Pranamaya Kosha
Submitted by divine_sysop on June 4, 2009 - 03:34
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The force behind movement is called prana.
Prana is the binding force in the universe. It is the life principle and is all-pervasive.
Birth and growth take place due to prana.
The pranamaya kosha is completely filled with vital forces, and it represents the subtle body, nadis, chakras and kundalini.
This sheath consists of five vital forces; prana, apana, vyana, udana and samana, together with the organs of action. This kosha is active in nature, it is the product of the of rajas gunas. Prana (life force, breath) controls anna (food). This universe is full of prana. The growth of an individual occurs with the systematic circulation of prana. Thus, prana is ever moving. For the assimilation of food, there should be proper movement of prana. Hence, annamaya kosha and pranamaya kosha are interconnected. A disease pattern can be detected in the vital body before it manifests itself in the gross body.
With the help of pranayama, the speed of the pranas movement through the body can be controlled; this has a direct influence on the metabolism in the body. Pranayama purifies the entire pranamaya kosha and assists us in learning how to detoxify our prana. Since the pranamaya kosha is an extension of the manomaya kosha, and the annamaya kosha is an extension of the pranamaya kosha, through the pranamaya kosha, one can control both body and mind.
