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.
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