Nadis : Energy channels and transmitters

Swami Maheshwarananda Puri explains to R.C. Ganjoo some of the finest and sensitive facets of yoga which help individuals to explore the path of "Light" within and beyond.

Swami Maheshwarananda Puri NADIS are energy channels through which PRANA--divine energy of life and c o n s c i o u s n e s s - - streams . Within the human body there is a subtle and perfect network of 72,000 Nadis that distribute this life force throughout the whole body. On the physical level the Nadis correspond to the nervous system, but their influence extends beyond to the nervous system, to the astral and spiritual planes of our existence.
If all the Nadis are functioning correctly then we are healthy and generally feel happy. But nearly every one of us suffers from some physical or psychic problem , which means that some of the Nadis are not working properly and need to be balanced.
PRANA is conscious energy , which means that the Nadis also transmit consciousness. By means of the Nadis one can see and hear things at a great distance and move on other levels of consciousness. There are numerous reports from people who were clinically dead and then came back to life again. They invariably described how they travelled along a tunnel with light radiating at the end. This tunnel is the Nadi through which life escapes from the body.
We can also have such "tunnel experiences" in dreams and on astral journeys. With these we are not really outside the body but in an altered state of consciousness . The Nadis make it possible for us to take mental journey of discovery throughout the entire Universe. With their help our consciousness is able to go to any place we would like without the body having to move at all.
The Nadis are of special importance - IDA, PINGALA and SUSHUMNA.
IDA arises in the left side of the body and represents the moon principle.
PINGALA begins on the right side of the body and symbolise the sun principle.
SUSHUMNA runs through the central channel of the spinal cord and represents the consciousness.
On the physical level has its counterpart in the Sympathetic Nervous System, IDA in the Parasympathetic Nervous System, and SUSHUMNA in the Central Nervous System.
The moon symbolises the mind with its changeable feelings. whereas the Sun represents the intellect. Just as our emotions and thoughts change constantly, the moon is also constantly changing its form. The intellect, however, is a stable and constant principle like the Sun. Only when harmony and balance prevail between the moon and sun systems are we healthy and capable of developing mentally and spiritually.

We are able to activate and harmonise the Nadis through the health. When we breathe through the left nostril in Pranayama we activate the Ida Nadi. The Ida Nadi cools, quietens and refreshes body and mind like silvery light of the moon. However, the Pingala Nadis which is influenced by breathing through the right nostril, has a warming and activating influence , in the same way as sunshine warms the earth and stimulates the growth of vegetation.
Ida and Pingala begin in the brain at appropriately the level of the Pituitary Gland . Ida has an effect on the right side of the brain whilst Pingla influences the left hemisphere. The left side of the brain enables rational, abstract and logical thinking. The right side relates to emotions and feelings as well as institution and creativity ).
To maintain balance both Nadis run in a snake -like course from one side of the body to the other. At the points where they cross they also meet with the central Nadis, Sushumna. At those places where the power and radiance of the sun and moon meet, together with the strengthening effect of the Sushumna, very powerful energy centres called CHAKRAS form.
The first crossing of the Nadis at the top of the spinal column forms the Throat Chakra ( Vishuddhi Chakra) and the last crossing at the base of the spinal column forms the Root Centre (Muladhara Chakra). Here the Ida Nadi flows on the left side of the body and the Pingla Nadi on the right side, and it is precisely here that our dormant consciousness lies hidden in what we call "Kundalini", meaning serpent power, because of the way in which the Nadis proceed in a serpentine way, resembling the movement of a snake.
At several places along the spinal column the Nadis form a type of knot (GRANTHI) , each of which constitutes a key point in our spiritual development . When these knots are "untied" the energy located within them is activated and the hidden powers (SIDDHIS) are given to us as healing powers , the seeing of past and future , the seeing of auras , and other supernatural abilities.
Other terms of Ida, Pingala and Sushumna are GANGA, YAMUNA and SARASVATI. These are the names of the three holiest rivers in India. Ganga and Yamuna flow on the surface but Sarasvati flows underground. It rises to the surface only once every twelve years. This event happens in conjunction with a particular planetary constellation and is known as the KUMBHA MELA. This great spiritual festival of India held at the confluence of these three rivers Sangam) is attended by millions of people who come to attain liberation from their Karmas and the cycle of rebirth by bathing in the sacred waters. But for the Yogi the three main Nadis are the "divine rivers" and the Agya Chakra ( the eyebrow centre). Where these Nadis meet is the holy place of pilgrimage where the Yogi attains liberation. Just as the mysterious river, Sarasvati, only rarely appears, the Sushumna Nadi is only active for certain short periods of time ( for example , at dawn and dusk). When the three main Nadis unite only one stream of consciousness flows -the spiritual energy of the Sushumna Nadi . The energy also flows through this Nadi in deep meditation and in Samadhi . For as long as the Sushumna is inactive we are plagued by constantly changing CHITTAVRITTIS Chitta = consciousness, Vrittis= state, activity, pre-occupition) thoughts, emotions, worries ,etc. But once the Susumna begins to flow the waves of the mind come to rest and we "bathe" in the bliss of divine consciousness.

His Holiness Vishwaguru Mahamandaleshwar Paramhans Sri Swami Maheshwarananda Puri of Panchayati Maha Nirvani Akhara is the disciple and successor of Hindu Dharmsamrat Paramhans Sri Swami Madhavananda. Since 1970 he has been living and working in Europe. Through his long lasting activities in the West, Swamiji has become familiar with the way of life and the problems people face in the modern world. Swami Ji can be contacted at : swamiji@vienna.at