Here, Yājñavalkya builds upon the preceding verse, emphasizing the crucial integration of the mind with the vital forces of prāṇa and apāna. The wise one, or suhṛda, must first establish a state of mental union by aligning the manas with these foundational prāṇas – prāṇa representing the upward flow of breath and energy, and apāna the downward flow, governing elimination and grounding. This initial stabilization, termed dhāraṇā, is then declared ‘supreme’ (para mata) not merely as a technique, but as the very foundation of a successful yogic practice. The deliberate cultivation of this centered state—a sthira mind—represents a preparatory step toward deeper meditative states, aligning the individual with the natural rhythms of the prāṇic system and ultimately preparing the body for sustained dhyāna and samādhi.