“The Brahmana continued, ’Unto Apana who said so, both Vyana and Udana said—­O Apana, thou art not the foremost. (Only) Prana is under thy dominion.  Then Apana began to move about.  Vyana once more addressed him saying, I am the foremost of all (the life-winds).  Listen, for what reason.  When I become extinct, all the life-winds become extinct in the bodies of living creatures.  When I move about, they once more move about.  I am (therefore) the foremost.  Behold, I go into extinction!’

“The Brahmana continued, ’Then Vyana went into extinction and once more began to move about.  At this, Prana and Apana and Udana and Samana addressed him, saying, ’Thou art not the foremost among us, O Vyana!  (Only) Samana is under thy dominion—­Vyana then began to move about and Samana said unto him,—­I am the foremost of you all.  Listen, for what reason.  When I become extinct, all the life-winds become extinct in the bodies of living creatures.  When I begin to move about, they once more move about.  Hence, I am the foremost.  Behold, I go into extinction!  Then Samana began to move about.  Unto him Udana said, I am the foremost of all the life-winds.  Listen, for what reason.  When I become extinct, all the life-winds become extinct in the bodies of living creatures.  When I move about they once more move about.  Hence, I am the foremost.  Behold, I go into extinction!—­Then Udana, after having gone into extinction, began once more to move about, Prana and Apana and Samana and Vyana said, unto him, O Udana, thou art not the foremost one among us, only Vyana is under thy dominion.’

“The Brahmana continued, ’Unto them assembled together, the Lord of creatures, Brahma, said, ’No one of you is superior to others.  Ye are all endued with particular attributes.  All are foremost in their own spheres, and all possess special attributes.  Thus said unto them, that were assembled together, the Lord of all creatures.  There is one that is unmoving, and one that is moving.  In consequence of special attributes, there are five life-winds.  My own self is one.  That one accumulates into many forms.  Becoming friendly unto one another, and gratifying one another, depart in peace.  Blessings to ye, do ye uphold one another!’”

SECTION XXIV

“The Brahmana said, ’In this connection is cited the ancient story of the discourse between Narada and the Rishi Devamata.’

“Devamata said, ’What verily, comes first into existence, of a creature that takes birth?  Is it Prana, or Apana, or Samana, or Vyana, or Udana?’

“Narada said, ’By whatever the creature is created, that first comes unto him which is other (or separate from him).  The life winds are to be known as existing in pairs, viz., those that move transversely, upwards, and downwards.’

“Devamata said, ’By whom (among the life-winds) is a creature produced?  Who (amongst) them comes first?  Do thou tell me what the pairs are of the life-winds, that move transversely, upwards, and downwards.’