Shloka 66
कालियदमना: यमुनाशुद्धिः, करुणा-निग्रहः, स्तुति-तत्त्वम्
विषयेभ्यः समाहृत्य सर्वाक्षाणि च योगिनः यम् अर्चयन्ति ध्यानेन सो ऽर्च्यते वा कथं मया
viṣayebhyaḥ samāhṛtya sarvākṣāṇi ca yoginaḥ yam arcayanti dhyānena so 'rcyate vā kathaṃ mayā
Withdrawing all the senses from their objects, the yogins worship Him through meditation. How, then, could I worship that Lord—who is adored in inner contemplation—by outward means?
Maitreya (questioning Sage Parāśara about the worship of the Supreme Vishnu)
Concept: Yogins worship the Lord by pratyāhāra (withdrawing senses) and dhyāna, indicating that the deepest worship is inward and contemplative.
Vedantic Theme: Atman
Application: Practice daily sense-restraint and short meditation sessions; shift worship from mere externality to attentive inner remembrance of the Lord.
Vishishtadvaita: Supports antaryāmin devotion: the Lord is approached as the indwelling ruler, making interior meditation a direct mode of bhakti.
Vishnu Form: Vasudeva
Bhakti Type: Shanta
Antaryamin: Yes
FAQs
It presents pratyāhāra as the prerequisite for true worship: yogins draw the senses back from objects so the mind can rest on Vishnu in meditation.
The verse frames Maitreya’s doubt that Parāśara addresses: Vishnu is worshipped most perfectly through inner dhyāna, and the teaching typically proceeds to show how devotion and disciplined practice make such contemplation accessible.
Vishnu is implied as the Supreme object of yogic realization—worshipped not merely as a deity of ritual, but as the highest Reality attained through inward, concentrated devotion.