Pathira Prāṇas in Classical Indian Aesthetics

This set of flashcards covers the Pathira Prāṇas, consisting of the ten internal (Antha) and ten external (Pahi) life forces used to bring psychological realism and emotional depth to Indian classical dance.

Pathira Prāṇas

Ten vital emotional elements that bring a character—especially a Nayika—to life in abhinaya; they are the inner breath of expression.

Antarika bhāva

The inner emotional world of a character that a dancer aims to portray with authenticity.

Hṛdaya

The heart; the emotional centre or core from which all feelings arise.

Buddhi

Intellect; the ability to understand a situation and respond with clarity.

Smṛti

Memory; the act of recalling past events that influence present emotion.

Saṅkalpa

Determination; the inner resolve of the character.

Manas

The mind;

Vāk

Speech; the imagined or expressed dialogue of the character.

Kāya

The body; physical expression that supports emotion and internal physical awareness.

Indriyas

The senses; how the character perceives the world.

Ātma

The soul

Prāṇa

Life force

Padhira Antha Prāṇas

The ten internal psychological forces that operate inside the mind and heart of the character to create emotional authenticity.

Padhira Pahi Prāṇas

The ten external expressive forces that make inner emotions visible through the dancer’s body and behavior.

Ākṛti

Posture and form.

Gati

Movement quality.

Lāsya

Grace.

Rekha

Lines of the body.

Bheda

Variations in movement.

Vikāsa

Expansion or openness.

Saṅkoca

Contraction or withdrawal.

Sthāna

Standing positions.

Āhārya

jewellery

Ābhoga

External embellishment or finishing touches.