cleared as ‘The Sankalpa of

Ardha Nārīśvara’. Gray’s Anatomy gives the difference

between the two hemispheres. Ida, Pingala and

Suśumna make the parts of Neuron. Ida is identified as

Female (Prakriti), Gandhavatī Prtvī, Bhoomi Devi, Olfac-

tion, Chandra (Moon), White Colour, , Sātvika as

Dendrites, Pingala is identified as Surya(Sun), Grey

colour poison (Visha), Male (Purusha),Teja, Drik(Vision),

Rajasika as Cell Body, Suśumna is identified as Agni,

Feminine, Tamasika, Colour as whitsh red, The Ray of

Sun or Axon. The Ida, Pingala and Suśumna make the

structure of Neurone, The functional part of nervous

system. Ida and Pingala forms the Two hemispheres of

brain and the Suśumna forms the spinal medulla with

that Central nervous system is formed. Other Nāḍīs

identified as the nerves originating from the Brain Stem.

Gandhari, Hastijihva, Sankhini, Varuni, Alambusa,

Kuhu, Pusha, Visvodari, Saraswathi, Yasasvini,

Payasvini are identified as Oculomotor, Trochlear, Tri-

geminal, Abducence, Facial, Vestibulocochlear, Glos-

sopharyngeal, Vagus, Hypoglossal, Fasciculus Gracilis

and Fasciculus Cuneatus respectively. Many other

Nāḍīs are also identified but not able to correlate within

this time period. Prāna was identified as ten in number,

and their dwelling place identified as the origin of those

nerve nucleus inside the mid brain, Pons and Medulla

as per the literature collected from different Upanishads.

There is no literature on Olfactory and Optic nerve,

other than Ida and Pingala. In neuro anatomy of

Inderbir Singh’s explain that the Olfactory and Optic

nerves are not true nerves .They are extensions of telen-

cephalon and prosencephalon respectively.[xiii] Kanda is

identified as Thalamus. All the structures concerned are

in the development of first system of the body, Nervous

system.

The structural & functional unit of nervous system is neu-

ron. The functional capabilities of the nervous system

are a product of its vast population of intercommuni-

cating nerve cells or neurons, estimated to number in

the order of 1010. The neurons consists of a central

mass of cytoplasm within a limiting cell membrane, the

cell body or Soma, from which extend a number of

branched processes or neurites or dendrites and a sin-

gle long Axon. Scholar made the concept clear on the

qualities of Ida, Pingala and Suśumna Nāḍīs.

Table. No. 1.Showing the comparison of features of

Ida, Pingala and Suśumna Nāḍīs.

Features of Nāḍīs Ida Pingala Suśumna

1. Three Guna Sātvika Rājasika Tāmasika

2. Breath Left nostril Right

nostril

Both nostril

equal

3. Temperature Cold Hot Agni

4. Sex Female Male Female

5. Color White Grey Whitish red

6. River Ganga Yamuna Sarasvati

7. Planet Moon Sun

8. Part of Varana-

si

Varuna Asi Varanasi

9. Amrita /Visha Amrita Visha Agni

10. Śakti Śakti Śiva Rudra

11. Soma - Soma -

12. God Hari - -

13. Gaura Varna Gaura

Varna

- -

14. Arkaputrika - Arkaputri

ka

-

15. Srishti

Samhārakarak

a

- Srishti

Samhāra

karaka

-

16. Raudrātmika - Raudrātm

ika

-

17. Kesharaprabha - Kesharap

rabha

-

18. Mahādevi - Mahādevi -

19. Situation in

nose

Left Right Both

20. Mārga Vāma Dakshina Madhyama

21. Represented

by

Chandra Surya Agni

22. Viśva Rūpini - - Viśva Rūpini

23. Brahma Rūpini - - Brahma

Rūpini

24. Sambhavi

Śakti

- - Sambhavi

Śakti

25. Panca

Parvasu

- - Pancha

Parvasu

26. Sunya Padavi - - Sunya Padavi

27. Vina Danda - - Vina Danda

28. Triguna Dhāra - - Triguna

Dhāra

29. Three Dosha Kapha Pitta Vāta

30. Subtle Dosha Ojas Tejas Prāna

31. Primal nature Prakriti Purusha Brahma Nala

32. Parts of neu-

ron

Dendrite Cell body Axon.

33. In CNS Right Brain Left Brain Spinal Me-

dulla

34. In Body Left Half Right Half Spinal cord

Mini & Awasthi: A study on Nāḍīs in Tantric literature with special reference to Nervous system

AAMJ / Vol. 2 / Issue 6 / Novemberr – December 2016 1055

Table No.2. Showing Ventral and Dorsal (motor)

nerves in relation with Nāḍīs.

S.No. Ventral Dorsal (motor)

1. Gandhāri (Oculomo-

tor)

Sankhini (Trigeminal)

2. Hastijihva (Trochlear) Alambusha (Facial)

3. Vāruni (Abdu cense) Pusha (Glossopharyngeal)

4. Saraswati (Hypoglos-

sal)

Visvodari (Vagus)

CONCLUSION

The literature collected and reviewed from the available

Books on Tantra, Yoga and Upanishad and the Trans-

lation of Slokas was done and the meanings of those

terminologies used in Tantra, Yoga and Upanisad litera-

ture was interpreted with the modern Anatomy of nerv-

ous system. Thus the meaning of Nāḍī was confirmed

that the pathway of consciousness or information flow-

ing from outside to inside or from inside to outside and

the structure is identified through the modern Anatomy

as Neuron in Greek/Latin, and Nerve in English lan-

guage. The other Nāḍīs are identified as those struc-

tures through which the openings of the body communi-

cates with outside and inside and they are identified as

those nerves connected with the nose, eyes, ears,

mouth, lingam, Guda as Nāḍīs like Ida, Pingala ,

Gandhari, Hastijihva, Sankhini, Vāruni, Alambusha,

Kuhu, Pusha, Visvodari, Sarasvati, Yashashvini,

Payashvini as the sensory and motor nerves of Nervous

system.

ΛΛΛΛ

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Inderbir Singh’s Text Book of Human Neuroanatomy,

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Source of Support: Nil.

Conflict of Interest: None declared

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How to cite this article: Mini & Awasthi: A study on Nāḍīs

in Tantric literature with special reference to Nervous sys-

tem. AAMJ 2016; 6:1051 – 1055