Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 19
Genealogies of Svāyambhuva Manu, the Appearance of Yajña, and Atri’s Sons
Brahmā–Viṣṇu–Śiva Expansions
प्राणायामेन संयम्य मनो वर्षशतं मुनि: । अतिष्ठदेकपादेन निर्द्वन्द्वोऽनिलभोजन: ॥ १९ ॥
prāṇāyāmena saṁyamya mano varṣa-śataṁ muniḥ atiṣṭhad eka-pādena nirdvandvo ’nila-bhojanaḥ
There the great sage concentrated his mind by the yogic breathing exercises, and thereby controlling all attachment, he remained standing on one leg only, eating nothing but air, and stood there on one leg for one hundred years.
FAQs
This verse states that through prāṇāyāma the sage restrained the mind and maintained intense steadiness for a very long time, showing breath-control as a means of mental discipline.
Śukadeva Gosvāmī describes a sage performing prolonged tapas—standing on one leg, living on air, and remaining nirdvandva—within the genealogical narrative of Canto 4, Chapter 1.
Practice steadiness amid praise and criticism, comfort and discomfort—using disciplined habits (like regulated breathing, meditation, and devotion) to reduce reactive swings of the mind.