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Shanka Prakshalana – Exercises, Diet, Instructions

Shanka Prakshalana

What is Shanka Prakshalana?

Meaning

Shanka Prakshalana is an ancient yogic cleansing process. The Sanskrit term Shanka means Conch and Prakshalana means to wash completely. We call it Conch Cleansing in English. It is the process of cleaning the intestines. The coiled shape of the intestines is similar to the internal coiled shape of a Conch. Hence this practice gets this name.

Shankaprakshalana Kriya belongs to Varisara Dhauti (Yogic Cleansing by water), one of the four types of Antar Dhauti or Internal Yogic Washing.

Origin and History

This practice was first mentioned in Hatha Sanketa Chandrika. In the Shatkarma section of Hatha Sanketa Chandrika, the following verse appears.

अथ शङ्खप्रक्षालनाख्यं कर्म ||
नासापुटेन सलिलं परिपीय वक्त्रमार्गेण तद् बहिर् †अहो† कलयेत् सुधीरः |
पीत्वैककेन पुटकेन च नासिकाया अन्येन वारि शनकैर् बहिर् उद्वमेद् वा ||२९||
शङ्खप्रक्षालनम् इदं कफपित्तगदापहम् |
जत्रूर्ध्वगतरोगघ्नं दिव्यदृष्टकरं शुभम् ||३०||
इति सङ्खप्रक्षालनं कर्म ||

atha śaṅkhaprakṣālanākhyaṃ karma ||
nāsāpuṭena salilaṃ paripīya vaktramārgeṇa tad bahir †aho† kalayet sudhīraḥ |
pītvaikakena puṭakena ca nāsikāyā anyena vāri śanakair bahir udvamed vā ||29||
śaṅkhaprakṣālanam idaṃ kaphapittagadāpaham |
jatrūrdhvagatarogaghnaṃ divyadṛṣṭakaraṃ śubham ||30||
iti saṅkhaprakṣālanaṃ karma ||

Now the [therapeutic] technique called Śaṅkhaprakṣālana [is described]. Having taken in water through a nostril, the wise yogin should expel it through the mouth, or having taken in water through one nostril, he gradually discharges it through the other nostril. This auspicious [practice called] Śaṅkhaprakṣālana removes diseases caused by [excess] phlegm and bile, cures diseases located above the collarbones, and gives divine sight. Thus, [the description of] the technique Śaṅkhaprakṣālana.

Hathasangetachandrika Verse 29 and 30 Commentary by Jason Birch

According to Jason Birch, this is the just premodern description of Śaṅkhaprakṣālana known today. It is similar to Neti Kriya. Most importantly, it notably differs from the practice that is known as Sankha Prakshalana today.

We could find the first modern description of the practice in the year 1956 by Dhirendra Brahmachari in his book Yogic Suksma Vyayama. Likewise, Swami Satyananda Saraswati described a similar technique in his book Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha in the year 1969.

Sant Charandas (1706-82) in his book Astangayogavarnan mentioned the technique Sankhaprakshalana in addition to Shatkarma. He is said to have been initiated by the ancient Sage Shuka. He described the technique as an additional practice to Shatkarma. Hence, the practice must be different from Neti or Nasal cleansing which is already a part of Shatkarma. It would be different from the practice of Hatha Sanketa Chandrika. The technique described by Dhirendra Brahmachari might already have been in practice traditionally.

Swami Satyananda might have possibly learned from his Guru Swami Sivananda in Rishikesh because the technique was traditionally in practice with yogic lineages.

Though the technique that is in practice today was not well documented before 1956, it does not mean it is a modern practice.

Shanka Prakshalana Procedure

Shankaprakshalana Asanas

Yogi Dhirendra Brahmachari gives a sequence of four Asanas, whereas Swami Satyananda gives a sequence of five yoga postures. However, the Shankaprakshalana asanas given by them are the same with minor variations.

Dhirendra BrahmachariBihar School of Yoga
Tadasana
SarpasanaTiryaka Tadasana
UrdhvahastottanasanaKatichakrasana
KatichakrasanaTiryaka Bhujangasana
UdarakarsasanaUdarakarshanasana

Swami Satyananda starts with Tadasana, whereas Dhirendra starts with Sarpasana. Both Sarpasana and Tiryak Bhujangasana are the same in technique. Similarly, Urdhvahastottanasana and Tiryak Tadasana are the same in technique.

Shanka Prakshalana Instructions

Always follow the instructions while taking the practice of Shankaprakshalana. These instructions are as per Bihar School of Yoga.

Shanka Prakshalana Diet

The recommended diet for this practice is Kicheri. Kicheri is white rice cooked with mung dal (or any other pulse) and clarified butter. A little turmeric may be added. First, cook the rice and lentils with water. Then add the clarified butter and turmeric powder. The preparation should be semi-solid. Take this food 45 minutes after the practice. Again, take the same preparation during the afternoon.

Laghu Shanka Prakshalana

Laghu Shanka Prakshalana is the easier version. The Sanskrit word Laghu means effortless. Instead of eight rounds, perform only three rounds. One can perform this lighter version once a week. However, it may be performed daily in case of constipation. Once constipation is improved, change the cycle to weekly. After performing the lighter version, one should follow up with Kunjal Kriya and Jala Neti.

Benefits of Shankaprakshalana

The benefits of the practice are given below.

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