Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c8.1741

c8.1741

PĀÑCAPRĀṆAS. The five prāṇas (life breaths) of any living being are Prāṇa, Apāna, Vyāna, Samāna and Udāna. There is a story in ‘Devī Bhāgavata’ regarding the origin of the Pañcaprāṇas. Once Śrī Kṛṣṇa met Rādhādevī at Rāsamaṇḍala and in seclusion they spent in sexual sport the period of one day of Brahmā. Then Kṛṣṇa selecting an auspicious time dropped his vital fluid into her womb at the end of the sexual sport. Tired by the prolonged carnal sport and shaken by the impact of the hot semen Rādhādevī perspired profusely and the exhaustion produced deep and long breaths. The whole universe was covered with her sweat and her sighs became the goddess of the life-giving breaths of all created animals. From the left side of goddess was born Vāyupatnī and to her were born the Pañcaprāṇas. Besides these, another five younger prāṇas were also born. From the sweat of the Devī was born Varuṇa and from the left side of Varuṇa was born Varuṇānī. (9th Skandha, Devī Bhāgavata).