Selection of Panchakarma through 

g
Nadi Pareeksha (Pulse Diagnosis) –
AU i
A Unique System
S t
KSR Prasad
KSR Prasad
Professor, Panchakarma

http://www.technoayurveda.com/
 Selection of Panchakarma through Pulse Diagnosis

Introduction 

• Nadi Pareeksha (Pulse diagnosis) is a fantasy of 

the Ayurvedic
h A di Physician
Ph i i
• We lost the precision of information and 
t h l
technology in the time 
i th ti
• Still with the information available through the 
doctrines of Ayurveda we are able to relocate 
doctrines of Ayurveda we are able to relocate
and retrieve wisdom of Nadi Vijnana

Dr. K. Shiva Rama Prasad, at http://www.technoayurveda.com/

 Selection of Panchakarma through Pulse Diagnosis

Nadi (Pulse)
• Nadi Pareesksha is one among the eight
methods
e ods oof eexaminingg a p
patient
e
• We examine a patient for the understanding
of –
– Rogi Prakriti (Patient Body Constitution)
– Vyadhi Prakriti (Disease Constitution)
– Dosha Prakriti (Humoral Constitution)

Dr. K. Shiva Rama Prasad, at http://www.technoayurveda.com/

 Selection of Panchakarma through Pulse Diagnosis

History  of Nadi (Pulse)
• Brihatrayee gives
k
knowledge
l d off –
– Spandana
– Praspandana
– Aspandana,
– but not focus diagnostic or
prognostic Nadi

Dr. K. Shiva Rama Prasad, at http://www.technoayurveda.com/

 Selection of Panchakarma through Pulse Diagnosis

Laghutrayee
• SHARANGADHARA ((13th A.D) 
)
– First time mentioned 15 types of Nadi that include –
physiological, Psychological and pathological states of body
correlated with those of the birds, reptiles and amphibians. 24
notable nadi are described for Nadi pareeksha
– “Dootanadi” (Messenger pulse) –
“D t di” (M l ) popular in Andhra
l i A dh
• BHAVAPRAKASHA 15th century AD –
– Gender based Nadi
– Three finger usage for thridosha
• YOGARATNAKARA (16th century AD.)
– included different Sites and methods of pulse examination and
prognostic
i / diagnostic
di i methods
h d
Dr. K. Shiva Rama Prasad, at http://www.technoayurveda.com/
 Selection of Panchakarma through Pulse Diagnosis

Check ‐ History  of Nadi (Pulse)

• B
Basavarajeeyam
j (17th
(17th century AD.)
t AD )
• Ashtastanas for Nadi and Diseases coming under it are 
mentioned. The primary are three ‐
mentioned. The primary are three 
1) Wrist – Hasta (radial artery) 
2) Neck – Kantha (carotid artery)
3) Nose – Nasa (facial artery branch) 
The other areas where Nadi is witnessed are ‐
– Ankle  ‐ Paada (posterior tibial artery) 
– Penis (pudendal artery)
– Elbow (brachial artery) 
Elb (b hi l t )
– Ear (superficial temporal artery) 
– Eye (supra orbital) 
Eye (supra orbital)
Dr. K. Shiva Rama Prasad, at http://www.technoayurveda.com/
 Selection of Panchakarma through Pulse Diagnosis

History  of Nadi (Pulse)
• Vaidyachinthamani
• Mentioned Ajeerna Nadi along with Dosha
nadi.
di
• RavanaThantra
• Ravana in his treatise Nadi Pareeksha included 
Nadi after taking certain diets along with 
after taking certain diets along with
prognosis, physiological, Psychological and  
pathological conditions and diseases

Dr. K. Shiva Rama Prasad, at http://www.technoayurveda.com/

 Selection of Panchakarma through Pulse Diagnosis

Panchakarma
• Panchakarma is a procedural part of 
A
Ayurvedad therapeutics established for the 
h i bli h d f h
Dosha elimination from the Body either from 
oral or rectal route (GI system)
• In due course the Panchakarma
In due course the Panchakarma extended to 
extended to
get rid of the Physical and Psychological 
D h accumulated by environmental or 
Dosha l t db i t l
Dietetic misbehaviors 
Dr. K. Shiva Rama Prasad, at http://www.technoayurveda.com/
 Selection of Panchakarma through Pulse Diagnosis

