Gokarna, August 26, 2026: Proper breathing through pranayama can itself become a form of tapas, spiritual practice and a means of seeking liberation, while also contributing to health and inner well-being, said Sri Ramachandrapura Matha Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Raghaveshwara Bharati Swamiji.
He was speaking at a religious discourse on the subtle aspects of breathing as part of the ‘Annam Brahma’ series during the ongoing Annam Brahma Chaturmasya at the Ashokeya Moolamatha premises in Gokarna on Wednesday.
Breath as a spiritual practice
Explaining the significance of pranayama, the seer said those who find elaborate yajnas and yagas difficult can also progress spiritually through proper pranayama.
“When breathing is practised in the right manner, it can become tapas, a means of spiritual attainment and ultimately a path towards moksha,” he said. He added that pranayama can bring a sense of happiness and contribute to physical and mental well-being.
Three patterns of breathing
Explaining traditional concepts associated with breath, Raghaveshwara Bharati Swami said breathing through the left nostril is traditionally associated with Chandra Nadi, while breathing through the right nostril is associated with Surya Nadi.
When breathing flows through both nostrils, it is traditionally described as Sushumna breathing, which has a special significance in spiritual practices. According to him, the left-nostril flow is traditionally considered suitable for gentle activities, while the right-nostril flow is associated with more demanding activities.
‘Swarashastra’ and the mystery of breath
Breathing normally takes place without conscious awareness. However, paying attention to the breath can help develop greater awareness of the body and mind, the Swamiji said. He referred to Swarashastra, a traditional system concerned with observing and interpreting the flow of breath.
According to the traditional understanding he explained, the pattern of one's breath can be used to interpret various situations and even seek answers to questions without relying on planetary positions.
He said traditional practitioners believe that planetary influences are reflected through corresponding patterns of breath. These ideas belong to traditional spiritual and yogic thought and should not be understood as scientifically established methods of predicting future events.
Can humans live only on air?
Responding to a question on whether a person could survive by consuming only air, the Swami cited traditional accounts associated with figures such as Parvati, Dhruva, Bhagiratha and Vishwamitra.
He said that, according to such traditional accounts, people with extraordinary determination and disciplined spiritual practice were believed to have sustained themselves through minimal physical intake.
Women and spiritual practice
Swamiji also spoke about differences in traditional approaches to spiritual practice for men and women.
He said that certain intensive pranayama practices involving Mula Bandha, according to the traditional perspective he was explaining, could have particular effects on women. He further said that women could attain spiritual accomplishments through bhava, or deep devotional feeling, whereas men were traditionally expected to pursue certain practices more intensively.
Guru Bhiksha Seva
As part of the programme, families of Vinod Maradamoola offered Guru Bhiksha Seva on behalf of the Chandragiri, Neerchal, Kumbla, Pallathadka, Ishwaramangala and Peradala Havyaka circles of the Mulleeria Havyaka Mandala. RSS leader Sitarama Kedilaya was present and received the blessings of the Swamiji.
Ajith Gudde, K.N. Hegde, Nandana Sampa, Rahul, Devaki G. Bhat, Subrahmanya Keremoola, Mahesh Krishna Tejaswi, Srikrishna Sharma and Krishna Prateek were among those present. Ganapathi Subraya Bhat Kallala and his wife were present as the day's pradhana couple.
A traditional view of the breath
Discourse placed breathing at the centre of a traditional spiritual framework, presenting pranayama not merely as a breathing exercise but as a discipline connected with awareness, devotion and spiritual practice.
Teachings on Swarashastra, nadis and the interpretation of breath form part of traditional Indian yogic and spiritual thought; individual claims about predicting events or living without food should be understood in that traditional context rather than as established scientific conclusions.
Keywords
Pranayama, Raghaveshwara Bharati Swami, Annam Brahma Chaturmasya, Swarashastra, spiritual breathing, Gokarna, Gokarna News, Citizen News Puttur