Prathamopadeśaḥ (Ṣaṭkarma) · Verse 27
नेतिस्तु द्विविधा प्रोक्ता सूत्रचैकजलेऽपरा | सूत्रं स्नेहयुतं गाढं नासापुटद्वये नयेत् ||
netistu dvividhā proktā sūtracaikajale'parā | sūtraṃ snehayutaṃ gāḍhaṃ nāsāpuṭadvaye nayet ||
Details of sūtra neti: the thread (sūtra) is lubricated with sneha (generally ghee or oil) to facilitate passage. It should be “firm” (gāḍha) — neither too rigid nor too flexible.
The thread is inserted through one nostril and comes out through the other (or through the mouth in advanced variants), cleaning the nasal passages of mucus and allergens.
This practice, though initially challenging, becomes comfortable with regular practice and offers significant respiratory benefits.