How to start reciting Lalitha Sahasranama ( Step Eight)

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Step Eight: Breath regulation (Pranayama) and Regulation of Nama

recital

 

Pranayama is a compound word of Prana and ayama. Prana is vital

breath. Ayama means both restraint and extension. Therefore

pranayama means regulation of breath. Pranayama is a basic yogic

breathing technique through the alternate nostril while sitting

still in Gyan Mudra posture. ( See Step 5 above)

Benefits of Pranayama while reciting Lalitha Sahasranama ( Taken

from Deccan Herald article on Breath Control.)

`The results of the research, conducted by K V V Prasad, P S Raju, M

Venkata Reddy and K J R Murthy of the Vemana Research Institute and

Y Venkata Ramana of the National Institute Of Nutrition, was

published in the Journal of Exercise Physiology.

The study was conducted on 30 people and identified the use of

energy while doing pranayama compared to standard physical

activities like treadmill walking, or field walking or a graded

physical exercise. It was observed that while energy output in

pranayama was very high, the energy consumption was minuscule.

Jogging resulted in exactly opposite results. The heart rate and

oxygen consumption during the yogic exercise were significantly

lower than during jogging, indicating that energy cost for pranayam

was lower.

Comparatively, while the energy cost on the body during treadmill

walking was 3.59 kilocalories per minute, it was 2.80 KCal/min for

field walking and 2.23 KCal/minute for Pranayama. The heart rates

during these three forms of exercise were 80.2, 74.8 and 66.9 beats

per minute respectively. The study indicated that in pranayama

subjects, the body was using oxygen " more efficiently (aerobically)

rather than shifting to less-efficient anaerobic metabolism. " The

oxygen pulse rate was 8.98 ml/beat for treadmill walking, 7.39 for

field-walking and 6.66 for pranayama. The subjects also reported low

fatigue as against other forms of exercise.

Besides improving physiological functions and physical endurance,

the exercise also lowers the lactate level in blood.'

 

" The purpose of Pranayama, to state briefly, is to destroy the deep-

seated impurities and evil propensities of the mind. After prolonged

practice even the atomic impurities embedded in the causal body are

removed and the mind becomes quiescent. Worldly thoughts or evil

influences coming from outside would not then be able to disturb the

devotee's mind. When this stage is reached he becomes ready to

receive the divine voice or to have the beatific vision of Devi. "

 

--------------- Sri Suktam by B B Konnur

 

The regulation of Lalitha Sahasranama or its Namavalli using the

simple method which everyone can follow are as follows:

 

1. Exhalation: First of all the stomach is emptied of all the

air contained therein by exhaling through the right nostril by

closing the left nostril with the liitle and ring finger,

2. Inhalation: outside air is gently drawn in through the left

nostril by pressing the right nostril with the thumb.

3. Retention with mental repetition of one line of one line of

Lalitha Sahasranama or five Namavalli with meaning. By closing both

the nostrils with five fingers the whole of one line of Lalitha

Sahasranama or five Namavalli recollecting at the same time the

meaning.

The number of lines or namavalli can be increased of decreased

according to proficiency.The main purpose is the breath control

should be taken to its limits.Practice will provide that guidance. I

would suggest reference to any yoga book to make this perfect

 

We attract different forms of cosmic energy to ourselves, as we

chant each name. This energy works to transform our nature

completely. Each mantra reduces our ego, our personal likes and

dislikes etc and reduces our attachment. Finally, all the negativity

is being cleared away. Eventually only Devi remains, and She will

shine forth clearly from our entire being. Devi has always been

within us, shining in the inner sky of our hearts like an eternally

full moon, brilliant and spotless. In the past our egos had been

overshadowing this divine inner moon. Devi's grace emerges in the

devoted. She reveals beauty and radiance to us individually. We have

to earn it through our merit.

 

R Ravi Sankar