wards which the efforts of the Sadhaka should be directed. In the first place, the period
of Kumbhaka has to be very gradually and cautiously prolonged. The fourth kind of
Pranayama referred to in the next Sutra cannot be practised until the Sadhaka has ac-
quired the capacity to practise Kumbhaka for fairly long periods of time. Not only has
he to prolong the period of Kumbhaka but he has also to work in the direction of
gradually transferring the process from the outer to the inner invisible plane. This
means that the Pranayama from being merely a control and manipulation of the visible
process of breathing becomes a process of controlling and manipulating the Pranic
currents flowing in the Pranamaya Kosa. This transference of activity from the outer
to the inner plane can come only after Kumbhaka can be practised easily without any
strain for fairly long periods, but it must come if Pranayama is to be used for its real
purpose in Yogic discipline.
- That Pranayama which goes beyond the sphere of internal and external is
the fourth (variety).
The fourth and the highest kind of Pranayama referred to in this Sutra tran-
scends the movements of the breath altogether. The external breath is kept suspended
in any position, external or internal, and there is nothing to show that any kind of ac-
tivity is going on. And yet the Pranic currents in the Pranamaya Kosa which are now
under the complete control of the Sadhaka are being manipulated and directed with a
view to bring about the desired changes in the vehicle.
For conducting operations of such delicacy and importance it is necessary that
the Sadhaka should be able to see clearly the mechanism of the Pranamaya Kosa and
direct the currents of Prana deliberately and unerringly. Such direct vision which
means clairvoyance of the lowest kind, develops naturally and automatically during the
course of Pranayama practice.