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"Nad"
means movement. In the Rig Veda, it means stream. In
Yoga, nadis are the channels of Kundalini energy.The
Nadis thus are channels, but not only nerves (snayu).
The subtle channels or Yoga Nadis
are the channels of mind and the channels of chitta,
the feeling self or being. The gross channels of subtle
energy are visible as cords, vessels or tubes, including
acupuncture meridians, nerves, muscles, arteries, veins,
lymph,...
Ayurveda
mentions 72.000 different Nadis. Tantra
Yoga identifies 14 principal nadis of which the following
three are the most important :
| Sushumna |
Passes through the spinal column, originating
in the Muladhara Chakra
and terminating in the Sahasrara
Chakra, diving in an anterior and posterior branch
before reaching the Ajna Chakra.
The Sushumna generally remains dormant when the other
Nadis flow strongly and is activated only when the breath
comes through both nostrils simultaneously. It can also
be activated through pranayama
and Swar Yoga and operates
automatically at dawn and dusk, calming down the system
and making meditation easy. |
| Ida |
The Ida Nadi starts and ends to the left
of the Sushumna, but is also connected with the left testicle
in males. It terminates in the left nostril, stimulating
the right side of the brain. It is feminine in energy,
carries pranic energy and is one of the most important
mental nadis. As it nourishes and purifies the body and
the mind, it is also called Ganga in Tantric scriptures.
When Sushumna is not working, activating the Ida Nadi
is the best way to facilitate meditation. |
Pingala |
The Pingala Nadi starts and ends to the
right of Sushumna. It is the carrier of solar, male energy,
adding vitality, physical strength and efficiency. It
is also purifying like Ida Nadi, but cleansing like fire.
It is activated by the breath in the right nostril where
it stimulates the left side of the brain. Bhedana pranayama
is used to activate this nadi and is recommended for physical
activities, debates and, indeed, duels. |
 The
remaining of the 14 principal nadis are Gandhari, Hastajihva,
Yashasvini, Pusha, Alambusha, Kuhu, Shankini, Sarasvati, Payasvini,
Varuni, Vishvodara.
The Kuhu Nadi
for example causes ejaculation together with the Chitrini
Nadi. The mastering of this nadi is the main objective of
the Vajrauli exercise, allowing the male aspirant to raise
the seminal fluid from the second chakra to the Soma Chakra
within the Sahasrara Chakra, along with the vaginal fluid
from his female counterpart. It is this practice which is
often known as Tantric Sex, which created a lot of attraction
to Tantra in the West.
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