Vayus: The Five Winds of Life
Have you ever felt a gentle breeze on your face, or the powerful gusts of a storm? These are all manifestations of vayus, the five elemental winds that permeate the universe according to ancient Indian philosophy.
In Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine, vayus play a crucial role in maintaining overall health and well-being.
Each vayu corresponds to a specific bodily function and governs different aspects of our personality and behavior.
In yogic and Ayurvedic traditions, the body’s energy system is understood to be governed by the Prana Vayus, which are vital life forces or winds. These energies govern the physical, mental, and emotional processes.
The main five vayus are considered primary, but they also have secondary manifestations.
The Five Primary Vayus:
1. Prana Vayu:
Location: Chest, heart, and lungs.
Function: Governs the intake of breath, sensory impressions, and nourishment.
Its direction is inward.
2. Apana Vayu:
Location: Lower abdomen, pelvic region.
Function: Governs elimination and expulsion (urination, defecation, menstruation, childbirth).
Its direction is downward and outward.
3. Samana Vayu:
Location: Navel area.
Function: Governs digestion and assimilation of nutrients.
Its direction is inward and centering.
4. Udana Vayu:
Location: Throat and head.
Function: Governs speech, growth, and upward movement of energy, including spiritual ascension.
Its direction is upward.
5. Vyana Vayu:
Location: Circulates throughout the entire body.
Function: Governs circulation, movement, and distribution of energy throughout the body.
It moves in all directions.
Secondary (Upa) Vayus:
The secondary vayus are often referred to as Upa Vayus or sub-vayus. These lesser-known vayus play supporting roles, governing specific physiological and subtle functions within the body.
1. Naga:
Location: Throat and abdomen.
Purpose: Controls the expulsion of gas, eructation (belching), and vomiting.
It’s also associated with hiccups and hunger reflexes.
2. Kurma:
Location: Eyes and eyelids.
Purpose: Governs the movement of the eyelids and helps with opening, closing, and blinking of the eyes.
It also helps with maintaining vision and adjusting to light.
3. Krikara:
Location: Throat and lungs.
Purpose: Governs sneezing, coughing, and other reflexive actions that clear the respiratory system.
It also plays a role in hunger and thirst regulation.
4. Devadatta:
Location: Chest and abdomen.
Purpose: Governs yawning and induces sleep.
It also helps to release excess air from the lungs, thereby regulating breathing patterns.
5. Dhananjaya:
Location: Heart and the entire body.
Purpose: Governs the preservation of energy within the body and controls the body even after death (related to the decomposition process).
This vayu is said to remain in the body even after death for a short time.
Interactions and Integration
While the primary vayus handle broader physiological and subtle functions, the secondary vayus ensure finer details of bodily processes and reflexive actions are taken care of.
Together, they maintain the flow of life force (Prana) and ensure overall balance within the body, mind, and spirit.
Further Reading and References:
1. The Yoga of the Vayu – An in-depth discussion on how each vayu governs various physiological processes, including prana, apana, samana, udana, and vyana.
Source: Swami Sivananda’s works on Pranayama and the Prana Vayus.
2. The Subtle Body: An Encyclopedia of Your Energetic Anatomy by Cyndi Dale – Offers comprehensive coverage of both the primary and secondary vayus, their functions, and how to balance them for health and spiritual growth.
3. Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha by Swami Satyananda Saraswati – This classic text provides an overview of how the vayus are integrated into yogic practices, especially pranayama techniques.
4. Prana and Pranayama by Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati – A detailed explanation of the pranic system in yoga, including the functions of all the vayus in the body.
5. The Complete Book of Yoga by Swami Vivekananda – Discusses the vayus from a Raja Yoga perspective and their importance in mental control and meditation.
