Question

According to Gheranda, what is the Vutkrama Kapālabhāti:

• A. Inhalation of air by Ida and exhalation by Pingala
• B. Taking water through nose and releasing through mouth
• C. Taking water through mouth and releasing through nose
• D. Taking of air by Pingala and exhalation by Ida

Hint:

A simple trick to remember:
• Vyutkrama \(\rightarrow\) Mouth to Nose
• Sheetkrama \(\rightarrow\) Nose to Mouth

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Concept: Kapālabhāti is one of the six purification techniques (Shatkarma) mentioned in traditional yogic texts such as the Gheranda Samhita. These cleansing practices are performed to purify the body and improve the functioning of the respiratory and nervous systems. Kapālabhāti is mainly classified into three forms:
• Vātakrama Kapālabhāti
• Vyutkrama (Vutkrama) Kapālabhāti
• Sheetkrama Kapālabhāti Vyutkrama Kapālabhāti is specifically a water-cleansing process involving the mouth and nose passages.

Step 1: Understand the meaning of Vyutkrama Kapālabhāti.
The word “Vyutkrama” refers to a reverse process or inverted method. In this practice, water is first taken into the mouth and then expelled through the nostrils. Thus, the process is: \[ \text{Mouth} \rightarrow \text{Nose} \] Hence, Vyutkrama Kapālabhāti means: \[ \text{Taking water through mouth and releasing through nose.} \]

Step 2: Analyze the given options.
Option (A): Inhalation of air by Ida and exhalation by Pingala
This describes a breathing process related to yogic nostril breathing practices and not a cleansing technique involving water. Option (B): Taking water through nose and releasing through mouth
This corresponds to another cleansing process and not Vyutkrama Kapālabhāti. Option (C): Taking water through mouth and releasing through nose
This exactly matches the definition of Vyutkrama Kapālabhāti given in the Gheranda Samhita. Option (D): Taking of air by Pingala and exhalation by Ida
This is again related to yogic breathing methods and not to Kapālabhāti cleansing.

Step 3: Identify the correct option.
Since Vyutkrama Kapālabhāti involves taking water through the mouth and expelling it through the nose, the correct answer is: \[ \boxed{\text{Taking water through mouth and releasing through nose}} \]