Kurma Upaprana: Functions, Importance in health, symptoms of imbalance, how to protect

Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) & Dr Manasa S, B.A.M.S

Kurma is one of the five Upapranas i.e. sub-pranas.

It is a very important and vital form of prana which controls and manages the function of blinking of the eyes and also controls and stabilizes the movements of the eyes.

Eye is called as chakshu or netra in Ayurveda. It is a seat of chakshu indriya i.e. sense organ of vision or sight. It is designated as ‘pradhana indriya’ i.e. the most important among all the organs of sense. We are all visual learners. We cannot imagine our life without eyes or vision. Blinking of the eyes is an important function which protects the eyes and also keeps the eyes lubricated. This is exactly the function of Kurma Upa-prana. Kurma Upa-prana controls the blinking of eyes and hence keeps the eyes healthy, moist and lubricated. It also controls the movements of the eyes.

Related Reading – ‘Upa-Pranas’

In this article I will throw some light on the understanding of the importance of Kurma Upa-prana and its contribution towards protecting the eyes and maintenance of eye health.

Kurma-Upaprana

Table of Contents

Kurma Upaprana – the intelligence behind the function of ‘eye blinking’

The eyelids are protective covers which protect the eyes. Blinking is an important mechanism which not only keeps our eyes protected but also moist and lubricated. Blinking reflex occurs without our knowledge and through a basic intelligence embedded in it. The basic intelligence behind the blinking of our eyes is a life energy called Kurma, which is a sub-prana. Kurma Upa-prana is involved in the opening and closing of the eyelids uninterruptedly.

Kurma Upa-prana protects and keeps the eyes lubricated

It is very important that the eyes keep moist and lubricated and this happens with the help of tear film in our eyes. Blinking spreads the tears evenly across the surface of the eyes and this is also possible when the Kurma Upa-prana in the eyelids is functioning properly. The moistness of the eyes in turn protects the eyes from dryness. The tears help in removing the dust and other irritants entering our eyes and thus protect our cornea, conjunctive and other parts of the eyes.

All these would not happen if the blinking mechanism is not well controlled and monitored by the Kurma Upa-prana.

Apart from blinking, Kurma would control and stabilize the eye movements and enable smooth movement of eyeballs.

Kurma and perception of visual objects

Kurma Upa-prana not only maintains the health, movement and functionality of the eyes which are vital for vision but also helps in perceiving visual objects and also processing external stimuli. Therefore this prana energy is the loop between the eyes, brain and nervous system. Apart from perception of visual objects, Kurma helps one in being aware of surroundings – orientation with respect to place and space and also coordination with other sensory organs.

The eyes need to be healthy if they need to perceive the visual objects properly and this can happen when they are well protected and lubricated by the action of blinking which is monitored by Kurma Upa-prana.

Kurma and mental health, focus and concentration

One’s concentration and mental focus depends on eye movements and these functions are dependent on and are controlled by Kurma Upa-prana as already said. The ability to focus and concentrate on any targeted and focused work is enhanced to optimum when the eyes are steady and its functions and movements are controlled. The same functions of Kurma helps in enhancing one’s concentration while in meditation. This is the basic reason why controlling the ‘drishti’ or gaze is a foundation technique for developing and maintaining focus and concentration in meditative practices and Yoga practices. The collective effect of this focus and concentration enabled by the action of Kurma upa-prana is a stable mental health.

Kurma, awakening and sleeping

When we are awake, the Kurma Prana energy is at its peak and highest form. This is because the eyes are open and operational and blinking when we are awake. Similarly, when we sleep, the energy of Kurma Upa-prana gets revitalized and rebooted. So, a good sleep is very important to protect this upaprana.

Kurma, Prana Vayu

The function of blinking of the eyes, movements of the eyes / eyeballs, opening and closing of the eyes are under the control of Prana Vayu. Prana Vayu has many other functions, being the main Prana. Kurma being the sub-prana, helps Prana Vayu in the function of blinking. In fact it actively gets involved in this function and eases the burden on Prana Vayu. In this way Kurma is associated with the Prana Vayu ecosystem and its functioning.

Kurma, eye glow and meditation

The shine, glow and appearance of the eyes enhance and the eyes would look attractive when the energy of Kurma Upa-prana is balanced. The Kurma energy makes one’s concentration firm and deep while meditating. The Yogi / practitioner can keep the eyes open for many hours and perform Trataka or gazing on a focused point when Kurma energy is under his or her control.

Effects of blocked or imbalanced Kurma Upa-Prana

When the Kurma Upa-prana energy gets imbalanced or blocked, the eye lids, the mechanism of blinking and movements of the eyes and the entire physiology associated with these mechanisms would be disturbed for sure. Below mentioned are the effects of such imbalances or blockages in Kurma –

– Excessive blinking and twitching and difficulty in opening and closing the eyes, sometimes uncontrolled and unmanageable

– Disturbed eye movements – excessive or sluggish movements of the eye

– Deficit or no lubrication of eyes, leading to conditions like dry eye, eye pain, eye strain, redness of eyes etc.

– Problems in perception of vision / visual objects

– Reduced focus and concentration

– Imbalances in the other functions of Prana Vayu