Katha Upanishad 5.3
intermediate
ऊर्ध्वं प्राणमुन्नयत्यपानं प्रत्यगस्यति। मध्ये वामनमासीनं विश्वे देवा उपासते॥
ūrdhvaṃ prāṇamunnayatyapānaṃ pratyagasyati | madhye vāmanamāsīnaṃ viśve devā upāsate ||
""It sends the prana upward and casts the apana downward. All the gods worship that adorable one seated in the middle.""
What This Means:
The Self controls the upward (prana) and downward (apana) life-forces. Seated in the heart's center, it is worshipped by all divine powers.
Going Deeper:
This describes the Self as controller of vital forces. "Vamana" (adorable/dwarf) sits in the heart controlling all energies.
How To Apply This:
The breath you breathe is controlled by the Self within. Honor that inner controller.
#prana#apana#inner controller