This Karaṇī called Viparīta is obtained by the word of the guru.For those who are united in daily practice, the digestive fire increases.

This verse emphasizes two essential aspects: the need for direct instruction and the benefits of constant practice.Guru-vākyena labhyate — “obtained by the word of the guru” — indicates that Viparīta Karaṇī, like all advanced practices, requires personal transmission.It is not something that can be learned from texts alone.

The immediate practical benefit is jaṭharāgnir vivardhate — the increase of digestive fire.This may seem counterintuitive: isn’t inversion supposed to reduce solar fire activity to preserve nectar?The apparent paradox is resolved by understanding that optimized digestive fire does not mean destructive fire.Inversion regularizes agni, eliminating both weakness (mandāgni) and excess (tīkṣṇāgni).

Nityam abhyāsa-yuktasya — “for one who is attached to daily practice” — emphasizes that benefits require consistency.Tradition recommends gradually increasing the investment time, starting with a few minutes and advancing progressively under the teacher’s supervision.