________________
Five minor pranas Along with the five major pranas, there are five minor or upa pranas, actually called pancha vayus. These are: naga, koorma, krikara, devadatta and dhananjaya. The pancha vayus are grosser and more limited manifestations of energy compared to the pancha pranas. The Gheranda Samhita qualifies the difference between the two by calling them 'inner vayus' and 'outer vayus'. It must however be mentioned that most scriptural authorities use 'vayu' as a generic term to refer to all the pranas. The Hatha Yoga Pradipika uses the term 'vayu' and 'prana' interchangeably throughout its slokas; the Gheranda Samhita refers to the 'ten vayus' and so on. Works such as the Yoga Chudamani Upanishad even refer to the pancha pranas as pancha vayus. However, in works such as the Shiva Swarodaya and the Dhyana Bindu Upanishad, we find a categorical distinction in the usage of the terms 'pancha prana' and 'pancha vayu'. This distinction is preferable as the experience of prana at the level of the pancha pranas and the pancha vayus is qualitatively distinct.
Naga: This field of activity causes belching and hiccups. When the air element is agitated, naga becomes active and tries to throw the agitated air out of the stomach, causing vibrations in udana, prana and samana. Naga remains inactive as long as the diet and digestion are healthy. In the state of meditation, naga does not function.
Koorma: This field causes the blinking of the eyes and keeps the eyes healthy, moist and protected. It enables one to see all objects. The eyes shine due to the energy of koorma and one appears impressive. When koorma is under control, the yogi can keep the eyes open for hours, performing trataka. Although koorma operates in a small area, it has a lot of force and during meditation it makes concentration firm and deep.
Krikara: This field causes yawning, hunger and thirst, and assists in respiration. Due to its relation with yawning, its origin is sloth and lethargy. When krikara is controlled with practice, sloth and sleep are overcome, hunger and thirst
57
