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Prana Apana Mantra
Universal Mantras Mantra sanskrit

Prana Apana Mantra

The Prana Apana mantra invokes the two primary vital currents described in classical yoga philosophy. Prana represents the upward-moving life force governing inhalation, heart function, and reception of energy from the cosmos. Apana represents the downward-moving eliminating force governing exhalation, digestion, and removal of waste. Shushumna is the central energy channel along the spine through which these forces flow. Hari, meaning 'the remover' or 'divine sustainer,' activates the mantra's healing potential. Together, these syllables create a unified invocation of pranic balance and vitality.

In Vedic and yogic traditions, disease arises from imbalance between prana and apana—excessive downward movement without sufficient upward lift creates stagnation and degeneration. The Chandogya Upanishad and Brihadaranyaka Upanishad describe the five prana vayus (vital winds) as the foundation of all bodily function. The Bhagavad Gita (4:29) teaches 'apane juhvati pranam'—the sacred offering of prana into apana—as an inner sacrifice that purifies and heals. Hari serves as the divine witness and activator of this sacred exchange, elevating the mantra from mechanics to spirituality. This practice aligns individual breath with cosmic rhythm.

Chant this mantra during or immediately after pranayama practice—alternate nostril breathing (Nadi Shodhana) amplifies its effect dramatically. Place hands on areas of pain or disease, directing intention to rebalance pranic flow in that region. Morning practice aligns with dawn's natural upward prana surge. Begin with 21, 54, or 108 repetitions. Coordinate chanting with natural breath—inhale on 'Prana,' exhale on 'Apana'—to embody the mantra's teaching rather than merely recite it.

Curated by The Mahakatha Team · Original Composition: Mahakatha · Lyric: Traditional / Vedic

Lyrics

Sanskrit / English Telugu Kannada Spanish Bengali Russian Tamil Hindi German

प्राण अपान सुषुम्ना हरि। हरि हर हरि हर हरि हर हरि।

Praana Apaana Shushumna Hari Hari Har Hari Har Hari Har Hari

Word-by-Word Meaning

Sanskrit Meaning
Praana refers to the life force.
Apaan is the eliminating force.
Shushumna refers to the central channel of energy.
Prana In the yogic tradition, prana is considered [**the life force or vital energy](https://www.yogabasics.com/learn/the-flow-of-prana/)** that sustains life. It is the energy that flows through all living beings and is essential for maintaining health and vitality.
Apana Apana is the eliminating force or the energy that governs elimination and expulsion from the body. It is responsible for removing toxins and waste materials from the body, ensuring the proper functioning of the internal organs.
Shushmana Shushmana is the central channel or energy pathway that runs along the spine in the subtle body. It is considered the most important of the energy channels (nadis) and is associated with the central nervous system.
Hari Hari is [**a name of God](https://www.yogapedia.com/definition/7560/hari-om)** and is often used as a seed sound (bij mantra) for activation and elevation.

How to Chant Prana Apana Mantra

  1. 1

    Find a quiet, clean space

    Sit in a comfortable, undisturbed environment. Face east or north if possible. You may light incense or a candle to set a contemplative atmosphere.

  2. 2

    Settle into a comfortable posture

    Sit cross-legged on the floor or upright in a chair. Keep the spine erect and place the hands on the knees with palms facing upward.

  3. 3

    Take three cleansing breaths

    Inhale slowly through the nose, hold briefly, and exhale completely. Repeat three times to calm the mind and prepare for mantra recitation.

  4. 4

    Begin chanting Prana Apana Mantra

    Chant the mantra clearly and with devotion — aloud, in a whisper, or silently. Use a mala (108 beads) to count repetitions. Aim for a consistent, unhurried rhythm throughout the session.

  5. 5

    Rest in stillness

    After completing your chanting, sit quietly for two to five minutes. Allow the vibration of the mantra to settle within. Close the practice with a moment of gratitude.

Benefits of Prana Apana Mantra

  • Harmonizes opposing vital currents (prana and apana), resolving the root pranic causes of physical and emotional imbalance.

    Source: Chandogya Upanishad, Yoga philosophy

  • Enhances digestive fire and metabolic function by activating samana vayu—the balancing breath at the navel center.

