Nadi Pariksha

“Just an examination of the pulse?” asked Cathy.

“Yes, it is an ancient Ayurvedic technique called Nadi Pariksha” I assured her.

“The doctor will feel your pulse for a while with his fingers and then give you a diagnosis. It can be quite accurate if you go to a good doctor.”

Cathy was suffering from nothing in particular and had a persistent feeling of having a dreadful disease whose symptoms surface when it’s too late. Like most people, she disliked invasive clinical procedures, so this technique appealed to her immediately.

...

“Good morning, doctor!” Cathy greeted in her big booming voice.

The young Ayurvedic doctor stood up and shyly shook her hand as he responded to her greeting.

“Madam, please sit down” he said politely as he gestured to the chair beside his.

“My symptoms are not very obvious, you see... it’s just...” said Cathy as she laboriously lowered her weight into the chair.

“Please don’t tell me anything" said the doctor with a twinkle in his eye. "Let me find out after I feel your pulse.”

This was an unusual experience for Cathy.

The doctor wrote down her name and other details on a notepad. Then he rolled up his shirt sleeves and instructed Cathy to stretch out her hand.

He placed his fingers on her wrist and felt tried to feel her pulse. He had to adjust his fingers a little before he found the right spot. When he did, he closed his eyes. His head bowed down as he concentrated.

Cathy observed that his face was completely neutral but his breathing showed signs of distress.

She had several predictions about her diagnosis and waited expectantly. It was difficult to face a doctor and not explain her health woes.

After what seemed like a long uncomfortable silence, the doctor opened his eyes and slowly released Cathy’s wrist.

“Well?” asked Cathy.

“Madam, are you ...er... constipated?” he said, not looking directly at her.

Cathy felt like a deflating balloon.

“No” she replied.

Then she looked at him, and asked with a mischievous grin, “Are you?”
(We love Cathy's sense of humour.)

"No" replied the doctor as he smiled back.

"But its not a nice feeling when I am. Madam, let me prescribe a few herbal teas for you to ease your digestion. You will certainly feel better in a week."

...

(Photo courtesy: Google Images)