Pranayama and breath work

PRANAYAMA AND PRANA VIDYA

what is prana vidya?

Guruji: it’s just another name of the pranayama.

so pranayama and prana vidya is one and the same?

Guruji: there is something more; also it goes in detail, how to take prana from someone else. But usually it revolving out prana as pranayama – how to control your own prana. In controlling prana means it will remain inside your heart forever. Or in sushumna forever.

what is the difference?

Guruji: in heart you will not have much knowledge – but in sushumna you will have the great wisdom inside. That difference will remain.

so it’s not connected with vision of prana?

Guruji: you can’t even see air – so how you can see prana? Only with high developed consciousness you maybe able to feel it. Air is considered as a gross element – even that we cannot see. Akash is also gross – we cannot see it, we cannot touch, you cannot feel. And the spirit is beyond this five. It’s more and more subtle.

and what about astral vision? It develops before achieving Samadhi?

Guruji: many sensitive people have it even without practicing yoga. It is like intuitive sensitive feeling. Someone born with this ability, some has it , somehow develop it. You will know about the other side. Everybody wants to know the other side. Who doesn’t want to know the previous life and the future life? This is interesting subject. But who cares about the spirit – everybody cares about their bodies, which is absolutely normal.

what happens with the spirit of the person, from whom you take the prana?

Guruji: it will start may try to take revenge as you will interfere in the plan. Consequences always be there. It’s not at all common and not at all easy.

people like to say: I've communicate with someone and now I’m feeling without of energy?

Guruji: it’s more psychological than the real experience.

SIGNS OF APPROACHING KEVALA KUMBHAKA

but what made You to leave Your farm?

Guruji: I think, mother Earth decides.

but after You left that place – some imprint of Your practice remained?

Guruji: it is still there and that will remain for a long time. I've heard that whoever go into that cellar – within 5-10 minutes they go to sleep. That effect is there.

Q does the proportions in Kriya practice connected with spanda - the vibration from which everything was growing?

Guruji: it will directly affect your DNA - it is directly connected with so many things. exact proportions is very important.

more we refine this - more we will be in tune with the planet?

Guruji: and yourself also. and less oxygen will be needed.

as I understand, kevala kumbhaka couldn’t happen “just like that”?

Guruji: no, it’s a step by step gradual process: first your breath rate will go down - 5-6, even less; then maybe one breath in one minute; then maybe one breath in 1,5 minute. And a gap of breathless condition will increase: that will be beginning of kevala kumbhaka.

it will be even during life, the awake state?

Guruji: yes, it will be much less.

is it connected with the feeling of kumbhakas in Nabhi Kriya?

Guruji: yes, they will become more soft and also it indicates towards nabhi activation. and from bodybuilding point of view: if your roib box will remain permanently expanded - that will be also criteria of kevala kumbhaka starting.

during practice?

Guruji: all the time! it will not come down - it will remain always open, so more air inside.

do You recommend such practices as nauli and agnisara?

Guruji: I strongly recommend agnisara and nauli every day, 100 repetitions each - no more, no less.

GURUJI ABOUT BREATH PROPORTIONS

if we mix ghee with the honey in equal proportion, it becomes poison?

Guruji: it becomes artificial poison.

so, proportion matters! Then the question is: could we somehow do the practice with proportion, which becomes the poison for us?

Guruji: no, we cannot compare it with ghee and honey. We’re already inside so much poison: we’re just trying to remove it.

but it exists some breathe pattern which will act for the person as a poison?

Guruji: usually very shallow breath is like poison.

if we increase or decrease the proportion in practice, how it will affect us?

Guruji: if you will do more than 44 seconds it will start bringing you bad luck somehow. Problems will increase. I’ve tried it – so many problems started and then my Guru told me not to do it.

and if we’re starting from less proportion – 10 and 10, will it affect in a different way?

Guruji: you’re trying to reach there – it’s a different thing. That is fine, because they are new beginners. But if you’re going beyond that -then problems will begin.

If god wants you to suffer – he changing your good decisions into bad ones.

Guruji, what is Your observation: who is growing old faster: who have the longer inhale or who have the longer exhale?

Guruji: who is breathing faster in a minute. Long or short – doesn’t matter.

YOGA DOES NOT HAPPEN SUDDENLY.

is it true that Saturn has the rays of sulfur type?

Guruji: it all depends of individual karma. The Saturn and Jupiter are most powerful. They has some effect in the solar system but we don’t know what effect they can have outside the system. We’re under their influence. In my opinion Shani is the very great teacher. Mars is considered as the son of Shiva and his mother is Mother Earth herself. Somehow all our imagination concentrated on Mars – all science fiction told about marsians coming, travelling to Mars – something like this. There is direct connection with the planet Earth. Even in Shiva purana you can read about it.

Yoga Martanda is translated into English – when the time will come we’ll also publish it from Amazon. I’m trying to revive most the ancient books. Viveka Martanda means the sun of discrimination.

here they describe the earth element and talking about stambhana – what is it here?

Guruji: usually the earth element is described situating in muladhar chakra; and stambhana means to still – the breath for 2 hours or more by concentrating: you will read about this dharana in Gheranda Samhita also. 24 minutes without breathe and heart beating – this much you should have while concentrating totally into this element. It’s the very difficult thing to do. The result of using your unique power, which will come after years and years of practicing yoga. How many people can stop their breathe for 24 minutes or 2 hours? You must reach that level – but it’s the information, you keep it in your mind.

maybe it’s confusion but here it is said that earth is in the heart lotus?

Guruji: no confusion – they are trying to tell you how to do dharana in it. You have to invoke it in your heart – then do it. They are not describing chakras here; it’s a certain method, how to master the earth element. One by one every element are mastered like this.

but it’s a big difference between 24 minutes and 2 hours?

Guruji: if you cannot do 24 minutes – how you will reach 2 hours? It’s stepping stone. It’s a combination of physical and mental power. More we discuss such things – more understanding develops that yoga is extremely mysterious and very deep science.

GOAL OF LIFE AND CONCENTRATION

it is said in Yoga Darshan that no blinking for 24 minutes will lead to samadhi; but I think it must be also no heart beat and no breathe?

Guruji: it is the result of that. Everything will come after that. Kurma vayu will become very quiet then all these things will come. in khechari you had to remain unblinking – that is an effort for kurma vayu. Kurma avatar provided steadiness to the churning of the ocean. Most of these stories sounds symbolic to me.

so in our practice how this unblinking state can be achieved?

Guruji: only with practice. Everything comes together. That’s why first level with khechari is extremely important.

shloka about udana vayu: by controlling udana you can move above the water, above the dirt and above the thorns?

Guruji: your body will become extremely light – it’s about physical body.

why exactly udana gives this power?

Guruji: that’s the specialty of udana vayu.

only for a yogi it is possible to form the vayu sharir?

Guruji: in that way; otherwise nobody is talking about cleaning of the nadis and or taking vayu there – only yogis are discussing that.

if we take some alchemical processes: are they able to clean the nadi?

Guruji: no. only with different pranayamas it may become possible. Yoga is too supernatural and extraordinary.

BREATHING CHARACTERISTICS LEFT RIGHT NOSTRILS

are the inhale and exhale through the left nostril very different; because in Hatha Yoga Pradipika it is said that it has the another memory? It means vayu can hold another memory?

Guruji: yes. Vayu is holding every memory: whoever has lived on this planet – all memory vayu is carrying. And when you are inhaling it in a certain way – you will receive only selective memories. Otherwise all the memory will make you go mad. Particular, selective, highly positive memories will start to enter your system.

what is the difference between the vayu which you’re inhaling through the right nostril and through the left?

Guruji: positive memories you are inhaling; most of your own negative and bad things you are exhaling; from the left and from the right also, because you need to clean them both.

but it has some difference – what we are inhaling through the left and through the right?

