Pada 3, Sutra 31 Sanskrit Verse Koorma-naadyaam sthairyam Translation By constraint on the tortoise duct, steadiness. Interpretation The tortoise duct alluded to here is the Kurma Nadi. The Kurma Nadi is an energy channel that originates between the first and second Chakra at the base of the spine. It runs all the way to the hollow of the throat and regulates the stability of the body and mind. By restraining our attention on the tortoise duct or Kurma Nadi, one develops st

Pada 3, Sutra 30 Sanskrit Verse Kantha-koope ksut-pipaasaa-nivrttih Translation By constraint on the well of the throat—the ceasing of hunger and thirst. Interpretation This verse only alludes to part of the overall technique to arrest hunger and thirst. Along with constraining one’s concentration to the physical attention trigger point of the Throat Chakra, one should also perform either Kaaka or Khecari Mudra. Both of these Mudras have an effect on Prana within our system

Pada 3, Sutra 29 Sanskrit Verse Naabhi-cakre kaaya-vyuha-jnaanam Translation By constraint on the navel chakra—knowledge of the organization of the body. Interpretation The navel chakra is the location point of the solar plexus at a subtle and energetic level. Just as with the analogy of our solar system where the planets are organized around the sun, likewise the ‘organization’ of the body can be known by constraining one’s inner attention on the subtle region of the solar

Pada 3, Sutra 28 Sanskrit Verse Dhruve tad-gati-jnaanam Translation By constraint on the pole star—knowledge of the motion of the stars. Interpretation Dhruva nakshatra in Sanskrit means “immovable star” and in the Mahabharata epic is a term for the polar star. With this context in mind, when one fixates one’s attention on an immovable object one becomes aware of all other movements around it. Hence the motion of other stars around the immovable polar star known as Dhruve w

Pada 3, Sutra 27 Sanskrit Verse Candre taaraa-vyooha-jnaanam Translation By constraint on the moon—knowledge of the organization of the stars. Interpretation The concept of the Moon has many associations. It is a satellite that revolves around the Earth just like the Earth revolves around the Sun. The Moon reflects the light of the Sun, our central star in our Solar System. The Sun is a ball of fire, just like our Inner Sun is a ball of fire at Manipura Chakra, our own Sola