J Res Educ Indian Med 2019; ISSN 0970-7700

Online Publishing: Oct, 3, 2019 DOI: 10.5455/JREIM.82-1454493118

IDA AND PINGALA - A NEUROANATOMICAL EVIDENCE

BASED APPRAISAL
RAKESH NARAYANAN V1, AMITABHA MAPDAR2, ASHWATHYKUTTY V3, NARESH JAIN4
Department of Sharira Racana1, Department of Swastha Vritta2,
National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur - 302002 Rajasthan (India)
Department of Roga Nidana3, K.V.G Ayurveda Medical College, Karnataka (India)
Department of Kriya Sharira4, State Model Institute for Ayurvedic Sciences,
Kolavada, Gandhinagar, Gujarat (India).

Abstract: Introduction-The life force inside the human body is called Prana and according to
Ayurveda and Yoga, this life force flows through structures called Nadi. Among the thousands of Nadi,
two i.e. Ida and Pingala are the most important. Materials and Methods-Literature relating to Ida
and Pingala from various literatures of Yoga and Ayurveda and published research papers relating to
Unilateral Forced Nasal Breathing were reviewed to compare the relation between the two. Observations-
Ida is dominant on the left side of the body and Pingala on the right side. Also because of the
relationship of Ida and Pingala to left and right nostril respectively, left nostril breathing activates Ida
and right nostril breathing activates Pingala. Since many physiological functions such as heart rate,
oxygenation of the blood etc. are directly related to the respiration, the control of breathing can directly
influence these functions. Also, the contra lateral control of body activities by the brain and the
lateralization of the brain in terms of functional anatomy show that unilateral breathing through one
nostril can selectively activate the contra lateral brain half thereby altering body functions. Conclusions-
The treatment modality of Unilateral Forced Nasal Breathing can be correlated to the concept of Ida
and Pingala described in Ayurvedic and Yogic literature.

Keywords: Ida, Nadi, Nasal cycle, Pingala, Unilateral Forced Nasal Breathing.
Received: Feb 16, 2016 Revised: Aug. 19, 2017 Accepted: Aug. 19, 2017 Online Publishing: Oct 03, 2019

INTRODUCTION It has been described as originating at a

The human body is defined by Charaka as
the conglomeration of the five Mahabhuta with
Chetana (Ch.Sa.6/4)[19]. This Chetana expresses
itself inside the living body in the form of Prana.
This Prana flows through the body by means of
numerous channels called as Nadi. The word
Nadi is derived from the Sanskrit root ‘Nah’ which
means ‘to confine’ (R. Jha, 1994)[12]. The
enumeration of Nadi differ widely in the ancient
text books of Yoga, the number varying from 101
described in Chandokya Upanishad, 72,000
described in Goraksha samhita, Hatha Yoga
Pradipika etc. to 3,50,000 described in Siva
Samhita. But all the textbooks agree to the point
that among these numerous Nadi, the most
important are the three Nadi- named Ida, Pingala
and Sushumna (Deepak chebbi, Kshurikopanishad
ebook)[04] Ida Nadi is called the Nadi relating to
the moon. This is why it is called Chandra Nadi
or Saumya Nadi which is cold in nature.
point just below the base of the spine called
Muladhara Chakra and emerges on the left side
of the body and spirals up the body and terminates
at the root of the left nostril (Rai bahadur Srisa
Chandra Vasu, 2013)[08].
Pingala Nadi is called Surya Nadi or Agneya
Nadi as it is hot in nature and is comparable to the
Sun. It emerges on the right side of Muladhara
opposite to Ida and spirals up to reach the base of
right nostril (Rai bahadur Srisa Chandra Vasu,
2013)[09].
Sushumna forms the central Nadi of the
body. It is the most important among the
thousands of Nadi in the body and arises at the
base of the Merudanda - the central axis of the
body (comparable to the vertebral column) and
travels upwards, numerous Chakra (nerve or
energy centers) situated along its course to finally
unite with the Ida and Pingala at the Ajna Chakra,
at the center of forehead.

1. PhD Scholar 2. PhD Scholar 3. Assistant Professor 4. Reader

2 Rakesh Narayanan V, Amitabha Mapdar, Ashwathykutty V, Naresh Jain

The main characteristics of these two Nadi can be summarized as follows: (Table-1)
Table 1: Comparison between Ida and Pingala.
Characteristic Ida Pingala
Position Left of Sushumna Right of Sushumna
Nature Saumya/Cold Agneya/Hot
Devata Chandra (Moon) Surya (Sun)
Catabolism
Function Anabolism (Brimhana)
(Lamghana)
Mahabhuta Jala Agni
Dosha Kapha Pitta
Karma Srshti Samhara