    Source: Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Ayurvedic tradition

  • Amplifies the effects of pranayama when chanted during breathwork, deepening oxygenation and subtle energy circulation.

    Source: Traditional pranayama practice

  • Supports emotional stability and mental clarity by removing energetic blockages along the central channel (Shushumna).

    Source: Kundalini yoga philosophy

  • Facilitates natural healing by directing vital energy to regions of pain, tension, or disease for cellular regeneration.

    Source: Traditional energy medicine practice

Deity Universal Mantras
Composition Mahakatha (Original) · Traditional / Vedic (Lyric)
Also called Prana Apana Mantra
Good for
Mantras for Healing

Story & Symbolism

The teachings of prana and apana emerge from the earliest Vedic texts, particularly the Upanishads, which describe the subtle anatomy of the human body as mapped by five vital winds (prana vayus). The Chandogya Upanishad presents these currents not as poetic metaphor but as precise descriptions of energy flows that ancient yogis directly perceived through meditation and breath control. The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad deepens this understanding, explaining how imbalance of these vital winds causes disease, aging, and suffering. This knowledge was guarded within lineages of householder yogis and Vedic scholars, transmitted orally from teacher to student over generations.

The Bhagavad Gita (4:29) crystallizes this wisdom in Krishna's teaching of yajna—sacred offering—performed within the body itself. Krishna describes advanced practitioners who 'offer the prana into the apana and the apana into the prana,' creating a unified circulation that purifies and elevates consciousness. Hari, invoked in this mantra, represents the divine principle of preservation and removal of obstacles. In Hindu cosmology, Hari—literally 'the remover'—is the sustaining force that maintains life and facilitates transformation. When chanted, Hari awakens this divine dimension within the practitioner, transforming mechanical breathing into sacred practice.

The formulation 'Prana Apana Mantra' as it exists today emerged from 15th-century Hatha Yoga traditions, especially through the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, which systematized pranayama techniques that directly activate these subtle currents. Modern practitioners inherited a mantra already refined and tested by centuries of yogis. Today, this chant serves as a bridge between ancient Vedic wisdom and contemporary healing needs, offering both physiological benefits (improved digestion, circulation, immunity) and spiritual dimensions (energetic purification, consciousness expansion).

How to Use in Daily Life

🌅

Morning Energizing

Chant 21 repetitions at dawn, sitting upright facing east if possible. Coordinate breath—inhale on Prana, exhale on Apana. This awakens upward-moving prana and prepares the body-mind for the day's challenges with natural vitality and mental clarity.

🧘

Post-Pranayama Practice

Integrate the mantra immediately after 10 minutes of Nadi Shodhana (alternate nostril breathing) or Ujjayi breath. Chant 54–108 repetitions while energy is already activated. This amplifies both the mantra and pranayama, creating deeper oxygenation and subtle circulation.

🙏

Healing Targeted Areas

When experiencing pain or illness in a specific body region, place hands on that area and chant 54 repetitions with healing intention. Visualize golden light flowing from Prana (above) to Apana (below) through the affected zone, dissolving blockages and restoring cellular function.

