NETRA TARPANA

How Netra Tarpana Works

Importance of Netra Tarpana

It is said that the “eyes are the windows to our soul” and they are the most revealing sense organ in the human body. The eye feeds visual stimuli to the brain, and in Ayurveda the head is considered to be the most important part of the body. Heavy pollution in the air and constant staring at screens naturally harm this sense organ and lead to multiple problems.

The most common ailments faced by patients are heaviness of the eyes, difficulty in opening eyes, conjunctivitis, dry eyes, and hazy vision. Depending on the discomfort felt and the dosha of the patients, a medicinal concoction of ghee is used for the treatment. There are certain vital points (marmas) on the eye which suffer the most during stress and pollution. These points are alleviated by this treatment.

Each one of the vital points of the eye controls a specific kind of action related to the mind and body:

• Ajna and Sthapani – focuses on the connection between the eyes, brain, and the mind. Ajna connects the eyes and the mind while Staphani improves the interaction between brain and eye function.
• Apanga and Shankha – releases any tension that may be present in and around the eye. The Shankha marma is specifically related to tension and heaviness.
• Phana – associated with the nostrils and is divided into the left and right. This distinction between the nostrils relates to Soma and Agni. The Soma cools the eyes while the Agni helps the eyes and brain coordinate visual information being received and processed.
• Urdhaw and Adhoakshi – provide the eyes with life energy or Prana. This is a method that heals the body by treating one’s energy field.

Netra Tarpana treatment rejuvenates and relieves the stress accumulated in the eyes and helps these marmas to work effortlessly.

Depending on the dosha of the patient and the severity of the problem, the procedure extends up to a maximum of five days. Even the medicinal concoction and the type of Ghrita differ according to Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. The time period ranges anywhere from one to five days so that there is a noticeable difference in the patient's condition before and after the treatment.

Tarpana is preventive as well and could be used as much more than its curative element. An extremely healthy person could also use this treatment on a daily basis to protect their eyes from harm.

Indications of Tarpana

The concoction of medicinal herbs and ghee seeps deep into the subtle channels of the eye. It is traditionally indicated as a supportive therapy, alongside conventional ophthalmic care, in:

• Dry eye syndrome
• Computer vision
• Conjunctivitis and other corneal ailments
• Early cataract formations
• Glaucoma
• Refractive errors
• Optic Neuritis
• Diabetic retinopathy
• Improper coordination and loss of movement of the eyeballs, along with pain and burning sensations

Advisory Note

Resources

• Sharma, O., Kaundal, R., Hiremath, J., & Kumar, A. NETRA TARPANA- A UNIQUE OCULAR THERAPY IN AYURVEDA. International Ayurvedic Medical Journal.

Glossary

• Netra Tarpana = warm ghee held over the eyes inside a ring of dough
• Dosha = one of the three functional types Ayurveda uses to classify imbalance
• Vata = the dosha associated with movement
• Pitta = the dosha associated with heat and digestion
• Kapha = the dosha associated with structure and fluid
• Marma = a point on the body treated as vital in Ayurveda
• Ghee / Ghrita = clarified butter