Shloka 45

Adhyaya 39 — Yoga Discipline: Posture, Breath Control, Sense Withdrawal, and Signs of Attainment

Sanskrit

कण्ठे मुखे नासिकाग्रे नेत्रभ्रूमध्यमूर्धसु ।

किञ्च तस्मात्परस्मिंश्च धारणाऽऽ परमा स्मृता ॥

Transliteration

kaṇṭhe mukhe nāsikāgre netra-bhrū-madhya-mūrdhasu / kiñ ca tasmāt parasmiṃś ca dhāraṇā paramā smṛtā //

Translation

(وقد يكون التثبيت) في الحلق، والفم، وطرف الأنف، والعينين، والحيّز بين الحاجبين، وتاج الرأس؛ ثم ما وراء ذلك (في المتعالي)، تُذكَر الدهارانا على أنها الأسمى.

Word by Word

kaṇṭhein the throat

mukhein the mouth

nāsikāgreat the tip of the nose

netra-bhrū-madhya-mūrdhasuin the eyes, the middle of the eyebrows, and on the crown of the head

kiñcaand further

tasmātfrom that

parasminin the other/next (place)

caand

dhāraṇāconcentration/retention (dhāraṇā)

paramāsupreme

smṛtāis considered/declared

Speakers

Didactic narrator voice within the Purāṇic yoga instruction

Verse Rasa

{ "primaryRasa": "shanta", "secondaryRasa": "bhakti", "rasaIntensity": 0, "emotionalArcPosition": "", "moodDescriptors": [] }

Key Themes

YogaDhāraṇāMeditation pointsTranscendent concentration

FAQs

What is the philosophical or ethical takeaway?

The text maps concentration from bodily supports to a ‘beyond’ focus, implying that technique begins with concrete anchors but matures into objectless or transcendent steadiness.

How does this fit the Pancalakṣaṇa (5 characteristics)?

A yogic manual-like insertion; it is not sarga/manvantara narrative, but a practical supplement that serves the Purāṇa’s mokṣa-oriented instruction.

What is the esoteric significance?

The sequence of loci reflects an ascent of attention; ‘beyond that’ points to dhāraṇā that releases dependence on bodily sites, approaching pure awareness (nirālamba orientation).