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 ||
毗耶娑说：“当修行者渐离对粗身的认同而安住禅定之时，由于其见已变得微细，便会出现某些征相与形态。起初，在安住于‘地’的观持时，仿佛有一层细薄的帷幕，如冬日雾霭或淡烟一般，微妙地弥漫并依附于整个天空。”
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.