Shloka 46

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

Devanagari script

प्राणापाननिरोधस्तु प्राणायामः प्रकीर्तितः प्राणायामस्य मानं तु मात्राद्वादशकं स्मृतम्

Transliteration

prāṇāpānanirodhastu prāṇāyāmaḥ prakīrtitaḥ prāṇāyāmasya mānaṃ tu mātrādvādaśakaṃ smṛtam

Translation

പ്രാണവും അപാനവും നിരോധിക്കുന്നതുതന്നെയാണ് ‘പ്രാണായാമം’ എന്നു കീര്ത്തിക്കുന്നു. പ്രാണായാമത്തിന്റെ മാനദണ്ഡം സ്മൃതിയിൽ പന്ത്രണ്ട് മാത്രകളായി പറയുന്നു.

Word by Word

• प्राण (prāṇa): upward-moving vital breath

• अपान (apāna): downward-moving vital breath

• निरोधः (nirodhaḥ): restraint, cessation, regulated holding

• तु (tu): indeed, and

• प्राणायामः (prāṇāyāmaḥ): breath-discipline, regulation of the life-force

• प्रकीर्तितः (prakīrtitaḥ): declared, taught

• प्राणायामस्य (prāṇāyāmasya): of prāṇāyāma

• मानम् (mānam): measure, standard

• मात्राद्वादशकम् (mātrā-dvādaśakam): twelve mātrās (twelve time-units)

• स्मृतम् (smṛtam): remembered, traditionally stated

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shaiva yogic discipline as taught in the Linga Purana tradition)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames prāṇāyāma as an inner purification that steadies the pashu (embodied soul) by regulating life-force, making the worshipper fit for focused mantra-japa and subtle Linga-dhyāna directed to Pati (Shiva).

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

By defining disciplined control of prāṇa and apāna, the verse points toward Shiva-tattva as the still center beyond vṛttis—where the soul loosens pāśa (bondage) and abides in the presence of Pati through inner steadiness.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Prāṇāyāma—specifically the nirodha (regulated restraint) of prāṇa and apāna—measured as twelve mātrās, a practical timing rule used in Shaiva sādhanā and Pāśupata-style yogic preparation.