About Pranayama
Effect of Pranayama, Dharana, Pratyahara, Dhyana
Benefits
Pramana: Śāstra Pramāṇa - शास्त्र प्रमाण
Source: Srimat Sarvajnanottra Agama - Yoga Pada 16
Original Verse: "प्राणायामैर्दहेद्दोषान् धारणाभिस्तु किल्विषअम् । प्रत्याहारेण संसर्गान् ध्यानेनान् श्वरान् गुणान् ॥१६॥"
Transliteration: "pra’n.a’ya’mair dahed dos”a’n dharan.a’bhistu kilbis”am ll 16 pratya’ha’ren.a samsarga’n dhya’nena’nas’vara’n gun.a’n l"
Translation: By the practice of pranayama, the sadhaka incinerates all the efilements. By dharana, he annihilates all of his sinful effects. By pratyahara, he maintains himself completely free from the negative thoughts and vices. And by dhya’na, he becomes capable of nullifying the effects of even those qualities which do not decay.
What is Considered Dharana, Yoga and Yogasiddhi
Description
Pramana: Śāstra Pramāṇa - शास्त्र प्रमाण
Source: Srimat Sarvajnanottra Agama - Yoga Pada 24
Original Verse: "प्राणायामोओत्तमो यत्तद्विगुणा धारणा मता । धारणाद्विगुणो योगो योगोऽपि द्विगुणीक्रत: ॥ योगसिद्धिरिति ग्येया शिवेन परमात्मना ॥२४॥"
Transliteration: "pra’n.a’ya’mottamo yattad dvigun.a’ dharan.a’ mata’ dha’ran.a’d dvigun.o yogo yogopi dvigun.i’kr’tah Yogasiddhiriti jn”eya’ s’ivena parama’tmana’"
Translation: Twice the supreme kind of pranayama is considered as dharana. Twice the duration of dharana is considered as Yoga. Twice the duration of Yoga is significantly known as Yogasiddhi exclusively related to Lord Siva, the Supreme Self.
What is Pranayama?
Pramana: Śāstra Pramāṇa - शास्त्र प्रमाण
Source: Kirana Agama - Yoga Pada (16-17)
Original Verse: "पूरकः कुम्भकष्चैव रेचकश्च तृतियकः | पूरणात् - पूरको वास्पि यः कुम्भस्तन्निरोधकः ॥ 16 ॥ रेचनात् - रेचकः प्रोक्तः प्राणायामत्रयं कुरु | (17)"
Transliteration" "pūrakaḥ Kumbhakaṣcaiva recakaśca tṛtiyakaḥ | pūraṇāt - pūrako vāspi yaḥ kumbhastannirodhakaḥ ॥16 ॥ recanāt - recakaḥ proktaḥ prāṇāyāmatrayaṁ kuru |"
Translation: "Prānāyāma consists of three phases of breath-processes - pūraka, Kumbhaka, and recaka. Puraka is done by inhaling the breath inside (through the left nostril); Kumbhaka is the retention of breath for a fixed time; and recaka is done by exhaling the breath (through the right nostril). One should do prānāyāma three times before the commencement of the Yogic process."
Pranayama Defined
Pramana: Śāstra Pramāṇa - शास्त्र प्रमाण
Source: Tri-shikhi-brahmanopanishad 94
Original Verse: "चतुर्भिः क्लेशनं वायोः प्राणायाम उदीर्यते | सहितप्राणायामलक्षणमाह- रेचनमिति ॥ ९४ ॥
प्राणायामारम्भसमये शरीरगतदुष्टवायुरेचनं ततः पूरणं ततः कुम्भकेन वायोः शोधनं पुनः निःशेषतो रेचनम्, एवं चतुर्भिः पर्यायैः वायोः क्लेशनम् उपक्रमप्राणायामः उदीर्यते | एवं प्राणायामत्रये कृते सति अथ यथोक्तप्राणायामयोग्यं शरीरं भवतीत्यर्थः ॥"
Transliteration: "caturbhiḥ kleśanaṃ vāyoḥ prāṇāyāma udīryate | sahitaprāṇāyāmalakṣaṇamāha- recanamiti ॥ 94 ॥
prāṇāyāmārambhasamaye śarīragataduṣṭavāyurecanaṃ tataḥ pūraṇaṃ tataḥ kumbhakena vāyoḥ śodhanaṃ punaḥ niḥśeṣato recanam, evaṃ caturbhiḥ paryāyaiḥ vāyoḥ kleśanam upakramaprāṇāyāmaḥ udīryate | evaṃ prāṇāyāmatraye kṛte sati atha yathoktaprāṇāyāmayogyaṃ śarīraṃ bhavatītyarthaḥ ॥"
Translation: Expiration (of foul air from the body), then inspiration (of pure air), then purifying the air (with the Kumbhaka), similarly expiration (once again completely); the exhaustion of air, by (repeating) the (above) four (processes), is said to be Pranayama.
