Shloka 8
एकाग्रता च मनस: प्राणायामस्तथैव च । प्राणायामस्तु सगुणो निर्गुणो मनसस्तथा,योगियोंके लिये प्रधान कर्तव्य है ध्यान। वही उनका परम बल है। योगके विद्वान् उस ध्यानको दो प्रकारका बतलाते हैं--एक तो मनकी एकाग्रता और दूसरा प्राणायाम। प्राणायामके भी दो भेद हैं--सगुण और निर्मुण। इनमेंसे जिस प्राणायाममें मनका सम्बन्ध सगुणके साथ रहता है, वह सगुण प्राणायाम है और जिसमें मनका सम्बन्ध निर्गुणके साथ रहता है, वह निर्गुण प्राणायाम है
ekāgratā ca manasaḥ prāṇāyāmas tathaiva ca | prāṇāyāmas tu saguṇo nirguṇo manasas tathā ||
These two forms are: (1) one-pointedness of the mind (ekāgratā) and (2) regulation of the vital breath (prāṇāyāma). Prāṇāyāma, in turn, is of two kinds—qualified (saguṇa) and unqualified (nirguṇa). When the mind remains connected with the qualified aspect, it is saguṇa prāṇāyāma; when the mind is connected with the unqualified, it is nirguṇa prāṇāyāma.
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).