Alternative spellings of this word include Pranachara.

In Hinduism

Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

Source: academia.edu: The Śaiva Yogas and Their Relation to Other Systems of Yoga

Prāṇacāra (प्राणचार) refers to “course of the breath”.—This is the term used for the flow or movement of the vital energy that occurs during respiration. This movement is charted by mapping it to a path in the body measuring thirty-six digits (aṅgula, finger-breadth). The course is commonly used in both yogic and ritual contexts. It runs from the heart-lotus (hṛtpadma) to the level of Śakti (=śakti-dvādaśānta, śaktyanta, the level of Sadāśiva, visargānta, śāntyatīta, muṇḍānta etc.) in the cranial aperture (brahmabila). In the Tantrāloka the out-breath is similarly said to move through thirty-six digits“measured with one’s own fingers—from the heart to the nāsikya-dvādaśānta.

context information

Shaiva (शैव, śaiva) or Shaivism (śaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshiping Shiva as the supreme being. Closely related to Shaktism, Shaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including Tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Prana, Cara.

Full-text: Granthi.

Relevant text

No search results for Pranacara, Prana-cara, Prāṇa-cāra, Prāṇacāra; (plurals include: Pranacaras, caras, cāras, Prāṇacāras) in any book or story.