यथा तोयार्थिनस्तोयं पत्रनालादिभिः शनैः
Just as one seeking water draws it slowly through leaves, stems, and so on,
प्राग्नाभ्यां हृदये वायुरथ तालौ भ्रुवोंऽतरे
With the foreparts, the wind is brought into the heart, then to the palate, and between the brows.
आकुंचनेनैव मूर्द्धमुन्नीय पवनं शनैः
By contraction alone, gently raise the breath upward to the crown.
प्राणायामा दश द्वौ च धारणैषा प्रकीर्त्यते
This is declared to be ten prāṇāyāmas and two retentions.
धारणास्थस्य यद्ध्येयं तस्य त्वं शृणु लक्षणम्
Now hear the characteristic of the object of meditation for one established in retention.
केचिच्छिवं हरिं केचित्केचित्सूर्यं विधिं परे
Some meditate on Śiva, some on Hari, others on the Sun, and others on Brahmā.
तत्र यो यच्च ध्यायेत स च तत्र प्रलीयते
There, whatever one meditates upon, into that indeed one dissolves.
पद्मासनस्थं तं गौरं बीजपूरकरं स्थितम् 1.2.55.
Seated in the lotus posture, radiant, holding the gesture of the seed, established.
ध्येयमेतत्तव प्रोक्तं तस्माद्ध्यानं समाचरेत्
This has been declared as your object of meditation; therefore, one should practice meditation.
न पृथग्जायते ध्येयाद्धारणां यः समास्थितः
He who is established in retention does not become separate from the object of meditation.
न किंचिच्चिंतयेत्पश्चात्समाधिरिति कीर्त्यते
Afterwards, one should think of nothing; this is called samādhi.
शब्दस्पर्शरसैर्हीनं गंधरूपविवर्जितम्
Devoid of sound, touch, and taste, and free from smell and form.
तां तु प्राप्य नरो विघ्नैर्नाभिभूयेत कर्हिचित्
Having attained that, a man is never overcome by obstacles.
शंखाद्याः शतशस्तस्य वाद्यन्ते यदि कर्णयोः
Even if hundreds of conches and the like are sounded at his ears,
कशाप्रहाराभिहतो वह्निदग्धतनुस्तथा
Or if struck by whips, or if his body is burned by fire,
रूपे गंधे रसे बाह्ये तादृशस्य तु का कथा
What then can be said of external forms, smells, or tastes for such a one?
तृष्णा वाथ बुभुक्षा वा बाधेते तं न कर्हिचित्
Neither thirst nor hunger ever afflict him.
न स्वर्गे न च पाताले मानुष्ये क्व च तत्सुखम् 1.2.55.
Such happiness is found nowhere—in heaven, nor in the netherworld, nor among humans.
एवमारूढयोगस्य तस्यापि कुरुनदन
In this way, for one who has ascended to yoga, O son of the Kurus,
प्रातिभः श्रावणो दैवो भ्रमावर्तोऽथ भीषणः
There arise intuitive, auditory, divine, whirling, and terrifying experiences.
तेन यो मदमादद्याद्योगी शीघ्रं च चेतसः
Therefore, if a yogi quickly acquires pride, it arises from the mind.
द्वितीयः सात्विकश्चायमस्मान्मत्तो विनश्यति । अष्टौ पश्यति योनीश्च देवानां दैव इत्यसौ
This second, sattvic, is destroyed in us by pride; he sees eight wombs of the gods—this is called divine.
अयं च सात्त्विको दोषो मदादस्माद्विनश्यति
And this sattvic fault is destroyed by pride from us.
आवर्ताख्यस्त्वयं दोषो राजसः स महाभयः
This fault called 'recurrence' is of rajas, and it is very dangerous.
समस्ताधारविभ्रंशाद्भ्रमाख्यस्तामसो गुणः
Due to the loss of all supports, the quality called 'delusion' is of tamas.
उपसर्गैर्महाघोरैरावर्त्यंते पुनः पुनः
By very terrible afflictions, one is repeatedly drawn into recurrence.
चिंतयेत्परमं ब्रह्म कृत्वा तत्प्रवणं मनः
One should contemplate the supreme Brahman, making the mind inclined toward That.
राजसैस्तामसैश्चैव योगी सिद्धयेन्न कर्हिचित् 1.2.55.
By rajas and tamas, a yogi never attains perfection.
स्वधर्मादनपेतेषु भिक्षा याच्या च योगिना
A yogi should beg for alms only from those who have not abandoned their own duty.
फलमूलं विपक्वं वा कणपिण्याकसक्तवः
Fruit, roots, or even what is overripe, as well as grains, flour, and cakes.