A History of Indian Medical Literature v3.c46.123

v3.c46.123

Gāndhārī is located behind Iḍā; it has the colour of a peacock's throat and runs from the left foot to the left eye (25). Hastijihvā lies to the front of Iḍā; it has the colour of an utpala (blue water-lily) and runs from the left part of the head to the big toe of the left foot (26). Pūṣā lies behind Piṅgalā; its colour is like that of a dark cloud; it runs from the right eye to the sole of the right foot (27). Alambuṣā lies to the front of Piṅgalā and is red in colour; it runs from the right eye to the big toe of the right foot (28). Yaśasvinī, lying in front of Piṅgalā, has the hue of a conch and runs from the right part of the head to the big toe of the right foot (29). Śaṅkhinī is located between Gāndhārī and Sarasvatī; it is golden in colour and runs from the left foot to the left ear (30). Kuhū is located between Vāruṇī and Pūṣā; it is white in colour and runs from the big toe of the right foot to the top of the head (31). The most important among these nāḍīs are Viśvodarī, Śaṅkhinī, Rāvaṇā, and Sarasvatī (32).⁷⁵ Suṣumṇā, located in the brahmarandhra, on the road to final liberation (muktimārga), is invisible (avyakta) and associated with Viṣṇu (33). The three main nāḍīs are Iḍā, Piṅgalā and Suṣumṇā; Suṣumṇā is foremost among them (34). Iḍā runs on the left side, Piṅgalā on the right side, and Suṣumṇā in the middle; all three are pathways of vāyu (35). Iḍā has the lustre of a conch and the moon, Piṅgalā is white and red (36). Iḍā is a seat of the moon, Piṅgalā of the sun, Suṣumṇā of the wind (marut); Iḍā is a seat of rajas, Piṅgalā of tamas, Suṣumṇā of sattva; Iḍā is associated with the day (37). Iḍā has the nature of vāyu, Piṅgalā that of fire, while Suṣumṇā, lying on the pathway to the brahmadvāra (= brahmarandhra), has the nature of both (38).