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.
चिन्तयित्वा तु पूर्वोक्तं हृदये पद्ममुत्तमम्
Having contemplated the supreme lotus in the heart as previously described—
मध्ये वह्निशिखाकारं पुरुषं पञ्चविंशकम्
In its center, he should contemplate the twenty-fifth puruṣa, shaped like a flame.
ओङ्करबोधितं तत्त्वं शाश्वतं शिवमच्युतम्
He should contemplate the eternal, auspicious, imperishable principle revealed by Om.
तदन्तः परमं तत्त्वमात्माधारं निरञ्जनम्
Within that, the supreme principle—the pure foundation of the self—
विशोध्य सर्वतत्त्वानि प्रणवेनाथवा पुनः
Having purified all principles, again by Om or otherwise—
प्लावयित्वात्मनो देहं तेनैव ज्ञानवारिणा
He should flood his own body with that very water of knowledge.
चिन्तयेत् स्वात्मनीशानं परं ज्योतिः स्वरूपिणम्
One should contemplate the Lord within oneself, the supreme light in its true form.
सर्ववेदान्तसारो ऽयमत्याश्रममिति श्रुतिः
This is the essence of all Vedānta; the scripture declares it to be beyond all stages of life.
द्विजातीनां तु कथितं भक्तानां ब्रह्मचारिणाम्
It has been taught for twice-born devotees who are students of sacred knowledge.
संतोषः सत्यमास्तिक्यं व्रताङ्गानि विशेषतः
Contentment, truthfulness, and faith are especially the limbs of vows.