Panchakarma
• Five karma are told as “Shodhana” / 
(Eliminative) “Langhana”
(Eliminative)  Langhana  in nature based 
in nature based
on “Bahudosha Nirharana” 
• But only two are fully capable –
But only two are fully capable (Poorna
Shodhana)
– “Vamana” (Upper GI cleanser) 
“V ” (U GI l )
– “Virechana” (lower GI cleanser) 
• Th
The other three are partial for elimination 
h h i lf li i i
as they are used for Brimhana

Dr. K. Shiva Rama Prasad, at http://www.technoayurveda.com/

 Selection of Panchakarma through Pulse Diagnosis

Panchakarma
• Karma are attributed to Dosha –
– Vata – Vasti (Basti)
– Pitta – Virechana
– Kapha
ap a – Vamana
a a a
• The selection of patient for the karma are 
commonly based on Disease 
y
• We observe “Fitness” of patient 
• But many times the expected results are not
observed as the “Karma” is not suitable for the
situation
Dr. K. Shiva Rama Prasad, at http://www.technoayurveda.com/
 Selection of Panchakarma through Pulse Diagnosis

Selection 
• Thus the “Selection of Panchakarma” through 
“N di Parrekshana”
“Nadi P kh ”
• We need sound knowledge of –
g
– What is Nadi Pareekshana
– How it is classified
How it is classified
– What is the procedure of initiation 
– How to interpret the knowledge 

Dr. K. Shiva Rama Prasad, at http://www.technoayurveda.com/

 Selection of Panchakarma through Pulse Diagnosis

What is pulse (Nadi) wave?

– An objective criterion for diagnostic or
Prognostic
og os c co
conditions
d o s through
oug thee wwaves
ves
of blood transported in the vessels
– The wave dynamics depends upon the
stroke volume and contents along with
the obstructions caused in the path way
– It offers even much more information
also

Dr. K. Shiva Rama Prasad, at http://www.technoayurveda.com/

 Selection of Panchakarma through Pulse Diagnosis

Classification 
The classification of Nadi
Th l ifi ti f N di Parreksha
P k h based on utility 
b d tilit
can be –
– Predictive Nadi diagnosis – for 
Prakruti assessment –
proportionate 
proportionate
– Diagnostic Nadi diagnosis –
disease understanding –g by  y
different static principles of 
movements described in the text 
– Dynamic Nadi
D i N di diagnosis –
di i used for 
df
understanding disease & 
p
prescribing  medicine or procedure 
g p

Dr. K. Shiva Rama Prasad, at http://www.technoayurveda.com/

 Selection of Panchakarma through Pulse Diagnosis

Classification 
Th
There are levels of Nadi
l l f N di prediction also 
di ti l
• 1st level –Interpretation of Disease 
p
• 2nd level – Interpretation of Psyche
• 3rd level –
level Interpretation of Dosha
Interpretation of Dosha
• 4th level – Interpretation of Vitality
• 5th level – Interpretation of Tissue
• 6th level – Interpretation of Mind
p
• 7th level ‐ Interpretation of Constitution

Dr. K. Shiva Rama Prasad, at http://www.technoayurveda.com/

 Selection of Panchakarma through Pulse Diagnosis

Predictive Nadi diagnosis
• This is superficial in nature
• Interpreted with Rate, Rhythm, Blood vessel 
consistency, etc. 
• Commonly used for “Dosha” involvement colloquially 
i i
in Disease interpreted with movement of animals 
i d ih f i l

Dr. K. Shiva Rama Prasad, at http://www.technoayurveda.com/

 Selection of Panchakarma through Pulse Diagnosis

Predictive Nadi diagnosis
• Index finger – Vata –
movement resembles
movement resembles 
snake 
• Middle finger –
Middle finger Pitta ‐
movement resembles 
Frog
• Ring finger – Kapha ‐
mo ement resembles
movement resembles 
Swan

