Concept of Psychic Force and Vital Force (Prāṇa)*

This paper brings out the concept of psychic force, and life force or vital force (prāṇa) and its relation to mind and consciousness as enunciated in the Vedic, Upaniṣadic and Yogic texts. The Vedic and Upaniṣadic thinkers explored the concept of life force or vital force (prāṇa) for unraveling the mystery of consciousness. They found that prāṇa was unstable. It activated, protected and never underwent any deterioration. The Vedic seers envisioned that mind, matter and consciousness were controlled by prāṇa. From the philosophical and physical world perspective, prāṇa was air or wind. The Taittirīya Upaniṣad traced that the human body essentially comprised of five sheaths (called the kośas). The first was the gross physical sheath (annamaya-kośa) and the second was the psychic or vital breath sheath (prāṇamaya-kośa) responsible for all physical activities within and outside. The paper also depicts the role of prāṇa as explained in the Praśnopaniṣad as prāṇa was considered supreme comprising of physical and mental energies and responsible for creation of the world. It discusses as to how prāṇa and prāṇāyāma are defined in Yogic texts such as Patanjali Yoga Sūtras, Hata Yoga Pradīpikā and Gheranda Samhitā and control of psychic breath leading to multifarious benefits of an individual. The paper dwells on the views of Swami Vivekananda on prāṇa and prāṇāyāma. The paper also highlights on the research done by international Yoga Scientist Dr. Nagendra and developing of Prāṇic Energization Technique (called PET) by him which trains a practitioner for sensitizing himself to recognize the subtle energy, remove prāṇic blocks, distribute and equalize energy all over the body. The paper finally appeals to all practitioners that this prāṇa has to be understood very well for maintaining the overall homeostasis of the body. The paper brings out the fruits of prāṇic research undertaken by researchers of Anveshana Lab of SVYASA, Deemed to be University and other research scholars. A short video will be a part of this paper.