The works of Ramaṇa Maharṣi

Upadeśa Sāram

Verse 11

वायुरोधना ल्लीयते मनः ।जालपक्षिवद् रोधसाधनम् ॥

वायुरोधनात् लीयते मनः जालपक्षिवत् रोधसाधनम्

In plain words

Hold the breath and the mind goes quiet. That is simply true, and anyone can verify it. But look at what it is like: a bird in a net. The bird is not calm. It is caught. And the moment the net opens, off it goes.

Word for word

By restraint of the breath the mind is absorbed, like a bird in a net. It is a means of restraint.