Maha Bandha (Great Lock)
Maha Bandha (Great Lock) Parshnim vamasya padasya yonisthane niyojayet/ Vamorupari samsthapya dakshinam charanam tatha// Press the heel of the left foot in the perineum or vagina and place the right foot on the left thigh. (Chapter -3, Verse 19). Purayitva tato vayum hrdaye chubukam drdham/ Nishpidya yonimakunchya manomadhye niyojayet// Thus breathing in, bring the chin to the chest strenum bone, Jalandhara Bandha, constrict the perineal or cervical region as moola bandha and focus on the eyebrow center known as shambhavi mudra). (Chapter -3, Verse 20). Dharayitva yathasakti rechayedanilam sanaih / Savyangghe tu samabhyasya dakshangghe punarabhyaset// Having holding the breath as long as feeling comfortable, then breathe out slowly. Once completing the practice on the left side, practice again on the right side too.(Chapter -3, Verse 21). Matamatra tu keshamchitkanthabandham vivarjayet/ Rajadantasthajihvaya bandhah sasto bhavediti// Some of them think that the throat lock Jalandhara Bandha is unnecessary and it is sufficient to keep the tongue against the front teeth. (Chapter -3, Verse 22). Kalapasamahabandhavimochanavichakshanah/ Trivenisangghamam dhatte kedaram prapayenmanah// Maha bandha release one from the bonds of death, makes the three nadis join together in Ajna chakra and enables the mind to attain the sacred state of Shiva, Kedara. (Chapter -3, Verse 24).
Jalandhara Bandha (throat lock)
Jalandhara Bandha (throat lock) Atha jalandharabandhah Kanthamakunchya hrdaye sthapayechchibukam drdham/ Bandho jalandharakhyoayam jaramrtyuvinasakah// Contracting the throat by bringing the chin to the chest sternum bone is the bandha called Jalandhara Bandha. It eradicates old age and death. (Chapter -3, Verse 70). Badhnati hi sirajalamadhoghami nabhojalam/ Tato jalandharo bandhah kanthaduhkhaughanasanah// That is jalandhara bandha which holds the flow of nectar in the throat. It eliminates all throat ailments. (Chapter -3, Verse 71). Jalandhare krte bandhe kanthasamkochalakshane/ Na piyusham patatyaghnau na cha vayuh prakupyati// Having performed Jalandhara Bandha by contracting the throat, the nectar does not fall into the gastric fire and the prana is not disturbed. (Chapter -3, Verse 72). Kanthasamkochanenaiva dve nadyau stambhayed drdham/ Madhyachakramidam jneyam shodasadharabandhanam// By firmly contracting the throat, the two nadis, ida and pingala are paralyzed and the sixteen adharas of the manipura chakra are locked. (Chapter -3, Verse 73).
What is life and death; the functions of five Vayus
What is life and death? What is life and death; the functions of five Vayus Yavad vayuh sthito dehe tavaj jivanam uchyate / Maranam tasya nishkrantistato vayum nirodhayet//(Chapter -2, Verse 3). As long as the vayu (air and prana) remains in the body, that is called life. Death is when it leaves the body. Therefore, retain vayu. (Chapter -2, Verse 3).
Times and duration of Pranayama practice
Times and duration of Pranayama practice Times and duration of practice – Early morning, midday, evening and midnight, holding is step by step held up to eighty counts in one sitting. Pratarmadhyandine sayamardharatre cha kumbhakan/ Sanairasitiparyantam chaturvaram samabhyaset//(Chapter -2, Verse 11). Holding should be practiced perfectly four times a day: early morning, midday, evening and midnight, so that holding is step by step held up to eighty counts in one sitting. (Chapter -2, Verse 11).
Signs and symptoms of right Pranayama practice
Signs and symptoms of right Pranayama practice Kaniyasi bhavedsveda kampo bhavati madhyame / Uttame sthanamapnoti tato vayum nibandhayet//(Chapter -2, Verse 12). At first stage there is sweating, in the middle stage trembling, in the last stage complete steadiness, and therefore the breath should be withheld. (Chapter -2, Verse 12).
Sattvic quality of mind and the three Gunas for pranayama Practice
Sattvic quality of mind and the three Gunas for pranayama Practice Pranayamam tatah kuryannityam sattvikaya dhiya / Yatha sushumnanadistha malah suddhim prayanti cha//(Chapter -2, Verse 6). Therefore pranayama should, be practice daily with a sattvic quality of mind so that the impurities are removed out of sushumna nadi and cleanliness occurs. (Chapter -2, Verse 6).
Pranayama three types, rechaka, pooraka, and kumbhaka
Pranayama three types, rechaka, pooraka, and kumbhaka. Pranayamas tridha prokto rechapurakakumbhakaih / Sahitah kevalascheti kumbhako dvividho matah// (Chapter -2, Verse 71). Pranayama is said to be of three types: exhalation (rechaka), inhalation (pooraka), and retention (kumbhaka). Kumbhaka is again of two types: connected sahita and unconnected kevala. (Chapter -2, Verse 71). Yavat kevalasiddhih syat sahitam tavad abhyaset/ Rechakam purakam muktva sukham yadvayudharanam//(Chapter -2, Verse 72). Till attain perfection in kevala kumbhaka, sahita kumbhaka has to be practiced. When you are freed of inhalation/exhalation then the breath/prana is ceased spontaneously. (Chapter -2, Verse 72). Pranayamoa yam ityuktah sa vai kevalakumbhakah/ Kumbhake kevale siddhe rechapurakavarjite//(Chapter -2, Verse 73). Perfection of isolated holding is freedom from inhalation and exhalation process. This pranayama spoken of is verily kevala kumbhaka. (Chapter -2, Verse 73). Na tasya durlabham kimchittrishu lokeshu vidyate/ Saktah kevalakumbhena yatheshtam vayudharanat//(Chapter -2, Verse 74). Nothing in the three worlds of existence is unobtainable by him who has mastery over kevala kumbhaka and can hold the breath as desired time. (Chapter -2, Verse 74).
Nadis and Chakras for retention of Prana
Cleansing of the Nadis and Chakras for retention of Prana Suddhameti yada sarvam nadichakram malakulam / Tadaiva jayate yogi pranasamghrahane kshamah//(Chapter -2, Verse 5). When all the nadis and chakras which are full of impurities are cleansed, then the hatha yogi is able to retain prana. (Chapter -2, Verse 5).
Mind and Prana
Interconnection of Mind and Prana Interconnection of Mind and Prana and their controlling through Pranayama Chale vate chalam chittam nischale nischalam bhavet / Yogi sthanutvamapnoti tato vayum nirodhayet//(Chapter -2, Verse 2). When Prana moves, chitta the mental force too moves. When prana is still, Chitta also still without any movement. By this steadiness of prana the Hatha Yogi reaches stableness and should thus control the Vayu air. (Chapter -2, Verse 2).
Diet and Pranayama – Milk and Ghee is recommended
Diet and Pranayama – Milk and Ghee is recommended. At the beginning period of pranayama practice, food, consisting of milk and ghee is recommended very much. Upon being established in the practice such conditions are not necessary at all. (Chapter -2, Verse 14).