[Having ceased worldly work, how do advanced yogis progress further?] They focus constantly on the self — to that end, they stay alone in a secluded place, carefully restrain their consciousness, and free themselves from desires and possessions (10).

[How exactly do they maintain their focus on the self?] First, they find a clean area; therein, they establish a steady sitting place that is neither too high nor too low; and then they cover that place with a soft cloth at the top, a deerskin in the middle and kusha grass at the bottom (11). 

[Are such external arrangements alone enough for maintaining inner focus?] Such externals aid them in making their internals conducive: being thus seated, they concentrate their mind on one object; restrain their consciousness and their senses; and thus engage in yoga practice — all for the purpose of self-purification (12).

[What does such yoga practice involve?] It begins with sitting postures [asanas] — they sit firmly keeping their body, neck and head erect in a straight line; and they gaze at the tip of their nose without looking in any other direction (13). 

[How does focusing on the tip of the nose help?] It is an accessible outer focus-point that aids in building concentration which can then be shifted to an inner focus-point — with their mind calmed and fear banished, situated in the vow of celibacy, they focus their disciplined mind on me, making me their supreme goal (14). 

[What do they finally attain?] Being thus always disciplined keeping their mind subdued, they attain the supreme peace of liberation, of union with me (15).

[During the long journey to this final attainment, how do they conduct themselves?] They avoid extremes such as eating too much or not eating at all and sleeping too much or not sleeping at all. (16)

[How do they find balance between the extremes?] By regulating their food, recreation, work and sleep to those moderate levels that enable them to practice yoga effectively, thereby putting an end to their sorrows (17).

[How can they know that they are practicing yoga effectively?] When their external choices become conducive to their inner concentration —  when their consciousness becomes controlled and focused on the self alone, free from all worldly desires, then they are well-established in yoga (18).

[Why is being free from worldly desires so important?] Because such desires cause their focus to waver just as winds cause a lamp to flicker; the consciousness of yogis free from worldly desires stays fixed on the ultimate spiritual reality — just as a lamp kept in a place free from wind gives a steady flame (19).