Panchadasi-Chapter 1-Verses 21, 22 and 23

Hari Aum

Prostrations to my Guru. Prostrations to All.

SLOKA 21:

rajo .a.nshaiH pa~nchabhis teshhaa.n kramaat karmendriyaaNi tu .
vaak paaNi paada paayu upastha abhidhaanaani jaj~nire .. 21..

SLOKA 22:

taiH sarvaiH sahitaiH praaNo vR^itti bhedaat sa pa~nchadhaa .
praaNo .apaanaH samaanash ch odaana vyaanau cha te punaH .. 22..

SLOKA 23:

buddhi karmendriya praaNa pa~nchakair manasaa dhiyaa .
shariira.n sapta dashabhiH suukshma.n tal li~Ngam uchyate .. 23..

From the Rajas portion of the five subtle elements arose in turn the organs of actions known as the organs of speech, the hands, the feet, the organs of excretion and generation.


From a combination of them all (i.e. the rajs portions of the five subtle elements) arose the vital air (Praana). Again, due to difference of functions it is divided into five as praana, apaana, samaana, udaana and vyaana.


The five sensory organs, the five organs of action, the five vital airs, mind and the intellect, all the seventeen together form the subtle body, which is called the sukshma or linga sareera.

From the Rajasic part of the five subtle elements came the five organs of action namely speech, hands, feet, organs of excretion and genital organs. From the combination of the rajasic part of the subtle elements comes the Prana or the Vital air. The vital air is divided into 5 namely Praana, apaana, samaana, vyaana and udaana.

Prana: the vital air responsible for respiration – the upper part of the body
Apana: the vital air responsible for excretion – the lower part of the body
Vyana: the vital air responsible for circulation – throughout the body
Samana: the vital air responsible for digestion
Udana: the vital air during jumping, floating – active at the time of death.

Five organs of perception, five organs of action, five vital air, mind and intellect, which are seventeen, form the subtle body or sukshma shareera. The subtle body is also called Linga Shareera. The subtle body is formed by the five subtle elements which came from Prakriti. Prakriti itself is an illusion in the reality, hence the subtle elements which are the effect of Parkiti are also only illusions in the Reality.


Prostrations to all

Hari Aum

Thanks,
Rajesh