परमज्ञानिनामेतत्परब्रह्मात्मकं द्विज
For those of highest knowledge, O twice-born, this is of the nature of the supreme Brahman.
भाति विज्ञानभेदेन बहुरुपधरो ऽव्ययः
Due to differences in understanding, the imperishable one appears as possessing many forms.
तस्मान्मायां त्यजेद्योगान्मुमुक्षुर्द्विजसत्तम्
Therefore, O best of twice-born, the seeker of liberation should abandon māyā through yoga.
अनिर्वाच्या ततो ज्ञेया भेदबुद्धिप्रदार्यिनी
Thereafter, māyā should be known as indescribable, the giver of the notion of difference.
तस्मादज्ञानविच्छेदो भवेद्रौजितमायिनाम्
Therefore, the destruction of ignorance should be accomplished by those who are free from illusion.
ज्ञानिनां परमात्मा वै हृदि भाति निरन्तरम्
For the wise, the supreme self indeed shines continuously in the heart.
अष्टाङ्गैः सिद्ध्यते योगस्तानि वक्ष्यामि तत्त्वतः
Yoga is accomplished by eight limbs; I will explain them to you in truth.
प्राणायामः प्रत्याहारो धारणा ध्यानमेव च
They are prāṇāyāma, pratyāhāra, dhāraṇā, and also dhyāna.
एषां संक्षेपतो वक्ष्ये लक्षणानि मुनीश्वर
I will briefly describe to you their characteristics, O lord of sages.
अक्रोधश्चानसूया च प्रोक्ताः संक्षेपतो यमाः
Non-anger and absence of envy are briefly declared as yamas.
अहिंसा कथिता सद्भिर्योगसिद्धिप्रदायिनी
Non-violence, praised by the virtuous, is said to bestow success in yoga.
सत्यं प्राहुर्मुनिश्रेष्ठ अस्तेयं शृणु साम्प्रतम्
Truthfulness, O best of sages, is declared; now hear about non-stealing.
स्तेयमित्युच्यते सद्भिरस्तेयं तद्विपर्ययम्
The wise declare that taking what belongs to another is theft; not stealing is its opposite.
ब्रह्मचर्यपरित्यागाज्ज्ञानवानपि पातकी
Even a learned man becomes sinful by abandoning celibacy.
स चण्डालसमो ज्ञेयः सर्ववर्णबहिष्कृतः
He is to be regarded as equal to an outcaste, excluded from all social classes.
तत्संभाषणमात्रेण ब्रह्महत्या भवेन्नृणाम्
Merely conversing with such a person is considered equivalent to the sin of killing a Brahmin.
तत्संगसंगिनां संगान्महापातकदोषभाक्
Those who associate with the associates of such a person also incur the fault of a great sin.
अपरिग्रह इत्युक्तो योगसंसिद्धिकारकः
Non-acceptance of gifts is called aparigraha, which leads to perfection in yoga.
क्रोधमाहुर्धर्मविदो ह्यक्रोधस्तद्विपर्ययः
The knowers of dharma declare anger to be a vice; its opposite, absence of anger, is a virtue.
असूया कीर्तिता सद्भिस्तत्त्यागो ह्यनसूयता
The wise describe envy as a fault; its abandonment is non-envy.
नियमानपि वक्ष्यामितुभ्यं ताञ्छृणु नारद
Now I shall also explain to you the observances; listen to them, O Nārada.
संध्योपासनमुख्याश्च नियमाः परिकीर्त्तिताः
The observances, with worship at the junctions of the day as foremost, are declared.
तपो निगदितं सद्भिर्योगसाधनमुत्तमम्
Austerity is spoken of by the wise as the highest means of attaining yoga.
अष्टाक्षरस्य मन्त्रस्य महावाक्यचयस्य च
Of the eight-syllabled mantra and the collection of great statements—
स्वाध्यायं यस्त्यजेन्मूढस्तस्य योगो न सिध्यति
He who foolishly abandons self-study does not attain success in yoga.
स्वाध्यायैस्तोष्यमाणाश्च प्रसीदन्ति हि देवताः
The deities are indeed pleased with those who delight in self-study.
त्रिविधे ऽपि च विप्रेन्द्र पूर्वात्पूर्वात्परो वरः
Among the three types, O best of Brahmins, each succeeding one is superior to the previous.
जपस्तु वाचिकः प्रोक्तः सर्वयज्ञफलप्रदः
Recitation uttered aloud is called vocal japa, which bestows the fruit of all sacrifices.
स तूपांशुर्जपः प्रोक्तः पूर्वस्माद्द्विगुणो ऽधिकः
But the japa performed in a low voice is said to be twice as effective as the previous.
स जपोमानसः प्रोक्तो योगसिद्धिप्रदायकः
That which is called mental japa grants success in yoga.