Sloka 100
Sloka 100
Original Text:
उच्छ्वासनिःश्वासविजृम्भणक्षुत् प्रस्यन्दनाद्युत्क्रमणादिकाः क्रियाः । प्राणादिकर्माणि वदन्ति तज्ञाः प्राणस्य धर्मावशनापिपासे ॥ १0२ ॥
Certainly! Here is the analysis for the given sloka:
- **Transliteration:**
ucchvāsa-niḥśvāsa-vijṛmbhaṇa-kṣut-prasyandana-ādi-utkramaṇa-ādikāḥ kriyāḥ | prāṇa-ādi-karmāṇi vadanti ta-jñāḥ prāṇasya dharmāv aśanā-pipāse || 102 ||
- **Translation:**
"Breathing in, breathing out, yawning, sneezing, secretion, and actions like ascending are said to be the functions of the vital breaths by the wise. Hunger and thirst are considered the characteristics of the life force."
- **Word Meanings:**
* ucchvāsa - inhalation * niḥśvāsa - exhalation * vijṛmbhaṇa - yawning * kṣut - sneezing * prasyandana - secretion * ādi - and others * utkramaṇa - ascending * ādikāḥ - actions * kriyāḥ - activities * prāṇa - vital breath * ādi - etc. * karmāṇi - functions * vadanti - speak of * ta-jñāḥ - those who know * prāṇasya - of the vital breath * dharmāv - characteristics * aśanā - hunger * pipāse - thirst
- **Commentary:**
This sloka speaks to the functions and characteristics of prāṇa, which is considered the vital life force in Vedantic and yogic philosophy. The activities listed—such as inhalation, exhalation, yawning, and sneezing—are all natural bodily functions that are governed by this vital energy. The wise, referred to here as "ta-jñāḥ," recognize these diverse manifestations as integral aspects of life sustained by prāṇa.
The mention of hunger (aśanā) and thirst (pipāse) as the primary characteristics of prāṇa highlights its role in maintaining the body's physical needs and metabolic processes. In yogic practices, controlling and understanding prāṇa is essential for achieving higher states of consciousness. This understanding aligns with the idea that prāṇa serves both physiological and spiritual purposes.
The enumeration of these actions illustrates the comprehensive operation of prāṇa across various bodily and sensory functions, indicating its omnipresence and vital necessity for sustaining life. Mastery of prāṇic energy, through practices like prāṇāyāma, becomes a path not just to bodily health but to spiritual evolution and deeper consciousness.
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