PRANAYAMAM-CONTINUED

EXPLANATORY NOTES.

1.Pranayamam is essentially a respiratory control.

2.Letting out air is called "Rechaka". taking in air is called"Puraka" and holding air inside is called "Kumbaka".

3. The hyms or mantra are recited during "Kumbaka". The hyms known as 'Pranayama Mantra'

compose of three parts:
The portion of the Mantra given in 6(a) mentioned earlier enumerates the seven regions of the Universe(Vyahiriti) starting from"Bhuh"(Earth) upwards or superior to earth. According to vedic Philosophies, the soul of a person passes through these seven regions after deathbefore attaining God. Each of the vyahiriti is preceded by the word "OM" and hence a separate "Mantra".The Vyahiriti Mantras signify that all these worlds are only several forms of the supreme Lord(Brahman) constituting His body.
The portion in the mantra in 6(b) is 'Gayathri Mantra' that is a Mantra - that is a mantra that protects the chanter. the meaning of the mantra is as follows:
" I meditate on Sun with Tejas or divine strength of the Lord who activates our intellect"
( I meditate on the supreme Lord in the orb of the sun who activates our intellect)
The portion of the mantra in 6(c) is known as "Gayathri sirus". this again conveys the spirit as in 6(a). It points out water, radiance,juice , nector are all forms of Brahman- the supreme Lord.
Further explanatory notes follow in the next Post.

Your comments and queries are welcome

VARADHAN