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,
निमीलिताक्षः सत्त्वस्थो दंतैर्दंतान्न संस्पृशेत् 4.1.41.
With eyes half-closed, established in clarity, not letting the teeth touch each other,
सन्नियम्येंद्रियग्रामं नातिनीचोच्छ्रितासनः
Having restrained the group of senses, seated not too high nor too low,
चलेऽनिले चलं सर्वं निश्चले तत्र निश्चलम्
When the breath moves, everything moves; when it is still, all is still there.
यावद्देहे स्थितः प्राणो जीवितं तावदुच्यते
As long as the breath remains in the body, life is said to continue.
यावद्बद्धो मरुद्देहे यावच्चेतो निराश्रयम्
As long as the breath is restrained in the body, and as long as the mind is without support,
कालसाध्वसतोब्रह्मा प्राणायामं सदाचरेत्
Brahma, fearful of time, should always practice breath control.
मंदो द्वादशमात्रस्तु मात्रा लघ्वक्षरा मता
The slow breath is measured as twelve units, and the unit is considered a brief syllable.
स्वेदं कंपं विषादं च जनयेत्क्रमशस्त्वसौ
This, when practiced gradually, produces sweat, trembling, and despondency.
विषादं हि तृतीयेन सिद्धः प्राणोथ योगिनः क्रमेण सेव्यमानोसौ नयते यत्र चेच्छति
Indeed, by the third stage, despondency arises; then the yogi attains perfection. Practiced in order, it leads wherever one desires.
हठान्निरुद्धप्राणोयं रोमकूपेषु निःसरेत्
When the breath is forcibly restrained, it emerges through the pores of the hair.