Shloka 35

Varṇāśrama Dharma, Ethical Virtues, and Aṣṭāṅga-Yoga Culminating in ‘Ahaṃ Brahma’

Devanagari script

कुम्भको निश्चलत्वाच्च रेचनाद्रेचकस्त्रिधा / लघुर्द्वादशमात्रः स्याच्चतुर्विंशतिकः परः

Transliteration

kumbhako niścalatvācca recanādrecakastridhā / laghurdvādaśamātraḥ syāccaturviṃśatikaḥ paraḥ

Translation

Weil sie unbewegte Festigkeit einschließt, heißt die Atemverhaltung kumbhaka. Das Ausatmen heißt recaka und ist dreifach. Das „leichte“ (kurze) Maß beträgt zwölf Mātrās, das höhere (längere) vierundzwanzig Mātrās.

Word by Word

• कुम्भकः: kumbhaka (breath-retention)
• कुम्भकः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुम्भक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन

• निश्चलत्वात्: due to stillness
• निश्चलत्वात्: Hetu (Cause/हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नि- + चल (प्रातिपदिक) + त्व (तद्धित) → निश्चलत्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5), एकवचन; भाववाचक-त्वान्त

• च: and
• च: Avyaya (Connector/अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक-निपात

• रेचनात्: from exhalation
• रेचनात्: Hetu (Cause/हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रेचन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5), एकवचन

• रेचकः: recaka (exhalation)
• रेचकः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रेचक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन

• त्रिधा: in three ways
• त्रिधा: Avyaya (Modifier/अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: त्रि (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + धा (प्रत्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकारवाचक (in three ways)

• लघुः: light; short
• लघुः: Visheshana (Adjectival/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: लघु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; विशेषण

• द्वादशमात्रः: of twelve measures
• द्वादशमात्रः: Visheshana (Adjectival/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: द्वादश (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + मात्रा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (द्वादश मात्राः यस्य)

• स्यात्: should be
• स्यात्: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अस् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• चतुर्विंशतिकः: of twenty-four (measures)
• चतुर्विंशतिकः: Visheshana (Adjectival/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चतुर्विंशति (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + क (तद्धित) → चतुर्विंशतिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; तद्धितान्त (having twenty-four)

• परः: the other; the higher
• परः: Visheshana (Adjectival/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; विशेषण

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Definitions of kumbhaka (still retention) and recaka (exhalation) with measured mātrā counts, emphasizing steadiness and graduated practice.

Vedantic Theme: Citta-prasāda through prāṇa-niyama; gradualism (krama) in sādhana to stabilize mind for higher contemplation.

Application: Use gentle, incremental timing (mātrā counting) without strain; prioritize steadiness and comfort; learn under competent guidance, especially for longer retentions.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.49.34 (pūraka definition); Garuda Purana 1.49.33 (āsana and prāṇāyāma context)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of kumbhaka and recaka in the Garuda Purana?

This verse defines kumbhaka as steady retention and identifies recaka (exhalation) as a structured practice, giving mātrā-based measures that standardize breath discipline for purification and mental steadiness.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: by prescribing pranayama measures, it supports inner purification and control of prāṇa, which the Garuda Purana treats as foundational for dharma-based living and spiritual readiness, including rites and higher knowledge.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Practice breathwork with measured counts (mātrā-style timing) and steady posture—starting with shorter durations (like 12 counts) before attempting longer ones—prioritizing calm, stability, and safety.