"Pranayama" according to Hatha Yoga Pradipika
Pranayama
described in Hatha Yoga Pradipika has been called Kumbhaka, Swami Swatmarama ji
while describing Pranayama has said -
Suryabhedanmujjayi
Sitkari Sheetali
Bhastrika
Bhramari Moorchchha Plavnityashtakumbhaka. (H.P- 2/44)
सूर्यभेदनमुज्जयी सीतकारी शीतली तथा।
भस्त्रिका भ्रामरी मूर्च्छ प्लव्नित्याष्टकुंभका। (हठ योग प्रदीपिका - 2/44)
That is,
there are eight types of Kumbhak (Pranayama)- Suryabhedan, Ujjayi, Sitkari,
Sheetali, Bhastrika, Bhramari, Murcha and Plavini. Their description is as
follows-
1. Suryabhedi
Pranayama -
Describing
Suryabhedan or Suryabhedi Pranayama in Hatha Yoga Pradipika, it has been said
that - Spreading a suitable seat in a holy and flat place, sit on it
comfortably in any posture like Padmasan, Swastikasan etc. and keep the spine,
neck and head straight. Then slowly supplement with the right nostril i.e.
Pingala Nadi. Do Abhyantar Kumbhak. At the time of Kumbhak, keep Moolabandha
and Jalandharbandha on. After as much as possible Kumbhak, straighten the neck
by opening the Jalandhar bandha and do rechak slowly through the left nostril
i.e. Ida Nadi. Yogis have named this as Suryabhedan or Suryabhedi Pranayama.
(H.P. 2/48-49)
Benefits of
Suryabhedi Pranayama
Describing
the benefits of Suryabhedi Pranayama, it has been said in Hatha Yoga Pradipika
that- Suryabhedan Pranayama purifies the head, defeats eighty types of vata
doshas and destroys disorders arising in the abdomen. That's why this perfect
Suryabhedi Pranayama should be done again and again. (H.P.2/50)
2. Ujjayi
Pranayama-
Describing
Ujjayi Pranayama, it has been said in Hatha Yoga Pradipika that- While
contracting the throat, supplement with both Ida and Pingala nadis. In this,
the air gradually goes inside making words from the throat to the heart. After
that do kumbhaka, after kumbhaka do rechak with ida nadi i.e. left voice. This
is called Ujjayi Pranayama. (H.P. 2/51-52)
Benefits of
Ujjayi Pranayama
Describing
the benefits of Ujjayi Pranayama, Swami Swatmaram ji has said that the practice
of this pranayama The defects of the laryngeal mucosa are destroyed and it
illuminates the gastric fire. And said is that- This pranayama destroys all the
defects of the pulses and metals in the body. This Kumbhak named Ujjayi can be
done even while sitting or walking. (H.P. 2/53)
3. Sitkari
Pranayama-
Describing
Sitkari Pranayama, it has been said in Hatha Yoga Pradipika that- Bring the
teeth together and attach the tongue to them. Breathe (Poorak) in with the
sound of C-C-C (sitkaar) from the middle of the teeth by opening the lips. After
that do Abhyantar Kumbhak. After Kumbhak, do rechak through both the nostrils.
Swami Swatmaram ji says that the yogi who practices this becomes like Cupid. (H
P-2/54)
Benefits of
Sitkari Pranayama
Describing
the benefits of Sitkari Pranayama, it is further said that- Yogi conquers
hunger, thirst, sleep and laziness. That means the defects of his body and mind
go away. Its practice increases the strength of the body. Its practitioner Yogi
becomes free from the troubles of Indralok and the entire land circle. (H P - 2/55-56)
4. Shitali
Pranayama-
While
describing Shitali Pranayama, Yogi Swatmaram says in Hatha Pradipika that-
Taking out the tongue from the lips and making it round like a bird's beak,
slowly supplement it from the middle of the tongue. Then tie Moola Bandha and
JalandharBandha in the inner Kumbhak. After as much as possible Kumbhak, open
the Jalandhar Bandha and exhale slowly through both the nostrils. This is
called Sheetali Pranayama. (H.P. 2/57)
Benefits of
Shitali Pranayama
Explaining the
benefits of Shitali Pranayama, it is said in Hatha Yoga Pradipika that- The
practice of this pranayama destroys diseases like golem, spleen, fever, bile,
thirst and snake poison etc. The body of its doer naturally remains cool. (H P
2/58)
5.
