Chapter-2, Sutra 50

Patanjali Yogasutra 2.50

(Pranayama)

बाह्याभ्यन्तरस्तम्भवृत्तिर्देशकालसंख्याभिः परिदृष्टो दीर्घसूक्ष्मः || 2.50 ||

"The modifications of breath are external (bahya), internal (abhyantara), and retained (stambha); these are regulated by control over place (desha), time (kala), and number (samkhya), and become subtle and prolonged."

In this Sutra, Patanjali is elaborating on the practice of pranayama, which is the fourth limb of Ashtanga Yoga. The three primary forms of breath control mentioned are external (exhalation), internal (inhalation), and the holding or suspension of breath, known as stambha. These modifications of breathing are not arbitrary; they are to be regulated and observed with precision in terms of place (focus of attention), time (duration), and number (repetitions). Mastering these aspects leads to the breath becoming both prolonged 

(dirgha) and subtle (sukshma), indicating a high level of control over the vital energy (prana) in the body.

The practice of pranayama is seen as a critical step towards calming the fluctuations of the mind, which in turn leads to a deeper state of meditation. By focusing on the breath in terms of external, internal, and retained states, the practitioner gains control over both physical and mental processes. The subtlety mentioned here points to an advanced stage of practice where the breath becomes barely perceptible, a state associated with heightened awareness and stillness.

The control of desha (place), 

kala (time), and sankhya 

(number) is key to achieving the deeper benefits of pranayama. 

When pranayama is practiced with these considerations in mind, it leads to profound calmness, preparing the practitioner for meditation and eventually for the deeper stages of samadhi. The verse emphasizes that pranayama is not just a physical exercise but a mental and spiritual practice, involving mindfulness and concentration at every stage.

Swami Vivekanand said:

"The three sorts of motion of this Pranayama are, one by which we draw the breath in, another by which we throw it out, and the third action is when the breath is held in the lungs, or stopped from entering the lungs. These, again, are varied by place and time. By place is meant that the Prana is held to some particular part of the body. By time is meant how long the Prana should be confined to a certain place, and so we are told how many seconds to keep on motion, and how many seconds to keep another. The result of this Pranayama is Udghata, awakening the Kundalini."

Comparison with Other Vedic Texts

Verse from the Yoga Vashishta 

(Prana and its Control):

प्राणायामेन युक्तेन सर्वरोगक्षयो भवेत् |  

अयुक्ताभ्यासयोगेन सर्वरोगसमुद्भवः ||

"With the proper practice of pranayama, all diseases are eradicated; but with incorrect practice, all diseases can arise."

This verse from the Yoga Vashishta also highlights the importance of controlled breath. 

It stresses the precision required in pranayama practice, similar to Patanjali's emphasis on regulating breath by place, time, and number. Improper practice, without awareness, can lead to negative outcomes, underscoring the need for mindful control.

Verse from the Bhagavad Gita 

(Breath Control in Meditation):

अपाने जुह्वति प्राणं प्राणेऽपानं तथापरे |  

प्राणापानगती रुद्ध्वा प्राणायामपरायणाः || 4.29 ||

"Others offer the outgoing breath into the incoming breath, and the incoming breath into the outgoing breath, thus practicing pranayama, they restrict the movement of both the incoming and outgoing breaths."

This verse from the Bhagavad Gita discusses the subtle regulation of prana, particularly how advanced yogis harmonize the inhalation and exhalation processes, a theme similar to Patanjali’s focus on the controlled and subtle breath in pranayama. The offering of one breath into another symbolizes the merging of dualities, pointing to the transcendental nature of advanced breath control.

The Prashna Upanishad 

(Breath as Vital Energy):

स इत्येव श्वासं प्राणं वायुमात्मानं प्रवेशयन्निनमिषत्तस्मादध्यक्षं वायवो भवति यदा सहानवमिमितः पराणयोः संहारो भवति तत्प्रयागं पुनर्नवे प्राणायामे परिमलापन्नस्य || 3.6 ||

"Breath is indeed the vital force, it enters the body with the inhalation and merges into itself with the exhalation. When one controls the process of inhalation and exhalation, the senses too are brought under control, and the mind attains tranquility."

This Upanishadic verse speaks to the core principle of pranayama: by controlling the breath, the practitioner can control the senses and mind. This resonates with Patanjali’s teaching of pranayama as a preparatory practice for meditation and mental calmness, bridging physical and spiritual practices through breath.