Guruji: it will have this effect; good memories from left, powerful memories from the right; after you will get rid of all your bad things: you need to clean your system to receive this.

it exists the technics in Kriya – or maybe not in Kriya now but how it was before, which are connected only with the left nostril?

Guruji: well, you’re doing mahamudra with khechari – you already know it is almost Nadi Shodhana: so all the effects are there. That’s why I keep stressing the point that mahamudra is the key of Kriya yoga.

BREATHING CHARACTERISTICS SURYA BHEDANA

but it exists Surya Bhedana – which is working only with the right nostril?

Guruji: that is just a preparation for actual mudras, remember that. Only after you’ve gone through those pranayamas you’ll be able to do certain pranayamas and mudras. Otherwise the practice of mudras will not be successful.

so it doesn’t exist the practice only through the left side?

Guruji: no.

why? It’s so dangerous?

Guruji: no, it’s not dangerous; how much memory you will continue to receive? Let it be processed that material. And when your mind is powerful enough – you will know already. In the beginning – it will be called “worldly influence”, all the memories are world’s influence; - which will actually disturbyour peace of mind. But through the right the effect will be different.

it will heat up the system?

Guruji: it is connected with that also – everything is connected.

in Surya Bhedana we are working only with the right side and in Hatha Yoga Pradipika it is said that the main aim is…

Guruji: to destroy all the insects and microbes living on you; the main aim is this. Getting rid of all these people living on you. They are feeding on your own life force.

when we are practicing – we are like fighting with all surroundings…

Guruji: that’s why all these things we do before; before you reach mudras. Kriya yoga is a pure and simple practice of mudras for awakening of Kundalini – as Hatha Yoga Pradipika tells us: so you can reach samadhi and Shambhavistate- and you will know, what is what. Initially it will disturb your surroundings; but if your pranayamas are powerful enough, - your breathing will begin to influence the surroundings.

Only aim of Surya Bhedana is to remove all those bacteria and other foreign bodies which are living on you, sharing your lifeforce: that’s why it is done.

in its description mentioned that we must feel the kumbhakon the tip of the nails and hairs?

Guruji: on that level of kumbhak you will feel like that.

BREATHING CHARACTERISTICS EXCELLENCE IN PRACTICE

Guruji: your brain, your subconscious is processing the memory of the Creation and the world. Every single memory the air is carrying: from the first appearance of life to whatever happened on this planet. So if you say, that yogis know all – that’s how their education begins: with the air. Then they receive all the memories, filter it, and subconscious brain stalls it. And when your subconscious is conscious again and you’re one and the same; you are established in non-duality: means there is no conscious, no subconscious – all are conscious: then you begin to study them again from a very different perspective. And then you know all things.

for me it’s a very new thought that education goes through the air…

Guruji: whoever appeared or whatever happened on this planet, - air is carrying all memories. Remember, in Gorakhbodh: who is bhartar of Earth? Ambar is the bhartar of Earth; ambar is taking care of everything. Every single virus life memory is in the air.

in the practice while inhaling and exhaling we are studying?

Guruji: no, you are soaking all the memories – in a certain way. And brain is processing it and keeping it in a store. Sowhen you are in non-duality- you will begin to read.

so from the left we are soaking all the memories and from the right we are processing our own?

Guruji: your genetics, yes. It’s a huge thing; and outside thing is even more huge. When you are inhaling from the left – it’s like your Mother is teaching you; without using a cane or rope or anything; no slaps – but in a loving way. From the right – it is pure and simple effects of your own lineage and life. The more we’re going into yoga, the more mysterious it is appeared. It’s a very deep and mysterious subject. It is like riding a bicycle: no matter how many technics you teach for riding a bicycle, until unless you find a balance – you will be never able to ride. Same thing may apply to yoga. And to finding that balance – only you will know.

now when we are inhaling through the left nostril, do we have to be aware of all that memory?

Guruji: no, it is just going in. you’re not ready to process it yet. They will remain in a store in your subconscious; when you are ready – they will come.

when I will be ready?

Guruji: when you are accomplished at least 98% of the brain is conscious – then. Otherwise so much memories will overwhelm you. You won’t be able to tolerate or survive. Here we are discussing all the memory of the planet.

it’s like a play of consciousness?

Guruji: it’s the Earth consciousness you are inhaling, her memories – which is really overwhelming. When you’re able to access your subconscious mind: then these things will come to surface and you will begin to see and understand. Remember Gorakhbodh: how yogi should live? He should remain immersed in himself. Because he is already taking in all the memories- so he won’t even open his eyes or to read anything: he will just go inside and be with it. And others will think- oh, he is in deep meditation. Maybe he is.

If you’re not even aware what you can do with the body – then how you’re hoping to understand your opening of the mind and brain and what you can do with that? Gross thing first; subtle thing will come later. We also train for the reason because the body is support system for the brain: so if the body is strong enough – strong support system is needed for more awaken mind. That’s why I keep stressing: workout!

where exactly all this information stores?

Guruji: initially they are stored automatically in your subconscious: we don’t know exactly, where they are stored. Let’s say – they are in your consciousness: so the more you will be able to awaken your subconscious – the more access you will have. Otherwise it will be too overwhelming for any person to suddenly be exposed to so much memories.

BREATH AND THOUGHT PROCESSES

we discussed that we are not the spirit, we are not the body – so we are our consciousness; if we make the breath our friend – how it will affect the consciousness?

Guruji: go back to Gorakhbodh: the jiva of mind is breath. Mind is working only with the vayu. It’s very important: consciousness is flowing because of the air, because we are breathing. If you will not make your breath your friend, friendly terms – then your mind will also not be in a friendly terms with you. They go together.

so what is the cause and what is the sequence: we start to be friendly with the breath and it will affect the consciousness or…?

Guruji: we have no control over our mind because we don’t know it’s true nature or anything about it; but we’re breathing – so we have a very little control over our pattern of breathing. If you will turn with that – you may gain some deeper understanding of your breath and that in turn will connect you with your mind. And when you get enough access in your mind – reverse effect will take place: maybe your mind will be able to control your breath.

but if you have some thoughts and remembering during practice – it will affect the breath?

Guruji: you’re already practicing – so some thoughts will definitely come! With enough time they will stop. Don’t pay attention – otherwise they will become more powerful.

HOW TO BREATHE CORRECTLY NADI SHODHANA

another technical question about kumbhak: here it is said that yogin avoids the technic by pressing the nose – by kumbhak, which is attained by pressing the nose? What is it?

Guruji: oh, that is simple thing you already know: to close the nostrils by the fingers. We have already discovered that closing the nose must be from inside and not by fingers.

here it is mentioned that such pranayama can lead to some diseases?

Guruji: if it will be done incorrectly – definitely. Most of them grow old very fast. Old age is the biggest disease.

even if you just regulate the nostrils by the fingers?

Guruji: it’s a wrong technic! Anything wrong performed will give you wrong results. Karma!

When you’re sitting with the Guru – I think the breath rate goes down from normal to maybe around 6-7 in one minute. 6-9 is the ideal thing – otherwise the medical science tells us that average person breath 17 to 23 times- but for good practitioner of Kriya yoga it will be down. I’ve noticed: simply sitting here brings breath rate down to 6,7 – that is good. And it can go much lower. Never take it lightly – it’s very serious thing.

… the secret of achieving immortality must be hide in Kriya yoga technics. That’s why I keep stress it that one should do it very regularly most excellent and most optimum way. Maybe immortality will click in one practice. The word “kumbhaka”: most of the people think that it is retention of breath. But “kumbh” means a pitcher, where we carrying water. When it’s empty – the air remain inside the pitcher. It is not breathing – not inhaling, not exhaling – but the air remains inside. So the practice of kumbhaka is to make your body like a pot. You will not breathing or you may not need to breathe, but the air will remain inside. And they say that as long as air will remain inside the body- life continues. This thing is for live very long. And immortality is one step further.

and you will be beyond the Time?

