Introduction

Divine knowledge from Swar Yog

Swar Yog is an ancient and supreme science of India. Given its astonishing results and the simplicity of its practice, this science reigned in people’s hearts at one time, but due to the influence of time, many of its essential elements have been lost. In some places, practitioners have been found. Due to laziness and ignorance, resources have diminished; those who had knowledge have hidden it. Consequently, today, this science appears highly incomplete and distorted. Nevertheless, if one looks at its ruins, it is astonishing that complete research on this pure, scientific, and miraculous aspect of Yog is not happening. There has been some excessive mixing in the predictive science of astrology and predicting the future, and current astrologers cannot reach its essence; therefore, their words are mostly not true. The outer form of Swar Yog somewhat connects with astrology. As a result, people, influenced by delusion, also view it with the same perspective and ultimately dismiss it.

In this science, no restriction is imposed on anyone, hence, there is no place for opposition. No matter what situation, religion or civilisation a person belongs to, there is no hindrance in their thoughts and actions. Swar Yog is a pure scientific philosophy. It tells how the human body is affected by the physical forces in the entire universe and what kind of consciousness is generated in the atoms of the human body by the conscious rays of the Sun, Moon or other planets. The body should be used in the same condition as it is – this is the deep secret of Swar Yog. Despite all this, it does not interfere with the creative power of man, rather, it encourages it. This science does not generate any kind of superstition, even from the point of view of modern ideology.

The teachers of psychology who have given special consideration to this subject say that there has never been a better way for man to become a firm believer and conscientious. A certain type of function is accomplished in a certain Swar.

The usefulness of the tantra is accepted by psychologists because it can influence the hidden mind with the help of physical actions. There are also actions of the body in chanting mantras while standing in water or sitting alone in the forest at night. Accordingly, the mind is affected. No one can deny the truth that the more physical effort and mental faith with which any mantra is chanted, the more fruitful it will be. So, to step forward only thinking that we will ‘succeed’ is weakness; instead of moving forward with full confidence and enthusiasm when the auspicious Swar is active, because the effect is very good when a physical action is also coordinated with the mind. Faith becomes stronger, and he hopes more for success, as, according to anthropology, hope and desire are the mothers of success.

Thus, Swar Yog is a beautiful combination of psychology, physics, astronomy and physiology.

Essential information about Swar

According to phonology (Dhwani Vigyan or Swar Shastra), the pathways of breathing are called Nadis. The number of such Nadis in the body is 72000, which extend throughout, from the navel to the shoulders. These are spread around the spine like sprouts. They should not be understood as nerves. These are the routes of oxygen. Similarly, in the navel, a Nadi is in the shape of coils, from which ten Nadis named 1) Ida 2) Pingala 3) Sushumna 4) Gandhari 5) Hastijiddha 6) Poosha 7) Yashasvini 8) Alambusha 9) Kuhu and 10) Shankhini emerge and go to different parts of the body. The first three of these are principal – Ida is called the Moon, which is in the left nostril, Pingala is called the Sun, which is in the right nostril. The Sushumna is called the air that is between the two nostrils.

The miraculous speed of inhaling and exhaling affects all our intentions and resulting gains and losses, happiness and sorrows, and all physical and mental pleasures and troubles. Our body does not normally breathe in and out rapidly through both nostrils simultaneously, day and night. Rather, it flows through different nostrils alternately for a certain time. When the fixed time of one nostril is over, breathing in and out through it stops, and breathing starts through the other nostril. When breathing stops through one nostril and starts through the other, it is called ‘Swaroday’.

After the Swaroday starts in each nostril, it usually lasts 1 hour. After this, breathing starts from the other nostril and lasts 1 hour.

Meaning of Swar Yog

According to Yog, the breath itself is called Swar. There are mainly 3 types of Swars:

Chandra Swar: Ida – Left Nostril [इड़ा (चंद्र स्वर)]

When the breath is coming through the left nostril, it is called Chandra Swar. It cools the body. Liquids should be drunk in this Swar. The lunar Nadi (Ida), the left-sided pranic energy channel, is considered the female principal.

Surya Swar: Pingala – Right Nostril [पिंगला (सूर्य स्वर)]

When the breath is passing through the right nostril, it is called Surya Swar. This breath gives heat to the body. Food intake and hard work should be done in this Swar. The solar Nadi (Pingala), right-sided pranic channel, is the male principal.

