Yajur Veda:  Pratah  Sandhya Vandanam

Index


PrAnAyanam Notes

Procedure  Notes

 

Notes

  • Pranayamam is essentially a respiration control
  • Letting out air is called "Rechaka"; Taking in air is called "Puraka" and holding air inside is called "Kumbaka"
  • The mantras are recited during "Kumbaka". The hymns known as Pranayama mantra comprise of three parts
    • 6(a) above enumerates the seven regions of the universe (Vyahritis) starting from "Bhuh" (earth) upwards or superior to earth. According to Vedic philosophies, the souls of a person passes through these seven regions after death before attaining God. Each of thee Vyahrithis ispreceded by the word "Om" and hence a separate mantra. The VyahrithiMantras signify that all these worlds are only several forms of the supreme Lord (Brahman) constituting his body.
    • 6(b) above is the "Gayathri Mantra" - that is a mantra that protects the chanter. The meaning is as follows-
      "I meditate on sun with Tejas or divine strength of the Lord who activates our intellect"
      (I meditate on the Supreme Lord in the orb of the sun who activates our intellect)
    • 6(c) above is known as "Gayathri Siras". This again conveys the spirit as in (a). It points out water, radiance, juice, nectar are all forms of Brahman - the supreme Lord.
  • In the vedic system of Pranayamam, mantras are recited mentally during "Kumbaka" period. Human mind emits waves. Thus the air column held in the body resonates corresponding to these waves and help the body to absorb celestial energy (life energy present in the air)
  • Pranayamam has high place in all vedic rites and is used as a purificatory process. Sages like yagnavalkya, bhodayana have elaborated the greatness of Pranayamam. Manu says that the practice of pranayamam correctly (as detailed earlier) with Vyahrithis, gayathri and gayathri siras, is itself a tapas (austerityor penance) of high order. It purifies the practitioner and purges him of all sins.
  • Pranayama is used by natural therapists for curing various ailments. According to them, pranayamam helps to control the five basic elements (Fire, etc.) and thus the Bio-electricity.
  • Keeping together (or making contact) of the thumb and first finger of the left hand with the palm facing skywards is also significant. This is known as "meditation  mudra". The palm of hand and tips of fingers have chakras. These are capable of absorbing life energy from surroundings. This also helps in respiratory control during pranayamam. Left hand is also known as "amrita hasta" that is a hand with nectar.
  • The vedic system of health recognises specific points in our body called "Chakras". The vital energy required to live or be healthy is absorbed through breathing. The body also absorbs directly vital energy through the energy centers of our Bio-plasmic body. These energy centers are called Chakras. There are major and minor chakras, which control the major and minor organs respectively. The role of chakras are
    • Absorb, digest and distribute vital energy all over the body. This results in improved health, blood circulation, digestion and other body activities. This also helps to improve memory,sharpness of intellect, mind control, self confidence and many other benefits.
    • Preserve the functioning of the physical body.
    • According to our sages, the chakras not only help to maintain a healthy physical body but also help to mould the mind and character of the person. Activation of some chakras result in development of certain pshychic faculties or special powers.
    • Chakras rotate alternatively clockwise or anti-clockwise, clockwise draws in pranic energy or life energy while anti-clockwise rotation force out pranic energy.
  • The seven Vyahrithis viz. Bhu, Bhuva etc. recited during Pranayanam have influence on the seven important chakras of the body detailed below. Natural therapists have linked the seven chakras to endocrine glands in our body. The secretion from these glands (hormones) mixes with the blood and influence the functioning of the different organs. The effect of their secretion extends to organs located quite away from the gland itself. They regulate the functions of all the organs and the brain. They also protect the brain against environmental changes, illnesses etc. Thus they are the regulators and protectors of our body. Their relationship is
    Vyahrithis Chakra Endocrine gland
    Bhu Mooladhar (below navel) Sex glands
    Bhuva Swadhistan (navel) Pancreas
    Suvah Manipur (above navel) Adrenal
    Mahah Anahat (chest) Thymus
    Janah Vishuda (neck) Thyroid
    Tapah Ajna (face) Pituitary
    Satyam Sahastrar (top of head) Pineal
  • This approach to health is used in the present day Pranic healing. A number of systematic studies have been conducted by Pranic healers through Kirlian photographs. It has been found that during pranayamam, the body absorbs tremendous amounts of vital energy from the surroundings and as a result the aura temporarily expands several times more, become brighter and denser. Their studies ahve also shown that exhale before inhale is very essential for best results during pranayamam.