Devotion at the Two Junctions of Breath
प्राणापानयोर्गतिज्ञात्वा स्पर्शं हृदये ध्यात्वा । यदा विशेत्तदा देवि परं ब्रह्म प्रकाशते ॥
pranapanayorgatijnatva sparsham hridaye dhyatva | yada vishetada devi param brahma prakashate ||
VBT Verse 31
The Sutra
"With utmost devotion, center on the two junctions of breath and know the knower."
Paul Reps translation, Zen Flesh, Zen Bones (1957)
Understanding
This technique adds devotion (bhakti) to breath awareness. The breath junctions are the same turning points from techniques 1-2, but here the instruction is to center on them with utmost devotion - with love, with surrender. The result is different: you do not just find stillness, you "know the knower" - you become aware of awareness itself.
Original Sanskrit
प्राणापानयोर्गतिज्ञात्वा स्पर्शं हृदये ध्यात्वा । यदा विशेत्तदा देवि परं ब्रह्म प्रकाशते ॥
pranapanayorgatijnatva sparsham hridaye dhyatva | yada vishetada devi param brahma prakashate ||
Vijnanabhairava Verse 31 (Technique 8 of 112)
How to Practice
Sit with eyes closed. Bring a feeling of devotion to your practice - a sense of love, gratitude, or surrender.
Center your attention on the two junctions where breath turns: inhale-to-exhale and exhale-to-inhale.
The difference from techniques 1-2: here, bring the quality of DEVOTION to each junction. Not just observation, but love.
At each turning point, feel as though you are offering yourself at the feet of the divine.
The devotion dissolves the observer-observed duality. You do not just watch the gap - you merge with it.
As the practice deepens, the question arises: "Who is watching the breath?" This is knowing the knower.
Do not try to answer intellectually. Simply rest in the devotional awareness at the junctions.
Duration
20-30 minutes
Best Time
Early morning or during evening prayer time
Related Techniques
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