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.