Hiccup, asthma, cough, headaches, ear and eye pain: these and other various diseases arise from the disturbance of prāṇa.

This final verse of the first chapter enumerates specific symptoms that can result from incorrect prāṇāyāma practice:

• Hikkā — Hiccup, diaphragm spasms
• Śvāsa — Respiratory difficulty, asthma
• Kāsa — Cough
• Śiraḥ-vedanā — Headaches
• Karṇa-vedanā — Ear pain, tinnitus
• Akṣi-vedanā — Eye pain or pressure

Pavanasya prakopaṭaḥ — “by the disturbance of prāṇa (wind).” These ailments arise when prāṇa becomes disordered rather than harmonized.

This verse does not intend to frighten but to educate. The informed practitioner will recognize these symptoms as signals that something is wrong in the practice and will be able to correct course before the damage deepens.

With this verse, the first chapter of the Haṭha Yoga Pradīpikā concludes. The foundation of āsana is established; the practitioner is ready to advance toward prāṇāyāma, but warned of the risks of imprudence.

---

Iti Haṭha-yoga-pradīpikāyāṃ prathamopadeśaḥ — Thus concludes the first chapter of the Haṭha Yoga Pradīpikā.