Shloka 17
Vānaprastha-vṛtti and the Transition toward the Fourth Āśrama (वानप्रस्थवृत्तिः चतुर्थाश्रमोपक्रमश्च)
निर्मुच्यमान: सूक्ष्मत्वाद् रूपाणीमानि पश्यत: । शैशिरस्तु यथा धूम: सूक्ष्म: संश्रयते नभ:
nirmucyamānaḥ sūkṣmatvād rūpāṇīmāni paśyataḥ | śaiśirastu yathā dhūmaḥ sūkṣmaḥ saṃśrayate nabhaḥ ||
Wika ni Vyāsa: “Kapag ang nagsasanay ay napapalaya na mula sa pagkakakilanlan sa magaspang na katawan at nananatiling matatag sa pagninilay, dahil naging maselan ang kanyang paningin, may ilang palatandaan at anyong lumilitaw. Sa pasimula, habang itinatakda ang isip sa pagninilay sa lupa, wari’y may manipis na lambong—gaya ng hamog ng taglamig o usok na pino—na marahang kumakalat at kumakapit sa buong kalangitan.”
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
As one loosens identification with the gross body and becomes steady in meditation, perception refines; early meditative stages may present subtle visual signs. These are described not as ends in themselves but as indicators of increasing subtlety and concentration.
Vyāsa is describing experiential markers encountered by a sādhaka during dhāraṇā. In the initial phase—specifically while contemplating the earth element—the meditator perceives a fine haze, like winter mist, seeming to cover the sky.