Essay name: Yoga-sutra with Bhashya Vivarana (study)
Author:
Susmi Sabu
Affiliation: University of Kerala / Department of Sanskrit
This essay studies the enduring and relevance of Yoga in India, highlighting its evolution from a comprehensive philosophy to primarily a physical practice. It further underscores the importance of studying Yoga texts to understand its historical trajectory. Special attention is given to the Patanjala Yogasutra Bhashya Vivarana, a significant work attributed to Adi Shankaracharya.
Chapter 4 - Textual Examination of the Text
62 (of 124)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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Samasamsthita (staying uniformly) 222 is done by placing thighs and ankles on ground. The word used to denote this posture in VBh. is samasamsthānam. In Y.V., it is samavasthānam. Regulation of breath (prāṇāyāma): Prāṇāyāma is the regulation of inhaled air (śvāsa) and exhaled air (praśvāsa). As water is sucked up through a hollow stalk by a continuous action, through the nostrils the outside air is drawn in. This process is called inhalation (śvāsa). Similarly the abdominal air (kausthya vayu) connected with the activity of prāṇa is pulled out. And this is called exhalation (praśvāsa). The regulation (gativiccheda) of exhalation and inhalation is called prāṇāyāma. The absence of both inhalation and exhalation is also praṇāyāma. It is of three kinds- external function (bāhyavṛtti), internal function (ābhyantaravṛtti) and suppressed function (stambhavṛtti). The external function is the process concerned with forcing the outside air inside (bāhyasya vāyoranta�- praveśanam). Some other scholars call this external function as pūraka (bāhyamanye pūraka ityācakṣate). Here, the mention ‘others' (anye) by PYSBV indicates Vācaspati Miśra. Vācaspati Miśra directly uses the terms- recaka, pūraka, and kumbhaka 208
