Yoga Sūtra Chapter Two verse 53
धारणासु च योग्यता मनसः ॥५३॥
dhāraṇāsu ca yogyatā manasaḥ ||53||
And fitness of the mind for concentration.
dhāraṇā - retaining, keeping back; fixation; collection or concentration of the mind; to exercise concentration; the act of holding, bearing, wearing, supporting, maintaining;ca - andyogyatā - fitness, ability, capability, suitableness, proprietymanas - mind; that which objects of sense affect; the faculty or instrument through which thoughts enter; conceptualizing functionCommentaries and Reflections
Commentary by T Krishnamacharya:
Commentary by TKV Desikachar:
Commentary by S Ramaswami:
“The mind becomes fit for the practice of Dhārana.
Thus the practice of Prānāyāma helps to establish fixity of mind so we can focus the energy.
Again as in Kriyā Yoga with developing a feeling for Samādhi.
Thus Āsana brings the body under control.
Prānāyāma brings the Prāṇa under control.
Pratyāhāra brings the Indriya under control.”
Commentary by Paul Harvey:
“As Prāṇāyāma dissolves the covering of the light,
fitness of the mind for concentration arises.”
“Prāṇāyāma is a key to the door of Dhāraṇā.”
“Before we can learn to look inwards,
we need to learn to stop looking outwards.”