Haṭhatattvakaumudī 10.332–341: Bhūtaśuddhi: Closing the nostrils and a sixfold sequence

Bhūtaśuddhi combines closing both nostrils with a sixfold sequence. The text attributes this procedure to Śambhu, the primordial lord.

Dr. Ronald Steiner

Haṭhatattvakaumudī 10.33*2

अथ भूतशुद्धिकुम्भकः |

atha bhūta-śuddhi-kumbhakaḥ | Analysis ▾ Analysis ▴

atha	atha particle	now
bhūta tatpuruṣa-compound genitive	bhūta substantive neuter	of the elements
śuddhi karmadhāraya-compound	śuddhi substantive feminine	purification
kumbhakaḥ nominative singular	kumbhaka substantive masculine	breath retention

Metre: none

Now (atha) [follows] the Bhūtaśuddhi breath retention (bhūta-śuddhi-kumbhakaḥ | nom sg).

Dr. Ronald Steiner - 2026 - historically literal

Today, “purification of the elements” can invite exploration of different qualities in bodily experience: firmness, warmth or movement.

Dr. Ronald Steiner - 2026 - modern transfer

Haṭhatattvakaumudī 10.34

रुद्ध्वा घोणायुगं कुर्याद्युगपद्यदि षट्क्रमात् |

ruddhvā ghoṇā-yugaṃ kuryād; yugapad yadi ṣaṭ-kramāt | Analysis ▾ Analysis ▴

ruddhvā absolutus	rudh verbal root	after closing
ghoṇā tatpuruṣa-compound genitive	ghoṇā substantive feminine	of the nose
yugam accusative singular	yuga substantive neuter	the pair
kuryāt 3rd person singular aktive optative	kṛ verbal root	one should perform
yugapad	yugapad adverb	simultaneously
yadi	yadi particle	when
ṣaṣ dvigu-compound	ṣaṣ numeral	six
kramāt ablative singular	krama substantive masculine	according to the sequence

भूतशुद्धिर् इति प्रोक्त आदिनाथेन शम्भुना ||34||

bhūta-śuddhir iti prokta; ādi-nāthena śambhunā ||34|| Analysis ▾ Analysis ▴

bhūta tatpuruṣa-compound genitive	bhūta substantive neuter	of the elements
śuddhiḥ nominative singular	śuddhi substantive feminine	purification
iti	iti particle	thus
proktaḥ nominative singular masculine past participle passive	pra previx vac verbal root	called
ādi karmadhāraya-compound	ādi substantive masculine	primordial
nāthena instrumental case singular	nātha substantive masculine	by the lord
śambhunā instrumental case singular	śambhu substantive masculine	by Śambhu

Metre: Anuṣṭubh

Dr. Ronald Steiner - 2026 - historically literal

A set sequence can give your attention a sense of direction. Notice each step consciously while keeping the whole exercise in view.

Dr. Ronald Steiner - 2026 - modern transfer

ghoṇāyugaṃ GDJ2007 ] ghoṇayugaṃ GDJ2007-a

Critical Apparatus

Haṭhatattvakaumudī 10.34*1

इति भूतशुद्धिकुम्भकः |

iti bhūta-śuddhi-kumbhakaḥ | Analysis ▾ Analysis ▴

iti	iti particle	thus ends
bhūta tatpuruṣa-compound genitive	bhūta substantive neuter	of the elements
śuddhi karmadhāraya-compound	śuddhi substantive feminine	purification
kumbhakaḥ nominative singular	kumbhaka substantive masculine	breath retention

Metre: none

Thus (iti) [ends] the Bhūtaśuddhi breath retention (bhūta-śuddhi-kumbhakaḥ | nom sg).

Dr. Ronald Steiner - 2026 - historically literal

To finish, bring the separate bodily sensations together again. How do you experience yourself as a whole now?

Dr. Ronald Steiner - 2026 - modern transfer

Continue with AYI Free