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→पञ्चप्राणाः ॥ Five Pranas: Adding content
== पञ्चप्राणाः ॥ Five Pranas ==
== पञ्चप्राणाः ॥ Five Pranas ==
The one primary Prana divides into five types according to its movement and direction. These five pranas are called vayus or powers of air. They represent the five types of energy that human beings possess and through which all the universe operates.
The one sustaining force known as Prana Shakti assumes five fields collectively known as Pancha Pranas to anable the body accomplish various functions. The fivefold division of Prana, based on its movement and direction, have been termed as Prana, Apana, Samana, Udana and Vyana by the seers. These five pranas are also known as Prana vayus or powers of air. They represent the five types of energy that human beings possess and through which all the universe operates.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />
The five pranas are responsible for creation and existence at the individual level. In the human beings, they are created by the fourth month of development in the womb. And as the five physical pranas become active with the formation of the body, the soul enters the new body as a result of this pranic activity. The five pranas also maintain the balance between the physical and mental levels.<ref name=":1" />
=== Prana ===
=== Prana ===
Prana which literally means the "forward moving air," moves inward. It governs reception of all types from the eating of food, drinking of water and inhalation of air to the reception of sensory impressions and mental experiences. Prana is propulsive in nature, setting things in motion and guiding them. It provides the basic energy that drives us in life. Prana is the vital energy in the head, primarily the region of the third eye, which nourishes the brain. It provides positive energy for all the other pranas.
Prana is the first of the Pancha Pranas. It is also known as Sthula (gross) Prana to differentiate it from the all-pervasive vital force.<ref name=":1" />
Prana which literally means the "forward moving air," moves inward. It governs reception of all types from the eating of food, drinking of water and inhalation of air to the reception of sensory impressions and mental experiences. Prana is propulsive in nature, setting things in motion and guiding them. It provides the basic energy that drives us in life. Prana is the vital energy in the head, primarily the region of the third eye, which nourishes the brain. It provides positive energy for all the other pranas.<ref name=":0" />
Physical level : Sthoola prana refers to the energy currents located in the thoracic region between the diaphragm and the base of the neck. It is the centre of circulation of life energy. This force maintains the heart and lungs, and all the activities in the chest region such as breathing, swallowing and circulation of blood.
Pranayama in particular raises the level of this prana and prevents congestion of blood in the arteries around the heart. When sthoola prana is strong, the heart does not become weak; one does not suffer from high or low blood pressure, and thus lives longer.
Among the fivefold pranas, it occupies the pivotal position and controls the other four. Infact, this force is so essential that if its activity is obstructed or ceases for any reason, death may occur.
Subtle level : At the level of mind, prana is responsible for the intake of impressions and ideas. Prana energizes all the koshas and is active all the time. When the force of prana is strong and flowing uninterruptedly, purer qualities of the heart, such as strength, courage and greatness are expressed. This prana is the energy by which one-pointedness of mind and intuitive knowledge can be experienced. It holds the intelligent energy of the soul, which abides in the heart.
By enhancing this prana, the yogis reach the soul.<ref name=":1" /> In the Brihadaranyaha Upanishad (3:7:16), it is said:
यः प्राणे तिष्ठन् प्राणादन्तरो यं प्राणो न वेद यस्य प्राणः शरीरं यः प्राणमन्तरो यमयति एष त आत्मान्तर्याम्यमृतः ॥ ३,७.१६ ॥<ref>Brhadaranyaka Upanishad, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%95_%E0%A4%89%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D_3p Adhyaya 3]</ref>
The intelligent soul is placed in prana, inside the prana, it pervades the prana, yet the non-intelligent are unaware of it. Prana itself has become the body of the chief master, who controls it from the inside. Thus the soul is immutable, indestructible and immortal.
Prana is the guide and medium for realization of the soul. When meditating on the heart centre, the identification with prana is most intense; one feels as if one has become prana.<ref name=":1" />
=== Apana ===
=== Apana ===