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'''Prāṇa''' (devanāgarī: 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.<ref>Rammurti S. Mishra, ''Yoga Sutras: The Textbook of Yoga Psychology'' (New York: The Julian Press Inc., 1987), 272-273</ref> They are:
 
{| class="wikitable"
|+Prāṇas
!Name
!Function
|-
| 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.
|-
|Samāna
| All metabolic processes from digestion of food to cell metabolism. Samana also includes the heat regulating processes of the body.
|-
|Vyāna
| Expansion and contraction of cardio-vascular system and muscles in general.
|}
 
== In Theosophy ==
 
[[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky|Mme. Blavatsky]] defines prāṇa as the "Life Principle, the breath of life".<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''The Theosophical Glossary'' (Krotona, CA: Theosophical Publishing House, 1973), 260.</ref>
 
Although it is normally considered as the second principle in human beings, strictly speaking it is not a human, but a universal, principle:
 
<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'', (London: Theosophical Publishing House, 1987), 176.</ref></blockquote>
 
<blockquote>Although the student can no longer look on Prâna as one of the Seven Principles, since it is the Universal Life, he must not forget that it vivifies all, as Prânic energy. Every Principle is a differentiation of [[Jīva|Jîva]], and the life-motion in each is Prâna, “the Breath of Life.” It is Nephesh: and Jîva becomes Prâna only when the child is born. . . . As an example, a sponge may be immersed in an ocean; the water in the sponge’s interior may be compared to Prâna; the water outside is Jîva. Prâna is the motor-principle in life. The Body leaves Prâna, Prâna does not leave it. Take out the sponge from the water, and it becomes dry––thus symbolizing death.<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''Collected Writings'' vol. XII (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1980), 707.</ref></blockquote>
 
=== Leadbeater's view ===
 
[[C. W. Leadbeater]] talked about a "vitality globule" composed of seven [[atom]]s charged with prāna, which are seen by the clairvoyant as having different colors (violet, blue, yellow, green, rose, orange, and red). When the globule is absorbed by the body, it is decomposed in the spleen in its original seven atoms, and five different streams or rays are produced (violet-blue, yellow, green, rose, and orange-red). These streams flow through the different [[chakra]]s and circulate around the body, giving energy to the various organs.<ref>Charles Webster Leadbeater, ''The Chakras'' (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1987), 53-54.</ref> Leadbeater associates the five streams with the five prānas in [[Hinduism]] as follows: Prāna (yellow), Apāna (orange-red), Udāna (violet-blue), Samāna (green), and Vyāna (rose).<ref>Charles Webster Leadbeater, ''The Chakras'' (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1987), 61.</ref>
 
== Notes ==
<references/>
 
==Online resources==
===Articles===
*[http://www.theosophy.ph/encyclo/index.php?title=Prana# Prana] at Theosopedia
*[http://www.blavatsky.net/blavatsky/arts/LifePrinciple.htm# The Life Principle] by H. P. Blavatsky
 
[[Category:Sanskrit terms]]
[[Category:Theosophical concepts]]
[[Category:Concepts in The Secret Doctrine]]
[[Category:Hindu concepts]]

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