Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 129
Mokṣopāya: Bhakti-rooted Jñāna and the Aṣṭāṅga Yoga of Viṣṇu-Meditation
विषयेषु प्रसक्तानि चेन्द्रियाणि मुनीश्वरः । समामाहृत्य निगृह्णाति प्रत्याहारस्तु स स्मृतः ॥ २९ ॥
viṣayeṣu prasaktāni cendriyāṇi munīśvaraḥ | samāmāhṛtya nigṛhṇāti pratyāhārastu sa smṛtaḥ || 29 ||
Wahai penghulu para resi, apabila pancaindera yang terpaut pada objek-objek deria dihimpunkan kembali dan dikekang dengan teguh, itulah yang diingati sebagai pratyāhāra (penarikan indera).
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: none
FAQs
It defines pratyāhāra as the disciplined turning back of the senses from outward objects, a key inner step that stabilizes the mind for higher contemplation and liberation-oriented practice.
By withdrawing the senses from distractions, the practitioner protects attention and emotion from being scattered, making the heart steady for sustained remembrance and worship—conditions that strengthen Viṣṇu-bhakti in practice.
No specific Vedāṅga (like Vyākaraṇa or Jyotiṣa) is taught in this verse; it highlights yogic sādhanā—indriya-nigraha and pratyāhāra—as practical discipline supporting dharma and mokṣa.