Human Energy System as per Vedic Scriptures
The Vedic Scriptures define the human body beyond its physical appearance. According to these teachings, the human body is a sophisticated network of energy that regulates our physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. This holistic viewpoint incorporates the concept of energy fields, chakras, and channels that aid in the flow of life force within us. According to Vedic philosophy, the cosmos is made up of both visible and dark energies.
Exploring the Energy system present in the human body
Medical research has not wholly investigated the human body's energy flow mechanism. Vedic science has described it fully. According to Vedic science, the human body consists of three spiritual organs. These organs generate, store, and distribute energy derived from food. Food initially enters the stomach, where it reacts with enzymes and fluids. It subsequently passes through the small and large intestines. During this process, Rudra Vayus, also known as vital air, absorbs meal components and transfers them to the bloodstream. These vessels convey the components to the heart, which contains the soul. The soul, like a fire, consumes these elements to produce energy.
The energy produced is stored as Kundalini Shakti at the Muladhara Chakra. The Kundalini sends energy to the mind through the Sushumna Nadi, positioned at the back of the head as you sleep. Throughout the day, the mind channels this energy to the five Karma Indriyas (organs of action). It also channels the energy to five Gyan Indriyas (organs of observation). This energy flow is facilitated by Nadis. These are space-based energy conduits. However, because of the modern detachment from Sanskrit pronunciation, these Nadis begin to narrow around the age of, 40-45, interfering with energy delivery to internal organs and producing ailments. Chanting Vedic Rudra Mantras is recommended for maintaining proper energy flow and well-being.
What is Aura?
We are each born with our own Aura, which is represented in our personality characteristics, type, attitude, and skills. It is simply an energy effect, an electromagnetic field within and around us. It is present in all living things, including trees and animals. This explains how people perceive us. Our Aura influences our behavior, preferences, and dislikes. It is an inner power that changes our perspective and, how we perceive things and life. The Aura contains a variety of energies. Almost everything we experience, both good and negative, is caused by the effects of the auras around us. Everyone has their own Aura, determined by the good and bad karmas they have committed in their previous and current lifetimes and other circumstances. Our Aura is the sum of positive and negative energies acquired by our good and bad karmas, as well as other means.
The Aura interacts with the energy, that surrounds us. It absorbs positive effects while protecting us from bad ones. Meditation, yoga, and pranayama are all practices that help to cleanse and build the Aura. This leads to a harmonious flow of energy.
What are Chakras?
Chakras are the body's energy centers. They are placed in the astral body, along the spine, beginning at the base and progressing to the crown. The astral body is energetic and coexists with our physical body. Every physical body part has an astral counterpart. The astral body can't be seen or touched. The chakras produce a distinct color and energy. Each is associated with a gland in the physical body. Each Chakra of our body connects to specific aspects of the body. It connects with spiritual, psychological, emotional, and also physical aspects of the human body. If chakras are blocks or malfunctions, they are supposed to produce physical, psychological, and emotional ailments. The chakras function as distribution centers. They distribute the five pranas to their respective local areas. When we have awareness about balancing these Chakra's energy, it promotes well-being and health. There are seven primary chakras in our body with distinct vibrations, colors, symbols, and sounds:
Muladhara Chakra/Root Chakra: The Root Chakra is situated at the base of the spine, between the anus and genitals. It is defined by feelings such as survival, stability, ambition, and self-sufficiency.
Swadhishthana Chakra/Sacral Chakra: The Swadhishthana Chakra, also known as the Sacral Chakra, is found in the lower belly, approximately four fingers below the navel. Its characteristics include a basic need for sexuality, as well as creativity and self-esteem.
Manipura Chakra/Navel Chakra: The Manipura Chakra is positioned in the solar plexus. It falls between the navel and the base of the ribcage. Manipura Chakra symbolizes the ego, rage, and animosity emotions.
Anahata Chakra/Heart Chakra: The Anahata Chakra is located in the heart. Anahata Chakra is a center of balance of the human body. This Chakra takes care of the feelings of affection. It also represents compassion and trust.
Vishuddha Chakra/Throat Chakra: The Visuddha Chakra is located near to the base of the throat. It is positioned near the thyroid gland. The Chakra is responsible for the motivational power within us. The expression of positivity, faith, and effective communication are all taken care of by the Vishuddha Chakra.
Ajna Chakra/Third Eye Chakra: The Ajna Chakra (pronounced 'Agya Chakra') is found between the brows. It is also termed as the Third Eye Chakra. It is frequently used as a focal point in asana practice. It helps to improve attention and awareness. This Chakra helps to remove the past-life karma. Ajna Chakra also provides emancipation and intuitive understanding. Its characteristics take care of intelligence, insight, intuition, and self-knowledge.
Sahasrara Chakra/Crown Chakra: The Sahasrara is termed as the Crown Chakra. It is situated at the crown of the head. The seventh Chakra represents spirituality, enlightenment, and dynamic thought and energy. It promotes the internal flow of enlightenment and provides the gift of universal consciousness.
What are Nadis?
In Sanskrit, nadi denotes "stream, tube, or pipe." Practitioners of traditional yoga and Ayurvedic traditions believe that the physical body contains thousands of nadis or subtle energy pathways. They are not visible to the human eye yet exist alongside nerves, blood vessels, and other anatomical structures. The primary role of Nadis is to transport Prana, or life-force energy, in our body. Nadis are analogous to our bodies' nerve systems, but their importance extends beyond the physical realms to the astral and spiritual planes of existence. Breath is very crucial in balancing and activating these pathways.
