In the yogic tradition, the human energetic body is described as a complex network of channels (nadis) through which life force (prana) flows. Along this network, certain points can develop blockages — subtle “psychic knots” that restrict the free flow of energy and keep a person trapped in cycles of suffering. These knots are known as granthis.
There are three primary granthis: Brahma Granthi, Vishnu Granthi, and Rudra Granthi. Each corresponds to a different level of human experience, and each knot forms due to the weight of our karma, unfulfilled desires, and mental conditioning — much of which is carried from past experiences and impressions (samskaras).
Rudra Granthi — The Knot of Ego and Power
The Rudra Granthi is found in the region of the throat and third eye. It relates to willpower, self-identity, and the higher intellect.
This knot forms when the ego becomes rigid and self-importance overshadows humility. One of the most subtle yet damaging expressions is when we misuse our voice — speaking harshly, spreading harm through words, or manipulating others verbally.
Even our mental world can contribute: when our imagination turns dark or obsessive, or when we create scenarios in the mind that never materialize, the disappointment can be deeply painful and energetically binding. The Rudra Granthi keeps a person locked in patterns of control, pride, and mental restlessness.
Vishnu Granthi — The Knot of Desire and Attachment
The Vishnu Granthi is situated near the heart and solar plexus region. It deals with emotional connections, relationships, and the human longing for love, recognition, and pleasure.
When desires become excessive or attachments too strong, this knot forms. It’s not only about craving relationships or pleasures, but also about clinging to certain images of ourselves, our roles, or the approval of others. Even imagination can play a role — when we dream of something vividly but it never manifests, the resulting frustration can harden into an energetic knot here.
This is why the Vishnu Granthi is often linked with deep emotional pain — disappointments in love, unmet expectations, and the inability to let go.
Brahma Granthi — The Knot of Survival
The Brahma Granthi is located in the region of the root chakra (Muladhara) and governs our primal sense of survival. It is tied to the instinct to preserve life, to seek shelter, and to fulfill basic needs.
While survival is natural and necessary, this knot forms when survival instincts turn into extremes — where fear or greed takes over. In this state, people may justify harmful actions, cheat others, or exploit animals and the environment just to protect their own interests.
The Brahma Granthi can also be tightened by excessive indulgence in the senses, especially when sexual desire becomes compulsive and unbalanced. Such patterns bind the consciousness to the lowest frequency of existence, making it hard to evolve spiritually.
The three granthis are like locks on the door of consciousness. They keep the energy from rising freely up the spine, which is essential for higher states of awareness and spiritual awakening. As long as they remain tight, a person feels stuck — repeating the same emotional patterns, caught in the same inner struggles, no matter how much they try to change on the surface.
Yogic tradition offers a precise method for loosening these knots through the practice of bandhas — internal energy locks that redirect prana and awaken the inner pathways.
- Moola Bandha (Root Lock) targets the Brahma Granthi, helping to dissolve fears, unhealthy survival habits, and excessive sensual attachments.
- Uddiyana Bandha (Abdominal Lock) stimulates the fire of transformation, addressing the Vishnu Granthi by burning away emotional heaviness and stagnant desires.
- Jalandhara Bandha (Throat Lock) works on the Rudra Granthi, purifying the voice, clarifying thought, and humbling the ego.
When all three are combined, the practice becomes Maha Bandha — the “Great Lock” — a powerful technique to align the energetic body, release karmic residue, and restore the natural upward flow of consciousness.
Releasing the granthis is not a single event, but a gradual process of awareness, discipline, and inner work. As these knots loosen, life energy begins to circulate freely. Fears give way to trust, attachments dissolve into compassion, and ego transforms into clarity and wisdom.
The three granthis remind us that our deepest obstacles are not outside but within — woven into our energy body by our own actions, desires, and conditioning. Through sincere practice, we can untie these knots, freeing ourselves to live with a lighter heart, a clearer mind, and a deeper connection to the truth.
