Pranam to Prana......Challenging Death thro Pranayama

प्राण को प्रणाम ........Salutation to Prana
by
Kamini

 Prana is all pervading life force in every grain of sand, every drop of water....from the sub-atomic to all encompassing universe. 

We are alive because we breathe. When we stop, we die. Not so for a Yogi. How and Why? It is so because of Pranayama. Pranayama is the fourth step in Yoga leading up to the final step Samadhi (Liberation). It is also enunciated by Patanjali in his exposition of Ashtanga ( Eight steps/limbs) Yoga. The eight steps are Yama, Niyama (Moral & Social code), Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara( withdrawal of senses),  Dharana ( Concentration), Dhyana (Meditation), Samadhi.

Coming back to Pranayama. For a novice in Yoga, Pranayama is associated with breathing, that is, the whole play of getting in Oxygen and throwing out Carbon Dioxide. However, that's just breathing, not Pranayama. Which does not mean Yoga disregards breath. After all, breath is the vehicle on which Prana rides into the body. If words must be used to further define Prana, then it is simply the life force. It is the force which survives when we, our individual bodies, die. This surely does not mean that we neglect our bodies only because it is going to die some day. No! In fact, just as breath, the limited, is the vehicle for realising and harnessing the unlimited Prana, so the body is the instrument for realising the eternal Soul. So utmost care is to be taken of the body. A diseased, sick body cannot serve the purpose of Pranayama. Therefore, first the body is streamlined and made healthy with Asanas.

Furthermore, the body is meant to enjoy the Nine Rasa, Shringar (Beauty, Love), Hasya (Laughter, joy), Bibatsya (Disgust), Roudra( Anger, Outrage), Shanta( Peace, Calm) Veer (Heroic), Bhaya( Fear, Anxiety), Karuna ( Compassion, Grief), Adbhuta (Wonderment).

There is natural, spontaneous fear of anything to do with the Spirit or Soul. For many it is concomitant with withdrawal from all the offerings of creation. No!! In fact, it does not need much intelligence or imagination to understand how much more you can enjoy it all when your body is healthy, your mind is not agitated and emotions are in harmony. This is what happens when you harness Prana.

If breath is meant to keep the body alive, Prana is food for the soul. Body is limited. It's only destination from the moment it is born is to head straight for the grave. The soul never dies. So Yoga lets you use the limited body & breath to know the unlimited Soul.

The only way to know and practice this is to get a good teacher who has himself/herself experienced it all. But, only the Teacher cannot do much if your own regular practice and dedication is lacking. After all, you are challenging death itself!!

Hari Om!  हरी ॐ !