Prana is a Sanskrit word, and it translates to life. Prana is also used to denote the air in the human body and is collectively said to be prana Vayu. Air is one of the four elements that give life to a living being. When talking about the Vayu in the body most only think about respiration and breathing, however, the air is more than just breathing and is present in various parts doing various functions. There are five of them and they are collectively known as the Pancha Prana Vayu.
Air is the life in all of us, without air we cannot be alive. Since it is the most constant element, we need it in the body at any time. It is called prana Vayu. Yes, other elements are also very important like water, earth, and space but nothing is required as instantly as the air. We need to take in the air every time to be alive. Air plays a much more important role in the body than just breathing. Let us look at the Pancha prana and its role in the body.
Prana Pancha pranas
This is the main and first of the Pancha pranas. This is the process of breathing and from the nose to the lungs, every organ is involved in this action. In this through the help of the lungs, windpipe, mouth, and nose air is constantly taken into the body and constantly thrown out of the body continuously. This Pancha prana is called the prana (life) itself because it is the life element in the body continuously filling the body with life energy. Aside from the lungs, this prana is also responsible for the heart. This Pancha Prana has upward movement.
Apana Pancha pranas
Apana Pancha prana is the second of the five Pancha prana. This type of Vayu in the body moves downward. The organs below the lungs are responsible for this type of Vayu. The urinary system, small and large intestine, and kidney are the major organs that are associated with this prana. The function of this prana in the body is the elimination of the waste in the body through urination and bowel movement. Apana Pancha prana actively moves the waste out of the body for the efficient functioning of the body. When this Vayu in the body gets weakened or imbalanced the individual suffers from problems like constipation, piles, etc.
Samana Pancha pranas
Samana Pancha prana is the third of the five Pancha prana. This Vayu does not work like the prana and Apana in the most noticeable way but works very subtly. This Vayu is active in the organs like the liver, pancreas, stomach, and small and large intestine. The purpose of this Vayu in our body is to digestion the nutrients in the body and collect them in the required organs and system.
The work of this Vayu is very subtle but also one of the most important as it is responsible for balancing and providing the required nutrients for the body to function better and well. When this Pancha prana in the body is not working correctly then an individual may face problems regarding nutrients, vitamins and minerals, and digestion-related problems.
Udana Pancha pranas
Udana Pancha prana works in the upper part of the body. This Pancha prana acts in the face and throat region. Inside of the head is the most important organ of the body which is the brain. It is responsible for everything; our consciousness is our brain. Udana Pancha prana also performs the task of providing oxygen to the brain. Apart from all these functions, Udana Pancha prana is also responsible for the movement of the hands and legs. When this Pancha prana in the body is disturbed then various functions in the head region, as well as the efficient functioning of the hands and legs, are disturbed.
Vyana Pancha pranas
This is the final of the Pancha pranas. This prana is very different from all of the other pranas and their working process. Others work in specific organs and parts, but Vyana Pancha pranas work in every part of the body. Also, the functioning of the Vyana Vayu is at the cellular level. The function of the Vyana Pancha prana is to transport the required nutrients and minerals to the various parts of the body.
It is the function of the blood to transport the nutrients and other vital elements to the various parts of the body and the Vyana Pancha prana also works within that very domain. In the cases of shortage of nutrients and minerals in the various parts of the body, this Pancha pranas sends the required nutrients and elements for better healing and efficient functioning of the body. It can also be said that it is the reserve for energy that gets more active when there is scarcity in the various places of the body.
In Jain, meditation is considered a central practice and it has been considered so for a long period. Various known names in Jainism have contributed a lot to Jain meditation. Among them, one is Lord Mahavir who has contributed a lot to Jain meditation.
Lord Mahavir has achieved the divine state through meditation and unfolded many secrets in Jain meditation.
Lord Mahavir taught to meditate in two kinds, first with the help of external objects I.e. Using external objects as the source to focus and concentrate and the second was the meditation without the support of any external objects.
The way to meditate in Jain meditation by Mahavir
First one needs to sit firmly and fix their vision at the tip of the nose while stretching both of the arms gently. Now, put the eyes in the semi-closed position. Normally, either we close our eyes or open them but during Jain meditation by Mahavir, we semi-open the eyes where they are half-opened and half-closed.
When our eyes are opened, we are aware and conscious of our surroundings and respond to their work and live in it. However, when our eyes are closed, we are in a state of rest, we regain our energy and are not aware of our surroundings. However, their state is the state of meditation as per the Jain meditation where there are qualities of both of the states. One is aware of the surroundings with the half-opened eyes while the half-closed eyes give a sense of rest and relaxation.
