Nadi Pariksha: An ancient Ayurvedic method of diagnosis & prediction

Yukti Tiwari; Hukum Singh Dhakad

Nadi Pariksha: An ancient Ayurvedic method of diagnosis & prediction

Tiwari Y.^1*, Dhakad H.²

DOI:

^1* Yukti Tiwari, Post Graduate Scholar, Department of Rog Nidan & Vikrti Vigyan, Pt. K.L.S. Govt. (Auto) Ayurveda College and Institute, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India.

² Hukum Singh Dhakad, Post Graduate Scholar, Department of Rog Nidan & Vikrti Vigyan, Pt. K.L.S. Govt. (Auto) Ayurveda College and Institute, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India.

Ayurveda gives emphasis on diagnosis of disease before treatment. Examination plays a significant role in diagnosis of the diseases. In Ayurvedic texts there are different type of Rog Rogi Pariksha i.e., Trividha Pariksha, Saptvidha Pariksha, Ashtavidha Pariksha, Dashavidha Pariksha etc. Concept of Nadi Pariksha is found under the Ashatavidhya Pariksha described by Yogratnakar. Yogratnakara described Nadi Pariksha under heading of Rog Pariksha. We can unlock Ayurvedic Sutra with the help of our inquiring mind. We can determine Nadi in context of Prakruti Vikruti, status of Doshas, Dhatus, Manas and Suskma Sharira. In following paper, we made an effort to study the relation of Nadi Pariksha and its applicability in different aspect in daily practices.

Keywords: Pariksha, Nadi, Prakruti, Vikruti, Dosha

Corresponding Author	How to Cite this Article	To Browse
Yukti Tiwari, Post Graduate Scholar, Department of Rog Nidan & Vikrti Vigyan, Pt. K.L.S. Govt. (Auto) Ayurveda College and Institute, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India. Email:	Yukti Tiwari, Hukum Singh Dhakad, Nadi Pariksha: An ancient Ayurvedic method of diagnosis & prediction. J Ayu Int Med Sci. 2022;7(3):59-63. Available From https://jaims.in/jaims/article/view/1796

Introduction

Nadi Pariksha is well-known term in Ayurveda and classical texts have emphasized its significance in assessment of Tridoshas which are the basis of disease diagnosis and prognosis.^[1] According to Yoga Ratnakara all the diseases can be diagnosed from Nadi and it was compared with strings of veena playing all the Ragas which signifies the important of Nadi Pariksha.^[2] In Ayurveda, Nadi indicate the status of whole body, as in Modern medicine pulse reflects nature, scope and purpose of life. In Ayurveda there are eight clinical limbs - examination of pulse, urine, faces, eyes, tongue, speech, skin and form.^[3]

Rogakrant Sharirasya Sthananyashtau Nirikshayet.

Nadi Mutram Malam Jivha Shabda Sparsham Drigakruti. (YR)

The most important of these limbs is Nadi. The earliest evidence about Nadi Pariksha are found in texts of Bhela Samhita, Harit Samhita, Angivin Nadi Shastra, Bharadwaja Samhita later Kanada, Markandeya, Ravana, Bhudharbhatta and other described. In modern medicine physician gets important information like rate, rhythm, pressure, force. But in Ayurveda the importance of Nadi Parkisha for understand pathogenesis, diagnosis diseased state and giving a reasonable prognosis and prediction of the disease. As Yogaratnakar says, Pulse denotes Vata Pitta Kapha, their dual and triple disorder as well as express prognosis of diseases. In Asthavidh Prakisha. Nadi Pariksha is most important to asses Prakruti, Vikruti, Doshic disorder and even prognosis of disease.

Aim

To conceptual review study of Nadi Pariksha.

Objective

1. To study the role of Nadi Pariksha in diagnosis of disease.

2. To study Nadi Pariksha in context of prognosis.

Materials and Methods

This study is carried through literature search and critical review of obtain fact. Various Ayurvedic text, various medical research databased like

PubMed, Google Scholar, Embase and other national research database is made to understand Nadi as diagnostic and prognosis tool.

Nadi: Pulse implies Nadi in Sanskrit. In another term, the five basic elements namely Space, Air, Fire, Water and Earth are communicated with Vishva Nadi to human through breath. In this text, Nadi reference pulse and science of pulse reading is called Nadi Pariksha.

