Ideas across traditions · meditation · Indian
prāṇāyāma
Works in 5 traditions beyond Indian attest this concept, on 77 cited pages. Translators have rendered it as “breath control”, “prana-nirodha”; a link through a rendering is marked as such, because another translator chose differently.
Also under: pranayama · pranayamas · prandyama · “breath control” · “prana-nirodha”
24works in other traditions, with a cited page
48works in Indian, its home tradition on the maps
24further works where only a vocabulary list or keyword names it; not shown
3judged analogues in other traditions (a different word for a neighbouring idea)
Analogues, judged
A different word, in another tradition, that a reviewer judged to name a neighbouring idea. These are not attestations of prāṇāyāma; each carries the reviewer’s confidence and reason.
- kumbhaka Indian Hatha75%the retention phase alongside puraka and rechaka — a component of pranayama, not a synonym
- taixi Chinese Daoist75%Daoist embryonic breathing — a parallel breath practice in another tradition, not pranayama
- xingqi Chinese Daoist70%xingqi, Daoist breath/energy circulation — an adjacent practice, a precursor of qigong
In other traditions
Ordered by the earliest work in each tradition that attests the concept. Within a tradition, works run from earliest to latest by conventional composition date.
Zoroastrian
- 1000 BCEZoroastrian liturgical corpus (Avesta: Yasna, Visperad, Yašts, Vendīdād)same word
- 1000 BCEAvesta — Gāthās, Yasna, Vendīdād, Yašts, Hādōxt Nasksame word
Buddhist
- 380 CEVasubandhu, Abhidharmakośa with Bhāṣyasame word and a translator’s rendering
- 400 CEVasubandhu, Abhidharmakośa (chs. 6 & 8: path and attainments)same word and a translator’s rendering
- 800 CECakrasaṃvara sādhana (Ghaṇṭapāda five stages; Vajrayoginī / Vajravārāhī)a translator’s rendering
- 900 CESaraha, Dohākoṣasame word
Tibetan
- 1050Nāropa, Six Yogas (tummo, illusory body, dream, clear light, bardo, phowa)same word and a translator’s rendering
- 1080Milarepa, mGur 'bum (Songs)same word
- 1100Tibetan dream yoga (Six Yogas of Nāropa; rmi lam) and the Bardo Thödol's dream bardosame word and a translator’s rendering
- 1100Machig Labdrön, Gcodsame word
- 1350Longchenpa, mDzod bdun (Seven Treasuries)same word and a translator’s rendering
- 1350Longchenpa, Ngal gso skor gsum, Man ngag mdzod & Snying thig ya bzhisame word
- 1400Dzogchen khrid yig (direct-introduction and guidance manuals; Sems sde, Kun byed rgyal po)same word and a translator’s rendering
- Pranayama — breath controlo has four arms, and who has a pleasant face, for the alleviation of all obstacles. ->The worship of Ganapati<- Mantras:brTags grol rgyud drug don khrid, 1700, p. 1 · flagged as a term by the translator
- pranayama — breath controls , so it is now read , having bowed again and again to the God of gods, the Lord of the world . Then , having performedrDzogs chen dka' gnad log rtog 'khrul 'joms sbas pa'i go 'byed, 1700, p. 20 · flagged as a term by the translator
- Pranayama — breath controltain is reached. By the path by which the great and powerful one strikes down all worlds for the mortal, the practice ofrdzogs pa chen po yang tig nag po, 1700, p. 7 · flagged as a term by the translator
- 1488Milarepa, Mgur 'bum & Rnam tharsame word
- 1488Milarepa's Songs (Mgur 'bum / Mdzod nag ma)same word
- 1500Tshe khrid rdo rje phreng ba (long-life visualisation cycle)same word
- pranayama — breath controlthe center of the body. It becomes six, if it is the embodiment of the divine subtle essence. That is the explanation ofTshe khrid rdo rje phreng ba'i skor, 1700, p. 22 · flagged as a term by the translator
- prāṇāyāma — breath control exercisesprocedure for morning/evening prayers . To begin, having performed ācamana ritual sipping of water for purification andTshe khrid rdo rje phreng ba'i skor, 1700, p. 15 · flagged as a term by the translator
- 1500Guru yoga (Bla ma'i rnal 'byor; Bla ma dgongs 'dus)same word
Southeast Asian
Theosophical & Modern Esoteric
- 1877Blavatsky, Isis Unveiledsame word
