Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 11
प्राणायामैर्दहेद्दोषान्धारणाभिश्च किल्बिषान् । प्रत्याहारेण संसर्गान्ध्यानेनानीश्वरान्गुणान् ॥ ११ ॥
prāṇāyāmair dahed doṣān dhāraṇābhiś ca kilbiṣān pratyāhāreṇa saṁsargān dhyānenānīśvarān guṇān
以调息（prāṇāyāma）可焚尽身之垢染；以专注（dhāraṇā）可除诸罪业。以摄根（pratyāhāra）可断物质结交；以观想至上人格神（Bhagavān）可超越对三种属性（guṇa）的执著。
According to Āyurvedic medical science the three items kapha, pitta and vāyu (phlegm, bile and air) maintain the physiological condition of the body. Modern medical science does not accept this physiological analysis as valid, but the ancient Āyurvedic process of treatment is based upon these items. Āyurvedic treatment concerns itself with the cause of these three elements, which are mentioned in many places in the Bhāgavatam as the basic conditions of the body. Here it is recommended that by practicing the breathing process of prāṇāyāma one can be released from contamination created by the principal physiological elements, by concentrating the mind one can become free from sinful activities, and by withdrawing the senses one can free himself from material association.
FAQs
In this verse, Kapila explains that prāṇāyāma burns away impurities and faults, serving as a purificatory limb within the yoga process.
Kapila instructs His mother Devahūti on a systematic path of inner purification—progressing from breath control to concentration, sense-withdrawal, and meditation—so she can transcend material influence and attain spiritual realization.
Practice focused attention (dhāraṇā) on a single sacred object or mantra, and reduce sense-driven distractions (pratyāhāra) by limiting harmful media and habits—thereby weakening attachments and supporting deeper meditation.