Five (5) Upa-Prāṇas: The 5 Hidden Vital Forces

In the vast and subtle science of Indian philosophy and yogic physiology, the concept of Prāṇa (vital life force) holds a central place. While the five Mahāprāṇas—Prāṇa, Apāna, Samāna, Udāna, and Vyāna—are widely discussed, ancient texts also identify five Upa-Prāṇas (subsidiary prāṇas), each governing more specific functions of the body and mind.

Five (5) Upa-Prāṇas: The 5 Hidden Vital Forces

Understanding Upa-Prāṇas helps deepen one's comprehension of Ayurveda, Yoga, and Vedantic physiology, and connects physical functions with subtle energy dynamics.

List of the Five Upa-Prāṇas

The five Upa-Prāṇas, as mentioned in traditional yogic and Ayurvedic texts, are:

Upa-Prāṇa  Function                                       Related Organ/Action

Nāga	Belching, sneezing, hiccup	Diaphragm, respiratory tract
Kūrma	Blinking, eye movement	Eyelids, vision
Kṛkara	Stimulates hunger & thirst	Stomach, throat
Devadatta	Yawning, inducing sleep	Mind-body interface
Dhananjaya	Lingers after death, causes decay	Whole body post-mortem

Five (5) Upa-Prāṇas: The 5 Hidden Vital Forces

1. Nāga: The Force of Expulsion

Function: Controls belching, sneezing, hiccups, and other sudden expulsive actions.
Textual Reference:
Yoga Yajnavalkya (Chapter 4): “Nāgaḥ śvāsa-hiccā-chaṭulika-prakāśakaḥ”
Philosophical Note: Nāga represents an unconscious reactionary force, showing how energy escapes through the respiratory tract. It's closely tied with apāna vāyu.

2. Kūrma: The Guardian of Sight

Function: Responsible for eye movements, blinking, and maintaining vision stability.
Sanskrit Source:
Hatha Yoga Pradipika (3.7): “Kūrmo’kṣi-pātamūlakaḥ”
Significance in Yoga: In Trataka (gazing meditation), mastering Kūrma vāyu enhances focus and dṛṣṭi sthiratā (eye steadiness), aiding in dhāraṇā (concentration).

3. Kṛkara: The Digestive Initiator

Function: Stimulates appetite, thirst, and reflexes related to eating or drinking.
Ayurvedic Insight:
In Ayurveda, Kṛkara interacts with Jatharāgni (digestive fire), and supports the Samāna vāyu, which governs digestion and assimilation.
Yogic View: Hunger is not only physical but also linked to mental longing (tr̥ṣṇā); Kṛkara controls both biological and subtle cravings.

4. Devadatta: The Inducer of Sleep

Function: Causes yawning, prepares the body for sleep and rest.

Upaniṣadic Reference:

In Prashna Upanishad (3.8), sleep (svapna) is seen as a vital rejuvenative state controlled by subtle forces like Devadatta.

Spiritual Meaning: Devadatta helps shift consciousness from waking to sleep, symbolizing the journey inward. In yogic practices, this is crucial for Yoga Nidra and Samādhi transitions.

5. Dhananjaya: The Post-Mortem Prāṇa

Function: Stays in the body after death, contributing to rigor mortis, bloating, and even preservation in some cases.
Yogic Reference:
Hatha Yoga Pradipika (2.2) notes that this prāṇa can be consciously retained in advanced yogis to delay decay.
Symbolic Depth: Dhananjaya reflects the impermanence of life and subtle continuity of prāṇic energy even after cessation of breath.

Philosophical Context: Upa-Prāṇas and the Subtle Body (Sūkṣma Śarīra)

According to Vedānta and Sāṃkhya, the human being consists of three bodies:

1. Sthūla Śarīra – Physical body

2. Sūkṣma Śarīra – Subtle body (includes prāṇa, manas, buddhi)

3. Kāraṇa Śarīra – Causal body

The Upa-Prāṇas function within the sūkṣma śarīra, regulating fine operations that bridge physical actions with mental and emotional states.

Practical Applications in Yoga and Ayurveda

Yoga Therapy: Understanding Upa-Prāṇas helps yoga therapists diagnose subtle imbalances—like excessive yawning, dry eyes, or belching during practice.
Prāṇāyāma: Specific techniques like Nāḍī Śodhana and Bhrāmarī help balance minor prāṇic flows and enhance the energy field (prāṇamaya kośa).
Ayurvedic Diagnostics: Upa-Prāṇas are assessed when treating issues like hiccups, eye strain, sleep disturbances, or post-mortem rituals (antyeṣṭi).

Read More: The 5 (Five) Major & Minor Pranas: The Science of Life According to Yogic Tradition

Conclusion: Upa-Prāṇas—The Hidden Forces of Life

The Upa-Prāṇas may be subtle, but their impact is profound. These prāṇic subdivisions offer a bridge between conscious and unconscious actions, gross and subtle anatomy, and between bodily function and spiritual evolution.

Incorporating awareness of Upa-Prāṇas into daily life can enhance not only physical health but also meditative depth, emotional clarity, and energetic awareness.

Citations and References

• Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Svātmārāma
• Prashna Upanishad
• Yoga Yajnavalkya
• Dr. David Frawley, Yoga and Ayurveda
• Dr. Georg Feuerstein, The Yoga Tradition
• Sivananda, Prāṇāyāma and the Science of Breath

FAQ

Q1. What is the upa prana?
Ans: Upa-Prāṇas are five subtle subdivisions of Prāṇa that support specific physiological functions like belching, blinking, sneezing, and decomposition after death. They are Nāga, Kūrmā, Kṛkara, Devadatta, and Dhananjaya.

Q2. What are the 5 minor pranas?
Ans: The five minor prāṇas (Upa-Prāṇas) are Nāga, Kūrmā, Kṛkara, Devadatta, and Dhananjaya. Each governs specific involuntary bodily functions like burping, blinking, sneezing, yawning, and post-death energy retention.

Q3. What is the meaning of Upaprana?
Ans: Upaprāṇa means “sub-prāṇa” or “secondary life force” in Sanskrit. It refers to the five minor energies that assist the main prāṇas in maintaining bodily functions.


Q4. What are the 5 pranas Vedanta?
Ans: In Vedanta, the five major prāṇas are Prāṇa, Apāna, Samāna, Udāna, and Vyāna. They govern vital functions like breathing, elimination, digestion, speech, and circulation throughout the body.

Q5. 5 upa-pranas in hindi?
Ans: Paanch Upa-Pran hain: Naag, Koorm, Krikara, Devadatta aur Dhananjaya. Ye sharir mein dakar, palak jhapkana, chheenk, jambhai aur mrityu ke baad urja niyantran jaise kaaryon mein sahayak hote hain.

Q6. Upa prana that helps in inducing sleep?
Ans: Devadatta is the Upa-Prāṇa that induces sleep and causes yawning. It helps relax the body and prepare the mind for rest.

Q7. What are subtle energy systems?
Ans: Subtle energy systems are non-physical channels and forces that govern the flow of life energy (prāṇa) within the body. These include chakras, nāḍīs, prāṇas, and koshas in yogic science.