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Praanaayaam
The air we breath is called Praan. When this air is gone, the man dies.
Controlling this air is called Praanaayaam. Praanaayaam is of two types - Sa-Beej
(with Bhagavaan's name and form), and Nir-Beej (without Bhagavaan's name
and form).
Praanaayaam
consists of three processes - Poorak, Rechak, and Kumbhak.
(1) First the air is filled through one nostril after closing the other one. This
process is called Poorak. In this process Apaan Vaayu is suppressed by the
pressure of Praan Vaayu. This is called suppressing Apaan Vaayu by Praan
Vaayu.
(2) In the second step, that air is held for some time - this process is called Kumbhak. In this process both airs stay
at their own places within their own limits.
(3) The third step is to expel air out from the first nostril - this process is called Rechak. In this process Apaan
Vaayu rises upward pushing Praan Vaayu up and out. This is called suppressing Praan Vaayu by Apaan Vaayu.
[Naarad Puraan, p 172]
Praanaayaam is of 2 types -
"Sa-Garbhaa" and "A-Garbhaa". When it is done with Mantra Jap and meditation,
it is called Sa-Garbhaa; and when it is not done with Mantra Jap and
meditation, it is called A-Garbhaa. Praanaayaam itself is of 3 types -
Poorak, Kumbhak and Rechak. When the air is drawn inside, it is called
Poorak; when it is held back inside, it is called Kumbhak; and when it is
exhaled, it is called Rechak. According to Maatraa it is of 3 types - 12
Maatraa, 24 Maatraa, and 36 Maatraa. Of course 36 Maatraa one is the best.
Hriswa Swar (such as Aa, Paa etc) is called a Maatraa. While doing
Praanaayaam, one should do Jap of Pranav Mantra (Aum is the Pranav Mantra)
in a slow speed.
[Agni Puraan, p 335 and
p 821-822 ]
Praanaayaam is done by four processes - Rechak, Poorak, Kumbhak and Shoonyak. (1)
First close right nasal hole with right thumb, and draw air from left
nasal hole. Read Praanaayaam Mantra three times (or as convenient) while
meditating on Vishnu - this is called Poorak. (2) After this close the
left nasal hole also with right index finger, hold the breath till you
complete the Mantra three times (or as convenient) while meditating on
Brahmaa - this is called Kumbhak. (3) Remove the thumb from right nasal
hole, throw the air out while saying Mantra three times (or as
convenient) meditating on Shiv - this is Rechak. All combined together
is one Praanaayaam.
Praanaagnihotra
It is
a compound word - Praan+Agni-Hotra.
As there are five Praan, there are five Mantra for them, they are -
"Praanaaya Swaahaa, Apaanaaya Swaahaa, Samaanaaya Swaahaa,
Vyaanaaya Swaahaa, Udaanaaya Swaahaa". When one eats five morsels
pronouncing these five Mantra, it is called Praanaagnihotra.
(Padm Puraan, p 400)
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