Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 125
Mokṣopāya: Bhakti-rooted Jñāna and the Aṣṭāṅga Yoga of Viṣṇu-Meditation
स्वदेहपूरितं वायं निगृह्य न विमृंचति । संपूर्णकुंभवत्तिष्टेत्कुम्भकः स हि विश्रुतः ॥ २५ ॥
svadehapūritaṃ vāyaṃ nigṛhya na vimṛṃcati | saṃpūrṇakuṃbhavattiṣṭetkumbhakaḥ sa hi viśrutaḥ || 25 ||
Hat man den Atem, der den eigenen Leib erfüllt hat, zurückgehalten und lässt ihn nicht entweichen, und bleibt standhaft wie ein bis zum Rand gefüllter Wasserkrug—das ist wahrlich die wohlbekannte Übung namens Kumbhaka.
Sanatkumāra (teaching Nārada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
FAQs
It defines kumbhaka (breath-retention) as steady holding of prāṇa after inhalation, emphasizing inner steadiness and control of vital force as a direct aid to purification and yogic concentration.
While the verse is primarily yogic, it supports bhakti indirectly: steadied prāṇa stabilizes the mind, making sustained remembrance (smaraṇa) and focused worship of Bhagavān easier and less distracted.
It aligns with Śikṣā (phonetics/breath discipline) and yogic praxis by stressing regulated breath control—useful for steadiness in mantra-japa, correct recitation, and sustained ritual attention.