Guruji: you will be WITH Time. Not out of time – you will be one with the time. And you will live as long as time will be there.

so even if we do not very long kumbhak

Guruji: no, the regulation of the breath – we’re not talking about the stopping

Q; so every time we do something with the prana?

Guruji: every day something new will happen

during kevala kumbhaka the conscious mind stops; but subconscious is moving?

Guruji: no, breathless condition, not kumbhak: in kumbhak you’re trying to hold it as much as it’s possible. When your breath became so regulated that mind start to be regulated as well; then your breathing will be much – much slower; and then some gap will appear – 1 minute, 2 minutes, which you will not even feel like a gap; then breathless condition will start and something new will happen as well.

how this explanation could be connected with chitta vritti nirodhah?

Guruji: same thing; in second sutra they say: tada drastuh swarupeavasthanam - when the seer is establish in his own – that is about.

so chitta vritti nirodhah is about conscious mind? The conscious mind stops?

Guruji: then only you will access the subconscious. It’s not about mind in all totality: it is only about 2% conscious mind.

RUDRA YAMALA TANTRA(continuation)

24 minutes is very important time unit. If you can keep your eyes open for 24 minutes – the kurma vayu is under your control and you see the light of God inside your sahasrara.

KUMBHAKA 45 MINUTES - BEGINNING OF KEVALA KUMBHAKA

we were talking about counting Shvasahita pranayamas – that to do it 600000 times it will take more than a year of continuous practice without breaks?

Guruji: if you will do it 288 every day – it will take you more than 12 years

in another place it is mention that during 5 dandas – about 2 hours I think – it could be attained the state of kevalakumbhaka? Why it’s so big difference in time frames?

Guruji: no difference: if you’re not able to hold your breath to that level – then you do 1061000 pranayamas. Suddenly you cannot become a world champion. So if you can hold your breath at least for 45 minutes- then it will be beginning of kevala kumbhaka. And you will be able to walk on water also: your bodyweight will become so light.

these 10000000 pranayamas must be performed like You practiced – about 20 hours in one go?

Guruji: we have been calculating all this from the day one; it will take if you do it 144 in the morning 144 in the evening – full practice: it will take 12 years. And of course it will change your physical composition, your nervous system and your mind.

so the second mentioning about 5 dandas – it’s when you already can perform it?

Guruji: when you’re already in high Kriyas; that 1 million is for the first level. It’s a hope for a first level. If you cannot go high - even you have some great hope. If you’re the powerful yogi – with enough practice you will be able to hold your breath for that.

MAHAMANTRA FOR YOGI

when the yogin proves his devotion to prana – the immortality will come. how to prove his devotion?

Guruji: who is trying to know the true nature of prana? Only the great yogis who have great ambitions starts that. When they spending their lives practicing pranayama – it is sort of devotion to it.

Devotion is not just to sing the glorious name of prana all the time. New mahamantra: Hare Prana hare prana prana prana hare hare Hare Apana hare apana apana apana hare hare – that is great.

PROPORTION

why in yoga books the proportion of 1:4:2 always appears?

Guruji: that is only connected with nadi shodhana pranayama.

but it doesn’t connected with Kriya?

Guruji: it will come.

but why proportion will change?

Guruji: the proportion changes because your body will be prepared to absorb CO2 inside instead of oxygen.

so only on that stage…?

Guruji: yes, it begin like that.

it will be not exactly breathing but something else?

Guruji: you need to know how to drink the vayu. That is first thing, and after drinking the vayu you need to hold it for that 64 or 80 counts, then you have to release it on half of that number. So after holding it, when the whole oxygen are turning into CO2, when you release it very slowly – that moment body will begin to absorb it. That’s why you releasing it very slow.

so the process comes in exhalation, not on kumbhaka?

Guruji: you see, when you’re inhaling – it’s 16 and 64 or Gheranda Samhita is talking about 20 and 80. But proportion is 1:4:2. When you’re inhaling normal air, then while holding it turns into carbon dioxide and you exhaling mostly carbon thing. When you’re holding it to a certain level – it will turn into absolute pure carbon dioxide; and not many people after holding this much are able to exhale it very slowly. Exhalation is the main key point here. When after holding it absolutely convert normal air to carbon dioxide of very refine level; when you’re exhale in 2 – 1:4:2 – then the body mechanism will activated, it will begin to absorb it inside. That will start a very different reaction inside you and a very different type of development inside you – or let’s say evolution. You will be starting the journey towards the diamond body. Another point here: if the body is not thoroughly prepared – the system may fail. It had to be done in baddhapadmasana, in khechari, and you need to know how to actually drink vayu. Without shatkarma of dhauti it’s next to impossible to get that muscle control. If you suddenly try – system may not be able to tolerate that amount of pure carbon dioxide, it may fail you. It’s a very delicate process.

Guruji: first you activate the left side or right side, then you activate it fully, then you release it and change it; that means the capacity of one hemisphere has been used, it will go to rest and the other thing will be awaken and till then it will revive – like taking a pause between sets. This thing is much more delicate then bench press – but it is just an example.

like dolphins: they never sleep just changing hemispheres work?

Guruji: something like that. That means – whatever is sleeping in you, the giant will wake up and will never go to sleep after that. You will have the superconsciousness – or maybe the real consciousness.

can we say that it’s the final thing after awakening on 100%?

Guruji: this will be the final thing for waking up your subconscious mind and then a different chapter will begin in your evolution. All these are stepping stones. Remember, every technic are not ultimate in itself: they are just stepping stones for some higher technics. We have to keep it in our mind: technic is not the goal, but it’s the stepping stone which will take you to the goal. That’s why they are so important.

TO GET THE NOTE OF THE PRANAYAMA EXACTLY RIGHT

but why proportion of our practice is differ from 1:4:2?

Guruji: by doing this proportion you will be ready for the higher proportions. Because brain is using all nervous system - we are starting from the headquarter. After we have clean everything in the beginning the whole body is very different; then finally you reach the headquarter and start to take control all over the mechanism of the physical body and to create something better.

one of the preparation for nadi shodhana is surya bhedana?

Guruji: all the pranayamas are just aim so you will get the note of the pranayama exactly right. For the inner muscle control – they are just steps for that. Bodybuilding thing is the very good example: to get the result of some exercise – when you’re doing the half repetition – one thing is happening, when you take it lower – another thing is happening, full range and half range are different. When you break it into steps – you understand the work of the muscles and the effect of the exercise. Same way in Hatha Yoga Pradipika they are breaking up different technics. And I keep saying – this is for a very advanced yogis, the book for them. It’s not for the newcomers or who just starting up – it’s the book of reference for big people, who have gone too deep into it. Even when you go so deep into it – even then some references are needed. I hope most of us will reach that level one day.

but if you’re exhaling more…?

Guruji: if someone exhaling more than his store of life force is going away. In nadi shodhana you must be sure, that enough life force is stored and absorbed inside you – then you exhale to switch the different thing inside you. Everybody exhaling more than they inhaling – that’s why they are growing older and older.

so in nadi shodhana we exhaling something different?

Guruji: the quality of that carbon dioxide will be much more condensed, more concentrated. What we were talking in Hatha Yoga Pradipika was enough for the book, but now we’re talking beyond that.

now absolutely different picture appear in our mind

Guruji: this is my job.

so surya bhedana is the preparation for nadi shodhana?

