At the wrist
One artery. Three positions.
There is one radial arterial course. A typical description places the index, middle, and ring fingers at three adjacent positions over that artery near the base of the thumb. Practitioners may vary pressure and depth while attending to differing pulse qualities.
The three positions are not three separate arteries or three separate literal pulses. Exact finger associations and techniques are not identical across all Ayurvedic lineages.
A translation, not an equation
Traditional terms and modern questions.
| Traditional concept | Plain-English meaning | Possible physiological analogue |
|---|---|---|
| Vega | Speed of the pulse | Comparable in part to pulse rate |
| Tala | Rhythmic pattern | Comparable in part to rhythm and beat-to-beat timing |
| Bala | Force | Conceptually related to pulse amplitude / force |
| Kathinya | Hardness or firmness of the vessel | Potential conceptual relationship to arterial stiffness |
| Gati | Quality or movement of the pulse | No single accepted modern equivalent |
| Tapamana | Temperature | Local temperature or perceived warmth |
| Akruti | Shape, fullness, or form | Possible relation to waveform morphology or pulse volume |
These are possible parallels, not established equivalences. Traditional and modern variables should not be treated as identical.
01
Observe
Movement, speed, rhythm, and fullness are noticed over more than a single beat.
02
Vary
Pressure and depth can change what is felt at the wrist.
03
Interpret
Qualities are interpreted through Ayurvedic functional patterns, not isolated as a diagnosis.