Shloka 6
गौतमोऽपि स्वयं तत्र वरुणार्थे तपश्शुभम् । चकार चैव षण्मासं प्राणायामपरायणः
gautamo'pi svayaṃ tatra varuṇārthe tapaśśubham | cakāra caiva ṣaṇmāsaṃ prāṇāyāmaparāyaṇaḥ
There, Gautama himself also performed auspicious austerity for the sake of Varuṇa, and for six months he remained wholly devoted to the practice of prāṇāyāma, the discipline of the breath.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: Gautama performs tapas aimed at Varuṇa (rain/waters), using prāṇāyāma for six months; in Śaiva purāṇic logic, such disciplined effort becomes the occasion for Śiva’s governance to restore order—grace manifesting through cosmic agencies like rain.
Significance: Highlights prāṇāyāma and tapas as efficacious disciplines for loka-kalyāṇa; encourages seekers to combine inner regulation with outward welfare-intent.
Role: teaching
FAQs
It highlights tapas guided by yogic discipline: sustained prāṇāyāma purifies the mind and senses, making the seeker fit for divine assistance—an approach consistent with Shaiva practice where inner purification supports devotion and grace.
Although the verse names Varuṇa, the Kotirudra context emphasizes that disciplined sādhanā (tapas and prāṇāyāma) prepares one for sacred encounters and pilgrim-rites connected with Shiva’s saguna manifestations such as Jyotirlingas; inner steadiness becomes the foundation for outer worship.
Prāṇāyāma as a sustained daily practice (with restraint and purity) is directly indicated; it can be paired with Shiva-oriented japa such as the Panchākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” to stabilize attention and deepen bhakti.