Pranayama

Pranayama

     Pranayama is the means for establishing control over the nerves and muscles involved in breathing, and through that control, over all the finer movements of the Prana in the body. The ultimate purpose of ‘Pranayama’ is to arouse Kundalini, the one and the only way to attain Divine wisdom, superconscious perception- realization of the spirit.  This may come through the love of God, through the mercy of a spiritual leader or saint, or merely through analytical will of the thinker. When by the power of long meditation the vast mass of energy stored up travels along the Sushumna, - and strikes the centres, the reaction is tremendous, immensely superior to the reaction of dream or imagination, or even more intense than the reaction of even sense perception. It is supersensuous perception. When this energy reaches the head, the ‘Sahasrara Chakra’, a thousand-petalled Lotus, the whole brain reacts, and the result is full blaze of illumination, the perception of the Self. This is the result of rousing the Kundalini by Pranayama.

    The purpose of selecting a suitable sitting posture or ‘asana’ is to perform dhyana (meditation) comfortably. In the course of meditation, the body, the neck and the head should be in a straight line so as to allow an easy and free flow of blood. It will be dangerous to sit in a curved position. ‘Pranayama’ is performed for purification of nerves.

   Pranayama is the control of universal energy, the prana. Breath control is a method of achieving the optimum flow of this energy in the body. It helps in cleansing the nerves that carry energy to different parts of the body.

   Pranayama should be learnt under an expert teacher. Although it seems very simple at the outset it should be started under guidance only. Stomach and the diaphram should be strong enough to hold the air that is powerfully driven in and out while inhaling and breathing out, respectively.

    Shri Sudhakar Chaturvedi has described the various types of ‘Yogasanas and Pranayama Techniques’ in ‘Yoga Pradeepa’. [Vaidika Prakashana Samithi, Udupi]

    There are several exercises in Pranayama, at least eight are important and three are commonly practiced. These should be practiced under expert advice only.

    The first method is very simple and can be performed by any person without much difficulty and any danger. Sit straight in a comfortable position in a secluded place and breath in and breath out in a measured way uttering ‘OM’ in the process. Deep Breathing should be done with awareness, unlike it is normally done, and the breath is not held in. By doing this several times, four or five times, the mind and body becomes calm, restful and rhythmic.

   The second exercise may be started after one has practiced the first exercise regularly for some days.

   Stop the right nostril with the thumb and breath in by the left nostril for 4 seconds retain it in lungs for sixteen seconds, and breath out through the right nostril for eight seconds. Imagine that you are drawing in energy through the Ida and sending the nerve current down the spinal column and striking forcibly on the ‘Muladhara’, the seat of Kundalini. Holding the current there for a while, then breath out slowly through the right nostril, the Pingala. Next, do it in the reverse manner. Again, close the left nostril (Ida) and breath in for 4 seconds retain breath for 16 seconds and breath out for 8 seconds. Repeat this procedure four times or for five minutes twice a day. This is called ‘Sukha Pranayama’. Physical and moral fitness must be ensured before embarking on Pranayama for rousing the Kundalini. It is risky for people who are not fit for it. It may cause insanity.

     There is another very simple method. It is breathing in from one nostril and breathing out by the other nostril alternately. Thumb is used to press one nostril at a time while breathing in and out leaving no gap in time. These exercises should be performed early in the morning and late in the evening in a cool secluded place. It can be performed at mid-day and mid-night also for better results. ‘Pranayama’ helps to purify nerves in about two weeks. It is suggested that Japa, or ‘Shree Hari Nama-smarane’ (chanting the Lord’s name) also should be simultaneously performed with pranayama for better results. But it must always be remembered here that mere Pranayama and Yogasanas are mere physical exercises; these will nothelp to make any spiritual progress unless meditation too, goes hand in hand.

    Pranayama, as the name suggests, is controlling ‘Prana’. Prana is the life-sustaining force. Pranayama helps in purifying the nerves, the carriers of energy in the body. Although ‘Prana’ exists everywhere, it cannot be perceived. It exists in the akasha. Akasha is the ultimate basic stuff out of which all the gross forms, from atoms to galaxies, from microscopic cells to the perfected human and divine bodies, take shape and in to which they resolve when they are dissolved or disintegrated to the pristine condition. Prana and Akasha are the two ultimate entities of the manifested universe. What works upon the Akasha and shapes it into all forms or manifestations is called ‘Prana’.

     Prana is the all-inclusive basic energy into which all forms of energy known to us as manifesting in matter and mind are reduced at the end of the cycle. It is Prana vibrating at the beginning of the cycle that shapes Akasha, the basic condition of matter, into a new universe of diverse forms of and states of subtlety. Out of ‘Prana’ is evolved all forms of energy, physical or mental. Thus, all physical forces like motion, electricity, magnetism, etc. are the expressions of ‘Prana’. Thus, the sum total of all forces in the universe, physical or mental, when resolved back to their original state, is ‘Prana’ and the knowledge and control of this ‘Prana’ is Pranayama. 

     Thus, it is also clear that the quantum of Prana working our mind and body is the nearest to us of all the waves of the infinite ocean of Prana. Any person is capable of establishing control over the quantum of Prana constituting his being, will be able to establish a kind of mastery over ‘Prana’. Such a Yogi will be in touch of the Whole, as the whole universe is one mass of ‘Prana’ and ‘Akasha’.

    Benefits of Pranayama are many and varied. By the control of Prana one can achieve such power that can cure dreadful diseases; faith cure or Reki is one such. Prana has the power of bringing it into a certain state of vibration that can be conveyed to others, arousing in them a similar vibration. It is also the secret of power of great men over others.

