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Kurma

Kūrma · कूर्म

The tortoise, which pulls its head into its shell. Governs blinking and the closing of the eyelids, and by extension the reflex that protects the eyes.

blinking eyelids tortoise protection
Group
One of the five upa-pranas
Governs
Blinking, eyelid movement, corneal moisture
Direction
Withdrawal
Name means
Tortoise
Related practice
Trataka, steady gazing
Sources
Gheranda Samhita, Ayurvedic compendia

What it does

Kurma closes the eyes, in reflex and in rest. The tortoise image is exact: withdrawal into shelter at the first sign of threat.

The practice that engages it directly is trataka, steady gazing at a flame, which works precisely by suspending this reflex for as long as is comfortable.

Withdrawal

The same word appears in pratyahara, the withdrawal of the senses that Patanjali lists as the fifth limb of yoga, and the tortoise is that limb's standard image. Kurma is the small physical version of a large contemplative move.

Frequently asked questions

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