Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v2.c4.718

v2.c4.718

Prāṇa, properly denoting ‘breath,’ is a term of wide and vague significance in Vedic literature. It is frequently mentioned from the Rigveda¹ onwards; in the Āraṇyakas and Upaniṣads it is one of the commonest symbols of the unity of the universe.² In the narrow sense Prāṇa denotes one of the vital airs, of which five are usually³ enumerated—Prāṇa, Apāna, Vyāna, Udāna, and Samāna; but often only two, Prāṇa and Apāna,⁴ or Prāṇa and Vyāna,⁵ or Prāṇa and Udāna;⁶ or three, Prāṇa, Apāna, and Vyāna,⁷ or Prāṇa, Udāna, and Vyāna,⁸ or Prāṇa, Udāna, and Samāna;⁹ or four, Prāṇa, Apāna, Vyāna, and Samāna,¹⁰ or Prāṇa, Apāna, Udāna, Vyāna.¹¹ The exact sense of each of these breaths when all are mentioned cannot be determined.¹²