Guruji: you start from right – then you start from left. Ultimately it will balance the hemispheres and somehow provoke them to wake up. Maybe the aim is to change the nature of your brain – because brain feeding mostly on oxygen; even then we say - the source of life is carbon. We will train our brain so he will survive not on oxygen but on the pure carbon dioxide or on whatever gas will come. surya bhedana is for increasing the heat of your body so most of the viruses and bacteria living on your body will simply burn out and your system will be clean. It aimed especially for it. And after that sitali is given so it will cool down your system. Just a preparation for a highest effort which will open a new chapter in your life. End of one school – beginning for another. That’s why I’m keep saying: always have big ambition. I’m maybe the only one who is stressing on big ambition. And work until the achievement; then some more. Never compromise with a standard, never take pity on you. I simply cannot lower my standard to suit my circumstances; it is my circumstances come up to my level. I have always live beyond my means – finally the means catching away my style, hopefully( laughing)

Sitkari is the most mysterious pranayama. You’re already doing the part of bhastrika pranayama, shvasahita is based on that. All depends on how you master the sound. And bhastrika is a part of shakti chalini mudra as well. 1,5 hour is the time and exactly 144 to do. Amazing, how they taught! Newcomer is doing push ups and very accomplished wrestler or powerful man is doing push ups – same technics, but effect are different. The feel is different.

You compare bhastrika with push ups?

Guruji: without push ups no technic will work for you. If a person is not strong enough for a so-called gross things like exercise – how he can move on to the very high process like yoga? You need to have a very good strong highly efficient medium to achieve the higher. Working out with weights or any exercises is the part of yourself realization. You realize: yes, I can bench press 100 kilos. It is a definite realization, not hypothetical. The truth is in your hands.

REAL PRANAYAMA

… he was going very fast and for the shortcut he used to cross the very-very-very dirty lane. You cannot imagine – shit was everywhere, pigs were rolling in it. That day I became a siddha in pranayama because I cross it holding my breath. One man sit in whole this dirt – and my friend stopped exactly there and begin to lecture him – that you should go from here, imagine the clean streets everywhere – but how he can imagine, sitting there? pranayama begin from there.

Guruji: very rare. It’s not the technic, which you can learn at yoga classes.

Like that misunderstanding with nadi shodhana pranayama: they’re writing clearly – first sit in baddhapadmasana then inhale from the left nostril. From there this thing with fingers came – I’m still wondering. If you’re sitting in baddhapadmasan – both your hands are occupied. As we know now – khechari mudra plays the very important role – but all others are doing nadi shodhana with the fingers.

that changing of directions which are described in Shiva svarodaya are also with khechari?

Guruji: it is the best way. Svarodaya is used by accomplished yogis. But I’ve seen some people – even by judging they were able to predict some success or failure in situation or even future also. Maybe when that euphoria on yoga will be over – people will think more seriously and deeply on it.

Shakti chalini also exists in Kriya yoga?

Guruji: kriya and hatha yoga are one and the same. It comes on very advanced level.

MEDITATION

SO-HAM HAM-SO

what is the meaning of changing sounds: ham and so?

Guruji: om and so instead of ham and so;

that also tells us that ham is actually the sound of the prana and so is the

sound of apana. If you will change it – may be in the beginning the breath will

be complicated – but they may change place, prana and apana. If somebody is

really helping in doing it. But without khechari it will give no result. Only

with khechari ham-so gives you the great result. Just observe your breathe. It

is the very direct method for calming down your mind and developing

concentration and focus; it may take you deep in meditation.

how this technic so-ham started?

Guruji: so many sadhus are saying “so-

ham”: so ham asmi – I am that. Then I explained: when your consciousness become

aware of 98% subconscious, then you realize – oh my god, I’m that also. Then

this thing began – not simply by repeating “I am that”: who, who is that? Maybe

some accomplished person said it, and people record it and begin to emulate it,

copy, hoping that they also will become great.

it’s like in the commentaries on Bhagavad Gita: who read the commentaries of great people but not great themselves?

Guruji: exactly, yes. If they are actually

doing it sincerely – their mind will become very calm and quiet and they will

go into deep meditative state, this much is sure.

what is the minimum time frame to feel that you’re in a deep meditative state, practicing so-ham?

Guruji: within a day or two. Then it will

be so natural to you that every breath you will remain aware of this thing;

that means your mind is already going inside, withdraw from any outside thing.

It will change mentally state definitely.

this practice is not dangerous for normal people?

Guruji: very good practice. If you’re

becoming aware of your breathe, that means you’re becoming aware of your soul.

It is part of the soul culture.

how long it must be practiced in a day?

Guruji: it is like your mind hears a song

and then you keep repeating it; so if you doing it 5, 10, half an hour – whole

day you will remain aware of it. Even while sleeping you will remain aware of

it, it will take you a long way. But other practices are also needed.

if some person start to do it and hearing nada?

Guruji: it is possible; when the mind is

going very calm and quiet and deep meditative states are following – he will

become aware of the nada.

he must concentrate on it?

Guruji: not concentrate, just remain aware.

ADVICES TO PRACTITIONERS

Your brain becomes more active and your consciousness is more; it is said that when you’re doing exactly 144 shvasahita pranayamas – you will experience the state of dharana. It will feel different.

Is it possible to enter the dharana state on a certain level after less quantity – 36 or 24 pranayamas?

Guruji: I’ve been explaining it from the beginning – that the next Kriya is 12 times stronger. So we must try to do as much shvasahita pranayamas and mahamudras as we can – perfectly and artistically.

If we do 1000 shvasahitas – what will be the effect after this?

Guruji: It will be the half-way to the Dhyana state. 1728 in one go – you will experience a state of Dhyana.

How much must be done of the second level?

Guruji: 144. Perfectly. It is 12 times stronger than the first

Guruji, what do You think: if we do 1728 pranayamas of second level – it will be samadhi?

Guruji: I f you can tolerate that – you will experience something serious. It will take you to the check-list. It will take more than 24 hours and it must be done in 1 sitting. I started all these calculations when I achieved khechari (smiling). Practice regularly: that is the name of the game.

What time frame is needed for achieving that?

Guruji: …we don’t know. We need enough time for developing our mind: only in time changes or the results will come. Because we think about life and death – it is our habit to consider everything with the beginning and the end. Nobody knows the beginning of time and how it will end; because we are limited by life and death. But there are forces, which are beginningless and endless – you need to think about that also.

If we can do only 500 shvasahitas?

Guruji: It will make you stronger.

Will it be a different state than Dhyana?

Guruji: It will make you stronger. And again – your tolerance should be very high: you should be able to tolerate that also. You must learn to survive the adventure to tell the story of it. For this state you asked – no name.

can we say that the real khechari mudra can give such possibilities?

Guruji: why not? If you’re able to hold at least 48 minutes kumbhak – you will begin to levitate. Many different things will happen inside the body: the whole chemical composition will be different. The main problem is to achieve this state.

from what approximate time frame the very strong changes comes?

Guruji: from the day one of real yoga practice. When you find the real path and begin the real practice – from the day 1 the real changes begin.

even if you somehow can do the very long kumbhak once – it is nothing, you need to practice it?

Guruji: kumbhak, like khechari mudra and other things – they are just the tools. You need learn to use it in certain ways.

Simply holding the breath will not give you the result. Kumbhak means to make your body like a pot: without any effort the air will remain inside. Not holding – pot is not holding air. You will achieve such physically state that air always remain inside – you’re like a pot. It’s very different principle.

I like the word “without effort” in this case

Guruji: but to be without effort you need to do a lot of efforts in the beginning. He is one of the most famous sculptors in India: I will give you an example. He can create anything effortlessly; but to reach this state – years and years of tapas is behind him. That’s how effortless state come. you have to go through a lot of tapas – only then sahaja state comes.

what is the mechanism to levitate?

Guruji: 71% of your body is water. water is oxygen and hydrogen. When you’re doing certain pranayama – very slowly oxygen in your water will go out and the hydrogen will be more and more and it will lift you up.

so the water in our body will not become radioactive – like tritium?

