Conceptual study of Shatkarma for Prevention of Disease

Deepika Das; Sasmita Tripathy; Jagadish Mishra

Conceptual study of Shatkarma for Prevention of Disease

Das D.^1*, Tripathy S.², Mishra J.³

DOI:

^1* Deepika Das, Post Graduate Scholar, Department of Swasthavritta and Yoga, Shri Narayan Prasad Awasthi Government Ayurved College, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India.

² Sasmita Tripathy, Reader, Department of Swasthavritta and Yoga, Shri Narayan Prasad Awasthi Government Ayurved College, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India.

³ Jagadish Mishra, Reader, Department of Swasthavritta and Yoga, Shri Narayan Prasad Awasthi Government Ayurved College, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India.

The Yoga recommended various preventive methods, like as Shatkarma, in addition to emphasizing curative techniques to health care. In order to make progress along the spiritual path that is safe and fruitful, it helps to cleanse the body of pollutants. In this essay, we've tried to shed some light on how Shatkarma can be used in our regular practice. Shatkarma can be practiced for a better quality of life not only by those who are ill but also by those who are in good health. It is essential for both the treatment and prevention of many disorders. The three humors or Doshas in the body - Kapha (mucus), Pitta (bile), and Vata (wind) are balanced by the Shatkarma (wind). Regular Shatkarma practice aids in the body's purification. People who are overweight or have extra Shlesma and Medas should engage in Shatkarma. The goal of such cleansing procedures, according to yogic science, is to make the body pure so that it can support higher forms of practice like Asana, Pranayama, and meditation.

Keywords: Shatkarma, Yoga, purification practices

Corresponding Author	How to Cite this Article	To Browse
Deepika Das, Post Graduate Scholar, Department of Swasthavritta and Yoga, Shri Narayan Prasad Awasthi Government Ayurved College, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India. Email:	Deepika Das, Sasmita Tripathy, Jagadish Mishra, Conceptual study of Shatkarma for Prevention of Disease. J Ayu Int Med Sci. 2023;8(1):81-84. Available From https://jaims.in/jaims/article/view/2224

Introduction

The Yoga Upanishads' description of Hatha Yoga describes Shatkarmas (Dhauti, Basti, Neti, Trataka, Nauli, Kapalbhati).^[1] Shatkarma means "six" and Karma means "action," and these purifying methods work together to assist one reach a healthy body and clear mind. The six Yogic Kriyas or purifying techniques are known as Shat-Karma (six actions). The Shatkarma are used to balance the three Doshas or humors in the body: Kapha (mucus), Pitta (bile), and Vata (wind). As Doshas are the fundamental concepts of Ayurveda, the end consequence of all of them is Dosha Saamyata. Shatkarma assists us in achieving our higher life goals. Regular Shatkarma practice helps the body become cleansed. People with excess Shlesma and Medas (fat) should practice Shatkarma.^[2]

The Hatha Yoga Pradipika is just one of the several ancient Yogic scriptures that discuss these purifying techniques. The Shatkarma Sangraha of Raghuvira, the Gherand Samhita, the Shiva Samhita, and numerous more texts.^[3]

The aim of Shatkarma is to create harmony between the two major Pranic flows, Ida and Pingala, thereby attaining physical and mental purification and balance.^[4]

These practices are also used before Pranayama and other higher Yoga practices in order to purify the body of toxins and to ensure safe and successful progression along the spiritual path.

Materials and Methods

This is literary study, for fulfilling the above aims, the literary resources were collected from Hath Yoga Pradipika, Gherand Samhita, Ayurvedic Physiotherapy and Yoga By Dr. K.Mehta and Dr. Raghunandan Sharma, The Essence of Yoga by Dr. Manglagowri V. Rao, A Comprehensive Guide To Swasthavritta by Dr. P. Sudhakar Reddy, Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha by Swami Satyananda Saraswati and related information from various research papers, journals, articles and internet.

Discussion

The six Shatkarma are as follows;

1. Neti: a process of cleansing and purifying the nasal passages. Practices included in this category are, Jala Neti and Sutra Neti.^[5]

Jala Neti (Nasal Cleansing with Water)

Method: A pinch of salt is combined with warm water. It is taken with a Netipot with nozzle. One should tilt their head to the opposite side to expel the water after inserting the nozzle in one nostril. Water automatically pours out of the other nostril.

Benefits: Jala Neti clears mucus and debris from the sinuses and nasal passages, allowing air to circulate freely.

Infections in the respiratory system are prevented and treated.
It promotes the preservation of healthy throat, eyes, and ears.

