Patanjali Yoga Sutra 1.34 (Parisamvad)

Patanjali Yoga Sutra Transcribed from Parisamvad at The Yoga Institute.

Chapter 1, Sutra 34

 

Pracchardana-Vidharanabhyam-Va-Pranasya

Pracchardana : gentle exhalation through the nostrils
Vidharanabhyam : expansion or regulation, control
Va : or ( other practices from 1.34 to 1.39)
Pranasya : of prana

By Exhaling And Restraining The Breath Also (The Mind Is Calmed).

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Dr. Jayadeva Yogendra:

“The discussion is on controlling mind, concentrating. Many techniques have been suggested. One is related to the breath, exhaling it out and holding it there, not breathing in immediately and repeating it often . Apparently these things look very easy but have very serious consequences. The body functions in a certain set way. That is how it has been organized – how many breaths in a minute and how long to hold the breath and not to hold the breath. Here we are going against this. It requires an expert to decide whether we have the capacity, how long we can be without breath. Many make this mistake and they can ruin their life. One time in Gujarat , Pranayama was popular but many youngsters became mentally deranged and there was such a scare in Gujarat that they would never bother about yoga or Pranayama. Now that has gone. These are techniques that have to be learnt carefully. The simplest thing that we do at the Yoga Institute is ‘Sunyaka’ – breathe out, be without air for sometime, breath in – all in a very measured and limited way. Don’t hurry up. Start with small counts and if you find it interesting, worthwhile, seek guidance and increase the time. This is one of the techniques called Parikarma.”

Smt. Hansaji J. Yogendra:

“Parikarmas are techniques to arrest the mind. Here we talk of leaving/exhaling the breath and holding. It has to be done in mild way. When you exhale and hold the breath, carbon dioxide increases and the person becomes quiet. If prolonged a stage comes when the person forgets to inhale and it can create serious psychiatric problems. The moment we start controlling our breath, we are going against the body’s biological rhythm and so we have to slowly train our body otherwise we can harm ourselves. By practicing ‘Sunyaka’ mind becomes stable and relaxed. One can do this Pranayama by saying ‘Om’ and exhaling. This concept of ‘leaving’ has to be understood. Too much of taking would be wrong – when we are eating food we are taking in Prana – so don’t take too much. Don’t stop eating, eat less. If you are thinking too much, leave it.”

 

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