Pranayama is a popular term now a days. But it is not just a breathing exercise!!! Let's see Pranayama from the eye of Patanjali Yoga Sutra. Maharishi Patanjali, the compiler of yoga sutras has enlightened the path of ashtanga yoga (the eightfold path of yoga). And Pranayama is the fourth limb of ashtanga yoga which comes after asana. He has mentioned some of the sutras about Pranayama in "Patanjali Yoga Sutra", one of the greatest work on yoga. The sutras are from chapter two, Sadhana pada starting from 49 to 53. In this blog the yoga sutras shares the knowledge about what is pranayama, stages of pranayama, goal, result and factors on which the practice depends. These five yoga sutras enlightens everything about the pranayama.
Pratyahara & Its Fruit – Pearls Of Wisdom
The fifth limb of ashtanga yoga, the eightfold path of yoga, is Pratyahara प्रत्याहार. Maharishi Patanjali has complied two sutras for pratyahara. The sutras are mentioned in the classical work on yoga, Patanjali Yoga Sutra. The first sutra defines the pratyahara and the second one talks about the fruit of practicing it.
Dharana (Concentration) – Pearls Of Wisdom
Dharana - The concentration. Maharishi patanjali has compiled the yoga sutra on Dharana as "Desha Bhandhashchittasya Dharana". Focussing the chattering mind is necessary whether it is day today life or spiritual life. No work can be accomplished without focus. So lets understand the sutra for better lifestyle.
Who is Maharishi Patanjali from Patanjali Yoga Sutra
Maharishi Patanjali is one of the greatest sage of Bharat (present India) who has systematised yoga collecting all the sutras from the different vedic scriptures and compiled a book Patanjali Yoga Sutra. In the tradition of yoga we invoke Maharishi patanjali before starting the practice. योगेन चित्तस्य पदेन वाचां । मलं शरीरस्य च वैद्यकेन ॥ योऽपाकरोत्तमं प्रवरं मुनीनां । पतञ्जलिं प्राञ्जलिरानतोऽस्मि ॥