Prāṇa
Prāṇa (devanāgarī: प्राण) is the Sanskrit word for "vital life" (from the root prā). In 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 nāḍis.
In the 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.[1] They are:
| 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
Mme. Blavatsky defines prāṇa as the "Life Principle, the breath of life".[2]
Although it is normally considered as the second principle in human beings, strictly speaking it is not a human, but a universal, principle:
"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.[3]
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 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.[4]
Leadbeater's view
C. W. Leadbeater talked about a "vitality globule" composed of seven atoms 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 chakras and circulate around the body, giving energy to the various organs.[5] 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).[6]
Notes
- ↑ Rammurti S. Mishra, Yoga Sutras: The Textbook of Yoga Psychology (New York: The Julian Press Inc., 1987), 272-273
- ↑ Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, The Theosophical Glossary (Krotona, CA: Theosophical Publishing House, 1973), 260.
- ↑ Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, Key to Theosophy, (London: Theosophical Publishing House, 1987), 176.
- ↑ Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, Collected Writings vol. XII (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1980), 707.
- ↑ Charles Webster Leadbeater, The Chakras (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1987), 53-54.
- ↑ Charles Webster Leadbeater, The Chakras (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1987), 61.
Online resources
Articles
- Prana at Theosopedia
- The Life Principle by H. P. Blavatsky