Bhushunda Devoted to Prana - 10

Sage Vasishtha

BHUSHUNDA continued:

The best of all states, O sage, is indeed the vision of the one infinite consciousness. Even the contemplation of the self which is infinite consciousness banishes sorrow, terminates the long-dream vision of the world-appearance, purifies the mind and the heart, and dispels worries and misfortunes. That contemplation of the self is devoid of mentation. It is easy for the like of you; it is rather difficult for the like of me. 

But this contemplation of the self has comrades, as it were, that closely resemble such contemplation; among them is the contemplation of the life-force or prana, which enables one to overcome sorrow and to promote auspiciousness. I have adopted this contemplation.

It is that contemplation of prana that has bestowed longevity and also self-knowledge on me. I shall now describe it to you. 

Lord, look at this enchanting body which is supported by three pillars (three bodies or the three nadis?) and endowed with nine gates, and which is protected by the ego sense which has eight consorts (the puryashtaka) and several relatives (the root elements).

Enclosed right in the middle of this body are the subtle ida and pingala. There are three lotus-like wheels. These wheels are composed of bones and flesh. When the vital air wets the wheels, the petals or the radii of these lotus-like wheels begin to vibrate. The vital airs expand on account of their expansion. These nadis thereupon radiate above and below. Sages call these vital airs by different names - prana, apana, samana, etc., on account of their diverse functions. These functions derive their energy from the central psychic centre which is the heart-lotus.

That energy which thus vibrates in the heart-lotus is known as prana: it enables the eyes to see, the skin to feel, the mouth to speak, the food to be digested and it performs all the functions in the body. It has two different roles, one above and one below, and it is then known as prana and apana respectively. I am devoted to them, which are free from fatigue, which shine like the sun and the moon in the heart, which are like the cart-wheels of the mind which is the guardian of the city known as the body, which are the favorite horses of the king known as ego-sense. Being devoted to them I live as if in deep sleep, for ever in homogenous consciousness.

He who adores the prana and the apana thus is not reborn in this world again and he is freed from all bondage.