According to ancient Sanskrit writings, the human body contains 72,000 nadis, each of which, serves as a conduit for the passage of pranic energy. The three main Nadis are:
Ida Nadi: Ida Nadi is also known as the left channel. It originates in the Muladhara Chakra and goes to the left. It joins the other chakras, going in and out until it enters our left nostril. The Nadi represents our mental energy. Ida describes the feminine side of dualism.
Pingala Nadi: The origin of this Nadi is the same as Ida, but it flows to the right. It then weaves in and out of the remaining chakras before ending in our right nostril. Prana originates in Pingala Nadi. Pingala represents the male side of dualism.
Shushumna Nadi: Shusumna Nadi, also known as the middle channel, goes vertically up the spine from the root chakra to the crown chakra. This is the Nadi of spiritual consciousness, the most important component of human physiology. However, this Badi remains inactive among many of us because we do not pursue our spiritual existence.
What is Kundalini?
Kundalini can be best described as a tremendous, primal force, that represents our unrealized potential. It refers to the vast realm of the unknown that exists beyond the confines of our brains. Kundalini is defined as, "the dormant energy coiled at the base of the spine." Kundalini is the sum of two words, "kundal" means "coiled," and "ini" can be translated as "power." Kundalini Shakti is defined as the life force of all awareness we hold. This tremendous force is often represented as a serpent wrapped three and a half times. This can be awakened through yoga's physical and spiritual practices such as mantra, mudra, asana, and pranayama. When the kundalini shakti awakens, it rises through the chakras (energy vortices) in the energetic body, resulting in spiritual awakening manifested as freedom of choice, awareness, and a better ability to live a holistic life.
What is Prana?
Prana is fundamentally the universal life force that penetrates all that exists. It is a vital energy that surrounds and drives the universe. It provides the energy, for essential and daily tasks of the body, like breathing, talking, moving, thinking, digesting, breathing, and so on. Prana's function in our existence extends far beyond the act of breathing. This excellent vital force maintains our cells healthy, our organs working, and our thoughts clear. Imagine Prana as an unseen force that flows through thousands of energy channels, or nadis, within us, preserving our health and energizing our entire existence. Prana is categorized into five basic categories, each of which governs a particular function:
Prana: Prana vayu means "forward-moving air." It moves inside the body and controls all forms of reception, such as consuming food and beverages and breathing, as well as physical sensations and mental experiences.
Apana: Apana vayu, "the air that moves away." It goes downward and outward, controlling all modes of removal and proliferation. It regulates the evacuation of stool and urine, the discharge of semen, menstrual fluid, and the fetus, and the expulsion of carbon dioxide through the breath. More fundamentally, it governs the eradication of adverse sensory, emotional, and mental events. It forms the basis of our immune system.
Samana: Samana vayu, or "balancing air," flows from the periphery to the center via a churning and discriminating movement. It promotes digestion at various levels, operating in the gastrointestinal system to digest food, in the lungs to digest air or absorb oxygen, and in the brain to digest sensory, emotional, and mental experiences.
Udana: Udana vayu, or "the upward-moving air," raises and creates qualitative or transformative movements of life force. It governs body growth, standing ability, speech, effort, enthusiasm, and will. It serves as our primary source of good energy.
Vyana: Vyana vayu, or "outward-moving air," flows from the center to the periphery and governs circulation at all levels. It transports food, water, and oxygen throughout the body while circulating our emotions and thoughts in the brain, generating momentum and vigor.
Flow on Prana in the human body:
The subtle life force energy known as Prana by yogis is at the heart of all life and the universe. Prana, the subtle energy that circulates through our bodies, cannot be seen, touched, or tasted, but most yogis have experienced it. This mystical force flows through our bodies, animating every action, from gross physical movements to minute biochemical activities.
Without Prana, the vital power, the body is nothing but a lump of clay. Prana forms the body into limbs and organs by forming delicate nerve channels known as Nadis, which energize and operate the body. Prana Vayu creates openings in the head and brain, such as the eyes, ears, nostrils, and mouth. Udana Vayu helps to shape the mouth and voice organs. Apana Vayu opens up the lower body's urinary and excretory systems. Samana Vayu forms the digestive system around the navel, which includes the intestines, liver, and pancreas.
Vyana Vayu develops pathways in the arms and legs, such as veins, arteries, muscles, joints, and bones. Prana flows throughout the body, primarily through breathing. The navel is the main Pranic center for digestion. The small intestine processes Prana from food, which is stored in the muscles. The heart is the energy center for the Pranamaya Kosha, which transports subtle Prana from breathing via the blood.
The quality and quantity of Prana in our body have a significant impact on our ability. It helps to focus and concentrate. To sense and experience prana, our attention must be attracted to the subtle energies of the body or Pranamaya kosha. The five koshas are portrayed as cases or layers that obscure the light of our True Self. Pratyahara is the most effective yoga technique for shifting our concentration from the physical shell of Annamaya kosha to the Pranamaya kosha.
We cannot miss mentioning that our Vedic principles always respect the value of staying close to nature. It promotes and supports a nature-friendly lifestyle.
