5.3 Concepts of Nadis, Prana, Chakras & Pranayama for Subjective Experiences
Key Takeaways
Hatha Yoga Pradipika recognizes 72,000 subtle Nadis (Shiva Samhita cites 350,000), among which Ida (left, lunar, cooling), Pingala (right, solar, heating), and Sushumna (central spinal channel enclosing Vajra, Chitrini, and Brahma Nadis) form the primary triad
Cosmic Prana differentiates in the body into Dasa-Vayus: Five Mahapranas (Prana, Apana, Samana, Udana, Vyana) and Five Upapranas (Naga, Kurma, Krikara, Devadatta, Dhananjaya)
The Six Chakras along Sushumna (Muladhara, Svadhisthana, Manipura, Anahata, Vishuddha, Ajna) plus Sahasrara govern specific elements, petals, and Bija mantras (Lam, Vam, Ram, Yam, Ham, Om)
According to HYP 2.12–13 and 2.19–20, Nadi Shuddhi manifests as bodily slenderness (Krishatva) and facial radiance (Kanti), while Pranayama progresses through three subjective stages: Adhama (perspiration/Sveda), Madhyama (tremor/Kampa), and Uttama (levitational lightness/Bhumityaga)
Concepts of Nadis, Prana, Chakras & Pranayama for Subjective Experiences
To understand how Hatha Yoga transforms human consciousness, an instructor must master its subtle energetic anatomy: the network of Nadis (pranic pathways), the ten functional differentiations of Prana (Dasa-Vayus), the seven Chakras (psychic-energetic centers), and the measurable subjective and objective signs generated when Pranayama purifies the subtle body.
1. Concept of Nadis (Subtle Pranic Channels)
Derived from the Sanskrit root Nad ("to flow, stream, or vibrate"), Nadis are subtle bio-energetic conduits within the Pranamaya Kosha through which Prana (vital force) and Chitta (conscious awareness) circulate. They are distinct from gross physical nerves, arteries, or veins, though they directly regulate neuroendocrine and autonomic function.
A. Total Number and Principal Nadis in Classical Texts
- 72,000 Nadis: Standard canonical count in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika (1.39, 3.5), Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, and Prapanchasara Tantra.
- 350,000 (3.5 Lakh) Nadis: Cited in the Shiva Samhita (2.13).
- The 10 to 14 Principal Nadis: Originating from the Kanda (an egg-shaped bulb located between the anus and the navel), 10 Nadis (expanded to 14 in Shiva Samhita and Varaha Upanishad) are principal, terminating at the major sensory and excretory orifices (Nava-dvara): 1. Ida (left nostril), 2. Pingala (right nostril), 3. Sushumna (Brahmarandhra / crown), 4. Gandhari (left eye), 5. Hastijihva (right eye), 6. Pusha (right ear), 7. Yashasvini (left ear), 8. Alambusha (mouth/alimentary canal), 9. Kuhu (reproductive organ), and 10. Shankhini (anus/excretory canal) — plus Sarasvati (tongue), Payasvini, Varuni, and Vishvodara.
B. The Central Triad: Ida, Pingala, and Sushumna
| Feature | Ida Nadi (Left Channel) | Pingala Nadi (Right Channel) | Sushumna Nadi (Central Channel) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pathway & Terminus | Left of spine -> Left Nostril | Right of spine -> Right Nostril | Center of Merudanda (spinal column) from Muladhara to Sahasrara |
| Cosmic & River Symbol | Chandra (Moon) & River Ganga | Surya (Sun) & River Yamuna | Agni (Fire) & River Sarasvati |
| Syllabic Bija & Vayu | Tha-kara, governed by Apana Vayu | Ha-kara, governed by Prana Vayu | Union of Ha-Tha (Prana-Apana) |
| Thermal & Gunic Quality | Cooling (Shita), pale/white, Sattva-Tamas, feminine/receptive | Heating (Ushna), red/golden, Rajas, masculine/dynamic | Neutral/Transcendent, luminous, beyond Dvandva |
| Physiological Correlate | Parasympathetic nervous system & right cerebral hemisphere (Chitta-shakti) | Sympathetic nervous system & left cerebral hemisphere (Prana-shakti) | Central Nervous System (CNS) & awakened spiritual consciousness |
In Hatha Yoga Pradipika (3.3–4), Swatmarama gives six esoteric synonyms for Sushumna Nadi: Shunya-padavi (Path of the Void), Brahma-randhra, Mahapatha (Great Highway), Smashana (Cremation Ground of ego and vasanas), Shambhavi, and Madhya-marga (Middle Path), praising it as Kala-bhakshini ("the devourer of time/death"). According to the Shat-Chakra-Nirupana, Sushumna contains three concentric subtle tubes: the outer fiery Vajra Nadi (Rajas), the middle luminous Chitrini Nadi (Sattva), and the innermost microscopic Brahma Nadi, through which awakened Kundalini ascends from Muladhara to Sahasrara.
