Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 32

Nārada’s Instructions: Śrāddha, True Dharma, Contentment, Yoga, and Devotion-Centered Renunciation

Devanagari script

प्राणापानौ सन्निरुन्ध्यात्पूरकुम्भकरेचकै: । यावन्मनस्त्यजेत कामान्स्वनासाग्रनिरीक्षण: ॥ ३२ ॥ यतो यतो नि:सरति मन: कामहतं भ्रमत् । ततस्तत उपाहृत्य हृदि रुन्ध्याच्छनैर्बुध: ॥ ३३ ॥

Transliteration

prāṇāpānau sannirundhyāt pūra-kumbhaka-recakaiḥ yāvan manas tyajet kāmān sva-nāsāgra-nirīkṣaṇaḥ

Translation

While continuously staring at the tip of the nose, a learned yogī practices the breathing exercises through the technical means known as pūraka, kumbhaka and recaka — controlling inhalation and exhalation and then stopping them both. In this way the yogī restricts his mind from material attachments and gives up all mental desires. As soon as the mind, being defeated by lusty desires, drifts toward feelings of sense gratification, the yogī should immediately bring it back and arrest it within the core of his heart.

Synonyms

• प्राण-अपानौ: the prāṇa and apāna breaths
• प्राण-अपानौ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prāṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + apāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), द्विवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व (the in-breath and out-breath)

• सन्निरुन्ध्यात्: should restrain
• सन्निरुन्ध्यात्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-ni-√rudh (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; धातु: सम्+नि+रुध् ‘निरोधे’

• पूरक-कुम्भक-रेचकैः: by inhalation, retention, and exhalation
• पूरक-कुम्भक-रेचकैः: Karana (करण/तृतीया)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pūraka (प्रातिपदिक) + kumbhaka (प्रातिपदिक) + recaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; समाहार/इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व; करण (instrument)

• यावत्: until
• यावत्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yāvat (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधिवाचक (until/as long as)

• मनः: the mind
• मनः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: manas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• त्यजेत: should abandon
• त्यजेत: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √tyaj (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; धातु: त्यज् ‘परित्यागे’

• कामान्: desires
• कामान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), बहुवचन

• स्व-नासाग्र-निरीक्षणः: gazing at the tip of his own nose
• स्व-नासाग्र-निरीक्षणः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sva (प्रातिपदिक) + nāsā (प्रातिपदिक) + agra (प्रातिपदिक) + nirīkṣaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; ‘स्वस्य नासायाः अग्रं निरीक्षते’ (one who gazes at the tip of his own nose)

Purport

The practice of yoga is concisely explained herein. When this practice of yoga is perfect, one sees the Supersoul, the Paramātmā feature of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, within the core of one’s heart. However, in Bhagavad-gītā (6.47) the Supreme Lord says:

Characters & Entities

• Prahlāda Mahārāja

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about pranayama for controlling the mind?

In this verse, Prahlāda explains that regulating prāṇa and apāna through inhalation, retention, and exhalation—while focusing the gaze—helps the mind abandon lusty desires.

Why did Prahlada Maharaja teach pranayama in the Bhagavatam?

While instructing on civilized spiritual life, Prahlāda presents practical methods of sense and mind control that support steady remembrance of the Supreme Lord.

How can I apply this teaching in modern life?

Practice disciplined breathing and focused attention to reduce impulsive desire; use the resulting calm to strengthen daily prayer, japa, and mindful living.