Bhutashuddhi Kumbhaka is defined by the Hatha Tatva Kaumudi of Sundaradeva as the contemplation of the six chakras in order in the same body (kumbhaka).
- This is a highly thorough and meticulous method.
- Bhutashuddhi kumbhaka may be used as a meditation or a breathing technique.
- The meditation method may also be employed as a warm-up for the more challenging job of doing it during kumbhaka.
Bhutashuddhi Kumbhaka is stated in Yoga Rahasya, which was passed down via T. Krishnamacharya, and I learned it through this teacher's pupil, B.N.S. Iyengar.
The latter, on the other hand, referred to it as Shakti Chalana Pranayama (Kundalinirousingpranayama).
Bhutashuddhi Kumbhaka is essentially a sophisticated form of Shakti Chalana. Yogeshwaranand Paramahamsa also taught Bhutashuddhi Kumbhaka, which he termed Chakra Bhedana, or chakra piercing.
Sir John Woodroffe's The Serpent Power has a good explanation of Bhutashuddhi.
In Raghuvira's Kumbhaka Paddhati and Sundarad eva's Hatha Tatva Kaumudi, the consequences of practicing kumbhakas on different chakras are mentioned.
S.S. Goswami taught a modified form of Bhutashuddhi Pranayama that does not include kumbhaka and is thus referred to as Bhutashuddhi Pranayama.
This method incorporates all of the essential elements of yogic meditation.
TECHNIQUE (SIMPLIFIED):
- During kumbhaka, one visualizes the Muladhara Chakra with its four petals, dark red in color, associated earth element, yantra, sense of smell, and bija mantra Lam in its (coccygeal) position.
- All qualities are absorbed into the bija Lam, and the prana is raised to the position of the Svadhishthana Chakra (via focus and visualization).
- The Svadhishthana Chakra is seen here with its six orange-red petals, as well as its associated water element, sense of taste, and bija mantra Vam.
- The mantra absorbs all of the chakra's characteristics and elevates the prana to the Manipura Chakra's (lumbar) position (via focus and visualization).
- The 10 petals of the chakra, the blackish blue color of the storm cloud, the associated fire element, sense of form (i.e. visual), and the bija mantra Ram are all visualized here.
- All of the chakra's characteristics are absorbed into the mantra, and the prana is raised to the Anahata Chakra's (thoracic) position (via focus and visualization).
- The chakra with its twelve petals, the brilliant red color of the Manduka flower, the associated air element, tactile sense, and bija mantra yam are all visualized here.
- The mantra absorbs all of the chakra's characteristics and elevates the prana to the Vishuddha Chakra's (cervical) position (via focus and imagination).
- The chakra, with its sixteen petals, smoky-purplish color, related ether element, sense of sound, and bija mantra Ham, is seen here.
- The mantra absorbs all of the chakra's characteristics and elevates the prana to the Ajna Chakra's (cranial) position (via focus and visualization).
- The Ajna Chakra, with its two brilliant white petals, associated void element, and bija mantra OM.
- The prana may be elevated from here to the Sahasrara Chakra, which is located at the crown of the head and contains a thousand petals of various colors.
- This chakra is more than just an element, a sensation, or a mantra.
- One by one, the different layers mentioned in this method are overlaid upon one another.
Kumbhaka must be prolonged each time the yogi adds another layer to suit the technique's growing intricacy.
- The mind gets clearer and more brilliant as kumbhaka becomes longer.
- Prana gets steadier and kumbhaka may be prolonged as the mind becomes clearer and more brilliant.
- As kumbhaka is expanded again, the ability to focus and flow prana improves.
As a result, the mind ultimately develops the ability to raise the prana to the top of the head in lengthy kumbhakas, which is known as Kundalini-raising (Shakti Chalana).
Theos Bernard, renowned for his amazing physical exploits like as doing headstands for three hours and kumbhakas for almost an hour, referred to the same technique.
He explained how he used focus to guide Kundalini through the different chakras until it was absorbed into awareness with each breath retention.
The Hatha Tatva Kaumudi, confirms this by stating that during kumbhaka, the yogi must concentrate on Kundalini and move her up through the chakras one by one.
You may also want to read more about Pranayama and Holistic Healing here.
