Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.1.19
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesThe Sage’s Extraordinary Concentration and Austerity
“There the great sage concentrated his mind by the yogic breathing exercises, and thereby controlling all attachment, he remained standing on one leg only, eating nothing but air, and stood there on one leg for one hundred years.”
What the purport teaches
- The great sage concentrated his mind through yogic breathing exercises.
- He controlled all attachment and remained standing on one leg.
- His austerity continued for one hundred years, during which he ate nothing but air.
Try this today
Spend one undistracted minute rereading the verse and noting its description of concentration, without imitating the severe austerities.
Ask yourself
What does this description show you about the depth of the sage’s determination?
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.