Guruji: no, only the oxygen will became very less in that. And that will come only with pranayama. If it will happen suddenly – you will fly away(laughing). So you need prepare your body to tolerate such state without oxygen. It’s gradual process. It’s very easy to talk about it – but to achieve it is the very different story.

If the breath is cooked and life energy is cooked, if body is cooked and the bindu is cooked, then the fire of brahman burns continuously. If the fire is sufficient, the water will boil. I mean, kok means pakna, to become raya. Or let's say when raya says are done, they are well cooked, or sita. So when breath you are practicing pranayama, it is done to the perfection. It will make the body just well done and the change will start.

Breathing Question

Does the breath stop in this condition?

(Consciousness of the Void)

A. After practice, the breath becomes very slow. And I have noticed another thing here. All those who have come here and sat with me, had conversations, received initiation – their breath rate reduces to 6-9 inhalations a minute. Science tells us that an average human takes 12- 24 inhalations a minute. But here, the breath automatically slows down as a result of intensive practice. Transition to this rate of 6-9 inhalations a minute in my presence is common.

Q. When does this process (of slowing down the breath) begin?

A. From the day of the initiation. From the day you begin sitting here and talking with me.

Doctors say that if your breath slows down to four inhalations a minute, you need to be put on a lung ventilator. But with good practice (and if you’ll sit calmly after the practice), you’ll notice your breath going down to 3-4 inhalations a minute.

From the medical point of view, it is an interesting observation: breathe less, receive less oxygen and you’ll live longer and will remain younger. While you are in the slow breath mode, your thoughts become calm and you enter an almost tranquil state of mind. Many Kriya Yoga practitioners go through changes in the body, the mind, and the whole personality. Some day this phenomenon will deserve additional medical research. As a guru, I am happy to see that most of my disciples look younger than their contemporaries.

Q. If someone faints or goes through epileptic seizures, the tongue can get inside of the throat as well. Are there any related (as in the practice of Khechari Mudra) effects?

A. No. When a person faints, the tongue muscles loose their power and it just falls; it is not Khechari. It just means that the person is in a very grave condition and may die.

…when you are able to travel in time – that means you begin to understand it. Without understanding time on a certain level it is impossible to go back and forward in time. That’s why you requirement for oxygen will go down – holding breathe is ok, but taking less breathe in one minute is more important, naturally. This is what most of my students are doing. Doctors will find them incredible. In one minute normal person is breathing 17 to 24 times, and most of my students breathing maybe from 4 to 9. In all they life, while they are walking, doing exercises, etc. but if you are normal man without practicing yoga or without touch of magic – you will continue to breathe more than 17 in one minute. You will grow old so fast.

Q: we must control it all the time?

Guruji: It must be natural, don’t limit your consciousness for this, think of more high things. Your body requirements will go down. I have one doctor – he is disciple, who took my brain scan. One day it was some emergency and he was without consciousness for 5 hours. And when the doctors saw him breathing only four times in a minute – they put him to ventilation device. After they say – that you was so close to koma, so we put you to this device, you were breathing only four times in a minute. He said – I’m fine please give me something to eat. That I came to know in any hospital if you’re breathing very slowly – they put you to ventilation. Most of the doctors put masks on their faces, so later you will not recognize them.

…and the yogi. After sickness he began to see the connection between slow moving and fast moving. That is your consciousness is very fast moving and your body’s like (???). all strength and powers comes to a man. It clicks.

It is believed in the yoga that the respiration affects the mind. If you still the mind the breath will stop automatically and vice versa because suddenly no one can directly stop his mind. So we go by our breath. We try to still our breath, we still the mind and when mind is still your breath stops and you are ready to dive deep inside your own mind.

So when you become absolutely still, you will realize the spirit inside which is God.

***

Q: and what about 2 types of kumbhaka in 20th shloka?

Guruji: sahita and kevala. Kevala is the result of sahita. When your body itself become like a pot: pot is not breathing, but that is air inside. It is kevala kumbhaka.

Surya Bhedana, Ujjayi, Shitali and Bhastrika – all of them are doing with kumbhaka.

When that particular breathe you are taught you are opening sushumna, you are drawing up apana. Just take for instance nabhi kriya- you are drawing up breath with apana – that means you drawing up surya. Simple thing. This is a high-tech program here. This is for yogis, who have already learn hatha yoga, – for them it is suggested. They are not mentioning Surya bhedana, they are saying Surya Ujjayi; surya and Ujjayi. They simply calling one “surya” that means apana is involved because only by taking up apana the kundalini will go with it. If you can not take up apana – then kundalini will always devented.

Q: could you explain 24th and 25th shlokas?

Guruji: they are saying that from right side you take in breath very slowly and then you release it from left. You can switch nostrils from inside by the tongue. In pranayamas in kriya you just need to can close one thing( nostril?) – prana will be go from there, but the effect will be different.

Ujjayi: closing the mouth( it is 26th,27th 28th ). By closing the mouth with both nostrils you must breathe; that when you are breathing there should come sound, which should resonance from your heart to your skull. And then fill it complete chest and your throat, then hold. And then release it from the left nostril. They said that you must continue to do it all the time.

And now I think it is better to discuss Shitali also. They are saying that you must draw the breathe with your tongue; and then you do kumbhak; and then release vayu slowly-slowly. Because you have done khechari mudra you must put your tongue inside in such way that when you will take in breathe, it should first strike tip of the tongue, you must take it like this( showing hand move like the claws). And then same way from the throat you inhale, hold, and then release slowly. In many book it is said to make the beak of the crow. What is the beak of a crow?- they are describing it exactly: if you go for the different variety of khecharis- that thing is like a crow’s beak. When you are taking your tongue inside in khechari mudra – that is like crow’s beak inside. So keep in your tongue there, draw the air with the help of your tongue. Air should actually passes through the tongue, you should feel the breathe. You put enough pressure; so you will have to draw the breathe with some force, so it will actually rub with the tip of the tongue; at the same time you will drawing the breathe out from your throat- in Kriya yoga.

Try it: you take your tongue inside, just put it in the between of your two nose holes; then do pranayama. But you must feel the air pressure, press with your tongue so you will feel sort of close nose from the behind. Then draw breathe; – then the real friction will taking place.

Q: ok, I’m feeling the flowing of the air…

Guruji: you should actually press your nose from behind. So when you will breathe it will be some force with some pressure. Then draw the breath, with the sound from the throat like in Kriya yoga. Keep pressing your nostrils from behind. And exhale the same way. It is just a preparation for bhastrika pranayama, which will be actually done for Shakti chalani. Shitali will prepare your body.

And bhastrika pranayama – exactly as you are doing pranayama in Kriya yoga. Same way: first you exhale, make your body empty; then with that particular sound and with force inhale. And you should do it like that – it should touch your throat, tongue inside and your heart and your head. All these four places you must feel the effect of your inhalation.

Q: what is the difference between Ujjayi and Bhastrika?

Guruji: in Bhastrika you will be making sound, like you do it in Shvasahita. Ujjayi- you are making the sound; but that sound, which only comes with breath will be Bhastrika. Like you do sound in pranayama in Kriya- it should be more powerful for Bhastrika, that’s it. When you have learn all these sounds, and when you will do bhastrika – you will remain aware of all the places the sound will resonate. It is from throat, palate, head and heart.

When I teach you pranayama first level- the sound goes from the throat, but it will go inside. When you will start feeling it here(near the sun plexus) you will also feel it here( throat). And by these two it will have direct impact inside( in khechari). In the center of the body, where the bronchial track is ending. This is control: you are feeling it from the throat – the same feeling you will feel here( in the above mentioned center) – slowly effect will go down. But it takes quite a long time to get that. That’s why you practice.

