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→अर्थव्याप्तिः ॥ Meaning: Adding content
== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==
== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==
Prana is the simplest as well as the most profound concept propounded by the seers. Every object in creation is floating in the vast, all-encompassing sea of prana, and receiving everything they need to exist from it.<ref name=":1" />
प्राणस्येदं वशे सर्वं त्रिदिवे यत् प्रतिष्ठितम् ।...॥ १३ ॥<ref>Prashnopanishad, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%83 Prashna 2].</ref>
प्राणस्येदं वशे सर्वं त्रिदिवे यत् प्रतिष्ठितम् ।...॥ १३ ॥<ref>Prashnopanishad, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%83 Prashna 2].</ref>
Prana in Samskrit means primary energy. It is sometimes translated as breath or vital force. It refers to the energy through which the body and mind works.
Prana in Samskrit means primary energy. It is sometimes translated as breath or vital force. It refers to the energy through which the body and mind works.
The subject of prana is common in both yogic and ayurvedic thought. It is infact the main link between Yoga and Ayurveda and is a rather vast and profound science in itself.<ref name=":0">David Frawley (1999), [https://archive.org/details/yogaayurvedaselfhealingandselfrealizationdavidfrawley_757_/mode/2up Yoga & Ayurveda], Wisconsin: Lotus Press.</ref>
The subject of prana is common in both yogic and ayurvedic thought. It is infact the main link between Yoga and Ayurveda and is a rather vast and profound science in itself.<ref name=":0">David Frawley (1999), [https://archive.org/details/yogaayurvedaselfhealingandselfrealizationdavidfrawley_757_/mode/2up Yoga & Ayurveda], Wisconsin: Lotus Press.</ref>
== Manifestation of Cosmic Prana ==
It is said in the Kathopanishad (2:3:2):
यदिदं किं च जगत् सर्वं प्राण एजति निःसृतम् ।...॥ २ ॥<ref>Kathopanishad, Adhyaya 2, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%A0%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%80 Tritiya valli]</ref>
Meaning: This whole world - whatever there is - vibrates having originated from prana.
This cosmic prana, also called mahaprana, came into being at the time of creation. Thus, in order to fully understand prana, one must go back to the beginning of creation.
At the very beginning, there was nothing, not even creation. What existed was an all-pervasive, unmanifest consciousness, known in the scriptures as Para Brahman. It contained within it all the qualities and components necessary for creation. The whole universe lay infinitely contracted in it as mere potency; prana remained completely absorbed in it as if in a union of deep embrace. It was a state of perfect equilibrium and harmony.
In this utter stillness, there is a movement. The tantric and vedic literatures state that a desire arose in that absolute principle: Ekoham bahusyam - "I am one, let me become many." The desire is the first creative impulse, which results in 'willing'. The willing of the unmanifest consciousness causes the first spandan, vibration, and energy issues forth. It is the first movement: the first moment of becoming from being, the first manifestation of prana.
This primal energy, called mahaprana, is variously known as mahashakti, mahamaya, the cosmic creatrix or the Cosmic Mother.<ref name=":1" />
=== Uniting with the Cosmic Prana ===
The individual prana within each being is a part of the cosmic sea of mahaprana, but until this truth is realized experientially, one sees oneself as separate from the rest of the universe. Pranayama practices activate the individual prana and raise it to a higher frequency.
When prana sadhana assumes an even higher level, the amount of heat generated within the system becomes more intense. This leads ajna chakra to monitor a message back to mooladhara chakra, the psychic centre located at the perineum.
Mooladhara is the abode of kundalini, where the cosmic prana lies dormant. The entire experience from creation to dissolution is embedded within the folds of kundalini, hence it is also known as atma shakti or soul force.
The message from ajna stirs this force and an awakening of the great prana takes place. When the full potential of this energy is released, it travels up through the sushumna nadi, bringing about a complete metamorphosis of the individual. Cosmic prana and kundalini are synonymous terms. In awakening the kundalini, one unites with the cosmic prana.
At the time of the awakening, the two forces of prana and chitta assume perfect balance within the individual and become one. The mind undergoes a state of fission and energy issues forth. There is an explosion of satya, a moment of Truth, when one sees everything as luminous. One experi-ences oneself in every object of the universe, every person, leaf and rock. The realization of cosmic prana is attained and the experience of separation dissolves.
