Abstract

*Dr. Priya Pathak, Dr. Ankush Jagota, Dr. Umesh Shukla, Rajika Gupta and Prof. T. C. Thakur

ABSTRACT

Varisara Dhauti is one of the major Hatha yoga practices, it is also known as Shankhaprakshalana. “Dhauti” refers to 'internal washing' and “Vari” means 'water'. Generally the term Shankhaprakshalana is applied, Shankha means 'conch', because of its resemblance to the stomach and intestines; Prakshalana means 'cleaning’. Shankhaprakshalana is modified to suit the fast paced life and persons with weak constitutions. It is a technique by which all the toxic materials accumulated in the gastrointestinal canal are washed out. In Shankhaprakshalana, intake of plain salty water and some yogic Aasanas are the only requirements for the process. No drugs are required. All the deleterious effects of purgatives are totally absent. Hatha Yoga has six basic steps of Moksha, i.e., Aasana, Pranayama, Mudra, Pratyahara, Dhyana and Mukti. For proper Aasana and Pranayama body should be devoid of any obstruction like diseases, Meda, Shlesma etc. Provisions for removal of these are explained in the six Shodhana Kriya/ Shatkarma. Shatkarma is not mentioned in the Patanjali Yoga Sutra. Description of Shatkarma is available in the text of Hatha Yoga.