अथ योगानुशासनम्
Now, the instruction on yoga begins.
योगश् चित्तवृत्तिनिरोधः
Yoga is the restraint of the fluctuations of the mind.
तदा द्रष्टुः स्वरूपे ऽवस्थानम्
Then, the seer abides in their own true nature.
वृत्तिसारूप्यम् इतरत्र
At other times, there is identification with the fluctuations.
वृत्तयः पञ्चतय्यः क्लिष्टाक्लिष्टाः
The fluctuations are fivefold, and they are either afflicted or non-afflicted.
प्रमाणविपर्ययविकल्पनिद्रास्मृतयः
They are: right knowledge, error, imagination, sleep, and memory.
प्रत्यक्षानुमानागमाः प्रमाणानि
Right knowledge arises from direct perception, inference, and reliable testimony.
विपर्ययो मिथ्याज्ञानम् अतद्रूपप्रतिष्ठम्
Error is false knowledge, not based on the true nature of the object.
शब्दज्ञानानुपाती वस्तुशून्यो विकल्पः
Imagination is knowledge that follows from words, but is empty of real object.
अभावप्रत्ययालम्बना वृत्तिर् निद्रा
Sleep is a fluctuation supported by the notion of absence.
अनुभूतविषयासंप्रमोषः स्मृतिः
Memory is the retention of experienced objects without loss.
अभ्यासवैराग्याभ्यां तन्निरोधः
Their restraint is achieved through practice and dispassion.
तत्र स्थितौ यत्नो ऽभ्यासः
Practice is the effort to remain steadily established in that.
स तु दीर्घकालनैरन्तर्यसत्कारासेवितो दृढभूमिः
That practice becomes firmly grounded when continued for a long time, without interruption, and with devotion.
दृष्टानुश्रविकविषयवितृष्णस्य वशीकारसंज्ञा वैराग्यम्
Dispassion is the mastery over craving for objects seen or heard about.
तत् परं पुरुषख्यातेर् गुणवैतृष्ण्यम्
The highest dispassion is indifference even to the qualities, through knowledge of the Self.
वितर्कविचारानन्दास्मितारूपानुगमात् संप्रज्ञातः
Cognitive samadhi is accompanied by reasoning, reflection, bliss, and the sense of 'I-am.'
विरामप्रत्ययाभ्यासपूर्वः संस्कारशेषो ऽन्यः
Another samadhi, preceded by the practice of cessation, has only latent impressions remaining.
भवप्रत्ययो विदेहप्रकृतिलयानाम्
For those who are disembodied or merged into nature, the cause is the latent tendency of existence.
श्रद्धावीर्यस्मृतिसमाधिप्रज्ञापूर्वक इतरेषाम्
For others, it is preceded by faith, energy, mindfulness, absorption, and wisdom.
तीव्रसंवेगानाम् आसन्नः
For those with intense zeal, attainment is near.
मृदुमध्याधिमात्रत्वात् ततो ऽपि विशेषः
Even among these, there is distinction due to mild, moderate, or intense effort.
ईश्वरप्रणिधानाद् वा
Or, by devotion to the Lord.
क्लेशकर्मविपाकाशयैर् अपरामृष्टः पुरुषविशेष ईश्वरः
Īśvara is a special self, untouched by afflictions, actions, results, or latent impressions.
तत्र निरतिशयं सर्वज्ञबीजम्
In him is the unsurpassed seed of omniscience.
पूर्वेषाम् अपि गुरुः कालेनानवच्छेदात्
He is also the teacher of the ancients, not limited by time.
तस्य वाचकः प्रणवः
His designation is the syllable Om.
तज्जपस् तदर्थभावनम्
Repetition of that and contemplation of its meaning.
ततः प्रत्यक्चेतनाधिगमो ऽप्य् अन्तरायाभावश् च
From that, there is inward consciousness and also the absence of obstacles.
व्याधिस्त्यानसंशयप्रमादालस्याविरतिभ्रान्तिदर्शनालब्धभूमिकत्वानवस्थितत्वानि चित्तविक्षेपास् ते ऽन्तरायाः
Disease, dullness, doubt, carelessness, laziness, lack of self-control, mistaken perception, failure to attain a state, and instability—these distractions of the mind are the obstacles.