O best of sages, even those yogis who strive with great dedication do not perceive me alone. The path to such realization is intricate, requiring samādhi, restraint, observance, and posture. I have already described to you the means for this in the eightfold manner, outlining the essential steps for yoga. The restraints, or yamas, have been briefly stated; they purify the mind of those who follow them. Foremost among these is non-injury—defined by the sages as that which causes no affliction. Yet, injury committed according to prescribed rule, in the context of duty, is itself considered non-injury. Truth is spoken of by the twice-born as conduct and speech aligned with reality. Non-stealing is the pursuit of dharma through abstaining from theft. Brahmacharya is universally defined as the renunciation of sexual intercourse. Non-possession is another restraint, and one must carefully observe it. The observances, or niyamas, are summarized, and they grant accomplishment in yoga. Ascetics declare bodily austerity as the highest form of tapas. Study, or svādhyāya, is described as that which purifies the mind. Those who understand the Vedas speak of successive distinctions in study: it is vocal recitation, and also murmured recitation. Murmured recitation is specified as a thousand times superior to vocal recitation. Mental repetition is known as the contemplation of all words. Contentment, whose nature is happiness, is celebrated by sages as steadfastness of mind. External purity is achieved through earth and water, while internal purity is the purification of the mind. Unwavering devotion to Shiva is considered the worship of the Lord. The regulation of the life-breath, which is the air born within one’s own body, is called restraint. This practice is said to be of two kinds: with retention and without retention. The intermediate restraint of the breath is the highest, measured as thirty-six counts. Among slow, intermediate, and chief types, the supreme arises from bliss. This is declared to be the characteristic of breath-control for yogis. When one recites a mantra three times with the breath held, that is called breath-control. This is proclaimed in all scriptures by yogis who strive diligently. The state of balance established in this practice is celebrated as kumbhaka. Restraint is declared by the wise as withdrawal of the senses. In such places, concentration is the binding of the mind. When concentration is not mingled with other mental activities, it is known as meditation by the sages. A cognition fixed solely on the object is the highest means of yoga. Meditation, up to twelve cycles, is called samādhi. Of all practices, this is the supreme means. For the self, sitting firmly in the lotus posture is declared the highest seat. This half-seated posture is the supreme means for yoga practice. Sitting firmly, the posture called svastika is also declared the highest. Whether practicing near fire, in water, or on a heap of dry leaves, one should avoid places with noise, fear, or where there are heaps of shrines or anthills. Nor should one practice when afflicted by bodily discomfort or when distress and similar conditions arise. Thus, O sage, the path to yoga has been revealed, step by step, with its restraints, observances, breath-control, concentration, meditation, samādhi, and proper posture—each essential for the purification of mind and the realization of the Supreme.