Tṛtīya-prakaraṇam (Āsana) · Verse 9
गुल्फौ च वृषणस्याधः सीवन्याः पार्श्वयोः क्षिपेत् । दक्षिणं सव्यगुल्फेन दक्षिणेन तथेतरम् ॥
gulphau ca vṛṣaṇasyādhaḥ sīvanyāḥ pārśvayoḥ kṣipet | dakṣiṇaṃ savyagulphena dakṣiṇena tathaitaram ||
This verse outlines the precise anatomical alignment required for siṃhāsana, a preparatory posture often considered a vital stage in the development of prāṇāyāma. The instruction to position the ankles below the testicles, situated alongside the perineum, speaks to a specific engagement with the nadīs – the subtle channels through which prāṇa flows. The mirroring of the ankles, with the left supporting the right and vice versa, is not simply a matter of symmetry, but a deliberate orchestration of prāṇa circulation. This positioning is critical for opening the lower cakras and preparing the body for more advanced practices, ultimately fostering a heightened state of awareness and control over the breath.