Author Archives: Dr. Vaidya Karanvir Singh

Concept of SWAPNA in Ayurveda-

What is a DREAM??

Swapna or dreams are just succession of images, ideas, emotions and sensations that occurs involuntarily in the mind during certain stages of sleep i.e. when Indriyarth Sannikarsha is absent or there is loss of touch or ignorance to other senses.

Your mind is responsible for creating the images in the dream although It is the main initiator is the Atma or soul.

In dream our subconscious mind gets activated and works on the facts which the conscious mind failed to resolve.

Dream is present two forms i.e. physiological and pathological condition of body.

Physiological condition- Dream signifies physical costitutution (Doshaja Prakriti status.

Pathological condition- Diseases and Arista. This concept needs some exploration. It is not used for clinical practice to determine health.

In Classics there are many entities like Tridosha, Triguna, Panchmahabhuta, Lok Purusha Saamya etc. 

Similarly there is Trayoupstambha or 3 pillars of body – Swapna, Aahar and Brahmcharya.

IS THERE ANY STUDY OF DREAMS??

 The Answer is “YES”. The scientific study of dreams is called Oneirology. 

What are the causes of dreams??

Dreams mainly occur in the rapid- eye movement stage (REM) of the Dream— when brain activity exceeds and resembles that of being awake.

REM sleep is revealed by continuous movements of the eyes while sleeping. At that time the dreams may take place during other stages of sleep.

Is there any effect of Swapna??

Based on the Effects of Swapna it can be classified into 2 types:

1. Not effecting on a person’s health or life
2. Effecting the person’s health or life.

In ancient text- Harita Samhita there are some points that are mentioned regarding dreams they are-

• Dream by a person in the first part of night- the result comes about in 1 year.
• Dreams during the 2nd part of night/ during daytime/ rainy season- the effect occurs in 6 months.
• Dream effect if seen in third part of night seen in 3 months.
• The Dream effect which is seen in the 4th part of night or in early morning- Having result in 10 days.

Viphala Swapna (or Ineffective dreams)-

Dreams that have no effect or you should dismiss or deemed ineffective include:

• Dreams of usual to the one’s constitution
• Not able to remember or easy to Forgot or forgotten quickly after the next dream.
• Seen when you are worried
• Experienced during the diwaswapna or day sleep

What are the Types of swapna-

The Acharya Charaka described 7 fold classification of the Swapna. 

 Ayurveda described dreams on the basis of causes these are as follows-

1. Drista  Sruta – It Based on the waking experience.
2. Shruta- It is due to somatic impulses
3. Anubhuta- These are due to some heart touching incidence that is happened in life.
4.  Prarthita- It is believed to be caused by influence of the supernatural 
5. Kalpita-Due to Imagination 
6. Bhabik- These type of dreams are based on emotional Incident happened in waking life.
7. Doshaja- these are due to Influence of Tri-Doshas.

KNOW YOUR PRAKRITI BY DREAMS-

According to different Acharya’s there is difference in dream of different Prakriti – 

VATA PRAKRITI- 

• Flies or rises high in the sky
• Climbing on mountain or tree
• Riding on animals like Camel, Elephant etc.
• Dried and crooked trees and river.

PITTA PRAKRITI-

• Sees Gold in dream
• Trees Palash and karnika trees.
• Sun, Bright flames or light
• Fire, falling meteors, Lightning
• Red colored Sky

KAPHA PRAKRITI- 

• Sees Lotus
• Birds like Hansa and Chavarka
• Sees Ponds
• Clouds in dream

Ayurvedic Concept of Garbha linga Dharana (Determination of Male child or Female Child by Dreams)

Ayurveda is the science of life there is very interesting description in dreams for all Curious Mothers.

Dreams depicting Male Child-

Takes food and drink as that of a male

Does activities as that of a male 

Flowers- Padma(Lotus), Utpala (Blue Lotus), Kumuda

Fruits denoting the male gender- Amrataka (Wild Mangoes)

Dreams depicting Female Child-

Takes food and drink as that of a female

Does activities as that of a female 

Flowers- Which denotes female gender- Taruni-rose, Japa-shoe flower 

Fruits – Which female gender – Kadali-bananas 

Other Padartha or objects which denote the female gender 

Nidra(Sleep)

In Ayurveda, sleep is one of the important pillars (upastambha traya) which sustain life.

 Nidra is also important as Ahara (food). Again it comes under unsurpassable urge (Adharniya Vega). If the Vega is suppressed then it can causes headache, body pain and heaviness of eyes. 

