8/6/2017 Nadi Pariksha - Ayurveda Amrutanam

Ayurveda4U

Ayurveda Amrutanam (/) (http://facebook.com/rajshrotriya)

(http://twitter.com/rajeshshrotriya)
(http://linkedin.com/in/rajeshshrotriya)
(mailto:[email protected])

Home (/)
Nadi Pariksha - Pulse Diagnosis
Ayurveda 4 U-Know It
(/ayurveda-4-u-know- To understand the
it.html)
concepts of nadipariksha, we should first
Nadi Pariksha (/nadi- understand the concept of strotsa sirs,
pariksha.html)
dhamani and nadi. We genersally relate all
Yoga (/yoga.html) these as the channels of the body wihich
aree assigned a job of carrying substances
Meditation within the body. It is well admired fact
(/meditation.html)
that Maharishi Sushurut manage to trace
Mudra : Science Of even minute-minute channels present in
Postures (/mudra--
science-of-postures.html)
the body even when they were very
difficult to be traced with naked eyes. He
Astrology & Ayurveda was able to recognize the ever pore in it.
(/astrology--
ayurveda.html) It was calculated that there were about
700 siras, two hundreds dhamanees,
ARTICLES to read which could be easily enumerated but
(/articles-to-read.html)
when the minute siras and dhamanees were counted with there tributaries and
Photo Gallery-Herbs branches, there number was estimated to be the same as the number of hair
(/photo-gallery-
herbs.html) follicles which was distributed thoughout the body. Approximately their number
was calculated at two lakh ninety thousand five hundred and fifty six.
Contact (/contact.html) The study of nadi however was specialized technique which was perfected by yogis.
They classifed the big nerves as two and the smaller branches as seventy two
(/page.html)
thousand. A yoga text mentions fourteen nadis with there functions which are as
Map (/map.html)
follows.
Susuhmana this nadi runs up in spine till the brahmarandra.
Pingla this nadi runs upon the right of sushmna and ends in right nostril
Ida it runs upon the left sushmna and ends in the left nostril
Hastijiva it runs down in the left and ends in the big toe.
Yasasvini the trunk in the leg ends in the right big toe.
Kuhu the nadi that has its sphere of influence terminating in the vagina
Alambusha it terminates at the end of the anus
Gandhara it ends in the left eye.
Pusha it ends in the right eye.
Sankhini it terminates in the left ear.
Payavaini it terminates in the right ear
Sarasvati it terminates in the tongue
Viswodara it terminates in the face
Varuna it has its influence spreading through out the body.
Except these 14 nadis there is also mentioning of five
afferent sensory nerves which carry impulse from the periphery to the centre.
These are
Sabda (hearing) Sparsha(touching) Roop (vision) Rasa (taste) Gandh (smell)
There is also mention of five efferent or motor nerves,
which start from the centre and discharge impulses at the periphery. These are
Vak (speech) Pani (reception by hand) Pada (locomotion by legs) Payu
(excretion) Upastha (procreation)
It is very important to understand the full implication of
nadi parksha. It is not just to study the venous pulsation in the wrist. Nadi science
is the sceience of the nadi or nerves, which includes the study fo life processes that
are responsible for living and existence of man. Nadi is said to be jiva sakshi, the
evidence of life.
Nadi gets influenced by various affects that influence the
physiology of the body , especially the three doshas. i.e. Vata, Pitta and Kapha.
The dhamani or the nadi mentioned here simply refers to radial artery. Its gati-
motion does not merely indicate the rate or the rhythm of the pulse, the size and
condition of the arterial wall or the volume of blood that flows through the artery or
the force with which the blood flows. The gati or the motion of this nadi also
indicates the imbalance of the three doshas ie. vata,pitta and kapha
The nadi investigation is chiefly performed to ascertain
the imbalance of dosha or doshas. The extent of derangement can also be known
by this methodology. The pulse is recogniszed to be jiva sakshi. The prognosis of a
physician at very critical moments when death is threatening, depends upon his
accurate study of pulse and all the capacity of the physician should then be at his
command. The knowledge of pulse investigation embraces in itself a vast science.

http://ayurveda4all.weebly.com/nadi-pariksha.html 1/5
8/6/2017 Nadi Pariksha - Ayurveda Amrutanam
It is partly based on the physical examination of the artery on the concentration of
the mind that the physician can bring to bear at the moment of examination. It is
not the counting of the pulse rate, The whole concept of examining the pulse is still
faraway the reach of modern system. To be expert in nadi pariksha one should
have a good yogic powers like concentration of mind and bringing our mind nearer
to the sould to acheve a ideal condition etc. hence to achieve a infinite forces which
modern science has yet to explore.

