Muni's PlayDhāranā is the act of holding the mind to a particular object (Patanjali Yoga Sutra 3.1). Dhyāna is the state of an unbroken flow of knowledge toward that object (Patanjali Yoga Sutra 3.2). Samadhi occurs when the mind reflects only the meaning of the object, appearing as if devoid of its own form (Patanjali Yoga Sutra 3.3). The collective practice of these three—concentration, meditation, and absorption—on a single object is defined as Samyama (Patanjali Yoga Sutra 3.4). This process of self-restraint is akin to a sacrificial fire kindled by knowledge, where the functions of the senses and breath are offered to the Self (Gita Verse 4.27).
Key Sanskrit Terminology
| Term | Sanskrit | Meaning | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dhāranā | धारणा | Concentration / Fixing the mind | Patanjali Yoga Sutra 3.1 |
| Dhyāna | ध्यानम् | Meditation / Unbroken flow | Patanjali Yoga Sutra 3.2 |
| Samādhi | समाधिः | Absorption / Pure reflection | Patanjali Yoga Sutra 3.3 |
| Saṃyama | संयमः | Perfect Control (the three together) | Patanjali Yoga Sutra 3.4 |
| Ātmasanyama | आत्मसंयम | Self-restraint / Controlled mind | Gita Verse 4.27 |
See also: