[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [Vedic Index of Names and Subjects](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912) › v2.c4.718 # Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v2.c4.718 Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v2.c4.718 - **Language:** English ### [v2.c4.718](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.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 - [Previous: v2.c4.717](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v2.c4.717) - [Next: v2.c4.719](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v2.c4.719) - [Up: v2.c4](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v2.c4) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v2.c4.718](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v2.c4.718) · Pramāṇa