Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) & Dr Manasa S, B.A.M.S
Kurma is likely one of the 5 Upapranas i.e. sub-pranas.
It’s a essential and very important type of prana which controls and manages the operate of blinking of the eyes and likewise controls and stabilizes the actions of the eyes.
Eye is named 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. a very powerful amongst all of the organs of sense. We’re all visible learners. We can’t think about our life with out eyes or imaginative and prescient. Blinking of the eyes is a vital operate which protects the eyes and likewise retains the eyes lubricated. That is precisely the operate 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 operate of ‘eye blinking’
The eyelids are protecting covers which shield the eyes. Blinking is a vital mechanism which not solely retains our eyes protected but additionally 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 referred to 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 vitally necessary 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 potential 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 getting into our eyes and thus shield our cornea, conjunctive and different elements of the eyes.
All these wouldn’t occur if the blinking mechanism is just not 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 very important for imaginative and prescient but additionally helps in perceiving visible objects and likewise processing exterior stimuli. Due to this fact 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 house and likewise coordination with different sensory organs.
The eyes should be wholesome if they should understand the visible objects correctly and this will 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 depends upon eye actions and these capabilities are depending on and are managed by Kurma Upa-prana as already stated. The flexibility to focus and focus on any focused and targeted work is enhanced to optimum when the eyes are regular and its capabilities and actions are managed. The identical capabilities of Kurma helps in enhancing one’s focus whereas in meditation. That is the essential 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 secure psychological well being.
Kurma, awakening and sleeping
After we are awake, the Kurma Prana vitality is at its peak and highest kind. It is because the eyes are open and operational and blinking once we are awake. Equally, once we sleep, the vitality of Kurma Upa-prana will get revitalized and rebooted. So, a superb sleep is essential to guard this upaprana.
Kurma, Prana Vayu
The operate of blinking of the eyes, actions of the eyes / eyeballs, opening and shutting of the eyes are below the management of Prana Vayu. Prana Vayu has many different capabilities, being the primary Prana. Kurma being the sub-prana, helps Prana Vayu within the operate of blinking. In actual fact it actively will get concerned on this operate and eases the burden on Prana Vayu. On this approach 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 engaging 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 targeted level when Kurma vitality is below 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 the complete physiology related to these mechanisms could be disturbed for positive. Beneath talked about are the results of such imbalances or blockages in Kurma –
– Extreme blinking and twitching and issue in opening and shutting the eyes, typically uncontrolled and unmanageable
– Disturbed eye actions – extreme or sluggish actions of the attention
– Deficit or no lubrication of eyes, resulting in circumstances like dry eye, eye ache, eye pressure, redness of eyes and many others.
– Issues in notion of imaginative and prescient / visible objects
– Diminished focus and focus
– Imbalances within the different capabilities of Prana Vayu
Learn how to shield the Kurma Upa-prana?
One ought to steer clear of an excessive amount of eye pressure and provides relaxation to the eyes typically.
One ought to repeatedly observe the eye-care measures as talked about within the context of Dinacharya – every day routine together with –
– Anjana – collyrium
– 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 useful practices –
– Working towards Shatkarmas
– Working towards Trataka
– Eye workouts
– Netra Tarpana
– Heat and soothing compresses over the eyes
– Chanting of OM / AUM
– Working towards and performing Asanas whereby you have to bend forwards and look in direction of the ground
– Common consumption of Triphala / Triphala Ghrta
– Meals and life-style practices useful for eye well being
Discussion about this post