A History of Indian Medical Literature v3.c46.85

v3.c46.85

A main group of nāḍīs is formed by the pentad consisting of Iḍā, Piṅgalā, Suṣumnā, ²⁴ located in the upper half of the body, together with Subalā and Balā, located in the lower half. Iḍā is found on the left, Piṅgalā on the right, and Suṣumnā in the middle. Iḍā is the main carrier of the doṣas in females; Piṅgalā is its counterpart in males. The Suṣumnā, the seat of Brahmā, transports vāyu, the basis of breathing (38–43ab). A human being is said to breathe 21,600 times each day and night (43cd–44ab). ²⁵