- Pranayamadial nature or matter. , or Mahat original: "Mahat" — the universal intelligence. , the external life, ii. 565 PranayamaIsis Unveiled Vol. I - Science, 1911, p. 692 · original word kept by the translator
- Pranayamaing their breath for hours together during their religious exercises and call this practice dam-sâdhna . The Hindu termsIsis Unveiled Vol. II - Theology, 1913, p. 611 · flagged as a term by the translator
- Pranayamah, ii. 583 Pralayas periods of dissolution or dissolutions, two, ii. 424 Prakriti , or Mahat, the external life, ii. 565Isis Unveiled: A Master-Key to the Mysteries of Ancient and Modern Science and Theology — Vol. II, 1877, p. 695 · flagged as a term by the translator
- 1888Blavatsky, The Secret Doctrine (the seven principles, manas, states of consciousness)same word and a translator’s rendering
- Prânâyâmaubject to Udâna these five terms refer to different functions of "vital breath" or energy in the body in the practice ofThe Secret Doctrine: Synthesis of Science, Religion and Philosophy Vol. 2, 1888, p. 624 · flagged as a term by the translator
- Prânâyâmainal: "Pratyâhâra" — the restraint and regulation of the senses (the restraint and regulation of the senses; *Prânâyâma*Secret Doctrine Vol. I - Cosmogenesis, 1899, p. 151 · original word kept by the translator
- Prânâyâmaense), and which cannot be expressed by “noisy” or uttered speech. This chapter of Anugîtâ explains, says Arjuna Misra ,The Secret Doctrine Vol. I, 1888, p. 143 · flagged as a term by the translator
- 1889Yoga Sūtra — Theosophical Society translations (Judge, Dvivedi, Johnston)same word
- 1903Ramacharaka (Atkinson), Fourteen Lessons in Yogi Philosophysame word and a translator’s rendering
- 1911Crowley, Book 4, Part I: Mysticismsame word and a translator’s rendering
- 1929Crowley, Magick in Theory and Practice (with Liber E and Liber O)same word and a translator’s rendering
At home in Indian
- 1200 BCEṚgveda 10.129 (Nāsadīya) and 10.90same word
- 200 BCEBhagavad Gītāsame word and a translator’s rendering
- pranayama — breath controlming breath, having restrained the paths of the incoming and outgoing breaths, being devoted to the regulation of breathश्रीमद्भगवद्गीता (Bhagavad Gita, 1492 MS), 1492, p. 26 · flagged as a term by the translator
- pranayama — breath controlfull of effort, and their vows are well-sharpened. [28] Madhusudana Saraswati's Commentary : He describes the knowers ofSrimad Bhagavad Gita (Sanskrit, 1823 edition), 1823, p. 162 · flagged as a term by the translator
- Práṇáyáma — breath controlgin, or devotee, overcomes the five obstacles to Yoga, viz. pain, grief, trembling, asthmatic breathing, and sighing. 2.The Bhagavad-Gita: A Discourse Between Krishna and Arjuna on Divine Matters (Sanskrit and English), 1855, p. 104 · flagged as a term by the translator
- 200 BCEBhagavad Gītā (ch. 6, dhyāna-yoga)same word and a translator’s rendering
- 200 CEManusmṛti (Mānava Dharmaśāstra)same word
- Prânâyâma — breath control, purified by Pavitras blades of Kusa grass used for purification , and sanctified by three suppressions of the breath (The Laws of Manu (Manusmṛti), 1886, p. 180 · flagged as a term by the translator
- prāṇāyāma — breath controlsmall creatures .. ६९ | An illustration regarding this .. ४१ | | Wearing skins, rags, and matted hair .. ६ | Praise forमानवधर्मशास्त्रम् Mānava Dharma Śāstra (Manusmṛti) with six commentaries (Medhātithi, Sarvajña Nārāyaṇa, Kullūka, Rāghav, 1886, p. 14 · flagged as a term by the translator
- 200 CEYājñavalkya Smṛtisame word and a translator’s rendering
- prāṇāyāma — breath control exercises less than a thousand, "something small" like a bit of grain or gold should be given. For a boneless creature, a singleYajnavalkya Smriti with the Mitakshara Commentary, 1936, p. 460 · flagged as a term by the translator
- Prâṇâyâma — breath controlBALAMBHATTA'S GLOSS Marîchi says: "He who eats or voids urine or excrement without the sacred thread must be purified byYājñavalkya Smṛti with Mitākṣarā of Vijñāneśvara, 1918, p. 86 · flagged as a term by the translator