There actually the main confusion come because sometime they use simply the words “surya” and “Chandra”. But that also doesn’t mean left and right nostril – it suddenly means apana and prana. That means when you are drawing the breath, you are drawing from surya – means you are drawing up apana. Only who knows that certain technic from the throat will actually understand that how you should draw apana upward. And kundalini is one, combined with apana. When apana you will be able to draw up – then Shakti will rise. And when you will get the perfect pranayama your Saraswati chalan will take place.

Bhastrika is the special type of breathe, which will draw up apana. The sound is coming from breathe, not from larings.

Q: what is the 4 types of kumbhaka?( shloka 54)

Guruji: Surya, Shitali, Ujjayi and Bhastrika – that are 4 types of kumbhaka. Shloka 57: they are saying that using too much force in pranayama – it is not suggested. Sleeping in the daytime, not sleeping in the nighttime. We are taking in the middle: we are not sleeping in the daytime – we sleep in the morning time.

Breathe.

Q: while doing khechari mudra the soft upper palate became so stretched, that the person start to snore when he’s sleeping. What he should do?

Guruji: this is the first time I hear khechari mudra introduce snoring. They are not connected. That means he is too tired and should rest some more.

… heart will continue to beat. It will not remain oxygen, it will be more and more carbon and it will go into system, – you will feel extremely high. You can be in that position for more than hours, so the body chemistry will change. The demands of oxygen will not be there. It will be something different. And mind will open, it will be very high feeling. Kumbhak means that pot is not breathing, but the air remains inside of it. Human body is absolutely different – air goes out of it. And that’s a problem. Whatever you do – when you are awake, your breathing pattern is different; if you are simply change your breathing pattern, your mental waves will be affected directly. Breathe is the real history.

Q: you tell us make our breathe our friend. But we are trying to make very strong kumbhakas, we are force them – is it not a violence?

Guruji: it is not a violence, you are simply playing with it. Like a wrestling.

Q: what does it mean the real friendship?

Guruji: for real friendship first you need to know. Without knowing – how you can do it? Friends will look like as you look like. At your best. Because it is formless, you can’t give it form. If your breathe are already taking your form – now it is waiting, are you recognize it or not. So recognize it, make friendly with it – you will be friends forever. It is actually magic. All the philosophy is useless, nothing.

Yama means a spell of three hours. A Sadhaka, who can expand up to three hours, the dimension of prana that is manifested by means of breath; is called as a Sadhaka of pranayam. That human body remains unaffected after death for three hours is well known, a Sadhak who can expand the dimension of prana up to a yama, can realize the death during his lifetime by means of his temporal body. This is the real pranayam Sadhana.

A person replete with yogic power abandons the mortal body by penetrating the cosmos by means of pranayama and attains beatitude. The state of consciousness, which is called as beatitude is an extremity of consciousness. Said in other words all impediments, physical as well as mental, which obstruct the progress of consciousness, disappear at the moment of penetration of cosmos by mean of yogic power and the consciousness of such great person attains extremity. This is called as disintegration of conscious by mean of pranayam.

Just as infinite energy prevailing inside an atom is manifested when the atom is disintegrated, much in the same manner the dormant consciousness of human mind is awakened and manifested in its entire infinitude, when consciousness is disintegrated by means of pranayam. One who successfully conducts this experiment is at liberty to apply this unlimited energy at his will. It is at his judgment that he may at his free will create a new world or annihilate the existing one.

Those who are devoid of intellectual activity continue to grow stupid and consume themselves in nurturing it. Said differently, those who stand still as far as mental activity is concerned stick to their mind set.

The one who owns end is a saint and he alone is accomplished. In order words, the one who can realize the end of breaths by riding over them begins to own the breaths and thus becomes a saint. Being a saint, he knows the end and stays accomplished.

101.

Translation — Exhaling, Inhaling and withholding, these prolonged and shortened courses of Prana are recognized on the basis of place and time.

Exposition — Now the sequence in which a yogi awakens his dormant consciousness by practicing Pranayama and becomes qualified to realize the manifestor of all, originator of all origins is explained.

After realizing his physical limitations, a yogi in his resolute state practices the first exercise of restraining the natural course of breaths i.e. Prana and Apana and of oblating Prana into Apana and Apana into Prana for overcoming their courses so as to release his consciousness from physical limitations. When practice at this level matures, consciousness of a yogi crosses physical limitations and begins to establish in the unmanifest. A yogi who attains this status is qualified for the practice of second stage Pranayam. This Pranayam is performed in Khechari mudra (in which tongue is folded backwards and is admitted in to the palette, it is then driven upwards through the interior of nasal cavity), in which Apana is raised upwards and is placed in the heart and Prana is displaced from its natural place heart and descends up to the place of Apana. When this practice matures, the third stage is that of performing Khechari posture and then to still Prana and Apana after interchanging their places between them. Consciousness of a yogi who has passed this course develops and reaches the threshold of staying in a state of Samadhi. At this stage the heart beats of a yogi become quiescent, whereby he crosses physical limitations and begins to know the secret of life and death.

Thus, being established in asana, having control (of the
body), taking a balanced diet, pranayama should be prac-
ticed according to the instructions of the Guru.
When the vayu (a ir a nd p ra na) mo ves, the mind (mental
force) m o v e s . W h e n t h e v a y u i s w i t h o u t m o v e m e n t , t h e
mind is also without movement. By this (steadiness of vayu),
the yogi attains steadiness and should thus retain the vayu.
As long as the vayu remains inside the body, life continues.
Death is when it leaves the body. Therefore, retain the vayu.

The vital air does not pass through the middle channel
because the nadis are full of impurities. So, how can the
state of Unmani arise and how can perfection or siddhi
come about?
When all the nadis and chakras which are full of impuri-
ties are purified, the yogi is able to retain the vayu.
There are more than 72 000 nadis and their crossings
are all over the body; all these are junctions. By controlling
the vayu in Nadi Shodhan and other pranayamas, the na -
dis are purified and one is able to stop the vayu. Now, when
the vayu enters the nadis, it can be retained. The body of a
yogi becomes like a pot ([…]). This is the best example
as the pot does not inhale or exhale but the vayu remains
in it without any effort. With a very good practice of pra -
nayama the body of a yogi can become like a pot, when the
vayu remains in the body without breathing or any effort.
”

Therefore pranayama should be done every day with
a pure ([…]) state of mind, so that impurities are
cleansed or driven out of Sushumna Nadi and purifica -
tion is achieved.
Sattvika state of mind here means pure intention. ”

Sitting in Baddha Padmasana, the yogi should inhale
through the left nostril, drink the vayu and hold the

breath to full capacity, and then exhale through the right
nostril. Then, inhaling through the right nostril, gradual-
ly drinking the vayu and retaining it, he should perform
kumbhaka as before and then exhale completely through
the left nostril.
Sit in Baddha Padmasana and do Khechari. Put your
chin down. Now close your right nostril from inside the
nasal cavity with the tongue and inhale from the left nos -
tril. Then close your left nostril from inside with your
tongue and exhale from the right nostril. When you are do-
ing Baddha Padmasana it sort of squeezes your Sushumna,
especially near Anahata Chakra. Without Baddha Pad -
masana and Khechari, Nadi Shodhan is not possible. It
also opens your lungs and your abdomen in a certain way
to start a very special reaction of intestines. Opening the
lungs enables you to use its full capacity while breathing,
so you can fill up your lungs as well as abdomen with vayu
and are able to do Nadi Shodhan.
Inhale and drink vayu with the same nostril through
which the exhalation was done, and hold the breath to
”