REQUIREMENT OF SLEEP IN 

SATVIK PERSON (Satva guna Dominant) – 4 to 6hrs of Sleep

RAJSIK PERSON (Rajo Guna dominant) – 8 hours of sleep

TAMSIK PERSON (Tamo guna dominant) – 10 to 12hrs of sleep

ARE YOU A SUFFERER OF INSOMNIA??

Don’t Ignore Insomnia as it will lead to further destruction of your body and will give rise to various Physiological and Psychological disorders.

Have a good and stress free sleep.

CAC MEDICINES AND COUNSELLING WILL HELP YOU TO GET RELIEF FROM STRESS AND HAVE A GOOD SLEEP AND REJUVINATE YOUR BRAIN

CAC Stress Care Tablet

It constitutes of natural herbs- Sarpgandha, Brahmi, Tagar, jatamansi.

It helps you to get relieve from stress conditions. 

Helps to calm down the nervous system and further it helps to increase the mental and physical performance.

Dosage: Take 1 tab two times daily or as directed by the physician.

CAC Brain Relaxant Churna

This contains 100% natural herbal extracts of Atmagupta (Mucuna pruriens).

It normalizes the nerve cell functions and supports the brain function.

It is very effective in Alzheimer disease and it helps to maintain the overall performance of the nervous system.

Dosage: Take 1 teaspoonful twice daily or as directed by the physician

(Abdominal massaging)

Nauli is one the shatakarma practice of contracting and isolating the rectus abdomini muscles. According to Gherand Samhita it is known as lauliki.The root word ‘nala’ means the navel string i.e. rectus abdomini muscles and it also means a tubular vessel.Lauliki word comes from word ‘lola’ which means ‘to roll’ or ‘agitate’.

When the rectus abdomini muscles are rotated from right to left (clockwise), that is called vama nauli.When they are rotated from left to right (anticlockwise), it is called dakshina nauli.When the muscles are pulled together and the middle group of muscles protrude, it is called madhyama nauli.Before attempting nauli you must be able to perform uddiyna bandha correctly.

The rectus abdomini muscles are the two elongated vertical muscles situated in the anterior aspect of the abdomen, which run from under the mid of the rib cage near the diaphragm to the pubic bone. The muscles you are manipulating in nauli kriya are the external oblique and the transverse abdomini muscles as well.

At first nauli is practiced with the hands just above the knees, and the body bent forward. Once this is perfected you can practice in a more upright position and hands placed on the upper thighs.

Stage 1. Vama and Dakshina Nauli (left and right isolation)

Stand with the feet 45 to 60 centimeters apart.

Bend the knees and rest the palms just above the knees, thumbs on the medial aspect of the thighs, fingers touching the outsides, or as shown in picture.

Keep the head up and the eyes open.

Breathe in deeply and intensely through the nose and exhale quickly through the mouth, slightly pursuing the lips.

Perform Jalandhar bandha while maintaining bahiranga (external) kumbhaka.

Suck the abdomen and stomach in by performing uddiyana bandha.

Lift the right hand slightly off the knee, keeping all the pressure on the left hand and knee ,but do not lean to the left side .This will automatically isolate the rectus abdomini muscles on the left. Then release uddiyana bandha, elevate the head slowly, stand up and inhale gently .This is vama nauli. Practice in the same way on the right side as well. 

Keep the right hand resting above the knee and slightly lift the left hand to segregate the rectus abdomini muscles on the right .This is dakshina nauli.

In between each round of nauli, release uddiyan first, then Jalandhar, elevate the head, stand upright and then breathe in very slowly through the nose. Take a few normal breaths before performing the next round.

Stage2. Madhyama nauli (central abdominal contraction)

Start to rotate the muscles to the other side, but before they reach the opposite side hold them in the middle of the abdomen. In order to rotate the muscles, slowly bring the weight back on to the hands which was lifted from the knee. While holding the muscles in the middle, both hands should rest above the knees.

This is madhyama nauli.

Stage3.

Practice in the same way as stages 1 and 2 but learn to control the contraction of the muscles and to segregate the muscle groups without lifting the hands from the legs. First try by just releasing the pressure off the hand without shifting it from the leg.

Gradually begin to control the practice so that the hands remain fixed on the legs .Then practice with the hands on the upper thighs.

Stage 4. Abdominal rotation or churning

Stand in the same position as in stage 1, keeping the hands on the legs above the knees throughout the entire practice.

Practice vama nauli and then rotate the muscles to the right and back to the left. Continue rolling the muscles in a clockwise direction. This is known as ‘churning’. Start by practicing it three times in sequence, then release. Practice dakshin and vama nauli in the same way. When this is perfected you can escalate up to 10 rotations, then 20 rotations.

