Gorakhnath and the Kanphata Yogis c19.46

c19.46

The vital forces function through the nāḍis,¹⁰ sometimes called channels, or arteries, or fibres. They are paths of power, not gross channels, but subtle lines.¹¹ They are spoken of as 72,000 in number¹² or as 3,00,000,¹³ or as 2,00,000.¹ Among these seventy-two are of considerable importance,² but they are not named. The nāḍis are spoken of as a network pervading the body and having their origin in the kanda. They all have their ends (outlets) in the openings of the body. The ten chief nāḍis are iḍā, piṅglā, suṣumṇā, gāndhārī, hastijihvā, pūṣā, yaśasvinī, alambuṣā, kūhūś and śaṃkhinī.³ They terminate respectively in the left nostril, the right nostril, the hole-in-the-skull (anterior fontanelle), the left eye, the right eye, the right ear, the left ear, the mouth, the male organ and the anus.⁴