Ancient Science of Life  Vol : XXVI (1) July, August, September 2004 3DJHV

SOME IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF NADIPARIKSHA FROM

Dr. Goli Penchala Prasad Dr. K. Bharati Dr. R.K. Swamy

Received: 10.1.2004 Accepted: 16.4.2004

Nadi Pariksha has been said as one of the important Ashta sthana parikshas. Though, there are some
physicians who are doing miracles just by examining Nadi, this system of examination in many views has
became extinct now a days. The main reason for this is, now a days very little research and practice is
going on regarding this technique. So, many resent samhitas and Chikitsa granthas like Sarangadhara,
Yogaratnakara, etc., have highlighted Nadi pariksha. Basavarajiyam is also one of those resent treatises
(19th century), which has highlighted this ancient type of examination of the patient. Basavarajiyam is a
popular Ayurvedic heritage of Andhra Pradesh written by Basavaraju, son of Namahshivaya and disciple
of Ramadeshika. The author has referred many books and collected many slokas from various ancient
granthas and quoted them in 25 Prakaranas along with his own views and quotations. This book was
translated in Telugu language by Puvvada surya Narayana Rao and lppublished by A.B.S.publications,
Rajahmundry A.P. In this paper Nadi sthanas (Location), Nadi types, Nadi Pareeksha vidhi (examination
of Nadi) and its utilities in different aspects of the disease are dealt, which have been mentioned in
Basavarajeeyam.

INTRODUCTION

Nadi Pariksha is one among the Ashta end of Prakoshta (fore arm) and three inches
sthana parikshas. So many ancient below the Manibandha (wrist). Two are
Ayurvedic texts highlighted this technique. Pada dvaya gata Nadis; these are located
Basavarajiyam is one among them. In this below Gulpha (ankle) around three inches
book different types of Nadis, their location, level. Two are Kantha Parswa Nadies.
Nadi Pariksha vidhi, Nadi lakshanas These are located at the root of the neck in
(features of Nadi) in relation to doshas, stree both sides around one inch level. Another
(female), Purusha (male), Baala (child), two are Nasamulagata Nadis, which are
Vriddha (old person) Nadi bed located around one inch at Nasamulam (root
(differentiation), Nadipariksha nishedha of nose).
kala (contra indicated timings for
examination of Nadi), Trikala, Shubha, Hastagata Nadi pariksha vidhi:
Ashubha, Asadhya, Ajeerna (Indigestion), The physician should press the patient right
Mrityu (dead) nadi lakshanas, etc are palm and forearm with his left hand, then
mentioned. the physician should examine the patients
angushta mula (root of thumb i.e., below the
Eight types of Nadis and their location: thumb in the wrist region), with his
There are eight important Nadis in human Dakshina kara angulitraya (Right hand
body. Among them two are Hastha middle three fingers).
dvayagata Nadis, which are located at the

1
Pages 27 - 29
Types of Nadi pariksha according to the (crane), Manduka (Frog), Chataka
condition of the patient: (Sparrow), Hamsa (Swan), Kukkuta (Cock)
or Kapotha (Pigeon).
A) To know the Ayu (life span), Laghutva
(light ness), Swasthya (health) and Stree, Purusha, Baala, Vriddha Nadi
Jwara vimochan (be coming free from bhedha:
fever), Piragua Nadi should be In females Nabhikurma is in urdhwamukh
examined (up ward), where as in males it is Adhomukh
(down ward), by this male and female Nadis
B) To know the Jeeva niryam (death), can be differentiated. In male right hand, in
Hastagata Nadi pariksha should be female left hand and in Napumsak according
done. to male and female division right or left
hand should be examined. As a lamp shines
C) To know Ajeerna (Indigestion) and Ama the things differently Nadi gati differs in
dosha, Jwara agamana (arrival of Baala, Vriddha, Unmattha (mad),
fever), Kshudham (appetite), Dushta Abhinyasa peedita rogi, yoga purush etc.
vata, pitta kaphas, Hasta Nadi should be
examined. Trikala, Shubha, Ashubha, Asadhya,
Ajeerna, mrityu nadi lakshanas:
D) To know Aganthuka jwara, Thrishna Normally in early morning Nadi will have
(thrist), Ayasa Shleshma gati, afternoon Pitta gata, evening
(dyspnoea),Maithusanklamana (fatigue Vatagati and again in midnight Pitta agati.
due to copulation), Bhaya (fear), Soka
(sorrow), Kopa (anger), Kanta Nadi Suvyaktata, Nirmalata, Swasthana sthiti,
should examined. Achanchalata, Mandhatwa etc, denotes
Shudha Nadi vice versa denoted Ashubha
E) To know about Mrityu (death) Kama Nadi.
(desire), Netraroga (eye disorder)
Sirovyatha (head ache), Sravana (ear) Asthira, Vyakula, Mandagamini, Sukshma
Mukharogas (mouth), Nasa Nadi should and Vakra Nadis are considered as Asadhya.
be examined.
Ajeerna nadi will be Kathina, Jada and
Nadi lakshanas in relation to Doshas Purita.
It has been said that Vata Nadi will be in
Vakra gati, Pitta Nadi will be in Chanchala Kshudha nadi will be Prasanna, Prapushta
(fickle) gati (movement) and Shleshmaja and Suddha.
will be Sthira (constant). Combinations of
doshas will be in combined form. It is also The person whose nose is cool, eyes stare
said that in Vatadhikya first fingers end, in (Sthaimithyam) and Nadi is in sthanachyuti
Pittadhikya middle fingers end, in condition (displaced), he is going to die with
shleshmadhikya third will be vibrated and in in short period. It is also said Vyakula;
Sannipata Vilakshanata (strange or Sithila, Manda and Vakra gati nadi
extraordinary) will be seen. In comparison indicates Arishta lakshana.
Vatadhikya Nadi is like sarpagati and
Tantri, in Pittadhikya chanchal gati like Nadipariksha Nishedha kala:
crow, and in shleshmadhikya it is like Baka

2
Pages 27 - 29
Vyayama, Thrishna, Bubhuksha (hunger), Conclusion:
Bokthavata (after meal), Abhyanga, snana,
sthri sambhogita, Madhya (alcohol), Bhanga Ayurveda is a science of life in which so
(Cannabis sativa) Sevita, Sarpa, Kukkuta, many scientific techniques are mentioned to
Sasa (rabbit), Mandukamamsa (Frogs flesh) examine the patient, among them Nadi
bhakshita, nadi should not be examined pariksha has its own importance and
highness because of its multi dimensional
Nadi gnanahina vaidhya dosha: role in examining the patient and diagnosing
The physician who wants to treat the patient the disease in various aspects. The aim of
with out the knowledge of nadi gati will fail this paper is to remind the scholars about
in the treatment as a blind that tries to climb this technique which has been mentioned in
a mountain. detail in Basavarajeeyam. I suppose in
future much research will take place in this
technique and much more facts can be re-
discovered for the utility of mankind.

REFERENCE

1. Basavaraju, Basava rajeeyam, edited by Puvvada Surya narayana Rao, Published by A.B.S
publication, Rajahmundry, A.P. (1999)

3
Pages 27 - 29