PATANJALI YOGA SUTRAS POST-29 –VERSE 1.34 = HOW MIND RELAXES INTO PEACE = IN PRANAYAMA

PATANJALI

YOGA SUTRAS

POST-29 –VERSE 34

CHAPTER.1 : SAMAADHI PAADHA

So far –we have seen the Obstacles to Yoga and how to get over them. Then, we saw 4 different types of enablers for Yoga in V.33.

These are all essentials to yoga.

We will now see verse.1.34

APHORISM.34

Pracchardhana

vidhaaranaabhyaam

vaa praanasya

Ø  pracchardhana – Exhalation (exhaling pranasakthi out)

Ø  vidhaarana ; Controlling; Retaining ( exhaled prana sakthi outside us )

Ø  aabhyaam : from that

Ø  vaa : either

Ø  praanasya : the praana sakthi

Exhalation of air (along with Pranasakthi) is called Rechakam in Yoga. 

Vidhaarana – means retaining air (along with Praana sakthi) outside / inside us, which is called Kumbhakam in Yoga. 

Kumbhakam is of two types. Internal Kumbhakam, which means retaining /controlling inhaled air inside us. External Kumbhakam, which means, retaining / controlling exhaled air outside us.

Patanjali has mentioned 2 processes of Pranayama here – but not the others.

There are 4 processes totally. 

Poorakam - which means inhalation of air (alongwith prana sakthi).

Internal Kumbhakam – which means keeping the inhaled Prana sakhti within us.

Rechakam – which means Exhalation of air, or leaving out air, along with Prana sakthi

External Kumbhakam – which means retaining / controlling exhaled air outside us.

All these four processes are essential processes for keeping life in the body. Air is just a carrier of the prana sakthi into us. All four processes are actually designed to absorb prana sakthi in us and leave out excesses outside.

If we observe carefully – in any fast / energetic work – after the work is over – we leave out a deep exhalation and then, a small gap automatically follows – before the next inhalation happens. It is during these two periods of exhalation and the small external kumbhakam that follows it - that mind becomes calm, quiet and joyful. This can be observed experimentally also by all of us. 

Poorakam and internal kumbhakam are more serious processes to absorb prana sakthi into us – and the mind is then absorbed in them.

In Rechakam and external kumbhakam – a relaxation of mind occurs automatically.

When we need Mental relaxation and peace – we can  do these two processes more deeply in our breathing and observe how we are relaxing during these times. But – never overdo them. Let them happen a little deeply, comfortably, automatically, spontaneously. Just observe them happen – and let the mind relax.

Let us always remember that – all 4 processes must follow each other regularly. There is no other way – but these 2 processes can be made a little deeper for mental relaxation to occur.

We can also – seek to identify ourselves with the rest of the Universe – as if we are becoming one with the Universe during these processes.

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