A relaxed body is another integral part of the Jain meditation as per Mahavir. The body should be as relaxed as it should be a feather that is floating through the air.
To achieve perfection in this form of Jain meditation, Mahavir took various aspects and let us look at the ways he followed to enhance his meditation:
Food
Mahavir accepted all kinds of food that is considered edible by a monk. Yes, he fasted for some time, even days sometimes, but he never completely gave up food and ate when he felt his body required food. He went on to practice meditation and yogic principles for 12 and half years. While converted to days it becomes 4515 days, among those days it is believed that he only ate for 341 days and on other days he took complete fasting.
Sleep
According to Mahavira one needs only enough sleep, and more sleep is not ok. He had gained a complete victory over his sleep. He was never in a deep sleep and only slept as much as he needed, no more than that. He never vowed to get rid of sleep but accepted sleep as equal to medicine, neither more nor less just of the right amount.
Silence of speech
Mahavira also practiced silence of speech during his Jain meditation. Our speech is a powerful tool. It is so powerful that it can create wars and also end them. Mahavira knew the power of speech and was also controlled by accepting the practice of Mauna during the mediational and yogic processes.
Poutre
Posture is also an important element in meditation. Various meditation techniques belonging to various civilizations have several postures. These postures also change according to the goal of meditation as well as the type of energy that is going to be channeled using it. Katotsarga, Utkutasan, Virasana, and Goduhi kasana are various meditation postures that were used by Mahavir during practicing his form of Jain meditation.
Isolation from others
Meditation is a deep process and often requires self-isolation. Even in ancient society sages and gurus isolated themselves from society and practiced meditation in forests and in isolation. Mahavira also spent time in isolation away from others and finding the truth. In Jain meditation also isolation is required and when an individual isolates themselves from the sound of the world they will find themselves.
Place
Mahavir always resided at the edge of the city and villages and never at the center where there were a large number of people. According to his teachings Jain meditation place also deeply impacts the meditation and yogic practices. When a place is connected with nature and possesses the elements of nature, it will enhance yoga, yogic activities as well as meditation. He did not settle in one place and was on move, but he was not also in constant motion and stayed for some time in one place.
Independence and self-reliance
Independence is truly needed and not just in Jain meditation. Mahavir was truly independent in every sense. He avoided big cities and settlements because their people would help him in every way. According to him, one needs the power of independence and self-reliance to find the truth. According to stories not only the humans but gods also offered their help to him, but he rejected them every time. One time even the king of heaven Lord Indra offered his help and assistance, but he rejected him and remained independent in his life.
Love is one of them, if not the most beautiful things in the world. It is the element that gives meaning to life. Even animals feel love, some birds and animals are unable to move from the demise of their partners and even throw away their lives in their memory. Till this time there were many individuals whose incredible story remains today as a treasure as well as the symbol of love itself. Among those individuals, there is one story that goes beyond everything, which is the love of Radha Krishna.
Lord Krishna is the eighth form of Lord Maha Vishnu who incarnated into this world to free the world from evil. Lord Krishna from the moment of his birth killed many demons in his lifetime and gave the ultimate knowledge of Geeta to prince Arjun so that he could defeat the evildoers in the ultimate war of Mahabharata. Lord Krishna had many purposes he needed to fulfill in his lifetime.
Sometimes, the battle strength and the role of Krishna in the war of Mahabharata tries to outshine the role of Krishna in spreading the love and bond he spread. He only took out the weapons when there was no other way, and he already tried every possible way to keep the situation calm without using any kind of violence.
Love of Radha Krishna shows what level of affection Lord Krishna was capable of showing when one showed true and unconditional love towards him. In various civilizations, many overcome their endeavors, elevated themselves from the state of selfishness and achieved selflessness towards their love, and had a great impact on the world of unconditional love. However, from Hindu mythology the greatest love there was and there will be is the Love of Radha Krishna.
Radha and Krishna
Radha and Krishna have been friends since their childhood. Krishna was born in a cage where his parents were kept by Kansa. However, by getting help from Devi Yogmaya Krishna was transported to Vrindavan in the house of Nanda and Yasoda. Radha also lived with her parents in the same village. They were friends in the beginning but in the meantime, with age, their friendship turned into love. Their love was so pure and true that after thousands of years and in other Yoga also they are the symbol of love. Even today if some show deep affection towards their partner people say that their love is like that of the Love of Radha Krishna.