- 200 CECaraka Saṃhitā / Suśruta on dreams as prognostic signssame word and a translator’s rendering
- Pránáyáma — control of breath/wind316 THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITÁ. [Chap. L. **Treatment:**—Practice ofSushruta Samhita Vol. 3 (English Translation from Sanskrit), 1907, p. 346 · flagged as a term by the translator
- Pránáyáma — breath regulationwalking, leaping, swimming, high-jumping, yawning, coughing, singing, expectorating, eructating, laughing, practising ofAn English Translation of the Sushruta Samhita, Based on Original Sanskrit Text, 1907, p. 345 · flagged as a term by the translator
- breath control316 THE SUSHRUTA SAMHITÁ. [Chap. L. **Treatment:**—The practice of *Pránáyáma*The Sushruta Samhita Vol. 3 (English translation), 1916, p. 345 · flagged as a term by the translator
- 300 CEInstitutes of Vishnu (Viṣṇu Smṛti)same word
- 350 CEPatañjali, Yoga Sūtra (with Vyāsa bhāṣya)same word and a translator’s rendering
- prâṇâyâma — breath controleighty-four in number, and each has its peculiar influence on the body and the mind. By variation of âsanas and kinds ofयोगसूत्र (Yoga Sūtra), 1890, p. 120 · flagged as a term by the translator
- prāṇāyāma — breath control-yoga yoga of action .... | 2 | 1 | 57 | | When that exists, the cessation of the motion of inhalation and exhalation isYoga-Sūtra with Three Classical Commentaries (Sanskrit), 1904, p. 6 · flagged as a term by the translator
- prāṇāyāmaffective states is favourable to concentration. **ii. 49** When there is [stability of posture], the restraint of breathYoga-System of Patanjali (Woods - Harvard), 1914, p. 40 · original word kept by the translator
- 350 CEPatañjali, Yoga Sūtra with Vyāsa's bhāṣyasame word and a translator’s rendering
- prâṇâyâma — breath controleighty-four in number, and each has its peculiar influence on the body and the mind. By variation of âsanas and kinds ofयोगसूत्र (Yoga Sūtra), 1890, p. 120 · flagged as a term by the translator
- prāṇāyāma — breath control-yoga yoga of action .... | 2 | 1 | 57 | | When that exists, the cessation of the motion of inhalation and exhalation isYoga-Sūtra with Three Classical Commentaries (Sanskrit), 1904, p. 6 · flagged as a term by the translator
- prāṇāyāmaffective states is favourable to concentration. **ii. 49** When there is [stability of posture], the restraint of breathYoga-System of Patanjali (Woods - Harvard), 1914, p. 40 · original word kept by the translator
- 500 CETirukkuṟaḷsame word
- pranayama — breath controluct" refers to the practice of yoga . This consists of eight parts: yama restraint , niyama observance , asana posture ,The Tirukkural (with Parimelazagar Commentary), 1840, p. 340 · flagged as a term by the translator
- prāṇāyāma — breath controlere refers to following the yogic path. It consists of eight parts: yama restraint , niyama observance , āsana posture ,The Kural of Tiruvalluvar, 1885, p. 183 · flagged as a term by the translator
- pranayama — breath control , pratyahara withdrawal of sensesefers to the path of yoga disciplined practice . This is eightfold: yama restraint , niyama observance , asana posture ,Thirukkural (Arumuga Navalar Edition with Parimelazagar Commentary), 1861, p. 116 · flagged as a term by the translator
- 700 CEBādarāyaṇa, Brahma-sūtra with Śaṅkara's bhāṣya (and Rāmānuja)same word
- Pranayamathe life-force divided into five functions: Prana, Apana, Vyana, Udana, and Samana are restrained through breath controlCommentary on the Brahma Sutras (Brahma Sutra Bhashya), Unknown, p. 89 · flagged as a term by the translator
- prāṇāyāman the different types of vital breath prāṇa life-force , such as prāṇa and apāna , are restrained through breath controlCommentary on the Brahma Sutras, 1934, p. 424 · flagged as a term by the translator
- 800 CEMālinīvijayottara Tantrasame word and a translator’s rendering
- 800 CEVijñānabhairavasame word and a translator’s rendering
- 800 CESaundaryalaharīsame word
- 800 CEŚaṅkara, Vivekacūḍāmaṇisame word
- 850 CENetra Tantra (yoga chapters, with Kṣemarāja's Udyota)same word
