Meaning of Pranaama

By Pandit Roop Sukhram with Pandit

“THE TRUE MEANING OF PRANAAMA.”

Rig Veda 6.49.10:
Bhuvanasya Pitaram geerbhira-abhee Rudram divaa vardhayaa Rudram-aktou. Brihantam-rishvam-ajam sushumnama-ridhagghuvéma kavinéshitaasah. Translation:

“To the Father of the universe, we utter songs of praises, the Supreme Rudra, Bestower of light; the very Rudra who was there in the beginning when everything was in darkness.

The Almighty, Blissful, Unborn, Self-sustaining Lord, whose glories are hymned by eloquent Sages.”

Pranaama is not simply a greeting. It is much more than an imaginary gesture of offering one’s self in prostration to the feet of another. It is a salutation of the highest order, in which one instantly accomplishes union with God, through being in union with another (Page 207 - Shree Rig Veda Samhitaa).

Pranaam: “The Divinity in me honors the Divinity within you, through the common source of the Supreme Light that is in both of us.” This is the “simple” meaning of Pranaama.

However, although the word Pranaama is used simply as a term of greetings, the quintessence and doctrine of the usage of this unique word is not quite as “simple” when the true concept of the meaning is revealed.

For millennia, Hindus have always been quite elaborate in their reverence and respect for every living being and especially towards each other as humans; irrespective of color or class. It is through this very concept the Scriptures noted:

“Atithi Dévö Bhava – A guest is God.” In fact, not only have our ancient Rishi - Seers left no stone unturned to ensure the principles of absolute respect for each other, but they have integrated a doctrine of everyday practice that is imbued from the first stage of infancy.

A concept that has been generated with the highest regards of science and Spirituality. Therefore, to have knowledge of this principle, it is necessary for us to understand the science of Yöga and its effects on the human mind and body.

The system of yoga that is so common in the world today has its origin in Hatha Yöga, a branch of the Hindu system of Yöga that was created by no other than Lord Shiva.

According to the ancient Hindu text Siddha Siddhanta, the word Hatha is derived from two Samskrita syllables “Ha – sun” and “Tha – moon.” It is the principle of uniting two opposites, the positive and the negative, the sun and the moon as amplified in the above mantra stating that Lord Rudra, who was there in the beginning when everything was “Aktou - total darkness,” by His blissfulness, He caused or bestowed “Divaa – light of the day.”

Hence, the merging of night and day, darkness and light holds within the glories of Bhagavan Shiva, as sung by great Sages. The science of Hatha Yöga uses various Aasana – postures and Praanaayaama – Conscious Breathing, along with mental focus to develop awareness, flexibility, strength and relaxation by enhancing the alignment and balance of cognitive skills and positive actions.

From a purely Hatha Yöga standpoint, there are five Vaayu or Pañch Praanaha - Vital Airs or Element Force: Praana, Apaana, Samaana, Udaana & Vyaana that governs the physical and mental energies of every living being.

Praana and Apaana function opposite of each other and can be related to inhaling and exhaling. Praana entering the human body energizes, while Apaana is the opposite force that expels. When greeting another with the word Pranaama, it is necessary that one must clasp the hands in “Añjalee Mudra - clasp the palms of the hands together” and bow at the same time while uttering Pranaama. This is known as Pranaama Añjalee.

The word Pranaama is derived from two Samskrita verbs: Prasüté – to produce, and An’yaté – to breathe.

Hence, “Pranam” literally means “to bend or bow before another, to make obeisance or to offer salutation by bowing, to salute reverentially and to be humble.”

This simple movement of the body causes one to bend forward and curving the body so that the chin approaches the chest while clasping the hands and uttering the word Pranaama. As such, the body inhales and exhales in a manner that contracts and expands the solar plexus, which in turn stimulates both the Bindu Chakra – Moon Ganglion, and the Müladhaara Chakra – Root Ganglion of the human body, of which according to Hatha Yöga, Lord Shiva is the presiding deity of both Chakra.

This posture of the human body while uttering the word Pranaama permits the meeting of Praana and Apaana, the positive and negative energies or vital forces of the body. This is the highest state of balance and it is referred to as Yög’astha.

The state of “Yög’astha – Union of Divine Discipline” can be seen as the moment that absolute commune was established between Arjuna and Lord Krishna. Hence, this state can also be likened to Kriyaa-yöga – The state where all focus is in harmony. “Ayam Aatmaa Brahma – The Aatmaa is God.”

This concept is further amplified in Shvétaashvatara Upanishad 6.11: “Ékö Dévaha sarva-bhütéshu güdhaha. Sarva-vyaapee sarva bhüt-antar-aatmaa – The One Universal Soul that pervades all is hidden in all beings as the Inner Self of them all.”

Thus, my ‘Ansh – Divine Particle’ offers salutation to the Divine Particle (God) within you” (as explained above). Therefore, like Arjuna and Shree Krishna, we merge in Divine Union. This is the truth, essence, doctrine and a detailed reminder of the science known as Pranaama.

Thus, whenever we offer Pranaama, please bear in mind that it is not simply a greeting, but a Divine salutation, in which we recognize the innate Divine function of Lord Shiva within each other, and with full confidence that our spiritual beings connect in the state of Yög’astha – Union of Divine Discipline.