Ancient Indian rishis were aware of the energy transmission in the human body which enables one to remain healthy and efficient. Swara kriya vigyan was the science which dealt with energetics in the body, which is the contributory factor for enjoying good health.
Indians were aware of the channels which carry the vital force (prana) from one extreme of the body to another continuously and constantly which inject the human body with the daily dose of energy without which no function is possible.
According to these ancient scientists, the human body consists of 72 lakh subtle, psychic channels meandering its entire length and breadth. These channels aided the flow of prana in the pranamaya kosha, one of the five sheaths of the human body. The chief amongst them are the `major’ channels ida, pingala and sushumna which traverse the body carrying impulses during inhalation and exhalation.
Thus the energy system was found to be closely coordinating with breathing and hence breathing (pranayama) was given the pride of place amongst various measures suggested to remain healthy—mentally, physically and spiritually.
One could control the movement of prana through one’s breathing.
The present-day acousticians know that any movement anywhere in the universe is accompanied with sound or tone-sometimes audible to the human ears and sometimes not —being ultrasonic or infrasonic.
The flow of prana has to necessarily involve creation of sound (swara) perceptible to the body or the ears. Swara refers to the frequency of sound of one’s breath. Nevertheless these subtle sounds are lauded by yogis in making them refined and sublime and to remain in constant link with nature’s principles and with Universal truth. Swara kriya is practiced through controlled breathing.
It enables the practitioner to achieve a state of integration (or union) by regulating the breath. The ancient text Shiva Samhita deals with the knowledge of swara and is believed to have first been expounded by Lord Shiva, who symbolises the Supreme Consciousness. Shiva is believed to have revealed this to his consort, Parvati.
The swaras we have seen are: ida (Chandra or moon), pingala (Surya or sun). Sushumna, the third one is formed as the contrasting ida and pingala get balanced.
To be able to perceive these contrasting swaras of ida and pingala and transcending to harmonise them are the major concerns in swara yoga.
The system of swara yoga is known to have allowed great benefits to its practitioners. It is believed to have enabled people to develop and consolidate their inherent and inborn powers, which could help them from coping with the problems of day-to-day life, stress or depression, which are the natural results of mechanical lifestyles adopted by us.
The practice could help in sensitising us with nature’s laws, logic and wisdom besides slowing us down from the rat-race in which we are mindlessly engaged. Through Swara Yoga one’s dormant powers are kindled so that there is complete harmony between nature and ourselves.
This article was published Bhavans Journal – Dec 15 2005 – 73, 74
Edited by Geeta Shreedar, August 4, 2021