Vata, Pitta and Kapha pulses To understand the nadi examination one should
consider the three parameters on which it is based.
1. Size or volume of the pulse.

2. Number or rapidity of the pulse

3. Rhythm or regularity of the pulse.

The size and volume denotes the condition of the blood vessel wall.

Number and rhythm denotes the condition and working of the heart. The size depends

upon the state of kapha predominance, the rapidity upon the state of pitta predomination

and the regularity on the vata condition. This is the basic idea of the basic influences of

vata, pitta and kapha on the vessels. But now it has to be examined in the greater details.

In a nut shell we have to classify all our observation under these three doshas. In order to

make easier to understand this concept, the three main divisions in the gati (movement)

of the pulse, they gave illustration of the gati or gait of various animals, birds and reptiles

which are commonly seen around.

Size: 1. The volume of food material that are absorbed into the blood stream and that

again depend upon the condition of lymphatic system. This is mainly due to influence of

kapha dosha which its generating seat in the area of the amashya (stomach) and
digestive organs

2. The number or rapidity indicates the condition of vascular or the circulatory system.
This is because of the influence of pitta dosha or the heat mechanism ad determined by

the metabolism.
3. The rhythm of regularity indicates the general condition of the nervous system
or the vasomotor control of the body as a whole and this is mainly due to the
influence of vata or the nervous mechanism or vital power.
Having a concept of these fundamental influences, it is necessary to give a
concern to other details like kaal i.e. time (morning, midday, evening or midnight
and cold and warm seasons), aahar i.e. food (light or heavy), roga i.e. disease and
internal or external changes that takes place in the human body and its
environments.
Gait: The movements of the nadi are compared to those of various birds and
reptiles as mentioned by various rishis. As an example, in aggravated vata the
pulse movements would be competitive to be like the gait of leech or a serpent, in
pitta aggression it will be like gait of a sparrow i.e. jumping in nature and in kapha
aggression, gait will be like that of swan. Following is the detailed mentioning:
Vata pulse It is world wide accepted that the movement of vata pulse resembles
the gait similar to that of a leech or serpent. The points to be studied here are the
creeping and crooked movements of the serpent and the wavy movements of the
leech. Vata rakta or crookedness is the chief characteristic of vata predominance
which is beautifully illustrated by movements of snake. A stringy thinness of a
serpent running very fast is also one of the characteristics of vata pulse. When
studying the vata pulse, we must keep in mind the missing character of the beats
which resembles the movements of leech which stops for a time and then moves
again, halting and moving at its pleasure.
Pitta pulse It is known that the gait of pitta resembles the movement of a
sparrow, crow or a frog. One must be attentive to note the quickness of the
movements of the sparrow, the hopping movements of the crow and the jumping
movements of the frog. While studying the pitta pulse one should always count the
pulse rate, which is an indication of the rapidity of the heart beats and of the
metabolism.
Kapha pulse It is accepted by many people that the movement of kapha pulse
have resemblance to the movement of a swan or the elephant or pigeon. The
points to note here are the steadiness of the gait of the swan, the bigger the size
as indicated by heavy and steady movements of the elephant and the gentleness of
the movements of the pigeon.
It should always be kept in mind, while studying pulse an idea of the
fullness of the artery and of the volume of the fluid that is passing through the
system at any moment. This is again determined by the condition of the lymphatic
system or the watery constituents in the patients body.
The above mentioned information just gives a brief idea of
diagnosis through pulse investigation. These are the basic information in obtaining

http://ayurveda4all.weebly.com/nadi-pariksha.html 2/5
8/6/2017 Nadi Pariksha - Ayurveda Amrutanam
the general idea regarding this science. It is like imagining the whole events that
can happen due to the discrepancies found in the pulse. Here the involvement of
yogic powers like concentration comes into play as lots of eternal power is needed
to imagine various conditions and situations. For this purpose one usually closes hi
eyes for a moment. While examining the pulse and concentrate his whole attention
on the study of the whole man and the disease he might suffer from. This stage is
the stage of no contact with the surrounding. This is the Samadhi, which I said
the physician shall enter into while studying the pulse. A physician who is steadfast
in mind i.e. with his whole attention fixed on pure changeless consciousness (sthir
chitt). The person is free from all the felling such as desire and hate and is peaceful
in mind. Person must have perfect sense of judgment. A pulse expert should touch
the pulse at the wrist in right hand of the patient with the tips of his fingers and
learn for himself all about the condition of the patient. One must think over the
adjectives used to describe the mental state when a physician is studying the pulse
of a patient in the calmest way.

