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## The Nature of Pranayama and Other Techniques
**Yoga Shastra, Fifth Light, Verses 6-13, Meaning:**
**Verse 6:** Exhaling air from the abdomen through the nostrils, the Brahmarandhra (the opening at the top of the head), and the mouth with great effort is called Rechaka Pranayama.
**Verse 7:** Drawing in external air and filling the abdomen up to the Apana (anus) is called Puraka Pranayama. Holding it steady like a Kumbha (pot) in the Nabhi Kamal (navel lotus) is called Kumbhaka Pranayama.
**Verse 8:** Moving the air from the Nabhi (navel) and other locations to the Hridaya (heart) and other locations, i.e., drawing the air from one location to another is called Pratyahara. Holding the air with the Taloo (palate), Nasika (nose), and Mukha (mouth) is called Shanta Pranayama. The difference between Shanta and Kumbhaka is that in Kumbhaka, the air is held in the Nabhi Kamal, while in Shanta Pranayama, there is no such rule, and the air is held at the exit points like the Nasika, etc.
**Verse 9:** Drinking in external air and drawing it upwards to the Hridaya (heart) and other locations is called Uttara Pranayama. Conversely, drawing the air downwards from above is called Adhara Pranayama.
**Explanation:** There is a doubt here: How can Rechaka, etc., be Pranayama? Because Pranayama involves stopping the flow of inhalation and exhalation. The answer is that in Rechaka, the air in the abdomen is drawn up and held at the nostrils, not allowing it to enter. From this perspective, it is called Pranayama because it is a form of stopping the flow of inhalation and exhalation. Similarly, in Puraka, external air is slowly inhaled and held in the abdomen. Here too, there is no stopping or taking of breath, i.e., it is a form of Pranayama that stops the flow. The same applies to Kumbhaka, etc.
**Verse 10:** Rechaka Pranayama destroys diseases of the abdomen and Kapha (phlegm). Puraka Pranayama strengthens the body and destroys all diseases.
**Verse 11:** Kumbhaka Pranayama immediately causes the Hridaya Padma (heart lotus) to bloom and breaks the internal glands, increases strength, and stabilizes the air.
**Verse 12:** Pratyahara Pranayama generates strength and radiance in the body. Shanta Pranayama pacifies the three Doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) or Sannipat (fever). The practice of Uttara and Adhara Pranayama stabilizes Kumbhaka.
**Verse 13:** Pran, Apana, Samana, Udana, and Vyan are the five types of Pavan Vayu (air). Knowing the location, color, action, meaning, and seed of each Pavan, the Yogi conquers them through Pranayama.
**Explanation:** 1. The process of inhalation and exhalation is Pran Vayu. 2. Apana Vayu is responsible for expelling waste, urine, and the fetus. 3. Samana Vayu is responsible for digesting food and water and distributing the resulting Rasa (nutrients) to different parts of the body. 4. Udana Vayu carries Rasa and other substances upwards. 5. Vyan Vayu spreads throughout the body.