Synonyms of Pulse: In ancient Ayurveda, there are many synonyms of pulse like Nadi, Snayu, Hansi, Hinsra, Dhamani, Dhara, Tantuki, Jivitajnya, Jivanjnayna, Vasa, and Sira.^[3,4]

Site for Nadi Prakisha

1. As a routine radial pulse usually examine but others site may examine the pulse are wrist, elbow, arm, axilla, ankle, dorsum of foot, neck, in front of ear, above the eye, near the nose, tongue, lips, penis, perineum.^[5]

2. Physician should be performed Nadi Pariksha of patients in right hand by using his right hand.

3. Nadi felt at the wrist region signifies the life of the patient and helps to diagnose the diseases.

4. Always in male right hand Nadi felt and left in female.^[6]

Method of examination of Nadi^[^7]

1. The prime time for Nadi Pariksha is in the morning hour for one Prahara.

2. The physician and patient both should be seated comfortable position. Physician should hold patients’ hand and feel pulse with help of right index, middle, ring finger.

3. By gently palpating, pressing, tapping and rolling artery under finger, Nadi should be examined.

4. Identify the Vata, Pitta and Kapha pulsation at the index, middle and ring finger respectively and elicit its characters like feeble, moderate and fast along with identify the character of various Doshic

5. Examination of pulse shed light on the involvement of Vata, Pitta, Kapha, mixing of two Doshas or mixing of three Doshas or curable or incurable diseases.

6. Normal pulse is regular, steady, well felt at normal expected site and its movement like earthworm.^[8]

7. For analysis a Nadi we have to focus on following character Gati (movement), Vega (rate), Tala (rhythm), Bala (force), Akruti (tension & volume), Tapamana (temperature), Kathinya (consistency of vessel wall) of pulse.

8. It is convenient to divide the reading of pulse into seven level.^[9]

1st Level	Vikruti
2nd Level	Manas Vikruti
3rd Level	Subdosh
4th Level	Ojas, Tejas, Prana
5th Level	Dhatus
6th Level	Manas Prakruti
7th Level	Prakruti

9. When deep pulse corresponds to superficial pulse that person is healthy & balance.

Nadi Gati of Doshas: Vata, Pitta, & Kapha circulate in whole body producing well or ill consequences in entire system according to their states. Their normal state is Prakruti and their abnormal state is Vikruti.^[10] All three Dosha move in body through Rasa and Rakta Dhatu. We can feel qualities of Vata best under index finger, Pitta under middle and Kapha under ring finger.

Dosh	Finger	Nadi type	Gati type	Gati	Modern View
Vata	Index Finger	Aadi	Vakra	Jaloka, Sarpa	Irregular
Pitta	Middle Finger	Madhya	Chanchal	Frog, Crow	Rapid
Kapha	Ring Finger	Anat	Manda	Pigeon	Slow

Nadi Gati in Prakruti state: The human basic constitution is Prakruti and is read at seventh, deepest level. By pressing radial artery at deepest level of either side left/right deeply enough to cut off pulsation, released slightly just to the point where the pulsation returned for assessment of Prakrati. This is 7^th level, the level of Prakruti feels Vata, Pitta, Kapha.^[9]

Nadi Gati in Vikruti state: Vikruti is present state of body. We can analyze Vikruti on superficial level of pulse, by status of Dosh, Subdosh, Dhatus of body through of Nadi.^[9]

Subdosh & Nadi: For apprehension a disease, mastery in subtype of Dosh is important because each Dosh divided into their subtype in Ayurveda. To estimate the Samprapti of disease the knowledge of subtype of each Dosh is very important. During Vikriti, subtype of Doshas is significant indicator of qualitative and quantitative change in human body. Give gentle pressure and go to third level, feel

each subtype that has a spike and find out which subtype of Dosh is out of balance.