 The other main Nadi of the body are
Gandhari (connected to left eye), Hastijihva
(connected to right eye), Pusa (connected to right
ear), Yasasvini (connected to left ear), Alambusa
(connected to mouth), Kuhu (connected to
abdomen) and Samkhini (connected to rectum)
(Malaviya S, 2010) [07].
These along with above three form the 10
most important Nadi of the body. Some other
Nadi such as Kurma, Payasvini, Sarasvati, Varuni,
Visvodari are also described in Yogic literature.
The functions of the human body are grossly
divided into two – voluntary and involuntary. One
of the main aims of practice of Yoga is to control
some of the involuntary functions of the body.
This is how a yogi attains control over his hunger,
thirst, body metabolism etc. Yogic textbooks
advocate that the only route by which the Prana
(which manifests in the body as Prana Vayu /
Vata) can be brought under control is by controlling
the breath, which is functionally on the border
between voluntary and involuntary functions,
diaphragm being a muscle which is having
voluntary innervations (phrenic nerve) but serving
an autonomic function (breathing).
Since Ida is dominant on the left side of the
body and Pingala on the right side and also because
of the relationship of Ida and Pingala to left and
right nostril respectively, left nostril breathing
activates Ida and right nostril breathing activates
Pingala. Also, numerous researches have been
carried out in recent times all around the world on
the role of controlled breathing on the selective
activation of various nerve centers in the brain.
Since many physiological functions such as heart
rate, oxygenation of the blood etc. are directly
related to the respiratory rate, the control of
breathing can directly influence these functions
(Raghuraj P et al. 2008) [10]. Also, the contra
lateral control of body activities by the brain and
the lateralization of the brain in terms of functional
anatomy shows that even though there might be
minimal differences between the anatomical
innervations and structural organization of the right
and left nostril, unilateral breathing can have an
indirect influence of the selective activation of the
contra lateral brain half thereby altering body
functions (Shannahoff-Khalsa, D. S. (1983) [13].
The fact that brain areas are interconnected
and that nose has close proximity to the brain
both anatomically and in terms of nerve supply
make it possible for it to influence brain function.
Ayurvedic texts also describe nose to be the opening
to the head (A.Hr.Su 20/1) [05] and head to be the
most important part of the human body by naming
it Uttamanga.
The nasal cycle is an ultradian rhythm
characterized by altering patency of the left and
the right nares (nostril), with a periodicity of average
two to eight hours (Keuning J. 1968) [06].
Alternatively, it can be described as the alternating
partial congestion and decongestion of the nasal
cavities. It results from the physiological congestion
of the nasal concha due to selective activation of
one half of the autonomic nervous system by the
hypothalamus. According to Yogic science, the
right nostril dominance is correlated to activity phase
 Ida and Pingala - a neuroanatomical study
and the left nostril breathing to rest phase. This is
due to alteration in vagal tone or altering sympathetic
activity (Bhargava R et al. 1988) [01].
The process of actively controlling the
alternating nasal cycle is therapeutically termed as
Unilateral Forced Nostril Breathing (UFNB). It is
a therapeutic practice that has its origins in the
Yogic practice and is the process of continuous,
regularity of inhalation, holding of breath and
exhalation through one single nostril. Numerous
physiological and psychological studies have been
conducted all over the world on its potential to
alleviate many physical symptoms, improving
cognitive functions and even in altering various
autonomic functions of the body (David S.
Shannahoff-Khalsa, 2001) [03].
Alterations in the nasal cycle can alter the
autonomic activity of the human body (Raghuraj
P et al. 2008) [10]. Thus, breathing exclusively
through the right nostrils several times a day, for
a month can significantly increase baseline oxygen
consumption by 37% whereas breathing through
left nostril alone produces smaller increase (Varun
Malhotra et al. 2009) [17]. Right nostril breathing
increases metabolism perhaps by increasing the
output of adrenaline from the adrenal medulla
(increasing basal oxygen consumption and heart
rate)(Telles S, 1994) [16]. Left nostril breathing
reduces mental stress and increases galvanic skin
resistance which is suggestive of reduced
sympathetic tone to the palmar sweat glands and
cutaneous blood vessels (Telles S et al. 1994) [16].
Unilateral Forced Nostril Breathing has been
found to be effective in the management of various
conditions such as migraine, angina pectoris,
increased blood pressure (Shannahoff-Khalsa DS.
2002) [14] and even psychiatric conditions (such
as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (Shannahoff-
Khalsa DS et al. 1996) [15]. Selective breathing
through one nostril can bring significant alterations
in various parameters relating to the autonomic
nervous system such as heart rate, blood pressure
etc. Selective left nostril breathing can decrease
the heart rate and the right nostril breathing can
bring about the opposite effect. (Varun Malhotra
et al. 2009) [17].
The mechanism by which this happens is
not clearly understood even today, but various
3
hypotheses have been formulated based on
neuroanatomical evidences. The possible alteration
of the autonomic tone of a lateral half of the nose
