हठयोग प्रदीपिका (योगी स्वात्माराम - ज्योत्स्ना टीका सहित सटीक)

14 HAṬHAYOGAPRADĪPIKĀ stimulates the gastric fire, makes the loins lean and removes all the diseases of men. 30. Plant the hands firmly on the ground and support on the elbows the sides of the navel, [the body] raised in an elevated posture in the air like a rod [i.e. straight and stiff, the feet above the ground on a level with the head]. This position they call MĀYŪRA. This posture resembles the plant balance in the modern course of gymnastics on the parallel bars. 31. The Mayūrāsana cures quickly all diseases like Gulma (enlargement of the glands), Udara (dropsy and other stomach diseases), etc. and overcomes the imbalance of the humours [namely vāta, pitta, and kapha]. It reduces to ashes [i.e. enables digestion of] all food indiscriminately taken, kindles the gastric fire and causes to be digested [even] the Kālakūṭa [a terrible poison]. During the churning of the Ocean by the gods and the Asura-s, the first thing that came out was the poison Kālakūṭa or Hālāhala. It began to burn the three worlds and no god could be persuaded to hold it. At last Śiva swallowed it, but ere it went down his throat Pārvatī held it firmly. So, it remained for ever there and Śiva's throat became dark blue. Hence his name Kālakaṇṭha or Nīlakaṇṭha, i.e. blue-throated. This may reveal some great cosmic mystery. 32. Lying on the back on the ground [at full length] like a corpse is ŚAVĀSANA. Śavāsana removes fatigue [caused by the other Āsana-s] and induces repose of mind.