Shloka 159
Slaying of Andhaka; Hymn to the Sun; Glory of Brahmins; Gayatri Nyasa and Pranayama
तस्माद्गुदं समाकुंच्य प्राणेन सह योजयेत् । पूरकेण तदा पुत्र कृत्वा कुंभकमुत्तमं
tasmādgudaṃ samākuṃcya prāṇena saha yojayet | pūrakeṇa tadā putra kṛtvā kuṃbhakamuttamaṃ
కాబట్టి గుదాన్ని సంకోచింపజేసి ప్రాణంతో కలిపి యోగించాలి. ఆపై, ఓ పుత్రా, పూరకము చేసి ఉత్తమ కుంభకము (శ్వాసనిరోధము) చేయాలి.
Unspecified (instructional voice addressing 'putra'—O son)
Concept: Prāṇa is to be yoked through bandha and kumbhaka to steady mind and speech for sacred recitation.
Application: Practice gentle breath regulation with ethical restraint; use breath-retention only within capacity, aiming for steadiness before japa/pujā.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A serene guru instructs a young dvija seated in padmāsana within a quiet hermitage. The student’s posture is upright, hands in jñāna-mudrā, while a subtle luminous current is depicted rising along the spine as the pelvic lock is engaged, suggesting prāṇa being ‘united’ and held in kumbhaka.","primary_figures":["guru (ṛṣi-teacher)","dvija disciple"],"setting":"forest āśrama with kusa-grass seat, small fire altar, and palm-leaf manuscripts nearby","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["sandalwood beige","leaf green","smoke gray","saffron ochre","deep indigo"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a seated sage-guru with halo instructing a young disciple in yogic posture, stylized prāṇa as a gold-leaf spiral rising through the body, ornate borders, rich vermilion and emerald textiles, gem-studded ornaments on ritual vessels, subtle gold leaf highlighting the kumbhaka stillness.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate forest hermitage scene with delicate brushwork, the disciple in padmāsana on a woven mat, thin translucent lines indicating breath flow, cool greens and blues, refined facial features, distant Himalayan-like ridges and a quiet stream, lyrical naturalism.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines, warm red-yellow-green pigments, guru with large expressive eyes and stylized beard, disciple centered with symmetrical posture, prāṇa shown as rhythmic bands of color along the torso, temple-wall aesthetic with decorative floral margins.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: devotional yogic tableau framed by lotus and tulasi motifs, central seated practitioner with stylized breath as swirling white patterns, intricate floral borders, deep blue background with gold accents, small lamps and conch motifs suggesting ritual purity."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["silence","soft wind in leaves","distant birds","gentle temple bell"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तस्माद्गुदं = तस्मात् + गुदम्; कुंभकमुत्तमं = कुम्भकम् + उत्तमम्
FAQs
It describes a yogic technique combining contraction of the anal region (a form of bandha/mūla-type engagement) with prāṇa, followed by inhalation (pūraka) and then breath-retention (kumbhaka).
It indicates an instructive, teacher-to-student (or elder-to-younger) mode of transmission, common in Purāṇic and yogic passages.
The verse emphasizes disciplined self-regulation—training breath and bodily control as supports for steadiness of mind and spiritual practice.