Three Parts of Pranayama
Pramana: Śāstra Pramāṇa - शास्त्र प्रमाण
Source: Darshanopanishad VI.1
Original Verse: "प्राणायामक्रमं वक्ष्ये सांकृते शृणु सादरम् । प्राणायाम इति प्रोक्तो रेचपूरककुम्भक्ऐः ॥ १ ॥"
Transliteration: "prāṇāyāmakramaṃ vakṣye sāṃkṛte śṛṇu sādaram | prāṇāyāma iti prokto recapūrakaKumbhakaiḥ ॥ 1 ॥"
Translation: I shall presently describe the method of Pranayama, O Samkrti, listen to it reverently. Pranayama is said to be (made up) of Recaka, Puraka and Kumbhaka.
Initiation and Devotion to Sadashiva
Pramana: Āpta Pramāṇa - आप्त प्रमाण
Apta Pramana Source, Chapter, Verse: Kumbhaka Paddadhi 174
Original Verse: "योग-दीक्षां विना कुर्वन् वात-ग्रन्थिं लभते ध्रुवम् | सर्वज्ञेन शिवेनोक्तं पूजां सन्त्यज्य मामकीम् ॥ युज्यतः सततं देवि योगो नाशाय जायते ॥ १७४ ॥"
Transliteration: "Yoga-dīkṣāṃ vinā kurvan vāta-granthiṃ labhate dhruvam | sarvajñena śivenoktaṃ pūjāṃ santyajya māmakīm ॥ yujyataḥ satataṃ devi yogo nāśāya jāyate ॥ 174 ॥"
Translation: "O, Devi! Without proper initiation into the practices, one is surely prone to get morbid vitiation of the vital air. According to Śiva, without the devotion to Śiva, if one undertakes the practice, it leads to harmful effects."
Importance of Pranayama
Pramana: Āpta Pramāṇa - आप्त प्रमाण
Apta Pramana Source, Chapter, Verse: Hatharatnavali (Chapter 3, Verse 82)
Original Verse: "ब्रह्मादोयो पि त्रिदशाः पवनाभ्यासतत्पराः॥अभूवन्मृत्युरहितास्तस्मात्पवनमभ्यसेत्॥८२॥"
Transliteration: "brahmādoyo pi tridaśāḥ pavanābhyāsatatparāḥ ll abhūvanmṛtyurahitāstasmātpavanamabhyaset ll 82 ll"
Translation: Even the gods like Brahma etc. became free from death through consistent prāṇāyāma. Therefore, one should do prāṇāyāma. 82.
Description of Breath
Pramana: Śāstra Pramāṇa - शास्त्र प्रमाण
Source: Darshanopanishad VI.12-13
Original Verse: "पूरकादिलक्षणम् बाह्यदापूरणं वायोरुदरे पूरको हि सः ॥ १२ ॥ संपूर्णकुम्भवद्वायोर्धारणं कुम्भको भवेत् । बहिर्विरेचनं वायोरुदराद्रेचकः स्मृतः ॥ १३ ॥"
Transliteration: "pūrakādilakṣaṇam bāhyadāpūraṇaṃ vāyorudare pūrako hi saḥ ॥ 12 ॥ saṃpūrṇakumbhavadvāyordhāraṇaṃ kumbhako bhavet | bahirvirecanaṃ vāyorudarādrecakaḥ smṛtaḥ ॥ 13 ॥"
Translation: That is known as Puraka, wherein there is the filling up, in the belly, of the air from outside (the body), the holding of the air, as in a filled-up pot, is Kumbhaka, the expulsion freely of the air is known as Recaka.
Amantraka and Samantraka Pranayama
Pranamaya
Pramana: Āpta Pramāṇa - आप्त प्रमाण
Additional Shastras: Two types of Pranayama
Apta Pramana Source, Chapter, Verse: Nathamuni Yoga Rahasya I.96-97
Original Verse: "अमन्त्रकस्समन्त्रश्च प्राणायामो द्विधा मतः । मन्त्रप्रयोगस्सर्वत्रमधिक्रियामवलंबते ॥ सगर्भो मन्त्रसहितः विगर्भो मन्त्रविच्युतः । प्रशस्तो मन्त्र सहित इतरस्त्वधमस्स्मृतः ॥"
Transliteration: "amantrakassamantraśca prāṇāyāmo dvidhā mataḥ । mantrapraYogassarvatramadhikriyāmavalaṃbate ॥ 96 sagarbho mantrasahitaḥ vigarbho mantravicyutaḥ । praśasto mantra sahita itarastvadhamassmṛtaḥ ॥ 97"
Translation: "Pranayama is known to be of two types- Amantraka (without mantra) and Samantraka (with mantra). The use of mantra always depends on the practitioner’s adhikara (need and capacity).
Pranayama done with mantra is called Sagarbha Pranayama and that done without mantra is called Vigarbha Pranayama. Texts praise Pranayama which is done with mantra while the other type is considered lower."