2. Concept of Prana and the Dasa-Vayus (Ten Vital Airs)
Within the human microcosm, universal Mahaprana differentiates into Ten Vital Airs (Dasa-Vayus) according to location (Sthana) and physiological function (Karma) — divided into Five Mahapranas (Major Vital Airs) and Five Upapranas (Minor Vital Airs):
| Group | Name of Vayu | Primary Seat (Sthana) | Physiological & Energetic Functions (Karma) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mahaprana 1 | Prana | Heart / Thorax (Hridaya) to nostrils | Inhalation, swallowing food/water, respiratory rhythm, cardiac propulsion (inward reception) |
| Mahaprana 2 | Apana | Pelvic floor / Anus & Genitals (Guda-Medhra) | Downward elimination of urine, feces, flatus, semen, menstrual blood, and fetal delivery |
| Mahaprana 3 | Samana | Navel / Solar Plexus (Nabhi-mandala) | Fanning Jatharagni (digestive fire), churning chyme, assimilating Rasa, balancing Prana-Apana |
| Mahaprana 4 | Udana | Throat / Larynx (Kantha) & head/limbs | Vocalization/speech, coughing, physical growth, upright posture, and ejecting the subtle body at death |
| Mahaprana 5 | Vyana | Pervades the Whole Body (Sarva-sharira) | Systemic blood/prana circulation through 72,000 Nadis, sensory conduction, sweat, and joint movement |
| Upaprana 1 | Naga | Stomach / Esophagus | Eructation (belching), vomiting reflex, and relieving gastric gas pressure |
| Upaprana 2 | Kurma | Eyes / Eyelids | Blinking (opening and closing eyelids) and ocular moisture/protection |
| Upaprana 3 | Krikara (Krikala) | Nasal passages & Stomach | Sneezing, nasal-bronchial clearing reflex, and generating hunger and thirst |
| Upaprana 4 | Devadatta | Brain / Respiratory center | Yawning during fatigue and inducing drowsiness/sleep |
| Upaprana 5 | Dhananjaya | Whole physical body | Cellular nourishment; remains in the body even after clinical death, causing post-mortem bloating |
3. Shat-Chakras (Six Psychic Centers and Sahasrara)
Along the vertical axis of Sushumna Nadi lie Six Chakras (Shat-Chakras), which act as subtle transformers of Prana and levels of consciousness, culminating in the seventh transcendent center, Sahasrara Padma at the crown:
| Chakra | Anatomical / Plexus Location | Lotus Petals | Tattva (Element) & Yantra | Bija Mantra | Key Granthi / Associated Vayu & Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Muladhara | Base of spine / Perineum (Sacrococcygeal plexus) | 4 (Va, Sha, Sha, Sa) | Prithvi (Earth) — Yellow Square | Lam | Seat of coiled Kundalini, Brahma Granthi, & Apana Vayu; smell (Gandha) |
| 2. Svadhisthana | Root of genitals / Sacral plexus | 6 (Ba to La) | Apas / Jala (Water) — White Crescent Moon | Vam | Procreation, unconscious Samskaras; taste (Rasa) |
| 3. Manipura | Navel center / Solar plexus (Nabhi) | 10 (Da to Pha) | Agni / Tejas (Fire) — Red Inverted Triangle | Ram | Seat of Samana Vayu & Jatharagni; sight (Rupa) |
| 4. Anahata | Heart center / Cardiac plexus (Hridaya) | 12 (Ka to Tha) | Vayu (Air) — Smoky-green Hexagram | Yam | Seat of Prana Vayu, Anahata Nada, & Vishnu Granthi; touch (Sparsha) |
| 5. Vishuddha | Throat center / Pharyngeal-laryngeal plexus | 16 (16 Sanskrit vowels) | Akasha (Ether) — White Circle | Ham | Seat of Udana Vayu; speech & hearing (Shabda); purification of poison/nectar |
