Essay name: The Nervous System in Yoga and Tantra (Study)
Author:
Ashok Majumdar
Affiliation: Banaras Hindu University / Department of Kayachikitsa
This study deals with the presentation of the Nervous System in Yoga, Tantra and Ayurveda. Yoga and Ayurveda are allied sciences dealing with science of man in depth. This study has revealed a number of hither to unknown facts about concept of nervous system and thought science of Hindus.
Chapter 3 - Scientific exposition of Nadi, Hridaya, Kosa and Prana
10 (of 60)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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Ayurvedic literature but in all the religious and Darsana
Sastras of the Hindus. In Ayurveda the word Hridaya
indicates both heart and brain (Banerjee, D.N.1951, p.89).
When Hridaya is considered as a seat of mind, the meaning
of the Hridaya indicates functions of the brain. The term
Sirah for head has been used in few occassion without much
detail in medical texts (C.Sh.6). It is that part of the
body in which life-breaths are said to in here (C.Su.17).
The term Urdha-Hridaya has been used for brain in Bhola
Samhita in the Urdha-muliya chapter. Here Hridaya and
Wrohridaya has been separately mentioned (Gaur D.S., 1964,
p.70) Caraka mentioned the term catch (mind) or Chetana-
sthana (consciousness) in the Mastiska or Brain (C.Su.24).
Susruta says, the Hridaya is the special seat of conscious-
ness which supports the Prana carrying nadis (S.Su.31).
Prana Vayu is in the head and chest. The function is in
the head to support intellect, hridaya, organ and mind.
Here Hridaya indicates Prana function in the head (AH Su. 12).
According to Swami Hariharananda Aranya, love and
affection feeling in the chest is very pleasurable. If
there is any sadness, it is also felt in the heart. Reflex
action of anger etc. takes place on the heart. We can feel
this reflex action of the heart but where the Chittavritti
in the brain takes place is difficult to ascertain. This
is the reason why Dharana at the region of heart is pleas-
urable. Mastiska is the centre of Chitta but if one can
hold Chitta-Vritti for some time, the feeling of I will
