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Prana (, ) is the Sanskrit word for "life force" or vital principle. In Hindu philosophy including yoga, Indian medicine, and martial arts, the term refers collectively to all cosmic energy, permeating the Universe on all levels. Prana is often referred to as the "life force" or "life energy". It also includes energies present in inanimate objects. In the literature, prana is sometimes described as originating from the Sun and connecting the elements of the Universe. This life energy has been vividly invoked and described in the ancient Vedas and Upanishads. In living beings this universal energy is considered responsible for all bodily functions through five types of prana, collectively known as the five ''Vāyus''. Ayurveda, tantra and Tibetan medicine all describe ''Praṇā vāyu'' as the basic vāyu from which all the other vāyus arise. Indologist Georg Feuerstein explains "The Chinese call it chi, the Polynesians mana, the Amerindians orenda, and the ancient Germans od. It is an all-pervasive 'organic' energy."〔Feuerstein, Georg (2013-09-11). The Yoga Tradition: It's History, Literature, Philosophy and Practice (Kindle Locations 11769-11771). Hohm Press. Kindle Edition.〕 == Early references == The ancient concept of Prana is described in many early Hindu texts, such as the Upanishads and Vedas. One of the earliest references to Prana is from the 3,000-year-old Chandogya Upanishad, but many other Upanishads also make use of the concept, including the Katha, Mundaka and Prasna Upanishads. The concept is elaborated upon in great detail in the practices and literature of haṭha yoga,〔Mallinson, James (2007-01-01). The Shiva Samhita: A Critical Edition and an English Translation (Kindle Locations 387-390). YogaVidya.com. Kindle Edition.|quote:"Prana, apana, samana, udana, and vyana, the fifth; naga, kurma, krikara, devadatta, and dhananjaya. I have stated the ten main names here in this text."〕 tantra, and Ayurveda. Prana is typically divided into multiple constituent parts, in particular when concerned with the human body. While not all early sources agree on the names or number of these subdivisions, the most common list from the Mahabharata, the Upanishads, Ayurvedic and Yogic sources includes five, often divided into further subcategories.〔Saraswati, Sri Swami Sivananda (2013-06-14). The Science of Pranayama (Kindle Location 227). Kindle Edition.|quote: "The seat of Prana is heart. Though the Antahkarana is one, yet it assumes four forms, viz., (i) Manas, (ii) Buddhi, (iii) Chitta and (iv) Ahamkara according to the different functions it performs. Likewise, though Prana is one, it assumes five forms viz., (1) Prana, (2) Apana, (3) Samana, (4) Udana and (5) Vyana according to the different functions it performs." quote:"Naga, Kurma, Krikara, Devadatta and Dhananjaya are the five sub-Pranas."〕〔http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/kmu/kmu06.htm | Kundalini, The Mother of the Universe, by Rishi Singh Gherwal, (), at sacred-texts.com, accessed Oct. 22, 2015〕 This list includes: Prana (inward moving energy), Apana (outward moving energy), Vyana (circulation of energy), Udana (energy of the head and throat), and Samana (digestion and assimilation).〔(Mahabharata section XXIII )〕〔Feuerstein, Georg (2013-09-11). The Yoga Tradition: It's History, Literature, Philosophy and Practice (Kindle Locations 11779-11790). Hohm Press. Kindle Edition. | quote: "According to the authorities of Yoga, the universal life force is focalized in the individual subtle body, where it branches out into five primary and five secondary energy flows, each with its own specialized function. Prâna (“ breath” or “in-breath,” lit. “breathing forth”) — draws the life force into the body (chiefly through the act of inhalation); it is generally thought to be located in the upper half of the trunk, especially in the heart region but also in the head. Apâna (“ out-breath”) - expels the life force (mainly through the act of exhalation); it is associated with the navel and the abdomen but also the anal and genital area. Vyâna (“ through-breath”) - distributes and circulates the life force (chiefly through the action of the heart and lungs); it is always present even when the activity of prâna and apâna is for some reason suspended; it is widely thought to pervade the entire body. Samâna (“ mid-breath”) — is responsible for the assimilation of nutrients; it is located in the digestive system. Udâna (“ up-breath”) — is primarily responsible for speech but also for belching..."〕 Early mention of specific pranas often emphasized Prāṇa Apāna and Vyāna as "the three breaths". This can be seen in the proto-yogic traditions of the Vratyas among others.〔Mircea Eliade, Yoga: Immortality and Freedom, p. 104〕 Texts like the Vaikānasasmārta utilized the five pranas as an internalization of the five sacrificial fires of a panchagni homa ceremony.〔Mircea Eliade, Yoga: Immortality and Freedom, pp. 111-112〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Prana」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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