Acharya Mahaprajna
Flow Of Vital Energy (Pranadhara) [1]
Our body is very precious. The innumerable mysteries of the body can be known to a sadhaka alone. A doctor or a brilliant surgeon would not be able to unravel those mysteries, which are known to spiritual masters. Though the modern medical master may not be able to evaluate the significance of the body from the philosophical angle, it must be admitted that his knowledge about the nervous system (and other systems of the body) is unsurpassed by any one else's.
He has a thorough knowledge of the structural and functional organisation of the central and peripheral nervous systems, of the physiology of neuron, which makes up the nerve tissue and many other subtle mysteries of the nervous system. He will, however, probably be quite ignorant about pranadhara - stream of vital energy, how its flow can be diverted to or from a specific part of the body, about bhavadhara - the field of urges and emotions, where they emanate from and how they influence the behavioural pattern of a person. It is because these things are not dealt with by the medical science.
There are several different streams of prana - the vital energy. One of them flows in the heart, another in the nose, another in the navel region, yet another in the rectum and another one flows through the layers of the skin. The master of medicine may question the very existence of such a stream and is certainly ignorant about the diversity of the streams. This is also because uptil now the medical science was not concerned about this. The subject concerns the aspirant who wants to make an internal trip of the body. The knowledge of anatomy and physiology is not enough to enable one to take an internal trip or to unlock the internal gates. To unlock the gates and to take an internal trip, it is essential to have a thorough knowledge of the various streams of prana and such other spiritual mysteries.
| [1] Indian philosophical literature refers to a subtle life-force which is called prana. It is difficult to give an exact translation of this term. It is sometimes referred to as electromagnetic force or bio-electric force in the body, but they are not exactly identical to prana which is on a higher and subtler level, though it has some of the features of electro -magnetism The term 'prana 'is more appropriate to describe the life-force, which has various sub-divisions. In this book, it will be referred to as vital energy or vital force. |
