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'''Prāṇa''' (प्राण) is the [[Sanskrit]] word for "vital life" (from the root ''prā''). In [[Vedanta|Vedantic]] philosophy, prana is the notion of a vital, life-sustaining force of living beings and vital energy, comparable to the Chinese notion of Qi. In human beings, it flows through a network of fine subtle channels called [[nāḍi|nāḍis]].
#REDIRECT [[Prana]]
 
In the [[Theosophy|Theosophical]] literature prāṇa is the third (sometimes second) [[principle]] of human beings, usually referred as "life principle" or "vital principle."
 
== In Hinduism ==
 
According to Hindu philosophy there are five pranas or ''vital currents'' that sustain physiological processes. They are:
 
{| class="wikitable"
|+Prāṇas
!Prāṇa
!Responsibility
|-
| Prāṇa
| Beating of the heart and breathing. Prana enters the body through the breath and is sent to every cell through the circulatory system.
|-
| Apāna
| elimination of waste products from the body through the lungs and excretory systems
|-
| Uḍāna
| sound production through the vocal apparatus, as in speaking, singing, laughing, and crying. Also it represents the conscious energy required to produce the vocal sounds corresponding to the intent of the being. Hence [[Samyama]] on udana gives the higher centers total control over the body.
|-
|Samāna
| the digestion of food and cell metabolism (i.e. the repair and manufacture of new cells and growth). Samana also includes the heat regulating processes of the body. Auras are projections of this current. By meditational practices one can see auras of light around every being. Yogis who do special practise on samana can produce a blazing aura at will.
|-
|Vyāna
| the expansion and contraction processes of the body, e.g. the voluntary muscular system
|}
 
== In Theosophy ==
 
[[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky|Mme. Blavatsky]] defines prāṇa as follows:
 
<blockquote>"Prana," or "Life," is, strictly speaking, the radiating force or Energy of Atma -- as the Universal Life and the ONE SELF, -- ITS lower or rather (in its effects) more physical, because manifesting, aspect. Prana or Life permeates the whole being of the objective Universe; and is called a "principle" only because it is an indispensable factor and the deus ex machina of the living man.<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''Key to Theosophy'' (), ???</ref></blockquote>
 
== Notes ==
 
<references/>
 
 
[[Category:Sanskrit terms]]
[[Category:Theosophical terms]]
[[Category:Hindu terms]]

Latest revision as of 19:29, 26 July 2017

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