INTENSE PRANA ENERGY EMBEDDED IN THE VITAL FORCE SHEATH Part 2
Some people call life force wind or breathing. They conjoin vital force with the inhalation and exhalation of air in the process of breathing. This errorful thinking is due to correlating vital force (Prana) with air. This example could possibly have been given due to characteristics of air/ wind being similar to the vital force. Because air like life force, too is invisible. Vital force is as mobile as air. Wind/ air like vital force pervades every atom of the cosmos. Hence in order to understand the state of vital force in a gross manner, it is expressed as wind in the form of an example. Yet the real fact is something different. Because air is one of the 5 gross elements, it is inert. On the other hand Prana force is a part of consciousness and thus it is incomparable to anything else. Vital force is one of nature's finer forces. Indian Yogis correlate respiration with the mind or will power. In reality via this influence of a divine stream, it is possible to attain high statured soul energy. On the other hand respiration can at the most influence the lungs i.e. the physical body.
A Prani (living being) is one imbued with vital force (Prana). Sankhya Philosophers look upon the vital force as the nature of the psyche and not a principle / element. In the Sankhya Sarika it is said -
The psyche has 4 aspects. Each one has its own function. The mind resolves (Sankalpa), the intellect discriminates (Vivek), the psyche concentrates and the ego harbours identification with the body. All these 4 together, constitute the vital force. Due to varied functions it is called Prana, Apan, Saman, Udan, Vyan.
In Indian Nyaya philosophy, the vital force is taken to be air. Possibly they specifically meant oxygen or some other potential of nature.
Vital force is the air that circulates within our body. Although it is single, due to varied functions, it is categorized as 5 types. Yoga philosophy too agrees with this elucidation. Vedant philosophy tends to differ regarding this. The Brahma Sutras (aphorisms) say - Naa Vaayu Kriye Prathagupareghat. Meaning air is not vital force because its activity and existence are different.
In the Chandogya and Prashnopanishad, a symbolic story has been given with reference to the test of the power of the sense organs taken by Prajapati. Superficially the sense organs seem to be powerful yet without the help of the vital force, they are inert. Thus they accepted the might of the vital force and prostrated to it.
In the Prashnopanishad, the vital force is called Vratya Rishi i.e. "Bratyastvam pranaikarshi". O Prana (vital energy)! Despite the fact that you do not have any responsibilities (Vratya) yet you are fundamentally a Rishi. Many scholars have described the vital force by correlating it to the names of innumerous Rishis. It is also called "Gritsmad". "Grits" means controller and "Mad" means egoistic or one full of desires. Because he is the friend of all, he is called Vishwamitra. Because he stays away from sins, he is called Atri. Because he is the nourisher, he is called Bharadwaj. Because he is special, he is called Vashishta.
Only with the help of an intense power of resolve (Sankalp-Shakti) is it possible to uproot sins and vile psychic imprints (KuSanskars). Those whose mind is weak no doubt talk superficially of soul purification yet they never make apt efforts to achieve the same. They merely immerse themselves in wayward imagination. Thus only with the strength of an intense mental resolve can you uproot bad feelings, vile actions and lowly psychic imprints. Prana is that soul force which helps us overcome obstacles and instead inspires us to walk in the direction of greatness. The Brihadaranyak Upanishad (1/3/10) explains how mental distortions can be uprooted with the blessings of the God of vital force -
By leading the sins of the sense organs to no-man's land, the God of vital force destroyed them (sins). Because it is the cause of the death of the sense organs. So determined was the God of vital force that he induced all taints and sins to run away so as to never return.
- When due to the influence of the life force, the eyes turned sinless, they became the immortal Aditya. Like the hot sun they became radiant via their power of austerities.
This very life force is called Gayatri. By itself this force pervades every atom of the gross, subtle and causal bodies yet its focal point (center) is the Mooladhar Chakra situated in the opening of the anus / urinary tract. In order to augment one's vital power, one needs to knock on the doors of this Mooladhar Chakra. In order to enter a fort, its gates have to be opened. By undergoing spiritual practices pertaining to the Mooladhar Chakra, this goal is achieved. Gayatri Manjari describes the relationship between the Mooladhar Chakra and the vital force of Gayatri.
Scholars opine that the Mooladhar (root) of all Yogic practices is Gayatri.
- Gayatri Manjari
Within this body, which is a form of Brahmapuri (abode of God), the fire of vitality burns eternally.
- Prashnopanishad (4/3)
The greatest awakening is the activation of the vital force.
- Tandya
The path of immortality and salvation is the wisdom and awakening of the Prana force. With its help, this world and the next is elevated. With its help one attains material and spiritual glories. Hence the Vedas proclaim - O great thinkers! Worship the mental force - take help of the Gayatri MahaMantra and march ahead, so as to attain the goal of soul welfare.
That divine seer who is aware of the mystery of the Prana force, never sees his lineage destroyed. In fact they attain immortality.
