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JoAYUSH (2016) 48-51 © STM Journals 2016. All Rights Reserved Page 48
Journal of AYUSH: Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy
ISSN: 2278-2214(online), ISSN: 2321-6484(print)
Volume 5, Issue 3
www.stmjournals.com
Nadi Pariksha: An Ancient Ayurvedic Method
of Diagnosis
Kalpana B. Kachare*, Santosh G. Girbide, Snehal A. Bankar
Department of Rognidan, R.A. Podar Ayurved Medical College, Worli, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Abstract
In Ayurveda we have studied two hypotheses namely, Pinda Brhmanda Nyaya and Anshansha
Kalpana. As per the Pinda Brahmanda Nyaya, whatever elements we see in the nature, we
find same elements in the smallest part of the human body as well and vice versa. According
to Anshanshakalpana, all the elements found in any organism, are found in the seed of that
organism in the same proportion but in minute quantities. The presence of pulse at the
Angushthamula is evidence of life. “Hastagatenadisarvanroganprabhashyate.” Nadi
Pariksha is done to analyse and estimate the quantity of Tridosha in the body. Tridosha, i.e.
Vata, Pitta and Kapha are considered as the fundamental. Concept of Nadi Pariksha found in
various ancient Ayurved Samhitas like, Bhavprakash, Nadi Pariksha by Ravansamhita,
Nadivigyan by Kanad. Theacharya Sharangdhara flourished it in his work as a means of
diagnosis and prognosis. The concept of Nadi Pariksha is described in third chapter first part.
Yogratnakara also describes Nadi Pariksha as diagnosis, in first chapter under heading Rog
Pariksha. The examinations of Nadi Pariksha (Pulse examination) are evidence of many
diseases as per Yogratnakara. These parameters are indicative of diagnosis of diseases. They
were popular diagnostic tools in the past but nowadays they are not specifically used, so there
is need to re-establish their results so that they can be used in future.
Keywords: Ayurveda, Nadi Pariksha, pulse examination
*Author for Correspondence E-mail: Kachare.kalpana@gmail.com
INTRODUCTION
In Ayurveda we have studied two hypotheses
namely, Pinda Brhmanda Nyaya and
Anshansha Kalpana. As per the Pinda
Brahmanda Nyaya, whatever elements we see
in the nature, we find same elements in the
smallest part of the human body as well and
vice versa. According to Anshanshakalpana,
all the elements found in any organism, are
found in the seed of that organism in the same
proportion but in minute quantities. The
presence of pulse at the Angushthamula is
evidence of life.
Hastagatenadisarvanroganprabhashyate
Nadi Pariksha is done to analyse and estimate
the quantity of Tridosha in the body. Tridosha,
i.e. Vata, Pitta and Kapha are considered as
the fundamental elements of health. A balance
between these three is considered as Prakriti
or healthy status and any imbalance in these
three is considered as Vikriti or ill health. As
per ancient Ayurvedic text, Nadi can be
examined at various places but commonly it is
examined at the wrist of the person.
Conventionally it is examined at right wrist of
the males and left wrist of the females. Ideally
it should be examined in the early morning
and on empty stomach. Dosha usually stay at
their own place, i.e. Ashrayasthana and come
in the body hollows to do their function. Some
of the Dosha are utilized during this process.
After the process is over, the remaining Dosha
goes back to their original place.
Nadi Pariksha is an Ayurvedic tool of
diagnosis practiced from long back. Nadi
Pariksha is the science of observing the pulse
from a perspective of diagnosis of the human
body, mind and the sub-conscious. It is
commonly known as pulse diagnosis. The
pulse communicates more than what we can
feel. Energy flowing through the various
channels (Nadis) carries information about
health of all that connects to them as organ
channels (Srotas), tissues (Dhatus), organs and
their health and regeneration into the blood.
Body metabolism and even information about
Nadi Pariksha: An Ancient Ayurvedic Method of Diagnosis Kachare and Girbide
JoAYUSH (2016) 48-51 © STM Journals 2016. All Rights Reserved Page 49
our conscious, sub-conscious mind, attitudes
and also information about our Samskaras
(experiences) and Vasanas (pattern) that we
lived through in the past are available as
energies in blood for Nadi Pariksha.
Nadi is also known as sphura, sira, veena,
sphurani, hansi, dhamani, jivsakshi, jivitadnya
are sanskrita synonyms of nadi, as well as
pulse in English, these synonyms show
functional activity of Nadi, i.e. Spura (nerve),
Dhamani (artery) Sira (vein) Rasayani
(lymphatic vessels) snayu (ligament). It
indicates nadi is a channel existing within the
body in the form of blood vessels.
