Shloka 28
Nārada’s Instructions: Śrāddha, True Dharma, Contentment, Yoga, and Devotion-Centered Renunciation
षड्वर्गसंयमैकान्ता: सर्वा नियमचोदना: । तदन्ता यदि नो योगानावहेयु: श्रमावहा: ॥ २८ ॥
ṣaḍ-varga-saṁyamaikāntāḥ sarvā niyama-codanāḥ tad-antā yadi no yogān āvaheyuḥ śramāvahāḥ
Les rites, les règles, les austérités et le yoga visent à maîtriser les sens et le mental; mais s’ils ne conduisent pas à la méditation sur le Seigneur Suprême, toutes ces pratiques ne sont qu’un labeur stérile.
One may argue that one may achieve the ultimate goal of life — realization of the Supersoul — by practicing the yoga system and ritualistic performances according to the Vedic principles, even without staunch devotion to the spiritual master. The actual fact, however, is that by practicing yoga one must come to the platform of meditating upon the Supreme Personality of Godhead. As stated in the scriptures, dhyānāvasthita-tad-gatena manasā paśyanti yaṁ yoginaḥ: a person in meditation achieves the perfection of yoga practice when he can see the Supreme Personality of Godhead. By various practices, one may come to the point of controlling the senses, but simply controlling the senses does not bring one to a substantial conclusion. However, by staunch faith in the spiritual master and the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one not only controls the senses but also realizes the Supreme Lord.
FAQs
This verse says that disciplines and restraints are meant to control the six urges, but if they do not lead to yoga—devotional connection with the Lord—they become mere hard labor without spiritual fulfillment.
Prahlada teaches that real spiritual discipline targets the root drives that bind the mind; when these are controlled and directed toward the Lord, practice becomes genuine yoga rather than mechanical ritual.
Use daily disciplines (habits, vows, routines) to reduce impulsive drives and consciously connect them to devotion—chanting, prayer, service—so spirituality becomes transformative rather than exhausting.