- 850 CEVasugupta, Śivasūtra (with Kṣemarāja's Vimarśinī)same word and a translator’s rendering
- 850 CEVasugupta, Śiva Sūtra with Kṣemarāja's Vimarśinīsame word and a translator’s rendering
- 925 CEUtpaladeva, Īśvarapratyabhijñā-kārikā with Abhinavagupta's Vimarśinīsame word
- prāṇāyāmaough the places of birth, is called the "transmigrating soul" saṃsārī . For this reason, one must perform breath controlCommentary on the Recognition of the Lord, Part III, 1943, p. 340 · flagged as a term by the translator
- prāṇāyāmayogis who have separated the independent activity of the life-force through the practice of the five-fold breath-controlCommentary on the Recognition of the Lord, Volume II, 1938, p. 318 · flagged as a term by the translator
- 1000Yoga Vāsiṣṭha / Mokṣopāyasame word and a translator’s rendering
- prana-nirodha — breath controlOne type revealed on this earth is the path of self-knowledge Atma-jnana . > The second is the restraint of life-breathYoga Vasistha, 1986, p. 57 · flagged as a term by the translator
- pránáyáma — breath controlh lead the soul to the sight of Brahma the Supreme Reality : lit: to the city of Brahmá. This is done by the practice ofThe Yoga-Vasishtha Maharamayana of Valmiki, Vol. 2 (Mitra translation), 1893, p. 903 · flagged as a term by the translator
- 1000Yoga Vāsiṣṭha (the dream worlds of Līlā, Lavaṇa, the hundred Rudras)same word and a translator’s rendering
- prana-nirodha — breath controlOne type revealed on this earth is the path of self-knowledge Atma-jnana . > The second is the restraint of life-breathYoga Vasistha, 1986, p. 57 · flagged as a term by the translator
- pránáyáma — breath controlh lead the soul to the sight of Brahma the Supreme Reality : lit: to the city of Brahmá. This is done by the practice ofThe Yoga-Vasishtha Maharamayana of Valmiki, Vol. 2 (Mitra translation), 1893, p. 903 · flagged as a term by the translator
- 1000Abhinavagupta, Tantrāloka (with Tantrasāra)same word and a translator’s rendering
- 1000Abhinavagupta, Tantrāloka (with Jayaratha) and Tantrasārasame word and a translator’s rendering
- 1000Śaṅkara (attrib.), Vivekacūḍāmaṇisame word
- 1025Kṣemarāja, Pratyabhijñāhṛdayasame word
- 1025Kṣemarāja, Pratyabhijñā-hṛdayasame word
- 1096Somaśambhupaddhati (Kriyākāṇḍakramāvalī)same word
- 1100Śāradātilaka & Prapañcasāra (mantra-sādhana manuals)same word and a translator’s rendering
- 1200Kulārṇava Tantrasame word and a translator’s rendering
- Breath Control; who --- \* Moral Restraints original: *Yama* , Spiritual Observances original: *Niyama* , Postures original: *Asana* ,Kularnava Tantra - English Translation (Arthur Avalon), Unknown, p. 99 · flagged as a term by the translator
- Prāṇāyāmaritual mechanics, meditative states, and the veneration of the lineage. Acceptable and unacceptable seats 242, Method ofKularnava Tantra, Unknown, p. 9 · flagged as a term by the translator
- 1200Yoga-vāsiṣṭhasame word and a translator’s rendering
- prana-nirodha — breath controlOne type revealed on this earth is the path of self-knowledge Atma-jnana . > The second is the restraint of life-breathYoga Vasistha, 1986, p. 57 · flagged as a term by the translator
- pránáyáma — breath controlh lead the soul to the sight of Brahma the Supreme Reality : lit: to the city of Brahmá. This is done by the practice ofThe Yoga-Vasishtha Maharamayana of Valmiki, Vol. 2 (Mitra translation), 1893, p. 903 · flagged as a term by the translator
- 1200Gorakṣanātha, Siddhasiddhāntapaddhati & Gorakṣaśatakasame word and a translator’s rendering
- 1200Tantrarāja Tantrasame word and a translator’s rendering
- 1200Vetālapañcaviṃśati (Twenty-Five Tales of the Vetāla)same word
- 1300Śivasvarodaya (breath-divination and svara yoga)same word and a translator’s rendering
- Pranayamaof Rajayoga The "Royal Path" of meditation and mental control , Hathayoga The physical path of postures and breath , andThe Science of Breath, 1898, p. 3 · flagged as a term by the translator
