THE AYURVEDIC PULSE DIAGNOSIS

NADI PARIKSHAI in AYULVEDAM.

One of the important diagnostic techniques of the ancient science of Ayurveda is 'Nadi vijñan' or Pulse diagnosis.

The first Ayurvedic classic to describe pulse examination is Saarangadhara Samhita (13th century AD.). Later works such as Bhavaprakasa (15th century AD.), Yogaratnakara (16th century AD.), Basavarajeeyam (17th century AD.) etc.

Pulse diagnosis is the ancient art and science of detecting the existing status of a person’s body, mind, soul and spirit.

Nadi or pulse is that vital flow of energy or life that courses through as a subtle channel all over the body, and enables the vaidya to feel the way the blood spurts from the heart. To a skilled practitioner, taking your pulse is more than counting the beats. The functioning and health of the entire mind body constitution can be determined from the pulse, including the balance of the doshas, the health of the various organs, advance warning signs of potential problems that may crop up later etc. By detecting early symptoms of imbalance and disease reaction in the body, one can take preventive steps to correct the problem before it manifests into a major one.

Classical pulse examination

Radial pulse is felt with the first three fingers, the index, middle and ring fingers. Pulse from both wrists is taken. To get an accurate pulse, the patient should be as close to his norm as possible. Taking pulse after strong exertion, after exposure to a severe environment etc. will give wrong indications.

The position of the index finger denotes the Vata dosha. When vata is strong in the constitution, the index finger will feel the pulse strongly. The pulse will be irregular and thin moving in waves like the motion of a serpent. This type of pulse is called a snake pulse.

The middle finger denotes the pulse corresponding to the Pitta dosha. When the person has a predominant pitta constitution, the pulse under the middle finger will be stronger. Ayurveda describes this pulse as "active, excited, and move like jumping of a frog." This pulse is called frog pulse.

When the throbbing of the pulse under the ring finger is most noticeable, it is a sign of Kapha constitution. The pulse feels strong and its movement resembles the floating of a swan. Hence, this pulse is called swan pulse.

Pulse Diagnosis In Western diagnostics it is only the rate of the pulse that is taken. The rate is dependent on the supremacy of the Doshas in Ayurveda. Vata is 80-90 beats per minute. Pitta is 70-80 bpm. Kapha is 60-70 bpm. The rhythm of the pulse can be irregular or regular. An irregular pulse has no distinguishable pattern. Its intensity and rhythm fluctuates wildly. Vata is irregular. A regular pulse in consistent, it pumps in the same rhythm and amplitude. Its crest and wave are even. Pitta is regularly irregular, meaning that if it skips a beat it always skips that beat, and thus the pattern repeats itself. The amplitude of the pulse is the force or strength with which the beat moves into the fingers. Pitta's intensity is high, Kapha's consistency is moderate, and Vata's variability is low. Overall the characteristics of each dosha are: Vata is feeble and light as it slithers into the fingers. Pitta bounds into the fingers strongly and clearly. Kapha slides into the fingers slow and cloudlike.

The qualities listed above are the "home" qualities of the pulse for that dosha. In other words, one would expect to feel the pulse jumping like a frog with the middle finger because that is the normal quality of the Pitta pulse. Vata would normally feel like a Cobra (snake) and Kapha like a smooth swan.

Under different conditions, these qualities can leave their home location and appear at the home of one of the other doshas. For example, the frog quality can move from Pitta (the middle finger) to Vata (the index finger) at times.

When the qualities of the pulse are not at home, it can indicate an imbalance in one's health.

Proficiency in pulse diagnosis is gained by long practice, alertness and guidance from the preceptor. Though learning to detect disease from the pulse is a skill belonging to the physician, you can also become familiar with your own pulse and glean fascinating insights into doshas. Once you have worked with your doshas you can easily attribute them to pre-mentioned qualities, signs, symptoms etc. of corresponding doshas in the classical texts. From this data-base, you can gain true intimacy with your own doshas.

This is the most powerful Diagnostic Tool for understanding the cause of any Ailment or Disease in the Human body. It is a part of our Vedic lineage and is passed on from Guru to the disciple depending on the spiritual evolution of the disciple.

