Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 8
Jīva–Ātman Inquiry; Kṣetrajña Doctrine; Karma-based Varṇa; Four Āśramas and Sannyāsa Discipline
नश्यंत्यापो ह्यनाहाराद्वायुरुच्छ्वासनिग्रहात् । नश्यते कोष्टभेदार्थमग्रिर्नश्यत्यभोजनात् ॥ ८ ॥
naśyaṃtyāpo hyanāhārādvāyurucchvāsanigrahāt | naśyate koṣṭabhedārthamagrirnaśyatyabhojanāt || 8 ||
ด้วยการอดอาหาร ธาตุน้ำย่อมร่อยหรอ; ด้วยการกลั้นลมหายใจ ธาตุลมถูกกดไว้; เพื่อความชำระจึงมีการชำระช่องท้อง และเมื่อไม่กินอาหาร ไฟย่อยอาหารย่อมดับลง.
Sanatkumara (in dialogue with Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
FAQs
It cautions that austerities act directly on the body’s elements—fluids, prāṇa, and digestive fire—so discipline must be applied with discernment as part of Mokṣa-dharma, not as self-harm.
By implying that bodily practices (fasting, restraint, purification) are supportive tools; they should steady the senses and prāṇa so the mind can remain fit for remembrance and devotion rather than being weakened by excess.
It reflects applied yogic-ritual discipline—prāṇāyāma (breath restraint) and regulated upavāsa (fasting)—with an implicit understanding of jatharāgni and bodily balance, useful for structuring vrata and sādhanā safely.