Anulom Vilom Pranayama: Yogic Science Explained Through Gheranda Samhita and Upanishads In Indian yogic and philosophical traditions, Prāṇa is not merely breath—it is the subtle life force sustaining body, mind, and consciousness. The Upanishads describe prāṇa as the manifest expression of Brahman within the human system. Anulom Vilom Pranayama , also known as Nāḍī Śodhana , is a classical yogic practice aimed at purifying and balancing this vital force. Far beyond a breathing exercise, it is a scientific spiritual discipline rooted in Hatha Yoga and Vedantic wisdom. Scriptural Origin of Anulom Vilom The Gheranda Samhita is one of the principal texts of Hatha Yoga and presents yoga as a sevenfold path. Within its section on Pranayama, Nāḍī Śodhana is described as essential for mastery over prāṇa. यावद् नाडीशुद्धिर्भवेत् तावत् प्राणो न संयम्यते। Meaning: Until the nāḍīs (energy cha...