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Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 11: Chapter 20: Verses 12-21
In the same way as the denizens ofhell heavenly beings too covet (an abode in) this world, which is favourable for the attainment
of wisdom and Devotion (both), whereas both the aforesaid realms are unhelpful to it. A wise man should not long for heaven any more than he should for hell; nor should he long even for (being reborn in) this world (as a human being). (For) through attachment to a
particular body one (generally) neglects one's (true) interests. Alive to this truth he should diligently strive for Liberation (lit., cessation of transmigration) before death (over-takes him), knowing this body to be mortal, though helpful to the attainrnent of his goal. A bird which is unattached (to its abode) surely attains happiness on abandoning its abode in the form of the tree on which it has built its nest, which is being cut down by these agents of Death. Shuddering with fear to perceive his life being cut short by (the passage of) days and nights, and free from attachment, the man who has no desire (likewise) attains (everlasting) peace on realizing the Supreme. That man (undoubtedly) kills his soul (brings about his own spiritual degradation), who-having secured the exceptionally fit vessel of a human body, the source of all blessings and (therefore) a most rare boon, yet easily obtained (without any effort by the grace of God) and piloted by (an expert helmsman in the form of) a preceptor and propelled by a favourable wind in the shape of Myself--(nevertheless) fails to cross the ocean of mundane existence. When (however) a man feels averse to (all) actions (realizing their being attended with evils of various kinds) and disgusted (with their fruit as a source of attachment and consequently of misery), a Yogi should after fully controlling his senses (try to) concentrate his mind so as to make it steady through repeated effort (at turning it towards the Self). When, (even) while it is being focussed (on the Self), it soon begins to wander (due to its habitual vagrancy) and becomes unsteady (again), one should be on his alert and bring it (back) under his control by recourse to the method of conciliation (in the form of granting it a little freedom). (Once it has been brought under control again) he should never allow its movements to go unnoticed and, having controlled his breath and conquered his senses, should reduce his mind to subjection by means of his intellect enriched with Sattva. (Just) as he who seeks (to secure) the obedience of a horse that has yet to be broken
succeeds in taming it (only) by following its will to some extent in the beginning, repeatedly winning over the mind (by recourse to the method of conciliation) as aforesaid has been declared to be (a ladder to) the highest Yoga.
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