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brain, manifesting itself as the vital energy. The Prana, in modern terminology 'vital energy',
assumes different aspects to discharge different functions in the body and circulates in the
system in two separate streams, one with fervid and the other with frigid effect, clearly
perceptible to Yogis in the awakened condition. From my own experience I can also
unhesitatingly affirm that there are certainly two main types of vital currents in the body,
which have a cooling or heating effect on the system. Prana and Apana exist side by side in
the system in every tissue and every cell, the two flowing through the higher nerves and their
tiny ramifications as two distinct currents though their passage is never felt in the normal state
of consciousness, the nerves being accustomed to the flow from the very commencement of
life.
Because of its extremely subtle nature, vital energy has been likened to breath by the ancient
authorities on Yoga, and it is maintained that the air we breathe is permeated with both Prana
and Apana and that the vital currents flow alternately through the two nostrils along with the
air at the time of inhalation and exhalation. As is well known, the air we breathe is composed
mainly of two gases, oxygen and nitrogen. Oxygen is the chief agent in combustion, burning
up the impurities in the blood by its action through the lungs, while nitrogen exerts a
moderating effect on its fervour. In view of the fact that the old writers on Kundalini Yoga
sometimes use the same term for Prana or Apana, viz. Vayu, which is used for the air we
breathe, there is a possibility of confusion being caused that breath and Prana are identical.
This is absolutely not the case. Life as we know it on earth is not possible without oxygen,
and it is noteworthy that this element is an ingredient of both air and water, the two essential
requirements of earthly life. This is a clear indication of the fact that on the terrestrial globe
the cosmic vital energy, or Prana Shakti, utilizes oxygen as the main vehicle for its activity. It
is possible that biochemistry in the course of its investigations may have to accept at a future
date the instrumentality of oxygen in all organic phenomena as the main channel for the play
of the intelligent vital force Prana.
The earth has its own supply of Prana, pervading every atom and every molecule of all the
elements and compounds constituting its flaming core, the fiery molten regions below the
crust, the hard surface layer with its mountains and seas, and the atmosphere to its outermost
fringe. The sun, a vast reservoir of vital energy, is constantly pouring an enormous supply of
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pranic radiation on earth as a part of its effulgence. The superstitions connected with eclipses
may thus have an element of truth, as on all such occasions the pranic emanations from the
sun or moon are partially or totally cut off for a time. The changes in the weather and in the
vapour and dust content of the atmosphere, which have a marked effect on certain sensitive
temperaments, might also be found to cause alterations in the flow of pranic currents. The
moon is another big supply centre of Prana for earth. The planets and stars both near and far
are all inexhaustible stores of Prana, vitalizing the earth with streams of energy conveyed by
their lustre. The pranic emanations from the sun and moon, planets and stars, are not all alike,
but each has a peculiar characteristic of its own in the same way as the light of heavenly
bodies, when analysed on earth after travelling through enormous distances, shows variations
in the spectrum peculiar to each one. It is impossible for the imagination of man to visualize
even dimly the interactions of numberless streams of light emitted by billions upon billions of
stars crossing and recrossing each other at countless points, filling the stupendous stretch of
space at every spot from end to end. Similarly it is utterly impossible to picture or to depict
even hazily the colossal world of Prana, or life energy, as described by seers, its unbounded
extent traversed by streams and cross-streams, currents and cross-currents, radiating from
innumerable stars and planets with motionless spots and storm centres, vortexes and eddies,
all throbbing with activity everywhere, the animate worlds rising out of this marvellously
intelligent but subtle ocean of vital activity as foam appears on the surface of the perennially
moving oceanic currents.
In order to explain the phenomenon of terrestrial life there is no alternative but to accept the
existence of an intelligent vital medium which, using the elements and compounds of the
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