Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 124
Mokṣopāya: Bhakti-rooted Jñāna and the Aṣṭāṅga Yoga of Viṣṇu-Meditation
वामेन रेचयेद्वायुं रेचनाद्रेचकः स्मृतः । पूरयेद्दक्षिणेनैव पूरणात्पूरकः स्मृतः ॥ २४ ॥
vāmena recayedvāyuṃ recanādrecakaḥ smṛtaḥ | pūrayeddakṣiṇenaiva pūraṇātpūrakaḥ smṛtaḥ || 24 ||
Qu’on expire le souffle par la narine gauche; parce que c’est un acte d’expulsion, on l’appelle Recaka. Puis qu’on inspire par la droite; parce que c’est un acte de remplissage, on l’appelle Pūraka.
Sanatkumāra (teaching Nārada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: none
FAQs
It defines the core prāṇāyāma actions—exhalation (recaka) and inhalation (pūraka)—showing that disciplined breath-regulation is treated as a precise sādhana supporting steadiness of mind and inner purification.
While not directly describing worship, it provides a yogic discipline that stabilizes attention; such steadiness is traditionally used to make japa, dhyāna, and remembrance of the Lord more continuous and undistracted.
It highlights technical yogic vocabulary and method (recaka/pūraka with left/right nostril operation), reflecting the text’s instructional, science-like approach to sādhana rather than narrative alone.