“Through pranayama, the yogi gets the ability to move through space; through pranayama, diseases are destroyed.”
The verse: Gheranda Samhita 5.57
The quote above is our paraphrase. This is the verse as it reads in the Srisa Chandra Vasu translation (1915):
“By Pranayama is attained the power of levitation (Khechari Sakti), by Pranayama diseases are cured, by Pranayama the Sakti (spiritual energy) is awakened, by Pranayama is obtained the calmness of mind and exaltation of mental powers (clairvoyance, &c.); by this, mind becomes full of bliss; verily the practitioner of Pranayama is happy.”
About the text: Gheranda Samhita
The Gheranda Samhita is a Sanskrit hatha yoga manual, probably from the late 17th century, framed as the sage Gheranda teaching a student named Chanda. Its seven chapters set out a sevenfold yoga, from cleansing practices and postures to breath control, meditation and samadhi.
More from the Gheranda Samhita
- “The entire universe consists of Vishnu.”
- “There is no fetter like illusion, no force greater than Yoga, no friend greater than knowledge, and no enemy greater than ego.”
- “In the resonance of the Bhramari sound, there is light, and in the light is the mind.”
- “Through practice of Bhujangasana, the physical fire increases steadily, all diseases are destroyed, and the Serpent Goddess awakens.”
- “The great goddess Kundalini, the Shakti of the self, sleeps at the Muladhara.”
- “Shitali kumbhaka is beneficial. One gets neither indigestion nor disorders of kapha and pitta.”