Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 43
यथा तोयार्थिनस्तोयं पत्रनालादिभिः शनैः । आपिबेयुस्तथा वायुं योगी नयति साधितम्
yathā toyārthinastoyaṃ patranālādibhiḥ śanaiḥ | āpibeyustathā vāyuṃ yogī nayati sādhitam
De même que ceux qui cherchent l’eau la boivent à petites gorgées, lentement, au moyen de tubes de feuilles et autres, ainsi le yogin, maître de la méthode, conduit doucement et absorbe le souffle vital (prāṇa/vāyu).
Lomaharṣaṇa (Sūta) to the sages (deduced)
Scene: A yogin beside a small water vessel; a seeker sips water through a leaf-tube, paralleled by the yogin’s subtle inhalation shown as a fine stream of air; emphasis on gentleness and precision.
FAQs
Breath mastery is attained through gentle, gradual control—never by force—like slowly sipping water.
No tīrtha is referenced; the verse is a technical metaphor for yogic practice.
The practical rule is slow, measured regulation of vāyu (breath), indicating a non-violent pranayama approach.