Gaja Karani also called `Kunjala` is a technique of drinking and regurgitating water in order to throw away any impure food out. The terms Gaja Karani can be defined as the act of an elephant. The pose for the Kriya has similarity to the trunk of an elephant.
Gaja Karani is done seldom on an empty stomach in order to remove excess acid or undigested foods. This should be done in the morning on an empty stomach. By carrying the Apana Vayu to the throat, the food in the stomach is vomited.
Gaja Karani is basically a technique of washing out the stomach by drinking large quantities of water and vomiting it up again like an elephant taking water through his trunk.
"Know the elephant act to be the drinking of water to one`s fill and returning it and giving it in order to prevent any illness from attacking the body.
This can also be practiced before taking any food if one wants to get rid of any poison or unhealthy food. It should be done every morning after cleaning the teeth; the water can be made to return by putting one`s finger down the throat, but when the habit of vomiting it up is established, the water can be returned accordingly.
Practice of Gaja Karani
•First of all, the practitioner has to sit on his feels.
•Then he has to drink water till he can take no more or till he feels like vomiting.
•Now he has to shake the stomach by twisting exercises.
•Finally, stand with feet together and bend forward. And then with the help of three middle fingers vomit out all the water.
Benefits of Gaja Karani
The practice of Gaja Karani ensures various health benefits some of which are as follows:
•It cures the problem of halitosis.
•It lessens the problem of acidity and hyper-acidity.
•It provides relief to those who have the problem of constipation.
•It cures kidney diseases and skin ailments.
•It improves digestion and increases appetite.
•It provides mental peace and makes one agile and active.
•It also helps one to get over one`s dislike for vomiting as it can be used to eliminate a bad meal.