Tṛtīyopadeśaḥ (Mudrā) · Verse 104
इन्द्रियाणां मनो नाथो मनो-नाथस्तु मारुतः | मारुतस्य लयो नाथः स लयो नादमाश्रितः
indriyāṇāṃ mano nātho mano-nāthas tu mārutaḥ | mārutasya layo nāthaḥ sa layo nādam āśritaḥ
The lord of the senses is the mind; the lord of the mind is the breath; the lord of the breath is laya (dissolution); that dissolution depends on nāda.
This verse reveals the chain of control that underlies the entire haṭha yoga system:
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Indriyāṇāṃ mano nāthaḥ — The mind (manas) governs the senses. The senses go where the mind directs them.
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Mano-nāthas tu mārutaḥ — The breath (māruta) governs the mind. This is the key to haṭha yoga: controlling the mind indirectly through prāṇa.
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Mārutasya layo nāthaḥ — Laya (dissolution, absorption) governs the breath. When meditative absorption occurs, the breath becomes still spontaneously.
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Sa layo nādam āśritaḥ — That laya depends on nāda (inner sound). The internal sound is the gateway to dissolution.
The practical sequence is reversed: listen to nāda → enter laya → breath ceases → mind becomes still → senses withdraw.
This verse connects the prāṇāyāma chapters (control of māru) with the fourth chapter on nāda and samādhi.