Dr. K. Shiva Rama Prasad, at http://www.technoayurveda.com/

 Selection of Panchakarma through Pulse Diagnosis

Predictive Nadi diagnosis
• Other examples are –
• Index finger –
Index finger – Vata –
movement resembles 
Earth Worm
• Middle finger – Pitta ‐
movement resembles 
Crow
• Ring finger – Kapha ‐
movement resembles 
Pigeon 

Dr. K. Shiva Rama Prasad, at http://www.technoayurveda.com/

 Selection of Panchakarma through Pulse Diagnosis

Predictive Nadi diagnosis
VATA PULSE PITTA PULSE KAPHA PULSE

CHARACTERISTICS Fast , feeble , cold ,  Prominent , strong ,  Deep , slow , broad 

light , thin ,  high amplitude ,  , thick , cool ,
disappears on
disappears on  hot forceful lifts
hot , forceful , lifts  regular
pressure up the palpating 
finger
LOCATION Best felt under the 
Best felt under the Best felt under the 
Best felt under the Best felt under the 
Best felt under the
index finger middle finger ring finger

GATI Moves like a cobra

Moves like a cobra Moves like a frog
Moves like a frog Moves like a 
Moves like a
swimming swan

Dr. K. Shiva Rama Prasad, at http://www.technoayurveda.com/

 Selection of Panchakarma through Pulse Diagnosis

Diagnostic Nadi diagnosis
• The
The diagnostic Nadi
diagnostic Nadi is based upon the various 
is based upon the various
examples given from text to know a disease or 
condition  
• They are based on Gati – momentum 
• Different examples are given here with resembling 
momentum of the insects or animals  
t f th i t i l

Dr. K. Shiva Rama Prasad, at http://www.technoayurveda.com/

 Selection of Panchakarma through Pulse Diagnosis

Diagnostic Nadi diagnosis
• Krumi gathi – parasites , worms
• Pippilika gathi – terminal illness
• Mayura gathi – arterial hypertension
• Kukkuta gathi – diabetes , albuminuria
• Ushtra gathi – aortic stenosis
• Gaja gathi – elephantiasis, lymphatic obstruction
• Girija gathi
h – heart block
h bl k
• Vishama gathi – pulsus alterans , atrial fibrillation
• D
Damaru gathi
thi – fatal illness , renal failure , shock
f t l ill l f il h k
• Padma gathi – perfect health , enlightenment

Dr. K. Shiva Rama Prasad, at http://www.technoayurveda.com/

 Selection of Panchakarma through Pulse Diagnosis

Prasad’s Dynamic Nadi Diagnosis
• This is inventory method of me with various 
experiences encountered 
i d
• In this a blind method is observed to assess 
the condition and inter relation of the Dosha
– quantification –
quantification – Organ ‐
Organ ‐ sub dosha
sub dosha –
system – dhatu – etc. 
• Subjected for validation 

Dr. K. Shiva Rama Prasad, at http://www.technoayurveda.com/

 Selection of Panchakarma through Pulse Diagnosis

Basic l
B i wave off acceleration
ti pulse
l wave

• In
In a blood vessel the flow in a 
a blood vessel the flow in a
a
rhythm hitting the two walls with 
c
a velocity 
e • Dosha “tara‐
“ tama Anupalabdi” is 
”
made with the intensity of the hit 
to the finger 
g
d
• Pravruddha (a) heena (e) and 
b
madhyama (c) are observed 
a,b,c,d,e wave of five component
• This could be even in % 
Thi ld b i %
• Time Duration between two hits 
at the finger gives duration of
at the finger gives duration of 
specific dosha movement from 
its Sthaana (b) (dosha place) to 
reach Dooshya (c)(disease place) 
reach Dooshya (c)(disease place)
Dr. K. Shiva Rama Prasad, at http://www.technoayurveda.com/
 Selection of Panchakarma through Pulse Diagnosis