- Prashnopanishad (3/11)
Indian Rishis have firmly opined that by understanding the deep import of the Prana force (Prana), a miraculous change can be brought about in the bodily center. The one and only path leading to this is the purification of the Prana Force Sheath and experimenting on the bodily energy. This is definitely not an overstatement. From the standpoint of Anatomical Science, the influence of the Prana force on the brain, heart, skin can be easily seen. But the Yogic standpoint is even more deep and subtle. Those conclusions drawn via this, can unearth more facts and mysteries of a widespread variety which is even more deep. Thus by purifiying and making more powerful our Prana Force Sheath, we can not only positively influence our own body but that of others too so as to advance it further. This certainly is not an overstatement.
A Prani (living being) is one imbued with vital force (Prana). Sankhya Philosophers look upon the vital force as the nature of the psyche and not a principle / element. In the Sankhya Sarika it is said -
The psyche has 4 aspects. Each one has its own function. The mind resolves (Sankalpa), the intellect discriminates (Vivek), the psyche concentrates and the ego harbours identification with the body. All these 4 together, constitute the vital force. Due to varied functions it is called Prana, Apan, Saman, Udan, Vyan.
In Indian Nyaya philosophy, the vital force is taken to be air. Possibly they specifically meant oxygen or some other potential of nature.
Vital force is the air that circulates within our body. Although it is single, due to varied functions, it is categorized as 5 types. Yoga philosophy too agrees with this elucidation. Vedant philosophy tends to differ regarding this. The Brahma Sutras (aphorisms) say - Naa Vaayu Kriye Prathagupareghat. Meaning air is not vital force because its activity and existence are different.
In the Chandogya and Prashnopanishad, a symbolic story has been given with reference to the test of the power of the sense organs taken by Prajapati. Superficially the sense organs seem to be powerful yet without the help of the vital force, they are inert. Thus they accepted the might of the vital force and prostrated to it.
In the Prashnopanishad, the vital force is called Vratya Rishi i.e. "Bratyastvam pranaikarshi". O Prana (vital energy)! Despite the fact that you do not have any responsibilities (Vratya) yet you are fundamentally a Rishi. Many scholars have described the vital force by correlating it to the names of innumerous Rishis. It is also called "Gritsmad". "Grits" means controller and "Mad" means egoistic or one full of desires. Because he is the friend of all, he is called Vishwamitra. Because he stays away from sins, he is called Atri. Because he is the nourisher, he is called Bharadwaj. Because he is special, he is called Vashishta.
Only with the help of an intense power of resolve (Sankalp-Shakti) is it possible to uproot sins and vile psychic imprints (KuSanskars). Those whose mind is weak no doubt talk superficially of soul purification yet they never make apt efforts to achieve the same. They merely immerse themselves in wayward imagination. Thus only with the strength of an intense mental resolve can you uproot bad feelings, vile actions and lowly psychic imprints. Prana is that soul force which helps us overcome obstacles and instead inspires us to walk in the direction of greatness. The Brihadaranyak Upanishad (1/3/10) explains how mental distortions can be uprooted with the blessings of the God of vital force -
By leading the sins of the sense organs to no-man's land, the God of vital force destroyed them (sins). Because it is the cause of the death of the sense organs. So determined was the God of vital force that he induced all taints and sins to run away so as to never return.
- When due to the influence of the life force, the eyes turned sinless, they became the immortal Aditya. Like the hot sun they became radiant via their power of austerities.
This very life force is called Gayatri. By itself this force pervades every atom of the gross, subtle and causal bodies yet its focal point (center) is the Mooladhar Chakra situated in the opening of the anus / urinary tract. In order to augment one's vital power, one needs to knock on the doors of this Mooladhar Chakra. In order to enter a fort, its gates have to be opened. By undergoing spiritual practices pertaining to the Mooladhar Chakra, this goal is achieved. Gayatri Manjari describes the relationship between the Mooladhar Chakra and the vital force of Gayatri.
Scholars opine that the Mooladhar (root) of all Yogic practices is Gayatri.
- Gayatri Manjari
Within this body, which is a form of Brahmapuri (abode of God), the fire of vitality burns eternally.
- Prashnopanishad (4/3)
The greatest awakening is the activation of the vital force.
- Tandya
The path of immortality and salvation is the wisdom and awakening of the Prana force. With its help, this world and the next is elevated. With its help one attains material and spiritual glories. Hence the Vedas proclaim - O great thinkers! Worship the mental force - take help of the Gayatri MahaMantra and march ahead, so as to attain the goal of soul welfare.
That divine seer who is aware of the mystery of the Prana force, never sees his lineage destroyed. In fact they attain immortality.
- Prashnopanishad (3/11)
Indian Rishis have firmly opined that by understanding the deep import of the Prana force (Prana), a miraculous change can be brought about in the bodily center. The one and only path leading to this is the purification of the Prana Force Sheath and experimenting on the bodily energy. This is definitely not an overstatement. From the standpoint of Anatomical Science, the influence of the Prana force on the brain, heart, skin can be easily seen. But the Yogic standpoint is even more deep and subtle. Those conclusions drawn via this, can unearth more facts and mysteries of a widespread variety which is even more deep. Thus by purifiying and making more powerful our Prana Force Sheath, we can not only positively influence our own body but that of others too so as to advance it further. This certainly is not an overstatement.
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