Shat Karma
Like a raw clay pot filled with water is destroyed (as it melts quickly), so the body is always deteriorated soon. One should purify the body baking it well by the fire of Yoga (Shat Karmas). GS ||8||
There are seven means of cleaning the physical body are:
- Purification
- Firmness
- Stability
- Endurance
- Lightness
- Direct knowledge and total detachment
And the purification is done through 6 ways, which is called ‘SHAT KARMA’ (six yogic cleansing practices) Neti, Kaphalabhati, Trataka, Dhauti, Nauli, Basti.
As per Gheranda Samhita ; Dhauti, Vasti, Laulika(nauli), kaphalabati, Basti,
As per Hatharatnavali; these are called as Astakarmas (extra two are chakri and gajakarni included)
Basti (Cleansing of the Lower abdominal region)
Remain in the naval deep water, insert index or middle finger in the anus by the process of chakri, and fill up the abdomen with water sucked through the water until once capacity.
Neti
(Nasal passage cleansing)
A small Neti pot (specifically designed for this kriya) filled with warm saline water is used. Stand with more than hip-width apart and bend over, tilt the head to the right.
Nauli (Cleansing of the upper abdominal region)
Feet’s apart with hip width distance, hands on the knees and slightly bend forward. Breathe in deeply through nose and exhale quickly through mouth and adopt Jalandhara bandha
Dhauti (Purifying the upper respiratory tract)
Totally 16 glasses of water have to be taken in and expelled it through the anus. First drink two glass of water and perform a
set of yoga asana
Trataka
(Cleansing of Eyes)
The mind is trained to introvert. When operating through medium of the senses the mind loses energy, but when concentration is on an inner object, withdrawn from the senses, it gains energy.
Kaphalabhati (Frontal brain cleansing)
As per GhS (Gheranda Samhita) it is called as Bhalabhati. Bhala and kapala means one and the same that is cranium. Bhati means light or splendor. It also means as perception and knowledge.