Panchakarma reflection 
• As the Urdhwa and Adho Doshahara method 
are followed in Panchakarma
f ll di P h k . . . 
– Urdhwa Dosha Nirharana (Vamana)
• Kapha (Bahu dosha) – Hrullasa
• Pitta ((Alpa
p dosha) –
) Amlodgara
g
– Adho Dosha Nirharana (Virechana) 
• Pitta – (Bahu dosha) 
dosha) – Guda Daaha
• Vata – (Alpa Dosha ‐ Anulomana) – Vayu nirgamana

Dr. K. Shiva Rama Prasad, at http://www.technoayurveda.com/

 Selection of Panchakarma through Pulse Diagnosis

Procedure of PDND
• Sit
Sit comfortable (both patient and 
comfortable (both patient and
doctor)
• First place your right hand on the 
First place your right hand on the
radial artery (Jeeva sakshini)
• Select right hand for male and left 
Select right hand for male and left
hand for female 
– Record your readings 
y g
• Take patients both hands in to your 
hands placed three fingers on the 
g
Jeeva Sakshini
– Record your readings 

Dr. K. Shiva Rama Prasad, at http://www.technoayurveda.com/

 Selection of Panchakarma through Pulse Diagnosis

Interpretation of PDND
• Each
Each finger is divided in 
finger is divided in
Dosha‐Finger Dosha Gati to two halves 
Kapha Adho Kapha Dosha Z • The half toward the 
Ring Urdhwa Kapha Dosha C patients hand represents 
Pitta Adho Pitta Dosha the Urdhwa Dosha and 
Y
the other part towards
the other part towards 
Middle Urdhwa Pitta Dosha B the shoulder represents 
Vata Adho Vata Dosha the Adho dosha
X
Index Urdhwa Vata Dosha • When pulse is found 
A more than 60% of 
intensity at former it is
intensity at former it is 
subjected for Vamana
and for later it is 
Vi h
Virechana
Dr. K. Shiva Rama Prasad, at http://www.technoayurveda.com/
 Selection of Panchakarma through Pulse Diagnosis

Dosha‐Finger Dosha Gati i

Interpretation 
Kapha Adho Kapha Dosha Z

Ring Urdhwa Kapha Dosha C • Vamana

Pitta Adho Pitta Dosha Y A + C = Ajeerna, 
Middl
Middle U dh Pitta
Urdhwa Pitt Dosha
D h B
Swasa
Vata Adho Vata Dosha A + B = Ajeerna, 
X
Index Urdhwa Vata Dosha Pandu
A
• Contra indicated 
A + S = Hrudroga
A + S = Hrudroga
• Virechana
X + B = Ajeerna
X + B = Ajeerna, 
Stanantra samagata Grahani
X + B = Ajeerna, Grahani
B+
B + 

Dr. K. Shiva Rama Prasad, at http://www.technoayurveda.com/

 Selection of Panchakarma through Pulse Diagnosis

Kapha Urdhwa (Bodhaka, tarpaka)

PittaUrdhwa (Sadhaka, Alochaka)
(Sadhaka Alochaka)

Vata Urdhwa (Prana, Udana)

V t Adho
Vata Adh (Samana, Apana) 
(S A )
Pitta Adho (Pachaka, Ranjaka)
Kapha Adho (Kledaka, Avalambaka)
(Kledaka, Avalambaka)

Dr. K. Shiva Rama Prasad, at http://www.technoayurveda.com/

 Selection of Panchakarma through Pulse Diagnosis

Introduction 
• KSR Prasad
• Professor, Panchakarma

Dr. K. Shiva Rama Prasad, at http://www.technoayurveda.com/

 Selection of Panchakarma through Pulse Diagnosis

Introduction 
• KSR Prasad
• Professor, Panchakarma

Dr. K. Shiva Rama Prasad, at http://www.technoayurveda.com/

 Selection of Panchakarma through Pulse Diagnosis

Introduction 
• KSR Prasad
• Professor, Panchakarma

Dr. K. Shiva Rama Prasad, at http://www.technoayurveda.com/

 Selection of Panchakarma through Pulse Diagnosis

Thank you

He can do Miracle – Even you can do Miracle 
y
Dr. K. Shiva Rama Prasad, at http://www.technoayurveda.com/