Varieties of 笔谤腻峁嚹宀饽宄静� [Part 3]

Yogashikha Upanishad (critical study)

by Sujatarani Giri | 2015 | 72,044 words

This page relates 鈥榁arieties of Pranayama鈥� of the English study on the Yogashikha Upanishad鈥攁 key text from the Krishna Yajurveda, focusing on the pinnacle of Yogic meditation. This essay presents Yoga as a crucial component of ancient Indian philosophy and spirituality and underscores its historical roots in Vedic literature鈥攑articularly the Upanishads and Vedant. The chapters of this study are devoted to the faculties of the mind and internal body mechanisms such as Chakras as well as the awakening of Kundalini.

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Part 3 - Varieties of 笔谤腻峁嚹宀饽宄静�

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Breathing is life. It is one of our most vital function. Breathing exercise which promotes proper breathing. In yogic point of view, proper breathing is to bring more oxygen to the blood and to the brain and to control the 辫谤腻峁嘺 or the vital life energy.

Out of eight limbs of 笔补迟补帽箩补濒颈蝉 补峁ａ弓腻峁単补测辞驳补,^[1] 辫谤腻峁嚹乱腻尘补 is the fourth limb and considered as the highest form of purification and self-discipline, covering both mind and body. Yoga breathing or 辫谤腻峁嚹乱腻尘补, is the science of breath control. It consists of series of exercises especially intended to meet the body鈥檚 needs and keep it in vibrant health.

笔谤腻峁嚹宀饽宄静� comes from the following words:鈥�

笔谤腻峁嚹�鈥撯赌�life force鈥� or 鈥渓ife energy鈥�.
驰腻尘补鈥撯赌渄iscipline鈥� 鈥渃ontrol鈥�.
膧测腻尘尘补-鈥渆xpansion鈥�, non-restraint or extension.

Thus 辫谤腻峁嚹乱腻尘 means 鈥渂reathing鈥� 鈥渢echniques鈥� or 鈥渂reath control鈥�. Ideally, this practice of opening up the inner life force is not merely to take healthy deep breaths. It is intended for Yoga practitioners to help and prepare them in their meditation process.

The 惭补苍耻蝉尘峁泃颈 蝉补测蝉:鈥�

The impurities of the metals, when kept in fire, which is being continuously blow into, get burnt out thereby. Likewise the fears of the senses are burnt out by the control of breath.

惭补丑补峁涐梗墨笔补迟补帽箩补濒颈, has defined Yoga in terms of control of the working of the mind. The 惭补丑补峁涐梗墨 enumerates various methods of that control. And one of them is through control of breath.^[2] The Yoga 顿补谤艣补苍补 further elucidates the resultant effect of the practice of 辫谤腻峁嚹乱腻尘补. The 惭补丑补峁涐梗墨 observes that by the practice of 辫谤腻峁嚹乱腻尘补

(i) The veil of darkness is removed from the light^[3] and
(ii) The mind becomes capable of fixity at a particular spot.^[4]

Yoga 碍耻峁囜笉补濒颈苍墨鲍辫补苍颈峁诲 says:

笔谤腻峁嘺 is air pervading the body and 腻测腻尘补 means 鈥榟olding鈥� or control of the same.^[5]

惭补丑补峁涐梗墨笔补迟补帽箩补濒颈 has defined 辫谤腻峁嚹乱腻尘补 as a break in the normal process of breathing i.e. inhaling and exhaling. The 辫谤腻峁嚹乱腻尘补 practice consists of three processes, namely inhaling, holding and exhaling of the same. The 鈥榟olding鈥� can take place at either of two stages i.e. after exhaling and or after inhaling. That means it can be 鈥榟eld out鈥� on held within.^[6]

鈥�惫腻丑测补-abhyantara-stambha-惫峁泃迟颈-诲别艣补-办腻濒补 sa峁卥hy膩bhi岣� parid峁涐梗峁璦诲墨谤驳丑补-蝉耻办峁补鈥�.^[7]

惭补丑补峁涐梗墨笔补迟补帽箩补濒颈 says that 辫谤腻峁嚹乱腻尘补 has three distinct varieties namely exhaling, inhaling and holding. 笔谤腻峁嚹宀饽宄静� is regarded lengthening or subtle according to its three components, the external, the internal and the steady, the retention process are modified by the regulations of space, time and numbers.

When the breath is expired, it is recaka, the first kind of 辫谤腻峁嚹乱腻尘补. When the breath is drawn in, it is the second termed puraka. When it is suspended, it is the third kind, called kumbhaka. Kumbhaka is retention of breath, which increases the period of life. It augments the inner spiritual force, vigour and vitality. If one retains the breath for one minute, this one minute is added to your span of life.