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 ||
Sinabi ni Yājñavalkya: “O hari, ang ‘dhāraṇā’ ay ang pagtitimo ng isip sa isang tiyak na pook o puntirya. Kapag ang disiplina ng hininga (prāṇāyāma) ay isinasagawa kasabay ng gayong pagtitimo ng isip, ito’y itinuturing na saguṇa (may katangian at may sandigan). Ngunit kapag, nang walang sinasandigang tiyak na lugar o bagay, ang isip ay tinipon sa walang-binhing pagkalubog (nirbīja samādhi), iyon ang tinatawag na nirguṇa (walang katangian) na prāṇāyāma.”
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.