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NASAGRA
DRISHTI
Introduction
:
Nasagra Drishti |
Realistically,
Nasagra Drishti is not covered under shuddhikriya. There is
a shuddhikriya known as Trataka. It is useful for purification
of the mind. Concentrating your eyesight on a bindu (point)
without fluttering the eyelids till the eyes water is known
as Trataka. Similar type of exercise of the eyes and eyesight
is attempted under the process Nasagra Drishti. Hence, it
is included under Nasagra Drishti.
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Action
:
- It
is expected to keep the body pose firm and center the gaze at
the tip of the nose.
- Initially,
it seems difficult. So one should draw a dot (either kum kum or
sandal paste) on the tip of the nose, when both the eyes can see
the dot, then it can be said that the Nasagra Drishti is successfully
performed.
If
this drishti is to be practised, then one should sit in Padmasan.
When the gaze is fixed, it can be attempted without even putting
a dot on the tip of the nose. In the later stages, it can be practised
even with the closed eyes. The process of gazing at the tip of the
nose without fluttering the eyelids, helps to achieve the concentration
of the mind.
Duration
:
Since
the process is related to the mind and the brain, it is not to be
practiced for hours together. While learning it can be performed
even for a minute or two at a stretch. When it can be performed
well, it may be practised for more duration. While practising dhyana,
if this drishti is practised initially, then the wavering mind can
be concentrated and the dhyana can be done easily.
Physical
effects :
We
generally move both our eyes in a parallel fashion. If we start
gazing at the right side, then both the pupils turn towards the
right and we gain knowledge of the article on the right side. If
one has to gaze at the tip of the nose with both the eyes, then
the left pupil gazes at the right and the right at the left. Thus,
the movement of both the pupils is made in opposite direction and
not in a parallel manner. This creates strain on the eyes which
is generally never there. The muscles are also stretched in a different
manner than usual. This affects the brain. Hence, in such a drishti,
the concentration of the brain is achieved fast and with more ease.
So the drishti is studied with the aim of achieving concentration
of the mind.
Precaution
:
The
relation of this practice is with the brain, so it should be practised
carefully. It should be practised only for a short time in the initial
stages and when the nervous system and the brain is accustomed to
the strain, then one can increase the study. Persons suffering from
the diseases of the nervous system should not practise this without
expert guidance. If in Nasagra Drishti, one can see only with one
eye, then it is not correct. It may cause eye problems. Also, it
should not be practised wearing spectacles.
References
in the ancient texts :
None
of the ancient texts mention this drishti. However, while describing
certain asanas, it is clearly stated that the gaze should be fixed
at the tip of the nose i.e. Nasagra Drishti.
The
second chapter of Gherandsamhita while describing Padamsan, states
that one should keep Nasagra Drishti.(Gherandsamhita 2:8).
The
next shloka while describing Jalandhar Bandh also states that there
should be Nasagra Drishti (Gherandsamhita 2 : 10). Also while describing
Simhasan, there is a reference of Nasagra Drishti (Gherandsamhita
2 : 15). The twenty fifth shloka describes Gorakshasan, there also
it is stated that there should be Nasagra Drishti. The end of this
chapter which describes yogasanas, also refers to Nasagra Drishti
(Gherandsamhita
2 : 45). The fifth chapter of Gherandsamhita describes pranayam,
while practising Nadishuddhi Pranayam, it is stated that there should
be Nasagra Drishti. (Gherandsamhita 5 : 43).
Thus,
these types of references are found in the other yoga texts too.
They are generally of this nature only and hence need not be separately
considered.
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