मोक्षधर्म पर्व — अग्नि और वायु का कार्य

How docs bodily fire or heat, entering the body, live there? How also does the wind, getting space for itself, cause the body to move and work?

I shall, O twice-born one describe to you the course in which the wind moves, and how, O sinless one, that powerful element makes the bodies of living creatures move and work.

Heat lives within the head (brain) and protects the body. The vital air called Prana, living within the head and the heat that is there, create all sorts of exertion.

That Prana is the living creature, the universal self, the eternal Being, and the Mind, Intellect and Consciousness of all living creatures, as also all the objects of the senses.

Thus Prana makes the living creature move about and exert. Then by virtue of the other vital air called Samana, every one of the senses performs its own work.

The vital air called Apana, by the help of the heat that is in the urethra, abdomen and intestines, moves, carrying out urine and excreta.

That single vital air which works in these three, is called Udana by those who are wellread in this science.

That vital air which works, living in all the joints, is called Vyana.

Heat is circulated all over the bodies of living creatures by the vital air Samana. Living creatures by the vital air Samana. Living thus in the body, that vital air works upon the various sorts of watery and other elementary substances and all bad humours.

The heat, living between Apana and Prana, in the navel, works, with the help of those two vital airs, in digesting all food that is taken by a living creature.

There is a canal beginning from the mouth down to the anus. Its extremity is called the anus. From this main canal various minor oncs branch out in the bodies of all living creatures.

The various vital air passing through these canals mix with each other. The heat which lives in Prana is called Ushman. This heat causes digestion in embodied creatures.

The vital air called Prana, carrying a current of heat, goes (from the head) downwards to the extremity of the anal canal and thence goes up once more. Returning to the head again, it once more sends down the heat it carries.

Below the navel is the quarter of digested maller. Above it is that for the food which is taken. In the navel reside all the forces of life that keep up the body.

Urged by the ton sorts of vital airs having Prana for their first, the canals, branching out from the heart, carry the liquid juices of food, upwards, downwards, and in contrary directions.

The main channel leading from the mouth to the anus is the path by which Yogins, knowing no fatigue, calm in happiness and misery, and highly patient, succeed in attaining to Brahma by drawing the soul within the brain.

Thus is heat placed in the vital air called Prana and Apana and others, of all embodied creatures. That heat is always burning thcre like a fire placed in vessel which can be seen.