Examine the patient as a whole

A physician must be awared about the physical condition of the
patient and must be very attentive to note the general conduct and habits of the
patient, facial expression, the reaction toward the climatic conditions, appetite,
strength, nature of sleep, breathing pattern history of ailments, all these facts
should also be discussed by the patient so as to confirm the diagnosis made
through pulse.

Pulse indicating death

You may call it an assert or trouble inviting factor but by
observing nadi or the pulse, there have been mentioned certain criteria in
ayurvedic texts, that can help in judging the death of patient in near future. But it
is a very controversial task to declare a persons death in near future. This can lead
to a damaged reputation of the physician if his said words are not being able to
come to the truth. Ayurveda has mentioned certain methods by which a death of a
person can be forecasted but it requires lots and lots of clinical practice and a great
observational power so as to reach the stage of much accuracy if not the certainty.
There have been mentioned various methods in indriye sthan (a complete set of 12
chapters in charak samhita) which deals with the Arishata Lakhsnam (signs and
symptoms which helps in forecasting the death). Take an example, a careful
observer should easily recognize impending death by slow and yet dangerous pulse
of uremia or by the stringy, crooked and quick pulse of septicemia or the halting
distorted a collapsing patient, with his nose immensely cold, his eyes fixed without
winking and his pulse displaced from original position. This pulse confirmation is
known as mrityu nadi (death pulse).

Combination of Pulse Vata pitta pulse

Not only imbalance in the doshas individually, but also the
imbalance of the various degrees of each dosha and their combinations have to be
studied through the pulse. A combination of vata and pitta is indicated by frequent
association with the movement of snake and frog with the feel of pulse. The nadi or
pulse in many cases of blood pressure may be classified as vata pitta pulse.
Vata kapha pulse A combination of vata and kapha (also known as shleshma)
presents pulse which has movements like that of a snake and a peacock. In a
patient having swelling or edema combined with the weak action of aortic
imbalance, as directed by the water hammer pulse, it may be said to be introduced
in vata kapha pulse. There is a peculiar fullness in the artery combined with easy
compression.
Pitta kapha pulse The combined effect of vata and kapha pulse is denoted by
jumping gait of a frog or toad and the alternative slow and steady gait of the
peacock. In such a pulse we can include certain conditions of hypertension. This
situation arises due to im balance in pitta and kapha dosha. The pulse in
hypertensive patient can not be said to be belonging to certain particular dosha
pulse. But it may be said that it has maximum involvement of vata and pitta. The
pulse should in each case be studied very critically and the conclusion may depend
upon the degree of vitiation of vata and pitta dosha. One case of hypertension may
indicate more of vata and the pulse is thready and wavy without much jumping and
yet the blood pressure reading is very high. In other care presentation the jumping
may be more prominent. This is explained by the disturbance of the vaso motor
system and the metabolic system which may be affected in different degrees.
Vata pitta kapha pulse or sannipaata nadi This type of pulse categorizes in the
patient in which all the three dosha are imbalanced. This is demonstrated by the
alternative slow, intermitted, wickedness and indecisiveness movements. The
pulsatile mode of the artery shows pulsation at one time and at the other time it
disappears and then again appears. It is inconsistent and faint. The pulsation is
sometimes felt in the arm or it may be only just detectable to the touch of the
examining fingers. Different rishis have mentioned different views but

http://ayurveda4all.weebly.com/nadi-pariksha.html 3/5
8/6/2017 Nadi Pariksha - Ayurveda Amrutanam
sharanghdhar describes the movement of sannipaata pulse as similar to the gait of
laavaka and titthiri birds because the birds flutter rapidly for some time and on a
sudden, they stop their movements altogether, to repeat their quick movements
once again.
Another rishi has compared the movement of sannipaata pulse
with that of a mouse that has the tendency to run here and there, forwards and
backwards. A movement of mouse is sometimes rapid and some time it is not
moving.
Some authors and rishis have describes the sannipaata pulse as full
and steady. This is due to the fact that in some cases of typhoid fever which are of
the sannipaata type all the doshas i.e. vata, pitta and kapha are eventually excited
and the pulse is full and fairly slow. The pulse is full due to kapha dosha, the
jumping movement is due to the pitta presence and vata is pretty normal.
One thing can be said that vata vitiation is the most dangerous of all
the situations. If it is in excess it leads to convulsions and fits and a person even
can collapse. Vata is the king that leads the other two doshas i.e. pitta and kapha,
either for good or bad purpose.