mediated through hypothalamic autonomic control
centers, especially the para ventricular nuclei are
thought to mediate this action. Even though the
hypothalamus forms the highest controlling center
for autonomic nervous system activities, it has
wide ranging connections from the other parts of
the central nervous system, especially the pre-
frontal cortex through the amygdala and limbic
system through which the changes in visceral
functions such as heart rate, respiration, vascular
contractility etc. are affected in response to
emotional or other somatic stimuli. Theories of
autonomic asymmetry and selective autonomic
activation have been postulated but strong
evidences credible enough to prove them have not
yet been obtained till date. Probably, based on
assumptions from the ancient Yogic descriptions
that in future, neuroanatomical evidences would
emerge proving the lateralization in autonomic
activating centers of the human hypothalamus or
the role of sympathetic or parasympathetic
dominance of either of the halves of the
hypothalamus which would bring more clarity into
this concept.
DISCUSSION
In an electrical circuit, three wires are
basically required for conduction - one positive,
one negative and a third neutral. Likewise, within
the body, there are three specific Nadi for
conducting the flow of Pranic energy. Yoga refers
to these as the Ida (negative), Pingala (positive)
and Sushumna (neutral). Just as every other Indian
science, the Yogic anatomy also was more focused
on the functional understanding of the Nadi Tantra
rather than giving much importance to anatomical
descriptions. The process of gaining control over
the Prana by controlling the breath was their
ultimate aim. The observance of nasal cycle may
have been one clue which leads to the understanding
of the lateralization of the body explained in Yogic
literature in terms of Ida and Pingala. One
practical application of the concept of Ida and
Pingala in the current times is the method of
forcible alteration of the nasal cycle which has
been proved to be effective in various clinical
conditions. The exact mechanism by which nostril
breathing influences the function of the autonomic
nervous system is not known, though it has been
4 Rakesh Narayanan V, Amitabha Mapdar, Ashwathykutty V, Naresh Jain
speculated that this is through a neural reflex
mechanism in the superior nasal meatus. Further
work is necessary to understand the mechanism
as well as to document the changes by practice of
UFNB method. The effect of Pranayama practices
can thus be used for therapeutic advantage. For
example, several rounds Surya Anuloma Viloma
Pranayama could be used to increase metabolism in
overweight persons (Telles S et al. 1994) [16], while
the effects of Chandra Nadi to decrease blood
pressure in hypertensive patients (Raghuraj P et
al. 1998 [11], Werntz D et al. 1983) [18]. Also,
the fact that changing the nasal dominance pattern
to the opposite side can relieve conditions such as
acute asthma, acidity and headache have been
proved in recent clinical studies (AB Bhavanani,
Swarodaya vigjnan) [02] and the fact that just
alteration in nasal dominance can bring about
changes in autonomic functions has also been
demonstrated in recent times.
CONCLUSION
From the above descriptions, the following
conclusions may be arrived at:
1. Through the abundance of available
literature, it can be clearly understood that Yogic
anatomy and the understanding of the concepts
of Prana and Nadi were prevalent since the Vedic
period.
2. The concept of Ida and Pingala can
be observed practically in the form of nasal
cycle.
3. The alteration in breathing pattern by
means of Pranayama and the process of
Unilateral Forced Nostril Breathing can be used
in the management of many disorders like
migraine, hypertension, angina and even some
psychiatric disorders like Obsessive Compulsive
Disorder.
4. The mode of action of UFNB may be
through selective activation of either sympathetic
or parasympathetic systems in the hypothalamus,
the highest controlling center of the autonomic
nervous system.
5. Even though enough neuroanatomical
evidences are available at present, it may be
assumed that given our poor understanding of
the functional aspects of various hypothalamic
nuclei at present, future discoveries would bring
to light the lateralization in functions of the
hypothalamus also just like the cortical
functions.
Key Message: Many physiological functions such
as heart rate, oxygenation of the blood etc. are
directly related to the respiration, the control of
breathing can directly influence these functions.
Since Ida is dominant on the left side of the body
and Pingala on the right side, left nostril breathing
activates Ida and right nostril breathing activates
Pingala. The treatment modality of Unilateral
Forced Nasal Breathing is closely related to the
concept of Ida and Pingala described in Ayurvedic
and Yogic literature.
Contribution of Authors: All authors contributed
equally to this work.
Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no
conflict of interest.
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Address for Correcpodance: Dr. Rakesh Narayanan V, M.D., Ph.D.(Sharir Rachana), Research Officer
(Ayurveda), Room No. 104, C.C.R.A.S., JLBCEHAB, Opposite D-block, Janakpuri, New Delhi. (India),
E-mail: vatakkath.rnv@gmail.com
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How to Cite this Article
V, R. N., Mapdar, . A., V, . A. & Jain, N. Ida
and Pingala-a Neuroanatomical evidence based
appraisal. J Res Educ Indian Med. doi:10.5455/
JREIM.82-1454493118.
(Available at https://www.jreim-
ayushjournal.com/index.php?sec=archive)