OM Pranayama and The Sacred Syllable Om
Pramana: Āpta Pramāṇa - आप्त प्रमाण
Apta Pramana Source, Chapter, Verse: Goraksh Paddhati (2, 2-5)
Translation: "[Yogic] exhalation, inhalation, and retention are of the nature of the humming sound (pranava) [i.e., the sacred syllable Om]. Breath control is threefold and endowed with twelve measures (mâtrâ). (2.2)
The [internal] Sun and Moon are connected with the twelve measures; they are not fettered by the network of defects (dosha). The Yogin should always know [these two principles]. (2.3)
During inhalation he should perform twelve measures [of the syllable Om]. During retention he should perform sixteen measures, and during exhalation ten Om-sounds. This is called “breath control” (prânâyâma). (2.4)
In the initial [stage of breath control] twelve measures [should be done]; in the middle [stage] twice as many are deemed [appropriate]; in the superior [stage] thrice as many are prescribed. Such is the qualification of breath control. (2.5)"
Pranayama and Kumbhaka - Essential part of Yogic Practice
Source: Yoga Kundali-Upanishad I 19-21
Original Verse: "प्राणरोधमथेदानीं प्रवक्ष्यामि समासतः । प्राणश्च देहगो वायुरायामः कुम्भकः स्मृतः ॥ १९ ॥ स एव द्विविधः प्रोक्तः सहितः केवलस्तथा । यावत् केवलसिद्धिः स्यात् तावत् सहितमभ्यसेत् ॥ २० ॥ सूर्योज्जायी शीतली च भस्त्री च्ऐव चतुर्थिका । भेद्ऐरेव समं कुम्भो यः स्यात् सहितकुम्भकः ॥ २१ ॥"
Transliteration: "prāṇarodhamathedānīṃ pravakṣyāmi samāsataḥ | prāṇaśca dehago vāyurāyāmaḥ Kumbhakaḥ smṛtaḥ ॥ 19 ॥ sa eva dvividhaḥ proktaḥ sahitaḥ kevalastathā | yāvat kevalasiddhiḥ syāt tāvat sahitamabhyaset ॥ 20 ॥ sūryojjāyī śītalī ca bhastrī caiva caturthikā | bhedaireva samaṃ kumbho yaḥ syāt sahitaKumbhakaḥ ॥ 21 ॥"
Translation: Then I shall presently relate briefly about the control of the vital air. Prana is air coursing through the body and Ayama is said to be Kumbhaka (holding under control). The same is said to be of two kinds: the combined (Pranayama) and that (which is practiced) alone by itself. One should practice the combined Pranayama till he attains success in the (practice of Kumbhaka) alone by itself. The Kumbhaka which is practiced along with Surya, Ujjayi, Siitali and Bhastrl as the fourth, that is the combined Kumbhaka.
The Qualities of The Breath
Pramana: Śāstra Pramāṇa - शास्त्र प्रमाण
Source: Varaha Upanishad V. 18
Original Verse: "पूरकः कुम्भकस्तद्वद्रेचकः पूरकः पुनः । प्राणायामाः स्वनाडीभिस्तस्मान्नाडीः प्रचक्षते ॥ १८ ॥"
Transliteration: "pūrakaḥ Kumbhakastadvadrecakaḥ pūrakaḥ punaḥ | prāṇāyāmāḥ svanāḍībhistasmānnāḍīḥ pracakṣate ॥ 18 ॥"
Translation: "(Puraka) in-filling, (Kumbhaka) steadying, similarly (Recaka) expelling, then (Puraka) in-filling again, these are the (Pranayama-s), the ways of breath-rarefaction by means of one's own Nadi-s (air-tubes). Hence the Nadi is spoken of (in the sequel)."
Sagarbha Pranayama in 3 kinds, and control of breath
Pramana: Śāstra Pramāṇa - शास्त्र प्रमाण
Source: Srimat Sarvajnanottra Agama. Yoga Pada 15
Original Verse: "उत्तमा मध्यमा मन्दास्सगर्भाः त्रिविधाः स्मृताः ॥ १५ प्राणायामांश्च तान् कुर्यात् पूरकुम्भकरेचकान् ।"
Transliteration: "uttama’ madhyama’ manda’s sagarbha’h trividhah smr’ta’h ll 15 pran.a’ya’ma’ms’ca ta’n kurya’t pu’ra Kumbhaka recaka’n l"
Translation: The specific kind of Pranayama known as sagarbha Pranayama is of three kinds – the superior, intermediary and slow. The sadhaka should practice the control of breath through Puraka (inbreath), Kumbhaka (retention of breath) and Recaka (out breath).
Description of Puraka
Pramana: Śāstra Pramāṇa - शास्त्र प्रमाण
Source: Srimat Sarvajnanottra Agama. Yoga Pada 17
Original Verse: "उदरं पूरयित्वा तु वायुना यावदीप्सितम् ॥ १७ प्रणायामो भवेदेवं पूरको देहपूरकः ।"
Transliteration: "udaram pu’rayitva’tu va’yuna’ ya’vadi’psitam&& 17 pra’n.a’ya’mo bhavedevam pu’rako deha pu’rakah&"
Translation: "Inhaling the breath deeply to the extent possible and filling up the stomach with the breath taken inside is the mode of pra’n.a’ya’ma known as pu’raka."