Shloka 48

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

Devanagari script

मुख्यस्तु यस्त्रिरुद्धातः षट्त्रिंशन्मात्र उच्यते प्रस्वेदकम्पनोत्थानजनकश्च यथाक्रमम्

Transliteration

mukhyastu yastriruddhātaḥ ṣaṭtriṃśanmātra ucyate prasvedakampanotthānajanakaśca yathākramam

Translation

But the principal (vāyu), when it is thrice impelled upward, is said to measure thirty-six mātrās; and, in due sequence, it becomes the cause of sweating, trembling, and rising (of the body/energy).

Word by Word

• मुख्यः: the principal (life-wind, prāṇa)

• तु: indeed/but

• यः: which

• त्रिरुद्धातः: thrice driven/impelled upward

• षट्त्रिंशन्-मात्रः: of thirty-six mātrās (units of measure/time)

• उच्यते: is said/called

• प्रस्वेद: sweating

• कम्पन: trembling

• उत्थान: rising/uplift (standing up/energy ascent)

• जनकः: producer/cause

• च: and

• यथा-क्रमम्: in proper order/sequence

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Purana teachings to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It links outer Linga-puja with inner discipline: the devotee steadies prāṇa, and measurable pranic movement becomes a sign of purification—supporting focused worship of Pati (Shiva) beyond mere external ritual.

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

Shiva as Pati is implied as the sovereign of prāṇa and its order: when the life-wind is mastered, bodily signs arise in sequence, indicating the soul (paśu) is being loosened from bondage (pāśa) through yogic regulation.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A prāṇa-oriented yogic method (aligned with Pāśupata discipline): controlled upward impelling of the life-wind, with classical signs—sweating, trembling, and uplift—marking stages of practice.