The colour of Lunar Nadi is white, and that of Solar Nadi is black. Therefore, auspicious works/acts and deeds must only be performed during the flow of Ida.

Sushumna:

When both nostrils emit equal breath flow, it is called Sushumna Swar. At that time, by doing work that gives free results, such as religious works, meditation and Yog Sadhna, etc., one can attain success quickly.

One does not know when this Nadi becomes active. This is why it is said that one should think or speak positively all the time, because, if the Sushumna Nadi is active when one does so, whatever is expressed becomes a reality.

Important: The work done while in Chandra and Surya Swar should not be done in Sushumna.

Detecting and Changing Swar

Recognizing the active Swar is simple. It’s important to check which Swar is functioning before doing certain tasks, and to switch it if it’s not the appropriate one. Difficulty in breathing is considered harmful for both body and mind, and should be addressed promptly. In such cases, special attention should be given to diet and lifestyle. Additionally, efforts should be made to regulate the breathing rate to maintain a proper balance of heat and cold in the body.

How to Detect which Swar is active

While exhaling, fold hands in a namaskar mudra, and bring the index fingers below the nostrils. The air coming out longer will be felt from the nostril on which side the Swar is active.

The simple way to change Swar

There are several techniques for shifting the Swar, but one simple method can be used even during everyday activities. Take a small amount of clean cotton, shape it into a ball that fits comfortably in one nostril, wrap it in a clean cloth, and sew it to prevent the fibres from escaping. Insert this ball into one nostril, and the Swar will shift to the other nostril after a short time. Since the ball collects dirt, it should be discarded after use and not reused. People with neurological conditions should avoid this method and use alternative ways to change their Swar.

Methods of changing the Swar

• By pressing and closing the nostril from which the Swar is coming [active Swar], the other Swar starts coming or getting activated.
• By lying on the same side as the nostril from which the Swar is coming, the other Swar starts coming.
• The nostril of the active Swar is closed with cotton for the Swar in the other nostril to become active.
• By working hard, running and doing pranayama etc., the Swar changes. By doing Nadi Shodhana pranayama, the Swar is controlled. Due to this, cold is felt less in winters and heat is also felt less in summers.

Other ways to change Swar

• Hold any heavy object (bottle, purse, file) or your clenched fist under the armpit of the active Swar. Put pressure under your armpit by pressing the object under the armpit of your active Swar. The Swar will change to the opposite nostril.
• Bend the knees on the side on which the Swar is playing, which will put pressure on your hip bone and change the Swar.
• In earlier times, the way shop merchants used to sit on their gaddi (mattresses) with round side pillows put pressure on their shoulders and armpits. That is also a way to change the Swar.
• Sadhus used to change the Swar with their sticks and kamandals.

Starting the day with the active Swar

To make one’s day auspicious, when one wakes up in the morning, one must start the day as per the Swar advised for the day, i.e. on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday; one must have the Surya Swar active and Chandra Swar active on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.

Identifying the Swar while waking up in the morning and keeping the same foot first below the bed is believed to have miraculous results during the day, as the active Swar has authority over the body, laziness goes away, and high energy is observed throughout the day.

Long life with Swar control

A living being’s ability to reach its full lifespan is linked to its breathing. Based on past actions, each being is allotted a set number of breaths. Once these breaths are used up, life ends. Using this limited supply carefully can extend life while using it carelessly shortens it. Those who take longer breaths tend to live longer, a pattern seen consistently across all forms of life, as shown in the table below.

Being	No of breaths per minute	Full lifespan (years)
Rabbit	38	8
Monkey	32	10
Dog	26	12
Horse	16	25
Man	13	120
Snake	8	1000
Tortoise	5	2000

While doing ordinary work, the breathing rate is 12 times per minute, and around 18 times while running. The life span of a sensual and lecherous person gets reduced, and the Yogis who do Pranayama live for a long time. Here, one should not think that by sitting quietly, the breathing rate is less and hence the life span will increase by sitting idle. This is not possible because by sitting idle, other parts of the body will become weak, frail and sick and accordingly their breathing speed will increase considerably. Therefore, it is necessary to work to keep the body healthy.