The ultimate yoga is experienced at this level, where one discovers the abiding consciousness, sat-chit-ananda, truth, expansiveness and beatitude.<ref name=":1" />
== Supremacy of Prana ==
== Supremacy of Prana ==
Prana gives energy to all our faculties, without which they cannot function. Prana takes the first place and without it there is no energy to do anything. The moral of this story is that to control all our faculties the key is the control of prana. Prana is the master. Without the sanction of prana nothing can be done either at a voluntary or involuntary level in body and mind.<ref name=":0" />
Prana gives energy to all our faculties, without which they cannot function. Prana takes the first place and without it there is no energy to do anything. The moral of this story is that to control all our faculties the key is the control of prana. Prana is the master. Without the sanction of prana nothing can be done either at a voluntary or involuntary level in body and mind.<ref name=":0" />
Prana is indeed inherent to a being. We are born with a certain quantum of prana, and we maintain it, increase or decrease it through the air we breathe, the food we eat, the thoughts we think, the actions we perform and the kind of life we lead. When we die, the accumulated prana leaves the body.<ref name=":1">Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati (2009), [https://sriyogaashram.com/ebook/Prana_and_Pranayama_Swami_Niranjananda.pdf Prana and Pranayama], Bihar: Yoga Publications Trust.</ref>
Prana is indeed inherent to a being. We are born with a certain quantum of prana, and we maintain it, increase or decrease it through the air we breathe, the food we eat, the thoughts we think, the actions we perform and the kind of life we lead. When we die, the accumulated prana leaves the body.<ref name=":1" /> The Hatha Yoga Pradipika states,
यावद्वायुः स्थितो देहे तावज्जीवनं उच्यते । मरणं तस्य निष्क्रान्तिस्ततो वायुं निरोधयेत् ॥ २.३ ॥<ref>Hatha Yoga Pradipika, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%A0%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE/%E0%A4%89%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A8 Upadesha 2]</ref>
Meaning: As long as the vayu (prana) remains in the body, there is life. Death occurs when the vayu leaves the body, therefore, retain the vayu.
Infact, Prana is ever present in every aspect of creation. The prana within every created object gives existence and material form, whether it is a planet, an asteroid, a blade of grass or a tree. If there were no prana, there would be no existence. If prana were withdrawn from the universe, there would be total disintegration.<ref name=":1">Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati (2009), [https://sriyogaashram.com/ebook/Prana_and_Pranayama_Swami_Niranjananda.pdf Prana and Pranayama], Bihar: Yoga Publications Trust.</ref>
== अर्थव्याप्तिः ॥ Meaning ==
== अर्थव्याप्तिः ॥ Meaning ==
Thousands of years ago, the yogis living in the shadow of the Himalayas fathomed the inherent quality of motion in creation and they called it prana. One may roughly translate the word prana as 'energy' or 'vital force', but neither definition offers a precise equivalent of the Sanskrit term that emerged from higher states of contemplation. The word prana assumes the quality of 'livingness'. From the yogic point of view, the entire cosmos is alive, throbbing with prana.<ref name=":1" />
Prana exists in sentient beings as the energy that drives every action, voluntary and involuntary, every thought, every level of the mind and body. Scientific research describes prana as a complex multidimensional energy: a combination of electrical, magnetic, electromagnetic, photonic, ocular, thermal and mental energies. Prana also exists in the insentient world, causing motion, growth and decay at this level.<ref name=":1" />
Prana exists in sentient beings as the energy that drives every action, voluntary and involuntary, every thought, every level of the mind and body. Scientific research describes prana as a complex multidimensional energy: a combination of electrical, magnetic, electromagnetic, photonic, ocular, thermal and mental energies. Prana also exists in the insentient world, causing motion, growth and decay at this level.<ref name=":1" />
Prana arises from the quality (guna) of rajas, the active force of nature (Prakriti). Prakrti or Nature is an active energy or shakti while the Purusha or higher Self can be said to be unmanifest prana because it is a form of energy of consciousness.
Prana arises from the quality (guna) of rajas, the active force of nature (Prakriti). Prakrti or Nature is an active energy or shakti while the Purusha or higher Self can be said to be unmanifest prana because it is a form of energy of consciousness.
From the unmanifest prana of pure awareness comes the manifest prana of creation, through which the entire universe comes into being. From the unmanifest prana Purusha (energy of pure awareness), the prana Prakriti (energy of creation) manifests.
From the unmanifest prana of pure awareness comes the manifest prana of creation, through which the entire universe comes into being. From the unmanifest prana Purusha (energy of pure awareness), the prana Prakriti (energy of creation) manifests.<ref name=":0" />
So, all beings, whether living or non-living, exist due to prana. Every manifestation in creation forms part of a never-ending matrix of energy particles, arranged in different densities, combinations and variations. The universal principle of prana may be in a static or dynamic state, but it is behind all existence on every plane of being from the highest to the lowest.<ref name=":1" />
=== Prana in Physical Existence ===
=== Prana in Physical Existence ===