Sutra Neti (Cleansing Nose through a Thread)

Traditionally, a specially prepared cotton thread, sutra was used. the width was about 4mm and the length 36 to 45cm.^[6] Nowadays, we can practice this more conveniently performed by using a thin, rubber catheter lubricated with melted ghee, butter, edible oil or one’s own saliva, so that it slides easily through the nasal passage.

Method: Take a comfortable position, tilt your head back slightly, and gently enter the catheter's narrow end into your throat. Next, put your index and middle fingers into your mouth when the catheter reaches the back of your throat. Slowly remove the catheter through your mouth. On the first try, gently pull the catheter back and forth no more than 15 times, grasp each end with your fingers, remove it carefully through your nostril, and then repeat the operation with the other nostril.^[7]

Benefits: Sutra Neti can rectify the problem of deviated septum.

If nostrils are not flowing freely due to fleshy outgrowths, the regular friction of Sutra Neti causes these obstructions to disappear within a few months.

2. Dhouti (Washing up of the Digestive Tract)

Dhouti means to washout. This process is suggested for washing stomach, and intestines. There are 3 type of Dhoutis:^[8]

a. Jala Dhouti b) Vastra Dhouti c) Danda Dhouti

a. Jala Dhouti (Induced Vomiting)

Drink lukewarm saline water continuously till you feel like vomiting it out.

For better vomiting to be induced, stimulate vomiting by putting to index and middle finger of the right hand in the mouth and trickling at the back of the throat.
When all the saline water ingested has been smoothly vomited out, wash the mouth and face with clean water.^[9]

b. Vastra Dhouti: Slowly continuously, swallow a four finger wide and about fifteen meter long wet piece of soft cloth, with the near end of the cloth firmly caught in one hand.^[10]

If the cloth is found to stick up, drink some water.
Bring the cloth out slowly and gently.

Benefits: Digestion is improved

Hyperacidity of stomach is definitely reduced.
Beneficial in Asthma, eczema and other allergic disorders.
It is useful in Kasa, Swasa, Pleeha, Kustha, and all 20 types of Kaphaja Rogas.^[11]

c) Basti: The term Basti generally means colon flushing or colon cleansing.

Basti is of two types; one is Jala Basti and the other Sthala Basti or Suska Basti.^[12]

Apparatus: Enema pot with rubber tube.

Material: Plain water / warm water / soap water.

Method: The enema patient should lie on their left side with their upper leg up.

Insert the lubricated nozzle into the lying person's rectum.
After the enema pot has been completely emptied, slowly remove the tube's nozzle and check your intestines until all the water that has been introduced has come out.^[13]

Benefits:

Colon gets washed out.
It relieves constipation
Colonic gases are expelled out.
Chronic colitis is relieved.
It is also relieving diseases of spleen, Gulma and Udara.^[14]

4. Nauli: “Nau” means a boat and “Li” means to cling, Nauli is similar to a boat anchored

in a stormy sea. One should move the stomach and intestines from one side to other side. This process is called as Nauli.

Method: Being upright spread the legs one foot apart in Tadasana, bending the knees gently, and bending the forward.

Hands should be raised above the knees.
Chin should be positioned in Jalandhara Bandha, the notch between the two collarbones.
Pull the abdomen inside till it touches the spine while taking a deep breath in and a strong exhalation, followed by the Kumbhaka.
Maintain this stance by pushing the abdominal recti forward to the best of your ability.
Slowly inhale while letting the stomach relax.^[15]

Benefits: Cures all variety of disease and increase bodily fire.

5. Kapalabhati: Kapala means skull and Bhati means light or shine. In this Kriya inhalation is passive and exhalation is forceful.

According to Gheranda Samhita it is of three types, namely Vama Karma, Vyutkrama and Sitkrama.^[16]

a. Vama Karma: Inhale it through the left nostril and exhale through right nostril, then inhale through right nostril and exhale through left nostril. This is more famous an Anuloma Viloma. It destroys Kapha

b. Vyutkrama: Drink water through both the nostrils and expel it through mouth slowly. This process destroys cough disorders.

c. Sitkarma: Drink water through mouth and expel it through nostrils to get a beautiful body like that of Kama Deva. This prevents old age and disease. The body becomes healthy elastic and free from Kapha

According to Hathyoga Pradipika, Kapalbhati is of only one type. it is forceful inspiration and expiration as the black smith bellow, which dries up the Kapha.

Precaution: One should stop the process on experience of pain and dizziness.