Vataja Nadi	Pittaja Nadi	Kaphaja Nadi	Dvandvaja Nadi	Sannipataja Nadi [11]
Jalauka Sarpayogati (leech and snake like movement)	Kulinga-kaka- Mandukagati (sparrow, crow and frog like movement)	Hansa-Paravatagati (swan, pigeon like movement)	Sometimes slow and sometimes fast Nadigati	Lava Tittira Varti Gamanam (bustard quail, grey partridge and button quail like movement)

Nadi Gati for Dhatus: We can predict Dhatus status through Nadi at 5^th level. This level represents Dhatus Ama and Doshic influence may cause dysfunction in Dhatus Agni. Condition of Dhatus Agni related to production of tissue. We will detect the spike at 5^th level, Step by step go from skin. Normally healthy Dhatus doesn’t show a spike but if Dhatu is affected by Vata, Pitta, Kapha a spike will be present.^[9]

Nadi Gati of Ojas, Tejas, Prana: At 4^th level we predict Ojas, Tejas, and Prana. Ojas may relate protein and globulin, which are necessary to maintain immunity. Tejas can be related to hormones and amino acid. Prana is continuous flow of communication between any two cells of body. Ojas, Tejas, Prana spike is found in ring, middle and index finger at 4^th level.^[9]

Nadi Gati In Different Conditions Of Diseases^[7]

In Vataja Diseases In Pittaja Diseases In Kaphaja Diseases	Very Irregular Very Fast Very Slow

Nadi Gati for Bad Prognosis: Tremulous and thready pulse felt intermittently. Thin & tortous pulse is felt either two superficial or deep. Pulse is felt sometimes fast, slow, thin, large, bulky, missing indicate, bad prognosis. If pulse beat intermittently resembling rhythm of a woodpecker pecking on wood.^[7]

Nadi Gati in Sannipattaj Disease: If suffering from disease having all three Dosh fast pulse change over to cold, weak, slow pulse next day. Pulse is very slow or very tortuous or agitated or stopping intermittently or proximal to its normal site. If pulse keep on changing its character from Pitta to Vata to Kapha in a cyclical order.^[4,7]

Arishta Lakshana of Nadi Gati for prognosis^[12,13]: Feeling of pulse is an art. One should be aware while, doing this. Ayurveda is a subjective as well as objective science.

Nadi also uses for prognosis as well. In many Ayurvedic text it is described.

Pulse	Time of Death
Not felt usual place felt at a distance of two finger proximal to its normal site.	Death within one & half hour.
Pulse 2½ finger proximal to it normal site cold, fast.	Death within 3 hours.
Pulse is felt at a point 3 finger‘s proximal to wrist joint.	Death after 3 hours.
Pulse not felt at usual place and middle finger gets thread like impulse.	Death within four and half hours.
Pulse is hardly palpable by any of 3 palpating finger.	Death within six hours.
Pulse is thready tortous and felt only by middle finger.	Death with 15 hours.
Very weak hardly felt.	Death after 15 hours.
Hardly felt 11/4 proximal to normal site.	Death within 18 hours.
Felt 2 fingers proximal to its normal site and tortuous.	Death within 21 hours.
Felt one finger proximal to its normal site. Became slower. Difficult to find & feel. Vibration of pulse felt by index finger resemble like Damaru.	Death within 24 hours.
Cold pulse is felt one finger proximal to its normal site.	Death within 27 hours.
Slightly warm pulse, felt a quarter finger proximal to its normal site.	Death within 33 hours.
Pulse becoming slowly cooler. Quarter finger proximal to its normal site. Sometimes well felt, sometimes felt, sometimes not felt.	Death within 36 hours.
Cold pulse is felt half a finger proximal to its normal site.	Death within 39 hours.
Half a finger proximal to its normal site.	Death within 45 hours.
Felt a quarter finger proximal top its normal site. Fast irregular, stop for while sudden stop and not felt but reappear.	Death within 48 hours.
Felt half java proximal to its normal site, thready slow, not felt in index, cold in middle very weak in ring.	Death within 3 days.
Pulse is hot & fast. Very thin & weak pulse felt in index finger.	Death within 4 days.
Pulse become gradually slow & weak.	Death within 5 days.
Sometime fast & sometimes slow.	Death within 5-7 days.
Pulse is hot & fast.	Death within 15 days.
Pulse resemble like serpent or earthworm is very weak.	Death within a month.

Ciranjivitabodhini Nadi Gati^[14]

Life span of 105 year - If pulsation of left brachial artery is well felt over considerable length.

Life span of 105 year & six month - Pulsation of superficial temporal artery is well felt over near ear.

Asadhya Nadi Gati

1. Very irregular.

2. All arteries pulsate abnormally pulsation gradually becoming weaker, thinner and finally still. Displacement of Nadi from its own place and moves slowly and slowly, this indicates, patient’s poor prognosis and patient will die.

