Shloka 9
नारद–शुक संवादः (Nārada–Śuka Dialogue): Tyāga, Saṃyama, and Vyakta–Avyakta Viveka
धारणं चैव मनस: प्राणायामश्न् पार्थिव । एकाग्रता च मनस: प्राणायामस्तथैव च
yājñavalkya uvāca | dhāraṇaṃ caiva manasaḥ prāṇāyāmaś ca pārthiva | ekāgratā ca manasaḥ prāṇāyāmas tathaiva ca ||
याज्ञवल्क्य म्हणाले—हे पृथ्वीनाथा! एखाद्या विशेष देशी (स्थान/विषयात) चित्त स्थिर करणे याला ‘धारणा’ म्हणतात. अशा धारणेसह केलेला प्राणायाम सगुण होय; आणि कोणताही विशेष आधार न घेता मनाला निर्बीज समाधीत एकाग्र करणारा प्राणायाम निर्गुण म्हणतात.
याज़्ञवल्क्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse distinguishes two modes of yogic practice: (1) dhāraṇā—fixing the mind on a specific locus/object—paired with prāṇāyāma as a supported, ‘saguṇa’ discipline; and (2) an unsupported, objectless gathering of the mind into nirbīja samādhi, described as ‘nirguṇa’ prāṇāyāma.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on peace and liberation, the sage Yājñavalkya addresses a king and explains technical distinctions in yogic concentration and breath-discipline, guiding the ruler toward inner mastery rather than outward power.