maximum capacity, and exhale through the other nostril
slowly but not forcibly.
There is a difference between inhaling and drinking
the vayu. Drinking means you inhale and swallow the air –
only then it goes inside your stomach; otherwise it remains
only in your lungs. Normally pure air never enters your in-
testines. There’s only the reaction of digestive acid with the
food, which leads to the development of different types of
gases. By doing this pranayama, pure air goes inside your
intestine and it starts to absorb the air and send it to the dif-
ferent muscles and different organs and nerves; it gets dis-
tributed everywhere – to every cell and every nadi. This is
a technique of digesting the air. There is no need to exhale;
the air remains inside and gets absorbed by the intestines.
When the intestine is full of pure air which you inhale in a
certain drinking way by Ida, a different effect takes place,
and by Pingala, another effect takes place.
These explanations concern the chemical processes which
take place during the breath retention. By simply swallow-
ing the air it is not possible to digest it – air will go out from
the stomach by belching or through intestine. But when
the person is not breathing and is able to retain the air in-
side his body, all the processes of digestion – from saliva -
tion to absorption – improve. A longer kumbhaka creates
a stronger process of air digestion.
We know that the human body is created by five elements
”

and we also observe that their distribution is not equal.
Earth element is about 29%, Water element is about 71%,
with a very small percentage of Vayu and Fire elements
and just a trace of Akash element. With a very advanced
practice of yoga, Vayu element begins to increase first,
and with mudras – Fire element begins to increase. This
especially happens with Moola Bandha. And by establish-
ing oneself in nada (the un-struck cosmic sound), Akash
element becomes proportional to the other four. In the
body of a perfect yogi all five elements are present in equal
proportion of 20% each. This is the sign of immortality.
When prana is inhaled through the left nostril, it should
be exhaled through the right. When it is inhaled through
the right nostril, it should be held inside and exhaled
through the left. The yami who practice in this way,
through the right and left nostril alternatively, purify all
their nadis within three months.

When you drink the air from the right nostril, you do
not drink all the vayu – you drink some of it and some goes
into the lungs which you exhale from the left nostril. And
when you drink the air from the left nostril, it has a differ-
ent memory and quality; it again goes into the stomach
and creates a mix of Ida and Pingala air. All of this is done
in Baddha Padmasana, with Khechari Mudra. If one does it
sitting in Baddha Padmasana but without doing Khechari,
the actual effect cannot be achieved.
Retention ([…]) should be practiced perfectly four
times a day – early morning, mid-day, evening, and mid-
night, so that retention is gradually held up to eighty
counts in one sitting. If one does kumbhaka four times
in twenty-four hours, he does a total of 320 kumbhakas.
This makes the body full of vayu.
”

At first there is perspiration, in the middle stage trem -
bling, in the highest stage complete steadiness. Therefore
the breath should be withheld.
When in Nadi Shodhan pranayama, vayu is taken to
the roots of the hair, the sweat starts to come. And in the
second stage, the body starts to tremble. And in the ad -
vanced stage, absolute steadiness is achieved and the hold-
ing of the breath becomes effortless.
”

Rub the body with the perspiration from the labor (of
pranayama). The body derives firmness and steadiness
from it.
Every cell in the body becomes full of vayu. This in -
creases the air element in the body. The perspiration which
comes due to the efforts should be rubbed on the body.
This makes it stronger and lighter.
In the beginning stages of the practice, food consisting of
milk and ghee is recommended. Upon being established
in the practice, such restrictions are not necessary.
”

According to some acharyas, pranayama alone removes
impurities and therefore they hold pranayama in esteem
and not the other techniques.
After all those asanas, you must learn all these shatkar-
mas. Practice them; they give you a different kind of inner
muscle and nerve control which extraordinarily supports
your pranayama practice. Without this, the refinement of
the inner control is not possible.
”

Vomiting the contents in the stomach by moving the
apana into the throat is called Gajakarani by those who
have attained the knowledge of Hatha Yoga. Thus, being
accustomed to this technique, control of the nadis and
chakras is brought about.
Even Brahma and other gods devote themselves to prac -
ticing pranayama because it ends the fear of death. Thus
it must be practiced.

As long as the vayu is restrained in the body, the mind
is steady and the gaze is centered between the eyebrows,
why should there be any fear of death?
By systematically controlling the prana (breath), the na-
dis and chakras are purified. Thus the prana bursts open
the doorway to Sushumna and easily enters it.
By mastering all shatkarmas and practicing them very
regularly a great level of inner control is achieved and the
yogi is able to move the vayu anywhere inside his body at
will. He makes the vayu enter the median nerve and the
state of Manonmani (consciousness beyond the conscious
mind) is experienced.
”

The breath (prana) moving in the middle passage makes
the mind still. This steadiness of the mind in itself is called
the state of Manonmani – devoid of thoughts.
By practicing the various kumbhakas wondrous perfec -
tions are obtained. Those, who are the knowers, practice
the various kumbhakas to accomplish the various siddhis.
After mastering all the techniques of shatkarmas and
asanas the yogi is ready to go through all the different pra-
nayamas to befriend his breath (air element). It is necessary
to master all of these eight pranayamas to achieve Nadi
Shodhan and the state of Manonmani. Swatmarama has
elaborated more on Manonmani in the fourth chapter.
”

The eight kumbhakas are Suryabhedana, Ujjayi, Seetkari,
Sheetli, Bhastrika, Bhramari, Moorchha, and Plavini.
At the end of inhalation, Jalandhara Bandha is done. At
the end of kumbhaka and at the beginning of exhalation,
Uddiyana Bandha is done.

By contracting the perineum, contracting the throat,
and drawing the abdomen up, the prana flows into the
Brahma Nadi.
Raising the apana upward and bringing the prana down
from the throat, the yogi becomes free from old age and
appears as if sixteen years old.

Sitting comfortably, the yogi should become fixed in his
posture and slowly breathe the air in through the right
nostril.

Retention should then be held until the breath diffuses to
the roots of the hair and the tips of the nails. He should
then slowly exhale through the left nostril.
When you are preparing for Nadi Shodhan and trying
to take the vayu inside every nadi, you can feel it even in
your nails and in the roots of the hair. Here special stress
is given on feeling the vayu in the roots of the hair and the
nails; this is very important. These two things are the only
more or less immortal substances in the body. If you can
take the vayu to this level, a very different reaction takes
place inside the body.
Suryabhedana is excellent for purifying the cranium and
destroying imbalances of Vayu Dosha, it also eliminates
all the microorganisms living on the body of the yogi.
”

This refers not only to the worms in your intestine;
they are already cleared with shatkarmas. Suryabhedana
is done to remove all types of microorganisms which live
in the roots of the hair and inside of the nails of the yogi.
This is the reason why you need to feel the vayu there. All
organisms living on you will perish with this. It should
be practiced over and over again. Always inhale from the
right side and exhale from the left side. Control the flow
of air with Khechari because you are already in Baddha
Padmasana. This increases the fire which actually burns all
the microorganisms.
There is no proportion – just retain it till you feel the effect
of the vayu in the roots of your hair and in the roots of
your nails. This is the only criterion of the technique. And
if your body has already become sensitive to the vayu by
taking it everywhere, you will feel it quickly and accurately.
”

Close the mouth, inhale with control and concentration
through Ida and Pingala, so that the breath is felt from
the throat to the heart and produces a sonorous sound.
Do kumbhaka (as in Suryabhedana) and exhale through
Ida. This removes phlegm from the throat and stimulates
the fire element inside the body of the yogi.