Bhrastrika Pranayama-
While
describing Bhrastrika Pranayama, it has been said that- Keeping the neck and
abdomen straight in siting Padmasan, close the mouth and rechak (exhale)
through the nostrils.
This exhale
should be done while sound in such a way that it touches the heart, throat and
skull. Then do purak (inhale) with speed up to the heart, and in the same way
do rechak (exhale) with speed, and then do poorak in the same way. With the
method of blacksmith's bellows, keep doing purak rechak repeatedly. Do this supplemental
laxative until the body starts experiencing discomfort.
After this
supplement with Surya Nadi and soon fill the abdomen with air. After that do
Abhyantar Kumbhak. Apply Moolabandha and Jalandharbandha in Kumbhak. After
Kumbhak, do laxative with Ida i.e. Chandra Nadi. This Bhastrika Pranayama
destroys all the three Vata, Pitta and Mucus and increases the gastric
fire. (H P. - 2/59-65)
Benefits of
Bhastrika Pranayama
The Hatha
Yoga Pradipika further states the benefits of Bhastrika Pranayama is that- The
sleeping Kundalini Shakti awakens by the practice of this Pranayama. This
pranayama is the giver of happiness, it destroys all the three defects in the
body, hence it is beneficial. The one who destroys the mucus etc. defects
located on the mouth of the Brahmanadi that leads to salvation means the one
who purifies the Brahmanadi. The Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra glands which are in
the middle of the Sushumna nadi, are specially penetrated by Pranayama. That is
why it is especially worth doing. (H P- 2 /66-67)
6. Bhramari
Pranayama-
Describing
Bhramari Pranayama, it is said in Hatha Yoga Pradipika that- Forcefully from
both the nostrils, do the complement while generating a sound similar to
Bhramar from the throat. After that do Abhyantar Kumbhak. Apply Mulbandha and
Jalandhar Bandha in Kumbhak. After Kumbhaka as much as possible, do rechak at a
slow speed through both the nostrils while uttering words similar to Bhramari.
Yogis have called this as Bhramari Kumbhak. (H.P. 2/ 68)
Benefits of
Bhramari Pranayama
Describing
the benefits of Bhramari Pranayama, Yogi Swatmaram says that Yogis get special
joy by practicing this Pranayama.
7. Moorchha
Pranayama-
Describing
Moorchha Pranayama, it is said in Hatha Yoga Pradipika that- After completion
of purak, the breath should be gradually exhaled by applying Jalandhar Bandha
with utmost determination. By doing this repeatedly, one starts feeling
unconsciousness. That is why it is called fainting pranayama.
Benefits of
Moorchha Pranayama
Describing
the benefits of Moorchha Pranayama, Yogi Swatmaram ji says that this Pranayama
makes the mind unconscious, due to which special happiness is attained. (H.P.
2/ 69)
8. Plavini
Pranayama-
Describing
Plavini Pranayama, it is said in Hatha Yoga Pradipika that- Performing Kumbhak
by filling maximum air in the abdomen with the help of supplement, this is
called Plavini Pranayama.
Benefits of
Plavini Pranayama
Describing
the benefits of Plavini Pranayama, Yogi Swatmaram ji says that- by this
pranayama the body of the seeker becomes such that it floats like a lotus leaf
without any effort in the water. (H.P. 2/ 70)
Nadi
Shodhana Pranayama
Apart from
these eight pranayams, Swami Swatmaram ji has also mentioned Nadi Shodhan
Pranayam in Hatha Yoga Pradipika. It has been said to do Nadi Shodhana
Pranayama four times a day (morning, afternoon, evening, night). The method of
doing Nadi Shodhan Pranayam is like Alom-Vilom Pranayam.
Meaning and Definitions of Pranayama
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