Manifestations of Prana 145 



force, which, during life keeps all parts in perfect 

 shape and resists breaking down and disintegra- 

 tion. This preponderance of Apas five-sixths 

 of the human body is water can be traced 

 throughout the physical structure, its seats of in- 

 fluence being more clearly defined anatomically 

 than those of any other Tattva. The semi-lunar 

 valves in arteries and veins are among these. 



The fifth manifestation is Uddna, the seat of 

 Akdsha. It is the power which inclines the life- 

 forces back to the centers northern or southern 

 and is regnant therefore in the spine and heart, 

 and also in the throat. A lump in the throat, 

 when the breath catches and almost goes, after a 

 quick run, proclaims the presence of Uddna, and 

 this manifestation is dangerous. It is evidence of 

 the excess of one current, and if it passes to a cer- 

 tain delicate line beyond the ordinary limit, the 

 opposite current fails to react, Prdna remains in 

 the Sushumnd, and death results. These are the 

 moments when life hangs by a thread, so delicate 

 is the balance. To stimulate the opposite current 

 to flow is the need at this critical moment, and 

 probably in most cases it is the positive current 

 which has done the mischief. 



Whole books of the Upanishads are devoted to 

 poetical descriptions of these manifestations of 

 Prdna, imagination revelling in depicting their 

 power. Prdna is usually described as declaring 



