Vaman Dhauti (Kunjal Kriya)

Vaman Dhauti, also called Kunjal Kriya, is one of the Dhauti practices within the Shatkarma system. Vaman means vomiting in Sanskrit, and dhauti means washing. This technique involves drinking a large quantity of warm saline water on an empty stomach and then expelling it along with the stomach’s contents in a controlled way. Despite sounding extreme to those unfamiliar with it, this practice is precise, controlled, and entirely different from involuntary vomiting.

Place in the Shatkarma System

Dhauti, the second of the six Shatkarmas, encompasses several cleansing practices targeting different parts of the digestive tract. Vaman Dhauti specifically cleanses the oesophagus and stomach. The Gheranda Samhita, one of the three classical Hatha Yoga texts, describes it in detail: swallow a thin cloth, draw it back out, and the stomach is cleaned. Kunjal Kriya is the water-based version of this principle, achievable without special equipment.

Method

1. Practise on a completely empty stomach, at least eight hours after your last meal. Early morning before sunrise is ideal.
2. Prepare four to six glasses of warm saline water (one teaspoon of salt per litre). The water should be warm, not hot.
3. Drink all four to six glasses of water as quickly as you comfortably can. Drinking rapidly is important — if you drink slowly, the water will begin to absorb before you have taken enough volume.
4. Stand over a toilet or basin. Lean forward at the waist, keeping the stomach relaxed.
5. Insert the index and middle fingers of one hand into the throat, touching the back of the tongue. This triggers the gag reflex and the water flows out naturally.
6. The water comes out in two or three waves. Allow it to flow completely.
7. Rest for a few minutes afterward. Have a small meal or warm ginger tea within 30 to 45 minutes.

Benefits

• Removes accumulated bile and mucus: The stomach naturally secretes bile and acid overnight. Kunjal washes away this overnight buildup before it can irritate the stomach lining.
• Relieves acidity and hyperacidity: People who suffer from chronic acidity and gastric reflux often find significant relief with regular Kunjal practice. The saline water neutralises excess acid and the expulsion clears the oesophagus.
• Useful before intensive pranayama: Advanced pranayama practices, especially Bhastrika and extended breath retention, are more effective and comfortable when the stomach is completely empty and clean.
• Improves appetite: Practitioners often notice that their appetite becomes more regular and hunger signals become cleaner after establishing this practice.
• Mental clarity after practice: Many students report a feeling of lightness and mental clarity following Kunjal, similar to what is felt after breaking a fast.

Frequency

Weekly practice is the standard recommendation in classical texts. Daily practice is not advised for most people. Some yoga teachers practise it twice weekly during intensive training. Those with chronic digestive issues may temporarily practise more frequently under the supervision of a qualified teacher.

Safety and Contraindications

• Do not practise if you have peptic ulcers, a hiatus hernia, severe hypertension, or heart disease.
• Those with a history of eating disorders should approach this practice with caution and only with proper guidance.
• Do not practise on a full stomach under any circumstances.
• Never practise without first learning directly from a qualified teacher.
• Do not attempt this practice if you cannot trigger the gag reflex naturally — this usually resolves with gentle practice over time.

Vaman Dhauti at Medhya Laya

At Medhya Laya, Kunjal Kriya is taught within the Shatkarma module of the 200-hour and 300-hour teacher training programs. Students learn the correct preparation, water preparation, and technique under direct guidance. The experience is typically a turning point for students — what initially seems difficult becomes straightforward after the first successful attempt, and many students incorporate it into their weekly practice for the rest of their lives.