🕉️ Shankh Prakshalan – A Vital Internal Cleansing Method in the Shatkarmas of Hatha Yoga

✍️ Author: Dinkarbhai Kandiya

🔷 🔹 What is Shankh Prakshalan?

In Hatha Yoga, various cleansing (Shuddhi) practices are described. Among them, the most important and deeply purifying practice for the body is Shankh Prakshalan.

The word “Shankh” refers to the conch-like structure of the digestive tract – starting from the mouth and ending at the anus, with a total length of around ~30 feet.
“Prakshalan” means to wash thoroughly. Just as we clean the outer body daily, this process is a ‘bath’ for the internal organs.

🧘‍♂️ Various Yogic Cleansing Techniques for Internal Organs

🔹 1. Nose – Neti (Respiratory System)
Neti is a yogic cleansing practice in which the nasal passage is purified. It removes dust, fungus, and mucus accumulated in the nostrils. It opens the respiratory tract and eases breathing.

🔹 2. Ears – Karna Neti (Auditory System)
Karna Neti is a practice where warm water or oil is used to cleanse the inside of the ears. It removes accumulated wax and mucus, improving hearing capacity.

🔹 3. Rectum – Basti (Final part of the Digestive System)
Basti is a yogic kriya where water is introduced into the rectum to remove excess waste, gas, and doshas. This is a deep cleansing of the final portion of the digestive system.

🔹 4. Entire Digestive System – Shankh Prakshalan
Shankh Prakshalan cleanses the entire digestive tract – mouth, food pipe, stomach, small intestine, ascending and descending colon, and rectum. By drinking warm saline water and performing specific yoga asanas, accumulated waste, gas, bile, phlegm, and old toxins are eliminated from the body.

🧘‍♂️ Method of Shankh Prakshalan (Detailed Steps)

🔶 Preparation on the Previous Day

Provide guidance and explain the procedure to the participants

Serve thin khichdi and green vegetables at night

Instruct to wear light and loose cotton clothing

🔶 Main Practice (At 3:00 AM Morning)
🌿 Give Himaj or Harad for internal stimulation
🥛 1 liter lukewarm water + 10–15 grams salt (preferably rock salt)
💧 Sit comfortably and drink water slowly
🙆‍♂️ Perform asanas: Tadasana, Ardha Chandrasana, Kati Vakrasana (after every round of water intake)
🚽 Continue the process until stool-mixed water starts coming out through the anus
🤮 Induce vomiting if necessary
👉 Insert a finger lubricated with ghee into the anal passage in circular motion to release residual water – this is called Ganesha Kriya
🧘‍♀️ Rest for 1 hour in a peaceful state – a wakeful lying-down posture

🍲 Post-Practice Diet

🍚 50% sprouted moong dal + 50% cooked or parboiled rice
🍲 Thin khichdi ~150–200 grams
🧈 30 grams pure cow ghee
🛏️ Lie on the left side for 20 minutes after the meal
🧘‍♂️ Remain in Vajrasana for 10–15 minutes in silence

✅ Benefits of Shankh Prakshalan

☑️ Clears mucus from the throat and chest
☑️ Removes stomach acid (HCl), intestinal water, and trapped gases
☑️ Reduces Prithvi (earth) element and increases Akash (space) element – creating a mental state suitable for meditation
☑️ Eliminates intestinal stickiness and old waste
☑️ Brings lightness and freshness to the body
☑️ Balances all three doshas – Vata, Pitta, Kapha
☑️ Regulates functions like digestion, urination, perspiration, and mucus elimination

🔚 Conclusion

Shankh Prakshalan is not merely body cleansing – it is a sacred gateway to inner transformation.
Every yoga practitioner should perform this kriya at least once a year.

✅ Demo Availability

I am available to provide free demo lectures with practicals for interested students in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar at their residence.

Courses for which I offer free demo classes:

1. Yog Sanskar during Pregnancy – Education and yogic practices for expecting mothers.

2. Shankh Prakshalan (Yogic Cleansing / Sauch) – Practical guidance and demonstration of kriyas.

3. Experience on Healing Power through Yoga – Learn how yogic practices can support natural healing.

For the second course (Shankh Prakshalan), I am ready to practically demonstrate any one kriya — such as Neti, Dhouti, or Basti — at the student’s home. This first demo will be provided free of cost.