HOW TO MAKE DIAGNOSIS?

On the contrary, during the Nadi Pariksha, a person need not have to specify his/her problems in advance. The Nadi Vidwan is not supposed to know the details in advance as he should not get influenced by the patient’s symptoms. Though the symptoms reveal the disease process, it is the cause of the prevailing or persisting symptoms that are more important. Each cell in our body possesses its own intelligence. It is the communication of this intelligence in the form of vibrations that is studied in Nadi Pariksha. Nadi Pariksha understands the vibratory frequency of the Pulse at various levels on the Radial artery.

Subtle vibrations are read at seven different levels vertically downward that help in ascertaining various functions in the body. The pulse, when examined, reveals both physical & mental characteristics of the pulse. This is interpreted in the form of symptoms along with their prognosis which helps in understanding the cause. Thus, Nadi Pariksha forms the basis for addressing any ailment in an individual.

The accuracy of the pulse reading depends on the intuitive awareness of the individual and also the ability to understand and interpret the subtlety of vibrations. This sensitive awareness determines the success of Nadi Pariksha.

The 5 elements or the “Panchamahabhutas” are Ether, Air, Fire, Water and Earth. The 3 doshas or humors of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha come as a combination of these 5 elements.

Ether + Air = Vata (Mobility)

Fire +Water = Pitta (Heat)

Water + Earth = Kapha (Viscosity)

Any imbalance in the doshas will bring forth an ailment that will subsequently lead to a disease process. Each of these doshas has their Physical, Mental, Emotional and Physiological characteristics.

WHAT IS DISCOVERED DURING THE NADI PARIKSHA?

The details of what all are revealed is mentioned below:

Every aspect of the human organism, the Body, Mind etc. is understood during the Pulse Diagnosis.

Apart from understanding the Cause of the current ailments, the Diagnosis tracks the disease back to its origin. Even subtler levels of causal factors like emotional issues or specific thought patterns of the individual, that manifest into physical ailments subsequently are understood.

Nadi Pariksha is undertaken to understand the following aspects in an individual:

Helps to ascertain “One’s Original Constitution at the time of Conception” (Prakruti). This forms the basis of deciding the basis and structure of the individualized Healing process.

Helps to understand “One’s Current Constitution as against the Original Constitution” (Vikruti). The diagnosis ascertains the deviation that the body and mind have taken as compared to its original constitution. Also, it enables one to understand the prognosis of ailments that have arisen during this transition from Prakruti to Vikruti.

Nadi Pariksha successfully tracks down the altered state of the mind. This is very important as the science of Ayurveda believes that a major part of human ailments are psychosomatic in nature. This is so because the only way the Mind can express itself is through the body. Therefore, the body works to a very large extent according to the dictates of the mind.

The analysis at the Doshas, the subtle entities of the psycho – physiological body. Any alteration in the Doshas can lead to understanding of the disease process. The doshas like Vata, Pitta & Kapha and their sub units help in understanding:

The movement of energies and the working of the nervous system, circulation as defined by the pulsation of the heart, and the movement of nutrition to various tissues in the body.

The metabolic process and the process of bio-transformation in the body, which governs the activities of Digestion, Absorption & Assimilation of Nutrition.

The assimilating and binding functions through the help of bodily fluids, which includes the Proper and Healthy formation of Muscles, Bones, Ligaments and Tendons etc.

The study of the health of various types of tissues in the body like Plasma, Blood, Muscle, Marrow, Bone, Nerve and reproduction.

The health of the Chakras or the subtle energy wheels in the body that corresponds to the glands in the physical body is ascertained. Chakras relate to and control certain physiological processes in the body.

Subsequent to doing the Nadi Pariksha, other forms of examination are taken up.

This is done to cross examine the correctness of the Pulse Diagnosis. These various methods are highlighted as under:

NAILS – The shape and size of nails reveals the type of constitution a person belongs to. For example, small size nails with serrated edges (basically bitten by a person due to anxiety or nervousness signifies a Vata nail. Pitta nails are slightly larger in size with a slight curvature in the middle that resembles a semi “D” shape. These nails when pressed at the top will reveal a slight yellow tinge in the center. A Kapha nail is usually large in size. These nails normally will be whitish in colour. The surface of the nail is usually large.

