Live Session - Pragmatic Gita - Chapter 4, Shlokas 29 to 33, Vancouver, BC

Success in Bhakti is based on atma-samarpan

In the previous verses, Shri Krishna mentioned the various yogas, austerities, penances etc that spiritual aspirants practice, and how success in all of them was based on personal will power. And then Shri KRishna explained the difference between them and Bhakti Yoga where the success is based on surrender (atma-samarpan) and directing our senses towards Bhagavan. 

Here, he describes the various pranayama practices done by yogis as a means to attain liberation. 

Prana is often mistaken to be the same as breath, but this isn't accurate. Prana means ‘life force’. By learning to control our breathing, we can gain control over our life force and its activities within us.

When we look closely, we see that the scriptures use Prana to describe different aspects of life within a living body. It's the energy that runs the different systems within us. Typically, there are five types of Pranas highlighted, which actually refer to five fundamental bodily functions.

The Prana that controls perception and enables us to interact with the world around us is called "Prana" itself. It governs the respiratory and cardiovascular systems and allows for the intake of substances, such as food and air.

The function of excretion is overseen by "Apana," which regulates the elimination of waste from our body. It's like the waste management system of the body, involved in processes like urination, defecation, and menstruation.

The digestive function, responsible for breaking down food and assimilating nutrients, is governed by "Samana" It regulates the digestion and distribution of energy derived from the food we consume.

The circulatory system, which carries nutrients throughout the body, is maintained by "Vyana". It's the force that facilitates the circulation of energies, ensuring that the nutrients from our food reach every corner of our body.

Lastly, the Prana that oversees our ability to grow and enhance our mental and intellectual life is "Udana". This is the energy that moves upwards and aids in conscious actions such as speech. It is also said to play a role in the functioning of the memory, thought process, and emotions.

Most people aren't consciously aware of these inner life activities. But through Pranayama, a breathing technique, we can gain control over these systems. This means that a seeker, or someone on a spiritual path, can use Pranayama to withdraw his senses and focus inward. This ability to focus inward is particularly helpful when meditating.

Breathing consists of four parts:

Pūrak — the process of drawing the breath into the lungs. Inhaling.

Rechak — the process of emptying the lungs of breath. Exhaling. 

Antar Kumbhak — holding the breath in the lungs after inhalation. 

Sacrifice through Pranayama
Bāhya Kumbhak — keeping the lungs empty after exhalation.