- pranayamaing all mental distress, make the mind one. Perform the abdominal lock uddiyana bandha and the control of the life forceThe Science of the Five Birds and the Wisdom of Breath, 1893, p. 6 · flagged as a term by the translator
- 1350Mādhava, Sarva-darśana-saṃgrahasame word and a translator’s rendering
- 1400Sāṃkhya-sūtra with Aniruddha and Vijñānabhikṣusame word
- Prânâyâma — breath control| | *Practices conducive to Dhyâna * | ... | 306-307 | | * Dhâranâ described* | ... | 307-308 | | " Dhâranâ " here meansThe Samkhya Philosophy, 1915, p. 38 · flagged as a term by the translator
- prāṇāyāma — control of breathrs to the prāṇa life-breath/vital energy ; for the commentator on the Yoga-sūtra Aphorisms on Yoga has explained this asCommentary on the Exposition of the Samkhya Philosophy, 1943, p. 107 · flagged as a term by the translator
- 1450Svātmārāma, Haṭhapradīpikāsame word and a translator’s rendering
- prāṇāyāma — breath controle breath through the iḍā the left channel ." He should practice the actions of the prāṇa-vāyu life breath in the form ofHathayogapradipika (Sanskrit, 1867), 1867, p. 51 · flagged as a term by the translator
- Pranayamaositive to the negative—and control is possible, with knowledge, under the direction of the Will. What the Yogis know asAdvanced Course in Yogi Philosophy and Oriental Occultism, 1905, p. 308 · flagged as a term by the translator
- pranayamas of the body and mind; for this reason, postures are taught first. In the second chapter, the section on breath controlLight on the Yoga of Force with Commentaries, undated, p. 8 · flagged as a term by the translator
- 1500Śiva Saṃhitāsame word and a translator’s rendering
- pranayama — breath controlfrom previous page: the practitioner has successfully mastered the initial steps of breathing. There are four stages ofThe Siva Samhita, 1914, p. 16 · flagged as a term by the translator
- prāṇāyāmaoniously developed, emits a sweet scent, and looks beautiful and lovely. In all kinds of Yoga , there are four stages ofThe Compendium of Shiva, Unknown, p. 34 · flagged as a term by the translator
- 1577Pūrṇānanda, Ṣaṭcakranirūpaṇa (The Serpent Power)same word and a translator’s rendering
- Pranayamaand Chakras energy centers within the body. These are intended to facilitate ease of meditation so that those practicingIllustrated Description of the Six Chakras, undated, p. 5 · flagged as a term by the translator
- Pranayama->CHAPTER I Yama (restraints), Niyama (observances), Asana (posture),The Mysterious Kundalini (1927), 1927, p. 11 · flagged as a term by the translator
- 1577Pūrṇānanda, Ṣaṭcakranirūpaṇasame word and a translator’s rendering
- 1700Gheraṇḍa Saṃhitāsame word and a translator’s rendering
- 1775Mahānirvāṇa Tantrasame word
- 1851N.C. Paul, A Treatise on the Yoga Philosophy (1851); T.C. Rajan Iyengar (1908)same word and a translator’s rendering
- 1886Ramakrishna (Kathāmṛta / Great Master)same word
- 1896Raja Yoga (Vivekananda)same word and a translator’s rendering
- 1896Vivekananda, Rāja Yogasame word and a translator’s rendering
- 1896Vivekananda, Raja Yogasame word and a translator’s rendering
- 1922Surendranath Dasgupta, History of Indian Philosophy I; Yoga as Philosophy and Religionsame word and a translator’s rendering
- Breath controlonstant breathing. This must be regulated through the practice of *breath control* (*prāṇāyāma* original: *prāṇāyāma* ).A History of Indian Philosophy, Volume 1, 1922, p. 294 · flagged as a term by the translator
- prāṇāyāmafrom the shakiness and unsteadiness of the body, it is necessary to practice a steadfast posture ( āsana ) and cultivateYoga as Philosophy and Religion (Dasgupta, 1924), 1924, p. 161 · flagged as a term by the translator
Evidence gate. A work is listed only where a translator marked the word as a term with a gloss, or kept the original word beside the English, on at least one page of a held edition. Vocabulary lists and keywords alone do not count: in a Greek vocabulary list ἡσυχία is the ordinary word for quiet. Up to 3 pages are shown per work, preferring those with a gloss. The vocabulary was built 2026-09-11; the graph on 2026-09-13.