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 ||
முனீஸ்வரரே! பொருள்களில் பற்றுள்ள இந்திரியங்களை ஒன்றுசேர்த்து உள்ளே இழுத்து உறுதியாக அடக்குவது ‘பிரத்யாஹாரம்’ என நினைக்கப்படுகிறது.
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.