"Shatkarma" - Six cleening yogic activities for body purification: "Hatha Yoga Pradipika"

The Shatkarmas are described in the second chapter of Hatha Yoga Pradipika. Describing the Shatkarmas, Swami Swatmaram ji says- Dhauti, Basti, Neti, Tratak, Nauli and Kapalbhanti are the six Karmas. Yogis have instructed to perform these six actions in the path of Yoga. According to Hatha Yoga Pradipika, the description of Shatkarma is as follows.

1. Dhauti

Under Dhautikarma, only Vastra Dhauti has been described in Hatha Yoga Pradipika. Describing the Dhauti Kriya, Swami Swatmaram ji says-

Taking fifteen hand long and four finger wide soft cloth and soaking it in hot water. Practice eating one hand cloth every day under the direction of the Guru. While eating this Vastra Dhauti, keep one hand dhauti outside the mouth at the end.

Now do Nauli Karma by pressing the Dhauti in the teeth. After that take out the dhauti slowly. If you feel stuck while taking out the dhauti, then you should not panic. It should be take out  after drinking some warm water. The dhauti will come out easily. This is dhautikarma.

Benefits of Dhauti- 

Describing the benefits of Dhauti karma, it is said that- Dhauti wash the stomach and It purifies him completely. For this reason, this action is called Dhauti. According to Hatha Yoga Pradeepika- Practicing this Dhauti cures diseases like kas (cough), breathing (asthma) etc. Spleen disorders are removed.

Caution- 

Many precautions should be taken while doing dhautikriya. First of all, "dhotikarma" should be done under the guidance of the teacher. Extreme patience is required while eating Dhauti, the mind has to be firm. If there is a problem in coming out Dhauti, drink lukewarm salty water. While taking coming out the dhauti, take out slowly. People who are doing Dhauti for the first time can apply ghee or honey on the Dhauti. Have a light meal or don't eat at night before doing Dhauti.

2. Basti-

"Bastikarma" is also a very important kirya. In Ayurveda also it has been described under Panchakarma. In modern medicine too, based on this, enema is administered to the patients. Describing Bastikarma in Hathayoga pradipika, Yogi Swatmaram ji has said that-

Sitting in Utkatasana in the water of river etc. at such a place where water comes up to the navel. By introducing a bamboo drain with hole equal to the size of the little finger entrand in the anus, make the perineum contract. So that water enters the anus. Then by Naulikarma, this water should be run in the abdomen and discarded through the anus. Thus the act of washing the rectum is called Bastikarma.

It should be kept in mind here that the water of the river etc. should not be dirty and neither is very cold, nor too hot.

Benefits of Basti- 

This Bastikarma is very important from the point of view of health. Describing the benefits of basti, the Hathayogapradipika states-

Due to the effect of bastikarma, diseases related to air, spleen related defects, ascites etc. are removed and diseases caused by vitiated vata, pitta and phlegm are destroyed. Seven metals (juice, blood, flesh, muscle, bone, marrow, sperm), the five senses of action, the five sense organs,  and mind, intellect, ego and consciousness, of the man who does Bastikarma. All of them become free from feces. And the seekers get happiness.

Caution- 

While doing water Bastikarma, keep in mind that the water should not be polluted, the tube to be inserted in the anus should be pure. If there is any kind of infection in the anus, then do not practice it.

3. Neti-

The rope wrapped around the "Raee" for milk billone is called Neti. Similarly, by putting the thread through the nose and taking it out through the mouth is called Neti Karma, by the process of passing the thread back and forth.

In Hathayogapradipika only Sutraneti is described. Netikriya is also done with water, milk, ghee, oil etc. Swatmaram Yogi says about neti.

Enter a strong smooth rope into the nostril and take it out of the mouth. Siddhas have called this action as netikarma. Here the meaning of strong smooth rope should be taken from such a thread, which can be used conveniently for neti kriya. This rope should be of ten or fifteen thread. Divide half of that rope like a rope and apply wax on it. And half the rope should be kept open.

Sitting in Kagasan, after soaking the non-waxed part of that sutra in warm water and applying a little salt water on the waxed part, push it into the nostril. When neti comes in the throat, put two fingers in the mouth and hold the neti and slowly take it out of the mouth. Similarly, push it into through the other nostril and slowly take it out of the mouth. When you have a good practice of extracting in this way, then hold the neti with both hands and rub it slowly in the nostrils. This netikarma is done through both the nostrils respectively. This netikarma has been told by Siddha Yogis.

Benefits of Neti kriya- 

Describing the benefits of Netikriya, it has been said in Hatha Yoga Pradipika that - By doing Neti, the skull is purified. This sharpens the eyesight and removes the feces of the nose etc. It gives divine vision to the seeker. This kriya quickly destroys the disease group related to the organs above the joint of the shoulders. That is, diseases of the eyes, nose, ears, throat etc. are destroyed by this activity.

