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Pranayama (प्राणायामः) (view source)
Revision as of 19:06, 23 December 2022
, 19:06, 23 December 2022→प्राणायामस्य फलानि ॥ Benefits of Pranayama: Adding 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" /> Because, when prana moves, chitta (consciousness) moves. When prana is without movement, chitta is without movement.<ref name=":9" />
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" /> Because, when prana moves, chitta (consciousness) moves. When prana is without movement, chitta is without movement.<ref name=":9" />
चले वाते चलं चित्तं निश्चले निश्चलं भवेत् । योगी स्थाणुत्वं आप्नोति ततो वायुं निरोधयेत् ॥ २.२ ॥<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%A8 Upadesha 2]</ref>
चले वाते चलं चित्तं निश्चले निश्चलं भवेत् । योगी स्थाणुत्वं आप्नोति ततो वायुं निरोधयेत् ॥ २.२ ॥<ref name=":10">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%A8 Upadesha 2]</ref>
When prana moves, the mind thinks and the senses perceive their respective objects. By developing sensitivity to prana, one becomes more aware of the subtle forces of the mind, which arise in the form of thoughts, feelings, emotions, responses, impressions, symbols and knowledge. Prana is grosser than the mind and hence easier to control. Thus, when prana is caught the flighty mind is caught too.<ref name=":9" />
When prana moves, the mind thinks and the senses perceive their respective objects. By developing sensitivity to prana, one becomes more aware of the subtle forces of the mind, which arise in the form of thoughts, feelings, emotions, responses, impressions, symbols and knowledge. Prana is grosser than the mind and hence easier to control. Thus, when prana is caught the flighty mind is caught too.<ref name=":9" />
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:
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>
याममात्रं यदा धर्त्तुं समर्थः स्यात्तदाद्भुतः । प्रत्याहारस्तदैव स्यान्नांतरा भवति ध्रुवम् ॥५७॥<ref name=":11">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.
Meaning: When one attains the power of holding the breath for three hours, then certainly the wonderful state of pratyahara is reached without fail.
Prana is related to inhalation. Both Samana and Vyana relate to retention while Udana and Apana relate to exhalation. Samana is the initial stage of retention in which the air is consolidated in the lungs, with oxygen absorbed through the lung tissue. Vyana is the second stage of retention in which the absorbed oxygen is taken into the blood and carried to the rest of the body. Udana is the first stage of exhalation that creates positive energy and effort, which allows for speech. Apana is the second stage of exhalation that pushes out the waste air and carbon dioxide. Thus, all the five Pranas can be balanced and regulated through Pranayama.<ref name=":8" />
Prana is related to inhalation. Both Samana and Vyana relate to retention while Udana and Apana relate to exhalation. Samana is the initial stage of retention in which the air is consolidated in the lungs, with oxygen absorbed through the lung tissue. Vyana is the second stage of retention in which the absorbed oxygen is taken into the blood and carried to the rest of the body. Udana is the first stage of exhalation that creates positive energy and effort, which allows for speech. Apana is the second stage of exhalation that pushes out the waste air and carbon dioxide. Thus, all the five Pranas can be balanced and regulated through Pranayama.<ref name=":8" />
=== Purification of Pranic body ===
All yogic practices purify the pranas, but pranayama is considered the principal among these. In the Yoga Sutras (2:52) Maharshi Patanjali states, "Thence the covering of the light is destroyed", with reference to the effects of pranayama.<ref name=":9" />
ततः क्षीयते प्रकाशावरणं ।। २.५२ ।।<ref name=":2" />
This covering is the residue of tamas and rajas, and through pranayama the sattwic nature of the chitta shines forth.
Moreover, the very nature of Pranayama is such that, when practised correctly, the entire energy circuitry is influenced and cleared over a period of time. Purification is achieved at the pranic level and simultaneously at the physical and mental levels as well. This brings about many positive transformations.<ref name=":9" /> As the Hatha Yoga Pradipika (2:20) says,
यथेष्टं धारणं वायोरनलस्य प्रदीपनम् । नादाभिव्यक्तिरारोग्यं जायते नाडिशोधनात् ॥ २.२० ॥<ref name=":10" />
Meaning: With the nadis purified, the inner sound or nada awakens and one is free from disease.
