Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 24
योगप्रकारनिर्णयः
Classification and Definition of Yoga
संपूर्णं कुंभवत्तिष्ठेदचलः स तु कुंभक । रेचकाद्यं त्रयमिदं न द्रुतं न विलंबितम्
saṃpūrṇaṃ kuṃbhavattiṣṭhedacalaḥ sa tu kuṃbhaka | recakādyaṃ trayamidaṃ na drutaṃ na vilaṃbitam
如瓶罐般充盈而安住，稳固不动——此即“昆婆迦”（kumbhaka，持息）。此三法以勒恰迦为首——勒恰迦、补罗迦与昆婆迦——修习时不可急促，亦不可拖延。
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Significance: Kumbhaka as ‘pot-like fullness’ is an inner stabilization that supports contemplation; in Siddhānta terms it is an auxiliary that readies the paśu for anugraha through jñāna and mantra.
FAQs
It teaches disciplined prāṇāyāma—steady kumbhaka performed with balance—so the mind becomes fit for Shiva-dhyāna, leading the bound soul (paśu) toward liberation by the grace of Pati (Shiva).
Balanced breath regulation steadies attention, making the practitioner capable of sustained concentration on Saguna Shiva—such as the Linga—without agitation, supporting inner worship (mānasa-pūjā) alongside outer ritual.
Practice the threefold prāṇāyāma—recaka, pūraka, and kumbhaka—at an even, moderate pace, using steadiness to support japa (e.g., Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and meditation on Shiva.