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

क्रमशः कन्यसेनैव मध्यमेनापि सुव्रतः । उत्तमेनापि वै विद्वान् कुम्भकेन समभ्यसेत् ॥

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.