Usage of left hand in females

It has been a frequently asked question, that weather to investigate
a woman's pulse on her left hand. The answer of it has been given in a
famous ayurvedic text known as yoga ratnakar.
Many explanations have been given in this regard. It is world wide
accepted fact that pulse may vary in both hands of a same individual. It has been
mentioned in ayurvedic texts that the nadi chakra (nerve plexus) differs in males
and females. The chakra or the plexuses which lies at the level of nabhi
(umbilicus), known as kurma chakra is said to influence the nadi or the pulse of an
individual. It is said that this kurma chakra is faced upwards in women and
downwards in men. Hence here makes the difference in the pulse pattern in either
of the sexes. Yoga ratnakar text has given three reasons.
These are:-
1. Saastraa (science)
2. Sampradaaya (tradition)
3. personal experience
If by courtesy this has been traditionally adopted by us, there is
no reason for disobeying the rules set by our ancestors. More over it has been the
practice for generations to test the pulse in the right hand for a man and left hand
for a woman. There is also no reason to condemn people who do not obey the rule
as it is just for courtesy sake.

Usage of three fingers in examining the pulse

It is been discussed earlier also that mind is very notorious and
easily fitters here and there and easily changes in fraction of seconds. It is also the
fact that mind can pay attention to one subject at one time. Mind plays a very
important role in pulse investigation as we have to control its notoriousness. This
nature of mind causes great difficulty in assessing the three dosha i.e. vata, pitta
and kapha with one finger. It has been observed that it becomes much easier to
evaluate a pulse of a person with three fingers than by one. It has been now
converted into a rule that vata is established by the tip of the index finger of right-
hand, placed on the radial artery next to the root of the thumb of the right hand of
the pateint and that pitta pulse should be studied by the touch of the tip of middle
finger placed next to it and that the kapha pulse by touch of the tip of the ring
finger placed to the middle finger on the artery.

Best time for examining the pulse

It is clearly mentioned by all the rishis and ayurvedic practitioners
that the pulsation of pulse varies from time to time and day to day. Kapha pulse is
predomninat in morning time, pitta dosha is predominant during mid day and the
vata pulse can be observed in late afternoon and evening. Modern sciences have
not yet been able to explain the phenomenon of variation of pulse during different
times. Ayurvedic science explains the phenomenon related to the planetary action
and the effect of moon and sun that has a major control over the changing of
rythmicity of the pulse.

Time required for pulse examination

The minimum time mentioned for pulse examination is said to be 30
beats. A beginner who is learning and observing this sign must take his full time in
observing the pulse before speaking any thing in front of the patient. In contrast to
it a well practiced ayurvedic practitioner may take a very short time in coming and
reaching to the diagnosis. In this manner 3 counts have to be taken, leaving the
hand completely at ease before a second examination is under taken. The time
taken for testing the pulse can not be restricted in a rule as it depends upon many

http://ayurveda4all.weebly.com/nadi-pariksha.html 4/5
 8/6/2017 Nadi Pariksha - Ayurveda Amrutanam
conditions like tact and skill of the physician.

Method of examining the pulse

The hand of the patient should be free and slightly flexed at the
forearm, so that the left hand of the physician, the 3 fingers of the right hand,
namely the index finger, the middle finger and the ring finger of the physician
gently touch the skin over the radial artery. The index finger is comfortably placed
nearest the thumb and the other two fingers are placed next to it. The hand of the
thumb should not be extended too far nor too much fixed. Above all, it is important
that the patient should not be unconvinced for this purpose

Variation of Pulse
It should be remembered that the pulse has the tendency to change
its pulsation activities which is precipitated by following factors mentioned below:-
1. Shudha (hunger)
2. Pipasa (thirst)
3. Nidra (sleep)
4. Guru aahar (heavy meals)

5. Ratri bhraman (waking in night)

6. Comfortable lifestyle
7. Sitting and standing postures
8. Bhraman (walking)
9. physical activities

10. Exposure to sun

11. Mental conditions such as sexual excitement,
12. Time like morning , mid day and evening,
13. Seasons like grisham ritu (summers) etc

14. Other environments and habits to which a human being is subjected.

This can be demonstrated in an example like pitta is aggravated
in case of anger, greed etc. Vata pulse is prominent in sorrow and fear and kapha
pulse is present when a person is in comforts, happy and in joyous mood.

<a href="http://www.listmywebsite.net (http://www.listmywebsite.net)"

title="ListMyWebsite.Net - Free Web Directory">List My
Website</a>

Ayurveda-The Science Of Life POWERED BY

TE A FREE WEBSITE

http://ayurveda4all.weebly.com/nadi-pariksha.html 5/5