IV.  PRANAYAM OR YOGIC BREATHING

 

 

He who knows prana, knows the Vedas.

- SANTIS

 

 

Before dealing with pranayam, it is necessary to know what the pranas (the vital airs) are, their classification and functions, etc., in the body and how they act and the things allied with them,. Prana is the sum total of all energy that is  manifest in the Universe, the sum total of all the forces in Nature.  Heat, light, electricity, magnetism, gravitation, etc., are all manifestations of prana.  All forces, all powers and even the pranas themselves sping from one and the same source—the fountainhead of atman.  Pran tatwa is much superior to manas tatwa or the mind-principle, of which Nanak says:

 

He who conquers the mind, conqurs the world.

 

The motor power behind the mind-stuff, as said already, is that of prana and hence the regulation and control of prana, the primal force in the Universe, is of prime importance and far above other psycho-physical disciplines.  In the Gorakh Samhita it is said that he who knows the secret of prana knows the secret of yoga, for in the rhythmic regulation of prana lies the practical aspect of yoga par excellence.

 

Pranas are classified into five important categories according to the nature of their functions:

 

(a)    Prana  is concerned with the respiratory system.  It is the breath of life and, like a bird in a cage, gives vitality to the human system.  Its seat is said to be in the region lying between the two eyebrows, called chid-akash, up to which place the field of its operation extends.

(b)   Apana helps the excretory system, as it has a tendency to flow downwards.  It operated in the region below the navel.

(c)    Samans  aids the digestive organs.  It is so called as it conducts equally the food to the entire system.  Its seat is in the navel and it spreads on all sides, nourishing the body as a whole.

(d)   Udana is connected with deglutition; it is named from its quality of ascending, drawing or guiding breath.  Its movement is perceptible between the navel and the head.  Its seat is in the neck and it has a tendency to fly upwards.

(e)    Vyana helps in maintaining the circulatory system in the entire body.  It affects internal division and diffusion and is so called from its pervading (vyapati)  the body like the ethereal element.

 

Besides these primary pranas, there are five other kinds of lesser importance, namely:

 

(i)                  Naga which helps belching or eructation.

(ii)                Kurma is connected with the eyes, and helps the bliking process and induces sleep.

(iii)               Krikala pervades through the facial muscles and spread out in the act of sneezing.

(iv)              Deva-datta brings about yawning and takes one into a gentle sleep.

(v)                Dhanan-jay is associated with the work of assimilation.

 

These vital airs pervade the skin, bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments and the like.