Patanjali Yoga Sutra — बाह्याभ्यन्तरस्तम्भवृत्तिः देशकालसङ्ख्याभिः परिदृष्टो दीर्घ सूक्ष्मः ॥2.50॥
Bāhyābhyantarastambhavṛttiḥ deśakālasaṅkhyābhiḥ paridṛṣṭo dīrgha sūkṣṃaḥ॥
Prāṇāyāma has three components namely inhalation, exhalation and withholding. Being under the control of sādhaka, it is also limited by space and time, and it can be prolonged and subtle.
Having discussed the importance of prāṇāyāma, Patañjali now deals with technicalities involved in prāṇāyāma. Different schools of thoughts in India recommend different prāṇāyāma practices. However, Patañjali recommends kumbhaka sahita prāṇāyāma, ie., prāṇāyāma along with retention of breath. There are three types of kumbhakas:
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Antaḥ kumbhaka — Deliberate retention of breath post inhalation
Bāhya kumbhaka — Deliberate retention of breath post exhalation
Kevela kumbhaka — Effortless (unforced) cessation of breath
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Prāṇāyāma is generally practiced in four phases:
- Kumbhaka rahita: Prāṇāyāma without retention of breath
- Antaḥ kumbhaka sahita: Prāṇāyāma with internal retention only
- Antaḥ and bāhya kumbhaka sahita: Prāṇāyāma along with internal as well external retention.
- Kevala kumbhaka sahita: Prāṇāyāma where the breath stops on its own without the deliberate efforts of the sādhaka. (This is discussed in sūtra №2.51 by Patañjali).
The first phase is considered to be the easiest one and hence it is recommended that all sādhakas should start with this method alone. As the comfort level is increased, sādhakas should move on to the second phase and gradually to the third phase. Prolonged sādhana enables the sādhaka to experience kevala kumbhaka.
Bhagavān Śrīkr̥ṣṇa’s Prāṇāyāma has a wider scope as follows:
अपरे नियताहाराः प्राणान्प्राणेषु जुह्वति।
सर्वेऽप्येते यज्ञविदो यज्ञक्षपितकल्मषाः॥गीता ४.३०॥
apare niyatāhārāḥ prāṇānprāṇeṣu juhvati|
sarve’pyete yajñavido yajñakṣapitakalmaṣāḥ॥Gītā 4.30॥
People observing scriptural injunctions and strict regulation of food, feel that the food they consume itself is a sacrificial offering (yajña) of Prāṇa into the Prāṇa within the body. People, whose sins have been washed away through yajñas, are said to know the yajñas.