This pranayama which is called Ujjayi can be done while
moving, standing, sitting, or walking. It removes dropsy
and disorders of the nadis and different dhatus.
The exhalation should always be done from Ida. This
is a refinement of Suryabhedana; it is now done with the
sound. It should always be done with Khechari – closing
your nose with your fingers is nowhere mentioned here.
Always inhale from right to left. By doing this, the fire ele-
ment increases in the body of the yogi. Ujjayi means lifting
up. It is Suryabhedana with the sound and the same feeling
in kumbhaka – the vayu is felt in the roots of the hair and
in the roots of the nails.
”

Draw the breath from the mouth and the nose with a
sound, without opening the mouth and exhale through
the nose. By practicing this, one becomes the second
Kamadeva (god of love).
You have to draw the breath from the nose. “[…]” is
generally taken as the mouth, but it literally means “from
where you talk” . “[…]” means “talk” and talking is only pos-
sible because of the tongue – this is why the mouth is called
“[…]” . So when your tongue is inside your nasal passage
in Khechari, it becomes like a bridge between your tongue
and your nose. When your tongue is inside, “ […]” and
nose become one. And then you draw the breath in a very
special way as taught by the Guru – you have to inhale
feeling the vayu at the tip of your tongue inside. Seetkari
means “to cool down the system” , this is the cooling down
technique. It is important here because the last two pra -
nayamas increase the fire element in the body.
”

He is adored by the circle of yoginis and becomes the
controller of the creation and evolution (dissolution), be-
ing without hunger, thirst, sleep, and laziness.
And the sattva in the body becomes free from all distur -
bances. Truly, by the aforementioned method one be -
comes the lord of the yogis on this earth.

The wise inhale the air through the tongue and prac -
tice kumbhaka as described before. Then exhale the air
through the nostrils.
This is the secret of cooling down the body. If you drop
your temperature by 1 degree and you are able to keep it
that way, it will add at least 20 healthy years to your life.
So this cooling down is connected directly with increas -
ing your life span. Sheetli means “which cools” . The way of
inhalation and exhalation in Seetkari and Sheetli is slightly
different. In Sheetli you have to draw air only with your
tongue in Khechari Mudra. Keep your tongue exactly in
the center of the two nostrils, inside the nasal passage,
press slightly, and then draw the breath. You should feel
coolness on your tongue. Then do kumbhaka the same way.
Everybody exhales warm air, but if inhaled air inside your
body becomes cool, you will start exhaling cool air. This is
why Khechari Mudra is considered as so important – with-
out Khechari no result of any subtle pranayama is possible.
”

This kumbhaka is called Sheetli. It cures the enlarged
stomach or spleen and other related diseases like fever,
excess bile, hunger and thirst, and it counteracts poisons
as well.

Placing both the soles of the feet on top of your thighs is
called Padmasana, which destroys all the sins.

Sitting properly in Baddha Padmasana, keeping neck and
abdomen in alignment, exhale prana through the nose.
Neck and abdomen should be in one line, and the head
should be straight. It is not possible to perform Bhastrika
Pranayama without Baddha Padmasana.
Here they mention the word “ […]” which means
mouth. In the previous pranayama, they used the word
“[…]” which means “from where you talk” . “[…]” and
“[…]” have different meanings here. When the tongue is
in the mouth, it is called “ […]” . And you are able to talk
because of the tongue “[…]” is inside the mouth. And if the
tongue has been taken inside in Khechari, the mouth be -
comes “[…]” – the mouth through which you cannot
talk because the tongue is inside the nasal cavity. By con -
trolling the “[…]” in a special way, you have to exhale
prana from your nose carefully and with special effort.
”

The air should be quickly inhaled up to the heart.
Accordingly, the resounding sound is felt from the heart
and throat up to the cranium.
पुनिर्विर्ंheadlineष्फरेचयेत्तद्वत्पूरयेच्च पुन: पुन: ।
In that way it (the breath) is inhaled and exhaled repeat -
edly, with the same motion as that of a pair of bellows
being pumped.
Thus, in this way, one keeps the breath moving with mind-
fulness (awareness) and with the steadiness of the body.
When the body is tired, inhale through the right nostril.

Accordingly, when the abdomen becomes full of air,
quickly hold the nostrils (and breath) firmly without us-
ing the index and middle fingers.
Having performed (pranayama) and retention systemati-
cally, exhale through the left nostril. Thereby the imbal -
ances of wind, bile, and mucus are annihilated and the
fire element in the body increases.

This (Bhastrika) quickly arouses Kundalini. It is pleasant
and beneficial, and removes obstruction due to excess
mucus accumulated at the entrance of Brahma Nadi.
This kumbhaka called Bhastrika enables the three gran -
this (Brahma Granthi, Vishnu Granthi and Rudra Granthi)
to be pierced. Thus it is the duty of the yogi to practice
Bhastrika.
Piercing of these three granthis is the main goal of Kriya
Yoga. These are the steps from the beginning: first you
should put your feet on your thighs and then lock your -
self in Baddha Padmasana. Then you have to keep your
neck and abdomen in one line. Controlling your mouth
in a special way (as taught by the Guru) you should exhale
from your nose. Exhalation should be felt from your heart
to your throat (first from your heart, then throat, and then
”

inside your skull) with a sound. This also indicates that
you are involving your whole bronchial track to produce
this special sound, forcibly, but in one note. Then inhale
fast, with force, and again exhale in the same way. Repeat it
again and again, like a blacksmith moving his bellows. This
way one keeps the breath moving with extreme awareness
in the body which is steady. And then, when the body is
tired by this (you have to maintain its level so that you re-
ally begin to feel tired), inhale through the right nostril.
The air should fill up your stomach. Once it enters the in -
testine, you should hold it there. Then block the nostrils,
without fingers, from inside your nasal cavity with your
tongue in Khechari. When kumbhaka has been done to a
certain level, release the air from your left nostril. This is
called Bhastrika Pranayama. It is a prelude to Nadi Shodhan.

Breathe in quickly, making a reverberating sound simi -
lar to that of a bumblebee, and exhale slowly while softly
making the sound of the bumblebee. By this yoga prac -
tice one becomes the lord of the yogis and the mind is
absorbed in bliss.
It is like a humming sound and this sound is different
from one in Ujjayi. Always do it with Khechari. It is said
that inhalation and exhalation should be done with the
same sound. This is the level where you have an absolute
control over your respiratory track. Only then you are able
to produce this sound. You have to inhale with force but
exhale slowly. This sound is not produced by the larynx but
is produced by the friction caused by the rubbing of your
breath in a special way inside your respiratory track. This
is the main thing here – producing the sound like that of
a bumblebee. Y our mind becomes absolutely blissful and
you become the king of yogis as your subconscious mind
also becomes conscious by this.
”

At the end of inhalation gradually become fixed in
Jalandhara Bandha and then exhale slowly. This is called
the fainting or swooning pranayama as it makes the mind
inactive and (thus) confers pleasure.
This will make your conscious mind unconscious and
from this point your subconscious mind will start be -
coming conscious. Just keep your throat contracted very
strongly.
”

The inner part of the abdomen being completely filled
with air, one can float like a lotus leaf on water.
When intestine is filled up with the air and it moves in
every nadi, you are able to float on water without any bod-
ily movement.
Pranayama is said to be of three types: exhalation ([…]),
inhalation ([…]), and retention ([…]). Kumbhaka
is again of two types: Sahita (with) and Kevala (alone).
”

Until Kevala Kumbhaka is perfected, Sahita Kumbhaka
has to be practiced. When (you are) freed of inhalation
and exhalation, then the breath or prana is retained easily.
As the pot does not breathe but remains full of air, we
have to develop our body by all these practices of pranay -
ama to the level where the breath is retained in the body
without any effort. Only then the real kumbhaka can take
place.
Perfection of isolated retention is freedom from inha -
lation and exhalation. This pranayama is called Kevala
Kumbhaka.
”

Nothing in the three planes of existence is unobtainable
by him who has mastered Kevala Kumbhaka and can re-
tain the breath as he wills.
There is no doubt – the state of Raja Yoga is also attained
through Kevala Kumbhaka. By retention, Kundalini is
aroused and Sushumna becomes unobstructed, and by
this, perfection of Hatha Yoga takes place.

There can be no perfection in Hatha Yoga without Raja
Yoga or Raja Yoga without Hatha Yoga. Therefore, through
the practice of both, perfection is achieved.
By stopping the prana through retention, the mind be -
comes free from all modifications. By practicing this
yoga, one achieves the state of Raja Yoga – the supreme
union.