A History of Indian Philosophy v2.c19.s8.29

v2.c19.s8.29

*Prāṇa* is essentially of the nature of vibration (*spanda*), and mind is but a form of *prāṇa* energy, and so by the control of the mind the five *vāyus* are controlled⁵. The Śaiva authorities also agree with the view that *prāṇa* is identical with cognitive activity, which passes through the *nāḍīs* (nerves) and maintains all the body movement and the movement of the senses. Thus Kṣemarāja says that it is the cognitive force which passes in the form of *prāṇa* through the *nāḍīs*, and he refers to Bhaṭṭa Kallaṭa as also holding the same view, and *prāṇa* is definitely spoken of by him as force (*kuṭila-vāhinī prāṇa-śaktiḥ*)⁶. Śivopādhyaya in his *Vivṛti* on the *Vijñāna-bhairava* also describes *prāṇa* as force (*śakti*), and the *Vijñāna-bhairava* itself does the same¹. Bhaṭṭa Ānanda in his *Vijñāna-kaumudī* describes *prāṇa* as a functioning of the mind (*citta-vṛtti*).