Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 88
Mokṣopāya: Bhakti-rooted Jñāna and the Aṣṭāṅga Yoga of Viṣṇu-Meditation
चांद्रायणादिभिर्यत्र शरीरस्य विशोषणम् । तपो निगदितं सद्भिर्योगसाधनमुत्तमम् ॥ ८८ ॥
cāṃdrāyaṇādibhiryatra śarīrasya viśoṣaṇam | tapo nigaditaṃ sadbhiryogasādhanamuttamam || 88 ||
ചാന്ദ്രായണാദി വ്രതങ്ങളാൽ ശരീരത്തെ നിയന്ത്രിച്ച് ക്ഷീണിപ്പിക്കുന്ന ആ ആചാരത്തെ സജ്ജനർ ‘തപസ്’ എന്നു പ്രഖ്യാപിക്കുന്നു; അതാണ് യോഗസാധനത്തിലെ ഉത്തമ മാർഗം.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in dialogue)
Vrata: Cāndrāyaṇa
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It defines tapas as rigorous vow-based discipline—like Cāndrāyaṇa—that purifies and restrains the body, making it a superior support for Yoga and inner realization.
By presenting vows and self-restraint as ‘tapas,’ it implies that disciplined living steadies the mind and senses—conditions that strengthen sustained remembrance and worship, which are essential for mature Bhakti.
It points to vrata-prayoga (ritual observance) such as Cāndrāyaṇa, which depends on calendrical reckoning tied to Jyotiṣa (Vedic astronomy/astrology) for lunar timing and proper performance.