Pranayama is the practice of regulated breathing to control the vital energy, prana in one's body. The human body is a complex machine and every process is interconnected to every other process. If one process is disrupted, it affects the functioning of other processes as well. Some of the physical functions are voluntary and some of them are involuntary. Prana, the life force, regulates involuntary action, and pranayama aims to gain control over the pranic energy by regulating the breathing processes.
By focusing on the breathing, one can control the mind. If the breathing process is irregular, the mind becomes unstable. By understanding the subtle workings of breathing one can quieten the mind.
Pranayama as per different traditional texts
The word “Pranayama” is composed of two words, “Prana” and “ayama”. Prana is the life force and ayama means regulation. Pranayama is the regulation or control of breathing; however, there is no single practice of pranayama. Different yogic texts explain different forms of pranayama. As per Gheranda Samhita, there are eleven different forms of pranayama, whereas the Hatha Yoga Pradeepika explains eight forms of pranayama. Though all are pranayama, there are subtle differences.
So, let’s understand pranayama according to different yogic texts.
Pàtañjala Yoga Sutra
According to the Pàtañjala Yoga Sutra, there are eight limbs of Yoga; Pranayama is the fourth. In the second chapter of the text, Patanjali explained the importance of pranayama, the process of inhalation, and exhalation, and the significance of breath retention.
“tasmin sati svasa prasvasayoh gativicchedah pranayamah”
Regulation of inhaling and exhaling breath with retention is called Pranayama. According to the text, it should be practiced only once the practitioner attains mastery of asana practices.
It further says.
bahyabhyantarastambhavrittih deshakalasankhyabhih paridrishto dirghasookshmah //2.50//
“Bahya Abhyantara Stambha Vrittih…” Stambha vritti – a point of no inhalation and exhalation - is the result of internal and external Kumbhaka. A stage when there is no complete inhalation or exhalation, and breath is completely absorbed.
Emphasis is placed upon the time and place at which pranayama is practiced. The number of pranayama and its length also have significance. With time and practice, breath retention (the state of Kumbhaka) becomes normal.
Hatha Yoga Pradeepika
As per the Hatha Yoga Pradeepika, Yoga has four limbs. The second limb is pranayama. According to the text, asana practice, control of sense organs, mitahara and appropriate guidance from a knowledgeable guru are the prerequisites of pranayama.
Pranayama focuses on the flow of prana. There are three major nadis, Sushumna, Ida and Pingala. For the free flow of prana, these nadis are to be purified by the regular practice of pranayama.
Though pranayama is controlled breathing, it is referred to as Kumbhaka in Hatha Yoga Pradeepika. Kumbhaka means breath retention. As it helps to retain the life force, it is of utmost importance in this practice.
The text describes eight types of Kumbhakas. These are
Suryabhedana
Ujjayi
Sitkari
Sitali
Bhastrika
Murcha
Plavini
Hatha Yoga Pradeepika gives precise information regarding the time when pranayama should be practiced. As per the text, it can be practiced four times during the day, Pratah (morning), Madhyandina (noon), Sayam (evening), Ardha Ratra (midnight).
Gheranda Samhita
Gheranda Samhita compares the human body to an unbaked earthen pot, which should be properly molded in the fire of yogic practice to prepare it for higher purposes of yoga.
According to Gheranda Samhita, there are seven limbs of Yoga and the fifth limb is pranayama. Gheranda begins by mentioning the ideal time and place of pranayama. Then, he moves on to describe the significance of mitahara. He then emphasizes the importance of the cleansing of nadis.
(Just like Hatha Yoga Pradeepika, Pranayama is considered to be synonymous to Kumbhaka and the eight kumbhakas mentioned include – Sahita, Suryabhedan, Ujjayi, Sitali, Bhastrika, Brahmari, Murccha And Kevali. Sahita is further divided into Sagarbha or Nigarbha, which means with or without the use of the beeja mantra (seed letter). The pranayama practice is clearly stated in this text, to be done with a proper ratio. The ratio of Puraka (inhalation) : Kumbhaka (retention) : Rechaka (exhalation) should be 1: 4: 2.)
As per Gheranda Samhita, pranayama is an immensely powerful practice. It says that with dedicated practice one gets the ability to even move in the sky. This technique eliminates diseases too. It activates the Kundalini resulting in the state of Samadhi.
Vasistha Samhita
Vasistha Samhita is another important yogic text. It emphasizes the cleansing of nadis before the practice of pranayama. If the practitioner has not followed all the limbs of yoga in the right order then all the efforts may go in vain. It asks the practitioner to sit in an upright position with an erect spine and head in a calm meditative state facing the east or north to perform the pranayama.
Comparison of the Yogic Texts
Bija mantra may or may not be chanted during pranayama. Hatha Yoga Pradeepika does not necessitate the chanting of the beeja mantra; however, the Vasistha Samhita recommends using it. When it comes to Gheranada Samhita, it describes both naming them as Sagarbha and Nigarbha. All four texts describe the different phases of pranayama.
The four texts describe pranayama in slightly different names with certain subtle differences. However, the aim is the same; to achieve Samadhi. The ultimate state of bliss.
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