| Prana Shakti (the vital power or source of life-force) is manifested as some kind of bioelectrical energy which is pervaded in the world like air, sky, heat, light, ether and plasma. Higher amounts of this power in a living being are reflected in greater courage, alacrity, vitality and brilliance. This is a source of vitality and vigor in the body and of sagacity and talents in the mind. It accounts for the ojas (splendor or glow of consciousness) of the gross body and tejas (eminence and creativity) of the subtle body (mind).
The beauty and charm of external appearance, eloquence and melody of voice, artistic talents and mental trenchancy etc are all expressed through the power of prana. Eroticism and licentious indulgence are major causes of loss of this vital energy. Excitements triggered by the negative sentiments and pressures of wrath, jealous, ego etc. also amount to disrupting its harmonious flow in the mind and body. Supernatural talents and miraculous potentials may be acquired by protection (conservation), balanced use and spiritual transmutation of this astonishing power.
Five subtle streams (called, pancha prana) of prana shakti flow in a human being. These are described in the Indian scriptures as five divine powers (pancha deva) manifested in the human body. The extrasensory ’serpentine power’ center (Kundalini) is said to be subtly containing an unlimited repository of prana shakti. The higher level endeavors of Prana yoga attempt stimulation, stirring, upthrust and elevation of the flow of prana. The success of this spiritual endeavor, called, "Kundalini Jagarana sadhana", is superior to the attainment of all potentials, all talents and prosperity of the world.
The power of prana in a human being is divided into ten categories according to its manifestation in different regulatory and vital activities. Five major types, called pancha prana under this classification are - Apana, Samana, Prana, Udana and Vyana; the five subtypes (upa pranas) are - Devadatta, Vrakala, Koorma, Naga and Dhananjaya.
Each stream of the five major pranas activate specific physiological and bodily process and is also associated with the extra-sensory centers (ESC) governing the endocrine system. Apana regulates excretion of waste and obnoxious substances from the body. It is linked with the Mooladhara Chakra (ESC in the pelvic plexus). Samana activates the metabolic process and is regarded as the source of power in the Manipoorita Chakra (ESC in the epigastric plexus). Prana is the source of respiration and is associated with the Anahata Chakra (ESC in the cardiac plexus). Udana regulates the processes of acceptance and absorption of desired elements in the body and is also used in upward motion. It is the source of activation of the Vishuddhi Chakra (ESC in carotid plexus). Vyana regulates blood circulation and is described as the source of power for the Swadhishthana Chakra (ESC in hypognistric plexus).
Among the upa pranas, Devadatta is a subsidiary of Udana; Vrakala is associated with Samana, Koorma with Apana and Naga with Prana. Similarly, Dhananjaya is linked with Vyana as a sub-component. The pranamaya kosha (life ’shell’), second in the hierarchy of five successively subtler layers (Pancha Maha Koshas) - of human entity from gross body to the subtle and astral bodies and to the ultimate spiritual self, is the absolute ensemble of the pancha pranas and the upa pranas.
Gurudev Shriram Sharma has finely elucidated the complex anatomy and functions of the Pancha Pranas, Pancha Devas and Pancha Maha Koshas and analyzed the corresponding difficult spiritual topics in scientific light. Be that the science of consciousness discussed in the Upanishadas, that of Pancha Koshee Gayatree sadhana, or, relation of prana shakti with energy and quantum mechanism, etc, the author deals with every topic in detail with equal ease and eloquence. His depth of knowledge and excellent command over Hindi language has made the present volume (originally in Hindi), a masterpiece of authentic dissertations on Prana Vidya - deep knowledge of the origin, manifestation and sublime expansion of vital force... |
