Significance of Life air
In Vaishnavism, Life air signifies the vital forces or energies that sustain consciousness and existence. It encompasses various meanings, including the life breath that indicates a struggle for life, the essential vitality that signifies life and death, and the emotional suffering stemming from separation, such as Krishna's departure. Additionally, it highlights the connection between physical well-being and emotional states, referring to prana as the essential life force that nurtures living beings. This concept illustrates the interplay between existence, vitality, and spiritual devotion.
Synonyms: Vital air, Life-giving air
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Hindu concept of 'Life air'
In Hinduism, Life air symbolizes vital forces (prana) essential for existence, linking physical health and emotional states, and represents the life essence within beings, connecting spirituality, nourishment, and the struggle for existence.
From: Chaitanya Bhagavata
(1) Prana, the vital force that sustains life, which is also subject to struggle in the material world.[1] (2) The vital energies or life forces within Nityananda that signify his vitality or essence.[2] (3) A term that suggests vital energies or breath that influence one's state of being, which are humorously suggested to be unbalanced in the context.[3] (4) The essential vitality of a living being, which, when present, signifies life, and when absent, signifies death.[4] (5) Vital force that, when it leaves the body, signifies the separation of consciousness from the gross body.[5]
From: Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary)
(1) Refers to prana-vayu, the vital energies that became irregular due to the stoppage of wind orchestrated by Pavana-deva.[6] (2) The essential breath (prana-vayu) needed for living beings, symbolizing the necessity of devotion to sustain life.[7] (3) The vital breath or life force that is metaphorically described as being trapped, indicating a struggle for existence.[8] (4) Refers to the essential life forces that remain within the Vraja-vasis, indicating their diminished state after receiving the message.[9]
From: Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu
(1) Metaphorical reference to the vital energies or souls of the people, indicating that Krishna's departure leads to immense emotional suffering.[10] (2) Vital forces or energies that sustain life and are influenced by the state of sattva.[11] (3) Refers to the vital energies within individuals, suggesting a connection between emotional states and physical well-being.[12] (4) The vital energies or breaths that sustain life, related to emotions and spiritual well-being.[13]
From: Bhajana-Rahasya
(1) The vital energies of the gopis, which they claim would leave their bodies if they do not reunite with Krishna.[14] (2) A metaphor for one's life force or spirit, indicating the extent to which Haridasa Thakura values the chanting of harinama over his own life.[15] (3) The vital energies in living beings that are satisfied through eating, analogous to how worship nourishes the senses.[16] (4) Prana, which is the vital force that interacts with the elements and is fundamental in triggering sattvika transformations.[17]
From: Srila Gurudeva (The Supreme Treasure)
(1) The vital energies within a being that sustain life, akin to how the body is nourished by food.[18]
From: Sahitya-kaumudi by Baladeva Vidyabhushana
(1) A term representing the vital forces or energies that sustain life.[19] (2) Refers to the vital forces or energies (pranah) that are essential for existence.[20]