Stage5.

Practice stages 1 and 2 sitting in siddhasana/siddha yoniasana with the buttocks uplifted slightly by a cushion.Initially it may be tough to control the muscles in the sitting position, so it is better to first perfect the practice of nauli in the standing or upright position.

Benefits:

Nauli is foremost of the hatha yoga practices. It kindles the digestive fire, removing indigestion, sluggish, digestion, and all the disorders of the doshas, and brings about happiness.

Nauli is especially useful for alleviating indigestion, constipation, acidity, flatulence, diarrhea, depression, hormonal imbalances, sexual and urinary disorder, and lack of energy, dullness, laziness and emotional disturbances. Through this practice one can control appetite and strengthen one’s willpower. This practice also helps in controlling sexual desires. If this can be attained, the practitioner will definitely find deeper satisfaction within.

Contra-indication:

Nauli cannot be practiced by everyone .Those people who are suffering from heart disease, hypertension , duodenal ulcer, gastric ulcer, hernia, post-operative cases of abdominal surgery;  or who are recovering from internal injuries ,cannot practice it.

The last of the six shatkarma is kapalbhati. Word `kapal` means cranium or forehead and `bhati` is light or splendor, but it also means perception or knowledge. It is a technique which invigorates the entire brain and awakens the dormant centers which are responsible for subtle perception .It is called frontal brain cleansing technique. It is similar practice to bhastrika pranayama except that exhalation is emphasized and inhalation is the result of forcing the air out. In normal breathing inhalation is active and exhalation is passive .This practice reverses that process. 

Three types of kapalbhati:

• Vatkrama
• Vyutkrama
• Sheetkrama

Vatkrama:

Sit in a comfortable meditative posture, preferably siddhasana and prepare yourself as for meditation .Close the eyes and relax, keeping the spine erect. Place the hands in either jnana mudra or chin mudra .Practice kaya sthairyam, i.e. Steadiness of the body. Inhale deeply and perform fifty fast respirations through both nostrils placing more emphasis on exhalation .Inhalation should be short .After the last exhalation, inhale deeply through the nose and exhale quickly through the mouth, slightly pursuing the lips .With kumbhaka, perform jalandhar bandha, moola bandh and uddiyan bandha in this order .Maintain kumbhaka and the bandhas for as long as possible and count the duration.

Before inhaling, release moola bandha, uddiyana bandha and Jalandhar bandha in this order .When the head is raised, inhale slowly through the nose .Practice three rounds of fifty breaths. When this is perfected, you can increase it to five rounds. You can increase the practice by ten breaths each week, so that after five weeks you are practicing one hundred breaths per round.

Vyutkrama:

(Sinus cleansing)

The second practice of kapalbhati, vyutkrama, is very similar to jala neti and is sometimes given as part of neti .Vyutkrama means ‘expelling system’ .For this practice you need a bowl of warm saline water rather than a neti lota. Lean forward and scoop the water up in the palm of the hand and sniff the water in through the nostrils .Let the water flow down into the mouth and then spit the water out from the mouth. Practice in this way several times. It is important to relax while sucking the water in .There should be absolutely no fear. If there is pain in the nose during the practice it usually means that the water contains either too little or too much salt.

Sheetkrama:

The third practice, sheetkrama is the reverse of vyutkrama .Sheet means cool or passive. In this practice you take a mouthful of warm, salty water and instead of swallowing it, you push it up through the nose and let it flow out.

Remember to remain relaxed the whole time .Vyutkrama and sheetkrama should both be done standing rather than squatting .After wards make sure all the water is removed from the nose in the same way prescribed for jala neti, or practice vat karma kapalbhati.

Time of practice:

The best time to perform kapalbhati is early in the morning .However, Vyutkrama and sheetkrama kapalbhati may be performed at any time of the day except after meals.

Duration:

Vyutkrama and sheetkrama kapalbhati should take only a few minutes each and may be performed as a daily routine.

Contraindications:

Those people who experience frequent nasal bleeding should not perform these practices.

Benefits:

Gherand Samhita says that not only do these practices rid the sinuses of old mucus, but they make one attractive and prevent the ageing process from occurring. If the body is clogged with old mucus, bile and wind, the energy gained through pranayama practice will be utilized for rectifying your disorders. In fact if you have any mucus blockages it may create such an acute problem that you cannot practice pranayama. First you have to rid yourself of excess mucus and bile and eliminate the toxins from your system. Proper assimilation and excretion have to be established. Pranyama is more effective in a healthy body.

