The Prana

If one wants to apprehend the Kundalini Shakti (Cosmic or Serpentine Power), he has to know all about the Shat-Chakras (6 Divine Plexus), the Merudand (Spine), the Prana (Vital-breath) and the Nadis (Nerves/Chords) thoroughly.

Today, we will learn about the ten Pranas or Vital-breaths. The Prana (Vital breath) is the life and age of all living-beings. In fact, the whole living-world is established in the Prana. There are mainly 5 Pranas (Vital breaths) and 5 Up-Pranas (Sub-Vital breaths):

1. Praana: The 'Prana' is the base of the body. It controls from the tip of the nose to the heart in the body.

2. Apaana: Its current or speed naturally goes down from the navel. The 'Apana' air lives in the anus and evacuates the stool, urine, menses, spittal, semen and embryo etc., and flows downward. It moves from the navel to the sole of feet.

3. Udaana: The 'Udana' air lives in the throat. It flows upward. Its current is always towards the sky like the flames of fire. There is a very minute vein in the throat which is named ‘Hita’. The Udana Vayu creates dream and hiccup in that. At the death-time the astral body moves upward with its help.

4. Vyana: The 'Vyana' air lives in the all parts of the body. It bends all the joints of the body.

5. Samana: The 'Samana' air lives in the navel and moves from heart to navel. whatever’s eaten it cookes in the Jatharagni (stomach-fire that helps to digest food). It’s present in the entire body like the soul.

Apart these Pranas, there are other five sub-vital breaths which live in the skin and bones of the body, described as-

Naga: It causes vomiting. Sneezing, belching etc. are its functions. The Nagavayu maintains the consciousness.

Kurma: It causes blinking and opening of eyes.

Krikla: It creates appetite and thirst.

Devdutta: It brings sleepiness, drowsiness and yawning.

Dhananjaya: It nourishes the whole body. If it is not appeared even for an instant a sound is heard. The Dhananjayavayu does not abandon the body even after the death. Thus one Prana is divided in ten forms for giving life and energy to every living creature.

This Prana is adorable. Everything is Prana. It’s moving the Sun, the Moon and the Stars. All movements are the various manifestations of this Prana. Whatever is in this universe has been projected by the vibrations of the Prana.

"The whole universe is established in the Prana and under its control"

-Maharishi Vedvyasa

Through Pranayama (breathing exercises) the Yogis get control over their Prana. And no doubt through Prana they can control their and even another man’s mind and body.

I hope this blog was helpful. In the next topic we will discuss about the Nadis or Nerves or Chords. See you soon.