“When the mind ceases to be fickle and is united by fixing it in nada, it becomes immobile like a wingless bird.”
The verse: Hatha Yoga Pradipika 4.91
The quote above is our paraphrase. This is the verse as it reads in the Pancham Sinh translation (1914):
“The mind, captivated in the snare of nâda, gives up all its activity; and, like a bird with clipped wings, becomes calm at once.”
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
- “Nada yoga captivates the mind like music and draws it into internal absorption.”
- “Conflict between opposing forces is inherent in human evolution but leads to greater union.”
- “The qualities of existence, consciousness, and bliss are present in all elements, gods, animals, and men alike.”
- “The shakti in the form of mind reflects objects; to reflect pure consciousness, the mind must contain nothing.”
- “The mind should be focused solely on internal objects, oblivious to external distractions.”
- “The yogi's path is illuminated by an unwavering faith in the higher Cosmic Will.”