Shloka 35

Varṇāśrama Dharma, Ethical Virtues, and Aṣṭāṅga-Yoga Culminating in ‘Ahaṃ Brahma’

Devanagari script

कुम्भको निश्चलत्वाच्च रेचनाद्रेचकस्त्रिधा / लघुर्द्वादशमात्रः स्याच्चतुर्विंशतिकः परः

Transliteration

kumbhako niścalatvācca recanādrecakastridhā / laghurdvādaśamātraḥ syāccaturviṃśatikaḥ paraḥ

Translation

เพราะความนิ่งมั่นไม่ไหว การกลั้นลมหายใจจึงเรียกว่า ‘กุมภกะ’. การผ่อนลมหายใจออกเรียกว่า ‘เรจกะ’ และมีสามอย่าง. มาตรเบาคือสิบสองมาตรา ส่วนมาตรสูงคือยี่สิบสี่มาตรา.

Word by Word

• कुम्भकः: kumbhaka (breath-retention)
• कुम्भकः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुम्भक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन

• निश्चलत्वात्: due to stillness
• निश्चलत्वात्: Hetu (Cause/हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नि- + चल (प्रातिपदिक) + त्व (तद्धित) → निश्चलत्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5), एकवचन; भाववाचक-त्वान्त

• च: and
• च: Avyaya (Connector/अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक-निपात

• रेचनात्: from exhalation
• रेचनात्: Hetu (Cause/हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रेचन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5), एकवचन

• रेचकः: recaka (exhalation)
• रेचकः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रेचक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन

• त्रिधा: in three ways
• त्रिधा: Avyaya (Modifier/अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: त्रि (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + धा (प्रत्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकारवाचक (in three ways)

• लघुः: light; short
• लघुः: Visheshana (Adjectival/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: लघु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; विशेषण

• द्वादशमात्रः: of twelve measures
• द्वादशमात्रः: Visheshana (Adjectival/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: द्वादश (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + मात्रा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (द्वादश मात्राः यस्य)

• स्यात्: should be
• स्यात्: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अस् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• चतुर्विंशतिकः: of twenty-four (measures)
• चतुर्विंशतिकः: Visheshana (Adjectival/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चतुर्विंशति (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + क (तद्धित) → चतुर्विंशतिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; तद्धितान्त (having twenty-four)

• परः: the other; the higher
• परः: Visheshana (Adjectival/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; विशेषण

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Definitions of kumbhaka (still retention) and recaka (exhalation) with measured mātrā counts, emphasizing steadiness and graduated practice.

Vedantic Theme: Citta-prasāda through prāṇa-niyama; gradualism (krama) in sādhana to stabilize mind for higher contemplation.

Application: Use gentle, incremental timing (mātrā counting) without strain; prioritize steadiness and comfort; learn under competent guidance, especially for longer retentions.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.49.34 (pūraka definition); Garuda Purana 1.49.33 (āsana and prāṇāyāma context)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of kumbhaka and recaka in the Garuda Purana?

This verse defines kumbhaka as steady retention and identifies recaka (exhalation) as a structured practice, giving mātrā-based measures that standardize breath discipline for purification and mental steadiness.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: by prescribing pranayama measures, it supports inner purification and control of prāṇa, which the Garuda Purana treats as foundational for dharma-based living and spiritual readiness, including rites and higher knowledge.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Practice breathwork with measured counts (mātrā-style timing) and steady posture—starting with shorter durations (like 12 counts) before attempting longer ones—prioritizing calm, stability, and safety.