Shloka 8
अव्यक्त–पुरुष–विवेकः (Discrimination of Avyakta/Prakṛti and Puruṣa) — Yājñavalkya’s Anvīkṣikī to Viśvāvasu
एकाग्रता च मनस: प्राणायामस्तथैव च । प्राणायामस्तु सगुणो निर्गुणो मनसस्तथा
ekāgratā ca manasaḥ prāṇāyāmas tathaiva ca | prāṇāyāmas tu saguṇo nirguṇo manasas tathā ||
وهذان النوعان هما: (1) تركيز الذهن في نقطة واحدة (ekāgratā) و(2) تنظيم النَّفَس الحيوي (prāṇāyāma). ثم إن البراناياما نوعان: ذو صفات (saguṇa) وعديم الصفات (nirguṇa). فإذا اتصل الذهن بالجانب ذي الصفات فهو براناياما ساغونا؛ وإذا اتصل بالجانب العديم الصفات فهو براناياما نيرغونا.
वसिष्ठ उवाच
Educational Q&A
Meditation is presented as the yogin’s primary discipline and strength, and it is analyzed into two practical modes—mental one-pointedness (ekāgratā) and breath regulation (prāṇāyāma). Breath regulation is further distinguished by whether the mind is oriented toward the qualified (saguṇa) or the unqualified (nirguṇa) reality.
In the instruction section of the Śānti Parva, Vasiṣṭha is teaching a listener about yogic practice. He classifies meditation methods and clarifies how prāṇāyāma can be practiced with attention directed either toward a conceived, attribute-bearing focus (saguṇa) or toward the attributeless absolute (nirguṇa).