Vyutkrama and sheetkrama kapalbhati remove mucus from the sinuses and help to relax the facial  muscles and nerves .They rejuvenate tired cells and nerves ,keeping the face young ,shining and wrinkle free .Vatkrama kapalbhati helps in the sinus ,hair loss ,and asthma .This practice can surely help in resolving all breath related problems .It is the slow and soothing process which involves deep breaths ,which help the asthmatic problem and help you gain control over it . This exercise makes the blood flow in the skull area .It relaxes your body by releasing stress and anxiety from your mind, which leads a very strong immune system. Kapalbhati also supports weight loss .Ayurvedic doctors often prescribe kapalbhati as a choice for those people who are having excess fat around their waist .It is because being overweight is considered as a symptom of increased cough and kapalbhati balances the levels of kapha in the body. It strongly stimulates the abdominal organs, in such a way that it improve digestion as the muscles of digestive tract become stronger and responsive and it also increases the blood flow to the region. 

A series of cleansing techniques which are mainly divided into three groups:

Antar dhauti (internal cleansing)

Sirsha dhauti (head cleansing or danta dhauti)

Hrid dhauti (thoracic cleansing)

The internal techniques clean the entire alimentary canal overall from the mouth to the anus. These are mainly divided into 4:

1. Shankhaprakshalana (varisara dhauti) and laghoo shankhaprakshalan – cleansing of intestines.
2. Agnisar kriya (vahnisara dhauti) – activating the digestive fire.
3. Kunjal (vaman dhauti) – Cleansing the stomach with water.
4. Vatsara dhauti – Cleansing the intestines with air.

Shankhaprakshalana:

Preparation:

It is advisable to take a light meal or semi-liquid meal the night before undertaking this practice. Plenty of clean, warm water should be available. Add 2 teaspoons of rock salt as per litre to the water.

Intestinal Wash:

Drink 2 glasses of lukewarm water as quickly as possible .Perform the following five asanas dynamically, 8 times each in given sequence:

1. Tadasana
2. Tiryaka Tadaasana
3. Kati chakraasana 
4. Tiryaka bhujangaasana
5. Udarakarshana.

This is one complete round .Do not rest in between rounds.

Drink 2 glasses of salty warm water and again repeat the five asanas eight times each.

Repeat this process a third time then go to the toilet and see if there is any movement in the bowels. Do not strain .After a few minutes or so, come out, regardless of whether there has been any movement in the bowels or not; it is not essential at this point.

Drink two more glasses of warm and salty water, repeat 5 asanas eight times each. Again go to the toilet and see if there is any movement in the bowels and do not force to produce bowel movement.

Continue drinking the water, performing the asanas, going to the toilet when pressure builds up. Spend a little time in the toilet as possible, a minute or so is enough. The aim is to build up the internal cleansing pressure. At first solid stool will be evacuated followed by a mixture of stool and water .As the practice progresses more water and less solid stool will be excreted .Eventually cloudy yellow and , finally, almost clear water will be evacuated .

Sixteen glasses are generally required before perfectly clean water is evacuated (depends on person to person).

Special meal and rest:

Total rest is essential .Lie down in shavaasna for 45 minutes, but do not sleep as a headache or cold may result. It is important to keep body warm .Passing urine at this time is perfectly normal.

Exactly after 45 minutes specially prepared food, khicheri with ghee, must be taken .A sufficient amount of khicheri must be eaten to reline the intestines and keep the walls of the gut stretched, otherwise you may cramp due to the absence of bulk to which they are accustomed .This bulk aids the intestines to resume peristalsis. 

Complete rest should be taken for the entire day and also the following day .Khicheri should also be prepared for the late afternoon or evening meal, about six hours after the first special meal. The stomach must be filled to the capacity at both meals, even if there is no feeling of hunger.

Frequency:

This practice should not be performed more than two times a year.

Food restrictions:

For at least one month after the practice, all chemically processed or packed food, pungent, acidic, spicy, rich and non-vegetarian foods must be exclusively avoided .No pickles (excess salt and preservative present), sweets, chocolates, ice cream or soft drinks should be taken. Milk, buttermilk, yoghurt and all sour fruits, especially acidic fruits such as lemons, grapefruit, oranges or pineapple are restricted.

Contraindications:

People suffering from any medical condition should seek medical advice from a qualified yoga teacher before attempting shankhaprakshalana, especially those who are taking medication. This practice should be restricted during pregnancy.

Benefits:

Physically, shankhaprakshalana is beneficial in digestive problems such as indigestion, gas, acidity and constipation. It generally tones the liver and other digestive organs and glands of the alimentary canal. It has been used in the cure of diabetes mellitus, hypoglycemia, obesity, high levels of cholesterol and high lipid levels. It strengthens the immune system, alleviating allergic rhinitis and immunological disorders.

