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During kevala kumbhaka, the yogi exists on a plane higher than reason, beyond the boundaries of concentration. Swami Sivananda says, "(Through kevala kumbhaka) a yogi comes face to face with facts which ordinary consciousness cannot comprehend. This is achieved by proper training and manipulation of the subtle forces of the body, causing them to push the mind upward into higher planes. When the mind is raised into the superconscious state of perception, it begins to act from there and experiences higher knowledge. Such is the ultimate object of pranayama, which is achieved through control. He who knows pranayama and kevala is the real yogi."
One who has mastered kevala kumbhaka can hold the breath for as long as he likes. He has perfected hatha yoga and attained the state of raja yoga. Many siddhis, psychic powers, manifest to the one who has mastery of kevala kumbhaka. He remains unaffected by pain, his excretions and sleep are diminished, and his body and mouth do not give off bad odour. He is lean and thin, but his countenance glows. The Yoga Shastra of Dattatreya states (v. 146-147):
केवले कुम्भके सिद्धे रेच-पुरक-वर्जिते ।
न तस्य दुर्लभं किंचित् त्रिषु लोकेषु विद्यते ॥ There is nothing unobtainable in the three planes of existence for him who has achieved kevala kumbhaka without rechaka and pooraka. The Hatha Yoga Pradipika echoes the same notion (2:74):
न तस्य दुर्लभं किंचित्रिषु लोकेषु विद्यते ।
शक्तः केवलकुंभन यथेष्टं वायुधारणात् ॥ Nothing in the three planes of existence is unobtainable by him who has mastery of kevala kumbhaka and can retain the breath as desired.
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