3. Feeble and cold pulsation definitely kills the patient.

4. When Nadi firstly pulsates like Pittajagati, afterwards it becomes like Vatagati then converting to Kaphagati and moves like Chakra (wheel), sometimes it is rapid and sometimes Mand (slow), such Nadi should be considered as Asadhya Nadi. The Nadi which resembles Damaru (a musical instrument), which is strong at opening and ending but in between which is very slow, is a Mrityu Suchaka Nadi.^[15,16]

Discussion

As Yogaratnakar said- “Pulse denotes Vata Pitta Kapha their dual and triple disorder as well as express prognosis the disease.” Through Nadi Prakisha we can understand Dosh status in our body as well as prognosis also which help to physician to decide treatment plan. Physician can detect mild symptom through pulse even in early stage through Nadi Vigyana. Nadi by disclosing which organ tissue and Dosh is involved, reveal which stage of pathogenesis has been occurred. Specific disorder of Dosh, Dhatus may be diagnosed by Nadi.

There are many lectures about Nadi is present in different text, but it turns our attention to this traditional method to evalute this science in various disease, revalidate the use it as main diagnostic tool. Thousand year ago, in absent of laboratory method equipment, they use Nadi as main diagnostic tool. So now we have an all-modern facilities we can redeveloped this method on modern era.

Conclusion

Ashatasthana Pariksha is an important tool to assess Rog and Rogi Bala. On basis of above study we can say that Nadi Pariksha is an important tool of diagnosis of disease in early stage as well as it also give prediction about disease prognosis.

Reference

1. Kumar giri venkata p.,Nagendra R.H. Traditional practices and recent advances in Nadi Pariksha: A Comprehensive review, Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine ,Volume 10,Issue 4, october-december 2019,pages 308-315,https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaim.2017.10.007.

2. SSB M Yoga ratnakara (2nd ed.). vol. I ,chowkhamba sanskrit Series Office,varanasi 2011.

3. Shastri Laxmipati “Yogratnakar” purvardh Nadi Pariksha choukhambha prakashan Varanasi 1997.

4. Dr. Indradev Tripathi “Nadi Vigyanam by Kanad’’ Choukhambha Oriyentaliya Varanasi. Rangachararya V. Basavarajeeyam CCRAS, New Delhi 2007.

5. Dr. Savadeva Upadhyaya, Nadi Vigyana, reprint Chaukhamba Sanskrit Pratisthan Delhi, 2009; 55.

6. Tripathi Indradev dr. “Nadi Pariksha Ravan Krit” Choukhambha oriyentiya Varanasi 1982.

7. Raghunath prashad sharma, Nadi gyan tarangini.

8. L.Vasant Datattray, “Secret of pulse” Motilal Banarsidas publisher ,New Delhi 2007.

9. Charak Samhita by Bramha Nandan Tripathi Choukhambha subharti Prakashan Varanasi reprint edition 2007.

10. Soni Savitri Dr “Clinical importance of Nadi Pariksha (Pulse examination) : An Ayurvedic Diagnostic Method” world journal of pharmaceutical and medical research 2020 ,6 (5)150-154. https://www.wjpmr.com.

11. Pt. Jeevanchandra , “Nadigyandarpan Budharbhatt krit” Chaukhamba Sanskrit Pratishthaan New Delhi 1997.

12. Govindprashad Upadhaya “Nadipariksha Ravan krit” Chaukhamba Krishnadas academy, Varanasi 2003.

13. Datt raman krit Nadidarpan Lakshmi venkateswaran publication Mumbai 1819.

14. Dr. Shailaja Shrivastava, Sharangadhara Samhita Varanasi Chaukhamba Orientalia, Pratham Khanda, edition, 2013.

15. Dr.V.B.Athavale, “pulse” Chaukhamba Sanskrit pratishthaan Delhi, 2000.

Manuscript Received	Review Round 1	Review Round 2	Review Round 3	Accepted
2022-03-01	2022-03-02	2022-03-09	2022-03-16	2022-03-23
Conflict of Interest	Funding	Ethical Approval	Plagiarism X-checker	Note
Nil	Nil	Yes	16%

Review Article

Nadi Pariksha

Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences