The fourth kind of Pranayama referred to in the Sutra under discussion is the
real Pranayama for which all the previous practices are merely a preparation. What
takes place during the course of these practices, how the Pranic currents are used to
arouse Kundalini how the Kundalini activates the Cakras in the Susumna is not men-
tioned by Patanjali because all these things of a practical nature which are fraught with
dangerous possibilities are taught by the Guru personally to the Cela. Patanjali has
throughout dealt with general principles and left out instructions with regard to practi-
cal details.
- From that is dissolved the covering of light.
In this Sutra and the next are given two results of Pranayama practice which
are of great importance to the Yogi. The first is the disappearance of the covering of
light. Many commentators have gone completely off the track in the interpretation of
the Sutra under discussion mistaking this light to be the light of the soul. They thus
attribute to Pranayama practice accomplishment of results which appear after consid-
erable success has been gained in the subsequent practices of Dharana, Dhyana and
Samadhi. This misinterpretation is all the more surprising in view of the Sutra which
follows. If Pranayama prepares the mind for the practice of Dharana, which is the
first step in mental control how can it bring about the removal of the covering of light
of the soul which is the culmination of mental control?
The covering of light referred to in this Sutra is obviously not used in reference
to the light of the soul but to the light or luminosity associated with the subtler vehi-
cles associated with and interpenetrating the physical vehicle. The distribution of
Prana in the Pranamaya Kosa and the development of the psychic centres in the ordi-
nary individual is such that he is quite insensitive to these subtler planes. When,
through the practice of Pranayama, the necessary changes in the distribution of Prana
have been made and the psychic centres have been activated the mechanism of the sub-