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Line 6: − − However, pranayama is not a stand-alone yogic practice. In the system of ashtanga yoga, it is preceded by sustained practice of yamas and niyamas, shatkarmas and asanas, and is followed by pratyahara, dharana, dhyana and samadhi. A balanced, sequential movement from gross to subtle, from annamaya kosha to anandamaya kosha, is the aim.<ref name=":9">Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati (2009), [https://sriyogaashram.com/ebook/Prana_and_Pranayama_Swami_Niranjananda.pdf Prana and Pranayama], Bihar: Yoga Publications Trust.</ref> Line 18:
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Pranayama (प्राणायामः) (view source)
Revision as of 14:17, 20 December 2022
, 14:17, 20 December 2022Adding content
Furthermore, Pranayama helps in making breathing slow and rhythmic. And when the breath slows down, the [[Manas (मनः)|mind]] also becomes calmer. Therefore, Pranayama as a practice uses breath to soothe the fluctuations of ‘chitta’ or the active thinking mind.<ref name=":0" />
Furthermore, Pranayama helps in making breathing slow and rhythmic. And when the breath slows down, the [[Manas (मनः)|mind]] also becomes calmer. Therefore, Pranayama as a practice uses breath to soothe the fluctuations of ‘chitta’ or the active thinking mind.<ref name=":0" />
== प्राणायामः ॥ Pranayama ==
== प्राणायामः ॥ Pranayama ==
* exhalation (rechaka)
* exhalation (rechaka)
By permuting and directing these three stages, the different practices of pranayama are obtained. Technically speaking, pranayama is actually only retention.<ref name=":9" /> Maharshi Patanjali's Yoga Sutras state (2:49):
By permuting and directing these three stages, the different practices of pranayama are obtained. Technically speaking, pranayama is actually only retention.<ref name=":9">Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati (2009), [https://sriyogaashram.com/ebook/Prana_and_Pranayama_Swami_Niranjananda.pdf Prana and Pranayama], Bihar: Yoga Publications Trust.</ref> Maharshi Patanjali's Yoga Sutras state (2:49):
तस्मिन्सति श्वासप्रश्वासयोर्गतिविच्छेदः प्राणायामः ।। २.४९ ।।<ref name=":2" />
तस्मिन्सति श्वासप्रश्वासयोर्गतिविच्छेदः प्राणायामः ।। २.४९ ।।<ref name=":2" />
Inhalation and exhalation are methods of inducing retention. Retention is the key because it allows a longer period for the assimilation of prana, just as it allows more time for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the cells. As the breath is also intimately connected with various functions and organs of the body as well as the mind, by controlling the breath we also influence all these dimensions.<ref name=":9" />
Inhalation and exhalation are methods of inducing retention. Retention is the key because it allows a longer period for the assimilation of prana, just as it allows more time for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the cells. As the breath is also intimately connected with various functions and organs of the body as well as the mind, by controlling the breath we also influence all these dimensions.<ref name=":9" />
== प्राणायामस्य ==
== प्राणायामस्य लक्ष्यम् ॥ Aim of Pranayama ==
Pranayama is not a stand-alone yogic practice. In the system of ashtanga yoga, it is preceded by sustained practice of yamas and niyamas, shatkarmas and asanas, and is followed by pratyahara, dharana, dhyana and samadhi. A balanced, sequential movement from gross to subtle, from annamaya kosha to anandamaya kosha, is the aim.<ref name=":9" />
In the Hatha Yoga Pradipika (1:67) it has been said:
पीठानि कुम्भकाश्चित्रा दिव्यानि करणानि च । सर्वाण्यपि हठाभ्यासे राजयोगफलावधि ॥ १.७० ॥<ref>Hatha Yoga Pradipika, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%A0%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE/%E0%A4%89%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A7 Upadesha 1]</ref>
Meaning: Asanas, various types of kumbhaka (pranayama) and the other various means of illumination should all be practised in the hatha yoga system until success in raja yoga is attained.
In this context, the aim of pranayama is to perfect pratyahara, which in the traditional texts has been described as not just sense withdrawal, but the state where we perceive every sensory input as a manifestation of the Supreme, and have expanded the pranic capacity to the extent that we can retain the breath for three hours.<ref name=":9" /> The Shiva Samhita (3:57) states:
याममात्रं यदा धर्त्तुं समर्थः स्यात्तदाद्भुतः । प्रत्याहारस्तदैव स्यान्नांतरा भवति ध्रुवम् ॥५७॥<ref>Shiva Samhita, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE/%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%9F%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%83 Patala 3]</ref>
Meaning: When one attains the power of holding the breath for three hours, then certainly the wonderful state of pratyahara is reached without fail.
The practice of yoga, in fact, begins when we come to the pranayama series. With the practice of asanas, we arrive at the state where we are able to work with the energies controlling the body. With pranayama, through the breath, we develop an awareness of the subtle force within the body, and directing the mind to become aware of the subtle activities is the beginning of yoga.<ref name=":9" />
== प्राणायामस्य प्रयोजनानि ॥ Benefits of Pranayama ==
== प्राणायामस्य फलानि ॥ Benefits of Pranayama ==
* It improves [[Rakta Dhatu (रक्त धातु)|blood]] circulation
* It improves [[Rakta Dhatu (रक्त धातु)|blood]] circulation