| 6. Ajna | Eyebrow center / Cavernous plexus (Bhrumadhya) | 2 (Ha, Ksha) | Manas / Mahat Tattva | Om | Triveni confluence of Ida, Pingala, Sushumna; seat of Rudra Granthi & intuition |
| 7. Sahasrara | Crown of head (Brahmarandhra) | 1,000 (50 Sanskrit letters × 20) | Beyond Tattvas (Paramashiva) | Visarga / Amatra | Union of Shiva and Shakti, secretion of immortal Amrita, Nirvikalpa Samadhi |
4. Pranayama, Nadi Shuddhi, and Subjective Experiences (HYP Ch. 2)
A. The Fundamental Law of Breath and Mind (HYP 2.2)
"Chale vate chalam chittam nishchale nishchalam bhavet / Yogi sthanutvam apnoti tato vayum nirodhayet" (HYP 2.2)
"When Vata (Prana / breath) moves, Chitta (the mind) moves; when Prana becomes still, the mind also becomes still." Therefore, to attain mental immobility (Sthanutva), the yogi must regulate and restrain Prana. However, Swatmarama cautions in HYP 2.15–16 that just as lions, elephants, and tigers are tamed very gradually (Shanaih-shanaih), Prana must be brought under control gradually according to capacity; forceful or improper practice destroys the practitioner (Anyatha hanti sadhakam) and provokes hiccups, asthma, cough, and pain in the head, ears, and eyes.
B. Signs of Nadi Purification (Nadi Shuddhi Chihna — HYP 2.19–20 & GS 5.37)
When a practitioner performs alternate-nostril Nadi Shodhana (inhaling through Ida, retaining, exhaling through Pingala, and reversing) four times daily (morning, noon, evening, midnight) for three months (Tri-masat), the 72,000 Nadis become purified. HYP 2.19–20 specifies the unmistakable objective and subjective signs (Chihna) of Nadi Shuddhi:
- Krishatva: Healthy slenderness, leanness, and lightness of the body (dissolution of excess Medas and Kapha).
- Kanti / Prasannata: Bright, luminous radiance and serene glow on the face and skin.
- Agni-dipana: Powerful kindling of gastric digestive fire (Jatharagni).
- Nada-abhivyakti: Clear internal perception of the unstruck sound (Anahata Nada).
- Yatheshta Dharana & Arogya: The ability to hold the breath as long as one wishes (Yatheshtam dharanam vayoh) and freedom from disease.
C. Three Progressive Stages of Subjective Experience in Pranayama (HYP 2.12–13 & GS 5.55)
"Kaniyasi bhavet svedah kampo bhavati madhyame / Uttame sthanam apnoti tato vayum nibandhayet // Jalena shrama-jatena gatram mardayate dridham / Dridhata laghuta chaiva tena gatrasya jayate" (HYP 2.12–13)
During intensive Kumbhaka (breath retention), classical texts classify the practitioner's subjective psychophysiological experiences into three progressive tiers:
- Adhama / Kaniyasi Stage (Lowest / Initial Stage) -> Sveda (Profuse Perspiration): As retained Prana generates internal heat (Tapas) and flushes toxins from obstructed Nadis, the body perspires profusely. Crucial Rule (HYP 2.13): This sweat born of Pranayama effort (Shrama-jatena jalena) must not be wiped away with a cloth or washed off in a cold bath; it must be rubbed firmly back into the skin (Gatram mardayate dridham), which bestows Dridhata (firmness) and Laghuta (lightness) to the body and prevents Vata loss.