Contraindication: Hearth disease, high blood pressure, vertigo, epilepsy, stroke, hernia, gastric ulcer.

Indication: Asthma, Bronchitis, Indigestion, Diabetes Mellitus.

6. Trataka: The word Trataka means “to look” or to “gaze” One should continuously look at some small object till eyes tear, this is called as Trataka.^[17] This techniques one can attain Sambhavi Siddhi very fast. It destroys all eye diseases and gives good vision.

Trataka is a classified into 2 types: Antaranga and Bahiranga.

Bahiranga is further divided into distant and near.

In distant Trataka one gazes sun, moon, stars, etc.

In near Trataka one gazes at the objects like candle, light, nose tip, red cloth, Bindu (point), line (Rekha), reflection, fire etc.

Indication: Vision problem, anxiety, tension, enhances memory power and concentration power.

Conclusion

An imbalance in the Doshas, according to Ayurveda and Hatha Yoga, will lead to sickness. The three humors or Doshas in the body, Kapha (mucus), Pitta (bile), and Vata (wind) are balanced through Shatkarma. The Yogic lifestyle may significantly contribute to the improvement of the health of our society, and Shatkarma has a great deal of promise in the prevention and management of lifestyle problems and diseases. It is crucial to receive personalized instruction on the best times and ways to do the Shatkarmas based on each person's unique needs and restrictions.

Reference

1. Pandit Hariharprasad Tripathy, Hathyoga Pradipika (Hindi Commentary) Choukhamba Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi 2010. 2/22 Page No. 41.

2. Pandit Hariharprasad Tripathy, Hathyoga Pradipika (Hindi Commentary) Choukhamba Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi 2010. 2/21 Page No. 41.

3. Anil K. Mehta, Dr.Raghunandan Sharma, Ayurvedic Physiotherapy & Yoga, Chaukhamba Sanskrit Pratishthan Delhi, First Edition 2010 Page No. 368.

4. Swami Satyananda Saraswati Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha,Yoga Publications Trust, Ganga Darshan, Munger, Bihar, India. Page No. 487.

5. Swami Satyananda Saraswati Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha,Yoga Publications Trust, Ganga Darshan, Munger, Bihar, India. Page No. 487.

6. Swami Satyananda Saraswati Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha,Yoga Publications Trust, Ganga Darshan, Munger, Bihar, India. Page No. 493.

7. Swami Satyananda Saraswati Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha,Yoga Publications Trust, Ganga Darshan, Munger, Bihar, India. Page No. 494.

8. P. Sudhakar Reddy, A Comprehensive Guide to Swasthavritta, S.S. Nagar Mysore – 570015, Karnataka, India Page no.315

9. P. Sudhakar Reddy, A Comprehensive Guide to Swasthavritta, S.S. Nagar Mysore – 570015, Karnataka, India Page no.315

10. Pandit Hariharprasad Tripathy, Hathyoga Pradipika (Hindi Commentary) Choukhamba Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi 2010. 2/24 Page No. 41.

11. Pandit Hariharprasad Tripathy, Hathyoga Pradipika (Hindi Commentary) Choukhamba Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi 2010. 2/22 Page No. 41.

12. P. Sudhakar Reddy, A Comprehensive Guide to Swasthavritta, S.S. Nagar Mysore – 570015, Karnataka, India Page no.316.

13. P. Sudhakar Reddy, A Comprehensive Guide to Swasthavritta, S.S. Nagar Mysore – 570015, Karnataka, India Page no.316.

14. Pandit Hariharprasad Tripathy, Hathyoga Pradipika (Hindi Commentary) Choukhamba Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi 2010. 2/27 Page No. 43.

15. Mangalagowri V.Rao, The Essence Of Yoga, Choukhamba Orientalia Varanasi 1st Edition 2011 , Page No.207.

16. Ganga Vishnu Shri Krishnadas, Gherand Samhita (Yogashastram), Chaukhamba Sanskrit Pustakalay, Banaras, 1986, 1/56 Page No. 16.

17. Ganga Vishnu Shri Krishnadas, Gherand Samhita (Yogashastram), Chaukhamba Sanskrit Pustakalay, Banaras, 1986, 1/54 Page No. 16.

Manuscript Received	Review Round 1	Review Round 2	Review Round 3	Accepted
2022-11-30	2022-12-02	2022-12-09	2022-12-16	2022-12-23
Conflict of Interest	Funding	Ethical Approval	Plagiarism X-checker	Note
Nil	Nil	Yes	19%

Review Article

Shatkarma

Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences