1 84 The Law of the Rhythmic Breath 



Thus it is that the activities of the macrocosm are 

 reflected in the microcosm. 



It is in the pulmonary manifestation of Prdna 

 that the Tattvic condition of the vital currents can 

 be most indisputably ascertained; for every Tattva 

 throws the elastic spongy cells of the lungs into the 

 from of its characteristic vibration. Thus when 

 the 'A pas Tattva is prevalent, the cells expand in 

 crescent-like shape. When Tejas predominates, 

 they are triangular, and with Fdyu, spherical ; and 

 various modifications of these geometrical forms 

 indicate the Tattvic permutations. The test sug- 

 gested for examining these is to hold a brilliant- 

 surfaced mirror before the mouth to intercept the 

 exhalations. The vapor as it condenses upon the 

 cool surface will take the form of the vibration 

 dominant at the moment; and it can be best seen by 

 another person looking over the shoulder of the 

 one whose breath is under examination, as of course 

 these vapor cells are extremely evanescent. 



We have now identified the planetary corre- 

 spondencies with all the Tattvas, and there yet 

 remains the smallest and swiftest of the heavenly 

 host, Mercury, who yields nothing in importance 

 to the more brilliant and better-known orbs. He 

 is the bond of union, and truly " the messenger 

 of the gods." How he performs this office I shall 

 try to make plain in the next chapter. 



