“Absorption in nada pacifies the restless mind, dissolving awareness of the external world.”
The verse: Hatha Yoga Pradipika 4.82
The quote above is our paraphrase. This is the verse as it reads in the Pancham Sinh translation (1914):
“By practising with this nâda, all other external sounds are stopped. The Yogî becomes happy by overcoming all distractions within 15 days.”
About the text: Hatha Yoga Pradipika
The Hatha Yoga Pradipika is a Sanskrit manual of hatha yoga compiled by Svatmarama, usually dated to the 15th century. Its four chapters cover postures, cleansing practices and breath control, mudras and bandhas, and meditation, and it is among the most influential surviving hatha yoga texts.
More from the Hatha Yoga Pradipika
- “Non-violence, truth, non-stealing, continence, forgiveness, endurance, compassion, humility, moderate diet, and cleanliness are the ten rules of conduct (yama).”
- “Faith in the guru, courage, and perseverance are essential for fulfilling yoga.”
- “Without complete stillness and steadiness, inner awakening remains elusive.”
- “The qualities of existence, consciousness, and bliss are present in all elements, gods, animals, and men alike.”
- “As long as the breath is restrained in the body, the mind is devoid of thought, and the gaze is centered between the eyebrows, why should there be fear of death?”
- “The mind should be focused solely on internal objects, oblivious to external distractions.”