Let a man meditate on the fivefold Sâman, which is greater than great, as the prânas (senses). The hinkâra is smell (nose), the prastâva speech (tongue), the udgîtha sight (eye), the pratihâra hearing (ear), the nidhana mind. These are one greater than the other.

In plain words: The five parts of the sacred chant can also be seen as the senses and powers in us: smell, speech, sight, hearing, and mind. The text calls these prânas, meaning life-powers. Each one is greater than the one before it, and the mind is the greatest.