Susruta Samhita - Mandhata Global

6
Chap. I.] NIDAXA STIIAX.nr. 3
tends to maintain uniform state in the metabolism of
the body, (protoplasmic, Agni*) and helps the organs
of sense-perception in discharging their specific functions.
The bodily Vayu, like the Pittam in the organism, is
grouped under five different subheads according to the
difference in its functions and locations, and is classified
as the Prana, Udana. Samana, V}-ana and Apana.-j*
These five classes of Va\-u, located in their specific
regions, contribute towards the integration and maintenance
of the bod}'. 4—
The Prana Vayu :—The Va}-u. that courses in
(governs)the cavity of the mouth. ^ is called the Prana. its
function being to force down the food into the cavity of
the stomach, and to assist the different vitalising principles
of the bod}- (such as the internal heat or fire etc ) in dis-
charging their functions in life, and to contribute to the
general sustenance of the body. A deranged condition of
this particular kind of Vayu (Prana) is usually followed
by hic-cough,d}'spncca and other kindred distempers. 7.
The Udana Vayu : —The most important of the
vital Va}'us, which courses (sends its vibrations) upward,
is called the Udana. It produces speech, song, etc. In
its deranged state it brings on diseases which are speci-
fically confined to regions lying above the clavicles. 8,
The Samana Vayu :—The Samana Vayu
courses in (governs) the stomach (Amashaya) and in the
* See Inlroduction Vol. I. p.p. XLVIII—XLIX Mahamahopadhyaya
Dvatka Natha Kaviratna interprets this Agni as digestive heat {Jalhardoni).
t The Prana Vayu is identical with the energy of the nerve centre
in the medulla ; the Udana vilh that of the one which is situated in the
speech centre. The Samana is same as the energy of the epigastric
plexus, the Udar.a is same as the energy of the Motor-Sensory Nerves, and
the Apana is iden'.ical with the force of the Hypogastric ple.xus.
% The field of its ac'ion includes the regions of the heart, throat, head
and the nose.