Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 125
Mokṣopāya: Bhakti-rooted Jñāna and the Aṣṭāṅga Yoga of Viṣṇu-Meditation
स्वदेहपूरितं वायं निगृह्य न विमृंचति । संपूर्णकुंभवत्तिष्टेत्कुम्भकः स हि विश्रुतः ॥ २५ ॥
svadehapūritaṃ vāyaṃ nigṛhya na vimṛṃcati | saṃpūrṇakuṃbhavattiṣṭetkumbhakaḥ sa hi viśrutaḥ || 25 ||
स्वदेहात भरलेला वायू आवरून तो सोडू नये। पूर्ण कुम्भासारखा स्थिर राहावा—हाच ‘कुंभक’ म्हणून प्रसिद्ध आहे।
Sanatkumāra (teaching Nārada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
FAQs
It defines kumbhaka (breath-retention) as steady holding of prāṇa after inhalation, emphasizing inner steadiness and control of vital force as a direct aid to purification and yogic concentration.
While the verse is primarily yogic, it supports bhakti indirectly: steadied prāṇa stabilizes the mind, making sustained remembrance (smaraṇa) and focused worship of Bhagavān easier and less distracted.
It aligns with Śikṣā (phonetics/breath discipline) and yogic praxis by stressing regulated breath control—useful for steadiness in mantra-japa, correct recitation, and sustained ritual attention.