Tracing the projection of everything in the universe to the supreme Brahman (Purusha, or supreme Person), the Purushasukta, a short hymn of eighteen Riks, contains a succinct description of the Vedanta philosophy, which deals with the relation between man, God, and the universe. It is sung on many occasions; it is recited daily by millions wedded to the search for the supreme. This Sukta finds a place in all the Vedas, with slight variations. This shows its supreme importance.
Those who have succeeded in attaching or detaching their minds at will have succeeded in Pratyahara, which means gathering towards, checking the outgoing powers of the mind, freeing it from the thralldom of the senses. When we can do this, we shall really possess character; then alone we shall have taken a long step towards freedom. Before that, we are mere machines.
-Swami Vivekananda
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