The Nadis
The Nadis
The three main nadis are Ida, Pingala and Sushumna.
"Nadi" in Sanskrit means "astral energy pathway". The three main nadis are Ida, Pingala and Sushumna.
What is a nadi?
The duality of etheric anatomy is also reflected in the nadis. "Nadi" means "astral energy path" in Sanskrit. The nadis form a network of 72,000 (circulatory) circuits. These carry subtle electrical currents through the apranic body to every part of the physical body, ensuring that the cells are healthy and vibrant. This network is in harmony with the system of meridians and is connected to the nervous system.
The three main nadis are the Ida, the Pingala and the Sushumna.
Ida carries feminine energy up the left side of the spine, while
Pingala carries masculine energy down the right side of the spine.
These nadis are connected to each energy center along the spine.
Ida and Pingala are represented by the two intertwined serpents of the caduceus. The two channels begin in the perineum (between the anus and the genitals) and meet again at a point below the nose.
The Sushumna, the central channel, follows the line of the spine (canal centralis) and carries the Kundalini. Prana can only flow into the Sushumna and upward, that is, when the male and female energies are completely balanced with each other. This upward flow of prana is otherwise understood as the Kundalini rising.
The Kundalini, coiled in the Root Chakra, is a 'sleeping' serpent.
Ida is activated by the left nostril.
The negative charge in the air inhaled here passes through the cilia lining the inside of the nose into the prana. This is the feminine or lunar energy. If you breathe only through Ida, it
brings into effect a receptive, calm atmosphere, a soft but dynamic, passionate energy. Ida stimulates the astral (emotional) body.
This is the earth energy that
controls the functioning of the lower half of the body, the back (rear part) and the left side of the body.
The Pingala is activated by the right nostril.
The cilia inside this part of the nose emit positive energy called masculine.
If we breathe only through the Pingala, our thoughts will be clear and bright.
It stimulates the abstract mental body.
This is the energy of the sun, which brings warmth and light.
It governs the upper, front part of the body and our right side.
Those who breathe through their mouths do not get access to the negative/positive pranic energy and become lethargic and sickly.
The Sushumna is the nadi that runs through the central, hollow part of the spinal column, the channel that carries the cerebrospinal fluid (liquor).
It begins in the collecting basin of the spinal fluid, at the 1st-2nd lumbar vertebrae, and ascends to the medulla oblongata, from where it passes through the spiritual bridge to the center (middle part) of the skull (the cave of Brahma), and
finally exits at the crown chakra.
The Sushumna is activated when both Ida and Pingala are open. You must learn to charge this fluid with positive and negative energy from your right and left nostrils
as you inhale simultaneously through Ida and Pingala.
This charged fluid then rises up the spine and activates the energy centers (chakras).
When it reaches the brain, it awakens the sleeping brain cells. As the neurons are firing for the first time, you will feel waves of expansion.
It feels like a cap is being put around your head. When the energy pushes into the Sushumna, the complete bliss, the Samarasah, will take hold of you.
If you apply an advanced method at this moment, the consciousness, crossing the Gate of Brahma, flies up into cosmic space.
The Pingala is red, Ida is black, Sussumna is white.