Prana

In Hindu ritual we do ritualistic Puja of idols of many God and Goddesses. Whatever ritualistic we do, like 'Japa' (silent praying with beads), 'Hom' (ritualistic sacrifice in fire), sacrifice, always speaking about God, memorize the verse of 'Sasthra' (Holy scriptures like Veda and Bible) and Gita, the real and true knowledge of God can never be perceived.

In the words of Shastra:

Prano He Bhagawan Iish Prano Vishnu Pitamaha|

Pranen Dharjate Lokoh Sarbong Pranamayang Jogot||

I.e. Prana is God or 'Iswar', Prana is Vishnu, Prana is 'Pitamaha Bramha'. Prana is beholding all lives / living beings and the Universe is full of Prana.

Due to the influence of the 'Prana-Shakti' (Power/Energy of Prana), the material beings of this whole universe seems lively and conscious. In the absence of Prana all are inert and dead. If we logically deduce, the fact is - other than the Prana there is nothing and cannot be anything indestructible and immortal. Immortal Prana remains fully occupied in this whole universe and as I am also a part of this universe, of course He (Prana) resides in me. Hence, should we worship anyone else leaving aside that immortal power? We all are obsessed with the material things and this world, as our own. But how long does that obsession stays with us - till the existence of Prana is there in our body. Whenever our body gets void of Prana, it never accepts those substances as it's own. In spite of having all the sensory organs, the body looses all its value whenever Prana leaves. So we give value to a body till there is Prana and a Prana-less body don't have any value at all. Hence unknowingly we all give value or importance, only to Prana.

Even while doing any ritualistic Puja followed by Hindu for any god or goddesses, the first step we do is 'Prana Prathista' (Establishment of Prana). Even all the knowledge of rituals converge to a point - our one and only belonging we have is Prana. Hence Prana is our only ultimate capital, our well wisher; we don't have any utmost friend other than Prana. But alas! We are such stupid and insensate, our eyes are such cloud-capped that we never pay any notice to our beloved friend, not also for at least a moment! We are only busy securing the destructible wealth without paying any heed to notice our valuable Prana. Though the other absolute fact - considering all the worldly things, as too much valuable and busy securing them thinking them as 'my own' is known as worldly illusion or 'Maya of Mahamaya' (illusion of the worldly power of nature named Mahamaya) who pulls us all in Her lap at the end. Still do we ever think bypassing this illusion, slowly, bit by bit, each and every moment how we are getting closer and closer to destruction. We never think that way and so never keep an eye on Prana. That is why we have all the sufferings.

We have to hold the restless Prana, have to know Him, have to understand Him. If we don't know Prana we know nothing in this world. This Pran is self-born, imperishable, undecayable, immortal. That is why God said in Gita -

"N Jayote Mriyote Ba Kadachit

Nayong Bhuta Bhabita Ba N Bhuyoh

Ojo Nityoh Shashotohoyong Purano

N Honyote Honyomane Sorire|"

It means, 'Atma' (Soul) - He is never born, never dies or never emerge and stay. He is unborn, constant (never growing), eternal (never depleted), ancient (without any result). Destruction of body does not destruct Him; He is ever truth, ever beautiful, ever untainted, ever pleasing. He is human's most coveted God.