Ṣaṣṭha-prakaraṇam (Pratyāhāra) · Verse 17
मूलधारे धरेद्धारां स्वाधिष्ठाने तथैव च । मणिपूरे तथानाहते विशुद्धौ त्रिविधं स्मृतम् ॥
mūlādhāre dhareddhārāṃ svādhiṣṭhāne tathaiva ca | maṇipūre tathānāhate viśuddhau trividhaṃ smṛtam ||
This verse meticulously outlines the specific dhāraṇās associated with the three primary cakras: muladhara, svādhiṣṭhāna, and manipura, alongside the crucial anahata and vishuddha centers. The instruction to hold dhāraṇā equally in svādhiṣṭhāna signifies a balanced distribution of attention, avoiding over-concentration in any single location within the nāḍī system. The threefold remembrance – adi-madhya-anta – applied to each of the four cakras represents a progressive deepening of the meditative state, mirroring the stages of a skillfully executed prāṇāyāma. The deliberate focus on these specific locations reflects a sophisticated understanding of the subtle energy channels and their influence on consciousness. This precise articulation demonstrates Yājñavalkya’s commitment to a scientifically informed approach to yoga, recognizing that the precise location of dhāraṇā profoundly impacts the flow of prāṇa and ultimately, the capacity for samādhi.