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JALNETI
Introduction
:
Out
of the six shuddhikriyas, the shuddikriya for the cleaning of the
nasal path is known as neti. The aim of the process is to purify
the breathing path right from the nostrils to the throat. If the
aim is achieved using water, the process is known as Jalneti. If
the aim is achieved by using a thread of cloth ( sutra ), then it
is known as Sutraneti. If with the help of modern science, a catheter
is used instead of sutra, then it is known as Dandneti. In short,
neti is the process of cleaning the nasal path. In this syllabus,
we will see how it is done with the help of the water. That means
we will study only Jalneti.
Action
:
Traditionally,
the process is performed by dipping the face into the river water,
inhaling the water through the nostrils and letting it out through
the mouth. The reverse process is sucking the water in by mouth
and exhaling it through nostrils.
If it is not possible to visit the river everytime, then the process
maybe performed by taking the water into the folded palms and inhaling
it through nostrils or sucking it by mouth.
If
the process is to be performed in this manner, there are too many
difficulties. If the water is to be inhaled through nose, sneezes
occur and the water is let out through the nose only. Or if the
water cannot be thrown out by way of mouth, it gets stuck and can
cause trouble. The water can deposit itself into the sinus and can
cause headaches. Hence, there is another method which can be practised
by all without such difficulties and it is easier and useful to
practise it.
In
this method, a feeding cup of china with a pout is used. Earlier,
there were pots with the pouts, they can also be used. In fact,
a utensil which can easily pour water into the nostril can be used.
A utensil with stainless steel or brass is prepared specially for
the process, which has double barrel pout with a little broad tip.
Put
warm water into the utensil and add a little salt in it. Tilt the
neck and touch the tip of spout to one of the nostrils. Open the
mouth and continue breathing through it. Gradually pour water into
the nostril. Since the breathing is continued through the mouth,
the water straightway goes through the food pipe into the throat
to the stomach. Just as we drink water through the mouth, in the
same way it can be drunk through the nose. When some water is drunk
though one nostril, perform the process with the other one. This
is process is not neti, but when one is accustomed to drinking water
through nose, then practising neti is easier.
Instead
of swallowing water drunk through the nose, tilt the neck further
and take it out through the other nostril. It is essential to find
the pose of the neck here. When the pose is found, the rest of the
process is easier. The water poured through one nostril can easily
come out of the other. The breathing is naturally through the mouth
at this time. Pour water into the left nostril and take it out of
the right, then drink it by the right one and take it out of the
left.
Then
stand bent at the waist, put the hands onto the waist, move them
in half rotation and perform a process similar to Kapalbhati.
Duration
:
The
duration or the reiterations of the process cannot be stated. But
the amount of water to be used can be stated. For one nostril, generally
half a liter of water is to be used. The water should be used at
a stretch or with some rests. Since this is a shuddhikriya, one
should not include it in daily lifestyle. Whenever, the nasal path
needs cleaning, the process can be used. However, till the process
is learnt thoroughly, it may be practised daily. Once learnt, it
should be used as per the need.
Physical
Effects :
The
process achieves cleaning of the nasal path with the help of the
water, but this is not the only aim behind the process. The texts
state that the process eliminates kaphadosha and diseases occurring
in the old age.
If
the process is studied by differentiating the temperature of the
water used and also the amount of the salt used, the skin in the
nasal path gets used to the osmotic pressure. Also, the organs get
used to the different temperatures and can continue working without
any disturbance. The nasal path does not suffer from any changes
in the season, hence can get freed from the long duration cold or
sinus troubles. If the water is heated a little bit more and contains
extra salt, then it can also absorb the water from the swollen parts
of the nasal path or the fluid in the sinus and these parts can
get purified.
Apart
from the purification of the nasal path, the other attached sensory
perceptive organs such as eyes, ears can also be affected in a good
manner and their efficiency is increased.
If
the mouth of the Eustachian tube in the throat is swollen and clogged,
it also gets opened up. It is also experienced that the study proves
useful in case of many diseases of the nasal tract.
For
the practice of pranayam, both the nostrils should be open, that
can be achieved through this process.
References
in the ancient texts :
None
of the texts mention the above described process as Jalneti. However,
Gherandsamhita, describes three types of Kapalbhati, the first being
Vatkram Kapalbhati, which is same as Kapalbhati that we have seen
earlier. The second and the third is Vyutkram and Sheetkram Kapalbhati.
That is the Jalneti that we have learnt. The first chapter describes
:
Nasabhyam
jalamakrishya punarvaktren rechayet |
Payam payam vyutkramen shleshamdosham niwaryet || G S 1.57
Meaning
:
The
process of inhaling water through both the nostrils and throwing
it out by way of mouth repeatedly is known as Vyutkrama Kapalbhati,
which eliminates shleshma doshas.
Sheetkritya
pitava vaktren nasanallervirechayet |
Evambhyasyogen kamdevsamo bhavet || G S 1.58
Meaning
:
Inhaling
water through the mouth and exhaling through both the nostrils,
the study of this makes the body glow as that of Kamdeva.
Na
jayatecha vardhakyam jwara naiva prajayate |
Bhavetswatchandaddehashcha kaphadosham niwaryet || G S 1.59
Meaning
:
Due
tot he study of Sheetkrama Kapalbhati, the diseases of the old age
do not arise, there are no fevers, the body is controlled completely
and the kapha doshas are eliminated.
When
the meaning of the shlokas are understood completely, it is realised
that they describe complete stage. If an attempt is made to achieve
complete stage, it will be difficult. So we have described the process
starting from easier to difficult and then the complete stage. If
it is studied in that manner, it will not be troublesome.
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