The technique of reading the pulse is known as nadi vigyan. Nadi corresponds to pulse and vigyan means understanding, comprehension or specialized knowledge.
This can be understood as the pulsation of the blood through the body carries the vibrations produced in the cells of one’s body due to the action of the mind. These vibrations and cellular information are carried to different parts of the body. These get stored in the cell’s memory and result in the symptoms like headache, hypertension, hypo or hyperthyroidism and all other similar physiological symptoms.
Through nadi pariksha we read and translate this information and also identify the cause of the physiological effects and symptoms of the disease in patient. So, diagnosis through pulse helps us in understanding the resultant physiological effects generated by our actions and emotions.
A nadi vaidya is a person who just by mere touch of the nadi of the patient by his fingers is able to diagnose and analyse the condition of health and disease in the body and mind of the patient. Nadi pariksha is thus not a magical art form instead it’s a science and a nadi vaidya is a scientist who is expert of this science.
Our diet, lifestyle and thoughts affect even the minute to minutest parts of our body. This effect then circulates along with blood in our vessels. At certain specific spots in our body this circulating information in the form of special waves can be read. In present times, through nadi besides knowing the status of vata pitta kapha and other Ayurvedic diagnosis several other modern allopathic diagnosis can be drawn like increase in cholesterol, increased serum uric acid, etc.
In Ayurveda we find the mention of a very important diagnostic tool referred to as the ashtvidh pariksha. Nadi pariksha forms an inevitable part of this ashtvidh pariksha. Through nadi we can determine the prakruti-vikruti, the status of doshas in each organ and effects on dhatus,manas and sukshmasharir.
Vata-Pitta-Kapha which forms the base of diagnosis and treatment in ayurveda; their effect and their current status in the body can be determined only through nadi pariksha.
Also bhutpret badha mentioned in ayurveda can also be known through nadi. (For complete analysis of patient’s condition astrology is also essential and should be taken into consideration.)
NADI – PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE
The information about nadi is available in the form of Shlokas in our ancient books. The information in the Shlokas is not very clearly written and is mentioned in a very decorative language. Thus, it can be understood only with the proper guidance of a guru.
There is evidently no reference about nadi in our ancient books such as charaksamhita, sushrutasamhita and ashtanghridayam.
Sharangdharsamhita of 13th century was the first such book which establishes the authentication of nadi pariksha. However, it has just 8 shlokas on nadi pariksha but to some extent it does establish the connect between nadi and tridosha.
Then in 16th century ‘bhavprakash’ by shri bhavmishr ji also provides proof of some development in the field of nadi. These developments included-
The relation between tridosha and fingers i.e. index finger for vata, middle finger for pitta and ring finger for kapha.
Nadi under healthy and unhealthy conditions.
Nadi in case of vikruti.
Nadi under some psychiatric problems.
In males firstly right hand and then left hand pulse is examined. In females its vice versa.
In yogratnakar of 17th century, complete details and information about nadi pariksha can be found. In yogratnakar through 48 shlokas different aspects of nadi are explained. It mentions the details such as the appropriate time for nadi pariksha, rules for the vaidya and the patient and also the rules to be followed before and after nadi pariksha.
Alongwith the above mentioned major granthas many other intellectuals, vaidya and saints did work on the science of nadi; these include Maharishi Kanada, ravanakrit nadi Vigyan etc.
The science of nadi pariksha has been very secretive and a much hidden knowledge since long in the past. It has also been a victim of the hierarchical succession. Most of the Vedacharyas who have known this science in the past have passed it on in their family. It was very rare that this science came out openly to be shared and taught to everyone.
In present times, nadi is not present in the form of a science rather it is thought of as a magical art form inherited through generations within a family. The thought of not spreading the science and limiting it to their own families by some vaidyas has caused a lot of damage to this science.
In the contemporary world our organization is among those few who are working towards scientifically establishing the science of nadi through our huge data base. Through years of research work and practical experience of our nadi experts our organization has come up with a scientific module on nadi pariksha that makes it very easy to comprehend and learn the science of nadi.
