Shloka 65

Adhyaya 8: Yogasthanas, Ashtanga Yoga, Pranayama-Siddhi, and Shiva-Dhyana leading to Samadhi

Devanagari script

समं नयति गात्राणि समानः पञ्च वायवः उद्गारे नाग आख्यातः कूर्म उन्मीलने तु सः

Transliteration

samaṃ nayati gātrāṇi samānaḥ pañca vāyavaḥ udgāre nāga ākhyātaḥ kūrma unmīlane tu saḥ

Translation

五种生命之气中，平等气（Samāna）令诸肢体归于均衡与和谐。于嗳气之时称为那伽（Nāga），于开眼之时称为龟（Kūrma）。

Word by Word

• समम्: evenly, in equilibrium

• नयति: leads, brings about

• गात्राणि: the limbs, the bodily members

• समानः: Samāna (the balancing vital air)

• पञ्च: five

• वायवः: vital airs (vāyus)

• उद्गारे: in belching/eructation

• नागः: Nāga (a subsidiary vāyu)

• आख्यातः: is said to be, is named

• कूर्मः: Kūrma (a subsidiary vāyu)

• उन्मीलने: in opening (the eyes)/unblinking expansion

• तु: and/indeed

• सः: it/he (that vāyu).

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

It frames bodily regulation as a prerequisite for purity: balancing the vāyus steadies the pashu (embodied soul) so worship and meditation on the Linga can proceed without distraction, supporting inner and outer śiva-pūjā.

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

By detailing the functions of prāṇa and its sub-vāyus, the verse implies Shiva as Pati—the inner Lord who governs the life-winds—while the pashu experiences these movements under pasha (bodily limitation) until disciplined and aligned.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A prāṇic discipline central to Pāśupata-oriented yoga: observing and balancing Samāna, and recognizing Nāga and Kūrma as specific prāṇa-functions, aiding steadiness in japa, dhyāna, and Linga-upāsanā.