The unique principle, which differentiates a living organism from a mass of inert matter is 'life', significantly known as 'Prana' in Sanskrit parlance. The presence of Prana makes a body live and the absence of the same converts it into a corpse, letting it to decay and rot. It is the subtle force, present in every part of the body, enabling each limb to function in its own way.
The Vedas, especially the Upanisads, are the first literatures in the wide world to discover, locate and understand the unique force Prana.
So long as Prana is present in the body, the Jivatma does not leave it and death keeps a long distance from it. Prana is the indispensable principle by which the sense organs, the mind, the speech and the five elements are bound to the body. The Upanisadic sages have established this truth with the help of allegories.
The story in the Prasna Upanisad in this context goes like this. Once a strife broke out between Prana and the sense organs, the five elements, mind etc. The opponents of Prana claimed that they were responsible for keeping an organism alive. Prana objected to it and said that an organism is kept alive by Prana only. When others refused to accept it, Prana, in order to prove the same, started leaving the body. Suddenly there was a severe turmoil and all other claimants felt being dragged out of the body along with Prana. Instantly all of them surrendered and accepted the superiority of Prana.
Prana is the subtle life force spread all over the body but assumes various names according to its location and function. The main forms of Prana are Prana, Apana, Samana, Udana and Vyana which are located in chest, anus, navel, throat and the whole body respectively. Apart from these, there are five subsidiary forms of Prana known as Naga, Kurma, Krikara, Devadatta and Dhananjaya who perform smaller actions.
A common creature is helpless and completely at the disposal of Prana like a bird tied to a rope.
But for a person who knows the technique to control the Prana, it is the other way round. He makes the Prana function according to his sweet will. The great spiritual scientists of the land, after deep research on the matter, could develop a super mechanism which reverses the roles of the controller and the controlled. The controller Prana is controlled by the Jiva, the controlled. This super science which deals with the regulation, control, and mastery over the grand principle Prana is known as Pranayama.
Pranayama, Patanjali defines is the (willful) 'discontinuity of inhalation and exhalation'. Discontinuing the flow of respiration with certain technicalities is the essence of Pranayama.
Since Pranayama is a science of grandeur and involves certain dangers if not performed methodically, adequate precautions and sufficient preliminary preparations which include culture of moral virtues, proper time, proper place, proper food and the like have to be adopted. A competent Guru is the topmost requirement for the beginner.
Perfection in the practice of Asanas is indispensable for the initial lesson of Pranayama. A lonely place, away from crowd, free from fire, water and pebbles etc. is an ideal place for Pranayama. The ideal time for starting Pranayama for the first time is autumn or spring. The Yogi has to restrict his food practice and has to adhere to the prescribed food called Mitahara. Persons with excessive deposit of fat and phlegm ideally should go for the six preliminary practices viz.
Dhauti, Basti, Neti, Trataka, Nauli and Kapalabhati known as Satkarma.
Patanjali divides Pranayama into four categories. Viz. Bahyavritti, Abhyantaravritti, Sthambhavritti and Bahyabhyantaravisayaksepi. Hathayogis consider Pranayama to be of eight types viz. Suryabhedana, Ujjayi, Sitkari, Sitali, Bhastrika, Bhramari, Murchha and Plavini.
Pranayama brings a total transformation in the physical, mental and spiritual levels of an individual. Remarkable change in appearance, lightness, glazing complexion, aroma from the body and pleasant voice are some of the corporeal changes found in the Yogi. Physical, mental and emotional disorders are completely eradicated by the practice of Pranayama.
Pranayama elongates the span of life. The famous Yogi Devrah Baba lived a life, which was two to three times lengthier than a normal human life. Devrah Baba himself asserts - "Man becomes ageless by the practice of Pranayama".
Pranayama expands the normal human capabilities and the Yogi is capable of performing activities which are normally beyond the reach of an ordinary individual which includes withdrawing the Prana from a body and installing it in another one etc.
Pranayama can completely suspend the activities of the mind as a result of which the Yogi attains the state of Samadhi which leads to liberation from all kinds of sorrows. The Yogi attains the state of Kaivalya.
Pranayama may be called the greatest science of the world as it deals with the regulation, control and mastery over the 'life force'.
Pranayama, evolved by the greatest brains of the world is that perfect science which leads to a life of unending happiness. Pranayama is the science of sciences – the super science.
(Dr Das is Director, Academy of Yoga and Oriental Studies, Bhubaneswar)