Swar Shastra strongly emphasises that breathing should always be done through the nose. Nature has designed the nose as the primary gateway to safeguard the respiratory system. The air we breathe often carries dust, germs, and is influenced by external temperatures. If this unfiltered air directly enters the lungs, it can harm these sensitive organs. Large dust particles are trapped by the tiny hairs between the nose and mouth, while smaller particles are caught by nasal hair and mucus, which acts as a natural air filter. Even after double filtration, any remaining fine particles are captured by the mucus. As the air continues its journey through the nasal passages from the brain area to the lungs, its temperature adjusts to match the body’s internal heat. Breathing through the nose ensures that air reaches the lungs clean and at the right temperature. In contrast, mouth breathing bypasses all these protective steps—no filtration occurs, the air temperature isn’t regulated, and the lungs are more vulnerable to damage. Over time, this can lead to inflammation of the respiratory organs, reduced cleanliness of the nostrils, and various nasal health issues.

One should not lie flat on one’s back while sleeping, as this can cause disturbances in the Sushumna Swar. In such a condition, one may experience dreadful dreams; therefore, after eating, one should lie down first on the left side and then on the right side. It is also not advisable to travel without resting for at least 15 minutes after eating.

The bodily fire becomes slow due to coldness and intense due to heat; that effect is also felt on our gastric fire. In Surya Swar, the digestive power increases, so it is best to have food in that Swar. Everyone knows this rule that one should lie on the left side after eating food. The purpose is that by lying on the left side, the Surya Swar starts working, and this action improves the digestive power.

Upon waking, we should first notice which Swar is active. Then, gently rub the palm corresponding to that active Swar on the face and look at it. While inhaling (taking a purak breath), step out of bed with the foot on the same side as the active Swar. This simple practice helps eliminate drowsiness, brings alertness, and keeps the mind cheerful throughout the day. The active Swar influences the body, and by engaging it in this way, we awaken a fresh sense of energy and awareness.

Urinating right after eating helps prevent various health issues. Ideally, urination should occur during the Chandra Swar and defecation during the Surya Swar. However, it’s acceptable to urinate during the Surya Swar while defecating. This isn’t just a belief—it’s benefits can be tested. If urine passed during each Swar is collected in separate containers and analysed, the urine from the Chandra Swar is found to be healthier, while that from the Surya Swar shows more impurities. This reflects a natural principle of the body. Even infants under one year naturally urinate with Chandra Swar and defecate with Surya Swar. While it may seem challenging at first, with a week or two of practice, the body naturally aligns with the correct Swar at the appropriate time.

Swar Yog – Shiva Swaroday Shastra

Shiv Swarodaya is the basic scripture on the science of breath.

This scripture describes the deep spiritual and practical teachings of the Swar Shastra, emphasising its roots in invoking deities like Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati, Ganesh, and the Supreme Soul for liberation from the temporary world. The practitioner seeks to understand the universe’s origin, transformation, dissolution, and its foundation in the five elements (tattvas), which govern all change, preservation, and destruction. The text offers insights into these tattvas and how they influence existence, providing guidance for using them to enhance well-being.

Swar Shastra reveals that the body holds key sounds, and within the breath (Swar) lies the complete wisdom of the Vedas and other scriptures. It shows how Swar influences astrology and is the underlying force of both creation and destruction in the universe.

Through mastery of Swar, one can overcome enemies and achieve success, wealth, recognition, and joy. The Shastra also explores the Nadi system and Kundalini energy, along with the ten types of life force (vayus) – Prana and Upaprana (or subsidiary prana), explaining their roles in health and vitality.

It outlines what tasks are best performed when specific Nadis are active, including guidelines for days of the week and months linked to each Nadi. It also explains the flow of the five elements through the Nadis, their significance and impact on one’s health, and how these elements relate to the origin of the body and the stars.

Swar is also portrayed as influential in warfare, highlighting how Lord Rama and Arjuna triumphed under favourable elemental flows, while the Kauravas perished under unfavourable ones.

It discusses the use of Swar in attraction and influence, the beej mantras tied to the five elements and seven chakras (energy centres), and how Swar can guide conception and determine a child’s health.

Finally, Swar is seen as a key to health, longevity, and even identifying signs of approaching death.