Essay name: The Nervous System in Yoga and Tantra (Study)
Author:
Ashok Majumdar
Affiliation: Banaras Hindu University / Department of Kayachikitsa
This study deals with the presentation of the Nervous System in Yoga, Tantra and Ayurveda. Yoga and Ayurveda are allied sciences dealing with science of man in depth. This study has revealed a number of hither to unknown facts about concept of nervous system and thought science of Hindus.
Chapter 2 - The Eight Components of Yoga
17 (of 85)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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19
SODHA NA : SATKARMA
The first, or cleansing, is effected by the six
processes known as the satkarma. Of course, the first is
Dhauti(G.5.1:13), or washing, which is fourfold, or inward
washing (antar-dhauti) (G.S.1:14), cleansing of the teeth
(danta-dhauti) (G.S.1:26) etc. of the 'heart' (hriddhauti)
(G.S.1:36), and of the rectum (muladhuti) (G.S.1:43),
Antardhauti is also fourfold-namely, vatasara (G.S.1:15) by
which air is drawn into the belly and then excelled, varisara
(G.S.1:17), by which the body is filled with water, which
is then evacuated by the anus; vahnisara (G.S.1:21), in which
the nabigranthi (G.S.1:23) is made to touch the Meru i.e.
said to be spinal column and bahiskrita in which the belly
is by kakini-mudra (.G.S 1:81) filled with air, which is
retained half a yama (three hours) and then sent downward.
Dantadhauti is fourfold, consisting of the cleansing of the
root of the teeth and tongue, the ears, and the 'hollow of
the forehead' (Kapalarandhra), By hridhauti phlegm and the
bile are removed. This is done by a stick (danda-dhauti)
(G.S.1:38) or cloth (Vaso-dhauti) (G.S.1:42) pushed into
the throat or swallowed, or by vomiting (Vamana-dhauti)
(G.S. 1:39). Muladhauti (G.S.1:43) is done to cleanse the
exit of the Apana-vayu either with the middle finger and
water of the stalk of a turmeric plant. Different Dhautis are
recommended to patients who have respiratory and digestive
troubles.
