अथ ह प्राण उच्चिक्रमिषन्स यथा सुहयः पड्वीशशङ्कून्संखिदेदेवमितरान्प्राणान्समखिदत्तं हाभिसमेत्योचुर्भगवन्नेधि त्वं नः श्रेष्ठोऽसि मोत्क्रमीरिति ॥ ५.१.१२ ॥
In plain words
Then, as the breath was about to go out, it tore up the other breaths as a fine horse tears up the pegs to which it is tethered. They came together to it and said, "Sir, stay. Thou art the best of us; do not go out."
The commentators
Chāndogyopaniṣadbhāṣyam· bhāṣya
एवं परीक्षितेषु वागादिषु, अथ अनन्तरं ह स मुख्यः प्राणः उच्चिक्रमिषन् उत्क्रमितुमिच्छन् किमकरोदिति, उच्यते—यथा लोके सुहयः शोभनोऽश्वः पड्वीशशङ्कून् पादबन्धनकीलान् परीक्षणाय आरूढेन कशया हतः सन् सं-
In plain words
When the faculties such as Speech had been thus tested, what did that primary vital breath do when it wished to depart? It is explained: just as in ordinary life a fine, high-bred horse—ridden and struck with a whip by its rider to test its mettle—pulls up the pegs binding its feet...
Close to the Sanskrit
Thus when the senses like speech were tested, then subsequently that chief prāna, desiring to depart upward and wishing to exit, what did he do? It is said: just like in the world a good horse, a splendid steed, [pulls up] tethering pegs, pegs binding the feet, for testing, struck by a whip by one mounted upon it, being [struck]...