It helps relieve the symptoms of arthritis and chronic inflammatory disorders. Excessive mucus is reduced relieving asthma, chronic colds and sinusitis and seasonal allergies. It detoxify and purifies the blood and alleviate skin problems such as pimples, boils and eczema.

It removes blockages from the nadis and purifies all the chakras.

(Concentrated gazing)

Looking attentively with an intense gaze at a small point until tears are shed is known as trataka by the Acharya (teachers).

Trataka means to look or gaze steadily .There are two forms of the practice, one is external trataka (bahiranga) and the second one is internal trataka (antaranga) .Bahiranga is easier to practice because you just have to look steadily at an object or symbol. However, antaranga trataka involves clear and steady internal visualization of an object.

The point of concentration is usually a symbol, figure or object which activates the inner potential and can soak up the mind. The most common object used is a candle flame , because even after closing the eyes ,the image of the flame remains for some time and antaranga trataka can be easily practiced .The aim of focusing the eyes on an external object is to arouse the internal vision and to make the vision stable by ceasing the eye movements.

There are others which are equally effective symbols, figure or objects such as a crystal ball, a shivalingam, yantra, mandala, full moon, a star, the rising or setting sun (when it is orange- red ball not yellow), a chakra, the symbol of Om, or your own shadow. These are most effective; but trataka can also be done on a flower, a tree, the sea, a mountain or lightning .In fact, when people worship a particular deity or God and gaze stably at the form, it is also bahiranga trataka.

Of all the symbols and objects, the most preferably for general use is a candle flame because a symbol, yantra or mandala leaves an impression in the mind and activates particular centers. If you concentrate on Kali, you will spark that aspect of your inner being if you are not beyond it .You may even manifest kali and be terrified of her fearsome form. Therefore, a stable flame of light is most practical unless the yogic doctor says otherwise.

At a particular stage of concentration you will see a streak of light in the front of closed eyes. This has to be generated and made firm because initially it tends to waver or even vanish.

Bahiranga Trataka:

(External concentrated gazing)

Practice in a dark room which is free from draughts, insects and flies. Place a candle two to three feet in front of you with the flame at the level of your eyes. It is vital that the flame is still and doesn’t flicker at all. Sit in a comfortable meditative pose, ideally siddhasana, and place the hands on the knees in either jnana mudra or chin mudra.

Close your eyes and prepare yourself as for any meditative practice .Then open your eyes and look intently at the middle portion of candle flame, just above the wick. Try to keep the eyes perfectly stable and try not to blink .Lower the eyelids if eyes become tired or sore. Gaze as long as possible, five or ten minutes, or if you can gaze longer without closing the eyes, do so.

Only when you really need, you can close your eyes. Try to keep the mind empty and unengaged. Remain the silent witness, sakshi, throughout the whole practice .When you finally close the eyes keep them fixed on the image of the flame in front, in chidakasha. If it moves bring it back to the center and continue looking until the impression vanish entirely. Practice for 10 to 15 minutes unless the yogic doctor has advised you to do it for prolong period.

Antaranga Trataka:

(Internal concentrated gazing)

 Keep your eyes closed throughout the practice and concentrated on image or symbol. If you have no symbol, then try to visualize a streak of light, like a bright twinkling star or a crescent /full moon .Try to see the object precisely and steadily in the dark space in front of the closed eyes. Practice for five to twenty minutes. This practice has to be developed and it can take a long time. If the symbol has been given by the yogic guru the process will be quicker.

Time of practice and duration:

Trataka can be done at any time, but it is more effective when performed on an empty stomach .The most preferable time is between four and six a.m. after asana and pranayama practice .If you want to delve deeper into the mind, trataka should be done late at night before going to bed and before japa or meditation. If there is an unmanageable flow of thoughts during trataka, mantra japa should also be done at the same time. Beginners should gaze for one to two minutes only .For general purposes or to rectify an eye defect, trataka may be performed for longer periods .If the eyes feel strained or tired, imagine that you are breathing through the mid-eyebrow center to and from ajna chakra .When you close your eyes and look at the counter-image, continue the same sense of the breath- breathing to and from the image through the eyebrow center.

Benefits:

Trataka benefits not only the eyes, but a complete range of physiological, intellectual and mental functions. It is therapeutic in depression, allergy, anxiety, postural problems, poor concentration and memory. It brings an end to insomnia or sleeping problems. It helps in increasing eyesight. Its most important effect is on ajna chakra.

Contra-indications:

Patients of epilepsy should not practice trataka on a candle flame but they can choose a totally steady object to gaze on.