Whatever this whole universe is that comes forth and moves, moves impelled by the Prāṇa. It is a great terror, like the raised thunderbolt. Those who know this become immortal.

This verse reveals Prāṇa as the vital force that animates the entire universe. It is not simply the air we breathe, but the fundamental cosmic energy that makes all existence arise and move. The whole world ejati (trembles, moves) impelled by this single force.

The description of Brahman as mahad bhaya (great terror) and vajra udyata (raised thunderbolt) evokes the absolute majesty of the Real. Like a king with thunderbolt in hand, before whom all subjects obey trembling, so the entire universe—with its gods, planets, and stars—is kept in order by reverence for Brahman.

Those who viduḥ (know) this truth desire no more; they understand that immortality is not a temporal extension of life, but the realization of their nature as the Ātman that never is born nor dies. In yoga, this invites us to feel prāṇa not only in our breath, but as the very pulse of existence.