The Supreme Lord said: I will describe the characteristics of yoga, which is associated with the seed, O prince; by which the mind, through proper means, becomes serene and follows the righteous path.

Performing one's own duty with strength and refraining from the duties of others; being content with what is obtained by divine grace and engaging in self-cultivation and worship.

Abandoning worldly duties leads to liberation, and being devoted to the path of liberation; moderation in eating, constant service in solitude, and seeking safety.

Non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, and the acquisition of only what is necessary; celibacy, austerity, purity, self-study, and worship of the Supreme Being.

Silence, control over the mind, steadiness, and control over the life force gradually; withdrawal of the senses from their objects into the heart.

In one place, with the mind, holding the life force; meditation on the pastimes of Vaikuntha, and the state of self-realization.

With these and other paths, the mind, which is wicked and on the wrong path, should be gradually controlled by a wise person who is vigilant.

In a clean place, establishing a seat, one should sit firmly in that seat; in that, the one with a straight body should practice.

One should purify the path of life with the practice of pranayama and meditation. The mind should be made steady and unshakable, even in adverse conditions.

The mind of a yogi, who has conquered breath, becomes pure in a short time. Just as iron, when heated by fire and air, sheds its impurities.

Through pranayama, one can burn away impurities, and through dharana, one can eliminate sins. By practicing pratyahara, one can detach from attachments, and through meditation, one can attain divine qualities.

When the mind is purified and well-focused through yoga, one should meditate on the Lord, observing the tip of the nose.

He who has a face like a lotus, with eyes like the red of a lotus bud, dark as a blue lotus, and holds a conch, discus, and mace.

He who is adorned with a shining lotus-like form, wearing a yellow silk garment, with the Srivatsa mark on His chest, and the Kaustubha gem on His neck.

The forest adorned with the fragrance of intoxicated bees, surrounded by garlands of flowers, and the anklets of His beloved ringing sweetly.

With a beautiful, radiant form, He captivates the heart, spreading peace and enhancing the mind's delight.

He is eternally visible, honored by all worlds, a saint in His youth, and compassionate towards His devotees.

One should meditate on the complete form of the Lord, whose glories are sung, and who grants the merit of holy names, until the mind does not waver.

One should meditate upon the Supreme Being, who is seated, moving, or lying down in the cave of the heart, with a pure mind.

In that state, the mind, having attained its goal, becomes united with the Lord, who is distinguished and resides in all parts.

One should contemplate the lotus feet of the Lord, adorned with the thunderbolt, goad, and flag, which dispel the darkness of the heart with their radiant nails.

By that holy river, which flows from the mountain of peace, Lord Shiva became auspicious. One should meditate for a long time on the lotus feet of the Lord.

With both knees resting on the ground, and with the eyes of the mother Lakshmi, who is worshipped by all the gods, one should place the tender shoots of the hands in the heart of the Supreme Being.

The thighs of the divine swans are adorned with the beauty of the golden flowers; the yellow garments are draped over the waist, resembling the brilliance of the Kanchika garland.

In the navel of the universe, where the lotus of all beings is situated, may one meditate on the two forms of the divine, which are radiant like the moon and the sun.

The chest of the great being, adorned with the essence of the mind, brings satisfaction to all; the throat is embellished with the Kaustubha gem, honoring all the worlds.

With the movement of the Mandara mountain, may one contemplate the powerful guardians of the worlds; may one reflect on the conch that is like the swan of the celestial lake.

One should remember the beloved of the Lord, who is smeared with the blood of the divine warriors; adorned with a garland of honey, may the essence of the temple be pure around the neck.

One should meditate upon the lotus face of the Lord, who is merciful to His devotees, and who is adorned with the beautiful form that shines with the brilliance of His ear ornaments, and whose noble nose is enhanced by the splendor of His cheeks.

One should meditate on the Lord, who is served by the pure-hearted, adorned with curly locks, and who has the eyes like lotus petals, and who is the refuge of the two fish.

By gazing upon Him with great compassion, He alleviates the threefold miseries of existence; one should meditate on His broad, benevolent smile, which is filled with abundant grace.

The smile of Lord Hari, which removes the intense sorrow of all beings, is crafted to enchant; it is the form of His divine illusion, created for the sage who worships the Lord with a fish flag.

One should meditate on the smiling form of Lord Vishnu, who is seated in the heart, with a face radiant like the red hibiscus, and whose mind is devoted to Him with deep love.

Thus, having attained the state of devotion to the Lord, the heart, filled with joy, becomes ecstatic. With tears of longing, it repeatedly expresses its emotions; and even then, the mind gradually detaches from the great attachment.

When the mind, free from desires and detached, suddenly attains liberation, it perceives the self as the ultimate reality, focusing solely on it without distraction, flowing back into the essence of its qualities.

By this ultimate detachment of the mind, one who is established in that greatness experiences both happiness and sorrow externally. Even the cause of suffering exists in the doer; yet, the self remains unaffected, abiding in the ultimate state.

The body, whether in a state of stability or upliftment, is perceived by the enlightened one as the essence of the Supreme. Whether influenced by divine grace or devoid of it, the body is like a drunken person, wrapped in illusions.

The body is indeed subject to divine influence; as long as one examines their actions, they remain entangled in the web of existence. The one who is established in meditation does not regard dreams as real, once they awaken to the truth.

Just as a mortal is perceived differently by a son and by wealth, so too is a person perceived differently by the body, according to the understanding of the self.

Just as smoke arises from fire or from a spark, and is perceived as separate from fire, so too is the self understood as distinct from the body.

The soul, which is the seer, is distinct from the senses and the mind, and is known as the supreme consciousness.

One should see the self in all beings and all beings in the self, with an undivided perspective, just as the self is present in all living entities.

Just as a single light is perceived in many forms from various sources, the self remains situated in nature, manifesting the qualities of different wombs.

Therefore, this divine nature of mine, which is both existence and non-existence, stands in its essence, incomprehensible.