Shloka 18
The Prayers of the Personified Vedas (Śruti-stuti) and the Indescribable Absolute
उदरमुपासते य ऋषिवर्त्मसु कूर्पदृश: परिसरपद्धतिं हृदयमारुणयो दहरम् । तत उदगादनन्त तव धाम शिर: परमं पुनरिह यत् समेत्य न पतन्ति कृतान्तमुखे ॥ १८ ॥
udaram upāsate ya ṛṣi-vartmasu kūrpa-dṛśaḥ parisara-paddhatiṁ hṛdayam āruṇayo daharam tata udagād ananta tava dhāma śiraḥ paramaṁ punar iha yat sametya na patanti kṛtānta-mukhe
Among those who follow the disciplines taught by the great sages, the less subtle worship the Supreme in the region of the abdomen, while the Āruṇis worship Him in the heart, in the delicate center from which the prāṇic channels spread. From there, O unlimited Lord, they raise their awareness to the crown of the head and directly perceive You. Then, passing through the crown toward the supreme destination, they reach the realm from which they never again fall into this world, into the mouth of death.
Here the śrutis who teach meditational yoga glorify the Personality of Godhead. The various processes of yoga are for the most part gradual and full of opportunities for distraction. Authentic methods of yoga, nonetheless, all aim at meditation on the Supersoul (Paramātmā), whose primary residence is in the region of the heart, alongside the jīva soul. This manifestation of Paramātmā in the heart is very subtle and difficult to perceive ( daharam ), and thus only advanced yogīs can realize Him there.
FAQs
It teaches that by worshiping the Lord within the heart—following the sages’ path of sense-withdrawal and inner discipline—one attains the Lord’s supreme abode and does not fall again into the grasp of death.
The speakers are the personified Vedas (Śrutis). Their prayers (Śruti-gītā) clarify that the ultimate Vedic conclusion is devotion to the Supreme Lord, attainable through inner realization and surrender.
Practice deliberate sense-discipline: limit distracting inputs, bring attention back to the heart through japa and prayer, and cultivate steady remembrance of the Lord—turning the mind inward rather than chasing constant stimulation.