At this point, one is ready to commence higher sadhanas.<ref name=":9" />
=== प्राणोत्थानम् ॥ Awakening of Prana ===
Human evolution depends on the awakening of prana shakti, as much as it depends on optimum health of the body. The awakening of prana takes place when the nadis flow regularly, rhythmically and continuously, and no blockages or physiological discomfort is encountered in the breathing process. This stage is known as pranotthana, awakening of the pranas, more specifically of ida and pingala. When the awakening of ida and pingala occurs, sushumna awakens. The awakening of this third force is considered the most important event in pranayama, kriya yoga and kundalini yoga. Pranayama actually begins with the awakening of sushumna, because then the pranic field expands. Until this awakening occurs, the purification of ida and pingala continues throughout the practices.
After the pranas have awakened, the practitioner is ready to undertake the practice of prana vidya. The practitioner must be able to direct prana as necessary, not only within his own body but also the omnipresent, manifest power from which all energies originate. One can learn to use the cosmic energy, which is freely available to all, to create further changes in the patterns of the body, mind and consciousness. Such an awakening of pranic energy indicates the evolution of pranamaya kosha, whereby one is able to go deep into and become established in the higher meditative states.<ref name=":9" />
== प्राणायामस्य प्रकाराः ॥ Types of Pranayama ==
== प्राणायामस्य प्रकाराः ॥ Types of Pranayama ==
The process of Nadi Shuddhi or Nadi Shodhana involves closing the right nostril with the right hand’s thumb, inhaling fresh air through the left nostril (puraka) and holding the breath for some time (kumbhaka), followed by exhalation through right nostril (rechaka) while closing the left nostril with the right hand’s index finger and then reversing the process.<ref>Abhishek Pandey and others (2022), [https://ejmcm.com/article_19198_15eac5b09e4ef7b5209014c745304f20.pdf Effect of Nadisuddhi Pranayam on Reaction Time and Autonomic Activity of the Heart], European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine (Volume 9, Issue 4), Accessed on 2nd November, 2022.</ref> During the process, breathing is kept slow and rhythmic.<ref name=":3" /> This practice balances the flow of breath through both the right and left nostrils.<ref name=":0" /> Thus, Prana and Apana that are related to the right and left nostrils and their channels, ida and pingala can be balanced by balancing the flow through these two nostrils.<ref name=":8" />
The process of Nadi Shuddhi or Nadi Shodhana involves closing the right nostril with the right hand’s thumb, inhaling fresh air through the left nostril (puraka) and holding the breath for some time (kumbhaka), followed by exhalation through right nostril (rechaka) while closing the left nostril with the right hand’s index finger and then reversing the process.<ref>Abhishek Pandey and others (2022), [https://ejmcm.com/article_19198_15eac5b09e4ef7b5209014c745304f20.pdf Effect of Nadisuddhi Pranayam on Reaction Time and Autonomic Activity of the Heart], European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine (Volume 9, Issue 4), Accessed on 2nd November, 2022.</ref> During the process, breathing is kept slow and rhythmic.<ref name=":3" /> This practice balances the flow of breath through both the right and left nostrils.<ref name=":0" /> Thus, Prana and Apana that are related to the right and left nostrils and their channels, ida and pingala can be balanced by balancing the flow through these two nostrils.<ref name=":8" />
During pranayama, especially nadi shodhana, as one takes slow, deep breaths, the prana is forced to flow through the blocked areas, indeed, through the entire system of nadis. By this process, the energy circuits are restored and the weak areas gradually regain strength. Thus the Shiva Samhita states (3:49), "Through the regulation of breath the wise practitioner surely destroys all of his karmas, whether acquired in this life or in the past."<ref name=":9" />
पूर्वार्जितानि कर्माणि प्राणायामेन निश्चितम् नाशयेत्साधको धीमानिहलोकोव्यवानि च ४९<ref name=":11" />
Manu Smriti also tells us, "Let the defects be burnt up by pranayama."<ref name=":9" />
The general benefits of this Pranayama include,
The general benefits of this Pranayama include,