Time with Radha
Lord Krishna and Radha used to spend time together in Vrindavana when the Lord was small and used to herd the cattle of the village. In the meantime, the unconditional Love of Radha Krishna blossomed. The entire village, forests, rivers, and surroundings were blossoming with the magical and eternal affection that the two of them shared. They were inseparable from each other, and they were always the topic of talk to everyone. When the Lord was scolded and punished for his pranks Radha would feel the pain that the Lord felt.
The tragedy and the call of duty
Lord Krishna incarnated in this world to protect the Dharma and free the world from evildoers and the evil itself. However, the Love of Radha Krishna came between the duties of Krishna. Lord wanted to be with his love but couldn’t do so in the presence of his duty for he arrived on the earth. So, at the age of 11 years, Lord Krishna left Vrindavana and went to Mathura to kill Kansa.
Flute of Lord Krishna
Lord Krishna is always depicted as a man with a flute in his hand. However, the lord only played his flute when he was little. At the time he left Vrindavan he also left his flute forever. He used to play flute for his love Radha. The music and melody sang the love of Radha Krishna. However, at the time of departure from Radha, he also gave up his purpose to play the flute and left it forever. He sang for his love and never after.
Radha, Krishna, and marriage
Lord Krishna had many wives and lovers during his lifetime. He had quite a lot of looking at the number of wives he had. However, despite this, he did not marry his true love who was Devi Radha. Many stories say why Krishna did not marry Radha. However, after departure from Vrindavana, there is hardly any mention of Radha in the rest of the story of the life of Lord Krishna.
The love of Radha Krishna was so pure and intense that they became one. Marriage is the process of binding two individuals, however, since Radha and Krishna had become one. How can someone marry oneself? That was the love of Radha Krishna.
Some also say that Radha was Krishna himself. The Maya and beauty of Krishna were so captivating, beautiful, and complete in themselves that even Lord himself could not escape its beauty and got captivated by it in the form of Devi Radha. However, when the time of duty arrived, he took Radha back inside himself.
Whatever may be the case the Love of Radha Krishna remains and will remain immortal in our hearts.
Pingala Nadi is one of the many Nadis that are present in our body and is also one of the three major Nadis on the body. These Nadis are scattered all over our bodies. They are present within us and are present in great numbers. Unlike the external and internal organs, we commonly known about, they can neither be seen nor easily noticed so many people do not know about the Nadi system of their own body. They are of various types and serve various purposes in our bodies. There are three that are considered to be the most important among the many types of Nadis. Let’s know and discuss Pingala Nadi and its functions.
Characters of Pingala Nadi:
Color of Pingala Nadi
The color that is used to depict Pingala Nadi is red.
Masculine energy
The universe is composed of masculine and feminine energy. When the two energy combines, they form life. Hindu mythology tells that when Purush fused with Prakriti the universe came to life. The most notable nature of Pingala Nadi is the masculine energy. Masculine energy is ever-present in everyone even in the female body. While it is not as dominant as it is in the body it is ever-present and needed by the female body also.
Cosmic body
Pingala Nadi is associated with the sun and is closely linked to it. Sun is the source of all life on earth. No matter what the form of life and energy it is ultimately derived from the energy we get from our sun. The Sun is always linked with hope, energy, and life itself which the Pingala Nadi represents within us.
Warmth nature
We have various emotions within us. All these emotions and feelings guide us through our situations and lives. Some are born from calm energy; some are born from warm energy which is very active. Pingala Nadi is responsible for the warm energy within us which is the source of compassion and kindness.
The left side of the mind and right side of the body
Our body is very unique and so is our mind. It is divided into various segments and collectively works as a single unit and appears as one but looking closely it is not the case. Our left side of the brain controls the right side of the body and vice versa. Pingala Nadi of our body is responsible for the left side of our mind and the right side of our body and better functioning and awakened Pingala Nadi enhances the efficiency of these parts.
Now, let’s look at the functions of Pingala Nadi in the body:
Transfer of the Prana
Prana is the subtle life within us. It is life itself as after death our body remains, but Prana will be absent in it. It is received in the body through various points but transferred to all parts of the body through the Nadis as all the body parts need their share of Parana to function well and be alive. Pingala Nadi is active in the left brain and the right part of the body and supplies prana there. Talking about the origin of the Pingala Nadi, it originates at the Muladhara and ends at the right nostril.
Physical activity
Sun is a big ball of fire and is the source of energy. Now, we know that fire is associated with high energy and is a very active element. The individuals who have well-activated Pingala Nadi have good physical movement and can do amazing physical activity. They are always active and eager to do things. Obstruction of the Pingala Nadi can make a person weak and energy less to perform activities and duties. Also, having an awakened Pingala Nadi with other obstructed Nadi systems can be very harmful.
