Shankhaprakshalana is the yogic way of purification. The word Shankhaprakshalana comes with two words shankha means conch and prakshalana means to wash. Here the word conch means our digestive track. Our digestive system looks like the folds of conch. Shankhaprakshalana process brings true transformation of the body and mind. Nothing is better than water to purify the body. Our yogacharyas used water in different ways like Jal neti, vamana dhoti, Basti etc to purify the body and the mind.

During Shankhaprakshans few yogasanas are peformed in a sequence to get the desired results. These yogasanas are Tadasana, Triyaka Tadasana, Katichakrasana, Triyaka Bhujangasana and udarakarshan asana. Before starting the cleansing process one should have proper practice of above mentioned asanas and a good stamina to do these asanas for at least 30 to 45 minutes. The best place to practice the procedure is an open place or a garden with adequate toilet facilities. Procedure of practicing Shankhaprakshalana is fairly simple and very less expensive that a health loving individual can practice it without any difficulty. One should start the process early in the morning without eating and drinking anything. Wake up at around 5 am or 5.30 am then after cleansing teeth with medicated twigs like that of Neem, drink 2 glasses of luke warm water with added ¼ spoon of rock salt in each glass of water. Take it as quickly as possible. Water should be taken in sitting position after then perform the series of asanas as stated before, 6 times each thus in all 30 asanas in one round. Perform 2 rounds of asanas in a correct way.

Tadasana:

1. Keep the feet apart 12-18 inches from each other.

2. Lift both arms and being it to shoulder like then being the head.

3. Inter lock the fingers and straighten the arms.

4. Lift the heels up and stretch the body upwards, stay for a while and then release it. 5. Repeat these for 6 times then move to next asana.

Triyakatadasana:

1. Take same position as of Tadasana and stretch the body up and bend towards left waist and hold the position for some time.

2. Come to the positions of Tadasana and again bend towards right side then hold for some time.

3. Come to the positions of Tadasana. This completes one round. Perform 6 rounds of Triyaka Tadasana and move to next step.

Katichakarasana:

1. Take distance of 16-18 inches between feet.

2. Raise arms side ways to shoulder level, palms facing downwards parallel to the ground.

3. Turn the waist towards left and bend the right arm and put the hand on left shoulder.

4. Do the same with left arm.

5. Repeat this asana for 6 times before moving to next step.

Triyaka bhujangasana:

1. Lie in prone position (chest and abdomen on ground)

2. Bring the both hands near chest. Touch the forehead to the ground and raise the forehead.

3. Bend the right arm in elbow and keep the left hand straight from waist, give twist towards left along with the neck.

4. Repeat this from right side.

5. This completes one round. Repeat these steps six times to move on to next step.

Udarakarshana Asana:

1. Take distance between the legs of about 10 inches bend the knees, touch the soles and sit down.

2. Put the both hands on knees bending the elbow.

3. With the help of left hand press the left knee towards right foot. Give pressure right thigh to left thigh.

4. Remain in this position for a while and then release.

5. Repeat this with alternate knee.

6. This completes one round. Continue for six times.

During this procedure after each round go to the toilet and sit there but don’t strain. If there is no stools then come back and again drink 2 glasses of water and repeat the two rounds again. When ever there is feeling of evacuation then go to toilet and continue from where you have left a particular asana. At first stools come but then gradually less stools and more water will be evacuated and finally almost clear water will be evacuated.

After completing the process take rest of about 2 hours. After then a special food with rice, lentils and cow’s ghee is adviced. A dietary scheduled is followed for three to five days after shankhaprakshalana.

Benefits of Shankhaprakshana:

Shankhaprakshalana brings lightness of body and mind. It is excellent way of removal of toxins and waste products accumulated in our body. It energises our digestive system. It brings new energies to kidney and liver which deals in removal of toxins, thus lessen the load on them. It is good for heart and patients suffering from high cholesterol. Diabetic and obese patients are highly benefitted from this kriya. Patient suffering from migraine and ladies suffering from ovarian and uterine disorders also get much relief from their symptoms. In all we can say that this kriya brings transformation of the body as a whole. But no one should practice shnkhaprakashalaman in absence of Yoga guru and medical advisor for proper benefits.

Co-ordinator,

Therapeutic Yoga Course,

Dayanand Ayurvedic College,

Jalandhar.