3.31 Samyama on the pit of the throat

3.31 Meditative integration (samyama) on the pit of the throat offers access to controlling hunger and thirst.

As you can see, this group of aphorisms seems very applied and practical. Most commentators do not elaborate much on this sutra. G. Maehle, in his contemporary comment, suggests that the focal point at the pit of the throat may be targeting the thyroid gland and its function in regulating metabolism. From the simplest perspective, you can try to explore if focusing your attention on the pit of your throat has any effect on your levels of hunger and thirst.

You may also use this sutra as an invitation to contemplate your relationship to food and drink. Is there harmony in the cycles of eating and drinking during your day?
What is your ideal level of hydration? What is your attitude toward the food that is available to you?
What ideas guide your food choices?
Are you grateful for the food and water that nourish you?
Do you know where your food comes from?
Do you know where the water you drink comes from?
To what extent are you aware of the factors influencing access to food for you and for others?

As usual, one more way of exploring the meaning of this sutra is by chanting it.
You can choose to chant it in its traditional form with some of the words coming together:

3.31 kaṇṭhakūpe kṣutpipāsā nivṛttiḥ
कण्ठकूपे क्षुत्पिपासा निवृत्तिः ॥३१॥

Another option is to chant each word in the sutra individually:

kaṇṭha
kūpe
kṣut
pipāsā
nivṛttiḥ

If you prefer, you may listen to the podcast:

This is an excerpt from the book Unravel the thread: Applying the ancient wisdom of yoga to live a happy life

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