Efficiency and vitality
A physically active person may not always be an efficient as well as a vital person. Peaked physical activity may be the outcome of a rapid burst of energy but efficiency only arrives when one gains control over that burst of energy. Only having strength is not enough, one needs to be efficient with strength. Pingala Nadi also functions in the body to provide efficiency and vitality.
Balance
Pingala Nadi is one of the most important energy transfer systems of the body which acts in amazing ways and is responsible for the various functions of the body. However, not just the Pingala Nadi but all of the Nadis in the body need to work in a balanced form. The opposite of the Pingala Nadi is the Ida Nadi and is opposite it in every direction. From the nature of the Nadi to the site of action everything about them is opposite and acts in a balancing way. When those two get balanced and act in a perfect way the individual who has awakened them gets various amazing benefits.
Buddhism is one of the most followed religions in the world. The teaching of Buddhism was started by Lord Buddha, and he showed the path of non-violence and peace. There are many teachings that Lord Buddha taught to the world and people who follow the path of Buddhism follow today. Among the many teaching that Buddhist follow is Brahmavihara.
Brhamavihara is considered the noblest emotion in Buddhism. There are 4 of the emotions in total and together they are known as chat Brahmavihara. Brahmavihara is made of two words Brahma which means the supreme or the creator and Varaha means to dwell or to live. We all feel lots of emotions and feelings, from negative to average to positive emotions there are all sorts of them. However, Buddhism says that among the emotions there are 4 which are the noblest and one must live life with those emotions.
The 4 chatu Brahmavihara are as follows: Metta (Loving-kindness), Karuna(compassion), Mudita (joy with others), and finally Uppekaha(equanimity).
Let us discuss the four emotions in detail.
Metta (Loving-kindness)
Metta is the first of the four Brahmavihara. It means loving and kindness. We are human beings, and we live in a society that is constructed by many people. Some are related to us by our blood, some by friendship, and some are unrelated to us. We feel strong love and affection towards those who are close to us and related to us. As the relationship gets longer the love and affection decrease.
Most humans love those closest to them and have little to no kindness and affection towards others. However, even if the animals love those who are related to them by blood then what difference remains between the animals and the conscious beings of us humans.
Metta of the Brahmavihara says that one needs to have love and kindness towards each and every one. In this world everyone is different not just by physical appearance but different also by behavior, way of thinking, knowledge, and so on. Some are characterized by their noble actions and good work, while others are known for their bad behavior and heinous acts. The one with noble emotion should see all of them equally and have love and kindness for all of them.
Karuna (Compassion)
Karuna or compassion is second of the 4 Brahmavihara. Compassion is one of the greatest gifts one can have as a conscious being. Compassion is the ability to feel and understand what another person is going through, generally compassionate people are able to feel and more importantly understand the pain another individual is going through. Like love and kindness, compassion is also reserved for the one close to us and not for all people and animals for most of us.
Lord Buddha himself is known for his compassion. He was compassionate to each and every one. When people have the gift of compassion instead of judging people can understand them. One can even look at the people who are thieves differently when they have compassion within them. Instead of getting angry at the one who stole one can understand what circumstances led them to do such an act. Lord Buddha himself praised the virtue of compassion as it is the root cause of various other good emotions and virtues.
Mudita (joy with others)
Mudita is the third of the 4 Brahmavihara. Mudita is the joy of others. This emotion is the reverse of jealousy, envy, and greed. We are all living our lives and have something different at our table of life than others. Some are good at their careers, while some have a good family life, and some are good at their studies.
Nobody has everything and everybody has something. In some aspects family and friends may be progressing a lot more than you. One needs to be happy for the progress of all and not just themselves. When people have joy with all others and not just by their achievements and progress of themselves then they will be forever happy. While in the opposite situation when one gets jealous of the progress and joy of other people will be forever unhappy and sad.
Upekkha(equanimity)
Upekkha is the last of the Brahmavihara. It is equanimity, meaning calmness and balance. It is said that we are more responsible for not what happens to us but how we react to what happens to us and that is what matters really. One needs to be always emotionally calm and composed. The individual who is able to keep himself calm and composed in every situation can see the world better and see the whole picture. When one is not emotionally composed than that individual can be manipulated by other individuals very easily.
Everyone cannot be emotionally composed each and every time. Sometimes one’s emotion gets out of the way due to various factors. It is hard to be emotionally stable with the one who has hurt you and caused many problems. However, it is best to be in a balanced state rather than in an emotionally disturbed state.
Being in a state of equanimity also aids one to get rid of the temptation and provocations of various kinds. One may face these situations at various points in life and be in a state of equanimity will aid you each and every time.