The term Nadi Pariksha denotes examination
of pulse (Nadi). According to Ayurveda, Nadi
Pariksha is base of Tridoshvijyana. Nadi
Pariksha also helps to find out vitiated doshas
in patients. Etiology of diseases are formed
due to vitiated doshas, this vitiation is formed
in blood. This impure blood is purified by
hrudya (heart). Hrudya (heart) is also center of
control for mind and body [1].
As per Acharya Charka (ch.I 3/1-5) the
absence of spandanas (pulsing) in Nadi
indicates parasu (death). There are eight
sthans for examination of nadi, explained in
vasvrajiyamsamhita among them commonly
used nadi is karangushtamulanadi (radial
artery). The process of Nadi Pariksha involves
placing of index, middle and ring finger on
karangushtamula (forearm), i.e. one finger
distance from angushtamula. Pressure of pulse
on finger indicates the doshaprablya; index:
vatvahanadi, Middle: pittavahanadi, Ring:
kaphavahanadi.
DIAGNOSIS IN AYURVEDA [2–4]
There are three main methods mentioned in
Ayurveda for diagnosing Dosha imbalance and
disease process in a person. They are:
1. Darshana Pariksha: By observing the
patients’ physical signs and symptoms, for
example, color of skin, hair, eyes,
behavior, body condition etc.
2. Prashna Pariksha: By asking questions
regarding the imbalance of each Doshas.
3. Sparshna Pariksha: By touching the
patient. The pulse diagnosis, palpitation,
percussion and auscultation are included in
this method.
Nadi Pariksha is very important tool for the
diagnosis. The physician feels the radial artery
pulsation on the wrist of the patient and
through his experience he can get a clear
picture of whole body. This is a very spatial
type of noninvasive diagnostic technique
where by the use of three fingertips only and
pulse of the patient a diagnosis can be
achieved within no time. This can provide the
information about the exact location and
nature of the disease [5].
WHAT IS NADI?
Nadi is a channel existing within the body in
the form of blood vessels. The term Nadi
Pariksha denotes examination of pulse (Nadi).
According to Ayurveda, Nadi Pariksha is base
of Tridoshvijyana. Nadi Pariksha also helps to
find out vitiated doshas in patients. Etiology of
diseases are formed due to vitiated doshas;
pulsation varies in every person from healthy
to aturpariksha (diseased person).
RELATION BETWEEN DOSHA’S
AND NADI [6]
Dosha
Nature of
Pulse/Movement
Examples
Vata
Vakra Gati
Jalouka, sarpa
Pitta
Chanchal
Manduka, kak
Kapha
Manda
Hansa, paravat
Pitta-Vata
Vakra, Chanchal
Sarpa,
manduka
Vata-kapha
Vakra, manda
Sarpa, Hansa
Pitta-kapha
Chanchal, manda
Manduka,
Mayur
Tridosha
Vakra, Tivra, Manda
Lava, Tittira
RELATION BETWEEN PRAKRITI
AND NADI
Represents the Prakriti of the person. As Nadi
is simulated with the river; thus, as at the base
of river there are no rustling movements as
otherwise seen on the surface. In the human
body, the most constant non-changing thing is
the Prakriti, so it is understood at the base.
One must look for the location and strength of
the pulsation and the fingertips representing
the respective Prakriti.
NADI PARIKSHA [7]
This is the methodology of accessing the
knowledge about happening in the physiology
Journal of AYUSH: Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy
Volume 5, Issue 3
ISSN: 2278-2214(online), ISSN: 2321-6484(print)
JoAYUSH (2016) 48-51 © STM Journals 2016. All Rights Reserved Page 50
only by the touching the Nadi. The touch
works as the bridge between the patient and
the examiner, i.e. Vaidya, by touch the
knowledge is transferred from the patient to
the Vaidya, who after proper decoding can
understand exact nature and extend of the
change in patient with its causes thus
achieving diagnosis.
The method of Nadi Pariksha being a very
potent diagnostic tool needs to be used very
precisely to achieve the correct diagnosis. The
selection of place following appropriate
pressure at various levels of touch; collecting
the variables in the examination and arranging
them, are the basics of Nadi Pariksha.
The findings then are exposed to analysis for
understanding the happenings to achieve
diagnosis. Location is: base of the thumb on
the radial artery, right hand in male and left
hand in female. Once the location is decided
then place all the three fingers gently on the
pulsating area just below the wrist. The Nadi is
examined at specific time, which helps us in
achieving the diagnosis; these are as follows:
1. During Nadi Pariksha, as per acharyas in
the female vamnadi (left) should be
examined and in males dakshin hasta nadi
(Right) should be examined, the reason
behind is that in females are described as
vamangapradhan.
2. Nadi Pariksha being done early morning
after mala-mutravisarjana, to
Parikshaswabhavikgati of the nadi. This
condition varies in result of observations.
3. Nadi Pariksha being done on patient,
when patient is in sukhasan (relax in
seating position or sleeping position).
