Ṣaṭkarma

Ṣaṭkarma literally means “six acts” or “six practices” in Sanskrit, referring to a set of six purification techniques prescribed in the hatha yoga tradition. These practices are designed to cleanse the body of impurities, balance the three doṣas (vāta, pitta, kapha), and prepare the practitioner for advanced prāṇāyāma and kuṇḍalinī practices. The Hatha Yoga Pradīpikā (2.21–2.39) describes the six karmas as follows: dhauti (cleansing of the digestive tract), basti (colon cleansing), neti (nasal cleansing), nauli (abdominal churning), trāṭaka (gazing), and kapālabhāti (skull-shining breath).

The six karmas are divided into two groups: the first four (dhauti, basti, neti, nauli) are primarily physical purification practices, while the last two (trāṭaka, kapālabhāti) are more closely related to meditation and prāṇāyāma. The Hatha Yoga Pradīpikā (2.21) states that these practices should be mastered before prāṇāyāma, especially by those of phlegmatic constitution. The Gheraṇḍa Saṃhitā (chapter 1) provides an even more detailed treatment, including variations and advanced forms of each practice.

Neti involves the cleansing of the nasal passages using a string (sūtra neti) or water (jala neti) passed through one nostril and out the other. Dhauti includes several forms — vaman dhauti (forced vomiting to cleanse the stomach), vastra dhauti (passing a cloth through the digestive tract), and hasta dhauti (hand cleansing of the esophagus). Basti involves the retention of water in the colon and its expulsion, functioning as an internal enema. Nauli is the churning of the abdominal muscles in a circular motion, massaging the internal organs and stimulating digestion.

Origins

The six purification practices have their roots in the yogic traditions of ancient India, with the earliest systematic descriptions appearing in the Hatha Yoga Pradīpikā (15th century CE) and the Gheraṇḍa Saṃhitā (17th–18th century CE). The Haṭha Ratnāvalī mentions two additional purifications — cakrī and gajakaraṇī — while criticizing the Hatha Yoga Pradīpikā for describing only six. The Śiva Saṃhitā also describes similar purification techniques. The practices themselves likely predate these texts, having been transmitted orally through the guru-disciple lineage. Some scholars trace the origins of neti and dhauti to the ancient Indian practice of śaucha (purity), which is enumerated as the first of the niyamas (observances) in the Yoga Sūtras (2.32).

Technique

Neti is performed by threading a cotton string through one nostril, passing it through the nasopharynx, and drawing it out through the other nostril. The string is moved back and forth several times, then withdrawn. Jala neti involves pouring lukewarm saline water into one nostril using a neti pot, allowing it to flow out through the other nostril. Both forms clear the nasal passages, reduce sinus congestion, and prepare the practitioner for prāṇāyāma.

Dhauti and basti require more advanced preparation and should only be practiced under the guidance of a qualified teacher. Vaman dhauti involves drinking several liters of saline water and then inducing vomiting. Nauli is performed by standing with the knees slightly bent, exhaling completely, and drawing the abdomen inward, then churning the rectus abdominis muscles in a circular motion. Kapālabhāti is a rapid, forceful exhalation technique that cleanses the respiratory passages and activates the solar plexus.

Benefits (as claimed by tradition)

According to the Hatha Yoga Pradīpikā, the six practices destroy impurities, increase the digestive fire, and cure diseases. The texts claim that neti purifies the brain, removes diseases of the head, and activates the ājñā cakra. Dhauti is said to cure asthma, skin diseases, and digestive disorders. Basti is called the “king of ṣaṭkarmas” for its ability to balance all three doṣas and cure abdominal diseases. Nauli is claimed to stimulate digestion, remove constipation, and strengthen the navel center.

In modern practice

The neti practice (particularly jala neti) has been widely adopted in yoga studios and wellness centers worldwide, and is recommended by many physicians for sinus conditions and nasal hygiene. Kapālabhāti is taught as a prāṇāyāma technique in most yoga classes. The more intense practices — dhauti, basti, and nauli — are generally taught only in traditional hatha yoga lineages and require careful preparation and guidance. Scientific research on jala neti has documented its effectiveness in reducing sinus symptoms and improving nasal airflow, while studies on kapālabhāti have shown effects on respiratory function and autonomic regulation.

Verification notes

• The Hatha Yoga Pradīpikā ṣaṭkarma descriptions (2.21–2.39) follow the Muktibodhananda commentary edition (Bihar School of Yoga).
• The Gheraṇḍa Saṃhitā ṣaṭkarma section (chapter 1) is from the translation by Srisa Chandra Vasu.
• The Śiva Saṃhitā purification practices are in Chapter 3.
• Research on jala neti is published in American Family Physician and Rhinology.
• The term “Kapalabhati” is sometimes distinguished from “Kapālabhāti” in modern usage, though both refer to the same practice.
• Audited against Wikipedia (September 2026).