Essay name: The Nervous System in Yoga and Tantra (Study)
Author:
Ashok Majumdar
Affiliation: Banaras Hindu University / Department of Kayachikitsa
This study deals with the presentation of the Nervous System in Yoga, Tantra and Ayurveda. Yoga and Ayurveda are allied sciences dealing with science of man in depth. This study has revealed a number of hither to unknown facts about concept of nervous system and thought science of Hindus.
Chapter 2 - The Eight Components of Yoga
34 (of 85)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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35
intervening Chakras; for when Prana flows through the
Susumna the mind becomes steady. When it is observed in
Susumna, Prana is motionless (Yoga Kundalini up.ch.I).
It is stated in the Amritanada-upanisad (p.71)
that Prana and Manas go along the way the yogi sees
(pasyanti) which the commentator says refers to the way
Prana enters ( and deperts from) Mutadhara, and so forth
(J.S- Serpent Power, p.299).
Pranayama is the cessation of the inspiratory and
expiratory movements of breath which follows when that has
been secured; thence the cover of the light is destroyed and
the mind becomes fit for concentration. (YS: 49,52,53)
'Pranayama renders the mind fit for concentiation,
by making it steady: ( The yoga Sutra of Patanjali, Vachas-
pati glass 2:104).
When Prana ( the life breath) moves, the mind also
moves. When Prana ceases to move, the mind becomes motion-
less. (The body of) the yogi becomes stiff as a stump.
Therefore one should control Prana. So long as the breath-
ing stays in the body so long is life. Death consists of
the passing out of the breathing. It is, therefore necessary
to restrain the breath. The breath does not pass through the
middle channel (Susumna), owing to the impurities of the
nadis. How then can success be attained, and how can there
be umani Avastha (mindlessness) (HYP.II:1-4).
When the whole system of nadis which is full of
