Shloka 88

Adhyaya 8: Yogasthanas, Ashtanga Yoga, Pranayama-Siddhi, and Shiva-Dhyana leading to Samadhi

Devanagari script

संवृतास्योपबद्धाक्ष उरो विष्टभ्य चाग्रतः पार्ष्णिभ्यां वृषणौ रक्षंस् तथा प्रजननं पुनः

Transliteration

saṃvṛtāsyopabaddhākṣa uro viṣṭabhya cāgrataḥ pārṣṇibhyāṃ vṛṣaṇau rakṣaṃs tathā prajananaṃ punaḥ

Translation

مع إغلاق الفم وكفّ البصر، ومع إسناد الصدر إلى الأمام، فليحمِ الخصيتين بالكعبين، وكذلك ليصن عضو التناسل—وبذلك يحفظ الانضباط ويضبط طاقة الحياة.

Word by Word

• saṃvṛta-āsya: with mouth closed

• upabaddha-akṣa: with eyes restrained/controlled

• uraḥ: the chest

• viṣṭabhya: bracing/pressing/steadying

• ca: and

• agrataḥ: in front/forward

• pārṣṇibhyām: with the two heels

• vṛṣaṇau: the two testes

• rakṣan: guarding/protecting

• tathā: likewise

• prajananaṃ: the generative organ/procreative faculty

• punaḥ: again/further

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating a Shaiva yogic/disciplinary instruction within the Linga Purana discourse)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

It emphasizes inner purity and restraint—protecting vital energy and sense-control—seen as a prerequisite for effective Shiva-upasana and Linga-puja where the Pashu (soul) approaches Pati (Shiva) by loosening pasha (bondage).

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

By implying that proximity to Shiva-tattva requires disciplined containment of the senses and life-force, it reflects the Shaiva Siddhanta view that the Pashu attains clarity for grace (anugraha) when impurities and agitations are restrained.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A protective yogic posture/discipline tied to brahmacharya: closing the mouth, restraining the gaze, steadying the chest, and guarding the generative organs—aimed at conserving prana and bindu for spiritual ascent in a Pashupata-oriented regimen.