Prathamopadeśaḥ (Āsana) · Verse 28
सिद्धासनसमं किञ्चिन्नास्ति लोकेषु सत्तम | मूलस्थानबन्धं कृत्वा शक्तिचालनमभ्यसेत्
siddhāsana-samaṃ kiñcin nāsti lokeṣu sattama | mūla-sthāna-bandhaṃ kṛtvā śakti-cālanam abhyaset
There is nothing in the three worlds equal to Siddhāsana. Practicing the bandha at the base and moving the śakti, [the yogī progresses].
The supremacy of Siddhāsana is declared in cosmic terms: in the three worlds (earth, atmosphere, and heaven; or physical, astral, and causal) no comparable practice exists.
The verse introduces two techniques that integrate with the posture:
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Mūla-sthāna-bandha — The seal at the root place. The pressure of the heel combined with conscious contraction of the perineum creates an energetic lock that prevents the loss of prāṇa downward.
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Śakti-cālana — “Movement of śakti.” This refers to techniques for awakening and raising kuṇḍalinī. Siddhāsana prepares the body for this awakening.
The three worlds (triloka) can also be interpreted as the three bodies: physical (sthūla), subtle (sūkṣma), and causal (kāraṇa). Siddhāsana simultaneously benefits all three levels of existence.
The expression sattama (“O excellent one”) indicates that the text addresses qualified practitioners.