श्रुति स्मृति पुराणं च विद्योपनिषदस्तथा
The Vedas, the Smṛtis, the Purāṇas, and likewise the Upaniṣads of knowledge—
वेदानुवचनं ज्ञात्वा ब्रह्मचर्य तपो दमः 4.1.41.
Having learned the recitation of the Vedas, one should practice celibacy, austerity, and self-restraint.
स हि सर्वैर्विजिज्ञास्य आत्मैवाश्रमवर्तिभिः
For all who dwell in the stages of life, the self alone is to be realized.
आत्मज्ञानेन मुक्तिः स्यात्तच्च योगादृते नहि
Liberation comes through knowledge of the self, and that is not possible without yoga.
नारण्यसंश्रयाद्योगो न नानाग्रंथ चिंतनात्
Yoga is not attained by dwelling in the forest, nor by pondering many treatises.
न च पद्मासनाद्योगो न वा घ्राणाग्रवीक्षणात्
Nor is yoga achieved by the lotus posture, nor by fixing the gaze at the tip of the nose.
अभियोगात्सदाभ्यासात्तत्रैव च विनिश्चयात्
But through dedicated effort, constant practice, and unwavering resolve therein.
आत्मक्रीडस्य सततं सदात्ममिथुनस्य च
By always delighting in the self and ever uniting with the self.
अत्रात्मव्यतिरेकेण द्वितीयं यो न पश्यति
Here, whoever does not see a second apart from the self—
संयोगस्त्वात्ममनसोर्योग इत्युच्यते बुधैः
Union of the self and the mind is called yoga by the wise.
विषयेंद्रिय संयोगो योग इत्यप्यपंडितैः
But the unlearned say that yoga is the union of the senses with their objects.
दुर्निवारा मनोवृत्तिर्यावत्सा न निवर्तते 4.1.41.
The activity of the mind is hard to restrain, so long as it does not cease.
वृत्तिहीनं मनः कृत्वा क्षेत्रज्ञे परमात्मनि
Having made the mind free of activity, one should fix it in the knower of the field, the supreme self.
बहिर्मुखानि सर्वाणि कृत्वा खान्यंतराणि वै
Having turned all the senses, which are outward, inward—
सर्वभावविनिर्मुक्तं क्षेत्रज्ञं ब्रह्मणि न्यसेत्
One should place the knower of the field, freed from all states, in Brahman.
यन्नास्ति सर्वलोकेषु तदस्तीति विरुध्यते
That which does not exist in all the worlds—if one says it exists, it is a contradiction.
स्वसंवेद्यं हि तद्ब्रह्म कुमारी स्त्री सुखं यथा
That Brahman is known only by direct experience, just as a maiden alone knows her own pleasure.
नित्याभ्यसनशीलस्य स्वसंवेद्यं हि तद्भवेत्
For one who practices constantly, it too becomes a matter of direct experience.
क्षणमप्येकमुदकं यथा न स्थिरतामियात्
Just as water does not remain steady even for a single moment,
अतोऽनिलं निरुंधीत चित्तस्य स्थैर्य हेतवे
Therefore, one should restrain the breath to bring steadiness to the mind.
आसनं प्राणसंरोधः प्रत्याहारश्च धारणा
Posture, restraint of breath, withdrawal of the senses, and concentration—
आसनानीह तावंति यावंत्यो जीवयो नयः 4.1.41.
There are as many postures here as there are living beings.
एतदभ्यसनान्नित्यं वर्ष्मदार्ढ्यमवाप्नुयात्
By practicing this constantly, one attains firmness of the body.
दक्षिणं चरणं न्यस्य वामोरूपरि योगवित्
The knower of yoga should place the right foot upon the left thigh.
कराभ्यां धारयेत्पश्चादंगुष्ठौ दृढबंधवित्
Then, with the hands, firmly grasp the big toes, securing them tightly.
अथवा ह्यासने यस्मिन्सुखमस्योपजायते
Or, indeed, in whatever posture one finds comfort while seated—
न तोयवह्निसामीप्ये न जीर्णारण्यगोष्ठयोः
Not near water or fire, nor in ruined forests or cow-pens,
केशभस्मतुषांगार कीकसादि प्रदूषिते
Not in places defiled by hair, ashes, husks, coals, or the like,
सर्वबाधाविरहिते सर्वेंद्रियसुखावहे
But in a place free from all obstacles, bringing comfort to all the senses,
नातितृप्तः क्षुधार्तो न न विण्मूत्रप्रबाधितः
Not overly satisfied, nor hungry, nor troubled by the urge for urine or feces,