The word Pranayam is made of two different words viz.
prana - lifeforce, and ayam - extension or expansion.Prana is the minute yet extremely powerful vital energy or life force
of the entire universe. Prana is contained in the breath, and when we breathe according to certain rules, we rejuvenate ourselves.
Kundalini Pranayam
is the yogic process of consciously creating and sustaining a definite ascending and descending flow of Cosmic Prana through
the cerebro-spinal channel.
The seat of Prana is heart. Though the Antahkarana is
one, yet it assumes four forms, viz., (i) Manas, (ii) Buddhi, (iii) Chitta and (iv) Ahamkara according to the different functions
it performs. Likewise, though Prana is one, it assumes five forms viz., (1) Prana, (2) Apana, (3) Samana, (4) Udana and (5)
Vyana according to the different functions it performs. This is termed as Vritti Bheda. The principal Prana is called Mukhya
Prana. The Prana, joined with Ahamkara, lives in the heart. Of these five, Prana and Apana are the chief agents.
The seat of Prana is the heart; of Apana, the anus; of
Samana, the region of the naval; of Udana, the throat; while Vyana is all-pervading. It moves all over the body.
Sub-Pranas and Their Functions
Naga, Kurma, Krikara, Devadatta and Dhananjaya are the
five sub-Pranas.
The function of Prana is respiration; Apana does excretion;
Samana performs digestion; Udana does deglutition (swallowing of the food). It takes the Jiva to sleep. It separates the astral
body from the physical body at the time of death. Vyana performs circulation of blood.
Naga does eructation and hiccup. Kurma performs the function
of opening the eyes. Krikara induces hunger and thirst. Devadatta does yawning. Dhananjaya causes decomposition of the body
after death. That man is never reborn, whenever he may die, whose breath goes out of the head, after piercing the Brahmarandhra.
The Colour of Pranas
Prana is said to be of the colour of blood, red gem or
coral. Apana which is in the middle, is of the colour of Indragopa (an insect of white or red colour). Samana is of the colour
between that of pure milk or crystal or of oily and shining colour, i.e., of something between both Prana and Apana. Udana
is of Apandura (pale white) colour and that of Vyana, resembles the colour of archil (or that of ray of light).
The Length of the Air-Currents
This body of Vayu is 96 digits (6 feet) in length as
a standard. The ordinary length of the air-current, when exhaled is 12 digits (9 inches). In singing, its length becomes 16
digits (1 foot), in eating it comes to 20 digits (15 inches), in sleeping 30 digits (22 1/2 inches), in copulation 36 digits
(27 inches) and in doing physical exercise it is much more than that. By decreasing the natural length of the expirer air-currents
(from 9 inches), life is prolonged and by increasing the current, duration of life is decreased.
The Centering of the Prana
Inhaling the Prana from outside, filling the stomach
with it, centre the Prana with the mind, in the middle of the navel, at the tip of the nose, and at the toes, during the Sandhyas
(sunrise and sunset) or at all times. Thus the Yogi is freed from all diseases and fatigues. By centering this Prana at the
tip of the nose he obtains mastery over the elements of the air; by centering at the middle of his navel, all diseases are
destroyed; by centering at the toes, his body becomes light. He who drinks air through the tongue destroys his fatigue, thirst
and many other diseases. For him who drinks the air with his mouth, during the two Sandhyas and the last two hours of the
night, within three months, the auspicious Sarasvati (Goddess of speech) is present in his Vak (speech), i.e., he becomes
eloquent and learned. In six months he is free from all diseases. Drawing the air at the root of the tongue, the wise man
thus drinking nectar enjoys all prosperity. Continued..... Pranayama : The Art Of Scientific Breathing Part-2