4. Nadi Pariksha is not performed just after
eating or bathing, because it varies in
diagnosis of person, in those mentioned
conditions may be pulse is high.
5. Nadi Pariksha being not performed on
patients who is hungry, thirsty, coming
from burning sun rays, after exercise;
these conditions show vyakulanadi (weak)
bala.
NADI BALA IN MODERN MEDICINE
Nadi Pariksha (pulse examination) should be
done by rate, rhythm, volume, character; all
these are explained in ayurveda as bala of nadi
or power of the pulsation. Gati of Nadi is
directly proportional to doshaprablyata in
body [8].
1. Gurunadi: Where volume of blood is full
or doshas are powerful.
2. Laghunadi: Where volume is disturbed
due to any etiology of diseases or doshas
are weak as per acharyas, laghunadi found
in Jwara, dhamnipratichay (high blood
pressure), vrikkaroga (renal diseases),
vishvikara (toxicity), krodha (anger),
yakrutroga (liver disease).
NADI GATI
It is appropriate pressure at various levels of
touch to three fingers, i.e. each finger felt
different pressure due to doshaprabalyata, as
acharya explains it in various upamas for
identifying gati of doshas or prabalya of
doshas:
Sarpagati-Vata Dosha: Vataprabaldosha
having characteristic nature of chanchalta, or
vakragatinadi, so it represents by sarpgati
(serpentine movement) or jalokagati (leach
movement).
Mandukgati-pitta Dosha: Pitta prabaldosha
having characteristic nature of Udreka and
chapel or jumping nature, so it represents by
Mandukagati (frog) or kakgati (crow), i.e. frog
like jumping movement of pulse felt to finger.
Hansagati-Kapha Dosha: Kapha prabaldosha
having characteristic nature of sthira, i.e.
Hansagati, or paravatgati, i.e. Hansa (regular)
walking like movement of pulse felt to finger.
CONCLUSION
Nadi Pariksha has been said as one of the
Ashta Sthana Pariksha. This system of
examination cannot be practiced easily
because of non-availability of detail
description about Nadi Pariksha in Ayurvedic
literature and lack of practice in the field of
science. Nadi Pariksha is an easy tool to arrive
at the faster diagnosis like pulse examination
in other systems of medicine. Fortunately
some of the ancient Ayurvedic literature is still
available to us. So, to enrich the knowledge,
small effort is made to put light over pulse
examination. It is well known fact that the
knowledge of pulse science originated some
thousand year ago in various medical
disciplines of the world. The first indication
about this science in original form is found in
Nadi Pariksha: An Ancient Ayurvedic Method of Diagnosis Kachare and Girbide
JoAYUSH (2016) 48-51 © STM Journals 2016. All Rights Reserved Page 51
the works of Sharangdhara in 14th century.
Concept of Nadi Pariksha is found in various
ancient Ayurved Samhitas like-Bhavprakash,
Nadi Pariksha by Ravansamhita, Nadivigyan
by Kanad. Theacharya Sharangdhara
flourished it in his work as a means of
diagnosis and prognosis. The concept of Nadi
Pariksha is described in third chapter first
part. Yogratnakara also describes Nadi
Pariksha as diagnosis, in first chapter under
heading Rog Pariksha.
So, in modern era of information and
technology, we the scholars of Ayurveda have
to use knowledge of Nadi which depends on
the subjective knowledge and experience of
the physician to objective parameters by the
tool of modern science, so that the knowledge
of Nadi reaches its height.
REFERENCES
1. Bhelasamhita. Chikitsasthan 8/2–5.
2. Sharma PV. English Translation of
Charak Samhita. Choukhamba Orientalia;
1981.
3. Murthy KRS. Sushrutasamhita (700 BC).
Varanasi: Choukhamba Orientalia; 2005.
4. Yadavji Trikamji, Nandakishor Sharma,
Bhanumati. Comentary by
Chakrapanidatta on Sushruta Samhita.
Sutrasthana. Varanasi: Krishandas
Academy; Reprint 2001.
5. Abhaykatyayan. Nadi Pariksha.
ravnkutnaidaniktika. Chukhamba
Surbharati Prakashan; 2014; 14p.
6. Dr.Bramhanand Tripathi. Sharangdhar
samhita, purvkhand/adhay-3, page no 27,
Varanasi: Choukhamba Surabharti
prakashan; 2015..
7. Maiskar VB. Nadi Vivechan. Madhavi
Publication; 2009.
8. Dt. Upadhyay GP. Nadi Pariksha Vigyan.
Varanasi: Choukhamba Surbarti
Publication; 2009.
Cite this Article
Kachare Kalpana B, Girbide Santosh G.
Nadi Pariksha: An Ancient Ayurvedic
Method of Diagnosis. Journal of AYUSH:
Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and
Homeopathy. 2016; 5(3): 48–51p.