    If a country is great and can sway its power over others, it is because of the immense will- power of its leaders. The leaders of great countries have such will -power, that they can bring their Prana into a high state of vibration, and it is so great and powerful that it catches others in a moment, and thousands are drawn towards them, and half the world thinks as they do. It is also true of the Great Saints and Prophets whose teachings catch the world over; they had brought their Prana to the highest state of motion, and this is what gave them power to sway the world. All manifestations of power arise from this control.

     Manipulation of the power of ‘Prana’ is very much evident in spirituality. The universe perceived by our senses is the manifestation of Akasha by the vibration of Prana at a certain intensity, wavelength. We are all in a state of vibration at certain wave- lengths. There are innumerable other universes like ours operating at different vibrations of Prana in Akasha; only their degree of intensity of vibration they represent is different. If a Yogi can change the vibration of his mind and attune himself to any of these vibrations representing any of the spheres, he can become aware of those spheres while simultaneously becoming shut off from his earthly contacts. All these kinds of supra-conscious experiences come under Samadhi. The highest grade of Samadhi is when we realise that substance out of which all these vibrations and beings representing them have come. The methods adopted for controlling the manifestation of ‘Prana’ as vital and mental force, through psychical means, is the Raja Yoga.

    One of the most important prerequisites of Pranayama is contenance, or strict avoidence of sex, i.e., Brahmacharya. This is advocated for householders as well, since it is the basis of Pranayama. The semen ejected in sexual intercourse is a loss of energy, which would otherwise become ‘Ojas’ more useful for rousing Kundalini. It is the semen or ‘veerya’ (Dhatu) that is converted into ‘ojas’ (psychic energy) that brings in turn ‘tejas’. By channelising the creative force, the psychic energy or vital energy, through Sushumna to Sahasraara that one gains access to the hidden powers of the brain. If semen (dhatu) is wasted in masturbation by youth, they will lose concentration and physical and mental strength; their yogic exercises will be futile. So also, indulgence in sex, either in thought or action, by householder is detrimental to spiritual practices.

    Vatsayana’s Kama Sutra clearly lays down the principles of sexual practices as far as it helps Self Realisation. It is approved for procreation up to two children and none thereafter. First is the dharma putra/putri and the rest are all results of Kama, or lust. It is advocated that sexual indulgence is avoided at all cost and this can be achieved by raising oneself to higher planes of spiritual life. Reaching Kundalini (hidden energy of the plexus or level of consciousness) to heart level and staying there will help in controlling sexual thoughts and action. The extreme step of abstaining from sex in youthful stage is neither possible nor advised. The very purpose of birth on this earth is fulfillment of desires (Kama- one of the Purusharthas) and 'desire of the flesh' is one of them.According to Buddha, it is the desire of the flesh that is at the root of repeated births and death. Sexual energy can at best be channelised otherwise it will be wasted in different ways. Sex is one of the most powerful basic needs like thirst and hunger. After one has fully experienced this basic urge, he should develop detachment. That is real ‘Prathyaahaara’.

       Some uphold the view that there is a fourth aspect in the study of life of Man. Body, mind, and soul are the three aspects with which we are familiar. The fourth is the ‘energy-flow’ aspect. This is also the ‘life-force’. This flow is in the form of sex-energy. There is a very interesting account of the Brahman appearing in the form of Yaksha to teach a lesson to the proud Devas, particularly Agni and Vayu, for the elated behaviour. The Devas were proud and boasted of their powers and took all the credit of retrieving Amrit from the churning of the ocean. When Brahman appeared as Yaksha, Indra and others could not recognize him. Indra sent Agni to find out who it was. When Agni appeared before Yaksha (Brahman) and proudly identified himself as Jataveda; Brahman placed a piece straw and asked Agni to burn it. Agni used all his powers to burn it and failed; he returned humiliated to Indra and said he could not know that adorable Spirit. Then, Indra sent Vayu. Vayu approached Brahman and faced the same problem; The Indomitable Brahman placed a piece of grass and asked Vayu to move it. Vayu used all his force but could not move the straw a bit and returned humiliated. Indra personally came to test the Yaksha and found instead a beautiful lady, Uma, the daughter of the snow-clad Himavat.

       Both Agni and Vayu are the deities of the Indriyas, eyes and ears, respectively; and Indra is the Lord, Mind under whose control the indriyas function. Indra, the mind (ignorance), cannot function in the face of Buddhi or intellect or the Light of the Self. Mind is only matter and gets burnt under the fire of the Supreme Consciousness. But, who is this beautiful Uma, daughter of Himavat?  In Himavat, Hima stands for cold. Woman stands for prakruti. Beauty stands for the captivating force of the Prakruti. Woman stands for Sex. Thus, ‘Indra seeing beautiful Uma’ stands for ‘the Mind coming under the grip of the captivating sex’. Sex is the over-powering and dominating force captivating the senses.

         Sex is a powerful instinct. It exercises a captivating force and governs the life of humans throughout life. The sexual energy is the mainstay of life. If the sexual energy ceases, the life of the person ceases. A person will become aware of his/her sex very early in life, say by about a year or so after birth, and continues to be aware of it till ripe old age. This sexual energy has been the central idea of the works of Sigmund Freud. He went to the extreme of identifying sex as the center of study of man. But, one cannot deny the fact that for most part of life, sex energy controls the life and activity of man. Much remains to be done in the field of sexual energy, although the ancient Seers laid much stress on strict adherence to contenance, Brahmacharya.