Patanjali Yoga Sutra - III - 4

Three in one

Thrayamekatra Samyamaha||

When the threesome of Dharana or concentration, Dhyana or meditation which is a gradual entry into a merging of concentration and its confluence with the object meditated upon and eventually a complete merger of the subject, object and the meditation in Samadhi. The combination of the three makes it Samyama or a complete restraint of the mind that's absorbed in consciousness.

- Swahilya Shambhavi.

Patanjali Yoga Sutra - III - 3

Contemplating well to merge

Tadevarthamathra Nirbhasam Swaroopa Shunyamiva Samadhihi||

When the object of focus, concentration and meditation begins to merge, then the state of Samadhi is said to be reached. Take an example of climbing a flight of stairs to reach the terrace. At first you get accustomed to the steps and focus on it as you climb. That is Dharana. Then as you climb, you have achieved a state of ease and a mind that can afford to be within and contemplate - i.e. Dhyana. Once you begin to contemplate on a statement of truth or the Pranava Mantra, you feel as if you have lost your own name and form and only the contemplation remains. That is arriving at the terrace of Samadhi. The yogi and a Shaivaite saint Sadasiva Brahmendra Saraswati has written a commentary on the Patanjali Yoga Sutra explains Samadhi as Samyak Aadheeyate Ekagrikriyate Yat Manaha Saha Samadhi - That mind which delves well and deeply after becoming completely integrated is Samadhi. - Swahilya Shambhavi

Patanjali Yoga Sutra - III - 2

A continuous flow

Tatra Pratyaya Ekatanata Dhyanam||

Once the mind is sufficiently settled in a point of concentration, which is dharana, there follows a stage when the thoughts begin to flow uninterruptedly into one field of consciousness, just as an estuary merges into the ocean. This is called Dhyanam.

(Quiet flows the lamp on the Ganga at Triveni Ghat, Rishikesh. Text and Pix. Swahilya Shambhavi.)

Patanjali Yoga Sutra - II -

Putting the mind in place!

Desha Bandhaha Chittasya Dharanam||

Dharana means concentration. The concentration of the mind on a point, an image, person, place or object holds the mind in a place towards which it is directed. It binds it to the space on which it concentrates, instead of following its own natural way of flitting about here and there into a million memory routes of the past and the anxiety routes of the future. Dharana is a tool to put the mind in its place i.e. the present moment! - Swahilya Shambhavi.

Patanjali Yoga Sutra - II - 55

When all the senses merge in

Tatah Paramavashyata Indriyanam|

By the practise of Pratyahara or the process of turning the sense organs and the energy that goes out with it, inward, the senses come under the control of the supreme presence within. - Swahilya Shambhavi.

Patanjali Yoga Sutra - 54

Turning inwards

Swavishaya Asamprayoge Chittasya Swarupanukarah Iva Indriyanam|

The organs of action and the senses are always on an outward mode. They travel outside, splitting the energy of the mind into a myriad names and forms, divesting it of its innate power. By conscious practice of Pratyahara, the senses begin to withdraw themselves from the world outside and even the thoughts within. This allows the mind to rest in its totality, helping it to realise the dynamics of energy which is the source. Once realised whichever direction the source looks at through the senses, there are the qualities of abundance, peace, harmony, prosperity and realisation. - Swahilya Shambhavi. (swahilya.soulmate@gmail.com)

Patanjali Yoga Sutra - II - 53

Pranayama leads to better concentration

Dharanaasu Cha Yogyata Manasaha|

With the regular practice of Pranayama or regulating the flow of vital energy, through regulating the flow of breath, the covering over the inner light is removed and life appears more clearly now. You begin to see which is the right path to move forward and focus your attention on that growth with absolute concentration. The mind becomes fit for concentration or dharana. - Swahilya Shambhavi

Patanjali Yoga Sutra - II - 52

Destroys the veil covering light

Tatah ksheeyate Prakashavaranam|

Regular practice of Pranayama thins out the veil of chitta vrittis or mental impurities caused by desire, anger, delusion, greed, arrogance and jealousy. These thoughts born out of avidya or ignorance of the supreme truth within, hides the light like a screen. Regulation of the flow of Prana helps to attenuate this covering. - Swahilya Shambhavi. (In Pic: Shaktipeetam.)

Patanjali Yoga Sutra II - 51

When the breath becomes still

Bahya Abhyanthara Vishaya Aakshepi Chaturthaha|

This is the fourth type of Pranayama where the outgoing breath is not holding on to any thought or object outside and the incoming breath is not holding on to any ideas inside. The flow of the breath in and out hence becomes very smooth and takes the mind to a transcendental state of existence. - Swahilya Shambhavi.