Sūtra 1.39

Sanskrit text, Unicode transliteration and English translation of Sūtra 1.39:

यथाभिमतध्यानाद्वा ॥ १.३९ ॥

yathābhimatadhyānādvā || 1.39 ||

39. Or by meditating according to one’s fancy.

The Rajamartanda commentary by King Bhoja:

[English translation of the 11th century commentary by Bhoja called the Rājamārtaṇḍa]

[Sanskrit text for commentary available]

Different men having different tastes, Yogis may affect each a different expedient according to choice, and by meditating thereon attain his object (scil. steadiness of mind). To establish this he says—

[Read Sūtra 1.39]

By thinking on anything according to choice, whether external, as the moon, or internal, as a plexus of arteries, the thinking principle becomes steadied.

Notes and Extracts

[Notes and comparative extracts from other commentaries on the Yogasūtra]

[The object of this aphorism is to show that by constantly reflecting on any object of choice, the habit is acquired of keeping the thinking principle confined to one object. The choice of course does not extend to carnal objects, for they would tend to excite, instead of allaying, the passions. The moon, or the sun, or other similar object has no such tendency, and certain plexuses within the chest and the abdomen which are believed to be the seats of the thinking principle, are held particularly beneficial in producing steadiness.]

Having thus described the different methods, he proceeds to point out what the fruit thereof is.