Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 3.28.5
Mukti· LiberationSteadiness Supports Control of the Senses
“One must observe silence, acquire steadiness by practicing different yogic postures, control the breathing of the vital air, withdraw the senses from sense objects and thus concentrate the mind on the heart.”
What the purport teaches
- Yogic practices, especially haṭha-yoga, are not ends in themselves. They are means of attaining steadiness.
- Learning to sit properly helps steady the mind and attention. Gradual control of the vital air helps withdraw the senses from sense objects.
- Controlling sex life, called brahmacarya, is the most important aspect of sense control. Posture and control of the vital air support restraint from unrestricted sense enjoyment.
Try this today
Sit quietly in a steady posture for one minute, setting aside one sensory distraction.
Ask yourself
Do I treat physical yoga practices as the goal, or as preparation for a steady mind?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.