Shloka 110

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

Devanagari script

क्रमशः कन्यसेनैव मध्यमेनापि सुव्रतः उत्तमेनापि वै विद्वान् कुम्भकेन समभ्यसेत्

Transliteration

kramaśaḥ kanyasenaiva madhyamenāpi suvrataḥ uttamenāpi vai vidvān kumbhakena samabhyaset

Translation

Observando el voto sagrado, el sabio debe ejercitar el kumbhaka (retención del aliento) gradualmente: primero en medida baja, luego en la media y después en la más alta, avanzando paso a paso con disciplina.

Word by Word

• क्रमशः: gradually, step by step

• कन्यसेन: by the lowest (measure/degree)

• एव: indeed/only

• मध्यमेन: by the middle (measure)

• अपि: also

• सुव्रतः: one of good vow, disciplined observer

• उत्तमेन: by the highest (measure)

• अपि: also

• वै: indeed

• विद्वान्: the wise/knower

• कुम्भकेन: by kumbhaka, breath-retention

• समभ्यसेत्: should practice diligently/should cultivate

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the yoga-teaching context of the Linga Purana)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It links external devotion to inner discipline: steady kumbhaka, practiced gradually, purifies the pashu (bound soul) and makes the worshipper fit for Shiva-centered sadhana and Linga-upasana.

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

Shiva is implied as Pati—the Lord who is approached through regulated practice; as the bonds (pāśa) weaken via disciplined kumbhaka, the soul becomes capable of abiding in Shiva-oriented awareness.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Pranayama in the form of kumbhaka (breath-retention), taught as a graded practice—low, middle, then high—emphasizing safe, vow-based progression aligned with Pāśupata yoga.