Prāṇāyāma
प्राणायामपुंल्लिङ्ग (masculine) · प्राण (prāṇa — vital energy) + आयाम (āyāma — expansion, control)
prāṇāyāma
Practices and Paths
Breath regulation — expansion and control of prāṇa
Prāṇāyāma is the discipline of regulating the breath to calm the mind and prepare the body for meditation. In Patañjali's system, it is the fourth limb of aṣṭāṅga-yoga. In Vedānta, prāṇāyāma is an auxiliary practice (aṅga) that helps create the mental environment needed for śravaṇa and manana. The Bhagavad Gītā (4.29) mentions prāṇāyāma as a form of yajña (offering).
Using this in academic work? Get formal citation
Vishva Vidya (2026). Prāṇāyāma (प्राणायाम). Vishva Vidya — Vedanta. https://vedanta.com.br/en/glossary/pranayama
Vishva Vidya. "Prāṇāyāma (प्राणायाम)." Vishva Vidya — Vedanta, January 1, 2026, https://vedanta.com.br/en/glossary/pranayama.
Vishva Vidya. "Prāṇāyāma (प्राणायाम)." Vishva Vidya — Vedanta, January 1, 2026. https://vedanta.com.br/en/glossary/pranayama.
Related terms
Want to study Vedānta in depth?
Learn about our study programs →