Kumbhaka Paddhati of Raghuvira (Science of Pranayama)

Kumbhaka Paddhati is the only text which deals exhaustively the topic of pranayama. It is extensively quoted by Sundaradeva, another writer on hatha-yoga in his Hatha-sanketa-candrika and Hatha-tattva-kaumudi. The text describes more than fifty kumbhakas, many of which are not commonly known. Despite the description of various kumbhakas, the author is loud in praise for meru-kumbhaka of which he describes forty-seven stages. These include all levels of spiritual development. These stages are a continuum of experiences the yogi passes through as a result of continuous practice of kumbhakas. These are not found described in any available texts. Therefore, it is the unique feature of Kumbhaka Paddhati.