The body is considered a part of the subtle body of the universe and Pancha Vayu in Sanskrit is defined as the energy field that exists in the body. Sheshanaya also refers to the subtle, but large energy field that is infinite and eternal and is the one most important aspect of our life. The body is held responsible for all activity in the physical world and it is responsible for our thoughts, feelings, memories and emotions. The body is a living consciousness and all that we do is in the body and therefore, all that we experience is in the body. This is why the mind has always been considered a part of the body and a part that can be controlled, and this is why there are different practices associated with controlling the mind.
According to Lord Krishna, the mind is the primary control and therefore, all other controls or forms of control are dependent on the mind. In this world, people are always trying to control the mind and make it perform certain activities or behave certain ways. However, according to Srimad Bhagvatam, it is the mind that is the most powerful entity that rules all other entities and it does not matter what happens to the body or the environment. The mind rules everything.
The body is made up of prana, which is a form of energy. Prana is the first form of matter. When we are born, prana is in the form of air, liquid, and gases in the lungs and in all parts of the body. Prana has different levels and the different levels change according to the activities that we are doing, the kind of food that we eat and the quality of life that we lead. When the activities of the mind change, these changes manifest physically in the form of disease.
The diseases that manifest from the change in the levels of prana include neuroses, asthmatic attacks, tuberculosis, mental disorder, mental weakness, nervous breakdown, epilepsy, delirium, catalepsy and many more. However, the purpose here is not to mention all the diseases that result from these changes in the prana. All that has been said here is that control of the activities of the mind is the only means of ensuring that we do not get affected by such illnesses. This is why the advice given in Sanatanathana Dharma Hinduism are given with this aim in mind.
The advices in Sanatanathana Dharma Hinduism include three steps as means of ensuring that we do not become victims of the diseases caused by the activities of the mind. The first step is to control the mind through meditation. According to the Gita, sage Shatavari has explained that a person can control the mind through meditation by concentrating his or her mind on a certain point. It is said that with sufficient concentration, a person can control the mind. Vastu is another important tool that helps in controlling mind. According to Sanatana Hindu it is the most important tool in controlling mind since the Gita has been talking about the ways to control mind and use it in the best possible way.
Pranayama also plays a very important role in controlling the activities of mind. The Gita has been describing the ways to control it so that one does not become subject to the influences of the internal world outside. According to the Gita, pranayama is a form of controlled breathing in which air is allowed to enter in between the teeth. It is believed that the air in between the teeth stimulates the brain which then starts thinking according to the current thoughts. It is believed that the control of these activities of the mind is only possible through pranayama and as a result one achieves self-realization.
Bhastrika means to be controlled in eating according to ones need. The same is applied to mind in which one must think according to ones need. In other words Bhastrika means to achieve control over the activities of mind.
The influence of Pancha Vayu is very much felt in Sanatanthan where even today people practice it. It is also described in the Gita that Lord Krishna once went to Sarnath to meditate under the mediation of King Sagar. People who visited Sarnath were not allowed to see outside except for the rays of the sun. Only when the sun was high people could view the outside world. There are many centers where Pancha Vayu is used along with meditation and relaxation exercises. They believe that it helps in controlling the activities of mind and also in achieving self-realization.