The Equinox (Volume I, Number IV)

THE TEMPLE OF SOLOMON THE KING Kumbhaka is also of two kinds—Sahita and Kevala. The Sahita is of two sorts, the first resembling the first kind of Pranayama, namely Rechaka Kumbhaka Puraka; the second resembling the second kind of Pranayama, namely Puraka Kumbhaka Rechaka. The Sahita should be practised till the Prana enters the Sushumna, which is known by a peculiar sound* being produced in the Sushumné4; after which the Kevala Kumbhaka should be practised. This Kumbhaka is described in the “ Hatha-Yoga Pradipika” as follows: When this Kumbhaka has been mastered without any Rechaka or Puraka, there is nothing unattainable by him in the three worlds, He can restrain his breath as long as he likes through this Kumbhaka. He obtains the stage of Raja-Yoga. Through this Kumbhaka, the Kundalini is roused, and when it is so roused the Sushumné is free of all obstacles, and he has attained perfection in Hatha-Yoga.t Of the many Prandy4ma exercises practised in the East the following are given for sake of example. 1. Draw in the breath for four seconds, hold it for sixteen, and then throw it out in eight. This makes one Pranayama. At the same time think of the triangle (the Maladhara Chakkra is sym- bolically represented as a triangle of fire) and concentrate the mind on that centre. At first practice this four times in the morning and four times in the evening, and as it becomes a pleasure to you to do so slowly increase the number. 2. Assume the Padmdsana posture; draw in the Prana through the Ida (left nostril), retain it until the body begins to perspire and shake, and then exhale it through Pingala (right nostril) slowly and never fast. * The Voice of the Nada. + “Hatha Yoga Pradipika,” p. 43. Iol