What Are Granthis?
In Yoga, Granthis are inner knots that bind our awareness.
They are not physical knots. They represent deep patterns of identification that keep consciousness tied to the body, emotions and mind.
The yogic tradition describes three major Granthis along the subtle pathway of the spine. Each represents a different layer of attachment.
Brahma Granthi binds us to the body, survival, security and sensory desires.
Vishnu Granthi binds us to emotions, relationships, identity and attachment.
Rudra Granthi binds us to thoughts, beliefs, knowledge and subtle spiritual ego.
You can think of them as three layers of mistaken identity. First, “I am the body”. Then, “I am my emotions and personal story”. Finally, “I am my thoughts and understanding”.
Yoga is the gradual process of loosening these knots.
Brahma Granthi: The Knot of the Body
Brahma Granthi is associated with the base of the spine and Muladhara Chakra.
It represents our strongest attachment to physical survival, security, possessions, and sensory pleasure.
When this knot dominates, life becomes centred around fear, comfort, pleasure, and avoidance of pain. We become strongly identified with the body and its needs.
There is nothing wrong with caring for the body. The bondage begins when we believe the body is all that we are.
Vishnu Granthi: The Knot of Emotion
Vishnu Granthi is associated with the heart region.
Here, attachment becomes more emotional. We become identified with relationships, roles, memories, expectations, and our personal story.
This is where “I” and “mine” become powerful.
When our relationships, reputation, expectations, or self-image are threatened, we react because our sense of identity feels threatened.
As this knot loosens, emotions do not disappear. Instead, we become less controlled by attachment and emotional reaction.
Rudra Granthi: The Knot of the Mind
Rudra Granthi is associated with Ajna, the centre between the eyebrows.
This is the subtlest knot because it binds us through thoughts, beliefs, knowledge, concepts, and even spiritual identity.
We may become attached to being knowledgeable, spiritually advanced, or intellectually correct.
The ego has not disappeared. It has simply become more refined.
Loosening Rudra Granthi means moving beyond concepts and becoming more grounded in direct inner experience.
Why Are They Called Knots?
The Sanskrit word Granthi means a “knot” or “tie”.
Just as a knot restricts the natural movement of a rope, these inner knots restrict the natural flow of awareness and prana.
At one level, we become trapped in fear and desire.
At another, in emotion and attachment.
At the deepest level, in thought and subtle ego.
Lahiri Mahasaya and the Granthis
Lahiri Mahasaya emphasised that simply understanding the Granthis intellectually is not enough.
They have to be loosened through inner practice.
Kriya Yoga works with breath, prana, concentration and inward awareness. As the breath becomes calmer, the mind begins to settle.
When the mind settles, we start observing our reactions instead of automatically becoming them.
Fear can be observed. Desire can be observed. Anger and attachment can also be observed.
Even our thoughts about who we are can be observed.
This leads to a powerful insight:
If something can be observed, it cannot be the deepest Self.
Untying the Knots
The Granthis are not untied by force. They begin to loosen as identification weakens.
Through pranayama, the breath and mind become steadier. Through awareness, we begin to see emotions without being completely controlled by them.
Gradually, even thoughts, beliefs, and spiritual ideas are seen as movements of the mind rather than our true identity.
The goal is not to reject the body, suppress emotions, or stop thinking.
The real question is much deeper:
Are these things what you truly are?
As the knots loosen, fear weakens, attachment softens, and mental noise begins to reduce.
Vedanta points towards what remains beneath all these changing layers: the silent awareness that has been witnessing everything all along.
