Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) & Dr Manasa S, B.A.M.S
Kurma is without doubt one of the 5 upaprano ie sub-prun.
It’s a essential and important type of prana which controls and manages the perform of blinking of the eyes and in addition controls and stabilizes the actions of the eyes.
Eye known as as chakshu or netra in Ayurveda. It’s a seat of chakshu indriya i.e. sense organ of imaginative and prescient or sight. It’s designated as ‘pradhana indriya’ i.e. crucial amongst all of the organs of sense. We’re all visible learners. We can not think about our life with out eyes or imaginative and prescient. Blinking of the eyes is a crucial perform which protects the eyes and in addition retains the eyes lubricated. That is precisely the perform of Kurma Upa-prana. Kurma Upa-prana controls the blinking of eyes and therefore retains the eyes wholesome, moist and lubricated. It additionally controls the actions of the eyes.
Associated Studying – ‘Upa-Pranas’
On this article I’ll throw some gentle on the understanding of the significance of Kurma Upa-prana and its contribution in direction of defending the eyes and upkeep of eye well being.
Kurma-upaprana
Kurma Upaprana – the intelligence behind the perform of ‘eye blinking’
The eyelids are protecting covers which shield the eyes. Blinking is a crucial mechanism which not solely retains our eyes protected but in addition moist and lubricated. Blinking reflex happens with out our data and thru a fundamental intelligence embedded in it. The fundamental intelligence behind the blinking of our eyes is a life vitality known as Kurma, which is a sub-prana. Kurma Upa-prana is concerned within the opening and shutting of the eyelids uninterruptedly.
Kurma Upa-prana protects and retains the eyes lubricated
It is rather essential that the eyes hold moist and lubricated and this occurs with the assistance of tear movie in our eyes. Blinking spreads the tears evenly throughout the floor of the eyes and that is additionally attainable when the Kurma Upa-prana within the eyelids is functioning correctly. The moistness of the eyes in flip protects the eyes from dryness. The tears assist in eradicating the mud and different irritants coming into our eyes and thus shield our cornea, conjunctive and different components of the eyes.
All these wouldn’t occur if the blinking mechanism isn’t nicely managed and monitored by the Kurma Upa-prana.
Other than blinking, Kurma would management and stabilize the attention actions and allow clean motion of eyeballs.
Kurma and notion of visible objects
Kurma Upa-prana not solely maintains the well being, motion and performance of the eyes that are important for imaginative and prescient but in addition helps in perceiving visible objects and in addition processing exterior stimuli. Subsequently this prana vitality is the loop between the eyes, mind and nervous system. Other than notion of visible objects, Kurma helps one in being conscious of environment – orientation with respect to put and area and in addition coordination with different sensory organs.
The eyes must be wholesome if they should understand the visible objects correctly and this may occur when they’re nicely protected and lubricated by the motion of blinking which is monitored by Kurma Upa-prana.
Kurma and psychological well being, focus and focus
One’s focus and psychological focus will depend on eye actions and these features are depending on and are managed by Kurma Upa-prana as already stated. The flexibility to focus and focus on any focused and centered work is enhanced to optimum when the eyes are regular and its features and actions are managed. The identical features of Kurma helps in enhancing one’s focus whereas in meditation. That is the fundamental purpose why controlling the ‘drishti’ or gaze is a basis method for growing and sustaining focus and focus in meditative practices and Yoga practices. The collective impact of this focus and focus enabled by the motion of Kurma upa-prana is a steady psychological well being.
Kurma, awakening and sleeping
After we are awake, the Kurma Prana vitality is at its peak and highest type. It’s because the eyes are open and operational and blinking after we are awake. Equally, after we sleep, the vitality of Kurma Upa-prana will get revitalized and rebooted. So, sleep is essential to guard this upaprana.
Kurma, Prana Vayu
The perform of blinking of the eyes, actions of the eyes / eyeballs, opening and shutting of the eyes are underneath the management of Prana Vayu. Prana Vayu has many different features, being the primary Prana. Kurma being the sub-prana, helps Prana Vayu within the perform of blinking. Actually it actively will get concerned on this perform and eases the burden on Prana Vayu. On this manner Kurma is related to the Prana Vayu ecosystem and its functioning.
Kurma, eye glow and meditation
The shine, glow and look of the eyes improve and the eyes would look enticing when the vitality of Kurma Upa-prana is balanced. The Kurma vitality makes one’s focus agency and deep whereas meditating. The Yogi / practitioner can hold the eyes open for a lot of hours and carry out Trataka or gazing on a centered level when Kurma vitality is underneath his or her management.
Results of blocked or imbalanced Kurma Upa-Prana
When the Kurma Upa-prana vitality will get imbalanced or blocked, the attention lids, the mechanism of blinking and actions of the eyes and your complete physiology related to these mechanisms can be disturbed for positive. Under talked about are the results of such imbalances or blockages in Kurma –
– Extreme blinking and twitching and problem in opening and shutting the eyes, generally uncontrolled and unmanageable
– Disturbed eye actions – extreme or sluggish actions of the attention
– Deficit or no lubrication of eyes, resulting in situations like dry eye, eye ache, eye pressure, redness of eyes and so on.
– Issues in notion of imaginative and prescient / visible objects
– Lowered focus and focus
– Imbalances within the different features of Prana Vayu
How you can shield the Kurma Upa-prana?
One ought to stay away from an excessive amount of eye pressure and provides relaxation to the eyes usually.
One ought to often comply with the eye-care measures as talked about within the context of Dinacharya – every day routine together with –
– Anjana – Saddle
– Shiro Abhyanga – head therapeutic massage (Murdni Taila – oil therapies for head)
– Abhyanga – Oil Therapeutic massage
– Pada Abhyanga – Foot Therapeutic massage
– Nasya – nasal instillation of medicated oils / errhines
– Nidra – good sleep
Different helpful practices –
– Training Shatkarmas
– Training trataka
– Eye workouts
– Netra Tarpana
– Heat and soothing compresses over the eyes
– Chanting of OM / AUM
– Training and performing Asanas whereby you’ll want to bend forwards and look in direction of the ground
– Common Consumption of Triphala / Triphala GHrta
– Meals and life-style practices helpful for eye well being
