# प्राणायाम (prāṇāyāma)

Canonical page: https://sanskritlexicon.com/word/pranayama

प्राणायाम (prāṇāyāma) is a Sanskrit word meaning the three breath exercises performed during Sandhya, restraining of breath, a practice for yoga. Its 8 recorded definitions are grouped into 3 contexts, among them General Yogic Breathing Practice, Specific Techniques and Types (Pūraka, Recaka, Kumbhaka), Purpose, Role in Yoga, and Benefits.

- **Etymology:** E. प्राण breath, आ before यम to restrain, aff. घञ् — E. prāṇa breath, ā before yama to restrain, aff. ghañ
- **SLP1:** `prARAyAma`  **IAST:** prāṇāyāma  **Devanagari:** प्राणायाम
- **Declensions:** 48 forms — https://sanskritlexicon.com/word/pranayama/declensions.md

## Meanings by context

### General Yogic Breathing Practice (3 definitions)
- breathing in a particular way through the nostrils only, as practised by ascetics  
  *Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > प्राणायाम (prāṇāyāma) [Printed book page 526-a ] प्राणा _ याम (prāṇā_yāma) ( मः ) ((maḥ)) 1. m. Breathing in a particular way through the nostrils only, as practised by ascetics. [ ID=26535 ]
- suspending the breath during the mental recitation of the attributes of a deity  
  *Vaidya Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > प्राणायाम (prāṇāyāma) [Printed book page 487-25 ] प्राण - आयाम (prāṇa-āyāma) m. suspending the breath during the mental recitation of the attributes of a deity. [ ID=25303 ]
- restraining of breath  
  *Cappeller Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > प्राणायाम (prāṇāyāma) [Printed book page 350 ] प्राणायाम (prāṇāyāma) m. restraining of breath. [ ID=21263 ]

### Specific Techniques and Types (Pūraka, Recaka, Kumbhaka) (3 definitions)
- the three breath exercises performed during Sandhya  
  *Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899)*
  > (H3) [Printed book page 706,1] प्रा (prā) णा (ṇā) याम (yāma) m. (also pl. ) N. of the three ‘breath-exercises’ performed during Saṃdhyā (see पूरक (pūraka), रेचक (recaka), कुम्भक (kumbhaka), Indian Wisdom, by Sir M. Monier-Williams (Title) 93; Religious Thought and Life in India, also called ’Brāhmanism and Hindūism,’ by Sir M. Monier-Williams (Title) 402; Monier-Williams’ Buddhism in its connexion with Brāhmaṇism and Hindūism: and in its contrast with Christianity (Title) 239 ), Kauś.; Yājñ.; Pur. [ ID=139709 ]
- Breathing in a peculiar way through the nostrils during the mental recitation of the names or attributes of a deity  
  *Wilson Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > प्राण (prāṇa) ायाम (prāṇāyāma) [Printed book page 587 ] प्राण (prāṇa) ायाम (prāṇāyāma) m. ( - मः (-maḥ) ) Breathing in a peculiar way through the nostrils, during the mental recitation of the names or attributes of some deity; it is differently performed: the Vaidyas or followers of the Veda close the right nostril first with the thumb, and inhale breath through the left, then they close both nostrils, and finally open the right for exhalation: the followers of the Tantras close the left nostril first, and exhale also through it; these operations are severally called पुरक, कुम्भक (puraka, kumbhaka), and रेचक (recaka). E. प्राण (prāṇa) breath, आ (ā) before यम (yama) to restrain, aff. घञ् (ghañ). [ ID=27036 ]
- Control of the breath by inhaling, retaining, and exhaling in a specific manner through the nostrils.  
  *Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English Dictionary*
  > प्राण (prāṇa) ायाम (prāṇāyāma) [Printed book page 503-a ] प्राण (prāṇa) ायाम (prāṇāyāma) m. ( - मः (-maḥ) ) Breathing in a peculiar way through the nostrils, during the mental recitation of the names or attributes of some deity; it is differently performed. the Vaidikas or followers of the Veda close the right nostril first with the thumb, and inhale breath through the left, then they close both nostrils, and finally open the right for exhalation; the followers of the Tantras close the left nostril first, and exhale also through it; these operations are severally called पूरक, कुम्भक (pūraka, kumbhaka) and रेचक (recaka) E. प्राण (prāṇa) breath, आ (ā) before, यम् (yam) to restrain, aff. घञ् । (ghañ.) [ ID=27825 ]

### Purpose, Role in Yoga, and Benefits (2 definitions)
- a practice for yoga  
  *The Purana Index*
  > प्राणायाम (prāṇāyāma) [Printed book page 2-442 ] Prāṇāyāma (I) — a sādhana for yoga. Vi. I. 22. 45; V. 10. 15; VI. 7. 40. [ ID=8751 ]
- 1. A three-fold practice serving as a mode of penance and a constituent of Maheshvara yoga. 2. The control of breath, comprising three forms categorized by measure.  
  *The Purana Index*
  > [Printed book page 2-443 ] Prāṇāyāma (II) — three-fold: its utility; a mode of penance. 1 one of the constituents of Maheśvara yoga; ety., the control of Prāṇa or wind; three ways are distinguished; mandha, madhya and uttama; the Pramāṇa of Prāṇāyāma is 12 mātras; manda is of 12 mātras as also udghātā; madh- yama is twice udghātā or 24 mātras; uttama is three udghā- tās or 36 mātras; uttama produces sveda, kampa and viṣāda; Prāṇa is like the cruel wild animal which if tamed becomes soft; if approached direct by yoga, prāṇa becomes disciplined in course of time; having controlled the vāyu one can live as he pleases; there is no sin in his body; Prāṇāyāma is equal to all penances and fruits of yajña; all doṣas become burnt as it were by this practice. 2 fruits of; śānti, praśānti, dīpti, and Prasāda; 3 practice of: — draw in aum, pray to sun and moon, and sit in svastika or padma posture; half- shut eyes; look at the tip of the nose a little raising the head, neck and the body; hence tamas and rajas look on satva; attaining this yoga, pratyāhāra to be begun, mātra — nimi- ṣonmeṣa — 12 mātras. 4 [ Footnote: 1) Bhā. IV. 8. 44; 23. 8; Br. III. 22. 74; M. 227. 37.] [ Footnote: 2) Vā. 10. 78-92.] [ Footnote: 3) Ib. 11. 4; 18. 17-19.] [ Footnote: 4) Ib. 11. 12-29; 22. 19; 110. 13.] [ ID=8752 ]

## Sources

Definitions from Cappeller Sanskrit-English Dictionary; Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899); Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English Dictionary; The Purana Index; Vaidya Sanskrit-English Dictionary; Wilson Sanskrit-English Dictionary; Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary.
Text from the Cologne Digital Sanskrit Lexicon, University of Cologne.

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