प्राणः स्वदेहजो वायुरायामस्तन्निरोधनम्
The life-breath is the air born within one's own body; its regulation is called restraint.
स एव द्विविधः प्रोक्तः सगर्भो ऽगर्भ एव च
This very practice is said to be of two kinds: with retention and without retention.
मध्यमः प्राणसंरोधः षट्त्रिंशन्मात्रिकोत्तमः
The intermediate restraint of the breath is the highest, measured as thirty-six counts.
मन्दमध्यममुख्यानामानन्दादुत्तमोत्तमः
Among the slow, intermediate, and chief types, the supreme of the supreme arises from bliss.
एतद् वै योगिनामुक्तं प्राणायामस्य लक्षणम्
This, indeed, is declared to be the characteristic of breath-control for yogis.
त्रिर्जपेदायतप्राणः प्राणायामः स उच्यते
When one recites a mantra three times with the breath held, that is called breath-control.
प्रोच्यते सर्वशास्त्रेषु योगिभिर्यतमानसैः
This is proclaimed in all the scriptures by yogis who strive diligently.
साम्येन संस्थितिर्या सा कुम्भकः परिगीयते
That state of balance which is established is celebrated as kumbhaka.
निग्रहः प्रोच्यते सद्भिः प्रत्याहारस्तु सत्तमाः
Restraint is declared by the wise, and the best call it withdrawal of the senses.
एवमादिषु देशेषु धारणा चित्तबन्धनम्
In such places as these, concentration is the binding of the mind.
वृत्त्यन्तरैरसंसृष्टा तद्ध्यानं सूरयो विदुः
When not mingled with other mental activities, that is known as meditation by the sages.
प्रत्ययो ह्यर्थमात्रेण योगसाधनमुत्तमम्
A cognition fixed solely on the object is the highest means of yoga.
ध्यानं द्वादशकं यावत् समाधिरभिधीयते
Meditation, up to twelve cycles, is called samadhi.
साधनानां च सर्वेषामेतत्साधनमुत्तमम्
Of all practices, this is the supreme means.
समासीतात्मनः पद्ममेतदासनमुत्तमम्
Sitting firmly, the lotus posture is declared the highest seat for the self.
आसीतार्धासनमिदं योगसाधनमुत्तमम्
This half-seated posture is the supreme means for yoga practice.
समासीतात्मनः प्रोक्तमासनं स्वस्तिकं परम्
Sitting firmly, the posture called svastika is declared the highest.
अग्न्यभ्यासे जले वापि शुष्कपर्णचये तथा
Whether practicing near fire, in water, or on a heap of dry leaves—
सशब्दे सभये वापि चैत्यवल्मीकसंचये
One should not practice in places with noise, fear, or where there are heaps of shrines or anthills.
नाचरेद् देहबाधे वा दौर्मनस्यादिसंभवे
Nor should one practice when afflicted by bodily discomfort or when distress and similar conditions arise.
नद्यास्तीरे पुण्यदेशे देवतायतने तथा
On the bank of a river, in a sacred region, or in a temple of deities likewise—
युञ्जीत योगी सततमात्मानं मत्परायणः
The yogi, devoted to me, should always unite himself in yoga.
गुरुं चैवाथ मां योगी युञ्जीत सुसमाहितः
The yogi, well concentrated, should unite himself with the guru and with me.
नासिकाग्रे समां दृष्टिमीषदुन्मीलितेक्षणः
With gaze fixed at the tip of the nose, eyes slightly opened—
स्वात्मन्यवस्थितं देवं चिन्तयेत् परमेश्वरम्
He should contemplate the supreme Lord, established within his own self.
धर्मकन्दसमुद्भूतं ज्ञाननालं सुशोभनम्
He should contemplate the radiant stalk of knowledge, arising from the root of dharma.
चिन्तयेत् परमं कोशं कर्णिकायां हिरण्मयम्
He should contemplate the supreme golden core within the lotus's center.
ओङ्कारवाच्यमव्यक्तं रश्मिजालसमाकुलम्
He should contemplate the unmanifest, expressed by Om, filled with a network of rays.
तस्मिन् ज्योतिषि विन्यस्यस्वात्मानं तदभेदतः
In that light, he should place his own self, identifying with its non-difference.
तदात्मा सर्वगो भूत्वा न किञ्चिदपि चिन्तयेत्
Then, having become all-pervading, he should not think of anything at all.