Meaning of Pranayama
The word Pranayama is formed by combining two words Prana + Ayama. Prana is the life force and dimension is its stop. The involuntary act of our breathing is going on continuously. After controlling this involuntary action and making it voluntary, doing kumbhaka by supplementing the breath and then doing rechak according to the will is called Pranayama.
Prana is the pure and sattvic part of air. If we interpret the word Prana, then the meaning of the word Prana (pra + an + ach) is taken as motion, vibration, movement etc.
It is said in Atharvad- Salutations to that Prana, in whose control this whole world is. The one who is the God of all beings and in whom all are established, that is, from whose power everyone has power.'
Chhandogyopanishad says- "Prana is that element only on whose existence is everyone's power"
The whole world is under the control of Prana. This Prana has originated from that Almighty God and God has created that Prana which became the basis of all living beings. (Prashnopanishad)
This Prana, the life support of the living beings, is the eldest and the best element. (Brihadaranyaka Upanishad)
This prana is mainly said to be of five types – Prana, Apana, Samana, Udana and Vyana. It also has five Upaprans whose names are- Nag, Kurma, Krikal, Devdutt and Dhananjay.
Name and place of five Prana
(1) Prana - This is life force. This is the reason why this body remains alive. The word 'prana' is expressive of two types of meaning. It represents the subtle life force, the essence that keeps our bodies alive. Secondly, it represents the breath which is the outgoing form of the mind, body and senses.' The place of Prana has been considered as the heart. In the condition of respiration, it extends from the nostrils to the diaphragm.
(2) Apan- The place of apan has been considered as anus. Below the navel, the functions of anus, kidneys, urinary organs etc. are completed by this.
(3) Samaan- Its place is the navel region. Moving from the heart to the navel, this digestive system operates the function of liver, gland, intestines, stomach etc.
(4) Udan- Its place is called the throat. The area near the throat is controlled by it. By getting its power, the senses like nose, ears, eyes etc. become strong.
(5) Vyana- This life force pervading the whole body is the basis of the body. The activities of the body cannot be completed in its absence. Coordination is possible in all the components only through this. When it is unbalanced, the mind, body and senses lose their coordination, as a result of which all the activities become unbalanced.
Five Upapranas have been called.
Name and work of five Upaprana
(1) Nag- Nag's work is in getting belching and hiccups.
(2) Kurma- Lifting and falling of the eyelids is the work of Kurma Vayu.
(3) Krikal-Hunger and thirst are caused by this air.
(4) Devadatta- Devadatta Vayu works in yawning.
(5) Dhananjay - It does not leave the body even after death. Because of this the body swells after death.
After understanding the meaning of Prana, now the question arises that what is Dimension? Dimension has many meanings like expanding, increasing etc.
Now the meaning of Pranayama is clear that expansion of Prana Shakti in the whole body is Pranayama. Remember that by practicing Pranayama, you can control the Prana. When prana becomes long and subtle, due to slow movement, the loss of prana energy is less than in normal condition. This knowledge has been grossly used by our sages.
Definitions of Pranayama
Pranayama has been defined by many sages in different ways in many texts-
"Tasmin sati shvaasaprashvaasayorgativichchhed praanaayaam" (Yogasutra 2/49)
"तस्मिन सति श्वासप्रश्वाससयोर्गतिविच्छेद प्राणायाम" (योगसूत्र 2/49)
That is, breaking the speed of breathing after the posture is proven is Pranayama. The speed of breathing is going on continuously. Stoppage of breathing is the cause of death. Therefore, naturally this breathing process is happening continuously without any effort. It is possible to run this normal breathing process according to your wish through Pranayama. Describing the benefits of Pranayama, it is said in the Yoga Sutras-
"Tat Kshiyate Prakashaavaranam" (Yoga Sutra 2/52)
"तत् क्षीयते प्रकाशावरणम्" (योग सूत्र 2/52)
That is, by the practice of Pranayama, the veil of light becomes weak.
"Dhaaranaasu ch yogyata manasa" (Yoga Sutra 2/53)
"धारणासु च योग्यता मनसा" (योग सूत्र 2/53)
That is, the ability of perception in the mind also comes from Pranayama.
The sacrificial fire of pranavayu in apanavayu, the sacrificial fire of apanavayu in pranavayu or stopping the movement of prana and apana. It is Pranayama. (Shrimad Bhagavad Gita 4/29)
“Chale Vaate Chalam Chitta Nishchale Nischalam Bhavet” (Hathayogapradipika 2/2)
"चले वाते चलम् चित्त निश्चले निश्चलम् भवेत्" (हठयोगप्रदीपिका 2/2)
That is, when the vital air moves, the mind moves and when the vital air is still, the mind becomes concentrated.
While defining Pranayama in Gheranda Samhita, it has been said that- Pranayama is the science of making a human being a deity.
Pranayama has been defined in Manusmriti and said that the austerity that destroys the defects of the senses is Pranayama.
It has been said in Vashishta Samhita that the proper combination of prana and apana is called pranayama. Pranayama is made of these three, Purak, Kumbhak and Rechak.
Guru Gorthanath has said in Siddha Siddhanta Paddhati – Pranayama, is to stop the flow of life force in the channels of the body with effort.
According to Swami Vivekananda – Pranayama is to bring the vital force of the body under control.
According to Swami Sivananda – Pranayama is the medium through which the yogi tries to experience the life of the whole universe in his small body and tries to achieve perfection by attaining all the powers of creation.
Classification of Pranayama
Different beliefs are found in the classification of Pranayama.
Yoga Sutrakar Maharishi Patanjali says-
"Bahyaabhyantar stambhavrtti deshakaal sankhyaabhih paridrshto deerghasookshmah" (Yogasutra 2/50)
"बाह्याभ्यन्तर स्तम्भवृत्ति देशकाल सांख्यभिः परिदृष्टो दीर्घसूक्ष्मः" (योगसूत्र 2/50)
"Bahyaabhyantar Vishyakshepi chaturtha" (Yogasutra 2/51)
"बाह्यभ्यन्तर विषयाक्षेपि चतुर्थः" (योगसूत्र 2/51)
According to Maharishi Patanjali, there are four types of Pranayama.
(1) Bahyavritti Pranayama
(2) Ahabhyantarvritti Pranayama
(3) Stambhavritti Pranayama
(4) Bahyabhyantar Vishyakshepi Pranayama
In Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Pranayama has been called Kumbhak and the number of Pranayama (Kumbhako) has been told as eight- Suryabhedan, Ujjayi, Sitkari, Sheetali, Bhastrika, Bhramari, Murchha and Plavini.
Apart from these, for the purification of seventy-two thousand nadis in the body, he has also told Nadi Shodhan Pranayam, which has been told to be done before these Pranayamas.
In Gheranda Samhita also, Pranayama has been called Kumbhaka and the number of Pranayama (Kumbhaka) has been mentioned as eight – Sahit, Suryabhedana, Ujjayi, Sheetali, Bhastrika, Bhramari, Murchha and Kevali – these are eight Pranayama (Kumbhaka).
Importance of Pranayama: Objectives of Pranayama
Meaning, Definitions and Classification of Pranayama
Pranayama according to Hatha Yoga Pradipika
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