- Madhyama Stage (Intermediate Stage) -> Kampa (Pranic Tremor / Quivering): As intensified Prana enters Sushumna and strikes against subtle energetic knots (Granthis), the practitioner feels involuntary rhythmic tremors or vibrations along the spinal column.
- Uttama Stage (Highest / Advanced Stage) -> Sthanam Apnoti / Bhumityaga (Reaching the Supreme Seat / Levitational Lightness): When Prana flows unobstructed straight up Sushumna into Brahmarandhra, physical heaviness vanishes (Bhumityaga / sensation of rising from the ground) and the mind enters supreme meditative absorption.
Which option accurately matches each of the Five Upapranas (minor vital airs — Naga, Kurma, Krikara, Devadatta, and Dhananjaya) with its classical physiological function?
Naga: blinking eyelids; Kurma: sneezing and hunger/thirst; Krikara: yawning and drowsiness; Devadatta: belching; Dhananjaya: speech and vocalization
Naga: thoracic inhalation; Kurma: pelvic excretion; Krikara: navel digestion; Devadatta: systemic circulation; Dhananjaya: upward ejection at death
Naga: yawning and sleep; Kurma: post-mortem bloating; Krikara: blinking eyelids; Devadatta: sneezing and thirst; Dhananjaya: eructation and hiccups
Naga: eructation (belching); Kurma: blinking eyelids; Krikara: sneezing and hunger/thirst; Devadatta: yawning and sleep; Dhananjaya: remaining after death
Which row correctly identifies the Petal Count, Element (Tattva), and Bija Mantra for Manipura, Anahata, and Vishuddha Chakras?
Manipura: 6 petals, Water (Jala), Vam; Anahata: 10 petals, Fire (Tejas), Ram; Vishuddha: 12 petals, Air (Vayu), Yam
Manipura: 10 petals, Fire (Tejas), Ram; Anahata: 12 petals, Air (Vayu), Yam; Vishuddha: 16 petals, Ether (Akasha), Ham
Manipura: 4 petals, Earth (Prithvi), Lam; Anahata: 16 petals, Ether (Akasha), Ham; Vishuddha: 2 petals, Manas Tattva, Om
Manipura: 12 petals, Air (Vayu), Yam; Anahata: 10 petals, Fire (Tejas), Ram; Vishuddha: 6 petals, Water (Jala), Vam
According to Hatha Yoga Pradipika (2.19–20), what are the primary external and subjective signs (Chihna) indicating that Nadi Shuddhi (purification of the 72,000 Nadis) has taken place?
Rapid adipose weight gain, prolonged daytime sleepiness (Nidra), cooling of digestive fire, and continuous salivation during practice
Involuntary muscular rigidity in the limbs, complete cessation of appetite for forty days, and temporary loss of external hearing
Bodily slenderness (Krishatva), radiant facial glow (Kanti), kindling of gastric fire (Agni-dipana), and manifestation of inner Nada
Profuse mucosal nasal discharge, alternating hot and cold fevers along the spine, and a pronounced sensation of heaviness in the limbs
In Hatha Yoga Pradipika (2.12–13), what are the three progressive subjective stages of Pranayama (Adhama, Madhyama, and Uttama), and how should the practitioner handle the perspiration produced in the first stage?
Adhama produces perspiration (Sveda), Madhyama produces tremor (Kampa), and Uttama produces supreme ascent (Bhumityaga); the sweat is rubbed back into the skin
Adhama produces spinal tremor (Kampa), Madhyama produces perspiration (Sveda), and Uttama produces deep sleep; the sweat must be washed off with cold water
Adhama produces internal sound (Nada), Madhyama produces visual light (Jyoti), and Uttama produces perspiration (Sveda); the sweat is wiped with a dry cloth
Adhama produces coughing, Madhyama produces yawning, and Uttama produces sneezing; the practitioner must drink salted lukewarm water immediately after practice
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