Indications: Vata nails have vertical lines that look like deep serrations or ridges. Pitta nails, apart from having vertical ridges (not always necessary) can also have reddish lines along these ridges starting from the bottom of the nail running towards the top. Kapha nails may have a larger curvature in the center owing to the larger surface area.

TONGUE –

The tongue reveals all the organs of the body and particularly reveals the aspects of Digestion and Assimilation of food. It reveals the kind of digestive disorders and which of the 3 doshas were responsible or are in a state of imbalance. The type of ailment is also revealed.

Indications: Vata when aggravated shows a cracked and rough tongue. Pitta when aggravated shows a reddish tongue and Kapha when aggravated shows a whitish slimy mucus coating on the tongue. The tongue also reveals the physiological problems present in other parts of the body but this is a very lengthy subject and cannot be discussed in detail here.

EYES –

The shape of the eyes reveal the nature of the person’s original constitution. Also on examination, the eyes reveal what is the nature of the ailment and the doshas responsible for it.

Indications: A person suffering from a Vata disorder will have a brownish colouration in the eyes. There will be dryness felt in the eyes too. A Pitta condition will reveal redness of yellowish colouring in the eyes. A kapha condition will show denseness or cloudy vision along with whitish marks in the eyes.

SPEECH –

The strength of the voice and the intonations while talking reveals the predominant dosha present in the person at the time of examination. Also, which talking, gesticulations or emphasis during communication shows the predominant dosha at the time of analysis. This also reveals the nature of symptoms present in the body and the cause.

Indications: A Vata person will talk fast and will change subjects without relevance or context. Breathing will be erratic and gesticulations will be predominant. A Pitta person will speak in a loud, strong tone which will display dominance which can be easily mistaken for arrogance. The conviction in the speech will be evident. A Kapha person will be mild, soft and musical in his speech. He will slow in his expressions and will not rush in his conversation.

SKIN

The feel and texture of the skin reveals the kind of dosha present. The temperature of skin reveals the presence of Vata, Pitta and Kapha in circulation. The pigmentation on the skin reveals the kind of toxins in the blood.

Indications: A Vata skin is dry with scales or flaking. It will be cold to the touch. It can also have a darkish colouration. A Pitta person will have an oily skin, with possible inflammation under the skin which will be denoted by reddish patches. It will be hot to the touch. Normally a pitta person will have a skin which will be hot to the touch. A Kapha person will have a cold and damp feeling to touch. It is either milkishly white or pale.

URINE –

The colour, nature, frequency and the content in the urine determines the nature of ailment in the body. The frequency and the volume of urination reveal the intensity of ailment.

Indications: A Vata person will experience scanty urination or infrequent urination. The quantity of urine will also vary. The urgency to urinate will not justify the quantity of urine coming out. The urine will be astringent in smell. A Pitta person will have hot urine coming out and in a better volume. Normally, when the Pitta dosha is aggravated, frequent, irritant urination will persist. Urine will either be Dark yellow to yellow to reddish in colour. The urine will have a strong and pungent smell. A Kapha person will have a large volume of urination. The colour of urine will be whitish and can be frothy.

STOOLS –

The formation and colour of stool shows the nature of ailment. Also, the number of evacuations or lack of evacuation like constipation for example provides the information of both the emotional levels of the individual as well as the working of the physiological of the body. Even the smell in the breath when a person is talking reveals the kind of toxins present in the large intestine and the predominant dosha imbalance which has caused these toxins to manifest.

Indications: A Vata person will have varying stool formation. He will experience lots of gas and distention in the abdomen.

Normally, stools will be hard and the person will feel constipated. The colour of the stools will vary between dark brown to black. The stools will normally float. A pitta person will have well-formed stools to loose stools. The colour of the stools will vary from brown to light brown. Especially when the pitta dosha is aggravated, the stools colour will be yellowish in colour and can vary between semi-formed to loose stools. He can also experience burning in his rectum while passing stools. Occasional mucus formation will also be present. A Kapha person will have large volume in his stools. There will be mucus present in stools. The colour of stools will be between brown to yellow.