Caution- 

Insert Sutra Neti slowly in the nostril, do not rush, otherwise bleeding may come out from inside the nose. Do not do neti when there is a wound. Grease the formula properly with ghee etc. Before doing sutra neti, cut the fingernails etc., otherwise, while taking out the sutra from the mouth, the fingernails can cause injury to the mouth.

4. Tratak

Tratakkarma is considered to be one of the main actions of Yogasadhana. Describing the practice of Tratak, it has been said in Hatha Yoga Pradipika that- By concentrating the mind, look at the subtle target i.e. the object with a fixed eye, until tears come from the eyes. The doing of this action is called Tratak by the masters of Hatha Yoga.

For tratak, sit in a stable posture and keep target at a distance of three to four feet, parallel to the eyes, the subtle target should be seen with the fixed eye. Like the flame of a lamp or a small black or green round mark on the wall.

When the eyes start getting tired or tears are about to come, then one should sit for some time keeping the eyes closed. This action should be repeated again. Increase the practice of Tratak gradually. Those whose eyes are more weak, they should do Tratak Kriya only after correcting the condition of their eyes by practicing Sutra Neti, Jal Neti. Tratak is such an action in Shatkarma, which has a quick effect on both body and mind.

Benefits of tratak- 

Describing the benefits of Tratak, it has been said in Hatha Yoga Pradipika that- By the practice of this Tratak Karma, eye diseases are destroyed. And it works as a valve for Tandra etc. That is, does not allow them to enter the body and mind. "Tandra" is called Tamogun instinct of the mind. All these are finished by the practice of this action. Yogis have considered this Karma so important that just as a gold box is kept hidden, in the same way this Tratak Karma should also be kept secret.

This means that only a qualified officer should teach this work. Because it develops hypnosis power and unauthorized men can misuse the hypnosis power obtained from it.

Caution- 

The practice of tratak should be increased gradually, it is necessary to maintain proper distance of the object and it is also necessary to give rest to the eyes when the eyes are tired.

5. Nauli- 

Naulikriya is also an important deed in Shatkarma. Describing Nauli, it is said in Hathayogapradipika that-

When a sadhak by keeping both his hands firmly on both the knees, rotates his abdomen rapidly from right and left side like the velocity of water-illusion. Siddhas have called this action of his as Naulikarma.

For Naulikriya, first of all, keeping hands on the knees, bend slightly in front, exhale completely and apply Udidayana bandha. After that, leave the lower part of the stomach loose and collect the intestines towards the front with mental power. This is called the middle Nauli.

When this practice is done, then do this action by applying pressure on the right hand, then the tubes will be on the right side. Which is called "Dakshinauli". Similarly, by giving pressure on the left side, there will be "vaamnauli". When all three types of practice are done, then with the power of will, the Nauli should be rotated from right to left and from left to right. This is called Nauli operation action. By doing all these actions it is called complete Nouli action.

Benefits of Nauli- 

Naulikriya is a very beneficial activity for our body. Describing its benefits, it has been said that it destroys all the diseases of the abdominal region like slow-burning, digestive defects etc. It massages all the abdominal organs and strengthens the abdominal muscles.

With the practice of Nauli, the digestive fire gets ignited by removing Mandagni. Due to which the digestion of food starts to happen properly. The practitioner of Nauli always feels blissful. Vata etc. destroys the doshas and the diseases arising from them. This Nauli Kriya Dhauti etc. which are other Kriyas of Shatkarma, is the best Kriya among them all.

Caution- 

This exercise is a bit difficult, so it should be practiced carefully. It should not be practiced in diseases like hernia or ulcer. People whose stomach is extremely weak should practice it slowly. To spin the nauli, first spin it slowly, not with speed.

6. Kapalbhati-

Kapalbhati is also an important deed in Shatkarma. Describing its method and benefits, it has been said in Hatha Yoga Pradipika that-

The process of rechak (exhale) and poorak (inhale) rapidly like a blacksmith's bellows is called Kapalbhati.

In this, the breath is taken out rapidly. While exhaling, the stomach presses inside. The act of breathing (going in) goes on automatically.

Benefits of Kapalbhati - 

This Kapalbhati exploits Kapha. That is, it pacifies cough disorders. When phlegm increases, it immediately throws the phlegm out of the nostrils. Purifies the cranial region and makes it radiant and brings shine to the face.

Caution- 

Use only the nose while doing Kapalbhati, keep the mouth-lips closed. People with high blood pressure, heart attack should not practice this.

"Shatkarma" According to Gheranda Samhita