Significance of Vital powers
Vital power encompasses the essential forces that sustain life and facilitate bodily functions, originating from the heart and manifesting in various forms. It includes the life forces that drive consciousness and action, the connection between mind and sensations, and the ability to transfer energy between bodies. In Ayurveda, it relates to life energy derived from Ojas, while in Shaktism, it signifies the essence within all beings that initiates movement and development. Overall, vital power is fundamental to life and perception.
Synonyms: Essential energy, Vitality, Energy, Vigor, Strength, Life force, Spirit
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Hindu concept of 'Vital powers'
In Hinduism, Vital Power embodies the life force linking mind and body, facilitating motion, awareness, and consciousness. It signifies the essence within beings, driving action and growth, and is transferable, originating from divine sources.
From: Satapatha-brahmana
(1) Represents the life force of man, which should not be diminished by offerings exceeding a hundred and one.[1] (2) An essential quality or essence of life that is conferred upon the Sacrificer through the ritual and the horse symbolically representing it.[2] (3) The essential energy associated with the Sacrificer, which is bestowed upon them through divine entities.[3] (4) Essential life energy that the sacrificial offerings aim to invoke and sustain for the family.[4] (5) Vital power is associated with life energy and is placed alongside vital air, representing essential endowments for existence.[5]
From: Yoga Vasistha [English], Volume 1-4
(1) The essential energy that sustains life within the body, whose absence signifies death.[6] (2) The essential life forces driving action and consciousness, dependent on both the soul and the body.[7] (3) The vital power is the connection between the mind and sensations, highlighting the essential force that drives perception and awareness.[8] (4) The essential forces that facilitate the body's functions, originating from the heart and maintaining life through motion and interaction.[9] (5) The essential life force that can be transferred from one body to another, akin to the transfer of energy.[10]
From: The Bhagavata Purana
(1) The life force or essence deposited in the earth by the divine, paralleling the concept of dormant energy.[11]
From: The Devi Bhagavata Purana
(1) The life force embodied in the heart, signifying the goddess’s role in sustaining life.[12]
From: History of Indian Medicine (and Ayurveda)
(1) The inherent strength of the triumvirate and body-elements that play a crucial role in resisting vitiation.[13]
From: Sushruta Samhita, volume 1: Sutrasthana
(1) The life energy derived from the fundamental principles of the body, particularly from Ojas.[14]
From: Shakti and Shakta
(1) Vital Power signifies the inherent life-force or essence within all beings that initiates movement and development, related to the concept of sentience.[15]