PRACTICE OF PRANAYAMA, BANDHA AND MUDRAS FOR THE ATTAINMENT OF THE PRANAMAYA KOSHA A CRITICAL STUDY

According to the yogic explanation of the human body, it is clearly described in the major yogic texts that the soul present in the human body exists successively within the five koshas. Among these koshas, within the Annamaya Kosha exists the Pranamaya Kosha. The Pranamaya Kosha is formed by the combination of five Mahapranas and five Laghupranas. Among the five koshas, the usefulness of the Pranamaya Kosha is greater than that of the Annamaya Kosha. The Pranamaya Kosha is not directly visible, but it is reflected in our personality in the form of life force, courage, bravery, patience, capacity and energy. The five Prana Vayus and the five Upa-prana Vayus together operate the Pranamaya Kosha. These five pranas also regulate our Pranamaya Kosha. Therefore, according to the objectives of the present research work, under this study a detailed discussion has been made on the methods of practice of the Pranamaya Kosha, the result of which shows that through the practice of the Pranamaya Kosha control over all our pranas is established.