💤

Evening Stabilizing

Chant 27 repetitions before bed to ground scattered energy downward and prepare the body for deep sleep. This regulates the nervous system, balances stress hormones, and promotes restorative rest by harmonizing prana and apana flows before sleep.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Prana Apana Mantra?
The Prana Apana mantra is a healing chant that balances the upward (prana) and downward (apana) vital breath currents flowing through the subtle body's central channel (Shushumna). It invokes Hari—the divine sustainer—to activate and harmonize these life-force energies. Rooted in Vedic and yogic texts including the Chandogya Upanishad and Hatha Yoga Pradipika, this mantra addresses the fundamental cause of disease: imbalance of the prana vayus (five vital winds). When prana and apana flow in harmony, energy circulates freely, digestion improves, and vitality increases. The mantra works at both the physical breath level and the subtle energetic level, making it accessible to beginners and advanced practitioners alike. Chanting Prana Apana Hari creates an internal resonance that reminds the body of its natural state of balance and wholeness.
What are the benefits of chanting Prana Apana Mantra?
This mantra resolves chronic imbalances by harmonizing opposing life-force currents, making it beneficial for digestion, immune function, and disease recovery. Regular practice increases overall vitality and resilience. Specific benefits include: improved digestive function through activation of samana vayu (navel fire); enhanced circulation and oxygenation; emotional stability and mental clarity from blockage removal along Shushumna; reduced chronic pain and inflammation through targeted pranic healing; deeper, more effective pranayama practice; and accelerated recovery from illness or injury. Many practitioners report improved sleep quality, increased energy throughout the day, and a palpable sense of inner balance. When chanted with conscious intention during or after breathwork, the mantra's effects amplify significantly. The mantra works preventatively too—regular morning practice maintains optimal pranic flow before imbalance manifests as disease.
When and how often should I chant the Prana Apana Mantra?
Morning practice is ideal, aligning with the natural upward surge of prana at dawn. Chant for 5–15 minutes daily, either 21, 54, or 108 repetitions. Most powerful when performed immediately after pranayama (breathwork). For beginners, start with 21 repetitions during morning meditation, inhaling on 'Prana' and exhaling on 'Apana' to embody the mantra's teaching. Advanced practitioners may integrate the chant into a full pranayama session, chanting during Nadi Shodhana (alternate nostril breathing) or Ujjayi breath. For targeted healing of specific organs or pain, place your hands on the affected area and chant 54 or 108 times with healing intention. Evening chanting is acceptable but less powerful than morning. Consistency matters more than duration—daily practice for 40 days creates noticeable shifts in energy and health. If you are recovering from illness, increase frequency to twice daily (morning and evening) for 3–6 weeks.
What is the origin of the Prana Apana Mantra?
The mantra's teachings derive from the Upanishads, particularly the Chandogya and Brihadaranyaka Upanishads, which describe the five prana vayus as the foundation of life and health. The Bhagavad Gita (4:29) explicitly teaches the practice of offering prana into apana as sacred inner sacrifice (yajna). The Hatha Yoga Pradipika, compiled by Svatmarama in the 15th century, systematized pranayama practices that work directly with these vital currents. Hari—meaning 'the remover' or 'divine sustainer'—appears throughout the Vedas and Puranas as the name of God associated with preservation and healing. This specific mantra formulation emerges from the integration of Vedic wisdom, Tantric practice, and classical yoga philosophy. It represents the codification of knowledge that practitioners have verified through direct experience for millennia. The mantra carries both the authority of scriptural lineage and the living proof of countless healers and yogis who have refined and transmitted it.
How do I pronounce and practice the Prana Apana Mantra correctly?
Pronounce as: PRAH-nah AH-pah-nah SHOO-shoom-nah HAH-ree (repeat Hari with each breath cycle). Let each syllable resonate naturally from your belly, not your throat. Begin by chanting aloud for the first 10 repetitions, then shift to a whisper, then internal mental chanting. To embody the mantra: Inhale deeply while silently chanting 'Prana,' drawing energy upward from the earth through your feet to the crown. Exhale while chanting 'Apana,' releasing stagnant energy downward through the root. When you reach Shushumna, visualize a glowing channel of light running along your spine. Chant Hari as an invocation of divine activation. Do not rush—each line should take one full breath cycle. If you find the rhythm challenging initially, record yourself or listen to a traditional recording to absorb the proper cadence. Practice with a mala (108-bead prayer beads) to maintain count and deepen focus. Over time, the mantra becomes embodied—you feel prana and apana shifting within you.
What happens if we chant Prana Apana Mantra?
Regular chanting of Prana Apana Mantra creates measurable shifts in your mental, emotional, and spiritual state. Harmonizes opposing vital currents (prana and apana), resolving the root pranic causes of physical and emotional imbalance.. Enhances digestive fire and metabolic function by activating samana vayu—the balancing breath at the navel center.. Amplifies the effects of pranayama when chanted during breathwork, deepening oxygenation and subtle energy circulation.. Most practitioners notice a tangible difference within the first week of daily practice — start with 108 repetitions using a mala and observe how your inner state transforms.

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