अध्याय ६

II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

आतां योगाचळाचा निमथा I जरी ठाकावा आथी पार्था I तरी सोपाना या कर्मपथा I चुकां झणीं II 54 II
येणें यमनियमांचेनि तळवटें I रिगें आसनाचिये पाउलवाटे I येईं प्राणायामाचेनि आडकंठें I वरौता गा II 55 II
मग प्रत्याहाराचा आधाडा I जो बुद्धीचियाहि पायां निसरडा I जेथ हटिये सांडिती होडा I कडेलग II 56 II
तरी अभ्यासाचेनि बळें I प्रत्याहारीं निराळें I नखी लागेल ढाळेंढाळें I वैराग्याची II 57 II
ऐसा पवनाचेनि पाठारें I येतां धारणेचेनि पैसारें I क्रमी ध्यानाचे चवरें I सापडे तंव II 58 II
मग तया मार्गाची धांव I पुरेल प्रवृत्तीची हांव I जेथ साध्या साधना खेंव I समरसें होय II 59 II
जेथ पुढील पैस पारुखे I मागील स्मरावें तें ठाके I ऐसिये सरिसीये भूमिके I समाधि राहे II 60 II
येणें उपायें योगारूढु I जो निरवधि जाहला प्रौढु I तयाचिया चिन्हांचा निवाडु I सांगेन आइकें II 61 II

"Lord Krishna said to Arjun, to reach the peak of the mountain Karma Yog, one must walk the steps of this mountain steadfastly. "Yama Niyamas" are the base of this mountain. "Yamas" are the ethical guidelines, while "Niyamas" are the personal observances. Starting from the base of the mountain begins the trail of "Asanas", a stable and focused posture for meditation. It follows into the steep climb of the edge of the mountain called "Pranayam" which involves regulating the breath to control the life force (Pran) within the body. Then comes the "Pratyahar", the withdrawal of the senses and the mind from external stimuli, allowing for a deeper inward focus. It is most slippery because restraint of mind has to face the rebellion of intellect that makes sticking to the path challenging. This is where even the prominent Hathayogi, a practitioner of Hatha Yoga, a branch of yoga that focuses on physical postures (Asanas) and breath control (Pranayam) to prepare the body and mind for deeper meditative practices fail and give up. However those who continue moving forward  even in the face of challenges or difficulties, with a consistent and unwavering commitment to a course of action or a belief stay on the path with a firm grip of dispassion as their support. Moving ahead with Pran and Apan as the means, one comes to the plateu "Dharana". Dharana is translated as "holding on," "concentration," or "steadfastness". It's the ability to focus the mind on a single point without distraction. 
(Pran" and "Apan" are two vital energy forces or "winds" (vayu) that govern bodily functions, with Pran associated with upward and inward movement, and Apan with downward and outward movement.)
A plateau is a large, elevated area of relatively flat land, often with steep sides or cliffs that drop down to surrounding land. "Dhyan", a state of deep reflection and focussed awareness is the cliff of the plateu "Dharana."
The trail ends at the cliff. In other words the path of action and engagement with the external world ends at "Dhyan". The end and the means thus become one. At this point moving ahead ceases with no memory of the past. It is the state of Samadhi, oneness or absorption, representing the culmination of the yogic journey and a state of profound unity and enlightenment.
Let me have your attention Parth said Lord Krishna, here are the facets of a Yogi who has mastered the eight limbs of Yog in entirety."

II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

II श्रीसद्गुरूचरणार्पणमस्तु II